1/ Browns: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Having the first overall pick in the draft comes with serious responsibility. For the Browns, a team coming off the NFL’s second-ever 0-16 campaign, all responsibility fell on using that first pick to acquire a quarterback capable of reversing the team’s fortune. Despite all the questions concerning his character and ego, Baker Mayfield is the guy I believe Cleveland will choose to get this process underway. I hate discounting Josh Rosen or Josh Allen, two quarterbacks who should end up being solid quarterbacks wherever they end up. However, Mayfield’s upside is hard to deny. He’s not the largest quarterback, at 6’0” and around 200 pounds, but his overall quickness will help him whenever he needs to leave the pocket (which could be often, with a Browns offensive line that just lost their anchor in Joe Thomas). On top of that, Mayfield features an arm that is not remarkably strong, but certainly accurate. Mayfield’s pocket presence, combined with his ability to avoid the rush and scramble for first downs, should be enough for Cleveland to say yes to Baker. Oh, and we can’t forget about his clutch gene. Who can forget that incredible performance against Georgia in this year’s Rose Bowl, despite the losing effort?
2/ Giants: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
The Giants might have the toughest choice out of the first ten picks. Do they find a quarterback to gain exposure under the aging Eli Manning, or do they go for gold now with the best running back in the draft? All things considered, I’m liking the Giants to nab Barkley with the second overall pick. Barkley is what all running backs want in terms of physical attributes: size, speed, and agility. Barkley will run through a linebacker to pick up a first down, but he’s also capable of burning and out-hustling defensive backs. His natural ability is undeniable. Another thing to think about with the Giants is history. In 1996, the Giants finished 6-10, good for last place in the NFC East. With their high pick in the ‘97 draft, New York picked up Tiki Barber with their high draft pick. Not a bad omen.
3/ Jets: QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
Rosen is the best natural passer in this year’s draft. If you were to average together Rosen’s arm power, accuracy and mobility, he would rank higher than any other quarterback in the draft. Rosen has also showed his resilience, enjoying an excellent junior season in 2017 after missing most of his sophomore year due to injury. That’s why I expect the Jets to get smart and take Rosen while he’s still available. He’s a safer bet at number three than the dynamic Josh Allen, and if any team needs a safe bet, it is certainly the New York Jets. If things get tough in the Meadowlands, I feel Rosen is more capable of staying strong, and fighting through adversity to get the Jets moving in the right direction.
4/ Browns: DE Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
The Browns will bolster their offense with their first pick, and shore up their defensive talent by picking Chubb fourth overall. Chubb is the best defensive player in the draft; a workhorse who tallied 72 tackles last season for the Wolfpack. At 6’4” and 270 pounds, Chubb has enough size to consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but he also has the quickness to spin off a tackle or guard to pile up sacks. The Browns got better on defense last year by improving their secondary. This year, I expect them to use their second top-five pick to reinvigorate a pass defense that ranked among the worst in the NFL in 2017.
5/ Broncos: CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
The Broncos defense isn’t what it was, say, three years ago, then this team went all the way to the Lombardi Trophy. Those defensive teams revolved around the power of the front seven, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware devastating quarterbacks across the league. This time around, I believe the Broncos would be well-suited to improve the secondary, and that starts with acquiring Fitzpatrick. After losing Aqib Talib to the L.A. Rams in free agency, having Fitzpatrick at one of the corners would make life easier for Bradley Roby, who figures to take Talib’s spot on the other side. FItzpatrick is not slated to go this high in most mocks, but his natural talent is undeniable, becoming arguably the best cornerback in college football’s best conference. Despite rumblings of an Elway-Mayfield lunch date, I believe the Broncos will do the right thing and improve their defensive unit.
