AF's FINAL 2017 SFL Mock Draft (1-16)
It's draft day and I have no 1st Round Draft picks! I'm very sad.
by Anthony Fernandez, October 19th, 2017
[1.1]  QB Mitch Trubisky, University of North Carolina 
========> 22 years old | 6’3” | 74 AWR | 95 THP | 87 THA | 63 INJ
The Saints stuck their toe in the "will trade this pick" pool, but there hasn't been much action. I happen to know from an insider source in Tennessee that the Titans were hot-to-trot to try and move Wenning and Rivers to get up to [1.1] for Mitch Trubisky... but to my knowledge it never gained much traction. Now few GMs have ammo like Apolo, so never say never... but I've got the Saints staying put and turning in the card for Trubisky. The Saints have a talented roster that's missing a franchise QB. This is a move that makes too much sense NOT to happen, even if it has eliminated a lot of the suspense around the pick. Sitting at a table at the SFL meetup, all of us knew that whoever got 1.1 (Giants or Saints) was going to be after a Franchise QB. The Giants won the pick, and then leveraged it for an extra asset... but it was always a Franchise QB going [1.1]. Always.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  QB Mitch Trubisky, University of North Carolina 
The Saints were fractions of a point in strength of schedule away from just owning this pick, but giving up [2.2] is not a bad tax to make sure you get your guy. 74 AWR as a 22 year old rookie is honestly kind of insane. It's kind of crazy that Mitch is going to be a legit franchise QB in SFL for a decade... but we are a game of numbers, not a game of on-field talent. And Mitch has the measurables to be great. Tune back in for SFL 2025 when Mike Glennon, Mitch Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Nate Sudfeld, and Carson Wentz are breaking all your legendary QB records. If there is ONE flaw in Mitch, it's that INJ rating. Can you spend the 1st overall pick on a guy that gets hit for a living and has a 63 INJ rating? Unless someone offers Nate a legit Franchise QB, I think they have to.
[1.2]  LE Miles Garrett, Texas A&M 
========> 21 years old | 6’4” | 268 lbs. | 85 SPD | 75 STR | 67 AWR | 82 AGI | 88 ACC | 76 TAK
So many different ways that Will could go here, and I am about 60% sure this pick gets traded. If it DOES, I think it will wreck my Top 5, as I don't think anyone is trading to [1.2] to take Garrett (even though he's amazing). I think if someone comes up it's for a CB, WR, or maybe... HB? But boy, with the Raiders trading to [1.4], if Will stays here and takes Garrett, this draft could break wonderfully for the Raiders Offense. But if Will can't find the value he wants for the pick, there are wonderful things to like about Garrett, all of which I outlined below when I hinted he could go this route (and not just because Miles has wonderful taste and loves tabletop gaming!) All in all, it's a great thing that there's so much mystery around the #2 pick, because we've all known what way the Saints are going at #1 for a while now. There are legit 5 different guys I could see Will taking here, and I still think the odds are he moves down a little and finds a way to leverage that knowledge into extra assets. This is why Will is so good at poker... and why his reign in San Diego has been so successful thus far. Garrett is a stud player that any team would be happy to have. The 268lbs isn't anything special at the position, but it's bolded because I think it's relevant to the Chargers, who gave up a stud at the position this offseason in Lawrence... but he was almost 30lbs lighter... which would be tough to make work in the 34 defense Will has stated he wants to run. Garrett solves that problem.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama 
The move up to [1.2] for San Diego is a little puzzling to me, if it is in fact to draft there. As a value play? Totally get it. They are loaded UP with premium draft picks that they've been shopping, and I'm sure they've got nibbles... but clearly nothing they liked enough to pull the trigger on. But the 2nd overall pick? There is a legit shut down CB here and a potential star WR with rare size/speed combo. If the Chargers stay put, they won't be upset with either of those guys. It's difficult to say which way they'd go - but I'll lean on a conversation I had with Will very early on in my SFL tenure where he said he didn't really believe in drafting WRs this high, and how he prefers high OVR/AWR players and they do just fine. That said, since that conversation he's landed two really good Top 10 pick WRs that are thriving for him... so maybe his thinking on the matter has evolved... or maybe he wasn't telling me the truth. At CB, he seems to have went that way though... a couple high AWR studs who aren't quite vets yet. But in about two more seasons, they'll be ready to be traded or drop to the slot to mentor. So it would make sense to add a top flight CB now - but they'll need to add a cheap mentor. They could always send me a 4th for Maxey, or just try to nab one in FA. I don't have Private Workouts for any of these guys, so I don't know if Humphrey is going to be more work or less work to perfect... but even if he just stays the same, he's going to be a great pro. The 66 AWR with a mentor for two years means by the time Claiborne and Peterson are rounding 3rd base, he'll be over 80 AWR, and only 21 years old now he should have no problem getting to 90 AWR as a 6'1" 25 year old that is pushing 99/99/99 and has good hands. But don't be surprised if this pick gets traded. My guess would be for a pick lower in the Top 10, along with a future 1st round pick and a third unknown asset. Maybe another high pick, maybe a player. Lots of guys panic and need to make moves suddenly when the offseason hits. But the reality is there is still a LOT of time before the draft, and Will's super power is patience. He may make this pick, and he may not. But even if he doesn't, everyone in the league is going to think he's making this pick right up until he doesn't. If he stays put, another potential sleeper pick here... DE Miles Garrett? Loves Dungeons and Dragons, like Will and I. Beast player. BIGGER than Demarcus Lawrence, so a better fit for the 34 will wants to run. It's high, and there's a dropoff after him at the position. So would be a fun storyline. Could Will be worried he's a target for Oakland? Hmm.
[1.3]  WR Mike Williams, Clemson 
========> 22 years old | 6’4” | 210 lbs. | 95 SPD | 29 STR | 69 AWR | 95 AGI | 99 ACC | 78 CTH | 75 JMP
No change at 3 for me, personally. Brad has stated he has a list of a few studs he loves for the position, and it does NOT include a QB. You have to imagine Mike Williams is on that list, even if they have a solid group of WRs already. Fact remains, Julio Jones (who the Raiders liked a LOT, check the Discord receipts) was traded away... and Williams is a rich man's version of Julio. Dare I say... Williams is not... a dime a dozen? Solid pick for the Raiders, and I think their real concern has to be someone jumping up to the 2nd pick to snipe him away.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  WR Mike Williams, Clemson
Would the Chargers move to [1.2] to take Williams just to spite Brad, the division rival? Well that probably depends how good that private workout is. Brad clearly values big guys, check the Julio Jones receipts if you're unsure. But Williams, if the skew is right, has the potential to be a MUCH improved version of Julio in the Raiders offense. Playing with a vet on new legs like Henne? Williams would light it up. The Raiders already have two really good WRs they drafted in the 1st round recently, plus Tyreek in the slot who was a 2nd rounder... but Williams would offer something this offense currently lacks. The Raiders have other holes that need addressed (SS, HB, OL), but I'm a firm believer that when you're THIS high, you take the rare talent at CB and WR. The CB just went off the board. I think Oakland would love to drop down a few spots and go another direction, but if they stay put I think this is the best player.
[1.4] HB James Conner, Pitt 
========> 22 years old | 6’2” | 250 lbs. | 93 SPD | 80 STR | 60 AWR | 86 AGI | 92 ACC | 74 CAR | 88 BTK
We have a TRADE! That's right, the Raiders paid [1.18], [2.15], a Future 1st, and a groomable CB to move alllllll the way up from the 18th pick into the Top 5 AGAIN. Very bold move, and I think it will pay off. I will say... to move up to 4 is oddly specific. Did they just want to be back-to-back? That's always fun. I mean the Chargers have been pretty vocal that 2 would probably be available. Did they not WANT to trade within the division? Were the Raiders not in the Chargers Friend Club to facilitate such a move in the first place? Were the Patriots the ONLY top 10 team trading? With how many times the 7th pick has traded hands, that certainly doesn't seem true. Instead, my detective nose got a different itch. I think maybe, just maybe, Brad has showed his hand and James Conner is the guy he wants. There are a few tells that support this theory. The first is his mock draft... which was VERY good, by the way. I feel bad because I didn't comment on it, but that mock (like all the other good ones), please believe I am digesting each and every one of them completely and am so grateful for the SFL content. But surprisingly absent from that mock was HB Conner. To be fair... ALL running backs were absent. Now everyone who has ever wrote a mock draft (that has 1st round picks) has tried to hide players. That's not new. But to leave all the HBs out of the 1st? I mean, maybe he shares the opinion with Breck that this class of runners isn't elite. Or maybe he was trying to hide Conner? Sure, the Raiders have a very raw stud on the roster in CJ Ham... but most good teams have two runners. It seems likely, to me at least, that the Raiders are employing a strategy I used when I wanted HB David Johnson. I traded for Anthony Dixon for pretty cheap from Jacksonville to give the appearance that I don't need a runner, knowing full well I was going to draft one in the first two rounds. I then doubled down with mocks to try and diminish HB value. Did it work? I mean David Johnson got to the 2nd round... but he might have got there anyway. There were other HBs in that class that I was unable to hide. Back to the Raiders though, I think they'd have loved to have Conner fall to them at 18... but we've now seen MULTIPLE mocks were the Falcons take Conner at [1.5]! Perhaps Brad was a little worried and knew if he got to the 4th pick he'd be good? I dunno... feels likely. If you're Brad, you get the GIFT of more Henne via Fountain of Youth... you get the unfortunate injury... but then he returns in time to rip the literal asshole out of everyone in the division. And then you have a chance to casually add Mike Williams and James Conner to THAT offense? Well done. Hat tip. Etc. On top of that, while CJ Ham is a young guy with potential that the Raiders would be well-served to keep (in this scenario) to form a nice 1-2 combo... Ham is also a guy that GMs from last year were going nuts about when the Jets drafted him. It seems likely they'd be able to recoup a Future 1st for him this offseason or towards the deadline next year... effectively trading their Future 1 (that will be pretty late, if they stay healthy) for a Future 1 of a team that has a hurting run game (so is probably doing worse than Oakland in the standings...)? Genius. And if I blew up Brad's spot here, just know that I am wrong OFTEN, that I have no insider information on this, and that even if Connor ends up getting sniped, the Raiders will still be able to draft two of the best FOUR players in this draft and are going to get a lot better no matter what. The real irony, however, is I don't think the Falcons even WANT Conner at 5. Sure, I mocked him there (as did others) and he makes sense. But I think Atlanta would LOVE to draft SS Eddie Jackson - who might be the best player in the class. Worth noting? Raiders SS James Sample has been put on the trade block, and the team could very well just love Eddie Jackson.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  LE Miles Garrett, Texas A&M
The Patriots have a very talented roster and and a Franchise QB, so I was surprised all last year about how poorly they performed. Thankfully, that year is behind them and the reward is now a Top 4 pick. That pick would have been even HIGHER if two of their only four wins didn't happen in Week's 16 and 17... but they don't need a QB, so who gives a shit. They are here, and I'm not convinced this player won't be sniped prior to [1.4], but Miles Garrett would be a very nice add for a roster that has no LEs on it. Miles has freak size and speed, and is only 21 years old. I'll never get him, but he's SO good I'm tempted to burn a PW just to get an advance screening of his greatness. I suspect he probably goes UP, and then with some AP could be a phenom. I love that the good buddies (Will, Briston, and Nate) are 3 of the first 4 picks in the draft. I wonder how much of Will jumping up was FOMO, and it'll be interesting to see who of the 3 gets bragging rights of the best player from this class.
[1.5]  SS Eddie Jackson, Alabama
========> 22 years old | 6’0” | 95 SPD | 67 STR | 63 AWR | 99 AGI | 99 ACC | 49 CTH | 89 JMP | 74 TAK
We started a fire of mock drafts mocking HB to the Falcons, but I've had a feeling they may be targeting SS Eddie Jackson here. As someone who was shopping for a SS mentor, the Falcons were in on a LOT of those SS mentors. Perhaps they have something lined up to nab a mentorable guy, but the players being bid on have VERY little value beyond 90+ AWR. But something has spooked them, as this pick has recently showed up on trade threads. Do they not think that Jackson will be here? Or were they really interested in Connor, and were worried teams were onto them and someone would move into [1.4] to disrupt their draft plans? Time will tell. They are going to get a great player if they stay here, or a great haul of picks if they move down.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  HB James Conner, Pitt
So it should be noted that this is what I would do if I were Atlanta, not necessarily what I think they'll do. They have HB David Wilson, who I suppose has been serviceable. He's not an explosive runner, but he gets the job done and is only 27 years old. Connor, however, is a HUGE back at 250 pounds, so gives you some thunder to Wilson's lightning. Connor also has rare speed for a guy his size, to go with 80 STR and 88 BRK. The 66 INJ is a concern for a Top 5 pick, but he has the tools to be really special. Anytime you're making these high pressure picks I think it's important to think about your biggest division rival and ask yourself, "what would they want me NOT to do?" And I think if you asked Mr. (B) Mellon, the last MFer he wants to see in a Falcons jersey is James Connor.
[1.6]  QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
========> 22 years old | 6’2” | 66 AWR | 97 THP | 86 THA | Not A Great Human
No change. I said what I said.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Just in case, you know, Erik Ainge suffers another elusive season-ending three week injury. Is Watson the 2nd best QB in this class? I dunno, probably not... but this just feels right. Like your upper thighs after a good massage. Once all that tension is released.
[1.7]  WR WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC 
========> 22 years old | 6’2” | 215 lbs. | 99 SPD | 46 STR | 54 AWR | 99 AGI | 99 ACC | 84 CTH | 86 JMP
So Miami moved up! I still for sure think they are drafting a WR here, and while it's tempting to have them snag Galladay instead... I just think JuJu is a much safer pick unless that private workout for Kenny Galladay is amazing (which I won't know, because I'm good at WR). For that reason, I'm having Miami moving up to secure and lock-in their WR. Ultimately, I don't have any WRs other than Williams off the board by 7 - so Miami would get their pick of whoever is 2nd on their draft board. Daren is an SFL legend, and he surely has done his HW and will know whoever the 2nd best WR in the class is before he turns in the card... if WR is in fact the target (which it might not be).
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING SS Eddie Jackson, Alabama
There have been some rumblings that this pick might have been traded? Will told me THIS morning (10/13) that he was picking at [1.7], but then Breck made an ominous post that THEY moved down from [1.7]. I'm not sure if that means that the Colts, since breakfast, have acquired the 7th pick and then traded it already... and if it were anyone other than Breck/Apolo/Me I'd think, "no way." But alas, it's possible this pick will be wrong before it's even posted. As far as I know, the Chargers will be here, and they land a STUD in Jackson. It's honestly a pretty shitty SS draft (speaking as team who could use one), but Jackson is the gem. Will almost took Landon Collins a few years ago (or at least the media thought so), before he punted and let him slide to [1.8]. Will hit the draft gem that year and ended up with a stud anyway, but traded him to Tennessee (who sent him to Pittsburgh.) In this hypothetical though, the Chargers double down with Alabama defensive studs for the new and improved 34. Not a lot of guys like Jackson in the league. Whoever gets this guy will be happy.
UPDATE I can confirm this pick was moved to the Colts since breakfast, allegedly, and then moved to Miami. I'll leave the picks as is for now, but it's likely the Chargers are NOT targetting a Safety anymore based off a player they got in that deal.
[1.8]  DT Davon Godchaux, LSU 
========> 21 years old | 6’4” | 293 lbs. | 80 SPD | 87 STR | 55 AWR | 84 AGI | 78 ACC | 74 TAK
HB D'onta Foreman to the Ravens at 1.8 was my least favorite of my 32 picks for my first edition, and while I think Foreman is going to be a fantastic HB in SFL, I'll admit I didn't realize HOW deep the HB class was (in my opinion) when I forecast Foreman here before. I stand by my belief that he's the last big bodied guy you could make a stud in the mold of Beanie Wells... but it's probably more realistic that a GM as good as Norb just ACTUALLY takes a Top 10 talent, rather than a guy to work on. It's possible he does like Foreman and would move down to acquire him... the Ravens have been shopping the pick... but I have no intel on the liklihood of that happening, so I'll have them stay put and taking the best player left on MY board if it falls this way. Davon Godchaux is a player that has risen a ton since my first mock, where he felt like it may have been a surprise pick at 16 overall. Now? He is commonly in the Top 10 and it would almost be a surprise if he was NOT the pick. I could see him go as high as #2 overall. Would be a good grab for a Ravens team that needs DL help, and fits the BPA philosophy.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  HB D'onta Foreman, Texas 
Ravens are a mysterious team to mock. I've seen WRs get mocked here, and it's possible, but their WRs are pretty good. HB Beanie Wells is a stud, but he's 29 this year, and if we're being honest his attributes don't lend encouragement for a guy who will last TOO long into regression. He's be too slow to start pretty quick. It might be a great time for the Ravens to hop on a HB, and while I'm sure they'd prefer Connor, Foreman is a big bodied banger as well. Unfortunately, he's not any more durable than Connor... always a gamble in the Top 10, but someone is going to get a very productive RB with Foreman.
[1.9]  WR Chris Godwin, Penn State 
========> 21 years old | 6'1" | 98 SPD | 41 STR | 56 AWR | 98 AGI | 99 ACC | 73 CTH | 90 JMP
Slight swap here - the Giants will be active on draft day up until (and including) when they are on the clock. Romeo is a top tier GM, and will have a great feel of the class and how to play it. For that reason, I don't think he stays at 9 and 15 overall to draft, personally. I think he'll keep scooting down as far as he can, collecting assets, like he's already done from #1 overall. The rankings for WRs are all over the place. If Ro wants a BIG guy, Galladay is still on the board. Upon further review, I'm a big fan of Josh Malone and think with that 86 CTH he's going to be an instant star. If we're talking upside and long career though - I gotta give Ro one of Sandusky's Boys. Godwin is everything you are looking for in a WR. I think there will be some added appeal for Ro knowing I'm a RL Bucs fan and LOVE Chris Godwin, and now will have to root for his demise or eventually bring Ro a grandfather insane offer like I've been sending Felipe for the last few years for Evans. Sure, the Giants need a Franchise QB for Jordan Palmer to mentor... but unless someone JUMPS UP... I don't think the next few teams between 10 and 15 are interested in sniping Mahomes. The Packers are on the hot seat with Andrew Luck, the Dolphins have Mariota, The Colts have Wentz, and the Jaguars have Crab Legs. Rather than get your QB and take what's LEFT at WR... secure the WR you like most, then let Mahomes come to you.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech 
Obviously the NFL equivalent of Patrick Mahomes looks better NOW, but Mahomes was far from a "sure thing" when he came out. This version will need some work - just being 6'2" is less than ideal, and 93 THP and 89 THA don't jump off the page, either. The 65 AWR is ok, and as long as Mahomes lands with a mentor (like the Giants acquired in Palmer), Mahomes will be just fine. He's more durable than the other guys, so that's a plus, but he's still not a slam dunk in that department either. He'll ride the bench most of his rookie season, but he will be a future All Pro (with work).
[1.10]  WR Kenny Galladay, Northern Illinois 
========> 22 years old | 6’4” | 214 lbs. | 96 SPD | 65 STR | 58 AWR | 92 AGI | 95 ACC | 79 CTH | 97 JMP
I had Galladay here before, and while it's totally possible he gets sniped before he falls to 10, I could see him landing right into GM Mellon's lap anyways. Galladay is one of the more vulnerable from the skew (I almost burnt one just to see for this article, but thought better of it). While it's true he has rare size, if he doesn't skew UP (not even just stay the same), he is going to take some work with AP to make elite. I forget sometimes when I'm making these that every GM isn't as crazy about spending hours and hours and hours writing content to try and maximize these fake characters that consume so much of our time. So perhaps on paper a guy like Godwin or JuJu appeal more to the average Madden GM? We shall see. I know Mr. Mellon is far from average and has put out some amazing content this offseason already. Could that AP he's earning be used to pimp out Galladay? Watch out NFC South.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  WR Kenny Galladay, Northern Illinois
Is that 3-time SFL Super Bowl Champion Bryan Mellon in the Top 10 in back-to-back years? Weird. Last year Mellon got a stud, and this year is no different. I'm sure Bryan is kicking himself for not taking THREE 1st round picks from that mystery team that offered on WR Taylor Price at the deadline last year, because now-30 and regressing (plus $5m annually), he'd have a hard time pulling a single 1st. But that's ok, the rich will get richer as Bryan will have Galladay studded out in a few years as a legitimate 6'4" speedster.
[1.11]  WR Josh Malone, Tennessee 
========> 21 years old | 6’3” | 205 lbs. | 94 SPD | 30 STR | 62 AWR | 91 AGI | 99 ACC | 86 CTH | 71 JMP
Upon further review, I am a big fan of Malone. I think in some of the mocks he's getting overlooked a bit. His CTH and AWR combo are absolutely elite for his age. Apolo did just spend some money in free agency on WRs, but if Malone is there, I think Apolo jumps on him. Apolo was just talking in the Discord the other day about how much he values AWR and CTH at WR. Seems like a match made in heaven. If the draft somehow breaks this way with Humphrey falling, don't be surprised if Apolo holds this pick at auction to the highest bidder just to prevent Humphrey from going to the rival Colts. Hell, Apolo might draft Humphrey himself and just have him play waterboy just to make sure he never puts a horseshoe on his helmet.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  LT Roderick Johnson, Florida State 
This is one of those picks that you don't overthink. Just take the best player, even on the hot seat. The Packers need a LT, and Johnson has 68 SPD, 77 AGI, 84 ACC, 80 PBK, 70 RBK, 97 STR, and a whopping 78. This guy is smarter than some offensive lineman starting in SFL today, and he's smarter than Eagles DE Frank Clark EVER will be. Just a plug and play guy, even if his pass and run block will need to be targeting with early progression. You probably won't be able to Training Camp him (over 79 OVR I bet), but he's going to be a Day 1 starter. Grab a mentor for him to passively keep boosting his AWR while you focus progression onto RBK/PBK. Stud.
[1.12]  CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
========> 21 years old | 6’1” | 97 SPD | 44 STR | 66 AWR | 94 AGI | 97 ACC | 64 CTH | 85 JMP | 57 TAK
Breck is one of our most prolific wheeler-and-dealers, so no surprise he moved up. Last mock he had one pick in this range and went WR Chris Godwin, who was #2 on his Big Board OVERALL, apparently. According to that board, CB Humphrey is tied for his 3rd ranked CB, but did receive an A grade and is marked as a "target". Humphrey is one of my big fallers from my first mock, as he was at #2 overall... but I just couldn't find a place to put him in the top 10. It's entirely possible he is long gone before this pick, but I think Breck would be thrilled to get him at 12. His data seems to support that as well, even though he clearly is lusting for a WR. By the time the Colts are (currently) on the clock, the 1st round WRs are gone.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  WR WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
Sounds like the Dolphins will actually be picking at [1.7] after all the dust settles, and maybe they try to go up even higher. Their post said "top 10 will do", so maybe they'll be set at 7. To me, that sounds like a team that is going to go Best Player Available at ONE specific position. To make a proclamation like that, you'd probably need a position where you have... 4-5 guys you'd be comfortable taking. Sounds like a WR to me. With that in mind, I love JuJu as the guy for the Dolphins, especially at 7. In this iteration, I'd be a little worried that the Packers (or someone else) might snipe him, but I think JuJu could comfortably fall to 7th overall. Paired with recently added Chris Conley, you've got a killer 1-2 punch to continue Marcus Mariota's development. That does remind me that at some point this offseason, the Dolphins inquired about WR Latimer (like some other teams have), but Latimer is one of my few untradeable players. So WR is on the big board... but that might have been BEFORE they got Conley, and maybe they're happy at the position now? Should be a fun draft!
[1.13] CB Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
========> 23 years old | 6’0” | 95 SPD | 43 STR | 64 AWR | 89 AGI | 97 ACC | 65 CTH | 93 JMP | 61 TAK
So the Chargers, who are shopping this pick, come sooooo close to getting CB Humphrey at 13 overall after I previously mocked him to them at 2 overall. I think there is a solid chance that Will moves off of this pick for a player and a later 1st, but we shall see. I almost gave him MLB Trey Hendrickson just for the lawls of him having legit SIX startable MLBs on the roster. You have to think some of those guys move on draft day? Ultimately there are a lot of directions for the Chargers to go here, but I think the 2nd best CB is a good bet. Now WHICH CB does he think is 2nd best? That's a matter of taste and preference. But I like Tankersley quite a bit. If there was one thing going AGAINST this being the card the Chargers turn in, it's that I know Will values the opinions of GMs Mullendore and Wintermute quite a bit. Tankersley was absent from the Top 20 mock draft that Neal did... so he might not like him at all. And if he doesn't like him, Will probably doesn't like him. Especially at 13 overall. But maybe Will would take whatever CB he has ranked 2nd. Lattimore, for example, was absent from Neal's mock too. He is only 21 years old, so would give Will a longer window to develop him, while he's still got two studs. Hardee, who Neal had 2nd amongst CBs, is also only 21 years old. It's all kind of (winter)mute, however, as I don't think Will actually makes this pick.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
So the Colts went from [1.13] up to [1.7], and then back down to [1.12] before lunch was over. I wonder who they liked enough to move up the 6 spots, but then felt good enough to drop back down 5... only in front of... Will? Does that mean their primary target might share some overlap with San Diego? Hmm. I'll leave these picks as is until confirmed and moved on site, but it'll be interesting to track if these teams actually even stay where they are. The Colts have been mocked WRs, and I can kind of see that. They voluntarily share a list of 23 ranked prospects that led with five WRs. Of those five, Golladay and Williams are gone (and would be even if they were picking at 12, where they supposedly currently are. My next intuition would be to see who is MISSING from the list that is worthy of a top 10 pick, but having no 1sts and refusing to pick in the top 10, I can't say I'm the best at scouting the top, top talent in a draft to make such a distinction. I think OL would be wise... but Breck has a ton of picks and those guys are usually around later in the 1st. There are a couple FREAK LBs, but this might be a tad early. I think Godwin is a little too cute of a pick here, and I don't think he's a guy that gave them the "urge" to hop up. My gut says they take the best OL they truly like, but Godwin is just 21 years old and would be a fantastic add to any team. Watch the Giants as a team that has plenty of 1st round ammo and might be a sleeper to get Godwin. Benn is about a bajillion dollars by this point, and they'll need to get their new Franchise QBs some weapons. As a Penn State fan, I'm sure Romeo would love to add one of Sandusky's boys. But not if Breck gets him first.
[1.14]  LT Roderick Johnson, Florida State
========> 21 years old | 6’6” | 308 lbs. | 68 SPD | 97 STR | 78 AWR | 77 AGI | 84 ACC | 80 PBK | 70 RBK
I really think the Jaguars would love to take a WR here... but the only ones I have worthy of this pick are long gone. For that reason, I have them staying with a RT... but as much as I'd love to see Cam Robinson play for his RL team, I think the best OT (who I had going to Green Bay) is available and would be great value at 14th overall. They snatch up Roderick Johnson, who is polished and ready to block for Jameis from day one. One of the more complete prospects in the entire draft.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
The Jaguars only have four total offensive lineman ON THE TEAM. With nearly $40 million in cap space, this will surely be a VERY active team in Free Agency, and it's possible Olly will just want to BUY high overall veteran OL to block for Crab Legs Winston. But if they want a great young player to develop, that we already KNOW looks good in a Jaguars uniform... Cam Robinson is your guy.
[1.15] QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
========> 22 years old | 6’2” | 65 AWR | 93 THP | 89 THA
The Giants gamble on their Franchise QB and get lucky. Mahomes is still sitting there ready to become the face of the franchise. This gives Ro a few years to see how good Mahomes can be before ultimately Danny Dimes enters the draft and takes his job. Two years of mentoring from Palmer means Mahomes is 75+ AWR by 24 years old, without even taking a regular season snap. I personally think Mahomes has been misrepresented a bit by these ratings... so he's one of my best bets to skew UP when it's all said and done, but in drafts nothing is every guaranteed and I hope he sucks.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING WR Josh Malone, Tennessee
Disappointed to miss out on one of Sandusky's boys (Chris Godwin), the Giants still continue the run on talented WRs. Malone is 6'3" with amazing hands, yet remains one of the quickest guys in the class. It's possible that his skew isn't great, and then this would be a reach, but if he stays the same or goes up a bit, he reminds me a lot of my WR Cody Latimer, who I've been extremely happy with. Mahomes (or Palmer, or whoever the next Franchise QB is) will need some weapons. The Giants have a TON of ammo though, and GM Romeo Mendez rarely settles for the 5th best of ANYTHING in the draft. They have had an impressive streak the last few years of landing blue chippers like HB Melvin Gordon, OLB Za'Darius Smith, and CB Jalen Ramsey - it would not surprise me at all to see them try to move up to get a Top 3 WR in this class instead of a Top 5 or 6 guy.
[1.16] SS Jabrill Peppers, Michigan 
========> 21 years old | 6’0” | 91 SPD | 58 STR | 66 AWR | 86 AGI | 89 ACC | 67 CTH | 85 JMP | 76 TAK
Apolo has been in a public battle with SS Kam Chancellor, so it's entirely possible they are looking to add a young stud before regression starts. Apolo would not make the move without securing a 1st round pick for Kam, so I think this might be dependent on that... but when has Apolo had trouble securing market value for amazing talents? I think Peppers is a tiny bit of a reach at 16, and maybe Apolo would try to grab him a little later... but he is a day one starter who will develop into a stud in Tennessee. There is also a bit of a drop off at SS after Peppers is gone.
PREVIOUS PICK + REASONING  DT Davon Godchaux, LSU
This is a player that I think a lot of teams like, but probably all for different reasons. Being just 21 years old, he perfectly fits the mold of the type of player Apolo targets in these drafts... maximizing the window before regression. At 6'4" and 293 pounds, he's got great size. His 87 strength might scare some teams off... if they are looking at him as a DT. But Apolo probably loves him as a DE (like Knighton he just traded). Apolo has two amazing DEs already, including one that just got a new contract... so the move doesn't make a ton of sense from a NEED standpoint, but hard to argue that Davon isn't the most INTERESTING player left at this point. Apolo has a need at DT now, so he could start him off there and progress him (AP boosts, too) with the knowledge that eventually he could have some fun with him in a 34. You know Apolo will have a zillion Private Workouts and make sure this guy looks worthy of the pick on paper, and then run years of sims to see how he plays out. Frankly, it would tell me more about Davon if he is NOT the pick than it would if Apolo does make this the pick.
IN CONCLUSION... I went through and proofread everything, and checked the links, and it should be good to go. I had honestly hoped to finish this all today (1-32), but it just never happened. I thought it would be more impactful all as one article (maybe with a few bonus 2nd round picks), but it was too ambitious and had to become a 2-parter. All of the coding and HTML to make this LOOK up to my standards took longer than expected. That, plus quite a bit of movement in the Top 16, and it got harder as the draft went on. I assume that will be theme for part 2 as well, which I hope to finish tomorrow. I added some bells and whistles that I hope make this worthy of a 2nd installment. Hope you all enjoy!
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