Version 1 of my mock drafts comes as the final draft order is finally set. The Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos will conclude the first round, while last years champs the New England Patriots will be without their 1st round pick due to deflategate.

  1. Tennessee Titans – OT Laremy Tunsil: Tennesee gets a franchise left tackle to protect Marcus Mariota.
  2. Cleveland Browns – QB Carsen Wentz: The Browns finally get a franchise quarterback. Wentz has rocketed up draft boards, and will be the first QB taken.
  3. San Diego Chargers – DE Joey Bosa: Bosa gives San Diego an elite defensive end to upgrade the 20th ranked defense.
  4. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jalen Ramsey: Dallas would take Wentz if he is still here at this spot. Instead, they settle for the best corner in the draft.
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars – LB Myles Jack: Jags could go WR here to add a weapon on offense. Jack is a super athletic linebacker Jacksonville can’t pass up.
  6. Baltimore Ravens – DE Noah Spence: Ravens continue their great drafting getting the best pass rusher in the draft.
  7. San Francisco 49ers – QB Jared Goff: New coach Chip Kelly gets a quarterback to begin the rebuilding of the 49ers.
  8. Miami Dolphins – DE DeForest Buckner: Dolphins will lose Olivier Vernon through free agency, and may even cut Cameron Wake. Insert Buckner to fill the void at end.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Laquon Treadwell: Jameis Winston gets a big weapon to use on offense.
  10. New York Giants – CB Vernon Hargreaves: Giants secondary was among the worst in the NFL last year. Hargreaves helps improve a major weakness.
  11. Chicago Bears – OT Ronnie Stanley: Bears get much needed help on the offensive line.
  12. New Orleans Saints – CB Mackensie Alexander: Saints are in the same boat as the Giants. New Orleans grabs the best corner on the board.
  13. Philadelphia Eagles – QB Paxton Lynch: Sam Bradford is gone. New coach Doug Pederson starts his era off with the 6’6″ Lynch.
  14. Oakland Raiders – DE Shaq Lawson: Raiders add another impact pass rusher to go along with Khalil Mack.
  15. Los Angeles Rams – OT Taylor Decker: Back in Los Angeles for the first time since 1994, the Rams get the best tackle on the board.
  16. Detroit Lions – LB Reggie Ragland: Lions are elated to get a premier linebacker at this point in the draft.
  17. Atlanta Falcons -LB Jaylon Smith: Smith had a devastating knee injury in his last college game, killing his draft stock in the process. His loss, is the Falcons gain, as they get what could be the best linebacker in the draft at 17.
  18. Indianapolis Colts – RB Ezekiel Elliot: A good running game can take some pressure off Andrew Luck. Elliot is far and away the best back in the draft.
  19. Buffalo Bills – DT Robert Nkemdiche: Nkemdiche had his share of off field problems at Mississippi St. That might scare off some teams, but I don’t see Rex Ryan shying away from this defensive talent.
  20. New York Jets – QB Conor Cook: Ryan Fitzpatrick is a free agent, and the Jets are fine with that. Cook will compete with Geno Smith for the starting QB job.
  21. Washington Redskins – DL  Sheldon Rankins: Redskins continue to build on a good 2015 by selecting stud lineman Rankins.
  22. Houston Texans – QB Chris Hackenberg: My surprise pick of the first round. No matter what mock draft you see, if its not QB heavy, then it’s wrong. The Texans suffered through one of the worst playoff performances by a quarterback ever. Bill O’Brien has seen enough of Brian Hoyer to last him  a lifetime.  O’Brien coached Hackenberg at Penn. St., and now he reaches for him in the first round.
  23. Minnesota Vikings – OG Josh Garnett: The top guard in the draft is snapped up by the Vikings here.
  24. Cincinnati Bengals – WR Corey Coleman: The Bengals have two of their top three receivers set to enter free agency. Coleman gives them an explosive option to go along with star wideout A.J. green.
  25. Pittsburgh Steelers – S Darian Thompson: The Steelers have lots of needs on defense. With all the top tier edge rushers and cornerbacks off the board, the Pittsburgh grabs the best safety in the draft. Thompson is a definite upgrade over Will Allen, and should jump right in as a starter.
  26. Seattle Seahawks – DE Kevin Dodd: The Seahawks biggest need could be running back. Rumors are Marshawn Lynch is set to retire. Seattle will have to wait until the later rounds for a running back, for now they add depth on the d-line.
  27. Green Bay Packers – WR Michael Thomas: It was clear to everyone the Packers had a serious lack of weapons on offense. The packers get another late 1st round steal in Thomas. The Ohio St. receiver has a chance to be a number one option for Aaron Rodgers.
  28. Kansas City Chiefs – OG Cody Whitehair: Chiefs fill a need here with starter Jeff Allen to become a free agent.
  29. Arizona Cardinals – CB Eli Apple: Jerraud Powers is a free agent for Arizona. Applee would be a strong replacement for the Cardinals secondary.
  30. Carolina Panthers – LB Leonard Floyd: Panthers strengthen an already impressive linebacker core.
  31. Denver Broncos – TE Hunter Henry: Whoever ends up at quarterback in Denver gets another weapon to go along with Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. Vernon Davis was a complete non-factor after being acquired from the 49ers.