NFL Draft Day Special: Thoughts and predictions
Plus my official final top 10 predictive mock draft…
We’ve finally made it! it’s the greatest day of the NFL year for the perpetual under-achievers with top 5 picks. Here’s some off-the-top thoughts on what I want to see, what I think will happen, and my final predicted top 10:
What I think will happen:
The top four picks will be Mendoza, Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Jeremiyah Love in some order.
Both wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson end up as top 10 picks. By all accounts Tyson’s injury stuff has been OK’d by the league and teams love his talent.
Two teams desperate to move out of their top 10 picks? The Arizona Cardinals at 3 and the Cleveland Browns at 6. Teams who might want to move into the top 10 are the New York Jets (from 16) if a receiver they like is in range, and the Dallas Cowboys (from 12 / 20) for a pass rusher or receiver. I think the Cardinals end up having to make their pick and the Browns move out.
The Cowboys may well take a receiver after the shock press conference yesterday announcing they won’t be trying to agree a long term contract for George Pickens. Could they even trade Pickens on draft weekend?
The Eagles may be the team to make a big move up the board from 23. They’ll also need a receiver after the trade sending AJ Brown to the Patriots is all but done. They’re also looking at a long-term replacement for RT Lane Johnson.
Expect 10+ offensive linemen to go in the first round, along with all six of the receivers we previewed in the podcast.
An awesome player who sound unlikely to get drafted in the first round is CB Jermod McCoy. He was the top corner in the draft on talent, but has a knee problem that the NFL sound very concerned about.
Ty Simpson won’t go in the first round, and may fall to the mid second.
DE Rueben Bain falls out of the top 10.
Four Ohio State players go in the top 10 - Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate.
What I want to happen:
A good team trades up for Love so he’s saved from the Cardinals and Titans.
The Jets take Arvell Reese. Please. And then trade up for Carnell Tate.
Denzel Boston goes to the Rams, I think he’s awesome and suits their needs / style.
TE Sam Roush goes to the Jags in the third round, just to wind up Katie.
The Browns take a mid-round QB to add to the chaos.
Final predicted top 10:
Las Vegas Raiders -> QB Fernando Mendoza
New York Jets -> OLB / DE Arvell Reese
Arizona Cardinals -> RB Jeremiyah Love
Tennessee Titans -> DE David Bailey
New York Giants -> S Caleb Downs
TRADE. Dallas Cowboys sends pick 12 and a 2027 2nd for pick 6 -> LB Sonny Styles
Washington Commanders -> WR Carnell Tate
New Orleans -> WR Jordyn Tyson
Kansas City Chiefs -> CB Mansoor Delane
New York Giants -> OT Francis Mauigoa (converts to G)
Round 1 starts tonight at 1am, followed by Round 2 and 3 starting midnight on Friday night / Saturday morning, and Rounds 4 - 7 on Saturday from 5pm.
Katie and I will be back in the podcast lab early next week to find out what happened to all her boys and find out who’s she’s most worried about…