So now it is time for me to discuss my personal favorite part of the NFL year: the Draft. Personally, I love getting to see the look on the draftees' faces as their name is called and they realized their dream of becoming an NFL player after years of hard work. It will become their official high point until they become a Super Bowl Champion.
Since they entire line-up has yet to be set for the teams involved in the playoffs, I will be discussing groupings of teams, their needs, and how they can address them in the draft. I may or may not take into account some free-agency activity that could occur for each team as well.
1. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Needs: OT, CB, LB
OT Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
The Titans now have the first pick of the draft and are officially on the clock. The Titans are still looking for their HC, so it is difficult to say what they will bring to the table.
The Titans knocked it out of the park last year drafting Marcus Mariota with the 2nd overall pick. Due to injuries, Mariota did not finish the season. With a lack of a running game and Mariota's injury, their is only one way to go with the first pick: Offensive Tackle.
Laremy Tunsil is billed as the best OT in College Football. He has been one of the leaders on the Ole Miss offense that is full of NFL talent. Tunsil was suspended for the first seven games of the year due to accepting gifts from boosters. When he came back to play against Texas A&M, Tunsil helped the team gain 240 yards on the ground (more than any other game against an FBS opponent). Truly an impact player.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Needs: QB, WR, OL
QB Jared Goff (Cal)
Ah the Browns: forever the butt of any and all NFL jokes. After another mediocre season by Cleveland, they arrive at the second overall pick, the highest they've been in the past 10 years.
The easier question for the Browns would be "what don't they need?" The answer is probably Safety and Tight End and that's it. So with the best lineman gone, where do the Browns go?
They go for the best available player at their most needed position: Quarterback. Enter Jared Goff. Goff led Cal to an 8-5 season, capping it off with a win over Air Force in their bowl game. This past year, Goff was third in passing yards (4719) and touchdowns (43) in FBS, but led for the Power 5 teams. While he has been compared to Aaron Rodgers, I believe it has little to do with his skill and more with the fact that they both went to Cal. Still Goff is a good quarterback and is close to being NFL ready.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12)
Needs: OL, DE, WR
DE Joey Bosa (Ohio State)
What happened to the Chargers? Injuries killed their chances of contending in the AFC West this year. With their top three receivers gone by week 14, who would trust a team when your WR1 is Dontrelle Inman?
Melvin Gordon, the Charger's first pick last year, did not do much either. He only played 14 games and never saw 100-yards or the endzone. Clearly they need help on the line. Problem: the best OL is gone. But who is available?
Try the best player in the draft: Joey Bosa. Bosa could be the key to the San Diego defense now that Eric Weddle is leaving. Bosa is disruptive in the passing game and can basically shut down a running back if they jump to the outside. While it is not what they need out of the gate, it would be the smartest move for the organization.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Needs: LB, RB, QB, DE
?????
Dallas is my team, but I have no clue what they will do in the draft. For Dallas, this is a very lucrative position. They were hurt this year by the loss of Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, and Orlando Scandrick. If those guys stay healthy, Dallas is ready for a run at the Super Bowl.
Who will be their next cornerstone player? Maybe Paxton Lynch, grabbing their quarterback of the future? Jalen Ramsey, the best DB in the draft? DeForest Bunkner, the 6-7 monster at defensive end? Jaylon Smith, the top-linebacker with the knee injury?
For Dallas, it will depend on what they do with Greg Hardy, Rolando McClain, and Morris Claibourne. Claibourne will most likely be leaving Dallas after a pitiful season at CB. McClain could go back into retirement. Hardy could be off to greener pastures. And God knows what is going to happen with Johnny Manziel.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Needs: CB, OG, S
DB Jalen Ramsey (FSU)
Jacksonville was so close to making out of the top-5 picks this year. Oh well. The Jags offense has been very good this year with the Allen Brothers and Bortles connecting for over 2400 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Defensive help is needed badly for the Jags. They lost out on using Dante Fowler Jr. last year due to an ACL tear at the start of practice. The Jags need to use this pick to put a great DB in the back so they can make a play.
Jalen Ramsey of FSU is the perfect choice here. He has played at corner and safety during college and can be anywhere on the field. In college, if you were covered by Ramsey, you did not expect to see any passes come your way.
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