Ansah has been tagged, Lawrence will be tagged soon and Quinn is now off the table. The high profile 4-3 pass rushers (Key, Davenport) have major question marks and carry significant risk. While no player is a sure thing, Bradley Chubb is as close as it gets this year. Therefore I'm clinging to the tiny bit of hope that he falls to seven. Here's how I can see it happening.
1. Browns select Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen etc.
Browns have beat around the bush with QBs in the draft. They finally commit to getting their guy and take him one overall.
2.Giants select Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen etc.
Eli is well in his thirties. They have needs at RB, OL, LB etc but the opportunity to draft a top flight QB is rare. They played the developmental game before with Ryan Nassib, and recently with Davis Webb. If they go QB at all, its likely in the first round
3.Colts select Tremaine Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Quenton Nelson, Saquan Barkley
The Colts are the biggest threat to taking Chubb. They were 31st in sacks last year and rumored to be running a 4-3 defense this year. They do however, have a plethora of needs. Indy could use a dominant force at linebacker and Jon Bostic is set to hit FA. Edmunds can make an impact on the inside and has pass rush ability on the outside. While Edmunds at three will likely be viewed as a reach at this time, he's routinely mocked to the raiders and 49ers in the top ten. He's an athletic freak with production to match. If he dominates the combine, is it a stretch that he climbs six spots?
Colts have holes in the secondary as well. Vontae Davis is gone, Rashaan Melvin is scheduled to hit FA, Quincy Wilson had a quiet year and started a mere five games. Malik Hooker is coming off a torn ACL. Fitzpatrick can man one of the corner spots and provide insurance if Hooker has a setback or doesn't recover fully
Andrew luck has played with a sub par oline his whole career and combined with his propensity to hold onto the ball it has taken a toll on his body. Additionally, Jack Meqhort is scheduled to hit FA, further weakening their line. Nelson along with Ryan Kelly can anchor their OL
Saquan Barkley is almost universally considered an elite prospect and frequently described as the best player in the draft. Barkley may remind some of Edgerrin James in his ability to have an impact in both the running and passing game. The Colts' offense lacks balance and Frank Gore is out. While Marlon Mack flashed, Barkley would be instrumental in taking pressure off of Andrew Luck.
4. Browns select Minkah Fitzpatrick, Saquan Barkley
Browns selected Myles Garret one overall last year and Emmanuel Ogbah at the top of round two the year before. They could use an upgrade at corner or free safety where Jabrill Peppers played out of position for much of the year.
Isaiah Crowell is a soon to be a free agent. Barkley can make plays in the passing game in a similar fashion as Duke Johnson while carrying the load like Crowell. He'd be a significant upgrade over both
5.Denver selects Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Quenton Nelson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Saquon Barkley
Denver has a nice trio of pass rushing linebackers in Von Miller, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett
Elway is committed to upgrading the QB position. If they don't land a big fish in FA they will need to address the postiion here
Nelson would provide a significant upgrade over Max Garcia
Barkley would be an upgrade over the inconsistent and often injured CJ anderson
Minkah could compete with Bradley Roby to fill the void left by Aqib Talib should the Broncos release him
6. Jets select Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield
The Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg experiements are coming to a close. After a mass exodus of veterens last year, the jets could use help at a number of positions
7.Bucs select Bradley Chubb
In summary a mock could look something like
1.Darnold
2.Rosen
3.Barkley
4.Fitzpatrick
5.Allen
6.Mayfield
7.Chubb
The above scenario does not include trades or factor in the signing of Kirk Cousins which could throw a wrench into the top seven. Realistically I feel as though the likelihood of Chubb reaching seven is somewhere between unlikely and impossible, but it is the draft and surprises happen every year. We shall see...
