2018 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys, Falcons add WR speed with Ridley, Burnett
CBSSports.com • 7 min ago
With Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, it may seem like the Falcons don't need receiver help -- but Atlanta could look for a No. 3 option who'd ultimately move into a prominent role in the offense.
As for the Cowboys, their need for speed at wide receiver is clear.
Calvin Ridley and Deontay Burnett have big-play potential and have been fantastic underneath options in their collegiate careers, pass-catchers capable of using their quickness to separate from cornerbacks, then shake them once they've caught the ball.
There will still be a variety of movement here, but as we head through December, I'm now using the official draft order.
1. Cleveland Browns
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville. This seems unlikely now ... but based on Hue Jackson's affinity for a mobile quarterback, this could become "a thing" over the next few months. Jackson would add an electric element to the Browns offense that's been missing for a while.
2. New York Giants
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA. Who do you like more, Rosen or Darnold? It's essentially a coin flip. I think it'll be an even split of teams who prefer each L.A. quarterback. Here, the Giants go with Rosen who, to me, is a tick more ready than Darnold at this juncture.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU. Get used to this pairing, as Kyle Shanahan has coordinated offenses that featured Andre Johnson and Julio Jones in the past. Sutton may not be as tremendous of a prospect as either of those two, but he's close. Sutton is a productive size, speed, and athleticism specimen.
4. Denver Broncos
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame. Guards are important. They shouldn't be undervalued anymore. They're the linchpin of the inside run game and have to deal with just as many ultra-talented pass-rushers as offensive tackles do. Nelson is the best offensive lineman in the class. Denver needs upgrades on its interior.
5. Indianapolis Colts
James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State. I think Andrew Luck will really have to be damaged goods for the Colts to let him leave via a trade in the offseason. Therefore, GM Chris Ballard gets him help outside of T.Y. Hilton. Washington and Hilton will not be fun for secondaries to cover downfield on the perimeter.
6. Chicago Bears
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama. The Bears would have snagged Sutton or Washington if available, so in this situation, they pick the No. 1 cornerback in the class. Fitzpatrick's length and athleticism will have a positive impact on Chicago's defensive backfield right away.
7. Cleveland Browns from Texans
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State. I'm officially obsessed with the Lamar Jackson-Barkley first-round duo for the Browns. Just letting you know. Jackson, Barkley, Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, David Njoku, Duke Johnson ... that would be one heck of an explosive group on offense in Cleveland.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State. The Buccaneers need an edge-rusher in the worst way. Chubb is arguably the best overall player in this class, and would not only help Tampa Bay's pass rush but the club's run defense as well.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Darnold, QB, USC. The Andy Dalton "experiment" has run its course, no? If the Bengals do decide to let Dalton hit the free-agent market -- and his market will be fascinating -- they need to find a franchise signal-caller. Cincinnati would be ecstatic to land Darnold here.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Connor Williams, OT, Texas. In order for Bruce Arians' offense to operate at maximum efficiency, it needs offensive tackles who can pass protect. That's Williams, whose gifts are on full display when he's moving backward in his kick-slide. If his knee checks out, he'll likely be one of the first offensive tackles taken.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-cowboys-falcons-add-wr-speed-with-ridley-burnett/
