NFL Mock Draft-Jim From Whiskey Congress Edition

NFL Draft-Whiskey Congress-Buffalo Bills

As promised, here it is. The NFL mock draft, Jim from Whiskey Congress edition. My version of the Whiskey Congress Mock Draft does not include any trades. I know that trades are almost certain to happen in the first round, but predicting who will do what is an exercise in futility. So here goes….

Pick 1- Cleveland Browns- QB Sam Darnold, USC– The Browns owner did not schmooze Darnold’s parents at his Pro Day for no reason. They want Darnold and they are the only team that doesn’t need to hide their true intentions.

Pick 2- New York Giants- RB Saquan Barkley, Penn State– The Giants have their in house issues but still believe they have a window to win a championship before Eli hangs up his spurs. Barkley gives them the same boost that their rival Cowboys got with Zeke Elliott.

Pick 3- New York Jets- QB Josh Rosen, UCLA– lots of publications have Baker Mayfield going to the Jets. Rosen is considered a better pure passer and more “pro-ready” having Josh McCown as a mentor is a perfect scenario for Rosen.

Pick 4- Cleveland Browns- DE Bradley Chubb, NC State– With their short term (Tyrod Taylor) and long term (Sam Darnold) answers at QB settled, the Browns add an edge rusher to compliment Myles Garrett. This should be a scary duo for opposing offenses to contend with.

Pick 5- Denver Broncos- CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State– Lots of mocks have Denver going with a QB here but with needs at CB and having signed Case Keenum to a two year deal (along with still hoping Paxton Lynch turns out to be the real deal), I think the Broncos go with another need here and grab a corner. This is a likely spot for Denver to trade back into the teens and add picks but following my “no trade rule” the Broncos draft the best player at their position of need.

Pick 6- Indianapolis Colts- S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama– The Colts’ defensive backfield needs help and Fitzpatrick is the most versatile DB at the top of this year’s draft. Quentin Nelson would not be a surprise at this spot but for this draft, Fitzpatrick is the choice.

Pick 7- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- S Derwin James, Florida State– The Bucs have a need at safety and James is the best on the board now that Fitzpatrick is gone. Some might argue that James is the better true safety although he lacks the diversity of the man picked one spot ahead of him.

Pick 8- Chicago Bears- OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame– The Bears gave up a lot to get Mitch Trubiksy last year. Now they add an NFL ready player at tackle to protect him.

Pick 9- San Francisco 49ers- LB Roquan Smith, Georgia– The Niners need help at linebacker and Roquan Smith is versatile, super athletic and has great football instincts. He will be an asset to any team and San Francisco is thrilled to add him with the ninth pick.

Pick 10- Oakland Raiders- LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech– Edmunds is freakishly athletic and may still be growing into his body (he’s only 19 years old). The Raiders can’t pass on the super talented LB to pair with Khalil Mack (and potentially replace him if they can’t sign Mack to a deal beyond his rookie contract).

Pick 11- Miami Dolphins- QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma– As a Bills fan, I am jumping up and down at the possibility of Mayfield falling to my team at Pick 12 and of course, my hopes are crushed by the division rival Dolphins one pick before the Bills grab their QB.

Pick 12- Buffalo Bills- QB Josh Allen, Wyoming– The Bills take the next highest rated QB on the board and pick the physically gifted but raw and inexperienced Allen here. I would prefer Mason Rudolph or Lamar Jackson but I doubt Brandon Beane shares that opinion.

Pick 13- Washington Redskins- DT Vita Vea-Washington

Pick 14- Green Bay Packers- CB Josh Jackson- Iowa

Pick 15- Arizona Cardinals- WR Calvin Ridley- Alabama

Pick 16- Baltimore Ravens- G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

Pick 17- Los Angeles Chargers- DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan

Pick 18- Seattle Seahawks- DE Harold Landry, Boston Colllege

Pick 19- Dallas Cowboys- WR DJ Moore, Maryland

Pick 20- Detroit Lions- DE Marcus Davenport, Texas-San Antonio

Pick 21- Cincinnati Bengals- C Frank Ragnow, Arkansas

Pick 22- Buffalo Bills- Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State

Pick 23- New England Patriots- QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville

Pick 24- Carolina Panthers- DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama