After the third week of the college football season, how is the first round of our 2018 NFL mock draft shaping up?
Week 3 of the college football season had its ups and downs. The top teams stayed perfect while outside of the top 10, the LSU Tigers, Kansas State Wildcats, Stanford Cardinal and UCLA Bruins all fell in top 25 action against unranked opponents.
With some top picks on those respective teams, it definitely has an impact on the respective order of this week’s mock draft. There was also a big injury this week to Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Connor Williams. His injury certainly has an impact on this week’s NFL mock draft.
Again, since we are just two weeks into the NFL season, we’ve used Sportsline 2017 season simulation for the projected draft order in our mock. We will continue this order until Week 5 of the NFL season.
The Cleveland Browns are off to an 0-2 start in the NFL season. To put it mildly, they haven’t looked good on either side of the ball. The offense is scoring 14.0 points per game (24th in the NFL) and the defense is allowing 22.5 points per game (21st in the NFL).
Defensive end/linebacker Arden Key is too hard to pass up on defense for the Cleveland Browns. Their first overall pick Myles Garrett is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain he suffered in practice.
Key made his season debut for the LSU Tigers this past weekend after missing the first two games. The Tigers were upset by the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 37-7. He played a limited number of snaps in the contest, recording three tackles, 0.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
It may take some time for Key to get back into playing shape, but the potential is there. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive prospect set the LSU single-season record for sacks last year with 12.
The San Francisco 49ers are off another team off to an 0-2 start this NFL season. Quarterback Brian Hoyer managed to go 15-of-27 for 99 passing yards and an interception for the Niners’ offense as they managed just nine points in the game.
USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold to the rescue in San Francisco. Darnold comes with a learning curve; he’s thrown seven passing touchdowns but also six interceptions. He’s thrown two interceptions in all three games for the Trojans this season.
Darnold led USC on a game-tying scoring drive as time expired on the game clock. He completed passes to three different receivers to march the ball all the way down to the Texas’ 21-yard line.
It was interesting to see Darnold overcome a pick-six he threw early in the game to give the Longhorns their first points. In another challenging game, Darnold looked the part of a player with mental toughness.
The 49ers could do without the turnovers, but they could certainly use his offensive prowess. Running back Carlos Hyde and his 124 rushing yards went to waste on what was a solid day from a player standpoint for him.
Darnold could certainly improve the outcome under center here as a solid pick.
The New York Jets were a one-man show as wide receiver Jermaine Kearse was all they had on offense. Kearse caught four receptions for 64 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns this past weekend for the Jets’, as they fell 45-20 to the Oakland Raiders.
Quarterback Josh McCown did his best, going 17-of-25 for 166 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, but he seemed to be missing a spark on offense.
That’s where running back Saquon Barkley emerges as a top pick in this year’s draft class. Barkley has almost kept his rushing yards identical to his receiving yards this season.
He’s got 307 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns and 241 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns for the 3-0 Penn State Nittany Lions.
Considering McCown had 31 of the team’s 126 rushing yards, Barkley’s presence would help move the bar for an offense in need of a playmaker.
Surprisingly, Barkley didn’t score a rushing touchdown in the Nittany Lion’s 56-0 defeat over Georgia State. He did have four catches for 142 receiving yards and a touchdown, though.
If the running game isn’t working with Barkley, just throw him the ball, he’ll find a way to get in the endzone.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff needs more receiving options. Those were the sentiments received after his 27-20 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Rookie tight end Gerald Everett came through three receptions for 95 receiving yards. Running back Todd Gurley came up with a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, but the Rams still couldn’t win in the end.
That’s where Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk comes in. Despite the environment around him in College Station, Kirk has the ability to improve a team with quality players around him.
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Kirk had three catches for 34 receiving yards and caught another touchdown pass for the second game in a row in the Aggies recent victory. Kirk speed has still yet to be fully realized but if the Rams can get him, they’ll help him find it.
He’s also a wild card in the punt return game, although he’s been held to just one punt return in 2017.
Kirk has five career punt return touchdowns and is certainly motivated after seeing Washington’s Dante Pettis recently break the record. Look for his stock to rise a bit if that happens.
The Chicago Bears looked abysmal in their 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears offnese had four turnovers, two of them interceptions from newly-signed quarterback Mike Glennon.
If there’s anything they could have used last week, it was an anchor on the defense to corral things.
The Bears’ offense is still trying to figure things out but the defense could use a playmaker. They allowed 204 passing yards and a passing touchdown, the Buccaneers defense also had a pick-six in the game.
That’s where Florida State Seminoles safety Derwin James serves as a possible pick they can make. James picked up six tackles and 0.5 sacks in his first game back from an injury he suffered last season.
Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, fans have been unable to get a look at James, but he returns to action this week. The Seminoles face the NC State Wolfpack to open up ACC play.
James is certainly chomping at the bit to get back on the field and should have a big performance. Florida State is still winless at 0-1 on the 2017 season.
The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t do poorly with their pass-protection in Week 2, rather it was the running game or lack thereof that held them back. Phillip Rivers was himself, goin 31-of-39 for 331 passing yards and a passing touchdown.
It was 44 net rushing yards that was hard to look at. Running back Melvin Gordon did have a rushing touchdown, but one thing stood out.
They’re in need of some offensive line help and whether they draft Connor Williams or Mike McGlinchey now is up in the air.
An injury to offensive tackle Connor Williams has moved Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey up on this respective draft board. McGlinchey’s decision to return for his senior year on the gridiron is proving to pay off so far, as the Fighting Irish are 2-1.
The 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive tackle has 26 straight starts and one of the big reasons the Notre Dame offense is having success running the ball. The Fighting Irish are averaging 330 rushing yards on the ground, well up from their average of 163.3 rushing yards per game last season.
The Miami Dolphins are currently living on borrowed time with quarterback Jay Cutler as their starter. Things could play out in their favor in this year’s draft if UCLA’s Josh Rosen falls in their lap.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill got hurt after going down awkwardly on his injured knee. Now that he could be out an extended amount of time, it could be worth looking into finding a quarterback in waiting.
Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen has 13 touchdown passes, a huge comeback victory and tons of potential. Rosen hasn’t been as turnover-prone as USC’s Sam Darnold this season, but he does have two interceptions this year.
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He chose an inopportune time to throw his first and second interceptions of the season against the Memphis Tigers. UCLA wound up losing in the end.
After throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions against Hawaii a few weeks ago, he threw four touchdowns and two interceptions this past week.
He’s certainly shown flashes of his potential and also given scouts an idea of where his mechanics need work. After all, he still was 34-of-56 (60.7 percent) with 463 passing yards, too.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense looks to be headed in the right direction with quarterback Jameis Winston under center.
The Buccaneers defense was a handful for the Chicago Bears in their season opener. Their 29-7 victory was a good one, but they’ll face a lot tougher teams down the road.
They’ve got the room to add some depth on the defensive line, drafting a defensive tackle is one way to go.
The way Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is playing of late is hard to ignore.
Tampa Bay could definitely use the youth with 30-year-old Chris Baker currently on the roster. Baker didn’t play any snaps against the Bears in Tampa’s season opener.
Wilkins has played well for the defending national champions in 2017. He had a tackle, a tackle for loss and a sack against the 19th-ranked Louisville Cardinals and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
So far, Wilkins has 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on the season. His production continues to go up as the year progresses.
He’s a top defensive lineman in this year’s class and shaping up to be a top 10 pick.
The Detroit Lions are another team that could use an upgrade on the defensive line. Their defensive pass rush hasn’t been the same since the departure of Ndamukong Suh.
Boston College Eagles defensive end Harold Landry isn’t having the greatest senior season in 2017 but growing pains are where better players are made.
Landry is coming off a season where he led the FBS in sacks (16), forced fumbles (7) and fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss (22). He racked up 50 total tackles in 2016.
The senior defensive end has gotten off to a slow start this year, as the Golden Eagles have just a 1-2 record. He has 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack so far.
Still, he’d be a nice combination off the edge with Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah currently has seven tackles, 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.
The Lions are 2-0 right now, but they’ve got some tough games ahead of them. The holes on their defensive front could become an issue that Landry solves in the future.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in dire need of a savior on offense. They’re currently 1-1 but after last week, a change may be needed under center.
Quarterback Blake Bortles had two interceptions and a fumble in their 37-16 loss. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Bortles put up his first touchdown of the game to wide receiver Allen Hurns.
Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph has done a lot better than that this season. He had 423 passing yards and five passing touchdowns in the first half of the Cowboys’ route 59-21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers.
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Rudolph has 11 passing touchdowns and an interception through three weeks of the college football season. He threw his first interception of the season against Pitt but it was irrelevant to his 71.9 passing completion percentage.
Bortles put on an abysmal performance after opening the season with a modest 125 passing yards and a passing touchdown in their season-opening 29-7 victory over the Houston Texans.
He may not be the answer much longer at quarterback while Rudolph continues to rise as a valuable option in this year’s draft.
The Buffalo Bills have a defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (10.5 points per game). However, their offense ranks 25th in the NFL in points per game (12.0).
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy haven’t quite been enough, as neither has scored a rushing touchdown yet this season.
One player who can solve that scoring problem is LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice. Guice has 300 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns through Week 3 of the 2017 college football season.
He led the SEC in rushing yards (1,387), was second in rushing touchdowns (15) and first in rushing yards per carry (7.6).
Guice gives a nice change of pace to a Bills’ offense that produced 69 rushing yards and 107 passing yards in Week 2.
The LSU Tigers are going through their own growing pains as well on offense. They put up seven points in their 37-7 lost to unranked Mississippi State.
Guice still had 15 carries for 76 rushing yards but didn’t score a touchdown, either.
It’s early but Guice is a running back also in search of a scorer’s role as a powerful but speedy back. He fits as a solid 1-2 punch along with Shady McCoy.
The Indianapolis Colts are in a downward spiral without their starting quarterback Andrew Luck. They’re 0-2, allowing 31.0 points per game (29th in the NFL) and scoring just 11.0 points per game on offense (27th in the NFL).
The offense has four turnovers through their first two games. Running backs Frank Gore and Marlon Mack are the only players who have scored for the Indianapolis’ offense this season.
The Colts very well could have a higher pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after Week 5, but for now, with the 12th pick, taking a defensive player is a smart move.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson is a solid pick. Jefferson already has 27 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss although the Longhorns are 1-2 on the season.
He had 11 tackles and his two tackles for loss against the fifth-ranked USC Trojans high-powered offense. Jefferson continues to develop as a solid tackler as a recorded a new season-high in tackles, despite the loss.
The Colts lack a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Jefferson can grow into a leader in the middle of the field for this defense.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 1-1 heading into Week 3 of the season and it has a lot to do with their lack of ball-hawks on defense.
Granted, in Week 1, it was four forced turnovers by the defense that gave them the 30-17 victory over the Washington Redskins. If they’re looking for a consistent ball-hawk, Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander.
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Alexander hasn’t appeared in the last two games for the Cardinals’ defense and it’s safe to say his presence in the secondary has been missed.
He had 39 tackles, nine pass breakups, five interceptions, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last season.
Alexander also had a punt return for a touchdown for the Louisville special teams. His return status is currently day-to-day but he’s still a player the Eagles should keep their eyes on.
They could use Alexander after giving up eight receptions for 103 receiving yards to Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce. The Eagles had zero turnovers against the Chiefs.
He gives them another cornerback in their secondary with solid coverage skills.
The New Orleans Saints are a team struggling in more ways than one. They’re still winless at 0-2 this season after another poor performance by the defense.
Their defense currently ranks 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (32.5 points per game). They’ve also nearly given up over 1,000 yards of offense in two weeks of football.
The Saints defense gave up over 300 passing yards for the second straight week, this time to the New England Patriots. Quarterback Tom Brady lit up their secondary for 436 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
One remedy for all of that is drafting defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is a versatile defensive back that can play cornerback or safety. He played cornerback in 2016 and is currently playing safety this year.
Fitzpatrick is just a junior but has already racked up 17 pass breakups, eight interceptions and four defensive touchdowns in his time with the Crimson Tide.
He’s an easy upgrade in any team’s secondary. As the Sains look to return to the dominant defense they once were, they’d be wise to give Fitzpatrick a look if he’s available.
The Denver Broncos seem to be in good shape at 2-0 this season. So far, the defense has forced three turnovers and allowed just 19.0 points, but a lot can happen during the NFL season.
Adding some youth and depth on their defensive line would be a wise move in this year’s NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Vita Vea is coming into his own for the Washington Huskies’ defense and NFL scouts are beginning to take notice.
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Vea is a 6-foot-5, 340-pound prospect with skills to boot. He’s got eight tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack so far for the 3-0 Huskies. The junior made five starts in 2016, recording 39 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. With a starting role in 2017, he’s sure to increase his production for the Washington defense.
The Broncos could use Vea’s youth and potential on their defense as well. They recently had to release eighth-year safety T.J. Ward to free up cap-space.
Vea would be a bargain for Denver with the 15th pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
The Washington Redskins won their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams, but quarterback Kirk Cousins could certainly use a playmaker. Running back Chris Thompson stepped up huge with two rushing touchdowns on three carries but he achieved a rare feat.
The Redskins need another wide receiver in their passing game to give opponents something to think about and that’s where Oklahoma State’s James Washington comes in. Washington is this year’s wild card in the NFL Draft.
He’s proven to have big-catch capabilities as he’s got 367 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns for the Cowboys this season already. Washington ranks first in the Big 12 in receiving yards, second in receiving yards per reception (28.2) and third in receiving touchdowns.
The departure of Pierre Garcon has left the Washington Redskins in desperate need of a deep threat. Washington can serve as both a deep threat and a possession receiver as he has the past few seasons for quarterback Mason Rudolph.
James Washington is looking for his third-straight 1,000-yard receiving season. He should get it at his current rate. He is currently averaging 122.3 receiving yards per game in 2017.
The New York Giants have stumbled out of the blocks this season with Eli Manning under center. Manning has the offense at 6.5 points per game (30th in the NFL) through two weeks of play with an 0-2 record.
The rushing offense is all but nonexistent and so is the scoring. Despite Manning’s 72.9 pass completion percentage, he still has two interceptions and a passing touchdown on the season.
It may be time for the front office to begin looking for a potential franchise replacement and that’s where Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen comes in. Allen has stumbled a bit himself with the Cowboys.
He’s thrown for 566 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions this season as Wyoming is 1-2. Allen and company have lost big to two Power Five teams despite the hype behind him.
It’s been tough for Allen to replace top-rated running back Brian Hill and it’s showed as the team is averaging just 80.3 rushing yards per game. As Allen continues to adjust, look for him to emerge as the successor to Eli Manning if Manning continues his struggles.
The Tennessee Titans upgraded at wide receiver and cornerback in last year’s draft, selecting wide receiver Corey Davis and cornerback Adoree Jackson. They may want to look into adding another skill player in the secondary with Florida State’s Tarvarus McFadden.
McFadden is a solid cover corner oozing with NFL potential. He stepped up big for the Noles secondary last season in the absence of Derwin James.
He racked up 19 tackles, eight interceptions, six pass breakups and three tackles for loss. McFadden led the FBS and ACC in interceptions in 2016.
This season, he hasn’t snagged an interception yet, but he’ll be another name on the Florida State defense to keep an eye on. He’s got five tackles already through one game.
The Titans’ secondary doesn’t have any interceptions yet this season but the addition of McFadden in the future could change all of that.
They currently rank 20th in passing yards allowed per game (235.5) and rank in the middle of the pack at 16th in points allowed per game (21.0).
Another draft where the Oakland Raiders select a player from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley is a solid option at wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders with the 19th pick.
Ridley is having quite the start to the 2017 season for the Crimson Tide. He leads the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
He’s caught 15 receptions for 219 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His speed has been on full display as he scored a 78-yard touchdown against Colorado State and a 53-yard touchdown pass opening week against Florida State.
Imagine the possibilities of quarterback Derek Carr having not only Amari Cooper but Calvin Ridley on the field and “Just win, baby!” takes on a whole deeper meaning.
At 2-0 and first in the league in points per game (35.5), the Raiders at 19th seems a bit high for them. Still, adding another receiver like Ridley seems like an ideal fit for both sides.
It would give Oakland a dangerous arsenal of wide receivers for Carr to throw to. That’s for sure.
The Arizona Cardinals aren’t desperate for a quarterback, yet, but with 38-year-old Carson Palmer taking snaps under center, they’re another team that will need to prepare for the future soon.
The Cardinals 1-1 after a close overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, but the offensive dynamic may change soon.
A player already familiar with the Cardinals monicker, quarterback Lamar Jackson, is a solid fit here. He probably learned a lot in Louisville’s recent loss to the Clemson Tigers, a defensive line with a few top picks on it.
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Jackson threw his first interception of the season in Week 3 but still threw for 317 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. He was held under 100 rushing yards for the first game all year as well but as he learns to be a pocket-passer, that’s okay.
Jackson’s accuracy is up as he’s nearly completing 60 percent of his passes. His stock should rise by season’s end but for now, Arizona is his destination.
The Cincinnati Bengals offense was a struggle at times. Wide receiver A.J. Green couldn’t get the ball nor could others but adding another receiving option isn’t completely out of the equation for the Bengals.
Quarterback Andy Dalton and company have nine points through two games, zero passing touchdowns and four interceptions during their 0-2 start to the 2017 season.
Outside of Green, Dalton hasn’t found much success with his other receivers. Recent draft pick John Ross has yet to catch a pass, but does have a 12-yard rush on the season.
Wide receiver Deon Cain gives them another option on the outside to work with. He’s a solid pick up whether his presence gets Green or himself open to catch passes in the secondary.
Cain has caught eight receptions for 126 receiving yards and a touchdown so far in 2017 for Clemson. He’s their biggest deep threat but is also learning how to be a threat on intermediate routes.
The Bengals could use his skills on the offensive side of the ball, no matter how underdeveloped he is.
The Cleveland Browns are winless at 0-2, defensive end Myles Garrett is on the injured list and they need an insurance policy. That’s where drafting Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Tyquan Lewis comes in handy.
It would be nice to draft an offensive player, but there’s plenty of time for that.
Lewis has 29.5 career tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks to his credit through four seasons as a Buckeye. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end is the 2016 Big Ten defensive linemen of the year and passed up the NFL Draft last season to win a national championship.
The Buckeyes have some work to do to get back to the College Football Playoff but Lewis looks focused for a defensive run. He’s got three tackles, two tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks so far for 2-1 Ohio State.
Defensive intensity is what the Browns lack and that’s what Lewis brings. Pressure in areas that they need it. As they look to continue to build a winning franchise, Tyquan Lewis is one way to go.
The Minnesota Vikings are currently 1-1 but are considered one of those middle-of-the-pack-squads given they rank 22nd in the NFL in scoring defense (22.5 points per game).
In last year’s draft, the Vikings drafted a few linebackers but with an earlier pick and more talent on the table, drafting USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith is a no-brainer.
The Vikings could use Smith’s ability on defense, whether in coverage or to stop the run. Smith has 23 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss this season but has his fair share of experience in pass coverage as well.
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He hasn’t record an interception since his freshman season, back when he recorded three, including a return for a touchdown.
Last season, he recorded 83 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Minnesota has made its investments on offense, now its the defense’ turn for some upgrades. Smith has the talent to boost the Vikings’ defense. He currently leads the Trojans in tackles in 2017.
There’s room for Smith on the linebacking corps as they’re a young group.
When it comes to the Carolina Panthers, the first thing that comes to mind is getting more protection for quarterback Cam Newton. They’d be happy to have Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown on their team.
Brown is a 6-foot-8, 345-pound offensive lineman who has started at left tackle for the Oklahoma Sooners for the past three seasons. He’s got 29 straight starts and counting under his belt blocking for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
He was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last season, the first sophomore to win since its induction and second Sooners’ player to win the award. He’s also a former second-team All-American.
Newton could use Brown’s ability on the offensive line, although his team is currently 2-0. Carolina still ranks 22nd in the NFL in points per game (16.0), 25th in total yards per game (271.0) and 24th in passing yards per game (174.5).
They’ve got some new weapons at their disposal, but need players to block for Newton and give him time to get them the ball.
Orlando Brown is an obvious on one of the best offensive lines in the country. His current quarterback Baker Mayfield is enjoying the protection as a top-five ranked team in the country.
The Green Bay Packers could use an upgrade to their run defense. While their defense ranks ninth in the league in passing yards allowed (179.0), the run defense ranks 21st in rushing yards allowed (115.5) per game.
The Packers fell big to the Atlanta Falcons this past weekend after allowing 131 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Running back Devonta Freeman finished with a team-high 84 rushing yards and both of the touchdowns.
Hubbard can definitely disrupt some of that up front for the Green Bay defense. He’s got 10 tackles, three for a loss and two sacks so far for the Buckeyes in 2017.
Last year, he recorded 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also had two pass breakups.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive lineman is starting to find his potential as he begins his junior season. As he continues to figure things out, look for him to emerge as a potential draft selection for Green Bay.
The Buffalo Bills are another team that could use some pass-protection for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has been able to improvise in the early going, but as their recent 9-3 loss showed, other issues still remain at-large.
Taylor ran for 55 yards in their last loss, also getting sacked three times. At 1-1, the Bills are looking to adjust. One way is adding Mississippi State offensive tackle Martinas Rankin to the fold.
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The Bills rank eighth in rushing yards per game (129.5) but some of that could be attributed to Taylor. Giving Rankin a shot could help improve the all-around direction on offense.
Rankin is a 6-foot-5, 305-pound tackle that played in 857 snaps in 2016. He can play all positions on the line, appearing at center some during spring for the Bulldogs.
He’s got 13 consecutive starts and counting as he continues to improve and learn the nuances of the game. Rankin could be worth the gamble if his stock continues to rise.
At 1-1, the Bills have talent but still can’t seem to put it together consistently week after week.
The Dallas Cowboys put together an embarrassing performance on defense in their 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos. It didn’t help Dak Prescott threw a 103-yard interception return to cornerback Aqib Talib at the end, but we’re here.
One issue for the Cowboys was the pass rush. Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw for 231 passing yards and four touchdowns on the Dallas defense. He was sacked just twice in the game.
Add Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb and that could very well change in favor of the Cowboys.
Chubb is coming off a season where he had 21.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and three forced fumbles for NC State in 2016. This season, he’s got 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
He’s got underrated hands off the defensive line as well as he begins to learn how to bat balls down as well.
The senior edge rusher continues to climb up draft boards, so don’t be surprised if he’s gone by the time this pick comes around.
After their most recent victory over the Green Bay Packers, is there anything the Atlanta Falcons need? They look ready to return to the Super Bowl after last year’s meltdown.
Atlanta has a young core of linebackers and added one rusher on the edge in Tak McKinley in last year’s draft. In this year’s draft, selecting another defensive lineman, this time to clog the middle, like Florida State’s Derrick Nnadi, makes this team even more dangerous up front.
Nnadi just has six tackles in 2017 so far but his presence will be felt during the college football season. He recorded 49 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and a forced fumble in 2016.
The departure of DeMarcus Walker gives Nnadi a bigger role for the defensive line and he should show it this season for the Seminoles.
The loss of quarterback Deondre Francois certainly hurts but their defense is still strong. Nnadi should step up and play a key role in any success Florida State has.
He’s a solid selection for the Falcons and their young but talented defense.
The Baltimore Ravens are working on borrowed time with linebacker Terrell Suggs. Suggs is currently 34 years old, but still making plays for the Ravens.
He’s got six tackles and 3.0 sacks in 2017 already for the 2-0 squad. However, it’s about that time to start looking for a replacement in the linebacking corps for Suggs.
The Ravens may not have to look any further than linebacker Jerome Baker in that regard. Baker doesn’t have the size and frame like Suggs but he makes up for it with his abilities.
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He’s got 19 tackles, two pass breakups and a tackle for loss so far in 2017 for the Buckeyes. Last season, he had 83 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have an experienced defense in 2017, although it didn’t show much of that against Oklahoma. As they begin to figure things out and find their groove, look for Baker to be their catalyst.
With Chris Worley out with an injury, Baker will have to step up and show what he can do when the Buckeyes aren’t at full strength. His draft stock depends on it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team that should start shopping for a successor to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. If quarterback Baker Mayfield is still available, he’s one guy they should go after.
Mayfield is a proven four-year starter with tons of Heisman hype and experience behind him. He’s having quite the season for the 3-0 Oklahoma Sooners.
Mayfield has thrown for 1,046 passing yards and 10 touchdowns already through three weeks of the college football season. He’s been a man on a mission since returning for his senior season.
With the College Football Playoff on his mind, he’s bound to reach his goal this season and it should catapult his draft status in the process. He may be an early first-rounder by season’s end, but for now, he’s all Pittsburgh’s.
There’s plenty of talent on the Steelers’ roster for Mayfield to throw to. He’s done a fine job turning Oklahoma players from the past into stars.
He’s got a 25-4 record as the Sooners’ starter. We’ll see how far he can take Oklahoma this year and see what success it brings in the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks’ offense seems to be at a standstill. They are 1-1, but after a 12-9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the weaknesses are showing in the early going.
Quarterback Russell Wilson could use more protection up front, as they rank 26th in the NFL with 268.5 passing yards and 28th in the league with 10.5 points per game. They drafted center Ethan Pocic in the second round of last year’s draft.
This year’s draft could earn them Clemson Tigers offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt. He’s a member of one of the best offenses in college football.
Hyatt is the first true freshman to start on the o-line since James Farr back in 1980. He has 29 starts over 30 games since stepping on campus in 2015.
Hyatt is on an offensive line that averages 253.0 rushing yards and 271.0 passing yards per game. The Clemson Tigers’ offense continues to excel despite breaking in a new quarterback.
The Tigers are still looking like a top team, if they can repeat as nation champion, Hyatt’s stock is sure to rise.
The New England Patriots could use an upgrade in linebacking corps. That’s what their season-opening loss against the Kansas City Chiefs showed.
They bounced back in Week 2, thanks to their high-powered offense and quarterback Tom Brady. The defense will need to keep pace though.
Drafting Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Micah Kiser is a wise move. Although he’s been a member of some losing teams, Kiser has been a model of consistency on defense.
He’s recorded over 100 tackles and over 20 tackles for loss in the past two seasons for Virginia despite the outcome. Skills usually precedes record as a defensive player of Kiser’s ability.
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Kiser has put up 36 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and a fumble recovery this season for Virginia, who is 2-1 so far this season.