3-round GM mock after the first wave of free agency

Now that the first wave of free agency is over, the picture has become a little clearer (somewhat) as to what each team has left on their to-do lists. Of course, there are a lot of excellent players still available, and things could change again (and again).

Below is not necessarily how I think the draft will unfold, but how I, personally, would pick for each team if I were in charge. I’ve included many trades as I think various teams would benefit from either moving up to land a particular player or by moving down to accumulate additional draft capital.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU – Please, Cincinnati, do not mess this up. Take the franchise quarterback.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio St – The Redskins are tempted to move down, but they aren’t overwhelmed enough to pass on a truly elite pass-rushing prospect.
3. Miami Dolphins* (via trade with Detroit) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama – The critical spot in the draft. The Dolphins give up a pair of 2^nd rounders to move up two spots and land their guy.
4. New York Giants – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama – The Giants are tempted to take Jeffrey Okudah or Isaiah Simmons, but they settle on the guy they think is the best lineman in the draft.
5. Detroit Lions* (via trade with Miami) – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio St – The Lions are huge winners to move down a couple spots, pick up some premium picks, and still land the perfect replacement for Darius Slay.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon – The Chargers ultimately stand pat and land the guy they love in Herbert. He can sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a season.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars** (via trade with Carolina) – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson – The Jaguars absolutely love Simmons and bribe the Panthers to pass by adding in some quality draft capital.
8. Arizona Cardinals – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa – With the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals turn their attention to protecting Kyler Murray. Wirfs is a great addition.
9. Carolina Panthers** (via trade with Jacksonville) – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn – A poor showing at the combine has some believing Brown will fall outside of the top 10. I’m not buying it. He’s too good. Carolina nails it by adding some draft picks and still landing an elite interior prospect.
10. Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville – The Browns would have loved for Wirfs to fall, but Becton is a HUGE consolation prize. He has the highest upside of any tackle in the draft.
11. New York Jets – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia – The safest of the tackle prospects, Thomas fills a huge need for Gang Green. Thomas is as steady as they come.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida – The Raiders may be tempted to take their favorite receiver here, but there is too big of a gap between Henderson and the next cornerback on their board.
13. San Francisco 49ers – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma – The trade turns out to be DeForest Buckner for CeeDee Lamb. Not bad for either team. Lamb is a perfect fit as an elite after-the-catch receiver.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina – With Tom Brady now at the helm, the Bucs are NFC contenders. They have a great run defense but could use an interior pass rusher like Kinlaw to help the pass defense.
15. Denver Broncos – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama – The Broncos need to add a playmaker to pair with emerging star Courtland Sutton. Ruggs is the fastest player in the draft and will create plenty of opportunities for the entire Bronco offense.
16. Atlanta Falcons – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU – The Falcons have been somewhat busy at the start of free agency, including adding Dante Fowler Jr as an edge rusher. They draft a nice compliment in Chaisson to give opposing quarterbacks fits.
17. Las Vegas Raiders*** (via trade with Dallas) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama – The Raiders seize an opportunity to move up and land the guy they were tempted to take at 12.
18. Miami Dolphins – Grant Delpit, S, LSU – The Dolphins would love to trade down here and pick up some of the lost draft capital from the Tua trade earlier, but they are unable to find a trade partner. So they take Delpit, who provides a nice boost to the back end of an improving defense.
19. Dallas Cowboys*** (via trade with Las Vegas) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU – The Cowboys gave serious consideration to staying at 17 and taking Jeudy, but the deep draft class at receiver allows them to pick up an extra third-rounder and draft an excellent prospect at a position of need.
20. Minnesota Vikings**** (via trade with Jacksonville) – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU – The Vikings have lost five starters on defense, including three in the secondary. They make a move up to ensure they land their favorite corner prospect in the draft, non-Okudah division.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson – The trade for Darius Slay allows the Eagles to take the receiver they like the most. Here, its Higgins, who provides an excellent combination of size, athleticism, hands, catch radius, and after-the-catch ability.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars**** (via trade with Minnesota) – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama – The Jags moved down only a couple of spots and picked up an extra couple of picks from the Vikings and still were able to nab their favorite safety in the draft.
23. New England Patriots – Jordan Love, QB, Utah St – It’s a new era in Foxborough. Nobody knows who will be under center for the Patriots in 2020, but Love has all of the tools you’d want in a potential franchise signal-caller. The rebuild is officially on.
24. Miami Dolphins***** (via trade with New Orleans) – Josh Jones, OT, Houston – The Dolphins move up again to get in front of Minnesota for the right to draft Jones.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor – The Vikings traded their best receiver and will look to replace him with Mims, the player who single-handedly improved his stock the most between the Senior Bowl and the NFL Draft Combine.
26. New Orleans Saints***** (via trade with Miami) – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU – The Saints keep Queen close to home and pair him with All-Pro Demario Davis. An excellent boost in the middle of the defense for the Saints.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Zack Baun, EDGE/LB, Wisconsin – Baun is a tough player to peg. He’s capable of being an excellent starter as an edge rusher or as an off-ball linebacker. His versatility provides a massive boost to a Seattle defense needing an infusion of talent.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma – Murray plays like a Raven. He’s fast, he’s strong, and he’s aggressive. This is a match made in heaven for the team many believe will be the Super Bowl favorite come September.
29. Tennessee Titans – Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma – The Titans drafted Jeffrey Simmons last year in the first round, but they add Gallimore to be his running mate on the inside. That could form a scary interior rush duo.
30. Green Bay Packers – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU – The Packers need to add additional help for Aaron Rodgers. Jefferson is a precise route runner that should take attention away from Davante Adams.
31. Indianapolis Colts****** (via trade with San Francisco) – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington – The Colts signed Philip Rivers, but they need a long-term answer at the quarterback position. Eason sits for a year but is a great fit for Frank Reich’s offense.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio St – Arnette isn’t the fastest corner in the draft, but he’s physical, smart, and technically sound. He fits a defense that significantly improved throughout the 2019 season.

CONTINUE TO SECOND ROUND

Second Round

33. Cincinnati Bengals – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn St – The toolsy edge rusher is a perfect fit for a rebuilding roster.
34. San Francisco 49ers****** (via trade with Indianapolis) – Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan – The 49ers trade back, add some draft capital, and land the best interior lineman in the draft.
35. Detroit Lions – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU – The Lions add some much-needed help on the defensive line.
36. New York Giants – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado – Shenault is raw, but he’s a playmaker.
37. Los Angeles Chargers – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU – The Chargers added the quarterback, now they get their future franchise left tackle.
38. Carolina Panthers – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn – Raw, but incredibly athletic. Needs coaching, but the sky is the limit.
39. Detroit Lions* (via trade with Miami) – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa – After adding interior help, they address the edge with the powerful Epenesa.
40. Houston Texans – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame – The Texans need more pass rush consistency, and Okwara has all the tools to make an impact.
41. Cleveland Browns – Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M – The Browns have had an excellent offseason so far, and Madubuike provides another player with tremendous upside.
42. Dallas Cowboys******* (via trade with Jacksonville) – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU – After trading back instead of picking Jerry Jeudy, they land the explosive Reagor in a trade. Great fit with Cooper and Gallup.
43. Chicago Bears – Lloyd Cushenberry III, C/G, LSU – The Bears must get better on the interior of their line. Cushenberry is a plug-and-play starter.
44. Indianapolis Colts – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona St – Aiyuk is a great fit with Philip Rivers as a yards-after-catch monster.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin – The Bucs view Taylor as a true workhorse back, which helps take pressure off Mr. Brady.
46. Denver Broncos – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson – Terrell is a bit of a polarizing corner prospect, but one with plenty of experience and all of the natural tools you want.
47. Atlanta Falcons – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama – Quite possibly the corner with the best ball skills in the draft. Immediate starter to replace Desmond Trufant.
48. New York Jets – Joshua Uche, EDGE, Michigan – The Jets add the edge rusher they desperately need.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Marlon Davidson, DT, Auburn – Davidson provides an interior pass rush presence to help keep attention off TJ Watt.
50. Chicago Bears – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah – Long, athletic corner that excels in press-man coverage.
51. Jacksonville Jaguars****** (via trade with Dallas) – Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama – The replacement for Calais Campbell as a long and strong interior presence.
52. Los Angeles Rams – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio St – Provides the physical presence that is needed in the middle of the Rams defense.
53. Philadelphia Eagles – Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota – Undersized, but well above average, if not elite, in all other areas. Perfect replacement for Malcolm Jenkins.
54. Buffalo Bills – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi St – Underwhelmed at the combine, but doesn’t deter the Bills from taking Dantzler as a press corner opposite Tre White.
55. Baltimore Ravens – Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio St – A physical presence that should immediately fill the void left by Marshal Yanda’s retirement.
56. Miami Dolphins – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia – Despite signing Jordan Howard, the Dolphins covet a true 3-down back. Swift provides just that.
57. Houston Texans – Matt Hennessey, C/G, Temple – The Texans need help on the interior of their offensive line. Hennessey can play either center or guard and is a day-1 starter.
58. Green Bay Packers********(via trade with Minnesota) – Austin Jackson, OT, USC – With Bryan Bulaga moving on, Jackson has a chance to be an immediate starter on the right side.
59. Seattle Seahawks – Robert Hunt, G, Louisiana – The powerful Hunt helps clear lanes for Pete Carroll’s run game.
60. Baltimore Ravens – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn St – Really? Like the Ravens needed to add more speed. Geez.
61. Tennessee Titans – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise St – After helping their interior pass rush in round 1, the Titans look for more juice off the edge.
62. Minnesota Vikings******** (via trade with Green Bay) – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise St – The Vikings have created a lot of holes this offseason. Selecting Cleveland could kick Riley Reiff inside to left guard.
63. Kansas City Chiefs – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio St – The Chiefs like Damien Williams and Darwin Thompson, but adding a back with Dobbins’ three-down skillset is too tantalizing to pass on.
64. Seattle Seahawks – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia – Pete Carroll loves to draft bigger corners. Hall is a perfect Cover-3 corner.

CONTINUE TO THIRD ROUND

Third  Round

65. Cincinnati Bengals – Donovan Peoples-Jones – The college production doesn’t match the player.
66. Washington Redskins – Matthew Peart, OT, Connecticut – The Redskins really need to improve upfront.
67. Detroit Lions – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne – Four picks in, four defensive players selected for the Lions. And, all four were excellent selections.
68. New York Jets – Troy Pride Jr, CB, Notre Dame – Pride should go much higher. Elite cover skills.
69. Carolina Panthers – Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi St – The athletic freak is a steal this far down.
70. Miami Dolphins – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama – The Dolphins keep throwing resources at an ever-improving defense.
71. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech – The Chargers defense should be really, really good.
72. Arizona Cardinals – Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio St – The Cardinals need to get a lot better on the inside of their defense.
73. Carolina Panthers** (via trade with Jacksonville) – Netane Muti, G, Fresno St – After trading Trai Turner, they went with one of the strongest lineman to enter the draft in years to replace him.
74. Cleveland Browns – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois – After signing Karl Joseph, they don’t need to draft a safety, but Chinn is too good of a prospect to pass on.
75. Indianapolis Colts – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame – In a weak Tight End class, Kmet stands out as a sure-handed receiving option with the chops to be an effective blocker.
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU – Charles gives the Bucs some flexibility as he should be able to play tackle or guard at the next level.
77. Dallas Cowboys********* (via trade with Denver) – Ashtyn Davis, S, California – Despite signing Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, the Cowboys need to upgrade on the back end. Davis is an excellent deep safety prospect.
78. Atlanta Falcons – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU – Todd Gurley has an arthritic knee. CEH can handle any role and fits as an excellent complement.
79. New York Jets – Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC – Pittman is a big, physical receiver also runs nice routes and has very good hands. Pittman would be a steal in round 3.
80. Las Vegas Raiders – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah – The Raiders have made a lot of moves this offseason, but Burgess provides a nice option on the back end.
81. Las Vegas Raiders – Akeem Davis-Gaither – The Raiders have added much-needed linebacker help, but ADG is an elite athlete that pairs very well with Cory Littleton.
82. Denver Broncos********* (via trade with Dallas) – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn – The Broncos are ecstatic that Wanogho fell this far.
83. Denver Broncos – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon – A ready-made LB for the nickel. If Dye bulks up, he could become an impact 3-down linebacker.
84. Los Angeles Rams – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida – Greenard helps replace the pass rush production left behind by the departure of Dante Fowler.
85. Detroit Lions – Nick Harris, C/G, Washington – Finally, the Lions address the offense by taking the versatile Harris.
86. Buffalo Bills – Cam Akers, RB, Florida St – The Bills have been snooping around at all of the available tailbacks. Akers provides a nice complement to the tackle-breaking Devin Singletary.
87. New England Patriots – Chase Claypool, WR/TE, Notre Dame – Receiver or Tight End? Doesn’t matter. Claypool is huge, he can run, and fits an offense that needs to add playmakers.
88. New Orleans Saints – Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA – Holmes adds help as a sub-package cover man.
89. Minnesota Vikings – Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia – The Vikings added Ezra Cleveland, but there are more holes along the offensive front.
90. Houston Texans – James Lynch, DT, Baylor – Baylor played on the edge at Baylor, but he kicks inside and helps improve the Texans front.
91. Jacksonville Jaguars******* (via trade with Dallas) – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma – Gardner Minshew may be the long-term answer, he may not. Hurts is the perfect developmental guy with incredible upside.
92. Baltimore Ravens – Khalid Kareem, EDGE, Notre Dame – The Ravens keep throwing resources at their defense. They are building a juggernaut on both sides of the ball.
93. Tennessee Titans – Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington – With Delanie Walker no longer in Tennessee, Bryant steps into 2-Tight End sets and provides a nice, athletic option for the highly paid Ryan Tannehill.
94. Green Bay Packers – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue – Hopkins may be the best all-around Tight End in the draft. The Packers like Jace Sternberger, but there are plenty of targets available in Green Bay.
95. Denver Broncos – Leki Fotu, DT, Utah – Despite adding Jurrell Casey from Tennesee, the Broncos know they need to improve along both lines.
96. Kansas City Chiefs – Damien Lewis, G, LSU – The Chiefs want to make sure they have as many resources as possible to protect Patrick Mahomes.
97. Cleveland Browns – Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee – Taylor slips to the end of the third round, somehow. The Browns love the upside as a pass-rush prospect.
98. New England Patriots – Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida – The Patriots have a lot of holes to fill along the defensive front.
99. New York Giants – Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse – Upside. The Giants take the chance on the uber-talented Robinson.
100. New England Patriots – Adam Troutman, TE, Dayton – Adding Claypool wasn’t enough.
101. Seattle Seahawks – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida – Another precise route runner forms quite the trio with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
102. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia – Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges are not the long-term replacements for Big Ben.
103. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa – Big physical corner is needed despite the acquisition of Darius Slay.
104. Los Angeles Rams – Ben Bartch, OT, St John – The Rams need help up front, both to protect Jared Goff and to open holes for whoever is toting the rock in 2020.
105. Minnesota Vikings – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech – Despite adding Gladney, the Vikings need to add a nickel corner to replace Mackensie Alexander.
106. Baltimore Ravens – Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame – The Ravens have too many talented players.

TRADES: 

*Miami trades #5, #39, and a 2021 2^nd to Detroit for #3
**Jacksonville trades #9, #73, and #189 to Carolina for #7 and #113
***Las Vegas trades #19, #91, and #159 to Dallas for #17 and #123
****Minnesota trades #22, #132, and a 2021 4th to Jacksonville for #20
*****Miami trades #26, #141, and #227 to New Orleans for #24
******Indianapolis trades #34, #160, and a 2021 4^th round pick to San Francisco for #31
*******Dallas trades #51 and #91 (from LV) to Jacksonville for #43 and #206
********Green Bay trades #62, #136, and #192 to Minnesota for #58 and #201
*********Dallas trades #82 and #164 to Denver for #77