SportsPulse: At his USC pro day, potential top overall pick Sam Darnold discussed throwing in the rain, being himself and how he’d fit with the Cleveland Browns.
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Pro football’s eyes will fall Thursday on Louisville. The NFL Network is planning to broadcast live from the University of Louisville’s pro day, offering up coverage of Lamar Jackson’s workout for NFL scouts.
That’ll be a big day for Jackson as well as for cornerback Jaire Alexander. NFL.com’s Mike Mayock recently moved Alexander up to the No. 2 spot in his ranking of cornerbacks in this draft. That’s a clear indication that the Cards can now anticipate having TWO selections in the first round this year.
At least that’s how we’ve got it in the third edition of our NFL Mock Draft. Review Mock Draft 1.0 (post-Super Bowl) and Mock Draft 2.0 (post-NFL combine) here, and there have been quite a few changes this time, because of trades and the NFL’s free-agency period changing needs and situations for teams:
1. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern Cal
The drama is starting to vanish at No. 1. Considering the Browns’ owner attended Darnold’s pro day workout in Los Angeles, it’s becoming clear the direction with the draft’s first pick.
2. NEW YORK GIANTS: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants could do so many things with this pick. They might trade it. And if not, they could spend it on a quarterback, but Barkley is generally considered the best overall prospect in the draft regardless of position. If he’s not grabbed here, the big winner of the draft will be Cleveland, because Barkley wouldn’t get past the Browns at No. 4.
3. NEW YORK JETS (from Indianapolis Colts): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Jets didn’t trade up to No. 3 to do anything except take a quarterback, and Rosen would be an intriguing addition to a quarterback room that now includes former Louisville star Teddy Bridgewater as well.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from Houston Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Fitzpatrick hasn’t been getting as much attention in draft coverage lately, but this would be addressing a need for the Browns. The former Alabama star is probably a safety but he could play cornerback too. Either way, he’s good enough to make an immediate impact.
5. DENVER BRONCOS: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Nelson’s tape is ridiculous. He’s easily the best O-Lineman in this draft, and the Broncos have a need up front.
6. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (from NY Jets): Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
This would be an outstanding scenario for the Colts to be able to trade down, add picks later in the draft … and STILL land Chubb, the player they’d likely targeted all along.
7. TAMPA BAY BUCS: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Nothing wrong at all with this pick. Ward is the best cover cornerback in the draft, and those are always in high demand.
8. CHICAGO BEARS: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
McGlinchey’s stock is on the rise. He’s probably the No. 1 prospect now at a highly valued position. Nonetheless, he might still a bit of a reach here, but so was Mitch Trubisky when the Bears took him with the second pick last year. Really, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Chicago trade this pick. After free agency, its needs don’t look quite as pressing, and there will be O-Line help available later in the first round.
9. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Edmunds’ NFL.com draft profile compares him to Brian Urlacher and notes that “he combines elite size, speed and explosiveness into a productive, versatile linebacker package that will have evaluators salivating.” That sounds promising.
10. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Raiders’ defense needs a lot of help. A rangy, active and athletic middle linebacker like Smith can cover up a lot of weaknesses. He’d be a good fit and address a pressing need in Oakland.
11. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Some are predicting a run on quarterbacks early. That might happen, but it’s going to require more trades. If the order stays this way, Miami might actually be able to pick from Mayfield and …
12. BUFFALO BILLS (from Cincinnati Bengals): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
There are reasons to be skeptical of Allen, but man, he can sling it. There’s no doubting that arm.
13. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Big Vea looks like a gamechanger up front. In another draft, he could go much higher. He would be a very nice get for the Redskins at No. 13.
14. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Derwin James, S, Florida State
A big-time talent like James could step in and shine immediately after the Packers lost Morgan Burnett in free agency.
15. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
This year’s draft isn’t especially deep at wide receiver, though Ridley is a legitimate No. 1 option for whoever takes him.
16. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Opinions are all over the place regarding the top offensive tackles in this class, but it makes sense for the Ravens to look that direction.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
A forgotten prospect after all the other QBs in the class, Rudolph’s stock has been climbing lately. He clearly likes the idea of going to the Chargers, and one could expect San Diego (er, I mean, Los Angeles) to be looking for Philip Rivers’ successor.
18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
This offseason has seen the end of Seattle’s famed “Legion of Boom,” but the former Cards standout would be a timely and valuable addition. Alexander has continued to impress and climb draft boards (he probably would have been a projected first-rounder all along if it wasn’t for last season’s injuries). A good pro day workout this week could ensure that first-round call.
19. DALLAS COWBOYS: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The word “freak” gets tossed around a lot in draft circles, but it’s unfair for a defensive lineman to be as big, strong and nimble as Payne proved to be in college.
20. DETROIT LIONS: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
It’s unclear after Barkley who the next running back might be on the board, but Guice is a safe bet.
21. CINCINNATI BENGALS (from Bills): Isaiah Wynn, G/T, Georgia
The Bengals love University of Georgia players, and Wynn is a versatile offensive lineman who can help in a number of ways.
22. BUFFALO BILLS (from Kansas City Chiefs): Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
The Bills being able to check the quarterback box at No. 12 would open the door to many other options here.
23. LOS ANGELES RAMS: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Pass-rush help and mere gravy atop what could be a deliciously loaded team in 2018.
24. CAROLINA PANTHERS: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Each year it seems you’ll see one or two prospects who make big gains at the NFL combine and enter the first-round conversations. This year, that was Moore.
25. TENNESSEE TITANS: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Landry has the potential to go higher, and he offers immediate pass-rush help to a Tennessee defense that needs it.
26. ATLANTA FALCONS: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Hurst was being viewed as a slam-dunk first-round selection before he was sent home from the NFL combine because of concerns about a heart condition. While the news has been positive since then, it’s unclear how teams are going to view Hurst’s stock. He’s an NFL talent, though. That’s for sure. And he could be quite the steal at this point in the first round.
27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Saints are looking tight end, it sounds like, and Hurst might be the best one available.
28. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
OK, here we go: Jackson might be waiting a bit on the draft’s first night, but I don’t believe he will fall past the Steelers at No. 28 or the Jaguars at No. 29. And honestly, either is a wonderful situation for Lamar. If it’s the Steelers, the opportunity for patience behind Ben Roethlisberger is ideal. So is an offense that has perhaps the league’s top RB in Le’Veon Bell and WR in Antonio Brown.
More: Five NFL draft destinations that make sense for Lamar Jackson
29. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The athletically gifted Evans makes four first-round picks for the Crimson Tide in our mock draft. That sounds about right.
30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: James Daniels, C/G, Iowa
Some O-Line help for that high-priced free agent quarterback the Vikings just signed.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
A productive linebacker would be a nice addition for a Patriots defense that slipped last season despite the team’s overall success.
32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia
Carter is a former basketball standout and perhaps one of the top overall athletes in this draft.
Gentry Estes: 502-582-4205; [email protected]; Twitter: @Gentry_Estes. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/gentrye