New Jersey native Rashan Gary embraces the possibility of a homecoming if he were drafted in the Top 10 by either the Jets or the Giants.
Art Stapleton, Staff Writer, @art_stapleton
INDIANAPOLIS – As the NFL Combine finishes up, it’s time for Mock Draft Mondays.
We’ll dip into your favorite past time when it comes to the NFL offseason every Monday for the next six weeks, alternating between full first round mocks and then 7-round New York Giants-specific and New York Jets-specific drafts from yours truly and my colleague and Jets writer Andy Vasquez.
Beginning today, here is my complete first-round mock draft based on information gathered in reporting throughout the league, my own evaluation and analysis of team needs and player impact.
So, here I present to you Art Stapleton Mock Draft 1.0:
1. Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Total reboot for Kliff’s Kards, and Josh Rosen goes on the block
2. 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Joey Bosa’s younger brother heading to the West Coast as well
3. Jets: OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky
Montclair native would give Gang Green another potential All-Pro with Jamal Adams
4. Raiders: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
The most dominant player in college football this past season finds a home with Chucky
5. Buccaneers: OL Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Bruce Arians begins his rebuild in Tampa with an offensive tackle with the most upside
6. Giants: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Dave Gettleman wants to leave an Accorsi-like legacy, and Haskins just fits here
7. Jaguars: OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
Williams can play tackle or kick inside to guard to protect likely FA target Nick Foles
8. Lions: DL Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Michigan Man from New Jersey heads to Motown and lives up to his hype
RASHAN GARY:New Jersey native states his case as No. 1 player in the NFL Draft
9. Bills: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Kyle Williams’ retirement leaves a big void up front that Oliver can fill
10. Broncos: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
John Elway may have dealt for Joe Flacco, but Lock is the future at Mile High
11. Bengals: LB Devin White, LSU
First-year coach Zak Taylor gets the leader of his defense for the next decade
WATCH:LSU linebacker Devin White talks about wowing Giants in formal interview
12. Packers: LB Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
One of the Combine winners heads to Green Bay as key piece for DC Mike Pettine
13. Dolphins: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Miami could go quarterback, but Ferrell adds some punch to Brian Flores’ defense
14. Falcons: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
If Dan Quinn loses Grady Jarrett to FA, Wilkins steps right in as a disruptive force
15. Redskins: QB Daniel Jones, Duke
Washington could make a play for Rosen in Arizona, but Colt McCoy isn’t the answer
16. Panthers: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
Dillard had a strong Combine and he could be an anchor in Carolina
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17. Browns: WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
The star of the Combine lands with Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry and Co.
18. Vikings: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Hockenson could eventually replace Kyle Rudolph, who has given a lot to the Vikings
19. Titans: OL Connor McGovern, Penn State
Tennessee needs to fortify the interior of its line, and McGovern is a solid choice
20. Steelers: CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia
Baker had seven interceptions in college and did not allow a touchdown
21. Seahawks: DL/OLB Jachai Polite, Florida
Not a good Combine showing for Polite, but Seattle has no problem taking chances
22. Ravens: C Garrett Bradbury, N.C. State
Bradbury is the top center in the Class of 2019 and Baltimore needs interior upgrades
23. Texans: WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Butler is working with Calvin Johnson and Anquan Boldin in preparation for the draft
24. Raiders (from Bears): CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Greedy has been projected much higher, but should he slide, Oakland should pounce
25. Eagles: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Would be a big statement for Philly to improve ground game for Carson Wentz
26. Colts: DE/LB Brian Burns, Florida State
Chris Ballard might run the card to the podium from Indianapolis to Nashville
27. Raiders (from Cowboys): S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
Gardner-Johnson would bring tremendous versatility in the secondary
28. Chargers: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
Bush helped himself with numbers off the charts Sunday at the Combine
29. Chiefs: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
Another chess piece inside with Chris Jones for new DC Steve Spagnuolo’s defense
30. Packers (from Saints): WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Brown would be a legit home run threat to complement Davante Adams
31. Rams: S Nasir Adderley, Delaware
Strengthening a defense on the back end, Adderley continues to rise
32. Patriots: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
New England sets itself up for whenever Gronk decides to hang ’em up
Email: stapleton@northjersey.com
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NFL COMBINE: Giants, Eagles writers break down teams’ needs
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