NFL Mock Draft – First Round: Indianapolis Colts get Defensive
By Luke Allen
#10: Detroit Lions – Jachai Polite, DE Florida
Polite is an elite pass-rusher, who can make a day-one impact wherever he lands. The Lions do not necessarily have a nagging need at pass rush, but Polite makes for an intriguing draft prospect that is hard to pass up – especially since Ziggy Ansah is on the final year of his contract.
#11: Atlanta Falcons – Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State
The Falcons rank among the worst in the league in both pass rush and stopping the run. Simmons, who specializes in both, would be a smart choice here for Atlanta.
#12: Denver Broncos – Josh Allen, OLB Kentucky
This is not Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen. This is hard-hitting, speedy linebacker from Kentucky Josh Allen. Allen specializes in rushing the passer, in which he has been very successful, as well as dropping back in coverage to defend the pass. Denver could use a versatile player like that.
#13: Philadelphia Eagles – Byron Murphy, CB Washington
The Eagles already have one talented Washington corner on their roster in Sidney Jones, but with good cornerback depth coming at a premium in this league, you can never have too many young corners. Murphy brings an aggressiveness that cornerbacks rarely possess anymore, and the Eagles would be lucky to land him here.
#14: Green Bay Packers – Noah Fant, TE Iowa
Fant is unbelievably fast and athletic for his size, something Aaron Rodgers would love to have at his tight end position. The Packers can only carry so many mediocre receivers, and Jimmy Graham is certainly not what he used to be. Fant could be a solid pickup for the struggling Green Bay offense.
#15: Indianapolis Colts – Gerald Willis, DT Miami
I LOVE Gerald Willis from Miami at this point in the first round. He has the size, the athleticism, and the overall talent to be an elite run-stopper in this league. The Colts need a big bodied three tech to fill in and stop the run on a three down basis. Willis is your guy, Ballard.
#16: Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
Only the second quarterback taken in this draft, Justin Herbert is about as big of a boom or bust as you will find. The Dolphins just need to cut their losses with Ryan Tannehill, who cannot stay healthy to save his life. When he is healthy, he is not even that good. Herbert would be another intriguing prospect Miami would have a hard time passing up in the middle of the first.
#17: Oakland Raiders (Via DAL) – A.J. Brown, WR Ole Miss
The Raiders draft a receiver to replace Amari Cooper, who they acquired this pick from trading to Dallas. Brown is a possession receiver, who specializes in gaining big yards after the catch. Derek Carr is going to need some serious, serious help getting this Oakland offense back on track, and Brown could certainly provide some help.
#18: Tennessee Titans – Dalton Risner, OT Kansas State
Marcus Mariota has been sacked a comical amount of times this year and this Tennessee offensive line just needs a complete makeover. Start by drafting Risner, who hardly EVER allows a pressure from his side of the line. Mariota needs him bad.
#19: Seattle Seahawks – Montez Sweat, DE Mississippi State
Seattle has really had a nice year since departing a ton of key players and re-building the defense. The really only glaring need I see in Seattle is pass rush. Montez Sweat could come in day one and occupy the edge opposite Frank Clark and make a real difference in the pass rush for Seattle.