clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Complete 5-round NFL mock draft: ‘Invictus’ makes every pick

An annual effort to make every pick of the first five rounds

The draft is fast approaching. And with that comes Raptor’s incredible position previews, incredible analysis from some of the draft writers here, Ed’s amazing insights and....mock drafts. Tons and tons of mock drafts. More mock drafts than you know what to do with. Every year, I try my hand at doing the impossible: A full mock draft working with picks for every team. I know I’ll probably be lucky if I match five players with the right team. That’s not what this post is about, though. It’s about forming discussion and it’s an exercise in trying to determine who the Giants might be able to land by looking at possible targets and needs of all the teams around them.

I went about this in the same way the real draft goes. I gave myself about five minutes to make each pick for the first round, two minutes for the rest. I did the first round in one day, rounds 2 and 3 on the second day, and rounds 4 and 5 on the last day. I only went five rounds because that’s how many rounds the Giants have picks in. That also is about when my knowledge of these prospects starts to wane. So, let’s get to it.

Disclaimer: With the Giants’ picks, it’s based mostly on what I would do, with some anticipation of ideals that David Gettleman and Pat Shurmur go by.

Round 1

Team Player
Team Player
Cleveland (0-16) .520 Sam Darnold, QB USC
New York Giants (3-13) .531 Josh Rosen, QB UCLA
New York Jets - from Indianapolis (4-12) .480 Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma
Cleveland - from Houston (4-12) .516 Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State
Denver (5-11) .492 Josh Allen, QB Wyoming
Indianapolis - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State
Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame
Chicago (5-11) .559 Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Alabama
San Francisco (6-10) .512 Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State
Oakland (6-10) .512 Tremaine Edmunds, LB Virginia Tech
Miami (6-10) .543 Derwin James, S FSU
Buffalo - from Cincinnati (7-9) .465 Roquan Smith, LB Georgia
Washington (7-9) .539 Vita Vea, DT Washington
Green Bay (7-9) .539 Isaiah Wynn, OG/OT Georgia
Arizona (8-8) .488 Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville
Baltimore (9-7) .441 Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 Harold Landry, EDGE BC
Seattle (9-7) .492 Josh Jackson, CB Iowa
Dallas (9-7) .496 Maurice Hurst, DT Michigan
Detroit (9-7) .496 Derrius Guice, RB LSU
Cincinnati - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 Da'Ron Payne, DT Alabama
Buffalo - from Kansas City* (10-6) .477 Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame
New England - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA
Carolina* (11-5) .539 Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 Dallas Goedert, TE SDSU
New Orleans* (11-5) .535 Taven Bryan, DE/DT Florida
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise St
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 DJ Moore, WR Maryland
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 Will Hernandez, OG UTEP
New England* (13-3) .484 Connor Williams, OG/OT Texas
Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 Justin Reid, S Stanford

Round 2

Team Player
Team Player
Cleveland (0-16) .520 Malik Jefferson, EDGE Texas
New York Giants (3-13) .531 Josh Sweat, EDGE FSU
Cleveland - from Houston (4-12) .516 Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville
Indianapolis (4-12) .480 Sony Michel, RB Georgia
Indianapolis - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 Braden Smith, OG Auburn
Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 Donte Jackson, CB LSU
Chicago (5-11) .559 Chukwuma Okorafor, OT W. Mich
Denver (5-11) .492 Harrison Phillips, DT Stanford
Oakland (6-10) .512 Christian Kirk, WR TAMU
Miami (6-10) .543 Courtland Sutton, WR SMU
New England - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 Ronald Jones II, RB USC
Washington (7-9) .539 Billy Price, OG/OC OSU
Green Bay (7-9) .539 Carlton Davis, CB Auburn
Cincinnati (7-9) .465 Antonio Calloway, WR UF
Arizona (8-8) .488 Deon Cain, WR Clemson
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 Lorenzo Carter, LB Georgia
Indianapolis - from New York Jets via Seattle (9-7) .492 Mike Hughes, CB USF
Dallas (9-7) .496 Hayden Hurst, TE UNC
Detroit (9-7) .496 Kolton Miller, OL UCLA
Baltimore (9-7) .441 James Daniels, OC Iowa
Buffalo* (9-7) .492 Mason Rudolph, QB
Kansas City* (10-6) .477 Sam Hubbard, EDGE OSU
Carolina* (11-5) .539 Orlando Brown, OG/OT Oklahoma
Buffalo - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 Arden Key, EDGE LSU
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 Anthony Averett, CB Alabama
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 Tim Settle, DT Virginia Tech
San Francisco - from New Orleans* (11-5) .535 Nick Chubb, RB Georgia
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 Rasheem Green, EDGE UNC
New England* (13-3) .484 DJ Chark, WR LSU
Cleveland - from Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 Jerome Baker, LB OSU

Round 3

Team Player
Team Player
Buffalo - from Cleveland (0-16) .520 Ronnie Harrison, S Alabama
New York Giants (3-13) .531 Tyrell Crosby, OT Oregon
Indianapolis (4-12) .480 Derek Nnadi, DE/DT FSU
Houston (4-12) .516 Brian O'Neill, OT Pitt
New York Giants via Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 Tarvarus McFadden, CB FSU
San Francisco - from Chicago (5-11) .559 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE OK
Denver (5-11) .492 Ian Thomas, TE Indiana
New York Jets (5-11) .520 Frank Ragnow, OC Arkansas
Miami (6-10) .543 Rashaad Penny, RB SDSU
San Francisco (6-10) .512 Michael Gallup, WR Colorado St
Oakland (6-10) .512 Terrell Edmunds, S Virginia Tech
Green Bay (7-9) .539 Mark Andrews, TE OK
Cincinnati (7-9) .465 Mike White, QB WKU
Kansas City - from Washington (7-9) .539 Jessie Bates, S Wake Forest
Arizona (8-8) .488 Da'Shawn Hand, DE Alabama
Houston - from Seattle (9-7) .492 Tyler Conklin, TE W. Mich
Dallas (9-7) .496 Martinas Rankin, OT Miss St
Detroit (9-7) .496 Jayln Holmes, EDGE OSU
Baltimore (9-7) .441 Josey Jewell, ILB Iowa
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 Kyzir White, S WVU
Carolina - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 Nathan Shepherd, DT Fort Hays St.
Kansas City* (10-6) .477 BJ Hill, DT NC State
Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 Darius Leonard, LB SC St
Carolina* (11-5) .539 Chad Thomas, EDGE Miami
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 Hercules Mata'afa, EDGE Wash St
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 Duke Dawson, CB UF
New Orleans* (11-5) .535 Equanemous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 Holton Hill, CB Texas
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 Micah Kiser, ILB UVA
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 Oren Burks, OLB Vanderbilt
New England* (13-3) .484 Luke Falk, QB Wash St
Buffalo - from Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 Tony Brown, CB Alabama
Arizona (compensatory) Shaquem Griffin, EDGE UCF
Houston (compensatory) Daeshon Hamilton, WR Penn St
Denver (compensatory) Royce Freeman, RB Oregon
Cincinnati (compensatory) Joseph Notebloom, OT TCU

Round 4

Team Player
Team Player
Cleveland (0-16) .520 Desmond Harrison, OT WVU
Tampa Bay via New York Giants (3-13) .531 Armani Watts, S TAMU
3. Houston (4-12) .516 Davontae Harris, CB Illinois St.
4. Indianapolis (4-12) .480 James Washington, WR OK St
5. Chicago (5-11) .559 Duke Ejiofor, DE Wake Forest
6. Denver (5-11) .492 Genard Avery, LB Memphis
7. New York Jets (5-11) .520 Dante Pettis, WR Wash
New York Giants via Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn
9. Denver - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 Godwin Igwebuike, S Northwestern
10. Oakland (6-10) .512 Parry Nickerson, CB Tulane
11. Los Angeles Rams - from Miami (6-10) .543 Austin Corbett, OL Nevada
12. Cincinnati (7-9) .465 J.C Jackson, CB Maryland
13. Washington (7-9) .539 Mark Walton, RB Miami
14. Green Bay (7-9) .539 Keke Coutee, WR TTU
15. Chicago - from Arizona (8-8) .488 Kendrick Norton, DT Miami
16. Dallas (9-7) .496 M.J. Stewart, CB UNC
17. Detroit (9-7) .496 Trenton Thompson, DL Georgia
18. Baltimore (9-7) .441 Kevin Toliver, CB LSU
19. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 J'Mon Moore, WR Auburn
20. Seattle (9-7) .492 Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona St
21. Buffalo* (9-7) .492 Jordan Lasley, WR UCLA
22. Kansas City* (10-6) .477 Foley Fatukasi, DL Uconn
23. Miami - from Cleveland via Carolina* (11-5) .539 Christian Sam, LB ASU
24. Kansas City - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech
25. Tennessee* (9-7) .434 Scott Quessenberry, OC UCLA
26. Atlanta* (10-6) .543 Cedrick Wilson, WR BYU
27. New Orleans* (11-5) .535 Trey Walker, S Louisiana-Lafayette
28. San Francisco - from Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 Quin Blanding, S UVA
29. Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 Deshon Elliot, S Texas
30. Philadelphia via Minnesota* (13-3) .492 Michael Dickson, P Texas
31. Miami - from Philadelphia via New England* (13-3) .484 Geron Christian, OT Louisville
32. Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 Nyheim Hines, RB NC St
33. Green Bay (compensatory) John Kelly, RB Tennessee
34. Arizona (compensatory) Alex Cappa, OT Humboldt St.
35. Los Angeles Rams - from New York Giants (compensatory) Anthony Miller, WR Memphis
36. New England (compensatory) Braxton Berrios, WR Miami
37. Dallas (compensatory) Akrum Wadley, RB Iowa

Round 5

Team Player
Team Player
1. Green Bay - from Cleveland (0-16) .520 Tegray Scales, LB Indiana
2. New York Giants (3-13) .531 RJ McIntosh, DE Miami
3. Indianapolis (4-12) .480 Trey Flowers, S OK St
4. Seattle - from Houston (4-12) .516 Mason Cole, OL Michigan
5. Denver (5-11) .492 Allen Lazard, WR Iowa St.
6. San Francisco - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 Breeland Speaks, DT Miss
7. Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 Andrew Brown, DT Virginia
8. Chicago (5-11) .559 Deontay Burnett, WR USC
9. Seattle - from Oakland (6-10) .512 Timon Parris, OT Stony Brook
10. New Orleans - from Miami (6-10) .543 Dalton Schultz, TE Stanford
11. Pittsburgh - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 Jaryd Jones-Smith, OT Pittsburgh
12. Washington (7-9) .539 Greg Stroman, CB Va Tech
13. Green Bay (7-9) .539 Stephen Roberts, S Auburn
14. Cincinnati (7-9) .465 Siran Neal, S Jacksonville St.
15. Arizona (8-8) .488 Mike Ford, CB Southeast Missouri
16. Detroit (9-7) .496 Quinton Meeks, CB Stanford
17. Baltimore (9-7) .441 Riley Ferguson, QB Memphis
18. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 Bradley Bozeman, OL Alabama
19. Seattle - from Philadelphia via Seattle (9-7) .492 Brandon Facyson, CB Virginia Tech
20. New York Jets - from Dallas (9-7) .496 Jeff Holland, EDGE Auburn
21. Cincinnati - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 Daniel Carlson, K Auburn
22. Oakland - from Cleveland via Kansas City* (10-6) .477 Byron Pringle, WR Kansas St
23. Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 Dorian O'Daniel, LB Clemson
24. Carolina* (11-5) .539 Ray Ray McCloud, OFW Clemson
25. Tennessee* (9-7) .434 Ade Aruna, EDGE Tulane
26. Denver - from Atlanta* (10-6) .543 Jamil Demby, OL Maine
27. New Orleans* (11-5) .535 Fred Warner, OLB BYU
28. Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 Kemoko Turay, EDGE Rutgers
29. Buffalo - from Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 Justin Jackson, RB Northwestern
30. Minnesota* (13-3) .492 Auden Tate, WR FSU
31. Seattle - from New England* (13-3) .484 Marcell Frazier, EDGE Mizzou
32. Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 Nick Nelson, CB Wisconsin
33. Cincinnati (compensatory) Bo Scarborough, RB Alabama
34. Dallas (compensatory) Tre'Quan Smith, WR UCF
35. Green Bay (compensatory) Deadrin Senat, DT USF
36. Dallas (compensatory) Jacob Pugh, OLB FSU
37. Green Bay (compensatory) Will Richardson, OT NC State

Examining the Giants’ Picks

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

I’ll be honest, Josh Rosen is (and has been) QB1 for me. He’s probably the highest-graded QB that I’ve had this year and he’s perhaps the highest-graded QB I’ve had over the past several years, in the same tier of evaluations that I’ve had for Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota. Don’t get me wrong, I like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold as well (less so, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson) but I think Rosen is simply the most well-rounded. He’s played in a pro-style offense, overcome adversity in the way of having a different OC every year, shown toughness playing through injury, has shown evidence that he can lead his team to comeback victories. Despite media knocks on his off-the-field character (which is something I simply don’t have the information to comment on except denote that it’s a concern), the fact that many of his teammates voluntarily came forward to vehemently deny those statements is heartening. The biggest concern for me with Rosen is durability, and that’s a legitimate concern. However, given the upside that he has as a franchise QB, it’s a risk I’m more than happy to take.

Others considered: Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb, Quinton Nelson

Josh Sweat, EDGE, FSU

The Giants decided to trade Jason Pierre-Paul because of his contract and possible fit. They definitely have a need at EDGE rusher, with really only Olivier Vernon as a bonafide starter (though Avery Moss and Romeo Okwara have upside). Enter Josh Sweat.

He’s a long, explosive pass-rusher with good speed to power, short area quickness and violent, long hands that allow him to disengage with blockers and wrap up quarterbacks and running backs. He comes with a big “if” and that’s his knee, with a severe injury in HS and a meniscal tear in 2016. Big upside here.

Others considered: Jaire Alexander, Braden Smith, Sony Michel, Courtland Sutton

Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon

You want a “Hog Molly?” Crosby was the definition of one in the Pac-12 with the Oregon Ducks. I honestly would have been okay with Crosby in Round 2, so there was really nobody else I considered when he was available in Round 3. A powerful, powerful player with long arms at 6-5, 325 pounds.

He is a monstrosity as a run blocker and seeing a man that size getting out on screens is something to see. He has some work to do as a pass blocker, but in the three games of his that I saw, he had solid footwork but was leaning into opponents at times. My comparison to him would be La’el Collins. Same type of nasty streak, Crosby is a little less polished but also a little bit bigger. He’ll fit right in for what the Giants want to do on offense.

Others considered: Tarvarus McFadden, Frank Ragnow

Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU

When you evaluate players, there will be a few guys that will be “your guys” and your evaluation will differ from the general consensus. Tarvarus McFadden is one of those guys for me. Few players have had a worse offseason than McFadden. He bombed the combine 40, running a 4.68. He didn’t do much better at his pro-day, running anywhere from a 4.50-4.57.

Looking at the actual player on the field, you see a guy who is physical at the LOS, has long arms and a savvy way of playing, fighting for the ball, being physical with the receiver during the route, and having very good change of direction for a 6-2 corner. Will he be a fast player that can keep up with the burners in the NFL? No. Will he be able to match up with bigger slot receivers and guys like Kelvin Benjamin? Yes. David Gettleman has drafted players like this before, like Josh Norman and James Bradberry. McFadden has a good chance of sticking with this team.

Others considered: Frank Ragnow, Terrell Edmunds, Da’Shawn Hand, Shaquem Griffin

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

Finally, they say, a running back! A very underrated running back, too, I might add. Johnson has snuck by this star studded RB group, but he certainly could be among one of the biggest draft day steals.

He is explosive and bursts through the hole with a purpose. He also doesn’t go down on initial contact and will fight for every yard. Vision is also very good. Biggest issue is that he’s like Wayne Gallman in that he has a very upright running style. Makes him susceptible to ankle tackles. I liken him to Tevin Coleman or Karlos Williams. Would certainly be a factor in the NY Giants RB room.

Others considered: Kendrick Norton, J’Mon Moore, Kevin Toliver

RJ McIntosh, DE, Miami

As a Miami fan, I might be a little biased but I really like both McIntosh and Kendrick Norton, their other DT. McIntosh played a little bit of 3 technique as well as 5/7 technique for Miami and held up pretty well.

At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, he would be a base 5 technique for the Giants and he’s one that actually a little bit better against the pass than against the run. He’s quick and explosive with good short area quickness and can penetrate gaps. He needs some time in the weight room though, as he’s got some issues anchoring down. Strength is something can be taught and improved in an NFL program. He’ll be a developmental pick, but I think has a chance to make some noise in the future.

Others considered: Quinton Meeks, Deontay Burnett, Ray Ray McCloud

Final Thoughts

Like every year, this was a difficult but fun exercise. It’s always great to see the discussions on these types of posts because everybody has an idea on how the team should go in the draft. The Giants, luckily or unluckily, are in the driver’s seat in the first round. While I hold Josh Rosen in very high regard, I have a feeling the Giants are smitten with either Sam Darnold or Josh Allen. I do think that one of those guys will be the pick. As good as Saquon Barkley is (and boy, is he good), I just don’t see the Giants pulling the trigger. If they do, they’ve got a unique weapon in their hands in an offense full of unique weapons (Please don’t leave, Odell).

It’s also interesting to look at the Colts and see what they got after moving down with the Jets. They got a haul of Bradley Chubb, Braden Smith, Sony Michel, and Mike Hughes in the first round. Would you take that over a QB? It certainly makes for an interesting discussion. Let me know how I did and what you guys would do!

Poll

Grade It.

This poll is closed

  • 10%
    A
    (175 votes)
  • 36%
    B
    (617 votes)
  • 35%
    C
    (596 votes)
  • 11%
    D
    (186 votes)
  • 5%
    F
    (98 votes)
1672 votes total Vote Now