The NFL Draft begins Thursday April 28th at 8 pm. Round 2 and 3 will start at 7 PM on Friday April 29th and Rounds 4-7 will being at noon on April 30th. The draft will be broadcast by ESPN/ESPN 2 and NFL Network. We’ve analyzed the draft prospects for all position groups and all four teams’ needs in the North. Let’s take a look at some of the blockbuster trades and have a little mock draft day fun.
Titans and Rams Trade for 1st overall pick
The Rams traded up from the 15th pick to the 1st pick in the draft to nab a Quarterback. The Titans received pick 15, two second round picks (43, 45) and a 3rd round pick (76th) this year from the Rams. The Titans also receive a 1st round pick and 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft. The Rams get the 1st overall pick a 4th round pick (113) and 6th round pick (177) in 2016.
This was a good trade for both teams based on the trade value chart. The Rams mortgaged the future but get to pick the QB they want out of Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. The Rams had an extra second from the Sam Bradford trade last year. Los Angeles will have a face for their franchise and a good QB prospect.
QB is very important in this league which is why the Rams gave up so much. They moved up 14 spots which is a huge jump which made the trade costly. The Titans get a ton of ammo to rebuild their team. They have Marcus Mariota and now can build around him. It was a win for the Titans. It will be a win for the Rams if Wentz or Goff become a good QB.
Browns and Eagles trade for 2nd overall pick
The Browns traded the 2nd overall pick in 2016 and a 4th round pick in the 2017 draft to the Eagles. The Eagles gave up their 1st round pick (8), 3rd round pick (77 from Detroit) and 4th round pick (100). The Eagles also gave up their 1st round pick in 2017 and 2nd round pick in 2018.
The Eagles have Sam Bradford and Chase Daniels with some big guaranteed money. However, the Eagles want a young franchise long term QB. The Eagles will get Goff or Wentz depending on who the Rams select. This is a head scratcher for the Eagles but if the QB works out for them, then it will be a good trade. The Eagles had an extra 3rd rounder from a trade with the Lions in the 2015 draft.
The Browns need many picks and they received a good bounty for this trade. The Browns are still in the top 10 with pick 8 and have an extra 3rd and 4th rounder now. Money ball is working hard in Cleveland but RG3/Josh McCown is now their answer at QB, unless they take Paxton Lynch at pick 8 or a QB in Round 2.
Mock Drafts
We made it all offseason without a mock draft. It’s draft day so I’m going to ruin that and predict Rounds 1-3 for each NFC North team. I’m sure you’ll mock me if this does not come true.
Chicago Bears
Pick 11: Vernon Hargreaves III CB. Tracy Porter is not the answer for Chicago at CB2. The Bears could take a DE/DT for the 3-4 but Hargreaves is probably BPA and a good cover corner to pair with Fuller. Elliot is probably gone at RB. Lynch is a dark horse candidate at QB.
Pick 41: Derrick Henry RB. The Bears need a RB and Henry is a great workhorse back from Alabama. Bears are just copying the Packers at this point.
Pick 72: Christian Hackenberg QB. Cutler is the guy still but the Bears need somebody for the future. Hackenberg has talent but some major accuracy issues too. He had a terrible line the last two seasons but excelled with proper coaching his freshman year.
Detroit Lions
Pick 16: Jack Conklin OT. The Lions need a RT. Conklin has the ability to play LT too. This pick could be Taylor Decker or a DE like Shaq Lawson. The Lions shore up the offensive line and have great depth with Ola and Geoff Schwartz as backups.
Pick 46: Jeremy Cash SS. The Lions need a strong safety for the long term. Cash was the ACC defensive player of the year and productive four year in the box safety.
Pick 95 (Comp): Javon Hargrave DT. The Lions need some youth at DT with Walker and Stefan Charles on one year deals. Ngata is signed for two years but is 32. Hargrave is a good small school prospect with a lot of potential for the future. This pick was from the Suh departure. It would be fitting to pick a DT.
Minnesota Vikings
Pick 23: Corey Coleman WR. The Vikings need weapons in the worst way. Coleman has great speed and is a productive deep threat. Mike Wallace failed but now Coleman gets a shot to pair with Diggs. Laquan Treadwell, Josh Doctson, Darron Lee or an OT could be the pick.
Pick 54: Shonn Coleman OT. The Vikings need a tackle to upgrade over Kalil. Coleman has some left tackle ability and Loadholdt is coming off an injury. Andre Smith was signed on only a one year deal so Coleman is taken for the future at LT or RT.
Pick 86: Miles Killebrew SS. The Vikings re-signed Sendejo and signed Michael Griffen. However, they could add some youth with Killebrew to fight for the strong safety spot with Sendejo. Griffen was signed for one year and is more of a free safety.
Green Bay Packers
Pick 27: Reggie Ragland ILB. The Packers strike gold with a very good ILB prospect. Ragland is good against the run and can cover.
Pick 57: Hunter Henry TE. The Packers got a one year stop gap with Cooks but Henry can help in run blocking and be a weapon down the line. Cook, Rodgers and Henry would be a very good TE group and the Packers would be set long term.
Pick 88: Nick Martin G/Center. The Packers have three players that are free agents in the interior offensive line next year. They stock up for the future with a guard and center versatile player.
Enjoy the draft tonight.