There was another major shakeup at the top of the draft on Wednesday, with the Eagles sending a boatload of picks to the Browns in order to move up to No. 2. This happened just one week after the Rams made a similar deal with the Titans in order to acquire the draft’s No. 1 pick. Both teams did so in order to get a quarterback, meaning that barring a huge surprise, California’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz will be the first two players to hear their names called on April 28.
Todd McShay’s mock draft after Browns-Eagles trade has Jared Goff going to Rams at No. 1
McShay expects Carson Wentz to land in Philadelphia.
The Rams are reportedly leaning toward Jared Goff and the Eagles have hinted that they have no clear preference between the two. Below is how Todd McShay, who put out his latest mock draft on Thursday, expects the draft to unfold. As always, also be sure to check out our Mocking the Draft hub from Dan Kadar.
Goff then Wentz, then no one else
McShay considers Goff to L.A. an all-but-done deal. “It seems the worst-kept secret in the world that L.A. is going to pick Goff,” he writes. The Rams are planning on meeting with both quarterbacks this week, so this could easily change, but for now it seems as if Wentz is destined to end up in Philadelphia.
Also worth noting: McShay doesn’t have another quarterback going in the first round. One might think that with Goff and Wentz coming off the board so early, another QB-needy team might decide to reach for someone like Connor Cook or Paxton Lynch. McShay, however, doesn’t expect that to happen.
The Chargers are leaning toward addressing their secondary
No one outside of Philadelphia or L.A. is happier about all these trades than the Chargers. San Diego owns the No. 3 pick in the draft and already has Philip Rivers, meaning the Chargers get to take the top player on their board. That title, according to McShay, currently belongs to Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the No. 3 prospect on Dan Kadar's big board.
“Protecting Philip Rivers would seem like the bigger priority, so Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley are distinct possibilities,” writes McShay. “But I keep hearing Ramsey. Is he a safety? Is he a corner? I don’t really care. One of the best pure football players in this class, Ramsey is a true difference-maker.”
Either way, San Diego is going to add a player who immediately bolsters its talent and depth.
The Cowboys are torn between a few options
Cowboys drafts are always fun to follow. Dallas constantly seems to be torn between style and substance. According to McShay, the Cowboys are interested in Ramsey, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. Some think drafting any running back at No. 4 is too high, but Elliott is the kind of back who could immediately challenge incumbent Darren McFadden for the starting job, and likely thrive behind that big and talented offensive line.
The Jets are interested in Paxton Lynch
McShay has Gang Green drafting Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple, but says "there's lots of noise surrounding the Jets and Paxton Lynch." The Jets drafted Bryce Petty in the fourth round last season but are still on the prowl for a quarterback to lead their team in the future -- and possibly present if things don't get worked out with the still unsigned Ryan Fitzpatrick. Goff and Wentz going so early is going to help the stock of players like Lynch and Cook. The result: A team like the Jets might feel the need to select one of them earlier than they would have previously preferred.
We’ll find out soon enough, with the 2016 NFL Draft kicking off one week from now.
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