11. Cincinnati Bengals
The Pick Will Be: DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
Biggest Need: Linebacker
Simmons will be one of the biggest steals wherever he goes outside of the top ten. In a defensive tackle-heavy draft, don’t be surprised if he’s really and truly the No. 1 prospect on the board for a few teams.
12. Green Bay Packers
The Pick Will Be: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Biggest Need: Pass Rusher
The Packers have a later pick in the first round – that’s where they’ll grab their tight end. Finding more pass rushing help is a must, and Ferrell or Florida’s Jachai Polite will likely be here for the taking.
13. Miami Dolphins
The Pick Will Be: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Quarterback
The Dolphins have to do it. They need a kickstarter, and Murray is it – if he’s here. If he’s gone, then Daniel Jones or Dwayne Haskins will slide to this spot. Any of the three options are just fine to give the franchise a new direction.
14. Atlanta Falcons
The Pick Will Be: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Biggest Need: Defensive Tackle
This is a fit all the way around. If he lasts this long, Wilkins is the alpha-talent who can be the leader and all-around star for a defensive line for a long, long time. Best of all, the Falcons aren’t paying retail for one of the other star tackles going in the top ten.
15. Washington Redskins
The Pick Will Be: OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Wide Receiver
This is where the the draft should take another interesting turn. The Redskins are invested in Alex Smith, but they have to find a quarterback to build around. Considering there aren’t too many other teams that need one – and the ones that do will likely pounce early – Washington should wait a bit. Beefing up the O line is a must.
16. Carolina Panthers
The Pick Will Be: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Biggest Need: Offensive Line
Assume either Taylor, Alabama’s Jonah Williams, or Oklahoma’s Cody Ford will be here for the taking. Taylor can play just about anywhere on the line and would be an instant difference-maker. However, there’s a chance the Panthers start the wide receiver run. If they don’t …
17. Cleveland Browns
The Pick Will Be: WR DK Metcalf, Ole Miss
Biggest Need: Wide Receiver
The Browns have to give Baker his guys. Marquise Brown might be the call to do the Oklahoma-to-Oklahoma thing, and AJ Brown and N’Keal Harry will be possibilities, but Metcalf is the total NFL receiver package.
18. Minnesota Vikings
The Pick Will Be: DT Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State
Biggest Need: Offensive Line
The Vikings don’t need a whole lot of help – they just need some fine-tuning. Defensive tackle isn’t a glaring need, and the offensive line has to be addressed at some point, but Jones is a versatile interior pass rusher and option to throw into the rotation.
19. Tennessee Titans
The Pick Will Be: DE/LB Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Biggest Need: Outside Linebacker
Get ready for Sweat to be one of the draft’s biggest calls. He’s a true tweener, but he’s the pass rusher everyone is looking for. He could go in the top ten and it wouldn’t be wrong, but he’ll more likely slide to the end of the top 20. If he’s here. he’s exactly what the Titans need.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pick Will Be: CB Byron Murphy, Washington
Biggest Need: Cornerback
The Steelers have to figure out how to consistently stop someone’s passing game. This isn’t a corner-rich draft, but Murphy might not be too far behind – if at all – Greedy Williams on several draft boards. Georgia’s Deandre Baker could go here.
