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The Pug’s Final Mock Draft

Pick 21: Detroit Lions

Team Needs: DL, LB, WR

Pick: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

This pick is gift wrapped and placed nicely right into the Detroit’s lap. The Lions have a huge need at linebacker, especially after the departure of DeAndre Levy. Pass rush wasn’t exactly the Lions strong point last year, as they ranked 30th in the league in sacks. Haason Reddick helps fill both needs. He played defensive end for Temple, but is better suited as an outside linebacker in the NFL. That translates into Reddick being versatile, and he could also help out on the line in pass rushing situations.

Pick 22: Miami Dolphins

Team Needs: LB, OL, CB

Pick: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA

The super-speedy McKinley fills a need for an edge rusher, but the Dolphins may look to transition him to strong-side linebacker. Taking McKinley allows the Dolphins to find out where he is better suited. Regardless of of he is stays a defensive end or transitions into an outside linebacker, McKinley is a smart pick to fill one of the top two positional needs for the Dolphins. Miami could also pay a nod to Peppers, who continues to fall down the line, but McKinley just makes too much sense here.

Pick 23: New York Giants

Team needs: OL, LB, QB

Pick: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky

Although there is a solid change the Giants could continue to build the defense they are trying to form, the miss on McKinley going right in front of them will have them choosing between Patrick Mahomes and Forrest Lamp. Although the Giants do need to start finding a successor for the aging Eli Manning, help keeping him upright could allow the Giants a little more time in finding his replacement. Lamp is considered by many to have the highest celing of offensive lineman in this draft class, and no one should fault the Giants for addressing the offensive line in the first round.

Pick 24: Oakland Raiders

Team needs: LB, DL, CB

Pick: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

The Raiders will be looking to fill one of two holes here, running back or linebacker. There have been multiple reports of Marshawn Lynch joining the Raiders. If that happens, like it appears poised to, the Raiders will look to nab a linebacker. Drafting Cunningham makes sense as he is extremely versatile and could play any linebacker position on the field. An asset in coverage, Cunningham will be a plug and play player who is capable of being groomed into a top-tier linebacker.

Pick 25: Houston Texans

Team needs: QB, OL, LB

Pick: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

The Houston Texans unloaded quarterback Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. The good news is they escape a $72 million contract for an ineffective quarterback. The bad news is Tony Romo reteried which seemed to be their backup plan, leaving the Texans’ starting job to Tom Savage. Patrick Mahomes gives the Texans the chance to make Savage work for the job in training camp, and it won’t be an easy competition for him. Mahomes has the strongest arm in the draft, and it’s not even close. Mahomes may be better suited to sit and learn before heading the team, but there is no denying that one day he may be the best quarterback to come out of the 2017 draft class. His ringing endorsement from David Carr and the rapport he has already built with Texans coach Bill O’Brien bode well for his success with the Texans.

Pick 26: Seattle Seahawks

Team needs: OL, DL, CB

Pick: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

No matter what position the Seahawks envisioned themselves going after in the draft, the Seahawks hands are tied given the Richard Sherman situation. In order to ensure the defense doesn’t become a liability, they need to add depth to the corner position regardless of if Sherman stays or goes this season. LSU has produced successful corners before, and White seems to be following their path. The Seahawks could also use offensive line help, but getting a corner with the cover skills of White will pay off bigger dividends when the smoke clears.

Pick 27: Kansas City Chiefs

Team needs: LB, DL, CB, QB

Pick: Jarrod Davis, LB, Florida

The Chiefs are stuck in an interesting conundrum. All signs pointed to them drafting the franchise’s next quarterback, but with Patrick Mahomes off the board, they need to fill other spots. After suffering another Achilles tear, the Chiefs 34-year old star linebacker Derrick Johnson needs to be insured. The Chiefs also lost Dontari Poe, and need a physical body to make up for the loss in pass rush. Enter Jarrod Davis. He is physical and speedy giving the Chiefs another weapon in case Johnson isn’t 100%.

Pick 28: Dallas Cowboys

Team needs: CB, S, DL, TE

Pick: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan 

After looking to be one of this years’ top picks early on, Peppers falls to the Cowboys at 28. This is a great fit considering  J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church both left town. The Cowboys also lost cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr to free agency, leaving their entire secondary in shambles. Taking Peppers towards the end of the first round allows the Cowboys the chance to rebuild that. If the move works out, the Cowboys add two huge pieces to the defense this year. (They drafted Jaylon Smith in the second round last year who missed all of 2016).

Pick 29: Green Bay Packers

Team needs: CB, LB, DL, RB

Pick: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

Green Bay may have a huge need at cornerback and running back, but the allure of taking Watt is just too much to pass over. If family is any indication, T.J. has a fantastic career ahead of him. In case you haven’t heard, T.J. has a brother that isn’t to bad playing in Houston. Watt will do wonders filling the void left by the departures of Julius Peppers and Datone Jones to free agency. He has a big name to live up to, but if he is even half as dominant as his brother is, this pick will work out for the Packers.

Pick 30: Pittsburgh Steelers

Team needs: LB, WR, S, CB

Pick: Carl Lawson, LB, Auburn

The Steelers were hoping Jabrill Peppers would fall to them, but it was not to be. James Harrison isn’t getting any younger, and there needs to be a plan to replace him. Lawson can go to Pittsburgh , not have the pressure to perform right out of the gate, and learn from one of the best in the game. The Steelers may want to go cornerback here as well, but there is more value in Lawson in the long run.

Pick 31: Atlanta Falcons

Team needs: OL, DL, CB

Pick: Budda Baker, S, Washington

After giving up an insane amount of passing yards to the Patriots in the Super Bowl last season, the Falcons should be looking to add depth to their secondary. Although smaller in size (5’10”), he packs quite a punch. A hard hitter with great coverage skills, joining a young and talented defense in the Falcons could eventually turn him into a superstar.

Pick 32: New Orleans Saints (from Patriots)

Team needs: CB, S, LB, WR

Pick: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, Southern Cal

Although the Saints do need a receiver in a bad way, look for them to improve their secondary for the second time in the first round here. Already grabbing one starter at corner earlier in the draft, look for them to nab Jackson to play opposite Marshon Lattimore. Some may consider this a reach, but the secondary transformation (that is much needed) is underway.

See Picks 1-10

See Picks 11-20

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