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The NFL Draft is one of my favorite sporting events, it's right up there with the Super Bowl for me. Each NFL offseason I nerd out and research random players I've never heard of. Plus, this season Texas Tech will likely have 4 guys drafted so it makes this year's draft even more enjoyable. I get most of my draft knowledge from sports talk radio here in Dallas and Dane Brugler from CBS is a great draft follow as well. With all the draft talk and mock drafts out there, I figured I'd put together a mock of my own. I used NFL.com's list of each team's needs in order to make my selections.
*Updated 4/28, Final Mock Draft*
1. Los Angeles Rams - QB Jared Goff, California
This is pretty much a no-brainer after the Rams traded up for the 1st pick. Goff seems to be most experts number 1 quarterback in the draft.
2. Philadelphia Eagles - QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
The Eagles must really view QB as their top need since they traded up to 2. Wentz seems to be their guy.
3. San Diego Chargers - DL DeForest Buckner, Oregon
The Chargers can go Buckner, Laremy Tunsil or Jalen Ramsey at 3. Out of DL, OL, and secondary I view DL as their biggest need and Buckner fits their scheme perfectly.
4. Dallas Cowboys - DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Ramsey is a defensive playmaker and a freak athlete. He makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys at 4.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
The Jaguars offense is explosive and can put up points, their defense can also allow a lot of points. Bosa would be a great pick at 5 or they could go with Myles Jack if they don't believe his knee is a big issue.
6. Baltimore Ravens - OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
Laremy Tunsil at 6 is a steal for the Ravens. He's arguably the best player in the draft and will make an immediate impact in Baltimore.
7. San Francisco 49ers - OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The 49ers are a wildcard at 7 and I initially had them shocking people by taking Ezekiel Elliot. I believe the 49ers will look to plug some of their offensive needs and take a very good tackle by doing so.
8. Cleveland Browns - RB Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State
The Browns, like SF, have a lot of needs and in my first go around I had them taking OT Ronnie Stanley. But, if a talent like Ezekiel Elliot is there at 8 I expect the Browns to scoop him up. He's the type of playmaker needed to jumpstart their offense. If it's not the Browns at 8, someone will trade up.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
The Bucs gave up 31 touchdown passes last season so it's easy to say they need help in their secondary. Hargreaves makes a lot of sense at 9.
10. New York Giants - OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
I orginally had the Giants selecting Myles Jack but I think his knee is too much of a concern for them to take him at 10. They however can take another highly talented OLB with Floyd.
11. Chicago Bears - DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
12. New Orleans Saints - DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
13. Miami Dolphins - CB William Jackson III, Houston
14. Oakland Raiders - OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
15. Tennessee Titans - OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
16. Detroit Lions - WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
17. Atlanta Falcons - DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
18. Indianapolis Colts - C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
19. Buffalo Bills - ILB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
20. New York Jets - QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
21. Washington Redskins - DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
22. Houston Texans - WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
23. Minnesota Vikings - WR Josh Doctson, TCU
24. Cincinnati Bengals - WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Andrew Billings, Baylor
26. Seattle Seahawks - CB Eli Apple, Ohio State
27. Green Bay Packers - DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
28. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Mackenzie Alexander, Clemson
29. Arizona Cardinals - OLB Darron Lee, Ohio State
30. Carolina Panthers - OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
31. Denver Broncos - QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
Texas Tech Player Projections
Le'Raven Clark - 2nd Round
DeAndre Washington - 5th Round
Pete Robertson - 5th Round
Jakeem Grant - 6th Round
Branden Jackson - UDFA
Of course there will be some surprises and trades, but I think I did okay. I'm pumped for April 28th - 30th and excited to see where our Texas Tech guys go.