3 Round NFL Mock Draft: Kyler Murray to Raiders

The NFL Draft Combine is starting this week, so now is a great time to write clickbait a mock draft. The excuse here is that we have Drew Lewis and Evan Worthington going in the third round, even though neither are likely to go before the fifth round.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

I want the Cardinals to trade Josh Rosen for picks then draft Kyler Murray first overall, but that’s (probably) not going to happen. Bosa is clearly the best player in this defense-loaded crop.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Allen, DE/OLB, Kentucky

The 49ers need edge rushing help, so if they don’t trade down, Josh Allen would be the star to build their defense around.

3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

Quinnen Williams is one of the slipperiest players I’ve ever seen, and with size and technique, that will likely carry over to multiple All-Pro nods.

4. Oakland Raiders: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

It would be so damn funny for the Oakland Raiders to draft Kyler Murray and have him play in the Oakland Coliseum. Nothing can stop him from playing in that concrete deathtrap, not until the Raiders move to Las Vegas.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

Gary isn’t on the same level as the top 3 defenders in the class, but he’s damn good and should be a high-level starter from day one. And though Gerald McCoy is coming back, Gary could play as a 3-4 defensive end in Todd Bowles’s scheme.

6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

This is the easiest pick to project, but it’s almost so perfect that it won’t happen. While Haskins is younger than most first round quarterbacks, he sees the field well and will have another year to develop behind the corpse of Eli Manning.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

In Clemson’s blowout of Alabama, Clelin Ferrell dominated fellow top 10 pick Jonah Williams. He’s ridiculously good and could help the Jags return to an elite defense.

8. Detroit Lions: Devin White, LB, LSU

The Lions already have tacking machine Jarrad Davis at linebacker, but they would do well to get another guy who can fly around the field making plays.

9. Buffalo Bills: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama

Williams was throttled against Clemson’s line, but (1) that Clemson defense has an argument as best ever and (2) there are few elite offensive line prospects these days, so the best will surely be overdrafted.

10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

To the Broncos fans reading, I am so, so sorry, but you know it’s going to happen. After drafting Paxton Lynch, starting Trevor Siemian, re-signing Brock Osweiler, signing Case Keenum, and finally trading for Joe Flacco, there’s nothing stopping John Elway from making a similar decision with Drew Lock. (Presumably because Elways wants to always be the best ever Broncos QB.) By the way, Lock’s most common player comparison is Jay Cutler.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State

I haven’t watched a Bengals game since Chad Ochocinco, but I’m going to take a wild guess and say they need help on the edge. Burns is very quick and has been highly productive in his career at Florida State. It’s not his fault the program has collapsed.

12. Green Bay Packers: Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida

Polite is a terrific athlete who will probably rise during the combine. The Packers are in need of edge help now that Clay Matthews is more symbolically important than he is productive.

13. Miami Dolphins: D.K. Metcelf, WR, Ole Miss

Kyler to Miami is a wonderful hype machine, but with the Raiders going speed crazy once again, the Dolphins have to settle for the most complete receiver in a fairly deep class at the position.

14. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Ed Oliver has slipped somewhat, likely because he has a questionable motor. The Falcons desperately need talent on the defensive line, so they’re happy with his drop.

15. Washington: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma

Cody Ford might be a literal giant, and he also happens to be quite good at this football thing. Washington would be smart to draft the masher.

16. Carolina Panthers: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss

If the Broncos don’t draft an offensive tackle, this might be Greg Little’s destined landing spot. Little is something of a project, but the Panthers do have the rest of Matt Kalil’s egregious contract to develop a future starter.

17. Cleveland Browns: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

The Browns have built one of the most fun teams in the NFL, and while they do have Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi and Genard Avery, but there’s always room for more talent on the defensive line.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

The Vikings were held back because Kirk Cousins sucks, and also because their offensive line was putrid. Taylor is known for balletic footwork, so he’s likely a day one starter at a critical position of need.

19. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Now that Delanie Walker is finally on the brink of retirement, the Titans should draft the best tight end in the class. Hockenson has soft hands and excels in run blocking, so his versatility would work well with whatever identity Tennessee decides on.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

This is quite the precipitous drop the best cornerback in the class as Greedy Williams was getting top 5 buzz not too long ago. Pittsburgh needs help at safety and linebacker, but they’re not going to pass on Greedy.

21. Seattle Seahawks: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

The Seahawks surprisingly had a decent offensive line last year after years of infamous struggles. But they still need help and Dillard would be a solid fit as someone who can play multiple spots.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

It’s a sad thing to say, but former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Jimmy Smith is probably over the hill. The Ravens have an elite defense, but they Murphy would be an upgrade opposite Marlon Humphrey.

23. Houston Texans: Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State

For the love of my fantasy football team, someone get Deshaun Watson some help on the line. Risner is already a seasoned professional. (Risner is from Wiggins, Colorado, but that’s basically Kansas, so don’t get mad at CU for not keeping him in-state.)

24. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago): Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

After trading Khalil Mack, it became hilariously apparent that the Raiders had no one to make a difference on the edge. Now that they drafted Kyler 4th overall, they go with Sweat, whose size and productivity make a top-15 caliber player. The knock on Sweat is apparently flexibility, but he’s still proven against SEC lines.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia

Cajuste has an injury history, admittedly, but if there’s any offensive lineman to eventually replace future HOFer Jason Peters, it’s him.

26. Indianapolis Colts: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama

If you can name three defensive starters on the Colts, congratulations, you’re a weirdo. That’s why it was somewhat surprising to see Indy build an above average unit. They have Darius Leonard roaming the middle, but they do need more secondary help. Thompson is the best safety in this class.

27. Oakland Raiders (via Dallas): Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown united. Please.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

This may be a reach — and the Chargers would be smart to draft an offensive lineman — but it was apparent in their blowout to New England that they have zero quality linebackers.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

The Chiefs, like the Chargers, were ultimately undone by their lack of quality defensive starters. They need help in the secondary and Baker would be an immediate starter if he somehow slides this far.

30. Green Bay Packers: (via New Orleans): Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Fant, the second Iowa tight end in the first round, is a Jordan Reed-type receiver whose athleticism and soft hands would make him the safety blanket Aaron Rodgers has been missing the past few years.

31. Los Angeles Rams: Zach Allen, EDGE, Boston College

The Rams thought they had an elite defense when they traded for everyone last offseason, but even with Dante Fowler, they need a stronger presence on the edge.

32. New England Patriots: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

The Patriots will eventually die, but for now, Tom Brady could use an outside threat like the 6’6 Butler. Besides, Robert Kraft does love soft hands.

SECOND ROUND

33. Arizona Cardinals: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

34. Indianapolis Colts (via Jets): Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame

35. Oakland Raiders: Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State

36. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State

37. New York Giants: Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame

40. Buffalo Bills: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

41. Denver Broncos: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State

42. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

43. Detroit Lions: Irv Smith, Jr., TE, Alabama

44. Green Bay Packers: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State

45. Atlanta Falcons: Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion

46. Washington: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

47. Carolina Panthers: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington

48. Miami Dolphins: Gerald Willis, DL, Miami

49. Cleveland Browns: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

50. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Deiter, OL, Wisconsin

51. Tennessee Titans: D’Andre Walker, Edge, Georgia

52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware

53. Philadelphia Eagles (via Ravens): Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

54. Houston Texans (via Seahawks): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB/S, Florida

55. Houston Texans: Garrett Bradberry, C, NC State

56. New England Patriots (via Bears): Isaiah Buggs, DL, Alabama

57. Philadelphia Eagles: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

58. Dallas Cowboys: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

59. Indianapolis Colts: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple

60. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech

61. Kansas City Chiefs: Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt

62. New Orleans Saints: Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford

63. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams): Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas

64. New England Patriots: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M

THIRD ROUND

65. Arizona Cardinals: Mitch Hyatt, G, Clemson

66. Oakland Raiders: Christian Miller, Edge, Alabama

67. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan

68. New York Jets: Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic

69. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson

70. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

71. Denver Broncos: Connor McGovern, G, Penn State

72. Cincinnati Bengals: Collin Johnson, WR, Texas

73. New England Patriots (via Lions): Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson

74. Buffalo Bills: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State

75. Green Bay Packers: Te’Von Coney, LB, Notre Dame

76. Washington: Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls

77. Carolina Panthers: Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State

78. Miami Dolphins: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

79. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Alexander, DT, LSU

80. Cleveland Browns: Amani Hooker, S, Iowa

81. Minnesota Vikings: Chase Winovich, DE/OLB, Michigan

82. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama

84. Seattle Seahawks: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR, Texas

85. Baltimore Ravens: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia

86. Houston Texans: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

87. Chicago Bears: Beau Benzschawel, G, Wisconsin

88. Detroit Lions (via Eagles): Michael Jordan, G/C, Ohio State

89. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo

90. Dallas Cowboys: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin

91. Los Angeles Chargers: Dru Samia, G, Oklahoma

92. Kansas City Chiefs: Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama

93. New York Jets (via Saints): Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn

94. Los Angeles Rams: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State

95. Cleveland Browns (via Patriots): Jonathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

96. Washington: Ryan Finley, QB, NC State

97. New England Patriots: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia

98. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri

99. Los Angeles Rams: Evan Worthington, S, Colorado

100. Carolina Panthers: Renell Wren, DL, Arizona State

101. New England Patriots: Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo

102. Baltimore Ravens: Drew Lewis, LB, Colorado