9. Jacksonville (6-10) — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Jaguars need to give Gardner Minshew some help. (I will accept no other reality than the one where Minshew is Jacksonville’s starter in 2020.) Lamb is a star in the making. Receivers are a tough position to draft, but Lamb is worth the risk. He and D.J. Chark could be a special combo.
10. Cleveland (6-10) — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
If Thomas lasts to this point in the draft, the Browns will have their draft card ready as soon as they go on the clock. Put them down for an SEC left tackle, who is 6-foot-5, 320 pounds and is likely to impress at the combine in Indianapolis. Baker Mayfield will breathe a sigh of relief. If Thomas is gone, Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs is another excellent option.
11. N.Y. Jets (7-9) — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
As mentioned, Wirfs is an excellent option for any tackle-needy team. But let’s give quarterback Sam Darnold help at another position, where he’s likely to see Robby Anderson depart (and surely thrive soon after, just like most offensive skill players do after leaving Adam Gase). Jeudy isn’t just athletic — he’s polished and NFL-ready.
12. Las Vegas (7-9) — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
I can see Jon Gruden sitting in his (now-private) “QB Camp” with Love during a pre-draft meeting. “I’ll tell ya what, man, there isn’t a single quarterback in this draft that has the tools like you. [Expletive], you look like a toolshed with legs, man. I’m thinking about rolling the dice on you. Vegas, right? I like my odds. Knock on wood if you’re with me.”
Love could benefit from a season behind Derek Carr. But the Raiders have flexibility with Carr. If they cut him in 2019, his cap hit is $5 million. If it’s 2020, it’s $2.5 million.
The Raiders desperately need a cornerback, but there are two or three they would be happy with getting at No. 12, so they’ll bank on one of those players being around when they pick again at 19. This quarterback project is too good to miss.
13. Indianapolis (7-9) — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Alabama is owning the first round of this mock draft. The Colts need a quarterback, but perhaps quarterback Tom Brady will take over and serve as the starter ahead of Jacoby Brissett once again. Regardless of who is playing quarterback in Indy, that man will like this pick. He’s a speedster with a solid route-tree. Imagine adding Tyreek Hill to this offense. That said, if left tackle Anthony Costanzo retires, I’d imagine the Colts take Wirfs.
14. Tampa Bay (7-9) — Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Maybe he’s a good fit as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme, but his talent is too tempting for the Buccaneers to pass on the opportunity to try him as a 3-4 defensive end on the same line as Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh. Kinlaw certainly moves well enough with his impressive size. He’s the kind of player who makes offensive linemen nervous before the snap. A quarterback could be in play, if Jameis Winston departs this offseason, though there isn’t an obvious one on the board for Tampa.
15. Denver (7-9) — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Broncos believe they finally have a franchise quarterback in Drew Lock. And if they do, everyone will be kicking themselves for passing on Lock in 2019. But let’s give him better protection on the right side of that line. Wirfs is a technician, who is yet another product of Kirk Ferentz’s academy for offensive linemen at Iowa.
16. Atlanta (7-9) — D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
The Falcons can get out from under Devonta Freeman’s contract with an unfortunate but necessary $6 million cap hit. Considering his injuries and his generally mediocre play, they’d be wise to move on after finishing with the third-worst rushing offense in the league. Swift seems like he’s the best back in this draft, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Clemson’s Travis Etienne pulls ahead with a strong performance at the combine.