This is my (almost) final predictive mock. I say almost, because whilst I feel pretty good about it, some new information might come to light to change things. but for now, this is it for what it's worth.
I've used the consensus big board to judge values and I'm not making any trades just because they're too difficult to predict.
4. Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The most compelling argument for this pick for me is how much drafting a LT at 4 makes the rest of the draft easier. Yes this could be Membou, and I'd be fine with that, but my gut says it'll be Campbell.
38. Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
I think it's clear that one of the goals of this draft for the team is to add speed to the offense. They've looked at almost every speed RB and a lot of speedy WRs. Henderson is one speed RB they haven't met with as far as we know and I find that intriguing. This pick could easily be a WR and I could have gone WR here and Dylan Sampson in the third but I've gone with my preferred prediction for what will happen.
It's very possible that Henderson is off the board at 38 and if that's the case, bump up my WR pick to 38, preferably with a trade back, and substitute in Sampson in the third.
68. Jack Bech, WR, TCU
There are so many interesting WR options in the 2nd - 3rd range like Higgins, Harris, Noel and Williams. I went with Bech because he offers all those things Vrabel said he valued - contested catches and YAC. Chris Godwin, Puka Nakua, Cooper Kupp comps don't hurt his case either. It hurts to pass on Kyle Williams though. I'd be tempted to trade up into the latter half of the 2nd to make this pick.
77.Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Not much needs to be said here, Stewart offers violence and physicality, grade A effort and production. His ability and willingness to stand up blockers makes him sound like a Vrabel type guy.
106. Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
I do think Vrabel is looking for competition, or even a replacement, for Marcus Jones in the nickel. I would love to have binky Nohl Williams here but Parrish's 4.35 forty and experience in the nickel, along with the fact that he came for a visit, makes him the pick here.
144. Dont'e Thornton, WR, Tennessee
The FO have taken a long hard look at fast WRs so that could mean Noel or Williams in the 2nd-3rd range, but they also had a number of day three fast receivers in too. To be clear, I don't think this will be the pick and I did have Keandre Lambert-Smith pencilled in here but then it occurred to me. If you want a fast day three WR who's going to add a vertical threat the team is lacking, why not draft the one who is 6'5" and missed out on being the fastest WR at the combine by 1/100th of a second? it seems a no-brainer to me.
171. Jake Majors, C, Texas
There has been more interest in centers than guards (almost zero interest) so I've gone center for an interior lineman. This is a quote on Majors: “That [Texas] building is crazy about him because of his leadership and just how sharp he is. He can make protection adjustments on the fly like an NFL veteran". A number of scouting reports on Majors all talk about his protection adjustments which probably gives him a head start on succeeding in the NFL.
220, Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College
The team has shown interest in bigger bodied run defending DTs in the late day three area. Would you like to hazard a guess as to which DT had the highest run stop % amongst P5 interior defenders last year and was second in CFB for total run stops? Yup, this guy.
238. A Kicker
If I'd told you I'd scouted kickers this year, I'd be lying. So I have no idea who is best. This feels like an ideal place to get your pick of the bunch though.
