NFL Mock Draft: Raiders trade up for QB, 6 WRs are taken, and Bo Nix heads to Atlanta
By Hunter Haas
No. 14: Los Angeles Rams — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse wins with power as a pass rusher, utilizing a dominant burst with violent hands. He’s a plus defender in the running game and has shown steady improvement at his multiple stops in college. Pairing Verse with Byron Young is a recipe for success for years to come in LA.
Mock Draft: Bengals Commit To Protecting Joe Burrow At No. 15 Overall
No. 15: Cincinnati Bengals — J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Could the Bengals invest even more in the offensive line? That answer should be an easy yes. Sure, a ton of money and draft resources have already been spent on the group, but that doesn’t matter if the quality of play remains mediocre. J.C. Latham possesses more upside in his pinky finger than anyone currently rostered.
No. 16: Buffalo Bills — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Bills swung and missed on Kaiir Elam recently, but that shouldn’t dissuade them from taking Nate Wiggins. With Wiggins, Buffalo gets an uber-competitive and uber-talented cornerback who can make fans forget about the Elam misstep. He displays 4.3 speed on tape and an ever-improving ability in man coverage.
No. 17: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
After addressing the defense earlier in this mock draft, Kyler Murray gets a weapon. Keon Coleman profiles as a DeAndre Hopkins type of pass catcher — but get this, Coleman is an astonishing three inches taller. That shows up in jump-ball situations, but the FSU star is a return man for special teams as well, highlighting his overall athleticism.
No. 18: Denver Broncos — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Broncos have an underrated defense, but infusing Chop Robinson into the fold could elevate the unit as a whole. Robinson is an old-school type of pass rusher, using strength and impeccable pad level to terrorize his assignments. Not many in the class are as natural at getting into the opposing backfield.
Is Bo Nix The Answer For Falcons? Desmond Ridder Isn’t
No. 19: Atlanta Falcons — Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Full disclosure: my list of first-round quarterbacks begins and ends after the first three names in this mock draft. Still, Bo Nix has shown enough to merit Day 1 consideration. For the Falcons, he presents a higher-upside than Desmond Ridder, and frankly, that’s enough to pull the trigger.