With each passing week, we get a closer and closer look at what the final draft order might be by season’s end. Our own Kyle Crabbs was on deck to author the latest Mock Draft Monday here at The Draft Network, and with it came the Week 16 draft order.
This was a fun order because, though the Jaguars and Jets have the top two picks locked up, there was plenty of movement that happened from No. 3 and beyond.
Crabbs put out his first-round mock earlier this week, and where the first-round picks tend to dominate the headlines, it’s those Day 2 picks that really separate a good draft class from a great one. So after taking a look at Crabbs’ second round, these were some team-prospect fits that I had to shout out as my favorites.
Philadelphia Eagles: Florida State CB Asante Samuel Jr. (Pick No. 37)
At the top of the second round, Crabbs gave the Eagles one of my favorite prospects in this class, Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. On top of landing the next Samuel from what has already been established as an elite cornerback family line, the Eagles would have themselves a ballplayer who has a knack for takeaways. Samuel comes at a smaller size, and because of it, press-man coverage isn’t really his game. But if you let him play off coverage in a Cover 3 role where he can keep his eyes on the quarterback, he’ll reward you with impact plays and takeaways.
Crabbs had the Eagles picking Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons with their first-round selection, so it was a major defensive overhaul with these first two picks.
New England Patriots: Purdue WR Rondale Moore (Pick No. 47)
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Patriots next season, they’re going to need a go-to weapon. And that doesn’t always mean a big, X receiver. Crabbs had the Patriots taking NDSU quarterback Trey Lance in the first round, and in the second round, he gave Lance a great speed option in Rondale Moore.
Moore was a takeover player during his freshman season a few years ago. He’s since had to battle through some injuries, but he’s a quick-hit receiver who can make a five-yard pass into a 50-yard gain. The Patriots need a guy who they can go to to keep the sticks moving, and Moore’s skill set would certainly give them that option.
Baltimore Ravens: Miami TE Brevin Jordan (Pick No. 55)
It’s no secret the Ravens love to run their offense through heavy personnel with their tight ends. They weren’t able to do it as much this year as they did the previous season, but adding a player like Brevin Jordan to an already established tight end room with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle would make a strength even stronger for a group they lean on so heavily. Jordan gives them more of a receiver than a true all-purpose tight end, but that can be just as effective for them, as they would really start to put defenses in a bind with all that size in their 12 and even 13 personnel looks.
Tennessee Titans: Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari (Pick No. 58)
For many mock drafts now, we’ve been trying to get the Titans a pass rusher opposite Harold Landry. I myself have mocked Ojulari to the Titans in the first round, so you better believe getting him here in the second round is a great value selection for me.
Crabbs had them adding wide receiver Rashod Bateman in Round 1, and if they can get Ojulari in Round 2, that would be a damn near perfect haul.
New Orleans Saints: Ohio State WR Chris Olave (Pick No. 61)
Every time I do a mock draft for the Saints, their roster has so few weaknesses that I just go, “hm, what pick would piss off the rest of the league the most?”
Chris Olave in the second round definitely would.
Olave is so smooth as a route-runner, and his ability to win deep, paired with Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara already established as two of the league’s best at their positions, would keep that offense humming.
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