BSN Denver Mock draft 6.0: Stay put or make a trade?

With the 2018 NFL Draft finally upon us, we’re giving you our sixth and final mock draft.

We’re doing things a bit differently, with brief descriptions of why each player is the pick and offering up the other players we considered at that selection. The draft is always a fluid process, so it’s important to remember the other directions a team could go in.

As a bonus, we mocked the first 40 picks, so you get two Broncos selections.

Enjoy.

1) CLEVELAND BROWNS, JOSH ALLEN, QB, WYOMING

Why Allen: Allen is the pick because of his big arm and massive potential. While he’s far from a sure thing, he’s also been groomed in a pro-style offense, which is a big bonus.

Alternatives: Sam Darnold.

2) NEW YORK GIANTS, BRADLEY CHUBB, DE, NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Why Chubb: The buzz on the Giants taking Saquon Barkley has amplified, and I get the feeling that’s exactly what New York wants us to believe. Chubb is the one non-quarterback that teams covet in the top five and would give the Giants a defensive building block. 

Alternatives: Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley, or Quenton Nelson.

3) NEW YORK JETS (FROM IND), SAM DARNOLD, QB, USC

Why Darnold: The Jets are taking a quarterback and have been locked into Baker Mayfield. However, if Darnold’s around, he should be the pick. Darnold checks off every box you want and has massive upside, an easy selection. 

Alternatives: Baker Mayfield, or Josh Rosen.

4) CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM HOU), SAQUON BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE

Why Barkley: The buzz around the Browns fourth pick being up for sale has quieted down. It sounds more and more likely that they’ll take whoever the Giants leave available between Barkley or Chubb. If three quarterbacks go in the top three, I believe this pick will be Chubb, in a bit of an upset. 

Alternatives: Bradley Chubb.

5) DENVER BRONCOS, BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA

Why Mayfield: The Broncos have done as much research as possible on the 2017 Heisman, and he or Darnold seem to be their top two guys.

Alternatives: Sam Darnold, Bradley Chubb, or trade down. 

6) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM NYJ), ROQUAN SMITH, LB, GEORGIA

Why Smith: The Colts need building blocks all over the field and Smith would be a nice defensive piece. The NFL seems to really covet his athleticism and cover ability, making him a perfect new-school linebacker. 

Alternatives: Quenton Nelson, Bradley Chubb, or trade down.

7) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, DERWIN JAMES, DB, FLORIDA STATE

Why James: The Bucs are desperate for an upgrade at safety. James can be a tone setter in so many ways, whether it be roaming the box, covering the slot, or as a blitzer, where he’s phenomenal. He feels like a fairly safe pick in Tampa. 

Alternatives: Minkah Fitzpatrick, or Denzel Ward. 

8) CHICAGO BEARS, QUENTON NELSON, OG, NOTRE DAME

Why Nelson: The Bears added a new offensive-minded head coach and have a young quarterback in Mitch Trubisky that needs to be groomed, quickly. With Nelson, they add a tone-setter on offense who can protect Trubisky and allow Matt Nagy to do more schematically. 

Alternatives: Trade down, or back-seven talent. 

9) BUFFALO BILLS (FROM SF), JOSH ROSEN, QB, UCLA

*Projected trade: 49ers get pick 12, 65 and 96 in the third round and a 2019 fourth*

Why Rosen: The Bills trade up to take Rosen, jumping the Miami Dolphins to ensure they get their man. This is a much more appealing trade for Buffalo, rather than moving up in the top six, where they likely have to give up both their first round picks.

Alternatives: Josh Allen.

10) OAKLAND RAIDERS, MIKE MCGLINCHEY, OT, NOTRE DAME

Why McGlinchey: Jon Gruden is old-school and is receiving a truckload of money to take Derek Carr to the next level. Gruden needs solid pass protectors to do so, and the tackles he has are either old or not very good. McGlinchey has a lot of buzz as someone who could go higher than expected. 

Alternatives: Denzel Ward, Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Marcus Davenport, or Vita Vea.  

11) MIAMI DOLPHINS, TREMAINE EDMUNDS, LB, VIRGINIA TECH

Why Edmunds: Edmunds is too good to pass up for the Dolphins who need help all over the field. 

Alternatives: Marcus Davenport, Josh Rosen, or Lamar Jackson.

12) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (FROM BUF), DENZEL WARD, CB, OHIO STATE

*Projected trade (see above)*

Why Ward: Ward is too good of a value to pass up for the Niners, who will be very happy their trade worked out so well. They need to upgrade their talent on defense and add more picks, check and check. 

Alternatives: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Roquan Smith, or Tremaine Edmunds.

Broncos notes: If Denver does take the Bills trade, this scenario works out perfectly for them. Ward should be the pick for them, too.

13) WASHINGTON REDSKINS, MINKAH FITZPATRICK, FS/CB, ALABAMA

Why Fitzpatrick: The Skins need to upgrade their safeties and are in need of more help at cornerback. Fitzpatrick helps all those areas, making this a slam-dunk pick if he drops a bit.

Alternatives: Vita Vea, or Rashaan Evans. 

14) GREEN BAY PACKERS, MARCUS DAVENPORT, EDGE, UTSA

Why Davenport: The Packers are searching for more help out on the edge, and Davenport could be an extraordinary pass rusher for them. They’d be lucky to have him fall to 14. 

Alternatives: any of the cornerbacks, or Harold Landry.

15) ARIZONA CARDINALS, LAMAR JACKSON, QB, LOUISVILLE

Why Jackson: The Cardinals are desperate for a quarterback in an NFC West that has Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jared Goff. If they can’t move up, Jackson or Mason Rudolph feel like good selections. Adapt your playbook to him, and Jackson can compete with the other three QBs in the division sooner rather than later. 

Alternatives: Trade up, Mason Rudolph, Mike McGlinchey, or Kolton Miller. 

Broncos notes: If Denver trades down to 15, the selection becomes trickier than it would be at 12. Taven Bryan or Leighton Vander Esch could be a surprise picks here. The Broncos could also focus on one of the top remaining offensive linemen like James Daniels, or Connor Williams.

16) BALTIMORE RAVENS, MASON RUDOLPH, QB, OKLAHOMA STATE

Why Rudolph: Joe Flacco is up in age and just isn’t worth the money he’s receiving, which has handcuffed the organization. Rudolph isn’t that different from Flacco; he just needs some time to adjust to a pro system. 

Alternatives: Vita Vea, Mike McGlinchey, one of the top two safeties, or a prospect from Alabama.

17) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, VITA VEA, DT, WASHINGTON

Why Vea: If Vea drops to the Bolts, they might have the scariest front four in all of football. A people eater like the big Washington nose tackle would open up space for the other three studs on LA’s line. 

Alternatives: Kolton Miller, Rashaan Evans, or Leighton Vander Esch. 

18) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, ISAIAH OLIVER, CB, COLORADO

Why Oliver: The Hawks are quite familiar with prospects from CU, having selected a few quite highly in recent years. They’ve also brought in Oliver for a private visit. The Buff stud checks off every box Seattle looks for in their corners. 

Alternatives: Marcus Davenport, Josh Jackson, Derrius Guice, or O-line help. 

19) DALLAS COWBOYS, CALVIN RIDLEY, WR, ALABAMA

Why Ridley: The Cowboys always seem to prioritize the offensive side of the ball and need a receiver desperately. Ridley isn’t a monster athlete but gets his yards thanks to some smooth route-running ability, a skill that the Boys should value considering how it’s helped Jason Witten and Cole Beasley become mainstays in Dallas.

Alternatives: Courtland Sutton, or Leighton Vander Esch.

20) DETROIT LIONS, HAROLD LANDRY, EDGE, BOSTON COLLEGE

Why Landry: The Lions need to add pass rushers inside or outside to give Ziggy Ansah more help. Landry could be a steal and a perfect complement to the physically gifted BYU product. 

Alternatives: Taven Bryan, Derrius Guice, or Da’Ron Payne.

21) CINCINNATI BENGALS (FROM BUF), JAMES DANIELS, OC, IOWA

Why Daniels: The Bengals are picking here because they added offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. They now need to fix the interior of their line and Daniels would do so to perfection. He’s a rare athlete at center, who could help all facets of the attack.

Alternatives: Kolton Miller, the other options at center, or Lamar Jackson.

22) BUFFALO BILLS (FROM KC), KOLTON MILLER, OT, UCLA

Why Miller: After losing Glenn and trading away picks to get Rosen, the Bills need to find an offensive tackle of the future. Given his freakish athleticism and size, Miller is bound to go high in the draft. 

Alternatives: An interior offensive lineman, or a wide receiver. 

Broncos notes: If the Broncos take both the Bills two first-round picks, their options look similar to what we mentioned at pick 15; Bryan, Vander Esch, or Williams.

23) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FROM LAR), LORENZO CARTER, EDGE, GEORGIA

Why Carter: The Patriots are free thinkers and always seem to make a few surprising picks. Carter would definitely be a surprise in round one, but he has the measurables and athleticism to be selected in the bottom half of the round. He’s a bit of a boom-or-bust selection, but in the hands of Bill Belichick could be a special talent.  

Alternatives: Kolton Miller, Leighton Vander Esch, Rashaan Evans, or Harold Landry.

24) CAROLINA PANTHERS, WILL HERNANDEZ, OG, UTEP

Why Hernandez: After the departure of Andrew Norwell, the Panthers need to replace him. They’ve invested heavily on the offensive side the past several years, and need the line help to get the return on that investment. 

Alternatives: Justin Reid, Calvin Ridley, or one of the other receivers. 

25) TENNESSEE TITANS, RASHAAN EVANS, OLB, ALABAMA

Why Evans: The Titans need more pass rushing prowess and an upgrade to their interior linebacking core, Evans can provide both.

Alternatives: Harold Landry, or Sam Hubbard.

26) ATLANTA FALCONS, TAVEN BRYAN, DL, FLORIDA

Why Bryan: This would maintain the Florida connection that Dan Quinn has had since becoming the Falcons head coach. Bryan is raw but has tons of talent and a freakish first-step. His upside as an interior penetrator is off the charts. Atlanta feels like his floor.

Alternatives: Da’Ron Payne, or wide receiver. 

27) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, FRANK RAGNOW, OC, ARKANSAS

Why Ragnow: The Hogs star interior lineman has received a lot of hype recently, after being a bit forgotten after an injury-shortened season. The Saints are contending and have a small window of opportunity. With center Max Unger up in age and no longer playing his best, Ragnow would be a big upgrade for them.

Alternatives: Dallas Goedert, or Lamar Jackson. 

28) PITTSBURGH STEELERS, LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, LB, BOISE STATE

Why Vander Esch: The Boise linebacker could go much higher than this, due to his athletic upside combined with a tailor-made NFL stature. He’d be an ideal fit as the Steelers try to patch up their linebacker position. 

Alternatives: Ronnie Harrison, Justin Reid, or Mason Rudolph.

29) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, D.J. MOORE, WR, MARYLAND

Why Moore: The Jags are a contender with their defense, they just need more pieces on offense to be a truly dangerous team. Moore is a YAC machine and would make life easier on their quarterback, a big bonus for them. 

Alternatives: Courtland Sutton, Connor Williams, or Mason Rudolph.

30) MINNESOTA VIKINGS, ISAIAH WYNN, OG, GEORGIA

Why Wynn: The Vikings invested heavily in Kirk Cousins, who’s a true pocket passer. With their less-than-stellar guards, they need to upgrade the position to keep Cousins clean. Wynn would fit perfectly as a true road grader who’s also a talented pass protector. 

Alternatives: Will Hernandez, Jaire Alexander, or Mike Hughes. 

31) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, CONNOR WILLIAMS, OT/G, TEXAS

Why Williams: Williams is the best tackle remaining, and the Patriots should count themselves lucky they can get him at this point. His athleticism would play well in New England.

Alternatives: Trade down, Jaire Alexander, or Mike Hughes.

32) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, JAIRE ALEXANDER, CB, LOUISVILLE

Why Alexander: Alexander is a perfect upgrade to the corners in Philly right now, his versatility to play inside or outside is very appealing too. He’s an ideal fit in the Eagles scheme, allowing them to play aggressively up front. 

Alternatives: Trade down, offensive tackle, or Derrius Guice.

ROUND 2

33) CLEVELAND BROWNS, SAM HUBBARD, EDGE, OHIO STATE

34) NEW YORK GIANTS, SONY MICHEL, RB, GEORGIA

35) CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM HOU), MIKE HUGHES, CB, CENTRAL FLORIDA

36) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, BILLY PRICE, OC/G, OHIO STATE

37) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM NYJ), DERRIUS GUICE, RB, LSU

38) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, RONALD JONES II, RB, USC

39) CHICAGO BEARS, JOSH JACKSON, CB, IOWA

40) DENVER BRONCOS, RASHAAD PENNY, RB, SAN DIEGO STATE