A wonderfully messy top 10

By: Josh Frey-Sam

In a couple of weeks, front offices will begin the final stages of their preparation for the NFL Draft.

Their big boards will be set, and they should be nearing a decision on which players to target. One of the biggest elements that remains is, well, drafting.

Mock drafting, that is.

Yes, NFL GMs do it, too. How else are they supposed to prepare themselves for when shit hits the fan on draft night and the guy they were expecting to be available goes two picks in front of them?

This is their version of watching film during a week of practice, and you can bet they’re going through every scenario imaginable — even the ones that feel impossible.

That brings us to today’s exercise, which I started right after I completed my latest mock draft.

Take a look at this top 10 that feels kind of silly, yet very possible. I’ll explain below.

After the Titans select Cam Ward, the Browns are left with an interesting decision that can completely alter the way this first round unfolds.

The Browns could very well go Shedeur Sanders here, which would pretty much make Cleveland his team even when (IF) Deshaun Watson returns from his Achilles injury. Say what you want about Shedeur, Browns HC Kevin Stefanski has won a lot with quarterbacks that have his exact skillset — he is absolutely in play at No. 2.

With two QBs off the board, the Giants are left to take the best player available. That feels like Abdul Carter, right? Sure, but don’t forget they already have Brian Burnes and Kayvon Thibodeaux — edge rusher is a strength on this team.

They address more pressing needs with Travis Hunter at 3 to bolster the WR and DB room with a difference maker. They can address QB in the second round or trade back into the first round.

That must mean the Pats take Carter then, right? Not so fast. New England has a MAJOR need at left tackle, and Drake Maye is the most important asset for that franchise. You can absolutely make the argument to protect him first. The only question here would be if Armand Membou, who played RT exclusively in college, could comfortably make the switch to LT.

This crazy scenario would have Carter, widely viewed as the best player in this draft, falling in the Jaguars’ lap at 5th overall. Do I believe this will actually happen? No. This just demonstrates how easily someone can slide down the board.

After Jeanty goes to the Raiders, the Jets, who could go OT at this spot, bolster their defence with one of the premier versatile weapons in this class. The Jets just released LB CJ Mosley and have a need at edge — Walker can do both.

Mason Graham falling to the Panthers at 8 would be a treat for a team that was disgustingly bad against the run last season. And the Saints — who are probably the biggest unknown in this draft — taking Tyler Warren gives them another reliable weapon.

The cherry on top would be a second running back going in the top 10. I think if Jeanty gets past the Raiders at 6, the Bears will take him at 10. It doesn’t happen here, so the Bears get the next best thing — Omarion Hampton.

Hampton is a workhorse with three-down capability and would fit well in Ben Johnson’s offence. It would be a pick that almost no one saw coming, much like the Detroit Lions did with Jahmyr Gibbs a couple of years ago.

There are literally a million scenarios that could play out. That’s the beauty of the draft.

This is just one of the whacky ones that also feel very plausible.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh