This is the one mock I look back on every year for posterity. Instead of trying to forecast what the NFL teams will do with the picks, this edition is all me. My decisions. My choices. Not theirs. There is no predictive value to this mock.

Some years this exercise has gone pretty well. Others have shown inherent flaws with my evaluations or decisions. Last year’s has some truly ponderous choices (Jake Fisher?!?) but also shows I was higher on some pretty darn good players (Tyler Lockett, Kevin Johnson, Mario Edwards) than the NFL was in retrospect.

My general philosophy is to attack the best player available at critical positions, but also factoring in schematic fit and how well I think the players would fit into the team culture and depth chart.

1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss. The best player in the draft deserves to be the first player picked, even if the team already has a recent top-10 overall selection at the same position. Pushing Taylor Lewan to right tackle is not as simple as many make it to be, but Tunsil is a definite upgrade at left tackle and that makes it worthwhile. Building around Marcus Mariota and helping him grow is the overriding theme of this Titans draft.

2. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State. I’m satisfied enough with the potential of Robert Griffin at quarterback, and I’m not trading away Joe Thomas. The best way to ameliorate QB issues is to build a great running game, and Elliott is a high-end, do-it-all back. He’s ready to shoulder the burden of being the best playmaker on the team right away.

3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon. Buckner brings length, strength and the ability to dramatically improve the run defense while also adding to the pass rush for a San Diego defense that needs help in a lot of places. I like his positional and scheme versatility.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State. The power-to-speed rusher would add a new dimension to a Dallas defense that lacks both impact and depth up front. Bosa is a nightmare matchup for offensive tackles with his ability to win inside or outside and his relentless drive and hustle.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State. Here’s the beauty of Ramsey: he’s the best player at either safety or cornerback in this draft class. There are a lot of intriguing parts in the Jacksonville secondary but it has never really gelled. Ramsey puts the jelly all over that tasty roll.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. This one was really hard. To me, the three biggest needs in Baltimore are outside LB, cornerback and offensive tackle. The highest-rated players at those spots are ranked 11th, 12th, and 13th and that makes poor value. So I doubled down on defensive line, a spot where a team can never have enough depth. Billings just turned 21 and has the potential to be a freak commodity as a pass-rushing nose tackle.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. This is a reach on my board but in studying the 49ers depth chart it was hard to ignore the wildly dilapidated state of the offensive talent. Doctson is a playmaker who can help Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick (I would keep him) create some points.

8. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis. Another pick where the player is going ahead of where I would ideally like him, but the big Memphis QB would be landing in a good situation. With Sam Bradford in place, Lynch wouldn’t be forced onto the field too quickly and gets a chance to get acclimated to the different style of the NFL. Having former QBs at head coach and offensive coordinator would be beneficial for QB development here too.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. Rankins showed he is a dynamic interior disruptor at Louisville, and his quickness, power and ability to finish what he--or others--starts translates well to the NFL. Even though the Bucs are pretty deep at DT, Rankins gives them a dynamic young player who can be a budding cornerstone.

10. New York Giants: Shaq Lawson, Edge, Clemson. I’m not sure Lawson will be an elite pass rusher in the NFL, but I’m also fairly certain he’ll be good and not flop. He’s also good against the run and has the ability to play both sides and work inside on twists quite well. He singlehandedly caused Ronnie Stanley to fall about 10 spots in my rankings. New York needs pass rushing prowess, period, and Lawson is the best available.

11. Chicago Bears: Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State. Whitehair is one of the most solid all-around blocking tackles to hit the draft in years. His technique and short-area skills are ready to start at either right tackle or guard right away. Chicago’s offense line needs an infusion of talent, as no NFL team can take itself seriously and trot out Vlad Ducasse even as a reserve.

12. New Orleans Saints: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. New Orleans must rebuild the wreckage of Rob Ryan all over the defense, and adding Reed to the middle of things is a good start. While he’s not a dynamic pass rusher, he is wonderful at attacking the gaps and consistently winning his battles inside. That makes everyone around him better, and Reed is adept at playing with loads of surrounding talent.

13. Miami Dolphins: Myles Jack, Defense, UCLA. It’s hard to get a feel for where Jack will line up in the NFL thanks to his usage all over the formation at UCLA and a knee injury which has lingered a lot longer than expected and kept him from fully working out. His best fit is probably safety but at 245 pounds he’s bulked his way up to LB. Miami must take the chance Jack clicks at one spot and finds strong usage for his considerable athletic talents as they are well behind their AFC East competitors. They must swing for the fences here, and Jack could be a home run.

14. Oakland Raiders: William Jackson, CB, Houston. The first corner comes off the board to a team that arguably needs CB help more than anyone. Jackson’s size and ability to play the ball in the air make him a natural fit. He should be adept in either man or zone, too. I know seeing “CB, Houston” in the first round scares Raider Nation, but Jackson is too skilled to pass over. Note I had Corey Coleman here before revising.

15. Los Angeles Rams: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State. He’s not even my No. 2 QB (that’s Connor Cook) but Wentz gets the nod for the relocated, desperate Rams. First, I like his mindset and think he’ll handle the trappings of being in LA well even though he’s from the remote upper Midwest. Second, he can develop at his own pace while the team gathers more receiving talent and offensive line help and lets Case Keenum and Nick Foles fizzle out.

16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State. The offense is loaded with playmakers even after Calvin Johnson’s retirement. What they desperately need in Detroit is an upgraded offensive line to help the quietly improved Matthew Stafford get the ball to said playmakers. Decker is optimally a left tackle, making a training camp competition with Riley Reiff to force one to earn the job and the other plugs in (hopefully well) at right tackle. The rest of the draft goes defense-heavy. I resisted Reggie Ragland’s charms here.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama. The Falcons get the defensive field general they sorely lack with the thumping Ragland, who can stay on the field in all situations. Don’t buy the lack of athleticism or range slander, though they’re truer if he doesn’t get himself back into top shape. He could be outstanding for a defense in dire need of someone both reliable and dynamic.

18. Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. Not the sexiest pick, but Clark is a high-floor pick who builds up the interior of the defense and should help make life easier for those behind him in the middle of the field. This will be a very defense-heavy draft for the Colts.

19. Buffalo Bills: Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State. The FCS star dominated the postseason circuit and his blend of bulk and explosive power and speed off the line will make him a major handful for blockers at the next level. I love the concept of Rex Ryan unleashing him on the league.

20. New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia. The Jets LB situation is not pretty. They desperately need a pass rushing OLB, and while many believe Floyd can be that guy I’m not sold he’ll ever be a primary pass rusher. But he can play off-the-ball quite well, and I think he can move around and kick inside too.

21. Washington: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana. I like the depth of the defensive tackle and safety positions, which are bigger needs for Washington. So instead I pull the trigger on Spriggs, a highly athletic offensive tackle project who might not do much as a rookie. He has a chance to be great, in time.

22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. Honestly I didn’t draw this up intentionally, but this is an absolute best-case scenario if I’m Houston GM Rick Smith. Coleman is an explosive vertical threat who will make defenses pay for devoting too many resources to Nuk Hopkins on the other side. Get them a competent tight end on Draft Friday and this new Osweiler-led offense can be lethal.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia. There is real risk here in taking Joseph, an all-or-nothing player coming off a knee injury. Still, the rangy Mountaineer is a perfect fit for Mike Zimmer’s defense with his headhunting run defense and ballhawking cover skills. He’s an instigator who creates havoc, a hallmark of a Zimmer D. I had Michael Thomas here for a while.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. A widebody with great hands and some playmaking flair, Thomas makes the trip down I-71 from Columbus to Cincinnati. He immediately fills the hole left by Marvin Jones’ free agency departure, and Thomas offers a higher ceiling, too.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida. VH3 potentially provides the Steelers with a legit lockdown cover man. He definitely has some shaky moments and is smaller than desired, but few have his closing burst or savvy in man coverage. This pick did not take very long to make.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame. I worry about his ability to handle NFL power, and that is admittedly counter to what the Carroll-era Seahawks have done with their offensive line. But Stanley is smart, polished and a great foil for lighter speed rushers. It’s time to hit a double on this OL instead of trying to slug-bunt inside-the-park homers.

27. Green Bay Packers: Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida. Bullard might not be a popular choice, but he’s a great fit for Green Bay’s defense as a guy who can play 5T but also slide inside when they go to an even front. The Gator is not a polished pass rusher but destroys the run on the way to the pass, and his snap anticipation and ability to get off blocks will fare well in an NFC North that features some underwhelming offensive lines.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. Butler is a giant puppy, with scads of physical potential and a desire to keep growing his game. There were times where he dominated, but he needs to develop a Plan B on plays where his initial plan fails. Not the best schematic fit, but most folks didn’t think Dontari Poe was either. This pick pays off in 2017-19 more than it does right away for the Chiefs.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame. My top center, Martin is a well-coached powerhouse in the pivot. He’s got more natural leverage than his brother Zack, currently a star guard for the Cowboys, though he’s not as god an athlete. The Cardinals will not get back to their lofty 2016 unless they fix center, so why not use a premium pick to try and finally find a permanent solution.

30. Carolina Panthers: Shilique Calhoun, Edge, Michigan State. Another player I have rated higher than most, Calhoun racked up a ton of pressures and can bend the outside quite well. He’s also a strong all-around player who might only bag 6-7 sacks a year but will play the run and quick-hit passing game better than most. The Panthers need depth all over the defensive front, and Calhoun just might be lithe enough to play some OLB.

31. Denver Broncos: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State. The reigning champs have a gaping hole at quarterback, and Connor Cook is the most NFL-ready passer in this draft. His pro-style experience and skills fit nicely with Gary Kubiak’s system, as long as Denver can live with the inconsistent play that has pockmarked Cook’s career.

 

Second Round

32. Cleveland Browns: Noah Spence, Edge, Eastern Kentucky

33. Tennessee Titans: Darian Thompson, S, Boise State

34. Dallas Cowboys: Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech

35. San Diego Chargers: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

36. Baltimore Ravens: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

37. San Francisco 49ers: Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State

39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kevin Dodd, Edge, Clemson

40. New York Giants: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

41. Chicago Bears: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

42. Miami Dolphins: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

43. Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

44. Oakland Raiders: A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

45. Los Angeles Rams: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas

46. Detroit Lions: Von Bell, S, Ohio State

47. New Orleans Saints: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford

48. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

49. Buffalo Bills: Jared Goff, QB, California

50. Atlanta Falcons: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State

51. New York Jets: Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon

52. Houston Texans: Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas

53. Washington: Emmanuel Ogbah, Edge, Oklahoma State

54. Minnesota Vikings: Charone Peake, WR, Clemson

55. Cincinnati Bengals: Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State

56. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

57. Green Bay Packers: Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State

58. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State

59. Kansas City Chiefs: C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame

60. New England Patriots: Carl Nassib, Edge, Penn State

61. New England Patriots: Justin Simmons, S, Boston College

62. Carolina Panthers: Sean Davis, S, Maryland

63. Denver Broncos: Su’a Cravens, OLB, USC

 

Round Three

64. Tennessee: Kamalei Correa, Edge, Boise State

65. Cleveland: Jack Allen, C, Michigan State

66. San Diego: Jeremy Cash, S, Duke

67. Dallas: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

68. San Francisco: Devontae Booker, RB, Utah

69. Jacksonville: Matt Judon, Edge, Grand Valley State

70. Baltimore: Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma

71. New York Giants: Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame

72. Chicago: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia

73. Miami: Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss

74. Tampa Bay: Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia

75. Oakland: Justin Zimmer, DT, Ferris State

76. Los Angeles: Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss

77. Philadelphia: Ronald Blair, Edge, Appalachian State

78. New Orleans: Jalen Mills, S, LSU

79. Philadelphia: Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina

80. Buffalo: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina

81. Atlanta: Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State

82. Indianapolis: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

83. New York Jets: Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky

84. Washington: T.J. Green, S, Clemson

85. Houston: Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State

86. Minnesota: Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU

87. Cincinnati: Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU

88. Green Bay: Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State

89. Pittsburgh: Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia

90. Seattle: Artie Burns, CB, Miami FL

91. New England: Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah

92. Arizona: Kentrell Brothers, ILB, Missouri

93. Carolina: Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati

94. Denver: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor

95. Detroit:  Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron

96. New England: Isaac Semualo, OG, Oregon State

97. Seattle: Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa

98. Denver: Dean Lowry, DE, Northwestern