NFL Draft; What’s trending for each team in front of the Miami Dolphins
By Brian Miller
The NFL Draft is going to kick-off in just four days and while rumors have been quieting down there is still plenty of the misdirection news to keep you going.
The Miami Dolphins will pick 11th (I literally just typed sixth by mistake and deleted it. Is that a sign?). So the Dolphins pick 11th for now but there is still talk that Miami might try to trade up to the sixth spot if a player they like is still on the board. Here is a look at the rumors that are going around for all the picks 1-11.
Don’t confuse this with a mock draft, it’s not. It’s all rumors and speculation from others in the media.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns still are not considering a trade out of the first spot and why would they? The question is who will they take number one overall? The smart move by the Browns would be to draft running back Saquan Barkley. He is the top player in this draft and a play maker. Quarterback is by far their biggest need but they also hold the fourth pick and will still get one of the top QB prospects.
Cleveland however seems sold on quarterback. Of course who that quarterback is, is anyone’s guess. The latest rumors have the Browns sold on QB Josh Allen. Allen has the biggest arm in this years draft but he struggles with consistency in short yardage. They signed Jarvis Landry to a big contract last week so getting a QB who can’t hit the short game might not be smart.
Top rumors for the Browns: Josh Allen and Sam Darnold.
New York Giants
Of all the teams in the top 11 the Giants have been the quietest in terms of what they might do. There are two thoughts on this that have the mainstream media talking. The first is that they will draft a quarterback but the second seems to be more interesting.
While many believe a team like the Bills will try to trade up the speculation is that the Giants don’t really have an interest in moving down. The rumors are that the Giants want to give Eli Manning another year with a bigger weapon and that weapon is Barkley.
At number two the Giants could take Barkley and improve on a rather bland running back group. In round two they could draft a quarterback who will sit behind Manning for another year or maybe two and develop him. Drafting a QB at 2 is not a bad idea but if they believe as some speculate that Manning has more to offer with a better cast, getting him help makes sense.
New York Jets
The fact we are talking about the Jets at number three is off-setting to Dolphins fans. The Jets have typically blown their choices at quarterback and while it has been relatively quiet with the Jets since they traded up to three, there is now strong talk that they are hoping Sam Darnold is on the board when they select.
Darnold makes sense for the Jets but there are others who believe both Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield are their top quarterbacks. Interestingly enough the Jets are in a position to dictate what is left for the rest of the QB hungry AFC East. This includes New England who is not on this list today. The Patriots continue to draw speculation that they could move up for a quarterback as well.
Cleveland Browns
Hard to imagine the Browns actually drafting Barkley with the first pick so quarterback is not likely here. Who the Browns will take could be Barkley if the Giants go quarterback or DE Bradley Chubb who seems to be gaining momentum in most mock drafts done by major outlets.
It would not be surprising to see the Browns add a top defensive edge rusher, they have a lot holes on their roster and need to start making long-term fixes. Chubb might be the luxury pick however as last year the Browns drafted Myles Garrett number one overall. Pairing the two together would help their defensive front seven.
Denver Broncos
John Elway said last week that he is open to trading the 5th overall pick and it seems more of a message to the Dolphins and the Bills who seem to be gaining the most speculation on wanting to move up.
The Broncos could use a quarterback but Elway isn’t firm on that assertion. One name that does pop up often is offensive guard Quentin Nelson. Nelson is a top five talent and fills a big need for the Broncos but that does not mean that they have to take him at five. If the Dolphins and/or the Bills are ready to make a move, Nelson could be had at either 11 or 12 where the Bills currently pick.
As for quarterback there has been a decreasing feeling that Elway will go in that direction and more likely they address the spot on day two.