It's mid-week, that means it's time to mock draft!
With the new leadership comes the most difficult-to-predict draft season in the website's history. The Purple have made some moves and the needs are well-known but specific attributes they will target are not so.
For the first go round the focus will be on 1-3, with more to come over the next five weeks!
When pick 12 came up DE's Jermaine Johnson, David Ojabo & QB Malik Wilson remained available. The top-rated cornerback yet to be doled out was Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr.. The former Cheeser jumped the border Tuesday afternoon which creates some flexibility for the team as to which direction they could/should go. Ojabo's pro day injury will likely lower the number attached to his profile, possibly by as much as a full round, but if one team looks at the big picture he may still go in the top 20. As for MN, making the pass-rush group a strength will help the corners who are already with the team and who will still be added, so for this edition the choice was fairly easy:
DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
If the real thing breaks that way then the spotlight would quickly move to cornerback as the next area of most need. Many would argue it is already at the top of the list. As the simulation unfolded defensive backs flew off the board early in round 2. That left a long list of possible options, to improve the interior of the offensive line as well as North Carolina's Sam Howell as the top quarterback. With Sean Mannion back in the fold as the #2 behind Kirk Cousins they probably won't draft another quarterback this high but you should expect someone else to join Mond in the competition for the reserve to the reserve.
With a potential first round pick at the top of the board the value outweighed the drastic need:
G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M.
Howell remained on the board & was joined by Nevada's Carson Strong. Either one would be good value in the third round but pulling the trigger on a corner took precedent. The three up for consideration were Mario Goodrich (Clem), Alontae Taylor (Tenn) & Marcus Jones (Hou). The first two present as potential starters on the outside while Jones has the makings of a slot corner. With no sure starters at any of the spots the priority went the way of the position which is used the most - outside. Taylor is regarded as the better athlete of the two so despite being rated a few spots lower that tipped the scale.
CB Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
As the draft board is shaped by more information the positions of need & names that get attached to them will continue to evolve. Bottom line, if the first three picks end up being a pass-rusher, guard & corner that would be the start of a great first draft by the new regime!
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