I'm not crazy about the term "skill position" -- what, playing left tackle isn't a skill? -- but I can't think of a better way to describe a mock that only talks about the positions most fantasy owners care about. It's the morning of the draft, and I thought I'd put one together of just quarterbacks, running backs, wideouts and tight ends; what order I think they'll go, where they'll go. And bonus: no mention of Manti Teo!
Ryan Nassib, Bills. The Bills have long been connected to Nassib, who was new head coach Doug Marrone's quarterback at Syracuse. Yesterday, as if in response to that speculation, came a report that the Bills prefer Matt Barkley, or perhaps planned to take Tavon Austin. I'm not buying.
Tavon Austin, Jets. There's no team in the league more in need of an offensive playmaker than the Jets -- not just for NFL reasons, but to put fannies in seats. (Not that this will be a primary motivation of new GM John Idzik, but it doesn't hurt.) Not sure if the Jets will take him at No. 9 or No. 13, but they will do their best to take him. The Rams are the other candidate, via trade-up.
Tyler Eifert, Steelers. The Steelers could go a lot of different ways; they have numerous needs. But if the Jets don't take Eifert (a strong possibility for them), I think Pittsburgh will. All I'm certain of is he'll be selected in the middle of the first round, and the Jets and Steelers make the most sense.
Geno Smith, Jaguars. Jacksonville doesn't have a ton of picks, but I suspect they'll trade up into the bottom half of the first round to grab Smith. Everyone knows the Blaine Gabbert Era is on borrowed time. If Smith goes early, the Jags could do the same for Matt Barkley.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings. It's no secret the Vikings will use one of their two first-round picks on a wideout. Justin Hunter is also a possibility, but Patterson's upside is more compelling.
Justin Hunter, 49ers. San Francisco needs wide receivers, and has got plenty of picks to work with; they could even trade up to try and get Austin. The Patriots are also a possibility for a first-round wideout.
Eddie Lacy, Packers. I went back and forth on sending Lacy to the Broncos or the Packers, finally settling on Green Bay. The Packers haven't placed a premium on this position for years, but I think they'll consider Lacy. (Or Wisconsin alumni Montee Ball.) The one-dimensional offense thing has hurt them the last two seasons. Denver and the Rams are the other favorites.
Johnathan Franklin, Broncos. Denver will come out of the early rounds with a running back, and Franklin is a fit. Guy can be a full-time back and has some ability in pass protection, which is critical to getting on the field in Denver.
Matt Barkley, Jets. The Mark Sanchez era is over. It was over for David Garrard four years ago. Tim Tebow will be released minutes after New York drafts a quarterback. I think the Jets take Barkley in the second, possibly after a trade up. Arizona is also in the mix.
E.J. Manuel, Eagles. Manuel is very intriguing, and one of the least talked about of the incoming rookie quarterbacks. He's big and talented, and has a lot of mobility. He'll probably go early in the second round. Jacksonville and Buffalo, if they don't go QB in the first, are possibilities.
Montee Ball, Rams. Watched some film on Ball this week and was pretty impressed. Guy comes out of Wisconsin and some people think Ron Dayne, but that's the only thing the two have in common. I am not going to be unhappy if I come away with Ball with the 12th pick in my dynasty draft next week. I have Isaiah Pead in that league and don't exactly want the Rams to take Ball, but I think it could happen.
Next five skill-position players: WR Keenan Allen (Texans, Ravens), WR DeAndre Hopkins (Rams, Ravens), RB Giovani Bernard (Bengals), RB LeVeon Bell (Jets, Jaguars, Rams), TE Zach Ertz (Jets, 49ers, Titans).
Draft starts in 11 hours!