When it comes to building a team and franchise, the rules are simple until you get to the signal caller. Build a defense from the inside out, have a realible running game and be able to win in the trenches.
However, when it comes to the quarteback equations and algothrithms of all different shapes and sizes come into play, that leaves us with more questions than when we started. Is it speed and mobility or pocket presence and progressions that are the secret to success? Is it a rocket arm or ball placement that equates to more long-term success?
With just a month away from the NFL draft, we head into April overloaded and bombarded with numerous mock drafts that start to seem repetitive and stale. But take those quarterbacks out of the equation and you get something fresh and diffrent.
I took a unique look at each team's most-pressing need outside of the signal caller position and how the board could shake out if there wasnt the sterioitypical run on potential franchise quarterbacks.
1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss
The best player in the draft — in a league of fierce pass-rushers — Tunsil helps protect and develop Marcus Mariota while building the foundation for one of the youngest and most-talented units in the league. The best player in the draft is also the safest and is a no brainer unless the team can get an offer to trade down they just can’t refuse.
2. Cleveland Browns: Jalen Ramsey, Safety, Florida State
I actually think the signing of Robert Griffin III makes the choice of a quarterback like Carson Wentz all the better. I have always thought the quarterbacks in this class would be best suited to sit for a year while they learn the nuances of the NFL, especially a player from a smaller program like Wentz.
With no quarterback in play here, the Browns would be wise to add the best player available and one of the best safety prospects since Eric Berry. Ramsey is a freak, and if used properly, can change a defensive secondary with his versatility and play-making skill set.
3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, Defensive Line, Oregon
Philip Rivers isn't getting any younger and no one should be surprised if and when the Chargers draft a quarterback this year. In the meantime protecting a pure pocket passer like Rivers should be priority number one after last year's mess on the offensive line.
However, barring a trade down, it's too early to take guys like Taylor Decker or Ronnie Stanley for my money while passing up on bigger upside players. Buckner could be the best of the bunch in five years with his mammoth frame and spooky athleticism.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State
Another realistic landing spot for a quarterback is Dallas with Tony Romo hanging by a thread. And while Jerry Jones has been transparent, he does not want to use the No. 4 pick on a signal caller it could be a smoke screen.
With the team unable to count on guys like Randy Gregory and Greg Hardy, it would be wise to add a hard-nosed blue collar player into the mix. Bosa didn't wow anyone at the combine but his power and hand technique are some of the best in the country and will be a player you can build around inside the front seven for a long time.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, Linebacker, UCLA
Gus Bradley needs more toys to fully implement his aggressive scheme seen when he coached in Seattle. With the hopeful return of last year's third-overall pick Dante Fowler adding Myles Jack to the mix would be down right scary.
Like Todd Gurley last year, Jack is the most prolific player in this draft coming off an injury. And if healthy, could be a super star inside Bradley’s front-seven by both blitzing the passer and making plays in coverage with his insane athleticism.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreaves, Cornerback, Florida
Offensive tackle isn't out of the question for the Ravens and either should a game-changer like Ezekiel Elliott. Ozzie Newsome is one of the best in the business at nailing these picks. And while he may be under-sized, Hargreaves is going to be an outstanding player in the league for years.
While some teams are putting their focus on his inefficiencies against bigger bodies targets, Newsome keeps his attention on the positives like his outstanding footwork and technique while adding talent at a premium position.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Taylor Decker, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Chip Kelly is a wild card in this mess with the possibility of trading up or staying put to grab his prototypical signal caller he can mold for the future. If he chooses to add talent somewhere else, I don't see running back being a wise fit with a young Carlos Hyde ready to be rode.
If one of the blue-chip defensive players fell here, the 49ers would pounce all over it. But adding a premier offensive tackle while “boring” is the most efficient path when rebuilding a team from the ground up.
Decker is a mauler in the run game and if supplanted on the right side will add plenty of protection in the passing game as well giving Kelly and his to be determined quarterback plenty to work with when drawing up the playbook.
While many see Ronnie Stanley the next best tackle, his raw and inconsistent play has me worried. Even though Decker may never be able to handle NFL speed rushers on the left side, his strength and nastiness is pro ready right now.
8. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State
The Eagles were big players this offseason starting fresh at the top with a new coach and wheeling and dealing some big names like Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso. Drafting a young quarterback could be the reason the front office made it a priority to move up five spots when doing so. But if they add the best available talent, Elliott is the guy.
Not on the Todd Gurley level but not far behind, Elliot is a true three-down back that is special in between the tackles and adds a playmaker in the backfield on passing downs. A great starting spot to rebuild an offense around.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Lawson, Defensive End, Clemson
From a fantasy perspective, I can’t think of anything more appealing than adding Laquon Treadwell to the young mix of Mike Evans and Jameis Winston. With Vincent Jackson having some gas left in the tank, the pick would be a luxury leaving more pressing needs like a pass rusher unattended.
Like his former teammate Vic Beasley, Lawson is an explosive nightmare around the edge and will add a new dimension to the front-seven looks the team can build around, given his equal effectiveness against both the run and the pass.
10. New York Giants: Darron Lee, Linebacker, Ohio State
You might laugh in disgust but make no mistake Lee has all the tools to be drafted this high. With eye-popping physical attributes, Lee is one of those sideline-to-sideline speedsters that can fly all over the field to make splashy plays.
With big money and draft picks already invested into the defensive line, adding a young and springy linebacker to the mix is a must given the team's current depth chart woes at the position.
11. Chicago Bears: Jarran Reed, Defensive Lineman, Alabama
Give the Bears front office credit after using their surplus of free agent money wisely. Even if only half of the players they brought in make an immediate impact, John Fox’s defense will take a huge step forward in becoming a stronger unit. While the linebacker position was addressed thoroughly, adding a stout player at the point of attack is still on Fox’s wish list. Lucky for him, there will be plenty to choose from in a deep and rich class of interior lineman.
Reed might be the best of the bunch from a versatility standpoint with his power and fluidity to play both the nose and defensive end spots, giving Fox numerous options throughout the game and season.
12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, Defensive Tackle, Louisville
The Saints put one of the worst defensive units the league has ever seen last year. It’s true grabbing the best offensive tackle available that would help keep Drew Brees upright in the pocket for his last stretch of play, but after last season adding talent on defense is the only card to play here.
The signing of Nick Fairley shouldn't stop the front office from adding the best defender on the board in Rankins who is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. Rankins has an outstanding ability to beat his opponent with both raw power and movement skills up and down the line of scrimmage helping the team win the battle in the trenches on all three downs.
13. Miami Dolphins: William Jackson III, Cornerback, Houston
The Dolphins still have tons of young potential on the offensive line that can be groomed and developed while the front-seven has plenty already invested into as well. With no safety worth this high of a pick and Brent Grimes out the door nobody could argue adding talent into the cornerback position would be a bad move.
While he's slowly rising up boards late in the process make no mistake Jackson has always been one of the best amongst his peers in this class. With good size, footwork, and ball skills Jackson has the tools to become a number one cornerback sooner than you think.
14. Oakland Raiders: Reggie Ragland, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
As I scan their depth chart, the Raiders clearly needing safety help. With loads of safeties better suited for day-two selections, the Raiders wait to address their secondary needs and add Ragland who has gotten lost in the mix as of late.
He doesn't flash with big size, speed, or power, but Ragland finds ways to win with natural instincts and is a difference maker against both the run and pass. In a young front-seven with players like Khalil Mack and Mario Edwards Ragland would help complete Jack Del Rio’s unit. The move also allows Bruce Irvin to stay in a pass-rushing role where he thrives, giving the team a bevy of options no matter the down and distance.
15. Los Angeles Rams: Ronnie Stanley, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
I look back at what the Rams did with all those picks the past few years and can’t help but be dissapointed. Sure it’s true Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn are building blocks, picks like Alec Ogletree, Tre Mason, and others have been major disappointments. With receiver, offensive line and the quarterback position all in shambles, the team could go any direction here.
Adding a player like Stanley kills two birds by allowing Greg Robinson to move inside where he can thrive at guard. Stanley is raw, but has all the upside of a top-five pick helping solidify the line for both Todd Gurley and whoever is throwing the ball.
16. Detroit Lions: Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, TCU
The Lions might have the biggest blow to overcome after the face of their franchise and focal point of their offense vanished into the night. Replacing Calvin Johnson is hard enough on top of finding different ways to add talent to a middling defensive unit.
While building a respectable defense will be a priority the team lacks an identity of sorts. Giving Matthew Stafford a grab bag of explosive weapons would keep the team competitive while keeping the fan base interested. The defense can be heavily addressed on day-two, but in the meantime a mix of weapons like Doctson, Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Eric Ebron will be plenty for Stafford to put up big points.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Jack Conklin, Offensive Line, Michigan State
With a slew of signings specifically inside the front-seven the Falcons defense has a new look and feel. Hoping a guy like Rankins was still available would be ideal to continue to build from the trenches back, but in this scenario their options are limited.
With money and high picks already invested at pass rusher and wide out adding another offensive lineman to the mix is the most realistic option here until safety can be addressed in the second round.
Conklin is a mixed bag with great tape and bad, but coaches will find a spot for him in the league and he will make a solid impact for a long time helping Matt Ryan stay upright and step up strong in the pocket.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Noah Spence, Edge Rusher, Eastern Kentucky
Rare players like Andrew Luck seem to make the teammates around them better allowing you to bring in talent else where, so when the team traded a first-rounder on a busted running back and used another on a gimmick wide-out I was baffled.
Building a top-ten defense should have been priority number one years ago but the Colts can still add some young talent to build around through this draft.
Spence has top-ten talent as an outstanding edge-rusher and when he is at his best looks like a man among boys. Getting after the quarterback is the name of the game and Spence will make an early impact in year-one if given the opportunity in Indianapolis.
19. Buffalo Bills: Laquon Treadwell, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
With Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods in place adding another receiver to the mix hasn’t been talked about much. However, in a league that is spreading defenses out with four and five wide looks having multiple options is the new en vogue thing to do on offense.
Adding Treadwell to the mix would be downright scary and give the offensive coordinator a new world of playbook options while taking off some pressure of their young signal caller.
Sure, it’s always fun to give Rex Ryan new defensive toys, but with Treadwell still on the board this offensive potential is too good to pass up.
20. New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, Edge Rusher, Georgia
When I started my predraft process I hoped Elliot would somehow fall to the Jets as his power running style and explosive playmaking fits what the Jets like to do on offense to a T.
With that scenario now highly unlikely the team must look at adding a pass-rusher something they've long desired since missing on picks like Quinton Coples and even Vernon Gholston.
Floyd isn't a complete player as of now and may never become one, but Todd Bowles will maximize his strengths using his acceleration and explosiveness to wreak havoc in the backfield. With consistent quarterback play this team has the talent up and down the roster to make another serious run into the playoffs.
21. Washington Redskins: Andrew Billings, Nose Tackle, Baylor
A team that seemed to always be stuck in 8-8 purgatory made a playoff push last season with the help from Kirk Cousins. Now building off that momentum will be the biggest challenge for Jay Gruden and the loss of Terrance Knighton in the middle of his defense doesn't make things easier.
Luckily Billing’s falls into his lap as the best pure nose tackle in the class with outstanding strength at the point of attack. Sure he doesn't give much in the way of a pass rush, but if used correctly he won't need to, as a run stuffer and block-chewer allowing the athletes behind him to make plays.
22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver, Baylor
It was tough watching a team with such a dominant defense have to play opposite of such a pitiful offense for an entire season like that. But, the team made headlines and splashes after signing what they hope will be their new franchise quarterback in Brock Osweiler and now look to get him the weapons to continue his progression.
With DeAndre Hopkins forming into arguably the best receiver in the league with no help around him, adding someone who can make teams pay for one-on-one coverage seems ideal.
Enter Coleman who was one of the most electric players in the country with blazing speed and quickness with the ball in his hands. Adding another playmaker like Coleman to the Texans offensive mix would be downright scary for the rest of the league.
23. Minnesota Vikings: A'Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
It's no secret the Vikings biggest need heading into the draft is at wideout, meaning a situation like this with Treadwell, Doctson, and Coleman gone (while highly realistic) would be a worst case scenario.
Staying true to his board however, Rick Spielman will look to bolster a defensive interior line that was middle of the pack at stopping the run last season. With Sharrif Floyd highly talented but often inconsistent or injured adding another rotational player that can anchor against the run is never a bad idea. The Vikings still getting great value as Robinson is one of the best players still on the board and can target receiver in round two.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Karl Joseph, Safety, West Virginia
A wild card selection the Bengals have a few needs but nothing pressing meaning they should take the player with the highest upside at a position looking for an upgrade.
Joseph is certainly that if he can come back from a nasty knee injury that will likely keep him out until September. However, when healthy Jospeh is a rare find at the safety position that demands a high level of physicality in the box against the run, and a fundamentally sound player in coverage with great range.
Joseph is one of the few that can walk into the league and do both showing no remorse for his body with bone crushing hits, and a knack for coverage after he intercepted four passes in his first five games before being injured.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson
It's no secret the Steelers secondary sucked last season failing to contain big leads and showing no ability to stop any high potent passing attack. Mike Tomlin will be banging the table for any help he can get early in the draft and would be lucky to find a prospect as talented as Alexander here at the bottom of round one.
While he takes some grief for his inability to intercept a single pass in his college career Alexander was not thrown to often and showed impressive coverage skills in both press and off situations. His passion for jawing at his opponent playing mental mind games could be something Tomlin also loves in Alexander as it’s no secret he likes players who play with confidence and that little bit of swag.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Spriggs, Offensive Tackle, Indiana
With Pete Carroll running the show and Russell Wilson at the helm the Seahawks have the ability to make a deep playoff push at any given time. Replacing Russell Okung will be a glaring sore spot though and the tackles get thin and drop in talent after the big three. Spriggs is the best of the second tier though with his potential and athleticism to take over at left tackle after a year of development.
He may need a season to get acclimated and adjusted but as a former tight-end Spriggs have the quick feet and big frame to become one of the league's better tackles in due time keeping Wilson upright and healthy even into January.
27. Green Bay Packers: Vernon Butler, Defensive Lineman, Louisiana Tech
This might have been the most difficult pick of the whole lot. With a glaring need at inside linebacker and Reggie Ragland off the board there just isn't enough talent to justify drafting the position this early.
Every year we think Ted Thompson will address the offensive line but when you look at the starting five if they can stay healthy he doesn't need to. Mike Daniels surprised the hell out of me but doesn't have much help next to and opposite of him on the defensive line.
Butler is a massive man with a great base at the point of attack but also has surprisingly good athletic ability I saw on display down in Mobile. It may not be the Packers biggest need but Butler will help add more consistency to the defensive line helping free up lanes and plays for the linebackers behind him. In any other class we could be talking about Butler as a top-15 pick.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Emmanuel Ogbah, Edge Rusher, Oklahoma State
The news of Justin Houston tearing his ACL was brutal considering the timing with it being so late in the season. Still, with how quick these surgeries are done mixed with rigorous rehab players are returning faster than ever.
Even so, the chiefs would be wise to take advantage of a sweet spot in the draft at the edge-rusher position with guys like Ogbah or Kevin Dodd available, both of whom have shown great get off and bend into the backfield. If and when Houston can return healthy the Chiefs will suddenly have a fresh rotation of players inside the front seven.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Keanu Neal, Safety, Florida
Getting players that could get after the quarterback was the hot priority for the Cardinals up until they made one of the bigger moves of the offseason dealing for Chandler Jones. Now it seems the front office can take their time and stay true to their board taking the best available player for their limited needs.
With Deone Bucannon making a switch from safety to a glorified linebacker drafting another player that can help add depth with talent isn't a bad choice. Neal is a hammer in the run game looking to take someone's head off and hurt you every chance he gets.
While the Tyrann Mathieu continues to come back from rehab adding fresh bodies at the position will give the defensive coordinator plenty of options when they're all playing at 100 percent.
30. Carolina Panthers: Eli Apple, Cornerback, Ohio State
Its tough to repeat a season like the Panthers had turning water into wine with a magical season. Now the harsh realities remains poignant that the team has some major holes to fill at some key positions. Offensive tackle, receiver, and the secondary will all be atop of the front offices wish list, but with the loss of ever aging Charles Tillman to an ACL tear it seems cornerback is the most pressing need.
Apple is a highly gifted athlete that has a strong tool set to start at the number two spot and grow opposite of Josh Norman. Bringing in a defensive player like Apple allows the team to look for another offensive weapon on day-two like Braxton Miller to help take pressure of of Cam Newton and the rest of the offense.
31. Denver Broncos: Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive Line, Ole Miss
John Elway was a maestro in his building of the Super Bowl winning symphony. Elway found a perfect balance of building through the draft while adding key players via free agency. He even did it with multiple quarterbacks playing a role at one time or another.
Now he keeps his trend alive of drafting a defensive player in the first-round with one of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects in the entire class. Nkemdiche was talked about as a top-five player months ago until off the field incidents bumped his draft stock down. Of course Elway has never shied away from a few red flags like when he took edge rusher Shane Ray on day-one just weeks after his failed drug test. Adding Nkemdiche softens the blow of some big name free agents that left while adding a huge upside and ultra talented player into the trenches.