On the eve of the physical work outs at the NFL Combine we follow up the AFC mock draft with the NFC version.

1.01 Saquon Barkley, Penn State RB

NFC Falcons (From the Giants)

Here comes the calvary shouts a lonesome Kareem Hunt from the Falcons facility. Even if the Falcons had a bunch of all stars at the running back position, I’d still advise picking Barkley at the 1.01. It’s very rare that you see a running back ranked as the number one prospect in the whole draft class but Barkley is atop most credible rankings. That’s how special Barkley is. My main knock on Floyd last year was his lack of offence but after drafting Hunt last season and now pairing him with Barkley, the Falcons could soon become a team to monitor in the NFC.

1.02 Derrius Guice, LSU RB

NFC 49ers (From the Saints)

I’m sure this pick is way to boring for Comrade Joshua, however, sometimes in drafts you can over complicate things a little too much. Guice is a solid prospect, arguably a better inside runner than Barkley, he’s nothing short of furious when he runs it up the middle. His 2017 season was hampered by injury but nothing that should scare off teams. When Guice came in for the injured Fournette at LSU he was a revelation. An extremely tough runner that will challenge defences on the inside and could tire out a defensive line. The main knock on Guice coming into the Combine will be the same on any LSU back, can he catch, as the LSU system doesn’t create many passing opportunities for its backs. If he can ace that in the Combine then he’ll only solidify his spot at the 1.02.

1.03 Sony Michel, Georgia RB

NFC Eagles

After my first mock I have had some GMs rightfully question why I had Michel so high. Part of it is of course is the clear talent and that he displayed at Georgia and the impressive production, despite playing with another top running back prospect his whole college career. However, part of it is also predicting the hype train following the Combine. Michel is already ranked as the no.3 back in many rankings but I fully expect him to be one of those players that takes full advantage of the Combine. Speed and explosiveness were two traits he displayed to full effect on the biggest stage in college football against Alabama and these are the headlining making traits at the Combine. Michel has all the skillset that you look for in an NFL back and Georgia knows how to get backs ready for the NFL, just look at Todd Gurley.

1.04 Nick Chubb, Georgia RB

NFC Falcons

If Chubb can regain some of that explosiveness that he had before the injury then watch out NFC South, the team I panned last season could be coming to town with a three headed monster. Right now that’s a big if and all eyes will be on how Chubb tests following that brutal injury he suffered in 2015. It would be a shame if such a once coveted prospect could not fulfil his full potential to injury but it was clear that in the 2017 season he hasn’t quite recaptured that same explosiveness he once has. The NFL Combine will provide the perfect stage for Chubb to show whether he can put up the times to alleviate those fears. Where as I’m more bullish on Michel’s Combine performance, Chubb’s is a real unknown at this stage. Floyd will be hoping they both perform well.

1.05 Ronald Jones, RB USC

NFC Washington

With only Jay Ajayi and Terrance West on the roster the Washington franchise needs an injection of youth at the running back position. The 2018 draft class is certainly the year to help strengthen that position. As mentioned in the AFC mock, many scouts have Jones as their number three back but he goes number five here. Much like Michel though, Jones is the type of players that could put up gourdy numbers at the Combine, which will make headlines and push him up draft boards. During his time at USC playing alongside Sam Darnold, Jones had nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards, 31 touchdowns and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. Despite not having a large frame, Jones is more in the mould of a Dion Jones type with quick feet that can find holes in the line that others can’t. A skill that many NFL and IFL front offices will covet.

1.06 Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State

NFC Cardinals

Rashaad Penny had a very productive season at an Diego State, picking up the reigns from Donnel Pumphrey. Since the end of the college season his stock has been consistently on the rise. The Senior Bowl was a great week for the running back and he now find himself ranked in the top five running backs of the class. In 2017 Penny was hugely productive with 2200+ rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. It’s that type of production that GM Jai is yearning for on his sub par offence. After drafting Alvin Kamara in the 2017 draft, the Cardinals will be hoping they can hit on another running back stud. There’s a lot of work to be done for the Cardinals but he’ll be hoping he can create a good RB tandem in Penny and Kamara.

1.07 Raquon Smith, Georgia LB 

NFC Bears

With McCoy, Howard, Fournette and Juju on offence the Bears go into 2018 with an excellent foundation. At the 1.07 I am sure GM Nic will be looking closely at the likes of Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Courtland Sutton to add the extra piece to his offence. However after taking Mike Williams in the 2017 draft and a number of strong WR free agents I think Nic goes for what could be considered a safe move. Georgia linebacker Raquon Smith is widely regarded as the best prospect at the position who should go top 10-15 in the NFL draft. Nic has three solid linebackers and with Smith he could complete the quartet.

1.08 Kerryon Johnson, Auburn RB  

NFC Packers

As of right now the Packers will be running a zero RB strategy in 2018 so I predict they look to bolster that position in a stacked class. The Aubern running back was hugely success at college, rounding out 2017 with 1,659 rushing yards and 25 touchdown and his third straight state title. A former basketball player, Johnson has displayed extremely quick feet in his college career. He’s frame seems a little slight so it will be interesting to see how he weighs in at the Combine. After Johnson and Royce Freeman come off the board there’s a significant tier drop to the next group of running backs. GM Barry could have his pick of the WRs here but with another pick later in the first I think he looks at receiver or linebacker then.

1.09 Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon 

NFC Lions

New Lions GM Nate must be praying that someone picks anything other than a running back in his first few picks of his inaugural IFL draft. In this scenario his prayers are answered and he lands former Oregon running back, Royce Freeman. Freeman comes out of college as a senior after it was rumoured he could have declared last season. He holds the Pac-12 rushing touchdowns record, has accumulated 5,612 yards and 60 total TDs during his time with the Ducks. Consistency was something Freeman displayed over his time at Oregon, with only one out of his four seasons under 1,000 rushing yards (he still hit 945). With three more picks to come in the first round, GM Nate will be hooping Freeman can be a cornerstone piece of his offence.

1.10 Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama 

NFC Lions

This is the dream scenario for the Lions, they nab one of the better running backs and they get the second overall linebacker. Nate could have his pick of the wide receivers but he has the likes of Corey Davis, TY Hilton and Will Fuller heading into 2018. The linebacker position is the life blood of an IFL defence and Nate will be looking to build that as soon as possible. Rashaan Evans is a versatile linebacker who can stay on the field for all three downs. 2017 was the year he pushed on, after Reuben Foster was drafted, starting 12 games, with 74 tackles, leading the team with 13 tackles for loss and making six sacks. As Nate builds the Lions roster back up from the dumpster fire he was left with, he’ll need Evans to be a starter from day one. So, a good NFL landing spot will be key to Evans providing instant production, which the Lions will most certainly need.

1.11 Calvin Ridley, Alabama WR 

NFC Rams

The Rams would be ecstatic to see one of the top linebackers still on the board but not this time. There’s a possibility that one of the other linebacker prospects such as Tremaine Edwards, Malik Jefferson, Micah Kiser or Leighton Vander Esch push themselves into first round consideration during the draft process just as Haason Reddick did last year. Tremaine Edmunds is arguably the top linebacking prospect in this draft but his unique skill set could damage his viability as a premier IDP asset. Edmunds IDP fate depends on who drafts him and what role the franchise carves out for him. If he’s earmarked for an OLB spot (which I think he will be given the lack of pass rushers in the 2018 class and the NFL in general) say with the Bears then he falls into the boom / bust IDP bracket of edge rushers at the linebacker position. However, if he goes to a team like the Raiders that want to use him as a WLB then he’ll be a nailed on first rounder and the Rams should get one of Smith, Evans or Edmunds at this spot. In this scenario, where I anticipate Edmunds being drafted as an NFL OLB, they just go best player available in Calvin Ridley, who you can read more about in my AFC Mock Draft.

1.12 Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M

NFC Panthers

With just one wide receiver on the roster, Nils takes Christian Kirk. Bradley Chubb is also in the discussion here as Nils has no startable defensive ends on his roster. However, there are some good options at the defensive end position available in free agency, which I will touch upon later in the feature. Kirk is an intriguing prospect who most draft analysts think will play primarily in the slot at the NFL level. With regards to where he goes in the NFL Draft might very well be effected by how he tests at the Combine. He has shown to be a speedy playmaker during his time at Texas A&M as a receiver and kick returner. Kirk made 71 catches for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017. It’s not ridiculous numbers but he’s been consistent over that past three seasons averaging just under 1,000 receiving yards and nearly nine touchdowns. As Nils begins the rebuild of the Panthers he’ll be hoping Kirk can play a role in the franchise.

1.13 Courtland Sutton, SMU WR 

NFC Packers

After going offence with his first pick the Packers will definitely be one of those teams, much like the rams, which will be hoping for a premier prospect at linebacker fall to them. With Reuben Foster and Jordan Hicks as the top two players at the position they will be looking to strengthen the position in the off season. The former defensive back converted to wide receiver early in his college career and is expected to measure up at 6’4” and 215 pounds. Sutton had a breakout season in 2016, with 76 receptions for 1,246 yards, averaging 16.5 yards per catch and 10 touchdowns. which got the attention of any within the fantasy community. In 2017, Sutton totalled 68 catches for 1,085 yards with 12 touchdowns, which was viewed as something of a let down in some fantasy circles. Even so, Sutton is in the top five of many dynasty rookie rankings so it’s fantastic value for the Packers the the 13th overall pick. He has the potentially tonne that big bodied receiver on the outside who’s a red zone monster. The combine will be an important week for Sutton to see if he can measure up to the lofty expectations the dynasty community have set for the former SMU receiver.

1.14 James Washington, WR Oklahoma State

NFC Lions

With running back and linebacker addressed the Lions take the best player available at the 1.14 as he capitalises on the negativity surrounding first round rookie receivers. In most fantasy mock drafts Washington is a nailed on top ten pick, who could potentially go as high as the first round of the NFL Draft. However with the early run on running backs, as GMs hope to replicate the same success the 2017 class had, an enticing wide receiver prospect like James Washington has dropped to late in the first. If you’re looking for production then look no further. Washington caught 74 passes for 1,549 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2017, which followed 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016. During the Senior Bowl weigh ins Washington’s draft stock took a knock as he measured up under six foot at 5’10”. This could be a potential red flag to some GMs but he has a relatively thick frame at 210lb. It will be interesting to see what Washington’s 40′ time will be as this could have a significant effect on his draft stock.

1.15 Josh Adams, RB Note Dame 

NFC 49ers

There’s a definite case for the 49ers to look address defensive end at the 1.15. With Leonard Williams coming off a down year and Dante Fowler Jnr being used as more of a situational pass rusher, the 49ers could do with bolstering the position. I nearly picked NC State DE Bradley Chubb at this position. However, after looking at the NFC free agent market, big name pass rushers, Carlos Dunlap and Ezekiel Ansah are both available, who the 49ers could easily pick up with around $50m in cap space. I think GM Josh swings for the fences with his preference of the next tier of running backs. I had Bo Scarbrough going at the end of the first round in the AFC mock but you won’t see him here. This is a reflection of how unclear this tier of running backs is and that I think it will come down to personal preference. So the 49ers draft Notre Dame running back, Josh Adams. Adams averaged 6.9 yards per carry for 1,430 yards with nine touchdowns on the year. He might sneak into the third round of the NFL draft and with a good landing spot could be a riser come the IFL Draft.

1.16 Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona State

NFC Lions

The Lions have had a solid draft so far in this scenario so can afford to roll the dice with the final selection of the first round. This might be about right by the time we get to Vegas or I could be way off the mark and Ballage is a mid to late second round pick. Ballage ran well at the Senior Bowl, showing some physical runs, which has perked the interest of some fantasy analysts. However, the main concern about him coming into the draft will be his sheer lack of production at Arizona State. A potential three down prospect that can catch the ball very well, he really struggled in 2017. The senior averaged just 4.3 yards per carry for 657 yards and six touchdowns. He wouldn’t be the first prospect who’s game translates better to the NFL than college ball but the lack of production will raise some red flags. However, a strong Combine and decent NFL draft selection and Ballage could be very much in the conversation at the tail end of the first round.