DPD’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0: 1st Round

Aug 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, left, and general manager Ray Farmer talk before a game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of changes since our NFL Mock Draft 2.0 that was published at the beginning of April. A few things have been firmed up, others have been completely changed and most is still up in the air. We will not predict any trades today, but reserve the right to change our minds in the future.

This is a combination of what we think teams will do and what we think teams should do. No point in mocking Leonard Williams to the Bucs, even if we think he is the best player in the NFL Draft.

We think the Cleveland Browns are likely to try to move up for Marcus Mariota but won’t pay a huge price to make that move. The best places for a trade seem to be with the Oakland Raiders at No. 4, Washington at No. 5 and the New York Jets at No. 6. It is very possible that Mariota falls beyond that point and the Browns get lucky. If they, like we think they do, love Mariota’s potential, then trading No. 12 and No. 43 to get him is a reasonable price. Especially with No. 19 still in general manager Ray Farmer’s pocket.

Maybe the most exciting thought would be trading No. 12 and No. 43 to trade up to get Mariota, then trading down from No. 19 to pickup a later first-round pick and another pick, likely a third. Back to 10 picks that way.

One thing we are sure of: We don’t know and no one does, we should all just enjoy the process.

Now on to our DPD NFL Mock Draft 3.0:

Next: Picks 1 - 10