The actual NFL draft is two days away. Over the weekend, the complexion of this draft changed significantly with the trade of Dexter Lawrence II for a few reasons that I illustrated in more detail here.
But in short, six teams have a majority of the capital in this draft. And I think a lot of teams feel the way the Bengals do about the actual layout of talent: It’s not great. That’s why this mock reflects some trade action inside the top five to scoop up the “premium” options on the board. I wonder if a trade up from later in the top 10, or just outside the top 10, could be accomplished at a more affordable price, by the way. The comparison I’m thinking of is 2013, when the Dolphins came up to No. 3 for pass rusher Dion Jordan, costing them simply that year’s first- and second-round picks. The Giants traded a player to the Bengals whom, I’m guessing, they had hoped to get a late first-round pick for a few days before.
