NFL/PGA Draft Fun. Because Why Not?
With the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas, I thought I would have a little fun and come up with my PGA/NFL mashup mock draft. Don’t @ me to death on social media regarding my selections or my crude photoshopping… because we’re just having fun here, no?
- Cleveland Browns – Jordan Spieth
Spieth is a once in a generation franchise player. Young, determined, grounded, and has a killer instinct. His putter alone is enough to make him worthy of the top selection.
2. New York Giants – Dustin Johnson
DJ is a perfect fit for the New York scene. If his meltdown at Pebble, the brutal ruling at Whistling Straits, or the not-sure-if-its-a-penalty-or-not back nine at Oakmont didn’t bother him, the brutal New York media won’t. Plus, Paulina screams Manhattan socialite.
- New York Jets – Rickie Fowler
Justin Thomas should be the pick here, but I think Rickie fits in nicely in New York. His style and attitude are a little bit reminiscent of another swashbuckling Jets legend… “Broadway” Joe Namath.
- Cleveland Browns – Justin Thomas
Just as it should be in the real 2018 NFL Draft, the Browns have secured two of the young mega-stars in the game. In a stroke of good luck, the ultra-talented Thomas falls right into Cleveland’s lap, giving them the cornerstone pieces of Spieth and Thomas for years to come.
- Denver Broncos – Justin Rose
Denver is just a couple years removed from a Super Bowl, so a wily veteran presence might be just what they need to return to the promised land. Rose is cool, calm, and collected. John Elway won’t be able to pass.
- Indianapolis Colts – Brooks Koepka
Koepka is an understated talent. Doesn’t need the bright lights or all the attention to succeed. He can be unassuming in Indy. A perfect fit.
- Arizona Cardinals (Trade with Tampa Bay) – Jon Rahm
The Cardinals see a golden opportunity here to move up and steal the top player left on the board. Rahm played his college golf at ASU and keeping him in the desert is worth the Cards moving up.
- Chicago Bears – Rory McIlroy
Chicago gets great value here in a guy that has already claimed three fourths of the career grand slam. Rory will be a huge hit during the St. Patty’s Day celebration.
- San Francisco 49ers – Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood has that Haight-Ashbury look with the long hair and the beard stubble. He’ll fit right in with the San Fran vibe.
- Oakland Raiders – Patrick Reed
Reed’s past and his edge make him a perfect fit for the fans in the black hole. He’s not well liked, but over the years, the Raiders have had plenty of those guys. With this pick, the Black and Silver will be set with a young gun for their move to Vegas.
- Miami Dolphins – Tony Finau
After seeing him pop his own dislocated ankle back in socket during the Masters par-3 contest, Miami won’t be able to pass on his grit and toughness. Finau is a bomber and Miami is a perfect fit.
12. Buffalo Bills – Grayson Murray
We all know Murray loves his social media. Murray will further provoke the already insane Bills Mafia to continue power-bombing each other through flaming tables.
- Washington Redskins – Xander Schauffele
Schauffele would be thrilled with the idea of playing near the site of his first PGA tour win, the Greenbriar.
- Green Bay Packers – Jason Day
The Packers end up with great value from Day this late. Being an Aussie, we’re not sure how the brutal Green Bay winters will treat him, but this late, the Pack got a steal.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Trade with Arizona) – Daniel Berger
Tampa got a haul from Arizona for the Rahm pick, but it won’t pay dividends until next year. In the 2018 draft, Tampa still gets a quality young player in Daniel Berger. A Florida State product, Berger will love being in his home state.
- Baltimore Ravens – Tyrell Hatton
The 26-year-old Hatton is a solid player and the Ravens need some guys to build a foundation on. Hatton can step in and be an immediate impact player. The Ravens just hope he’s not the next Colin Montgomery that can’t break through and win the big one.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Beau Hossler
Our first real shocker. Hossler is very green but has already proven he can compete with the big boys. Only a matter of time before he breaks through. Being a California native makes this an easy pick to sell to Chargers fans.
- Seattle Seahawks – Thomas Pieters
The 26-year-old Belgian stands 6’5’’ and hits the ball a mile. The 12th man will love him.
- Dallas Cowboys – Ollie Schniederjans
Jerry Jones desperately wanted to try to trade up to take local hero Jordan Spieth, but there was no way Cleveland was biting. Schniederjans was born in Dallas, and at 24, has tremendous upside… but Jerry won’t like him not wanting to wear a logo hat on draft night.
- Detroit Lions – Matthew Fitzpatrick
At just 23, Fitzpatrick has a lot of maturing to do, but comes cut from the same mold as other European studs. His T-7 at the 2016 Masters proves he has plenty of game to compete on the worldwide stage.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Harold Varner III
The Akron native would be a great fit for the Bengals. Varner already hits the ball a long way, he just needs some refinement.
- Buffalo Bills – Satoshi Kodaira
Buffalo already scored with Murray earlier in the round, now they need another piece to make them competitive. The highest remaining under-30 prospect on the board is the way to go.
- New England Patriots – Bryson DeChambeau
Belichick is a cerebral head coach and will love DeChambeau’s commitment to study and his willingness to think on a different level than most competitors.
- Carolina Panthers – Siwoo Kim
Kim won THE PLAYERS at the ripe age of 21. Now 22, Kim would start his Panthers career at the same age Cam Newton began his.
- Tennessee Titans – Wesley Bryan
Bryan is just 28 and was born in South Carolina. A relocation to Tennessee would be a smooth transition.
26. Atlanta Falcons – Hudson Swafford
Swafford played his collegiate golf at UGA and although he’s never made the cut in a major, he still has plenty of time to make it happen in his career.
- New Orleans Saints – Victor Dubuisson
The French flair in NOLA would be a perfect fit for this sweet swinging 28-year-old.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Saunders
Although already 30, the Steelers can’t help but take Arnie’s flesh and blood in the first round and hope he gives them some production.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Kiradech Aphibarnrat
Aphibarnrat will love the Jags teal accented uniforms, and if need be, can step in as a quality one technique against the run.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Peter Uihlein
SKOL is getting a solid player at 30. Uihlein hasn’t seen a ton of success in the states, but he’s still the son of golf equipment royalty and has time to turn a corner in his career.
- New England Patriots – Bubba Watson
The Patriots are known for taking grizzled veterans and getting the last bit of production out of them. Watson has that edge NE loves, and has enough left in the tank to give the Pats some production.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Andrew “Beef” Johnston
Pat’s Steaks would have an endorsement deal lined up with “Beef” moments after his name is read.