13. Houston Texans (from AZ): Pat Mahomes, quarterback, Texas Tech
* Texans trade 25th pick, second-round pick and future third-round pick to Cardinals
Houston isn’t going to sit back and wait for the quarterback of its choice to go to another team. Instead, the team exhausts some extra capital to move up for a player in Mahomes who fits Bill O’Brien’s offense to a T. While Mahomes likely isn’t a Day 1 starter, he gives the Texans their first franchise quarterback in team history. No brainer, really.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, running back, Florida State
There’s been some chatter that Philly will go either cornerback or pass rush here, but we’re calling on the team to take the third running back in the class off the board at 14. Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews are not long-term solutions here. Meanwhile, Cook checks all the boxes for Doug Pederson’s offense while providing balance for a young Carson Wentz under center. It just makes too much sense.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee
Running back, offensive tackle, inside linebacker, safety or pass rusher. You can pick and choose where Indy might go here. There’s a lot of needs for first-year GM Chris Ballard. But he comes from a Chiefs organization that has valued EDGE rushers high in the past. Look for Ballard to utilize that same philosophy in his first draft with the Colts.
16. Baltimore Ravens: O.J. Howard, tight end, Alabama
We were seriously considering going pass rush here. That’s until Barnett fell off the board at 15 and there wasn’t a ton of value in terms of that position midway through the first. The run will come later. Instead, Baltimore adds the best pure pass catcher in the class for Joe Flacco. Howard is a Day 1 starter with immediate Pro Bowl potential, someone that will eventually replace Dennis Pitta as Flacco’s top target.