After months of buildup, it’s finally draft day. And that means one thing: it’s time for my annual NFL Mock Draft.
Without further adieu, here it is:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville takes the best player in the draft and take the guy everyone has known will be the No. 1 pick for three years.
2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson
The Jets are entering a (another) full rebuild and takes arguably the second best quarterback in the draft. Wilson has Mahomes like abilities and can make throws at every angle. Wilson must improve on making the simple reads at the next level.
3. San Francisco 49ers: QB Trey Lance
Only 3-4 people in the building know this pick, but at the end of the day the 49ers were surprised at how smart Lance is and he was able to change their mind after his second Pro Day. Kyle Shanahan gets his future quarterback, but for once adds a running element to his offense.
4. Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts
There was a lot of speculation that Atlanta could be selecting Justin Fields here, but it makes more sense to keep rolling with Matt Ryan for another year or two. Terry Fontenot gets the second best player in the draft according to most people around the league.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase
The Bengals should be selecting the best tackle in the draft here, but they’ll get back to their stubborn ways and give Joe Burrow his college teammate in Chase. Cincinnati will now have two solid wide receivers on the outside with Tee Higgins and Chase.
6. Miami Dolphins: WR DeVonta Smith
In my opinion, Smith is the best wide receiver in this draft. I understand that size could be an issue, but only if you can catch him. Nobody could catch him in college and that will roll over into the NFL as well. Smith will also be reunited with his college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
7. Detroit Lions: OT Penei Sewell
I would be shocked it the Lions go defense here. In a rebuild they’ll need to protect Jared Goff and take the best player available on the board. Sewell will become an instant starter.
8. Carolina Panthers: CB Patrick Surtain II
The Panthers will be taking a lot of calls here for this pick, but Carolina realizes that they can get the best value by staying at 8 and they take the best corner in the draft. Matt Rhule continues to add speed to his defense.
9. (TRADE) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jaylen Waddle
The Eagles have been connected to Waddle for a while now. Howie Roseman is known for making trades and this time he calls the Broncos and is able to move up. Philadelphia added speed last year with Jalen Reagor and they’ll do it again this year with Waddle.
10. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jaycee Horn
Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy coached Horn’s father while in New Orleans and now it comes full circle and he will coach his son. The Cowboys need a lot of help on defense and they get an athletic corner to help that secondary.
11. (TRADE) New England Patriots : QB Justin Fields
Bill Belichick realizes he’s within reach to move up for his quarterback and calls Denver with an offer they can’t resist. Fields reminds me of Cam Newton on film, so the Patriots draft a guy they can develop and learn under with the same skill set.
12. Denver Broncos: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
George Paton adds more draft picks and gets his head coach a great middle linebacker. The star from Notre Dame can rush the quarterback off the edge, stop the run as a middle linebacker, and can even cover tight ends and wide receivers. It’s safe to say, Vic Fangio will have the huge smile on his face with this pick.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater
Quarterback Justin Herebert was hoping that the front office could move up and get his college teammate in Penei Sewell, but instead they take the next best tackle in the draft. Tom Telesco watched what happened to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl and knows that he’s going to need to protect his franchise quarterback if they want to get to the promised land.
14. Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Jaelen Phillips
Some people believe he’s the best pass-rusher in this draft and very well could be. Minnesota only had 23 sacks last season which ranked 28th. Phillips and Danielle Hunter could be fun to watch.
15. New York Giants: LB Micah Parsons
It might surprise some people that Parsons falls this far, but his off the field issues could scare some teams away. There’s a lot of speculation that New York goes edge rusher, but Peter King mentioned that Dave Gettleman loves Micah Parson. New York takes a great all-around player on defense.
16. (TRADE) Washington Football Team: QB Mac Jones
With the way the board has gone, Washington could be excited that Jones has fallen so far. Washington has done their due diligence on the top quarterbacks in this draft, but have the opportunity to draft a guy that can really learn from Ryan Fitzpatrick. Jones is the most accurate quarterback in this draft and will have the opportunity to turn the franchise around.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
Vera Tucker could be a safe pick here as the Raiders continue to rebuild their offensive line. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock understand how important the offensive line is to run the ball and protect Derek Carr. They keep that philosophy here.
18. Miami Dolphins: RB Najee Harris
Miami needs to continue to help their young quarterback, so why not add a great running back to the offense. Harris will have an immediate impact on the offense. Miami could then look at depth on the offensive line in rounds two and three.
19. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Kwity Paye
With the addition of J.J. Watt to the defensive line, why not add another pass rusher on the edge. Arizona did lose Hasaan Reddick, but they can fill that role here. Plus defensive coordinator Vance Joseph knows that you can’t have too many pass rushers.
20. Chicago Bears: CB Greg Newsome II:
The Bears will try hard to grab a quarterback in round one, but they can relax and get one in Round Two, such as Davis Mills. Chicago needs to fill the cornerback hole after the departure of Kyle Fuller.
21. Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Azeez Ojulari
Chris Ballard could add to Indy’s defensive line and bring on a solid pass rusher here. After all, they have to find a way to get after Trevor Lawrence from now on.
22. Tennessee Titans: OT Christian Darrisaw
After losing right tackle Isaiah Wilson, Tennessee can go ahead and replace him quickly with Darrisaw. There will more than likely be a competition on the right side of the offensive line.
23. New York Jets: LB Zaven Collins
After getting a quarterback with their first pick, it’s time for head coach Robert Saleh to get an elite defensive player. Collins can rush the passer and play very well in coverage. New York will need disruptive linebackers to slow down Josh Allen.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Rashod Bateman
It’s Ben Roethlisberger’s final season, so why not give him as many weapons on offense as possible. Pittsburgh always ends up with great wide receivers.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Gregory Rousseau
Urban Meyer had great pass rushers up at Ohio St. so let’s keep Rousseau in the same state that he played college in.
26. Cleveland Browns: LB Jamin Davis
The Browns are solid on the defensive line rushing the quarterback so they can now go ahead and grab one of the best middle linebackers in the draft. Davis will bring plenty of speed to that defense.
27. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Jayson Oweh
Baltimore lost two pass-rushers in the offseason, so now it’s time to rebuild the position. Baltimore will need to find a way to get after the quarterback come playoff time.
28. New Orleans Saints: CB Caleb Farley
Farley could’ve went high in the draft, but with his back issues some teams are backing off. New Orleans has done their work on Farley and could get the steal of the draft at No. 28.
29. Green Bay Packers: WR Elijah Moore
It’s finally going to happen. Green Bay will finally draft a wide receiver in the first-round for Aaron Rodgers. Moore is a gadget type player that can make plays. In this offense, Moore can make a big-time impact and put a smile on Rodgers’ face.
30. Buffalo Bills: RB Travis Etienne
Buffalo has been linked to Etienne over the past week and are really high on him. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Bills end up trading up for the Clemson running back.
31. Baltimore Ravens: WR Kadarius Toney
The Ravens have been looking for another wide receiver for some time and they finally get one late in the first-round.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Trevon Moehrug:
Tampa Bay doesn’t really have any glaring needs, but they’ll take the best player available here. Moehrug is a ballhawk on the field and could add another playmaking element to that secondary.
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