Mock Draft 1.0
The NFL Draft is around the corner and without a Combine this year, rumours of who picks who are vaguer than ever, so I thought I’d give my opinion with a Mock Draft.
*This is a pre-free agency Mock Draft and as things will most definitely change with trades and signings, another will be done later*
1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
This one can never be in question, Lawrence is the best player in college football and has been for a while. He adapted to the college life at a rapid pace and took control of the team leading them to a National Championship in his freshman year, he lost two games in his entire career. The Jaguars will almost certainly take their franchise QB with the 1st pick.
2 – New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
This pick could honestly go anywhere, and anything can happen. Rumours have strongly linked the Jets with Texan’s QB Deshaun Watson and should that trade happen then this pick could be anywhere, but if the Jets stick with Sam Darnold then they must bring in competition and Zach Wilson should be that guy. Wilson was exceptional in the past two years, using his athleticism extremely well, getting out of the pocket and creating plays, his mobility is really good as his arm strength, current comparisons to Patrick Mahomes but either way, Wilson’s draft stock is rising, and I think he goes at 2 no matter who has the pick.
3 – Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Dolphins stick with Tua but they have to get him weapons and I think Chase is the most complete WR in this draft with pretty much zero questions on his ability. Chase didn’t play in 2020 but was pivotal in Joe Burrow’s Heisman year in 2019, scoring 20 touchdowns, including 4 in the CFB Playoff. His presence and ability to go up and get the ball despite only being 6’0 is exceptional and will no doubt help Tua and the Dolphins.
4 – Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, OSU
With Mat Ryan ageing the Falcons take their QB of the future. Arthur Smith is their new Head Coach and worked well with Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee and Fields shares the same set of skills, is a physical runner, decent arm strength and Atlanta have weapons that are ready made that can help make up for his questionable accuracy. Despite this Fields is a strong leader and is from Atlanta so it makes sense. If the Falcons opt against taking a QB I could see this pick being traded to any more QB needy team.
5 – Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
This one is a lock, Bengals desperately need help on the O-line to defend Joe Burrow from getting hurt like he did this year, Sewell did not play in 2020 but was dominant in his years before, Bengals get help at number 5 and this is the perfect pick.
6 – Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Now this one is an intriguing one, the Eagles look as though they’re going to give it a go with Jalen Hurts this year and whilst they need lots of help on the offensive side of the ball, a healthy receiver is imperative, and I think they take Pitts over other WR’s on the board. Pitts is huge at 6’6 and plays a lot more like a wide out with his big frame, he is go up and get it type of player and something the Eagles have been crying out for, for too long.
7 – Detroit Lions: Jaylon Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Lions have tonnes of issues on both sides of the ball, but they have just employed a new more offensive HC, have a new QB and will most likely lose their number 1 and 2 WR’s so to get a new offensive weapon is where I think they use this pick. At 5’10, Waddle is a little smaller than is peers in this draft but feels and looks a more complete WR, he is very quick and despite his lack of length is very good at stretching for the ball, plus his route running is one of the best this year. Lions take Waddle to fill one of their many empty spots.
8 – Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Possibly the most intriguing player at QB in this draft, but I think the Panthers take him with a few to leading their franchise. The Panthers no longer have faith in Teddy Bridgewater so they bring in dual-threat Lance to take over, and explosive player, who didn’t play in 2020, who can 100% blow up this Carolina offense. There is not a lot of tape and his accuracy is a question, but mould him right, like HC Matt Rhule has done with QB’s before, then he has Pro-Bowl potential.
9 – Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Another team with glaring holes throughout but none more than at CB after the organization released former Jaguar AJ Bouye so they go ahead and take the best corner on the board. This is another pick I think can’t be passed on unless the Broncos choose this way to add quality at QB but unless they trade up, this is a lock.
10 – Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB Alabama
Another team with defensive holes but could really do with someone to match up with Trevon Diggs in the secondary, so they take his former teammate out of Alabama. The two players compliment each other very well and would seem like a perfect fit it Surtain steps up to the pros like Diggs has.
11 – New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
This may seem low for the current Heisman winner Smith, but I do have doubts about his athleticism and weight, just as was with Marquise Brown, but I think this can be another case of using the doubters to be the best. Either way, the Giants add a weapon with a very high ceiling to help Daniel Jones in his make-or-break year, this pick could go anywhere but if Smith is available, he must go.
12 – San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The 49ers have never really been secure at corner for a long time and have decided to move on from veteran Richard Sherman this offseason, so they have to get in a corner somewhere and Horn is the best one still on the board. The son of former NFL WR Joe Horn, the young CB posses’ size and athleticism with the ability to press very well, could be the answer at corner for the future.
13 – Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Chargers have the QB of the future in Justin Herbert and just like the Bengals, they’re desperate to protect him so they take one of the best tackles in the draft that can and will play straight away so they can continue building.
14 – Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
Last year the Vikings defence was basically dismantled bit by bit, and no more than at the edge rushing positions. There are a number of options at edge in this draft but I have them taking Rousseau out of Miami, an explosive player who could really grip this team and give this defence a new identity, a little bit raw but has length and all the tools for Mike Zimmer to create a great defensive player.
15 – New England Patriots: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This pick could go a lot of places considering them needing a QB, but I have them bringing back Cam Newton with how much he enjoyed working with Belichick so they can strengthen elsewhere. Parsons is a dominant player and only drops this far due to his personal issues, but there is no better Coach for a troubled player to work on than under Belichick. Parsons is a versatile player who has the ability to make those big plays and get to the QB, adds a new leader to a new look defence in New England.
16 – Arizona Cardinals: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
This pick fully depends on what happens in free agency, as they could easily go defensive should they lose Haason Redick. If they fill that position, then I think they look to strengthen that O-Line and add protection for Kyler Murray. Vera-Tucker can play either Guard or Tackle so is very versatile and worked under a former Coach of Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury so seems a good fit under him and this Cardinals offence.
17 – Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders could pick anywhere on defence and it would be a good pick honestly, but I’ve got them taken the best LB still available to fill one of their biggest gaps behind the defensive tackles. Arguable Notre Dame’s best product in this draft, Owusu-Koramoah has, athleticism, speed, a scary pass-rush and very good instincts. Don’t think you can go wrong if you take him.
18 – Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Dolphins could do with some help on rush defence but I think they continue to go all in on selecting offensive weapons for Tua to lean on. Harris gives the Dolphins an extra dimension, with an athletic, almost Derrick Henry or Matt Forte like RB. Exceptional player and if your going offence, feels a no brainer.
19 – Washington Football Team: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Second Alabama pick in a row and I have Washington attempting to solve their QB problems with Jones. A solid pocket-passer, with a decent amount of mobility, Jones could be very good to build around with his accuracy being his main strength, was a strong leader in Alabama and can be on the east coast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes earlier but if not, feels perfect for Washington.
20 – Chicago Bears: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Bears take a solid Tackle to protect whoever is their QB in 2021. Jenkins is very steady and plays with aggression, positioning is very good and can play across the line. If the Bears chose to go for a weapon look for them to go Kadarius Toney out of Florida, who looks to be high up on their board.
21 – Indianapolis Colts: Christian Darrishaw, OT, Virginia Tech
An up in the air pick as the Colts have a strong young team, but with Anthony Castonzo retiring, I have the Colts filling that hole with Darrishaw. A big bodied lineman who can still move his feet very well would be a solid addition to the line and is someone who can learn a lot from Pro-Bowler Quenton Nelson. If the Colts choose to go defensive, CB Greg Newsome II is a speedy corner that a lot of teams are high on.
22 – Tennessee Titans: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
The Titans pass rush has been pretty awful the past two years and with a failed attempt to fix it with Jadeveon Clowney, I see them picking Phillips with this pick. Probably the most naturally gifted rusher in the draft, little bit raw but can definitely make an impact from the off in the Titans defence.
23 – New York Jets – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Jets could really pick anywhere but Etienne will be an exceptional weapon wherever he is. A three-down back, Etienne is a true competitor with speed and elusiveness and could be a really good player for any QB to lean on and I like this pick a lot, feels very good. The Jets are heavily linked with lots of players including Packers RB Aaron Jones, if lands in New York, look for them to use the draft to strengthen on Offensive or Defensive line.
24 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The Steelers could lose a lot of players in free-agency, they’re already moving on from RB James Conner with LB Bud Dupree, WR Juju Smith-Schuster and OT Alejandro Villenueva possibly moving on. But their biggest whole looks to be on the offensive line having lost Maurkice Pouncey at Center to retirement, though Mayfield is not a Center he helps strengthen that position with a decent and versatile player who can be moulded to fit this team.
25 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Jacksonville have a million and one issues, but as they’ve fixed the QB issue, I think they look defensive here and attempt to help the run defence with Barmore. Barmore is 300-plus pounds and is quite literally designed to be a run stopper, perfect fit if that is the goal with this pick.
26 – Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Bit of a different pick, but I think the Browns most definitely go defensive with their pick and choose to really upgrade their LB group. Collins is a long, rangy LB that has the size and strength to really make an impact with late tackles. This is more than needed to take this defence to the next level and match the team’s divisional rivals.
27 – Baltimore Ravens: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Ravens need help at WR, S and Edge but they take a Safety here as quite simply, Moehrig is the best player available, and the Ravens have always had that policy of take the best available. Moehrig plays like a ball hawk and can easily come close or cover deep, he can make an already talented secondary, even better. If there is not someone Baltimore likes at this pick, look for them to trade for more picks.
28 – New Orlean Saints: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
With this pick, I am assuming the Saints choose to role with Jameis Winston at QB for 2021 and go defensive. The Saints are looking bad in terms of cap space so won’t be able to retain a lot of their free agents, so they bring in adaptive corner Newsome. Newsome has the size to compete for every ball and the speed to keep up with the best out there, very good CB.
29 – Green Bay Packers: Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
Another Alabama player goes and this time to the Packers. Dickerson can play across the offensive line, including Center so could be perfect fit for this offence. Dickerson did suffer a hefty injury so health could be a concern, but I think the Packers continue to not select weapons and instead go the protection route in the draft once again.
30 – Buffalo Bills: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
The Bills pass rush is a problem and they have already missed out on JJ Watt so they look to the draft to fix the issue. A decent size with explosive speed and a whole lot of juice, Ojulari offers a lot off the line and seems a perfect fit after missing out on Watt.
31 – Kansas City Chiefs: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Chiefs don’t have many issues and the only one that stands out is the secondary, but with the best couple of corners off the board, I look for them to go out and continue to bring in speed for Patrick Mahomes. Toney adds size and pace and could easily replace pending free agent Sammy Watkins.
32 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Tampa has an exceptional LB group but looks like it could lose Shaquil Barrett after agreeing a contract extension with Lavonte David. If this happens, I think they bring in Bolton who is a little more like David but can play across the LB position with great intelligence.
