2021 Mock Draft

I’m back baby

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick # 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson

Best Qb prospect to come out since Andrew Luck. He’s got an above average arm and is very mobile for his size. He’s won on the biggest stage in college and figures to make the Jaguars a competitive team in the near future.

New York Jets

Pick #2: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Zach Wilson is the more natural thrower in this draft class. He’s my favorite Qb in the class due to his style of play. He’s got a great blend of athleticism, arm strength, and touch. The media is going crazy about his ability to make”off balance throwing ability” and rightly so, he’s great at it. With that said I think there is a distinction that needs to be made, more often than not he’s balanced. His agility allows him to keep his balance and make throws from weird positions. The big knock on him is questioning around the level of play he faced. His offensive line is very good, the offense BYU runs is a really creative system that does a great job of getting receivers open. Because of this they dominated a lot of the games they played in. It’s hard to knock him for this because he dominated them like he is supposed to but it’s definitely a valid concern.

San Francisco 49ers

Pick #3: Mac Jones, QB, Bama

This pick is going to be really interesting. Nobody knows what the 49ers are going to do here. It wouldn’t shock me if they took any of the 3 Qb’s available. A friend of mine mentioned how Shanahan basically got to watch Mac Jones run his offense last season because of Sark’s similar offensive coordinating. I think the end up picking the guy the 49ers fans hope they don’t.

Atlanta Falcons

Pick #4: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

I think the Falcons will try and trade out of this to a team that wants one of the 2 Qb’s left. I think the Broncos would be a perfect fit to come trade up for Mac Jones. The Falcons could pick up another pick but also be in perfect range to get a jaycee horn or a Patrick Surtain jr. But I don’t mock trades. If the Falcons stay here I think the end following their age old trend of bolstering their pass catching group by selecting Kyle Pitts.

Cincinati Bengals

Pick #5 Penei Sewell, LT, Oregon

Cincy has a tough decision to make. It’s between Sewell and Chase. Joe Burrow is coming off of a serious knee injury after spending the majority of his time in Cicny running for his life. He and Chase put up historic numbers together in college and it would make sense to pair them up again since Cincy could use a stud WR outside the hashes. I think they’ll end up making a smart decision by selecting Sewell who is regarded as one of the best Tackle prospects to come out in the past decade. He’s another player who opted out last season but in 2019 he made life incredibly easy for Justin Herbert in Oregon. If you watch his tape it’s wild to see him move with the agility of a running back while still deliver some serious snap with his arms.

Miami Dolphins

Pick #6: Jamar Chase, WR, LSU

The Dolphins have 2, likely 3 players who they really like and believe they’ll have shot to pick at 6 (hence the trade back up into the top 10 with the Eagles after their trade with the 49ers). Those three are likely Jamar Chase, Penei Sewell, and Kyle Pitts. Since two of those three have already been selected they’ll end up selecting Chase. Chase is really intriguing prospect, he’s built sturdily at 6′ 200 and has phenomenal ball tracking capabilities. He dominated the SEC winning the Biletnikoff in 2019. His pro day was electric, he ran a 4.4 40 and 41″ vert posting 9.9 athletic score (this ranked him as the 27th best prospect out of the 2,480 prospects this score has been measured against). I don’t think he has the most natural hands but he’s still an above average catcher.

Detroit Lions

Pick #7: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Bama

There is speculation that the Lions would take one of the top Qb’s here. Instead I think they’ll end up going with Jaylen Waddle. Their group of receivers leaves a lot to be desired. Jared Goff doesn’t buy himself a lot of time so he relies on guys who can win quickly and get open fast. Waddle would seriously help the Lions progress offensively

Carolina Panthers

Pick#8: Rashawn Slater, LT ,Northwestern

You could argue that Rashawn Slater is the best Tackle in this draft. He’s so well rounded but like Penei he’s getting dinged for having shorter arms than some teams would like. Again, like Penei he’s really athletic for his size and makes up for having shorter arms with his athleticism which helps him get in perfect position. He gained notoriety last season when he basically made Chase Young a non factor in Northwestern’s game against Ohio State.

Denver Broncos

Pick #9: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

I think the Broncos actually try and move up to get Fields. In this scenario they have him fall into their laps. Fields killed it in college but much like every Ohio State Qb over the past decade there’s a feeling of fugazzieness around his production. I think he’s clearly separated himself from Ohio State Qbs of the past, he’s got the entire package. He’s the fastest Qb of the top 5, probably has the best arm, won in big moments, and has a great work ethic. I personally think he still plays a bit robotically at times and i’m not sure he’s a natural QB. I wouldn’t take him in the top 5 but at pick 9 i think he’d be a great pick up.

Dallas Cowboys

Pick #10: Patrick Surtain Jr, CB, Bama

Surtain is my favorite CB of the bunch. He stood out on the Bama defense as the best player in their secondary. He’s got great awareness and is unequivocally the best tackling CB in this draft. He’s big enough to bully receivers but agile enough to flip his hips and go high point balls.

New York Giants

Pick #11: Devonta Smith, WR, Bama

Devonta Smith fell victim to the NFL offseason and over evaluation. Had the draft happened a week after the Championship game Devonta Smith would have been a top 5 pick. People have cooled off on him for two reasons. 1. he weighed in at 166 pounds 2. He’s a senior. Both of these are massively overblown. While he has a slight frame he has not shown any durability concerns his entire career at Bama. He routinely went over the middle and took blows from SEC LB’s and Safeties without issue. His ability to set corners up is absolutely next level and typically affords him the luxury of never really receiving big hits. The second is him being a senior, to be fair I think this is more of a BS media issue than team issue. Typically stud NFL receivers breakout early in their career so some think it’s odd that it took him until his senior year. The thing people seem to forget is that he had Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs (two first round picks) ahead of him on the depth chart. He’s going to be stud in the NFL.

Philidelphia Eagles

Pick #12: Micah parson, LB, PSU

Parsons is one of the most athletic ILB’s I’ve ever watched tape of. He ran a 4.3 and you can see that translate to the field when you watch him play. He never lets anyone beat him to the corner. Apparently he’s a bit of a shit head, sounds like he has some Larry Johnson vibes to him.

Los Angeles Chargers

Pick #13: Christian Darrisaw, LT, VT

Darrisaw co

Minnesota Vikings

Pick #14: Alijah Vera Tucker, T, USC

He’s a good LT everyone likes, TBH i haven’t really watched much of his tape. sorry.

New England Patriots

Pick #15: Trey lance, QB, NDSU

Trey lance is a a bizarre prospect. he’s got great size, a strong arm, great personality, he’s smart and is a hard worker. I feel like the narrative around him has hit a point where it’s the popular opinion to dismiss the fact that he played garbage competition in college. I can see him doing well If he gets on a team like the Patriots where he can sit behind a QB like Cam who made the same transition he needs to make. It looks like the Pats are going back to the heavy 12 personnel packages they used to run with Hernandez and Gronk which helps to simplify the offense for rookie Qbs.

Arizona Cardinals

Pick #16: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minn

Sounds like there’s a good shot the Cardinals are going to try and jump up to grab a WR. Obviously jumping up to grab Waddle would make their offense quite scary but they have some great options if they stay put. I’d imagine they’d be mulling over a decision between Kadarius Toney and Rashod Bateman. They could really use someone in the middle of the field who can win quickly of the LOS. I think they’ll end up going with Bateman. Bateman ended up running wayyy faster than I expected him to at his pro day. He is a complete receiver who should end up being productive from the jump.

Las Vegas Raiders

Pick #17: Tevin Jenkins, T, OSU

No lineman in this draft class bullies people as much as Tevin Jenkins. Take a look at some of his highlights above and you’ll see clips of him running defensive ends into the bench. He can plug into a starting right tackle position from day one.

Miami Dolphins

Pick #18: Alex Leatherwood, T, Bama

I think think the dolphins will be deciding between an edge rusher and offensive line help at pick 18. This is also a very likely trade spot in this scenario where Mac Jones is still on the board. I’d wager the Dolphins end up goin with Alex leatherwood over Kwity Paye.

Washington Football Team

Pick #19: Jaycee Horn , CB, South Carolina

Jaycee Horn earned a lot of respect by following each opponents’ number one receiver around the entire game. When Bama played SC Jaycee held Heisman winner Devonta Smith to 60 yards which is impossible to do. He’s super physical with the receivers he goes against and does a great job of punching/ripping at receivers hands.

Chicago Bears

Pick #20: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

the Bears seem like a team that might jump up to grab a if someone ends up sliding. If Trey lance ends up sliding he would be in a pretty good situation. He’d be able to sit behind Andy Dalton for a season and get some time to better understand what it takes to be a QB at the top level. for this same reason I wouldn’t be surprised if he was actually selected by the 49ers. However, in this situation none of the top 4 qbs are still on the board. They could definitely pair someone up with Roquan smith like Zaven Collins

Indianapolis Colts

Pick #21: Jayson Oweh, PSU, EDGE

The colts have a really well rounded team and I think we’re going to see Carson Wentz return to his earlier form behind their offensive line. They could use another pass rusher so they end up selecting Jayson Oweh here. He’s an extremely raw prospect with incredible testing scores but his production in college leaves a bit to be desired.

Tennessee Titans

Pick #22: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

The titans could use another CB to help out their sorry secondary. Here they select Greg Newsome who fits into the player coach Vrabel is looking for in a defensive player. He’s and intelligent player who also posses one of the fastest 40 times in the draft class.

New York Jets

Pick #23: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky

This is a toss up I think this pick will be between a CB and a RB. Since there is really only two top tier CB prospects on the board (Kelvin Joseph and Caleb Farely) they’ll go with Kelvin Joseph here. Joseph Has a weird back story leaving LSU for unknown reasons, he had gotten in trouble once while at LSU and was suspended for their bowl game. He hals the physical tools to be an elite CB but was a bit inconsistent from game to game.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick #24: Najee Harris, RB, Bama

The Steelers typically end up picking the prospects everyone expects them to get in the first round. I don’t think that trend stops here. Najee Harris makes a lot of sense for them. They don’t have anyone on the roster that can act as an every down back. Harris looks like a better version of Lev Bell coming out of college. He’d take some pressure off of an aging Big Ben while also not needing to be subbed out on passing downs since he’s a fantastic receiving back. I much prefer Harris to Etienne so i think this would be a solid pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick #25: Christian Barmore, DT, Bama

The Jaguars Defensive line is a shell of what it used to be. I think they end up choosing Christian Barrmoe here. There’s a chance they end up taking one of the top safeties on the board but I don’t think any of them distinguish themselves to warrant taking one this early. Barmore was a hugeee piece to Bama’s defensive success this past season.

Celveland Browns

Pick #26 Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

The Browns have such a well rounded roster (that feels odd to type out). They could use some help at the line backer position and Jamin Davis would be a really nice fit for their scheme. He’s a fast instinctual linebacker who can stay in the game all 3 downs. He’s got a nose for the ball and seems to be in the right spot all of the time.

Baltimore Ravens

Pick #27: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

The ravens double up on linebackers after going with Patrick Queen last season. I think selecting Jermiah Owusu Koramoah would be a tremendous value pick here. He’s a bit undersized but probably has the best pass rushing capabilities in the entire draft class. He never lets RB’s get to the outside on him and is quick to diagnose and blow up screens on the perimeter.

New Orland Saints

Pick #28: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

The Saints need to help out whoever ends up throwing the ball for the saints. Outside of Mike Thomas (aka slant boy) they don’t have any real threats. I think the saints will choose Elijah Moore over Terrance Marshall. Both of their skillsets would be a welcome addition to the team but Moore’s ability to win inside and outside is an ideal fit for the Saint’s offense. Moore is one of the most explosive players in the draft and should let Sean Payton get more creative than last season.

Green bay Packers

Pick #29: Terrace Marshall Jr, Wr, LSU

GET MY BOY SOME HELP. After last season I don’t see how the Packers don’t draft a Receiver. Yes they could use someone to fill the role next to Jarie Alexander (Who I told everyone in my mock from a few years back would be a top CB) but I think they’ll do the right thing and draft a WR. I think they choose Terrance Marshall out of the prospects left. He offers the big body the Packers coaching staff seems to prioritize and immediately becomes the fastest Wr they have on their roster. He’s got the ability to consistently win the deep posts Jordy Nelson used to hit regularly.

Buffalo Bills

Pick #30: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

The Bills need help at the defensive end position. I think they’ll be in debate between players Jalen Phillips & Joe Tryon. Phillips is the better prospect but does have some concussion history that has made teams weary. Joe Tryon is a massive DE who wins because of the length he’s able to create between himself and offensive lineman. I think the Bills will end up gambling with Phillips since they’re in a “win now” window and Phillips is a more polished, ready to start week 1 player.

Baltimore Ravens

Pick #31: Jalen Mayfield, T, Michigan

The Ravens just lost Orlando Brown which creates a pretty serious gap to fill. They’ll be extremely happy picking up Jalen Mayfield this late. He’s not the biggest mauler of the fastest Tackle in the draft but he’s a very instinctual player who rarely gets beaten and should be ready to step in day one as a starter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick #32: Caleb Farley, CB, VT

The Bucs need some serious help at the CB position. Since the Bucs will basically be fielding the same super bowl winning roster as last year they can take some more risks in the draft. I think the Bucs will end up taking a shot on Caleb Farley, who would have been a top 15 pick if not for some medical flags.

Finally I’ll name my favorite later round picks who i think will be studs in the NFL

1. Joe Tryon DE, Washington
2. Javonte Williams, RB, UNC
3. Jevon Holland S, Oregon
4. Try Sermon, RB, Ohio State

2020 NFL MOCK DRAFT

This marks the 8th year I’ve published a mock draft, so hopefully a bunch of you are familiar with the format. For any newcomers, I don’t bother with predicting trades because they’re just far too unpredictable. Instead of guessing trades, I focus on mocking each team a player I believe makes sense for them to get, either by staying put and drafting them or securing them through a trade.

The descriptions for why I’ve chosen a player for each team comes from researching team needs and watching film from way too many players. I’m obviously not a professional but I try my best to explain why I think each pick makes sense.

Let me know your thoughts!

1. Bengals
Team Needs: QB, G, LB, C

JOE BURROW, QB, LSU

Reason for selection:
Joe Burrow is the pick here, Hiesman winner, best offensive team in college history.

2. Redskins
Team Needs: LT, CB, LB

CHASE YOUNG, DE, OHIO ST.

Reason for selection:
Had Covid19 not fucked everything up and teams were actually able to assess Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury I believe the Redskins would have looked to field calls for a trade parter willing to give up a big haul. (assuming Tua checked out medically). That being said they’ve been in love with chase young from the get-go, let’s not forget that in the middle of the college season Young was the guy people were expecting to be the #1 pick in the draft. He’s incredibly athletic and is very good with his hands which help him at the POA routinely.

3. Lions
Team Needs: CB, OT, G, Edge

ISAIAH SIMMONS, LB, CLEMSON

Reason for selection:
I kept flipping back onf forth with this pick. Okudah makes sense because they lost Slay but I just don’t see Patricia passing on the potential of having a chess piece like Simmons roaming around defensive formations. Simmons is probably the most athletic player in the draft. In college he played virtually every position on D except for DT. It’s easy to see why teams are in love with him. I personally am a bit skeptical on how his versatility translates to the NFL. While he played Safety at times and matched up in the nickel he’ll get absolutely abused by NFL receivers so i don’t think it’s realistic to think he’s going to be the same Swiss army knife he was in college

4. Giants
Team Needs: CB, S, Edge, WR, T

TRISTIAN WIRFS, OT, IOWA

Reason for selection:
Okudah once again makes sense here from a talent perspective. Unfortunately the Giants desperately need to help both Saquon and Jones, Wirfs is the best option at 4. He’s a massive OT who has tremendous athleticism for his size. He Bullied people his entire career at Iowa and will probably end up bullying a lot of people in the NFL as well. He’s an above average pass blocker but truly shines when run blocking. Nate Soldier is on his way out but is still serviceable, the Giants can push Wirfs to RT and eventually move him to LT when Soldier is gone next season.

5. Dolphins
Team Needs: QB, OT, C, RB, S

TUA TAGOVAILOA, QB, BAMA

Reason for selection:
The Dolphins are in a weird position. Before Tua’s injury it was pretty obvious the Dolphins were in love with the idea of him coming down to Miami. The injury to Tua presents a massive risk, it’s not a common football injury and no teams can legally have their doctors get their hands on him to do a proper in house assessment of his medical status. There has been talk that there are a bunch of Justin Herbert fans within the club but i’m a believe that this is just some pre draft smoke screening. The HC has been recorded saying that he’s looking for alpha leaders ( take a look at their Fa signings) and Herbert doesn’t fit that mold. I think they stay put and grab Tua here with the plan of redshirting him in 2020 and letting Fitzpatrick set the team up for him in 2021.

6. Chargers
Team Needs: QB, OT, C

JUSTIN HERBERT, QB, OREGON

Reason for selection:
The chargers are in a position the Rams were before moving to LA. From a business perspective, you can’t come into a new market with a shit team lacking talent, especially at the QB position. This is why I would not be surprised at all to hear them announce the signing of Cam Newton who would be a huge fan attraction. If they don’t sign cam newton I believe they’ll draft Herbert. He’s at the very least presents a beacon of hope for the franchise and provides some excitement for a new fan base to latch on to. Herbert’s physical attributes are off the charts, he’s huge, he’s athletic and might have the strongest arm in the draft. I just can’t get behind him as a potential star in the NFL with his inconsistencies. He routinely misses the mark on simple throws and has a tough time going through his progressions. I will add that his HC is a dingus play callers that didn’t help him out at all.

7. Panthers
Team Needs: S, G, CB, Edge

DERRICK BROWN, DT, AUBURN

Reason for selection:
There’s a very good chance Brown goes at 3 so him slipping this far would be an ideal scenario for the panthers. Brown’s tape reminds me of Aaron Donald’s when he was at Pitt. They’re both stockier than what the standard prototype for DT call for but absolutely abuse offensive lineman with their agility at the line with above average strength. You’ll routinely see Brown get lineman off balance and either blow right past them or put them on skates and drive them 10 yards back into the QB. Brown will play an impactful role in pressuring Brady, Breese, and Ryan 2x each through the season.

8. Cardinals
Team Needs: OT, Gu, CB, LB,Edge

JEFFERY OKUDAH, CB, OHIO ST.

Reason for selection:
Okudah is by all accounts the highest ranked corner in the draft. He has fantastic closing speed and is a willing tackler who routinely breaks up screens in front of him. While I agree that he’s the top QB I’m not completely sold on him being the world beater he’s being made out to be. Ohio State corners have the fortune of switching up between man and zone a lot, you’ll see he’s a much better zone coverage CB than he is man. Okudah was never asked to shadow the opposing WR 1 which in turn limits the amount of tape you can find of him being beat.

9. Jaguars
Team Needs: OT, G, LB, S, CB

JAVON KINLAW, DT, SOUTH CAROLINA

Reason for selection:
Kinlaw is the terminator. Out of all the first round prospects he’s the scariest of the bunch. He’s 6’5″ and spent last season bullying virtually every single player he went against. He has extremely long arms which helps him corral QB’s and RB’s, he still kind of looks like a baby giraffe at times when he’s not bull rushing and trying to use moves on opponents. The jaguars used to have one of the top DL’s only a few short years ago but with the departure of Yannick and Calais this offseason they need to start working to improve this unit.

10. Browns
Team Needs: OT, G, LB, DE

MEKHI BECTON, OT, LOUSIVILLE

Reason for selection:
The browns need to grab some offensive line help for baker and co. They have an absurd amount of talent in their skill positions but hav been lacking talent along the front. Mekhi Becton, form a physical standpoint is your prototypical LT. He’s massive, has great length and move with an athletic ability someone his size should NOT be able to move with. The only thing that i can say about he rarely had to worry about helping form a pocket for his QB’s since they were on the move by design so much.

11. Jets
Team Needs: OT, G, WR

ANDREW THOMAS, OT, GEORGIA

Reason for selection:
The jets have begun to start providing Darnold with some weapons this offseason but he still needs some more help on the offensive front. This is kind of a toss up for me because the team could just as easily prioritize WR and nab Jeudy right here which would make a lot of sense. The reason i’m choosing Thomas here is purely based on the weight of talent between the WR group and the OT group. There are about 10 very good receiver prospect in the class and there are only about 5 very good OT prospects. The jets could grab someone like Laviska Shenault in round 2.

12. Raiders
Team Needs: OT, Guard, QB, WR

JERRY JEUDY, WR, BAMA

Reason for selection:
The raiders need more weaponry in the receiver group. I love Tyrell Williams as WR #2 and Hunter Renfrow is going to be a very good slot receiver for a long time but they don’t have the alpha Wr1 necessary to be dangerous. This is another interesting decision, this time deciding on who to go with in the same position group. Gruden loves polished route runners and Juedy is probably the best route runner coming out of college I’ve ever seen, before this it was Amari Cooper. The thin that makes it difficult for me is that i don’t necessarily think that type of receiver fits Derek Carr’s style of play. By no means am i saying Jeudy wouldn’t be tremendously beneficial to Carr’s success. This is only my opinion but Carr’s passing style leads better to bigger more physical receivers that he can loft balls towards and allow them to win because Carr possesses an elite touch. He doesn’t really have the best fastball x timing mix which is what really allows superb route runners to shine. This is a big reason why i don’t think Cooper worked out with the Raiders. To get to the point I think short term, with Carr at Qb i think CD lamb is the better choice but it’s obvious Gruden isn’t sold on Carr so ultimately they go Jeudy in hopes to pair him with a new QB in this years draft or next year.

13. San Fran
Team Needs: CB, WR

CJ HENDERSON, CB, FLORIDA

Reason for selection:
The 49ers really need another corner to pair with the aging Richard Sherman. CJ Henderson has elite traits, he’s lanky and fast, did a great job shadowing some of the elite receivers in the SEC this past season. While his coverage skills warrant him being a top 10 selection his tackling is absolutely horrible, there’s just zero effort / willingness to make contact. As a prospect he has a very similar dichotomy in skillset, lanky, fast but completely uninterested in tackling.

14. Tampa Bay
Team Needs: S, RB, CB

JEDRICK WILLIS, OT, BAMA

Reason for selection:
The Bucs NEED to keep Brady healthy. While Tom is a master at getting the ball out of his hands early the Bucs should try to beef up the o-line to give him as much time as possible. The reason why they should work to give him more time than he’s needed in the past is for him to take advantage of a radically different group of receivers. In New England Brady’s receivers were built for the short passing game. The Bucs on the other hand are built for the deep and intermediate game so he’s going to need half a second more to let Evans and Godwin push downfield to really take advantage of their skillsets. This is ultimately why i believe they go with Jedrick Willis who helped Tua stack up some of the most ridiculous QB stats college football has ever seen. He’s a terrific pass protector but needs to some work in the running game. Because of Brady i’d imagine the team would prioritize him being more qualified as a pass protector at this point in his career.

15. Broncos
Team Needs: WR, CB,OT

AUSTIN JACKSON, OT, USC

Reason for selection:
In order for Drew Lock to continue playing well and progressing he needs an upgrade at the O-line position desperately. I was pretty impressed with how well Lock was able to play on the move last season since his college tape seemed to indicate he wasn’t a very good while moving. Austin Jackson has a ton of potential and can be molded into a premier LT but he needs some serious coaching to get him out of some crappy habits he’s formed. It’s a bit surprising that technique is such and issue coming out of USC but i think he’s just been one of those player who has been able to dominate with god given talent for so long and emphasis by this coaching on technique wasn’t much of a focus.

16. Falcons
Team Needs: CB, S, DT

KRISTIAN FULTON, CB, LSU

Reason for selection:
The Falcons need help in in the secondary and I think they jump on Kristian Fulton a bit early than people are projecting. Fulton Isn’t really getting the hype he deserves. There are questions surround his speed but when you watch the tape you never really notice speed being an issue. he’s also a guy his team counted on the just lock up the receivers he was covering 1 on 1. Because he locked so many people up he doesn’t have much of a highlight reel, Qb’s just flat out opted to stay away from him in the passing game.

17. Cowboys
Team Needs: Wr, DT, CB, G

K’LAVON CHAISSON, EDGE,LSU

Reason for selection:
The Cowboys saw Robert Quinn enjoy a huge resurgence in his play last season. He was a dynamic pass rusher ( who doesn’t deserve anything close to the contract the Bears gave him). K’lavon Chaisson is a tremendous player, he’s a bit undersized as an edge rusher but his impact in every game was undeniable. He constantly pops off the screen with flash plays and is always around the ball. he’s got a great personality and is looked at as a leader on the team. Had he not missed time in 2018 with a torn ACL there’s a chance he would be a top 5 selection here. This addition would create potentially the most talented defensive line in the league with Poe, McCoy, and Lawrence.

18. Dolphins
Team Needs: QB, OT, C, RB, S

JOSH JONES, OT, HOUSTON

Reason for selection:
The dolphins need virtually everything but after QB offensive line is the biggest weakness. While I think they might be able to wait for Josh Jones by their 3rd pick in the first, they can’t afford to chance it. Josh Jones is another supremely athletic big man but he needs a lot of help in order for him to be counted on at a RT at the next level. While that would typically be a huge turnoff for teams I think the Dolphins are in a unique position to draft a player like this. the 2020 season is going to be a redshirt year for Tua so they can get away with someone who’s going to make a lot of mistakes early on and hope that by the 2021 season he’s elevated his game enough to be Tua’s much needed RT. The thing that i’m interested in is seeing if the Dolphins allow him to play RT for Fitzpatrick or if they ask him to play LT in 2020 and switch him to RT in 2021 ( i hope they don’t).

19. Raiders
Team Needs: OT, G, QB, CB

TREVON DIGGS, CB, DIGGS

Reason for selection:
The Raiders need help in their secondary if they want to stay competitive in a division loaded with WR star power. With their second pick of the first round Mayock chooses to throw a curveball and draft a Diggs, a guy who started his career at Bama playing on both sides of the ball. It wasn’t until 2017 when Diggs went full time on D. He provides the ability to be used in the return game and displays great ball skills for a cornerback. He’s a big dude who like to get physical with the receivers he’s covering and specializes in zone coverage.

20. Jaguars
Team Needs: OT, G, LB, S , CB

KENNETH MURRAY, LB, OKLAHOMA

Reason for selection:
The jaguars have been missing a stud linebacker since Telvin Smith went AWOL. Kenneth Murray is one of my favorite players in the draft. He’s a stud ILB who will be around the ball on every single play. He tore up with the Big 12 each season he played, earning honors each season. One of the main reasons team love this kid is his incredible character and leadership traits. His parents adopt special needs kids and his upbringing included caring for them daily which speaks volumes for the maturity he already posses at this age.

21. Eagles
Team Needs: WR, LB, S, DT

CD Lamb, WR, OKLAHOMA

Reason for selection:
The eagles might be the luckiest team in the draft by having CD lamb fall this far to them. The eagles need a stud receiver and CD Lamb is the perfect fit for their offense. He’s a big body who has above average physicality. He’s not a burner who is going to beat people with straight line speed but he knows how to position himself to consistently find himself open. He has similar contested catch ability as Deandre Hopkins coming out of Clemson. His hands are absolute gloves allowing him to pluck balls out of the air with ease, some of his one handed catches are mesmerizing.

22. VIkings
Team Needs: G, CB, LB, WR

HENRY RUGGS, WR, BAMA

Reason for selection:
The Vikings watched Stephon Diggs leave to Buffalo this offseason and will be looking to fill a huge void he’s left. Adam Theland is a very good receiver but he can’t hold down the entire position group by himself. Henry Ruggs would make the vikings one of the most dynamic offenses. Ruggs can be used all over the field, while his speed is outstanding and the first thing people talk about, his coordination and fluidity is what makes me intrigued. it’s rare to find someone so fast who is able to keep the control necessary in order to routinely secure catches. His game reminds me of Desean Jackson, a of that comes from his ability to track the ball and mix his agility with his speed threat. Most extremely fast guys don’t have his lateral agility and beat defenders purely with their threat of speed that the defenders is scared of. Ruggs is able to keep defenders playing on their heels because they’re scared he’ll smoke them while still being able to set them up with a move that lets him take further advantage of the cushion he’s routinely given.

23. patriots
Team Needs: QB, TE, S, DT, LB

AJ EPENESA, DE, IOWA

Reason for selection:
The Patriots obviously need to secure a QB but I don’t think they’ll go after one in the first round. I think they’ll end up grabbing Jake Fromm in the late second/ early 3rd. Here I believe they’ll go with AJ Epenesa who is being criminally underrated. Epenesa was originally projected to be a top 5 pick before the start of the 2019 college season. He’s another example of people prioritizing average testing stores over stellar game tape. He was a dominant force from his freshman season and figures to transition into the nfl much easier than someone like Gross-Matos.

24. Saints
Team Needs: CB, G, LB, DT

PATRICK QUEEN, LB, LSU

Reason for selection:
The saints have a really strong defensive group but need to find an upgrade at the linebacker position which they’re currently lacking speed in. Patrick Queen is a perfect puzzle piece for this need. Queen was a stand out at LSU. He’s a guy who was consistently beating Chassion and Delpit to the ball. The most impressive part of him as a prospect is his natural linebacker instincts that come along with his impressive psychical abilities. he also falls into the same hole all LSU and Bama linebackers deal with which is the undeniable benefit they in the DL cleaning people up for them and not having to deal with a ton of lineman getting chance to get their hand on them early. Some people might be turned off that he’s only had one yer of starting experience but Dion Jones has proven it doesn’t matter.

25. Vikings
Team Needs: G, CB, LB, WR

AJ TERRELL, CB, CLEMSON

Reason for selection:
The Vikings need to fill the void that was created with the loss of Xavier Rhodes. AJ Terrell would be a great option here. Right off the bat I think a lot of fans will point out that he was the guy getting beat fairly consistently in the national championship which serves as a bad look for a first round pick. What people need to understand is that AJ Terrell is asked to do what very few corners are asked to to in college, shadow the other team’s best WR without any extra help. if you would have put any corner in this draft class in that role the EXACT same thing would have happened to them. he played against the Heisman winner commanding the best offensive team college football has ever seen.

26. Dolphins
Team Needs: QB, OT, C, RB, S

ANTOINE WINFIELD JR., SAFETY, MINNESSOTA

Reason for selection:
The Dolphins parted way with long term safety Reshad Jones this offseason which leaves them with an extremely thin safety group. Bobby Mccain and Eric Rowe are not viable starters. Antoine Winfield is a terrific prospect has elite quickness and speed to go along with fantastic instincts. The one nagging issues he has is his injury history, it doesn’t look great when someone his size struggled to stay on the field in college and will lead to a lot of people wondering if his body can handle the next level.

27. Seahawks
Team Needs: G, OT, CB, DT, DE

ISIAH WILSON, T, GEORGIA

Reason for selection:
Please please please get Russ some more protection. Isiah Wilson would be a big help to the success of running and passing game for the Seahawks. He’s only started for two seasons and you could tell he was getting better each week. If he had one more season under his belt id bet he’d be selected in the top 15.

28. Ravens
Team Needs: WR, Edge, G, NT, ILb

JUSTIN JEFFERSON, WR, LSU

Reason for selection:
The Ravens need to give Lamar Jackson some more help downfield, specifically in the middle of the field. Hollywood brown is a great addition to stretch the defense and Justin Jefferson would be a fantastic compliment to expose the room Brown provides. No one on their team has the lateral agility and speed that Jefferson offers. he would be a fantastic piece, filling a chain-moving role for the Ravens.

29. Titans
Team Needs: Edge, Corner, DT, Guard

ZACH BAUN, LB, WISCONSIN

Reason for selection:
The Titans need another edge rusher to help out Landry. Zach Baun is the type of player that Mike Vrabel looks for. He’s a super versatile player that can rush from multiple positions. He can be moved around like a Kyle Van Noy and will hold his own dropping back into coverage.

30. Packers
Team Needs: WR, DT, LB, Guard

JALEN REAGOR, WR, TCU

Reason for selection:
The Packers need to give Rodgers more weapons. We’ve seen how poor the depth is behind Davante Adams. Pairing Adams up with Reagor would be amazing. Had Reagor played with a more competent QB there is no doubt in my mind he would have been up there in consideration with Lamb, Jeudy, and Ruggs. He is dangerous from anywhere on the field. He’s much faster than his initial combine tests showed.

31. San Fran
Team Needs: CB, WR

TEE HIGGINS, WR, CLEMSON

Reason for selection:
Higgins reminds me of Deandre Hopkins so much which is probably unfair but they display a lot of the same traits. They’re both big bodied and don’t necessarily win with speed. Higgins wins at POA and routinely bullies the ball away from smaller corners. He opted to not run the 40 probably knowing he wasn’t going to run better than a high 4.5. Luckily for him i think teams are catching on more and more to 40 not being the end all be all for these new style of receivers.

32. Chiefs
Team Needs: LB, DT, CB, RB, Edge

DEANDRE SWIFT, RB, GEORGIA

Reason for selection:
The Chiefs go BPA here instead of immediate need. While Damien Williams did a phenomenal job this season, especially in the post season ( he should have won SB MVP) Deandre Swift would be such a fun addition to this dynamic offense. He’s a 3 down back who has tremendous hands and the best wiggle in this draft. His ability to cut on a dime has defenders looks foolish every game, it’s reminiscent of Shady Mccoy. He’s definitely quicker than he is fast and had the fortune of running behind a dominant offensive line. Something that can’t be understated was that as a freshman he carved out playing time behind Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.

Finally, undervalued players who I believe will be steals

FSU RB Cam Akers

LSU RB Clyde Edwards Helaire

Oregon LB Troy Dye

Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson

Kentucky ATH Lynn Bowden

Miss St CB Cameron Dantzler

South Illinois S Jeremy Chinn

NFL MOCK DRAFT 2019

Welcome back all.


So last year my mock was probably the worst one i’ve ever made. This year i’m a bit more confident. I do think there will a be wayyy more trades than the one i’ve called out in this draft, too many teams have too many first round selections for there not to be some crazy jumps into the top 10. While the order might be off i’m fairly confident in the talent I have going to the teams i have selecting them.

My sleepers in this draft are –
WR-Hakeem Butler
RB-Devin Singletary
RB-Myles Gaskin
TE-Cj Conrad
LB- David Long
EDGE- Chase Winovich

PICK #1

CARDS SELECT KYLER MURRAY

QB-Oklahoma

• 

  I’ll start by saying I completely understand why the Cardinals want to draft Kyler Murray. Kliff Kingsbury is in town to shake things up. He has a long history with Kyler, trying to recruit him to Texas Tech and then last college season, before he was AZ’s HC telling reports that Kyler was so special if he had the number 1 pick in the NFL draft he’d take Kyler. His offense historically has utilized a more mobile QB than Rosen and Kyler is perhaps the most gifted QB i’ve ever seen between his ability to run and pass. That being said I think Rosen can be a very good quarterback. Rosen was behind one of the most awful offensive lines i’ve ever seen, i think they went through something like 30 linemen through the course of the season. His supporting cast, specifically his coaching staff was complete garbage. Whoever grabs Josh will be happy. Back to the pick.
  
  The Cards go Kyler.

• 

PICK #2

NINERS SELECT NICK BOSA

DE- Ohio State

• 

  
  The Niners are in a great position with a new head coach and QB who should establish the Niners as a force in the NFC West for a long time. The team definitely needs some help on the edge getting after the QB. I think what will determine their choice will be whether or not the Cardinals take Kyler. Suppose this pick is traded and Cardinals stick with Rosen, in this case i’d lean towards them picking Bosa. IF the Cardinals pick Kyler I think the choose Josh Allen, someone a bit more athletic to hopefully play a big role in game planning against both Kyler and Wilson. So since i have AZ picking Kyler i’m going to pick Bosa to San Fran.

• 

PICK #3

JETS SELECT JOSH ALLEN

EDGE- Kentucky

• 

  P
  The Jets are in an interesting position. While Quinn Williams is very tempting here i think he falls a bit. Greg Williams loves to bring pressure all day long and their recent addition of Mosley will help his cause. I think the Jets End up trying to trade back and pick up additional picks. the jets end up taking Josh Allen. They made a really strong attempt to get Anthony Barr over the off season so it makes sense to take Josh Allen here. He’s a more fluid player than Barr is and will be coming at a fraction of the price that Barr signed for. The one thing that really worries me about Josh Allen is his lack of rushing moves, He literally only has a one hesitation rip move he uses on a speed rush. It worked consistently in college but he’s going to need to build out counter moves to succeed at the next level.

• 

PICK #4

RAIDERS SELECT QUINNEN WILLIAMS

DT- Bama

• 

  
  
  I think Mayock is stuck between two guys at this pick. Ed Oliver and Quinnen Williams. Both are phenomenal prospects. Williams is your prototype for DT, He’s huge, productive and doesn’t have any red flags. In my Opinion Quinnen is the most elite player in the entire draft. Ed Oliver was insanely productive, he’s fast but undersized ( some teams were working him out a linebacker). Ed Oliver is intriguing though, seeing the success that an undersized guy like Aaron Donald definitely has people reevaluating how important height is at DT. Ultimately i think they’ll go Quinnen Williams here.

• 

PICK #5

BUCS SELECT RASHAN GARY

DE-Michigan

• 

  
  
  The bucs have a bunch of hole to fill across the the team. I’ve heard that Arians is a fan of Jameis so i’m going to assume they’re not interested in a QB R1. I think Arians looks to secure an outside pss rusher to fit on the line with Mccoy so at pick 5 they pick Rashan Gary from Michigan. Gary is a massive kid who has a ton of potential but he’s been knocked for taking plays off here and there. This has been the case for most guys in his position in college, it’s something Arians won’t let happen in the league.

• 

PICK #6

GIANTS SELECT DANIEL JONES

QB- Duke

• 

  
  
  The connections for Daniel Jones to head to the Giants makes too much sense. The only player on the Board that i think they’ll opt to go with over him is Ed Oliver. I’ve see a lot of reports talking about how the Giants would prefer to pick a blue chip player here and then get Daniel jones with the 17th pick but that’s too risky if they actually want this guy. The opportunity cost of taking someone else here and missing Jones with the 17th isn’t worth it. There are a few teams between 7-16 who could absolutely decide to go with Jones. The Giants missed on a franchise QB last year and I think they recognize how beneficial getting someone this year and allowing them to sit behind Eli can be.

• 

PICK #7

JAGS SELECT ED OLIVER

DT- Houston

• 

  
  
  Somehow the the Jaguars get away with having Ed Oliver fall into their laps. The Jags interior D line was pretty bad last year so this would be a huge addition for them. Oliver is insanely athletic but was used on a lot of slant assignments where he could just beat slower lineman with speed moves to shoot gaps. I’ll be interested in seeing how he holds up with NFL lineman who can get to their assignments quicker.
  

• 

PICK #8

LIONS SELECT MONTEZ SWEAT

EDGE-Miss State

• 

  
  I want to pick Metcalf Here soo bad but I think this is where we see perhaps the biggest freak in the draft Montez Sweat go. He’ll be teamed up with Trey flowers and help to start applying some serious pressure to a division with 3 above average QB’s they’ll be squaring off against 6x. Sweat was already a solid prospect but his insane combine brought him into the limelight. his numbers were something you’d expect to see out of a first round WR, not DE.

• 

PICK #9

BILLS SELECT JAWAAN TAYLOR

OT-Florida

• 

  he bills take Jawaan Taylor to help give Josh Allen over .3 seconds to throw the ball this year. Taylor was dominant all season long and posses the skills to be a dominant run blocker and very good pass protector. I think he’ll end up being the first OT selected because a team can test him out at LT and in the event that he doesn’t work out at LT he should be an above average RT.
  

• 

PICK #10

PACK SELECT DEVIN WHITE

LB- LSU

• 

  P
  Broncos – trade to the packers
  I know Elway loves Lock but his QB room is just so stupid right now I don’t get what’s going on. Case Keenum is still making wayyy too much money, Joe Flacco is completely washed at this point, where does Lock fit in? If they don’t go out and get Lock i think the’ll trade this pick to a team worried about the Bengals taking Lock or Haskins. The other thing they need to consider is who the hell will be blocking for whoever thy decided to put under center. i think they end up trading this pick with the Packers.
  
  The packers move up to select Devin white. The Pack haven’t had an elite alpha dog linebacker controlling the D in a long time and Devin white would immeditaly step in and be an upgrade on their D.

• 

PICK #11

BENGALS SELECT DWAYNE HASKINS

QB- Ohio State

• 

  
  The Bengals finally make the decision to move on from Andrew Dalton. There’s been a lot of debate around whether or not Haskins is worthy of going this early but I think this marriage just makes too much sense. Haskins is still pretty raw but this is a risk the Bengals need to take. They’re watching the rest of their division transition and reload talent. Since they’re not in a position to take the division next year with the talent they currently have they should make the move at QB. I really think Haskins should start the season on the bench. While Dalton isn’t an elite QB he’s a cerebral QB who can impart some starting QB wisdom to Haskins. He’s a a biug pocket passer who is decent at working around the tackle box, once he’s out of the pocket his accuracy falls off of a cliff. I think his comparison is like a less mobile big Ben.

• 

PICK #12

BRONCOS SELECT CODY FORD

OT-Oklahoma

• 

  The Broncos are back on the clock and are happy with the way things have shaken out. They were hoping Cody ford would slide to them and that exactly what happens. The team is in desperate need of a Tackle and Cody Ford can immediately step in and start for this team. Ford still has a lot to learn, he doesn’t come into the NFL with a ton of college experience but his physical traits are elite. In the absolute worst case scenario here, where Ford doesn’t work out at tackle he should be an above average guard, another position the Broncos need help at.

• 

PICK #13

DOLPHINS SELECT JEFFERY SIMMONS

DT- Miss State

• 

  
  The dolphins have too many (blow)holes to fill that it’s simply not possible for them to put together a meaningful season this year. From all of the offseason moves it does seem like Stephen Ross has committed to truly starting over. I think the dolphins will hope someone want’s to hop up and trade with them so they can move back but if they stay it will be to select Jeffery Simmons. They know they wont be winning next season so their’s no need to rush him back from his injury. A consensus top 10 player before the injury, he would be a really nice pick up here considering the circumstance of the team. During his time rehabbing the coaching staff can help round out his game too his gap penetration is already at a high level but his ability to cover two gaps is a weakness that needs to be addressed.

• 

PICK #14

FALCONS SELECT CHRISTIAN WILKINS

DT- Clemson

• 

  
  The Falcons absolutely have to do something on their D line. It’s been shameful how bad the interior line has performed over the past 4 seasons. I think the try and land Christian Wilkins here/ He’s an absolute tank of a man and can demand double teams to help ease the load of his fellow D linemen . He’s great against the run and at 23 years old is coming in a more mature man that most of his fellow draftees. He was a team captain for 2 years at Clemson and was a huge reason for the Tigers beating Bama in the national championship.

• 

PICK #15

SKINS SELECT DREW LOCK

QB-Missouri

• 

  
  The Skins stay put and Drew lock falls into their lap. They obviously need someone at QB with Alex Smith’s career being uncertain (we should all just admit he’s donezo). I ‘ve liked lock since his freshman year at Mizzou and still do but there are some really troubling parts to his game. 1. His footwork gets very messy at times and he seems to throw with nothing but his upper body more than he should. His pocket awareness is going to need a lot of work. I will say this is something that could be because his offensive line was routinely letting people knife through their protections. He’s so hit or miss on pressures, sometimes he can buy an extra second make make perfect strike down the filed while other times he’ll shot put a ball off his back foot into a crowd of people. One observation i have to make is that this guy would have had another 1000 yards and like 5 touchdowns if his receivers could catch. I couldn’t believe how many times per game his starting receivers were dropping perfectly placed balls.

• 

PICK #16

PANTHERS SELECT JONAH WILLIAMS

OT/G-Bama

• 

  
  The panthers have to leave this first round with a pass rusher, O-line help or a corner. I think the decision comes down to either Brian Burns or Jonah Williams. i believe they’ll end up going with Williams. They need to beef up their O line to keep Cam as healthy as possible. Scouts have been raving about Williams and they think he could play any position on the O line. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him picked up by Denver earlier in this round. Carolina has offensive weapons to use and having a more secure o line is only going to make them all more dangerous by allowing Cam more time to survey the field.
  

• 

PICK #17

GIANTS SELECT BRIAN BURNS

EDGE- Florida State

• 

  Pick 17
  Giants
  
  The Giants got the QB they wanted and now have to take a look at their highest rated defensive player that’s still on the board. I think they’ll end up going with a defensive pas rusher since they’re severely lacking a stud on the edge. I think they’ll end up drafting Brian Burns. He’s a tall speedy pass rusher who impressed scouts with his athleticism. He doesn’t take plays off and can track down QB’s out of the pocket in the blink of an eye. What concerns me is the amount of times he isn’t able to disengage with a larger tackle who gets both of their hands on him. I think once an NFL team has bulked him up another 20-30 pounds he has potential to be special.

• 

PICK #18

VIKINGS SELECT TJ HOCKENSON

TE- Iowa

• 

  Pick 18
  Vikings
  The Vikings would like to have one of the top 3 O linemen still on the board but the next two men up in Greg Little and Andre Dillards aren’t great value here. Instead the go with a player that they hadn’t expected to still be on the board in the TJ Hockenson from Iowa. Hockenson is a phenomenal TE prospect, he’s equally as good at blocking as he is receiving. Dual threat TE’s have been the focal points of some of the best offenses in the NFL ( i.e. New England, Philly, Kansas city, Indianapolis just to name a few). Additionally Kirk enjoyed connecting with oft-injured TE in Washington.

• 

PICK #19

TITANS SELECT CLELINE FERRELL

DE – Clemson

• 

  
  The Titans desperately need to protect their fragile QB or the team is doomed to see Ryan Tannehill step in and do well enough for the team to consider giving Tannehill an extension because they see his potential. Since there aren’t really any stud O linemen left i think the they’d like to trade back. So I have them selecting Cleline Ferrell from Clemson. They Signed Cam wake to apply outside pressure but Wake is more of a situational pass rusher now that he’s in the later stages of his career. Providing someone who can spell wake and learn from him seems to be a smart plan.

• 

PICK #20

STEELERS SELECT DEVIN BUSH

LB- Michigan

• 

  
  
  This one is a no brainer. if Devin Bush is still on the board the steelers will be running up to make this selection. The Steelers LB play has been pretty awful since Shazier went down. Devin Bush is one of my favorite player in the draft and a guy that Tomlin would like. He’s a hard nosed football player without a boisterous ego. Devin bush is extremely quick and can keep up with opposed tight ends/ slot guys. Finding 3 down linebackers seems to be a rarity now which is why this needs to be the pick.

• 

PICK #21

SEATTLE SELECTS NOAH FANT

TE-Iowa

• 

  
  
  The Seahawks only have 4 picks in this draft and i’m expecting them to trade back as they usually do. If they do stay put i believe they’ll end up selecting Noah Fant from Iowa. Wilson doesn’t currently have a weapon at TE and Fant would a be a tremendous option for him. Fant is a big body who is more of a receiver but can hold his own blocking. He’d present the mismatch that ever OC is looking for from a receiving tight end. I do think there’s also an outside chance that they Select DK Metcalf here.
  

• 

PICK #22

RAVENS SELECT AJ BROWN

WR- Ole Miss

• 

  
  
  I think Josh Jacobs could end up going here. At 22 the Ravens will end up going with AJ Brown. The Ravens are depleted at the position and AJ brown is a perfect Receiver for Lamar Jackson. I think the Ravens opt to go with a big body possession guy like AJ brown over a Hollywood Brown. AJ Brown reminds me of a not as tough, but faster version of Jarvis Landry. He’s a dependable guy that can fill the role of Michael Crabtree. Since the offense will be running a lot of shorter routes to accomodate for Lamar Jackson’s inaccuracy this pick makes a ton of sense.
  

• 

PICK #23

TEXANS SELECT ANRE DILLARD

OT-Washington State

• 

  
  
  The Texans have to help out Deshaun Watson. I think the end up going with Andre Dillard here. I think this is a nice fit for Dillard who is a much better Pass protector than he is run blocker. The Texans are really at their best in the spread, not when they’re pounding bum Lamar Miller in-between the tackles.
  

• 

PICK #24

RAIDERS SELECT JONATHAN ABRAM

Safety- Miss State

• 

  
  Mayock and Gruden need to figure out how get their D back in order. Here i see them taking Jonathan Abram. Abraham is the most well rounded defensive back in the draft and can help lead the turnaround for the raiders defense. Pairing him with Karl Joseph could make fora nice safety tandem. Abram is able to cover a lot ground at safety and should provide a ball hawking skillset that hasn’t existed in the Raiders defensive backfield since Charles Woodson left.

• 

PICK #25

EAGLES SELECT ERIK MCCOY

G-Texas A&M

• 

  
  The Eagles need to shore up the middle of their O line. Here I think they end up selecting Erik McCoy who I think might be just as good as Bradburry who went 10 selections earlier. McCoy is a really well-balanced athlete who excels in run blocking but will need to improve his pass protection. While he still needs to improve his hand placement in pass pro, he does anchor just as well as anyone in the draft. I believe the Eagles will end up grabbing a RB in r2 to remodel their running game.

• 

PICK #26

COLTS SELECT DK METCALF

WR- OLE MISS

• 

  
  
  Andrew Luck NEEDS some help! Devin Funchess isn’t going to cut it. Here the colts have to make up their mind between Hollywood Brown and DK Metcalf. Metcalf put on a show in Indy this year at the draft and I think the Colts intend to keep him in Indy a bit longer. DK didn’t really have a productive career considering how talented he is so a lot of questions have been raised around why. In my opinion it’s more about what his coaches asked him to do. He only ran about 3 routes his entire time in college, mostly deep routes as the team relied on AJ Brown for the shorter and intermediate routes.

• 

PICK #27

RAIDERS SELECT JOSH JACOBS

RB- Bama

• 

  
  Up again, the Raiders look to find a replacement for Marshawn. Josh Jacobs is a back that everyone is really high on for some good reasons. He’s big, fast and doesn’t have too much wear and tear. That’s all well and good but the production isn’t there for me. He disappeared in some bigger games and his lack of consistent production behind Bama’s o-line is weird as shit to me (this dude didn’t rush for over 100 yards one time in 2018!).

• 

PICK #28

CHARGERS SELECT GARETT BRADBURY

G/G-NC State

• 

  
  The chargers have done really well in the past couple drafts, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The team is still in position to win a super bowl but in order to do that they need to protect ole Phil a bit better. Here they select Garret Bradbury, a superb interior O lineman who can be utilized at either center or guard. Since Mike Pouncey can never stay healthy this would be a really great pick-up here. While Pouncey is healthy this would really help solidify their offensive line.

• 

PICK #29

SEAHAWKS SELECT BYRON MURPHY

CB-Washington

• 

  29
  Seahawks
  
  I think the end up landing on the home town Kid Byron Murphy. Murphy has risen to be the top ranked CB on most analyst boards. He’s a fundamentally sound corner who is a bit shorter and slower than most people would like to see in a 1st round corner.

• 

PICK #30

PACK SELECT DARNELL SAVAGE

S-Maryland

• 

  
  The Packers have their second pick and opt to go with Darnell Savage to help fill the hole at safety left by HaHa. Savage is probably the biggest ball hawk in this draft and has been gaining a lot of interest late in the draft process. Savage has impressed teams during his team meetings. He was a captain during his time at Maryland and has the type of personality that Green Bay looks for in its players. He’s one of my favorite defensive prospects in this years draft.
  

• 

PICK #31

RAMS SELECT GERMAINE PRATT

LB- NC State

• 

  31
  Rams
  
  The Rams are in desperate need of an upgrade at the Linebacker position and here they take another one of my favorite players in the draft, Germaine Pratt. Pratt was a force for a strong NC State defense this past season. He’s a really athletic LB, He got recruited to college as a safety where they decided to bulk him up and move him to LB. This fills a big need but also makes sense in drafting an ultra athletic guy who could potentially spy on Rus Wilson and Kyler Murray.

• 

PICK #32

PATS SELECT DEEBO SAMUEL

WR-South Carolina

• 

  
  The Pats really need some help at receiver and luckily there are a few really good prospects left on the board. One one hand i like the idea of them replacing the size they’re missing with Gordon and Gronk with Hakeem Butler. Hollywood Brown is still on the board which would also be a really nice option here but I don’t think he’s the style of receiver the offense needs. I personally think the be WR fit would be Deebo Samuel who has been criminally underrated this whole draft process. I’m going to say they land on Deebo Samuel.
  
  (disclaimer I think this could be the year Pats trade up and make a play for Hockenson)

• 

2017 NFL Mock Draft

I’d Like to preface this mock, I think this draft is going to have a historic amount of trades in it so it will likely throw off everything below.

#1

With the first overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the Browns will be selecting Myles Garrett. He’s arguably the best DE to come out college in a few decades. Hes freakishly athletic standing at 6’4″ with 35.5″ arms. At 272 he clocked a 4.6 40 which which isn’t as bad time for a WR. Sure the Browns desperately need a QB but none of them are worth taking here and they have the opportunity to grab someone who could be a pro bowler for the next decade.

#2

The 49ers have a lot of work to do offensively and defensively in this draft. Like the Browns they need to find their franchise QB but again this is a bit too early to skip on blue chip players. This is a tough spot, Solomon Thomas seems like a smart pick but San Fran has used its last two first round picks on DTs.

#3

The bears have an interesting team currently. they’re heavily invested in players who aren’t exactly proven. The obvious one being Mike Glennon, I think he deserved a shot to be a starter in the league and I’m excited to see how he does. That being said he’s going to be behind a horrible offensive line that can’t ever stay healthy.   He’s not the most mobile of QBs so I’m a bit worried about him getting the time he needs.  Kevin white, Jordan Howard and Kyle Fuller are a few other players who really need to step up for this team to succeed. The bears could really use a LT here but there aren’t any worth taking this high in the draft. Here they get a guy who can step up and create turnovers  from the secondary. It’s a toss-up between Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker, I don’t think you can go wrong with either. That being said I think Chicago would rather go with Hooker who is more of a traditional FS ball hawk vs Jamal Adams who is capable of playing FS but is better suited at SS.

#4

The Jags are still trying to make this team sexier and the addition of the best RB prospect to come out of college since AP will help this cause. Sure they could stand to use another safety or D lineman but Fournette is too good to pass up on. Blake Bortles sucks so this will make him suck less since teams will need to stack the box in order for contain LF. I’d assume the jags would also try to trade away Chris ivory although no team want’s to take on his gross contract. Fournette has the ability to step in day one and help this enemic offense. He’s a fantastic RB however he wont won’t be afforded the luxury of running behind a dominant offensive line that creted huge lanes for him regularly in college.

#5

The Titans are in a great position in this draft. They’ve got a very young team poised to make a big leap this year and contend for their division title. There’s no doubt they need help at WR and could potentially go with Mike Williams but I think it’s a little early for him talent wise. I think they pair their new free agent Cyprien with Jamal Adams here. They could opt for a CB however the class is loaded at this position so they can pick a few up in the later rounds. Jamal Adams is a blue chip player who would help this team tremendously.

#6

The Jets need a lot of help and I think they’ll be looking to move out of this spot to pick up more picks.  There’s no way i’m predicting trades so let’s just say they stay here for the sake of my time. I’ve seen both Fournette and Howard slated to go to the jets in other mocks and I think both of them would make sense. Working with a young quarterback both of them provide a blanket of sorts, Fournette takes pressure off of the QB by teams having to play closer to the box in turn opening up the passing lanes. With OJ howard he almost serves as an extra O lineman because he’s such a phenomenal blocker and is a huge athletic target a young QB can rely on. I think they take OJ Howard here. If Fournette falls here he could absolutely be the pick but i doubt that happens. Walterfootball.com reported that the Browns and Jets have been in discussion about swapping 1st rounders so the Browns could grab Trubinsky which would make a ton  of sense for both teams.

#7

The desperately need to help out their aging QB with help on the Oline so I think Forrest Lamp will be in consideration however he’d be a stretch this early. The team needs a safety but the top two prospects have been taken.  They still need another OLB  across from their franchised star Ingram. here i think they take Taco Charleton who is an absolute freak athletically and can play either DE or as an OLB in a 3-4 D. personally I don’t particularly like his game but his measurables are too enticing for teams to pass up on.

#8

The Panthers secondary was atrocious last season and Marlon Humphrey would be a great addition here. He’s a big corner who can try to match up against the huge Wrs in his division ( Julio & Mike Evans). Getting some quality cover guys is absolutely essential to winning in the NFC south considering how much the ball is tossed around each game. I’m not a big fan of his personally but a bunch of scouts seem to really like him so I could see him going in the top 10.

#9

The Bengals are a good team who had to deal with a bunch of injuries and players not performing the way they’re capable of playing.  I know it would make a lot of sense for them to take Ruben Foster here on paper. That being said I don’t thing Brufict and Him are a good tandem. I don’t really care that much about him flipping out on a nurse, sure it was stupid but he’s young and he was clearly frustrated that he was in a hospital rather than showing off at the combine. The problem I foresee is Tez not being the leader and Foster stepping in and trying to become that leader.  Both linebackers are very instinctual however they’re slow to learn concepts. at 9 I see them taking John Ross. They get their very own Antonio Brown to pair with AJ Green.  I’m not saying Ross is as good as Brown (he’s not) just that they have a very similar style of play.  When Green went down last season this team was anemic so pairing him with another play maker would be wise.

#10

The Bills clearly don’t see T-mobile as their franchise QB and they’re the first to grab a QB.  The browns are looking for a new face to lead a team capable of making the playoffs. Trubisky will inevitably be drafted higher than he should and could be drafted higher than this he should. He’s the type of QB that absolutely needs a year or two to sit behind someone and develop but chances are he’ll get forced into action too early.

#11

The Saints desperately need help on defense and Ruben Foster would be a tremendous help to the department. He’s a team leader and absolute thumper who excels in run support and is capable in coverage . IMO Foster has chance to be one of the players that will become one of the top 2 players out of this draft. There are rumors flying around about his character stemming from an incident where he big leagued some hosptial employees with a ” do you know who i am line” while he was in the waiting room while the NFL scouting combine was going on. I really don’t care about something like this, it was a huge day for him and he knew how important the combine was. Additionally, If there’s any position where you shouldn’t mind having a hothead at it’s gotta be some ferocious MLB right?

#12

The Browns wanted Trubinsky to drop this far and it almost happened. Instead they take Deshaun Watson. Watson bring something to the Bears that they haven’t had in a long time at the QB position, someone with a history of winning big games. While there are questions about Watson’s arm strength and turnover margin you can’t deny his ability to come up big in big games. Turnovers should always be taken into account when looking at a QB prospect however  there was a similar fear with Jamies Winston , the two prospect are  very similar IMO.

#13

The Cardinals would have loved for Ruben Foster to drop but it didn’t happen so they decide to go with Marshon Lattimore to lock down the opposite side of the field from Pat Pete. Lattimore is an extremely impressive cornerback who could potentially go much higher than this so the cardinals aren’t too bummed about not getting Foster.  Lattimore posses the size and ball skills to compete against any starting WR in the NFC West and seeing that he’ll be playing against team’s #2’s this should be a big boost for the Cardinals defense as a whole.

#14

The Eagles have done a good job steadily improving both sides of the ball the past few seasons after Chip Kelly’s good player nuke went off.  Christian Mcaffery is a perfect fit for this offense and I can’t see the Eagles passing him up here. It will either be him or Dalvin Cook taken to help take some of the load off of Wentz’s shoulders. Mcaffery posses everything you’d like out of a back in today’s game besides the proven ability to pound the rock up the middle.  I do think it’s something he’ll be able to get the hang of but his versatility in being able to play all over the field presents nightmares for opposing D coordinators.

#15

The Colts are fucking PISSED the saints just took Foster and I think there’s a very real chance the Colts decide to trade up for him. Since I’m not putting trades in this mock I’m going to say they select Cam Robinson to help Luck stay healthy through a full season. Robinson would fill a huge void at right tackle. If things don’t workout at tackle he can get moved to guard which is almost just as big of a need for the team so this is a pretty safe pick. Secondarily I could see the team going with Dalvin Cook to bring some life to their ground game which was virtually a non factor last season,

#16

The Ravens haven an aging defense and could stand to use help in both the DL as well as LB corps. I think they’d be thrilled to see Derek Barnett still on the board at 16. Barnett is the all time sack leader in Tennessee school history. He’s not an athletic freak in terms of his size or strength however he’s able to make up for this with his savyness. He’s a player that you can genuinely tell loves the game and puts his all into every game. Strength coaches in Baltimore will be able to pack some more muscle onto him and I see him becoming a very good NFL player.

#17

Some recent quotes from head coach Jay Gruden would lead us to believe they’re going to invest their first round pick in a skill player.  However I think this prospect of Jonathan Allen dropping this far changes their mind and they end up selecting a DE who absolutely dominated teams in college but has some nagging injury concerns. As a team who is in competition with the cowboys for the NFC East crown Allen would be a huge help in breaking through game controlling Cowboys offensive line.

#18

The Titans find themselves in a perfect scenario where they’ve got the option of choosing between two of the top wrs in the draft. If Tennessee had their choice I think they’d opt for both Corey Davis or Mike Williams over John Ross. I personally think Davis is the best Wr in the draft but see the Titans going with the big bodied Wr from Clemson in Mike Williams. While Mike Williams doesn’t provide the field stretching abilities of a John Ross he’s a huge target for Mariota to rely on. The Titans seem to fancy these bigger build WRs so he’ll fit the team prototype.

#19

This is an easy decision for two reasons. One, Dalvin Cook is a great option and need for the team. Two, Jameis will be banging on the table for them to draft Cook. Cook is a multipurpose threat who tore up teams in college through the air and on the ground. The bucs can’t rely on the muscle hamster anymore and even though Charles Simms is a good receiving back he’s not an every down back. having a weapon like Cook on the field every down will really open up this offense.

#20

The Broncos still have one of the top defenses in the league and have plenty of skill players on offense but are lacking majorly at QB and the O-line. Apparently Trevor Simmean is the front runner for the starting job at QB which just really sucks for Denver fans. Simmean isn’t a bad player, he shocked everyone by how well he played last season. That being said he only shocked everyone because everyone though he was going to be awful. The Broncos would be wise to try to give Paxton Lynch every opportunity to take the starting job. All that being said it won’t matter if the Broncos don’t help out who ever ends up starting by addressing the deplorable O line situation they have (2017 most sacks allowed in the NFL). I see them taking Garett Bolles  from Utah here to alleviate some of that pressure.  Bolles is an elite athlete who only had one year of FBS experience. In that one year he displayed all of the makings of a solid NFL tackle. He’s got the most upside for any of the top tackles in the draft but he’s also very raw so there’s bust potential here.

#21

The Lions did a nice job in free agency addressing some needs on their defense.  The position here they’ll be looking to fill is linebacker. I think this will be a toss up between Watt , Cunningham and Davis,  ultimately i think they go with Jarrad Davis out of Florida. He’s terrific against the run and solid in protection. Davis is a little bit stiff for my liking and has a an injury history which you never like to see out of any position especially a linebacker.

#22

The Dolphins need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball and could also stand to use help on the interior offensive line.  The picks here will be between Charles Harris, Forrest Lamp and Hasson Reddick. If Reddick slips this far I believe he will be the choice. Reddick flew up people’s draft boards after having a terrific showing at the senior bowl. He’s a very raw prospect who’s an exceptional pass rusher and athletic enough to be effective in coverage. He actually walked onto Temple as a DB and is now coming out of college as a potential first round pick at LB.

#23

The Giants could go a lot of ways with this pick. I’ve seen a lot of people slating Njoku to them but I don’t think the Giants can afford to take him right now. He’s one of the most raw talents who will be selected early. He sucks in pass coverage which Eli needs help in which is one of the main reasons I don’t see them taking him. I believe they’ll  grab Zach Cunningham from Vandy. Cunningham has been an absolute stud for Vandy and lead the SEC in tackles last season. He’s always around the ball and has great instincts. My only concern with Cunningham is that he’s not as much of a thumper as he is a grab and drop style tackler. I think this could pose some problems at the next level. ( style reminds me very much of Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame from a year ago)

#24

The Raiders have to be one of the coolest teams in the league. They’ve developed a fantastic young team into being a superbowl competitor. It sucks that the two of the linebackers they were looking to grab ended up going two picks ahead of them. The next best thing to do is address the interior line. Here they select Caleb brantly, a super disruptive DT out of Florida. He’s one of the main reasons for Florida’s spectacular defensive play in 2016. Apparently he didn’t really interview well and the Radiers love that about him.

#25

A lot of teams have the Texans taking  Pat Mahomes in the first round and multiple marquee analysts have said there is no way he makes it out of the first round. I think this is about just as big of a crap shoot as taking Paxton lynch where the Broncos took him in last year’s draft.  Mahomes is soooooo raw,  sure he’s got great athleticism but he needs a lot of work before he’s going to be a solid starter. I don’t think  Bill O’brian will want to chance his job on a QB who won’t be good for a few years. I think they choose Deshone Kaizer over Mahomes here.  While Kaizer is unrefined  as well he’s nowhere near as raw as Mahomes.  Kaizer has a terrific arm and is a very bright kid, He’s got a lot of work to do but he’s someone  I believe you can get away with playing year one as long as you ask him to fill a Dak Prescott type of role. For the record I personally think Kaizer wont be a very good NFL QB but his physical traits are too impressive to pass up for some teams. 

#26

Seattle needs to figure out a way to help out Russell Wilson. It’s not realistic to expect your QB to thrive in a system where he is constantly improvising due to his lack of protection. The Seahawks usually do a great job of getting a bunch of scrubs to gel and make the most out of limited talent. This year however they really need to make a concerted effort to draft some talent on the offensive line. Here they go with Forrest Lamp T out of Washington State. Lamp is an extremely well put together lineman coming out of college. People think he’ll be better off at guard or center in the league do to his smaller stature and shorter arms. If he goes to the Seahawks I’d love to see them give him a chance at tackle, if he fails kick him inside and you know you’ll have a good guard/center.

#27

The Chiefs could use an inside linebacker in the first round but everyone worth taking in the first round is off the board.  They could take a chance on Tyus Bowser but i think the chiefs like the idea of pairing their young stud CB Peters with an old teammate. The Chiefs select Kevin King who used to play along side Peter back at Washington. This would make for a very formidable secondary with two large/fast CBs who have outstanding ball skills and play very physically.I’d imagine Peters will be banging on the table for King when this pick rolls around if he’s still on the board.  If a QB falls to them here I could also see them taking one here.

#28

The Cowboys have the luxury of knowing their offense for the most part doesn’t need to be addressed in the first round. I see them selecting Jordan Willis out of Kansas State. He was a good college pas rushers who seems like he has a chance to be an even better pro player. he had scouts raving about his physical abilities after blowing up the combine and looking extremely smooth in all of his drills. I do think there’s a very good chance that they step in and pick up David Njoku if he’s still on the board helping to reign in the new era of the cowboys.

#29

The packers desperately need help at getting to the opposing teams’ quaterback. With two players still on the board that they would be happy with the Packers have to choose between TJ Watt and Charles Harris. TJ Watt would step into a 3-4 role a little easier however Charles Harris is the better pure rusher. I think the Wiscy ties ultimately lead the way for TJ Watt to get drafted by the packers at 29. Politics may or may not be influencing this pick.

#30

The Steelers go one of two way here, they pair Shaizer with his former OSU teammate Raekwon Mcmillan or they select Pat Mahomes to succeed Big Ben who has been mulling retirement each of the past two years. Ultimately I think they go with Mahomes. This is perhaps the only spot I’d endorse Mahomes going to. Letting him sit behind Big Ben and learning how to adjust to the NFL. Mahomes would be lucky to have a guy like Ben in front of him, they share a similar style of play. Both QBs like to buy extra time and use their size to wait an extra few seconds giving their receivers ample time to get open.

#31

The Falcons had such an incredible season and Dan Quinn was able to get the very most out of his defense which had a lot more pedestrian defensive players on it that any team in the superbowl should have. This defense needs extra help rushing the passer , Vic beasley played well last season and will keep improving but they need someone across from him.  Charles Harris would be an awesome pick up here for the team. Harris would get to work with a hall of famer who has a similar style of play in Dwight Freeny to learn from. Having both Beasley and Harris coming off the edge in a division with questionable  tackle play would be hugely beneficial

#32

The Saints still looking to add depth do their defense pick up Gaeron Conley from OSU. Conley is an incredibly talented QB who has the ability to lock up bigger receivers by utilizing his fluid hips and size at 6 foot. There’s a really good chance he could end up going in the top 15 picks but I believe he’ll turn some teams off with his tackling abilities or lack there of. He displays the same aversion for contact as Eli Apple did last year however I think Conley is a better prospect.

Draft Steals: 

Cameron Sutton  DB Tenn

Desmond King  DB Iowa

Buddah Baker S Washington

Josh Jones S NC State

Elijah Lee LB Kansas State

Anthony Walker LB North Western

Joe Mixon  RB Oklahoma

Draft Busts :

Taco Charelton

Deshone Kaizer

Takkarist Mckinley

Tre’Davious White \

Tyus Bowser