It’s NFL Draft week, which means it’s time for the annual tradition of filling out a mock that will go down in flames within the first hour.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - This card was turned in months ago. Even if he doesn’t live up to the John Elway/Andrew Luck comps, he’s already one of the three best QB’s in franchise history.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU - Along with Lawrence going to the Jags, the only other mortal lock are the Jets taking Wilson, who will look to succeed were predecessors Mark Sanchez and Sam Darnold failed.
3. San Francisco 49ers (from MIA via HOU): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama - It’s weird that San Fran traded up to get Jones, who seemed destined to go lower, but the team loves his accuracy. Trey Lance is also in the mix.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida - This is Atlanta’s best chance to take a QB, but Matt Ryan still has a few years left in a league where passers play into their 40’s. If the Falcons do trade Julio Jones, they’ll need a new weapon and Pitts might be the best in the draft.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU - It would make more sense for Cincy to get more protection for Joe Burrow, coming off a rookie season cut short by a torn ACL, but the team seems to be adamant on reuniting Burrow with his former college teammate Chase.
6. Miami Dolphins (from PHI): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama - The Dolphins need to prioritize building around Tua. They could use an elite blindside protector like Penei Sewell but adding the speedy Waddle to DeVante Parker and Will Fuller helps, too.
TRADE! Detroit trades pick to New England: With two of the top WR off the board, Detroit takes advantage of New England’s desperation for a QB and moves down.
7. New England Patriots (from DET): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - The Patriots addressed a number of needs with their free agency spending spree but they still need a quarterback and they aren’t getting one of the top five sitting at 15. Even if Cam Newton bounces back from a horrid 2020, he’s not the long-term answer. Fields can learn behind Cam in Year 1 and take over in 2022.
TRADE! Carolina trades pick to Los Angeles Chargers: The Panthers need to recoup some picks after trading for Sam Darnold. The Chargers, needing offensive line help, pounce at the opportunity to get a franchise left tackle.
8. Los Angeles Chargers (from CAR): Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon - In a draft that could see a lot of college reunions, the Chargers invest in Justin Herbert’s future by drafting his old left tackle. Sewell drew Jonathan Ogden comps from legendary scout Gil Brandt and could go as high as 4, but the run on QBs likely causes him to slip.
9. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State - Giving up on Drew Lock after a season and a half seems like a mistake but the same can be said about passing on an opportunity to upgrade at the sport’s most important position. The Broncos have holes elsewhere but Lance is both the best player available and fills a huge need.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama - You could slot any defensive player in here and it would be an upgrade for a unit that hemorrhaged points last year. Surtain is the best corner in this draft, is arguably the best overall defensive prospect and his father was a Pro Bowl corner with the Dolphins. After signing Dak Prescott to a $240 million contract, using this pick to improve the offensive line is an option as well.
11. New York Giants: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan: The Giants spent big money fixing both sides of the ball this offseason, but still need a pass-rusher in a division that features Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts. Paye might seem like a reach here but GM Dave Gettleman has been against trading down over the years and isn’t afraid to take his guy earlier than expected (See Jones, Daniel).
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA via SF): DaVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - The Eagles’ offense lost Alshon Jeffrey, DeSean Jackson and will eventually trade Zach Ertz, leaving Dallas Goedert and last year’s first round pick Jalen Raegor as Jalen Hurt’s only weapons. Smith’s skinny frame raises some concerns that might cause him to drop but the reigning Heisman trophy winner was unstoppable this past season and he could be a dynamic playmaker if he bulks up.
13. Detroit Lions (from LAC): Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State - The Lions badly need a wide receiver after letting Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones walk. In this scenario, they miss out on the top three but wind up with Parsons, a potential top-five prospect from “Linebacker U” who could fall because maturity concerns and off-the-field issues.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern - The Vikings’ offensive line was a mess even before losing tackle Riley Reiff. Enter Slater, who took last season off due to the pandemic but had dominant moments against the Big 10’s best.
15. Carolina Panthers (from NE): Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina - The Panthers could help Sam Darnold out by improving the O-Line and giving him time to throw, but in a pass-happy NFC South, you can never have too many quality defensive backs.
TRADE! Arizona trades pick to Washington: Washington has needs at quarterback, linebacker and along the offensive line but they’ll have to move up to snag a quality option.
16. Washington Football Team (from ARZ): Christian Darrasaw, OT, Virginia Tech - Washington needs a QB badly but might find the price to move into the top 10 too expensive. Darrasaw isn’t as polished as Sewell or Slater but he’s a fine pass protector who will make Ryan Fitzpatrick’s job a little easier. (Note: As this was being written, WFT acquired Ereck Flowers from Miami. That shouldn't change Washington's need for line help.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G/T, USC - There’s been a disconnect between what the Raiders should do and what they wind up doing on draft day during the Mike Mayock/Jon Gruden era. Every time you have an idea where they are leaning, you wind up with a Clelin Ferrell or Damon Arnotte. Vegas lost Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown off their offensive line. So, taking the versatile Vera-Tucker, who can play guard or tackle, would make sense.
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelen Phillips, DE, Miami - The Phins’ defense made strides last season and now stay local with Phillips, a big man (6’5, 266lbs) with a long wingspan whose work against the run and pass will make him a Brian Flores’ favorite.
19. Arizona Cardinals (from WSH): Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech - This year’s Jeffrey Simmons. Off talent alone, Farley is a top-10 pick but back surgery in March will cause him to drop. Meanwhile, the Cardinals need a replacement for Patrick Peterson and might find Farley’s upside worth the wait.
20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern - The Bears released top corner Kyle Fuller and will attempt to replace him with the aging Desmond Trufant. Even if the 32-year-old can turn back the clock, the unit needs an influx of young talent and staying in-state with Newsome makes sense.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan - The Colts could go with any of the half dozen pass rushers left on the board, but for the Carson Wentz project to work out, he needs to feel safe in the pocket. Mayfield could replace the retiring Anthony Costanzo at left tackle and leave All-Pro guard Quentin Nelson at his natural spot.
22. Tennessee Titans: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State - The Titans lost Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson in the offseason, replacing them with short-term fixed Janoris Jenkins and Kevin Johnson. Titans coach Mike Vrabel played in New England with Asante Sr and should be impressed by Junior’s ability to cover and defend the run.
23. New York Jets (from SEA): Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami - Gang Green has ignored its need for a pass-rusher during past regimes but would be wise not to make the same mistake with new head coach Robert Salah at the helm. Rousseau took 2020 off but is a giant (6’6, 260) with even bigger upside. He’ll fit right in opposite Carl Lawson on the outside.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama - One of the last teams still committed to the run, Pittsburgh hasn’t hid its desire to find a new bellcow after letting James Conner walk. Alabama has been a running back factory lately with Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs’ recent star turns. If not the bruising Harris, the Steelers could opt for Clemson’s Travis Etienne, who is more of a versatile home run threat.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR): Trevon Moehrig, DB, TCU - The Jags could go a number of directions here but fill their needs at corner and safety with Moehrig, who can play either spot.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame - The Browns filled their need for a pass-rusher opposite Myles Garrett by rolling the dice on Jadaveon Clowney. Now, the team continues to improve their front seven with Owusu-Koramoah, who excels in pass coverage while remaining a force against the run.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: The Ravens claim to be content with their receiving core but Marquise Brown is undersized and Sammy Watkins can’t stay healthy. If nothing else, the 6’2” Bateman gives the Ravens another red-zone threat while also acting as Watkins insurance on the outside.
28. New Orleans Saints: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa - This is prime trade-out-of-the-first-round territory, so don’t be surprised if the Saints opt out of Day 1. If they don’t, adding to their weak linebacking core would be a sound decision.
29. Green Bay Packers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama - After another quiet offseason, the Packers are going to be under the gun to get Aaron Rodgers more help. Unfortunately, many of the top options are gone and Green Bay has fared better finding their receivers in round two (Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb) anyway. Barmore is the best of a poor interior defensive lineman group and would fit in nicely alongside Kenny Clark up front. As for Rodgers, the Packers dangling heir apparent Jordan Love in a trade for Julio Jones would save the team some headaches.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State - The Bills’ pass rush is a sore spot in desperate need of speed as defensive ends Jerry Hughes (33) as Mario Addison (34) are getting long in the tooth. The 22-year-old Oweh checks all the boxes as a 6’5” 257-pound freak of nature who ran a 4.3 40 and notched 13.5 sacks in 20 games during his time at Penn State.
31. Baltimore Ravens (from KC): Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama - The Ravens could look for help on the offensive line after trading Orlando Brown to Kansas City in order to nab this spot. Dickerson joins Kevin Zeitler on Baltimore’s revamped interior. A pass rusher like Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari or Texas’ Joseph Ossai could get the call here, too.
TRADE! Tampa Bay trades pick to Miami: With all 22 starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad returning, the Bucs don’t have many needs to address. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have plenty of ammo to acquire a third first-round pick.
32. Miami Dolphins (from TB): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson - The Dolphins have one of the worst running back groups in the league led by Myles Gaskin and Malcolm Brown. With three other RB-needy teams ahead of them in round 2 (Jags, Jets, Falcons), Miami don’t wait for a runner to fall to 36 and move up for arguably the best back in the draft in Etienne.
