Mock Draft #1
POST COMBINE/PRE FREE AGENCY MOCK DRAFT
In a typical mock draft, the “drafter” is doing one of two things. They are either telling you what they THINK will happen, or telling you what they would do if they were drafting for these teams. I’m going to cheat and do a combination of both to give you the most complete mock that i can. If I feel strong about a player going at a specific pick based on information that’s out there, then I will mock them there despite what I may or may not do. If I think a team will target a specific position, I may mock a player that i think that team will like versus what player i would take etc etc. With that being said, here is my mock draft 1.0 post combine edition. This mock will NOT include trades.
1.CINCINNATI BENGALS: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
I have Tua Tagovailoa as the highest graded QB in this class and he would be my pick here assuming all of his medicals check out. However there has been zero information put out there that suggests anyone other than Burrow being the pick for the Bengals.
2.WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
As I just stated I have Tua as my QB1. This is where the draft officially starts as i don’t think Chase Young is the lock at 2 that many thought him to be. The Redskins may or may not have legitimate interest in Tua, but regardless they will receive massive offers from teams looking to move up. I think Tua will go 2 whether it’s to Washington or another team.
3.DETROIT LIONS: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
Assuming the rumors that the Lions are looking to move on from QB Matt Stafford are false, the draft falls perfectly for the Lions as arguably the best player in the draft falls to them at 3. Not much to decide here as BPA also fits a team need.
4.NEW YORK GIANTS: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Giants can go a number of directions here as their BPA at CB, OT, and WR are all still available. I have CB Jeff Okudah as my BPA at this point but the Giants spent a 1st round pick last year on a CB and may be looking to address the position in free agency. Plus the Giants need to find out if Daniel Jones is their franchise QB by surrounding him with as much support as possible. The OT class is top heavy, whereas finding an impact player at WR should be an option after round one. While I dont have him as my top OT I think Giants GM David Gettleman will value Thomas’ style of play.
5.MIAMI DOLPHINS: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Tua and Burrow are the only QBs I have a 1st round grade on. With both of them gone I don’t see the Dolphins pulling the trigger on a Justin Herbert. They are in the infancy of a true rebuild and should be in no rush to pick a QB. Tank For Trevor???? Instead they will be looking to add players with extremely high ceilings at premium positions. Enter Becton, who absolutely destroyed the combine and will have teams salivating at his potential.
6.LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I would not spend a 1st round pick on Herbert, but I don’t think there’s any way he makes it out of the 1st round let alone the top 10. Ultimately I think the Chargers will address the QB position with a veteran solution (Cam Newton???). But until that happens they have a dire need for talent at QB and Herbert is the most talented player left.
7.CAROLINA PANTHERS: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
QB could be a major need come draft time if they decide to move on from Cam Newton. (which I believe they will) But with the top 3 options gone there’s no one worth drafting here. Instead they can take advantage of an offense heavy top of the draft and take the #2 player on my big board. Okudah would come in right away and be the team’s top corner, replacing James Bradberry who is a free agent.
8.ARIZONA CARDINALS: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
A common position I see mocked here is OT and for good reason. But Arizona recently resigned OT DJ Humphries, which doesn’t eliminate the need but lessens the urgency to draft at that position. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury will be all in on getting as much support for 2nd year signal caller Kyle Murray. He does that here with Lamb, who fits perfectly in that offense being the best RAC player in this year’s class.
9.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Jaguars are entering a rebuild after realizing that the team that went to the AFC championship just a few short years ago no longer exists. They’ve already started the exodus of veteran players with the trade of CB AJ Bouye. It’s also been reported that they are looking to trade QB Nick Foles and move forward with Gardner Minshew. That should put them in BPA mode, which at this point in the draft is Simmons.
10.CLEVELAND BROWNS: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Browns have such a horrible OT situation that I have yet to see a mock that has them taking any other position. With high end talent still available that’s exactly where they go with Wirfs who they can place at either tackle spot to improve their line.
11.NEW YORK JETS: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The Jets need help at OT, WR, and pass rusher. Reports are the Jets are working hard to resign Robby Anderson making WR a less pressing need. I don’t see a pass rusher of value at this pick. That leaves OT where the top player on my board falls to the Jets at 11.
12.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
After the fiasco that was Antonio Brown, the Raiders are in dire need of a #1 WR. In this mock the best WR in this class falls to them at 12 providing them with exactly that. He will immediately step in and provide Derek Carr (or whoever is their QB) a reliable pass catcher.
13.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
The Colts have a need at QB that I believe will be addressed via free agency. That leaves them with a BPA approach to continue to build an already talented roster. Chaisson provides them with an uber talented pass rusher that can elevate this defense.
14.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
The Bucs could use some help on the offensive line but with the top tackles gone they look elsewhere with this pick. Putting Brown on a line that already has Vita Vea will continue to build upon a much improved defense.
15.DENVER BRONCOS: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The recent trade for AJ Bouye takes away CB as a big need for Denver early in the draft. A replacement for LT Garrett Bolles is needed but there isn’t an OT of value at this pick. QB should be off the table as they seem prepared to move forward with Drew Lock. Getting him support should be priority #1. Enter Ruggs, who would form a dynamic duo with Courtland Sutton.
16.ATLANTA FALCONS: AJ Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
The Falcons have a huge need at pass rusher as Vic Beasley is leaving in free agency and Takkarist Mckinley hasn’t lived up to his 1st round pick status. Epenesa was dubbed a “loser” at the combine after subpar test results. But the Falcons should look at his consistent production in college to translate to the NFL and provide them with some much needed pass rush and versatility along the defensive line.
17.DALLAS COWBOYS: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
All indications are that CB Byron Jones will be the odd man out when it comes to Dallas’ top free agents. That will leave a huge hole at CB they need to address at the draft. After Okudah, the next tier of CB are all similar in talent leaving it to team preference. After a strong showing at the combine, Henderson could very well be the 2nd CB off the board.
18.MIAMI DOLPHINS: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Another OT??? Why not? Jones could very well be the highest graded player on their board at this point. Why not secure your bookend OT for the foreseeable future. Adding premium talent should be the priority.
19.OAKLAND RAIDERS: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
With their 1st pick the Raiders addressed their need at receiver. With their 2nd, they fill the hole created at CB when they traded away Gareon Conley. They are getting a very good CB prospect that can step in and be their #1 option.
20.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
With their 2nd pick in the first round the Jags continue to build that defense with Kinlaw. With the eventual departure of Calais Campbell, Kinlaw will step in as their presence in the middle of that front.
21.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Eagles biggest needs are at WR and CB. The WR class is deeper so I have them going the CB route and addressing WR in the 2nd round. Diggs will provide them with an aggressive cover that they desperately need.
22.BUFFALO BILLS: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
The Bills need to surround QB Josh Allen with as much talent as possible and lack a true #1 receiver for him to throw to. Enter Mims, who after tearing up the combine is rising up draft boards and has put himself in the 1st round conversation. He would give allen a big bodied target with 4.3 speed who can attack defenses at all levels of the field.
23.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
What happens with QB Tom Brady will shape the entire offseason for the Pats. Will he be back and they spend the offseason reloading for another superbowl run? Or will he leave in free agency and send the Patriots into rebuild mode. Despite many reports to the contrary, I can’t see Brady leaving New England. Assuming he is back, the focus should be on getting him more weapons. Shenault is a player who can line up all over the field and even take snaps directly. That type of versatility should take some of the load off of Brady’s shoulders to carry the offense.
24.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
With Drew Brees back in the fold the Saints superbowl window is still wide open. Which makes the focus of this pick getting a player who can make an immediate impact at a position of need. At the top of this list is finding someone, ANYONE, who can be a threat at WR after Mike Thomas. Jefferson fits the offense very well as he did alot of his damage at LSU from the slot, which complements very well with Thomas’ skillset.
25.MINNESOTA VIKINGS: AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
With Trae Waynes hitting free agency and Xavier Rhodes likey getting cut after a poor season, CB is a huge need for the Vikings who enter the new league year with the 2nd least amount of cap space. That makes filling their needs via the draft crucial. Here they dip into a deep CB crop and land Terrell who had a very strong showing at the combine.
26.MIAMI DOLPHINS: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
After spending their 1st two picks on the o-line, the Dolphins go to the other side of the ball and get one of the most talented players in the draft in Delpit. He would be a direct replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick whom the team traded away. This would have them exiting day one of the draft with three players with enormous potential that could accelerate their rebuild.
27.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Trying to figure out what the Seahawks will do on the draft is a crapshoot. They tend to make picks that leave many scratching their heads. This will probably be a pick that changes with each mock that I release. For now, they go with McKinney who would give a much needed boost to a safety group that has two solid starters but no true playmakers.
28.BALTIMORE RAVENS: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Ravens can use a rangy, athletic offball LB to put in the middle of that defense. Murray is sitting here late in the first round to provide just that. This pick is simply an example of value meeting need as the Ravens are notorious for consistently having the “right” guy fall to them in the draft.
29.TENNESSEE TITANS: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
CB Logan Ryan is entering free agency and Malcolm Butler has been solid but nothing spectacular. With new contracts for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry likely to be very expensive, they will most likely have to fill their CB need via the draft. Luckily Gladney can step right in and replace Ryan and quite possibly end up being their best CB right out of the gate.
30.GREEN BAY PACKERS: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Packers desperately need to get Davante Adams some help at WR. It seems like they have tried 100 different options, none of which have been able to stick. A narrative that has been reported a number of times is that QB Aaron Rodgers simply doesn’t trust any of his options behind Adams. In Higgins he would have a big bodied target with sure hands that he could trust in 3rd down and redzone situations.
31.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota
The Niners are most likely going to lose versatile S Jimmy Ward to free agency as they have very little cap room and have already stated bringing back DL Arik Armstead is a priority. Luckily they can replace him with the best safety in this class in Winfield. He will provide similar versatility as he can cover deep zones, line up in the box and in man coverage. Just like his dad who played CB in the NFL, he isn’t afraid to hit someone either.
32.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
With three CB hitting free agency the Chiefs have to invest draft capital in the position. They are still able to land a player more than capable of being one of the best CB out of this class in Johnson. Finding starting caliber player in the draft is of extreme importance as they will have to be careful navigating their limited cap space with DL Chris Jones a free agent and a Patrick Mahomes extension on the horizon.