Mock Draft 2.0

Mock Draft Season is upon us. The Senior Bowl has come and gone with many players experiencing either a rise or drop in their stock. Without further ado, here is the mock.

Trades

Miami receives: 1.03

Detroit receives: 1.05, 1.18, 2.56

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Arizona receives: 1.12, 3.80

Las Vegas receives: 1.08

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NY Jets receive: 1.16, 3.78

Atlanta receives: 1.11

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Denver receives: 1.20, 3.73

Jacksonville receives: 1.15

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Indianapolis receives: 1.28

Seattle receives: 2.34, 4.119

THE DRAFT

1.01 Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

This pick should not need any explanation. The Bengals take the best quarterback in the draft. One can only hope he is surrounded by the talent necessary to succeed at the next level. Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon are a solid start.

1.02 Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Ron Rivera gets his hand on another elite defensive cornerstone. Absolutely no way he trades out of this pick. Young is electric and should be a force for years.

1.03 Dolphins (from DET) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Look, I know it’s an expensive move. However, I do believe this is the package necessary to sway Detroit from offers from the Panthers, Chargers, and possibly the Colts and Raiders. Tua finds his home that is clearly invested in his health.

1.04 Giants – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Jedrick Wills is OT1 in this class. The Giants (still) need offensive line help. Wills can play on either side and could very well be an elite player in doing such.

1.05 Lions (from MIA) – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn

Daniel Jerimiah has Brown second on his big board and typically his board reflects that of most NFL franchises. The Lions need another player on the interior of their defensive line to complement Trey Flowers. Brown is an excellent player.

1.06 Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Phillip Rivers is gone. If the Chargers cannot land a player like Tom Brady (which, let’s face it, they won’t), they need a quarterback. Herbert is extremely accurate and will hopefully grow mentally in the NFL.

1.07 Panthers – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

The Panthers might not re-sign CB1 James Bradberry, but even if they do bring him back, Okudah solidifies an extremely shaky secondary. Ross Cockrell is a pending free agent and Donte Jackson simply did not become what was asked from him this past season. Okudah has a chance to be special.

1.08 Raiders (via ARZ) – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is a special talent and the Raiders move up to snag their guy. He’s too much of a perfect fit for them to sit and wait for the board to fall their way. The Raiders move one of their three second-round picks to certify Simmons becomes their player.

1.09 Jaguars – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Jacksonville needs to give Minshew a WR1. Dede Westbrook and DJ Chark are excellent complementary players, but Jeudy is a surefire first-receiver in an offense that could become electric next season.

1.10 Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

So Becton being OT2 now is a thing I did not expect. Anyways, OL talent falls in the draft, and the Browns finally give Baker Mayfield more than a half-second the throw.

1.11 Falcons (from NYJ) – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

Like the Raiders, the Falcons have many day two picks. They sacrifice one to get an additional edge rusher in AJ Epenesa, arguably the second-best defensive end prospect in this draft.

1.12 Cardinals (from LV) – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Cardinals have Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald, and Andy Isabella. All of those players are best utilized in the slot. But to make this offense even more #fun, I want Kingsbury to get a vertical playmaker. Lamb is exactly that. Also, the rumors say the F.O. loves him.

1.13 Colts – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

The Colts get their quarterback. Love might not be a start-right-away type guy, but he has the traits and physical ability to become a special player if he can cut out the mistakes he made at Utah State in 2019.

1.14 Bucs – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

Jacob Eason is a Bruce Arians quarterback. However, I also believe that this team is interested in Phillip Rivers, and if true, the Bucs should be gunning for win-now players.

1.15 Jaguars (from DEN) – Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa

The Jaguars move up from their second pick to bolster their offensive line. Wirfs can play either guard or tackle and is an excellent run blocker. They get a good value in the middle of the first.

1.16 Jets (from ATL) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The Jets move down and get Andrew Thomas. The fact that the Jets are able to move down and grab an additional third-round pick along with securing a franchise left tackle is a spectacular move by Joe Douglas.

1.17 Cowboys – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Byron Jones may be a casualty of this free agency for Dallas. Fulton is CB2 on my board and could be an immediate starter.

1.18 Lions (from MIA) – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

With their first pick, the Lions helped their defensive line. With this one, they select a great coverage linebacker in Patrick Queen. I usually am not a huge advocate of selecting linebackers in the first round, but I really do like the trio of Simmons/Queen/Murray

1.19 Raiders – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

The Raiders get their dream duo of Simmons and Ruggs. Ruggs could end up being the first receiver taken. He’s the fastest player in the draft and with his lack of injury history, I believe he could be at the top of many teams’ boards.

1.20 Broncos (from JAX) – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

The Broncos grab Henderson after getting another third-round pick. Henderson is a tall corner that was great in coverage for Florida this year. He’s a starter from day one.

1.21 Eagles – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

With the way that the board falls, the Eagles take the best value at one of their needs. Murray is the last of the top tier linebackers and he should be a DROY candidate from his first snap. 

1.22 Bills – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

Amazingly, Chaisson is still available. There is not really a stand-out edge rusher in a great pass-rushing Bills defense. Chaisson is a well-rounded edge player that has high character and will compliment Ed Oliver very well.

1.23 Patriots – Marlon Davidson, EDGE, Auburn

A senior bowl riser, Davidson made himself money in the one day of practice he attended in Mobile. He beat everyone in front of him, along with having a stellar season at Auburn. The Patriots get him in the back half of the first.

1.24 Saints – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

The Saints need a different receiver to put across from Michael Thomas. They could take a quarterback here, but if Brees is gone, I could see them sticking with either Bridgewater or Hill (as Payton has said). Hamler is speedy and can be used in a variety of ways.

1.25 Vikings – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Vikings need secondary help. Although it isn’t a great value, Terrell was shutdown for Clemson the majority of this year.

1.26 Dolphins – Austin Jackson, OT, Southern California

The Dolphins need to protect their franchise quarterback. Austin Jackson is the best OT available and has the potential to anchor the offensive line.

1.27 Colts (from SEA) – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

The Colts move up to grab an interior lineman. Blacklock was a disruptive 1T at TCU that can heavily affect the interior pocket. Love/Blacklock is a fun duo.

1.28 Ravens – Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

The Ravens may end up losing Matt Judon in free agency. In doing so, they will have a major hole to fill. Baun did it all for Wisconsin and could end up going in the first round for his efforts.

1.29 Titans – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

I love Harold Landry. I think he could be an elite player soon. However, Gross-Matos has a Brian Burns-type mold that is becoming increasingly common in the NFL today. The Titans, anchored by Jeffrey Simmons and Jurrell Casey, would make an elite defensive line nearly unstoppable.

1.30 Packers – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Jalen Reagor is my WR3. The Packers, getting him opposite of Devante Adams, would diversify their receiving core in a great way. Reagor has route running upside, contested catch ability, and obviously speed.

1.31 Chiefs – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

The Chiefs need to select the best corner available. Diggs is excellent and should be able to match up with any outside receiver. He has so, so much upside.

1.32 49ers – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

The 49ers could move back here. But. They could also take the best player that falls to them. In this case, it’s Grant Delpit. 

2.33 Bengals – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

2.34 Seahawks (from IND) – Netane Muti, iOL, Fresno

I love Netane Muti. I don’t know what the Seahawks are going to do. Nobody does. But Muti makes a ton of sense.

2.35 Lions – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

2.36 Giants – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

2.37 Chargers – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

2.38 Panthers – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

There isn’t any way Eason slips out of the top-40. He could go to New Orleans, New England, or even the Colts if they don’t take a quarterback in the first. He’s a physically gifted player that falls.

2.39 Dolphins – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

2.40 Cardinals – Josh Jones, OT, Houston

2.41 Browns – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

I just want to say that I LOVE the Becton/McKinney stack. 

2.42 Jaguars – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

2.43 Bears – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

The Bears should say goodbye to Trubisky, but Ryan Pace is going down with the ship. It’s a shame that the Bears are wasting a talented defense.

2.44 Colts – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

2.45 Bucs – Nick Harris, iOL, Washington

2.46 Broncos – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

2.47 Falcons – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

2.48 Jets – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

Andrew Thomas/Bradlee Anae is a huge win for the Jets after moving back in the first.

2.49 Steelers – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

2.50 Bears – Tyler Biadasz, iOL, Wisconsin

2.51 Cowboys – Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama

2.52 Rams – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

The Rams get a solid edge. I would love to see Greenard next to Donald and Brockers.

2.53 Eagles – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

2.54 Bills – Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF

2.55 Falcons – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

The Falcons love to take a RB every year. In this case, they take the best available — Swift — who surprisingly fell all the way to the latter half of the first round. I know the Falcons have a ton of needs. But Freeman is aging poorly and Swift is an elite talent.

2.56 Lions (from MIA) – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

2.57 Texans – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

2.58 Vikings – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

Gallimore falls and the Vikings take advantage.

2.59 Seahawks – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

2.60 Ravens – Michael Pittman, WR, Southern California

2.61 Titans – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

2.62 Packers – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

2.63 Chiefs – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

2.64 Seahawks – Ashtyn Davis, S, California