I usually don’t start this early on in the process on doing mock drafts but I’ve become much more intrigued by the whole thing after last year since it was one of the only thing sports during the hiatus due to COVID. So now I’m kind of really into it, much more than previously.
Being my first iteration of the mock draft, I expect these will be very off. These will definitely be changed a bunch until my final update. I will have 4 updates this year. This one, the one after the height of free agency and two more within a month of the draft, with the final one coming on draft day or the day before.
Some other notes: This does involve a couple draft pick trades but no trades for veteran players that may include 1st round picks (though I do expect we’ll see some but those are for future updates).
Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson:
This pick is the obvious one. It would be a headline story if he’s not picked 1st. Some speculation exists that Urban Meyer, now the head coach there, would take the Ohio State guy Fields. That possibility doesn’t exist in reality (though Jets fans would love it).
Jets: Zach Wilson, QB BYU:
For the longest time, Justin Fields was looked at as the second best QB in the class. For even the slightest bit of time, some thought he may be the best one. But now it looks like Wilson has a lot of momentum. He has all the tools. He also fits their new scheme perfectly with Mike LaFleur the offensive coordinator there running the Shanahan offense. It’s a match made in heaven. Now, the Jets are expected to be in the Watson race so we’ll see how that goes. But for now, I’m sticking with this pick for the Jets.
Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon:
Yeah, the Dolphins could use a WR for sure but they have other draft capital to tackle that. For now, they can add more protection for their QB.
Broncos (trade with Falcons): Justin Fields, QB OSU:
I think the Falcons do have some interest in a QB but I also think some of it is a smokescreen. That’ll play out here. The Broncos don’t seem too thrilled with Lock. They are in the Watson sweepstakes but I don’t think they’ll get him.
Bengals: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
The Bengals have not had consistent TE production for awhile. Eifert being hurt often didn’t help. Every time they seem to find some semblance of consistency, they see injury. Kyle Pitts is a special talent at the position and is a hybrid TE/WR. He’d be a major add for the Bengals.
Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama:
The Eagles are in desperate need of a playmaker again. Smith being available here is a blessing for them.
Lions: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State:
This is perfect for the Lions. After trading Stafford and getting Goff, they need a QB of the future. Goff could technically be it but I wouldn’t count on that. Goff can get them through a year or two and then make way for Lance, who likely does need to sit as a backup for a bit and develop anyways. Exactly what the Lions are looking for.
Panthers: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama:
They missed out on QB here but it’s not the end of the world. The building commences. Adding Waddle would be another cornerstone add. After adding all defense last draft, Matt Rhine finally gets his first rookie on offense to work with. Will be fun for him. Waddle is really good.
Falcons (trade with Broncos): Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama:
Surtain is really good. It’s simple as that. He’s a lockdown cornerback. He could be as good as Ramsey. I don’t think the Falcons would let him slip by them. They’d have taken him at 4 if no good trade offers popped up.
Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech:
Cowboys still need help at cornerback. Diggs helped last year but not enough. Farley would be a terrific addition.
Dolphins (trade with Giants): JaMarr Chase, WR LSU:
Chase sat out this past season and watched Smith and Waddle ball out, perhaps establishing them as the top two WR prospects. Chase is still really good but sitting out might have hurt him simply given the rise of the Alabama guys. Dolphins need more playmakers. Chase would give them a very dynamic weapon in the offense. They move up to get him. They solve WR and OT issues early in the draft.
49ers: Rashawn Slater, OL Northwestern:
It isn’t a sexy pick but it gets the job done for the 49ers. They need some help on the line. Slater fits. He can play tackle if needed but might slide in at guard early in his career.
Chargers: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State:
Simply put, this is the best player available kind of move. Just more talent on that defense. Oh man.
Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE Miami:
The Vikings offense looked great in 2020. But the defense........ yikes. They need help badly. A young edge defender is much needed there.
Bears (trade with Patriots): Mac Jones, QB Alabama:
I’m so used to expecting something of Belichick and him doing the opposite. It makes sense that they’d take a QB here. It doesn’t make sense, at least to me, that they’d trade down so another team can take a QB with their original pick. But this is the mind of Belichick so who knows.
Cardinals: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan:
Just another case of best player available here for the Cardinals. A very good player too. Paye could be really good in the NFL.
Raiders: Christian Barrimore, DT Alabama:
The Raiders need some more help on the defensive line. They continue to build it here by adding Barrimore.
Giants (trade with Dolphins): Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech
The Giants need more help on that offensive line. They built it a bit last year but it needs to continue. They need to be able to not just protect Jones but also Barkley. Can’t waste him behind a poor line.
Washington Football Team: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT USC:
QB is a need for them and so is grabbing another WR but this isn’t a spot to get either. Instead, this is a terrific spot for them to get an offensive lineman to protect whoever their next QB is.
Patriots (trade with Bears): Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas:
The run on offensive linemen continues here. Patriots do a very Patriots thing. I seriously believe they like Stidham.
Colts: Jalen Mayfield, OT Michigan:
Another OT? Slow up here. But seriously, it might be weird for the Colts to select more OL help, but the OL is to the Colts what the DL is to the 49ers. Just consistent building of it and churning out guys. Can never have enough. No such thing as too good of an offensive line.
Titans: Jayson Oweh, EDGE Penn State:
The Titans badly need to be able to rush the passer. It’s probably their biggest need this offseason. This is an easy pick for them to make.
Jets: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina:
The Jets have a ton of needs but a ton of resources to get them. They got their QB with their other 1st-rounder so now it’s just about working out everything else. Horn fits the Saleh defense well.
Steelers: Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama:
The Steelers need offensive line help really badly. A center or guard might make more sense for them, but that is something that looks better for a round 2 target for them. They get a talented tackle here from Alabama, who had a great offensive line last season.
Jaguars: Trevor Moehrig, S TCU:
The Jaguars now have their QB. Next it’s time to build the defense again. Moehrig fits what they are looking for.
Browns: Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota:
The Browns could use some WR help. They have some talent there but overall it’s not great. This could be even more true if they trade Odell Beckham Jr., which seems very possible. Bateman would be great for them.
Ravens: Kadarius Toney, WR Florida:
The Ravens could also use another WR. They got their WRs more involved late in the year, including Marquise Brown, but the offense needs another dynamic at the position. Toney is very talented and could help unlock a new part of the offense.
Jaguars (trade with Saints): Asante Samuel Jr., CB Florida State:
I really like Asante Samuel Jr. He is obviously the son of Asante Samuel, a very good CB in the NFL for a long time. Samuel Jr has a lot of talent. Jaguars have the capital to move back up to select another CB that went to a Florida school after drafting Henderson just last year. The last FSU CB they drafted was pretty good too.
Packers: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame:
They could use a WR here but I don’t see one on the board worth the pick. They need linebacker help though and can take a really good one here.
Bills: Teven Jenkins, OT Oklahoma State:
The Bills could use some more protection for Josh Allen. Yeah, he can create plays by moving around on improvised plays but if he gets more protection, he’ll become an even better pocket passer, where he made great strides this past season. Plus, it’s always a good idea to add protection for your QB, especially one of the caliber of Allen.
Chiefs: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Georgia:
You can never have enough players who can get to the QB. And after watching what happened in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs may be inclined to add more pass-rush as another avenue to winning.
Buccaneers: Travis Etienne, RB Clemson:
Fournette and Jones did a good job holding down the fort at running back this past season for the champs but Fournette could very well have priced himself out of returning with his big playoff performance. Etienne is such a dynamic playmaker in the run and pass game and would be perfect for that offense.
I’m going to add something else to this. I’m going to reveal my draft crush, one player I could see surprising people and one that could disappoint.
Crush: Justin Fields, QB OSU:
Whoever gets him is getting a really good one. A lot of people are quick to point out what college he went to and their bad reputation with producing good QBs in the NFL. I don’t care. That narrative existed at Clemson before Watson. It takes just one guy to change the narrative. I think Fields can. In my opinion, he’s like Watson in fact. I think he’s a similar sort of player and I have the same feeling about him that I did in 2017 with Watson. I was right about Watson despite the doubts people had with similar things they are getting on Fields about. I look for the talent and he has all of it.
Surprise: Kellen Mond, QB Texas A&M:
I’m very excited about him. The star of the Senior Bowl put himself on the map and then some. He’s really good. He can do everything he needs to do and more. He has so much potential. Someone is going to get a steal in the middle rounds with him. Could see a team taking him with a round 2 pick though if they fall in love with him.
Disappoint: Mac Jones, QB Alabama:
I know I went all QBs with these but whatever. I am just not huge on Jones. He is good and has some tools but only a one year starter and almost felt like he was elevated by having Waddle, Smith, Harris and an insanely golf offensive line. Nothing against Jones but he was surrounded with everything. He also didn’t face much adversity. In the NFL, he will have to elevate others, not the other way around, if he wants to be a good QB. There should be questions whether or not he can.
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