One week closer to the NFL draft, and teams are starting to show their deficiencies. In this mock draft, there are new players as analysts now have an idea of the risers and fallers in this class. Overall, this draft is offensive heavy and has several first-rounders who will be instant starters. The weapons in this draft are dynamic and will change offenses for the better. Additionally, there are four quarterbacks now projected to be top ten selections. The order is based on the website Tankathon, which uses the strength of schedule (SOS) and up to date records to determine the draft order.
1. New York Jets – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
This pick isn’t going to change any time soon. Lawrence could opt-out right now, and he would still be the first player off the board. The Jets wouldn’t trade the first overall pick, even if it is an outrageous bevy of draft picks in return. Lawrence is the best quarterback in the NCAA right now, by a significant margin. He’s the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck and may flip the fortunes for the Jets.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Minshew isn’t the problem for the Jaguars, but he is not the answer. The Jaguars need to take a shot at an elite quarterback if they want to capitalize on the young talent they have. Despite a bad performance with three interceptions from Fields, he’s still the second-best quarterback by a wide margin. His ability to extend plays and go through his progressions is special. He will fit nicely with the supporting cast Jacksonville has built.
3. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Does this require rational? Burrow was hit and pressured 89 times this year. The Bengals need to provide him with more time, or else he risks feeling phantom pressure – similar to Baker Mayfield last year. Sewell opted out of this year for good reason. He is worth the first overall pick (if there weren’t two potential franchise quarterbacks). His pass protection should allow him to hit the ground running in the NFL.
4. New England Patriots (via Dallas Cowboys) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
TRADE! Dallas trades the fourth pick to the New England Patriots for their 2021 first, 2021 second-round, 2021 fourth-round, and 2022 second-round selections.
The New England Patriots can afford to trade all these picks with the number of compensatory picks they’re going to receive. Cam Newton has been great, however, the Patriots need to take a chance at the next franchise quarterback. Wilson has one fault, erratic footwork, which needs to be cleaned up. Other than that, his arm talent, accuracy, and ability to extend plays are incredible.
5. Washington Football Team – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Lance played one game this year and still has a very limited sample of what he can do, meaning he needs to be considered a project. In Washington, he can develop behind Alex Smith or Dwayne Haskins. Regardless, Lance has deep ball talent and is someone who throws with lots of power. However, of the four quarterbacks in the top five, Lance has the most question marks.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
This is about getting the offense to match the chiefs. Additionally, there aren’t any offensive linemen worth taking here. Chase is the best offensive player in the draft. The trio of Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and Chase would be enough to rival Kansas City’s weapons. His ability to separate with his size and physicality, along with his route running and run after the catch, will make him an elite receiver in the league.
7. New York Giants – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
By drafting Parsons, the Giants allow Blake Martinez to focus on what he does best, play in the box. This allows Parsons to focus on going side-to-side. Parsons is the best defender in the class by a wide margin due to his freaky athleticism and instincts. If put into the proper scheme (allowing him to run and chase), Parsons will dominate in the NFL.
8. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Dolphins can scheme pressure but don’t have anyone who can consistently win from the edge (Emmanuel Ogbah isn’t that guy). Paye has the fit to play edge in Miami, where he would be able to stop the run while generating pressure with his hand play and power.
9. Atlanta Falcons – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau has the tools and athleticism to be the first pick in this draft, but he’s still very raw. That said, Atlanta needs to take a chance on an elite edge rusher to alleviate the pressure on the secondary. Once this front four gets better, it’ll allow more opportunities for this secondary to make plays. Rousseau has 12+ sack potential if he can unlock some pass-rushing moves and consistency.
10. Carolina Panthers – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Panthers need a guy who can go toe to toe with the monsters in the NFC South – Julio Jones, Mike Evans, and Michael Thomas. Farley has the tools, athleticism, and technique to be that guy.
11. Detroit Lions – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Lions need to get weapons, as Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are both free agents. It doesn’t matter that Smith wouldn’t test like a freak at the combine. He gets open and catches everything. It’s time to start viewing him as a top receiver, no one can cover him, and there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t be the same in the NFL. His route running savvy, nuanced separation ability, and hands are otherworldly. At the pace he’s playing at, Smith will be a top-15 pick come April.
12. Dallas Cowboys (via New England Patriots) – Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
TRADE! Dallas trades the fourth pick to the New England Patriots for their 2021 first, 2021 second-round, 2021 fourth-round, and 2022 second-round selections.
The Cowboys need to improve their secondary as they’re still hurting after losing Byron Jones. Surtain is an upgraded version of Trevon Diggs, except with better ball skills. Surtain is going to rack up pass breakups and interceptions compared to Diggs and will be a great addition to this defense.
13. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Irv Smith is good, but he’s not going to do what Pitts will do. Pitts will turn this offensive group into one of the best groups on paper and will make defensive coordinators wonder who to double cover?
Pitts shouldn’t last this long. He’s the second-best weapon behind Chase as Pitts can shake defenders with his routes, but also, his size makes him unstoppable.
14. San Francisco 49ers – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Niners still need to replace Joe Stanley, as Trent Williams is getting up there in age. Cosmi is an athletic big boy who can get side to side very quickly. He’ll excel in an outside zone scheme. His pass-blocking leaves some things to be desired, but it’s something that can improve with technique over a year or two.
15. Denver Broncos – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Horn is another riser through the draft process and could revitalize this defensive group. Horn has impressed with his play processing and reaction speed when the ball is in the air. While he’s been ultra-productive for only one year, there is no reason to believe he can’t keep up his high-level play in the NFL.
16. Chicago Bears – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Chicago has to get better protection if they’re going to keep their new quarterback upright*. While they could go with someone more athletic than Leatherwood, they wouldn’t find a tackle with Leatherwood’s potential. With some coaching and technique improvement, Leatherwood could be a bonafide star.
*They elect to take Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati) in the second round.
17. Miami Dolphins – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Waddle’s injury isn’t enough to make him drop out of the first round, as his speed and agility make him a threat to score on any play. His short-area quickness and ability to make defenders miss is unlike anyone else in the class. In short, Waddle is the best run after the catch and deep threat this class offers. He also has a rapport with Tua Tagovailoa and would make a dynamic addition to the receiving group in Miami.
18. Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Marshall is 6’4″ with the wingspan to pluck any football thrown his way. He can also separate with the best of this class and offers the Ravens the ability to have a receiver who can catch the ball downfield. With this pick, you kill two birds with one stone, get a receiver who can separate, which will allow easier throws for Lamar Jackson.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
The Eagles desperately need a cornerback, and Wade has begun his turnaround on playing well. Wade is going to have one of the best combines for a corner with his short-area quickness and smooth transitions. He’ll be a lock for the first round, but there are still some concerns on whether he can play outside corner.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest.
The Cardinals love their 3-4 interior linemen. Basham is a tweener who could play inside or outside at 285 lbs. He’s got the finesse and quickness to take on tackles and the strength to play inside against guards. In six games, Basham has already notched five sacks but has been highly disruptive with the inside pass-rushing move.
21. Las Vegas Raiders – Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
Smith is exactly what the Raiders look for in their linemen, an angry run blocker who is also a giant. Denzelle Good has been an average guard, and Richie Incognito will be 38 for next season. Smith is a people mover and can improve the run game significantly.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
No cornerbacks, safeties, or any defenders worth taking here, and that leaves the Jaguars in a precarious position. Moreover, if the front office stays in place, they likely like the offensive line better than the fans do. That leaves a few positions, one being tight end. Freiermuth paired with the other weapons on this offense could make this Jacksonville team deadly. Freiermuth is a decent block, but his receiving ability makes him a first-rounder with his body control and catching ability.
23. Indianapolis Colts – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Trask is a statue in the pocket and might succeed with a great offensive line. He has the arm talent to make every throw on the field but sometimes struggles with bad reads. Regardless, Trask has worked his way into the first round as he’s able to anticipate receivers’ breaks, hitting them in stride, and Trask can make tight-window throws with his arm strength. NFL evaluators will love him enough to make him a first-rounder, and the Colts will look his way as an eventual replacement for Philip Rivers.
24. Cleveland Browns – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Moses fits with what the Browns need, any linebacker help. However, Moses helps fill the box against the run and will allow the Browns to run exotic blitzes. His ability to blitz and cover makes Moses an asset and a first-rounder.
25. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Bateman is a great compliment to Denzel Mims, as he’s a sure-handed possession receiver capable of breaking the odd tackle. Paired with Trevor Lawrence, another receiver would go a long way to making this offense as dynamic. Bateman could be the third-down chain-mover who can make be a difference-maker for the offense.
26. Tennessee Titans – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Rondale Moore with A.J. Brown is downright scary. He played his first game this past week and had 15 receptions for 116 yards and one rushing touchdown. Moore is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and has the speed to threaten long touchdowns. The concern is if he can stay healthy and his size taking on NFL defenders. His injury history is more so large injuries, not necessarily nagging injuries that continue to plague NFL players. Additionally, he’s listed at 180 lbs, but when the combine comes around, he’ll be larger.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State
Buccaneers need to think about what they’re going to do with Shaquil Barrett, who hasn’t had the same statistical year as last year. Toney offers an exciting replacement with his bend and counter pass-rushing moves. He has the best bend in the class and understands how to utilize it, making him a classic boom-bust player. He offers upside and is a potential 11+ sack player if he develops properly.
28. Buffalo Bills – Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
Faalele is #13 on my big board but hasn’t played this year due to unknown reasons. He’s 400 lbs, 6’9”, and can move like he’s 320 lbs. Bills could move Cody Ford to right guard and make this one of the intimating offensive lines in the league. Let Josh Allen run a quarterback option play behind Ford and Falaale would leave a lot of defenders on their backs.
29. Green Bay Packers – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Packers need help with a linebacker who can shed blocks and clean up on the run. With the high percentage of playing nickel defense, they are susceptible to the run, and Owusu-Koramoah should go a long way to fixing this. His speed and quick processing time allow him to get side-to-side quickly. These traits also allow him to make a play on a ball-carrier, even when he makes a mistake or made the wrong read. Owusu-Koramoah has been one of the most significant risers throughout the draft process and can improve this defense significantly.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Asante Samuel Jr. CB, FSU
The Chiefs have to get more defensive help in the secondary as they struggled as of late. They need someone who can generate turnovers and play at a high level when the ball is in the air. Samuels, son of pro bowler Asante Samuel, has excellent ball skills like his father. Samuels has some polishing to do in man coverage, but his processing speed, ability to react, and play when the ball is in the air, make him worth a first-round pick.
31. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave is going to be a problem in the NFL. He’s a consistent separator with nuanced route-running skills, of which the fine details such as hand placement against cornerbacks and speed control gives him a significant advantage. It should translate to Olave hitting the ground running and being an immediate producer for a dynamic Saints Offense.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Ben Roethlisberger needs to have a successor, and it is clear that Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph are not the heirs. Enter Jones, another quarterback who has seen a significant rise through the draft process. His deep ball accuracy and anticipation makes it hard not to see him going in the first or second round. He would pair nicely with this cast of receivers.
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