I have waited for FA to start and settle out before a quasi-meaningful mock draft could be assembled. The carousel of QBs and skill positions changed the board a bit but let’s walk through it team by team and see where we stand 2+ months later shall we.
And with the first overall pick the Cincinnati Bengals select……..
1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow (QB – LSU) Though Andy Dalton has not found a dance partner yet the Bengals will stick strong to their #1 choice. There are no indications, other than dumb people with rumors, that the Bengals will change their mind on the best talent since Andrew Luck. Previous pick: unchanged
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young (DE – OSU) The Skins added Kyle Allen from the Panthers which tells me that they are still not interested in Tua. DE is not their primary need and with Trent Williams demanding to be out of the Nation’s capital LT will become pressing. They can get that done later in the draft and may pull a 2019 move and trade up again to get 2 first rounders if there is a tackle there that they love. Previous pick: unchanged
3. Detroit Lions – Jeffrey Okudah (CB – OSU) No doubt that the Lions have been loading up on defensive help to turn that #27 ranking into a single digit. So far they have only signed Desmond Trufant to add at CB so I feel really good that Okudah is their pick. Most other mocks agreed so I am going to stay here with this one. Previous pick: unchanged
4. New York Giants – Jerry Jeudy (WR – Alabama) Sorry I just nailed the top 4…okay maybe even 5. I am still sticking with Jeudy for all of the same reasons. Jones is going to need weapons and there is not a worthy pick at #4 to take a OL-man. If the Giants had any history of trading down I would say that this is their year to do so and still get a great WR but it’s the G-men and they are stubborn. I also like Isaiah Simmons here but LB is not their obvious need. Previous pick: unchanged
5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Taglovailoa (QB – Alabama) Can it be?!?! 5 for 5! It is; I am staying with Tua for the Fins. Tua has been the most talked about player and unless someone like the Chargers or Raiders move up I still see Tua going at #5. This will be a good haul for Miami and Tua can sit behind Fitzmagic and learn the ropes and continue to heal. The best thing for Tua can be to sit and watch just like the Skins wanted to do with Haskins (though Tua is more NFL ready). Previous pick: unchanged
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Hebert (QB – Oregon) Miami gets their QB and now the Chargers must also take one. This pick also goes unchanged and unless they make way for Cam Newton, Jameis Winston or Andy Dalton here then this seems like the appropriate pick. A big town team like LA needs some hype and a rookie QB is the way to do it. Previous pick: unchanged
7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons (OLB – Clemson) If Simmons doesn’t go to the Giants earlier he is the best player on the board. The Panthers went heavy on offense in FA besides bringing in Teddy Football. Perhaps the goal is to then load up on defensive talent in the draft. Previous pick: unchanged
8. Arizona Cardinals – Derrick Brown (DT – Auburn) Yes I have finally deviated and that is because the Cards made a great trade in FA with the Texans. Sure it would be nice to get a young stud like Lamb but Arizona needs to start balancing offensive and defensive talent. Paired with Jordan Phillips and Brown being the best player on the board (top 5 talent) this could really improve that DL quickly. Previous pick: CeeCee Lamb (WR – Oklahoma)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – CeeCee Lamb (WR – Oklahoma) The old swap-a-roo here and helping Minshew is very important. Their best receiving weapon is now the often injured Tyler Eifert and the WR pantry is bare. The Jags snag Lamb here to give that offense a punch and try to return to a competitive playoff team. The Jags are hoping that Minshew was not a flash in the pan and they need to build around him to test his long-term viability. Previous pick: Derrick Brown (DT – Auburn)
10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas (LT – Georgia) The Browns have had an excellent offseason (that pains me to say) and they secured their RT position with Jack Conklin. Now it is still time to address their biggest need and shore up both book-ends. I have the Browns sticking with Thomas who is definitely the best OL player in the draft. Previous pick: unchanged
11. New York Jets – Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT – Alabama) I still dislike this pick but the reasons still stand….the Jets need help on the line so badly they will freak out that Thomas was gone and take the best OT that can start right away. The Jets added five linemen in the offseason (mostly interior) so they are hoping to let the best players play. In order to do that they need to stock up. I really like Darnold and every young QB needs a strong line. Previous pick: unchanged
12. Las Vegas Raiders – Marvin Wilson (DT – FSU) Honestly I have no idea here. The Raiders could go all of the way up to #4 to steal Tua, drop down to take a WR or stay put and take the best player on the board and build that defense. I am sticking with Wilson because the Raiders look to be making a big investment on the defense this offseason and Gruden is just waiting for Carr to fail so he can take his own QB next year. Previous pick: unchanged
13. Indianapolis Colts – Henry Ruggs III (WR – Alabama) The Colts are going all-in and my guess is that they try and get a QB in the second round. After signing Philip Rivers to a one-year deal they need a player who can come in and make an immediate impact. That player is still going to be Ruggs III because skill players are easiest to shine early. TY and Ruggs would be a deadly combo and just what Rivers might need to make a playoff run. Previous pick: unchanged
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Grant Delpit (S – LSU) Speaking of going all-in the Bucs landed the GOAT and now they want to win quickly. Their WR and offensive skills positions are fully loaded and ready to receive TDs from TB12. I had the Bucs going OL with the thought that they would be building around Jameis, another FA QB or draft pick but like the Colts they want someone who can start now. The Bucs are a little heavy at the safety position but Delpit is a straight baller and playmaker. Get the ball in the hands of Brady as much as possible and Delpit is someone that can do that. The Bucs are going to be fun to watch this year. Previous pick: Tristan Wirfs (OT – Iowa)
15. Denver Broncos – Tee Higgins (WR – Clemson) The Broncos got robbed of Delpit by the Bucs so they look to help Drew Lock. Their WR corp lacks big names and proven talent and they want Lock to show progress in his second year. Higgins can stretch the field and bring competition to the WR room and may be exactly what is needed to get that offense moving chains. Previous pick: Grant Delpit (S – LSU)
16. Atlanta Falcons – AJ Epenesa (DE – Iowa) I see the Falcons either regressing further this season or making a last gasp at a playoff run with Ryan. They signed Melvin Gordon in the offseason after letting Freeman go and they were dealing with some cap issues which hindered their FA pickups. I think the Falcons stay the course here and take the best DE on the board. Previous pick: unchanged
17. Dallas Cowboys – Justin Jefferson (WR – LSU) I was wrong about the Amari Cooper re-signing but I do like the Cowboys loading up on talent and depth for Dak. I almost switched up and went CB here but Justin Jefferson being a semi-local talent and Jerry loving skill positions was too easy. Tristan Wirfs could also be a pick here after losing their starting center. Previous pick: unchanged
18. Miami Dolphins – Tristan Wirfs (OL – Iowa) If Wirfs lasts this far I can see the Dolphins scooping him up at #18. He is the best tackle on the board and adds depth to the Dolphins that they are going to need in 2021. Wirfs is a safe pick and an investment that 2021 is going to be the year of Tua. They can still get a premium WR later with their stockpile of picks too. Previous pick: Tee Higgins (WR – Clemson)
19. Oakland Raiders – CJ Henderson (CB – Florida) Oakland sticks to the board here and takes a great CB to add to that terrible defense. Gruden is probably flaming mad at this point and wants some offensive toys but Mayock is building something new on that defense here and apparently it wins championships….unless you have Patrick Mahomes. Previous pick: unchanged.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Noah Igbinoghene (CB – Auburn) Minshew got his treat first and now it’s the defenses turn After the Raiders take the best CB remaining Jacksonville gets antsy and gets theirs. Previous pick: unchanged
21. Philadelphia Eagles – De-Andre Swift (RB – Georgia) I switched from WR to RB because I believe this is the offense’s biggest need. Wentz is in a crucial prove it year to the team and when he is good he is great. Swift offers some balance to the offense and allows Wentz to run play-action more which allows him to throw on the move. I believe this will plummet Shenault Jr. down the board because the next few picks like sure things or have greater needs. Previous pick: Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR – Colorado)
22. Buffalo Bills – Devonta Smith (WR – Alabama) Trust the process and give Allen more weapons. Clearly the Bills are headed in a great direction and having Diggs, Brown, Beasley and Smith now in the lineup might seem crowded but Allen could have a feast at with his big arm. I don’t necessarily think this will happen but it would be fun to see in a high-powered offense. Previous pick: unchanged
23. New England Patriots – Jacob Eason (QB – Washington) I still think there is a high probability that the Pats want to tank for Trevor Lawrence and this pick will say it all. Since the Pats are eating $25M in dead cap money they need to do QB on the cheap and right now they have that. They could make a future play here with Eason or Love and get to kick the tires a bit. If Belichik doesn’t think they have anything they could play for Lawrence (see Bengals 2019) and just piss away their first rounder and still lure the fans in with hope. Previous pick: unchanged
24. New Orleans Saints – Patrick Queen (LB – LSU) Queen has shot up my draft board and for obvious reasons….I overlooked him. I would love to take him with #33 but I think the Saints need some help at the LB position. Another great pick would be Murray here but Queen is continuously being talked about as a better prospect. Since the Saints brought in Emmanuel Sanders the WR room gets a little crowded. Previous pick: Bradon Aiyuk (WR – Arizona State)
25. Minnesota Vikings – Xavier McKinney (S – Alabama) The best backfield player on the board is McKinney. After losing all of their starting CBs to the Bengals in the offseason Zimmer should be looking for some new firepower and there is not enough depth in the draft at corner to pass up on McKinney. Zim always figures it out and this will be no exception. He is a firm believer of best player available and if he does not go McKinney here he is going to go Murray. Previous pick: unchanged
26. Miami Dolphins – J.K. Dobbins (RB – OSU) I look at Jordan Howard’s two-yaer deal as a stop gap. Since Dobbins is still on the board then why not take arguably the best runner in 2019. Since Swift was take earlier this is certainly a great silver medal to take home. Previous pick: De-Andre Swift (RB – Georgia)
27. Seattle Seahawks – Ross Blacklock (DT – TCU) The Seahawks certainly need some help on the DL and if they end up not bringing Clowney back Blacklock could be the stud they need. Also looking at Curtis Weaver here. Previous pick: unchanged
28. Baltimore Ravens – Kenneth Murray (ILB – Oklahoma) The Ravens need to revamp this linebacking corp and Judon is their only quality starter. The time for the Ravens to win a Super Bowl is right now while they still have Jackson on a rookie deal. Historically they have been a great defensive team and adding Murray will only help bolster that. I will be jealous when they get him. Previous pick: Curtis Weaver (DE – Boise State)
29. Tennessee Titans – Curtis Weaver (DE – Boise State) Bringing back Henry and going all in on Tannehill has sent shockwaves in Nashville. They have some holes to plug and getting a great rotational player in Weaver is a good way to improve that staunch defense. Previous pick: J.K. Dobbins (RB – OSU)
30. Green Bay Packers – Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR – Colorado) Since Shenault has dropped let the open arms of Rodgers catch him and make him a day 1 starter. He is clearly a better player than Hamler and its likely the Packer scouts were able to get to Colorado to see him play more than Penn State. Previous pick: K.J. Hamler (WR – Penn State)
31. San Francisco 49ers – Kristian Fulton (CB – LSU) I still like this pick and I am sticking to it. SF needs to secure the backfield a little better if they want to return to the Super Bowl. I also think they need some WR help here but will probably address that in the second round. They could take Hamler or Aiyuk here as well. I like both of those picks. Previous pick: unchanged
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Raekwon Davis (DT – Alabama) They franchised Chris Jones so why not look to find his replacement in Davis. He is a bargain pickup with a good pedigree and the skill positions are a bit full at the current time. Davis will be a depth pick and a cap saver in 2021 which they will certainly need. Previous pick: Kenneth Murray (ILB – Oklahoma)
33. Cincinnati Bengals – K’Lavon Chaisson (LB – LSU) A quality starter is going to be available at #33 if we do not trade it away for Trent Williams. If it is not a back-to-back LSU pick-a-thon then I could also see Mehki Becton – OL, Zach Baun – LB or even Aiyuk here (we have to dump John Ross first). This draft is so deep that having the #33 pick is like having #15 in previous drafts and we could not have timed tanking any better! Previous pick: Raekwon Davis (DT – Alabama)