The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and teams are scrambling to find players who they think could shape their future. Here is a mock draft for the first round, including trades.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
There isn’t much to say here - Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect coming out of college since Andrew Luck in 2012. If the Jaguars pick anyone else, this draft is a failure for them.
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)
Wilson is an amazing talent who has shot up draft boards over this past college season. He has a quick release, knows where to go with the football, and is very mobile. With him being heavily linked with the Jets over the past month, it’s hard to envision him slipping past pick 2.
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields (QB, OSU)
The 49ers pick is the toughest puzzle to solve, as Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers front office have been extremely secretive about their interests in the draft. However, Fields is clearly the best quarterback prospect available on the board. He has the best arm and arguably the best accuracy in the draft, while also being the fastest quarterback in the draft. It is amazing to think about his upside in this Shanahan-led offense.
4. *Denver Broncos(via Falcons) - Trey Lance (QB, NDSU)
Trade: DEN trades pick 9, pick 71, and a 2022 first round pick for pick 4
This trade puts the Broncos at a prime spot to take one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the draft, as they don’t seem like they want to keep the disappointing young quarterback Drew Lock much longer. Trey Lance’s college career--although short--was spectacular; the elusive mobile quarterback threw 28 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. His small sample size and lack of experience is scary--but there is a scenario in which he could emerge as the best in the draft.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
This should be a no-brainer for the Bengals. After promising rookie quarterback Joe Burrow tore his ACL last season, the Bengals must make it a priority to protect him. Penei Sewell is the best offensive lineman in this class, and he is a versatile player with little weaknesses, making him the easy pick at 5.
6. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)
The Dolphins have needed an alpha wide receiver for a while now, as they have had Devante Parker as their number one for the past couple seasons. Ja’Marr Chase is the perfect alpha wide receiver, with next to no weaknesses; he is fast, strong, elusive, and has great hands--exactly what you need in a wide receiver.
7. *Washington Football Team(via Lions) - Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)
Trade: WFT trades pick 19, 2022 first, 2023 first for pick 7
The Washington Football Team, in need of a quarterback for the future, trade up to select presumably the last first round quarterback that will be on the board, Mac Jones. Jones showed out at Alabama, showing all of the mental traits along with sufficient physical traits needed to be a decent starter in the NFL. Although he doesn’t possess much upside, pairing him up with great playmakers like Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, along with a great offensive line, could lead to lots of success for the Alabama product.
8. Carolina Panthers - Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)
After their trade for quarterback Sam Darnold, the Panthers don’t seem to be in the market for a quarterback anymore. So, why not help Sam Darnold by drafting one of the best tight end prospects in a long time, and a top 3 prospect in the draft? This Panthers offense could be dangerous.
9. *Atlanta Falcons(via Broncos) - Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)
Trade: DEN trades pick 9, pick 71, and a 2022 first round pick for pick 4
Atlanta trades down here for a decent haul, grabbing an extra third round pick as well as a future first round pick. Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan has been playing at a serviceable level, while the Falcons secondary was awful last year. They address this desperate need with the most polished corner in the draft.
10. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)
The cowboys defense was very bad last year, especially their secondary, ranking 5th-worst in the league in points allowed. Pairing promising cornerback Trevon Diggs with the highest-upside cornerback in the draft, Caleb Farley, could result in a Cowboys cornerback duo atop the league for years to come.
11. New York Giants - Rashawn Slater (OT, Northwestern)
The Giants ranked 2nd-worst in the league in total yards last year, and lacked playmakers in general. However, this was partially due to the injury of star running back Saquon Barkley early in the season, and the addition of star receiver Kenny Golladay this offseason will give quarterback Daniel Jones a lot to work with. However, protecting him must be a priority, especially since he has a fumble problem, making the quick, versatile offensive lineman Rashawn Slater a good pick here.
12. Philadelphia Eagles - Devonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
The Eagles are in dire need of a number one wide receiver, as they have had a problem at that position for a few years now. Heisman winner Devonta Smith’s only weakness is his small frame, but other than that, he is arguably the best receiver in this draft, and a great pick for the Eagles at 12.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw (OT, Virginia Tech)
The Chargers have a very talented roster, but have been extremely unlucky over the past few years. The record-breaking Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert was under pressure a lot last year, and was forced to make many plays on his own to feed his talented weapons like Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams. With a better offensive line, the Chargers offense could be near the top next year, making the 6’5, 314-pound Christian Darrisaw the right pick for Los Angeles.
14. Minnesota Vikings - Kwity Paye (Edge, Michigan)
The Vikings were 4th-worst in pass defense and 5th-last in sacks last year, displaying their need for a better pass rush. Kwity Paye is a big, quick, versatile pass rusher off the edge who can bring a lot to a team like the Vikings.
15. *San Francisco 49ers(via Patriots) - Jaycee Horn (CB, South Carolina)
Trade: SF trades QB Jimmy Garoppolo, pick 43 for pick 15
The 49ers move back into the first round by trading quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back to where he started his career, as the 49ers drafted his replacement, Justin Fields. After selecting Fields, the 49ers only hole is a true number two cornerback, which they would get in Jaycee Horn, an extremely big, physical corner who could match up with the seemingly unguardable star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf from the Seahawks in their division matchups.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL, USC)
The Cardinals don’t have many needs on the defensive or offensive side of the ball, but adding a good offensive lineman like Vera-Tucker to their average passing offense could elevate their offense to higher levels.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU)
The Raiders had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year due to their bad secondary. A smart, reliable, ball hawk safety like Moehrig would definitely help the Raiders stabilize their secondary.
18. Miami Dolphins - Azeez Ojulari (Edge, Georgia)
The Dolphins offense is set after picking Chase at pick 6, so they should address their defense with their second pick of the first round. Their stellar secondary doesn’t need help, but their pass rush does. Adding the lengthy pass rusher Azeez Ojulari would solidify their already good defense.
19. *Detroit Lions(via Football Team) - Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State)
Trade: DET trades pick 7 for pick 19, WFT 2022 first, WFT 2023 first
The Lions trade down 12 spots from 7 to get a haul of future first round picks, which would greatly help their rebuild. They select one of the top prospects in the draft, Micah Parsons, to fill one of their numerous holes.
20. Chicago Bears - Teven Jenkins (OT, Oklahoma State)
The Bears offense hasn’t been good over the past few years, and with Andy Dalton at quarterback, they will need to bolster their offensive line, doing so with the 6’6, 320-pound Teven Jenkins.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)
Waddle slips to 21 in this mock, making this a no-brainer pick for the Colts, as a top 12 draft talent slipped down this far. Adding weapons for their newly acquired, former top-tier quarterback, Carson Wentz, could help bring back his old days of elite performance.
22. Tennessee Titans - Rashod Bateman (WR, Minnesota)
The Titans have lost some of their best weapons in the passing game this offseason, with TE Jonnu Smith and WR Corey Davis leaving in free agency. With A.J. Brown as one of their only threats in the passing game, drafting a big, strong receiver like Rashod Bateman will open up the already great offense.
23. New York Jets - Jaelan Phillips (Edge, Miami)
After drafting their new franchise quarterback, Zach Wilson, the Jets address their defense, taking the athletic, high-upside edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to help their struggling defense from last year.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris (RB, Alabama)
The Steelers lost James Connor to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, and were dead last in the league in rushing offense last year. Drafting the best running back in the draft only makes sense.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Samuel Cosmi (OT, Texas)
After drafting Trevor Lawrence, their new quarterback, at pick 1, the Jags use their second first rounder on the great past protector, Samuel Cosmi. The last thing the team wants is for Lawrence to get beat up because of their offensive line.
26. Cleveland Browns - Jayson Oweh (Edge, Penn State)
Not having many needs, the Browns pair up star defensive end Myles Garret with Jayson Oweh, one of the highest-upside players in the draft with a great combination of speed and strength.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Gregory Rousseau (Edge, Miami)
With the loss of pass rushers Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngaukoue in free agency, the Ravens are in need of pass rushers. Although very risky, Gregory Rousseau could develop and flourish in the polished Ravens defense.
28. New Orleans Saints - Greg Newsome II (CB, Northwestern)
Being well over the salary cap, the Saints have had to cut many players this offseason, one of them being cornerback Janoris Jenkins, leaving a hole at the second cornerback spot across from Marshon Lattimore. A polished corner like Greg Newsome, having a good combination of speed, size, and ball skills, would help make an immediate impact on the Saints defense.
29. Green Bay Packers - Rondale Moore (WR, Purdue)
After drafting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round last year and infuriating Aaron Rodgers, the Packers make it right by taking the freakish athlete, Rondale Moore, who would bring an immediate impact by being a speedy deep threat for Rodgers alongside superstar receiver Davante Adams.
30. Buffalo Bills - Asante Samuel Jr (CB, Florida State)
The Bills, being one of the premier teams in the league, don’t have many needs, as they were stellar on both sides of the ball last year. However, they could improve on the cornerback spot opposite from Tre’Davious White, by taking elite coverage corner Asante Samuel Jr.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Jalen Mayfield (OT, Michigan)
The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl because of the horrible play of their offensive line, as both of their starting tackles were injured, and are now released. Taking the solid pass protector Jalen Mayfield will help bolster the offensive line and give Patrick Mahomes more time in the pocket to break down opposing defenses.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Barmore (DT, Alabama)
The Bucs frankly have barely any, if at all any holes; however their defensive line is aging, having an average age of 30. They need to get younger on this front, and adding the powerful, athletic Barmore would bring another great weapon to their elite defense.
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