Dre’s Mock Draft 1

Ohhhh how do I love mock draft season. They are always going to change due to things like the NFL Combine and NFL Free Agency, however it is the unofficial start to the next season. For it’s never too early to take a look at the future of the NFL. I think one of the most exciting aspects of this years draft is the fact it’s in Las Vegas. I mean the main stage is going to be floating on the fountains of the Bellagio hotel! If that doesn’t get you amped, I don’t know what will.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: QB, Joe Burrow – This is chalk. There’s no reason to pass him up if you’re Zac Taylor.
2. Washington Redskins: EDGE, Chase Young – Again chalk. Ron Rivera will be ecstatic getting such a dynamic playmaker to solidify this incredibly talented front 7.
3. Detroit Lions: CB Jeff Okudah – Now while I believe Matt Patricia and company won’t pass up Okudah, I can see Isaiah Simmons or Derrick Brown here. Lions need defenders but Okudah has everything to be shutdown.
4. New York Giants: OLB/S Isaiah Simmons – This is the most dynamic playmaker in the draft. I can see a lineman or Jerry Jeudy here to help Daniel Jones, but they can worry about that in the later rounds. Get Simmons and start to rebuild that defense.
5. Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa – I find this pick so funny because the Dolphins were tanking for this man until he got hurt AND THEN turned it on. Barring a trade, there’s no reason for the Dolphins to pass him up.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Mekhi Becton – This is my number 1 tackle but this might change per the combine. He’s an absolute house and can protect the next QB of this team. I also like Herbert here but I think the Chargers end up signing a QB or running with Tyrod Taylor.
7. Carolina Panthers: DT Derrick Brown – Matt Rhule is an offensive mind but he’s going to have to rebuild this defense from the ground up. There’s no better way to start than to anchor the DL with the best interior DL in the draft.
8. Arizona Cardinals: OT Jedrick Willis – The dream is CeeDee Lamb due to reliving the Kyler to CeeDee connection. They took 3 WRs in last years draft and still have Christian Kirk and Larry Fitz. Protect the franchise (Kyler) and draft a tackle.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Javon Kinlaw – His performance in the Senior Bowl opened some eyes. He shot up draft boards and lands here in Jacksonville. Add this talent alongside Josh Allen and Sacksonville is on their way back.
10. Cleveland Browns: OT Andrew Thomas – Another case of protecting the franchise. The Browns biggest issue was protecting Baker Mayfield. Getting Thomas here is also a luxury as he can go as high as 4 to the Giants.
11. New York Jets: WR Jerry Jeudy – Finally the Jets get a stud receiver for Sam Darnold. He’s my number 1 receiver and without a doubt the best route runner in this class.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb – It’s fitting he ends up going after Jeudy as he can easily go ahead. Due to the depth, he falls but the Raiders of Las Vegas will enjoy him catching passes from Carr (or Brady….)
13. Indianapolis Colts: QB Jordan Love – The first shocker of the mock 1.0. I went Love over Herbert (who also makes sense) here because I believe his ceiling is much higher than Herbert’s. If it is Love, he doesn’t see the field the entire season.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson – Him opposite of Shaq Barrett (if resigned) will wreak havoc. He’s a very good athlete and relentless when rushing the passer. He can also drop back into coverage which is important for a Todd Bowles defense.
15. Denver Broncos: DB CJ Henderson – If CeeDee or Jeudy falls, I can see either of them going here. Denver needs someone to play opposite or replace possible FA Chris Harris as he could be cut. Another possibility is one of the two safeties due to FA Justin Simmons.
16. Atlanta Falcons: DE AJ Epenesa – They aren’t bringing back Vic Beasley so they will need to insert someone. Epenesa could go as high as top 10 so getting him here is great value.
17. Dallas Cowboys: S Grant Delpit – Henderson if he falls or Xavier McKinney all make sense here. Cowboys are so close and have a ton of FA decisions to make. The one void they can easily fill is inserting Delpit for Jeff Heath.
18. Miami Dolphins: OT Tristian Wirfs – They need a ton of pieces. One they can fill is replacing now Texans LT Laremy Tunsil. Getting Wirfs continues the team rebuild and helps protect Tua. I’d also like to take this time to thank the Miami Dolphins franchise for All-Pro Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Justin Herbert – SURPRISE IT’S NOT BRADY OR CARR! Jon Gruden gets his man and you know he’s going to have so much to say about this pick. New city, new face of the franchise.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Zack Baun – They drafted Josh Allen last year and got Kinlaw earlier. They need to find a CB to replace Ramsey, but this pick is solely anticipating them losing OLB Yannick Ngakoue.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Noah Igbinoghene – I’m not 100% about statistics, but I know this was easily the worst secondary I watched last year. I see a ton of recievers going here in mocks but they need help badly on the backend of this defense.
22. Buffalo Bills: WR Tee Higgins – Josh Allen will be hyped getting a big target to chuck up prayers to. Him, John Brown, and Cole Beasley is a good trio of receivers for Allen to work with.
23. New England Patriots: WR Henry Ruggs III – I desperately wanted to go Jacob Eason or Jake Fromm here but I can’t pass up Ruggs. I can’t see NE moving on from Brady despite all signs showing that it’s over.
24. New Orleans Saints: WR Justin Jefferson – This franchise has to maximize the Drew Brees window by getting him as many targets as possible. The plus here is Jefferson does not have to go far at all to find his new home from LSU.
25. Minnesota Vikings: DT Ross Blacklock – Adding him to a front of Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, and Everson Griffin would keep the NFC north QBs up at night. He’s a guy who is flying under the radar due to going to BYU, but look for him to shoot up boards after the combine.
26. Miami Dolphins: OLB Terrell Lewis – Back to chalk when I say the Dolphins need a ton. They got the QB at 5, the man to protect the QB at 18, now get the guy who can sack the opposing QB here.
27. Seattle Seahawks: DE/OLB Yetur Gross-Matos – As good as Seattle was last year, they were 2nd to last in the NFL in sacking the opposing QB. They need all the help they can get rushing the passer because Jadeveon Clowney clearly wasn’t enough.
28. Baltimore Ravens: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. – I hate this pick as a Steelers fan, but as a fan of Lamar Jackson I need this to happen. Shenault Jr. is a special talent that is overshadowed by Jeudy and Lamb. Getting him here is could make an already incredible offense to another level.
29. Tennessee Titans: RB D’Andre Swift – This is purely anticipating the Titans not signing Derrick Henry. If they sign Henry, expect them to go pass rusher or maybe even Jacob Eason if they can’t bring back Ryan Tannehill.
30. Green Bay Packers: ILB Kenneth Murray – They need help here and due to the depth of this receiver class, they pass and take Murray. He can run sideline to sideline which is something that can take an above-average defense to the next level.
31. San Francisco 49ers: S Xavier McKinney – He’s an impact safety going to a defense that is already elite. I can see a DL or WR as well here to replace FAs to be in DL Arik Armstead and WR Emmanuel Sanders.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: RB JK Dobbins – The Super Bowl champions are not set here. Shady McCoy was a healthy scratch at the end of the regular season and the playoffs. Damien Williams (MVP SNUB) has had health issues as well. Although I love Darwin Thompson, I can see the Chiefs trying to find another 3 down RB.