Dre’s Mock Draft 1.0

NOW we’re in the offseason. For those of you reading, that opening statement was aimed specifically at Mr. Greg Malek who criticized me regarding my Deshaun Watson article. I’d first like to premise this by fully admitting I was way wrong about Tampa Bay.

I did not think they would vibe the way they did knowing there was a lot of mouths to feed and only one football. To me, that shows what kind of leader Tom Brady is. You never heard a word about dysfunction in that locker room even at 7-5. To win out in the regular season, and then dominate in the Super Bowl was nothing short of impressive. Ok enough of that because it is now time to shift focus onto one of my favorite things in the NFL Draft.

Obviously, this draft will be extremely difficult to evaluate players due to Covid *Mike Tomlin voice*. There is no combine which is one of the biggest stages for players to showcase their talents for NFL scouts. With that cancelled, scouting will be a challenge for franchises. As if there was not limited tape on some prospects due to opt-outs and revised NCAA scheduling. However, just like Leonardo DiCaprio said in “The Wolf of Wall Street” the show goes on.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars	QB Trevor Lawrence – The obvious selection here.
2. New York Jets	QB Justin Fields – The argument will be between him and Wilson for months.
3. Miami Dolphins	OT Penei Sewell – Got to protect the backside of Tua as he is currently the QB. Time will tell if that remains. Could also go WR here.
4. Atlanta Falcons	QB Zach Wilson – This team needs to rebuild and replacing Matt Ryan with Wilson is a good start.
5. Cincinnati Bengals	OT Christian Darrisaw – They hope to have Sewell fall here but the name of the game is to protect Joe Burrow.
6. Philadelphia Eagles	WR Devonta Smith – FWIW, I have the Slim Reaper 2 on my board for WRs. I just expect the Eagles to make the sexy pick to quiet the noise.
7. Detroit Lions	WR Jamarr Chase – People really forget that he’s probably better than Justin Jefferson. Goff will need weapons since Golladay and Marvin Jones are FAs.
8. Carolina Panthers	QB Mac Jones – If you watched Teddy Bridgewater this year then you know he’s not it.
9. Denver Broncos	LB Micah Parsons – After going heavy on offense last year, it’s now time to shift focus on the defense. Corner could be a factor here but Parsons is too good to pass up.
10. Dallas Cowboys	CB Patrick Surtain II – This team needs a playmaker on the back end. To me, he’s the best DB in this class. Jerry would be thrilled to have him.
11. New York Giants	EDGE Kwity Paye – No one outside of Leonard Williams came close to double digit sacks last year. Danny Dimes needs weapons too so Waddle could also be in play here.
12. San Francisco 49ers	CB Caleb Farley – I do not expect Richard Sherman to be back so Shanahan can immediately slot in Farley.
13. Los Angeles Chargers	EDGE Gregory Rousseau – New HC Brandon Staley has to be thrilled to get this job. Being a defensive guy, I expect a defensive pick. Not to mention LAC were 26th in sacks last year.
14. Minnesota Vikings	DT Christian Barmore – As good as they were at running the ball last year, they were equally as bad at stopping it. Barmore helps that problem immediately.
15. New England Patriots	QB Trey Lance – I love this kid and pray he falls to 24. Watching Cam last year, he just looks so washed. He didn’t follow up to Brady so the question for Pats fans is can Lance do the same?
16. Arizona Cardinals	TE Kyle Pitts – This team has a ton of WR talent but I believe Pitts can supersede all of it. He’s just that good. Rare combo of size, speed, and athleticism.
17. Las Vegas Raiders	LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Another team that just lacks playmaking on the front 7. He fits the mold of an Isaiah Simmons or new age LB.
18. Miami Dolphins	WR Jaylen Waddle – After passing on the Slim Reaper early, Tua gets some more help here by getting Waddle. He immediately fits the culture that Flores built based off of the grit showed in the NCAA championship game.
19. Washington Football Team	OT Rashawn Slater – This team allowed 50 sacks last year. If Alex Smith is the QB going into 2021, he will not last 16 games with that kind of protection.
20. Chicago Bears	G Alijah Vera-Tucker – David Montgomery had a helluva stretch run proving he can be an every down back. Getting this massive upgrade at G will continue to build off of that. Extremely balanced in run and pass pro.
21. Indianapolis Colts	WR Kadarius Toney – Getting Toney here would signify the end of the TY Hilton era in Indy. If not for the slim reaper, Toney may be the best WR pound-for-pound in this class.
22. Tennessee Titans	EDGE Joseph Ossai – 19 Sacks last year. That’s pathetic for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
23. New York Jets	RB Najee Harris – We were sooo close Steeler fans. Easily the best RB in this class. Getting Harris and pairing him with Fields could be very intriguing for Salah and the gang. Hard to see Saleh going offense twice in the first but here we are.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers	OT Jalen Mayfield – The name of the game is to fix the OL. With the deepest class that I can remember, they do that here. I went Mayfield over Leatherwood and Cosmi strictly because Tomlin is a Big 10 guy.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars	OT Alex Leatherwood – Protect the franchise.
26. Cleveland Browns	LB Zaven Collins – This team shockingly does not have a lot of glaring holes. Getting here Collins and putting him opposite of Myles Garrett could be lethal.
27. Baltimore Ravens	WR Terrance Marshall – Lamar Jackson did struggle to throw the ball this year. I think many QBs would with a WR2 of Willie Snead. Marshall is big body and a big play threat that could get Lamar back to MVP form.
28. New Orleans Saints	S Trevon Moehrig – With not a lot of cap space, sacrifices will have to be made. With Marcus Williams set to walk in FA, the Jim Thorpe award winner can be a day 1 starter.
29. Green Bay Packers	WR Rondale Moore – Aaron Rodgers finally gets another weapon. A dynamic playmaker who can stretch the field and open things up for Adams is exactly what AR12 will need.
30. Buffalo Bills	CB Jaycee Horn – For him to fall here and putting him opposite of Tre’Davious White got to put a smile on Sean McDermott’s face.
31. Kansas City Chiefs	LB Nick Bolton – Watching this game, an OL would be the pick so someone like Wyatt Davis. Went with Bolton here because there is no one at the LB level who can make any sort of impact when needed.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	EDGE Azeez Ojulari – The Super Bowl champs have a lot of key pieces entering FA. Another franchise tag on Shaq Barrett seems unlikely needing to sign other key pieces.