I am very happy to once again bring you (the benchers) another mock draft. I wanted to make another one for a while, but wanted to wait until free agency settled down, but now we have some trades in the mix, and a boatload of talent trying to get places. You know the drill with my mocks at this point. Let’s get it!
| 1.) Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence (QB/Clemson) |
| 2.) New York Jets | Zach Wilson (QB/BYU) |
| 3.) San Francisco 49ers | Trey Lance (QB/North Dakota State) |
| 4.) Atlanta Falcons | Justin Fields (QB/Ohio State) |
| 5.) Cincinnati Bengals | Penei Sewell (OT/Oregon) |
| 6.) Miami Dolphins | Ja’Marr Chase (WR/LSU) |
| 7.) Detroit Lions | DeVonta Smith (WR/Alabama) |
| 8.) Carolina Panthers | Kyle Pitts (TE/Florida) |
| 9.) Denver Broncos | Micha Parsons (LB/PSU) |
| 10.) Dallas Cowboys | Caleb Farley (CB/Virginia Tech) |
| 11.) New York Giants | Rashawn Slater (OT/Northwestern) |
| 12.) Philadelphia Eagles | Jaylen Waddle (WR/Alabama) |
| 13.) Los Angeles Chargers | Christian Darrisaw (OT/Virginia Teach) |
| 14.) Minnesota Vikings | Kwity Paye (DE/Michigan) |
| 15.) New England Patriots | Mac Jones (QB/Alabama) |
| 16.) Arizona Cardinals | Patrick Surtain II (CB/Alabama) |
| 17.) Las Vegas Raiders | Alijah Vera-Tucker (OT/USC) |
| 18.) Miami Dolphins | Jayson Oweh (DE/PSU) |
| 19.) Washington Football Team | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB/Notre Dame) |
| 20.) Chicago Bears | Teven Jenkins (OT/Oklahoma State) |
| 21.) Indianapolis Colts | Jaylen Mayfield (OT/Michigan) |
| 22.) Tennessee Titans | Rashod Bateman (WR/Minnesota) |
| 23.) New York Jets | Gregory Rousseau (DE/Miami) |
| 24.) Pittsburgh Steelers | Jaycee Horn (CB/South Carolina) |
| 25.) Jacksonville Jaguars | Azeez Ojulari (LB/Georgia) |
| 26.) Cleveland Browns | Jaelan Phillips (DE/Miami) |
| 27.) Baltimore Ravens | Kadarius Toney (WR/Florida) |
| 28.) New Orleans Saints | Rondale Moore (WR/Purdue) |
| 29.) Green Bay Packers | Nick Bolton (LB/Missouri) |
| 30.) Buffalo Bills | Asante Samuel Jr. (CB/Florida State) |
| 31.) Kansas City Chiefs | Alex Leatherwood (OT/Alabama) |
| 32.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Christian Barmore (DT/Alabama) |
Why Who Picked Who?
1.) Jacksonville – Why Trevor Lawrence?
Lawrence will be the next quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Hopefully, he’ll be able to lead Jacksonville out of its terrible slump it’s been in.
2.) New York (J) – Why Zach Wilson?
I started to have my doubts about Zach Wilson, but then I watched his pro day. Man this kid is good. I really believe that Wilson will be Saleh’s quarterback of the future. That means Darnold will be shipped and dealt somewhere else, but the question is where?
3.) San Francisco – Why Trey Lance?
I would either argue Lance or Jones here because Justin Fields I believe will go elsewhere. Lance in my mind makes more sense though. His ceiling is incredibly high, and his floor is super low. Learning from Jimmy G might not be the best ideology to go by, but Kyle Shanahan rarely has issues with quarterbacks.
4.) Atlanta – Why Justin Fields?
I am still rolling with the Fields to Atlanta train, and I doubt I will ever stop even with the 49ers moving to the third spot. I have a feeling the 49ers will trade up to go get Lance which would make sense with Jimmy G clinging onto the starting job. Fields on the other hand should learn from Matt Ryan so he can take over for when he gets traded.
5.) Cincinnati – Why Penei Sewell?
Protect Joe Burrow…That is all.
6.) Miami – Why Ja’Marr Chase?
Based on what type of receiver things are in a great place with Miami as they made two different moves to get the number six pick. They still however, are able to grab the number one receiver off the board in Ja’Marr Chase from LSU. Finally, a weapon that can make Tua an instant threat for defenses everywhere.
7.) Detroit – Why DeVonta Smith?
Smith falls to the second receiver taken in this draft, but he becomes automatically the number with Golladay and Jones out. Jared Goff desperately needs a weapon, so giving him the Heisman Trophy winner is probably the best strategy for the Lions.
8.) Carolina – Why Kyle Pitts?
Originally I had the Panthers either going quarterback or defense here, but they need playmakers. Moore and Anderson did decently well, but they have lost Curtis Samuel. Let’s add a new weapon in the form of one generational talent; Kyle Pitts.
9.) Denver – Why Micha Parsons?
With news that Von Miller might be returning, it seems that everyone has forgotten about how impressive Micha Parsons would be on this defense. I imagine since they grabbed Kyle Fuller, they’ll lean more towards grabbing Parsons to learn from Miller, and then replace him going into next season.
10.) Dallas – Why Caleb Farley?
Farley is starting to look like the number one corner that is going to be taken off the board, and with the draft going the way it is now it would make sense for Dallas to grab the best one available. The shut-down ability of this Virginia Tech prospect is one that could help out Dallas’ garbage defense from last season.
11.) New York (G) – Why Rashawn Slater?
With the weapons that the Giants have added, it might be a good idea to go best talent available to make a prosperous decision to make sure Daniel Jones is protected to make those big throws. Bring in Rashawn Slater to work as the swiss army knife on the offensive line. With new weapons like Golladay and Rudolph getting added, this is a smart play indeed.
12.) Philadelphia – Why Jaylen Waddle?
Philly moves back six spots, but still grabs a great receiver in the form of Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle. He provides that decent size ability and speed that Philly has been working with. Put him alongside Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, and Travis Fulgham. He could honestly start day one which would be good for Jalen Hurts.
13.) Los Angeles (C) – Christian Darrisaw
The second Virginia Tech prospect off the board goes to the Chargers as Darrisaw becomes a day one starter. He can provide the athletic and sturdy ability to protect their franchise’s investment from last season; Justin Herbert. This is a smart play indeed.
14.) Minnesota – Why Kwity Paye?
Minnesota actually ends up in a good position to draft a decent offensive tackle, or they could look to the defense and how poor it was last year. The best prospect off the defense would probably have to be Michigan’s Kwity Paye. The defensive end could be a great investment that the Vikings go for.
15.) New England – Why Mac Jones?
Mac Jones is starting to become for some reason a hot commodity amongst teams that need quarterbacks. Ever since this season started, New England has been bombarded with comparisons between Jones and Brady. Is it worth the risk to take him. I am not sure, but getting a bunch of weapons in free agency certainly helps his cause for getting drafted by New England.
16.) Arizona – Why Patrick Surtain II?
Surtain II slides all the way down to Arizona. I had him originally going to Dallas, but with the way the board has fallen, he ends up on a team that is seemingly building up to grab something big. Having corner help from this Alabama shut-down is a great start and an instant replacement for Patrick Peterson who just jumped ship.
17.) Las Vegas – Why Alijah Vera-Tucker?
It is really hard to question why the Raiders do what they do, but this seems like a solid pick at this point. Their entire offensive line was depleted in free agency, and now they have to grab someone to help their line in the draft. USC Guard, Alijah Vera-Tucker is a big play that the Raiders seem like they would make. The have drafted so well up to this point that it is really hard to argue with their choices.
18.) Miami – Why Jayson Oweh?
I tell you what, I probably would have went differently, but after Penn State’s Pro Day, it is hard to argue with the stats and success of Jayson Oweh. Miami is in desperate position for an edge rusher so why not trust the stats and your gut and roll with Oweh for this one.
19.) Washington – Why Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah?
Having some quarterback and offensive line issues won’t stop Washington from once again adding to the defense with this pick of Owusu-Koramoah. His hybrid safety-linebacker ability brings a lot of unique possibilities for Washington to experiment with. It’s a risk, but taking a lineman or a receiver later is also possible.
20.) Chicago – Why Teven Jenkins?
Jenkins might not be the best tackle in this class when viewed, but knowing Chicago and the pressure they have been under might pressure them into a situation. Jenkins certainly isn’t the worst offensive tackle though so this pick could turn out good, but knowing how Chicago has been operating recently it is hard to guess.
21.) Indianapolis – Why Jalen Mayfield?
Mayfield could be exactly what the Colts are wanting in order to protect newly acquired quarterback Carson Wentz. He will most likely campaign for help on the offensive line since he was sacked a total of 50 times when he was with the Eagles before being replaced by Jalen Hurts. The Michigan tackle is a much better option for the Colts to pair with Quenton Nelson, but we will have to wait and see for the full results.
22.) Tennessee – Why Rashod Bateman?
Losing pass catchers Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Jonnu Smith to free agency might impact the Titans to get a pass catcher early, and what better name to get than the Minnesota wide-receiver; Rashod Bateman. He leads what I consider the B+ tier receivers, and pairing him up with A.J. Brown could be a great compliment for Ryan Tannehill to succeed.
23.) New York (J) – Why Gregory Rousseau?
Getting some pieces in free agency was a good one, but I think the Jets make a defensive decision after getting Zach Wilson and grab Gregory Rousseau from Miami to help out with their pass rush despite also signing Carl Lawson from Cincinnati. He sat out this past year because of COVID, but I wouldn’t put it past him to come and succeed in New York for the Jets.
24.) Pittsburgh – Why Jaycee Horn?
What a lucky break for the Steelers as they can avenge the loss of Steven Nelson and signing of Mike Hilton to the Bengals by drafting the South Carolina cornerback; Jaycee Horn. His experience and eye for noticing the ball is a must for Pittsburgh to consider as an option aside from their offensive line and running back issues.
25.) Jacksonville – Why Azeez Ojulari?
With Jacksonville already getting their main prize in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, I imagine they will go best player available. Enter Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari. The outside linebacker can do some serious damage for a defense, and maybe building defense here isn’t a bad ideology. Maybe you would consider receiver here, but they just signed Marvin Jones in Free Agency, but who knows?
26.) Cleveland – Why Jaelan Phillips?
Jaelan Phillips is a perfect pass rusher to pair with Myles Garrett in order to rush the quarterback. He took over well in bringing in great defensive strategies and pass rushes for Miami. I would not put it past Cleveland to take Phillips and solidify a solid defensive effort to rush quarterbacks like Ben, Lamar, and Burrow.
27.) Baltimore – Why Kadarius Toney?
Despite taking Sammy Watkins from Free Agency, I predict they might roll the dice and take another receiver to pair with him and Marquise Brown. Toney showed off some good things in Florida, but with Kyle Pitts there it was hard pull away and do great things. I think pairing him with Lamar in Baltimore could be a great thing for the kid from Florida.
28.) New Orleans – Why Rondale Moore?
Losing Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook in Free Agency is probably going to cause New Orleans to scramble for a receiver in the draft in order for a pass catcher. Enter Purdue’s Rondale Moore. He is a solid receiver and could compliment Michael Thomas no matter if it is Taysom Hill at the helm or Jameis Winston.
29.) Green Bay – Why Nick Bolton?
Nick Bolton is jumping up draft boards and while the option for receiver is here again for Green Bay, they might roll defense again and take Nick Bolton, the linebacker out of Missouri. At 6’0, 231 lbs, Bolton can provide a sensible stop to big rushing attacks which still plagued Green Bay’s defense last season.
30.) Buffalo – Why Asante Samuel Jr?
Having another corner isn’t the worst idea for the Buffalo Bills. Asante Samuel Jr can provide a lot of help to a backfield that was dominated by Tremaine Edmunds. The Florida State corner has an opportunity to learn the best and shadow talent while also providing great defense for the Bills going into the 2021-2022 season.
31.) Kansas City – Why Alex Leatherwood?
Leatherwood rounds out I guess the number of tackles taken in the first round. You can maybe argue he’d be a better early or mid round second pick, but the Chiefs need offensive line help despite signing Joe Thuney from Baltimore. Leatherwood brings some upside and he can do amazing things while protecting Patrick Mahomes.
32.) Tampa Bay – Why Christian Barmore?
Two Alabama products will go back to back here as the Bucs will take defensive tackle Christian Barmore. Look, Tampa was able to get all their stars back, but that won’t last forever. It is better to pick up the best defensive tackle in the draft in order to solidify your defense later one. Better safe than sorry for the Super Bowl champs.
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