Last night the LA Rams proved that avoiding the draft can work as they took their merry band of superstars down victory lane against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite most of us assuming the game was going to be close, I believe that was one of the most fun Superbowls in recent memory…most likely because I didn’t absolutely despise one of the teams for having Tom Brady on the roster.
The Superbowl coming to an end means two things. First, we now have about 5 months to wait for football to be back. Fun. Second, we can shift every ounce of our energy to quarterback landing spots and the NFL draft. Fun!
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal OT Alabama
The first overall pick has changed quite a bit since we started doing mocks (which we start way, way too early to be taken serious) but it shouldn’t be a total surprise that Neal remains my top tackle. Similar to the 2020 draft all of the available top tier tackles have their pros and cons which leaves us to find the best fits possible. Neal is pro ready and can provide the Jags with an instant boost to Lawrence’s confidence.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
Hutchinson v Thibodeaux is going to be the combine conversation with two top tier edge rushers in this class. On Two Beers Deep we’ve discussed in length the differences between the two with Hutch coming in as the “safer” of the two options. The Lions need talented players who can buy into their new coaches kneecap mentality and Hutch is the perfect balance for Detroit.
3. Houston Texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
When the Draft comes around I could see the Oregon product sliding hard due to his injury list but there’s no doubt that the upside is tantalizing. Thibodeaux has been the exciting name to watch all season and despite a mediocre outing he continues to provide the perfect amount of upside in the NFL to be taken in the top five. The Texans will have the opportunity to get whoever they love here, so Tackle and Secondary guys are absolutely in the mix.
4. New York Jets – Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State
If you need a catchy rhyme to remember this dude’s name, just ask Greg Malek. Ikem Ekwonu is a BEAST and arguably the most enticing OT in this entire class. As I mentioned with Evan Neal, the tackles here all have a home with a specific team and Neal just makes the most sense on the Jets. The Jets have Mekhi Becton already but need the talent to help keep their hopes of Zach Wilson alive.
5. New York Giants – Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
Again, these tackles are so impressive that it’s tough for me to not just take them all early but Charles Cross comes in as the best pure blocker in the class. He has the wingspan of a freaking dinosaur and if the Giants are dead set on making Danny DImes work, Cross has the upside to make that happen.
6. Carolina Panthers – Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
The love affair wasn’t a well-kept secret between Pitt QB Kenny Pickett and the Panthers, so let’s get the first QB off the board. The Panthers finished last year with a wild QB carousel which leads you to believe they don’t have a QB1 currently. I’m in the camp that Sam Darnold can be a serviceable starter, but Pickett offers the coaching staff a clean slate. I don’t know if we will see a QB taken this high but Pickett to the Panthers could happen.
7. New York Giants – Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
The Giants need talent, so taking arguably the top talent in the class is a terrific position to be in for New York. The Giants took their tackle of the future right ahead of the Panthers in the off chance they want to actually protect their QB, so snagging a high ceiling corner here is a luxury pick. Stingley had a rough past two years at LSU after being the best player on that defense his freshman season so the future isn’t absolutely certain for this talent. I believe in Stingley and love the Giants draft so far.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
Safety is a terribly weird position when it comes to the NFL Draft but the Atlanta Falcons are salivating. Snagging arguably the best football player at 8? Yes, please. Get this defense some help and walk out of night one with a smile from cheek to cheek as Hamilton is an instant starter at the next level.
9. Denver Broncos – David Ojabo DE Michigan
I could easily see the Broncos going QB here based off..well..John Elway’s history, but having recently sent Von Miller to Canton they need to help Bradley Chubb. Ojabo is a freak athlete and will be a riser come combine time. Pairing Surtaina and Chubb with another young talent can make the Broncos a destination for one of the big fish FA QB’s this offseason.
10. New York Jets – Jermaine Johnson DE Florida State
Edge is a massive snag in this class and Jermaine Johnson is riding that wave all the way from the Senior Bowl to the draft. Johnson isn’t the most talented pass rusher in the class but offers a steady upside that the Jets need. With their O-Line set up, the Jets need to address the pass rush.
11. Washington Commanders – Matt Corral QB Ole Miss
The Commanders are new, so bringing in a new QB is an absolute must. You can’t expect this franchise to trot out Taylor Heinicke with that wild VV across his chest and believe they have a shot in that division, Corral is a project, but one that the new look team in Washington can handle.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Davis IDL Georgia
DAS DANCING BEAR! The Vikings are always an awkward team to draft for as their skill position players have been near elite for a few years now. Snag the MASSIVE guy up front and restock that pass rush in a division that’s currently theirs to lose.
13. Cleveland Browns – Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
Man…the Browns. I don’t believe they’ll go WR here but with the recent burn job by OBJ, taking their pick of the receivers in this class should feel like a luxury. Burks was the reason Arkansas was relevant this year and with Williams out should slide in as the top pick in this class. Get Baker the tools he needs (aside from two all-pro lineman, two all-pro running backs, an all-pro receiver, a genius coach, an all generation pass rusher) and I think they could be happy with the results.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Green IOL Texas A&M
I hate this pick but I love it for the Ravens. Green is a dog, arguably the best guard in this class and a much-needed piece to this team. I’m not sure if Lamar is absolutely the guy to win a chip there but we do know he’s an all-world talent about to get a BAG. Protect your guy and let’s get that running attack back in shape.
15. Philadelphia Eagles – Ahmad Gardner CB Cincinnati
SAUCE GARDNER! Dre’s riser finds himself in the position of being a secondary savior in Philly and if there’s a corner in this class to do it, it’s Gardner. I love this option for the Eagles to paid Sauce with Slay providing one of the Swaggggiest DB rooms in the league.
16. Philadelphia Eagles – Tyler Linderbaum IOL Iowa
With back to back picks I could see the Eagles moving out of this spot but when a guy falls on your lap to replace your all-world center Jason Kelce, you take him. Linderbaum is the best C in the class no contest and can learn behind one of the league’s best for a season. The Eagles win in the trenches and Linderbaum can be sure they don’t miss a beat.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
Penning was a massive winner at the Senior Bowl and will be a riser come combine time as well. He has size and a dog mentality so pairing him with last years pick Rashawn Slater (who is currently a top five tackle already) provides you with a line that Justin Herbert can absolutely man handle the league behind.
18. New Orleans Saints – Jameson Williams WR Alabama
The Saints are in a SUPER weird position. New head coach, no set QB and Michael Thomas is basically MIA. Williams is a burner who would probably be the top talent in the class if it wasn’t for his injury. Although the Saints defense is in win now mode their offense leaves a ton to be desired. Take Williams, let him learn and prepare for the future.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – George Karlaftis DE Purdue
Karlaftis is a faller as of late but not due to his own actions. He’s an NFL Starter and a quality edge rusher, arguably the last one I care about in this class in terms of excitement. The Eagles have no retooled their secondary, offensive line AND defensive line. I love the draft for Philly so far.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Malik Willis QB Liberty
This one was a battle between my eyes, my heart and my constant ability to see the upside in guys. There’s no secret that Tomlin loved Willis at the Senior Bowl. Does he provide us with the best chance to win? Absolutely not compared to guys like Lloyd and Leal, but Willis gives Pittsburgh hope at the QB position which is something we haven’t had in a few seasons.
21. New England Patriots – Devin Lloyd LB Utah
I hate this so much but the Patriots are once again sitting back and enjoying a premiere talent falling into their laps. There are a lot of conversations around the second best LB in the class because Lloyd is widely considered the top talent. The Patriots are in a comfortable position with Mac Jones and although getting him a receiver here could happen, the draft is deep enough that snagging a defensive stud is a luxury.
22. Las Vegas Raiders – Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
The Raiders lost Arnette this season so snagging one of the top guys at CB seems to be a massive need, especially in their division. Booth had a decent year at Clemson despite Clemson’s terrible start to the season. The Raiders need a lot going into this next season but hopefully with Booth you can cross DB off the list.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Trent McDuffie CB Washington
There’s something about Washington secondary players and the Cardinals I just can’t avoid, but McDuffie is a great pick up for the Cardinals here. I could see them addressing parts of their line if certain guys fall but get Baker some help on the defensive side of the ball and keep Kyler somewhat happy. If there was a running back that could go in the first, I believe Arizona would be the place to snag him.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
As Greg continues to preach, Micah Parsons has been moved a bit more outside than inside so snagging a guy who’s arguably just as fast can make this a terrifying defense for years to come. Dean is a DOG and a leader who can run sideline to sideline in coverage. Pair that with this years DROY in Parsons and the Cowboys have nothing to fear but fear itself.
25. Buffalo Bills – DeMarvin Leal IDL Texas A&M
The Bills take a stab on a guy who came into this year as a premiere top ten pick in Leal. It will be interesting come the actual draft which way the Bills go seeing as they literally played perfect and still lost to the Chiefs, but Leal provides stability and upside to that defense and at this stage of the draft, he’s a good gamble.
26. Tennessee Titans – Roger McCreary CB Auburn
The Titans need a franchise QB and some o-line help but snagging McCreary can go a long way for the AFC’s #1 seed. A Senior Bowl riser, he’s been knocked for having “short arms” but teams won’t make the same mistake they did with Asante Samuel Jr. McCreary is an NFL Corner today.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drake London WR USC
The Bucs are in post-TB12 Limbo currently and most likely could look at finding their QB in free agency if Kyle Trask isn’t looked at as the guy so replacing the most likely gone Chris Godwin is a must. The rumors are that Gronk is also done with the NFL so snagging a big body here with Drake London will entice any FA QB to make their way down south.
28. Green Bay Packers – Devonte Wyatt IDL Georgia
Thought I was going to go WR here, huh? The Packers are also in the wonderful world of QB-Limbo so retooling that defensive line is the safe play here. Personally I would LOVE to see them take a WR but after years of trying, I’m formally done selecting a receiver to Green Bay.
29. Miami Dolphins – Chris Olave WR Ohio State
The Dolphins on the other hand have no problem getting their guy Tua some talent! Jaylen Waddle was an all-world talent last season and should be used out the wazzooo next year. Olave can step in, learn the ropes and instantly benefit from the impact Waddle has on defenses.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Jaquan Brisker S Penn State
I almost went receiver here but the more I read about this class, the more I love Jaquan Brisker. The Chiefs defense need to keep this team out of shootouts every Sunday and getting secondary help should be a main focus for this team come the draft.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Zion Johnson IOL Boston College
PROTECT BURROW PLEASE! WE’RE BEGGING YOU! All of the tackles I want are gone so give me a massive Senior Bowl riser in Zion Johnson. If Burrow had a second to breathe against Donald he had Chase wide open for a Super Bowl Victory. Protect him and draft for the line, please.
32. Detroit Lions – Sam Howell QB UNC
I will most likely get ripped a part by Lions fans once again but taking a guy who COULD be your franchise moving forward at 32 isn’t bad at all. Let Goff sit there for two more years and get guys who will buy into the system. For the record, I do not like Sam Howell.
thoughtsfromthebench.com 
One comment