Congrats to the Los Angeles Rams who I predicted to win the Super Bowl in the preseason! It’s just sad I didn’t bet on them as futures really aren’t my thing. Anyways, mock drafting is how to cope with the depression that sets in knowing the NFL is gone until September. Seeing as that’s so far, we do have plenty to look forward to here as FA is on the horizon, the combine, pro-days, etc. As a Steelers fan, this is the first time in 18 years that I’ll be scouting QB extensively. I miss you already Ben! Every QB is apparently rumored to replace 7 as the next Steelers signal-caller from Aaron Rodgers to Jameis Winson. Time will tell there, but I’m just glad draft szn is back!
| 1. Jacksonville Jaguars | Evan Neal – OT Alabama: Protect Trevor Lawrence as that is the most important thing |
| 2. Detroit Lions | Aiden Hutchinson – DE Michigan: His move will not be far from residing in Ann Arbor. Seems like a great fit here for Dan Campbell |
| 3. Houston Texans | Kayvon Thibodeaux – DE Oregon: This team needs a lot so why not take a guy with one of the highest upsides in this draft |
| 4. NY Jets | Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner- CB Cincinnati: MY GUY as this dude is going to be a monster in the league. With 2 firsts in the top 10, getting a lockdown corner crosses off a huge need in a division with Josh Allen |
| 5. NY Giants | Ikem Ekwonu – OT NC State: Could go to the Jets as well but this team needs to rebuild the OL. If he falls to 5, I don’t see how he goes here. |
| 6. Carolina Panthers | Kenny Pickett – QB Pittsburgh: Steelers/Pitt fans want this man so badly but I just don’t see it happening. I know Darnold is here but he isn’t the guy. |
| 7. New York Giants (from Chicago) | David Ojabo – OLB Michigan: NYG was near the bottom of the league in sacks so nabbing an OLB here is big for a team that needs more of a pass rush. |
| 8. Atlanta Falcons | Nakobe Dean – ILB Georgia: This is another team that has big pieces to fill on the OL but the only real defender who is worth a damn is AJ Terrell. |
| 9. Denver Broncos | Devin Lloyd – ILB Utah: I fully expect them to avoid drafting a rookie. It’s just not the John Elway way. With them basically a QB away on offense from being a serious contender, I expect them to lock down a sideline-to-sideline guy on defense. |
| 10. New York Jets (from Seattle) | Kyle Hamilton – S Notre Dame: My man Chris Cappella hates this pick but getting the top 2 DBs in this draft solidifies that defensive backfield for years to come. |
| 11. Washington Commanders | Malik Willis – QB Liberty: I do like Taylor Heinicke and I believe Ron Rivera does as well (to a point). He’s not a franchise guy and bringing in Willis allows Rivera to try his hardest to recreate the old Panthers offense with Antonio Gibson ready for a big year. |
| 12. Minnesota Vikings | Derek Stingley Jr. – CB LSU: This was one of the worst graded defensive backfields in the NFL. Getting Stingley here is honestly a steal because he is a top 10 talent. He’s arguably the best CB in this draft (not mine) |
| 13. Cleveland Browns | Drake London – WR USC: I can see Treylon Burks here as well because they need to get Baker a big-bodied receiver. I believe Drake is better at the 50-50 balls and Baker needs a guy where he can chuck and pray. |
| 14. Baltimore Ravens | Charles Cross – OT Mississippi State: Sign your franchise in Lamar Jackson and then protect him. |
| 15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami) | Tyler Linderbaum – C Iowa: with 1 of 3 first rounders, the Eagles have a chance to completely load up on talent. Jason Kelce is currently a FA. |
| 16. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis) | George Karlaftis – DE Purdue: The Eagles only had 29 sacks last year which was good for 2nd to last in the NFL (Falcons had 18. WOOF) |
| 17. Los Angeles Chargers | Jordan Davis – DT Georgia: Brandon Staley would be extremely pumped to finally help rebuild a DL that has been gashed by the running game for too long now. |
| 18. New Orleans Saints | Garrett Wilson – WR Ohio State: If anyone else but Dennis Allen got this job, I would have went QB here. I believe this franchise is committed to Taysom Hill. I’m not sure why, but here we are. |
| 19. Philadelphia Eagles | Treylon Burks – WR Arkansas: with pick 3, the Eagles have a chance to get another dynamic playmaker for Jalen Hurts. My brother called this man a future star in this league so I’m excited to see him at the combine. |
| 20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Matt Corral – QB Ole Miss: this is my QB1 TODAY. We still have a long way to go in this process but I love Corral. He’s an absolute baller and I put massive stock in the competition QBs play. Against the SEC, he was pretty damn good. His 2020 games are the most eye-popping to me albeit with no fans. |
| 21. New England Patriots | Jameson Williams – WR Alabama: This is just typical Patriots as I’m sure if this happens that he will be a star. A team that is in massive need of playmakers on the outside, they get one of Mac Jones’s old teammates. |
| 22. Las Vegas Raiders | Trevor Penning – OT Northern Iowa: He’s getting crazy reviews as a nasty ass dude. Derek Carr will be happy when this man joins the OL as he’s going to get a bigger contract. |
| 23. Arizona Cardinals | Roger McCreary – CB Auburn: The Cards are honestly right there but drama has unfolded. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Kyler. As that will unfold, today this team needs more playmakers on the outside. The Rams may bring back Odell somehow and have Cooper Kupp and Bob Woods under contract. |
| 24. Dallas Cowboys | Zion Johnson – IOL Boston College: Running the football is what made this team successful. Rebuilding the OL should be atop the list here and getting another guy who is getting rave reviews from the Senior Bowl will help jumpstart that running game for Zeke Elliot. |
| 25. Buffalo Bills | Jahan Dotson – WR Penn State: Yes Josh Allen is getting another weapon. Diggs, Knox, and Dotson? Sheeeeesh! |
| 26. Tennessee Titans | Chris Olave – WR Ohio State: With injury concerns on AJ Brown (but more so Julio Jones), getting a WR here who can stay on the field is the move here. He would compliment this offense so well as Olave’s best strength is stretching the field. |
| 27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DeMarvin Leal – DT Texas A&M: There isn’t much cap room here and this team is set to lose Ndomukong Suh in FA. |
| 28. Green Bay Packers | Trey McBride – TE Colorado State: Another plug-and-play guy as Robert Tonyan is a FA and recovering from a knee injury. Regardless if Aaron Rodgers stays or not, this is kind of a slap in the face as this team would have drafted the 1st pass catcher in round 1 in quite some time. |
| 29. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco) | Kenyon Green – Texas A&M: Another team with OL problems. Get Tua some time to work! |
| 30. Kansas City Chiefs | Andrew Booth Jr. – CB Clemson: the defense improved as the season went along but it lacks true playmakers outside of free agent to-be in Tyrann Mathieu. |
| 31. Cincinnati Bengals | Bernhard Raimann – OT Central Michigan: Protect Joe Burrow. |
| 32. Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Desmond Ridder – QB Cincinnati: Ridder is an intriguing prospect. He fits the bill as a “Dan Campbell guy” but needs to sit and learn. I’m not sure Jared Goff is the guy to learn from but he has been to a Super Bowl *shrugs shoulders* |
thoughtsfromthebench.com 