Gunner's 2021 FINAL Mock Draft on PAGE 21

[whatdrought]

The Patriots are giving up one less 1st round pick for four than the 49ers did for 3, and the Falcons end up falling back further? I guess that's the decrease in having the 3rd choice, vs the 4th.

 

Do you not see the Broncos moving up for a QB?

 

Also, what's the insistance that the Broncos still need a CB?? (not just you, I've seen this everywhere) They have Darby and Fuller added to the room that already has Callahan as one of the better NB's in the league, and they got flashes out of two rookies in Ojemudia and Bassey last year... I can see it later in the draft, but I don't get people giving them CB at the top of the draft. 

[GunnerBill]

20 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

The Patriots are giving up one less 1st round pick for four than the 49ers did for 3, and the Falcons end up falling back further? I guess that's the decrease in having the 3rd choice, vs the 4th.

 

Do you not see the Broncos moving up for a QB?

 

Also, what's the insistance that the Broncos still need a CB?? (not just you, I've seen this everywhere) They have Darby and Fuller added to the room that already has Callahan as one of the better NB's in the league, and they got flashes out of two rookies in Ojemudia and Bassey last year... I can see it later in the draft, but I don't get people giving them CB at the top of the draft. 

 

Yea. The 49ers move was a 1,000 point difference. The Pats move is a 750 point difference. And in terms of trade value this year's 2nd is equivalent to a future 1st. 

 

I don't think Fuller or Darby are much good. Is that an answer?

 

[whatdrought]

10 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea. The 49ers move was a 1,000 point difference. The Pats move is a 750 point difference. And in terms of trade value this year's 2nd is equivalent to a future 1st. 

 

I don't think Fuller or Darby are much good. Is that an answer?

 

 

It's an answer for why people might mock them a CB at 9, but not an answer for why they'd take one there.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, whatdrought said:

 

It's an answer for why people might mock them a CB at 9, but not an answer for why they'd take one there.

 

I didn't. I mocked them an OT. But a corner there still wouldn't shock me. 

[Bill from NYC]

GB, keep in mind that I value your draft opinion more than my own. That said, if Mac Jones goes at 20, these GMs are nuts imo. 

 

People say about Mac:

1) He had great receivers

2) He had a great OL

3) He had no adversity

4) He had a great coach

5) He has Sarkisian

6) He has Najee Harris

 

Aside from Josh Allen, most great college QBs were in a similar situation. I didn't hear anybody complaining about Burrow and his game improved when he played on a great LSU team, no?

I am NOT saying that Mac has Trevor Lawrence type talent. He obviously does not, but if he goes at #20, I am all but certaion that many teams will be sorry.

Jmo.

[4merper4mer]

55 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

It is just under what the Dolphins got. They got two future firsts and a 3rd. A second this year and a future first is about equivalent to the two firsts. And then a 4th because the value gap is a bit smaller than the one the 49ers were bridging.

That was then, this is now.  Miami likely had the Philly trade ready to go.  They went from 3 to 6 and knowing SF would go QB, essentially moved down two spots.  There are more than 2 instant difference makers so they will get one. Going from 4 to 15 offers Atlanta no such guarantees.  Kyle Pitts could really work with Jones and Ridley, they could even be seeking a QB.  I could see them willing to pass on WR but 15 forces them 

[OldTimer1960]

4 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

GB, keep in mind that I value your draft opinion more than my own. That said, if Mac Jones goes at 20, these GMs are nuts imo. 

 

People say about Mac:

1) He had great receivers

2) He had a great OL

3) He had no adversity

4) He had a great coach

5) He has Sarkisian

6) He has Najee Harris

 

Aside from Josh Allen, most great college QBs were in a similar situation. I didn't hear anybody complaining about Burrow and his game improved when he played on a great LSU team, no?

I am NOT saying that Mac has Trevor Lawrence type talent. He obviously does not, but if he goes at #20, I am all but certaion that many teams will be sorry.

Jmo.

I am not saying that Mac Jones won’t be a good NFL QB, but I’m pretty sure that any NFL backup would have looked good with all that talent as well.

 

He was paying (this year) with he 2nd and 3rd rated WRs in the draft - both sure first rounders, #1 or 2 RB in draft, and 2 top 2 round picks on the OL.  Of course, he could still be very good, but it makes for difficult analysis of Jones.

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

That was then, this is now.  Miami likely had the Philly trade ready to go.  They went from 3 to 6 and knowing SF would go QB, essentially moved down two spots.  There are more than 2 instant difference makers so they will get one. Going from 4 to 15 offers Atlanta no such guarantees.  Kyle Pitts could really work with Jones and Ridley, they could even be seeking a QB.  I could see them willing to pass on WR but 15 forces them 

 

They could get another first but not take this year's second. This year's second is actually more valuable by the chart than a 2023 1st. But Atlanta have a new regime. They need picks now to kick start the rebuild.

[LEBills]

From poking around some draft people that specifically deal with the Cowboys I think you are right that Horn is their preferred pick if Sewell, Slater and Pitts are gone.

 

Id be very surprised to see Rousseau go that high though your reasoning was well though out. And I think in this situation the Raiders probably go OLine Vera-Tucker after gutting their interior this offseason.

 

Not a big Ossai fan for the Bills in that spot. I get the spot you are in though because who really should the Bills pick in that instance? Ossai has some nice traits and the future health of our DE position requires us finding someone that can replace Hughes and Ossai is not a bad comp for Hughes. But I think we probably address DE in the middle rounds with a Weaver or Turner.
 

Similarly we could look at a Creed Humphrey, someone that blows the RAS out of the water (which Bean loves) and is a decorated wrestler (which McDermott loves) and a replacement for Morse who is not long for this team but who can also compete to improve our interior this year. Or maybe he goes for another wide receiver like Rondale Moore who is a special athlete and could slot in behind Sanders and Beasley this year and then step up later in the playoffs and next year. Really difficult projection, I think if I had to in this scenario it would be between Moore or Humphries, then CB in rd2 and DE/DT to follow.

 

Finally great job grinding through a full 32, that’s a lot of work.

Edited April 11, 2021 by LEBills

[Aussie Joe]

I don’t like Moehrig at 17 .... I see him mocked in the first regularly, but I wouldn’t be happy with the Bills taking him at 30...

 

 

[4merper4mer]

18 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

They could get another first but not take this year's second. This year's second is actually more valuable by the chart than a 2023 1st. But Atlanta have a new regime. They need picks now to kick start the rebuild.

If they were going to rebuild wouldn’t they start with a QB?  I know they don’t look like they’re trading Ryan but if they’re rebuilding wouldn’t that be a better move than passing on a QB at 4?

 

Also Detroit, Denver and Minny could be looking at QB and all pick earlier than NE.

Edited April 11, 2021 by 4merper4mer

[ghostwriter]

25 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

GB, keep in mind that I value your draft opinion more than my own. That said, if Mac Jones goes at 20, these GMs are nuts imo. 

 

People say about Mac:

1) He had great receivers

2) He had a great OL

3) He had no adversity

4) He had a great coach

5) He has Sarkisian

6) He has Najee Harris

 

Aside from Josh Allen, most great college QBs were in a similar situation. I didn't hear anybody complaining about Burrow and his game improved when he played on a great LSU team, no?

I am NOT saying that Mac has Trevor Lawrence type talent. He obviously does not, but if he goes at #20, I am all but certaion that many teams will be sorry.

Jmo.

I’m hoping he falls to 30 and we can trade out.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, 4merper4mer said:

If they were going to rebuild wouldn’t they start with a QB?  I know they don’t look like they’re trading Ryan but if they’re rebuilding wouldn’t that be a better move than passing on a QB at 4?

 

That is what I'd do, if Fields was there.... don't like Lance as a fit for Smith's offense. I think Atlanta might pass even if Fields is there though given the restructure for Ryan. 

[OldTimer1960]

21 minutes ago, LEBills said:

From poking around some draft people that specifically deal with the Cowboys I think you are right that Horn is their preferred pick if Sewell, Slater and Pitts are gone.

 

Id be very surprised to see Rousseau go that high though your reasoning was well though out. And I think in this situation the Raiders probably go OLine Vera-Tucker after gutting their interior this offseason.

 

Not a big Ossai fan for the Bills in that spot. I get the spot you are in though because who really should the Bills pick in that instance? Ossai has some nice traits and the future health of our DE position requires us finding someone that can replace Hughes and Ossai is not a bad comp for Hughes. But I think we probably address DE in the middle rounds with a Weaver or Turner.
 

Similarly we could look at a Creed Humphrey, someone that blows the RAS out of the water (which Bean loves) and is a decorated wrestler (which McDermott loves) and a replacement for Morse who is not long for this team but who can also compete to improve our interior this year. Or maybe he goes for another wide receiver like Rondale Moore who is a special athlete and could slot in behind Sanders and Beasley this year and then step up later in the playoffs and next year. Really difficult projection, I think if I had to in this scenario it would be between Moore or Humphries, then CB in rd2 and DE/DT to follow.

 

Finally great job grinding through a full 32, that’s a lot of work.

I don’t think that Weaver has much potential as a pass rusher.  

[Bill from NYC]

30 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

 

 

He was paying (this year) with he 2nd and 3rd rated WRs in the draft - both sure first rounders, #1 or 2 RB in draft, and 2 top 2 round picks on the OL.  Of course, he could still be very good, but it makes for difficult analysis of Jones.

This is where we agree.

[OldTimer1960]

Gunner - I think we are aligned on Oweh.  How do you see Ossai vs. Perkins, Tryon or Ojulari?  I know Daniel Jeremiah likes Tryon and Ojulari.

[Solomon Grundy]

@GunnerBill, I rebuke your mock for not having Zaven Collins as a 1st round draft choice 🙂

[4merper4mer]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

That is what I'd do, if Fields was there.... don't like Lance as a fit for Smith's offense. I think Atlanta might pass even if Fields is there though given the restructure for Ryan. 

I just think if there is trade there, Denver is most likely and might be able to offer more than NE as their roster isn’t that bad and lacks QB.  Falcons would not have to move down that far.

[billspro]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Here is the update..... version 2.0 (only 1 round this time) is here!!

 

1 Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson

No change here. Lawrence is the Jaguars’ pick.

 

2 New York Jets – Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU

Sam Darnold has gone and the Jets are now locked in on Wilson.

 

3 San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State

The 49ers didn’t trade up to #3 for any other position. This is to select a Quarterback. The question now is which one? I know all the buzz is Mac Jones but I have felt since I started on Fields’ tape that he is a perfect fit in a Shanahan style offense that simplifies reads while he develops as a reader of the field.

 

4 TRADE! New England Patriots – Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State (Patriots get #4; Falcons get #15, #46, #122 & 2022 1st round pick)

The Patriots have been aggressive in upgrading their roster this offseason and they don’t have a toon of remaining needs but it matters for nothing without better quarterback play. If the 49ers are serious about holding onto Garoppolo then their only remaining option is the draft so they pay the piper and move up for Trey Lance.

 

5 Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon

I have heard the rumours linking Ja’Marr Chase with Cincy and it would be a typical Bengals move. But I am going to give them more credit than they’re due here and stick with my prediction that they select Penei Sewell to protect Joe Burrow’s blindside for the next decade.

 

6 Miami Dolphins – Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida

Miami’s free agent addition of Will Fuller gives them the speedy separator at receiver that I think was an essential need. They could still add a further receiver at this spot but Kyle Pitts is almost a receiver and tight end rolled into one and is an intriguing option.

 

7 Detroit Lions – Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State

Everyone has been mocking a wide receiver here and with good reason, the Lions’ top 3 options left in free agency. However, think back to the Dan Campbell press conference. Did that sound like a guy about to draft a receiver with his first pick? Or would a hard hitting linebacker (also a major need for Detroit) be more his style?

 

8 Carolina Panthers – Patrick Surtain, Cornerback, Alabama

There are two ways the Panthers could go here. They could add Rashawn Slater and plug him in at left tackle but this is a deep tackle class and they might be able to address the spot in round 2. It is a comparatively thin corner class outside of the round 1 guys and so they nab Surtain here, who has the highest floor in the draft and can be penciled in as a long term starter.

  

9 Denver Broncos – Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

The Broncos could still go corner here even though they brought Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in as free agents, but with Surtain gone and Caleb Farley’s back issue, I could see them passing and instead adding further strength to their offensive line. I would expect Slater to start at left tackle with Garrett Bolles sliding to the right side.

 

10 Dallas Cowboys – Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina

Even before Farley’s injury I had heard that the Cowboys were really high on Horn. They have a desperate need at corner and he fits nicely in the scheme that new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to run.

 

11 New York Giants – Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Even with Kenny Golladay in the fold this is a need for the Giants. Waddle’s speed and ability to line up all over the formation is a good compliment for Golladay’s vertical threat.

 

12 Philadelphia Eagles – Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU

The Eagles might have taken Jalon Reagor in the first-round last year but even if that works out longer term they still have a need for playmakers on the outside and the way the board has fallen Chase is easily the best player available.

 

13 Los Angeles Chargers – DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama

The Chargers have a big need at tackle but it’s a good class and they might well be able to fill that spot in round two. Smith is the best player available and while the Chargers don’t have an immediate need at receiver, Mike Williams is a free agent after this season.

 

14 Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan

The Vikings have a major need at edge. Other than Danielle Hunter, coming off a year away and surgery on a herniated disk, they have 7th rounders and undrafted free agents at the position. Paye is the best 4-3 end in the class.

 

15 (From New England) Atlanta Falcons – Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

The Falcons have needs everywhere on the defensive side of the ball. I am not sure how Caleb Farley’s back is going to check out but his camp are describing his recent procedure as “minor”. It might be a risk the Falcons just have to take for a potential difference maker.

 

16 TRADE! Tennessee Titans – Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami (Titans get #16, Cardinals get #22, #85 & #100)

This trade works for three reasons… i. the Raiders, Dolphins and Colts are all teams who could be in the edge rusher market so you need to jump them; ii. the Titans tried and failed to address the position in free agency last year; iii. the Cardinals have no 3rd or 4th round picks in this draft and will be keen to replenish their stock in those middle rounds. Why Rousseau? I heard Mike Vrabel interviewed in the run up to the last draft and he said he really values length in edge rushers. Rousseau at 6’7 and with huge, long, arms fits the profile.

 

17 Las Vegas Raiders – Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU

The Raiders are a difficult team to predict but Moehrig is Mike Mayock’s type of football player. Smart, instinctive, flies to the football and forces turnovers. Two first round safeties in three drafts wouldn’t be great positional value though.

 

18 Miami Dolphins – Azeez Ojulari, Edge Rusher, Georgia

I mocked an edge rusher (Rousseau) here in v1.0 too but it makes even more sense to me now after Miami moved on from their two big 2020 free agent edge signings in Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson. I am not completely sold on the undersized Ojulari but he is a better fit for 3-4 teams like the Dolphins.

 

19 Washington Football Team – Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech

I remain sold on this pick too. Left tackle is a big hole on a team that made the playoffs as a below .500 club but if they can sort out the Quarterback position they are not that many other pieces away. Darrisaw is not the finished article but his potential is sky high.

 

20 Chicago Bears – Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama

The Bears tried to sign Russell Wilson and ended up with Andy Dalton. I just don’t see how you can try and sell your fanbase on a Quarterback competition between Dalton and Nick Foles. If one of the five Quarterbacks falls this far you have to believe that Ryan Pace will feel the pressure to select him.

 

21 Indianapolis Colts – Greg Newsome, Cornerback, Northwestern

The Cots brough Xavier Rhodes back for another year but on a very modest contract and while he and 2019 2nd rounder Rock Ya-Sin mean the cupboard isn’t totally bare at corner they definitely need an upgrade. Newsome is raw but has elite coverage skills and feels like a Chris Ballard type of player.

 

22 (From Tennessee) Arizona Cardinals – Travis Etienne, Running Back, Clemson

The Cardinals have a need at corner and at interior offensive line but this is early for players at either spot. Kliff Kingsbury has his two big guys on the outside in D’Andre Hopkins and AJ Green but their offense needs explosive speed – and Travis Etienne is the man to bring that both running out of spread formations and as a receiver out of the backfield.

 

23 New York Jets – Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Tackle, USC

The Jets spent their free agency dollars on the defense for the most part, while adding Corey Davis to 2020 2nd rounder Denzel Mims at wideout. Strangely though, given the Sam Darnold experience, they didn’t upgrade the protection for their latest franchise saviour at Quarterback. Vera-Tucker solidified himself as a first-round pick by looking equally dominant at left tackle in 2020 as he did at guard in 2019 and he could start either at guard or right tackle as a rookie.

 

24 Pittsburgh Steelers – Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama

The Steelers brought Big Ben back and then re-signed Juju Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal. They are all in on a last ride in 2021 and to do that they have to find more offensive balance and so Harris makes sense as a scheme fit and an immediate upgrade at running back.

 

25 Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame

Urban Meyer has always struck me as a guy who worries about what players can do and not what they can’t. I can imagine the Jags using JOK similarly to the way that the Chargers have used Derwin James – he might nominally start at safety but he would be let loose to go and make plays.

 

26 Cleveland Browns – Jaelen Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami

The Browns need help on defense. I would, ordinarily, say that their back 7 is the greater need but with Olivier Vernon having departed the idea of plugging Phillips in opposite Myles Garrett might just be too good to pass on.

 

27 Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall, Wide Receiver, LSU

The Ravens need more weapons for Lamar Jackson. The reason I see Marshall as a fit is his experience playing inside as a big slot. We know Jackson is a much better, more accomplished thrower inside the numbers and Marshall can run those tough routes across the middle and has the speed to go deep down the seam.

 

28 New Orleans Saints – Kelvin Joseph, Cornerback, Kentucky

The Saints are currently penciling in 33 year old journeyman Patrick Robinson in as their starter at corner opposite Marshon Lattimore and to make things worse Lattimore is playing on his 5th year option and their cap situation means a long term deal is tricky to do. Joseph is underrated and more than held his own against the best receivers in the SEC.

 

29 Green Bay Packers – Jamin Davis, Linebacker, Kentucky

It won’t impress Green Bay fans or Aaron Rodgers but I am going defense here and it is two Kentucky Wildcats in a row in the first round of the NFL draft! After letting Blake Martinez walk in free agency last offseason the interior linebacker spots were a major weakness in 2020, Davis is a beast and a day 1 upgrade.

 

30 Buffalo Bills – Joseph Ossai, Edge Rusher, Texas

This is not exactly the position the Bills would hope to find themselves in at #30 but a result of being a team in the hunt for a Superbowl is that you often end up without your first choice of players at end of round 1. We know that Dan Morgan was at the Texas pro day and very much focused on Ossai so maybe the Bills take a punt on the raw talent and athleticism here – even if he might not be a day 1 contributor.

 

31 Kansas City Chiefs – Liam Eichenburg, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Everyone knows the Chiefs need tackle help and I am going to go for Eichenburg ahead of Alex Leatherwood and Teven Jenkins because of his ability to man the blind side. He is a polished, high floor player who is capable of stepping in as an opening day starter.

 

32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

The Buccaneers success in 2020 was as much about their fearsome defensive front as it was about Tom Brady’s offense, but they are old up there. Vita Vea is locked in as their nose tackle but Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston are the starters at those end positions of the 3 man front and both are well into their 30s. Barmore would give them some youth in reserve and ready to take over in 2022.

 

 

Okay... I'm gonna put my hard hat on.... flame away!

 

Interesting choice. I really like Ossai and I think he will go higher than most think. 
 

I would be fine with that selection. He’s like a younger Hughes. 

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Here is the update..... version 2.0 (only 1 round this time) is here!!

 

1 Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson

No change here. Lawrence is the Jaguars’ pick.

 

2 New York Jets – Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU

Sam Darnold has gone and the Jets are now locked in on Wilson.

 

3 San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State

The 49ers didn’t trade up to #3 for any other position. This is to select a Quarterback. The question now is which one? I know all the buzz is Mac Jones but I have felt since I started on Fields’ tape that he is a perfect fit in a Shanahan style offense that simplifies reads while he develops as a reader of the field.

 

4 TRADE! New England Patriots – Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State (Patriots get #4; Falcons get #15, #46, #122 & 2022 1st round pick)

The Patriots have been aggressive in upgrading their roster this offseason and they don’t have a toon of remaining needs but it matters for nothing without better quarterback play. If the 49ers are serious about holding onto Garoppolo then their only remaining option is the draft so they pay the piper and move up for Trey Lance.

 

5 Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon

I have heard the rumours linking Ja’Marr Chase with Cincy and it would be a typical Bengals move. But I am going to give them more credit than they’re due here and stick with my prediction that they select Penei Sewell to protect Joe Burrow’s blindside for the next decade.

 

6 Miami Dolphins – Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida

Miami’s free agent addition of Will Fuller gives them the speedy separator at receiver that I think was an essential need. They could still add a further receiver at this spot but Kyle Pitts is almost a receiver and tight end rolled into one and is an intriguing option.

 

7 Detroit Lions – Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State

Everyone has been mocking a wide receiver here and with good reason, the Lions’ top 3 options left in free agency. However, think back to the Dan Campbell press conference. Did that sound like a guy about to draft a receiver with his first pick? Or would a hard hitting linebacker (also a major need for Detroit) be more his style?

 

8 Carolina Panthers – Patrick Surtain, Cornerback, Alabama

There are two ways the Panthers could go here. They could add Rashawn Slater and plug him in at left tackle but this is a deep tackle class and they might be able to address the spot in round 2. It is a comparatively thin corner class outside of the round 1 guys and so they nab Surtain here, who has the highest floor in the draft and can be penciled in as a long term starter.

  

9 Denver Broncos – Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

The Broncos could still go corner here even though they brought Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in as free agents, but with Surtain gone and Caleb Farley’s back issue, I could see them passing and instead adding further strength to their offensive line. I would expect Slater to start at left tackle with Garrett Bolles sliding to the right side.

 

10 Dallas Cowboys – Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina

Even before Farley’s injury I had heard that the Cowboys were really high on Horn. They have a desperate need at corner and he fits nicely in the scheme that new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to run.

 

11 New York Giants – Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Even with Kenny Golladay in the fold this is a need for the Giants. Waddle’s speed and ability to line up all over the formation is a good compliment for Golladay’s vertical threat.

 

12 Philadelphia Eagles – Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU

The Eagles might have taken Jalon Reagor in the first-round last year but even if that works out longer term they still have a need for playmakers on the outside and the way the board has fallen Chase is easily the best player available.

 

13 Los Angeles Chargers – DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama

The Chargers have a big need at tackle but it’s a good class and they might well be able to fill that spot in round two. Smith is the best player available and while the Chargers don’t have an immediate need at receiver, Mike Williams is a free agent after this season.

 

14 Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher, Michigan

The Vikings have a major need at edge. Other than Danielle Hunter, coming off a year away and surgery on a herniated disk, they have 7th rounders and undrafted free agents at the position. Paye is the best 4-3 end in the class.

 

15 (From New England) Atlanta Falcons – Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

The Falcons have needs everywhere on the defensive side of the ball. I am not sure how Caleb Farley’s back is going to check out but his camp are describing his recent procedure as “minor”. It might be a risk the Falcons just have to take for a potential difference maker.

 

16 TRADE! Tennessee Titans – Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami (Titans get #16, Cardinals get #22, #85 & #100)

This trade works for three reasons… i. the Raiders, Dolphins and Colts are all teams who could be in the edge rusher market so you need to jump them; ii. the Titans tried and failed to address the position in free agency last year; iii. the Cardinals have no 3rd or 4th round picks in this draft and will be keen to replenish their stock in those middle rounds. Why Rousseau? I heard Mike Vrabel interviewed in the run up to the last draft and he said he really values length in edge rushers. Rousseau at 6’7 and with huge, long, arms fits the profile.

 

17 Las Vegas Raiders – Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU

The Raiders are a difficult team to predict but Moehrig is Mike Mayock’s type of football player. Smart, instinctive, flies to the football and forces turnovers. Two first round safeties in three drafts wouldn’t be great positional value though.

 

18 Miami Dolphins – Azeez Ojulari, Edge Rusher, Georgia

I mocked an edge rusher (Rousseau) here in v1.0 too but it makes even more sense to me now after Miami moved on from their two big 2020 free agent edge signings in Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson. I am not completely sold on the undersized Ojulari but he is a better fit for 3-4 teams like the Dolphins.

 

19 Washington Football Team – Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech

I remain sold on this pick too. Left tackle is a big hole on a team that made the playoffs as a below .500 club but if they can sort out the Quarterback position they are not that many other pieces away. Darrisaw is not the finished article but his potential is sky high.

 

20 Chicago Bears – Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama

The Bears tried to sign Russell Wilson and ended up with Andy Dalton. I just don’t see how you can try and sell your fanbase on a Quarterback competition between Dalton and Nick Foles. If one of the five Quarterbacks falls this far you have to believe that Ryan Pace will feel the pressure to select him.

 

21 Indianapolis Colts – Greg Newsome, Cornerback, Northwestern

The Cots brough Xavier Rhodes back for another year but on a very modest contract and while he and 2019 2nd rounder Rock Ya-Sin mean the cupboard isn’t totally bare at corner they definitely need an upgrade. Newsome is raw but has elite coverage skills and feels like a Chris Ballard type of player.

 

22 (From Tennessee) Arizona Cardinals – Travis Etienne, Running Back, Clemson

The Cardinals have a need at corner and at interior offensive line but this is early for players at either spot. Kliff Kingsbury has his two big guys on the outside in D’Andre Hopkins and AJ Green but their offense needs explosive speed – and Travis Etienne is the man to bring that both running out of spread formations and as a receiver out of the backfield.

 

23 New York Jets – Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Tackle, USC

The Jets spent their free agency dollars on the defense for the most part, while adding Corey Davis to 2020 2nd rounder Denzel Mims at wideout. Strangely though, given the Sam Darnold experience, they didn’t upgrade the protection for their latest franchise saviour at Quarterback. Vera-Tucker solidified himself as a first-round pick by looking equally dominant at left tackle in 2020 as he did at guard in 2019 and he could start either at guard or right tackle as a rookie.

 

24 Pittsburgh Steelers – Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama

The Steelers brought Big Ben back and then re-signed Juju Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal. They are all in on a last ride in 2021 and to do that they have to find more offensive balance and so Harris makes sense as a scheme fit and an immediate upgrade at running back.

 

25 Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame

Urban Meyer has always struck me as a guy who worries about what players can do and not what they can’t. I can imagine the Jags using JOK similarly to the way that the Chargers have used Derwin James – he might nominally start at safety but he would be let loose to go and make plays.

 

26 Cleveland Browns – Jaelen Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami

The Browns need help on defense. I would, ordinarily, say that their back 7 is the greater need but with Olivier Vernon having departed the idea of plugging Phillips in opposite Myles Garrett might just be too good to pass on.

 

27 Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall, Wide Receiver, LSU

The Ravens need more weapons for Lamar Jackson. The reason I see Marshall as a fit is his experience playing inside as a big slot. We know Jackson is a much better, more accomplished thrower inside the numbers and Marshall can run those tough routes across the middle and has the speed to go deep down the seam.

 

28 New Orleans Saints – Kelvin Joseph, Cornerback, Kentucky

The Saints are currently penciling in 33 year old journeyman Patrick Robinson in as their starter at corner opposite Marshon Lattimore and to make things worse Lattimore is playing on his 5th year option and their cap situation means a long term deal is tricky to do. Joseph is underrated and more than held his own against the best receivers in the SEC.

 

29 Green Bay Packers – Jamin Davis, Linebacker, Kentucky

It won’t impress Green Bay fans or Aaron Rodgers but I am going defense here and it is two Kentucky Wildcats in a row in the first round of the NFL draft! After letting Blake Martinez walk in free agency last offseason the interior linebacker spots were a major weakness in 2020, Davis is a beast and a day 1 upgrade.

 

30 Buffalo Bills – Joseph Ossai, Edge Rusher, Texas

This is not exactly the position the Bills would hope to find themselves in at #30 but a result of being a team in the hunt for a Superbowl is that you often end up without your first choice of players at end of round 1. We know that Dan Morgan was at the Texas pro day and very much focused on Ossai so maybe the Bills take a punt on the raw talent and athleticism here – even if he might not be a day 1 contributor.

 

31 Kansas City Chiefs – Liam Eichenburg, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Everyone knows the Chiefs need tackle help and I am going to go for Eichenburg ahead of Alex Leatherwood and Teven Jenkins because of his ability to man the blind side. He is a polished, high floor player who is capable of stepping in as an opening day starter.

 

32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

The Buccaneers success in 2020 was as much about their fearsome defensive front as it was about Tom Brady’s offense, but they are old up there. Vita Vea is locked in as their nose tackle but Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston are the starters at those end positions of the 3 man front and both are well into their 30s. Barmore would give them some youth in reserve and ready to take over in 2022.

 

 

Okay... I'm gonna put my hard hat on.... flame away!

 

If it’s me I would take Oweh there. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was a top 3 player from this class. I know he’s a boom or bust guy but we know Beane isn’t afraid to take a swing on a special player in round 1. See Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. 

[RobbRiddick]

I like that pick for us. I'm far from a college expert but he looks like a beast to me