The NFL Draft is TODAY, which is awesome. So today, I’m going to do the purest mock draft yet. A mock draft with no trades, no funny business, in a predictive article. Enjoy.
psst: I also ran a mock draft with Phenom, please watch it: https://youtu.be/w9XughnHYok
1 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia.
While I don’t know many people who have Walker as the top player in their class, Jags GM Trent Baalke probably does. Walker’s physical traits are off the charts, and his run defense is top notch, but his pass rush output leaves much to be desired. While I question how polished he is, he was limited by Georgia. Between Walker’s upside in a weaker class and Baalke’s love for players of his type, I’m projecting Walker to be the pick at 1.
2 - Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan.
This pick should be easy for Detroit. Hutchinson is the best pick for what was a pretty bad defense, and he has the highest floor of any player in this draft. I could stop here, but there’s even more. Hutchinson is a local product, which should get the fans excited, and he also is a culture fit with Dan Campbell’s kneecap-biting mentality. Slam dunk pick for the Lions at 2.
3 - Houston Texans - Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Lovie Smith’s secondary currently lacks top-end talent, and picking Sauce would change that. He’s yet to give up a touchdown in his college career, which would greatly help their subpar red-zone defense. Houston also wants to build a culture of dedicated football players, and Sauce plugs right into this. He’s a great scheme fit, even better culture fit, and overall would greatly help new HC Lovie Smith’s defense.
4 - New York Jets - Icky Ekwonu, OT, NC State.
Icky is probably the top rated player on Joe Douglas’s board. He’s a physical specimen who thrives in the run game, and the Jets have a need at tackle. Mekhi Becton’s days as a Jet may be numbered, and Icky Ekwonu is, in my opinion, a far better prospect. The Jets need to help their young QB, and love players of Ekwonu’s style, which makes me believe that Icky isn’t falling past pick 4.
5 - New York Giants - Evan Neal, T, Alabama.
The Giants should sprint this pick in. Neal is my top player in this draft, and would give the Giants much-needed stability on the offensive line. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll want to establish a good offense around their franchise QB, and this would be a fantastic way to do it. Andrew Thomas on the left and Evan Neal on the right becomes a really good tackle duo very quickly.
6 - Carolina Panthers - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh.
Only the Panthers would make this pick. Matt Rhule is on the verge of losing his job, and Pickett is seen as the best day-1 QB in this class. The Panthers also have even more ties to Pickett. Matt Rhule recruited him to Temple, and owner David Tepper has significant ties to Pittsburgh University. This is really the only place I could see Pickett going to.
7 - New York Giants - Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU.
The Giants are actively looking to trade James Bradberry, and Wink Martindale’s scheme desperately needs corners. Stingley has some question marks, but he had the best college season of anyone in this class. His 2019 season was impeccable, and if his foot injury checks out, this is fantastic value.
8 - Atlanta Falcons - Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon.
Thibodeaux is one of the most polarizing players in this draft. He is tremendously talented, but his production has failed to meet lofty expectations and his character is a concern to some. Some have him as the top guy in this class, but he does also have some size and frame concerns without having the polish to make up for it. However, I think that it’s likely that Atlanta ignores these issues. He is a perfect scheme fit for a team that doesn’t need size, and Terry Fontenot doesn’t have a history of caring highly for character. Great pick for an edge room that definitely needs it.
9 - Seattle Seahawks - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa.
Remember, this is a PREDICTIVE mock, which means that I’ll do what happens every year and have the Seahawks reach on a senior bowl standout. While Penning had a great senior bowl week, he still has immense red flags in pass protection at the FCS level (which is why I’m lower on him as a prospect). Seattle likely will ignore these issues, taking the hype too far and taking one of the most physical players in the draft at 9.
10 - New York Jets - Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State.
Grabbing Icky at 4 and Johnson at 10 would lead to fireworks in the Jets draft room. Johnson fits the run defense that the Jets covet and also flashed fantastic power as a pass rusher. The Jets currently have Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers at EDGE, but Johnson allows for them to put in an effective rotation and improve their horrendous defense. If Robert Saleh really wants to re-create the 49ers, he’ll probably make a pick like this.
11 - Washington Commanders - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama.
For whatever reason, the Commanders traded for the very volatile Carson Wentz, so QB is out of the picture at 11. But if they want Wentz to succeed, they probably need another weapon to make that happen. Jameson Williams is my top receiver in this class, and I’m not too concerned with him missing the first two months of his hopefully long NFL career. Always nice when you can get a guy who keeps opposing Defensive Coordinators awake at night outside of the top ten.
12 - Minnesota Vikings - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington.
Minnesota badly needs a corner, and McDuffie can step in and contribute quickly. He’s one of the smartest players in this class, which gives him a very high floor. McDuffie makes perfect sense for the Vikings and can make their defense competent, gearing up for a potential playoff run (at least they think so).
13 - Houston Texans - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State.
The Tytus Howard experiment may come to an end if Cross falls to 13. This would be tremendous value, and give the Texans a great draft class. We typically see rebuilding teams like the Texans address the trenches, so grabbing Cross would be a slam-dunk pick to keep Davis Mills clean in the pocket.
14 - Baltimore Ravens - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia.
Picking the biggest guy in the draft who also happens to be an athletic anomaly would totally fit what the Ravens like to do. Currently, their interior defensive line group is very old, with a change likely taking place. Davis would be in a limited role in round 1, and likely learn from the great Baltimore pass rush coaching to become an all-pro in a few years.
15 - Philadelphia Eagles - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame.
People may think that this is far too low for Hamilton, but in a league where split-safety is the new norm, a bigger guy like Kyle Hamilton isn’t as desired. However, the Eagles and Jonathan Gannon have experience thriving with players like Hamilton. Gannon’s two previous locations, the Vikings and the Colts, both featured box safeties that show us that the Eagles could like a guy like Hamilton. Some teams may not be comfortable with Hamilton, but I doubt that the Eagles are scared when Hamilton has some of the better tape in this draft.
16 - New Orleans Saints - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State.
The Saints BADLY need this pick. We have no idea if Michael Thomas will put on a Saints uniform, and even with Thomas, they need more weapons. Olave is one of the most pro-ready receivers in the draft who already knows all of the intricacies of the position. His route-running is top-notch, and he has great speed. Perfect fit for Olave.
17 - Los Angeles Chargers - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State.
Keenan Allen is on the wrong side of 30, so picking Wilson would be a great way to think ahead. Garrett Wilson provides more depth at WR for the Chargers right away, and the best way to capitalize on having a top-5 QB on a rookie contract is to help him on offense. He’ll contribute now, and likely be a stud later.
18 - Philadelphia Eagles - Drake London, WR, USC.
Philly needs an X-receiver, and London can provide that. He’s a great blocker with extraordinary physicality, which is exactly what the Eagles need to compliment Devonta Smith. It’s a little odd that a team picks a wide receiver in the first round for three years in a row, but the Eagles need another weapon if they want to be competitive in 2022.
19 - New Orleans Saints - Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati.
Desmond Ridder is a very good prospect. He has experience executing pro-style systems, has a good processor, and has great physical traits. His intangibles are also amazing. He has a fantastic work ethic and is a legendary trash talker. Ridder is a really good player, and the NFL is probably higher on him than you are. He can be a franchise QB under the right circumstances.
20 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty.
Willis can also be a franchise QB, but he is definitely boom-or-bust. Willis has all of the physical gifts to be a top-5 quarterback in the NFL, which is something that Pittsburgh needs in a division with Lamar, Burrow, and Watson. However, he is nowhere near ready to play right away, which makes him a major gamble. While Willis is somewhat raw, he has a great character and would be in a great position to succeed in Pittsburgh.
21 - New England Patriots - Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin.
Chenal is the Patriots’ type. Dont'a Hightower’s best football is behind him, and the Patriots need a field general to succeed as a unit. Leo Chenal has all of the physical tools to be like Hightower, and is better in space and coverage. While asking someone to replace Hightower is a tall order, the Pats will probably pick Chenal if they want to go linebacker.
22 - Green Bay Packers - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas.
Burks is a fantastic fit for Green Bay’s offense. He’s a stud with the ball in his hands, loves to block, and can create explosive plays, which is what Green Bay truly wants in its offense. The Packers will never be able to replace Davante Adams, so their offensive identity will probably revert closer to Matt Lafleur’s roots with McVay. Burks has the archetype to be a Packers WR and the skills to thrive in their wide-zone offense, making him a very possible pick if he falls here at 22.
23 - Arizona Cardinals - Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College.
Kyler isn’t exactly quiet that he isn’t too satisfied with the Cardinals organization at the moment, so Arizona should (and will) probably surround him with the talent to succeed. Zion Johnson is a fantastic prospect who should go higher than this because he is scheme-proof and incredibly good at every aspect of his game. Expect Zion to make several pro-bowls in his career, and it makes sense for Arizona to grab a guy with that floor.
24 - Dallas Cowboys - Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M.
Dallas badly needs a guard, and Green is the perfect guy. He’s perfect for their traditional pro-style scheme, and also went to college in-state. His value also probably slots him in right here, so a nice pick for Dallas.
25 - Buffalo Bills - Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State.
Breece Hall is probably who the Bills would take at 25. GM Brandon Beane isn’t opposed to taking a RB here, and Breece is likely their top graded guy at the position. He fits their scheme and tendencies at picking RBs, and Buffalo really needs a guy like Breece to thrive on the ground.
26 - Tennessee Titans - Tyler Smith, IOL, Tulsa.
Tyler Smith fits the TItans’ mentality. They badly need a guard, and Smith can slot in there day 1. He’s a nasty run-blocker, which their coaching staff would love, and he can potentially flex out to tackle if he learns how to use his feet in pass protection. Perfect stylistic fit.
27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Daxton Hill, S, Michigan.
New HC Todd Bowles loves grabbing versatile defensive backs, so this would make a ton of sense. Hill played mostly at slot corner at Michigan, but projects as a good safety in the league. Hill is a perfect fit for the Bucs’ secondary, and his versatility can keep him on the field a lot in year 1.
28 - Green Bay Packers - Lewis Cine, S, Georgia.
Green Bay loves looking ahead when making draft picks, and while safety isn’t a need right now, it will be when Adrian Amos likely departs next offseason. Darnell Savage is here to stay, but the Packers need another guy to play in that split-safety defense, and Cine is athletic and smart enough to fill that role in 2023. Would definitely feel like a Packers pick.
29 - Kansas City Chiefs - George Pickens, WR, Georgia.
Pickens is really good. The Chiefs are shifting more towards bigger receivers, and Pickens should be gone long before here. He has a bit of a character concern to some, but I actually really like his character, shown by how he wanted to play with his team rather than improve his draft stock and heal. Even then, the Chiefs have not shied away from character concerns, and George Pickens is a beast who would thrive in Andy Reid’s offense.
30 - Kansas City Chiefs - Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida.
While Pickens is what they look for on offense, Elam is what they look for on defense. His physicality in man coverage is exactly what their scheme prioritizes, and KC has a gaping hole there due to the departure of Charvarius Ward. Elam could fill in for Ward really well and be a really nice pick.
31 - Cincinnati Bengals - Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia.
Devonte Wyatt has some concerns, but he’s exactly what Cincy needs. They lost their pass-rushing presence on the interior with Larry Ogunjobi, and Wyatt can replace that. He’s arguably the top player on the board for a position that they needHe is the top three-technique pass rusher in this class, and that fits exactly what the Bengals need. While he was a late breakout, he would be a great pick for the Bengals at 31, who definitely need some fresh blood on defense.
32 - Detroit Lions - Quay Walker, LB, Georgia.
Quay Walker is going to go in the first round, and the Lions probably love the guy. He is a great mover, great tackler, and really big, so he has the build to be an elite linebacker. He is somewhat unproven, but Detroit is the type of team to fall in love with prospects like Quay Walker. A front with Walker, Hutchinson, and the other guys there would be scary for opposing defenses.
Comments