Even though this post free agency period is the perfect time to do a predictive mock draft, I am still coming at yal with a “what I would do if I was was general manager.” I wanted to change it up. That said, positional value is accounted heavily in this mock. So please, do not call me crazy for having 7 receivers, 8 corners, and no running backs being taken. Positional value matters.
NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU
No surprises here. Joe Burrow is the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. The Bengals need a quarterback.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, Edge Defender, Ohio State
If Tua Tagovailoa was 100% healthy, he would be the pick here. Since he is not, the Redskins select the best non-quarterback in the draft.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeffery Okudah, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Lions have made a deliberate effort to improve their coverage unit after hiring Matt Patricia. Let’s continue that trend by selecting the best corner in the draft.
4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Although I wasn’t in love with any of the defensive free agents the Giants signed. I can’t pass on OT1 here.
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Alabama
Tagovailoa’s injury concerns are troublesome. There is no denying that. However, the Dolphins have the time to rebuild and the draft capital to take the swing. They need a quarterback, and he is worth the risk.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Simmons, Defensive Weapon, Clemson
While I don’t feel great about moving forward with Tyrod Taylor, there isn’t another quarterback in this class that I would feel comfortable taking in the top 10. Isaiah Simmons is the best player available and can be another versatile chess piece in Gus Bradley’s defense.
7. Carolina Panthers: Jerry Juedy, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Let me be the first one to say that I have no idea what the Panthers are doing. It seemed like they were tanking, but then they signed Teddy Bridgewater? Anyhow, this roster needs a ton of work regardless of their direction. So, I decided to prioritize their passing game by adding the best receiver in the class.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa
I am extremely tempted to pair Henry Ruggs with DeAndre Hopkins but I just can’t pass on a premium tackle like Tristian Wirfs.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
If the Jaguars are all in on moving forward with Gardner Minshew, they must get him some more play makers. CeeDee Lamb is just what the doctor ordered.
10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
The Browns did the right thing by throwing the bag at Jack Conklin. Now, let’s complete the puzzle by adding the best left tackle in the class.
11. TRADE! Denver Broncos trade the 15th pick and the 46th pick to the New York Jets for the 11th pick. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama
With three receiver needy teams ahead of them, Henry Ruggs III was not going to last to 15. So, Denver trades up to acquire a much needed deep threat for Drew Lock.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU
Unlike recent years, the Raiders killed free agency. They addressed linebacker and added more depth along their defensive line. So, bolstering up the secondary by giving them a stud corner in Kristian Fulton is the best move they can make (given how the board shook out).
13. San Francisco 49ers: CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida
Emmanuel Mosley was a pleasant surprise for the 49ers in 2019. Still, it’s always good to have some insurance just in case Mosley cannot replicate his stellar season, which is why I am going with CJ Henderson here. Henderson makes a lot of sense because he could be an upgrade over Mosley or even Richard Sherman‘s eventual replacement.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston
I was totally on board with Buccaneers signing Tom Brady. They have the play makers, a proven offensive coach, and an ascending defense. Now, they need to fix their offensive line. Josh Jones projects the most favorably out of the remaining available tackles to be an immediate impact starter.
15. (Trade) New York Jets: Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
The Jets roster is still one of the league’s worst, which is why they could use as many picks possible in a trade back. As for this pick itself, Mekhi Becton isn’t the cleanest projection to the pros. However, he is coming off his best college season and has all of the tools to be a star NFL tackle.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback, Alabama
Releasing Desmond Trufant left a major hole in Falcons secondary. Alabama’s Trevon Diggs can be his replacement and is a perfect fit for Dan Quinn’s cover 3 scheme.
17. Dallas Cowboys: AJ Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson
I considered taking K’Lavon Chassion here, but with the departure of Byron Jones. I could not pass on AJ Terrell.
18. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor
The Dolphins could really use a tackle, but the ones that are available would be a reach at 18. So with that in mind, let’s give their young quarterback another pass catcher he can rely on.
19. Oakland Raiders: Jalen Reagor, Wide Receiver, TCU
The Raiders desperately need a receiver with some juice. Jalen Reagor is that guy.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw, Interior Defensive Lineman, South Carolina
Finally! The first defensive tackle is off the board! But it’s not Derrick Brown? Yes, that’s right, I chose Javon Kinlaw over Brown here because he projects as a better pass rusher. He can be exactly what the Jags need to replace Calais Campbell.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU
The Eagles currently have zero quality linebackers on their roster. Let’s change that by adding Patrick Queen.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Utah
The Vikings defense experienced a tremendous amount of turnover this off-season. Especially, in the secondary. A versatile corner like Jaylon Johnson is exactly the kind of player they can begin to retool their coverage unit with.
23. New England Patriots: Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon
Obviously, the biggest hole on the Patriots roster is at a quarterback, so let’s get weird. In all seriousness, this is the perfect range of the draft in where Justin Hebert should go. He has all of the tools to be a high level starter but isn’t consistent enough to fully get behind. Spending just the 23rd pick allows the Patriots to kick the tires and not be tied down if he doesn’t pan out.
24. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State
The same thought process that applies for Herbert applies for Jordan Love. Drew Brees is not getting any younger, and the Saints need to start throwing some darts at a replacement plan.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU
This selection epitomizes “going shopping at the grocery store when you are hungry,” but the Vikings cannot go into the 2020 season without adding another quality receiver. I am not as high on Justin Jefferson as the consensus, but still believe he is worth a late 1st round pick.
26. Miami Dolphins: Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama
The Dolphins strengthen their secondary even more by adding the most versatile safety in the class.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Brown, Interior Defensive Lineman, Auburn
The Derrick Brown slide finally ends. Seattle needs help everywhere on their defense and while he does not pay a necessarily valuable position. He is the best defensive player available.
28. Baltimore Ravens: K’Lavon Chasson, Edge Defender, LSU
The Ravens really beefed up the the interior of their defensive line by adding Calais Campbell and Michael Brockers. However, they still do not have an edge rusher that consistently get pressure. K’Lavon Chassion is not that guy right now, but has showed enough flashes to make me bet on him in round one.
29. Tennessee Titans: Noah Igbinoghene, Cornerback, Auburn
At this point in his career, Malcolm Butler is just about cooked. Noah Igbinoghene is an intriguing replacement option and could even be an upgrade sooner than later.
30. Green Bay Packers: KJ Hamler, Wide Receiver, Penn State
The Packers must add more speed in order to maximize Matt LaFleur’s scheme. Which is why KJ Hamler’s deep threat ability is too enticing to pass on.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Peart, Offensive Tackle, UConn
An ideal world, the 49ers should trade back to acquire more draft capital. But, for the sake of this mock I decided to think ahead and draft UConn’s Matt Peart. Joe Staley is not getting any younger and San Fran doesn’t really have back up plan when he calls it quit. Peart (who I was extremely impressed with on tape) can be that guy.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Damon Arnette, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Chiefs need corners more than oxygen at the moment. So, I decided to draft one of the most NFL ready corners in the class in Damon Arnette. I know his testing was not great, but I believe his instincts and ability to play multiple coverages could make up for his average athleticism.
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