Mock Draft 2.0 - 3/3/21
3 weeks after version 1.0, I'm back at it with another Mock Draft. With each passing mock, I am going to try to create new scenarios for what COULD happen in the Draft. Of course, no one really knows what is going to happen and doing mocks this far out is borderline ridiculous, but who cares it is fun. So in this mock and in future mocks, I promise you that I will try to create different outcomes that ultimately will change the direction of the draft for some teams (while staying within my team needs/wants).
If I do a mock every 3 weeks, I won't do as many as I honestly would like. So I think I am going to start bringing these out more often. I am thinking that I am going to do one more pre-free agency that has trades included and then from there who knows. I mentioned this in my previous mock, but if anyone would like to do a mock draft with me (it will require basic research/knowledge of the teams or just if you have read my articles) let me know.
Last but not least, if you enjoyed this mock draft I would appreciate it if you share it with a friend and/or a 4-legged animal of your choice. I've been creating mocks for years now and I really love doing it. This year I went above and beyond with creating all of this additional content, but also the information that would serve as the backbone for my mocks. I'm not sure if I created this blog solely for the offseason or not, but the mock drafts make it worthwhile to me. I'm not trying to make any money here, but I do get a certain amount of pleasure knowing you all enjoy the content.
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MOCK DRAFT 2.0
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Pick from the last mock: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Team Needs: QB, LT, FS, SS, WR; Team Wants: CB, iOL, TE, EDGE, RB
2. NEW YORK JETS: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Pick from the last mock: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Team Needs: RT, iOL, EDGE, LB, CBx2, S, Nickel CB; Team Wants: QB, RB, Everything
Wilson is higher than Fields on my board and the rumors are that the Jets are leaning Wilson. What if the Jets shock us and decide to run it back with Darnold? If that ends up happening, the Jets need to attempt to trade back. Both Penei Sewell and Mekhi Becton are LTs, so selecting Sewell and throwing him on the right side doesn't work for me. But moving back a few picks and selecting CBs Farley or Surtain does.
3. MIAMI DOLPHINS (from HOU): WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Pick from the last mock: WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
Team Needs: RB, WRx3, C, OLB; Team Wants: TE, OG, OT, S, EDGE, ILB
If the Dolphins make a selection in the top 5, I think it boils down to OT Penei Sewell and Chase. I am thoroughly uninterested in selecting at the #3 slot and taking a WR though. As a Dolphins fan, my preferred player to take is WR Jaylen Waddle after a trade-down. But that opinion also changes every 20 minutes.
4. ATLANTA FALCONS: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Pick from the last mock: QB Justin Fields, Ohio St
Team Needs: RB, SS, EDGEx2, C, K; Team Wants: QB, SS, CB, LB, FS
Every time I see Kyle Pitts, I see Calvin Johnson. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Hayden Hurst's 5th-year option is to be decided on this offseason, but that decision can be made after the draft. New HC Arthur Smith used more 2 TE alignments than any other team, while he was in TEN. I know this pick doesn't really make sense on the surface, but the Falcons are probably going to be entering a rebuild. If they aren't fans of QBs Fields or Lance, it comes down to Pitts or Sewell and they are already paying LT Jake Matthews a good amount of money.
5. CINCINNATI BENGALS: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Pick from the last mock: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Team Needs: CB, WR, NCB, EDGEx2, OGx2, C, LT or RT; Team Wants: ILB, TE
I will uphold my promise from the intro paragraph... just not in this mock. The Bengals #1 priority needs to be OL this offseason. T Jonah Williams can move to the right side and Penei can lock down the left. But with all of the openings on the OL, could Slater be a better option because he is so versatile? Not for me but I understand the premise.
6. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: QB Justin Fields, Ohio St
Pick from the last mock: WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Team Needs: WRx2, CB, LB; Team Wants: Backup TE, C, G, SS, QB
LOL, why not. Similar to Wentz when the new HC was brought in, it would have been so easy to commit to their QB. After Wentz was traded, there has been no commitment leaked from the Eagles about Jalen Hurts. The exact opposite is actually happening with the rumblings saying they aren't closing the door to this QB class. If that is the case, they should just trade Hurts and see if they could get another 1st rounder. I think Waddle is similar enough to Reagor, last year's 1st round pick, that they won't go there and I think Smith might fall outside the Top 10. Ja'Marr is the WR they really want. If Chase and their QB of choice are gone, I could see them being the first team to select a corner.
7. DETROIT LIONS: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Pick from the last mock: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Team Needs: WRx3, RT, EDGEx2, OLB; Team Wants: CB, FS, SS, ILB, RG
I have no idea what is going on with the Kenny Golladay situation. Regardless of if he is on the team or not, HC Dan Campbell isn't going to go quietly into the night. He wants guys who love the game. You know what I saw in the National Championship game? I saw Jaylen Waddle playing on an obviously hurt ankle that was supposed to end his season. He sustained a high-ankle sprain and fractured ankle on October 24, 2020. And was playing again on January 11, 2021. That's not even 3 months. This guy will fit perfectly with the coach.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota St
Pick from the last mock: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota St
Team Needs: QB, LT, RT, RG, LG, Slot WR, OLB, ILB; Team Wants: CB, TE, DT
The Panthers QB options are slowly dwindling. It looks like they are going Watson or bust as far as the trade market, but it is unknown if they will be in the Sam Darnold market or not. Teddy Bridgewater has checked out, so QB is what I will give them (unless they obtain Watson before the draft). There will be shades of Cam Newton and CMC with Trey Lance taking snaps in Carolina. Trey isn't nearly as big as Cam is but is shiftier. It will be a fun combo for the fantasy community.
9. DENVER BRONCOS: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Pick from the last mock: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Team Needs: EDGE, QB, FS, ILB, CBx2; Team Wants: ILB, RT
The Broncos have a boatload of money this offseason to make some splashes but they also have a lot of holes on their roster. They are another team expected to at least be entertaining the idea of taking a QB in this draft, but will likely need to move up to do so. Parsons could be a fit here with LB AJ Johnson a RFA, but in the end CB is their biggest need. Farley has the highest potential out of this cornerback class as he is fairly new to the position and already incredibly talented.
10. DALLAS COWBOYS: CB Patrick Surtain Jr, Alabama
Pick from the last mock: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Team Needs: CB, EDGE, OT, C, FS; Team Wants: TE, Backup QB, LB, SS
In the 2nd round of the 2020 Draft, The Cowboys selected CB Trevon Diggs out of... Alabama. Diggs was thrust into the lineup right away out of necessity and struggled, but Surtain has bloodlines and a higher pedigree than Diggs. I wouldn't be at all shocked if the Cowboys go back to the same well. The Cowboys have a lot of different possible avenues with this selection (OT - Slater, EDGE - Paye/Rousseau, or CB). They could be the catalyst team that shakes up the draft.
11. NEW YORK GIANTS: LB Micah Parsons, Penn St
Pick from the last mock: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Team Needs: Backup QB, RT, EDGE, CB, LB; Team Wants: Backup RB, DT, WR
There are a lot of reports that the Giants are hoping either Pitts or Waddle makes it to 11. I really don't think that happens and Gettleman will have to go back to his roots of taking non-foundational players in the 1st round. Parsons is the 2nd highest guy left on my board and while I thought about Slater here, he would fit better in an outside zone run scheme rather than the gap/power scheme the Giants run.
12. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Pick from the last mock: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Team Needs: LT, G, C, CB, FS; Team Wants: FB, CB Depth, Starting QB, RB, EDGE
I don't think the 49ers could hope for a better outcome. With the top 2 CBs off the board, they are able to land their #1 OT for their zone running scheme. Slater will be able to slide into the void Trent Williams is leaving. With the amount of OL-needy teams in the top 10, I would be kind of surprised if he drops out of there, but this is one of those scenarios.
13. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: OG/OT Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Pick from the last mock: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Team Needs: LT, C, LG, EDGE, TE; Team Wants: OLB, CB, WR, Special Teams Overhaul
In this scenario, the Chargers get whoever the 49ers don't take between Slater and AVT and they are 100% fine with that. Both are versatile and can play a number of positions along the OL. I don't think he will be the center for the Chargers, but being able to slot in either at left tackle (where he played in 2020) or left guard (in 2019) will be huge for Herbert's success. I am really happy with this selection and I was really happy with their selection in Mock 1.0, the Chargers are in a great spot to get an impact starter.
14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Pick from the last mock: OG/OT Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Team Needs: iOLx2, EDGE, FS; Team Wants: RT, iOL, DT
The Vikings haven't selected a DL in the first round since 2013 with DT Sharieff Floyd. It is clearly a position they are looking to upgrade though. They traded for EDGE Yannick Ngakoue right before the season started in 2020, but they traded him halfway through the season as their season went down the tubes. Will EDGE Danielle Hunter be on the team by the time the season starts? He apparently wants a pay raise. All of this will lead them to select Rousseau here.
15. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
Pick from the last mock: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Team Needs: QB, LG, C, LB, WR; Team Wants: WR, EDGE, Pass catching RB
The Patriots have the worst WR core in the NFL and it isn't really close. In fact, there are rumors that Edelman may be leaving as well. Devonta Smith may not be the biggest guy, but he certainly fits the mould that Bill Belichick is looking for. A route-running technician with good hands is the opposite of what we have seen out of 2019 1st round selection WR N'Keal Harry. The QB remains to be seen, but at least he will have someone to throw to.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Pick from the last mock: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Team Needs: RB, CBx2, G; Team Wants: TE, NCB, SS, ILB
If one of the top 3 corners is here, it should be an easy decision for GM Steve Keim. The Cardinals are right up against the salary cap with their JJ Watt signing, so they need all the help they can get from a rookie contract at this position. They may have to draft another corner later on.
17. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Pick from the last mock: LB Micah Parsons, Penn St
Team Needs: WR, LBx2, EDGE, DT, CBx2; Team Wants: QB, LG
The Raiders need help on defense in a big way. Paye fits the prototype EDGE defender build and old-timers Mayock and Gruden will take notice. Paye doesn't come from a championship-caliber program (which is something the Raiders pay attention to), but their need to get more pressure on the QB will hold more weight.
18. MIAMI DOLPHINS: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Pick from the last mock: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Team Needs: RB, WRx2, C, OLB; Team Wants: TE, OG, OT, S, EDGE, ILB
With the sad release of Kyle Van-Noy, OLB is now a position of need for the Dolphins. The player that reminds me of KVNs playstyle is Zaven. The Dolphins now need a LB that can set the edge, rush the passer, drop into coverage, and spy the QB. Zaven has all the athleticism to do that. Though because of the surprising nature of this release, I think the Dolphins may have a replacement lined up in FA to cover this role.
19. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Pick from the last mock: WR Terrace Marshall Jr, LSU
Team Needs: WR, QB, LB; Team Wants: Slot WR, EDGE, LT, S
QB Alex Smith is set to be released which means Washington may give the QB position to the winner of the Taylor Heinecke vs Kyle Allen training camp battle. But if the team has an opportunity to select Mac Jones at 19 without moving up, I think they will take the risk. Mac isn't without his limitations, but the NFL world seems to value him a lot more than the Twitter Draft community. Mac has a similar physical build to Haskins but has every single intangible that Haskins did not possess with his eagerness to win and compete.
20. CHICAGO BEARS: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Pick from the last mock: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Team Needs: QB, WRx2, RT, SS; Team Wants: CB, EDGE
I am not a fan of the options here for the Bears. Being way back in the draft means they will be one of the teams in on Sam Darnold. WFT and CHI are probably the favorites if he gets traded, so the loser will take Mac Jones in this scenario. I don't think Allen Robinson will sign a long term extension in Chicago, so Bateman will be the future of this offense. He has a similar build to Ja'Marr Chase and he also ran a 4.38 40 yard dash last week.
21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Pick from the last mock: OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Team Needs: WR, CBx2, EDGE, LT; Team Wants: TE, WR, SS
QB acquired. Time to patch up that LT spot. Darrisaw will join the Colts and will help to continue the dominance out of this OL group. The Colts run both a power and zone running scheme. Darrisaw would fit best in an outside-zone running scheme, but his athleticism will help him succeed regardless of what they run in Indy.
22. TENNESSEE TITANS: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Pick from the last mock: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Team Needs: DTx2, EDGEx2, NT, CB, Nickel CB, TE; Team Wants: WR, RT, iOL, LB
Phillips might be the best true pass rusher in this class with his bend and athletic ability. Unfortunately for him, his injuries are cause for concern and have limited his ability to play in college. If he can stay healthy, he will be the EDGE presence the Titans have lacked for a long time. The Titans were in on JJ Watt and signed Jadaveon Clowney last season so we know this position is a priority for them.
23. NEW YORK JETS (from SEA): LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Pick from the last mock: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Team Needs: RT, iOL, EDGE, LB, CBx2, S, Nickel CB; Team Wants: QB, RB, Everything
The best player available is JOK and that needs to be the entire draft strategy for the Jets. Let the board fall to you. The Jets do have one LB who is alright in Terrell Basham, but JOK can play a few different roles (SS, OLB, NCB) if you need him to. Just keep him on the field.
24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
Pick from the last mock: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Team Needs: RB, C, RT, NCB, LT; Team Wants: QB, Slot WR, C, EDGE/OLB, ILB
This pick should be for their best available offensive lineman. This is going to be a pretty good spot for a few RTs like Tevin Jenkins, and Mayfield or they could go to the left side with Radunz or Liam Eichenberg. I have heard that Liam is the prototypical OT for what Pittsburgh normally goes after, so keep that in mind. Also, if the Steelers bring back Villanueva at LT, and they don't go RT with this pick, keep an eye on WR Kadarius Toney.
25. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (from LAR): OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota St
Pick from the last mock: OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
Team Needs: QB, LT, FS, SS, WR; Team Wants: CB, iOL, TE, EDGE, RB
Radunz will need to put on some weight, but certainly has the pulling power and speed to work in Urban's gap powered running scheme. Radunz showed that he is ready for the NFL stage with a big showing at the Senior Bowl. This pick is assuming that the Jags are not tagging or retaining LT Cam Robinson. If they decide to go another direction, I really like FS Trevon Moehrig here.
26. CLEVELAND BROWNS: EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington
Pick from the last mock: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Team Needs: EDGE, DT, CB, OLB, ILB; Team Wants: WR
The Browns also missed out on JJ Watt and will no doubt be in the EDGE market this offseason. Tryon opted out in 2020 but his tape speaks for itself. He is a bigger build at EDGE and relies on his strength to win rather than raw speed. Cleveland doesn't need to get a world-class athlete to play opposite Myles Garrett. They just need someone who can create pressure in his 1v1 since Garrett gets doubled more than any other player in the NFL.
27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: RT Tevin Jenkins, Oklahoma St
Pick from the last mock: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Team Needs: RT, C, WR, EDGE; Team Wants: FS, LB
This is assuming that RT Orlando Brown Jr does get traded to be a LT of a team. I don't believe he will back down from that point and thus is leaving a big hole the Ravens will need to address. Tevin Jenkins can best be described as a bully and that is exactly what the Ravens should be looking for. As a run-first team, they need guys looking to punish defenders for getting in their way.
28. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Pick from the last mock: LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
Team Needs: QB, ILB, EDGE, TE, FS, depth everywhere; Team Wants: WR, DT, CB
I don't know what is going on in New Orleans as far as the QB position goes. But Emmanuel Sanders is old and Michael Thomas has created issues for them in the past. If neither is on the team in 2022, I wouldn't be shocked. Regardless, Toney is the kind of gadget player that Sean Payton would just drool over. A player with his kind of speed would do wonders for the Saints offense regardless of the QB.
29. GREEN BAY PACKERS: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
Pick from the last mock: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Team Needs: TE, WR, C, ILB, CB, RT; Team Wants: RB, OG, NCB, ILB or DT
Kevin King was roasted by Tom Brady in the playoffs and he hadn't been a stud player before then either. The Packers are not resigning him as he enters FA and they need to find a plus replacement. Enter Newsome who is another tall CB, but has enough instincts that he won't get cruised on with vertical routes. We aren't entirely sure what system the Packers defense is going to be running yet, but Newsome played in off-man coverage in college. The new DC in GB is a former LBs coach, and while Nick Bolton may make sense for the team, his most recent team (LAR) didn't prioritize LBs high in the draft.
30. BUFFALO BILLS: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Pick from the last mock: EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas
Team Needs: CB, LB, RT; Team Wants: RB, LG, RG, EDGE
It's not necessarily a position of need given they have selected Zack Moss in the 3rd round last year and Devin Singletary in the 5th round the year prior... but can you imagine? Moss is a big back and they like him down in the RZ. Singletary didn't really regress in 2020, but I think we expected more. Etienne is a much better player than Singletary and we don't let good enough players prevent us from taking great players. It didn't happen in this mock, but I think a RT has become a position of need for the Bills with Daryl Williams probably not returning.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
Pick from the last mock: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Team Needs: LT, C, G, EDGE, LB; Team Wants: G, WR, RT
It isn't fair to judge this team based on only one game last year. They had a great season and they weren't ready to go in the Super Bowl. That game exposed the OL as an obvious weak point, but if we watch the entire 2020 season the defense could have been better. There were so many times that the defense slowly allowed points so that Mahomes had to keep scoring in bunches. Their LB position was a notable hollow point for the entire season. The KC defense started off the year pretty good against the pass but always allowed RBs to move the ball. Bolton is best as a run defender first.
32. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Pick from the last mock: EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami
Team Needs: WR, LB, Backup QB, EDGE, KR, DT; Team Wants: FS, C, LT, RB, CB, P
I am supremely confident in my ability to be 100% wrong with this pick come April. The Bucs are going to enter the draft with some holes on their roster and it will be interesting to see where they are. As of today, I don't see Ndamokung Suh returning to the team. They did just recently invest in DT Vita Vea in the 1st round, but Suh took 750 snaps in 2020 and they will need to be replaced. Barmore is going to need time to start producing at the next level so maybe this pick isn't that great. I just don't know what to slot them because there are so many holes at this point in time.
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