This is the 1st of a 2-part Mock Draft series, Pre-Combine and Pre-Draft.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a reporter, therefore I don’t have insider information on who each team will draft. That being said, this Mock Draft is a mix of who I think will be taken (based on reports and other Mocks), and who I would take.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State
Many have Neal going here, but I think his pro-day testing will be underwhelming. Ekwonu isn’t the BPA, and this roster needs help everywhere, but the pressure to support Trevor Lawrence will be too strong. - Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
This is their dream scenario. This is a full rebuild, and Hutch is the BPA, not to mention he is the hometown darling. - PROJECTED TRADE – Carolina Panthers (from Texans) – Evan Neal OT Alabama
The Panthers desperately need a Tackle, and the Jets and Giants are both before the Panthers, and will likely take one if available. There is a clear cut-off after the Big Three in this draft. With a great defense, and likely no Top-10-worthy offensive players with the sixth pick, I think the Panthers make a splash here. - New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
There has been much nit-picking with KT, but he is still a star player. The Jets have a primary need at O-Line, but fourth overall is too early for Cross, and the Jets need help all over the defense. Hamilton was a consideration here, but I think KT will change this defense on a more fundamental level. - New York Giants – Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
This is a reach, but the Giants have many great secondary players and a desperate need on offense. There isn’t a good fit for the players worthy of this pick, and I think the Giants will be willing to reach to give Daniel Jones one last chance. A trade-down would be ideal, but most teams won’t trade up in this draft, due to the level of this class. - PROJECTED TRADE – Houston Texans (from Panthers) – Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
Hamilton is a perfect fit here, and he would’ve likely been their pick at three. There are five difference-makers in this draft, and aside from Cross, they were all taken as of now. Trading down to six was a gamble, but given the teams selecting after them, neither were likely to take Hamilton. Either way, the Texans need as many pieces as possible. - New York Giants – George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
The Giants have such a bad tandem of picks, just out of the Offensive Tackle Big Two range with the first pick, and just out of the Top Five players with the next. Karlaftis is likely the best player left on most boards and would be a great fit on this defense. - Atlanta Falcons – Drake London WR USC
London isn’t the WR1 in this class according to most people, but his skill set is so unique (and slightly reminiscent of Julio Jones prime) and such a great fit with Matt Ryan, I think they pull the trigger. - PROJECTED TRADE – Green Bay Packers (from Broncos) – Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
This is one of the most commonly mocked trades, Broncos finally get Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ priority must be building a supporting cast for Jordan Love. The O-Line is stellar, and pairing Wilson with Davante Adams will create a great dynamic duo. - New York Jets – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner CB Cincinnati
Unlike the Giants, the Jets are in a perfect spot given their needs. They are within range to get one of the Top Two Offensive Tackles or a previously projected number one overall pick. With their next pick, they will likely get either Stingley or Sauce, the “Big Two” Corners. This is a desperate need for them. Although they didn’t build around Zach Wilson with these two picks, there wasn’t a good fit with either pick on the offensive side, and these picks will boost their defense greatly. This will take pressure off Wilson to be a big-play-maker, which will eliminate many of his mistakes. - PROJECTED TRADE – Indianapolis Colts (from Commanders) – Matt Corral QB Ole Miss
Many think the Commanders will trade for Russell Wilson, but I think they trade for Carson Wentz. His potential is fascinating, and I think his price tag will be significantly lower. Corral is one of my favorite players and is an RPO master. This will make him a great fit for a Jonathan-Taylor-led offense. - Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
This is a bit of the slide for the stud corner, but the talent at the top of the Cornerback position will lower his value. The Vikings desperately need secondary help, and they would be thrilled to get this stud this late. - Cleveland Browns – Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
It looks like the Browns will be sticking with Baker for one more year. I would love a Russell Wilson trade here, I think that’s a great fit, but the rumors are quiet. If they want to finalize this Baker-test, throwing more weapons at him is the way to go. Burks is an ideal WR1 fit for a team that only has WR2s. - Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum IOL Iowa
The Ravens are usually given a defender in this spot in most mocks, but I think they were most successful when they were a bruising running team. They were nearly unstoppable, and pivoting off what works is never a good idea (and it showed). Beefing up the O-Line is the best way to ensure the running dominance. - Philadelphia Eagles – Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
The trio of picks could be higher, but the Eagles must be thrilled with their situation. Some suggest stabbing at a Quarterback with one of these, but I think that would be a “Jags clown mask” level disaster. They have no major needs aside from Wide Receiver (next pick), and Dean is an outstanding prospect. - Philadelphia Eagles – Chris Olave WR Ohio State
Pairing Jameson Williams with DeVonta Smith seems like poor offense construction. I love Olave, and I think he is a perfect complement to Smith. - Los Angeles Chargers – Jameson Williams WR Alabama
Williams is a perfect pick. They of course have a need at Interior Defensive Line, but that position has good depth in this draft, and they could likely get a run-stuffer in the second round. They won’t be able to get another speedy-deep threat in the second. Williams will help turn Herbert into an MVP candidate. - New Orleans Saints – Sam Howell QB North Carolina
Howell is most scout’s QB1. Willis and Ridder are terrible fits in this offense, as this system runs on accuracy. Howell’s accuracy is the best in this class, and this system will likely bring out his best traits. I see him as a less experienced and more mobile Drew Brees. - Philadelphia Eagles – David Ojabo EDGE Michigan
This draft is weak at the top (in comparison to other years), and the well is starting to dry up. Ojabo is one of the last remaining studs, and his potential is sky-high. This could make this Eagles defense among the best in the league. - Pittsburgh Steelers – Malik Willis QB Liberty
This is a “sprint in the card” situation. The Steelers love Willis, and I don’t think anyone else will take the risk on him before their pick. - New England Patriots – Trent McDuffie CB Washington
The Patriots are notorious for taking the BPA. McDuffie is that, and this would alleviate some of the pressure put on the organization by JC Jackson. Additionally, it’s far too early for the next Wide Receiver on the board. - Las Vegas Raiders – Bernhard Raimann OT Central Michigan
This move would allow the Raiders to kick Alex Leatherwood to Guard, which might help with his struggles at Left Tackle. Raimann is an ultra-athlete, and this offense needs more of those at all positions. - Arizona Cardinals – Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
Kyler Murray is stirring up quite a ruckus. They will likely be forced to pay him (which is the right thing to do), which means the next step is to keep him healthy. He is a small and oft-injured Quarterback, and this aging O-Line could use improvements. - Dallas Cowboys – Kenyon Green IOL Texas A&M
What was once one of the most formidable units in the league has fallen a long way from glory. The defense was amazing this year, and their offense is full of superstars. Bringing this O-Line back to the strength it once was is paramount. - Buffalo Bills – Travon Walker EDGE Georgia
Although I am very low on Walker, I think his physical tools have made him a 1st round lock for all teams. The Bills had the best defense last year, but they won’t forget the pain of the inability to stop Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. - Tennessee Titans – Devonte Wyatt IDL Georgia
I think Wyatt is a Top 10 player in this draft, so this is a steal. O-Line is a possible route, but there are no O-Line prospects worthy of a 1st round selection left. Pairing Wyatt with Simmons would make Vrabel very happy. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Desmond Ridder QB Cincinnati
This isn’t as “win-now” of a roster as most people think. The stars are aging and there are plenty of holes. More than a win-now team, this is an ideal situation to bring a rookie Quarterback into, and I think Ridder is an absolute stud. The Bucs will likely never be picking high enough for a star Quarterback, so this is a rare opportunity to get one. There are no sliding stars in this draft that they “can’t pass on” either. - Green Bay Packers – Devin Lloyd LB Utah
Devin Lloyd is a superstar athlete, and although his game is very raw, the Packers could use another Linebacker. - Miami Dolphins – Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
The ‘Phins desperately need to improve the O-Line, but they are in an awful draft slot to do that. They would have to reach very far, and they have plenty of other needs, Wide Receiver for example. Waddle is a great player, but if he is the only capable Wide Receiver on this team, he will be easier to stop. - Kansas City Chiefs – Jermaine Johnson EDGE Florida State
Frank Clark hasn’t been nearly as productive as his mega-deal would suggest. Upgrading the pass rush could invigorate this talented defense, and getting an edge rusher could help the Chiefs pivot off Clark. - Cincinnati Bengals – Darian Kinnard IOL Kentucky
Unlike the Dolphins, the Bengals have few other needs, and if they don’t draft an Offensive Lineman with every pick in this draft following their postseason performance, their fans will riot. This is a reach, but the need is too great, and Kinnard is far from a bad player. - Detroit Lions – Jordan Davis IDL Georgia
There have been many rumblings that the Lions will take a Quarterback here, and assuming one of the other 4 fell here that would be an easy selection. I don’t think Pickett ends up being selected in the 1st round. I doubt he even ends up being any better than Goff. Taking him here would be a mistake. Jordan Davis is a monster, and he is right up Dan Campbell’s alley.
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