Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow QB (LSU) – If I was Zac Taylor, the Bengals head coach, and I knew I was on the hot seat, I would use this pick on Chase Young and go after Cam Newton and draft a QB with a later pick. If I’m Taylor and the Bengals ownership said I have time to get this worked out, then you take Burrow and build your team around him. Young is the best player in this draft, in my opinion. That doesn’t always translate into who is picked first. I like Burrow a lot, I love that he had a chance to grow into a great player at LSU and that he is as confident as I have watched a quarterback act in a long time. The question is, can he survive in Cincinnati where he has arguably worse receivers than he had at LSU?
Washington Redskins – Chase Young DE (Ohio St) – Generally the best player in the draft goes number one, but the Bengals are taking Burrow for need, which means that Redskins get a possible All Pro. The Redskins put their eggs in the Dwyane Haskins basket last season but weren’t satisfied and traded for Kyle Allen from Carolina. I think if Tua had not gotten injured, you may have seen a different strategy not involving Allen. Washington is in perfect spot at this point, Young was as dominant as any defensive lineman in college and unless they trade this pick to Miami, they will be forced to take the best prospect in the draft.
Detroit Lions – Jeffrey Okudah CB (Ohio St) – Detroit is in the same boat as Washington. They don’t need a quarterback and they need a cornerback, and Okudah is the best in the draft this year. Okudah was a stud in high school and that carried over with the Buckeyes. Again, the Lions have a lot of needs and would love to trade down, but why would Miami trade up, other than to assure themselves that they would get Tua? The Lions need help on both lines but nothing of value lines up at the 3 spot. An intriguing pick would be Isaiah Simmons, but without a definite position home for him, I say take the cornerback.
New York Giants – Isaiah Simmons OLB/S (Clemson) – The Giants don’t need to overthink this. They do need to take care of the offensive line to help their young guns of Saquan Barkley and Daniel Jones. You can find a value player in the later rounds of the draft. Simmons is a one-of-a-kind player, that could shift attention of a quarterback wherever he lines up. You can rush him, you can put him in coverage and you could play him at safety and probably have a Pro Bowl player at almost any position. My only other option, if you are looking for help for Jones, you have wide receivers like CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy, you could certainly trade down and try to obtain more picks.
Miami Dolphins –– Andrew Thomas OT (Georgia) – Depending on which tackle you like better, (I prefer Thomas to Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton) Miami has so many picks that they can take the best player at a needed position. You say, well why wouldn’t they take a quarterback here? Because they have so many picks, they don’t need to take a chance. They already have Ryan Fitzpatrick. They don’t need a starter this fall and they can afford to take a player with a high upside and develop him. I think that player is Justin Herbert and I think they can get him with one of their later picks in the draft.
Los Angeles Chargers – Tua Tagovailoa QB (Alabama) – Honestly, I would be really torn at this point. The Chargers have Tryod Taylor and they have a lot of talent offensively, but they need help on the offensive line, especially at left tackle. I want to take Becton right here, but…man it is hard to pass on Tua. He has won a lot at Alabama and he also makes throws that you really need to see to believe. Justin Herbert has a lot of upside, but he isn’t as accurate as Tua. I also think Tua is a big-time leader. All of that needs to outweigh the injury history, which is severe, but I’m rolling the dice with Tua for the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers – Tristan Wirfs OT (Iowa) – After signing Teddy Bridgewater, you need to make sure you can protect him. They need help on defense and if Simmons falls here, they really need to take him. In this scenario, the best defensive players they could take are CJ Henderson or Derrick Brown. If the run on wide receivers happens at the bottom of this draft, you could see another tackle fall into the second round. That makes passing on Brown at DL difficult, because you hope you can fill the OL later. I think you must protect your quarterback and your franchise player Christian McCaffrey. Wirfs was a stud in college. You may need to move him inside, but no matter what you are getting a 10-year starter on the line. That’s not easy to pass on.
Arizona Cardinals – Mekhi Becton OL (Louisville) – This giant of a man will probably throw an eclipse on Kyler Murray, but he is a tough blocker and can anchor the left side of the line. Duke Manyweather is a Jedi Master of offensive lineman training and he likes Becton as much as any tackle in the draft. That’s good enough for me. They need an explosive pass rusher, but there is no value at this pick. You could also look to take an heir to the great Larry Fitzgerald, but with the depth at wide receiver in this draft you might get equal production in the second round if you trade back into it, or even as late as the third round.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown DL (Auburn) – A home wrecker, Brown can dominate plays. He is the best available down lineman on the board after Young and should be an outstanding anchor for the rebuilding Jags. They could use CJ Henderson at corner, but Brown is the better player. They also could use a tackle like Jedrick Wills Jr if they chose to start rebuilding the offensive side of the line first.
Cleveland Browns – Josh Jones OT (Houston) – If I’m Cleveland I let someone else have this pick and let them take their quarterback. If they stay, I say take Jones. I like Jones ability to move his feet and his size is NFL ready. If Jones struggles at left tackle, you may be able to move him inside or even to right tackle if he is coached correctly. They need a left tackle at this spot, and I like Jones, over Wills, as Wills is a right tackle. Of course, they could surprise us all and take CeeDee Lamb and make a draft day trade of Odell Beckham Jr.
New York Jets – Jerry Jeudy WR (Alabama) – I love Jeudy. I love him the most out of all the wide receivers in this draft. He runs great routes, had great hands and simply gets open. I think he translates into the NFL better than any other receiver in this class, including Lamb, who I also think can be special. The Jets need help on offense, Sam Darnold has struggled, Jeudy would start day one and help give Darnold a security that he hasn’t had since he entered the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb WR (Oklahoma) – Speaking of great fits, this would be a great spot for the Raiders to take Lamb. I know that Gruden loves him some Henry Ruggs III, but Lamb was much more productive in college. They would love to take a lock down type corner like CJ Henderson at this spot as well, but if you need a wide receiver, Lamb is your guy.
San Francisco 49ers – CJ Henderson CB (Florida) – I don’t see the Niners making this pick that they stole from the Colts. The Niners have few picks in the middle and John Lynch will probably want to go with safety in numbers. They could use an offensive lineman, maybe they would take Wills if he was here. I would take the best cover corner left in the draft if it were me.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jedrick Wills Jr. OL (Alabama) – What do you get the team that is suddenly a Super Bowl favorite with the addition of Tom Brady? Well you could give him another toy in Henry Ruggs III at wideout, or you could solidify your offensive line to keep a 42-year-old quarterback from taking hits. Wills was a multiple game starter at Alabama, a place that churns out great players. Wills will be around a lot longer than Brady, so he can be a right-side protector for the next quarterback as well.
Denver Broncos – Justin Jefferson WR (LSU) – If you like Ruggs because of his big play ability, I understand. If you want production history, you can’t get any better than Jefferson. Joe Burrow made plays all year because Jefferson ran consistently great routes and make catch after catch and he will go get the ball. I will ride with Jefferson every day of the week. Another intriguing pick at this spot is Kenneth Murray. People compare him to Roquan Smith of the Bears, and Vic Fangio knows all about Smith, from his time in Chicago. Murray would be a great pick up at 15 if the Broncos decided not to go after a wide receiver this early.
Atlanta Falcons – Kenneth Murray LB (Oklahoma) – This is a best available draft pick in my opinion. How many more years can you miss the playoffs with Matt Ryan? You may think, well Ruggs III is still here and would help, but the Falcons defense needs help. I think they could go with a pass rusher at this point as well, or even help on the O Line with a player like Austin Jackson. I’d take Murray and figure out how he and Deion Jones can play together.
Dallas Cowboys – AJ Epenesa DE (Iowa) – Getting to the quarterback is always a priority and Epenesa is just starting to scratch the surface of where he will end up. I may value Epenesa higher than most, but after getting a front row seat to watch him play at Iowa, I’m super happy to see him leave Iowa City early. You could argue that the Cowboys need a center to replace Travis Frederick, and they should trade down, but Epenesa will give you a pass rusher that you can move all over the D Line.
Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Taylor RB (Wisconsin) – Taking a player like Andrew Thomas early gives the Dolphins some flexibility at this spot. You may see that Justin Herbert is falling in my mock draft. I think a lot of that has to do with his accuracy. I’m not saying he can’t be an NFL quarterback, but he will need playmakers and a solid defense and run game to be ready to have success. I think the Dolphins, with their multiple picks, can afford to take a work horse running back at this spot. You can’t argue with Taylor’s production in college. He put the ball on the turf, but so did Ahman Green and he turned out ok. Taylor’s vision is second to none in this draft and that to me is the key to becoming a great running back in the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders – Jaylon Johnson DB (Utah) – Still irks my rear end that Johnson didn’t end up a Husker. He was one of the guys that Nebraska was in on that I thought we had a good shot at. What a miss and now he is one of the hottest names on the NFL draft board. Johnson would be a good fit for the Raiders, who filled the wide receiver spot early. Now they fill the secondary. My only issue with this pick is that I really like Kristian Fulton from LSU at corner as well, but I just have a feeling we will see Johnson picked higher.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Kristian Fulton DB (LSU) – After landing Derrick Brown at 9, the Jags can afford to take a corner right here to replace Jalen Ramsey. Fulton was a stud for a loaded LSU team, but he also is a very good tackler, to go along with his cover skills. AJ Terrell is another player that could end up here, but I give the higher grade to Fulton. They also could nab a wide receiver at this point with the high end talent still available.
Philadelphia Eagles – Henry Ruggs III WR (Alabama) – Ruggs III falls no further and provides an instant impact player for Carson Wentz. I’m not sold on Wentz just yet and the Eagles need to provide him with more consistent help. They could also use a linebacker like Patrick Queen or another offensive lineman like Austin Jackson, who is currently rising on draft boards in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings – AJ Terrell CB (Clemson) – Terrell is certainly athletic enough to play corner in the NFL. With head coach Mike Zimmer’s style of defense, I think Terrell could shine. He has played in many big games, but he struggled against LSU in the championship in January. I don’t hold that against him, many corners struggled against LSU. I think Terrell’s ceiling is high and I don’t think the Vikings can take Trevon Diggs, based on his relationship with WR Stefon Diggs and the fact that the WR Diggs left on terrible terms with the Vikings. Wide Receiver is another spot that the Vikings could claim, along with someone like K’lavon Chaisson if they choose to take an edge rusher at this spot.
New England Patriots – Jordan Love QB (Utah St) – New England has not drafted well the last couple of seasons. I feel like that issue, as much as anything else led to Tom Brady’s departure. The Patriots run will end this fall, but with the right draft pick, the fall may not be as gruesome as it could be. If Love is here, I think they would jump at the chance to take him. I believe the QB sweepstakes hasn’t stopped just yet and the Patriots will likely add a veteran after the draft. Based on the team’s needs, especially at wide out, if the Patriots chose to pick Laviska Shenault Jr. or a linebacker like Zack Braun (who is made for this defense), they could take a QB later in the draft that may present as much upside as Love.
New Orleans Saints – Patrick Queen LB (LSU) – The Saints are a Super Bowl contender, although getting into the playoffs may have gotten a lot more difficult with the Buccaneers recent upgrades. All things being equal, the Saints could use a stud athlete like Queen to light a fire under their defense. The fact that Queen is from just up the road in Baton Rouge makes this pick all the sweeter. It’s funny that they could take Queen and leave a pass rusher like Chaisson still on the table, but Queen is a too good to pass up.
Minnesota Vikings – K’Lavon Chaisson Edge (LSU) – The Vikings luck continues at defense. After adding a corner that can start day one like AJ Terrell, they are able to add a pass rusher than can provide instant third down help on long distance situations. Chaisson is rising up on a lot of boards, so it’s doubtful he remains available at this spot on draft day, but with so many top notch wide receivers out there, it may make some guys fall that you don’t expect.
Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert QB (Oregon) – If the Dolphins can be patient, they will get their guy if they truly want Herbert. If they want to jump up earlier to take Love or really want Tua at the five spot, they can have them. If they want Herbert, I think he falls all the way down here. It’s not that Herbert wasn’t productive. His biggest issue is accuracy. It’s typically not something you can “learn” in the NFL. Herbert is a strong leader and he has a big arm. If he can harness that and learn from Fitzpatrick for a year, it may be the type of apprenticeship that allows Herbert to blossom.
Seattle Seahawks – Yetur Gross-Matos Edge (Penn State) – I want to put Austin Jackson here, but…this is the kind of pick that when I review this draft will either be a steal for the Seahawks, or no one will remember this kid in 3 years. Gross-Matos has a lot of athletic ability and hasn’t realized his potential. With Seattle, he won’t be expected to the be the star and I think that is a situation that he can really thrive in. What really matters though, is that the Seahawks won’t make this pick, they will trade it and this projection won’t happen.
Baltimore Ravens – Zack Braun LB (Wisconsin) – The Ravens consistently take the best players they can get, and they are one of the most consistent franchises in the league because of it. Braun is that type of player. Cesar Ruiz is shooting up a lot of draft boards and maybe he is the better fit to replace Marshall Yanda, but Braun is smart, plays hard and would be a nice addition. Or they could say screw it and take a wide receiver and give Lamar Jackson even more ammunition.
Tennessee Titans – Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) – Austin Jackson is shooting up a lot of draft boards, but with Kinlaw in free fall and defensive line a huge need for the Titans, they can’t pass him up at this spot. The Titans will need to address the offensive line, but one thing we know about this franchise, they have identified how to create a great offensive line. There are other players that they can take later in the draft. There is no chance they are getting the upside of Kinlaw any lower than this spot.
Green Bay Packers – Laviska Shenault WR (Colorado) – I do not like Green Bay. I hate that they always have players fall into their lap later in the first round. This is another one of those times that it happens. Shenault wouldn’t be this low if it weren’t for the surgery that he had. Now that it sounds like he is fully healed, I expect him to go in the first round and I expect him to be a pain in the NFC North for a while.
San Francisco 49ers – Austin Jackson OT (USC) – While it may have been clear that the 49ers aren’t that far off from winning a Super Bowl, it was also clear that they do not possess a lot of stars on offense. That’s alright if you have a solid foundation. The depth at WR will allow them to make the best available player decision. The Niners will clearly be players to trade back on day one of the draft, but if they stay, the local product from Southern California would fill a nice spot on the offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs – Trevon Diggs CB (Alabama) – It is funny to me that the team that needs offensive weapons, could look at all the wide receivers available in this draft and take one if they want. On the flip side, you can take a cornerback that is big and played for a winning program in Alabama and help keep your team balanced and firing on all cylinders. Some mock drafts have them taking an offensive lineman, but if Diggs is there, he is the guy. The Chiefs just continue to stock up.
