The NFL Draft has descended upon us once again.
Tonight, 32 young men will watch their lives change in an instant. Lifelong dreams will be made, and feelings of happiness and joy will overflow.
But for others, anxiety and frustration will build because they didn’t get the long awaited phone call, or they didn’t hear their name being spoken by the commissioner at the podium.
Either way, it’s going to be an exhilarating night, one with many ups and downs due to the uncertainty that exists surrounding this specific draft.
Before the action begins though, let’s try predicting which teams will wind up with who.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Travon Walker
Reports are claiming that there’s a divide within the Jaguars’ decision making hierarchy. General manager Trent Baalke wants to select Travon Walker. New head coach Doug Pederson wants a highly touted tackle prospect to help protect franchise starlet Trevor Lawrence. Owner Shad Khan wants ex-Michigan standout Aidan Hutchinson.
Which person will get their wish? That remains to be seen. For now, we’ll roll with Walker, whose name has been heavily connected to the Jags for the last month and a half or so.
2) Detroit Lions: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
Detroit could be bold and go quarterback here. Or they could go down the safer route and select one of the draft’s most talented tackle prospects.
But with Hutchinson on the board, I don’t think the Lions will be able to pass up the chance to select him.
3) Houston Texans: OT Ikem Ekwonu
In recent weeks, LSU corner Derek Stingley has been thrown around as a potential option for the Texans here. But general manager Nick Caserio has recognize the need for another dominant tackle up front to help protect Davis Mills.
Ekwonu is a mauler and a physical specimen at 6’4, 310 pounds. He’ll fit in nicely as one of the team’s newest crown jewels of their ongoing rebuild.
4) New York Jets: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
Group of five draft prospects usually don’t get this much hype during draft season. But Gardner is an exception, as his delectable skill set will be welcomed with open arms in the Big Apple.
5) New York Giants: OT Evan Neal
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will have two first round picks to work with, as they attempt to provide a spark to a Giants franchise that has looked dead over the last few years.
Bringing in Evan Neal isn’t the flashy move some Giants fans want. But solidifying your offensive and defensive lines should always come first in a big rebuild.
6) Carolina Panthers: OT Charles Cross
The Panthers are another team that can go quarterback. But they have needs elsewhere that eliminate their need to reach for a signal caller.
Addressing one of those needs by selecting Charles Cross wouldn’t be the end of the world.
7) New York Giants (via Chicago): CB Derek Stingley
Stingley could go much higher than seven, but with an expected run on elite tackle prospects, Stingley slides to seven and lands with the New York Giants.
The Giants should be thrilled with this scenario, as Stingley will possess the potential to develop into an elite coverage corner with very impressive ball skills.
8) Atlanta Falcons: WR Jameson Williams
It’s no secret that the Falcons are in dire need of wide receiver help. Luckily for them, this draft is full remedies that can help cure their ailment, and they all come in different shapes and sizes.
Here, the Falcons can pick up Jameson Williams and add a dynamic receiving threat to a group that lacks much in the way of talent right now.
9) Seattle Seahawks (via Denver): EDGE Jermaine Johnson
Seattle begins their post Russell Wilson with a top ten pick in hand. They use that pick on Jermaine Johnson, a steady pass rushing prospect whose stock has soared throughout the pre-draft process.
10) New York Jets (via Seattle): WR Garrett Wilson
The Jets selected their *potential* franchise quarterback last season in BYU star Zach Wilson. Now they begin their journey of surrounding him with as much talent as possible.
Garrett Wilson was an accomplished star at Ohio State. Bringing in the speedster should do wonders for the Jets’ offense now and moving forward as well.
11) Washington Commanders: S Kyle Hamilton
Washington was one of the teams that were pegged as quarterback needy in the off-season. Well, at least before they acquired ex-NFC East foe Carson Wentz.
With their quarterback situation now stabilized, attention will be set on the rest of the roster. Here, I have them taking Kyle Hamilton, one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in this draft.
12) Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
The Vikings could go down a number of routes here. They could trade down, although this draft doesn’t appear favorable for scenarios that involve trading down. Or they could stick and pick the best player available when their pick rolls around.
In this mock, I have Kayvon Thibodeaux sliding down to 12. Thibodeaux could come in and provide depth for the Vikings right now. While also providing the Vikings with a talented cover option if they decide to move on from Danielle Hunter or even Za’Darius Smith in the distant future.
13) Houston Texans (via Cleveland): WR Drake London
London was seen as the draft’s best receiver prospect early in the pre-draft process. But his stock has slid a bit in recent weeks due to concerns about his ability to win against physical NFL corner play.
If London does indeed slide, then him landing in Houston wouldn’t be a bad end result for the ex-USC star.
14) Baltimore Ravens: iDL Jordan Davis
Davis’ NFL future is a little uncertain due to his pass rushing limitations. But his immediate impact as a run defender can’t be ignored.
Davis can slide in as an instant run defending machine, while also learning behind one of the best in Calais Campbell.
15) TRADE-Pittsburgh Steelers (via Philadelphia): QB Malik Willis
In the first and only trade of this mock draft, I have the Steelers moving up from the 20th spot to select Malik Willis. In a bad quarterback draft, trading up almost seems illogical.
But the Steelers need to find their next signal caller for the future. Willis has the most upside out of any prospect in this class. But he’ll need to sit for some time to adjust to the lifestyle of an NFL quarterback.
Mitchell Trubisky is already locked in as the Steelers’ bridge quarterback. So adding Willis and letting him sit behind Trubisky seems like a perfect reason as to why Pittsburgh would bang the table to go get their guy. Plus with the Saints at 16, there’s no telling if Willis would’ve remained on the board if Pittsburgh let the Saints have their way.
16) New Orleans Saints (via Indianapolis): QB Desmond Ridder
With Willis off the board, New Orleans can find their next young quarterback in Desmond Ridder. Ridder’s stock has increased over the past few weeks, so much so that it’d be a surprise if he makes it out of the top 20.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: OT Trevor Penning
The Chargers have already addressed quite a bit of their defensive needs in free agency. Now their attention turns to the offensive side, where I have them selecting Trevor Penning. A nasty, gritty tackle prospect that has plenty of room to grow to become a potential bookend tackle to pair with Rashawn Slater.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans): WR Chris Olave
Olave could easily be a top 15 pick. But due to the run of receivers, quarterbacks, and tackles earlier in this mock, I have Olave going to the Eagles at 18.
The Eagles are currently in the midst of a reclamation project. We don’t know if Jalen Hurts will be the one at the center of the effort. But if he isn’t, the Eagles should have an impressive arsenal of weapons for the next signal caller of their choosing.
19) New Orleans Saints (via Philadelphia): WR Treylon Burks
Burks could go anywhere between 19 and 28, but with him being on the board at 20, it feels like a no brainer for the Saints to pick him up.
There is concerns about Burks’ limited route tree, but he can learn quickly with All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas by his side.
20) Philadelphia Eagles: CB Andrew Booth
The top two corners are off the board here for Philadelphia. So I have them selecting the next best option, Andrew Booth Jr. out of Clemson.
Booth Jr. had some impressive final moments at Clemson, most of which came with Booth Jr. being the best all-around player in Clemson’s secondary.
21) New England Patriots: LB Devin Lloyd
Bill Belichick can still run a good looking defense. But he can’t *totally* coach around a slow linebacker group that doesn’t have a lot in terms of athleticism.
Enter Devin Lloyd, an athletic, physical presence that should thrive under the tutelage of Bill Belichick and his staff.
22) Green Bay Packers (via Las Vegas): iDL Devonte Wyatt
The Packers need a receiver. But there’s a good amount of depth at the position in the later rounds, so Green Bay doesn’t have to reach too hard here.
So instead, they take Devonte Wyatt, a young, promising talent that should help Green Bay’s defensive line.
23) Arizona Cardinals: CB Trent McDuffie
Arizona needs an EDGE rusher after the departure of Chandler Jones. But the best available one at this point is David Ojabo, and he’s still recovering a from a torn achilles he suffered during his pro day.
Due to that, I have Arizona passing up the chance to draft Ojabo, and have them taking Trent McDuffie. A twitchy, undersized corner that can be used in a variety of ways defensively.
24) Dallas Cowboys: OL Kenyon Green
The Cowboys’ offensive line had remained a strong-suit up until last season, when the majority of their starters battled some uncharacteristic struggles.
This year, they’ll be banking on that group to regain their form. While also deciding on if they want to add another piece to the chess board or not. Kenyon Green can be that important piece, but where is the question.
25) Buffalo Bills: CB Kyler Gordon
The Bills don’t have any glaring holes on either side of the ball. At 25, they should be in a best player available scenario, or they can opt to shore up depth at a key spot.
Kyler Gordon can provide that, as his athleticism stands as a desirable trait to work with.
26) Tennessee Titans: iOL Zion Johnson
The Titans are in a situation where they could go down multiple routes tonight. They could draft a receiver to help shore up their skill position situation. They could draft an offensive linemen to plug in and fill one of their vacant offensive line holes. Or they could even draft a quarterback to serve as the franchise’s future after Ryan Tannehill leaves.
Here though, I have them taking Zion Johnson, a guard the Titans have reportedly been linked to quite often during the pre-draft process.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: iDL Logan Hall
Like the Bills, the Buccaneers don’t have any glaring holes. Well, except for maybe guard. Here though, they take Logan Hall, a fast rising interior defensive lineman that should provide instant depth.
28) Green Bay Packers: WR George Pickens
Green Bay is still in need of a receiver at this point. They could select someone like Jahan Dotson, a speedster that can stretch the field pretty well.
But if they want to bet on a prospect with better upside, they could go with George Pickens. Pickens has the tools to be a very good receiver at the next level, but character concerns could make this first round talent slide into the back half of the first round, or even into day two.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via San Francisco): WR Jahan Dotson
Losing Tyreek Hill hurts. There’s no one out there that can replicate his speed and the fear he instills into defenses. But you can always compensate and try your best to replace what Hill brings to the table.
Jahan Dotson is a receiver of similar stature, and his overall profile is similar to Hill’s.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE David Ojabo
The Chiefs can afford to roll the dice here. Their pass rush situation isn’t all that great at the moment. But they can plan for the future by taking David Ojabo, while letting him learn as he rehabs from his achilles injury.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: CB Kaiir Elam
Cincinnati already filled most of their important holes in free agency. Alex Cappa and La’el Collins should instantly provide much better offensive line play than what the Bengals received last season.
With no obvious holes in sight — except maybe linebacker — the Bengals have room to take a bit of a gamble and draft someone like Kaiir Elam. Elam’s a tall corner with some juice, that could develop into a major force for the Bengals’ defense moving forward.
32) Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): QB Sam Howell
The last pick of the first round is always a surprise, so take this pick with a grain of salt. Sam Howell has been teetering between a first round pick and a day two pick in recent weeks, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Howell doesn’t get selected at 32, or even earlier.
But for the sake of this mock, I have Howell going to Detroit at 32, where he’ll sit behind Jared Goff and learn until he gets his shot to start in Motown.
