The time has come. For all the teams who will be sitting home for the playoffs, their front offices are compiling their big boards and scouring film. It’s a time for hope. Hope that the next big thing will be their teams draft pick. We will be doing quite a few of these as we near towards draft night, but as of now we will only be covering the first 18 picks, since they’re the only ones set in stone. Sit back, enjoy, and stay hopeful everyone.
1 Jacksonville Jaguars
Evan Neal
OT
Alabama
It’s not often you get the same team picking first overall in the draft in back to back years (7 times in history). But the Jaguars find themselves doing just that. They have their presumed QB, and defensive line is the only spot they have a solid foundation. While trading back and collecting assets isn’t off the table, this is a “no trade” mock draft. So I have the Jags taking Evan Neal to protect Trevor “Sunshine” Lawerence. The Jags were in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed, but it would’ve been worse if Lawrence wasn’t so keen on getting rid of the ball. Lawerence was hurried more than all but four QBs. Unfortunately Lawerence gave the ball to opposing defenses 17 times trying to avoid taking a sack. Cam Robinson is not getting the job done protecting Lawrence’s blind side, so a chance to upgrade the position with Neal shouldn’t be passed up.
2.Detroit Lions
Aidan Hutchinson
Edge
Michigan
Detroit spent the majority of the year looking pretty hapless. They have some intriguing pieces on offense. It’s kind of the antithesis of the Jaguars. They have a lot of promising talent at tight end, running back, wide receiver and on the offensive line; but the quarterback position is pedestrian at best. Unfortunately this is a bad year to draft a QB, and there’s no sense in reaching when they also have gaping holes all over the defense. Which leads them to Hutchinson. Keeping Hutchinson in state will automatically give the Lions more credibility on defense. His work ethic and intensity could and probably will make Dan Campbell shed a tear. In my humble opinion, he is a near perfect prospect at the position, as evidenced by my gushing scouting report earlier this year.
3.Houston Texans
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Edge
Oregon
Houston needs all the help they can get to be honest. They are pretty much devoid of talent all over the field. Deshaun Watson hangs in limbo due to his legal issues and desire to get out of town, but again this isn’t the draft to use a top 5 pick on a quarterback. So the Texans go best player available and draft the junior edge rusher out of Eugene. Thibodeaux is a physical specimen and could have an immediate impact on a lowly Texans defense that finished in the bottom five in sacks. For a guy who is in the discussion to go 1st overall, the value is too good to pass up here.
4.New York Jets
Derek Stingley Jr.
Cornerback
LSU
During Robert Salah’s time in San Francisco he was used to having a full arsenal of weapons to implement his defense. That was not the case in his first year as Jets head coach. The Jets actually have a promising young offense. Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Zach Wilson, Michael Carter and Elijah Moore form a strong young foundation. So defense is the obvious choice in this draft. In comes Derek Stingley Jr. a natural playmaker with great hips, athleticism and field vision. He will instantly improve a Jets defense that allowed the third most passing yards, 2nd highest QB rating and only managed 7 picks on the season. Pairing him with Bryce Hall could give the Jets an impressive young duo for the next few years.
5.New York Giants
Ikem Ekwonu
OT
NC State
The Giants offensive line is the laughing stock of the NFL. The once promising backfield of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley have been harassed constantly behind a line that consistently ranks near the bottom of the league. Ekwonu can come in and start the rebuild of the Giants trenches. In a division with Josh Sweat, Fletcher Cox, Micah Parsons, Jonathan Allen and Chase Young; having a sturdy offensive line is a must. Ekwonu is arguably the best run blocking offensive tackle in this draft, and will be beloved by Saquon on day one.
6.Carolina Panthers
Kenny Pickett
Quarterback
Pitt
While I’m not a huge believer in any of the signal callers in this draft; it is a quarterbacks league. When you’ve had struggles at the QB position for half a decade, it’s hard to not take a shot when you’re picking in the top 10. Kenny Pickett could be the wagon Matt Rhule bitches himself to, seeing that the Sam Darnold experience didn’t go according to plan. Pickett brings experience, poise, leadership and athleticism to the quarterback room. He will be walking Into a pretty solid situation having Christian McCaffery, Robbie Anderson and DJ Moore at his disposal.
7.New York Giants (from Chicago)
Tyler Linderbaum
IOL
Iowa
The G-Men double dip on their investment in the offensive line. In an attempt to fortify the trenches they draft arguably the best offensive lineman in the class with Tyler Linderbaum. Conventional knowledge will tell you interior lineman do not go this early, but there are rare exceptions when the talent is elite. Linderbaum is that elite talent on par with Quenton Nelson (No.6 overall). Nelson is big, mean and athletic. He has displayed a phenomenal mind for the game in his time at Iowa and has the potential to anchor an offensive line for a decade. His impact was noted in the Citrus Bowl a few weeks back. When he went down, Iowa’s potent rushing attack became pedestrian. His skill, cerebral nature and positional versatility make him quite the commodity.
8.Atlanta Falcons
George Karlaftis
Edge
Purdue
George Karlaftis is a human wrecking ball. In most draft classes he would be the top edge rusher available and a guaranteed top five draft pick. While his production doesn’t always show on the stat sheet (14 career sacks) he demands double teams. Despite his lack of sacks he is consistently putting heat on opposing quarterbacks. He is an exceptional run defender, and has an all world size/athleticism combination. He is also very raw, only picking up the game in high school after emigrating to from Greece at 13. The Falcons have a desperate need at edge rusher, registering the fewest sacks and second fewest pressures in the league over the last two seasons. This is a match made in heaven.
9.Denver Broncos
Matt Corral
Quarterback
Ole Miss
The Broncos have tried and failed to get right at the quarterback position since Peyton Manning hung up his cleats. It’s been a revolving door of bridge quarterbacks at the position for half a decade. Now is the time they use a first round draft pick on a quarterback. I’ll admit drafting Matt Corral is risky, even though I have him as my QB1; he isn’t without flaws. But his upside is so tantalizing. He has great athleticism and a plus arm. For a team like the Broncos, loaded on defense and at skill positions; one quarterback could take them from a top ten draft pick to a top ten team. Corral will have the luxury most rookie QBs aren’t afforded. Cortland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Noah Fant and their two headed rushing attack are a supporting cast that is conducive to a young signal caller succeeding.
10.New York Jets (from Seattle)
Kyle Hamilton
Safety
Notre Dame
At long last my number one overall draft prospect is off the board. Kyle Hamilton is special, and there’s not much else to say. He has the size of Kam Chancellor with the range of Earl Thomas. To say he is a one man Legion of Boom isn’t really hyperbole. Yes, he fills a need for the Jets who need help desperately in the secondary. But let’s be honest, he would fill a need for almost any team in the league. His instincts and football IQ are unmatched, his physicality is on par with a linebacker, he has the range to play center field, and the quickness to man up in coverage. In a league with George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Kyle Pitts and Dallas Goedert; he is an invaluable asset. At his absolute worst, he is an oversized Malcolm Jenkins, at his best he’s a first ballot hall of famer. Pairing Hamilton with Stingley could take Gang Greens secondary from the basement to the pent house.
11.Washington Football Team
Andrew Booth Jr.
Cornerback
Clemson
Washington could go quite a few places in this draft. A running mate for Terry McClaurin, a new young quarterback, or offensive line. Instead they opt to take the corner out of Clemson with this pick. Washington has one of the fiercest defensive fronts in the league, but unfortunately their cornerbacks are some of the worst in the league. They ranked near the bottom in passing yards, completion percentage allowed, and gave up the most passing touchdowns in the league this year. Andrew Booth can come in and make an impact on day one. The long and physical corner makes it hard for receivers to create separation, giving Chase Young and Co. a chance to get home. And in a league where the slot receiver is becoming ever more prevalent, his ability to cover inside and out is a huge plus.
12.Minnesota Vikings
Nakobe Dean
Linebacker
Georgia
Nakobe Dean is the best linebacker in a crop of very talented linebackers. For a team in the Vikings who ranked dead last against the run and was middle of the pack defending tight ends, he will be a welcomed addition. The Butkus Award winner doesn’t have “prototypical” size for a linebacker, but in today’s NFL the 6’3 240lb thumpers are a dying breed. What Dean lacks in size he makes up for in intelligence, speed and tenacity. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time, flowing to the ball like he was in the huddle when the play was called. He is has excellent timing when blitzing off the edge or through the A-gap. He is also exceptional in coverage. The Vikings are starting the post-Zimmer era off with a bang.
13.Cleveland Browns
DeMarvin Leal
Defensive Line
Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal was a near consensus top ten talent in the preseason. While he seemed to take a step back in production,his raw talent is still apparent and warrants a top 20 draft slot. Leal is an intriguing prospect, he’s not quite big enough to be a true 1 or 3 technique tackle but he’s not quite long or explosive enough to be lined up on the edge. Regardless of lacking a definitive position, you can’t deny his talent. The Browns desperately need a defensive tackle to generate some pressure up the middle. Too often teams keyed in on Myles Garrett with double teams. Adding an explosive interior pass rusher like Leal will free things up for Myles Garrett, who registered 16 sacks despite not having much in the way of a running mate. Leal is also a plus run defender that will only add to a Browns defense that finished 11th against the run. Leal gives you great upside, so being able to draft him at 13 could be a real steal.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Charles Cross
OT
Mississippi State
The Ravens very rarely draft this high. Having an opportunity to draft a top 20 talent is a bright spot in an otherwise injury plagued year for the club. One of the things ailing the Ravens is their offensive line. Lamar Jackson was sacked 38 times in his 12 starts, one of which led to his season detailing injury. Ronnie Stanley is a very good tackle, but he seemingly can’t shake the injury bug. Drafting Charles Cross gives the Ravens a talented and supremely athletic young left tackle for the next 7-10 years. Cross is not as good of a run blocker as his peers in this draft, so on the surface he isn’t ideal for Baltimore’s run heavy scheme. But he is arguably the most polished pass blocker in the class, and his talent level is too much to pass up at this spot. If he grows as a run blocker her could end up being the best offensive tackle in this draft.
15.Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami)
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
Cornerback
Cincinnati
With the first of their three picks in round one of the draft, The Eagles go after a cornerback. While Darius Slay has been elite, and Steven Nelson has been serviceable; Slay isnt getting younger or cheaper and Nelson will be hitting the market at seasons end. In Gardner they get a 6’2 200 pound, press man corner with a swagger that would make Deion Sanders blush. The Eagles have a rich history of elite corners from Eric Allen and Bobby Taylor to Asante Samuel and Darius Slay. Jeffery Lurie clearly values the position and wouldn’t be afraid to pull the trigger on a stud like Gardner. This past year he only allowed 96 yards in coverage and in the three years as a starter at Cinci, he registered 9 picks while not allowing a single touchdown. He has great ball skills and while nobody will mistake him for Sheldon Brown, he’s a willing tackler. He would be a day one starter for the birds, forming a formidable triumvirate with Slay and slot corner Avante Maddox. There are few corners in the league that could help Gardner polish up his game better than “Big Play” Slay.
16.Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis)
Devin Lloyd
Linebacker
Utah
On the surface this pick seems like a slam dunk. The Eagles need a linebacker, a stud linebacker is available in their draft slot. When you dig a bit deeper you realize that Philadelphia has not used a first round pick on a linebacker in over 40 years! But alas, all trends fade with time; and this seems like a great time to break the streak. Devin Lloyd is the 1B to Nakobe Dean. Far from a conciliation prize, Lloyd is everything you would want in a linebacker. He has the classic size (6’3 235lbs) with the modern burst and athletic ability. He is a seasoned three year starter for Utah, who always seems to be flying around the field. While he is not as adept in coverage as his Georgia counterpart, he is still a true three down linebacker thanks to his uncanny blitzing abilities. As an off-ball linebacker Lloyd registered 16.5 sacks at Utah. Comparing him to Micah Parsons is obviously a stretch but he offers that level of positional versatility.
17.Los Angeles Chargers
Trent McDuffie
Cornerback
Washington
The Chargers have a promising offensive tackle, two fantastic wide receivers, an exceptional rushing attack and arguably the brightest young quarterback in football. Unfortunately they are horrendous pretty much everywhere on defense outside of Joey Bosa and Derwin James. They could go in a multitude of directions on that side of the ball, but since it is a passing league and they have a stat edge rusher; they opt to take a corner. With McDuffie they’re getting a fundamentally sound cornerback. He’s not going to wow you at the combine, but watching him in game you see an incredibly well rounded and disciplined player. Head coach Brandon Staley is known for deploying a multitude of coverage schemes and McDuffie is the perfect player for them. He is every bit as proficient in man coverage as he is in zone. He is arguably the best tackling corner in this draft class, showing his strength and willingness to be physical.
18.New Orleans Saints
Treylon Burks
Wide Receiver
Arkansas
We are down to the final non-playoff teams draft slot and no receivers have been taken. That changes at pick 18. Treylon Burks has been on my radar for quite a while, and he put the football world on notice this year. After an amazing career for the Razorbacks, Burks decided to take his talents to the NFL draft. With Michael Thomas missing the whole year, the Saints offense looked anemic. While they still may need to address the quarterback position, adding Burks to that mix help jumpstart New Orleans offense. If Michael Thomas does return to the team in 2022, they would immediately have a top end duo. Burks physically imposing stature and excellent quickness allow him to create separation consistently. His height, arm length and hand size give him a tremendous catch radius. He will be a red zone jump ball threat from day one and could develop into a DK Metcalf level talent.