The NFL Draft will be held in just a couple of weeks, so now’s the time to see a little updated board on who is going where. This is my first time ever doing a mock draft and I did have some fun with this. Plus, I didn’t go crazy with trades or anything. So, let’s see who I think is going where:
1st – Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow (QB)
No argument here. Period.
2nd – Washington Redskins – Chase Young (EDGE)
Young is arguably the best player on the board. Washington does have some stars on the defensive line like Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Da’Ron Payne. Pairing Sweat and Young definitely will turn the D-line from above average to top-tier.
3rd – Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah (CB)
Talks of the Lions trading out of the 3rd pick are becoming more relevant, but personally, I don’t think they will. Okudah is automatically a Day 1 starter for Detroit. The Lions also have a hole to fill with Darius Slay traded away to Philadelphia.
4th – New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs (OT)
As tempting as it will be for the Giants to go with Isaiah Simmons, they can’t afford to pass up on an offensive lineman this year. Wirfs is a solid, versatile lineman who can play guard and tackle. New York needs help on the line to protect Daniel Jones, and Wirfs is just the guy to do so. I also do see the Giants as a team that can trade up to land Chase Young.
5th – Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
Tua is a unique talent coming from college football. His draft value went down after injury, but “Tank for Tua” is still in play for Miami. Rumors are going around that the Redskins might take him 2nd overall, but if Tua is available at 5, he’s Miami’s guy.
6th – Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert (QB)
Herbert has climbed draft boards after his fabulous combine week. The Chargers need a quarterback to either back up and learn from Tyrod Taylor or to replace Taylor completely.
7th – Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons (LB/S)
Simmons is so versatile on the field that he can do it all. He is a perfect fit for Carolina who is rebuilding and trying to find a new identity. Matt Rhule loves players who are leaders and can take control, as well as players who are fast. Simmons ran a sub-4.4 40, which is impressive for his 6-foot-4 size.
8th – Arizona Cardinals – Javon Kinlaw (DT)
Even though the Cardinals added Jordan Phillips this offseason, they can’t pass up on Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw is a solid lineman who will make an impact on the field, giving offensive lines trouble. With Hopkins being traded to Arizona, the talks of the Murray/Lamb duo have died down. The Cardinals can seriously benefit from taking Kinlaw and get the ball to the scary offense they have.
9th – Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown (DT)
With Calais Campbell gone, the Jaguars need some help on the defensive line and Brown is just the guy. Jacksonville took Josh Allen with their first-round pick last year and could take Brown to better the line.
10th – Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton (OT)
Stars out wide, a running back who broke out last year, and a quarterback looking to prove himself, but no offensive line. The Browns desperately need help on the offensive line and Becton is a perfect fit. Becton is 6-foot-7 and weighs 364 pounds, so he has the size. On top of that, he can run. Overall, he’s an athletic lineman with size, power, and speed.
11th – New York Jets – Andrew Thomas (OT)
The Jets need to protect Sam Darnold so he doesn’t see any more ghosts. Thomas, like Wirfs, is a versatile lineman. He has the potential to play either tackle or guard. He is also a dominant run blocker which could help the Jets get Le’Veon Bell going once again.
12th – Las Vegas Raiders – Henry Ruggs III (WR)
Las Vegas is in the market looking for a wide receiver and Ruggs is the perfect fit. The former Crimson Tide wideout has impressive speed and solid hands to make catches. The Raiders offense is in need of speed out wide. Now I could see the Raiders going with another wide receiver, but I think they will go with Ruggs.
13th – San Francisco 49ers – CeeDee Lamb (WR)
With Emmanuel Sanders signing with New Orleans, Jimmy G needs a new wide receiver. They do have Deebo Samuel, and this pairing could be a big threat in the very competitive NFC West.
14th – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jedrick Wills (OT)
Tom Brady is now in Tampa and is old. So, they need to go out and get themselves a lineman to keep the GOAT healthy enough to play and maybe win a title for them. Wills is one of the top linemen in the draft and a great blocker. I could see him going earlier to either the Giants or Browns, but if he is available when the Bucs are on the clock, they will pick him.
15th – Denver Broncos – Jerry Jeudy (WR)
Jeudy has impressive and stunning footwork. His quick feet and his route running ability is a perfect complement to Courtland Sutton. The Broncos are taking a wide receiver regardless, so if Jeudy is available, he’s the guy.
16th – Atlanta Falcons – K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE)
The Falcons are stacked on offense with Ryan, Gurley, Ridley, and Julio, but they can use some help on the defensive side of the ball. Chaisson didn’t participate in field drills at the combine but I don’t think that will matter. He has the potential to be a stud pass rusher and I think he is a perfect fit for Atlanta.
17th – Dallas Cowboys – C.J. Henderson (CB)
Byron Jones is now out of town and they need someone to fill that hole. Henderson is a smart player and has wicked speed. Dallas also needs a little confidence in the locker room and Henderson is a leader.
18th – Miami Dolphins – Xavier McKinney (S)
I see the Dolphins going with either a receiver or a defensive back at this spot. Either position would benefit them in their rebuild, so I’m going defensively for them. McKinney is a very versatile player and can also play at the linebacker position.
19th – Las Vegas Raiders – Patrick Queen (LB)
I have the Raiders drafting offense earlier, so now is the time where they address the other side of the ball. Queen is an athletic linebacker who is a terrific tackler. He wasn’t a starter until his one breakout game for LSU, where caught all the scouts’ eyes. He’s a good fit for Las Vegas.
20th – Jacksonville Jaguars – Grant Delpit (S)
You can make the argument that the Jaguars go for a receiver or a lineman, but I think they need to address the defense. Jacksonville is big on getting players who can make an immediate impact and Delpit is just that. With Ramsey gone as well, Jacksonville needs to fill that hole.
21st – Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson (WR)
Not a surprise here that Philadelphia will be taking a wide receiver. Jefferson doesn’t have the draft potential like the top 3 wide receivers, but he is a solid pick. Jefferson ran a 4.40-40 and that speed should convert into production for Philadelphia. Be on the lookout too, because they might make a move to pick higher than 21st.
22nd – Minnesota Vikings – Kristan Fulton (CB)
You could argue that the Vikings need a lineman to better protect Kirk Cousins and help get Dalvin Cook going, but with Xavier Rhodes now in Indy, the Vikings have a spot to fill. Getting Fulton is a perfect fit for the team. Fulton has the big-game experience, so he shouldn’t have too many worries going into the playoffs if Minnesota clinches in the future.
23rd – New England Patriots – Tee Higgins (WR)
I do have the Patriots going with a wide receiver here. I think they need help there the most. Tom Brady didn’t have much to work with and they certainly aren’t going to leave Jarrett Stidham in the same situation. They might take a quarterback, but by the time it gets to their pick all the top QB prospects will be gone. Maybe they’ll trade up?
24th – New Orleans Saints – Denzel Mims (WR)
Even with the signing of Emmanuel Sanders, I’m still going with a wide receiver here. Mims has the potential to be a breakout star in the league like he showed at the combine. Working with Sanders, Thomas and Brees could convert this young receiver into something big.
25th – Minnesota Vikings – Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE)
I do have the Vikings stocking up on defenders this year in the first round. Gross-Matos has the ability to stop the run fairly well. He is also an above-average pass rusher. With these characteristics, he can be an immediate impact in the league and a huge plus for Minnesota.
26th – Miami Dolphins – Austin Jackson (OL)
Miami’s final pick in the first round. I have them taking Tua and McKinney, so why not add to help Tua and his offense. If Tua is going to develop to become a franchise quarterback, he’s going to need some help. Jackson has an incredible backstory and his talent is just as moving. He has a lot of upside coming into the draft and is definitely a solid lineman for any team.
27th – Seattle Seahawks – Marlon Davidson (EDGE)
Whether or not Clowney returns to Seattle, they can use an extra pass rusher. Davidson is the type of player to leave it all on the field every single game. His energy will definitely go with the noise in Seattle.
28th – Baltimore Ravens – A.J. Epenesa (EDGE)
Epenesa is a versatile player and can play multiple positions if needed. He’s a favorite in the draft by many GMs, and I see him going to Baltimore. If the Ravens want to repeat their stellar season, they can do it by getting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Epenesa is the guy to do just that.
29th – Tennessee Titans – Jonathan Taylor (RB)
If you thought Derrick Henry was the only issue for defenses this year, just wait until they pick Jonathan Taylor. He’s also a very physical player who can fill in for when Henry comes out and can produce just as much. This duo could be scary if the Titans go this route.
30th – Green Bay Packers – Zack Baun (LB)
Maybe the Packers trade up for a quarterback? It’s definitely in the mix, but I don’t see that happening at least this year. The Packers lost two linebackers to the Giants this offseason, so picking up Baun isn’t bad at all.
31st – San Francisco 49ers – Jaylen Johnson (CB)
Maybe a “Day-2” guy, but I have him going in the first round. If the 49ers are looking for a better corner or one that fits their schemes, they can definitely trade up. But for now, I think drafting Johnson is a solid pick.
32nd – Kansas City Chiefs – A.J. Terrell (CB)
Despite going last in my mock draft, I still see A.J. Terrell was one of the top corners. The Chiefs can use a little help in the backfield this year and he can get along just fine with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his already-solid defense.
