I really really just can’t get enough of the NFL Draft. It’s quite possibly my favorite night of the whole sports year, ahead of even the Super Bowl. I actually love the draft so much that I’ve already begun thinking about it. This year especially, I feel like I have some great insight into what certain teams are lacking because we get to see them perform on a week to week basis. For instance, I can tell you right off the bat that the Atlanta Falcons are severely lacking on their defensive line.
So, let’s take a look at the current NFL standings and have some fun. Who would every team take if the NFL Draft was tomorrow?
1. New York Jets – Trevor Lawrence – QB, Clemson
Is this really a surprise? I think that the only possible surprise here would be if Lawrence decides to forgo the NFL to stay for another year at Clemson. Can you blame him though? There is not a lot of promise in going to the Jets at the moment.
2. Jacksonville – Trey Lance – QB, North Dakota State
For me, this pick is a matter of upside. Sure, Justin Fields seems like the safe pick. But have the Jaguars and owner Shahid Khan ever been a team that shoots for safety? Nope. They tend to shoot for the picks with massive upside and boy does Lance have a ton of that.
3. Dallas – Penei Sewell – OT, Oregon
Sewell is an absolute monster and the Cowboys are looking to rebuild their line back to its prestigious state from a few years ago. The defensive side of the ball is obviously their main concern, but with Sewell on the board, the Cowboys would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to add him to their line. I also think that this pick is a strong candidate to be traded for.
4. New York Giants – Ja’Marr Chase – WR, LSU
This seems to be the unanimous decision amongst just about everyone writing mock drafts. The Giants’ WR corps has not been the same since OBJ was traded away. Darius Slayton is a nice starting piece, but a stud WR like Chase would help take the whole offense to the next level.
5. Washington – Justin Fields – QB, Ohio State
Fields certainly has the potential to be a stellar quarterback in the NFL, but I just can’t seem to get over the recent track record that Ohio State quarterbacks have. From Cardale Jones to Dwayne Haskins, they just haven’t been able to take that next step. Perhaps Fields will be the one to break the mold.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Alex Leatherwood – OT, Alabama
The Chargers need to protect the future of their franchise, and that future is Justin Herbert. Herbert is showing out this season, but has been flushed out of the pocket and sacked quite a bit as well, as he ranks in the top half of the league in both of those categories. Leatherwood will provide a nice wall at the tackle position and will help keep Herbert upright.
7. Miami (from Houston) – Rondale Moore – WR, Purdue
Perhaps the top draft prospect at the wide receiver position, Moore is a massive production guy. He put up eye-popping stats in his true freshman year but had an injury-shortened 2019. After initially opting out of the 2020 season, he just recently opted back in to help solidify his draft stock.
8. New England – Pat Freiermuth – TE, PSU
What has New England been missing in the past few years since they haven’t been able to get to the Super Bowl? A dominant tight end. This draft boasts one of the best tight end prospects that the league has seen since perhaps Gronk. The Patriots will reach to ensure no one else gets their guy.
9. Cincinnati – Gregory Rousseau – EDGE, Miami
Rousseau is just an absolute freak of a man, plain and simple. He stands 6’7” tall and brings freakish athleticism to the table. After trading away Carlos Dunlap, the Bengals are going to be in search of some extra manpower on their defensive line. Rousseau is their guy.
10. Carolina – Micah Parsons – LB, PSU
Matt Rhule made one thing very clear in his first draft as the Carolina head coach, the defense is of the utmost importance to him. Parsons is one of the best linebackers to come out of the draft in recent memory and would make for an apt Luke Kuechly replacement. Parsons would immediately boost Carolina’s defense into the upper echelon.
11. Atlanta – Carlos Basham – EDGE, Wake Forest
The Falcons, much like the Panthers, are getting a steal here. In any other draft that wasn’t so QB top-heavy, Basham, Rousseau, and Parsons would all likely be top five picks. Basham falls to the Falcons at 11 and Atlanta finally finds the defensive line staple they’ve been so desperately searching for.
12. Detroit – Jaylen Waddle – WR, Alabama
During the 2019 season, playing alongside Jerry Jeudy, it was evident that Jaylen Waddle was going to be the next great Alabama receiver. Unfortunately, his season was derailed due to a broken ankle, but that should not hurt his draft stock. The Lions put the final touch on their up-and-coming offense and select Waddle at 12.
13. Minnesota – Kwity Paye – DT, Michigan
This is the one pick that doesn’t necessarily sit right with me. While I think Paye is a very solid player and belongs in either the first or second round, I think this might just be a bit high. Much like they did with Danielle Hunter, the Vikings will see Paye’s athleticism and will take the shit on him with their first-round selection.
14. Denver – Caleb Farley – CB, Virginia Tech
I am a big fan of nearly every defensive back that comes out of Virginia Tech. From the Fuller brothers to Kam Chancellor, VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster does an outstanding job of preparing his players for the NFL. Farley is big-bodied and will fit right into the Denver secondary, filling the hole that Chris Harris Jr. has left.
15. San Francisco – Wyatt Davis – IOL, Ohio State
Wyatt Davis is a brick wall. He and fellow guard Jonah Jackson (now of the Detroit Lions) kept Justin Fields completely untouched during the 2019 season, not allowing any cumulative sacks. San Francisco will look to get a future replacement for aging LG Tom Compton.
16. Chicago – Zach Wilson – QB, BYU
It’s no secret that Chicago does not have their quarterback of the future in Mitchell Trubisky. They may have their backup quarterback of the future, but certainly not their starter. Zach Wilson has been trending in the right direction lately and a solid finish to the season should solidify him in the first round.
17. Cleveland – Nick Bolton – LB, Missouri
Nick Bolton is just an all over the place type of player and he showed that in college football’s premier conference, the SEC. Against division rival Lamar Jackson and the run-heavy Ravens offense, Nick Bolton would help to provide a solution to the soft Cleveland defense.
18. Indianapolis – Patrick Surtain – CB, Alabama
It’s somewhat amazing to think that the already stellar Indianapolis defense could get any better, but if there is one weak spot it’s on the edges. Xavier Rhodes is a stellar corner but needs a counterpart on the other side of the field. Big-bodied Partick Surtain would be the answer to that issue.
19. Philadelphia – Sam Cosmi – OT, Texas
Have you watched the Eagles this season? This is just about the most obvious pick in the entire draft. They cannot keep Carson Wentz upright and he is the most sacked QB in the whole league. Pair that with an aging Jason Peters and an offensive tackle is the right move. Sam Cosmi is my favorite to land here.
20. Arizona – Dylan Moses – LB, Alabama
This class certainly boasts a lot of depth on the defensive side of the ball with yet another top-end linebacker landing in the Cardinals’ lap. Moses has a very high ceiling and will help sure up the defensive side of the ball opposite of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins.
21. Miami – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB, Notre Dame
Somewhat of a reach here in the first round, Owusu-Koramoah certainly has the size and speed to be a linebacker at the NFL level. Running a 4.4 40 yard dash will catch attention at the combine and should launch him up draft boards.
22. Jacksonville (from Los Angeles Rams) – Kyle Pitts – TE, Florida
Tight End is a position that the Jaguars have been lacking on for what seems like forever now. The last solid tight end that they had was Mercedes Lewis way back when. Pitts boasts an athletic frame and runs routes with grace much like a wide receiver. He will immediately become the QBs best friend.
23. Las Vegas – Patrick Jones – EDGE, Pittsburgh
Being a Pitt graduate myself, sure I might be a little bit biased here. But man, Patrick Jones is a beast. He has incredible size and is one of the quickest defensive ends that I have seen in a while. He is top 10 in the country in sacks, which will likely be what the Raiders look for him to do best at the NFL level.
24. Tennessee – Rashod Bateman – WR, Minnesota
So hear me out, when I watch Rashod Bateman play, he reminds me of AJ Brown. He fights for the ball, is very solid after the catch, and possesses good but not great size. So what better spot for him to go than to become AJ Brown’s teammate.
25. Tampa Bay – Travis Etienne – RB, Clemson
I think that this pick could go one of two ways. The Bucs defense has certainly made a name for itself, so I see them primarily focusing on the offensive side of the ball. Assuming Tom Brady stays for one more year, I think the Bucs could either sure up their OL with a guard or center, or could fix their inconsistent run game with a stud like Etienne.
26. New York Jets (from Seattle) – Chris Olave – WR, Ohio State
Olave is a dog. Plain and simple. And the Jets need a receiver who will be able to take their offense and stretch it vertically down the field. Olave will provide them with that opportunity.
27. Baltimore – Andre Cisco – S, Syracuse
Cisco’s biggest knock against him is his lack of physicality as a tackler. That will quickly change when he is inserted into the meanest defense in the league. His ball-hawking skills will make him an immediate impact player for the Ravens.
28. Buffalo – Shaun Wade – CB, Ohio State
Shaun Wade is a big, physical corner who has next-level acceleration. The Bills could have quite a nice duo pairing Wade with Tre’Davious White. Against a weak AFC East, White and Wade could be difference-makers by eliminating opposing teams’ passing offenses.
29. Green Bay – Devonta Smith – WR, Alabama
Smith has really stepped up in the absence of fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Smith is averaging an absurd 9+ catches a game and has accrued over 650 receiving yards in just five games. He runs crisp routes and also has the ability to take the top off of a defense. Green Bay will finally give Rodgers another target.
30. Kansas City – Sage Surratt – WR, Wake Forest
Kansas City has proven that they will do just about anything to give Patrick Mahomes the tools he needs to succeed. With a strong defense, Kansas City will look to bolster their already solid receiving corps with another young talent. Sammy Watkins is also beginning to age and this could serve as his replacement.
31. New Orleans – Hamsah Nasirildeen – S, Florida State
Nasirildeen has unbelievable size and can almost play down in the box as a linebacker. The league seems to be trending towards these tough and versatile safeties, and Nasirildeen fits that mold, somewhat like other players like Derwin James and Jamal Adams. With an aging Malcolm Jenkins, the Saints will look for their future replacement.
32. Pittsburgh – Kyle Trask – QB, Florida
Trask is playing his way up the draft boards like crazy this season. With a massive performance of 400+ yards and four touchdowns against #5 Georgia, Trask has managed to creep his way into the first round. He has great size at 6’5” and will be an excellent replacement for the soon-retiring Ben Roethlisberger.
