With all but two teams having their draft position decided, it’s about time we start to look ahead at what could transpire come April with an NFL mock draft. These drafts are for predictability on what the NFL would do, not where I would personally draft them.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)
The Jacksonville Jaguars proved that they need way more help than Trevor Lawrence if they want to have NFL success. They add a hyper dynamic edge rusher with special strength and speed. Jacksonville has found their cornerstone edge rusher.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan)
Hutchinson belongs in the conversation as best overall player in the class. He’s a special type of edge rusher who offers a super high floor. He looks and plays at such a high level with a blend of elite strength. Detroit gets the Michigan man.
3. Houston Texans – Derek Stingley (CB, LSU)
The Texans are desperate to find a long-term piece at cornerback, and do so by selecting Derek Stingley out of LSU. While I believe he has special talents, I am not quite sure he’s levels above other options.
4. New York Jets – Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)
The Jets have a lot of glaring holes. By going best player available they address their secondary that was looking for long-term pieces outside of Bryce Hall. Hamilton has elite ball skills and incredible range. High level of pursuit mixed with WR-like ball skills adds just what the Jets are looking for.
5. New York Giants – Evan Neal (OT, Alabama)
The Giants add another high level tackle to what was a putrid offensive line outside of Andrew Thomas. The Giants have a world of possibilities this offseason, but taking a lockdown offensive lineman isn’t a bad option.
6. Carolina Panthers – Charles Cross (OT, Mississippi State)
Carolina passes on a QB for one more year of Sam Darnold. In doing so they land a franchise tackle in Charles Cross. An absolute anchor with strong hands, Cross marks off a need that’s lived in Panthers fans’ heads for years.
7. New York Giants (via CHI) – David Ojabo (EDGE, Michigan)
This team needs all the help it can get, and by adding an explosive edge rusher it adds much needed upside to a very underperforming group. Ojabo is a raw prospect, but already productive. His high motor and athleticism can bolster this Giants defense, giving NFL offenses trouble.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
The Falcons are depleted at WR, even with Calvin Ridley on the team. With the uncertainty around a lackluster offense, adding a dynamic WR with strong hands and big play upside can give Matt Ryan just one more weapon.
9. Denver Broncos – Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh)
Here we go. The first QB comes off the board in this NFL mock draft at #9, as the Broncos select Kenny Pickett. Pickett is ready to play in the NFL now, and can make throws to virtually all parts of the field. If it’s not Pickett, it’s Rodgers.
10. New York Jets – Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
I wonder if this would improve Zach Wilson’s deep ball; adding a speedy deep threat with explosive upside can help stretch defenses and open the field for Zach to drop dimes.
11. Washington – Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina)
Here’s my QB1. Washington lands it’s franchise QB who has high level of leadership. His ability to make throws to all parts of the field really catches my eye. Howell finally brings some peace at the QB position for Washington.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington)
Trent McDuffie will offer insane range and speed for a defense that lacked it big time in 2021. His ability to tackle in open space and drop in coverage will offer everything and more for the Vikings. I expect McDuffie to rise up NFL mock draft boards this spring.
13. Cleveland Browns – Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)
I think the Browns need a difference-maker at WR. They land an elite prospect with separation skills that match up to that of a young Stefon Diggs/Justin Jefferson mix. He’ll offer a reliable weapon in the NFL, and for whoever plays QB come September.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum (C, Iowa)
Linderbaum would bring an entirely new dynamic to an offense that should be getting healthy. This would help out JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and even Lamar Jackson. This offense has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL, and adding a stud to your o-line only bolsters your chances of hitting that ceiling.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – Andrew Booth Jr. (CB, Clemson)
This is exactly what the Eagles need to do; bolster this roster with young playmakers. Having three 1st round picks allows you to splurge on elite talent like Booth Jr. He offers insane range and tackling attributes that will translate into any NFL defense.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND) – Drake London (WR, USC)
The Eagles do have a glaring need for a WR2. London offers an advanced route tree with a good release. He has strong hands and a big catch radius that’ll offer support to Jalen Hurts. This offense was good last year, London can make it better.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)
The fit is perfect. Chargers add a much needed difference maker in the middle of the field. Lloyd offers exceptional speed and great coverage skills. I’m excited to see how his outside work translates to the NFL, but he can be a key cog for this defense.
18. New Orleans Saints – Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)
After losing Drew Brees and Sean Payton in the span of two years, the Saints look close to home at QB Matt Corral as the new face of the franchise. He brings in special athleticism and has improved on his decision making. He has a bag of tools, and whatever coach wants to get the best out of him, likely can.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Travon Walker (DE, Georgia)
Walker moves quicker than most at 275 pounds. He has strong hands and good strength, showing signs of improvement on being crafty enough to get through. The Eagles bolster the defense again in hopes of reaching further in the NFL playoffs next year.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Carson Strong (QB, Nevada)
Alas, the Ben Roethlisberger clone. They add a strong arm QB who can process all three levels of the field. With an offensive line that needs a lot of help, Strong will need to improve on his pocket awareness and under pressure work.
21. New England Patriots – George Karlaftis (DE, Purdue)
Karlaftis has been one guy that’s shuffled around for me quite a bit. I’ve seen him land in the T10, and seen him fall here to New England. I think it’s a perfect fit. He’ll add another level of athleticism and power to the front four in Foxboro.
22. Las Vegas Raiders – Daxton Hill (DB, Michigan)
The Raiders struggled to stop the pass in 2021, and adding a dynamic playmaker in Hill to that secondary should bolster it. He can play anywhere from deep safety to slot CB, with a wide range and good ball skills.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Logan Hill (DL, Houston)
Hill is making his way up NFL mock draft boards similarly to the way former teammates Payton Turner did. Hill is more versatile than Turner, and can basically move all over the defensive line. He’ll add some serious depth behind an aging Watt.
24. Dallas Cowboys – DeMarvin Leal (DT, Texas A&M)
The perfect way to make Micah Parsons the best player he can be is to simply let him rush the QB more often. Adding another run stuffer up the middle in Leal can help make that a reality. I think Leal is a tad bit small, but can be a matchup nightmare in the right NFL defense.
25. Buffalo Bills – Roger McCreary (CB, Auburn)
The Bills don’t have a ton of needs, but adding McCreary would address at least one of them. He’s got some of the best ball skills in the class, and has solid coverage skills on top of it. He may not be the reason they beat the Chiefs, but he’ll help.
26. Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean (LB, Georgia)
The Titans add another piece to a much improved defense in 2021. Dean is electric, who has insane range of speed and great pursuit. I don’t know if Dean would fall to 26 with how talented he really is, but if he does I don’t see Tennessee passing him up.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
With Tom Brady retiring, and Godwin/Gronk/Fournette all virtually on their way out, they find a replacement in Ohio State WR Chris Olave. Olave has impressed in his times as a Buckeye, and will offer another weapon to whoever decides to step up and take the QB job in Tampa.
28. Green Bay Packers – Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)
Is this finally the year the Packers add another weapon? Even if Rodgers is gone, I feel the best fit and need is addressed with Dotson. Dotson has flown up NFL mock draft boards across the nation, and rightfully so. He’s got good downfield speed and a wide range of routes. He’ll add another weapon for Rodgers/Love.
29. Miami Dolphins (via SF) – Ikem Ekwonu (OT, NC State)
Here’s another guy with a wide range of outcomes. I’ve seen him as high as 10, and as low as 32. Either way, the Dolphins add a key cog on an offensive line that massively struggled in 2021. He’s tenacious, has strong hands, and is mobile enough to be spread across the entire line.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Cameron Thomas (DE, San Diego State)
Thomas has a unique blend of size and speed that NFL teams will fall in love with. He strong at the initial point, and can bend enough to get pressure on the QB. The Chiefs know what’ll it take to get back to the Super Bowl, and adding a guy like Thomas should help.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Derion Kendrick (CB, Georgia)
I know this isn’t an offensive lineman, but I don’t see one here worth taking. The Bengals can add another playmaker to their secondary, and have him play from anywhere to slot CB to outside. Kendrick improved massively at Georgia, and his versatility should be enough to bump him into the 1st round.
32. Detroit Lions – Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati)
The Lions find their guy. Ridder is a rollercoaster when watching his tape, but it does pop. Ridder offers a unique blend of insane arm strength and pocket awareness, but lacks to get to his 2nd and 3rd progressions at a NFL rate. This pick reminds me a lot of the Ravens selection of Lamar Jackson, and landing Ridder should finally help the Lions get out of the whole they are in.
