We have only 3 more days before this year’s draft starts on Thursday evening and it is time to make my last, complete first round moc draft. I am very happy I didn’t do it few days earlier, because the Orlando Brown trade between the Ravens and Chiefs would have messed it up.
As you can remember I’ve made my first mock draft almost one month ago, since then some – for me – important information came up, which will alter my picks as well. This mock is not about, what I think the teams will do, but about, what I would do. Of course they have more information, they studied the prospects deeper, than I did, but who actually knows, what teams will do? I guess, after the first two picks, even the teams are not sure who will be there for them. But let’s start.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: There is no change, Urban Meyer and his team will take the best QB in this draft and hopefully they will enjoy a full season with him, behind the center. What concerned me a littlebit last time, was his non-throwing shoulder surgery, but as we could see, Trevor already throws the ball. The team has already sent the playbook to him and they are in deep talks, so this pick is sure.
Last time: Trevor Lawrence, QB
2. New York Jets – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: Almost everyone think, Zack Wilson is the pick here. I am still not. For me, Fields is a much better QB, who played against much better competition, was more successful and didn’t have throwing-shoulder surgery two years ago. Every year, there is a QB, who is undervalued, despite the fact he had a very good college career. This year, Fields is the guy. Yes, I would be happier if the Jets would take Wilson, because I see Fields more dangerous to play twice against him every year.
Last time: Justin Fields, QB
3. San Francisco 49ers (trade with Miami) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: First change is here. 3 first round picks for Jones? Yes. We have to compare what Jones and Wilson can do. Highlight throws are on Wilson’s side, but in system Jones is better. He played against way stronger teams, he comes from a pro-ready system and didn’t have throwing-shoulder surgery 2 years ago. Shanahan will love him and he doesn’t have to jump in immediately, since Garoppolo is still there and my guess is, that he will stay for 2021.
Last time: Zack Wilson, QB
4. Trade: Atlanta gives – 4th pick, Denver gives – 9th and 40th
4. Denver Broncos (trade Atlanta) – Zack Wilson, QB, BYU: Atlanta had only 3 picks in the first two days, with this trade they moved back only 5 spots, but got an extra, early second round pick. Denver could move up and take Wilson, who was supposed to be taken as the second pick. For me, he is too risky, but I am sure teams would love to have him at this point. By this trade the main point was, that Atlanta wants to stay in the top10, to be able to pick a blue chip player. For the other two possible trade partners (Washington, New England) the move up would cost too much.
Last time: Atlanta picked Kyle Pitts, TE
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Pitts, TE, Miami: Washington and New England tried to trade up, but the drop would have been too big for the Bengals, plus Pitts was there. I know, Burow would need a good Oline player to protect him, but Pitts is a must. The team can pick wide receiver later if they want, anyway, Joe Burrow will have weapons.
Last time: Carolina picked Trey Lance, QB
6. Miami Dolphins (trade with Philadelphia) – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon: Again, the receiver class is very deep this year, so the Miami brings someone who can protect Tua. Brian Flores knows how important the Oline is and putting one of the best tackles in this unit, will help the whole offense.
Last time: DeVonta Smith, WR
7. Trade: Detroit gives – 7th, Patriots gives – 15th, 122nd, 2022/1
7. New England Patriots – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU: Yes, this was hard for me, because I see too much risk here, but as I wrote several times, this is the year when the Pats hopefully trades up for a QB. The only top QB left is Lance, who will not be forced on the field too early and will have a year to learn behind Cam Newton.
Last time: Patriots picked Mac Jones, QB
8. Carolina Panthers – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern: What does Sam Darnold need? Time to make the plays. Protecting your QBs, is one of the best investments long term. Matt Rhule will do everything to be sure this unit won’t be a problem. Maybe he will start at guard position, because of his length, but he is arguably the best Olineman in this draft.
Last time: Cincinnati picked Penei Sewell, OT
9. Atlanta Falcons (trade with Denver) – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: WR or CB, this was the big question to me. I took a CB, since the WR class is deeper and passing on Surtain (or Horn) would have been a big mistake. The young corner could form a great tandem with last year’s first round pick, A.J. Terrell. I am sure, in this scenario the Falcons defense would move up from the last place in passing yards per game category.
Last time: Denver picked Micah Parsons, LB
10. Dallas Cowboys – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: Fixing the secondary is never a bad plan. After drafting Trevon Diggst in the second round, last year, they will take Horn this year and be happy with one of the best young corner tandem in the league. Watching the Cowboys during the years, I couldn’t say they wouldn’t pick Ja’Marr Chase in this scenario, but I will stay with Horn.
Last time: Patrick Surtain II, CB
11. New York Giants – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech: There are some other needs at the Giants as well and Nate Solder is coming back, but for the future they have to fix the Oline. Darrisaw is the third OT off the board at this point, but this is the investment what the team has to do. Andrew Thomas was bad last year, unfortunately not just him, but the whole group. Darrisaw will get some flexibility to the team and hopefully will make Daniel Jones‘ days easier.
Last time: Jayson Oweh, Edge
12. Philadelphia Eagles (trade with Miami) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: Chase is arguably the best WR in this class. Philly took a risk to trade out from the top10, but they get who they would have picked at their original spot. This was a gamble, but paid out. Whoever their starting QB will be, got a very good target.
Last time: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: Like, last time, I planned to go with an Olineman here, but Parsons was still on the board and he is a prospect, who you have to take, especially if you are in need of a versatile piece for your front seven. With Kenneth Murray, they could form a very dangerous LB-duo and in passing situations he will be able to take the opposit side of Joey Bosa and rush the passer.
Last time: Rashawn Slater, OT
14. Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye, DE Michigan: Pass-rush is a need in Minneapolis. They were very weak last year and this free agency didn’t solve their problem either. We still don’t know if Danielle Hunter will be part of the team next season, which makes this pick even more valid.
Last time: Kwity Paye, DE
15. Detroit Lions (trade with New England) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: After the departure of Golladay and Jones, Lions is screaming for a new top receiver. The team is in a good position, they can choose from two of the top3 WRs this year. My pick is Smith, who was the Heisman Trophy winner last year and will form a very fast duo with Perriman.
Last time: Jaylen Waddle, WR
16. Arizona Cardinals – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: I tried to find a trade partner here, because Arizona doesn’t have too many picks this year (only two in the first 4 rounds), but I couldn’t find a good match. So the Cards takes Waddle to upgrade their WR unit and give another weapon to Murray. CB is another option here, but Waddle is a top receiver and Arizona can take a CB in the second round.
Last time: Jaycee Horn, CB
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State: After this offseason with moves around the Oline, I woud try to fix it as soon as possible. You can have the best supporting group or defense, if your QB doesn’t have time to deliver the balls. Kolton Miller can stay on the left side and Jenkins could start on the right side. Potential is there and it might mean the Raiders has a longer-term starting OT tandem.
Last time: Christian Darrisaw, OT
18. Miami Dolphins – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU: Facing twice a year with Josh Allen and now Justin Fields and Trey Lance is not easy, you have to be prepared for the pass plays. Miami has a good CB group, but they could use a better center-field safety. Moehrig is arguably the best in this draft and Brian Flores team will have a very strong secondary.
Last time: Najee Harris, RB
19. Washington Football Team – Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame: WFT needs a left tackle to protect Fitzgerald and the rookie who might come in the second round. Eichenberg is a very good LT prospect, who will find himself in the position to start immediately and be the team blind side protector.
Last time: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL
20. Chicago Bears – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC: Protect your QB, you already heard this mantra above, but again, after the QB situation, the next most improtant thing is to fix your Oline and Chicago would be wise if he would do so. They take here a versatile OL player, who can play as a tackle or as a guard.
Last time: Teven Jenkins, OT
21. Indianapolis Colts – Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State: Colts can give Oweh time to develop behind the current starters and after this season he could jump in the starting role. He has extraordinary athletic abilities despite his frame. Many think, because of his sack-less 2020 season, he is not one of the top options, but I really like his ceiling.
Last time: Gregory Rousseau, Edge
22. Tennessee Titans – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern: Neither Janoris Jenkins, nor Kevin Johnson will be the long-term solution at this position, so the Titans takes the fast, versatile cornerback who will be a key piece in the future years.
Last time: Greg Newsome II, CB
23. Trade: Jets gives – 23rd, 34th, Ravens gives – 27th, 31st
23. Baltimore Ravens – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas: After the Orlando Brown trade, the Ravens needed a RT and Cosmi can play on both sides. He is very experienced and has good technique for the position. The Ravens moved up four spots from #27 and moved down three from #31, so they still will be able to select a better prospect at the start of the second round. This move was necessary to get Cosmi, who could have gone with the JAX pick.
Last time: New York Jets picked Eric Stokes, CB
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama: Do you want to help Big Ben and the offense? Then you should pick a RB and make the unit more dangerous with the addition of another layer of creative opoortunities. Harris is a three-down back, who will be able to handle passing downs as well. I am sure, Mike Tomlin will be able to use him the best possible way.
Last time: Green Bay picked Rashod Bateman, WR
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa: The best safety and the best Olinemen are gone, so Urban Meyer and co. take a very versatile linebacker, who will be able to take over the SAM position immediately and in passing situations could move up on-the-line to rush the QB. Scary front 7 in Jacksonville.
Last time: Samuel Cosmi, OT
26. Cleveland Browns – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: JOK will be a fit immediately in Kevin Stefanski’s defense. He could be the WILL and drop in coverage or rush the passer. If the team wants to play nickel coverage, he is the man who can play that role as well.
Last time: Zaven Collins, LB
27. New York Jets (trade with Baltimore) – Asante Samuel Jr, CB, FSU: Cornerback is a huge need for the Jets. Farley would be a great addition here, but his second back surgery scares me a lot, so I took a player who has connection with the AFC East. Asante Samuel Sr was the starter corner for the Patriots during their first dinasty. Samuel Jr is littlebit undersized, but has every other tools to be a very good outside option.
Last time: Baltimore picked Dillon Radunz, OT
28. New Orleans Saints – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama: Corner was my other guess, but since Farley was an injury risk one pick earlier, the situation won’t change here. Barmore comes from a very good, pro-style defense in Alabama. He will be a very good penetrating 3-tech DT, who can elevate the Saint front 7 production.
Last time: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB
29. Green Bay Packers – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: Good news for Bateman, he won’t have to move too far from his college and he will get balls from one of the best QBs in the NFL. Rodgers was very good last year, they were close to get into the Super Bowl. Adams is one of the best WRs in the league, who could help a young man with enorm potential. This year Aaron Rodgers will get, what he missed last year, an early round target. Good luck NFL to defend them.
Last time: Pittsburgh picked Azeez Ojulari, Edge
30. Buffalo Bills – Joe Tryon, Edge, Washington: Tryon comes from a productive 2019 season, where he made 8 sacks, 12.5 TFL. He opted-out in 2020, but the potential is there. He won’t need to be the immediate starter, he can learn one year behind Hughes and Addison.
Last time: Joe Tryon, Edge
31. New York Jets (trade with Baltimore) – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama: Fields needs every protection he could get and Leatherwood offers 3 years starting experience in one of the best programs on college level. He has some OT/OG versatility, so the coaches could move him where he is needed. He started all the 41 games during the last 3 seasons.
Last time: Kansas City picked Jalen Mayfield, OT
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Carlos Basham Jr, DE, Wake Forest: He could be the strong side DE, who plays at 4i or 5-tech and could shift inside on passing downs. He is productive, wins with power and technique, not wih speed. He will be one of the next wave of rushers in Tampa.
Last time: Carlos Basham Jr, DE
This was my last, full, first round mock draft. Only 3 more days and we can see what teams are thinking. To make a short summary, I drafted 5 QB, 1 TE, 1, RB, 4 WR, 8 OL, 4 DE/Edge, 1 DT, 3 LB, 4 CB, 1 S. Thank you for your time and support. Let me know your opinion about my mock and what would you do different. If you liked it, please share my article and help me to reach more people.
Necessary Roughness 