Cam Ward Goes #1

Tennessee is in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, can Ward be their savior? There is no question that Ward has the physical tools to be a plus starter. He has a huge arm, excellent mobility and good pocket presence. He however needs to work on some of his decision making as he tends to play hero ball much like previous #1 Caleb Williams.

Regardless of the weaknesses the upside is too great to pass on and the Titans will take that gamble. If he does go to Tennessee I wouldn’t mind if they sat him a year to get up to speed.

Sanders to the Big Apple

Shedeur Sanders is by far the most intriguing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. He doesn’t quite have the mobility of Ward but has shown he can lead a pro-level offense at a high level.

New York just seems like the perfect fit for Sanders. The spotlight will be on him from day 1 but Sanders is used to that for obvious reasons. Like the Titans, the Giants need to find a franchise quarterback and can’t afford not to take Sanders. If this is indeed the pick it will make for an entertaining season in NY.

Ashton Jeanty to the Big Easy

Jeanty is coming off a monster year at Boise State where he carried the Broncos offense. There will be questions on his college workload but Jeanty is a beast and a prototypical NFL running back. He very rarely goes down at first contact and has a good breakaway speed.

The Saints jump on this opportunity to draft Jeanty as they need a compliment to the aging Alvin Kamara. With Jeanty in the mix Kamara can have a lighter load and get back to his explosive self.

The post 2025 NFL Mock Draft V1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Panthers Go Young

We are now fairly confident that the Panthers will draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick. As we have stated before, Young has big upside despite his size. If he can stay healthy I expect him to excel in Frank Reich‘s system.

Texans Grab C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans will waist no time sending in their pick for Stroud. C.J. Stroud has all tools and intangibles to succeed in this league. If the Texans are smart they beef up their offensive line and protect Stroud at all costs.

Colts Take a Chance on Will Levis

There is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts need to take a chance on a quarterback in this draft. The main question is will it be Anthony Richardson or Will Levis? We have flip flopped a couple time on this one but believe the Colts will end up taking Levis. Levis has the physical tools to succeed in this league. Is he ready to be a day one starter?

Jalen Carter Drops to Seattle

Jalen Carter is arguably the best overall prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. The recent legal issues will cause him to drop but only by a couple picks. Carter will anchor the Seahawks defensive line for many years to come.

The post NFL Mock Draft 2023 – Version 2 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Charles Vakassian

With the 2021 NFL season now in the books, all eyes turn towards the offseason. Teams seek to fill the holes on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Some have more needs than others. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, we will do our best to meet those needs.

Jacksonville Jaguars-Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars need to keep Trevor Lawrence on his feet, plain and simple. Neal is the safest tackle prospect in this class. Surprisingly nimble for a man of his size, Neal can protect the blindside of Lawrence, or slide to the right side and form a bookend with Cam Robinson

Detroit Lions-Aidan Hutchinson, Edge

Michigan The most refined edge rusher of this class, Hutchinson can come in and make an immediate impact on a Lions team that was feisty in 2021. 

Houston Texans-Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Texans have a lot of needs, so giving them the best player in this draft makes the most sense. Hamilton is the ultimate chess piece, who can be a single high safety, down in the box, slot corner coverage, or even rushing the passer. He will instantly upgrade a subpar Houston defense which could be losing Justin Reid to free agency.

New York Jets-Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

The Jets opted to fortify the trenches with their first pick of this round. With Mekhi Becton facing some uncertainty, Ekwonu can step in and be a mean protector for Zach Wilson on his left side. Ekwonu is a road grader, with nastiness in his game. His pass protection could use a little work, but his upside is enormous, and he already is an elite run blocker. 

New York Giants-Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

The Giants get an elite pass rusher to fall into their laps at pick 5. Thibodeaux would be the first player off the board in most drafts, but concerns about his work ethic and character cause him to fall a few spots. The Giants have been missing an alpha pass rusher since Jason Pierre-Paul, and Thibodeaux makes an elite pairing with promising youngster Azeez Ojulari.

Carolina Panthers-Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

Sam Darnold was not the answer, and neither was a past his prime Cam Newton. The Panthers have the weapons on offense to be a decent team. Kenny Pickett can be the QB to lead them to the playoffs and beyond for the future. Pickett has a strong frame at 6’3 and 220lbs and has the mobility to run when he needs to and avoid oncoming rushers. 

New York Giants (Via Chicago Bears)-Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi

The Giants have committed to building around Daniel Jones for 2022, and the best way to see what he has is to keep him on his feet with good pass protection. Charles Cross is the best pure pass protector in this draft class. He has some concerns in the run game, but Brian Daboll will be running a scheme that is pass-heavy. Cross will pair nicely with stud left tackle Andrew Thomas, and form an excellent duo at the tackle spots. 

Atlanta Falcons-Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

It seems more and more likely by the day that Calvin Ridley and the Falcons will seek to part ways. If this is the case, Atlanta will need to add reinforcements to the receiver room, or else Kyle Pitts will be double or triple-teamed every game. Wilson is one of the better receivers out of college who can do amazing things when he has the ball in his hands. With an aging QB in Matt Ryan, it is key to give him a WR who can take short passes and turn them into big plays. 

Denver Broncos-Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

It would not surprise me if this pick was traded to the Packers as part of an Aaron Rodgers trade, but in this mock Denver stays put and takes a three-level playmaker in Devin Lloyd. He can line up as an edge to rush the passer, drop back into coverage on tight ends and running backs, and even 

New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks)-Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati 

Robert Saleh likes to build his teams around an elite defense, and this selection goes a long way towards doing that. Gardner is the best man coverage corner in the draft, with fluid hips and good reaction time to keep pace with faster and more athletic receivers. He and Bryce Hall make an excellent tandem on the back end. 

Washington Commanders-Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The Commanders finally solve their long-standing quarterback problem. Willis has the most upside out of any QB in this draft class. He put on a clinic at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his cannon arm and elite speed. He will immediately make Washington a better team, and with an already elite-level defense, could be enough to push them into playoff contention. 

Minnesota Vikings-David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

The Vikings have a few needs on their defense, but finding an edge rusher to take the heat off of star pass rusher Daniele Hunter should be their top priority. Ojabo is explosive off the edge and displays excellent speed to get around offensive tackles. He could use some work in run defense, but he can come in right away and be a force on passing downs.

Cleveland Browns-Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Cleveland is in desperate need of another offensive playmaker, with Jarvis Landry getting older and David Njoku a free agent. Burks can come in and be a big body wide receiver for a sometimes inaccurate Baker Mayfield. Burks is a physical freak at 6’5 and 225lbs, with an enormous catch radius, making him a perfect red-zone target. 

Baltimore Ravens-Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Following the trade of Orlando Brown to the Chiefs, the Ravens attempted to fill his shoes by signing Alejandro Villanueva. The move was not too successful, as Villaneuva allowed 9 sacks and 11 penalties in his age 34 season. A bookend to Ronnie Stanley is a must-have this offseason to protect Lamar Jackson. At 6’7 and 330lbs, Penning is a freak of nature who plays with a nasty streak, especially in the run game. This will serve him well in a run-first Baltimore offense

Philadelphia Eagles (Via Miami Dolphins)-Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

The first of 3 picks in the first round for the Eagles, and they land a guy who could easily end up being the best corner in this draft. Stingley displays elite playmaking, and a penchant for clutch stops. He can come up and stop the run, and is an excellent ballhawk, nabbing 6 interceptions in his one healthy season in 2019. The injuries are a concern, which is why he slips to pick 15. Philly is delighted to get a running mate for Darius Slay. 

Philadelphia Eagles (Via Indianapolis Colts)-Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Another pick to boost the Eagle defense. Dean has the ridiculous speed for a linebacker and can keep up with running backs and tight ends in coverage, while also being used as a Blitzer. The Eagles needed a captain on their defense, and Dean can be that man, 

Los Angeles Chargers-Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Linval Joseph and Justin Jones are entering free agency, leaving a hole in the middle of the defensive line. Who better to fill it than the 340lb Davis? His extreme length and size will force teams to commit two linemen to block him, and he can push the pocket in the passing game with strong bull rush moves. This allows more opportunities for Joey Bosa on the outside as well. 

New Orleans Saints-Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

The Saints may finally be facing a rebuild. Even if they are choosing to compete with the roster they currently have, they need an upgrade at QB. Matt Corral can be their franchise quarterback and lead them into the future. Corral is an athletic type of QB, who moves well in the pocket, and can extend plays to make something happen. Saints fans will be happy to see this after watching aging Drew Brees and Jameis Winston not look to be the long-term solution. 

Philadelphia Eagles-Tyler Lindsrbaum, C, Iowa

The Eagles get a replacement for the aging Jason Kelce, who is contemplating retirement, by plucking the best center prospect in ages. Linderbaum is amazingly fast for a guy who is 289 pounds. If you watch his game tape, he routinely gets to the second level and demolishes his blocks. Jalen Hurts will appreciate this selection as well, as Linderbaum is strong in pass protection and has an incredible football IQ, picking up stunts and blitzes before they happen.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Following the retirement of longtime QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are left searching for the next franchise centerpiece. Sam Howell can step in and be the QB of the future, Howell is quick to read the field, and get the ball out fast before any pressure comes. He has power behind his throws as well, and is strong in the intermediate passing game. He is a physical runner as well, not afraid to run through defenders to pick up yards. 

New England Patriots-Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

J.C Jackson is a free agent, and will command an extremely large contract, something Bill Belichek and Co. have been reluctant to hand out in the past (See Trey Flowers, Nate Solder, Kyle Van Noy). The Pats snap up his replacement with the selection of McDuffie, a versatile player who can play in multiple schemes. McDuffie is a former track star who has the speed to match with burners downfield, and the anticipation to read the play before it happens. New England values intelligence on the field, and McDuffie brings strong play and a high football IQ. 

Las Vegas Raiders-Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Josh McDaniels wants to build his offense to help Derek Carr as much as possible, and he gives him another weapon in Chris Olave. One of the best route runners in this draft class, Olave can find the holes in zone coverage and has the quickness and cutting ability to beat man coverage. 

Arizona Cardinals-Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

I was tempted to mock a WR at this pic, with A.J Green and Christian Kirk entering free agency. I am of the belief Arizona will address that position in free agency. Thus, they can take the best player possible, who in this case is Florida CB Kaiir Elam. A great man coverage corner, he has the speed to keep up with faster wideouts, and the physicality to press up at the line of scrimmage. He can shadow the number one WR on the opposing team and would make life miserable for Cooper Kupp, D.K Metcalf, and the other top WRs of the NFC West. 

Dallas Cowboys-George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

The Cowboys hit a home run with their selection of Micah Parsons last year, and hope to repeat the process with this pick. Karlaftis is a monster at 6’4 and 275lbs, who uses his power to simply run through offensive linemen to get to the QB. He has the ability to line up inside as well and can command double teams. His power, combined with the speed of Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, makes the Cowboys pass rush very scary. 

Buffalo Bills-Travon Walker, IDL, Georgia

Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are free agents this offseason, and are frankly towards the end of their careers, as they would both be 34 next season. Travon Walker would make another excellent addition to the front 7 the Bills have been building. Walker has the ability to line up as an edge rusher, or get his hands in the ground and push the pocket as a defensive lineman. His versatility makes him a fun piece to use, along with youngsters Gregory Rousseau and Ed Oliver. 

Tennessee Titans-Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

The Titans simply need to find more playmakers for Ryan Tannehill. Julio Jones and A.J Brown suffer from the injury bug, and tight end Anthony Firkser is a free agent. Tennessee gets arguably the best TE in the draft to come in and be a red-zone force. McBride is a solid route runner who can go up and highpoint 50/50 balls, and use his size and catch radius to get in the proper position. He still needs work as a run blocker, but the Titans need his receiving chops more than anything else.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Buccanneers are a mess on offense. Tom Brady has retired. Rob Gronkowski will likely follow him. Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Leonard Fournette, and Ronald Jones are all heading into free agency. If Tampa Bay wants to try and stay competitive for whatever QB they bring in, they need to have weapons besides Mike Evans. Jameson Williams is coming off of a bad injury in the college national championship, but has elite separation skills and speed to get open. 

Green Bay Packers-Drake London, WR, USC

Aaron Rodgers finally gets the first-round receiver! London is a tall drink of water at 6’5 and 210lbs. He uses his size to make catches in tight windows and is able to run any route asked of him. Rodgers can turn him into an elite WR in no time. 

Miami Dolphins (Via San Francisco 49ers)-Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky

The Dolphins’ one and only goal this offseason is to improve the offensive line, which was simply a disaster in 2021. Here, they get a mauler of a player in Darian Kinnard. A right tackle in college, Kinnard will likely shift over to the guard, where he can do his best work as a powerful run blocker. His pass protection would be superior on the interior, as his size puts him at a disadvantage against speed rushers when at tackle. 

Kansas City Chiefs-Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Chiefs fans know all too well how often Daniel Sorensen was getting beat in coverage, and they can finally breathe easy as Kansas City grabs his replacement. Hill has blazing speed, running a 4.30 40-yard dash as a high school prospect, and has the ability to play nickel corner as well as a traditional safety. 

Cincinnati Bengals-Zion Johnson, G, Boston College

Much like the Dolphins, the Bengals main goal of the offseason is to protect their quarterback. Joe Burrow was on his back more times than Cincinnati would have liked. Jonah Williams is a good left tackle, but every other spot is in need of an upgrade. Here, Johnson comes in to boost the interior offensive line. A powerful road grader, Johnson can play both guard spots or center. 

Detroit Lions (Via Los Angeles Rams)-Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

The Lions choose to wait one more year for a QB, as they will not be close to competing soon anyway. Here, they pick up a weapon to pair with rookie sensation Amon-Ra St. Brown. Dotson is a burner, who can take the top off the defense, and has the big-play ability to take short passes to the house.

The post 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Where will Kenny Pickett land? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Charlie Vakassian

Welcome to the first edition of our New York Giants Mock Draft! We will be using the draft simulator from The Draft Network, without trades, and seeing what picks the Giants could make pending how the board plays out.

Round 1, Pick 5-Ikem Ekwonu, OT/OG, NC State

The top three defensive players on my board were gone when I made this pick, as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kyle Hamilton were taken with the first three picks. The Jets selected Evan Neal at pick four, leaving Ekwonu available at five, who is my highest graded offensive lineman anyway. Ekwonu is one of the nastiest players in college football, who mauls opponents in the run game. PFF has his numbers off the charts, with a run blocking grade of 93.8 and a pass blocking grade of 78.3. He only allowed 3 sacks the entire season. Ekwonu also has the ability to play the guard positions as well, but the Giants would be best served to put him at right tackle, where he can bookend with Andrew Thomas and give Daniel Jones stability on the edges. Saquon Barkley will approve of this pick as well, with Ekwonu well equipped to create running lanes for the former number two overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 7- Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU

The Panthers chose to select a QB with their selection at pick six, leaving the board mostly unchanged. While there are some intriguing edge rushers on the board, I decided to take the best cornerback in the draft and make the Giants secondary even better. New Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likes to run schemes with blitzes and create pressure through good coverage from the secondary. Stingley was one of the better man coverage corners in college football and will do his best work on the outside, shutting down the top receiver on the opposing team. With James Bradberry potentially a cut candidate, Stingley can step in, work with Adoree Jackson and make the Giants defense much stronger. Stingley has the speed to keep up with speed burners, and insane ball skills to make incredible pass breakups and interceptions. He also has the chops in the run game, as shown in the above clip. The closing speed and pristine tackling ability make him an elite all around corner, and a rare talent that cannot be passed up.

Round 2, Pick 36-Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State

Here, Brisker was the best player available, and I choose to make the Giant secondary an elite unit. Brisker would be considered the best safety in the draft if it wasn’t for Kyle Hamilton. He has elite recognition and ball skills and seems to have a knack for making big plays at big moments. Too often in 2021 the Giants had opportunities to put away games and couldn’t make the key plays at key times. Brisker is someone who can change that and bring in a hard-hitting style of play. Brisker can be used in just about every type of coverage you can imagine, man or zone, and has shown the ability to play the run while lined up in the box. Wink Martindale gains another chess piece for his defense, and the Giants defense is now well on it’s way towards becoming a top 10 unit in the NFL.

Round 3, Pick 67-Darian Kinnard, OG, Kentucky

This pick is an absolute steal, as I expect Kinnard to be taken in the second round when the draft rolls around in April. Kinnard played right tackle for Kentucky for most of his college career, but projects to be a good starting guard in the NFL. Kinnard has shown that he excels in tighter quarters as a run blocker, and moving him to guard will only allow him to become even better as a road grader. He is extremely strong at the point of attack and makes it extremely difficult for rushers to use power moves on him. He has enough lateral quickness to help on double teams and is quick enough to make recoveries on an initial loss at the line of scrimmage. Plug him in at left guard, and let him create massive holes in the run game for Saquon Barkley.

Round 3, Pick 81-Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma

You all have probably been wondering, where the heck is the edge rusher pick we all know the Giants desperately need? Well, here it is. Nik Bonitto was a productive player off the edge for the Sooners and makes for an excellent complement to Azeez Ojulari. Bonitto wins his matchups with speed and sheer motor, as he is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback. Wink Martindale likes to run a 3-4 concept, which allows for Bonitto to rush the passer as a stand-up OLB, similar to how the Giants used Ojulari and Lorenzo Carter this year. Bonitto is also sharp against the run, demonstrating the ability to set the edge and force running backs into the defensive line.

Round 4, Pick 110-Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming

This draft is particularly strong with linebackers, so I decided to wait a little while, and I took someone who can come in and compete right away for a starting job alongside Blake Martinez. Muma is a former safety who made the transition to linebacker and has excellent speed and agility, which gives him really good angles when pursuing the ballcarrier. His best work comes in pass coverage, something the Giants have been sorely lacking since Antonio Pierce captained the defense more than 10 years ago. The only question is whether or not Muma would be here on draft night. Most people feel as though he will be gone in the second or third round, so if the Giants love him, an earlier draft pick will likely need to be used to get him.

Round 5, Pick 146-Tyrese Robinson, IOL, Oklahoma

You can never have enough offensive linemen. Joe Schoen has a history of getting big men in the later rounds, drafting guys like Wyatt Teller, Cody Ford, and Spencer Brown. New Assistant GM Brandon Brown found a 7th round gem for the Eagles in Jordan Mailata, who overtook first round pick Andre Dillard for the starting tackle job. So finding the right pieces in the later rounds will be key. A player like Tyrese Robinson will be intriguing for the GMen, as they try to finally solve the offensive line. Robinson played both guard positions at Oklahoma, and has an incredibly strong lower body, allowing him to be an anchor in the passing game. His mental side of the game is there as well, as he knows his assignments, and when to pick up or pass of stunts. Will Hernandez struggled with this aspect of his game ever since the Giants drafted him, and now Robinson can take his place and be an interior force.

Round 5, Pick 171-Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia

Tight end will likely be a need for the Giants, with Evan Engram heading for free agency, and Kyle Rudolph looking like a cap casualty. Jelani Woods is someone who can come in and be a productive player on Day 1. A converted tight end in the mold of Logan Thomas, Woods has a massive frame of 6 feet and 7 inches, along with an insane catch radius. This gives quarterbacks the ability to throw it up in one-on-one situations and have extreme confidence Woods will come up with the catch. Woods initially spent most of his college career as a blocker, so he is strong in helping set the tone in the run game. His growth as a receiver is what has caught the attention of scouts across the NFL. Engram struggled as a blocker in his Giants tenure, so having a good tight end who can block and make plays as a receiver is huge. Woods can be that guy.

Round 6, Pick 180-Cade Mays, IOL, Tennessee

I think Mays has the chance to be this year’s Trey Smith. Smith is a strong power-blocking guard from Tennessee, who slips in the draft, but rewards the team who drafts him with strong play. Mays is a player whose strong suit is in the run game, as he excels in gap blocking schemes. His work as a pass protector is still in progress, but he is able to hold his own against bull rushers up the middle. His technique can be a bit iffy, and he isn’t the most agile guard. His best work will come in the interior in close quarters. If a team tried to move him to tackle, the results just wouldn’t be the same, as Mays’ strengths all come from interior play as a guard. The Giants would be well served to grab Mays here, and finally, have depth on their offensive line.

The post New York Giants Mock Draft 1.0 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL season is coming to a close and most franchises will begin looking towards the players that they need to lead their franchise to future prominence. The 2022 NFL draft is unlike one we have seen in quite some time. It has gotten much less talk than in past classes. The main reason for that is the quarterbacks. They’re bad. We have been spoiled by talented passers for years and now it’s time for a much less “sexy” draft. This is an overwhelming “eat your vegetables” draft. Many of the better players play in the trenches, which is where many teams believe you should start building your roster from. On the outside, there are a nice crop of defensive backs and wide receivers as well. It may be weak at quarterback and running back, but the 2022 class featured plenty of elite prospects. With that being said, the top five of this draft is sure to be exciting. Here’s a quick mock of the top five!

Disclaimer

This order is the current NFL draft order (before the final week of the regular season has been played). Also, this mock draft is predictive, not what I would do.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

As stated previously, this mock is predictive, not opinionated. Aidan Hutchinson would not be my “EDGE1” as of right now (Hell, he may not even be my EDGE2 right now). However, the NFL seems to be big fans of the Wolverines’ pass rusher. With fourteen sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, Hutchinson was one of the most dominant players in the country. Jacksonville already has Josh Allen coming off the edge, but have yet to find him a true partner. With a big swing and a miss on 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson so far.

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Billed as the consensus best player in the class back in the Summer, Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux did not have the dominant season that many expected him to. Most of that was because of an early season injury that caused him to miss some time. With the best traits of the entire EDGE class, he’s the perfect pick for a rebuilding team that is looking to add some high level talent on defense. Detroit showed some signs of life this season, and Thibodeaux turning into the player we all expect him to be would go a long way in expediting their timeline.

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The wisest thing for the Houston Texans to do with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is to do what was done to Laremy Tunsil as a rookie. Who better to help Neal come along than Tunsil himself. With the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil played guard while Miami was waiting for Brandon Albert’s contract to finish. In 2017, Tunsil was then moved back to his natural position of left tackle. Neal has guard experience and can form a formidable left side in 2022 with Tunsil. The Texans may be heading into full rebuild mode and move off of some veterans soon. Deshaun Watson will be traded soon for a cavalcade of draft picks. The high priced Tunsil may be on the move after that. Neal, a towering mauler at left tackle brings more natural strength to this franchise than they currently have. A little raw in pass protection, Neal is not a perfect prospect. However, he has the traits and position versatility to warrant a top three selection.

New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

It’s high time to address the cornerback room in the Big Apple. The Jets corner room is about as uninspiring as any in the league. There are some encouraging youngsters in Bryce Hall and Brandon Echols. However, the AFC East currently runs through Buffalo and that means two things: 1. You have to deal with Stefon Diggs and 2. You have to deal with as many four and five wide receiver sets as anyone else. Derek Stingley, a high caliber athlete and potential lockdown corner is the best option to deal with those realities. Stingley burst onto the scene in the Tigers undefeated 2019 season with six interceptions as a true freshman. However, injuries and game cancellations limited him to just ten starts in the last two years. Stingley has been on the NFL radar for some time and should expect to be picked rather high.

New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pick good football players. Many people will have Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton as their top rated player in the class. That billing would be entirely justified. Hamilton does it all and that isn’t hyperbole. Coverage, run fits, tackling, athleticism; there’s nothing he can’t do. Now, would current Giants general manager Dave Gettleman make this pick? Unlikely. However, the Giants are likely to have a new man in charge very soon! If that’s the case, you would hope it is someone young whose football mind is adapting with the times, or in simpler terms, the antithesis of Gettleman. How likely is that hire to be made? From the owner who is in heavy support of the new taunting rule, it also feels unlikely. We can always dream.

The post NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 selections appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Chris Thomas

There are exactly seven months until the 2022 NFL Draft. But it is never too early to speculate on which prospect can be drafted early and which teams they could fit well with. The first three weeks of the NFL season have shown some surprising potential contenders and a few teams who could take a step back this season. While in the first four weeks of college football some prospects have confirmed their preseason hype that they could be early selections of the upcoming draft. Other prospects have not lived up to their preseason hype.

The draft order was created using NFL Playoff Predictor. Here is a brand new 2022 mock draft.

1. New York Jets (1-16): Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Regardless of who lands the first overall pick, unless the team desperately needs a quarterback Kayvon Thibodeaux should be the first overall pick. Robert Saleh could build a defensive line rotation similarly to how he built his in San Fransisco with Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, Shaq Lawson, Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Thibodeaux. 

2. Atlanta Falcons (2-15): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The Atlanta Falcons were wildly criticized for passing on a potential franchise quarterback prospect in Justin Fields this past year. They could select this year’s QB1 Malik Willis whose mobility adds a dynamic to this offense that Matt Ryan lacks. 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-15): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Pittsburgh desperately needs offensive line help and a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. At the top of the draft, they could take Matt Corral who many believe has been the best quarterback in college football this season. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Both Trevor Lawerence and Urban Meyer have struggled to transition to the NFL. Giving Trevor a new blindside protector in Evan Neal would help him feel a lot more comfortable in the pocket.

5. Houston Texans (3-14): Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

After taking Davis Mills in the third round this past draft the Houston Texans may opt to go with the best player available in the first round. Derek Stingley Jr. is both the best player available and fills a need at cornerback which they have had since they were a playoff team. 

6. New York Giants (3-14): George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

Outside of a few players, it seems the New York Giants could replace anyone on the roster. Adding an edge rusher like George Karlaftis would give New York a legitimate pass rusher to play opposite 2021 second-round pick Azeez Ojulari. 

7. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears (3-14)): Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M

After how the Chicago Bears have looked during the first three weeks the New York Giants could likely land a top-10 pick from the Justin Fields trade. The offensive line must be a priority for the Giants and Kenyon Green would be a massive help to what many believe is the worst unit in the league. 

8. Indianapolis Colts (4-13): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

If Carson Wentz plays less than 70% of the teams and the team makes the playoffs snaps or 75% of the snaps and doesn’t make the playoffs the Colts could retain their first-round pick. Indianapolis could add the best receiver in the draft Chris Olave to replace T.Y. Hilton and be Wentz’s number one receiver.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11): DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

This past offseason the Cincinnati Bengals said goodbye to an all-time franchise great Geno Atkins. They could fill the void left by Atkins with a talented prospect like DeMarvin Leal whose addition would potentially put the Bengals defensive line into elite territory. 

10. Detriot Lions (6-11): Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Detriot Lions have lost three heartbreaking games at the beginning of the year that were each in reach of winning. For the second straight season, Detriot could elect to go with the best player available and take safety Kyle Hamilton to help this struggling young secondary. 

11. Washington Football Team (6-11): Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA

A quarterback could be tempting to take in the first round for Washington, but they may want to give Taylor Heinicke a chance to be the team’s starting quarterback without anyone breathing down his neck. Washington can look at Sean Rhyan as their Trent Williams replacement since 2021 second-round pick Samuel Cosmi is playing right tackle. 

12. Minnesota Vikings (6-11): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

Minnesota has holes across their defense that need to be filled. Since this draft is so deep at cornerback they could address their needs at pass rusher by adding Aidan Hutchinson to play opposite Danielle Hunter. 

13. New England Patriots (8-9): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

It seems very clear that the New England Patriots and Stephon Gilmore will part ways this offseason. Taking a productive cornerback like Ahmad Gardner in the first round could help fill the void of the former defensive player of the year. 

14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9): Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

Marcus Peters will miss the entire season with a torn ACL and could be a cap casualty because the Ravens need to give Lamar Jackson an extension. Andrew Booth Jr. is a raw cornerback with a lot of talent that could be coached up well by Baltimore’s coaching staff. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-9): Darian Kinnard, IOL, Kentucky

Philadelphia has dealt with a lot of injury issues over the last couple of seasons across their roster, especially along the offensive line. Offensive lineman Darian Kennard could replace Brandon Brooks who the Eagles tried to trade away last offseason and potentially take over for Lane Johnson who is also often injured. 

16. New Orleans Saints (9-8): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

There is no receiving core in the league with less depth than the New Orleans Saints. Since Michael Thomas’ long-term status with the team is in question, taking a player like Treylon Burks would give New Orleans a potential number one receiver or great number two to give Jameis Winston. 

17. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins (10-7)): Brandon Joseph, S, Northwestern

Somehow this offseason the Philadelphia Eagles managed to sign Anthony Harris to a contract for one year $5 million. The Eagles could take ballhawk Brandon Joseph to replace him next year and going forward. 

18. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks (11-6)): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

The New York Jets cornerback group may be the least talented position group in the entire league. They could take Kaiir Elam in the first round with Seattle’s first-round pick to give them a legitimate cornerback to cover the talented receivers in their division.

19. Denver Broncos (10-7): Carson Strong, QB, Nevada

The Denver Broncos appear to be the favorite to land Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, but cannot bank on it until the trade is official. Strong arm quarterback Carson Strong would be a perfect fit for Denver as their franchise going forward. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (10-7): Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati

After addressing defense early and often in last year’s draft Dallas’ defensive rebuild isn’t entirely over. Dallas could take edge rusher Myjai Sanders to give DeMarcus Lawerence some help rushing the quarterback. 

21. Arizona Cardinals (11-6): Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia

The combination of Patrick Peterson leaving in free agency and the sudden retirement of Malcolm Butler has opened up a gaping hole on this roster at cornerback. Derion Kendrick’s skillset feels like a perfect fit in Arizona and his addition would move Byron Murphy back to the slot where he is a lot more comfortable. 

22. Miami Dolphins (via San Fransisco 49ers (11-6)): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

A shocking cut Miami made this year was linebacker Bernardrick McKinney who they acquired from Houston in a trade with the Houston Texans for Shaq Lawson. Miami could take their third former Alabama Crimson Tide player in the first round in three years in linebacker Christian Hill to fortify their front seven and run defense.

23. Las Vegas Raiders (13-4): Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa

Since Mike Mayock has taken over as the general manager for the Las Vegas Raiders they have become completely unpredictable in the first round. Tyler Linderbaum would be a safe pick to help improve this offensive line that had three starters from last season traded away. 

24. Los Angeles Chargers (13-4): Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC

Through three weeks it appears that Los Angeles is ready to compete in AFC. Since both Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell are free agents this offseason the Chargers could take local prospect Drake Jackson in the first round to fill their void opposite Joey Bosa. 

25. Tennessee Titans (11-6): Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington

The Tennessee Titans’ secondary and offensive line has been exposed early as the team’s biggest weaknesses on their roster. Jaxson Kirkland is a nasty offensive lineman who is versatile to play either right tackle or guard wherever they don’t play 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz. 

26. Carolina Panthers (12-5): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Carolina appears to be a playoff contender after going undefeated after the first three weeks. One glaring need on this roster is at the offensive line which could be addressed with small school prospect Trevor Penning who has been shooting up draft boards in recent weeks. 

27. Green Bay Packers (13-4): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

This offseason has the potential to have some major roster changes this offseason including trading away 2020-21 MVP Aaron Rodgers and figuring out what to do with Davante Adams. If the Packers trade away Adams (on a franchise tag) or let him walk in free agency they could add wide receiver Garrett Wilson to try to fill the void against who many believe is the best receiver in the NFL. 

28. Cleveland Browns (15-2): Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most complete teams in the league and could contend for a Super Bowl this year. They may have to take an edge rusher early in next year’s draft to replace Jadeveon Clowney if they cannot afford him after Baker Mayfield’s extension. 

29. Detriot Lions (via Los Angeles Rams (14-3)): Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

Even though the Lions are thin at wide receiver, it doesn’t seem like a position Dan Campbell and this new regime would address early in the draft. They could add linebacker-hybrid Brandon Smith who could develop into one of the best defensive players on their roster. 

30. Buffalo Bills (14-3): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

The Buffalo Bills have invested three top-61 picks on defensive lineman over the last two seasons. They can potentially spend another one on their defensive front in Jordan Davis to improve the interior of their defensive line and to give them insurance in case Ed Oliver extension talks get uncomfortable.

31. Kansas City Chiefs (13-4): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Over the first few weeks, Kansas City has played sloppy at times which has made them look mortal. They could address a need they have had at cornerback by taking Trent McDuffie in the first round. 

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4): Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma

Even after a Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay should still be considered Super Bowl favorites. They may take raw defensive tackle prospect Perrion Winfrey in the first round to replace veteran Ndamukong Suh who will be a free agent this offseason. 

The post 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Three weeks into the NFL season appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The 2022 NFL draft class displays rare talent at the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver position. There are also numerous 2022 defensive prospects that could be future defensive players of the year. With the NFL and CFB season approaching, it’s enticing to know where the prospects stand among the NFL eyes. With that said, I’m going to untwine a full two 2022 NFL Mock draft and project where each prospect should land. Let’s begin.

1. Detroit Lions – Kavyon Thibodeaux 

The Lions will rebuild the team the right way. The Lions showed a franchise worst defense in 2020. Expect things to majorly turn around with this draft pick.

2. Houston Texans – Derek Stingley Jr. 

The Texans opt to not go QB after already carrying a young QB amid a disastrous roster. Stingley will be the next Patrick Peterson, not a rookie version of Jeffery Okudah. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justyn Ross

The Jaguars reach for an elite wideout so Trevor Lawrence can take the next step in his career. Justyn Ross can be a special and safe player.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Spencer Rattler

Many Philadelphia fans are eager to see Jalen Hurts grow in the system. Hurts can be a quality QB, but Philly is gifted a decade like talent with Rattler at No. four. 

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Hamilton 

The Bengals select the top player available at number five. Kyle Hamilton is the perfect pick for a team in countless shootouts.

6. New Orleans Saints (trade with NYJ) – Sam Howell

The New England Patriots picked Mac Jones to replace Tom Brady and now the Saints find their “long term” QB with the pick of Sam Howell. Winston’s ceiling isn’t impressive and Hill isn’t the answer, so Sean Payton makes the aggressive trade to acquire Howell.

7. New York Giants – Evan Neal 

The Giants are still average at best on the OL. Daniel Jones should be in the Big Apple for at least one more season. A fantastic offensive lineman will help Barkley and Jones evolve their careers. 

8. Atlanta Falcons – Kaiir Elam 

The Falcons clearly see a few quality years left out of Matt Ryan. They elect to go with a position of need (CB) and aim to win more shootouts in 2022. 

9. Denver Broncos – Drake Jackson 

Von Miller won’t live forever. Drake Jackson can help create a monster pass rush rotation in Denver. Mahomes will need to be stopped at all costs.

10.  New York Giants – Christian Harris

Joe Judge finds his leader on defense with MLB Christian Harris. The improving defensive unit takes a step closer to elite with this draft pick.

11.  Washington Football Team – Isaiah Spiller 

A surprise pick at number 11. I believe Ron Rivera wants to ground and pound his way to another Super Bowl appearance. Spiller and Gibson would edge out Cleveland for the best 1-2 punch at the RB position. 

12.  Las Vegas Raiders – Chris Olave 

Henry Ruggs may improve, but it’s not foreseen that he will be an elite talent. Chris Olave can be the franchise number one WR, which they’ve desperately missed. 

13.  Carolina Panthers – Carson Strong 

Sam Darnold will likely be a step ahead of Teddy Bridgewater and a step below Pro Bowl caliber. It would be wise to acquire a young, talented QB to compete with Darnold in the brutal NFC South. 

14.  Minnesota Vikings – Treylon Burks

Adam Thielen is no longer the Adam Thielen we’re accustomed to seeing. The Minnesota Vikings pass on a QB to grab a true complement to Justin Jefferson at wideout. 

15.  Arizona Cardinals – DeMarvin Leal 

The Cardinals continue to bulk up the defense, particularly on the aging defensive line. DeMarvin Leal is the perfect pick and could be a speculator plugger at DT right away. 

16.  Pittsburgh Steelers – D’Eriq King

D’Eriq King shows a lot of similarities between himself and Big Ben. King can be the QB to step in right away and utilize the elite WR talent to its fullest. 

17.  New England Patriots – Garrett Wilson

Belichick grew weary of avoiding skill weapons for TB12. With Mac Jones in town, he continues to bulk up the weapons for the young talent. 

18.  LA Chargers – Sevyn Banks

The Chargers get a unique talent at CB spot to pair with Derwin James in the secondary. 

19.  Dallas Cowboys – Zach Harrison 

The Cowboys add a talented edge player out of Ohio State to continue building the front seven. 

20.  Philadelphia Eagles – Ahmad Gardner 

Darius Slay won’t remain in Philly beyond a couple more seasons. Ahmad Gardner can be a quality chess piece for a defense that will lose numerous pieces in the next couple of seasons. 

21.  Tennessee Titans – Aidan Hutchinson 

Aidan Hutchinson can be the true replacement for Jurrell Casey.  

22.  Indianapolis Colts – Kedon Slovis

Carson Wentz could score lots of points next season, but his injury issues and inconsistencies are too much to be underlooked. Kedon Slovis could be the best backup available and a potential starter down the road.

23.  New York Jets – Jalen Wydermyer 

Chris Herndon hasn’t been the slightest of spectacular. He should remain on the roster, but the Jets could use an upgrade at TE for Zach Wilson. Wydermyer could help an excellent TE duo form in the Big Apple. 

24.  New York Jets (trade with NO) – Breece Hall 

The Jets could have a superb rushing attack for years to come with Michael Carter and now Breece Hall. 

25.  Cleveland Browns – Drake London

The Browns can’t roll the dice forever with Odell Beckham. Jarvis Landry is reliable, but not a WR that can put up multiple 150+ yard games in a season. Drake London is the perfect addition to the Baker Mayfield offense. 

26. Miami Dolphins – Kyren Williams 

The Dolphins went out and acquired Jaylen Waddle this offseason. It’s now time to get the franchise RB. 

27.  Baltimore Ravens – Isaiah Likely

The Ravens add on weaponry for Lamar Jackson by drafting TE Isaiah Likely. Likely can help out the run and pass game. 

28.  Detroit Lions – Matt Coral 

The Lions go with the top prospect number one overall then follow back with a QB that could beat Jared Goff for the starting job right away. 

29.  Green Bay Packers – Zay Williams 

The Packers opt to draft a WR after Aaron Rodgers exits the building. 

30.  Buffalo Bills – Eric Gray

The Bills didn’t get the Clemson star halfback in the 2021 draft, so they wait until 2022 to get a RB that can eat up the clock against the Chiefs in future championships. 

31.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Marvin Mims

The Bucs are stacked at the WR position, but AB will be gone after 2021 and they have a Super Bowl window open for a few more years. Garrett Wilson can be heavily involved on Day 1. 

32.  Kansas City Chiefs – Kenyon Green

The Chiefs signed Joe Thuney in this FA period, but the right side of the line remains modest. Kenyon Green can be a great fit and potential Pro Bowl player in his rookie season.

The post Full first round 2022 NFL Mock Draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

There is no off-season in the NFL. With the conclusion of the Super Bowl, we have the combine, free agency and the draft to look forward to. The next few months are designed to give fans much needed hope for the futures of their teams.

What a mock draft looks like today will unfold a lot differently in April. With the exception of a few teams, free agency will dictate what direction a team goes in the draft. For starters, we know that the Jacksonville Jaguars will select a quarterback. Barring anything unforeseen, it should be Trevor Lawrence. From there, it is anyone’s guess as far as who goes where. Let’s take a look into what teams could do in April with their teams constructed as they are. The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

Pick #1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson

No surprise here. If the Jaguars could rush to the podium now to make this selection for Trevor Lawrence, they would. We could put the Urban Meyer, Justin Fields’ connection to Ohio State to bed. It’s not happening. Urban Meyer already has received much deserved backlash for the hiring of strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle. Doyle has since re-signed. Meyer will be back in the good graces, for some, at least in the short term with the selection of Lawrence.

Pick #2. New York Jets- Zach Wilson, QB BYU

This is unofficially when the draft starts. The New York Jets need to nail this selection for the future of the franchise and for the fans’ sanctity. My thinking is that the Jets go quarterback here. Once Carson Wentz is traded, you’ll see the dominoes fall. Whomever doesn’t get Wentz may turn to Sam Darnold.

Darnold has been set up for failure since day one. The Jets have failed to put pieces together that would be conducive to any sort of on field success for Darnold. Now, to be fair Darnold has not been very good himself, nor has he been able to stay consistently healthy. But he’s been poorly coached and has had little support in terms of protection from his line or competent receivers.

Darnold’s said all the right things about the franchise, but he even knows a fresh start is what he needs to get his career on the right path.

The Jets will get a few assets for Darnold (probably a pair of 2^nd’s) to help expedite the rebuild. The Jets have so many holes on their roster so the only way they could fix it is to get as many selections as possible. But trading Darnold means they will select a quarterback.

Zach Wilson put some out some amazing film this season. He brings good arm strength, athleticism and swagger that is simply too good for the Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan to ignore. The Jets get their quarterback of the future, and address other team needs with a plethora of other draft picks that they possess.

Other viable options

• Trade down
• Penei Sewell, OT Oregon
• Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
• DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama

Pick #3. Miami Dolphins-DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama

The Dolphins are another intriguing team in this draft. We are hearing noise that they could be looking to upgrade at quarterback. I don’t buy it. Tua Tagovailoa will be given an opportunity to succeed as the Dolphins continue to stockpile draft picks to help support their quarterback. The Dolphins’ choices probably boil down to taking the best offensive lineman in the draft in Penei Sewell, WR Ja’Marr Chase or Heisman Trophy winner and Tagovailoa’s former Alababa teammate DeVonta Smith. Or simply trading down a few spots to a quarterback needy team which could enable the Dolphins to acquire a few more assets and still get a player that they conceivably want. Trading with Carolina makes sense for both sides.

However, in this mock we’re not doing trades. Whether they trade down or not, I think they end up with one of the best wide receivers in the draft anyway. Therefore, the Dolphins go with Devante Smith here. Sewell makes perfect sense as he would be an anchor on their line for years. However, the Dolphins lack high end playmakers on offense. Devante Parker is a nice possession receiver, but doesn’t possess the high end speed to take the tops off of defenses.

DeVonta Smith could take the top off of a defense and would give Miami a legitimate threat down the field. The goal is to build a contender with Tagovailoa on a rookie contract. Miami needs to do everything in their power to put him in a position to succeed.

Other viable options

• Trade down
• Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
• Penei Sewell, OT Oregon

Pick #4. Atlanta Falcons- Justin Fields, QB Ohio State

This is a bit of a homecoming for the Kennesaw, Georgia native. Instead of reloading and giving it one last shot, Atlanta wisely begins to close the door on the Matt Ryan era and chooses the future. Atlanta is not in win now mode, or one or two pieces away from a championship.

This seemingly is a perfect fit for Fields. He is still a bit raw having attempted less than 600 passes yet he is oozing with potential. Yes, there is film of him holding the ball too long, throwing a few interceptions and inaccurate with some throws. A good offensive coach could play to Fields’ strength and fix some of those issues.

He is still a great prospect despite some inconsistencies to his game. He fits the mold as a modern day quarterback who has the ability to throw in and out of the pocket and isn’t afraid to tuck it in and run if need be. He balled out against Clemson in the college football semi-final by throwing for SIX touchdown passes and 385 yards.

He could conceivably ‘redshirt’ his first year in Atlanta and learn under Ryan. Not many teams have the luxury of going from one franchise quarterback to another. The Falcons have that opportunity with a blue chip prospect like Fields.

Other viable options

• Penei Sewell, OT Oregon

Pick #5-Cincinnati Bengals- Penei Sewell, OT Oregon

Reuniting Joe Burrow’s former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase would be tempting in this scenario. However, Chase only catches passes. He can’t pass protect. Cincinnati’s number one priority NEEDS to be protecting Burrow at all costs.

Cincinnati will be doing cartwheels if Sewell is available with pick. He is physical, nasty and would be a pillar on the offensive line from day one. This would enable Jonah Williams to move to right tackle and give them two viable bookend tackles for years to come.

Burrow is coming off a scary ACL/MCL tear. You could bet that Cincinnati will do everything in its power to protect the teams best asset. Burrow will be thanking them that they did.

Other viable options

• Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
• Kyle Pitts, TE Florida

Pick #6. Philadelphia Eagles- Micah Parsons, LB Penn State

Philadelphia is a true wild card in this draft. The Eagles could be a sneaky team come April. They could explore a trade up to grab either Zach Wilson or Justin Fields, or trade down for a team looking to upgrade its quarterback (Carolina or San Francisco come to mind). Carson Wentz is all but gone. Jalen Hurts may or not be the teams next franchise quarterback.

One thing is for certain though. The Eagles need to upgrade their talent on both sides of the ball. Offensive line, wide receiver, and essentially their entire defense needs a makeover.

The Eagles don’t have to venture far off the beaten path to select Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. I could hear the boos reigning down (please no batteries) on this pick. I get it. An off the ball linebacker is not a sexy pick and usually is not valued this high in a draft.

Parsons is a rare exception though. He is a freakishly good athlete. Had he not sat out for the 2020 season he would be talked about a lot more. When all is said and done he may end up being the best non quarterback in this draft.

Parsons could get to the quarterback on designed blitzes, he’s good against the run and could read what is going to happen before the play even develops. He excels in coverage with his elite speed. There really is not much that he can’t do.

The Eagles should be able to acquire a few draft picks (1st round/two 2nd round?) in an inevitable Carson Wentz trade. Those picks could be used on other positions of need like WR, OL, or CB.

Other viable options

• Trade up/down
• Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern
• Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
• Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
• Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama

Pick #7. Detroit Lions- Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU

Lions head coach Dan Campbell may want a nasty defender to kick opposing players in the teeth or bite some kneecaps. LB Micah Parsons would fit the bill for that style but he doesn’t fall here in this mock.

The Lions’ acquisition of Jared Goff buys themselves a year or two to figure out their quarterback of the future. In the meantime, they get themselves a brand new toy on offense in Ja’Marr Chase.

Although Chase didn’t play in the 2020 season he is still one of the premier prospects in this draft. He was dominant as a sophmore on LSU’s National Championship team.

Chase will give opposing defenses nightmares with his elite route running, speed and play making ability. This pick makes too much sense for the Lions’ offense regardless of who is throwing the ball in the short or long term.

Other viable options

• Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
• Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan

Pick #8. Carolina Panthers-Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State

Lions fans will dance when they select Trey Lance. Alright, corny joke. After spending ALL of its draft capital on the defensive side of the ball in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Panthers have their eyes set on quarterback here. I would not be surprised one bit if they moved up to number two or three in the draft to select either Zach Wilson or Justin Fields.

If they stand at pat at 8, they’ll get a nice consolation prize in Trey Lance. He has all of the tools you want in a quarterback. He’s mobile, has a great arm and has the size that makes general managers salivate.

One of the knocks on Lance is that he played college football at North Dakota State where the competition is not the best. He also only has started one season collegiately (NDSU football season was postponed in 2020) and has attempted just 288 passes.

He’s a project, but offensive coordinator Joe Brady could do wonders with a talent like this. There will be no rush to play him as Teddy Bridgewater is still under contract through 2021.

Other viable options

• Trade up (Justin Fields or Zach Wilson)
• Kyle Pitts, TE Florida

Pick #9. Denver Broncos- Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama

Denver focused on the offensive side of the ball in the 2020 NFL Draft, so now it’s time to replenish some talent on the defensive side of the ball. While head coach and defensive guru Vic Fangio fielded a respectable defense in 2020, the aura of greatness just wasn’t there. Denver’s defense has been their identity since the 2014 season, and it’s time Denver gets back to that.

Denver could go in a variety of ways here. Do they go edge rusher with Kwity Paye in the event that Von Miller is cut? It would only benefit Bradley Chubb to have a running mate on the opposite side of the line.

Denver has ignored blue chip prospects at linebacker for some time now so Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah has to be considered although would be considered a reach by many.

Cornerback makes too much sense for Denver. They recently cut AJ Bouye and Bryce Callahan has struggled to stay healthy.

VIrginia Tech corner Caleb Farley may possess the highest upside at corner in this draft, but the converted wide receiver is still very raw. Patrick Surtain is probably the most NFL ready. So Denver could not go wrong with either corner.

Denver decides to go with Surtain here. He is polished, physical and has the makings of being a shut down corner at the NFL level. He’d be a perfect fit in the press coverage defense that Fangio likes to run. Surtain isn’t afraid to be physical as well. If Surtain’s name sounds familiar here, it’s because his father played in the NFL for 14 years. Those aren’t bad genes to have.

Other viable options

• Trade down (Jeremiah Owudu-Koromoah, LB Notre Dame)
• Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
• Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan
• Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern

Pick #10- Dallas Cowboys- Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan

Last year wide receiver CeeDee Lamb unexpectedly fell into the Cowboys’ laps in the 2020 NFL Draft when they had more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball. Does Jerry Jones and the Cowboys do the same exact thing when they see superfreak hybrid tight end/wide receiver Kyle Pitts on the board??

Conventional wisdom says fix one of the worst defenses the NFL has seen in years. Or rebuild the aging, brittle offensive line to protect quarterback Dak Prescott. BUT Jones does things his way. He loves playmakers. He also loves his players from the SEC. But Stephen Jones and the rest of the Cowboys’ brass influence, or in the case beg Jones to go defense.

Dallas’s secondary was exposed for much of the 2020 season. A big reason why they struggled in their secondary besides lacking high end talent was because of their of their inept pass rush.

Demarcus Lawrence is a solid defensive end but he can’t do it all himself. The soon to be 29 year old has only had 11.5 sacks over the last two years. One way to improve defensively is to get to the quarterback. Paye is the premier pass rusher in a draft that is lacking high end talent in that area. This would be a wise position to invest in if the Cowboys want to improve their defense.

Other viable options

• Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
• Christian Barmore, DL Alabama
• Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern
• Kyle Pitts, TE Florida

The post NFL Mock Draft-Top 10 Selections appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Dominic Santarelli (Twitter @LEKINGDOM)

1. Jacksonville Jaguars ”“ Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback (Clemson)

This is the easiest pick in the entire draft. Lawrence is a can’t miss prospect with the mobility and arm strength to be elite at the next level. On tape, he flashes brilliance in both pre snap reads and handling the pass rush by making something out of nothing. He has a fantastic pocket presence and should have no problem dominating at the next level. With their first of four top 50 selections in this draft, the Jaguars found their franchise guy.

NFL Comp: Peyton Manning

2. New York Jets ”“ Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle (Oregon)

In most drafts Sewell would be the consensus number one selection. At Oregon he showed all of the tools necessary to be a franchise left tackle. He is quick on his feet to handle the speed rushers, while also having the power to impose his will in the run game. Pairing him with Mecki Becton gives the Jets two potential perennial pro bowlers on the offensive line. 

NFL Comp: Ronnie Stanley

3. Carolina Panthers (Via Miami Dolphins) ”“ Justin Fields, Quarterback (Ohio State)

This trade is to give the Dolphins extra assets for a potential Deshaun Watson trade or to give Tua Tagovailoa the best possible supporting cast. The Panthers trade the seventh, 40^th, 2022 first, and 2022 fourth round picks in exchange for their franchise quarterback. Fields had an electric year at Ohio State and is the best deep ball thrower in the draft which bodes well for a team featuring Robbie Anderson and DJ Moore. Fields comes with a certain maturity and mental fortitude that will help him become the face of the Carolina Panthers. As of this draft pick Teddy Bridgewater is on the trade market. 

NFL Comp: Russell Wilson

4. Atlanta Falcons ”“ Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback (Alabama)

The expected pick by many analysts for the Falcons is Zach Wilson, but I believe that Matt Ryan has a couple years left of above average quarterback play. The Falcons have been great on the offensive side of the ball, and their major flaw is the defensive back position. Surtain II looks to be the next dominant shutdown corner to enter the NFL and should make a dominant pairing with last year’s first round selection AJ Terrel. Surtain II has fluid hips and is a ballhawk giving him the ability to shut down half of the field. 

NFL Comp: Tre’Davious White

5. Cincinnati Bengals ”“ Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle/Guard (Northwestern)

The Bengals only have one option at this pick, and it is offensive line. Joe Burrow was running for his life prior to suffering a season ending ACL injury, so protecting him should be their top priority. Slater is only 6’3 so many analysts have him kicking into play the guard position in the NFL, but in college he displayed quick feet and an ability to keep defenders in front of him. Burrow will love having this athletic lineman blocking for him, and for the Bengals it is the first of several lineman that need to be added to protect their young superstar quarterback.

NFL Comp: Caesar Ruiz

6. Philadelphia Eagles ”“ Kyle Pitts, Tight End (Florida)

Carson Wentz is tied to this team contractually for the next 3 years, and with the expected departure of Zach Ertz, the Eagles use this pick to get Wentz another security blanket. Pitts is the size of a tight end but has the footwork, coordination, and route running of a wide receiver. He is a force in the passing game with the size advantage over corners, and the speed advantage over linebackers. This pick should help Wentz bounce back from an abysmal year.

NFL Comp: Jimmy Graham

7. Detroit Lions ”“ Zach Wilson, Quarterback (BYU)

I fully expect the Lions to trade Matthew Stafford this offseason and in return will receive either a first or second round selection from a contender. This pick is used to select the successor to Stafford, and Zach Wilson has shown incredible arm talent in his lone season as the BYU starter. Wilson has shown a lightning quick release and above average mobility while mastering the ability to make something happen when the pocket collapses. I do have a concern that Wilson has not had to experience that Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence have at running a pro-style offense at the highest level of competition, but the tape on Wilson does not lie, the kid can play. If the Lions hire an offensive minded head coach, this team has all the weapons to be dynamic on that side of the ball.

NFL Comp: Kyler Murray

8. Miami Dolphins (Via Carolina Panthers) ”“ Devonta Smith, Wide Receiver (Alabama)

The Dolphins are able to pick up several draft picks and still get their man in Devonte Smith. Coming off of arguably the greatest season by a college wide receiver ever, Smith should slot in perfectly next to Devonte Parker giving Tua Tagovailoa two dynaminc wide receivers. Smith is a little undersized at six foot and about 175lbs, but he makes up for the lack in size with some of the best route running and deceptive quickness I have ever seen from a college prospect. The Dolphins would probably take Smith with the third pick, so trading back and getting more picks is just icing on the cake.

NFL Comp: Antonio Brown

9. Denver Broncos ”“ Micah Parsons, Linebacker (Penn State)

The Broncos should go Quarterback here, but with the top three talents off the board, they decide to draft the player who will replace the injured and troublesome Von Miller. Micah Parsons is the prototypical linebacker with the ability to impact both the running and passing games. He has the speed to cover tight ends and come off of the edge to terrorize opposing tackles. The duo of Parsons and Bradley Chubb should give the Broncos a tremendous pass rush which will help an otherwise lackluster defense.

NFL Comp: Devin White

10. Dallas Cowboys ”“ Kwity Paye, Edge Rusher (Michigan)

The Cowboys need a complete overhaul on the defensive end. The selection of Kwity Paye gives them the prototypical pass rusher who could be a double-digit sack type of player coming off the edge. Paye possesses the rare combination of speed and power that is so highly coveted at this position. The Eagles, Washington Football Team, and Giants better beware this force of nature coming off of the edge wearing the star on his helmet.

NFL Comp: Chandler Jones

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (Via New York Giants) ”“ Trey Lance, Quarterback (North Dakota State) 

The Steelers trade their first, fourth, and next year first round picks for this selection. A couple years ago the Steelers traded up to draft Devin Bush, and this time they do the same thing to draft Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. It is very possible that Lance sits behind Ben for a year to learn new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme. Trey Lance is everything that is desired from the modern-day quarterback, he is very mobile, throws the deep ball exceptionally well, and is able to throw on the run. The Steelers will have to use several picks this year to draft lineman to help protect their new young quarterback, but this pick gives the Steelers a talented young QB to go along with a promising young receiving core and a dominant defense.

NFL Comp: Deshaun Watson

12. San Francisco 49ers ”“ Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle (Virginia Tech)

I believe the 49ers would draft Trey Lance if the Steelers did not jump in front of them to select him. With the expected departure of left tackle Trent Williams, the 49ers select his replacement to fortify an offensive line that is known for running the ball in the Shanahan system. Darrisaw brings a physical presence at the tackle position that fits perfectly with the power run scheme of the 49ers. This is a can’t miss pick for a team that was ravaged by injuries last year.

NFL Comp: Jedrick Wills Jr.

13. Los Angeles Chargers ”“ Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle (Alabama)

The Chargers are in a really good spot, they have found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert and have several weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The Chargers select Barmore because of their need for an interior presence who can play all three downs and provide a pass rusher and a run stopper. Barmore plays the defensive tackle in a traditional 4-3 defense and will slide in perfectly next to Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.

NFL Comp: Michael Brockers

14. Minnesota Vikings ”“ Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher (Miami)

The Vikings found a stud in the first-round last year in Justin Jefferson, and this year will have similar results. Rousseau is a monster on the defensive front and should add a formidable presence to a defensive line that was decimated by injuries last season. Rousseau is a six foot seven defensive end who has both power and finesse tools in his arsenal which he will use to wreak havoc in backfields for the purple people eaters.

NFL Comp: Carlos Dunlap

15. New England Patriots ”“ Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver (LSU)

Perhaps the steal of the draft, Chase slides all the way down to 15 not because of a lack of talent, but simply because other teams had bigger needs than wide receiver. Ja’Marr Chase, an absolute homerun hitter is able to create separation from opposing defenders and can run every route in the tree. Chase gives the Patriots an electric wide receiver that can make plays for whoever ends up taking snaps for Belichicks offense next season.

NFL Comp: Odell Beckham Jr.

16. Arizona Cardinals ”“ Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver (Alabama)

With the anticipated retirement of Larry Fitzgerald, it is up to the Cardinal Front office to give Kyler Murray another weapon to go along with Deandre Hopkins and Christian Kirk. Jaylen Waddle has the potential to be the best receiver in this draft if he can stay healthy. He has blazing speed and would provide the Cardinals a tremendous deep threat as well as an explosive slot receiver. This can be the missing piece that vaults the Cardinals into perennial playoff contention.

NFL Comp: Tyreek Hill

17. Las Vegas Raiders ”“ Jayson Oweh, Edge Rusher (Penn State)

Raiders General Manager Mike Mayok has done a fantastic job rebuilding the offense, giving Derek Carr several weapons as well as creating a formidable offensive line. The Raiders had one of the worst pass rushes in all of the NFL last season and that has to be the primary concern going into this draft. Jayson Oweh is a lightning quick edge rusher who should take advantage of slower offensive tackles at the next level. He possesses a super quick first step, and this selection helps the Raiders address their biggest hole on the roster.

NFL Comp: Jadeveon Clowney

18. Miami Dolphins ”“ Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah, Linebacker (Notre Dame)

Head coach Brian Flores comes from the Belichick tree and in doing so makes him very defensive minded. After grabbing Devonte Smith earlier in the round, the Dolphins take Owusu-Karamoah who would be able to anchor the middle of the defense. At Notre Dame, Owusu-Karamoah showed the ability to fly from sideline-to-sideline disrupting screen plays and outside runs. My only concern for Owusu-Karamoah is his lack of size. At six foot one and a little over 215 lbs, he is the prototypical size of a strong safety who could get overwhelmed when defending the interior run game. His strengths are pass coverage, and using his speed to catch even the fasters ball carriers. 

NFL Comp: Jamal Adams

19. Washington Football Team ”“ Mac Jones, Quarterback (Alabama)

This pick has the biggest bust potential of any first-round selection. With the unknown future of Alex Smith, and the recent release of Dwayne Haskins, the Washington Football Team does not have much of a choice but to select a franchise quarterback. My main concerns for Jones are a lack of mobility, underwhelming arm strength, and coming from Alabama’s talented offense. NFL quarterbacks are now expected to be an A+ at some sort of trait, whether it is the throwing power of Patrick Mahomes, the speed of Lamar Jackson, or the accuracy of Russell Wilson, every franchise quarterback has an A+ trait. I do not see any of these characteristics in Mac Jones, I simply view him as a serviceable starting quarterback and the Washington Football Team will be picking a quarterback again in the near future. It will be very interesting to see how Jones adapts to the NFL after having four first round wide receivers and a mammoth offensive line behind him at the University of Alabama.

NFL Comp: Teddy Bridgewater

20. Chicago Bears ”“ Tevin Jenkins, Offensive Tackle (Oklahoma State)

I think the best decision for the Bears would be to use this pick to trade up into the early first round to select a franchise quarterback to replace Mitchell Trubisky, however, if they are unable to trade up Tevin Jenkins would be the selection for the windy city. Jenkins provides an athletic tackle that is able to handle both pass rushers and still be impactful in the run game. No matter who is taking snaps for the Bears next season, Jenkins would be useful in protecting them. 

NFL Comp: Mitchell Schwartz

21. Detroit Lions (Via Indianapolis Colts) ”“ Kadarious Toney, Wide Receiver (Florida)

This is the draft pick that is sent to the Lions in exchange for franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. In this draft the Lions have already secured their new quarterback in Zach Wilson, and now they use this selection to give him a lightning quick playmaker on the outside. Kadarious Toney can make plays as a deep threat, slot receiver, punt returner, and gadget guy. With the impending free agency of Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, and Marvin Jones, Toney will give the Lions a playmaker on the outside to help ease Zach Wilson into the NFL.

NFL Comp: DeSean Jackson

22. Tennessee Titans ”“ Azeez Ojulari, Edge Rusher (Georgia)

It is safe to say that the Jadeveon Clowney experiment was an abject failure for the Titans, and he battled injuries throughout the season and really left them with an abysmal pass rush. With the assumption that Clowney walks this offseason, this selection gives them an explosive pass rusher to pair with Harold Landry. This dynamic duo of pass rushers should help the titans remain in playoff contention and gives them the ability to only rush four at a time and drop the rest back in coverage. 

23. New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks) ”“ Caleb Farley, Cornerback (Virginia Tech)

This is the selection that new Head Coach Robert Salah will jump for joy over. Penei Sewell is a tremendous talent and will help fortify a leaky offensive line, but Farley is the type of shut down corner that Salah is familiar with coming from San Francisco. I love this pick for the Jets because it addresses their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball.

NFL Comp: Bradley Robey

24. New York Giants (Via Pittsburgh Steelers) ”“ Carlos Basham Jr, Edge Rusher (Wake Forest)

The Giants trading back allows them to gain an additional first round selection in next year’s draft while still filling a major need for their roster. Carlos Basham Jr is the perfect defensive end for their 4-3 system, and with the prototypical size should be an immediate starter for the New York Giants. I love this pick for the Giants because Basham will be a day one starter, and they will have two first round selections next season.

NFL Comp: Emmanuel Ogbah

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Los Angeles Rams) ”“ Jayce Horn, Cornerback (South Carolina)

In Urban Meyer’s first year as the Head Coach of the Jaguars, he has four selections in the top 50 picks. His first selection was his superstar franchise quarterback, and with his second first round pick, the Jaguars get a potential shut down corner in Jayce Horn. Horn has the physicality and attitude that screams superstar corner in the NFL, he has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level. This is a step in the right direction for a team that only a few years ago had the number one defense in all of football.

NFL Comp: Jalen Ramsey

26. Cleveland Browns ”“ Nick Bolton, Linebacker (Missouri)

Coming off of the best year in almost a quarter century, the Cleveland Browns use this selection to retool a defense that struggled at times to handle teams that beat them with speed on the outside. Bolton is a smaller linebacker, but jumped off of the screen at Missouri. He excelled in both pass coverage and making tackles on open space. His speed and athleticism will help him thrive at the next level covering tight ends as well as blowing up screen passes and outside run plays.

NFL Comp: Ryan Shazier

27. Baltimore Ravens ”“ Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver (Minnesota)

After another disappointing postseason loss many sceptics are blaming Lamar Jackson and his inability to get it done in the big game. The Ravens front office uses this selection to get Jackson another playmaker in the passing game. Bateman was one of college’s best route runners and displayed an ability to quickly get off the ball. This would be a fantastic pick for the Ravens because it would give Jackson two viable weapons on the outside (Hollywood Brown and Bateman).

NFL Comp: Juju Smith-Schuster

28. New Orleans Saints ”“ Asante Samuel Jr, Cornerback (Florida State)

With the presumed retirement of Drew Brees, it appears that the Jameis Winston era has begun in the bayou. The only quarterback prospect left on the board is Kyle Trask, but I don’t think he fits the Sean Payton scheme very well. The only other glaring need for the Saints is cornerback, and they address that need with this selection. Samuel Jr is the perfect slot corner who has the speed and the instincts to harass even the fastest wide receivers at the next level. He is a ballhawk and has the ability to take every interception to the house with his blazing speed.

NFL Comp: Buster Skrine

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ”“ Jaelen Phillips, Edge Rusher (Miami)

The Tompa Bay Bucs have very few holes in their roster, and with this selection they bolster their pass rush. Phillips has some injury concerns, but if he can stay healthy, he has the talent to be a steal in the late first round. This Miami product has shown the ability to be a stud on outside and make it difficult for quarterbacks to leave the pocket.

NFL Comp: Clelin Ferrel

30. Buffalo Bills ”“ Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Tackle (Alabama)

Alex Leatherwood is a big physical mauler of a tackle who just screams Buffalo. This franchise loves to play physical, dominating the line of scrimmage by running the ball to open up play action passing. Leatherwood would be the starting right tackle and comes with a physical presence that should help Josh Allen continue to play at an MVP level. He struggles in pass protection and needs to work on sliding his feet, but with the right coach and system should be a pro bowl level tackle.

NFL Comp: Mecki Becton

31. Green Bay Packers ”“ Zaven Collins, Linebacker (Tulsa)

The Green Bay Packers have the MVP of the league in Aaron Rodgers, a superstar offensive line, and pro bowl talent across the offensive side of the ball. Their pass rush is solid and is accompanied by a talented but young secondary. They could go receiver with this selection, but Zaven Collins is the perfect fit to anchor the interior of this defense. He is the perfect size for a run stuffing physical linebacker at six foot four 260lbs. He can play every linebacker position and even has the speed to get after the quarterback. This is a steal at the end of the first round and gives the Packers a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

NFL Comp: Tremaine Edmunds

32. Kansas City Chiefs ”“ Wyatt Davis, Offensive Guard (Ohio State)

The two-time defending champion Chiefs need talent on cheap contracts and that is exactly what Wyatt Davis gives them. Wyatt Davis gives the Chiefs a starting guard who has the length to pass protect, and the power to run block. This team’s top priority should always be to protect their franchise quarterback, and the selection of Davis ensures that Patrick Mahomes should be able to drop back into a clean pocket for the duration of his massive contract.

NFL Comp: David DeCastro

Round 2:

33. Jacksonville Jaguars ”“ Trevon Moehrig, Safety (TCU)

The Jaguars use another pick on a defensive back and this time it is a safety. Moehrig is a big bodies safety who is terrific at breaking up passes and excels at covering both running backs and tight ends. This pick along with Jayson Horn will help sure up Urban Meyer’s secondary, the 

34. New York Jets ”“ Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver (Purdue)

Moore will play primarily in the slot but shows the ability to be a legitimate deep threat. He has a lightning quick release and would make Sam Darnold’s job a lot easier by giving him a reliable weapon to go to on key plays. The Jets could also use this pick to go after a pash rusher or an interior offensive lineman, but those players will be available later in the draft. Also, Moore is too talented to pass up for a third time.

35. Miami Dolphins (Via Houston Texans) ”“ Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Tackle (USC)

The Dolphins select Vera-Tucker who will be the starting right tackle for Brian Flores’ offensive line. Last year, the Dolphins used a first-round selection on Austin Jackson to protect Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side. This selection gives Tua two young talented tackles to block for him as he hopes to lead the Dolphins into the postseason. I love Vera-Tucker fit with the Dolphins because of his ability to block in the zone read running style, and because he has shown the ability to handle the top pass rushers in college.

36. Atlanta Falcons ”“ Hamsah Nasirildeen, Safety/Linebacker hybrid (FSU)

The Falcons use their top two draft choices on the defensive side of the ball. Nasirildeen is the modern NFL defensive playmaker. He reminds me of  Derwin James and Isiah Simmons because of his ability to play so many different positions in the secondary and linebacking core. Nasirildeen gives the Falcons a position less playmaker who can cover just about anyone, while still maintaining the size to impact the run game. The selections of Nasirildeen and Surtain II should help to revamp the porous Falcons’ secondary.

37. Cincinnati Bengals ”“ Samuel Cosmi, Offensive Tackle (Texas)

With Rashawn Slater projected to kick in to play guard, the Bengals select a big physical tackle who can protect Joe Burrow’s blind side. Cosmi was a dominant force at the University of Texas with a particular prowess in the run game. In the AFC North, every roster has a dominant pass rusher (TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and Matthew Judon) so getting a blind side protector for Burrow was a need. With their first two selection being offensive lineman, the Bengals have built a solid foundation to block for Burrow and Joe Mixon. 

38. Philadelphia Eagles ”“ Tyson Campbell, Cornerback (Georgia)

The Eagles had to address their horrible secondary in this draft and they do it here in the second round with Tyson Campbell. Campbell is a big corner who can start across from Darius Slay and hopefully begin to revive a dreadful Eagles defense. I love this fit for Campbell because the Eagles fans will love his tenacious physical play style.

39. Detroit Lions ”“ Chazz Surratt, Linebacker (UNC)

After taking two players on the offensive side of the ball in the first round, the Lions go defense in the second round. Chazz Surratt fills a huge need for the defense by adding a tackling machine at the linebacker position. I assume the Lions will hire an offensive minded coach to pair with new rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. But whatever coach they end up hiring would love to have Chazz Surratt starting at the linebacker position for him. 

40. Miami Dolphins (Via Carolina Panthers) ”“ Alim McNeil, Defensive Tackle (North Carolina State)

This one of the selections acquired from Carolina in the Justin Fields trade, and with it the Dolphins address another big need and this time it is the defensive line. McNeil is a very unique talent because he is 320 lbs and is still able to rush the passer from the center of the defensive line. Brian Flores would love to add this talented nose tackle to an already dominant defense who added Jeramiah Owusu-Karamoah earlier in the draft.

41. Denver Broncos ”“ Kyle Trask, Quarterback (Florida)

It seems like the Drew Lock era is coming to an end in Denver. John Elway has always loved the big bodied strong-armed quarterbacks, and he stays consistent with his selection of Trask. I like Kyle Trask especially with the weapons that are on the Broncos roster already. Trask has all of the qualities of a starting NFL quarterback (mobility, strong arm, and deep ball accuracy) the main concerns are that he was a product of Kyle Pitts and Kadarious Toney. Him and Mac Jones are in a similar situation when being graded by talent evaluators, but in my opinion, Kyle Trask is a far superior prospect to Mac Jones.

42. Dallas Cowboys ”“ Ar’Darius Washington, Safety (TCU)

The Cowboys go defense again in the second round and this time they address a concern in their secondary. Washington is an undersized but incredibly productive safety who should be a turnover machine at the next level. The Cowboys struggled tremendously in pass defense last season, and with their first two selections being a pass rusher and a member of the secondary, the defense should be much improved next season.

43. New York Giants ”“ Walker Little, Offensive Tackle (Stanford)

The New York Giants need to do a better job at protecting Daniel Jones as well as creating open lanes for Saquon Barkley to run through. Walker Little is a giant tackle standing at six foot seven and should be the starting right tackle for the Giants. At Stanford, Little was exposed to a pro-style offense which should make the transition to the NFL very easy. I love this pick for the Giants because it helps to reestablish a physical presence on the offensive line.

44. San Francisco 49ers ”“ Amon-Ra St. Brown, Wide Receiver (USC)

The 49ers have a tremendous roster with very few holes in it. The one position that they could use more help at is the receiver position, and that is what they will get with St. Brown. He is capable of running most of the routes in the tree and should give Jimmy G a go to target on the outside. The 49ers could also go for a corner or a another running back, the other prospect I could see them taking is Travis Etienne from Clemson.

45. Los Angeles Chargers ”“ Jackson Carmen, Offensive Tackle (Clemson)

With the emergence of Justin Herbert last season, the Chargers have to do their best to protect their young superstar quarterback. Carmen had a couple of solid seasons at Clemson going against the hardest competition college football has to offer. Carmen could be the starting left tackle for the Chargers next season as he has demonstrated a tremendous ability at pass protecting.

46. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Minnesota Vikings) ”“ Payton Turner, Edge Rusher (Houston)

This is the last of the Jaguars four selections in the first two rounds and I think they hit a homerun with all four of them. Turner is a massive edge rusher who prefers to put his hand in the dirt and get after the passer. At the University of Houston last season, Turner showed an ability to fly past the tackles and overpower any help blockers in the backfield. It seemed that snapped. The Jaguars addressed all of their needs on the defensive end getting two playmakers in the secondary and a tenacious pass rusher. I expect this team to have a bounce-back season and content for the AFC South title.

47. New England Patriots ”“ Pat Freiermuth, Tight End (Penn State)

The Patriots are in a tough spot with the assumed departure of Cam Newton, and middle of the round selections that prevent the acquisition of a top tier quarterback talent. The Patriots got the steal of the draft in the first round by selecting the electric Ja’Marr Chase, and here in the second round they select another offensive weapon. Freiermuth is a big bodied tight end who excels in the middle of the field. Whoever ends up taking snaps for them next season will have several weapons in the passing game. If Kyle Trask ends up sliding to this pick, I think the Patriots would take him as their future quarterback.

48. Arizona Cardinals ”“ Levi Onwuzurike, Defensive Tackle (Washington)

The Cardinals had a serious problem stopping the run last year and it was due to a lack of interior size. Onwuzurike is not the biggest defensive tackle but plays much bigger than he is. He is a three down defensive tackle who can stop the run as well as rush the passer on third down. This selection gives the cardinals an additional pass rusher to help hunt down the other talented quarterbacks in the division.

49. Las Vegas Raiders ”“ Daviyon Nixon, Defensive Tackle (Iowa)

The Raiders use their first two draft choices on defensive lineman because of how pathetic their pass rush was last year. In the first round they selected the prototypical edge rusher in Jayson Oweh, and here in the second round they take a big physical defensive tackle to anchor the middle of the line. If possible, the Raiders should use all of their draft choices on the defensive side of the ball if they want any chance of competing in the AFC anytime soon. 

50. Miami Dolphins ”“ Travis Etienne, Running back (Clemson)

This is the Dolphins fifth and final selection in the first two rounds. They have addressed needs on both sides of the ball, and with this pick they bolster their backfield talent. Brian Flores has made it clear that he wants to be a physical run heavy offense that plays tremendous defense and wins with a grit and grind style. Etienne offers another talented runningback, as well as a gifted receiver out of the backfield. This would be a huge pickup for the Dolphins because it gives the Dolphins versatility in the passing game. Etienne has shown the power to run between the tackles as well as the speed to make plays on the outside whether it is a handoff or a screen pass. Tua would be very happy to have this young man line up behind him every Sunday for the next five years.

51. Washington Football Team ”“ Terrance Marshall Jr., Wide Receiver (LSU)

The Washington Football Team used its first-round pick on Mac Jones and now in the second round it gets him an explosive weapon on the outside. Terrance Marshall is a tall fast wide receiver who can get separation down the field and excels as a deep threat. Mac Jones should have a good rookie campaign thanks to this new receiving core that includes Terry McLaurin, Terrance Marshall, and Steven Sims. 

52. Chicago Bears ”“ Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver (Oklahoma State)

Allen Robinson is an impending free agent who is expected to take his talents elsewhere, and that would leave a huge hole in the Bears receiving core. Wallace would be primarily playing in the slot but shows the vertical speed and agility to thrive at the next level. I would not be surprised to see him returning kickoffs and punts like he did in college a year ago. The Bears really need an interior offensive lineman, but there aren’t any that are expected to be drafted this early. 

53. Indianapolis Colts ”“ Rashod Weaver, Edge Rusher (Pittsburgh)

This will be the Colts first selection of the 2021 NFL draft because of their trade for Matthew Stafford. Rashod Weaver is a quick, agile defensive end whose primary job would be to get after the quarterback. It is honestly a shock to many that Weaver has slid all the way to 53, but it is a testament to the depth of edge rushers in this draft. In most years, Weaver would be a mid-first round selection.

54. Tennessee Titans ”“ Liam Eichenberg, Offensive Tackle (Notre Dame)

Last season the Titans used their first-round pick on a right tackle following the departure of Jack Conklin, but it seems that Isiah Wilson will end up being a complete bust. Eichenberg offers a big physical right tackle who would make it even easier for Derrick Henry to terrorize opposing defenses. Eichenberg can be flat footed at times so he may struggle at pass protection from time to time, but he is a mauler in the run game who should abuse undersized edge rushers. This is the kind of selection that head coach Mike Vrabel would love, as he continues to instill a physical culture in the Titans locker room.

55. Seattle Seahawks ”“ Joseph Ossai, Edge Rusher (Texas)

This selection is the first for the Seahawks in this draft because of the Jamal Adams trade that was executed during the season. Prior to the trade of Carlos Dunlap, the Seahawks had the worst pass rush in all of football, and with Dunlap being a potential free agent Ossai is the pick here. Ossai reminds me of another Seahawk draft pick from a couple years back in Frank Clark. Ossai is a tenacious pass rusher who can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt and should give the Seahawks a versatile pass rusher for years to come.

56. Pittsburgh Steelers ”“ Landon Dickerson, Center (Alabama)

Maurkice Pouncey has announced his retirement following a potential hall of fame career, and that leaves the Steelers with a huge hole in the middle of their offensive line. Landon Dickerson is a versatile lineman who is able to play center as well as both of the guard positions. The Steelers would love to be able to have the chance to select Dickerson who may be off of the board before this selection, and I expect him to make multiple pro bowls in a long career. 

57. Los Angeles Rams ”“ Jalen Mayfield, Offensive Tackle (Michigan)

The Rams, much like the Steelers, are using their second-round pick to replace aging and potentially retired offensive lineman. I expect the Rams starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth to announce his retirement, and in doing so means the rams need to find someone to protect Jared Goff’s blind side. Jalen Mayfield should probably play right tackle, but I think he has the footwork and quickness to play left tackle and protect the Rams franchise quarterback.

58. Cleveland Browns ”“ Andre Cisco, Safety (Syracuse)

The Cleveland Browns have one of the best rosters top to bottom in the entire NFL. They have several pro bowl linemen, a superstar running back, and a promising young quarterback. The selection of Andre Cisco is a case of simply taking the best player available. At Syracuse he flashed incredible potential flying from sideline to sideline, but his major knock is inconsistency. This pick has boom bust potential, but the potential reward is a top-notch safety on a rookie contract.

59. Baltimore Ravens ”“ Creed Humphrey, Interior Offensive Lineman (Oklahoma)

Future hall of fame guard Marshall Yanda announced his retirement two years ago and the inside of the Raven’s line has not recovered. The Ravens need to fill this role by selecting a center who has the agility and power to affect the run game. Humphrey has shown the ability to be quick on his feet and occasionally pull for outside run designs. This pick would be huge for the Ravens because it bolsters an already tremendous offensive line, and this would only help Lamar Jackson by giving him time in the pocket when he drops back to pass.

60. New Orleans Saints ”“ Javonte Williams, Running Back (UNC)

With the retirement of Drew Brees, it seems that Jameis Winston will be taking snaps next season for the Saints. Sean Payton is likely to cut back on the passing game without a future hall of famer dropping back to pass for him, and that is why they will draft Javonte Williams. Latavius Murray is set to test free agency and the Saints need to find a complementary runner to the elusive Alvin Kamara. Williams set the college football world on fire last season torching every defense he came across, and with the dominant Saints offensive line, I expect similar results in the NFL.

61. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ”“ Marvin Wilson, Defensive Tackle (FSU)

Ndamukong Sue is thirty-four years old and I am not sure how many more seasons he can play at this level, so the Bucs need to start things about the future of the defensive line. In the first round they selected another talented defensive lineman in Jaelen Phillips, but Marvin Wilson will give them a dominant interior presence for years to come. Wilson is a large defensive tackle who excels at getting after the quarterback and should be able to start right away next to Ndamukong Sue.

62. Buffalo Bills ”“ Jevon Holland, Cornerback (Oregon)

Going into the draft the Bills had two true needs, a right tackle and a starting caliber cornerback. In this mock they address both of these issues with their first two selections. Alex Leatherwood will start right away at right tackle, and Jevon Holland is a lanky corner who has the size to cover any receiver he lines up across from. The Bills would have their pick at corner as there are several left that should be picked in the late second early third round, but I like the fit for Holland because of his physical style of play that embodies Buffalo.

63. Green Bay Packers ”“ Sage Surratt, Wide Receiver (Wake Forest)

After going defense in the first round, the Packers try to find a number two receiver to help make Devonte Adams job a little easier. Surratt is a big target who thrives in the RedZone in one-on-one matchups. Aaron Rodgers will love the Packers getting him another weapon, and Surratt will look really good catching passes from one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever lace them up.

64. Kansas City Chiefs ”“ Kingsley Enagbare, Edge Rusher (South Carolina)

The defending champs will continue to look for positions of need on cheap rookie contracts, and they get a steal with Enagbare. He has an explosive first step and will immediately contribute for this defense. He is big enough to defend the run but has the speed to hold contain and get after the quarterback. The champs just keep getting better, and it will be interesting to see what other steals they may get later on in the draft.

Biggest Winners: 

1. Miami Dolphins ”“ The Dolphins won this draft. They were able to trade back out of the third pick while still taking the same player they were going to take regardless (Devonte Smith) and acquire a second round selection (Alim McNeil) as well as a future first round pick. They used their other picks on several starters for a solid roster. Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Alim McNeil, and Devonte Smith will all be starters who will be able to contribute immediately. Travis Etienne will compete for the starting running back job, and will make Tua Tagovailoa’s job much easier as a reliable weapon out of the backfield. This is the perfect draft for the Dolphins.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers ”“ The Steelers were winners for the simple fact that they filled their two biggest positions of need. I think trading up for Trey Lance will end up being the biggest move of this entire draft if he ends up being a franchise quarterback. I project him as a Deshaun Watson type of player with the combination of mobility and deep ball accuracy, Trey Lance will make the Steelers better even if he has to sit out for a year being Big Ben. Landon Dickerson would have probably been a first round selection last year if he had not gotten injured this season, but for the Steelers, they get a big physical center who can anchor the offensive line for the next decade.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars ”“ With a solid draft, Urban Meyer has the Jaguars rebuild off to a great start. Trevor Lawrence is the best college quarterback prospect I have seen since Andrew Luck in 2012. The Jaguars used their other three picks on the defensive side of the ball (Jayce Horn, Trevon Moehrig, and Payton Turner) who should all be starters day one and contribute. This is the team I am most excited to watch going into next season.
4. Indianapolis Colts ”“ I felt last year that the Colts were a quarterback away from Superbowl contention, and in this draft, they got their franchise guy in Matthew Stafford. I really like Rashod Weaver and he could potentially be the steal of the draft. This Colts team should be able to contend with anyone else in the AFC next season. 

Biggest Losers:

1. New England Patriots ”“ The Patriots pick up Ja’Marr Chase who should be a terrific pro bowl level talent at wide receiver, but they should have used this pick on a quarterback. The most important position in all of sports is quarterback, and the Patriots have absolutely have no idea who theirs is going into next year.
2. San Francisco 49ers ”“ I do not have any faith in Jimmy Garoppolo’s ability to lead this team to another Superbowl appearance and going into the draft I thought the 49ers should try their best to get Trey Lance. The Steelers jumped in front of San Francisco to grab Lance. I really like the physicality that Christian Darrisaw gives the 49ers, but ultimately this sport comes down to the better quarterback and because of that, the 49ers are losers in this draft. 
3. Atlanta Falcons ”“ For the same reason as the 49ers, the Falcons are losers in this draft. They need to do everything in their power to make sure that Justin Fields is wearing black and red next season no matter how much they have to give up getting him. Patrick Surtain II will be the best corner to come out of this draft, and I think he can be a perennial pro bowler for the Falcons, but they have to find a replacement for the aging Matt Ryan. 
4. Washington Football Team ”“ I simply do not like Mac Jones as an NFL prospect. I do not think that he has the arm talent nor the mobility to be a dynamic playmaker at the next level. I think Kyle Trask has a much higher ceiling than Mac Jones, but for some reason many experts have Mac Jones going in the middle of the first round. The Washington Football Team needs to acquire a franchise quarterback, but I do not think Mac Jones is the answer so as far as I am concerned this is a wasted first round pick.

The post 2021 2 Round NFL Mock Draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.