Well I was planning on releasing a new mock draft today. I had it completely finished late Thursday night. We all know what I woke up to on Friday morning.
Huge trades with the San Francisco 49ers moving up from 12 to 3; Miami Dolphins moving from 3 to 12, then back up to 6; and the Philadelphia Eagles moving back from 6 to 12. This obviously has major draft implications, and my first blush thoughts on what these trades can do to the top 12 picks of this draft are below.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
There have been a few rumors that the Jaguars are taking a serious look at Zach Wilson (which they absolutely should). That doesn’t mean anything to me, though. Lawrence is the pick, he always was.
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
With the big trades that happened this morning, one of the rumors was that the Eagles were trying to trade up to third overall for Zach Wilson. The reason why I think that didn’t happen, is because the Jets want Wilson. Obviously the Jets will be taking a QB due to not orchestrating a trade this morning, and I still like Justin Fields over Wilson, but it seems very likely the Jets like Wilson more.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA via HOU)
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
The first pick that was moved today, it certainly seems like the 49ers traded up for a QB. Fields is my second ranked QB in this draft class, and I think this is a great move for the 49ers to get him. It’s time to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, and Fields can get things rolling early for this team that is ready to go after an injury-riddled 2020 season.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
I am not ready for the Falcons to take a new QB. Matt Ryan is owed way too much money to get rid of him over the next two years, so you might as well keep trying to build around him right now. The Falcons defense was one of the worst in the league last year. Parsons can come in Day One and instantly improve this defense. He is a fast, athletic, sideline-to-sideline linebacker that can fill up run lanes and cover almost any player in the passing game.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Bengals are big winners of the trades this morning. With all the need for a QB in this draft, the best offensive tackle, and the exact player the Bengals need, fall right into their laps. This is as big of a no-brained as Lawrence to the Jags with the first overall pick.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Eagles)
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Dolphins are the big movers today. The traded back from 3rd overall to 12th overall, then back up to 6th overall. I am not convinced the Dolphins are finished moving, but as of now, I think the pick is for the top receiver in this class. Looking at the board, I can’t imagine any of the first 5 picks will be a receiver, so the Dolphins get their pick at the position. It is very tempting to pair Tua Tagovailoa back up with his college teammate in DeVonta Smith, but I have Chase as the top receiver in this class, so I’m sticking to my rankings.
7. Detroit Lions
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Lions have many needs, and I did consider a QB here as I don’t believe Jared Goff is their future. However, with Rashawn Slater still on the board (also thanks to the big trades today), I just can’t pass him up for anyone else. The best way to rebuild is inside-out. Slater gives them a franchise left tackle for the next decade.
8. Carolina Panthers
Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
And here are the big losers today. It wouldn’t surprise me if they orchestrate a trade with the Falcons or Dolphins, but sitting here at 8 and having Lance fall in their laps isn’t a bad situation. Lance is my fourth ranked QB in this class, but he has a very high upside and I think he should be drafted top 10.
9. Denver Broncos
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
I made the declaration a few weeks ago that the Broncos should move on from Drew Lock and draft a QB. Well, they are now in a position where that no longer makes sense. I’d rather have Lock and someone like Darrisaw than Mac Jones and another rookie with a third round draft pick that the Broncos would get in return for Lock.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The defense in Dallas has some great pieces, but the secondary is still very weak. Not only did they lose a starting CB in free agency, they haven’t yet replaced him with anyone. Surtain II is the best cornerback in this draft class, and the Cowboys also benefit from the run on QBs in the first 8 picks.
11. New York Giants
Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
The Giants were not afraid to spend money in free agency. They have a new number one receiver, number one cornerback, and a very serviceable backup tight end. They still lack a pass rush, and they can get the best one in this draft class at 11.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA via SF)
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The last big mover in the draft from today’s trades, the Eagles were reported to be interested in trading up to the 3rd overall pick to select Zach Wilson. They couldn’t get a deal done, so they traded back 6 spots, assuming satisfied enough with Jalen Hurts, and are now looking to build around him. The receiving corps in Philadelphia has been decimated. With the big run on QBs, the Eagles are somehow sitting here at 12 with DeVonta Smith still on the board. This should be an easy decision.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
14. Minnesota Vikings
Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
15. New England Patriots
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
16. Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
18. Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
19. Washington Football Team
Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
20. Chicago Bears
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
21. Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
22. Tennessee Titans
Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
23. New York Jets (via SEA)
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)
Dillon Radunz, OT, NDSU
26. Cleveland Browns
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
27. Baltimore Ravens
Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
28. New Orleans Saints
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
29. Green Bay Packers
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
30. Buffalo Bills
Zaven Collins, EDGE, Tulsa
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
