Featured Image Credit: Maize & Blue Nation, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Folks, free agency starts up tomorrow and there’s already been some serious movement prior to free agency beginning.
- Russell Wilson has been traded to the Broncos
- Carson Wentz is now a Commander (LOL)
- Amari Cooper got traded to the Browns where he will surely wither away
- Khalil Mack is now a Charger
On top of that, there’s a few more anticipated moves that will happen:
- Deshaun Watson was cleared of all criminal charges and will be on the move likely this week
- Jimmy Garoppolo will likely be moved this week
- Free agent quarterbacks Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, and Mitchell Trubisky could get big contract in free agency since this quarterback draft class is so weak
So it’s about to get really wild. Mock drafts at this point will largely depend on where a lot of those guys end up. Right now, we don’t have any definitive answers, and that’s part of the fun of this time of year. So let’s get to the mock!
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
The Jaguars have franchise tagged Cam Robinson and they’ve been reportedly interested in signing Terron Armstead in free agency. Due to that, all signs point to them taking Hutchinson.
2. Detroit Lions: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
If this were a regular quarterback class then this would be a great chance to trade back for the Lions. But it’s not. The Lions offensive line is the strength of their team. Taking Thibodeaux here would really bolster their defense and give them a blue chip player.
3. Houston Texans: OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
The Texans need everything. As it stands now, they seem content trading Deshaun Watson for a boatload of picks and starting Davis Mills next season until they can figure out a better option at quarterback. Getting a versatile tackle will be a good foundational piece.
4. New York Jets: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
The Jets have a young quarterback and they need to keep him upright. The Joe Douglas regime needs to have a winning season this year and Neal can solidify either the right or left tackle position for gang green.
5. New York Giants: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
This is the nightmare scenario for the Giants. There’s a clear top four in this draft and my fear as a Giants fan is that they’re all going to go in the top four. The Giants will settle for Cross who is the third best tackle in this class and a decent consolation prize.
On a side note, no team is in a better spot in the league from a draft position standpoint to acquire Deshaun Watson than the Giants. They should be going after him and offering up both the fifth pick, the seventh pick, and next year’s first, and then some to get Watson. But they won’t because ownership won’t sign off.
6. Houston Texans (via Carolina Panthers): S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Trade Terms:
Carolina Panthers Receive: Deshaun Watson
Houston Texans Receive: 2022 Round 1, Pick 6, 2023 Round 1, 2024 Round 1, 2022 2nd Round Pick, Christian Mccaffrey, Jeremy Chinn
Yeah, the Carolina Panthers sold the farm to get Watson. But it’ll be worth it for them because you spend whatever you have to in order to get an elite quarterback. The Panthers take who many think is the best player available left on the board.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears): CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
The Giants get the best cornerback in the draft and a new pillar on their defense at a premium position. Edge rusher can wait until round two where there will be loads of quality players.
8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
You can bet your life savings that the Falcons are going to want to address the wide receiver position early and often in this draft.
9. Seattle Seahawks (Via Denver Broncos): QB Malik Willis, Liberty
The first quarterback shoe drops. The Seahawks wouldn’t have traded away an elite quarterback if they didn’t have a plan for the position at mind. Willis will be a massive drop-off for the Seahawks from Wilson but many teams like him. I sure as hell don’t.
10. New York Jets (Via Seattle): WR Drake London, USC
Let’s get Zach Wilson some weapons! London is a hulking target who has surprisingly good YAC ability for his size. Jets fans would be thrilled with this pick.
11. Washington Commanders: CB Derek Stingley, LSU
Now that the Commanders have their “quarterback” in Carson Wentz, they can work to build up their secondary which is the weakest part of their defense.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Edge David Ojabo, Michigan
Will Kirk Cousins be the Vikings quarterback in 2022? I say yes he will. So adding a dynamic edge rusher will be a good move for Minnesota so that they can continue to win 7 to 9 games each season.
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Like the Vikings, the Browns have had discussions about moving on from their quarterback. To me, I think Baker stays and gets one final chance. If that’s the case then Williams is the best receiver available at this point.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue
The Ravens love their edge rushers and Karlaftis is someone who could play in their system effectively.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (Via Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins): QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Trade Terms:
Philadelphia Receives: 2022 First Round Pick 20, 2022 Second Round Pick 52, Fourth Round Pick 138
Pittsburgh Receives: 2022 First Round Pick 15, 2022 5th Round Pick 162
The Pittsburgh Panther gets to stay home and play in the same stadium for the Steelers who will end up missing out on one of the bigger fish free agent quarterbacks.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): CB Trent Mcduffie, Washington
The Eagles land a solid cornerback who could be the first ranked CB on some teams big boards.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Treylon Burks
Get Justin Herbert more weapons! Burks is an insane receiver who is big, has solid YAC, and great route running ability. He would be a great addition to the Chargers.
18. New Orleans Saints: Bernard Raimann, Central Michigan
I’m going to bet that the Saints land a guy like Mariota or Garoppolo or retain Jameis Winston. With Terron Armstead potentially walking, drafting his replacement makes sense.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
If Johnson falls this far then the Eagles will be licking their chops. He is a really good edge rusher who would add to a position of need for Philadelphia.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
Many people have Lloyd as a top fifteen pick, I don’t think the position he plays warrants that kind of love but this is an appropriate spot.
21. New England Patriots: Edge Travon Walker, Georgia
Last I checked Josh Allen probably has ten to twelve more years in the NFL. You’ve gotta draft a guy who can make his life difficult if you can.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
He’s very fast and that’s all that matters if you’re the Raiders.
23. Arizona Cardinals: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
The Cardinals need interior offensive linemen and Linderbaum is great value here at 23.
24. Dallas Cowboys: DL Jordan Davis, Georgia
Jerry Jones won’t be able to resist.
25. Buffalo Bills: CB Andrew Booth, Clemson
The Bills get a really solid cornerback here that can eventually take over for an aging Tre’davious White.
26. Tennessee Titans: Edge Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
The Titans also need a quarterback but they’re not in a position to get one here. Ebiketie is going to be a fine player on the edge.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: G Zion Johnson, Boston College
It’s time for Tampa Bay to rebuild their interior offensive line with Ali Marpet retiring and Ryan Jensen potentially leaving town.
28. Green Bay Packers: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Will the Packers finally do it? Will they get Aaron Rodgers a legitimate weapon in the first round? It would be awfully nice of them if they did.
29. Miami Dolphins: OL Kenyon Green
Protect fragile Tua at all costs.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Roger Mccreary, Auburn
The Chiefs have needed to address cornerback for quite some time. This would be the ideal time to do so with the value that’s on the board here.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Trevor Penning
If you’re the Bengals and you were fifteen yards away from tying up the Super Bowl and you didn’t because of your offensive line then this is clearly the move.
32. Detroit Lions (Via Los Angeles Rams): LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
The Lions round out the first round with an undersized but solid linebacker in Dean.
Denver Receives: 2022 Round 1, Pick 7