We are slowly approaching the NFL draft and we’re now starting to get a closer look at how the board will shake out. We know that the top of the draft is going to go heavy on EDGE rushers and offensive tackles. We know there is going to be a huge run on receivers in the teens. And we know like every year, we don’t actually know anything and everything I just said probably won’t happen now. But hey, mock drafts are fun, so lets get into one.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson is the safest player in the class. The combination of Hutchinson and Allen is what you build a defense around.
2. Detroit Lions: EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia
Walker is a FREAK of nature that played EDGE, interior DL, and LB for the Georgia defense last season. He’s versatility as a do it all player screams Dan Campbell.
3. Houston Texans: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
The Houston Texans need absolutely everything. Most teams have the 6’7 350 tackle as the best tackle in the class. Houston continues their rebuild with a major upgrade on the line.
4. New York Jets: CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
The Jets have a plethora of young CBs on the roster but none of them are the stud that Sauce Gardner is. With Walker and Hutchinson gone and Thibodeaux potentially sliding, the Jets add the best corner in the draft.
5. New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
The Giants NEED to address their offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu name literally means “my effort will not be in vain.” The trials and tribulations of the Dave Gettleman era are over and the Giants land one of only a few high floor/high ceiling guys in the class.
6. Carolina Panathers: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
The Carolina Panthers could trade back. The Carolina Panthers could draft a QB. But here, the opt to fill a huge need on the offensive line. Charles Cross has gotten mixed reviews among draft experts, but one thing is very clear, Cross is one of the best pass blockers in the class.
7. TRADE Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Malik Willis, Liberty
Giants Receive: 2022 1st round pick (20), 2023 1st round pick, 2023 2nd round pick, 2022 4th round pick (138)
Steelers Receive: 2022 1st round pick (7th), 2022 5th round pick (178)
If the Steelers want Malik Willis, they’re gonna need to move up from 20. Moving up to 7 is going to cost a lot but the Giants make the most sense as a trade up option. They’ll need to get in front of Atlanta, Seattle, and Washington. The Steelers have been infatuated with Willis this entire offseason and they move up to get their franchise QB.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Teams are worried about Thibodeaux’s ability as a pass rusher at the next level and his attitude. That causes him to fall to the 8th pick where the Falcons will happily take him.
9. Seattle Seahawks: CB Derek Stingley, LSU
After a great freshman season in 2019, Stingley played 10 games in 2 seasons. The tape isn’t nearly as good in 2020 or 2021 but he played hurt the entire time. Someone is going to bite on the potential skillset Stingley offers. For the rebuilding Seahawks, Stingley fits like a glove in their seconday.
10. New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
It would not shock me at all if the Jets went WR with the fourth pick in the draft. It’s VITAL that they get Zach Wilson as many weapons as possible. Wilson is one of the best receivers in the class and can immediately step in and be the Jets top target.
11. Washington Commanders: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
The Commanders have shown throughout their history that they sure do love the safety position. Kyle Hamilton will draw comparisons for Sean Taylor which will make Dan Synder run the draft card. This could be the steal of the draft, like Synder found a way to steal from the NFL.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State University
The Vikings won’t be able to turn down Jermaine Johnson at this spot. EDGE is a huge need and Johnson is a top 10 player in this class.
13. Houston Texans: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
The Texans need to stack up on good football players. They landed Neal earlier in the draft and now they go grab one of the best defensive players in the class. The only way to rebuild the worst roster in the league is to stack safe, reliable picks. The Texans do that at 13.
14. Baltimore Ravens: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
The Ravens secondary is aging so let’s inject some youth into it. McDuffie is a really good player who plays with high intelligence that will fit in with what the Ravens do.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Williams is the best receive in the class, but an ACL injury bumps him down a the board a little bit. Remember how good DeSean Jackson was for the Eagles? Jameson Williams bring a very similar skillset to the table.
16. New Orleans Saints: WR Drake London, USC
The Saints believe that they can win with Jameis Winston and Winston’s favorite weapon for years was a big WR in Mike Evans. Drake London isn’t the prospect Evans was, but he brings a very similar skillset to the table.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
The Chargers continue to build around Justin Herbert by adding another tackle. Slater on one end and Penning on the other should give Herbert time to throw the ball for years to come.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Andrew Booth Jr, Clemson
The Eagles NEED to rebuild their secondary. Booth is a long corner with good size. Booth will excel in a zone coverage scheme and there weren’t many teams that played more zone than Philly last year.
19. New Orleans Saints: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Every year tackles go too high. This year won’t be any different. Raimann is a former TE from Austria with limited experience at OT. He’ll need time to develop but with the right coaching he could be an absolute steal of a pick at 19.
20. TRADE New York Giants: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Giants Receive: 2022 1st round pick (20), 2023 1st round pick, 2023 2nd round pick, 2022 4th round pick (138)
Steelers Receive: 2022 1st round pick (7th), 2022 5th round pick (178)
With Kadarius Toney’s future with the Giants in doubt, the Giants go WR at pick 20. Chris Olave reminds me a lot of former OSU WR Terry McClaurin and current Bills WR Stefon Diggs. It shouldn’t go to a surprise that former Bills Asst GM (now Giants GM) Joe Schoen and Bills OC (now Giants HC) fall for a guy that plays like Stefon Diggs
21. New England Patriots: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue
This just seems like a Bill Belichick pick. He is likely to slide due to his short arms and lack of bend but Belichick will find a way to turn him into a productive player.
22. Green Bay Packers: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
After trading away Davante Adams and losing Valdes-Scantling in free agency (not really comparable moves but two weapons lost), the Packers need to go best WR available with their first choice. Treylon Burks is really good at football and is sneaky good with the ball in his hands.
23. Arizona Cardinals: G Zion Johnson, Boston College
After making it very clear that Kyler Murray isn’t going anywhere, the Cardinals are going to get Murray some help. Johnson is the best IOL in this class and will step in as an immediate impact starter on the line.
24. Dallas Cowboys: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
Dallas won’t be able to resist this pick and it matches need. Jerry Jones loves freakish athletes and Jordan Davis is exactly that.
25. Buffalo Bills: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
The Bills are great at drafting and developing these interior defensive linemen. Wyatt will do great things for Bills Mafia.
26. Tennessee Titans: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
The Titans currently have Ben Jones at C who is 32 years old. Linderbaum could play guard for a year, or they could give the reins to the rookie right away.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
After losing Ali Marpet to retirement this offseason, IOL is a big need for the Bucs. They’ll need to keep Brady upright if they want to make another run at a Super Bowl. Green should be able to immediately step in and be starter.
28. Green Bay Packers: S/Nickel Daxton Hill, Michigan
The Packers land a versatile defensive back. This just feels like a Green Bay pick. The Packers love to take DBs late in round 1.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Skyy Moore isn’t Tyreek Hill but he can do Tyreek Hill type things.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The nephew of former S Matt Elam, Kaiir Elam played a little bit lazy last season which likely caused his draft stock to fall a bit, but NFL teams can see the talent.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: S Lewis Cine, Georgia
With no real options at OT or OG on the board, the Bengals will add to their secondary with Cine. The combo of Cine and Bates give Cincy one of the best potential safety duos in the league.
32. Detroit Lions: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Dan Campbell has said that you don’t need an elite quarterback to win in the NFL so taking Kenny Pickett here makes sense. The Lions are also able to use a potential 5th year option on Pickett by taking him in round 1.
One of the better and most logical mocks I’ve seen so far