This NFL off-season has been filled with a ton of excitement. Three teams in the Top 12 have made trades to move around in terms of draft position and we had a Sam Darnold to Carolina trade earlier this week.
Now, we are getting a much clearer picture of what will happen at what should be a very eventful NFL Draft. Rumors are flying around about teams trading down as well as trading up. Some of those are featured in version 4.0 of my NFL Mock Draft.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB – Clemson
This is the biggest lock of the draft. No explanation needed here other than Urban Meyer kicks off his NFL coaching career with the QB of the future in Jacksonville. - New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB – BYU
All the buzz seems to point towards Zach Wilson for the Jets here at 2. I am not the biggest fan of Wilson (#4 QB on my board) but he fits well into the system OC LaFleur is bringing over from San Francisco. - San Francisco 49ers (via Miami): Mac Jones, QB – Alabama
My most recent Mock had the 49ers going with Trey Lance but there seems to be a lot of smoke surrounding Mac Jones and the 49ers. He is QB5 on my board but this is another QB that fits well into a certain system. - Denver Broncos (via Atlanta): Trey Lance, QB – North Dakota State
Denver receives: #4
Atlanta receives: #9, #40, 2022 1st-Rd Pick
Denver doesn’t seem to trust Drew Lock to be their future QB and they have a roster that is ready to win now. Lance has a much higher upside and can step in right away and be the QB the Broncos need right now. - Cincinatti Bengals: Kyle Pitts, TE – Florida
The Bengals could easily go the OL route with Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater but Kyle Pitts is too good to pass up here at 5. Pitts will give Burrow a much needed weapon going forward. - Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia): Ja’Marr Chase, WR – LSU
Miami can go in multiple different ways here at 6. Waddle, Sewell & Slater are all available here but Miami goes with Chase who is arguably the best receiver in this draft and gives Tua a much-needed #1 WR. - Detroit Lions: Justin Fields, QB – Ohio State
Even though Detroit acquired Jared Goff this off-season, they can’t let Fields go past them at 7. Long-term, Fields gives the Lions the best chance to win. Goff has a large cap hit ($30M) after this year but having a QB on a cheap contract and lots of cap room even after Goff’s cap hit, this is an easy decision. - Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OL – Northwestern
It really wouldn’t surprise me if Slater were drafted before Penei Sewell. They are on the same tier and Slater possesses the versatility to play at all 5 OL spots. Carolina really needs some protection for their new QB in Darnold and Slater gives you that. - Atlanta Falcons (via Denver): Penei Sewell, OL – Oregon
Atlanta receives: #9, #40, 2022 1st-Rd Pick
Denver receives: #4
For Atlanta to be able to trade back and gain more draft capital while getting a player of Sewell’s caliber at 9 is a win-win for them. Shoring up their OL in the new Arthur Smith system will be very important for their success going forward. - Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain ll, CB – Alabama
The Cowboys had a horrendous defense last year but it was very apparent in the defensive backfield. Surtain is arguably the top CB in the draft and will join his former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs in Dallas. - New York Giants: Kwity Paye, EDGE – Michigan
Paye is an explosive pass-rusher with versatility in being able to be hand-in-dirt or a stand-up EDGE rusher. Giants really shore up their defense here as they mostly addressed their offense in free agency. - Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn, CB – South Carolina
Philly has a lot of different needs to address but they go with Jaycee Horn to go opposite of and learn under Darius Slay. There is versatility in Horn’s game in press and zone coverage which fits well in the Eagles’ new Cover 2 defense. - Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT – Virginia Tech
L.A. dramatically improved their OL in free agency (signed Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley & Oday Aboushi) and finish it off with Darrisaw to plug in at Left Tackle. Protecting Justin Herbert should be the Chargers’ main focus going forward. - Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL – USC
Vera-Tucker lined up at Left Tackle for USC but can slide inside to Left Guard for the Vikings. He has risen up the draft boards dramatically due to his athleticism and versatility in terms of scheme fit and position along the Line. - New England Patriots: Micah Parsons, LB – Penn State
There are a ton of character concerns with Parsons but that has never stopped New England in the past. He has a ton of ability and is versatile enough to play at any LB spot for the Patriots. - Arizona Cardinals: Greg Newsome ll, CB – Northwestern
Newsome was thought to be a Day 2 player but after an outstanding Pro Day, he has risen dramatically to a likely Day 1 guy. His film speaks for itself but the athleticism really stood out on Newsome and he goes to Arizona who need another CB after signing Malcolm Butler. - Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB – Notre Dame
JOK is one of the most versatile players in this draft and with Gus Bradley coming in as the new DC for the Raiders, he will need a versatile piece on defense similar to a Derwin James like he had with the Chargers. Owusu-Koramoah plays LB but can play Safety in certain packages. - Indianapolis Colts (via Miami): Jaylen Waddle, WR – Alabama
Indianapolis receives: #18 & #156
Miami receives: #21 & #54
It’s hard to believe Waddle falls this far but for now this is where I’ve got him. An absolute steal for the Colts who do need to address Left Tackle with Anthony Castonzo retiring but Waddle is way too good for Indy to pass up at 18. - Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis, LB – Kentucky
Davis is the biggest riser on draft boards this season. He was not talked about much until Pro Day came around and he did not disappoint. He showed off his elite athleticism and solidified his spot as a high draft pick. - Chicago Bears: DeVonta Smith, WR – Alabama
DeVonta Smith is another player who has fallen a bit on boards due to size concerns. He is still a very elite prospect who can be an elite WR and a return specialist as well. The Bears need as much help as they can get, especially on offense with Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace on the hot seat. - Miami Dolphins (via Indianapolis): Najee Harris, RB – Alabama
Miami receives: #21 & #54
Indianapolis receives: #18 & #156
Miami addressed WR with the 6th pick and now they address RB which is a major position of need. There will be a lot of familiarity there with Harris since Tua played with Najee for a couple years at Alabama. Harris is not only capable of being a work-horse RB but is a really pass-catching back as well. - Tenneessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB – Virginia Tech
The Titans have lost almost all of their DB’s from last year and go with Farley, who has a lot of upside but has fallen due to some medical issues with his back. Still, he has good value here at 22 and gives the Titans a potential #1 CB. - New York Jets: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE – Miami (FL)
With Robert Saleh coming in as HC the Jets will need to shore up their EDGE position with some good players and depth. Getting a guy like Rousseau, who is another EDGE in this draft with versatility, addresses both of those things for New York. - Pittsburgh Steelers: Teven Jenkins, OT – Oklahoma State
Jenkins is an absolute mauler at Right Tackle and with the Steelers needing some major OL help, he fits in perfectly for the Steelers. They can still use another IOL but Jenkins is a great start. - Jacksonville Jaguars: Rashod Bateman, WR – Minnesota
The Jaguars get a weapon for Lawrence to work with in Bateman who has the highest floor of all receivers in the draft. He had an oustanding Pro Day where he got to showcase his great athleticism to go with his on-field play. - Cleveland Browns: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR – LSU
Marshall has not been talked about much as a top-flight WR but he had a breakout year for LSU in 2020 and showed why he was such highly-touted recruit out of high school. The Browns are thin on depth at WR and can use someone like Terrace Marshall for the future. - Baltimore Ravens: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE – Georgia
With Matthew Judon signing elsewhere in free agency, the Ravens really need a replacement and go with Ojulari. He had a pretty disappointing Pro Day but his film suggests that his on-field play will be just fine. - New Orleans Saints: Zaven Collins, LB – Tulsa
The Saints have lost Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone this off-season. They go with Collins here who can fill multiple spots at LB and has really good athleticism for his size. - Green Bay Packers: Samuel Cosmi, OT – Texas
Cosmi played a lot of snaps at both Tackle spots but will slide in at Right Tackle for the Packers. They cut Ricky Wagner and never did anything to fill in that spot in the long-term. Cosmi is a nice athlete and has the upside to be a franchise cornerstone Tackle. - Buffalo Bills: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE – Miami (FL)
If Phillips didn’t have durability concerns, we would likely see him as the first EDGE off the board. Still, he is too good to leave on the board at 30 for a team like Buffalo who missed out on JJ Watt in free agency. - Kansas City Chiefs: Liam Eichenberg, OT – Notre Dame
We all saw the Chiefs’ struggles during the Super Bowl with a lack of protection for Mahomes. Although Eichenberg isn’t a prospect with a high ceiling, he is most certainly someone that can be a solid OL for years to come. - Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Landon Dickerson, IOL – Alabama
Ryan Jensen is in the last year of his contract with Tampa Bay and go with Dickerson who can be their long-term answer at Center. He’s another guy who doesn’t have a lot of upside but a solid player for years to come.
Round Two - Jacksonville Jaguars: Alex Leatherwood, OL – Alabama
- New York Jets: Elijah Moore, WR – Ole Miss
- Atlanta Falcons: Pat Freiermuth, TE – Penn State
- Miami Dolphins: Jayson Oweh, EDGE – Penn State
- Philadelphia Eagles: Trevon Moehrig, S – TCU
- Cincinnati Bengals: Creed Humphrey, IOL – Oklahoma
- Carolina Panthers: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB – Syracuse
- Atlanta Falcons (via Denver): Joseph Ossai, EDGE – Texas
- Detroit Lions: Asante Samuel Jr., CB – Florida State
- New York Giants: Eric Stokes, CB – Georgia
- San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Davis, IOL – Ohio State
- Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Mayfield, OT – Michigan
- Jaksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, IDL – Alabama
- New England Patriots: Richie Grant, S – UCF
- Los Angeles Chargers: Kelvin Joseph, CB – Kentucky
- Las Vegas Raiders: Trey Smith, IOL – Tennessee
- Arizona Cardinals: Travis Etienne, RB – Clemson
- Miami Dolphins: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL – Washington
- Washington Football Team: Dillon Radunz, OT – North Dakota State
- Chicago Bears: Tyson Campbell, CB – Georgia
- Tennessee Titans: Dyami Brown, WR – North Carolina
- Miami Dolphins (via Indianapolis): Baron Browning, LB – Ohio State
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Javonte Williams, RB – North Carolina
- Seattle Seahawks: Spencer Brown, OT – Northern Iowa
- Los Angeles Rams: Josh Myers, IOL – Ohio State
- Baltimore Ravens: Kadarius Toney, WR – Florida
- Cleveland Browns: Jay Tufele, IDL – USC
- New Orleans Saints: Elijah Molden, CB – Washington
- Buffalo Bills: Rondale Moore, WR – Purdue
- Green Bay Packers: Aaron Robinson, CB – UCF
- Kansas City Chiefs: Nico Collins, WR – Michigan
- Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR – USC
Round Three - Jacksonville Jaguars: Hunter Long, TE – Boston College
- New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB – North Carolina
- Houston Texans: Alim McNeill, IDL – NC State
- Atlanta Falcons: Pete Werner, LB – Ohio State
- Cincinnati Bengals: Walker Little, OT – Stanford
- Philadelphia Eagles: Jabril Cox, LB – LSU
- Denver Broncos: Nick Bolton, LB – Missouri
- Detroit Lions: Tommy Togiai, IDL – Ohio State
- Carolina Panthers: Brevin Jordan, TE – Miami (FL)
- Washington Football Team: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S – Florida State
- Dallas Cowboys: Carlos Basham Jr., DL – Wake Forest
- New York Giants: Quinn Meinerz, IOL – Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Los Angeles Chargers: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE – Oklahoma
- Minnesota Vikings: Jevon Holland, S – Oregon
- Las Vegas Raiders: Daviyon Nixon, IDL – Iowa
- Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Carman, OL – Clemson
- Miami Dolphins: Ben Cleveland, IOL – Georgia
- Washington Football Team: Benjamin St. Juste, CB – Minnesota
- Chicago Bears: Brady Christensen, OL – BYU
- Philadelphia Eagles: Amari Rodgers, WR – Clemson
- Tennessee Titans: Talanoa Hufanga, S – USC
- New York Jets: Aaron Banks, IOL – Notre Dame
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Davis Mills, QB – Stanford
- Los Angeles Rams: Stone Forsyth, OT – Florida
- Cleveland Browns: Rashad Weaver, EDGE – Pittsburgh
- Minnesota Vikings: Trill Williams, CB – Syracuse
- Cleveland Browns: Keith Taylor, CB – Washington
- Green Bay Packers: Tutu Atwell, WR – Louisville
- Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Gainwell, RB – Memphis
- Kansas City Chiefs: Dylan Moses, LB – Alabama
- Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Payton Turner, EDGE – Houston
Compensatory Picks - New England Patriots: Ihmir Smith-Marsette – Iowa
- Los Angeles Chargers: Ar’Darius Washington, S – TCU
- New Orleans Saints: Kellen Mond, QB – Texas A&M
- Tennessee Titans: Marlon Tuipulotu, IDL – USC
- Tennessee Titans: Jordan Smith, EDGE – UAB
- Detroit Lions: Cameron McGrone, LB – Michigan
- San Francisco 49ers: Elerson Smith, EDGE – Northern Iowa
- Los Angeles Rams: Quincy Roche, EDGE – Miami (FL)
- Baltimore Ravens: James Wiggins, S – Cincinnati
- New Orleans Saints: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR – Western Michigan