In what could be my first and only mock draft this year, this was tricky to do. With so many prospects opting out for the 2020 season due to COVID-19, this leaves scouts, analyst and amateur mock draft creators (like myself) having to use their 2019 film. As pro days approach and pass, draft stock is at stake as these are prospects only chance to leave a lasting impression on scouts or whomever is in attendance. I kept up with however many pro days as I can and up to date with the news and below is my NFL Mock Draft 1.0.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson University

Needs: QB, Edge, S

New HC Urban Meyers needs a new face of the franchise to get his era kicked off in the right direction. No better option than highly sought QB Trevor Lawrence. The guy can do everything needed at the position and has won on the biggest stages. 

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Needs: QB, WR, Edge

The Sam Darnold era is over in New York with the trade to Carolina. Zach Wilson became a phenom this season and his pro day showed off his best talents winning over new head coach Robert Salah to start his era off with the young QB.

3. San Francisco 49ers (Trade): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Needs: S, Edge, WR

The 49ers want a QB that can step into the starting spot sooner rather than later and that is Mac Jones. While the track record isn’t great when it comes to Alabama quarterbacks in the NFL, Jones has the quick release and the accuracy to execute HC Kyle Shanahan’s system and eventually replace Jimmy Garoppolo. 

4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Needs: CB, S, Edge

The Falcons get one of the top prospects in the draft in Pitts. Since Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons haven’t had great production out of the tight end position. This gives them a giant boost in production in both the tight end and receiver room. 

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OL, University of Oregon

Needs: OL, CB, WR

No brainer here, get the best tackle to protect the future of the franchise in QB Joe Burrows. T Jonah Williams is there but he hasn’t been healthy in a few years but when he is, throw him to the right tackle spot and ensure that Burrows has time to throw on his blindside. 

6. Miami Dolphins (Trade):  Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU`

Needs: WR, ILB, IOL

The Dolphins get the best receiver in the draft to pair with Devante Parker. With Will Fuller V serving a suspension, adding Chase will give the Dolphins depth and a complete arsenal of weapons for second year QB Tua Tagovailoa. 

7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Needs: WR, CB, OT

The Lions two starters from last year are now on different rosters (Kenny Golliday to the Giants and Marvin Jones to the Jaguars) so they need help. Prior to Jaylen Waddle’s injury, he was torching defenders and beating them in jump ball situations. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Needs: LB, Edge, TE

The Panthers signed former Broncos CB A.J. Bouye in free agency but he can only cover one side of the field and is also dealing with a suspension. Adding a young ball hungry corner in Surtain II gives the position longevity while giving the Panthers lock down corners.

9. Denver Broncos: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Needs: CB, DT, S

Fields can enter the Broncos’ quarterback room and immediately compete with Drew Lock for the starting spot. In Fields’ last full season (2019) he threw only 3 INTs and in Lock’s first full year as a starter (2020), Lock threw 15 INTs. Fields can take care of the ball. 

10. Dallas Cowboys: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

Needs: CB, DT, OT

The Cowboys could take CB Caleb Farley here but instead opt to rebuild the Offensive Line that got their franchise QB Dak Prescott taken out for the year. Slater’s draft stock has been climbing since his pro day, positioning him to be an excellent Tackle to either pair with T Tyron Smith or replace him. 

11th. New York Giants: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Needs: OL, WR, Edge

The Giants only added CB Adoree Jackson through Free Agency so pairing Farley with Jackson, along with SS Jabrill Peppers and FS Logan Ryan, and now the Giants secondary is looking better. At worse, Farley can play nickel corner with CB James Bradberry anchoring the other side. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade): Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Needs: WR, QB, CB

With the Eagles needing help at the receiver spot, they nab the reigning Heisman winner. Smith put up big numbers this year and displayed his speed and reliable hands. Eagles shouldn’t be afraid of his slender frame as they were able to get the most out WR DeSean Jackson in his two stints there – they both weigh around 174Lbs. 

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech

Needs: OL, Edge, CB

The Chargers continue to rework their offensive line and pick a tackle that can step in for T Bryan Bulaga as he continues getting healthy. Could kick current RT Trey Pipkins to the guard position and have Darrisaw start on the right side but either way, need to better protect QB Justin Herbert. 

14. Minnesota Vikings: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Needs: OL, S, Edge

The Vikings reload their defensive line with this pick as they spent the 2020 season without stud DE Danielle Hunter and could lose him all together to a serious neck injury. Bring in Parsons and his crazy athleticism and the Vikings have a stout defense again.

15. New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Needs: QB, LB, DT

The Patriots can move up in the draft if needed but for now, they stay and pick the raw prospect Trey Lance. With this pick, there is no need to rush him to the field as they still have Cam Newton in the building but instead prove doubters wrong and develop a young QB. 

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Needs: CB, TE, DT

The Patrick Peterson era in the desert is over, leaving a giant hole in that secondary. Bring in a corner that has the same body build as lockdown LA Rams CB Jalen Ramsey, and place him opposite of new CB Malcom Butler, then the Cardinals are looking good heading into the 2021 season. 

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alijah Vera – Tucker, OL, USC

Needs: OL, WR, S

The Raiders had an offseason makeover that’s including a new offensive line. Vera-Tucker has the versatility to play both tackle and guard but with a bigger need in protecting QB Derek Carr’s blindside, he will be seeing more playing time as a tackle. 

18. Miami Dolphins: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, University of Miami

Needs: OT, Edge, WR

Rousseau doesn’t go far as he becomes the Dolphins next pass rushing specialist. The Dolphins have Christian Wilkins on the left but adding Rousseau to pair with can help collapse the pocket quicker on opposing QBs. 

19. Washington Football Team: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Needs: QB, WR, OL

Current starter RB Antonio Gibson was one of the shining lights for the WFT in the 2020 season. Whether it is journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick or otherwise, having a running back by committee including Harris will make WFT competitive in a winnable NFC East. 

20. Chicago Bears: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Needs: QB, OL, WR

The Bears’ tackle position hasn’t been the same since OL Kyle Long retired in January 2020. Mayfield will go in and can immediately compete for a starting spot. The Bears need help in the pass and run game and this is a boost. 

21. Indianapolis Colts: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

Needs: OT, CB, WR

Elijah Moore turned heads in his pro day running a 4.33 sec 40 yard dash and displaying his athleticism. Ole Miss has recently produced star receivers DK Metcalf and AJ Brown that show grit and toughness and Moore can easily follow in those footsteps. 

22. Tennessee Titans: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, University of Miami

Needs: OT, DT, TE

When it wasn’t Gregory Rousseeu rushing the quarterback, it was Jaelan Phillips. The Titans tried to address their pass rush with the signing of DE Jadeveon Clowney last year,  but once that didn’t work then it became their biggest weakness. Bring in a young, flexible and powerful end in Phillips to help fix the problem. 

23. New York Jets: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

Needs: QB, WR, Edge

The Jets got their QB in Zach Wilson and now pair him with one of the more dynamic threats out of the backfield in Etienne as the Salah era gets underway. Etienne is a strong runner with receiver level hands and has been compared to long-time Chief RB Jamal Charles. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State

Needs: CB, OL, RB

Jenkins just fits the Steelers offensive style. He is a big and aggressive mauler that can either anchor the RT if they resign T Alejandro Villanueva or the LT if they do not. The Steelers need help on the line and bringing in Jenkins is the strongest move to rebuild the Steelers. 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Needs: QB, Edge, S

The Jaguars pass rush dropped once OLB Yannick Ngakoue left early in the 2020 season via trade. In an effort to bring back Sacksonville, the Jags elect to get the talent – but raw- pass rusher from Michigan. 

26. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Needs: Edge, LB, CB

The Browns have been hurting at the linebacker spot since Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert left via Free Agency in 2019. Owusu-Koramoah can come in and be the speed linebacker that can close the gap quickly on run stoppage and in pass coverage. 

27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, LSU

Needs: EDGE, WR, S

Despite signing WR Sammy Watkins in Free Agency, the Ravens still need more help at the position. Terrance Marshall can come in and play on the opposite end of the field to give the Ravens two top tall receivers and Marquis Brown to operate in the slot. 

28. New Orlean Saints: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

Needs: WR, LB, CB

The Saints struggled in the 2020 season when WR Mike Thomas wasn’t on the field. Rashod Bateman might not be a big household name but he is capable of big plays when needed. The Drew Brees era is over in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get the next QB set up for success. 

29. Green Bay Packers: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

Needs: WR, LB, DT

The Packers are anchored by the Smith brothers at both left and right outside linebacker but don’t have a player to cover the middle. That’s where Collins comes in. Collins has lateral quickness with closing speed to stop plays in the early stages. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Levi Odighizuwa, DL, Washington

Needs: CB, Edge, DT

The Bills have elite edge rushers but lacked the interior pressure causing them to fall one game short of the Super Bowl. The Bills ended their playoff drought in 2017 with a tough DT in eventual pro bowler Kyle Williams. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

Needs: OL, Edge, LB

The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl because they couldn’t cover the receivers or get pressure on Brady when it counted. Nick Bolton is stiff with his coverage but he has great play reading capabilities and can get through the pile to make a tackle. 

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State

Needs: DT, OL, CB

The Bucs drafted FS Antoine Winfield Jr. in the 2019 draft pairing him with Tom Brady (who played against Winfield Jr.’s father when he was in the league). Now the Bucs pick up Asante Samuel Jr, son of Asante Samuel whom most of his career was Tom Brady’s teammate while in New England.