It is mock draft season and I couldn’t help but get into it. This will be my third year doing this activity, and while it is still not easy to do, it is very rewarding to release it. There are no trades in this mock draft and the draft order is up to date as of the Tyreek Hill trade to Miami. Check out my mock draft below and let me know if you think I got it right.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal – OL (Alabama)

Needs: OT, Edge, C

What led to a shocking win against Indy in week 18 last year was that Trevor Lawrence was able to sit in the pocket, have time to throw and be protected. They can continue that into this season with Neal anchoring the Tackle spot despite tagging T Cam Robinson. 

2. Detroit Lions: Aiden Hutchinson – EDGE (Michigan)

Needs: CB, WR, QB

The Lions struggled to get to the QB and cause any disruption last season. Dan Campbell’s coaching mentality fits Hutchinson’s playing style of causing havoc and leaving. Picking him will give the Lions a fear factor for years to come. 

3. Houston Texans:  Kyle Hamilton – S (Notre Dame)

Needs: CB, DL, WR

The Texans could easily go the route of Thibodeaux but Hamilton is a rarity. They need a lengthy, hard hitting safety with a nose for the ball morethan they need a pass rusher right now. Not to say they can’t go for one later in the draft but Hamilton is just the best defensive player at this point of the draft. 

4. New York Jets:  Ikem Ekwonu – OL (NC State)

Needs: OT, Edge, CB

The Jets need to build a wall in front of QB Zach Wilson. They have the towers at Tackle with Vera Tucker and Bekton and now it’s time to build in the middle with Ekwonu. He can also help continue building off the success of the run game from the end of the season. 

5. New York Giants: Charles Cross – OL (Mississippi State)

Needs: OL, Edge, TE

The Giants use this pick to improve a weak offensive line. With new HC Brian Daboll favoring a passing game over a run game, this pick helps QB Daniel Jones from touching the turf when trying to throw. The Giants still have Saquon Barkley so bringing in Cross will help him too. 

6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett – QB (Pittsburgh)

Needs: QB, OL, CB

The Panthers are financially strapped to Sam Darnold this season. I can see him starting out as Pickett learns the system but Darnold is bound to get benched due to either poor performance or throwing INTs. I predict that Pickett will see the field by the middle of the season. 

7. New York Giants (from CHI): Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE (Oregon)

Needs: OL, Edge, TE

Thibodeaux falls in the draft with questions about his competitive drive. He could rebound after his pro day but his decision to not do the D-line drills at the combine did hurt his stock in my eyes. When he is on the field, his motor to get to the QB is top tier. The front office just needs to figure out how to keep him motivated.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Derek Stingley Jr – CB (LSU)

Needs: RB, WR, Edge

A.J. Terrell has turned into a lockdown corner since his arrival in 2020. Adding a fellow SEC corner in Stingley to shut down the other side of the field can help the Falcons rebuild their defense. Free agency has some top tier pass rushing talent and the Falcons can rebuild their d-line that way. A pair of lockdown corners can help the Falcons win the NFC South. 

9. Seattle Seahawks (From DEN): Tyler Linderbaum – C (Iowa)

Needs: CB, OL, Edge

The Seahawks have holes all over the team but with a projected new starting QB in Drew Lock, they need to provide top tier protection and they can get that with Linderbaum. There will be criticism with this pick but refocusing their attention to the run game, to set up the deep throws, can get them back into the playoffs. That was their scheme back in 2015 when they won a Super Bowl

10. New York Jets (from SEA): Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB (Cincinnati)

Needs: CB, WR, S

The Jets were 30th against the pass last season, beating out the Seahawks and Ravens. Sauce has the speed to stick with receivers running down the field by running with a 4.41 40-time in the combine. With an arm length of 33.5”, Gardner can compete for passes and give the Jets a sticky defender to compete in the AFC East now that Tyreek Hill is in the mix. 

11. Washington Commanders: Kenyon Green – OL (Texas A&M)

Needs: DB, WR, LB

Commanders’ newly acquired QB Carson Wentz needs protection. Wentz has the tendency to run first before looking to throw and if HC Ron Rivera can build a wall in front of Wentz, and give him time, he can be successful. Green can also step into the guard position and help grow the run game. In order for Wentz to regain his confidence, picking Green is the best first step. 

12. Minnesota Vikings: Travon Walker – Edge (Georgia)

Needs: G, CB, Edge

Travon Walker was a stud at the combine. The Vikings are heading into a new era under first year HC Kevin O’Connell. They need a new identity on defense. They were too dependent on veterans instead of growing around a young star. Walker showed the flexibility and explosion that is needed to become a cornerstone of a defense. 

13. Houston Texans (From CLE): Jordan Davis – DL (Georgia)

Needs: CB, DL, WR

The Houston Texans continue to rebuild their defense with the selection of another Georgia star at the combine. Jordan ran a blazing 40 yard time (4.78 seconds) and has great hip explosion as he jumped 32” in the vertical jump. He has the tools to stop the run and help the defensive rebuild. HIs tape shows the play wrecking tendency he has and the Texans need that presence on defense. 

14. Baltimore Ravens: George Karlaftis – Edge (Purdue)

Needs: CB, OT, Edge

The Ravens lost DE Calais Campbell to free agency. They almost reunited with former Raven DE Za’Darius Smith only for the transaction to be voided at the last second. After striking out twice on building the pass rush, they turn to the draft and get a talented and young pass rusher to be the cornerstone of the defense. Karlaftis is a game wrecker with the size and speed to make the Ravens difficult to game plan against.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (From MIA): Garrett Wilson – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: LB, DB, WR

The Eagles found their franchise WR with Devonta Smith last year and his chemistry with QB Jalen Hurts helped the Eagles reach the playoffs. WR Jalen Raegor so far has been a draft bust so drafting Wilson to be the second receiver, and moving Raegor to the third / slant receiver, and now the Eagles have three first rounders catching balls from Hurt. That is how you surround a franchise QB with weapons. 

16. Philadelphia Eagles (From IND): Andrew Booth Jr – CB (Clemson)

Needs: LB, DB, WR

The Eagles found a lockdown corner in Darius Slay last year. The depth chart after Slay is very questionable but adding Booth Jr can fix that. Booth Jr comes from Clemson and the SEC where playing on a grand stage is common. His physical nature, speed, and quick feet can help him compete against NFC East receivers and help the Eagles go deeper into the playoffs. 

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Devonte Wyatt – DL (Georgia)

Needs: OT, DT, TE

The Chargers lost five games last season by seven points or less. While some people blame poor coaching, part of the blame goes upon the defense and their lack of rushing the QB. Adding Jordan Davis’ running college partner in Wyatt to a defensive line that already has great edge rushers can give the Chargers a strong chance to stay competitive in a division that will now see Russell Wilson twice a year. 

18. New Orleans Saints: Malik Willis – QB (Liberty)

Needs: QB, WR, S

The Saints had a tough first season post Drew Brees. During the first portion of games with Jameis Winston, the team found success with the deep ball. While the Saints did bring back Winston, he is not the long term answer. Willis shined at the combine with this deep ball accuracy and showed off his mobility during his Pro Day. Willis can be the perfect blend of Winston and fellow QB Taysom Hill with his mobility.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Lloyd – LB (Utah)

Needs: LB, DB, WR

The Eagles got OLB Haason Reddick via free agency but their middle linebacker spot is still shaky. Bring in Lloyd to be a force up the middle but the flexibility to go sideline-to-sideline. Alex Singleton really stepped up for the Eagles towards the end of the season, but he is now a Denver Bronco. The Eagles need help and Lloyd is the answer.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder – QB (Cincinnati)

Needs: OT, WR, DL

The Steelers signed QB Mitch Trubisky to be their starter. History shows that Trubisky cannot stay consistent with his performance and now carries the label of “Bridge Quarterback.” The opposite side of that bridge is Desmond Ridder. Ridder shows a strong arm and deep ball accuracy. He has just enough mobility to help his receivers find separation and just enough improv that he can earn himself a starting position sooner rather than later. 

21. New England Patriots: Drake London – WR (USC)

Needs: WR, Edge, CB

Cornerback is also a strong position of need for the Patriots. There are still some quality cornerbacks that they can go for in free agency but to get Mac Jones a reliable target to continue his growth in the system with, will help him in his long run success. London is a former basketball player so high pointing the ball is in his instinct. The Patriots were envisioning a player like London in N’Keal Harry when drafting him but London has more explosion, a better catch radius and is more aggressive.

22. Green Bay Packers (From LV): Chris Olave – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: Edge, OL, WR

Davante Adams brought crisp route running, speed and quality hands to the Packers when they drafted him in 2014 – Olave is known for the same traits. Olave coming into the Packers will help the transition to life after Adams easier. He had 936 yards this past season marking a career high with freshman QB C.J. Stroud. Imagine what he can do with a Hall of Fame QB in Aaron Rogers. The Packers will hurt without Adams, but this helps that transition. 

23. Arizona Cardinals:  Kaiir Elam – CB (Florida)

Needs: CB, OL, DL

The Cardinals have invested in rebuilding their DL and LBs but still have work to do in the defensive backfield. HC Kliff Kingsbury thought he solved the backfield issue when they signed CB Malcom Butler last offseason. His abrupt retirement threw a wrench in those plans and gave the Cardinals a tough time in pass defense in 2021. Kaiir Elam has smooth hips and can transition from back peddling to chasing the ball quickly. That can be seen with his 53 solo tackles and five INTs to his name. He is a building block player. 

24. Dallas Cowboys: Trevor Penning – OL (Iowa)

Needs: Edge, DT, CB

Center Travis Frederick retired in 2020 and that threw the Cowboys for a loop. For the longest time, that was the Cowboys’ identity was their offensive line and the ability to make holes for the run game. Bring in Trevor Penning and he has speed off the ball to get up to the second level and sturdy hips to sink and block for Dak in the pass. The Cowboys lost other starting offensive lineman during this offseason but picking up Penning will help rebuild it. 

25. Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie – CB (Washington)

Needs: CB, WR, RB

The Bills revitalized their pass rush with the addition of Von Miller and the further growth of Gregory Rousseau. Tre’Davious White should be able to play week 1 (knee injury) but building depth behind him would be smart. The last image the Bills have in people’s memories is the back and forth duel between the Chiefs, and that really shined a light on their weak secondary. McDuffie can help fix that memory. 

26. Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean – LB (Georgia)

Needs: CB, WR, LB

The Titans re-signed OLB Harold Landry III giving the Titans their OLB duo, alongside Bud Dupree, for years to come. Dean has the experience to play all four linebacker spots while at Georgia but the Titans will need him to focus on becoming their starting MLB. Dean isn’t afraid of hitting the hole to stuff runs and has the speed and athleticism to guard against the pass. 

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bernhard Raimann – OL (Central Michigan)

Needs: G, CB, DL

The Bucs lost guard Alex Cappa to the Bengals this offseason. HC Bruce Arians and the front office need to do everything they can to keep Brady upright and protected. Resigning WR Chris Godwin will give Brady a safety blanket but bringing in Raimann to work his way to the starting guard position helps. Raimann is a former TE so he can bend and has natural and smooth get off from the three point stance. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks – WR (Arkansas)

Needs: Edge, OL, WR

The Packers double dip in the WR pool and grab a player that has been compared to Deebo Samuels. Burks has breakaway speed and is excellent after the catch. He was being compared to Deebo as the Arkansas OC would design quick passes and screen passes to Burks. Bringing in Burks will give the offense the ability to work in the short and medium of the field, then Olave will take the top off the defense. 

29. Kansas City Chief (From MIA): Jahan Dotson – WR (Penn State)

Needs: CB, DL, OT

In a stunning move, the Chiefs are without their phenomenal wideout Tyreek Hill. They signed JuJu Smith-Schuster via free agency but he has proven to be more of a second receiver than a #1, take the top off, threat. If the Chiefs wanted a cheaper and younger Hill, they could find that in Dotson. Dotson ran a 4.43 40 yard which means that he has straight line speed. While he can lose body control if his feet go faster than his upper body, that is coachable and fixable, along with any other weaknesses he has. 

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Smith – OL (Tulsa)

Needs: CB, DL, OT

The Chiefs have a hole at the tackle spot that Tyler Smith can fill properly. Smith is raw as a prospect but training with Orlando Brown Jr can definitely fix that. He is big and aggressive and can help the Chiefs create a new identity as a run team. He might not be a day 1 starter but he is the future at the RT position. 

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson – OL (Boston College)

Needs: CB, G, TE

The Bengals spent free agency retooling the offensive line. They brought in Ted Karras (center), Alex Cappa (right guard), La’el Collins (tackle). The only spot they need to upgrade is the left guard spot and that’s where Johnson comes in. He has the athleticism and power to excel at the next level. 

32. Detroit Lions (From Rams): Matt Corral – QB (Ole Miss)

Needs: CB, WR, QB

Matt Corral showed that he is not to be forgotten with his combine and pro day performance. He showed mobility, accuracy on the run and adequate arm strength. He has a tendency to short arm throws but building arm strength can be built with a year behind Goff. He can be a dangerous runner out of the quarterback spot and can challenge Goff.