I wanted to do a Pre Free Agency 2 round mock draft. The one rounder doesn’t really give you a full idea of team needs and also won’t include any team without a first round pick. Also there are certain players that I’m going to assume will be either franchise tagged or retained in some capacity, I’ll mention those things throughout the Mock Draft.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Joe Burrow, LSU
The slam dunk easiest decision in this draft. Cincy is a team that has a ton of needs but you start with the Heisman Trophy when you have that top pick. Burrow can make every throw and although he doesn’t have the world’s greatest arm he throws with wonderful touch and his intermediate accuracy is elite. Couple that with awesome toughness and you have a clear cut franchise QB.
2. Washington Redskins - DE Chase Young, Ohio State
The best player in this class and one of the best I’ve ever scouted, Young would make the front seven from Washington one of the best units in the league. I truly believe that the Skins will renegotiate or release long time stud Ryan Kerrigan and will franchise tag Brandon Scherff. Yes you can consider trading back here but I simply don’t think you ever pass up the number one player in the class unless its for a QB.
3. Miami Dolphins (Trade with Detroit) - QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The Dolphins spent all offseason last year and all season this year accumulating draft capital for this reason. In this scenario the team just gives up both seconds and the 5th overall pick to take the Bama signal caller. One of the most precise passers of the past 20 years, Tua will be a wonderful point guard if his health checks out.
4. New York Giants - LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
This pick could go one of a hundred ways, but Simmons is an absolute game wrecker on defense. While tackle is certainly a need, I don’t think the team takes one at 4 with a defense that’s simply so damn bad. They also have a mobile quarterback so it may not be as big of a need. I could see the Giants making a big run at one of the right tackles in free agency as well.
5. Detroit Lions - CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
Okudah is an elite prospect who is one of the better DB prospects of the past 5 years. He has tremendous length and good athleticism and makes plays on the football when given a chance. The Lions would have taken him at 3 if they didn’t get a trade so they get wonderful value here at 5.
6. Los Angeles Chargers - QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
The Chargers are in a rough spot in that they can’t sell tickets to their home games and this is a business first. While there are plenty of question marks around the Duck QB, his talent is tough to deny. He needs to learn to throw with better anticipation, but at the Senior Bowl finally surrounded by great weapons and allowed to run he looked like the best player there. Herbert would have insane weapons at LA and could even sit for a few weeks or even a year behind the mobile and efficient Tyrod Taylor.
7. Carolina Panthers - DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
Brown is an absolute player, and while the Panthers certainly need a quarterback if Cam Newton leaves, Brown could be argued as the BPA right here. Since Rhule has a 7 year contract, he can build up his roster the way he wants which is on the lines. The team may look to trade back and add draft capital here, and I considered that but it’s tough to pass up Brown if you watch his tape.
8. Arizona Cardinals - WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The Cardinals absolutely have more needs but they can’t run Kingsbury’s offense without a number one wide receiver. Lamb is an explosive play maker who can demand double teams early on in his career and can create plays after the catch or on deeper routes. He’s not a great route runner yet but he has the explosiveness and savvy to figure that out. Yes tackle and literally every defensive position needs to be looked at here but getting Murray a number one is also a priority.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
In this spot Jacksonville would be begging to trade back, and they very well could, but in this scenario they don’t find a trade partner here. The Jags need some interior line help after they end up releasing a lot of interior players to save cap space. They could look at safety or corner here as well but there isn’t a lot of value in that spot. They would want to trade back but after not finding a trade partner, they stay put and take the disruptive Kinlaw.
10. Cleveland Browns - OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
The team that gains the most from staying put and having tackles fall is the Browns. They take the Bama stud Wills as their bell of the ball. Wills put together some very impressive tape this season and while he’s probably better suited to play the right side at this point in the NFL it doesn’t matter as much. The Browns HAVE to upgrade tackle and they get an instant impact starter at 10.
11 New York Jets - OT Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
Perhaps the fastest riser in the entire draft process has been Becton the 370 pounder from Louisville. The feet he has for the size that he is, is ridiculous. I think he could play either side and the Jets have to solidify the weakest part of their team which is the offensive line. You need to see that 3rd year QB jump from Sam Darnold who showed some improvement last year, getting him someone to help him up front needs to be priority one.
12. Las Vegas Raiders - WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
An explosive yet smooth wideout from Alabama gives the Raiders their explosive weapon that they desperately need. They have a nice corps so far with Tyrell Williams, Renfro, and Darren Waller but Jeudy is the playmaker they really need. There’s a legit chance they try to upgrade at quarterback vs the ultra conservative Derek Carr but giving whoever it is a number one weapon makes too much sense here.
13. Indianapolis Colts - WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Back to back Bama receivers go 12 and 13. Ruggs is going to run close to 4.30 at the combine at the end of this month and I just don’t see how he makes it out of the first 15 picks. The Colts are definitely looking to add a quarterback to the room to compete with incumbent Jacoby Brisset but with TY Hilton struggling to stay healthy and no secondary option at this point, Ruggs will help alleviate all of that fear.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The Bucs would love if one of the DT’s fell to them here and would certainly entertain taking a quarterback but Thomas is probably too good of a value for a team that is likely losing Demar Dotson. Adding him as someone who is ready to contribute immediately will give whoever is under center there a little extra time for him to throw.
15. Denver Broncos - OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Broncos need help at both tackle and guard and go with the versatile Iowa lineman to fill that need. A big play wide receiver to pair with emerging star Courtland Sutton is on the to do list as well. They are losing one of the best corners over the past decade in Chris Harris but will probably look to replace that in free agency.
16. Atlanta Falcons - DE AJ Epenesa, Iowa
Back to back Hawkeyes go just a few picks after back to back members of the Crimson Tide. Epenesa is a good pass rusher who also can hold his own against the run. The Falcons absolutely have to get better at getting pressure off the edge. While corner is a major concern as well, the team goes after the edge rusher here with corners in this draft providing maybe a little better value in rounds 2 & 3.
17. Dallas Cowboys - CB CJ Henderson, Florida
The Cowboys have quite a few needs here including the interior defensive line but after likely losing Byron Jones they need another athletic long corner. Henderson probably fits the bill here as well as any others. They may look to move back here but instead stay put with someone who may end up testing through the roof at the combine here in a bit.
18. Miami Dolphins - OT Josh Jones, Houston
The Dolphins need to add an offensive linemen since they moved up to take Tua at #3. Here they get someone who can help keep him upright at 18. Jones has some work to do but he started 4 years at Houston and looked good at the Senior Bowl maybe a bit of a reach here but after the top 4 were off the board the Dolphins snag the Cougar alum.
19. LA Raiders - QB Jordan Love, Utah State
The Raiders simply can’t pass up Love’s talent and arm strength. This signals the end for QB Derek Carr but the Raiders could easily fall in love, pun intended, with the Utah State guy. There have been rumors since Gruden got there that he and Carr don’t have the right rapport, and while it may take a year or two for Love to figure it out, his ability to push the ball down the field is impressive.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars - CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
The Jags added to their pass rush earlier with Kinlaw and take a very consistent outside corner with Fulton from LSU. Adding someone similar to their other very good player in AJ Buoye makes a lot of sense and helps fill in for the gap that was created when they traded Ramsey this season.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
The Eagles 100% have to fix their cornerback room and while they need some explosiveness at wide receiver as well, they start with their secondary. Diggs needs to improve in some areas but he has tremendous ball skills and size. Yes WR is a major need, particularly one with speed, but good passing attacks picked them apart last season.
22. Buffalo Bills - WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
Higgins isn’t explosive or dominant but the Bills have to get Josh Allen a bigger target. Higgins is the best big target in this class and giving the ascending Allen a target that he does’t have to be so precise with will go a long way toward his development. The defense is outstanding but it’s simply too difficult right now for the Bills offensively, Higgins would help that from the outset.
23. New England Patriots - S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
The Pats are always enamored with Crimson Tide players and while they 100% have to add a tight end there isn’t anyone nearly worth the 23rd pick. In this case the Pats allow McCourty to go and McKinney can help in the box if one of their linebackers leave in free agency. McKinney does everything at an above average level and while their line needs some help, guard and tight end can be found later.
24. New Orleans Saints - WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
The Saints absolutely have to get someone to pair with superstar Michael Thomas. In this scenario they help Justin Jefferson stay home in Louisiana to give whoever is under center next season another weapon. Jefferson is a savvy route runner and while I think they would prefer more of a burner, Jefferson will help move the chains and he’s familiar with the offensive immediately. This makes a ton of sense.
25. Minnesota Vikings - CB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
The Vikings constantly put resources into the cornerback position and after likely cutting Rhodes this offseason and letting Waynes leave via FA, they need to add cornet yet again. Dantzler is talented and Zimmer could end up really likely him throughout this process.
26. Miami Dolphins - DE Curtis Weaver, Boise State
The Dolphins use their third pick to add the edge rusher from Boise State. They had no one this past season who could consistently get pressure so they go get one with their 3rd first rounder this year. Weaver is an experienced guy who is ready to contribute early in his career, it fills a need and is really a good value here at 26.
27. New York Jets - Trade from Seattle WR Lavishka Shenault, Colorado
The Seahawks wanted to trade back and got a 2nd this year and next year in order to do it this time. The Jets are in desperation mode for a big play guy and after filling their most pressing need on the OL early, they thought about adding an edge guy but instead focused on helping out Darnold again. Shenault is someone who can take a screen 80 yards or grab a bomb, and his big play ability is something that was seriously missing from the Jets in 2019.
28. Baltimore Ravens - LB Patrick Queen, LSU
The Ravens absolutely have to have someone to man the middle in their defense and they add the super athletic Queen. While they need someone to run and chase in the middle this move made too much sense here. This is simply an easy decision for the Ravens brass.
29. Tennessee Titans - Edge K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
The Titans play a combination defense but they love to bring edge pressure and Chaisson makes an obvious pick here. He’s likely a 34 style player and adding someone next to the improving Harold Landry would give this team a nice pairing of outside rushers. Chaisson still needs to improve but he has upside for days.
30. Green Bay Packers - WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
Yes the Packers have to find someone that can help them stop the run and Kenneth Murray was certainly in play here. That said they have no weapons in the passing game other than Adams. Reagor is a true burner who played with a god awful QB in college and was still productive. His explosiveness and quickness would be the perfect pairing for Adams. Rodgers is regressing but to keep his window open as long as you can has to be the priority here.
31. San Francisco 49ers - S Grant Delpit, LSU
Wow talk about a value here for Lynch, Shanahan, and co. Delpit has legit top 10 upside in almost any draft and somehow fell all the way to 31 in this scenario. They need secondary help and considered corner but this value was just way too good to pass up. Lynch would sprint this up to the podium in this scenario.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Another great value add here for the defending champs. Murray may get taken around pick 20 in a lot of scenarios but here the Chiefs add a game changing sideline to sideline player with the last pick in round 1. The rich get richer here and he’s a major improvement from their current backers.
ROUND 2.
33. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Lucas Niang, TCU
The Bengals offensive line was god awful last season but adding the 2019 first round pick Jonah Williams and the hulking Niang could provide a huge immediate upgrade.
34. Indianapolis Colts - CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
The Colts have been looking for that stud cover 2 corner for a while now and they find someone who could fit the bill the ultra talented Terrell.
35. Detroit Lions - Edge Josh Uche, Michigan
The Lions coached him at the Senior Bowl and love versatile defenders who can play different roles. Uche is the perfect Jack in that defensive system.
36. New York Giants - DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
The Giants are trying to add talented defenders in this class and while they need tackle after the top few are off the board it’s a serious drop off. Instead of reaching they add a really good edge guy in YGM.
37. LA Chargers - G/C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
The Chargers want to add a tackle but again, we have a fall off so they simply add the best lineman available at this spot. He could plug and play right off the bat and would finally begin to solve an offensive line that has been truly struggling for years.
38. Carolina Panthers - QB Jake Fromm, Georgia
The Panthers decide against letting Will Grier be their guy and go with a very solid game manager in Fromm. He throws a gorgeous football and knows how to win games, he’ll check every box from a leadership and qb standpoint off the field and he takes care of the ball on the field. Matt Rhule can win games with this guy.
39. Detroit Lions - WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
The Lions first pick they get from the Dolphins trade back lands them a great value pick here at 39. Aiyuk is phenomenal after the catch and gives the Lions arguably the best wide receiver corps in the NFL.
40. ArIzona Cardinals - LB Zach Baun, Wisconsin
The Cards absolutely need some help rushing the passer and adding a versatile chess piece with upside like Baun to pair with Chandler Jones would help this defense.
41. Cleveland Browns - S Ashtyn Davis, Cal
The Browns have some needs but after filling their most pressing one in round 1 they go after the athletic ball hawk Davis from Cal.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars - TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
The Jags are kind of a mess but after fixing their two biggest needs in round 1 they add a weapon for Gardner Minshew in the second. He needs a security blanket and this guy right now seems to be the rising consensus number one tight end.
43. Chicago Bears - TE Harrison Bryant, FAU
The tight end run starts here as the Bears need a chain mover in the worst way. They look at interior offensive line here but instead grab someone that can help them convert third downs.
44. Indianapolis Colts - DT Neville Gaillimore, Oklahoma
The Colts were looking at an edge rusher here but couldn’t keep passing up the value that Gaillmore provides. Getting someone who can push the pocket and create havoc with that 3 technique rush could help the Colts quite a bit.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Ross Blacklock, TCU
Blacklock is insanely talented and could easily go 20 picks before this but there’s a riser and faller in every mock and this one is his turn. The Bucs have to replace a ton of talent inside and do so with Blacklock here.
46. Denver Broncos - WR KJ Hamler, Penn State
Hamler is a burner who can really move. There’s a chance he’s a huge riser after the combine but putting him next to the super impressive Sutton creates a really solid receiving duo.
47. Atlanta Falcons - CB Bryce Hall, Virginia
Hall wouldn’t have escaped the first round if he hadn’t had a serious injury this year. He has 10/10 ball skills and is a great scheme fit here.
48. Seattle Seahawks - OT Austin Jackson, USC
I think the Hawks would have seriously considered taking Jackson late in round 1 but instead still get him here while adding a 2 next year. Jackson is a super talented kid who plays hard as hell but has a ways to go. Carroll and Schneider love talent and will go for one if they feel like they can get someone to put it all together.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers - TE Adam Trautman, Dayton
Kind of a weird spot here for the Steelers who absolutely have to add to their offense at some point. I think receiver is a legit spot here but adding a middle of the field threat like Trautman would be a really nice add for a old Big Ben.
50. Chicago Bears - G/C Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
The Bears have to get better up front and so they go out and get Cushenberry to play inside after the retirement of Kyle Long. They seem to like guys who can play all 3 interior spots so they get a 3rd guy that fills that role.
51. Dallas Cowboys - DT Jordan Elliott, Mizzou
Elliott fills a major need of the Boys and can help this team right now. He wins more than he loses in pass rushing situations and it’ll help add another good high quality pass rusher to a Cowboys team that needs more consistent pressure.
52. LA Rams - C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
I think if I were LA I would certainly try to keep Austin Blythe but if they don’t then replacing the interior of an already weaker offensive line is an absolute need. Ruiz makes sense here as he played in a pro-style offense and can play guard or center at the next level.
53. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
The Eagles added to their secondary early in this draft but now they need to get a downfield weapon and do in Johnson. He may be one of the most underrated player in this class as he just simply makes big time plays.
54. Buffalo Bills - G Netane Muti, Fresno State
The Bills are wanting to replace the interior of their line and improve it and Muti has insane upside. If he’s healthy he has first round potential as a guard, which is insane. If Muti goes here he and Cody Ford could provide some absolute girth inside.
55. Atlanta Falcons - TE Hunter Bryant, Washington
The Falcons are likely losing Austin Hooper and they go to replace that with the efficient Bryant. He could certainly help mitigate that loss.
56. Detroit Lions - RB Deandre Swift, Georgia
Wow what a freaking value. The Lions trading out of 3 to 5 ended up giving them the best draft. Swift is a top 25 player but fell all the way here due to teams having other needs. Getting him here is an absolute steal.
57. Houston Texans - CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
The Texans secondary is a joke and while they certainly have holes at guard, running back, edge and DT, their biggest need is at corner.
58. Miami Dolphins - (Trade with Minnesota 70 & 2021 3rd) RB JK Dobbins, Ohio State
The Dolphins need to add a versatile back and after adding a tackle, quarterback and edge they fill their next need with a great value pick here. They had the draft capital so they pull the trigger and get Tua immediate help.
59. Seattle Seahawks - Edge Bradley Anae, Utah
The Hawks addressed their biggest need on the OL but need help on the edge. Nobody got consistent pressure this year except Clowney and he’s likely on his way out of town. Adding a speed rusher to play in sub packages makes too much sense.
60. Baltimore Ravens - WR Michael Pittman, USC
The Ravens need a complementary receiver who will do the dirty work and Pittman fits the bill. He’s a professional already.
61. Tennessee Titans - OT Jack Driscoll, Auburn
I would not let Conklin walk but Tennessee can’t keep all their big 3. With Conklin walking likely, adding someone to man the right side is a necessity.
62. Green Bay Packers - LB Troy Dye, Oregon
The Packers have to get someone who can help them with the run and while Blake Martinez picked up 397 tackles per season it felt like, they got ran over often. Dye is a playmaker at the second level.
63. Kansas City Chiefs - RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
The Chiefs typically like runners who are better pass catcher than this but the value here for someone with this vision this late is too much to pass up. He improved as a pass catcher this past season as well.
64. Seattle Seahawks - RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
The Hawks ran out of running backs last year and so they go with Edwards-Helaire here who can do everything for the Hawks. He could be the 3rd down back that gives Wilson an easy completion and while they could look safety or corner here, they just go with the best value.
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