Acting GM Mock Draft
This is my annual GM Mock Draft. This Is not a direct reflection of what I believe each team will do, it’s a reflection of what I would do if I was the acting General Manager for each team. You will see trades, an analysis of why I made each pick, and names of players that will make you go “WHAT??” That’s alright, I’m a little off my rocker. If you are seriously questioning a player’s name or my reasoning for being super high on a certain player, you should go checkout my “Draft Board” article for that specific position, it will at least kind of explain where I’m coming from. Without further ado, here is my GM Mock Draft:
1) Cincinnati Bengals
Player: QB Joe Burrow (LSU)
Analysis: Do I like it? He’s out of LSU, of course I don’t like it. However, he was insanely good this past season and should continue to excel as a pro in Zac Taylor’s system, with Taylor basically guaranteed to build the scheme around Burrow. I have Tua rated higher in my QB rankings, but when it comes down to it the durability concerns would cause me to take Burrow if I was running things in Cincy.
2) *Trade* Miami Dolphins (via Washington) *Trade*
Player: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
Analysis: Lots of rumors are already flying about teams that will try and make a push to get into the #3 slot to land Tua. In this mock I have Miami jumping all of them by shipping their #5, #26, a second round pick this year and probably a couple mid round picks between this year and next year. The move gives them the guy they’ve wanted since before the season began.
3) Detroit Lions
Player: DE Chase Young (Ohio State)
Analysis: Detroit doesn’t have to do anything; they stay put and land the best Edge Rusher in the draft. Young fills a massive need for the Lions and that’s a presence that can consistently get after the Quarterback. He should also help last free agency’s big priced addition, Trey Flowers, improve.
4) NY Giants
Player: OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)
Analysis: The Giants have needs at almost every position, but I would focus on fixing the Offensive Line. They need to accept the fact that Solder was not worth the contract he was given and move on. This Offensive Tackle class is stacked, and it’s lead by Wirfs. There’s no way I’d pass on taking him here unless someone blew me away with a trade I couldn’t refuse.
5) *Trade* Washington Redskins (via Miami) *Trade*
Player: OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville)
Analysis: It still sounds like Trent Williams wants out of Washington even after the massive staff turnover, so there’s a good chance we see him shipped out during the draft or at the very least during training camp. That is going to leave a massive need at Left Tackle, enter Becton. A monster of a man with nimble feet blocking for Haskins long term is exactly what Rivera needs to get his Washington career off to a good start.
6) LA Chargers
Player: QB Jordan Love (Utah State)
Analysis: I don’t think this is the route the Chargers will go, but I’m the acting GM. Offensive Tackle weighs heavily on my mind, but ultimately, I choose to take the big armed, athletic Quarterback out of Utah State.
7) Carolina Panthers
Player: LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Analysis: There’s been a lot of talk about the Panthers taking a D-Lineman because that’s the first thing Matt Rhule did when he got to Baylor. Let me edumacate you, this draft class has plenty of talent along the D-Line, what it lacks is talent at your traditional Linebacker positions. Simmons is an athletic monster, and after the Kuechly retirement the Panthers must find his replacement. Carolina snags the #1 player on my draft board.
8) **Trade** Denver Broncos (via Arizona) **Trade**
Player: WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)
Analysis: It’s funny, I’ve heard a few rumors lately that Denver is trying to trade up to land Henry Ruggs. If I was the acting GM, I’d trade up too, but not for Ruggs. Lamb is the best Receiver in this draft and would give the Broncos the exact complement for Sutton that they are looking for.
9) ***Trade*** New York Jets (via Jacksonville) ***Trade***
Player: OT Jedrick Wills (Alabama)
Analysis: The Jets give up the #11 pick and a third rounder to get in front of Cleveland so they can land their guy. They need to shore up their O-Line and Wills gives them some flexibility. I think he’s a Right Tackle, but there are plenty of people out there who think he could slide in at Left if needed.
10) Cleveland Browns
Player: OT Ezra Cleveland (Boise State)
Analysis: Nobody is going to bat an eye if the Browns spend their first three picks on O-Line. I’m a lot higher than most people on Ezra Cleveland, which is why if I was in charge of the Browns and I couldn’t find the trade I was looking for to move back, Ezra Cleveland would be coming off the board.
11) ***Trade*** Jacksonville Jaguars (via NY Jets) ***Trade***
Player: CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)
Analysis: With Ramsey and Bouye gone the Jags have to be considering Okudah, I know I would be if I was them. And that’s why I have them grabbing him after also gaining an extra third round pick thanks to the Jets.
12) Las Vegas Raiders
Player: WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
Analysis: I’d take Jeudy here, he’s the #2 Receiver on my board and he’s a great route runner which is the kind of complimentary Receiver they need opposite Tyrell Williams.
13) San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis)
Player: DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)
Analysis: The 49ers are rumored to be looking to trade down from both of their first-round picks. I would stay put. Kinlaw is a beast on the inside and with Buckner gone they’re going to need a replacement. That D-Line was a major reason they made it to the Super Bowl.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player: OLB Curtis Weaver (Boise State)
Analysis: My assumption is that the Bucs will do whatever it takes to keep Shaq Barrett, and after the 2-year deal that Pierre-Paul just signed is up, they’ll let him walk. For the time being Weaver would give Tampa a solid pass rush rotation. Weaver posted 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks this past season. He finished his three-year career at Boise with 47.5 tackles for loss and 34 sacks. I already get the feeling that analysts are going to brush Weaver off as another college star who played for a mid-major school and didn’t face any real talent. Let me lay that to rest right now, the Mountain West conference is arguably more competitive than the Pac 12 and the ACC.
15) **Trade** Arizona Cardinals (via Denver) **Trade**
Player: OT Austin Jackson (USC)
Analysis: I had the Cards trading down from 8 because they need the extra draft picks to continue to build this team up. I had Denver sending them this pick, their second-round this year and a fourth next year, which is going to help Arizona in the long run. The bonus is they land a top Tackle, and that’s fantastic news cause their O-Line unit is one they desperately need to fix.
16) Atlanta Falcons
Player: DT Derrick Brown (Auburn)
Analysis: Atlanta stays put and watches Brown tumble into their laps. Can you imagine trying to block the interior of a Defensive Line that includes Grady Jarrett and Derrick Brown? That’s a scary combination.
17) ****Trade**** Minnesota Vikings (via Dallas) ****Trade****
Player: DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State)
Analysis: The lack of high end 4-3 Edge Rushers could force a team like the Vikings to make a move up the board to land a player like Gross-Matos. With Griffin gone there’s a hole opposite Hunter that was not filled in free agency, leaving Minnesota to turn to the draft.
18) *****Trade***** Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami via Pittsburgh) *****Trade*****
Player: WR Denzel Mims (Baylor)
Analysis: Philly needs a Receiver. Considering the Dolphins and Jags could be in the market for Mims’ services, I have the Eagles making the move to get in front of the competition.
19) Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago)
Player: S Xavier McKinney (Alabama)
Analysis: The Raiders took a strong interest in Alabama and Clemson players last year (and I’d expect LSU players to get added to that mix this year). With Karl Joseph now in Cleveland Gruden can focus on getting the player he wants to play the back end of his defense. For me, that player would be McKinney.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams)
Player: DE Terrell Lewis (Alabama)
Analysis: Ngakoue has shut the door on the Jags long-term (he’ll have to sign his franchise tag at some point this season if he wants to avoid giving them the opportunity to tag him again next season). The Josh Allen pick last year started the preparations to rebuild their pass rush, but they’ll have to continue it into this season.
21) *****Trade***** Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia) *****Trade*****
Player: OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)
Analysis: They got their future at Quarterback early, now they have to start thinking about that insurance policy in front of him. Tua is a left-handed Quarterback and I think Thomas fits better as a Left Tackle than he does a right so preferably a different Tackle would’ve fallen here. Unfortunately, there’s no such luck, but I still wouldn’t pass on a Tackle of Thomas’ caliber.
22) ****Trade**** Dallas Cowboys (via Minnesota via Buffalo) ****Trade****
Player: CB C.J. Henderson (Florida)
Analysis: There may be talks about Dallas needing another Receiver, but I’m gonna disagree with that one. Dallas needs Defensive Back and Defensive Line help. Henderson would be a good start on replenishing the positions that are hurting.
23) New England Patriots
Player: QB Justin Herbert (Oregon)
Analysis: Chances are Herbert won’t slide this far in the real draft and that’s because teams seem to be higher on Herbert than I am. Also, the Pats seem to be high on Stidham, so it’s unlikely they try to move up for a QB. If Herbert were to fall this far it would be hard for me to pass on him if I was New England’s GM because of the current situation they’re sitting in.
24) New Orleans Saints
Player: DT Khalil Davis (Nebraska)
Analysis: Re-signing David Onyemata was a great move, but not one that should keep the Saints from considering another Defensive Tackle. Sheldon Rankins has been hurt quite a bit in his young career to the point that New Orleans should start thinking about what they’re going to do when his contract is up. Davis could both be an insurance policy for Rankins in the event he suffers another injury, and a rotational player for a defense that took a step back early on last season. They should checkout that D-Line the Niners built that was a major catalyst in their Super Bowl journey this past season.
25) Minnesota Vikings
Player: DT Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M)
Analysis: The Vikings don’t just need a Defensive End to shore up their D-Line. I really liked the Michael Pierce signing, but he’s not much of a threat on passing downs. Madubuike has the speed to slide in next to Shemar Stephen on passing downs, and I believe he has the talent to take over as a primary starter altogether in place of Stephen.
26) *Trade* Washington Redskins (via Miami via Houston) *Trade*
Player: WR Tee Higgins (Clemson)
Analysis: This was a part of the trade package for the trade I had Miami making to get up to the second pick. Terry McLaurin was a great find for the Skins last year, but that’s not going to stop them from looking for another pass catcher to pair with him. I really like Higgins, he’s got great size, the ability to catch the ball downfield and to go up and get the ball when needed. He reminds me of Courtland Sutton, who I still firmly believe should’ve been a first-round pick.
27) ******Trade****** Cincinnati Bengals (via Seattle) ******Trade******
Player: LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
Analysis: The Bengals have needed Linebacker help and a leader on the defensive side of the ball for a long time now. Murray is the type of player they’re looking for, but in order to land him they need to get in front of their rival, the Ravens. If I was Cincy, I would absolutely want to keep this guy from being someone I have to face two times a year.
28) Baltimore Ravens
Player: LB Zack Baun (Wisconsin)
Analysis: Baun is a little undersized in the weight category, so he’ll likely make a move to Inside Linebacker as a pro or play outside in a 4-3. The Ravens have a need at both, and I have a feeling Don Martindale would have a lot of fun finding ways to deploy Baun.
29) Tennessee Titans
Player: OLB Casey Toohill (Stanford)
Analysis: The Jurrell Casey trade, and the fact that Logan Ryan remains a free agent means that the Titans need help at each level of their defense. That includes Outside Linebacker even after the Vic Beasley signing. I love the fact that we’re finally going to get to see what Beasley can do playing off the edge in a 3-4, but his sporadic play in Atlanta is the reason why the Titans still need to add another Edge Rusher. That’s where Toohill comes in. His crazy athleticism and solid college production are enough to launch him into the first-round for me, I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten any love elsewhere.
30) Green Bay Packers
Player: WR Justin Jefferson (LSU)
Analysis: The Packers have to add another Receiver. Jefferson is a beast who is primarily built for the Slot, but that’s not a deterrent. Green Bay hasn’t had a reliable Slot guy since Jordy Nelson went down for the season and the pressure of being the #1 target got to Randall Cobb.
31) San Francisco 49ers
Player: WR Michael Pittman (USC)
Analysis: The Niners lost Sanders, which could lead one to believe that they’ll target a burner, but I really like Pittman. He’s got the big body to compete on the outside and solid athleticism for a player his size. Garoppolo doesn’t throw a lot of deep balls and Shanahan’s system doesn’t call for a lot of deep passes, so a big bodied possession receiver could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
32) Kansas City Chiefs
Player: CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama)
Analysis: The Chiefs could go Runningback, but Andy Reid won’t let them. The other options are to fix up any level of their defense. Linebacker is in need of the biggest upgrade, but at this point there isn’t anyone worth taking. Diggs is a bit of a wildcard, but he definitely won’t be available if the Chiefs try and hold off on taking a Corner until their second-round pick.
NO FIRST-ROUND PICK
43) Chicago
Player: S Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois)
Analysis: Thanks to the Khalil Mack trade, the Bears own the #43 pick. Chicago snags the uber-athletic Chinn to take over the spot next to Eddie Jackson, a position that was hurting after they lost Adrian Amos last year. I also have them trading up to pick 44 and grabbing Alex Highsmith.
52) LA Rams
Player: C Matt Hennessy (Temple)
Analysis: The Rams offense took a big step backward last season and a lot was due to the loss Roger Saffold at Guard and John Sullivan at Center. I have them replacing Sullivan here with the talented Hennessy. Regardless of who the Rams pick at this point the target should be an Offensive Lineman of some sort, otherwise Goff’s growth is going to be stunted again. With the pick they got from the Brandin Cooks trade I have them taking Jonathan Taylor to replace Todd Gurley.
61) Pittsburgh
Player: QB Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma)
Analysis: I have the Steelers trading down in the second-round, allowing Tennessee to go up and draft Brycen Hopkins. And with the 62nd overall pick I have Pitt taking Hurts. Big Ben is older, and he’s always struggled with durability issues, though rarely as long term as what happened last season. Watching Rudolph and Hodges last year was brutal. Pitt should continue to prepare for Roethlisberger’s retirement which is only getting closer and closer.