Final Official Mock Draft

This is my actual Mock Draft, the one where I pick based on how I think each team will draft. This will not include any trades, so it’s not actually like the real thing, but it gives you an idea of where I think everyone will go.

1)      Cincinnati Bengals

Player: QB Joe Burrow (LSU)

Analysis: This is all but a done deal, right? I wouldn’t go that far; my best guess is that this is where Cincy will land. Burrow is coming off one of the best single seasons of any college QB ever and Zac Taylor could very well want his own passer to groom. I wouldn’t rule out Isaiah Simmons or Chase Young though. Andy Dalton is a serviceable veteran and Cincinnati’s biggest need is basically the entirety of their defense.

2)      Washington Redskins

Player: LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)

Analysis: Over Chase Young?! Yes. Young is talented and I’m not taking anything away from him, but the versatility that Simmons offers is rare. Not to mention, Washington’s new Head Coach knows the value of a great Linebacker in the middle of your defense.

3)      Detroit Lions

Player: DE Chase Young (Ohio State)

Analysis: The talks of someone trying to get into the #3 slot are growing, but if Young is there, I don’t think Detroit passes up the opportunity to grab him unless they’re certain he’ll be there at the pick they trade down to. The need for a dominant pass rusher is something they severely need.

4)      NY Giants

Player: OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)

Analysis: The Giants need to rethink their blindside protection. And even if they decide to hang onto Nate Solder for a little longer, they could use an upgrade at Right Tackle, Wirfs can play on either side.

5)      Miami Dolphins

Player: QB Justin Herbert (Oregon)

Analysis: All the talk two days ago was that Miami wants Herbert, not Tagovailoa. All the talk yesterday is that Miami wants to trade up for an Offensive Tackle (that would be the smart pick in my opinion), but I think that’s a smokescreen. Herbert ends up being the pick and they’ll regret it for decades to come.

6)      LA Chargers

Player: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)

Analysis: Tyrod Taylor will start this year, but he isn’t the long-term solution. So, the way I see it the Chargers have two routes they can go. One, they take Tua or Herbert or Love and they allow them to spend a season learning behind Taylor. Or two, they use this draft to address their major needs on the O-Line and hope they can land their franchise QB in next year’s draft. Personally, I’d go with option two, but I don’t think they’ll pass on Tua.

7)      Carolina Panthers

Player: CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)

Analysis: If Simmons is gone by this pick, I’d look for Carolina to move down. That’s not an option for this Mock though, so I’m gonna have them taking the best Cornerback available to replace James Bradberry.

8)      Arizona Cardinals

Player: OT Jedrick Wills (Alabama)

Analysis: A Right Tackle to bookend with D.J. Humphries who just go paid. This is exactly what Arizona needs if they stay put.

9)      Jacksonville Jaguars

Player: DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State)

Analysis: May seem a little high, but I think Gross-Matos is one of those sneaky prospects that teams are higher on than analysts know. There’s usually at least one every year. Couple that with the big need the Jags have (or at least will have soon) on their D-Line and that’s why I could see Gross-Matos landing here.

10)  Cleveland Browns

Player: OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville)

Analysis: Left Tackle, Right Tackle, Guard and perhaps even a Center, these are the things Cleveland should be focused on. Becton is a monster start to addressing those needs, both in size and talent.

11)  NY Jets

Player: OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

Analysis: The Jets throw a parade in their living rooms as one of the top Tackles lands in their laps at 11! Sam Darnold happy cries himself to sleep as he whispers, “no more ghosts.”

12)  Las Vegas Raiders

Player: WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)

Analysis: Jeudy fits that champion breed the Raiders started drafting for last year and he fills the need for a technician on the outside.

13)  San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis)

Player: DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)

Analysis: Trading Buckner saves the 49ers from having to pay another Defensive Lineman big money soon, but it does leave a hole in their biggest strength. Kinlaw can fill that hole and they’d have him for four to five years before having to pay him.

14)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Player: OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU)

Analysis: I’m not a fan of Chaisson, but his stock seems to have remained high. The Bucs should look at adding another pass rusher off the edge since Pierre-Paul is over 30 and Barrett hasn’t been signed long-term yet.

15)  Denver Broncos

Player: WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)

Analysis: Lamb is the better prospect (compared to Ruggs) and would be a great addition to Denver’s pass game.

16)  Atlanta Falcons

Player: DT Derrick Brown (Auburn)

Analysis: In this mock this would be the steal of the first-round. The Falcons need to continue to shore up their Defensive Line. I’d like to think that the defensive minded Dan Quinn would understand that, but I have my doubts. Perhaps having one of the more talented players falling into their lap will eliminate the itch to draft a different position.

17)  Dallas Cowboys

Player: CB C.J. Henderson (Florida)

Analysis: They need to find a CB1 to replace Byron Jones (and someone who will do a better job than Jones). Henderson has that potential.

18)  Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh)

Player: OT Ezra Cleveland (Boise State)

Analysis: Not as high as I had him going in my GM Mock Draft, but it’s likely still higher than you may have expected. Cleveland is a beast and his name is heating up. If the Dolphins take their future of the franchise with their first pick, then they’re going to need to address the O-Line here and possibly also at pick 26.

19)  Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago)

Player: S Xavier McKinney (Alabama)

Analysis: Another Bama player to keep their trend going. McKinney fills a need on the back end of their defense after they used free agency to fill the holes in the middle of it.

20)  Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams)

Player: CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama)

Analysis: They missed out on Okudah with their first pick. They don’t wait until the second round to see if their guy is still available, they snag the third best Corner in this draft right here. Diggs is long and physical, a breath of fresh air after losing Ramsey and Bouye.

21)  Philadelphia Eagles

Player: WR Henry Ruggs (Alabama)

Analysis: DeSean Jackson isn’t a young buck anymore and his injury last season showed durability is still an issue. Ruggs is a younger, slightly bigger, slightly faster version of Jackson.

22)  Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo)

Player: DE Curtis Weaver (Boise State)

Analysis: I love Weaver. All the production in college and the athletic attributes to show it wasn’t just something that happened on its own. The Vikings need to get and End and a Tackle, but DT is much deeper, which should make End the bigger priority as long as the right player is available in the first.

23)  New England Patriots

Player: QB Jordan Love (Utah State)

Analysis: If this happens, I’m going to be upset. Love is a very talented Quarterback, possibly the most talented QB in this draft. But he played for a small school, and most of his coaching staff left for Texas Tech after his monster Junior season, which caused his growth to stumble. If he falls this far the Pats could pull the trigger. Even if they are high on Stidham he’s still an unproven commodity. It’s always good to have a talented backup plan at what many consider the most important position in football.

24)  New Orleans Saints

Player: DT Ross Blacklock (TCU)

Analysis: If you read my GM Mock Draft you saw that I made mention to the Saints needing to have a plan in case Sheldon Rankins goes down with yet another injury. You also saw that I made mention to how they may want to take a look at what the Niners built to get to the Super Bowl. Blacklock may not be the highest DT on my board, but he is the most talked about D-Tackle remaining.

25)  Minnesota Vikings

Player: WR Denzel Mims (Baylor)

Analysis: A size-speed freak and the perfect addition after trading away Stefon Diggs.

26)  Miami Dolphins (via Houston)

Player: OT Austin Jackson (USC)

Analysis: I mentioned it with the 18^th pick, the Dolphins need to upgrade both Tackle positions and this is the BEST draft they could do it in. Seriously, I’ve been heavily into the draft since I was eight and I can’t recall a draft that had this much talent at the Offensive Tackle position.

27)  Seattle Seahawks

Player: OT Joshua Jones (Houston)

Analysis: The Seahawks love to trade down and when they stay put, they love to go with a player that makes you go “What the heck was that?” This year they need to rethink that strategy because they have failed to put together a decent Offensive Line in front of Russell Wilson for far too long. He deserves to have this pick be whichever top-rated Tackle remains on the board. Jones is going to be a solid starter for years to come.

28)  Baltimore Ravens

Player: LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)

Analysis: Linebacker, inside or outside, it doesn’t matter, that’s what the Ravens need to focus their attention on. Murray is the most talented player remaining at either position.

29)  Tennessee Titans

Player: DT Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M)

Analysis: I can’t believe they shipped out Jurrell Casey, but this is a great draft class to go into with a need on the interior Defensive Line. Madubuike is a more athletic, slightly slimmer version of Casey. This would be a great fit for Tennessee.

30)  Green Bay Packers

Player: WR Justin Jefferson (LSU)

Analysis: This stays the same as my GM Mock Draft. The Packers need another option at Receiver. Jefferson had an incredible final season at LSU. He should primarily line up in the Slot, which is fine, Rodgers will make use of him regardless of where he’s lined up.

31)  San Francisco 49ers

Player: WR Tee Higgins (Clemson)

Analysis: A big, athletic weapon on the outside for Garoppolo to chuck balls up to. He’ll help San Fran move the ball downfield, but perhaps more importantly, he’ll give them another big redzone threat outside of Kittle.

32)  Kansas City Chiefs

Player: LB Zack Baun (Wisconsin)

Analysis: Despite being the reigning Super Bowl champs the Chiefs have areas they need to address. A big one is adding more talent to their Linebacker corps. Baun or Patrick Queen could be the go-to here. I think Baun adds more versatility.