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By Reece Mowlem. When it comes to putting together NFL mock drafts, there are two approaches you can take: predict what teams will do OR say what you feel teams should do. Predicting the decisions of 32 different NFL franchises is quite frankly a hopeless task, so in recent years I've gone with the latter. That being said, Owen Turner has once again tried to use the rumour-mill to construct the perfect predictive mock draft, and you can find that here. In this mock, I have put myself in each of the War Rooms around the league on draft night and made the picks I would be pounding the table for if I had the privilege of being in that position. My decisions are based on my own player evaluations (find my top 150 prospects here), combined with team needs and scheme fits. So without further ado, I present my final 2021 'What I Would Do' NFL Mock Draft! Click here to listen to a breakdown of this mock draft on the First Down Podcast.             
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By Owen Turner
Welcome back to the loyal First Down Podcast listeners, or more accurately for today, readers. Yes, it’s one of the rare articles the First Down boys decide to write each year and if it’s anywhere near as successful as last year’s iteration then it is definitely worth a read. Since we last did this mock half the NFL moved to Tampa to help the GOAT win his 7th ring, Bill Belichick paid the other half to go and help replace him in New England and DeShaun Watson… well, we’ll take a pass on that topic for now. This is a light-hearted site after all folks. On the bright side the NFL added a 17th game to the regular season schedule giving us more time to stress over fantasy football. We thankfully don’t have to stress about trying to forecast which third round talent Seattle are going to take in the first round this year thanks to the Jamal Adams deal. It’s fair to say that the success of last year was…unprecedented. In case you missed it in the title, last year this method correctly projected a total of 11 out of 32 players at the slot they were drafted (although Kenneth Murray was picked at 23 by the Chargers, not the Patriots), absolutely obliterating the overall accuracy of every other mock draft I’ve personally ever done. Needless to say, mistakes were made. The Miami Dolphins pulled off one of the all-time great smoke screens when they selected Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert as many had expected. In hindsight, projecting Tua to fall all the way down to 24 was rather foolish, likewise Henry Ruggs to 20. Mistakes were made by the NFL teams as well. Miami probably would’ve been happier if they had selected now reigning offensive rookie of the year Herbert as we thought they would at 5. The Eagles would certainly like to take a mulligan and pick Justin Jefferson over Jalen Reagor at 21. If there’s only one lesson to take from last year its this: my opinion holds zero weight when it comes to the subtle art of the mock draft, and unfortunately, so does yours. So, with that sobering thought, lets get to it. A reminder from last year how this works. This mock is based 100% off information provided by media insiders. This means it does not include opinions from draft analysts such as NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper, but rather focuses on information given by those connected with the inner workings of NFL franchises. Of course, we can’t believe everything we read, and we’re certain to be caught out by at least one smoke screen again this year. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of who to trust and where that pesky smoke is most likely coming from Gospel Tier: Adam Schefter (ESPN), Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) True Believer Tier: Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Peter King (NBC Sports), Jason La Canfora (CBS), Matt Miller (Draft Network), Tony Pauline (ProFootballNetwork) Take It with a Grain of Salt Tier: Regional Journalists, Radio Hosts Smoke Screen Tier: Team Officials, Anyone Anonymous Before we begin, if you liked to see what the podcast’s rankings for what we would do during the draft check out Reece Mowlem’s top 150 here. The Jacksonville Jaguars are only the clock! 1. Jacksonville Jaguars Last year I described Joe Burrow to the Bengals as close “to a certainty since Andrew Luck in 2012”. Well, this year that statement needs no refinement as Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence heading to Duval county is already inked in at the top of the NFL draft board. Its no overstatement to say that Lawrence, the No.1 player in the nation coming out of high school in 2018, has been the favourite for this selection since he was 16 years old. Lawrence moved up his pro day before his scheduled offseason shoulder surgery at the suggestion of new Jags head coach Urban Meyer. That pro day was essentially a private workout for the Jags. Meyer spent the whole session stood directly in front of Lawrence and next to Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeny. When asked whether the Jags would pick Lawrence by NBC’s Peter King, Meyer confirmed that “that's the direction we're going.”Now, I know that previously I listed information from team officials as likely sources of smoke, but when you hold the No.1 pick in the draft there’s no need to hide your intentions. GM Trent Balkee said that the team found “no negatives” with Lawrence, describing him as a prospect who “the stars aligned” to make available for them. Baalke admitted the team took a few calls for the pick but, unsurprisingly, they intend to stay put. No drama to be had here. The Pick: Trevor Lawrence 2. New York Jets Isn’t it just the most Jets move ever to lose the chance of selecting a prospect of Lawrence’s calibre by pulling off an upset against a playoff bound team in a meaningless game? Luckily for them this year’s quarterback class is strong at the top beyond the presumptive No.1 overall pick. New head coach Robert Saleh will have his pick of the four remaining quarterbacks expected to go in the top 10 following the trade of Sam Darnold to Carolina. Jet’s GM Joe Douglas stated that assumption his team will draft a quarterback following the deal as “fair”. Again, Douglas has no reason to lie here so the question becomes who rather than what. Fun fact before we continue: if the Jets do select a QB they will become the first team in the modern draft era (since 1967) to select two quarterbacks in the top 3 within 4 years of each other. Yikes… So which quarterback will they choose? If Saleh’s appearance on the pro day circuit are any suggestion it could be assumed they have their eyes on Zach Wilson from BYU. Douglas and other members of the Jets brass joined the pro days of the other top QB prospects but Saleh was not among them. Jason La Canfora of CBS wrote that an anonymous (alarm rings) AFC executive is not absolutely certain Wilson is heading to Gang Green, stating that if his team were in the position they would take Fields. If you are looking for an example of a statement that has smoke coming out of every word of it then this is it. Outside of this report, across the league this pick seems like a forgone conclusion and likely is, although I wouldn’t decree it set in stone. The Pick: Zach Wilson Don’t Be Surprised: Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Mac Jones 3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston via Miami) Here comes the drafts first real question mark. Analysts doing their “what I would do” version of a mock draft almost unanimously select Ohio State’s Justin Fields here. As you know those opinions mean nothing to this mock. Not long after striking the deal to trade up, both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch attended the pro day of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. At that press conference when asked whether the presence of the 49er’s decision makers gave a hint as to who they may be selecting, Shanahan replied “now that you’re up at three, you don’t need to hide as much.” Pretty blatant stuff. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is in on the Jones to San Fran hype, saying with little uncertainty that “it’ll be Mac Jones” selected by San Francisco. Mike Lombardi of The Athletic agreed, challenging anyone believing the contrary to compare their sources against his own (spoiler alert, Lombardi’s are probably better). Interestingly, Lombardi added that if it isn’t Jones, it would be North Dakota State’s Trey Lance selected rather than Fields. To top it all off, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said some in NFL circles believe Jones to be a “borderline football genius.” Before his aforementioned statement, Lombardi noted just under a month before the draft that there was some disagreement between Lynch and Shanahan as to which QB to take, with Lynch and the rest of the scouting department believed to prefer Lance (per ESPN’s Todd McShay) as opposed to Shanahan’s choice of Jones. Shanahan and Lynch have also attended and heavily influenced the pro days of Lance and Fields per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Shanahan has the final decision though, and whilst I understand people are enamoured by the upside of Lance’s arm, the buzz is too intense to suggest San Francisco won’t be going to Tuscaloosa for their next QB. If they don’t they’ll be rivalling the Dolphins last year for the best smoke screen I’ve seen. The Pick: Mac Jones Don’t Be Surprised: Justin Fields, Trey Lance 4. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta would love to move this pick for a haul equivalent to that which Miami received from San Francisco. I think that is unlikely though, as the picks after the Falcons are not expected to be QBs. Assuming Atlanta stay put, the question becomes will they draft the heir apparent to Matt Ryan? Per ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, new head coach Arthur Smith believes incumbent Ryan has “at least two good years left” and would like to maximise their Superbowl chances in the short term. New GM Terry Fontenot would prefer to select a QB. He adds that if this is the case, Trey Lance is probably the guy they’d take over Fields. For what it’s worth, Falcon’s owner Arthur Blank is, per Peter King, “fascinated” by this year’s quarterback class but won’t interfere. Atlanta has been represented at both Field’s and Lance’s pro days. King also reported that the Falcons will not “force a quarterback” at No.4. If they don’t, the most popular name he has heard mentioned by insiders is University of Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, believed by some to be the top overall player in this draft. Matt Lombardo of Fansided believes the team is “zeroing in on Pitts”, as does ESPN’s Michael Rothstein (who also gives Oregon tackle Penei Sewell as a name to watch.) Pitts himself told Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he believes the Falcons are “high on him” having spoken to them multiple times. This is one of the hardest and the most important pick in the draft to project. The Falcons can completely change the game for teams looking at the draft’s two biggest strengths. A few weeks ago, I was fairly certain this would be a QB, but the buzz surrounding Pitts is getting too intense to ignore. The Pick: Kyle Pitts Don’t Be Surprised: Trey Lance, Justin Fields 5. Cincinnati Bengals Finally, a team who definitely won’t be selecting a quarterback! This pick is between two players, tackle Penei Sewell and LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Sewell, the near consensus top tackle in this class after opting out of the 2020 season, would protect quarterback Joe Burrow and help prevent any further season ending injuries following the former first overall picks ACL tear. The team did sign left tackle Riley Reiff and have former first round tackle Jonah Williams still on the roster, but neither should detract them from taking a top tier talent at the position like Sewell. The buzz however is favouring Chase. Per Albert Breer, the Philadelphia Eagles, previously picking at six elected to trade down because they believe Chase to the Bengals is a done deal. Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Paul Dehner Jr of The Athletic are two of the many who agree. Florida’s Pitts is another possibility if the Falcons don’t grab him. This pick feels like a luxury for a team who can’t afford them, but for now a Bayeux reunion looks to be on the cards. The Pick: Ja’Marr Chase Don’t Be Surprised: Penei Sewell 6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia) The Dolphins, having traded the third overall pick to San Francisco, jumped back up from 12 to 6. Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins may well be looking to trade down again for another haul if a team wants to move up for a quarterback. GM Chris Greer later came out and said he was “comfortable” with picking at 6 if no trade materialises. If they do make another move down the draft board, keep your eye out for Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Per Matt Miller of the Draft Network, Miami head coach Brain Flores is “in love” with him. Most believe Miami wanted to get back into position to pick one of the elite skill position players in this draft. Tackle Penei Sewell could also be in play. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson believes the team “would not mind” picking either Alabama receivers Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, but Albert Breer believes the team are “higher on Waddle than Smith”. Jackson added that “if Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase” were available the Dolphins would favour them, but with both taken, Tua is reunited with one of his old weapons. The Pick: Jaylen Waddle Don’t Be Surprised: DeVonta Smith, Penei Sewell 7. Detroit Lions The Lions are another team heavily rumoured to be looking to trade down and I think this is the most likely spot we see a deal. Moving to seven would allow a team like the Patriots, Bears and Washington to jump the QB needy Broncos and Panthers. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Lions are “likely out” of the QB market themselves. Receiver is the obvious need following the departures of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, with Standig citing Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle as players who could “help immediately” but both have been taken by this point. DeVonta Smith is still available but his slight frame doesn’t fit the “bite the kneecaps off” type player new head coach Dan Campbell coverts. Sewell still being on the board is very tempting here, but the only real links out there right now connecting Detroit to a specific player come from Albert Breer. He believes that Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is someone they are very interested in. He has some character concerns and opted out last season, but does fit the profile of player Campbell is looking for. I’m not confident, but he’s who the buzz is suggesting the most. The Pick: Micah Parsons Don’t Be Surprised: Penei Sewell, DeVonta Smith 8. Carolina Panthers According to Albert Breer the Panthers are “still open” to selecting a signal caller here despite the Sam Darnold trade, although the Panthers “are not enthralled” by either Mac Jones or Trey Lance per Joseph Person of The Athletic. I think keeping the possibility of drafting a quarterback is likely smoke to incite a trade as, as per Adam Schefter, the Panthers are looking to move down. Per Pro Football Network’s insider Tony Pauline, this pick is between two players, Sewell and Alabama corner Patrick Surtain II. Sewell would be an upgrade over current incumbent left tackle Greg Little and Surtain would be a great fit here as well. After new head coach Matt Rule selected all defensive players in last years draft, I believe the priority this year must be to surround Darnold with talent and give him the best chance to succeed. The Pick: Penei Sewell Don’t Be Surprised: Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Patrick Surtain II 9. Denver Broncos The Broncos will be fortunate if any of the top 5 QBs reach No.9 on draft night, let alone two of them. Ian Rapoport identified the Broncos along with New England as the most likely candidates to “move up the board for a passer.” As the historically more aggressive team when it comes to moving up the board, I expect Denver to move anywhere between Atlanta at 4 and Detroit at 7 to snag a QB. The buzz backs this up. Albert Breer reports that Denver “isn’t sitting still at the position,” having talked to the Jets about Darnold and the No.2 overall pick. Per Mike Klis of 9News, offensive coordinator Pat Schumer’s attended both Trey Lance’s and Justin Fields’ second workouts, and the team is “sneaky quarterback-hungry” per Breer. Of the two quarterbacks left on the board, one perfectly fits the big, strong armed mould than John Elway has coverts. The Pick: Trey Lance Don’t Be Surprised: Justin Fields 10. Dallas Cowboys Per Chris Mortenson, Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones is “infatuated” by tight end Kyle Pitts, but accepts that he is highly unlikely to be available at ten and a trade up is unlikely. Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan to discuss the team’s plan for the pick, suggesting they have begun to receive offers and that the team needs to focus on “upgrading its defence.” Per Tony Pauline, if the Cowboys don’t trade out of this spot tackle Penei Sewell and corners Patrick Surtain II of Alabama and Jaycee Horn of South Carolina are the most likely options. Sewell was identified as the preferred option but in the likely event that he isn’t available, Surtain “does not make it past” them. With Sewell off the board, consensus No.2 tackle Rashawn Slater from Northwestern may also be in play here. If the team does move down, Pauline also believes Virginia Tech’s offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins are names to watch. The Pick: Patrick Surtain II Don’t Be Surprised: Jaycee Horn, Rashawn Slater 11. New York Giants Ian Rapoport believes the Giants are another team in this year’s draft who are open to moving down despite general manager Dave Gettleman not once trading down in any round during his eight drafts as a GM. Receiver has been a popular pick mocked here, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that the offseason acquisition of Kenny Golladay “does not preclude the Giants from taking a wide receiver in the first round of this draft.” According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the team “have done a lot of work” on this year’s crop of edge rushers despite there being no elite prospects commonly mocked inside the top 15. Giant’s director of college scouting Chriss Pettit however believes that 11 isn’t “too rich” for a pass rusher. Vacchiano suggests “the current sense” is that an edge will be the selection, citing Michigan’s Kwity Paye and Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari as the names to watch. Trading down and then picking one of these players may provide more appropriate value, but given Gettlemen is known for building his teams from the trenches and using high draft capital on both offensive and defensive lineman, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a reach. The Pick: Kwity Paye Don’t Be Surprised: DeVonta Smith, Azeez Ojulari 12. Philadelphia Eagles (From San Francisco via Miami) In a recent mock, Reece and I sent Justin Fields to the Eagles at this spot after he slid out of the top 10. According to James Palmer of NFL Network, head coach Nick Sirianni is not convinced by current starter Jalen Hurts and wants a quarterback competition this offseason. Ian Rapoport believed earlier in the offseason that the Eagles were looking to trade to No.3 but only if it meant selecting expected No.2 pick Zach Wilson. Its clear the Eagles are interested in adding a QB but are unlikely to be aggressive in their pursuit. The other option here would be Heisman winning receiver DeVonta Smith. Roseman relieved concerns about Smith’s weight issues declaring “good players come in all shapes and sizes.” Corner Jaycee Horn would also be a great fit. But if Fields, who’s first pro day the team attended, falls into their laps at 12, I don’t think they pass it up (although I think if he falls this far, a team probably moves up to grab him.) The Pick: Justin Fields Don’t Be Surprised: DeVonta Smith, Jaycee Horn 13. Los Angeles Chargers The Chargers main priority this offseason has been adding protection for quarterback Justin Herbert and it will continue into the draft. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes the Chargers are targeting either the top two tackles or the top two corners in this year’s draft. That means Penei Sewell, Patrick Surtain II, Jaycee Horn and tackle Rashawn Slater are the names the watch here. Receiver has been a popular choice in mock drafts for LA, but Popper doesn’t believe this to be feasible. He expects the Chargers to trade down if the aforementioned players have all been taken. That won’t be the case here though as two of those four players remain. Whilst corner is a need following the release of Casey Hayward, a franchise cornerstone tackle to protect Justin Herbert for the next decade is too valuable to pass up. The Pick: Rashawn Slater Don’t Be Surprised: Jaycee Horn, Christian Darrisaw 14. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings are another team who want to protect their franchise QB. Tony Pauline believes the team “love” tackle Christian Darrisaw but are “unsure” he makes it past the Chargers. Pauline adds the Vikings have also done “extensive”’ work on USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. Adam Schefter and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio both believe the Vikings are focusing on improving either their offensive or defensive line play with their first-round pick. Defensive end is definitely a need for this team opposite Danielle Hunter but the value doesn’t stack up like it does at tackle. I can certainly see Vera-Tucker being the pick here, but both of the top two offensive tackles slipping has left Darrisaw remaining on the board. I don’t see the Vikings going any other way. The Pick: Christian Darrisaw Don’t Be Surprised: Alijah Vera-Tucker 15. New England Patriots If there is any team likely to spread false rumours about its draft plans its Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. So when you here per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero say that teams around the league think the Patriots are trading up for Justin Fields, you can pretty much rule that out as a possibility. I’ve been bullish all offseason that the Patriots are going to get aggressive and move up into the top 10 for a quarterback. They’ve certainly done their research, sending their top brass to the pro days of Mac Jones, Justin Fields and Trey Lance. Since the 49ers trade to 3, I’ve cooled on that a little bit as I thought Jones would be the player they would target (he is the only of the top 5 QB’s head coach Bill Belichick attended the pro day of.) I believe Belichick would target Jones because he coverts two traits when it comes to quarterbacks: accuracy and decision making. Accuracy is pretty self-explanatory, but decision making includes ball protection, football IQ and the ability to progress quickly and effectively through reads. As unfashionable an opinion as it has become, Mac Jones is the best at all those things in this draft. Whilst media heads love to talk about mobility, size and arm strength as the primary factors as to what makes a great QB, we have seen the Patriots win consistently with the traditional pocket passer. With all that said, I don’t see Fields being a fit in New England. Lance I can see as a possibility if he gets to Detroit at seven, but otherwise I expect the Patriots to stay put and select the best player on their board. Side note, if anyone believes the Patriots aren’t in the QB game because “they haven’t draft a first round QB in 20 years” you need to give yourself a good hard slap in the face. They had some dude named Brady playing quarterback for them that whole time. Just wanted to get that off my chest. If the team don’t move up for a QB there are two players available here who will certainly be high on their board and another I could see as a typical Belichick development pick. Those players are corner Jaycee Horn, receiver Devonta Smith and lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. Horn is from the same alma mater as current Patriot’s star Stephon Gilmore and there is a lot similar about their games. The Pats covert aggressive corners who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and Horn fits that mould perfectly. I’m reluctant to mock Smith here as, per Tom Curran on his recent podcast, Belichick often sneers at the thought of drafting underweight players at any position (note under-weight, not size. Short players work fine.). I see Tucker as the developmental pick, spending a season behind Isiah Wynn and Trent Brown before taking over on either the left or right side (both are currently out of contract after this year.) Based on the team’s offseason moves, the trade rumours around both Gilmore and fellow corner JC Jackson and the signings made at receiver, I can see Bill wanting to hit reset on a key position and take the best player on his board. The Pick: Jaycee Horn Don’t Be Surprised: DeVonta Smith, Alijah Vera-Tucker 16. Arizona Cardinals There is a lot of buzz out there about this pick. NFL Media’s Peter Schrager, who is always clued in with the organisation, believes they will trade up to select an offensive weapon. Matt Miller has also heard the team is looking to move up for a wideout. Devonta Smith is the last of the top three wideouts left on the board, a player GM Steve Keim recently compared to former Colts great Marvin Harrison. Tony Pauline believes the Cardinals are targeting Smtih and Waddle along with the top corners in the class. Jason La Confora agrees, naming Jaycee Horn as the most likely target. All these players may well be gone by pick sixteen on draft night so watch out for the Cardinals as a team to trade up. Pauline and La Confora believe that linebacker Zaven Collins is being lined up as a contingency. I’d be surprised to see him fall this far on the night, but as for this mock the pick makes itself. The Pick: DeVonta Smith Don’t Be Surprised: Zaven Collins 17. Las Vegas Raiders The Raiders are challenging the Seahawks as the worst team to mock for. I get the feeling this Mayock/Gruden regime like to play games with us, leaking CeeDee Lamb as their pick last year before taking Henry Ruggs, spreading QB rumours the week before this draft and, per Ian Rapoport, sending all of their scouts home days before the draft in 2019. With that in mind lets take everything we hear with a significant helping of salt. The first report to note is from The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, who believes the team will exclude anyone who opted out of the 2020 college football season. That takes players like Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, Miami’s Gregory Rousseau and Penn State’s Micah Parsons (if he were to fall this far) off the board. The names out there at the moment are offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw and Alijah Vera-Tucker per Sports Illustrated‘s Hondo Carpender. Ian Rapoport also believes the Raiders are yet another team in the QB market this year and could look to move up if one of the top 5 fall out of the top 10. Still, after trading more than half of their offensive line this off-season this pick is surely a no brainer. Even for the Raiders? The Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker 18. Miami Dolphins Contrasting rumours for the Dolphins second pick in the first round. As mentioned at the previous slot, Brian Flores “loves” Micah Parsons and would surely snap him up here. Bama running back Najee Harris is the centre of “strong buzz” at 18 per Jason La Confora. The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino adds that the team are still looking to improve the position through the draft despite Malcolm Brown having joined in free agency. Tony Pauline disagrees. His sources indicated that “it’s probably not going to be Najee Harris at No.18.” Instead, he believes the Dolphins will take a pass rusher in the form of either Kwity Paye or Azeez Ojulari. I’ll throw Penn State defensive end Jason Oweh into the mix here as well, as per Ian Rapoport he is a name who is flying up draft boards despite registering 0 sacks last season. No, that isn’t a typo, apparently 0 sacks is worth a first round pick if you’re big and fast enough. Overall though the buzz is too strong around another potential Bama reunion in Miami. The Pick: Najee Harris Don’t Be Surprised: Azeez Ojulari, Jayson Oweh 19. Washington Football Team Did you think we’d moved past the teams strongly linked with a quarterback? According to Ian Rapoport the Football Team is “not out of the quarterback market.” Washington is believed to “love” Trey Lance according to Mike Lombardi and will “be willing to part with considerable assets to acquire him.” Tony Pauline agrees, but adds the team in not willing to give up a “mountain of draft capital to climb from No.19 to No.4.” Keep an eye on them to jump up to 7 in a trade with Detroit. Both head coach Ron Rivera and GM Martin Mayhew came out and said they were “very confident and comfortable” with their current QB room. This is likely just trying to cool any rumours about a big trade up but certainly doesn’t rule it out. John Keim of ESPN believes the Football Team could also move up for either a top offensive tackle or linebacker prospect. Looking at the two positions Keim mentions leaves three names to look for: Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins, Notre Dame linebacker-safety hybrid Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Oklahoma State tackle Teven Jenkins. This is somewhat of a shot in the dark, but one of these players has been rumoured to go much higher than the media think and has come up as an option a few times already. The Pick: Zaven Collins Don’t Be Surprised: Teven Jenkins, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 20. Chicago Bears I could pretty much copy and paste the first paragraph from the Washington pick and use it for the Bears as well. Per Albert Breer they are another team who could potentially look to move up for a quarterback but haven’t been “burning the phone lines” as of yet. Tony Pauline thinks a player like Davis Mills from Stanford in the second round could be someone they really like. There isn’t much else to go on beyond the QB rumours. Looking back at GM Ryan Pace’s previous drafts don’t offer much insight either as the team hasn’t draft in the first round since 2018. The team tends to draft to meet needs, making tackle, corner and receiver the most likely choices. Wide out doesn’t provide great value here, with Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman the most likely option. At tackle Teven Jenkins is the name to watch, while at corner Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley has slid due to a back injury but was viewed as a potential top 10 pick. Northwestern corner Greg Newsome could be an option here as well. Pace and head coach Matt Nagy need to win now with anointed QB1 Andy Dalton to save their jobs. The best way to do that is ensure he is protected. The Pick: Teven Jenkins Don’t Be Surprised: Caleb Farley, Greg Newsome, Rashod Bateman 21. Indianapolis Colts The Colts would’ve loved Jenkins to fall one more spot according to NFL Network’s former GM Charlie Casserly. Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports that the Colts are interested in the position, identifying Christian Darrisaw as a player they like although they’d likely have to trade up to grab him. Owner Jim Irsay also talked confirmed tackle as a need along with corner. GM Chris Ballard though is a known proprietor of drafting the best player available and won’t select a player purely on need. There isn’t much buzz to go on, but with no consensus first-round graded lineman available, the players who represent value whilst filling a need are corners Caleb Farley and Greg Newsome, Miami edge rushers Jaelan Philips and Gregory Rousseau, as well as Georgia edge Azeez Ojulari. Ballard is a shrewd operator when it comes to draft night, and I expect the chance to select a player with top 10 upside at a position of need sliding until the early 20s will be too good for the Colts to pass up. The Pick: Caleb Farley Don’t Be Surprised: Greg Newsome, Edge rushers 22. Tennessee Titans The Titan’s partially filled their biggest need from last year with the free agent signing of edge rusher Bud Dupree, but adding another shouldn’t be discounted here. Tackle could be in player too, with Charley Casserly mentioning the Titans as another team with a strong interest in Teven Jenkins. The buzz is mostly focused on the Titans addressing their pass catching corps following the departure of Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith. Rashod Bateman is the name most commonly thrown around in this range, but per The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode, the name to watch is Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore. Rexrode adds that the team may look to trade down to acquire him. If player pressure does have any sway over the decision makers (see Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase or DeShaun Watson to the opposite effect) then current star receiver A.J. Brown and former teammate of Moore recently tweeted pictures of Moore at his pro day with the caption “@Titans don’t mess this up.” I’m not confident at all with this one, but staying true to the buzz Moore looks like a surprisingly likely option. The Pick: Elijah Moore Don’t Be Surprised: Rashod Bateman, Edge rushers 23. New York Jets (from Seattle) GM Joe Douglas has said the Jets have begun the “groundwork” on trading up in the draft. They aren’t going from No.2 to No.1, so we can assume he is referring to this slot. Connor Hughes of The Athletic believes this would be for an offensive lineman, either Rashawn Slater or Alijah Vera-Tucker. Hughes added he doesn’t see the Jets moving as far as the top 15 though. Another player the Jets like is Najee Harris per Tony Pauline, but adds Harris is “likely gone” by this point. Brian Costello of the New York Post also believes the Jets are targeting either Harris or fellow running back Travis Etienne from Clemson. Surprisingly, there is no mention of the Jets selecting a corner here despite it being a glaring need and with Greg Newsome still on the board. Edge rusher would also fill a hole as well. But as stated from the offset my opinion hold no weight, leaving only one option from the reports for the Jets to pick here. The Pick: Travis Etienne Don’t Be Surprised: Greg Newsome, Edge rushers 24. Pittsburgh Steelers According to Tony Pauline, the Steelers are “locked in” on three players in this year’s first round. Alabama running back Najee Harris, Bama centre Landon Dickerson and Oklahoma State tackle Teven Jenkins. Once again edge rusher is another need, but there isn’t any buzz that the team is looking to replace Bud Dupree early. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the team is in the market for a “dynamic feature back” after letting James Conner leave for Arizona. Travis Etienne and North Carolina’s Javonte Williams also represent the value according to NFL Network’s Lance Zierline, who also believes Pittsburgh will attack the position early. With Harris and Etienne off the board, Pittsburgh can likely find better value in the second or third round. Jenkins is gone as well, having been selected by the Bears four picks before Pittsburgh. That leaves Alabama centre Landon Dickerson as the only remaining player from the shortlist. Steelers fans shouldn’t be disappointed by the selection of a centre in the first, as previous first-round centre and ten-year starter Maurkice Pouncey turned out pretty well. The Pick: Landon Dickerson Don’t Be Surprised: Javonte Williams, Edge rushers 25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams) As if grabbing Trevor Lawrence wasn’t enough, the Jags are back on the clock thanks to the trade that took Jalen Ramsey to LA. Absolutely no buzz around this pick though as all the Jags talk is aimed at Trevor Lawrence. Urban Meyer only took the Jags job because he knew he would have the capital to turn the franchise around with the No.1 overall pick, this pick, the first pick in the second round, as well as No.45 and No. 65. This is going to be a bandwagon, putting two and two together type selection here. TCU safety Trevon Moehrig is the best and likely only first round safety in this class and fills a huge position of need in the Jacksonville secondary. You’ll see him mocked here in most other analyst mocks. The tumbling Greg Newsome is another good option to pair opposite last year’s top 10 pick CJ Henderson, as is Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore. The Pick: Trevon Moehrig Don’t Be Surprised: Greg Newsome, Christian Barmore 26. Cleveland Browns The aforementioned Barmore has been described as the draft’s “biggest curveball” by insiders and one of the most likely players to be over drafted. Matt Miller believes he will be the “2nd or 3rd defender off the board.” This is due to an anonymous GM describing this year’s crop of defensive tackles as “awful, just awful.” It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Barmore go higher than this despite The Athletic’s Bob McGinn writing “several teams” are concerned by Barmore’s “resistance to coaching.” The Browns seem like the first logical spot for him to land following the release of Sheldon Richardson according to Brownszone.com’s Scott Petrak. Edge rusher was another popular choice here prior to the signing of Jadaveon Clowney. It’s a sign of the times that not much else is coming out of Cleveland, though GM Andrew Berry did take to the podium to not rule out the selection of a linebacker or corner. There isn’t much to really read into there though, so as it stands we’ll be taking the big man from Bama. The Pick: Christian Barmore Don’t Be Surprised: Greg Newsome, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 27. Baltimore Ravens Receiver has been the popular pick here, with head coach John Harbaugh confirming the team is looking to add pass catchers who play “hard.” According to Todd McShay they are “definitely targeting a wide receiver” with one of their first two picks. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic was told the team are particularly high on Rashod Bateman and LSU’s Terrance Marshall. Jonas Schaffer of the Baltimore Sun reports the team are looking to add a safety, but that is unlikely here with Trevon Moehrig off the board. Jason La Confora believes the team will look to trade down and provides Landon Dickerson as a name to watch. Receiver looks to be a slam dunk pick here though. The Pick: Rashod Bateman Don’t Be Surprised: Terrace Marshall, Edge rushers 28. New Orleans Saints Yet another team linked to quarterbacks! This time Jeremy Fowler believes Kyle Trask could be a “sneaky” first round target. Tony Pauline reports they are very high on Western Michigan receiver Dwayne Eskridge but see him as a second round player. Sean Payton has said they “must address” the cornerback position before the season begins following the release of Janoris Jenkins and arrest of Marshon Lattimore. Thankfully for the Saints one of the draft’s top corners has fallen into their laps. The Pick: Greg Newsome Don’t Be Surprised: Edge rushers 29. Green Bay Packers By now I think we’ve learned to stop expecting the Packers to draft a first round receiver. Pauline mentioned the Packers as another team “high” on Dwayne Eskridge, but that is likely again in the second round. This may be the case as the Packers have been speculated as a team likely to trade out of the first round altogether. There is little to no buzz out there for the team beyond that. With that being the case, we’ll turn to Reece Mowlem’s top 150. The board lines up nicely with the top talent remaining also filling a need at linebacker for the Packers. The Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Don’t Be Surprised: Edge rushers 30. Buffalo Bills Bills GM Brandon Beane assured reporters that the team if “thinking more long-term than short” with the 30th overall pick. In direct contrast to that statement, all the talk around the Bills is focused on taking a running back. Beane is “open” to drafting a running back in the first round if the player has a different skill set to current backs Zack Moss and Devin Singletary, stating the current group “lacks home run hitters.” According to Albert Breer that player is Travis Etienne, taken by the Jets at 23 in this mock. I can definitely see Etienne making it to this pick and the Bills selecting him, but with him gone the top back available is Javonte Williams, a bruiser who does have “home run” hitting ability. Given Williams is a different skill set to the Bills current backs and the huge buzz around the position, I’m reluctantly going to predict he’s the pick. For the record, I think if they make it this far pass rushers Azeez Ojulari, Jaelan Phillips and Jason Oweh are more likely picks, but we’re going with the buzz. The Pick: Javonte Williams Don’t Be Surprised: Edge rushers 31. Baltimore Ravens (from Kansas City) Baltimore acquired this pick in the Orlando Brown trade to Kansas City. Former Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva is expected to fill Brown’s role making tackle unlikely here. The trade happened just a few days before the draft so there hasn’t been time to generate much buzz about who the Ravens will take here. Connecting the dots, I think an edge rushing linebacker to replace Matt Judon is highly likely, especially since the player I’m selecting has been linked with teams as high as the Giants at 11. The Pick: Azeez Ojulari Don’t Be Surprised: Jaelan Phillips, Jayson Oweh 32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Superbowl champs are loaded at every position. The one weakness from last year may have been the team’s run defence when Vita Vea was out of the line-up, but GM Jason Licht recently described this defensive line class as “weak” when justifying his decision to bring back Ndamukong Suh amongst others. Head coach Bruce Arians said he “wouldn’t be against” selecting a quarterback in round one. Players like Davis Mills and Kyle Trask have received some buzz as potential late first rounders. I don’t see the Bucs going that way though, and with little else to go on I’ll project the team to build on the strength that lead them to the title last year (other than the GOAT.) An edge rusher to develop behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett makes sense, especially as both Jayson Oweh and Jaelan Phillips are expected to be taken in the first round. I’ll give Tampa the more developmental of the two. The Pick: Jayson Oweh Don’t Be Surprised: Jaelan Phillips, Gregory Rousseau And there you have it folks! This year’s Buzz Mock based entirely on what I’ve heard and not seen. If you'd like to listen to the breakdown of this mock draft on the First Down Podcast, click here. Also, if you would like to see a “What We Would Do” mock draft, check out Reece’s here. A reminder that no matter the sources, mock drafting remains a fool’s gambit and a result of 5/32 correct should be looked upon very favourably. I hope but highly doubt we’ll ever get near last year’s mark of 11 again. Keep your eye on the news all the way until the commissioner takes the podium, as news will continue to leak from now until pick at 32. Let’s face it, chances are pretty high a large piece of news will break right after this is published. Anyway, enjoy the draft and have fun doing your own mock, or just sit back and watch the chaos unfold. See you next time! By Reece Mowlem After countless hours of tape watching, scout report reading and intense soul-searching, I have finally finalised my final prospect rankings for the 2021 NFL Draft (29th April - 1st May). Like every other person on the planet who covers the draft, some of my opinions will prove to be horribly wrong. I mean, even the NFL teams have about a 50% hit-rate when it comes to evaluating talent. But hopefully a few of my views will be right on the money and I can be showered with praise before bagging the Eagles GM job when Howie Roseman eventually gets the boot. I digress. So without further ado, I proudly present my Top 150 Prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft!  Click the link below to view the high-quality PDF version of the rankings. 
          By Reece Mowlem. First off I need to make just one thing clear, this mock draft represents what I would do if I were the GM of each franchise and not what I think will happen in the 2020 NFL Draft. I used to try and predict the future in my mocks but quickly learnt it to be an entirely impossible task (unless your name is Ian Rapoport). Instead, this year I have studied hours of tape and pored through pages upon pages of stats to create my own Big Board of my Top 200 prospects, which you can find here. Using these rankings, I put myself in the shoes of each of the decision makers around the league to create a mock draft that shows what would play out if a version of me was in every NFL War Room (or GM's house) from the 23rd-25th April. That being said, I decided to exclude trades as negotiating with myself did not go well. If anyone wants an explanation to why I made a certain pick then feel free to tweet at me @ReeceMowlem97 and I'll be more than happy to give my thoughts. So without further ado, I present my 5-round NFL Mock Draft 2020! Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 By Owen Turner.
Buzz. It’s the sound a bee makes. It’s a feed you go to for garbage news and quizzes. It’s an animated space ranger from Disney. But most importantly, buzz is those juicy nuggets of information that leak out before the great NFL Draft. It’s information you’re not sure you can trust but is still more accurate than your opinion. It can make you mad, it can make you excited and it can make you want pack it up and follow Tom Brady to Tompa. But buzz is best for one thing: hours and hours worth of time-consuming, inaccurate and ultimately futile mock drafts. I have taken this burden upon myself and sifted through all the buzz (yes, every single page of the internet). I’ve cut crap and present you, the good listeners of the First Down Podcast, with the most precise and insightful mock draft ever produced. It’s certain to get at least 5 pick right this year… This draft is shaping up to be a classic. We’ve got record breaking quarterbacks, cannon-armed quarterbacks and brittle-boned but oh so exciting quarterbacks. We have athletic freaks on the defensive side of the ball and a plethora of fierce offensive lineman to resist them. We don’t have tight ends though. We never have tight ends. We’re so void of tight ends the Lions though T.J. Hockenson was worth a top 10 pick… Tampa Bay, Denver, Atlanta and more could be on the way up. Arizona, Jacksonville and anyone picking after 20 are looking to go down. For God’s sake we even have a top 5 talent so damaged the most revered Dr David J. Chao said he’d need a hip replacement by the time he’s 35! And to top it all off, the entire draft could be shut out if the WiFi cuts out… Even Coronavirus cannot beat the NFL Draft for drama. Lets just get to it before another anonymous GM can tells us the media couldn’t be any ‘wronger’ again (nice to know you don’t need to speak no English good to work in the NFL). First thigs first, we need to know who’s reporting what. It matters a lot. It could be the commissioner himself or Fergus Head on the other side of that twitter handle. Here’s a quick outline below so you know which people to put your trust in. Gospel Tier: Adam Schefter (ESPN), Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) True Believer Tier: Matt Miller (Bleacher Report), Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Peter King (NBC Sports) Take It with a Grain of Salt Tier: Regional Journalists and Radio Hosts Smoke Screen Tier: Team Officials, Anonymous General Managers The Sh*t Producing Smoke which isn’t even Smoke it’s Steam Tier: Anyone Announcing the Browns are about to Trade Odell Beckham Jr. We’re almost ready. Just so you know when the buzz lets us down, because some teams know how to keep secrets, we’re turning to your podcast host Reece Mowlem’s rankings. Check them out here: http://www.firstdown.co/draft. Again, these aren’t the picks the First Downers would make, they’re purely off rumours (don’t hate me Tua fans)... OK you’re ready, so let’s get to it. The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock. (Oh, and if you want to enter our Mock Draft Competition, Click Here.) 1. Cincinnati Bengals This is as close as an NFL Draft pick has come to a certainty since Andrew Luck in 2012. Ian Rapoport reported that LSU’s Joe Burrow to the Bengals is ‘biggest slam dunk we have seen in a very long time.’ In 2019 Burrow recorded the single greatest statistical season ever by a collegiate quarterback, throwing for a record 60 touchdowns on route to taking home both the National Championship and the Heisman. The Bengals haven’t tried to hide their interest. Per Albert Breer they have ‘maxed out’ their conversation time with Burrow (three one-hour sessions a week) and all signs point to them wanting him at No.1. But if you’re still holding out for some draft day intrigue at No. 1 then I offer you a brief glimmer of hope. Rumours circulate at the Combine that the Ohio native isn’t as sold on the Bengals as they are on him. This isn’t to say he would pull an Elway or an Eli and attempt to force a trade if selected, but it does beg the question that if Burrow didn’t want to play in Cincinnati what it would take to prise away the No. 1 pick. The only team with the capital to pull of such a move would be the Miami Dolphins, with three first round picks and six in the top one hundred. According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN the Dolphins like Burrow ‘a lot’ but the trade remains unlikely. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has denied the team is willing to trade the pick but Matt Miller believes they will at least field calls. Also factoring into a potential deal is that the Bengals are ‘true believers’ in Oregon’s Justin Herbert per Peter King. Could the Bengals trade down from No.1 to pick Herbert at No.5? For it to happen the Dolphins would have to give up at least what the Redskins did to move up from No.6 to No.2 in 2012 to pick Robert Griffen III (three 1strounders and a 2nd). Still even if the Bengals do pull a shock and move the top pick you can be confident Burrow will still be the 1st player taken. The Pick: Joe Burrow (QB, LSU) 2. Washington Redskins It’s just as concrete at No.2 I’m afraid. Redskins fans may dream of seeing Tua Tagovailoa swap Alabama crimson Washington burgundy but with 2019 1stround quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the building it seems unlikely. Selecting Tua would be especially cruel as Haskins is hosting the Redskins virtual draft party (yes, apparently draft parties can be virtual now). Instead it is widely believed the Redskins will select the No.1 player on many people’s boards in Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young. The Redskins have another 2019 1stround pick in Montez Sweat at defensive end as well as veteran Ryan Kerrigan. Young however is considered a generational talent that new head coach Ron Rivera could not possibly pass up. Peter King has not heard of anyone within ‘his sphere’ that thinks the Redskins won’t pick Young at No.2. A trade down could be possible but it would be cheaper for teams looking to jump the Dolphins for a quarterback to target the Lion’s No.3 pick or the Giants at No.4. Go ahead and write this pick in ink on your mock drafts. The Pick: Chase Young (EDGE, Ohio State) 3. Detroit Lions The excitement begins at No.3. The Lions would likely acquire a premium defensive player such as Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons or Auburn’s Derrick Brown with this pick, but analysts are almost unanimous that the Lion’s should trade down with either the quarterback-needy Dolphins or Chargers. Rapoport and Breer have both reported this is what Detroit are looking to do. Unless Detroit is in love with one particular player or Washington passes on Chase Young, a trade down to acquire extra draft capital would be in their best interest. Regardless, we are not projecting trades in this mock. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Lions have done their due diligence interviewing Tua and Herbert, but with Matthew Stafford returning from injury this is likely nothing more than smoke to entice potential bidders. The consensus among insiders is that if the Lions stay put they will replace the departed Darius Slay and select the best corner on their board. The Pick: Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State) Don’t Be Surprised: Isaiah Simmons (LB/S, Clemson), Derrick Brown (DI, Auburn) 4. New York Giants If Detroit stays put the Giants should look to move their pick, even if it means only moving down one spot. The 49ers did this with the Bears in 2017, acquiring an extra two thirds and a fourth rounder whilst still picking they player they’d have taken at their slot. If the Giants could pull of a similar move with the pick-heavy Dolphins it would be as good as stealing. Unfortunately for Giant’s fans general manager Dave Gettleman is notorious for many things on draft day, one of them being a reluctance to trade down (he has never moved down from any pick in any round as a GM). Gettleman is also famous for his desire to draft the largest human being available. Because of this a large part of me truly believes that it will be Louisville’s 6’7”, 364 lbs offensive tackle Mekhi Becton pulling on a Big Blue cap on draft day. But this mock is based purely on buzz. In most mock drafts you will find linebacker Isaiah Simmons taken here, but Gettleman’s belief of building through the lines and the recent signing of former Green Bay tackling machine Blake Martinez makes this seem unlikely. Reports out of New York indicate offensive tackle will be the pick. Matt Miller heard that Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas could be the surprise first tackle taken, but ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and Rich Cimini both believe that the pick here will be Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills. Two reports beat one. The Pick: Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT, Alabama) Don’t Be Surprised: Isaiah Simmons (LB/S, Clemson), Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville), Tristan Wirfs (OT/OG, Iowa), Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia) 5. Miami Dolphins Here comes the draft day drama we all love. The fans and analysts will all be calling for Tua here but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has been told by team staff members with ‘no horse in the race’ that without a physical examination Tua is too risky in the top 10. Couple this report with another from the Athletic’s Bob McGinn that Tua is totally off three team’s draft boards and the concern of a Aaron Rodgers-esque draft day slide is very real. Cameron Wolfe of ESPN states the Dolphins are yet to decide which quarterback they will take (and with which pick). Matt Miller and many other insiders believe the fans will be disappointed and the Dolphins will pass on Tua. There are whispers that Utah State’s Jordan Love may be in play here as well, but the majority believe the pick will be the quarterback out of Oregon. The Pick: Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon) Don’t Be Surprised: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) 6. Los Angeles Chargers As is the case most years, there is almost no buzz coming out of Los Angeles (that still feels weird to say but not as weird as Las Vegas…). Early reports indicated the Chargers were happy to stay put and select whichever quarterback the Dolphins didn’t, but head coach Anthony Lynn has since reaffirmed the team’s confidence in journeyman Tyrod Taylor. If Lynn is to be believed (and that is a very big if) and if the Tua’s injuries are as worrying as reported, an impact defender or offensive lineman is likely the pick. Adding athletic freak Isaiah Simmons to an already stacked defensive unit would keep offensive coordinators up at night, although this pick feels like a luxury. Reinforcing the offensive tackle positions after trading Russell Okung to Carolina would seem a greater priority. Jordan Love’s name has also been floated here, but it is believed by Ian Rapoport that the Chargers are instead looking at Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts at the top of the second round. With little information to go on we turn to Mowlem’s big board for the first deciding vote. The Pick: Tristan Wirfs (OT/OG, Iowa) Don’t Be Surprised: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama), Isaiah Simmons (LB/S, Clemson), Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia), Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville) 7. Carolina Panthers Here is the first time this mock moves away from the buzz. Most reports from Carolina have the Panthers selecting Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown in this spot. Albert Breer would be ‘surprised’ if Brown made it past this spot. Brown would be the pick here in most drafts, however in this mock Isaiah Simmons somewhat surprisingly remains on the board. Both defensive tackle and linebacker can be considered needs for the Panthers, with the latter becoming so as a direct result of Luke Kuechly’s retirement at age 29. Whilst Brown is undoubtably an elite prospect in this draft, the value of a nose tackle cannot match up against a generational athlete capable of destroying offensive game plans on any given Sunday. It is unlikely the Panthers would pass up the opportunity to replace one All-Pro linebacker with another. The Pick: Isaiah Simmons (LB/S, Clemson) Don’t Be Surprised: Derrick Brown (DI, Auburn) 8. Arizona Cardinals Arizona’s pick is the first of the second group of prime trade-down spots. Teams looking to jump the inevitable wide receiver run could look to make a move here, as could a team needing an offensive tackle. Assuming Arizona stays put, the Cardinals will likely pick the player the Panthers passed on with their previous pick. Derrick Brown or one of the offensive tackles have been the names on most reports from Arizona, but the tie breaker here comes down to Fox and NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager. Schrager is known to have a close working relationship with Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and was the first to suggest Kyler Murray as the No.1 pick last season. It’s worth pointing out that general manager Steve Keim has not ruled out a wide receiver here, but this is most likely smoke following the heist of DeAndre Hopkins. Schrager, among the many others, are predicting Arizona to select the big guy out of Auburn here. The Pick: Derrick Brown (DI, Auburn) Don’t Be Surprised: Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville), Tristan Wirfs (OT/OG, Iowa) 9. Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville have burned the whole thing down. Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Telvin Smith and Calais Campbell; the stars of Sacksonville during their run to the AFC Championship game in 2018 are all no longer with the team. Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Fournette may not be far behind. Per Albert Breer, the Jags will likely trade down from this spot and look to acquire more picks for their rebuild if defensive tackle Derrick Brown is off the board. Again, as with Arizona, teams looking to jump up for a wide receiver or an offensive tackle could look to make a deal. Peter King and Ian Rapoport both think this pick is unlikely to be a quarterback, but general manager Dave Caldwell has surprised them all before with his pick of Blake Bortles in 2014. If the team is to pick here, The Athletic’s Ben Standig believes corner C.J. Henderson from Florida would be the choice. Henderson has shot up draft boards recently and almost seems a sure-fire top 10 pick. One anonymous general manager (very very smoky) told King 40% of teams actually have Henderson over Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah. Fans of the Jaguars may be hoping for one of the big three receivers here to help the Jaguar King himself Gardner Minshew, but there has been little belief this will happen. The Pick: C.J. Henderson (CB, Florida) Don’t Be Surprised: Tristan Wirfs (OT/OG, Iowa), Javon Kinlaw (DI, South Carolina) 10. Cleveland Browns Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Odell Beckham Jr. is unlikely to be traded. A wild report from Marc Malusis of WFAN Moose (remember what we said about source reliability…) believed the Vikings were imminently trading two picks in 2021 for the wide out. This has since been shot down by none other than the greatest insider of them all Adam Schefter. Schefter and his colleagues are almost unanimous that the Browns will take a left tackle here. General manager Andrew Berry did warn Cleveland.com not to ‘assume what Cleveland is going to do’, but really what else would he say? Per Ian Rapoport, the shocking name linked to the Browns is Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland. It’s safe to assume the front office will make their decision on more on just a player’s name, but would anyone really be surprised if Cleveland (the team) didn’t? Cleveland (the player) being picked here would be a tremendous reach on Mowlem’s (101) and many other’s boards, and if he is their guy the Browns would likely trade down to make this pick. Michael Lombardi of the Athletic believes Denver is a likely trade partner. Even if the Browns do love Cleveland, if the pick is made here it will likely be for one of the more established offensive tackles. There is no buzz as to whether this would be Georgia’s Andrew Thomas or Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, so I’ll leave the tie breaker to Mowlem’s Big Board. The Pick: Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia) Don’t Be Surprised: Ezra Cleveland (OT, Boise State), Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville) 11. New York Jets Lots of intrigue here. The Jets two biggest needs are at wide receiver and offensive tackle. Matt Miller believes tackle will be the pick, whilst SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano believes the team are high on Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs III and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. Vacchiano also reports that ‘several sources’ believe the Jets like Georgia’s Andrew Thomas more than Louisville’s Mekhi Becton at tackle. Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman also reports the team have interest in Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Overall, most of the buzz here points to offensive tackle. That being the case, and with the rest of the top four off the board, this pick makes itself. The Pick: Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville) Don’t Be Surprised: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama), CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma), Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama) 12. Las Vegas Raiders Moving to Sin City, needing a face for the franchise and a coach who loves to collect his quarterbacks. Sounds like a match made in heaven right? Unfortunately not, and Tua Tagovailoa sees his slide continue. There is a LOT coming out of Oakland, which is surprising given the teams secrecy a year ago (the Raiders sent all of their scouts home before the draft last year). General manager and hero of the podcast Mike Mayock said that the Raiders are happy at QB and are looking to ‘rebuild’ Marcus Mariota. This presumedly rules out selecting Tua. Most believe this is pick will be a wide receiver. Henry Ruggs III’s and his 4.2 speed have Raider written all over him but Adam Caplan of SirusXM Radio reports head coach Jon Gruden is looking for a ‘true X’ with great speed. Seeing Tyreek Hill twice a year will do that to you. Peter King believes Mayock ‘loves’ Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. Lamb fits the mould of a traditional X receiver but lacks Rugg’s game breaking speed. South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has also been mentioned here. My gut says to give the Raiders the flashy speed guy, but the mock is on buzz, so the Raiders go with the safer guy and the higher player on Mowlem’s board. The Pick: CeeDee Lamb Don’t Be Surprised: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama), Javon Kinlaw (DI, South Carolina), Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama) 13. San Francisco 49ers (from Colts) Per Adam Schefter, the 49ers are another team looking to trade down. If they stay, most assume it will be for an elite wide receiver. Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III both remain on the board. Albert Breer reports head coach Kyle Shanahan wants speed, and Matt Miller believes this pick will be a corner or a wide out. Strangely though, with a pick acquired from trading DeForest Buckner to the Colts, Peter King and NBC colleague Matt Maiocco believe the 49ers are ‘desperate’ for a replacement tackle in South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw. Picking Kinlaw (who has an incredible backstory you should read about) would present a cheaper, younger version of Buckner to reinforce an already stacked defensive line. One final thought: general manager John Lynch released a video of himself on twitter watching Kentucky vs Louisville (with Louisville on offense). The only player on the board worth pick No.13 is Mekhi Becton. Perhaps this means the 49ers are looking at offensive tackle, although I struggle to believe any general manager is dumb enough to share something like that on twitter without it being smoke. If the 49ers stay put logic says receiver here but the evidence says otherwise. The Pick: Javon Kinlaw (DI, South Carolina) Don’t Be Surprised: Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama), Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama) 14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers One of the easiest teams to predict this year are the Buccaneers. The Bucs signed some older dude named Brandy or something to play quarterback for them this year and he apparently requires extra protection per Albert Breer. Tampa may look to trade up for one of the top four tackles, but with them off the board Matt Miller believes the pick will be USC’s Austin Jackson or Houston’s Josh Jones. Again, the decision goes in favour of the top guy on Mowlem’s and most other analyst’s boards. The Pick: Joshua Jones (OT, Houston) Don’t Be Surprised: Austin Jackson (OT, USC) 15. Denver Broncos There are a multitude of reports stating Denver are looking to move up in this draft. Albert Breer believes it is for an offensive tackle but most other insiders believe it will be for a wide receiver. Rather unusually the run on receivers has not happened in this mock, but if trades were possible teams like the Broncos, Eagles and Vikings would all jump in and snap them up. Both Alabama receivers being on the board would be a dream for general manager John Elway and quarterback Drew Lock. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network also notes the team are high on Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims, although no one is expecting the Broncos to take him over Jeudy or Ruggs. Woody Paige of the Colorado Springs Gazette believes the team wants Jeudy and will do whatever it takes to secure him. Him falling into their lao is too good to pass up. The Pick: Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama) Don’t Be Surprised: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama) 16. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta are the other team with the most buzz surrounding a potential trade up. Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL scouting legend Gil Brandt both believe this would be for Florida corner C.J. Henderson. This would make sense given the general struggles of their secondary and the loss of Desmond Trufant. Henderson is long gone by now though, so Atlanta are left looking at the rest of the corner market. LSU’s Kristian Fulton, Clemson’s AJ Terell, Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and TCU’s Jeff Gladney make up a solid second tier for the Falcons to choose from. LSU pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson may be in the conversation here too, but the signing of Dante Fowler to an inflated contract to play opposite Tak McKinley makes this pick a luxury. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure reports corner is the pick here, but with little information as to who it may be with Henderson off the board I defer once more to Mowlem’s rankings. The Pick: Kristian Fulton (CB, LSU) Don’t Be Surprised: K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE, LSU), Any Other Corner 17. Dallas Cowboys Imagine the scene if Tua’s slide finally ended in Dallas. One of the many consequences would be Dak Prescott walking after playing this year under the franchise tag. Of course, this is unlikely and again not the pick (sorry Tua, for the record I’d have drafted you at No.5…). YGM’s Calvin Watkins and Michael Gehlken report Dallas interviewed pass rushers K’Lavon Chaisson and Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos, both of whom would be logical after Robert Quinn left for Chicago in free agency. I doubt the Cowboys will be pleased relying on the oft suspended Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith to generate pressure opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys also spoke with corner C.J. Henderson. Henry Ruggs III could be another option but this may not be the case after the Boys gave Amari Cooper a $200 million-dollar extension. Peter King has heard that the Cowboys ‘love’ Michigan centre Cesar Ruiz. Cowboys fans will likely be less than satisfied if the team passes on big attractions like Tua and Ruggs, but the team history does suggest an offensive lineman is a possibility. The team surprised everyone in 2013 selecting recently retired centre Travis Fredrick, and also picked up Notre Dame guard Zack Martin in 2014 and LSU’s La’el Collins in 2015. Dallas’ recent success has been built on the ‘Great Wall of Dallas’ and it is believable that Jerry Jones would fall back on what has worked. The Pick: Cesar Ruiz (C, Michigan) Don’t Be Surprised: K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE, LSU), Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama), Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE, Penn State) 18. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers) Miami has a lot of roster holes so there are a lot of ways they could go with this pick. Protecting new franchise quarterback Justin Herbert should be a priority. A shiny new toy in Henry Ruggs III would be an attractive option as well. Despite having the NFL’s highest paid corner duo, Barry Jackson or the Miami Herald believes they are exploring adding another. This isn’t totally nonsensical. Head coach Brain Flores comes from the ‘Belichickian’ school where defences are built back to front. Lots of analysts are also reporting buzz that the Dolphins would like to add an edge rusher, although I cannot actually find a reliable source for that rumour. Alabama safety Xavier McKinney would also represent value and fill a need. This is a very difficult one to predict as almost all Miami coverage is dominated by Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert. There seems to be one player trending more in the right direction than others though. The Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE, LSU) Don’t Be Surprised: Almost Anyone 19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears) Is Tua too tempting here? I would not be in the least surprised if the answer was yes but as reported at pick No.12 the Raiders are not looking at a quarterback. With a receiver added, corner becomes Vegas’ biggest need. Defensive tackle is another but the value is not there. The name generating the most buzz approaching the draft is Clemson corner AJ Terrell. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler reports several teams believe Terrell is going in the top 16. Mayock and co. shocked everyone last year selecting Terrell’s former teammate Clelin Ferrell at No.4, citing his character and leadership as leading factors in the decision. Terrell is another high character guy from a school Mayock greatly respects and all signs point to him being the pick here. The Pick: AJ Terrell (CB, Clemson Don’t Be Surprised: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama), Any Other Corner 20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams) Poor Henry Ruggs III is still on the board. He seems to have been second choice to every pick since the Jets at No. 11. On the night I expect him to be off the board in the mid-teens by the latest, but somehow he has slipped all the way to the twenties based on the buzz (including getting past the Raiders twice!). Tua is still sliding as well, but Vegas is a more likely landing spot at the pick before than this. A trade down is again a possibility for a team looking to jump the Eagles and take Ruggs. If Jacksonville stays put corner is another possibility, but the team already selected C.J. Henderson at No.9. Edge rusher is another need if Ngakoue is traded, but with little to no buzz coming from Jacksonville the best player available is the pick, even if it isn’t the Jags who end up picking him. The Pick: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama) Don’t Be Surprised: Yeutr Gross-Matos (EDGE, Penn State), A.J. Epenesa (EDGE/DI, Iowa), Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama) 21. Philadelphia Eagles Reece would be in a fit of rage seeing Ruggs taken just out of his Eagles reach. He’ll be even more incensed by the consolation. Per Matt Miller, the initial consensus on this pick has been LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a long time. Many believe that in last year’s draft Jefferson would’ve been the first receiver taken. Joe Tordy of Penn Athletics believes the Eagles are ‘aggressively pursuing’ a trade up to select Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and will trade back if the top four receivers (including Jefferson) are off the board. The Eagles also like Baylor wideout Denzel Mims, although that is according to Mims himself. 6ABC’s Jeff Skversky also reports the Eagles are interested in Michigan centre Cesar Ruiz, taken in this mock by Dallas at No.17. Linebackers such as Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray and LSU’s Patrick Queen are other possibilities. But the consensus remains the same, and by one pick Mowlem has seen his No.12 overall player be replaced by No. 32 overall (WR9!) The Pick: Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU) Don’t Be Surprised: Patrick Queen (LB, LSU), Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma), Any Other Receiver 22. Minnesota Vikings (from Bills) Hopefully you’ve forgotten the OBJ hype since the Browns’ pick. Unfortunately for those wanting the Vikings to swiftly replace the departed Stefon Diggs, Matt Miller reports the Vikings will not add a receiver in round one as they believe the value is better later on in this deep wide out class. That leaves defensive end and corner as the two most likely positions. A range of second tier corners including Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and TCU’s Jeff Gladney remain available, as does Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos and Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa who could both potentially fill the cleats of long-time end Everson Griffen. Buzz gets more elusive the further down the draft you go as fan interest dwindles, so by now we are really clutching at straws. So again, the pick comes down to needs, scheme fit and Mowlem’s rankings. The Pick: A.J. Epenesa (EDGE/DI, Iowa) Don’t Be Surprised: Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah), Trevon Diggs (CB, Alabama), Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU), Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE, Penn State) 23. New England Patriots Could it happen? Has the next great quarterback fallen into the lap of the Patriots? Will two decades of dominance continue without interruption? Sadly, even as a Patriots fan, I must say no (though wouldn’t it be the most Patriots ever to have a franchise quarterback fall into their lap thanks to a virus. Prepare for the Belichick did it rumours to start…). ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Ian Rapoport and others believe the Patriots will add a quarterback during the draft but likely not in the first round. Peter King was also told by a rival general manager that the Patriots love Justin Herbert (this has smoke written all over it!). All of the Patriots draft coverage is rightly surrounding quarterbacks after the GOAT left for the sandy beaches of pirate bay, but actual information leaking from within 1 Patriot Place is as usual scarce. You may be surprised to know the Patriots share an unceremonious record with none other than the team drafting first overall; the Cincinnati Bengals. They hold the longest streak without drafting a Pro-Bowler (six years!). As a result, this is one of the least talented Patriots teams since the Belichick era began, regardless of Brady’s departure. LSU linebacker Patrick Queen and Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray could add some sorely need dynamism to the defence, and Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos could aid a pass rush still looking to replace Trey Flowers (and even Chandler Jones). In truth, every position except corner is a need, which is why the Patriots likely trade this pick. The team doesn’t have a second rounder after the inexplicable trade for Mohammed Sanu (who they valued the same as NFC champion franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo) and draft capital is badly needed. It’s safe to say Belichick the coach is saving Belichick the general managers job. The pick goes to the player who most suits the Patriot way with his character and intangibles. The Pick: Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma) Don’t Be Surprised: Patrick Queen (LB, LSU), Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama) 24. New Orleans Saints The Saints have the most complete roster in the NFL. Have a brief scan over their depth chart and you will see almost no holes. Linebacker may be the only question mark with an aging DeMario Davis leading the group. LSU’s Patrick Queen would be a nice fit staying in Louisiana. Unfortunately, there are very little reports to confirm this. The only reports coming out of New Orleans concern the quarterback position. So, does that mean the slide is over? Well… YES IT DOES! ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the team have done a lot of work on Utah State’s Jordan Love and Larry Holder of the Athletic believes the Saints would trade up to select Tua if he fell. In this draft he has fallen to their laps all the way at No.24. Drew Brees is signed to broadcast for NBC next season and it is notable how long the team retained starting calibre backup Teddy Bridgewater. In Tagovailoa the Saints get a more talented heir with the chance to sit and learn from Brees for a year. The pick makes too much sense and lines up perfectly with the buzz. The Pick: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) Don’t Be Surprised: Patrick Queen (LB, LSU), Jordan Love (QB, Utah State) 25. Minnesota Vikings Just a brief note on the Vikings. The need for a pass rusher opposite Danielle Hunter was filled at No.22 so its time to fill their other need at corner. Head coach Mike Zimmer has a long history of drafting corners in the first round and he now has his pick of Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and TCU’s Jeff Gladney. They could go any way here, so I’ll leave the decision to Mowlem’s rankings. The Pick: Trevon Diggs (CB, Alabama) -- yes, his brother is Stefon! -- Don’t Be Surprised: Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah), Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU) 26. Miami Dolphins (from Texans) Final pick in the first round for the Dolphins. Tackle still hasn’t been addressed and is perhaps their biggest need but the value here is likely the same as it will be at their pick at the top of the second round. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the team love a player at a position not yet selected: Georgia running back DeAndre Swift. Jackson also reports the Dolphins want to come away with a top running back and the top prospect will not be available when they next pick. The Dolphins still have needs everywhere but selecting the best player available is usually the best approach. The Pick: DeAndre Swift (RB, Georgia) Don’t Be Surprised: Almost Anyone 27. Seattle Seahawks How to mock draft for the Seahawks in the first round:
The Pick: Jeremy Chinn (S/LB, Southern Illinois) Don’t Surprised: Anyone. Literally Anyone. 28. Baltimore Ravens This pick seems like another no-brainer. Matt Miller reports that most of his sources believe the Ravens will draft a linebacker in the first round and look to add a receiver later in the draft. Wisconsin’s Zach Baun is good value towards the end of the first, but LSU linebacker Patrick Queen is one of the best player available and fills the biggest need on the roster. Comments from general manager Eric DeCosta indicate they may address offense and attempt to fill the hole left by retired All-Pro guard Marshall Yanda. They may do this later in the draft, but the chance to grab a valuable player to fill C.J. Mosely’s cleats is too good to pass up. The Pick: Patrick Queen (LB, LSU) Don’t Be Surprised: Zach Baun (LB/EDGE, Wisconsin) 29. Tennessee Titans Another trade down candidate according to PFN’s Tony Pauline. Matt Miller believes that offensive tackle, corner and receiver are the positions the Titans will look to address here. TCU’s Jeff Gladney and Utah’s Jaylon Johnson are good value by this point, but Miller has heard the Titans will most likely address tackle in the first round to replace the departed Jack Conklin. Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson is solid right tackle prospect, whilst USC’s Austin Jackson is raw but more athletically gifted. Conklin being a right tackle means the Titans will more likely target the specialist on that side with the higher floor. The Pick: Isaiah Wilson (OT, Georgia) Don’t Be Surprised: Austin Jackson (OT, USC), Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU), Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah) 30. Green Bay Packers Every casual fan will tell you the Packers need another weapon for Aaron Rodgers. It seems to be the narrative that has surrounded his entire career, even when he played with Jordy Nelson, a young Randall Cobb and Davante Adams all at once. Rodgers doesn’t need more weapons; he has a proven No.1 receiver already which is more than most other teams have alone. A tight end or wide out in the second round may be a smart investment though. In the first round all the buzz revolves around Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Rodgers was picked as a rookie to sit behind Packers legend Brett Favre to begin his career and history may repeat itself. Matt Miller, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah all believe Love to the Packers is a real possibility. Linebackers like Wisconsin’s Zach Baun and Alabama’s Terrell Lewis could be in play as well per Peter King. The Pick: Jordan Love (QB, Utah State) Don’t Be Surprised: Zach Baun (LB/EDGE, Wisconsin), Terrell Lewis (EDGE, Alabama), Any Wide Receiver 31. San Francisco 49ers Multiple sources including the great Adam Schefter believe this pick is going to be dealt. Teams often look to trade back into the end of the first round to secure a player with a fifth-year option in their contract (think Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson in 2018 and Minnesota with Teddy Bridgewater in 2014). If the 49ers stay put Matt Barrows of the Athletic believes the team will pursue a corner or an offensive tackle. Albert Breer believe the 49ers will look for a left tackle to learn from stalwart Joe Stately before taking over. If they go corner, Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and TCU’s Jeff Gladney are still on the board, but the consensus here is tackle, and one raw left sided prospect fits their need exactly. The Pick: Austin Jackson (OT, USC) Don’t Be Surprised: Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah), Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU), Ezra Cleveland (OT, Boise State) 32. Kansas City Chiefs The late round selections seem to be following a theme and the final pick is no different. The Superbowl champions are widely believed to be looking to trade down from this spot, but if they stay put Matt Miller believes they will take a running back or a corner. Head coach Andy Reid has never taken a running back in the first round, so we will look to corner. It’s between the two names it feels like have been mentioned at every pick since the Falcons took Fulton at 16; Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and TCU’s Jeff Gladney. A wild rumour did surface on Monday per Peter King that the Chiefs were potentially planning to trade up in none other than Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III began to slip. Ruggs in an offense with Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill feels like an overkill. If Ruggs falls like he did in this mock that may be a possibility. If the Chiefs are looking to add another offensive weapon, TCU’s Jalen Reagor and Colorado’s Lavishka Shenault Jr. fit their profile. The final pick of this mock will be a corner though and without any information it seems fitting to turn to Mowlem’s rankings one final time. The Pick: Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah) Don’t Be Surprised: Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU), Jalen Reagor (WR, TCU), Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR, Colorado) And there we have it! Sorry again Tua fans but I fear your guy may be in for a long night. Keep your eyes peeled on your favourite news sites but remember to check the sources. News is going to filter out until the commissioner calls the first pick. The Browns leaked they were picking Baker Mayfield 3 hours before the start of the 2018 draft and everyone lost their minds! Or ignore everything, sit back and enjoy the constant desire for your team to trade up knowing deep down inside they won’t. If you would like to join our mock draft competition then Click Here. There is no reward greater than pride... Happy Draft Day everyone! By Reece Mowlem. Well hasn't this been a crazy offseason so far. The Texans trade the best wideout in the league for a goldfish and a vanilla yoghurt, the GOAT migrates down south to less greener pastures (but much redder uniforms), and the world goes into total shutdown due to a global pandemic. But even though the apocalypse looks to be imminent, the NFL draft is set to go ahead as scheduled, just virtually. Yes it may be different, yes it may be underwhelming, but at least it's happening, giving us football fans something sport related to actually look forward to, a light at the end of the tunnel, a reason to keep going. So to help you prepare for the upcoming draft, I have worked tirelessly to create my 2020 big board, a list ranking the top 200 college prospects ready for picking come the 23rd April. Positional value is factored in (hence why you won't find a running back until No. 45) as well as injury history, off-field concerns and anything else NFL teams have to consider when scouting. Essentially, this is what would be on my War Room wall if I was lucky enough to be a GM (it will happen one day I'm sure). So without further ado, I present my Top 200 Big Board for the 2020 NFL Draft! Enjoy!                     By Reece Mowlem & Owen Turner. Let's be honest, the only thing getting us all through the quarantine is the 2020 NFL Draft. Well that's the case with us at least, so earlier on in the week, we decided to do not one, not three, but TWO mock drafts! This mock is based on our predictions of what we think each NFL team will do on draft night. Enjoy!  By Reece Mowlem & Owen Turner. Let's be honest, the only thing getting us all through the quarantine is the 2020 NFL Draft. Well that's the case with us at least, so earlier on in the week, we decided to do not one, not three, but TWO mock drafts! This mock is based on what we would do if we were lucky enough to be in each NFL team's war room on draft night. Enjoy!  By Reece Mowlem. After countless hours of tape watching, player analysis and scout research, my 2019 big board is finally complete. This 100 player list takes position value, as well as injury history, into consideration, but doesn't account much for off-field concerns and character issues, mainly as I haven't personally interviewed any players so it's hard to make a judgement. Regardless, this is what my draft board would look like if I was a GM in the NFL. If you disagree with any of my decisions, feel free to tweet me @ReeceMowlem97, I love a good debate.  1. Quinnen Williams (DI, Alabama)
Williams can wreck an offensive game plan in both the run and pass game, earning a 96.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2018, the highest ever given to an interior defender. 2. Nick Bosa (EDGE, Ohio State) The younger Bosa brother has all the traits teams look for in an edge defender. His hand technique and ability to execute a wide range of pass-rush moves makes him almost unplayable at times. 3. Kyler Murray (QB, Oklahoma) Without a doubt the best quarterback in the class. Kyler possesses arm strength and accuracy as a passer, as well as devastating speed and elusiveness as a runner. Murray is the ultimate dual threat QB. 4. Josh Allen (EDGE, Kentucky) The most effective pass-rusher in all of college football in 2018. In addition, Allen has solid coverage skills that make him the ideal 3-4 outside linebacker. 5. Jonah Williams (OT/OG, Oklahoma) A dominant tackle with a delicious blend of power and mobility. Some NFL franchises might see him as a guard, but Williams has the skills to be elite at either position. 6. Ed Oliver (DI, Houston) Oliver is undersized but that doesn't stop him from getting the job done. The Houston prospect finished the year with a 90+ pass-rush grade per PFF. 7. Brian Burns (EDGE, Florida State) Burns racked up 69 pressures last season, the most of any Power-5 defender. His combination of flexibility and explosiveness makes him a nightmare for opposing tackles. 8. Byron Murphy (CB, Washington) Physicality, passion, great feet, quickness, zone awareness, run defense, press technique, fluidity: Murphy has it all. He's stronger playing zone, but his skills make him a scheme-transcendent talent. 9. Jawaan Taylor (OT, Florida) The best pure right-tackle in the draft. Taylor was elite as both a pass and run blocker at Florida, making him a valuable commodity. 10. Devin White (LB, LSU) With freak athleticism, superb coverage skills and the ability to get home when blitzing, White is the perfect linebacker for the modern day NFL. 11. Dwayne Haskins (QB, Ohio State) Haskins' production as a Buckeye was exceptional in 2018. There's still a few question marks over his abilities, but the one-year starter has franchise QB potential. 12. Jeffery Simmons (DI, Mississippi State) If it wasn't for an ACL injury at the start of the year, Simmons would probably be near the top of this board. His off-field past isn't great, but his talent is unquestionable. 13. Jerry Tillery (DI, Notre Dame) Although the sack total didn't match, Tillery tied Quinnen Williams for the highest pass-rushing grade among interior defenders in college football last year, according to PFF. 14. Dalton Risner (OT, Kansas State) Risner was one of the best all-round tackles in college and could do the same in the NFL. The Kansas State prospect only allowed a single sack during his four year college career, a highly impressive stat. 15. Andre Dillard (OT, Washington State) Maybe the best pure pass-blocker available, Dillard had the highest PFF pass protection grade of any starting tackle in the country this past season. 16. Christian Wilkins (DI, Clemson) Christian Wilkins was top three in both PFF's run-defence and pass-rushing grades among interior players this past season. 17. Greedy Williams (CB, LSU) An elite press-coverage cornerback with blistering speed. Williams allowed a catch rate of just 36% when targeted in 2018. 18. Clelin Ferrell (EDGE, Clemson) Ferrell is a versatile player who has the talent and build capable of fitting any scheme. The 21-year-old had 14 sacks and 14 QB hits in his final year at Clemson. 19. Cody Ford (OT/OG, Oklahoma) Ford, like Murray, may have only started one year at Oklahoma, but he made the most of his short career, not allowing a single sack until the college playoffs. 20. DeAndre Baker (CB, Georgia) The Georgia cornerback only gave up a single touchdown during his entire collegiate career and allowed just 10 first downs last season. 21. T.J. Hockenson (TE, Iowa) One of the rare tight ends who's as effective as a run blocker as he is a pass catcher. Hockenson boasted less than a 2% drop rate last year at Iowa. 22. D.K. Metcalf (WR, Mississippi) Metcalf is blessed with quite ridiculous physical traits, running a 4.33s 40-yard dash at 6'3" and 228lbs. The only concerns with the Mississippi wideout are his poor change of direction skills and his injury history. 23. Devin Bush Jr. (LB, Michigan) Bush lacks slightly in length but more than makes up for that deficiency in his processing skills, physicality and range. He projects as an every down linebacker in the NFL. 24. Nasir Adderley (S, Delaware) Maybe the best in coverage out of all draft eligible safeties. Adderley also possesses all the attributes required to play as a single high safety. 25. Deebo Samuel (WR, South Carolina) The South Carolina pass catcher broke a crazy 21 tackles on 62 catches in 2018. Samuel is most likely to find a home in the slot but can also make plays as an outside receiver. 26. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (WR, Stanford) When it comes to contested catches, not many of Arcega-Whiteside's peers are close to his level. He also raised some eyebrows at his Pro-Day, running considerably faster than expected. 27. Dexter Lawrence (DI, Clemson) Lawrence is incredibly athletic for his size. The 160kg nose tackle can affect both the run and pass-game of opponents, making him a sort after prospect. 28. Amani Oruiwariye (CB, Penn State) Oruwariye had a productive 2018 season at Penn State, as well as an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl. He doesn't have the highest ceiling in this year's CB class, but he has a high floor. 29. Garrett Bradbury (C, N.C. State) Of this year's draft eligible centres, Bradbury has had the highest PFF grade over the past two seasons. The only true knock on him is that he's played almost exclusively in a zone blocking scheme. 30. Darnell Savage (S, Maryland) Savage has all the athletic tools to be a starting safety in the NFL. His aggressive mentality makes him a missile around the line of scrimmage and a ball hawk when playing deep. 31. Josh Jacobs (RB, Alabama) The best three-down back in the draft. On a reasonably light workload at Alabama, Jacobs showed great power, vision, and most importantly, pass-catching ability. 32. A.J. Brown (WR, Mississippi) A superb all-round receiver, Brown forced 17 missed tackles and only dropped only 5 of 90 catchable targets in 2018. He can play either in the slot or on the outside. 33. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S/CB, Florida) A versatile safety who's more than happy to play as a nickel cornerback. Although he hasn't done it too much, CGJ has the physical tools to also be used as a lone deep safety. 34. Montez Sweat (EDGE, Mississippi State) Sweat is an athletic freak who put up recording breaking numbers at the scouting combine. A raw talent, his production didn't quite match his potential at Mississippi State. 35. Noah Fant (TE, Iowa) An incredible receiving tight end with excellent speed and route running abilities. If Fant can reduce his drops, he can be a mismatch weapon for an NFL team. 36. Andy Isabella (WR, UMass) An absolute speed demon. Isabella was PFF's highest graded wide receiver in college football last year racking up over 1,600 yards, including 219 against Georgia. 37. Drew Lock (QB, Missouri) Lock has elite level arm strength, making 33 big-time throws in 2018 for Missouri. He has to seriously improve his accuracy and decision making to become a franchise quarterback. 38. Elgton Jenkins (C/OG, Mississippi State) Highly efficient in pass-protection, Jenkins allowed only 5 pressures on over 360 pass-blocking snaps in 2018. He could play guard, but is definitely more comfortable at centre. 39. Hakeem Butler (WR, Iowa State) A man monster at 6'5" and 227lbs, Butler actually led this receiver class in downfield receptions (20+ yards) with 19. Some compare his physical traits to Calvin Johnson. 40. Chase Winovich (EDGE, Michigan) The only Power-5 edge defender to receive a 90+ overall PPF grade in both 2017 and 2018. Winovich hasn't got the highest ceiling, but is a solid day one starter, 41. Taylor Rapp (S, Washington) Rapp might be the best tackler in the draft, missing only two last year. He does lack a bit of speed, but he certainly doesn't lack effort. 42. Rashan Gary (EDGE/DI, Michigan) Raw and unproven. Gary's power and quickness make him an exciting prospect but he needs a lot of development to reach his potential. He played mainly on the edge at Michigan but could find a home inside in the NFL. 43. Greg Little (OT, Mississippi) Over the past two seasons, Little has allowed just 26 pressures on nearly 1000 pass-blocking snaps. He could be highly effective in the right scheme and with good coaching. 44. N'Keal Harry (WR, Arizona State) Harry possesses an enticing combination of contested catch skills and the ability to make big plays after the catch. However, his incapacity to gain separation is a concern. 45. Chris Lindstrom (OG, Boston College) Lindstrom gave up only four pressures during his first season as a guard at Boston College. He has the polish to be an instant starter. 46. Marquise Brown (WR, Oklahoma) Brown looks like he could take it to the house every time he gets the ball in his hands. The Oklahoma burner scored 10 touchdowns on 77 receptions last year. 47. Charles Omenhiu (DI/EDGE, Texas) More proficient as a run-stopper than a pass-rusher, but did generate pressure in flashes. Omenihu's combination of speed, size and athleticism are hard to find. 48. Justin Layne (CB, Michigan State) Excellent in coverage during his time as a cornerback at Michigan State. Layne also took 36 snaps at receiver in 2018. 49. Amani Hooker (S/CB, Iowa) Despite projecting as a safety in the NFL, Hooker was one of the best defensive-backs in college football when it came to coverage last year. 50. Jachai Polite (EDGE, Florida) Polite's production was outstanding last season, achieving a 90+ grade from PFF as both a pass-rusher and run-defender. If it wasn't for his miserable testing and attitude at both the combine and Florida pro-day, he would be a top 15 player. 51. David Long (CB, Michigan) 52. Juan Thornhill (S, Virginia) 53. Zach Allen (EDGE, Boston College) 54. Erik McCoy (C/OG, Texas A&M) 55. Julian Love (CB, Notre Dame) 56. Daniel Jones (QB, Duke) 57. Dre'Mont Jones (DI, Ohio State) 58. Kelvin Harmon (WR, N.C. State) 59. Irv Smith Jr. (TE, Alabama) 60. Khalen Saunders (DI, Western Illinois) 61. Anthony Nelson (EDGE, Iowa) 62. Max Scharping (OT, Northen Illinois) 63. Oshane Ximines (EDGE, Old Dominion) 64. David Montgomery (RB, Iowa State) 65. L.J. Collier (EDGE, TCU) 66. Darrell Henderson (RB, Memphis) 67. Jace Sternberger (TE, Texas A&M) 68. Michael Deiter (OG/OT, Wisconsin) 69. Ben Burr-Kirven (LB, Washington) 70. Deionte Thompson (S, Alabama) 71. Hjalte Froholdt (OG, Arkansas) 72. Yodny Cajuste (OT, West Virginia) 73. Te'Von Coney (LB, Notre Dame) 74. Damien Harris (RB, Alabama) 75. Riley Ridley (WR, Georgia) 76. Miles Sanders (RB, Penn State) 77. Tytus Howard (OT, Alabama State) 78. Blake Cashman (LB, Minnesota) 79. Chuma Edoga (OT, USC) 80. Kaleb McGary (OT, Washington) 81. Maxx Crosby (EDGE, Eastern Michigan) 82. David Edwards (OT, Wisconsin) 83. Terry McLaurin (WR, Ohio State) 84. Rock Ya-Sin (CB, Temple) 85. Devin Singletary (RB, Florida Atlantic) 86. Christian Miller (EDGE, Alabama) 87. Jamel Dean (CB, Auburn) 88. Nate David (OG, Charlotte) 89. Mack Wilson (LB, Alabama) 90. Connor McGovern (OG, Penn State 91. Ronheen Bingham (EDGE, Arkansas State) 92. Jonathan Abram (S, Mississippi State) 93. DaMarkus Lodge (WR, Mississippi) 94. Marquise Blair (S, Utah) 95. Sean Bunting (CB, Central Michigan) 96. Will Grier (QB, West Virginia) 97. Caleb Wilson (TE, UCLA) 98. D. Andre Walker (EDGE, Georgia) 99. Gerald Willis (DI, Miami) 100. Emanuel Hall (WR, Missouri) Once again I've decided to attempt the impossible task of predicting how the first round of the NFL Draft will play out on Thursday night. Now obviously my picks are guesses as I'm not in the war rooms, but I ensure you they are educated guesses and I've not just thrown prospect darts at a dartboard of teams (although that would probably be more accurate). If you want to know what I would do in the first three round if I was the GM of each team then read my "What I Would Do" mock draft here. Anyway, my final note is this: unless I get at least 5 picks correct, forget this mock draft ever existed. Got it? Good. Well in that case, enjoy!   |
Reece MowlemMowlem is a young sports writer from Reading, United Kingdom. All articles are written by Reece Mowlem (unless stated otherwise). Categories
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