Written By: Cameron Schoffro and Colin Mari
With the NFL draft fast approaching and free agency wrapping up, Colin and I thought now would be the perfect time to publish our mock draft. Colin selected and wrote the write-up for odd numbers, and I did even. Keep in mind that we aren’t necessarily trying to predict the team’s selections, rather slotting players where we think makes sense based on talent and team need.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Aidan Hutchinson - EDGE
The Jaguars may want to look into trading down from this pick, but with the lack of talent at the QB position, many teams may be content with staying where they are. Last season, it was clear Jacksonville needed to focus on a way to protect their investment in Trevor Lawrence. However, they loaded up on offensive line this offseason and placed the franchise tag on offensive tackle Cam Robinson; it only makes sense to place Hutchinson back on the throne of being the number one overall pick. Hutchinson is arguably the best player in this draft and a will make an immediate impact wherever he goes. Hutchinson was a standout edge rusher during his time at Michigan and will undoubtedly provide much-needed help to the Jaguar defence.
2. Detroit Lions
Kayvon Thibodeaux - EDGE
Detroit has needs all over the roster, so they have the option to take the best player available. Thibodeaux’s draft stock has fallen without much justification; throughout the season, people have been making a case for their favourite edge rusher, between Kayvon and Aidan. Aidan is undoubtedly a more polished prospect, but Kayvon is the freak of an athlete we’ve seen excel in the NFL recently, like Myles Garrett and Khalil Mack. Thibodeaux is long and lean, which allows him to have game-breaking speed and extend his arms not to let the lineman get a hold of him. At Oregon, he beat offensive tackles with his first step routinely. Thibodeaux typically opts to win with his athleticism outside or bull-rushes rather than refined pass-rush moves, which may limit his production when he gets to the NFL. He needs to be able to swipe away the lineman’s hands or spin out of the protection because if the lineman can manage to get a hold of him, he doesn’t have an answer. In college, he was capable of dropping back into zone defence simply due to his athleticism, which would allow Dan Campbell to have fun with stunt blitzes next year.
3. Houston Texans
Evan Neal - OT
This is a steal for the Texans. Neal has all the talent to be a possible first overall pick. Neal is a player who has showcased and refined his skills against the best of the best in college. He is a monster, standing at 6’7.5 and 337 pounds, which lends to his elite pass protection. With the recent departure of Watson, it is looking as if Davis Mills is the Texans’ guy. If so, it’s in their best interest to protect him. Neal will be able to do just that as he will be a day one starter.
4. New York Jets
Ikem Ekwonu - OT
The Jets don’t have an atrocious offensive line, but with Ekwonu, it could become a decided strength and offer QB Zach Wilson a clean pocket to properly evaluate him. Ekwonu blocks angrily, which he unleashes in run-blocking, especially. He will steamroll defenders with ease if he gets into the second-level blocking for runs or screens. His pass protection is less refined than Evan Neal, but with his power and size, he has all the potential to become elite in this area, as well. He will need to refine his use of hands at the pro level, but this should be attainable with good coaching. In pre-draft interviews, scouts couldn’t believe his demeanor. He is incredibly amiable off the field and a great locker room guy; analysts have deemed him a “culture builder”, but he is nothing short of violent on the field.
5. New York Giants
Charles Cross - OT
The Giants recently signed guards Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano, but there is still room for them to improve in the trenches. Andrew Thomas has shown flashes of improvement, but if the Giants want to give Daniel Jones the best chance of success next season, they will need to draft a guy like Cross. Cross is exceptional in the passing game but is willing and wants to improve his play in the run game. There is no doubt that he will be able to work towards improvement as he is powerful and athletic. Cross is an easy top ten prospect and will be able to turn the Giants' offensive line from a weakness to a strength.
6. Carolina Panthers
Malik Willis - QB
Game manager quarterbacks don’t seem to be the key to success in today’s NFL. Especially after watching this year’s AFC Divisional matchup, you need a quarterback that can beat Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. For that reason, Malik Willis is the first quarterback off the board. The Panthers desperately need a quarterback to replace Sam Darnold, as their coaching staff is coaching for their employment this year, so I think they’ll take a shot on the raw talent of Willis. He often draws comparisons to Lamar Jackson because he is simply that dynamic as a runner. Don’t let that fool you; he has a cannon of an arm, too. Willis has shown he can be accurate, especially on the highlight reel deep passes, but sometimes he misses the easy routine passes, thus stalling a drive. Like Lamar, Willis tends to play hero-ball, which can sometimes do more harm than good. Many analysts think his throwing mechanics will need to be re-worked to close the gap in these areas. Therefore, if Carolina commits to developing him into a star, they may have one.
7. New York Giants
Kyle Hamilton - S
Many would argue Hamilton is the best prospect in the draft, but similar to Kyle Pitts last year, he is falling due to positional value. Hamilton can do everything you could ask of a safety with his talent. At this point, the Giants can’t pass up on the best player available. Athletically, Hamilton is built like a linebacker with the speed of a cornerback. He is long and instinctually smart enough to be the single-high, can cover as a slot corner, and effectively blitz and defend the run. At Notre Dame, he showed an affinity for reading the quarterback's eyes, and with his top-notch closing speed, he can jump the route and break up a pass if he doesn’t intercept it. The Giants' defence was poor last year, so drafting a player that can affect all facets of the game would be a massive pickup for New York.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Garrett Wilson - WR
Wilson is the complete package at receiver, which will be needed considering the average NFL fan probably couldn’t name a wide receiver on Atlanta’s roster. He has the skill set to handle a WR1 workload on week one. When watching him, his ability to make the difficult catches outside his frame with his body control and sure hands is immediately noticeable. He is bound to be his quarterback’s favourite target with that trait. His route-running is refined for a player of his age; he has excelled in the slot and outside because he can create yards of separation in any area of the field, striking a resemblance to Odell Beckham Jr. when he entered the league. He is an explosive athlete whose balance and elusiveness make him a monster after the catch. As for weaknesses, he dropped a few passes due to concentration lapses, similar to Diontae Johnson, but if he shores this up, he will be an offence-altering player. Also, he isn’t huge, but he plays much bigger than his 6’0, 183-pound frame. If the Falcons can pair Garrett Wilson to their star-in-the-making TE Kyle Pitts, they will be set with stellar weapons for years to come.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Ahmad Gardner - CB
It’s always fun to see Seattle in the first round of the NFL draft because you never know who they will pick. They have a history of questionable picks that haven't panned out for them in the long run. What better way to bounce back than to take the surefire guy in Ahmad Gardner. For the last couple of years, defence has been the main issue for Seattle, aside from the offensive line. With many of the top offensive line prospects already off the board, Gardner is a lock for this pick. Gardner is a safe plug-and-play option for Seattle and would immediately make an impact. He was a consensus All-American, allowing for only 20 receptions in 2021, and has never allowed a touchdown in all of his college career. With the hard-hitting Jamal Adams and one of the most reliable safeties overtop in Quandre Diggs, Sauce could be an exciting addition to the Seattle defence, allowing fans to reminisce with a possible recreation of the Legion of Boom.
10. New York Jets
Travon Walker - DL
Since the combine, Walker’s draft stock has soared. He tested exceptionally well; according to RAS football, he had the second-best DE combine performance since 1987, second only to Myles Garrett. The only thing holding him back in this metric was weight, but he could certainly add a few pounds when he reaches the NFL. The Jets have been linked to him since the combine, there’s buzz they may take him at 4th overall, but if they prioritize o-line there, they’d be ecstatic to get him at 10th. New York has a weak defensive front outside of Quinnen Williams, so he’d be filling a position of need. While on the historically stacked Georgia defence, he spent time on the edge and the interior, which will add versatility to how Robert Saleh wants to use him. His production didn’t match his talent due to failing to counter blocks and being slow to track the football. He only amounted 11 sacks in three years at Georgia, but his physical potential makes him a first-round lock.
11. Washington Commanders
Tyler Linderbaum - C
Even though he is a center, Linderbaum is one of the best offensive line prospects in this draft. There is no doubt that the Commanders need to upgrade their interior offensive line, as Brandon Scherff left in free agency. With the recent acquisition of quarterback Carson Wentz, we have them out of the running for drafting a QB. Linderbaum may be listed as a center, but he can still provide value at the guard position. He has Pro Bowl potential with quick feet and great hands that make up for his lack in size. He may have trouble finishing bigger defenders, which may cause teams with specific needs to undervalue him. However, his play and physical attributes remind many of Jason Kelce, one of the best centers in the game despite his lack of size. With that being said, he is, no doubt, a day one starter for whatever team drafts him.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Derek Stingley Jr. - CB
The Viking's defence has been porous for some time. Albeit, they have a few great players, they lack depth. By drafting Stingley, they would be adding a star to their roster. He’s long and physical, often getting the receiver off their line right from the snap. Stingley’s speed and agility in such a low stance make him so effective; he is never out on a play. Then, if the ball is thrown his way, he can extend with his length and make a play on the ball. In terms of talent, it’s hard to find any weaknesses in his game. Unfortunately, he tends to be complacent, which bleeds into poor coverage and tackling. This, along with his lengthy injury history, has him slotted behind Ahmad Gardner in terms of cornerbacks.
13. Houston Texans
Devin Lloyd - LB
The Texans need more talent at almost every position as they begin their post-Watson era. What better way to start their rebuild than to draft a guy like Lloyd. Lloyd provides an all-around skill set that allows him to be an absolute weapon on the defensive side of the ball. He is a player that the 31st ranked defence should be looking for, as Lloyd possesses some talent that Texans fans haven't been able to enjoy for a while. The Texans should be all over this pick, especially after seeing young talented linebackers like Micah Parsons have so much success in recent years. Lloyd is a player that is more than capable of having an impact similar to Parsons and would be a perfect addition to the barren Texan's defence.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Trent McDuffie - CB
Baltimore’s defence is looking to bounce back this year, and McDuffie would nicely fit in with their free agency additions. Last year, the Raven's secondary was atrocious, especially after Marlon Humphrey suffered a torn pectoral muscle. McDuffie is a great athlete and is very quick in coverage. He isn’t the lockdown talent of the cornerbacks taken before him, but his run defence and surefire tackling sets him apart. Unlike some other teams, the Ravens aren’t afraid to use zone defence, which will undoubtedly maximize McDuffie’s potential. In zone, his instincts and athleticism show, as he is quick to make plays on the ball or bring the receiver down right after the catch. Also, he has spent time defending the slot and outside, so he’ll be a helpful addition, no matter how the Ravens decide to use him.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis - DT
The Eagles seemed to be in love with edge rusher David Ojabo, but his unfortunate injury likely placed him out of the first round and gave us the ability to have a little more fun with this Eagles pick. To compensate for the loss of Ojabo, why not go with another freaky athlete in Jordan Davis? Davis tested exceptionally well at the combine and showed scouts that he's much more than just a big body. Many had concerns with Davis’ ability to play a full game at the pro level, but that should be no concern to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles already have two studs at DT in Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Adding Davis to that equation is bad news for opposing running backs, as the three will be able to interchange and stay fresh and at their best throughout the game.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
Drake London - WR
Drake London would be the perfect complement alongside Eagles receiver Devonta Smith. London is a big receiver capable of winning jump balls with his physicality at the catch point. He isn’t super fast and doesn’t quite have the route running prowess of Smith, who would be on the other side of him. However, he is still effective after the catch because his sheer size allows him to dominate undersized cornerbacks; thus, his game resembles Mike Evans and Mike Williams. He is versatile, excelling both in the slot and outside, which will give Coach Nick Sirriani lots of flexibility to get him targets. Last year, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts declined to force-feed Smith, so London will have to earn his quarterback’s trust because he isn’t always wide open, sometimes he has to make a play over a defensive back. Quez Watkins showed he was competent last season, but if you can keep him as the WR3 and replace Jalen Reagor with Drake London, the Eagles' passing game will improve tremendously.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Trevor Penning - OT
With the release of RT Bryan Bulaga and the immense amount of edge talent that has entered the AFC West, it only makes sense for the Chargers to look to continue to protect their franchise QB in Justin Herbert. Penning is a fantastic athlete who can do just that. He absolutely locked down the left side of the offensive line in college, and there is no question that he will be able to continue to do so in the NFL. Penning isn't just solid in the passing game but shines with his ability to run block. He is nasty and an extremely physical player who is powerful at the point of attack with his immense size. The Chargers would value his abilities as they have an amazing running back, Austin Ekeler, who would only benefit from this selection.
18. New Orleans Saints
Jameson Williams - WR
If he hadn’t torn his ACL this season, Williams would arguably be the first receiver off the board. He is an incredible athlete, and with Jameis Winston's willingness to throw downfield, he’d be a great fit in New Orleans. The Saints are in dire need of wide receiving talent, and Williams has it in spades. Throughout his college career, he burned cornerbacks in man-coverage, so he’s effective as a home run hitter or used as a decoy to free up space in the underneath passing game. He lacks physicality due to his long and lean body type, but it won’t matter if he can get a clean release, he’ll be running home free to the end zone.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean - LB
The Eagles deciding to double-dip and take two studs from Georgia is exciting and a genuine possibility. Linebacker is more than a need for the Eagles; however, it isn't a position they have historically valued. During the offseason, the Eagles did sign LB Haason Reddick, but he will most likely play a more edge rusher role. This could be hinting at a heavier reliance on blitzing next season. With this in mind, the Eagles are still looking for someone who can play both off and on the ball at the LB position. Luckily for them, Dean was outstanding at Georgia and displayed that he can both read a QB and plug holes on a run play. However, Dean was not very active at the combine or his pro day. This lack of testing could be concerning for some NFL GMs, but if we have learned anything from Eagles GM Howie Roseman, he's not afraid to pick a player others won’t, so this makes perfect sense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett - QB
The Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky to a two-year deal full of incentives and very little guaranteed money. Therefore, if he works out, great. If not, he isn’t costing them much. I believe Pittsburgh would love to keep Pickett in the city and see who wins the quarterback battle out of training camp. Pickett is the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft, he lacks the raw talent of Malik Willis, but he could be a competent starter in year one. He is fantastic throwing downfield, which would maximize the talents of Chase Claypool much better than Roethlisberger ever could. Pickett is effective off-script, extending plays with his legs like the premier quarterbacks in the AFC, a la Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, and Herbert.
21. New England Patriots
Andrew Booth Jr. - CB
With the departure of JC Jackson, the Patriots are in the market for a new CB1. Booth is more than capable of fulfilling that role. Booth has exceptional footwork and movement skills while also possessing good length and size. Pair this with his competitive nature and he is a star waiting to be born. Booth has limited starting experience, but putting him in one of the best coaching environments in the NFL who has produced stud CBs in Gilmore and Jackson will only help to showcase Booths strengths and iron out some of his weaknesses, allowing him to reach his full potential.
22. Green Bay Packers
Treylon Burks - WR
After Davante Adams set his sights on Las Vegas, the Packers receiver room emptied suddenly. Burks will have big shoes to fill, but he would be a great fit in Green Bay. I think it’s high time the Packer appease Aaron Rodgers by drafting a wide receiver in the first round. Burks’ huge build gives him a fantastic run after the catch potential. Before the combine, he probably would have been selected earlier, but his 40-time was disappointing and doesn’t bode well for his straight-line speed in the NFL; although, he looks explosive with the ball in his hands in-game. With this trait and his ability to go up and get the ball, he is comparable to AJ Brown and would project to be a workhorse WR1 for Green Bay.
23. Arizona Cardinals
Kenyon Green - G
Arizona’s biggest issue last season was their offensive line. Poor lineman play decided Cardinals games far too often for them not to try and address the position with this pick. Green has shown outstanding movement for his size, which is much needed for a team like the Cardinals. In the past two seasons, QB Kyler Murray has been injured and hasn’t looked the same once he’s returned. In addition, with the recent uncertainties regarding Kyler and his satisfaction with the Cardinals organization, it may be in their best interest to help protect him upfront.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Bernhard Raimann - OT
With the recent release of offensive linemen cap casualties Connor Williams and La’el Collins, the Cowboys' once league-leading offensive front looks both older and worse. Outside of Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, who is seemingly always hurt, Dallas needs help on the o-line. Just two years ago, Raimann was catching passes as a tight end, but he decided to put his 6’7 frame to physical use and get his hand in the dirt. He has shown the ability to move inside, where he would probably start, but as a natural tackle, he could fill in for injury on the outside easily. He dominates with power and agility, making him effective in the pass and run game. Cowboys fans might prefer a flashier pick with a cornerback or wide receiver to replace Amari Cooper, but the smart choice is to restock the expiring o-line.
25. Buffalo Bills
Kaiir Elam - CB
The Bills lost Tre'Davious White late last season due to an ACL tear, but it didn't seem to slow their defence down until they played the Chiefs in the playoffs. Bills fans have much to look forward to, as they seem just to keep getting closer to playing in the Super Bowl. This could be their year. However, the AFC has only gotten more difficult. With the addition of Russell Wilson and the return of Deshaun Watson, the Bills have more competition. With this in mind, and with the departure of Levi Wallace, the Bills will be more than interested in adding a talented #2 at the CB position. Elam can fit this need as he has tremendous size and length while only allowing 18 catches all of last season.
26. Tennessee Titans
Desmond Ridder - QB
The Titans have put together an incredible roster, but Ryan Tannehill has held them back on their past few playoff runs. Tennessee has a run-heavy offence led by Derrick Henry, so Ridder would maximize the passing offence in a way Tannehill hasn’t. Also, his explosiveness in the run game would allow the offence to expand into read options with the best runningback in football. Ridder has shown elite potential in college, combining an NFL frame with great mobility and arm strength. At times, he struggles with accuracy on the deep ball and intermediate throws, but if this can be reigned in, much like Josh Allen, Tennessee could tap into his potential. He has improved each year in college, which would bode well for his improvement under Tannehill for a year or two, at which point Tennesse could flip the game manager for more draft capital and give RIdder the reigns of the franchise.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zion Johnson - G
The Bucs may have just traded for G Shaq Mason, but they are still missing a replacement for Ali Marpet, who announced his retirement recently. With the surprising unretirement of QB Tom Brady, the resigning of Chris Godwin, and the addition of Russell Gage in the offseason, there are not too many needs for this team. However, with his size and force, Johnson would be an immediate contributor to an already satisfactory offensive line.
28. Green Bay Packers
George Karlaftis - EDGE
Green Bay lost their star pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith this offseason, and now their defensive line looks to be full of nobodies. With Karlaftis, the Packers would certainly bolster this position of need. He displayed his sheer power and high-motor at Purdue, simply bursting through offensive linemen with his NFL-ready size. Karlaftis showed his ability to knock linemen off their balance right off the snap with his long arms, a talent that will make him effective in his rookie year. However, he seemed to lack the lateral twitch to be a fantastic run defender, so he will have to improve closing gaps in the run-game before he becomes an elite edge defender.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Olave - WR
This draft selection was acquired through the trade that sent Tyreek Hill to Miami Dolphins, so it only makes sense for the Chiefs to value receiver at this position. Since Chris Olave has fallen in this mock, it would be a good value pick regardless of team need. Nobody can replicate what Tyreek Hill adds to an offence, but Olave is still a great receiver prospect. Olave is a smooth route runner and very refined in this area for a prospect. He has a diverse route tree and the burst to be effective in the deep-passing game or over the middle. He showed his high-end speed at the combine. While he is quite thin, the on-field success of Calvin Ridley and Devonta Smith in recent years shows that he can be effective at this weight. Olave brings a very different skillset than the recently acquired big body Juju Smith-Schuster, so he would be a good addition to fill some of the targets that will be left in Tyreek’s wake.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
Devonte Wyatt - DT
Wyatt was a significant contributor on the stout Georgia defence this year. The Chiefs would be happy to find him at 30th overall to fill in the currently lacking defensive front. He is dynamic in the pass-rush; he showed his explosiveness with a 4.77 40 yard dash at the combine at 304 pounds. He tends to win against the offensive line with power or speed, using his freak athleticism; if he can add more pass-rush moves to his toolbox, he will be a steal this late in the first round and contribute to the retooling of an aging defensive line.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
Roger McCreary - CB
It's no secret to NFL fans that the Bengals’ secondary needs work. Eli Apple was able to make plays but snapped back to reality from time to time and proceeded to get burned. Adding a player like McCreary should be one of the Bengals’ top priorities. Offensive line was also a concern, but they loaded up in free agency, adding the likes of Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La’el Collins, making the secondary the team's biggest weakness. McCreary plays physically and can bully receivers and alter route timing off the line, making it difficult for receivers to find catch space. If used in the right scheme, McCreary can be a problem and a solid CB2.
32. Detroit Lions
Matt Corral - QB
The Lions passed on quarterback and opted for the best player available at second overall, in Kayvon Thibodeaux, but I think Lions brass understands that Jared Goff isn’t the answer at quarterback, so they take a shot on Corral. Corral could sit under Goff for a year or two, though. He is athletic considering his big frame, excels in an RPO system and has shown flashes of more than adequate arm talent. Since he is an RPO-style quarterback, he hasn’t shown the ability to move to his second or third read, which he’ll have to work on at the pro level.
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