Time for the first true mock draft of the offseason!
Another mock draft, another Deshaun Watson trade. This time, I’m sending him to the Jets, and this leads to FOUR straight quarterbacks to start the draft.
This mock draft is a mix of who I would draft and who I think is going to be drafted.
If you want to yell at me, reach out on Instagram at @fanmusings!
Mock Draft
1. Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
I’m gonna keep saying it: this pick doesn’t need any explanation.
2. Texans (from Jets) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State [TRADE]
Trade time! The Jets pick up Deshaun Watson (and give up a monster haul), and the Texans get to draft one of my favorite prospects in the entire class in Fields.
3. Panthers (from Texans via Dolphins) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU [TRADE]
After seeing Lawrence and Fields go #1 and #2, the Panthers get nervous and trade up to get their franchise guy (maybe) in Wilson.
4. Falcons – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
This is the best way that the board could work for Lance. The Falcons are looking to the future, and they need a franchise QB to carry them forward.
5. Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Any time the Bengals get Sewell, it’s their best case scenario. They desperately need linemen to protect Burrow.
6. Eagles – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Eagles might go QB here, but the top guys are off the board. Instead, they take the top WR in the draft in Chase.
7. Lions – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Another day, another WR for the Lions. With Golladay and Jones leaving, Smith can be the face of the offense for the Lions.
8. Dolphins (from Panthers) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama [TRADE]
This may be the worst way for the board to drop for the Dolphins. They miss out on the top 2 WRs, but they still get an instant contributor with Waddle.
9. Broncos – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Broncos are a trade-back candidate, but if the board drops like this, they’ll stay at #9 and get my top CB in Farley.
10. Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
I love this pairing. The Cowboys really need CB help, and Surtain looks to be a starting CB from day one.
11. Giants – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Just like pick #10, this might be one of my favorite pairings in the whole draft. The Giants love linemen, and Rousseau has the potential to be a top-tier pass rusher.
12. 49ers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
This is gonna be so fun. Kittle, Samuel, Aiyuk, a great running game, and now Pitts? There’s no excuse for Jimmy G after this.
13. Chargers – Rashawn Slater, OT, Texas
Slater has risen to be my OT2, and the Chargers desperately need offensive linemen. This is a great pairing.
14. Steelers (from Vikings) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama [TRADE]
Another big trade! The Steelers are in a really tough spot with Big Ben, and with this trade, they get to prepare for life after Roethlisberger.
15. Patriots – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
I’ve always been incredibly high on Moore, and here, the Patriots finally get the big-play WR they’ve been looking for.
16. Cardinals – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
After signing Watt, the Cardinals don’t need a pass rusher anymore. Instead, they start getting a guy to replace Patrick Peterson.
17. Raiders – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This is an absolute steal. Parsons is a phenomenal talent, and we could look back at this like the Derwin James pick.
18. Dolphins – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Tua’s the guy, and they gotta make his life as easy as possible. Enter one of my favorite tackles in the draft.
19. Football Team – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
No good QBs here, so the Football Team goes with the next best thing. They get a brick wall who will stabilize the line for a long time.
20. Bills (from Bears) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame [TRADE]
It’s time for another trade! As Parsons falls, JOK drops, much to the joy of the Bills. This is the range where they can move up to get their next great LB.
21. Colts – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
With the trade for Wentz, the Colts are doubling down on offense. To help Wentz, they get a top-tier guy in Bateman.
22. Titans – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Titans’ biggest need remains the same: pass rush. They get a freak in Paye who could solve the need for a long time.
23. Texans (from Seahawks via Jets) – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia [TRADE]
The Texans get my QB2 in Fields and an instant-impact pass rusher in Ojulari. Not a bad start to the rebuild.
24. Vikings (from Steelers) – Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama [TRADE]
The Vikings need defensive linemen, and they’re able to trade down and still get an elite interior guy in Barmore.
25. Jaguars (from Rams) – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
A lot of people don’t see Samuel as a first-rounder, but I disagree. He would be a star for the Jaguars opposite C.J. Henderson.
26. Browns – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Browns looked good without OBJ, but they still would be smart to look for speed burners like Toney to really elevate their offense.
27. Ravens – Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
The Ravens might be losing a lot of pass rushers in free agency. To counter that, they get a pass rushing force in Ossai.
28. Saints – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Saints have some real cap-crunching to do, and a player like Collins could provide some cheap talent to an expensive defense.
29. Packers – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
They could go WR here, but I think they could benefit by strengthening their offensive line. Vera-Tucker can play inside and outside with great skill.
30. Bears (from Bills) – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Teven Jenkins has moved into my top 5 offensive tackles, and the Bears improve their offensive line with this pick.
31. Dolphins (from Chiefs) – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama [TRADE]
The Dolphins aren’t done yet! They try to recreate the Alabama offense by taking Waddle eerie and moving up for Harris here.
32. Buccaneers – Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Super Bowl champs won through their pass rush, and if Barrett leaves, the Buccaneers will be able to replace him with Oweh.
List of Trades
Texans receive: #2 pick, #23 pick, 2022 NYJ 1st, 2022 NYJ 2nd, LB C.J. Mosley; Jets receive: QB Deshaun Watson
Dolphins receive: #8 pick, 2022 CAR 1st; Panthers receive: #3 pick
Vikings receive: #24 pick, #55 pick, 2022 PIT 4th; Steelers receive: #14 pick
Bears receive: #30 pick, #61 pick, 2022 BUF 3rd; Bills receive: #20 pick
Chiefs receive: #36 pick, #50 pick; Dolphins receive: #31 pick
