N&D NFL Mock Draft 1.2

I was doing one final mock draft before the start of free agency, after the Russell Wilson trade, and as I’m writing it up Washington acquires Carson Wentz, making me start all over.

First round mocks usually hinge on QBs, but this a rather underwhelming class. I only see six worthy of being picked in the first two rounds and none that would have gone ahead of any of the five first rounders from last year.

Of course, there’s no shortage of QB needy teams. Detroit, Carolina, Seattle, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Houston, Cleveland, Indianapolis and even Minnesota could be in the market.

Of those, I think Houston, Tampa Bay and Minnesota won’t make a big splash and draft a QB early, since they just did so last year. I don’t see Cleveland picking a QB in the first round with Baker Mayfield still under contract. I think Carolina rolls with Sam Darnold for one more season, while New Orleans will bring back Jameis Winston. Indianapolis, meanwhile, lacks a first round pick and will probably try to find a bridge QB in free agency.

I don’t envision any team falling in love with any QB enough to make a major move. Now, without further ado, my last pre-free agency mock draft:

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Evan Neal, OT, Alabama: Offensive tackle makes the most sense for the Jags.

2. DETROIT LIONS- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan: WR is a bigger need, but home stater Hutchinson fills a need, too, and is better value.

3. HOUSTON TEXANS- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon: Texans need help just about everywhere, Lovie Smith will start on defense.

4. NEW YORK JETS- Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame: Positional value aside, Hamilton may be the best player in the draft.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS- Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State: Giants have been trying to solve the tackle issue for years, have they?

6. CAROLINA PANTHERS- Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State: As I said in the intro, I think Carolina will roll with Darnold for another season. Protection for him becomes priority,

7. NEW YORK GIANTS- Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: Giants use the pick acquired from Chicago to bolster the pass rush.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama: Calvin Ridley’s suspension creates a major need at WR.

9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: Seattle has to go QB here, Willis has tremendous upside.

10. NEW YORK JETS- Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati: Jets address the defensive secondary with both first round picks. ‘Sauce’ is a dynamic shut down corner.

11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS- Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU: Washington’s acquisition of Carson Wentz shouldn’t preclude them from drafting a QB, but it probably will in the first round. Stingley was a top 5 prospect not that long ago.

12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia: With Stingley off the board, Vikings go defensive line and land an absolute beast.

13. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State: Jarvis Landry will likely depart, Cleveland replaces him with an in state prospect.

14. BALTIMORE RAVENS- David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan: Pairing Ojabo with last year’s first rounder, Odafe Oweh, will make a fearsome pass rushing duo.

15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State: Eagles use the first of their three first rounders to bolster their pass rush.

16. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington: Eagles second straight pick adds a CB opposite Darius Slay.

17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa: Penning and last year’s first rounder, Rashawn Slater, gives Justin Herbert solid bookend protection.

18. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Drake London, WR, USC: I do think New Orleans will bring back Winston at QB, upgrading his receivers becomes a priority.

19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa: Eagles final first round pick lands them the best interior offensive lineman in the draft.

20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh: Steelers may address QB in free agency, if not I like hometown kid, Pickett, as Big Ben’s replacement.

21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson: Pats are likely to lose JC Jackson in free agency, they draft his replacement.

22. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia: Raiders go best player available and land a force on the defensive line.

23. ARIZONA CARDINALS- George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue: Cardinals draft possible replacement for Chandler Jones.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS- Perrion Winfrey, IDL, Oklahoma: Depending on what happens in free agency, Dallas could be in the WR market, for now they continue to build up their defense.

25. BUFFALO BILLS- Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: Cole Beasley wants out, and Emmanuel Sanders is no spring chicken, Burks would give Josh Allen another dynamic weapon.

26. TENNESSEE TITANS- Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia: Tennessee is a sleeper team in the QB market. Totally wouldn’t surprise me if they snatch one here, but for now Mike Vrabel goes defense.

27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College: Tampa’s interior offensive line is in flux, Johnson is quickly rising up draft boards.

28. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: I really don’t think Olave falls this far, but Aaron Rodgers would be ecstatic.

29. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State: Dotson and last year’s first round pick, Jaylen Waddle, would give Tua some serious weapons on the outside.

30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: KC takes the best defensive player on the board.

31. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M: Cincy needs to better protect Joe Burrow, Green is a start.

32. DETROIT LIONS- Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati: Lions use their second first rounder to nab their QB of the future, giving them an extra year of team control.

Free Agency starts next week, I’ll put out another mock draft after the dust settles.

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