Every time I start to write this another bomb goes off in the NFL. I’ve never seen an off-season like this.
Russell Wilson in Denver. Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. Davante Adams in Vegas. Matt Ryan in Indy. Khalil Mack in LA. And now, Tyreek Hill in Miami.
This is just scratching the surface. The NFL landscape looks completely different from 2 short months ago.
Here’s my first post free agency mock draft, it may only be relevant for a couple hours, if I even get it written up before another bomb drops.
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama- Not buying the hype about Hutchinson to Jacksonville. I think if the Jaguars stay here, they’ll solidify the O-Line despite already paying for Cam Robinson & Brandon Scherff.
2. DETROIT LIONS: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty- Didn’t have Detroit taking a QB here until Willis wowed at his pro day. Lions might get jumped for him, but if he’s here, they’ll take him.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan- Texans have needs everywhere, taking the top rated player on the board is smart.
4. NEW YORK JETS: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame- Hamilton may be the best overall player in the draft.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State- Giants could try to move up for Willis and move on from Daniel Jones. If not, fixing the offensive line is paramount.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State- Like the Giants, Panthers are in play for Willis, if they decide to move on from Sam Darnold. Solidifying the line is a good plan B.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS (from Chicago): Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon- Assuming they keep their 2 top ten picks, this is the prudent pick.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State- Marcus Mariota is merely a bridge QB, Falcons are in play for Willis, but will settle for filling the huge void created by Calvin Ridley’s suspension.
9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Denver): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa- I think Seattle is the team most likely to make a move for Willis, if they fail they’ll go offensive line.
10. NEW YORK JETS (from Seattle): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati- Jets went secondary with their first pick, but I love the fit of ‘Sauce’ in the Big Apple.
11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama- Williams & Terry McLaurin would be the best receiver tandem Carson Wentz has ever had.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU- Minnesota’s biggest needs are on defense, Vikings grab the best defensive player on the board.
13. HOUSTON TEXANS (from Cleveland): Drake London, WR, USC- Houston acquired this pick for Deshaun Watson, they’ll use it to get Davis Mills a weapon.
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia- Ravens continue to remake their D with the top IDL in the draft.
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Miami): Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia- Philly should be ecstatic if Walker is still on the board here.
16. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Indianapolis): Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson- Eagles go defense again, getting a corner to play opposite Darius Slay.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia- Chargers continue to beef up their D after acquiring Khalil Mack and JC Jackson.
18. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh- Saints tried hard to land Deshaun Watson before bringing back Jameis Winston. They obviously want an upgrade, and New Orleans has experience with quarterbacks with less than ideal physical dimensions.
19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah- Would Philly actually use all three of their first rounders on defense? I love the fit of Lloyd on Gang Green, though.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa- Steelers might have a plan B at QB beyond Mitchell Trubisky, but landing the best IOL in the draft is a great move.
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington- Patriots replace the departed JC Jackson.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS (from Las Vegas): Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State- Packers replace Za’Darius Smith.
23. ARIZONA CARDINALS: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue- Cardinals replace the departed Chandler Jones.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan- I feel like Hill is the kind of player Cowboys DC Dan Quinn loves.
25. BUFFALO BILLS: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida- Bills need another corner in the AFC arms race.
26. TENNESSEE TITANS: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia- Dean seems like a Mike Vrabel type of player.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College- The GOAT, Tom Brady, un-retired, but his offensive line needs some revamping.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State- Packers have a huge void at WR after trading Davante Adams.
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Miami via San Francisco): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: Tyreek Hill is irreplaceable but Olave is a pretty good consolation prize.
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia- Chiefs draft a replacement for Tyrann Mathieu.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota- Bengals totally remade their offensive line in free agency, which allows them to bolster their pass rush.
32. DETROIT LIONS (from LA Rams): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas- Lions landed their franchise QB earlier, now they give him another weapon.
The way this off-season is going, I’ll probably do another mock sooner than later. Thanks for reading.