The first week of free agency frenzy did not disappoint. There was some major moves, some big surprises and, finally, some clarity about what will happen at the top of the draft.
Barring any trades involving first round picks, this should be my last mock draft of wave three. I’ll do wave four in April, including a full seven round mock.
I used Pro Football Network’s mock draft tool to do this mock:
The Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, locking them into a QB with this pick. Williams HAS to be that QB.When the Washington Commanders traded Sam Howell to Seattle, it signaled their intent to draft a QB. The only question remaining is which QB? My money is on the Heisman Trophy winner.
*TRADE*
Minnesota acquires the 3rd pick from New England in exchange for a package including the 11th and 23rd overall selections.
The Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in free agency and added Sam Darnold. By deftly acquiring Houston’s first rounder, they’ve given themselves the ammo to move up for a QB.The Arizona Cardinals gladly watch QBs go 1-2-3, knowing they can draft a generational WR twenty years after drafting another in Larry Fitzgerald.The Los Angeles Chargers lost Keenan Allen, Mike Williams & Gerald Everett this week. There’s a severe shortage of pass catchers in LA for Justin Herbert.The New York Giants filled a lot of holes this week, except at wide receiver.
*TRADE*
Denver acquires the 7th overall pick from Tennessee in exchange for a package including the 12th overall selection.
The Denver Broncos released Russell Wilson and did nothing to replace him. With their division rival, Las Vegas, lurking, they have to pull the trigger on a move up the board.The Atlanta Falcons landed the big prize of free agency, QB Kirk Cousins, and they also acquired WRs Darnell Mooney & Rondale Moore. The offense is set, time to address their defense.
*TRADE*
Cincinnati acquires the 9th overall pick from Chicago in exchange for a package including the 18th overall selection.
The Cincinnati Bengals seize the opportunity to move up and grab the top OT in the draft to fill the void left by Jonah Williams.The New York Jets added tackles Tyron Smith & Morgan Moses this week, but that shouldn’t preclude them from adding Fuaga, who they can kick inside to guard to strengthen the protection for Aaron Rodgers even more.The New England Patriots have many needs, so they’ll take the extra first rounder to move out of the three spot, even if it means missing out on a QB.The Tennessee Titans gladly take some extra draft capital to move down five spots where they still land a franchise OT.
*TRADE*
Philadelphia acquires the 13th overall pick from Las Vegas in exchange for a package including the 22nd overall selection.
The Philadelphia Eagles have draft capital to burn and a need to get younger and more physical in their secondary.The New Orleans Saints have needs on both their offensive & defensive lines, offense holds more value here.The Indianapolis Colts stop the slide of the best TE prospect since Kyle Pitts.The Seattle Seahawks add another productive piece to their defensive line after re-signing Leonard Williams.
*TRADE*
Jacksonville trades the 17th overall selection to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a package including the 19th overall pick.
The Los Angeles Rams jump ahead of Chicago to keep a premium edge rusher in LA.The Chicago Bears only have four picks in this draft, so they’ll easily slide down from ninth to add more and still land an edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.The Jacksonville Jaguars move down a couple spots, adding draft capital and still landing the CB they likely would have taken at #17.The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long tradition of great centers, they add another for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields.The Miami Dolphins draft a replacement for Robert Hunt.The Las Vegas Raiders move down the board, adding draft capital, and select the best OT still on the board.The New England Patriots added this pick in an earlier trade. They use it on offense after spending their first pick on defense.The Dallas Cowboys find a replacement for Tyron Smith.The Green Bay Packers add a versatile defensive back to their secondary.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft a replacement for Shaq Barrett.The Arizona Cardinals go defense after using their first pick on offense.The Buffalo Bills replace Gabe Davis with the fastest receiver in the class.The Detroit Lions have few weaknesses, secondary is one, even after acquiring Carlton Davis.The Baltimore Ravens add a big bodied receiver to pair with the smaller & shiftier Zay Flowers.The San Francisco 49ers need to upgrade their offensive line, especially the interior.
*TRADE*
New England acquires the 32nd overall pick from Kansas City in exchange for a package including the 34th overall selection.
The New England Patriots move back into the first round to pick for the third time and get that all important fifth year option on a rookie QB.
TEAMS WITHOUT A FIRST ROUND PICK:
The Carolina Panthers added WR Diontae Johnson but they still need to give Bryce Young more help.The Kansas City Chiefs added Marquise Brown but that shouldn’t preclude them from drafting another WR after trading out of the first round.The Houston Texans have a fearsome edge rushing tandem in Will Anderson & Danielle Hunter, now they add the best run stuffer in the draft.The Cleveland Browns give Deshaun Watson another target to go with Amari Cooper & David Njoku.
Nickels and Dimes 