By Harris Oates, Editor-In-Chief | Mock can be found on the Walter Football Mock Database
Trevor Lawrence | Clemson, QB
I’ve considered just taking this pick off all of our Mock Draft’s moving forward because of how obvious it has become. Lawrence had an impressive (and rushed) Pro Day on Friday, in which he checked every box for a second time.
Penei Sewell | Oregon, LT
Trades for Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson have been hot in the news, but I don’t think Joe Douglas acquired all of the picks that he has to just blow them on one player. He could take a rookie QB at 2, but instead the Jets take the legendary Offensive Tackle out of Oregon to give Sam Darnold a fighting chance to succeed. I don’t love the idea of Sam Darnold long term, but the Jets blew it on Trevor Lawrence. By taking Sewell they would give Darnold one last shot to prove the ghosts are out of his head.
Ja’Marr Chase | LSU, WR
The Dolphins have also been heavily involved in the QB Trade Rumors, but in this scenario they opt into taking the former Biletnecoff Winner and 2019 National Champion Ja’Marr Chase. Regardless of who the QB is, Chase is one of the best WR prospects to enter the league in a long time.
Gregory Rousseau | Miami, Edge
Many analysts have the Falcons connecting the dots to bring home Georgia native Justin Fields, but I just don’t see it at this spot. Reports from the Falcons state that Julio and Ryan will be back in 2021 (largely due to their immovable contracts), so instead of wasting the pick on a QB, they instead take the most dominant Edge Rusher in the class. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season, but averaged over 1.1 sacks per game in his 14 career games and is just 20 years old. Rousseau is an NBA style project, but he has all of the tools to become one of the best sack machines in the league. This may seem relatively high on a guy who many don’t even have as a top 10 prospect, but the Edge position comes at a premium and he is our clear cut top dog at the position. The last NFL Draft that didn’t have a defensive end taken inside the Top 6 was 2012 (Bruce Irvin was the first taken 12th Overall).
Rashawn Slater | Northwestern, OT
The Bengals offseason list starts with getting Joe Burrow protection…ASAP! Slater is just 6’3″, but is one of the most technically sound offensive lineman that I have seen coming out of college. Slater is a smooth mover who has the ability to play anywhere on the line and develop into an All-Pro.
Micah Parsons | Penn State, LB
Parsons is a clear-cut top 10 talent and is an immediate starter at LB, which makes this an easy decision at 6 if the Eagles go defense. As a bonus, the Eagles and Nittany Lions overlap in fandom is as large as any in football, so this would be an awesome move from a marketing standpoint. As long as Parsons doesn’t go to the PBA, he’s a no brainer in the top 10.
Zaven Collins | Tulsa, LB
The Lions have failed to find their defensive playmaker to build around for decades, but reaching on Collins could be one of the best moves they ever make. Collins is a small school guy from Tulsa who plays with a blue collar mentality and edge. Many might argue that they could just trade back for this pick, but there aren’t many players who can do what Collins does, which will cause somebody to reach at some point. This pick could be boom or bust, but I would love the Lions’ mentality of calling their shot this early.
Justin Fields | QB, Ohio State
It is no mystery that the Panthers are looking to move on from Teddy Bridgewater, but will it be with a vet or a rookie? This move allows for newly appointed GM Scott Fitterer to get his guy right away to build around. The Panthers could go Zach Wilson here, but ultimately decide to take the better dual threat option to plug into their fast paced offense.
Caleb Farley | Virginia Tech, CB
Broncos CB Bryce Callahan is coming off the strongest season of his career, but the team released veteran A.J. Bouye, who started on the opposite side. Denver will have a big decision to make with pending free agent Safety Justin Simmons, which ultimately could tie up a lot of cap space for the secondary. Farley would add a young star to the mix that would be a relatively cheap piece for the near future.
Patrick Surtain II | Alabama, CB
The Cowboys took Diggs last year at 51, but take his former teammate Patrick Surtain II at 10. Surtain II may not be the athlete that Diggs is, but he is a much more developed and technically sound corner that will become their go to shadow defender. Surtain II had a storied carrier, which ended with a National Championship along with being named the SEC Defender of the Year. He will bring some much needed swag to the Dallas secondary.
Jaylen Waddle | Alabama, WR
The Giants luck out here and have their pick of the litter with Waddle, Smith, Pitts and Bateman all on the board, but ultimately decide on Waddle. The fast twitch receiver took most of his snaps from the slot at Alabama and could plug in to take over with the expected departure of Golden Tate. This would allow for Sterling Sheppard to split out wide for a majority of his role and also could make room for the Giants to sign another receiver to add to the lineup like Kenny Golladay or Allen Robinson II.
Zach Wilson | BYU, QB
In this (unpopular) scenario, we see one of the top 3 QBs fall to the 12th pick. Although this may seem unlikely, it does happen. We have a very far way to go with this QB class and it will likely be until April before we clearly read the tea leaves, but don’t discount the chances of their not being a run on QBs early. With the wishy-washy environment of the QB situation unfolding this offseason the draft is unpredictable.
DeVonta Smith | Alabama, WR
The Chargers missed on Mike Williams in the top 5, but take another chance early on the 2020 Heisman winner. Smith will help Herbert stretch the field and will benefit from playing with the polished veteran route runner, Keenan Allen.
Kyle Pitts | Florida, TE
The possibility of Pitts falling to the 14th pick may not seem likely, but in such a talented class the Vikings would salvate at the opportunity to add another weapon to this strong offense. Unless a star playmaker falls to 14, I expect the Vikings to add talent to their offensive or defensive line.
Trey Lance | North Dakota State, QB
The more I think about this fit, the more that I like it. Despite many fans and media members connecting the dots between Saban and Belichick, I think they could benefit more from landing Trey Lance than Mac Jones. The Patriots attempted to run a very specified offense under Cam Newton, but he couldn’t get it done in the passing game. Could they use this pick to land a QB who has similar attributes to Cam?
Teven Jenkins | Oklahoma State, OL
Despite parting ways with fan favorite Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals have bigger holes to fill. Teven Jenkins is an athletic lineman who dominates in the run blocking department and has the feet to keep up with the face paced offense.
Christian Barmore | Alabama, DL
The Raiders were atrocious against the run, but get a steal here with Christian Barmore falling into their lap at 17. Barmore could be a 3 technique, every-down lineman who could add to the pass rush in addition to being a solid run stuffer. He isn’t the most polished prospect, but we saw what he is capable of late in the season last year.
Christian Darrisaw | Virginia Tech, OT
The Dolphins passed on the opportunity at taking Rashawn Slater at 3, but get one of the most versatile lineman at 18. Darrisaw is an absolute steal at 18 and is one of the best combo lineman, but really only has one dominant year of film in his career. Despite the leap in production, his 2020 season was historic and he didn’t allow a single sack all season…something that could help tremendously in the development of Tua.
Mac Jones | Alabama, QB
I’m a huge fan of Jones and I think he could be the sneaky favorite to win ROY if put in the right situation. Washington just invested more money into the QB position by extended Taylor Heinicke, but they take a shot to score a long term solution by taking the National Champion.
Rashod Bateman | Minnesota, WR
The Bears have been heavily involved in trade rumors regarding veteran QBs, but I think the biggest headline could be them letting WR Allen Robinson walk. If they do, Bateman is a versatile and talented receiver that can develop into a top tier threat in the league.
Azeez Ojulari | Georgia, Edge
The Edge class doesn’t have many surefire picks, but there are several projects like Ojulari that will be available towards the back of the 1st. Ojulari led the SEC in sacks and was just heating up at the end of the season, where he had 3 sacks against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl. He had 35 pressures to go along with his 8.5 sacks and dominated some of the best SEC lineman. He is just 240 lbs, so it’s unclear if his first step is enough to keep him in a traditional end role, but his speed an athleticism will allow him to play in any scheme. Although he is a raw prospect, he has the speed of a 1st Round pick and has the killer instinct it takes to get to an NFL QB repeatedly.
Daviyon Nixon | Iowa, DL
The Titans had one of the worst defensive lines in the league, so taking a shot on a versatile player like Nixon could work wonders. Nixon would fit Tennessee’s scheme well as he could play 3 technique as well as defensive end.
Travis Etienne | Clemson, RB
This is a pick that I’ve stuck with since the beginning. If there is one team that could take a shot on a RB in the 1st it would make sense that it would be a team with multiple picks and nothing to lose. The Jets have two young backs that they have given a shot, but Etienne has the potential to become an All Pro.
Najee Harris | Alabama, RB
While the run on RBs has begun, the Steelers grab who many consider to be the best of the class. The Doak Walker winner brings youth to the Steelers offense and is a versatile runner that can lighten the load for aging Big Ben. James Conner is a pending free agent this offseason and has struggled to stay on the field. If he walks you should expect the Steelers to take an RB at some point in the draft.
Jaycee Horn | South Carolina, CB
The Jags have been unable to replace Jalen Ramsey, but by taking Jaycee Horn they add a member of their secondary to build around. Will they have the same production from Horn? Unlikely, but he is a talented cover corner than can develop into a locking down AFC South emerging stars like Michael Pittman and AJ Brown.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Notre Dame, LB
The Browns have emerging stars on the defensive line and in the secondary, but are in a state of limbo in between. Owusu-Koramoah is a sideline to sideline player who can bring significant speed to the Browns immediately. He is very small for an NFL LB (just 215 lbs), but has the speed and athleticism to play a rover roll and line up all over the field.
Sam Cosmi | Texas, OT
The Ravens OL has struggled since losing Yanda and recently had LT Orlando Brown demand a trade. If Brown is dealth, then Cosmi is an athletic tackle who dominates in the run game and could be an immediate replacement for the Ravens offense.
Trevon Moehrig | TCU, S
The Saints are in one of the best passing divisions in the league, which has led them to invest in their secondary often. Moehrig is our 4th rated defensive back in the class as well as the most versatile. The Saints can get creative with Moehrig and use him as a free safety/slot corner hybrid to take the pressure off of Latimore when facing duos like Jones/Ridley, Evans/Godwin and Moore/Anderson.
Nick Bolton | Missouri, LB
Bolton is a true inside linebacker, a position the Packers have failed to replace following the departure of Blake Martinez. Bolton is an instinctually talented linebacker that identifies plays faster than anyone, which could propel the Packers back into a third straight NFC Championship.
Javonte Williams | UNC, RB
The Bills have had some success with the committee backfield approach, but by taking a shot on Williams it would legitimize that group. The Moss-Singletary combo stalled last season due to fact that neither was close to being a rounded out NFL back. Williams is a do it all back that could fly off the board faster than anyone expects.
Dyami Brown | UNC, WR
This is a bold take, but I love Dyami Brown. He has become one of my top receivers due to his instinctual deep ball abilities and could be an immediate upgrade over the soon to be departed Sammy Watkins.
Kwity Paye | Michigan, Edge
I might be the lower on Paye than anyone, but I just don’t see it. He certainly is a top 40 talent, but I am baffled at how often I have seen him rated in the top 10. He is thick and powerful, but doesn’t fit the modern roll of a speed rusher. He failed to produce much in college and wasn’t much of a finisher in the sack department. I do think someone will take a shot on him due to his physical abilities and strength, but he is very much a project.
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