Mock Draft 3.0 (Harris)

1. Carolina Panthers

Traded from Chicago Bears

Bryce Young | Alabama, QB

Carolina has kept their cards close to their chest but anyone and everyone who knows anything about the draft knows that Bryce Young is the pick.

2. Houston Texans

Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama, Edge

Here is where the draft shakes up….the Texans WILL NOT draft CJ Stroud, despite what “experts” are saying. My own personal expert that I have learned to trust on this matter is Huddle Report’s Michael Delaney (Wolfmantula on IG), who kindly has reminded all the fraudulent media mock drafters that CJ Stroud and Deshaun Watson share the same agent. In my humble opinion, Will Anderson Jr. is the most BUST PROOF player in this class and has what it takes to be a top tier sack machine.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jalen Carter | Georgia, DT

With potentially four R1 QB prospects still on the board at 3, the trade value likely will take a big hit at this spot. It’s unlikely that the Cardinals will reach any sort of worthy compensation to pass up on Jalen Carter. Despite the off-field concerns, Carter is one of the most talented players we have seen come through the draft in decades.

4. Indianapolis Colts

CJ Stroud | Ohio State, QB

It’s no mystery that the Colts love CJ Stroud and see him as a potential QB of the future. After several veteran misses, the Colts lock down a player they can finally build around for the long term.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech, Edge

Tyree Wilson is the wildcard of this elite tier, meaning that I got see him fitting in just about anywhere in the top 10. The freakish 84″ wingspan speaks for itself as you do not see players with the attributes of Tyree Wilson lasting much farther than the top 5 picks.

6. Detroit Lions

Bijan Robinson | Texas, RB

There’s been a ton of talk about Bijan Robinson being the ideal fit for the Falcons at 8….if he makes it to 8! Many draft boards have Robinson as a top two prospect in this entire class. RB is a luxury pick in the NFL these days, but the Lions can afford that price with two top 18 picks and five inside the top 55.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Peter Skoronski | Northwestern, OT

As the top offensive lineman falls to 7, it should speak for the top tier talent that this class has. Despite many thinking that releasing Carr was an indication that McDaniels was going to draft his guy, the Jimmy G. signing indicates that they likely are not at that stage. They could bring in a guy like Will Levis to learn behind their sophisticated offense, but I see them fortifying their offensive line in hopes of winning now.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Lukas Van Ness | Iowa, Edge

This is probably the grossest fit of the draft so far…many have Nolan Smith chalked in here but if the Falcons are smart they will elect for the guy with some of the highest potential in the class.

9. Chicago Bears (from CAR)

Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OT

PJJ to the Bears has been the pick I have locked in since January, when my massive galaxy brain predicted (lucky guess/manifestation) the trade with the Panthers.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Darnell Wright | Tennessee, OT

A lot of people aren’t going to like this but great teams do not draft for the short term. The Eagles roster is stacked throughout but veterans like Lane Johnson are nearing the end of their careers. Darnell Wright is a versatile player that can plug in where needed until his time as a full-time starter is needed.

11. Tennessee Titans

Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB

The Titans not only have a new GM but everything this offseason points towards a full rebuild incoming. Luckily, the Titans sit in a good division where they can retain their stars, bring youth to key positions and still compete with the Jags for a playoff spot. The high ceiling Richardson is just 21 and brings another element to the Titans offense in the near future.

12. Houston Texans

Hendon Hooker | Tennessee, QB

A bit of a shocker here but the 25 year old has as much college experience as anyone and should be ready to take over the Texans as soon as his ACL is 100% ready to go. Many will gawk at the team not taking Will Levis here but many teams have had Hooker as high as their QB2 or 3.

13. New York Jets

Broderick Jones | Georgia, OT

The Rodgers trade still looms large but in the meantime the Jets address a major position of need following the flameout of other moves on the OL. Jets GM Joe Douglas has been praised for several of his trades and top tier picks like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, but this team has been nothing short of a dumpster fire. If Douglas cannot land Aaron Rodgers, then I fully believe his job should be on the line as there is no excuse for his blunders at QB.

14. New England Patriots

Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB

Despite Witherspoon being the odds favorite as CB1 of this class, I believe that Joey Porter Jr.’s size, length and physicality should combine to keep him as a top 15 player. Belichick is usually hard to predict but JPJ fits the mold for the Patriots ideal defensive player.

15. Green Bay Packers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State, WR

The Packers have not drafted a WR this highly since 1988 when they selected Sterling Sharpe 7th overall. With the imminent departure of Aaron Rodgers looming, the Packers desperately need to add weapons to help newly crowned QB, Jordan Love.

16. Washington Commanders

Devon Witherspoon | Illinois, CB

With ownership changing hands, don’t count out a trade up for a QB here…but in this scenario they stay put and land a top prospect at the midway point of the first round.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Christian Gonzalez | Oregon, CB

Smart. Athletic. Dependable. Christian Gonzalez checks all the boxes to become a major contributor in Mike Tomlin’s stingy defense.

18. Detroit Lions

Calijah Kancey | Pittsburgh, DT

The Lions took a playmaker at 6, but now they set their sights on fortifying the defensive front with Calijah Kancey. Kancey, who is an enigma in terms of underwhelming length, packs a punch with his dominant strength and power.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Will Levis | Kentucky, QB

Did you really think Baker Mayfield is ANYONE’s QB of the future? The Bucs have been reportedly IN LOVE with Will Levis and get a steal here at 19. Good things happen to the teams who stay put.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Myles Murphy | Clemson, Edge

Once totted as a top 5 pick, Myles Murphy appears to have been a bit overhyped by the media. The Seahawks nab the freaky edge here with their second pick.

21. LA Chargers

Zay Flowers | Boston College, WR

Brandon Staley’s biggest needs from here on out should rely around getting Justin Herbert as many high caliber weapons as possibly. Despite lacking the ideal height, Flowers has the makes of an elite NFL playmaker.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Brian Branch | Alabama, DB

The Ravens secondary took a hit last season and had one of their worst seasons in recent history, which is NOT the Ravens way. The Ravens add another versatile defensive back from the Crimson Tide here.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Quentin Johnston | TCU, WR

With Theilen gone, the Vikings are forced to have KJ Osborn as their WR2 unless they can locate a worthy option in the draft. Johnston was one of the most productive weapons in the NCAA when healthy and gives Cousins another great option with incredible YAC-ability.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jordan Addison | USC, WR

The run on WRs continues as the Jags land Lawrence his true WR1 to grow alongside. His arsenal grows here and gives the team a cheap option for the foreseeable future.

25. New York Giants

O’Cyrus Torrence | Florida, IOL

Many have a WR pegged to the Giants here but following a run on talent, they should not reach here. Instead, Joe Schoen brings in a talented interior lineman that will help both their run and pass game.

26. Dallas Cowboys

Darnell Washington | Georgia, TE

Many have Kincaid as the TE1 of this class but I think Darnell Washington’s freakish potential could land him as the top dog. The Cowboys are not shy of making flashy picks and bring in an all around talented player with one of the higher floors of the TE class.

27. Buffalo Bills

Drew Sanders | Arkansas, LB

The Bills lost their top ILB in free agency and are a sleeper team for a major regression. Drew Sanders was the most all around talented linebacker in the nation last year and can immediately plug the hole left by Edmunds.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Anton Harrison | Oklahoma, OT

Cornerback always seems to be the popular pick here, but I think the Bengals need to continue adding to their offensive line if they want another shot at a Super Bowl. The Bengals made a phenomenal move to secure Orlando Brown, but now can bring in a right tackle to play opposite as they decide on potentially releasing the injured La’el Collins.

29. New Orleans Saints

Bryan Bresee | Clemson, DT

Bresee to the Saints is like Peanut Butter and Jelly…I love the fit. Bresee, like Murphy, has seen his stock fall a bit due to being inflated by the media, but interior defenders of his make usually hear their names called on the first night.

30. Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith | Georgia, Edge

Ah…everyone’s favorite “sleeper”. Nolan Smith was the number one recruit out of high school before joining the Georgia Bulldogs, but never met expectations. Through four seasons, the undersized Edge had just 11 sacks and never eclipsed 4 in a season. However, he was a solid role player that can be used as a rotational piece in the NFL and you have to love the freaky combine numbers. I am not sold on Smith being a top 50 prospect this year but someone could take a shot on those numbers.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Mazi Smith | Michigan, DL

The Chiefs have always thrived with versatile defensive lineman that can dominate the run and pass game, and Mazi Smith is just that. With veterans like Frank Clark getting older, the Chiefs will look to add depth and youth the their defensive line.