2021 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (before there’s another trade)
Officially this may be my Mock Draft 2.0 but it’s probably the 17th version of it at this point. Just as I was about to publish it the first time, San Francisco, Miami and Philadelphia pulled off a couple of trades to upend the whole thing. Then just after I rewrote it from the 3rd pick on and was just about to publish it again, the Jets and Panthers pulled off the Sam Darnold trade, then I had to rewrite it from pick #2. This was supposed to be my post-free agency version but now it’s my post-free agency/major trade version. I’m usually against predicting trades because it is so hard to do but given the fact that teams seem to be making trades like they’re drunk, I’m going all in on some trade scenarios. Let the games begin. Enjoy.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15): Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson
The Jaguars have decided to bring back LT Cam Robinson on the franchise tag (an inexplicable decision at this point), they’ve signed WR Marvin Jones (a real pro Lawrence will appreciate having around) and RB Carlos Hyde (Urban Meyer gets a former Buckeye). They have signed multiple defenders and all of them are upgrades; CB Shaquill Griffin and S Rashawn Jenkins especially. This team is all about building a team around Lawrence, the best QB prospect in a couple of decades. There is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect but Lawrence is about as close as anyone has ever been. If he fails it will be because the Jaguars are the Jaguars and they screwed him up. For Lawrence’s sake I hope the Urban Meyer experiment doesn’t get in the way of his development. It has taken an incredibly crazy draft season to overshadow the fact that there is a franchise altering QB being picked at the top of this draft. While everyone seems to want to talk about the every other QB’s greatest asset (Fields’ athleticism, Wilson’s arm, Jones’ accuracy and Lance’s high ceiling) they seem to forget that Lawrence is all of those things rolled into one.
2. New York Jets (2-14): Zach Wilson QB BYU
The Jets have gone out and signed WRs Corey Davis and Keelan Cole, TE Tyler Kroft, RB Tevin Coleman and OG Dan Feeney and look to be trying to build an actual offense around Zach Wilson. These guys aren’t superstars but they are upgrades. They traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers to clear the way for this pick and it buys them a few years to develop Wilson and giving him help seems like a priority. The Jets should be much better on offense just from having better talent and a competent play caller in Mike LaFleur. Robert Saleh also got the pass rusher he needs in Carl Lawson that could help him turn the defense around a lot faster. They still need plenty of help on defense and they can draft an offensive lineman or two later on to add to last year’s first-round pick Mekhi Becton. Darnold might flourish in Carolina under Joe Brady but the team wanted to start a new era and sweep out the remnants of the old one.
3. San Francisco 49ers (from Miami): Mac Jones QB Alabama
I can’t say I’m in agreement with this decision if the 49ers really do pick Mac Jones but there seems to be a lot of smoke about how much Kyle Shanahan loves Jones. He does have many qualities Shanahan likes, he fits the same mold as Jimmy G and Matt Ryan, two guys Shanahan clearly enjoyed. I do think Jones has more to his game than he’s being giving credit for, one of the frequent criticisms of Jones is that he has reached his ceiling, I don’t think that’s true. He only started for a little more than a year at Alabama so I think there is more there. He is limited athletically compared to Lawrence, Fields and Lance, and he doesn’t have Wilson’s arm. However, he’s a rhythm passer with great accuracy and that has to make Shanahan really excited. The 49ers re-signed OT Trent Williams and signed C Alex Mack to solidify the offensive line and that should keep their running game humming right along. Jones should like playing with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle quite a bit. They re-signed three CBs, although not Richard Sherman, and they added OLB Samson Ebukam. The 49ers are hoping for a return to health from a number of guys and that Jones will be more available than Jimmy G has been.
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12): Kyle Pitts TE Florida
The Falcons are in the catbird seat. With the first three picks basically being known it means everyone knows the fourth QB, or the best non-QB position player can be had right here. They could potentially reset the franchise by trading this pick for a haul of future picks or they could do it by taking a QB to lead the franchise into the future while they have this high of a pick. The other option is taking the best non-QB prospect in the draft and giving Arthur Smith an amazing TE to work with. Pitts is a TE in name only, he’s a playmaker all over the field and a dynamic weapon for the Falcons offense. Matt Ryan is locked in for the next couple of seasons because of his cap number so they might as well try to help him out. Arthur Smith was in Tennessee when they were using Jonnu Smith and before that when they had Delanie Walker, he knows how to deploy a TE. Pitts is a physical freak and a matchup nightmare. This isn’t a big need for the Falcons, it’s just the best player on the board.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Ja’Marr Chase WR LSU
The Bengals are fine seeing three QBs go off the board right away and seeing the Falcons take Pitts. The Bengals could take Pitts if Chase is gone but I think they prefer to pair Chase with Joe Burrow. They made a short-term move signing OT Riley Reiff, he’s penciled in as the starter at RT, he’s on a one-year deal and they need more help that just him. However, they just lost AJ Green to free agency and they let John Ross leave because re-signing him would have been a waste of resources. Burrow needs a #1 WR to go with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins and he already has a history and connection to Chase. Chase was a phenomenal receiver two years ago with Burrow at LSU and while he opted out of last season, he’s still the best WR prospect in the draft. He is dynamic and would be just the playmaker the offense needs. I can make a really good argument for OT Penei Sewell but with Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff at OTs they can wait to grab a developmental OT later. The Bengals addressed some of their defensive issues with DE Trey Hendrickson (they overpaid), DT Larry Ogunjobi (solid pickup), and CBs Chidobe Awuzie, Eli Apple and Mike Hilton (desperately needed secondary help) so they can afford to wait on more defensive help.
6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia): Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
The Dolphins played this well. They traded down once and picked up three first round picks and then leveraged their own future 1st rounder to move back up so they could still get the playmaker they need and get him at a more reasonable pick, #6 instead of #3 overall. That’s some nice work by the Dolphins front office and they have a bevy of picks in the first three rounds over the next several years to try to surround Tua Tagovailoa with talent. Ja’Marr Chase would have been a really nice start at WR but with him off the board they go for the next best wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle. The team has DeVante Parker, who is a #1 WR in name only, and they signed Will Fuller to a short contract hoping he can add some deep speed (assuming he can stay healthy, not a great assumption). Waddle is a ridiculous talent who has been compared to Tyreek Hill on the field. He isn’t the biggest guy at just 5’10 180 lbs. but he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. As long as his medical evaluation clears his leg injury from last season, he’s a great bet to go in the top 10.
7. New England Patriots (TRADE from Lions): Justin Fields QB Ohio St.
I’m calling a trade where the Patriots give up the 15th pick and probably a 1st rounder next year to move up and draft a QB. This would be the most anti-Belichick think ever but we just watched Belichick spend about $200 million in free agency and that is very unlike him too. Some say Belichick did a bad job last year, I say it might have been his best coaching job ever. The Patriots had major free agent defections (it wasn’t just Tom Brady that left), big Covid-19 opt outs, and arguably the worst QB situation in the league (okay, Washington’s was probably worse) and yet they went 7-9. Belichick knows he has to fix the QB position and Cam Newton might be a safe stopgap to let Fields not have to be rushed into action. Fields is an amazing athlete and he has a very strong arm. He needs to learn some nuances of the QB position and work on his progressions but so do most rookie QBs. He has all the talent in the world and I think Belichick makes a move up to get him. Detroit makes this trade because they are starting a long-haul rebuild and getting extra picks is always a good idea when you’re doing that.
8. Carolina Panthers (5-11): Penei Sewell OT Oregon
The Panthers made a trade for Sam Darnold which should take them out of the QB derby for the time being. They have Christian McCaffrey returning and DJ Moore and Robby Anderson make a solid duo at WR. Darnold even has a history with Anderson. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady put together a solid offense last season with Teddy Bridgewater running it and without McCaffrey who was injured most of the year. They clearly believe Darnold is an upgrade and with Brady coaching him I think they’re right. One thing Darnold could use that he rarely had in New York is a great offensive line in front of him. The Panthers love Taylor Moton and they gave him the franchise tag hoping to work out a long-term deal, he’s their RT. For now, Greg Little is penciled in at LT replacing Russell Okung and that’s not a great plan. Penei Sewell would be a great plan and he’s an absolute steal here at pick #8. Sewell is a franchise LT and with him leading the protection up front Darnold would have the best chance to succeed that he’s had in his career.
9. Washington FT (TRADE from Denver): Trey Lance QB North Dakota St.
The Broncos are looking to upgrade at QB but I don’t see them wanting to start with another rookie and it’s more likely they trade for Teddy Bridgewater than draft Trey Lance. They take advantage of Washington who is in dire need of a reset at QB and they pick up probably a first round pick next year and some other picks. Washington has Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen on the roster, they need a QB. Fitzpatrick might be mad after signing with them if they draft a QB in the top 10 but Lance is a guy who needs some development. He won’t be looked at as the franchise savior next season because he played at North Dakota St. and he only played in one game in 2020. He has all the physical tools you can want in a QB and if his development goes well, he replaces Fitzpatrick in a year or two, not next season.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama
The Cowboys finally got a deal done with Dak Prescott and they are hopeful that his return to health along with the return to health of so much of their offensive line will result in a far more impressive offensive showing this year. The defense is where they still need some work. They could use a pass rusher to complement Demarcus Lawrence and a LB wouldn’t be a bad idea either but they still need a top-flight CB. That’s not to say this team hasn’t addressed their very deficient secondary in free agency. The re-signed CB Jourdan Lewis and they brought in safeties Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse. They hope second-year CB Trevon Diggs steps up but his more talented former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain II would be a wise choice here. Surtain is a long CB with impeccable bloodlines and the skills to be a #1 CB. He would complete the transformation of the Dallas secondary from a complete mess to a more than respectable unit.
11. New York Giants (6-10): Micah Parsons LB Penn St.
The Giants spent most of free agency trying to improve the offense to give Daniel Jones the best chance to prove he can be the QB they need him to be. The gave big money to WR Kenny Golladay, they took a chance on WR John Ross, they picked up TE Kyle Rudolph and they even added a little RB depth with Devontae Booker. On defense they brought back DE Leonard Williams and they signed some LB depth with Ryan Anderson, Ifeadi Odenigbo and Reggie Ragland. Williams was their big defensive playmaker last year up front but the other guys don’t move the needle. Parsons is a fantastic athlete who can play a couple of different ways at LB. He can play on the edge and rush or he could be an ILB depending on how they want to use him. One thing he is guaranteed to do is make plays and that is what the Giants need.
12. Philadelphia (from Miami/SF): Kwity Paye DE Michigan
The Eagles moved down from sixth and picked up a first-round pick next year from Miami. They feel good giving Jalen Hurts the season to prove he’s the right guy to lead this team. They could make a pick here to help him with DeVonta Smith at WR but they just drafted a WR in round one last year and that was an atypical move for the franchise. There is plenty of depth at WR for them to get help later. They could go offensive line but if Andre Dillard, Lane Johnson and Brandon Brooks can get healthy that is also less of a need. They have a need at CB but until the medical reports on Caleb Farley’s back surgery come in, I’m not comfortable with him going quite this high. Kwity Paye had an impressive showing at his pro day performance but he came in a little undersized at 6’2 ½, 261 lbs. The Eagles don’t have a problem with under sized DE as they already start Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett. Graham also happens to be 33-years old. The team has Fletcher Cox at DT who is on the wrong side of 30 too. Paye was moved all over the line at Michigan and brings the versatility to rush from inside if need be and that would be quite valuable to the Eagles as their d-line ages.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (7-9): Christian Darrisaw OT Virginia Tech
The Chargers have spent some money this off season on the offensive line bringing in new C Corey Lindsey, OG Matt Feiler and OG Oday Aboushi. Those three will likely be the new interior of the line with Bryan Bulaga holding steady at RT. That leaves LT as the big question mark in front of Justin Herbert. Protecting Herbert has to be the priority moving forward. The team has two good WRs and a solid running back group. They also signed TE Jared Cook to replace Hunter Henry and he’s a solid veteran stopgap. The defense should be pretty good under new head coach Brandon Staley. They could take a CB to replace the Casey Heyward but protecting Herbert is more important. I have Darrisaw going here instead of Rashawn Slater and I may be on an island by myself on this one. I think Slater excels inside while Darrisaw would provide the steadier presence outside. Darrisaw is big, athletic and looks like a guaranteed 10-year starter at LT. I don’t know if he’s an All-Pro type of guy but I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a couple of Pro Bowls down the line.
14. Minnesota Vikings (7-9): Rashawn Slater OL Northwestern
The Vikings haven’t been major players in free agency unless you count overpaying an aging Patrick Peterson at CB and potentially overpaying Dalvin Tomlinson at DT because they were desperate inside. They did make a couple of nice moves on the offensive line; bringing back Rashod Hill and trading for Mason Cole. I think Cole could be a starter at OG while they move Ezra Cleveland out to LT to replace Riley Reiff who they cut for salary cap purposes. That seemed to be the plan when they drafted Cleveland last year. They still need help on the interior of the line and Slater projects as an elite OG. He did play LT at Northwestern so he is also a potential hedge against Cleveland not working out there. They could leave Cleveland inside at OG and let Slater take the LT spot. The Vikings offense is predicated around the running game and rebuilding the offensive line would be a smart move to keep Dalvin Cook trucking right along.
15. Detroit Lions (TRADE from New England): DeVonta Smith WR Alabama
New head coach Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn are looking to remake the Lions offense into a more run oriented scheme that won’t require new QB Jared Goff to carry the load. They signed Jamaal Williams to team with D’Andre Swift in the backfield and that’s a talented duo to build around. The team signed veteran WRs Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams as a temporary solution but this team doesn’t have much beyond those two and has to address it for the future. Smith only falls this far because teams question his size. He’s measures in under 180 lbs. at 6’1 making him quite slim. I wouldn’t be overly concerned because he wins with his footwork and technique, not his physical stature. He can play on the outside or in the slot and he will quickly become Jared Goff’s favorite target. Smith is an immense talent, the question is can Jared Goff get him the ball?
16. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech
The Cardinals have spent their big money on aging veterans like DE JJ Watt, K Matt Prater and C Rodney Hudson. They are trying to move up their timeline for winning with guys like WR AJ Green, CB Malcolm Butler and OG Brian Winters. These guys don’t really mesh with the youthful cornerstones QB Kyler Murray and S Budda Baker but the team also has DeAndre Hopkins and edge rusher Chandler Jones who are in their prime. This roster is all over the place which is what you get when you have a GM desperate to right his own wrongs and a coach trying to prove he belongs. Farley might be a lottery ticket here given his recent back surgery. If he’s healthy he could easily be the long-term cornerstone replacement for Patrick Peterson who just left. If his back injury becomes a chronic problem, he’s another blown draft pick, GM Steve Keim is no stranger to those. Farley only falls this far if his medical checks leave questions, he’s talented enough to go much higher.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8): Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina
The Raiders know their defensive line was a major problem last season so they signed DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Solomon Thomas, DT Quinton Jefferson and DL Matt Dickerson and re-signed DT Jonathan Hankins. It seems unlikely they will address the defensive line early. They could use a LB but CB is a more valuable position and their starters Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette are not exactly All-Pro caliber guys. Jaycee Horn is a 6’1 CB with sub 4.4 speed and he hasn’t always been a CB so he still has some developing to do technique wise. His ceiling is a potential All-Pro guy and for now he’s good enough to steal a starting spot and seriously improve the Raiders secondary.
18. Miami Dolphins (10-6): Azeez Ojulari DE/OLB Georgia
The Dolphins defense has some serious potential but they traded away Shaq Lawson because he wasn’t quite the pass rusher they were hoping for and they cut Kyle Van Noy for some reason, that also hurts their pass rush. They made some solid moves in free agency like signing Matt Skura to take over at center and added great depth pieces like RB Malcolm Brown, WR Will Fuller and QB Jacoby Brissett. On defense, they picked up Bernardrick McKinney in the Lawson trade to pair at ILB with Jerome Baker, another solid move. What they don’t have is a top edge rusher. Ojulari is a fantastic athlete and he should be able to come off the edge for the Dolphins defense and seriously improve the team’s pass rush. They don’t have much at OLB and Ojulari would be an immediate starter on a team that has playoff aspirations.
19. Denver Broncos (TRADE from Washington): Teven Jenkins OT Oklahoma St.
The Broncos seem more likely to make a move for a veteran to compete with Drew Lock than they do to grab a rookie QB. That allows them to trade down to this spot and take advantage of Washington’s desire to get a new QB. If the Broncos play Washington and Chicago off each other, they might get quite the haul of draft picks. They could use some defensive line help but they also may feel the need to address their RT spot. Last year, Ja’Wuan James opted out and they used Demar Dotson mostly with Elijah Wilkinson backing him up, both those guys are gone. James should be back but he had a knee injury two years ago and missed last season so counting on him is a gamble. Jenkins played multiple spots on the line at Oklahoma St. and he would slot in quite nicely at RT. The team needs a strong front to allow Lock (or any other QB) the chance to use their many weapons they have on the offense. Jenkins is a nice investment up front.
20. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alijah Vera-Tucker OL USC
They went all in on trying to trade for Russell Wilson and they lost so badly they ended up with Andy Dalton. I think they need to address their offensive line and Vera-Tucker is a versatile piece they could end up using at RG or RT and it’s possible he’s an eventual replacement for Charles Leno, Jr at LT. He projects best inside at guard but he played LT at USC so he has plenty of versatility and the Bears o-line hasn’t been good for a few years. With Dalton lining up at QB they should probably count on running the ball more and a good front would help that considerably. Chicago could mortgage their future to move up if one of the top five QBs starts to fall a bit but they are going to face some competition and moving up from 20 would be very costly. You may see the Bears opt to take a chance on a QB like Davis Mills, Kellen Mond or Kyle Trask in the second or third round.
21. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): Jalen Mayfield OT Michigan
The Colts had two major retirements this off season. Phillip Rivers called it a career and LT Anthony Costanzo walked away after being the stalwart LT for a decade or so. The team didn’t make major moves in free agency but they made one major trade to get QB Carson Wentz from Philadelphia. They hope Frank Reich can fix whatever is wrong with Wentz and he can be their QB for at least the next decade. The Colts have had one of the best offensive lines for a number of years now but that will not be the case if they can’t find a suitable replacement for Costanzo. The Colts signed Sam Tevi from the Chargers and while he might be able to play LT he’s far from a sure thing. Mayfield isn’t a polished player and he really only has 15 starts in his college career but he’s a talented young OT with plenty of potential and playing next to All-Pro guard Quentin Nelson would teach him a lot. Tevi gives the Colts the opportunity to not rush Mayfield but he’s not good enough to stop them from drafting a better player to plug in at LT.
22. Tennessee Titans (11-5): Rashod Bateman WR Minnesota
The Titans have had one major hole they haven’t been able to fill for several years, edge rusher. They hope they found their solution in free agent OLB Bud Dupree. They spent plenty of money on him and added to the major money they spent last year on QB Ryan Tannehill and RB Derrick Henry it has meant letting others go. They couldn’t re-sign TE Jonnu Smith or WR Corey Davis and they still have a hole at RT after having last year’s first-round pick Isaiah Wilson turn into a massive bust. If Jenkins or Vera-Tucker fall they could take another shot at filling that RT spot. Instead, they look to fill the hole created by the free agent defection of Corey Davis. Bateman has been overshadowed by the top three WRs in this class. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a worthy first-round pick. He measured in shorter than expected but he plays bigger. He isn’t the fastest guy but he knows how to get separation from defenders. He might be bit too similar to AJ Brown in his style and the Titans may want to diversify but Brown has proven his worth, I think they double down. Bateman is also a physical player and the Titans like to run the ball, he can run block.
23. New York Jets (from Seattle): Jaelen Phillips DE/OLB Miami
The Jets did sign Carl Lawson but that’s only one pass rusher for Robert Saleh to work with, he likes multiple ones. Phillips is athletic and consistent and while he may not have the highest ceiling of some of the other edge rushers, he can be good right away and help take pressure off Lawson. Phillips showed his superior athleticism at Miami’s pro day and that might mean he goes higher than this spot. The Jets haven’t had a great pass rusher in a while, at least this would give them two good ones.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Creed Humphrey OC Oklahoma
The Steelers have lost two starters on the offensive line with a third one still a free agent they don’t seem too eager to re-sign. C Maurkice Pouncey retired, OG Matt Feiler left for the Chargers and LT Alejandro Villanueva hasn’t been re-signed, although he hasn’t signed with anyone else either. When your running game is as bad as the Steelers’ running game was and you have an aging QB it’s not a terrible idea to find some new blood on the offensive line. Creed Humphrey would be a nice start up front. Humphrey isn’t the most athletically gifted lineman but he’s started for three years at Oklahoma and he has proven to be an excellent player in the pivot. He’s better value here than any of the remaining OTs and I would expect the team to continue to draft offensive linemen throughout this draft.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LA Rams): Trevon Moehrig S TCU
The Jaguars have spent some money on defense but they went more quantity than quality overall. They did spend big on CB Shaquill Griffin and S Rashawn Jenkins but they still need help in the middle. Moehrig would be a solid complement to Jenkins (they overspent on Jenkins) and gives them a deep cover safety to help out Griffin and CJ Henderson at CB. They have a number of bodies to play opposite DE Josh Allen and the only edge players left are projects and they already have one of those in last year’s rookie K’Lavon Chaisson, they don’t need another one.
26. Cleveland Browns (11-5): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB Notre Dame
The Browns have actually reached a point where they can just draft the best player available and not have to grab a guy to fill a hole. They could use a DE to pair with Myles Garrett but the edge rushers left here are developmental guys who probably aren’t any better than Takk McKinley, the free agent they signed or a veteran they will bring in later. They are interested in Jadeveon Clowney for some strange reason. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would bring a real athletic element to their LB group and he is actually a good blitzer which would help their pass rush. He’s a multi-talented LB who will make plays all over the field and can be utilized in so many ways. The Browns need guys who can tackle at LB which is why they signed Anthony Walker at MLB and Owusu-Koramoah can do that too and he happens to be great value.
27. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): Christian Barmore DL Alabama
The Ravens signed WR Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal which means they still need a WR to pair long-term with Marquis Brown but it’s a lesser priority. They re-signed OLB Tyus Bowser to a four-year deal but they let Matt Judon walk which means unless they believe the light is finally going to come on for Jaylon Ferguson, they need another edge rusher. The Ravens have never been a team to draft for need, they always look for the best value (there’s a reason they are almost always drafting late in the first round). Their defense looks solid even without Judon but if you look a little deeper their defensive line is aging quickly. Starters Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Brandon Williams and backup Justin Ellis are all on the wrong side of 30. They drafted Justin Madubuike last year but he’s only one man. Barmore was only a one-year starter at Alabama but he made the most of that year. He is cross-trained to play all three positions in an odd front because that’s what Alabama does with their guys. He can be an elite player up front and it would be just like the Ravens to draft a guy a year early instead of waiting too long to get new blood.
28. New Orleans Saints (12-4): Kadarius Toney WR Florida
The Drew Brees era is over as he has finally retired and is heading to a TV set near you. That ushers in the Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill era, no idea which one really takes command just yet. What is apparent is that this team has two major holes to fill, one on offense (WR) and one on defense (CB). They lost Emmanuel Sanders because their salary cap is a mess and they let Janoris Jenkins walk because he wasn’t worth the money or the trouble. At this point in the draft, the value is at WR not CB, although there will be plenty of value at WR later on too. This team might not be done at WR even if they take Toney here. Toney is a multi-dimensional playmaker who would be fun to watch in Sean Payton’s offense. Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara and Toney would give opponents nightmares. He has speed and shiftiness that makes him a blur on the field and he can come at you from all positions, he was even a high school QB so Toney throwing a TD to Taysom Hill is not a far-fetched idea.
29. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Zaven Collins LB Tulsa
As badly as the Packers need a WR to complement Devante Adams and Allen Lazard we know they don’t seem to think so, so I’m giving them Collins. The good news is that as much as they like Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin at LB, Collins is too good to not play and this year the Packers 1st round pick will actually contribute if they take Collins. The team could also take a CB as they only re-signed Kevin King to a one-year deal and considering how he played in the playoffs against the Bucs, it’s a little surprising they brought him back at all. They can get a WR later as this draft has plenty of good ones and CB will also provide some value in round two or three. Collins is a very talented LB and he will play mostly inside for them in their 3-4 defense but he can be used in a multitude of ways.
30. Buffalo Bills (13-3): Gregory Rousseau DE Miami
The Bills don’t have many holes in their team which is why they went 13-3 last year. They did let WR John Brown walk but they replaced him with Emmanuel Sanders and they like second-year WR Gabriel Davis. On defense, they re-signed LB Matt Milano which was a priority for them. They could use a CB but the defensive line needs some attention. Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are aging at DE and while they drafted AJ Epenesa last year, he is more of a base end and not a speed rusher. Rousseau should probably be higher in this draft but with so many offensive players going early someone has to drop. His opt out last season also means there just isn’t a lot of film on him and so he falls behind Paye, Ojulari, and Phillips in the edge rusher pecking order. The Bills would be lucky to get him even if he is a bit raw, they have two veterans he can learn from over the next year.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2): Liam Eichenberg OT Notre Dame
The Chiefs cut both LT Eric Fisher and RT Mitchell Schwartz and they need some help on the edges. They spent a lot of money to sign LG Joe Thuney and if you’re going to spend $80 million on a guard, you probably have to go a little cheap at OT and a rookie is your best bet. Eichenberg hasn’t been seen as a first-round guy but OTs are like QBs, they get overvalued in the draft. He’s the next man on the list of OTs and while he isn’t an elite OT neither was Eric Fisher and he’s started for years and won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs. Fisher could be re-signed too but he had a late playoff injury that makes it unlikely he plays at all next season. I think it’s more likely the Chiefs draft a guy like Eichenberg to put at LT and re-sign Schwartz if he looks healthy going into next season and they put him back at RT. I can’t see the Chiefs opening next season with the OTs they have right now protecting Patrick Mahomes.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5): Levi Onwuzurike DL Washington
The Buccaneers managed to bring back all 22 starters from their Super Bowl winning team. That means they don’t need to fill any immediate hole and they can look to the future with this pick. Since Tom Brady is going to play for at least another decade they should look to the defense where Ndamukong Suh is 34 years old and on a one-year deal. Onwuzurike isn’t a household name, probably because it’s hard to say, but he’s a good prospect who would be a nice long-term replacement for Suh. I put him here over Daviyon Nixon because he’s a better fit in the 3-4 defense the Bucs run because he should be able to play the five-technique DE spot. The team could look for some depth at CB but Todd Bowles has done a great job with their secondary, not sure I’d mess with it now.
The Hott Read 