2021 NFL Mock Draft Final Version

2021 NFL Mock Draft Final Version (it’s 3 rounds)

This is one of the more interesting drafts in recent memory.  The fact that five QBs could go in the top eight or even the top five, if it goes a certain way, makes it way more interesting.  There is a franchise altering QB going #1 overall and no one seems to really be talking about him.  There are several QBs that look like lottery tickets, they will change your franchise trajectory the only thing we don’t know if that trajectory will be going up or going down.  There is a TE that looks like a future superstar, a bevy of top-flight WRs and some incredible offensive line prospects.  The defense doesn’t look as top heavy but there is potential at every level.  There is plenty of depth at DE and CB even if there isn’t a superstar at either spot. 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15):  Trevor Lawrence     QB     Clemson

The Jaguars picked the perfect time to be terrible.  Lawrence will define the franchise for the next decade (maybe two).  New coach Urban Meyer’s NFL coaching career will be defined by Trevor Lawrence.  Meyer is staking his reputation on Lawrence and if you’re going to bet big, betting on Lawrence is a pretty safe way to go.  Lawrence is a generational talent who could transform the Jaguars franchise from a long running joke to an actual legitimate franchise that people respect.  He is big, and athletic and he has all the arm talent in the world and he’s the leader every franchise hopes to find in a QB.  Lawrence will walk into the Jags locker room on day one and everyone will know who leads the team moving forward.  He is everything you want from the face of the franchise.

2. New York Jets (2-14):  Zach Wilson     QB     BYU

The Jets have bolstered their team on both offense and defense with solid additions.  They didn’t add superstars but they have some very good additions.  On offense they got WRs Corey Davis and Keelan Cole, RB Tevin Coleman, OG Dan Feeney, and TE Tyler Kroft.  It may not sound like much but this makes them a lot better just by having some depth.  They decided to take a shot on getting a superstar QB when they dealt Sam Darnold to Carolina to clear the way for this pick.  Wilson checks all the boxes as a QB; size, arm strength, touch, athleticism and skill.  He burst on to the scene this season and he has made the most of his opportunity.  It wasn’t an easy climb up the draft boards considering the number of top QBs in this class but he managed to pass almost everyone to get up to this pick.  He will have more talent to work with than Darnold had and he won’t have the handicap of playing for Adam Gase, that alone should give him a shot at fulfilling his potential. 

3. San Francisco 49ers (from Miami):  Mac Jones     QB     Alabama

I’m going to disagree with this pick until Jones proves me wrong but it looks like the 49ers will go with Jones.  I would take Justin Fields but Kyle Shanahan likes Jones’ profile and thinks he will run his offense better than Fields or Trey Lance.  Jones is highly accurate and will get the ball out quickly.  I do think he can improve even if many people feel he has reached his ceiling.  The biggest question with Jones is whether he is actually as good as he looked or was he a product of the system at Alabama and playing with overwhelming talent around him?  I feel like it’s a little bit of both and perhaps Shanahan’s QB-friendly system will make Jones good look good too.  The problem is that while the 49ers have talented players like George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, they aren’t overwhelming better than the defenses they play, at least not like Alabama’s players are against their competition.  This is a gamble for Shanahan and the 49ers to stake their reputation on Mac Jones, they better hope he’s an upgrade over Jimmy G or this trade is going to kill them for years to come. 

4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12):  Kyle Pitts      TE     Florida

This is the first trade possibility point in the draft now but unless Atlanta finds value in trading down, they will likely stay right here and draft the best non-QB in the draft.  Pitts is a freakish athlete and he will immediately become one of the most dangerous playmakers in the NFL.  He’s not a great blocker but no one is drafting him to block, he is matchup nightmare and Arthur Smith knows how to use TEs.  Matt Ryan is basically locked in at QB for the next two years with is recent contract restructuring that helped the Falcons salary cap now but pushed money to the future.  Since they are locked in with him, they might as well try to get him as much help as possible and make it work.  The defense needs more help than the offense but Pitts is far better than any defensive prospect in the draft.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1):  Ja’Marr Chase     WR     LSU

I’m not making any changes so far because I feel like this is where every team is going.  The Bengals have a choice to make between protecting Joe Burrow with Penei Sewell at OT or getting him a WR he has a connection with in Ja’Marr Chase.  Chase has Devante Adams-like potential and that’s going to be the deciding factor for the Bengals but I can make a pretty compelling case to go for Sewell.  I would rather have the combination of Sewell at LT and a WR in the second round of this draft than taking Chase and settling for a second-round offensive lineman.  My opinion doesn’t count so the Bengals take Chase.  I love him as a receiver and he’s a legitimate #1 WR for the next decade so I certainly don’t hate the pick. 

6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia):  Jaylen Waddle     WR     Alabama

The Dolphins traded down because they just couldn’t pass up the value the 49ers were offering for the #3 pick, then they traded back up to this spot because they want to get Tua as much help as they can.  Waddle is one of the big three WRs (Chase and Smith are the others) and you can make a case he’s the best of the group.  He is coming off of an ankle injury that wasn’t quite healed in the National Championship game but as long as his medical checks come back clean, he’s a top 10 pick.  Tua played with Waddle at Alabama even though he wasn’t one of his main targets.  He can play inside or out and he has absolutely electric speed.  He’s been compared to Tyreek Hill because he’s not the biggest guy in the world but he can beat almost anyone off the line and get open in a heartbeat.  The Dolphins could surprise everyone and take an offensive lineman like Penei Sewell here but I just don’t see it. 

7. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Detroit):  Penei Sewell     OT     Oregon

This is a different trade scenario and it’s not one I’ve seen anywhere else (well I hadn’t until CBS Sports published a mock draft just before I put this one up).  The Chargers aren’t generally believed to be looking to move up and most trade scenarios involve teams moving up for QBs.  The Chargers have their QB but they need a LT to protect Justin Herbert and Sewell already has experience doing it.  Sewell looks like a top-notch LT prospect and the Chargers have spent the off season improving their line but they still need a LT.  The Panthers pick next and they need a LT too so if the Chargers want a shot at Sewell they need to move up.  Once Cincinnati and Miami pass on him the Chargers trade their pick (13th overall) and their third-round pick (78th) to move up six spots to take Sewell.  He completes their offensive line overhaul and gives Justin Herbert the protection up front he didn’t have last year.

8. Carolina Panthers (5-11):  Rashawn Slater     OT     Northwestern

The trade for Sam Darnold takes the Panthers out of the QB sweepstakes for now.  They could certainly take a shot on Trey Lance or Justin Fields here but I feel like they want to give Darnold a fair shot.  The offensive line wasn’t great last year and right now they have Greg Little penciled in at LT in place of Russell Okung and that’s not ideal.  I’m not the biggest proponent of Slater as an OT but he’s a better option than Little.  Slater would give them bookend tackles with franchise player Taylor Moton at RT.  They probably still need to get some help on the interior but this is a step in the right direction to help Sam Darnold.  Darnold never played with great talent in New York and he was handcuffed by the fact he played for Adam Gase.  Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is a real upgrade and building a sturdy offensive line would be a welcomed sight for Darnold.  He also never had a player like Christian McCaffrey in his backfield and a better offensive line might help McCaffrey stay healthy. 

9. Denver Broncos (5-11):  Trey Lance     QB     North Dakota St.

I’ve been operating under the assumption that the Broncos would look to bring in a veteran to compete with (unseat) Drew Lock and I am right, they traded for Teddy Bridgewater. I actually think this is a sign they plan on taking a QB.  With Bridgewater around they can take Trey Lance and they don’t have to rush him.  Lance has had some impressive pro days and his upside is considerable.  The Broncos have a new GM, George Paton, and he has no allegiance to Drew Lock so Lock is probably on his way out of town.  Something tells me this next season doesn’t go great and they move on from Vic Fangio as head coach and clear out Von Miller after the season.  Then Paton gets to build a team with a head coach he picks next off season and the QB he takes here.  Lance won’t have to start if he doesn’t look ready because they have Bridgewater, however, Bridgewater is not an obstacle long-term.  Perhaps if it’s someone other than John Elway making the QB pick it will go better for the Broncos.

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10):  Patrick Surtain II     CB     Alabama

This pick still makes too much sense.  The Cowboys desperately need a #1 CB and that’s exactly what Surtain is going to be.  There is some talk that teams are starting to like Jaycee Horn, the CB from South Carolina better, one problem, Surtain is the better fit for Dallas.  Horn is a press/man corner and Dan Quinn doesn’t run that type of system.  Quinn was brought in to fix the defense and he knows his system works with the right players. Surtain has the size and skill set Quinn wants and would give him two bigger CBs to work with outside, Surtain and Trevon Diggs.  I’m not sure how Dallas could mess this up as long as Stephen Jones can keep his father Jerry from doing something stupid. 

11. New England Patriots (TRADE from NY Giants):  Justin Fields     QB     Ohio St.

I have Fields slipping a little after his medical reveal the week before the draft.  Fields has epilepsy and that might explain why teams haven’t been enthusiastic about him (I really don’t know what they are thinking otherwise) and why he seems to be falling a bit. I’m not going to try to explain what his diagnosis means but at this point it doesn’t seem like a condition that will preclude him from playing football but it is a concern.  The Patriots see an opportunity here and move up four spots (probably give up a fourth-round compensatory pick, they have #140) and secure a QB for the future. With Cam Newton under contract the Patriots can be patient with Fields both medically, if necessary, and developmentally. I like Fields a lot and he’s a steal here. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami/SF):  Jaycee Horn     CB     South Carolina

The Eagles have Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox and not much else at CB.  Slay is 30-years old and Maddox should play in the slot.  Horn has been climbing the draft boards as teams take a closer look at his tape.  New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has a history with a lot of different defensive concepts so it’s hard to know exactly where he will go but he has also changed defenses based on his personnel.  Horn would give him a bigger matchup CB than he has right now and he will find the best ways to deploy him.  He has benefited from Caleb Farley being a medical question mark in the pre-draft process and moved up considerably.  He’s a fantastic athlete who hasn’t always been a CB so he still has room to grow and that’s a scary thought for opposing offenses. 

13. Detroit Lions (TRADE from LA Chargers):  Micah Parsons     LB     Penn St.

I’ve decided to refer to the Lions as undertaking a remodel instead of a rebuild.  They aren’t trying to rebuild to something they had before because they have never really been any good.  They are trying to remodel their roster, that means taking an existing structure and upgrading it all around.  New GM Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell have their work cut out for them.  This team needs talent at every position, for them, drafting for need and drafting best player available are the same thing.  Micah Parsons is the best player left on the board.  He’s a special talent and he shouldn’t even be available here but there are so many offensive players going early he gets pushed down to 13th overall.  That’s a coup for the Lions.  Parsons would be the best LB they have had since…Chris Spielman?  He has the versatility to be used in so many ways and he could immediately start at MLB and be the quarterback of the defense. 

14. Minnesota Vikings (7-9):  Kwity Paye     DE     Michigan

This is a change for me because I’ve had the Vikings on the offensive line train for quite some time.  This pick is a toss-up between Paye and Christian Darrisaw and I love Darrisaw.  However, the Vikings defense was a major problem last season because DE Danielle Hunter missed the year and they had almost no pass rush without him.  Hunter is also questionable long-term for them because he may leave.  Paye is the top edge rusher in this draft and the one most ready to contribute right now.  It’s the difference between taking the top player on the edge vs. the third best OT, Mike Zimmer will want the edge rusher.  They don’t need to take on OT if they move Ezra Cleveland outside and there will be plenty of talented OGs available in later rounds.  Paye would be a major upgrade opposite Hunter and could potentially be Hunter’s replacement if he leaves the Vikings. 

15. New York Giants (TRADE from NE):  Azeez Ojulari     OLB     Georgia

There is this weird rumor that Dave Gettleman is looking at WR DeVonta Smith and it seems crazy because Gettleman is generally obsessed with drafting big guys and Smith is literally one of the smallest players in this draft.  Also, the Giants paid a huge price to sign Kenny Golladay and they have Darius Slayton, Sterling Sheppard and they took a chance on John Ross, they don’t need WRs.  What they do need is an edge rusher.  They run mostly a 3-4 defense and yet their two DEs, Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, each had more sacks than any of the OLBs on the roster.  Ojulari is a great athlete, has a great motor and generally wins when rushing the passer.  He instantly upgrades the pass rush, which would in turn take some pressure off the Giants much maligned secondary.  Depending on how Gettleman feels about Nate Solder coming back after opting out last season, you could convince me he drafts Christian Darrisaw.  It would be strange after drafting Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart last year but I put nothing past Gettleman. 

16. Washington FT (TRADE from Arizona):  Christian Darrisaw     OT     Virginia Tech

Washington makes a move up in this mock draft too but instead of making a major trade up to get a QB they move up to get the LT they desperately need.  If Darrisaw starts to slip a little bit, Washington might see an opportunity and look to move ahead of the Raiders and Dolphins, two teams that would have to consider upgrades to their offensive lines.  Washington hasn’t adequately replaced Trent Williams at LT and with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick their likely new starter they need to protect him, he’s not exactly fleet of foot.  Darrisaw is a prototypical LT and would be an immediate starter and a huge upgrade over what they presently have on the blindside.  Making a move up four spots at this point in the draft shouldn’t be overly expensive in terms of draft assets and getting ahead of a couple of teams to secure Darrisaw would be a wise move. 

17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8):  Zaven Collins     LB     Tulsa

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock like to zag when everyone expects them to zig, or maybe it’s the other way around.  The Raiders need help at CB and on the offensive line but they go for a LB a little earlier than LBs typically go.  Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is also considered a better prospect than Collins but Collins has the size Mayock and Gruden prefer.  Collins is a versatile LB who would seriously improve that unit for the Raiders.  They have bigger needs but that has never stopped Gruden and Mayock from doing what they want to do.  Collins is a great playmaker and could line up at either MLB or strongside LB for Raiders.  His game should translate very well and the Raiders have to find ways to get better on defense.    

18. Miami Dolphins (10-6):  Jaelen Phillips     OLB     Miami

I really want to give the Dolphins DeVonta Smith here to go with Jaylen Waddle earlier just so I can say they are getting the band back together giving Tua two of his Alabama WRs.  That’s not going to happen.  The Dolphins defense had trouble getting the QB last year and they traded away Shaq Lawson (not a big loss) and cut Kyle Van Noy (bigger than they realize) so they need some pass rush.  Phillips is a supreme athlete with a variety of pass rushing moves.  He is also more developed at this point than guys like Gregory Rosseau and Jason Oweh so he can help sooner.  The Dolphins won 10 games last season and they are looking to improve on that quickly.  Phillips would give them a dynamic edge rusher at OLB for Brian Flores to deploy in many ways.  Also, Phillips isn’t strictly a pass rusher.  He has some typical LB skills that Flores would also enjoy using, he’s a better all-around player than he probably gets credit for. 

19. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE from Washington): Caleb Farley     CB     Virginia Tech

I’ve stopped trying to make sense of the Cardinals off season moves.  Trading down would be a solid move here but drafting Farley is a major gamble.  They act like a team that is one step short of a Super Bowl but they are more likely to finish last in the NFC West then they are to be in the NFC Championship game.  GM Steve Keim doesn’t seem to care about age or injury concerns, evidenced by his JJ Watt and AJ Green signings.  The Cardinals should probably look to add some youth to their offensive line but they seem to have their starters so that won’t happen.  Right now, their starting CBs are Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford with Byron Murphy as the nickel, that’s not great.  Farley would be the best CB on the roster by a mile if he is healthy, and that’s a Grand Canyon sized if.  Farley has a back injury that required surgery during the pre-draft process and this isn’t a one-time thing, he’s had this back injury before.  A back injury for a player whose position requires constant turning and twisting just seems like it should be a bigger red flag.  Farley is my pick for a guy most likely to drop on draft day (and by drop, I mean into round three or four) but here Keim bails him out.  If he somehow overcomes his back injury, Farley might be the best defensive player in this class, if he doesn’t, he’s the biggest bust if goes in the first round (sounds like a Steve Keim pick to me). 

20. Chicago Bears (8-8):  DeVonta Smith     WR     Alabama

The Bears specialize in disappointing young WRs, Anthony Miller and Riley Ridley had forgettable years last year.  Darnell Mooney showed some flashes but that’s about it.  Allen Robinson is a bona fide #1 WR but he is on a one-year franchise tag contract and they need more help.  The Bears are seen as a team that needs offensive line and QB help first, however, WR can’t be overlooked.  Smith is a supreme talent and the only reason he falls this far is because the one major knock on him is his size and it was only confirmed by his weigh in the week before the draft.  Smith is 6’1 so he has plenty of height, unfortunately he weighed in 166 lbs. which is even lower than the expected 170-175 lbs. teams were hoping to see.  Smith wins with technique, footwork and speed but there is a serious concern that he won’t be able to handle the physical nature of the NFL at his size.  I really like Smith’s game but I can’t completely dismiss the concerns so he falls, the Bears would be lucky to have him.  Now they just have to find a real QB to throw to him…and Robinson. 

21. Indianapolis Colts (11-5):  Teven Jenkins     OT     Oklahoma St.

The Colts made a major move trading for Carson Wentz to be their new QB after having Phillip Rivers for one year.  They really shouldn’t make the same mistake the Eagles made which was letting the offensive line fall apart in front of Wentz.  The Colts have had one of the best offensive lines in football over the past several years and four starters return.  The one guy they are missing is stalwart LT Anthony Costanzo who retired.  The team only signed Sam Tevi, the former Chargers starter, as a possible replacement and that’s not a great plan.  Jenkins is a step below guys like Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater and Christian Darrisaw, as a prospect but he’s still a starting caliber LT.  Costanzo was never the best LT in the league but he was a proven starter and solid as a rock.  Jenkins is a better player than Tevi and he would allow Tevi to be the swing tackle and provide depth.  The Colts need to rely on RB Jonathan Taylor to help take pressure off of Wentz and having Jenkins providing security on the blindside and opening holes for Taylor would help Wentz succeed.  And the Colts need Wentz to succeed. 

22. Tennessee Titans (11-5):  Rashod Bateman     WR    Minnesota

For a team that went 11-5 the Titans surprisingly have quite a few needs.  They need WR help, a RT, they desperately need a TE, NT could use someone and CB looks pretty bleak.  They lost Corey Davis in free agency and they cut Adam Humphries, they only signed Josh Reynolds and that’s not a huge help.  Bateman is a bit overlooked in this draft because the big three WRs cast a large shadow and Bateman doesn’t have elite speed or freakish size that jumps off the page.  However, he is one of the best WRs in the draft and he’s going to be a highly effective pro.  He knows how to get open and with his elite ability to go up and get the ball, he’s never out of the play.  Playing for Minnesota also taught him how to block downfield for the running game and that will come in handy in Tennessee’s offense.  Bateman plays much bigger than his listed size and he would really improve the Titans WR depth chart behind AJ Brown. 

23. New York Jets (from Seattle):  Gregory Rousseau     DE     Miami

The Jets signed Carl Lawson to be one DE but they are transitioning from the 3-4 defense under the last regime to Robert Saleh’s 4-3 look.  The one thing they never did in San Francisco under Saleh was skimp on the defensive line.  Rousseau is a little bit of a project but one thing he knows how to do is get to the QB.  If he lines up opposite Lawson the Jets will be able to put pressure on the QB and that’s where Saleh’s defense starts.  There is better depth at CB so the Jets can afford to wait until round two to address that pressing need.  The Rousseau and Lawson DE pairing also would make life easier for the Jets secondary. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Liam Eichenberg     OT     Notre Dame

Previously I was operating under the assumption the Steelers would end up bringing back Alejandro Villanueva but he recently took a trip to Baltimore so he has other options.  If they don’t expect him back, they need to address the LT position.  Eichenberg isn’t a flashy LT choice but he’s a solid player and a worthy starter.  He isn’t going to be the next Walter Jones or Jonathan Ogden but he can start right away and he’s a more advanced blocker than a guy like Jalen Mayfield.  The Steelers brought back a lot of players, including Ben Roethlisberger, and they are trying to stay in the hunt for the Super Bowl, they don’t have time to develop a prospect.  This would be a bit high for Eichenberg but OTs are like QBs, they get overvalued on draft boards.  The Steelers also need to address RB and CB but those positions offer depth further into his draft and the starting caliber LTs are running out fast. 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LA Rams):  Trevon Moehrig     S     TCU

For a team as bad as the Jaguars were last year their list of glaring needs isn’t as big as you might imagine.  With Trevor Lawrence arriving the offense should see a substantial improvement.  Having Urban Meyer around with a pretty good coaching staff should help too.  On defense, the Jaguars spent some money on CB Shaquil Griffin and S Rashawn Jenkins but that’s not enough.  They really need some help in the deep middle and that’s exactly what Moehrig is built to do. He’s clearly the best safety in this draft and while he hasn’t been talked about a lot, he’s a very talented prospect.  He would help in coverage allowing Jenkins to play closer to the line.  If the Jaguars have Griffin, CJ Henderson, Jenkins and Moehrig in their secondary it would be a major improvement from last year’s backfield. 

26. Cleveland Browns (11-5):  Terrence Marshall Jr.     WR     LSU

The Browns are in the enviable position that they don’t have major needs.  It’s always nice to have depth on the offensive and defensive line and I could make a solid case for them taking Christian Barmore here but I won’t.  They expect Odell Beckham back from his injury by the start of next season but they actually play better without him.  Dumping him this year makes very little sense because there isn’t much cap savings but Beckham can go after next year with no cap hit.  They need another outside receiver so Jarvis Landry can stay inside the slot.  Marshall is a 6’3 outside receiver who would be perfect as a complement to Landry. He has been playing second (and sometimes third) fiddle to guys like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, he knows how to blend. 

27. Baltimore Ravens (11-5):  Alijah Vera-Tucker     OG     USC

The Ravens usually go for the best player available and that’s probably Vera-Tucker here.  They traded RT Orlando Brown to the Chiefs but I’m not sure Vera-Tucker ends up being his replacement.  I could see them still signing Alejandro Villanueva to play RT and drafting Vera-Tucker to be their new LG.  There is a really good chance they move current LG Bradley Boseman inside to center to replace the departed Matt Skura and that leaves a hole next to Ronnie Stanley.  Also, Stanley is coming off an injury and they just traded away the guy that stepped in for him last year, Brown, and Vera-Tucker gives them a nice backup plan in case Stanley isn’t 100%. 

28. New Orleans Saints (12-4):  Christian Barmore     DT     Alabama

The Saints could use a WR and a CB but Barmore is just too good to pass up.  The need some help on the defensive line for sure and he is a huge get for the them.  Barmore proved to be a game wrecker for Alabama in one season as a starter and he is just scratching the surface of his talent.  The Saints have Cameron Jordan at one DE but they desperately need former first-round pick Marcus Davenport to show up at the other DE spot and they have some serious holes to fill at DT.  Barmore can play in multiple alignments and he should add a nice pocket collapsing element on the inside of the defensive line. 

29. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Kadarius Toney     WR     Florida

It might be out of character for the Packers to actually draft someone to help Aaron Rodgers out on offense but Toney is great value here.  I think the Packers move Elgton Jenkins to center to replace Corey Linsley meaning they can grab an OG later and Toney is a far better prospect than any defensive lineman they will find here.  Toney would be an excellent addition as a gadget guy and a slot receiver playing alongside Davante Adams and Allen Lazard on the outside.  It’s been a while since Rodgers had an elite slot receiver but he used to love using Randal Cobb and Jordy Nelson inside.  Toney has elite speed and change of direction ability that makes him a matchup problem over the middle.

30. Buffalo Bills (13-3):  Jason Oweh     DE     Penn St. 

Jerry Hughes will be 33 this year and he had 4.5 sacks last year, Mario Addison will be 34 and he had 5 sacks last season, the Bills need pass rushers.  Oweh would be a nice complement in the future to AJ Epenesa who is more of a base end not a speed rusher.  Oweh can bend the edge but he lacks some refinement, playing with veterans like Hughes and Addison might help him learn a thing or two.  The Bills could go with a CB or an interior offensive lineman but they went 13-3 last season so they don’t have to take someone to fill an immediate need.  Oweh has a very high ceiling and under Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier he might just reach that ceiling. 

31. Baltimore Ravens (from Kansas City):  Levi Onwuzurike     DL     Washington

I’m not sure the Ravens will be making a choice here.  It feels like they will either package this pick with their #27 overall choice to move up and get someone they want or this pick will be a prime candidate for a trade down.  The Ravens have a pretty solid roster and two late first-round picks would bolster their depth but maybe not improve them a lot this year.  They could use the two picks to get up to draft the edge rusher they need or they trade this one for future draft capital.  If they are picking here Onwuzurike would be a solid addition to an aging defensive line.  He’s not a finished product and he could play multiple spots as a backup until they decide where he fits best moving forward.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5):  Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah     LB     Notre Dame

Tampa Bay returns all 22 starters from their Super Bowl winning team so if there was ever a team that could go for the best available player, it’s Tampa Bay.  Owusu-Koramoah is a hybrid LB/S because he’s basically a very small LB who can cover.  No team does better with small LBs than the Bucs and while Lavonte David just signed an extension, it was only for two years and he’s 31.  Bringing in a guy who can take some plays for him now might extend his career and then they would have a ready-made replacement standing by.  The Bucs could go a number of directions; an OT because Donovan Smith is nothing special, d-line because Ndamukong Suh isn’t getting any younger, edge rusher because neither is Jason Pierre-Paul, or even CB because Todd Bowles never met a CB he didn’t like.  The thing is, Owusu-Koramoah is one of the best defenders in the draft and he only falls here because he doesn’t fit most team’s defenses, he fits in Tampa Bay. 

Round 2

33. Jacksonville:  Jalen Mayfield     OT     Michigan

Jacksonville needs to protect Trevor Lawrence and while Mayfield is raw, he has a lot of talent.  They only have LT Cam Robinson on a one-year franchise deal and he gets hurt often.  Mayfield can push Robinson for the LT spot and if he fails to turn into a LT, he could always move inside to OG where Jacksonville has two guys (Andrew Norwell and AJ Cann) who are both about to turn 30. 

34. New York Jets:  Javonte Williams     RB     North Carolina

It might surprise some people to see Williams come off the board before Najee Harris and Travis Etienne but not me.  I think Williams is the best back in the draft and he fits Mike LaFleur’s offense (aka Shanahan’s offense) perfectly.  The Jets signed Tevin Coleman but he’s never carried the ball more than 167 times in a season and he’s coming off an injury.  A superior running game would help Zach Wilson in his rookie year and Williams would be a dynamic partner to Coleman.

35. Atlanta: Jamin Davis     LB     Kentucky

Atlanta’s defense is certainly in a state of transition with an entirely different coaching staff coming on and I’m not even sure what defense they will run.  At this point, Deion Jones is the only sure thing at LB and Davis has positional versatility, that’s a very good thing. 

36. Miami:  Najee Harris     RB     Alabama

The Dolphins picked up Jaylen Waddle at WR in round one, they come back with his Alabama teammate Harris here (look at that, I get to say putting the band back together after all).  Harris is a fantastic all-around RB with better size and skill than Myles Gaskin, last year’s top back.  Tua needs talent around him and Alabama had plenty of talent.  Harris steps in as a starter on day one. 

37. Philadelphia:  Pat Freiermuth     TE     Penn St.

There’s a better than even chance the Eagles trade Zach Ertz during the draft and getting a player like Freiermuth would help their offense immensely.  Jalen Hurts needs all the help he can get and most of the WRs left with the value of this spot are redundant with Jalen Reagor around. 

38. Cincinnati:  Creed Humphrey     OC    Oklahoma

The Bengals need to protect Joe Burrow and it’s been a while since they had a top-notch center.  Trey Hopkins is coming off an injury and he could slide to OG with Humphrey in the pivot.  Humphrey was a three-year starter at Oklahoma and he’s going to be an excellent pro. 

39. Carolina:  Greg Newsome II     CB     Northwestern

Carolina needs a bigger CB to match up better to the big WRs in the NFL, especially considering their own division has Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Michael Thomas.  Newsome only falls here because he hasn’t been the most durable player but he has size at 6’1 and as plenty of skill. 

40. Denver:  Jevon Holland      S      Oregon

Kareem Jackson is 33-years old and the team just signed Justin Simmons to a long-term deal, he needs a future running mate.  Holland is a versatile safety who can cover a lot of ground and even line up as a slot corner.  He would be a very solid addition to an evolving secondary. 

41. Detroit:  Rondale Moore    WR     Purdue

Detroit would be wise to try to at least give Jared Goff a fighting chance to be effective.  They invested in the running game with Jamaal Williams joining D’Andre Swift and they signed two veteran WRs, Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman.  Those two can man the outside spots but Goff needs a slot receiver. Rondale Moore is a blur on the field and a threat to score any time he touches the ball.  He has to prove he can stay healthy but he’s well worth the risk at this point in the draft. 

42. New York Giants:  Elijah Moore    WR     Ole Miss

The Giants signed Kenny Golladay to be Daniel Jones’ #1 WR and that was a solid move.  Jones has a good connection with Darius Slayton too.  Right now, their #3 receiver spot is between John Ross, a free agent who has never proven anything in the league and Sterling Shepard, a talented guy who never stays healthy.  Moore would be an amazing addition in the slot.  He’s lightening fast and would be a real weapon for Jones.

43. San Francisco:  Eric Stokes     CB     Georgia

The 49ers need some help at CB after not re-signing Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon.  Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams and Emmanuel Moseley are back but they are all smaller corners.  Stokes is 6’1 and he fits their zone heavy scheme better than a guy like Asante Samuel Jr.  The team will benefit from some healthy bodies up front but they could help those guys out with a talent like Stokes in the secondary. 

44. Dallas: Samuel Cosmi     OT     Texas

Tyron Smith and La’el Collins both had major injuries last year.  Smith is 30-years old, has been in the league 10 years and is coming off a neck injury.  The team doesn’t have a legitimate backup, as evidenced by last year’s disaster.  Cosmi isn’t flashy but he’s effective and he can back up both OT spots for now and he could be Smith’s eventual replacement. 

45. Jacksonville:  Travis Etienne     RB     Clemson

James Robinson was a solid find last year as an undrafted free agent but he’s more of a grind it out type and not a game breaker.  Carlos Hyde is a decent short-yardage veteran but he’s not making game breaking plays.  Travis Etienne specializes in game breaking plays.  Give Trevor Lawrence his college teammate, they were a pretty good duo at Clemson. 

46. New England:  Asante Samuel Jr.     CB     Florida St.

This one will seem strange on the surface but stay with me.  Stephon Gilmore is 30 and probably wants new contract.  JC Jackson is back on a one-year tender. And they didn’t re-sign Jason McCourty.  Samuel is a Patriot legacy, he fills a need going forward, and he happens to be one of the best players left on the board. 

47. Los Angeles Chargers:  Joseph Ossai     DE/OLB     Texas

The Chargers haven’t re-signed Melvin Ingram and they need someone to take some of the pass rushing load off of Joey Bosa.  Ossai is a pure pass rusher and he would fill that need quite well.  The Chargers also need a CB but Ossai is a better player than the CBs left on the board. 

48. Las Vegas:  Dillon Radunz      OT      North Dakota St.

The Raiders have overhauled their offensive line and for now they have either Brandon Parker or Denzelle Good playing RT, that’s not ideal.  They also need some depth and while Radunz will need to make the transition from North Dakota St. to the NFL, he’s a talented player who gives the Raiders some options. 

49. Arizona:  Alex Leatherwood     OL     Alabama

The Cardinals have four offensive linemen who will be 30 or older this season.  They need some new blood and Leatherwood is a talented prospect who can fill in at a number of different spots as a backup for now.  He can be a future starter once they figure out where he fits the best. 

50. Miami:  Baron Browning     LB     Ohio St.

Miami has four picks in the top 50 and they are filling needs all over.  Browning is a LB with a versatile skill set that would complement the LBs they already have.  He can play multiple positions and he would be an excellent depth piece for the Dolphins’ defense. 

51. Washington:  Davis Mills     QB     Stanford

Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and he can hold down the spot for now but they need a long-term solution.  Mills doesn’t have a ton of experience at Stanford but he’s got all the tools to be a starter in the NFL.  He can learn from some veterans and possibly become the starter in the future. 

52. Chicago: Jamar Johnson     S     Indiana

The Bears re-signed Tayshaun Gipson for the safety spot opposite Eddie Jackson but he’s not a long-term solution.  Johnson is a versatile player that new defensive coordinator Sean Desai will find ways to use.  It’s not the Bears biggest need but he’s too good to pass up. 

53. Tennessee:  Ifeatu Melifonwu     CB     Syracuse

The Titans lost Malcolm Brown and Adoree Jackson at CB this off season.  They signed Janoris Jenkins to be one starter but for now they are looking at Kristian Fulton as the other starter, not a great plan after the year he had.  Jenkins will be 33 this year and Fulton struggled as a rookie.  Melifonwu has the size and athleticism to be a difference maker on the outside.  He might not be the only CB they draft this year. 

54. Indianapolis:  Dyami Brown     WR     North Carolina

Brown is a dynamic downfield threat and that would help the Colts quite a bit.  They re-signed TY Hilton but he took a step back last season and he’s on the wrong side of 30.  Brown would be a nice weapon for Carson Wentz moving forward and his skills pair nicely with Michael Pittman Jr. 

55. Pittsburgh:  Joe Tryon     OLB     Washington

The Steelers lost Bud Dupree and they need someone other than Alex Highsmith to play opposite TJ Watt so he doesn’t have to carry the load alone.  Tryon is a versatile pass rusher but I think he fits best as an OLB in a 3-4 defense.  He needs to refine his skills but he can learn a lot from Watt and maximize his talent. 

56. Seattle: Jackson Carman     OT     Clemson

Carman was Trevor Lawrence’s left tackle for the last several years and he’s a massive human being with elite power.  He doesn’t have the lateral mobility to play LT in the NFL but he could be a RT.  Carman is an elite run blocker with his size and power and the Seahawks could use an upgrade at RT.  He will make Russell Wilson happy as he’s been begging for some offensive line help but he’ll make Chris Carson and the running game even happier.  The Seahawks don’t have a first round pick after trading it to the Jets for Jamal Adams so this is their first pick.  Carman fits both a major need for the Seahawks and this is his value spot, end of the second round. 

57. Los Angeles Rams:  Wyatt Davis     OG     Ohio St.

The Rams traded away their first-round pick for Jalen Ramsey last year so this is their first pick in this draft.  They need to address the offensive line and they should probably do it more than once.  C Austin Blythe left for the Chiefs in free agency and they weren’t exactly stacked on the inside to begin with.  Brian Allen should slide in at center but he’s not great and David Edwards and Austin Corbett aren’t world-beaters at OG.  They really should address LT with Andrew Whitworth pushing 40 but there isn’t great value at OT here.  Davis is an immediate starter at OG and he would be a nice start in front of Matt Stafford.  He fits their blocking scheme and he will be a mainstay for the next decade.

58. Kansas City:  Carlos Basham Jr.     DE     Wake Forest

The Chiefs traded their first-round pick to the Ravens for LT Orlando Brown Jr. filling their biggest need.  They have other holes to fill like CB and they could even use a WR to replace Sammy Watkins.  However, they lost Tanoh Kpassagnon at DE and while he wasn’t great, he was a solid player.  They don’t have a veteran replacement so they can look to the draft to find one.  Basham is a stout player with a strong build and he will play the left end spot opposite Frank Clark.  Clark is the flashy pass rusher while Basham can get to the QB with his strong play and versatile moves.

59. Cleveland:  Nick Bolton     LB     Missouri

The Browns signed Anthony Walker at MLB to improve their run defense but he’s only signed for one year.  Bolton is a prototypical MLB prospect who tackles everything in sight and he would be a great addition to the LB corps.  This is also the Browns going for the best player available, Bolton has a chance to be an excellent pro. 

60. New Orleans:  Elijah Molden     CB     Washington

The Saints need help at CB.  Molden might strictly be a nickel corner in the NFL due to his slight frame but he’s going to be excellent at it.  He’s one of the more naturally gifted inside cover guys.  It’s not an easy position to play and it has become a major piece on every defense.  Molden makes the Saints defense better. 

61. Buffalo:  Richie Grant     S     UCF

The Bills have a starting safety duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, a solid duo but they are both over the age of 30 and there isn’t much depth.  Grant is a versatile safety who can back up both spots and he’s a pretty impressive playmaker on the back end. 

62. Green Bay:  Daviyon Nixon     DT     Iowa

The Packers have Kenny Clark inside on the defensive line but they don’t have much else in terms of playmakers up front.  Nixon has taken a fall down draft boards for some unknown reason but the Packers have a history of taking Iowa guys and they will trust Kirk Ferentz’s word about Nixon.  Nixon was a pocket collapsing menace in his one season as a starter for the Hawkeyes, the Packers need that type of player up front. 

63. Kansas City: Landon Dickerson     OL     Alabama

The Chiefs have overhauled their offensive line with new starters; LT Orlando Brown Jr, LG Joe Thuney, C Austin Blythe and RG Kyle Long.  Mike Remmers is slated to start at RT but I don’t think that will actually be the case (they either re-sign Mitchell Schwartz or Lucas Niang wins the job).  Dickerson is a talented player with experience at all five line positions but a long injury history.  He’s best inside and with Kyle Long coming off retirement Dickerson would be a nice backup to have.  Dickerson is a bit of a gamble due to his extensive injury history but the Chiefs are built to take a chance here. 

64. Tampa Bay:  Amon-Ra St. Brown     WR     USC

The Bucs just re-signed Antonio Brown but it’s a one-year deal.  Chris Godwin is also on a one-year franchise contract.  St. Brown is a versatile talent who could play a lot like Godwin being equally adept at playing outside or in the slot.  For now, he would make a solid fourth WR depending on how they use Scotty Miller going forward.

Round 3

65. Jacksonville:  Brevin Jordan     TE     Miami

The Jaguars TE group is underwhelming to say the least.  Jordan would bring a dynamic pass catching element the group just doesn’t possess.

66. New York Jets:  Paulson Adebo     CB     Stanford

The Jets secondary is woefully short at CB.  Adebo was once considered a top prospect, he’s fallen a bit but he’s still a potential starting CB in the NFL.

67. Houston:  Trill Williams     DB     Syracuse

Houston finally gets to make a pick after trading away their top two picks.  This team has a lot of needs on the defensive side of the ball and a few notable ones on offense.  After losing stalwarts on defense like JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Cushing and Bernardrick McKinney over the last several years the front seven needs plenty of help.  However, they have patched some of these holes with middling veterans but their secondary is a bit thin.  CBs Vernon Hargreaves and Bradley Roby are set to start with FS Justin Reid set at his spot.  Desmond King was signed and I would expect him to be the nickel corner where he once excelled for the Chargers.  They don’t have a true SS safety and that leaves former CB Lonnie Johnson potentially for that spot.  Trill Williams a big CB at 6’2 and he has played all over the secondary at Syracuse.  He could help out at CB or play safety too.  I’m not expecting the Texans to get this pick right just given their moves this off season but they can hope they luck into a good player.

68. Atlanta:  Michael Carter     RB     North Carolina

The Falcons brought in Mike Davis who had a good year in Carolina as Christian McCaffrey’s replacement.  Davis is a very tough between-the-tackles type of runner but he isn’t a big play threat.  Carter is used to working in a tandem and he would be an outstanding complement to Davis.

69. Cincinnati:  Quincy Roche     DE     Miami

The Bengals signed Trey Hendrickson but he’s never been a full-time starter in the NFL.  Sam Hubbard isn’t great at getting to the QB, he had only two sacks last season and has never had more than 8.5 in a season.  Roche isn’t really big enough to be a full-time DE but he would be an excellent third DE as a designated pass rusher. 

70. Philadelphia: Nico Collins     WR     Michigan

The Eagles have Jalen Reagor and Greg Ward as two of their top WRs.  Former second round pick JJ Arcega-Whiteside hasn’t really panned out so they need some size at WR.  Collins is 6’4 215 lbs. and still has good deep speed.  He would help the offense quite a bit.

71. Denver: Jabril Cox     LB     LSU

Alexander Johnson is a free agent at the end of the year and the Broncos could use a coverage LB to pair inside with Josey Jewell.  Cox is a very good coverage LB and he would grow into the position during his rookie year.

72. Detroit: Tommy Togiai     DT     Ohio St.

The only DT of note is Michael Brockers, a guy they traded for this off season, and he’ll be 31 at the end of the year.  The other starter is likely to be Nick Williams, he’s already 31.  They need some youth, Togiai isn’t flashy but he’s steady and that’s what you want in round three.

73. Carolina:  Kenneth Gainwell     RB     Memphis

Gainwell isn’t a traditional running back, he’s more of a slot back.  He can play RB which the Panthers may need since they lost Mike Davis as Christian McCaffrey’s backup.  Gainwell could also fill the Curtis Samuel role since he left in free agency.  He’s a good fit here.

74. Washington: Cameron McGrone     LB     Michigan

McGrone is a talented young guy with not a lot of experience.  Washington has Jon Bostic at MLB, a guy with a ton of experience but not a lot of talent.  Bostic can hold down the spot while McGrone learns and then he can replace him.  Bostic is used to it; he’s been on half the teams in the league.

75. Dallas: Pete Werner     LB     Ohio St.

Dallas just had Sean Lee finally retire and Leighton Vander Esch has an injury history that might make his future in Dallas a bit hazy.  Werner is a good coverage LB who can play all three downs and would be a nice addition to group in flux.

 76. New York Giants:  Tommy Tremble     TE     Notre Dame

Evan Engram is an exciting player, when he plays.  He’s just hurt too often.  The team signed Kyle Rudolph but he’s 31 and coming off an injury, he’s a stopgap measure at best.  Tremble s more like Engram, a true pass catching threat that you really don’t want to use as an inline blocker.  Tremble is raw but maybe he’ll be more available than Engram. 

77. New England: Dylan Moses     LB     Alabama

The Patriots have Kyle Van Noy coming back from Miami and Dont’a Hightower back from an opt out season.  Both are over 30 and if anyone is going to take an Alabama LB a little higher than he should, it’s Belichick.  Moses is solid prospect who would have gone higher before but he had an injury, Belichick won’t care. 

78. Detroit (TRADE):  Andre Cisco     S     Syracuse

Cisco is a ballhawk who gambles too much and gets beat when he shouldn’t.  New defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was a long-time NFL defensive back who can hopefully coach that out of him.  Talented kid, just needs some coaching.    

79. Minnesota: Josh Myers     OL     Ohio St.

Myers could be a center or guard but for the Vikings he ends up at guard and allows them to move Ezra Cleveland outside to LT.  They have to address the offensive line after addressing the defensive line in round one. 

80. Las Vegas:  Tyson Campbell     CB      Georgia

Campbell is a tall outside CB who would allow the Raiders the ability to move Damon Arnette into the slot when teams have bigger slot receivers to cover.  Campbell is still a bit raw but he’s worth a third-round pick.

81. Las Vegas: Quinn Meinerz     C/G     Wisconsin-Whitewater

A Division III player who held his own at the Senior Bowl seems right up Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock’s alley.  Meinerz wins with his toughness and demeanor.  The Raiders will eventually have to replace Richie Incognito, Meinerz could be the guy. 

82. Miami:  Janarius Robinson     DE     Florida St.

Robinson would give the Dolphins some depth at DE and he can give them some pressure off the edge.  He wasn’t highly productive at Florida St. but no one really was, he’s a solid addition. 

83. Washington: Hunter Long     TE     Boston College

Long isn’t the epic playmaker Kyle Pitts will be or the athlete Brevin Jordan is but he’s a highly productive TE and Washington could use one of those. 

84. Chicago:  Kellen Mond     QB     Texas A&M

This is a round later than I had him going before but I feel like the QBs will drop a bit after the top five.  Chicago still has to do something besides Andy Dalton and Mond would be solid value here.

85. Philadelphia:  Alim McNeill     DT     North Carolina St.

Fletcher Cox will be 31 this year and beyond him and Javon Hargrave the Eagles don’t have much depth at DT.  McNeill is a bit raw but he would have some time to develop and in the mean time he’s a solid run stuffer up front.

86. Tennessee:  Spencer Brown     OT     Northern Iowa

Brown is a tall prospect at 6’8 and offers great length.  He played RT at UNI and that’s where Tennessee would need him.  He has some developing to do but the team whiffed on first rounder Isaiah Wilson last year due to off-the-field issues so they would be happy to take some time to develop a solid citizen.

87. New York Jets:  Dwayne Eskridge     WR     Western Michigan

It’s possible the Jets let Jamison Crowder go for salary cap purposes and having Eskridge around would make that easier.  He can play inside or outside at WR and he could become the primary return man. 

88. Pittsburgh: Milton Williams     DL     Louisiana Tech

Cameron Heyward will be 33 and Tyson Alualu will be 34 this season.  The Steelers need some youth and Williams is a guy that’s a bit of a tweener.  He’s not really fast enough to be a pure pass rusher and not big enough to play exclusively inside, he’s perfect for Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense. 

89. Los Angeles Rams:  Walker Little     OT     Stanford

This pick would have the chance to be the steal of the draft.  I really like Little as a prospect and the Rams have to keep adding to their offensive line.  Little could back up Andrew Whitworth for the year and then take over at LT.  He’s an excellent player and Matt Stafford would love having Little and Wyatt Davis protecting him for the rest of his career. 

90. Cleveland: Tyler Shelvin     DT     LSU

Shelvin is a pure run stuffing DT who doesn’t offer much in the pass game but will shut down the inside run.  The Browns want to be better against the run, it’s why they signed LB Anthony Walker, and Shelvin would help keep the LBs clean to get to the ball carrier.  

91. Minnesota:  Jay Tufele     DT     USC

The Vikings signed Dalvin Tomlinson to be one DT but he’s not much for pressuring the QB.  Tufele is a little more versatile and he would give them some depth at a position that is lacking for now.

92. Cleveland: Ronnie Perkins      DE      Oklahoma

Perkins can be a very solid base end with a little bit of a pass rush in him.  The Browns signed Jadeveon Clowney but it’s a short-term deal and he usually disappoints relative to expectations.  Perkins is nice developmental player who can actually contribute something right now.

93. Green Bay:  Benjamin St-Juste     CB     Minnesota

The Packers re-signed their big CB Kevin King, even after he got torched against Tampa Bay in the playoffs.  They need a CB with size to play opposite Jaire Alexander and St-Juste is 6’3, that’s plenty of size.

94. Buffalo:  Amari Rodgers     WR     Clemson

Cole Beasley is 32 (his body is 50) and Emmanuel Sanders is 34.  The Bills are going to need a slot receiver replacement and Rodgers is excellent there.  This is amazing value late in round three. 

95. Baltimore:  Jordan Smith     OLB     UAB

The Ravens need some help at OLB and they have never been opposed to grabbing a developmental player from a smaller school.  Smith has all the tools you need to play edge rusher in the NFL, he just needs someone to help him figure it all out.

96. Tampa Bay:  Kyle Trask     QB     Florida

I think the league is coming around to my thinking on these later QBs, they aren’t worth second-round choices.  Trask is a lot like Tom Brady coming out of Michigan.  Not all that athletic, not a rocket for an arm, but highly effective in a rhythm passing scheme.  The Bucs don’t have a lot of needs and a developmental QB behind Brady isn’t a bad idea.  Perhaps Bruce Arians can help Trask get more power out of his throwing motion, Arians is a great QB coach.     

Round 3 Compensatory Picks

97. New England:  Hamsah Nasirildeen     S     Florida St.

Yes, I spelled that right.  He sounds like a Belichick pick already.  He’s a big safety with lots of raw skills that I’m sure Belichick will love.  After losing Patrick Chung to retirement Belichick will be looking for his next big safety, he already has Kyle Duggar but Belichick can’t help himself.

98. LA Chargers:  Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell     WR     Louisville

Tutu Atwell is speedy inside receiver who lacks polish but can take it the distance any time he touches the ball.  The Chargers don’t have a real slot receiver and Atwell will be one.  He’s also a bit of a gadget guy so he could really spice up the offense.  All those little wrinkles they missed last season when Austin Ekeler was hurt, Atwell can do them all. 

99. New Orleans:  Tylan Wallace     WR     Oklahoma St.

Wallace doesn’t exactly have elite speed but he does have elite deep ball skills.  He is the perfect complement to Michael Thomas as he would take the top off the defense and let Thomas work the rest of the field.

100. Dallas:  Trey Sermon     RB     Ohio St.

After addressing needs at CB, OT and LB first, the Cowboys take a little bit of a luxury pick.  Sermon is a talented back who should take some of the load off of Ezekiel Elliott but he doesn’t have the skills to cut into Tony Pollard’s action as the third-down back.

101. Tennessee:  Shaun Wade     DB     Ohio St.

Wade has fallen off a cliff as a prospect, going from potential first-round pick to middle rounds at best.  He isn’t an outside CB and I think he ends up at safety.  He could play some in the slot and he would be a solid coverage safety because he has some skills.  I think Tennessee will see those skills and invest in him accordingly.  He could pair nicely with Amani Hooker long-term.

102. Detroit: Brady Christensen      OL      BYU

Christensen played LT at BYU but his athletic limitations mean he probably moves to RT or inside to guard.  He could slide to LT if needed in a pinch.  With Detroit he would compete on the right side with Tyrell Crosby at RT and Logan Stenberg at RG, Christensen could replace Crosby and force him inside or replace Stenberg himself, or he ends up the backup. 

103. San Francisco: Ihmir Smith-Marsette     WR     Iowa

This would be a bit surprising considering Smith-Marsette is expected to go lower, however, he offers two things the 49ers need.  He has deep speed that Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel don’t possess and he’s an excellent return man.  His ability to go deep would help open up the middle for Aiyuk, Samuel and George Kittle and he can actually back up Samuel and Aiyuk because he can run the gadget plays too.  Remember, San Fran does what they want not what other expect.

104. LA Rams:  Payton Turner     DE     Houston

Turner has excellent size for a 3-4 DE at 6’5 270 lbs.  He would be an excellent addition to a defensive line looking to replace Michael Brockers and find someone more effective than A’Shawn Robinson, Turner would be that for sure. 

105. Baltimore:  Ambry Thomas     CB     Michigan

Marcus Peters is getting really expensive, Jimmy Smith is getting kind of old, and Tavon Young is coming off an injury.  The Ravens are the type of team to make plans before they need to and they need to plan for the future of the CB position opposite Marlon Humphrey.  Thomas sat out 2020 but he’s a pretty solid prospect moving forward. 

106. New Orleans:  Chazz Surratt     LB     North Carolina

Demario Davis has started every game for the Saints since he joined them in 2018 and has only missed one start since 2013, however, he can’t play forever.  They also have Andrew Dowell listed as a starter, that’s not ideal.  The Saints need LBs and Surratt is a pretty good one.  That’s amazing considering three years ago he was a QB.  He’s still learning but he’s a smart player and should be able to learn from Davis and that would be a very good thing.            

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