- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson
I’ve made my thoughts on Trevor Lawrence pretty clear, he’s a superstar. I hope the Jaguars don’t screw this up. Urban Meyer might not have a lot of NFL experience but his coaching staff does. Now they just have to get Lawrence as much help as possible. They have 4/5 of a solid offensive line and they have DJ Chark, Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault at WR, that’s a good start. James Robinson and Carlos Hyde are decent RBs but they can upgrade. They really need to upgrade at TE and I don’t mean Tim Tebow.
I feel safe posting this before it’s official. Let’s go, get the show on the road Roger.
This chair thing is going to be the stupidest running gag ever…all night long.
Mike Greenberg just said Mel Kiper has been doing the draft for 43 years, and somehow his hair is still black. Going over to NFL Network.
Good Luck Trevor, it’s the Jags so you might need it. I feel confident calling this next one early too.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson QB BYU
The Jets get their new QB and he doesn’t have to play for Adam Gase. That makes them a winner and him a winner. That doesn’t make me happy as a Patriots fan. The Jets being competent is never a good thing. These first two picks have all absolutely no drama, can we just announce both up front and forget the “On the Clock” crap. The Jaguars and the Jets don’t need 10 minutes of air time to pat themselves on the back.
I don’t feel as confident about pick #3 so I’ll wait a for that one to be announced.
San Francisco is on the clock, the draft just started.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance QB North Dakota St.
Mystery solved. Seems like they are taking a major swing for a homerun. This makes a little more sense after the major trade. His ceiling is incredible but this means they are likely holding onto Jimmy G. Don’t worry, Lance will still start some next season when Jimmy G is hurt for 6-10 games. If anyone can get him to be his best it’s Kyle Shanahan.
BTW, I hate the interviews with the players right after they get drafted. It’s just filler BS. At least Deion Sanders isn’t doing it any more.
The Mac Jones slide starts now. Where does it end?
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts TE Florida
Matt Ryan is the happiest guy in Georgia. Not only did they not select his replacement but they got him a fantastic weapon. Pitts is unreal. He’s going to dominate. He should be joining George Kittle on the NFC Pro Bowl team for the next seven years at least.
The Bengals have the most interesting choice to make. Protection for Burrow or a weapon. Here we go.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase WR LSU
I completely get it. They go with Jonah Williams at LT, Riley Reiff at RT and try to find inside help later. I love Penei Sewell as much as anyone but I get this. Ja’Marr Chase is Devante Adams. He’s that good. He and Burrow will be lethal.
This is why draft grades have to take the whole draft into the picture. If they Bengals get a guy like Wyatt Davis or Creed Humphrey in round 2, this pick is much better.
6. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
He’s Tyreek Hill 2.0, hopefully minus the off the field stuff. He’s a blur. I love what Waddle can be, now can Tua develop and actually use him.
Detroit didn’t trade out, are they taking Sewell?
Are they taking DeVonta Smith?
7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell OT Oregon
I love Sewell, he’s a future star at LT, I wonder where they play him for now. This will be interesting with Taylor Decker at LT, he’s been solid but he’s never been great. Do they move Decker to right side? Does Sewell play RT? Does Sewell play OG with Tyrell Crosby at RT? Sewell is for sure better than Crosby and I say he’s better than Decker. Do they deal Decker if he’s unhappy with this pick? Interesting. Took the best player, hard to go wrong doing that when your roster looks like the Lions.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina
Justin Fields and Mac Jones slide. Horn is Joe Horn’s kid and he’s a talented cover corner. They need a top corner and he will match up with Mike Evans, Michael Thomas and Julio Jones. The Broncos have to love this pick, two QBs still on the board.
Where are all the trades we thought might happen? It was between 6-9 that was supposed to be the move up spots for the QBs. Fingers crossed my Mock Draft trade holds, you know which one.
9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama
First real surprise. Surtain is great and this ruins my Cowboys taking Surtain. The Broncos have Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby and Surtain, interesting. I would have gone Micah Parsons but Surtain is fantastic, hard to argue against it. One thing, Michael Ojemudia may end up moving to safety, just a thought.
Where does Dallas go? Rashawn Slater or are they trading out? Who’s coming up for a QB?
Eagles trading with the Cowboys????? Really. DeVonta???
10. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE): DeVonta Smith WR Alabama
Wow. Cats and Dogs making a trade with each other so the Eagles can screw over the Giants again. Jalen Hurts has Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith, that’s a nice tandem. Smith is slight but he’s an amazing technician with elite speed. I like him and this helps the Eagles a lot.
Bears coming up for a QB. Andy Dalton’s days as QB1 are numbered. It’s probably down to minutes.
11. Chicago Bears (TRADE): Justin Fields QB Ohio St.
Wow. They gave up quite a bit to move up here and steal my Patriots trade for Fields. Andy Dalton QB2. Fields is a monster. He’s the best QB the Bears have had since Sid Luckman. Congrats Bears fans, this is a legit move for a legit QB.
This is either Rashawn Slater or Kwity Paye. Maybe Jaelen Phillips for Dallas
12. Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons LB Penn St.
Okay, this works too. He’s a stud and he fills a need. They are worried about Leighton Vander Esch long-term and Sean Lee just retired. He can pair well with Jaylon Smith.
The Chargers have to be very happy to see Rashawn Slater and Christian Darrisaw both available here. I can’t imagine them taking any one else. Protect Justin Herbert. Protect the franchise.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater OT Northwestern
Good choice. He immediately steps in at LT and protects Justin Herbert’s blindside. He should be fine there. The Chargers have invested heavily in the offensive line and it should really help them out.
Jets trading up a head of the Patriots. I doubt they are moving up to steal Mac Jones. Maybe they want a defender the Patriots like. I’m fully expecting Bill Belichick to trade out of the 15th pick if Mac Jones is there anyway.
14. New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker OG USC
I can’t say I disagree with the Jets taking an offensive lineman but they traded two third round picks to move up to get Vera-Tucker? That seems odd. They need depth and trading two third round picks will hurt that.
Is this Patriots pick Mac Jones? I’m fine with it.
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones QB Alabama
Well I can only hope Bill Belichick’s draft luck changes here. I like the pick. He can do the things Tom Brady did. Very accurate, quick release, he won’t hold on to the ball too long. He replaces Newton sooner rather than later. He needs the offensive line to hold up in front of him because he’s not running anywhere.
Mac Jones is the anti-Cam Newton. He is accurate and he can’t move.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins LB Tulsa
I feel bad for Collins, Steve Keim drafted him so there must be something wrong with him. Actually, he’s a really talented LB, lets hope they don’t move him somewhere he shouldn’t play (like they did to Hassan Reddick a few years ago). Someone tell them he’s not a DE, he’s a LB. And Isaiah Simmons isn’t a safety.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood OL Alabama
Yikes. I always loved Mike Mayock as a draft analyst but he sucks at this draft thing. Leatherwood? Seriously? Over Christian Darrisaw, or half a dozen other lineman. How about a defender? Your defense sucked.
It’s tough watching the NFL Network guys try to defend the Raiders picks because they worked with Mayock for so long. The pick sucked, just say it.
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelen Phillips DE Miami
They need a pass rusher, they got a pure pass rusher. He’s a legit guy. He’s freak athlete and has more skills than just a pass rusher and he has lots of pass rushing moves. Good choice, I don’t like the Dolphins getting better.
Going back to the Raiders pick. There’s always that team that makes you go “huh”. It’s been the Raiders too many times the last few years under Gruden and Mayock. Clelin Ferrell at #4 a couple years ago. They reached for a box safety Jonathan Abram in the first round and now Leatherwood. Leatherwood isn’t a better option a RT than Brandon Parker so why draft him 17th overall? Gruden and Mayock don’t get draft value.
19. Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis LB Kentucky
Washington sucks at LB so this is understandable. Davis is an uber athlete who stands out on film. He takes over as a starter on what was a pretty good defense last season. The Washington defense should be really good. I do wonder about passing on a guy like Darrisaw at OT, they NEED a LT. NEED! Davis is a good player.
20. New York Giants: Kadarius Toney WR Florida
Epic playmaker when the ball is in his hands. They signed Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley will be back and they draft Toney, no excuses for Daniel Jones.
Dave Gettleman didn’t go with a big guy, Toney is actually pretty small for a Gettleman choice. Clearly they want to help Jones or they would have gone with Kwity Paye or another defender.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye DE Michigan
Solid choice. I would have taken Darrisaw, they need to replace Anthony Costanzo but I’m wondering if Darrisaw’s core surgery is scaring teams off. Paye’s motor is unreal and they need a pass rusher. The Colts defense is solid and Paye makes them better.
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech
He’s only here because of is back injury, I’m scared for the Titans taking him. Farley covers exceptionally well and he’s a supreme talent but a chronic back injury is a problem for any football player but especially a CB. If he’s healthy, he’s a Pro Bowl talent. The Titans just bought a lottery ticket and with their secondary it’s understandable. They may regret passing on Azeez Ojulari if Bud Dupree and Harold Landry don’t solve their pass rushing issues and they still need a RT. Ballsy choice.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw OT Virginia Tech
The Vikings get great value trading down and still get guy they might have taken at 14. He slides into the LT spot and they can leave Ezra Cleveland inside at OG. He isn’t as flashy as other guys and maybe he never makes a Pro Bowl but he starts at LT for the next decade. He’s also a good run blocker so he keeps the Vikings running game rolling right along.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris RB Alabama
Well the Steelers running game sucks royally so this makes sense. I can’t blame them but if he gets hit five yards behind the line of scrimmage his talent won’t matter. This pick is dependent on if they fix the line later on in this draft.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne RB Clemson
Apparently the Jaguars scouted the Tigers quite a bit. He’s electric with the ball, he can run and catch the pass. Lawrence will love having him around. This is a little high but the Jaguars offense looks legit, they are young but holy crap are they talented.
26. Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome II CB Northwestern
Long, fluid athlete at CB. He has the size Denzel Ward doesn’t have. He should push Greedy Williams to a backup role. Newsome gives them a guy who can matchup with bigger WRs. The Browns have made some good draft picks lately, it’s weird.
The music at the draft is pretty solid. Go Whitney Houston!
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman WR Minnesota
Well, I guess Sammy Watkins wasn’t enough. Bateman is a great complement to Marquise Brown. Bateman isn’t as big as he plays, but he plays BIG. I’m happy to see him out of the Big Ten so there’s that.
We are coming towards the end of the first round. The Ravens have a second 1st round pick and could look to trade it. Will a team come up for one of the offensive linemen left, or maybe a edge rusher? I’m a little surprised Teven Jenkins and Azeez Ojulari are still waiting around. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah too. Where’s Christian Barmore? Still plenty of talent on the board.
28. New Orleans Saints: Payton Turner DE Houston
Okay. A little early for Turner. They just picked up the 5th year option on Marcus Davenport. This guy moved up late, I don’t see it. They aren’t that good at picking defensive linemen. Weird choice for me. I did just watch some of him this week but I’m not convinced. There are better players available.
Here comes the Aaron Rodgers stuff. Do they try to help him or do they turn their back on him again. I don’t think they will take another QB.
29. Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes CB Georgia
Stokes is a big CB so he’s coming to replace Kevin King sooner rather than later. This doesn’t help Rodgers but it fills a need on defense. They needed someone other than King against Tampa last year.
30. Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau DE Miami
He’s a good looking edge prospect with great length and he will bring some speed off the edge. He’s a nice pairing with AJ Epenesa moving forward. They have aging DEs so they need some new blood.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Jason Oweh OLB Penn St.
This guy is an athletic freak. They need a pass rusher to replace Matt Judon and the Ravens will find ways to use him. He can bend the edge he just needs some coaching to learn how to finish.
32. Tamp Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon OLB Washington
He’s an edge rusher and he can be Jason Pierre-Paul’s eventual replacement. Not my favorite edge guy but he’s not bad. He needs some more polish but he’s a useful player for the Super Bowl Champs.
That’s a wrap. Welcome Mac Jones to the Patriots. Nice move by Chicago getting Justin Fields, best QB they have had in 70 years.
Good Night
The Hott Read 