BY: MEREKAT
Folks, I’m making my return to the mock draft game with the NFL creeping up on us April 29.
I’m a draft addict and honestly couldn’t be more excited for this draft. The 2021 free agency period hasn’t disappointed us yet with plenty of headlines, surprises and big money being tossed around to help build up the hype leading into a loaded draft. Seriously, this is one of my favorite drafts in recent memories with as much talent as there is question marks.
This draft is like a “choose your own adventure book” – there’s going to be a lot of tough decisions that you’re not quite sure will play out well, but you’re forced to dive right in regardless the swirling uncertainties. You can generalize that and say it about any draft, but to not think this year’s board doesn’t have that extra layer of “wild card” is almost ignorant. With the abstractness of the 2020 football season, highlighted by so many prospects who opted out, this draft is going to be a crap shoot. We’ll see a lot of busts (hello EDGE) and even more quality, players slip to later rounds. It’s gonna be wild and I cannot wait.
I’m just a dude with a keyboard who likes football, but I put a lot of work into this, so I hope you enjoy. Buckle up and let us commence.
#1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The only question surrounding what the Jags will do with the top pick in this draft is if they decide to be assholes and take the whole 15 minutes to announce it. Lawrence is the closest thing to a “sure thing” QB prospect we’ve probably ever seen. If you’re building your perfect QB, whatever you end up with would probably resemble Lawrence. It’s like when Professor Utonium was combining sugar, spice, and everything nice and then spilled in all the Chemical X, but instead of Chemical X, it was off-the-chart intangibles, every physical trait you could want in a QB and a football IQ wise beyond his years – that’s Lawrence. Only weakness? Maybe he’s a bit lanky and can meat up a bit, but the guy is a franchise QB through and through. Short and sweet on this one because there’s not much else to say or attempt to nitpick.
NFL Comparison: His future self. One-of-a-kind.
#2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
It’s not as 1000000% as the previous pick, but it’s pretty set in stone. The Jets are going to put all their eggs in the Zack Wilson basket. After failing Sam Darnold, the Jets are under a new regime with Robert Saleh and should be looking to get their franchise QB right away. I’m not sure any QB showed more growth from 2019 to last season than Wilson, who improved his completion percentage from 62.4 to 73.5, passing yards from 2,382 to 3,692, and his TD/INT ratio from 11/9 to 33/3 – an astronomical jump in production on just 17 more passes. He showed in 2020 that he can command an offense and is a pretty refined passer with a lot of arm talent. Wilson’s the type of signal-caller that seems in tune running an offense, especially with his receivers. He’s a sneaky good athlete with a hint of swagger backing his play and the confidence in himself to deliver. I personally think he has a higher ceiling than the rest of the QBs after Lawrence – but with a lower floor than Fields or Lance. His play can definitely be a bit erratic at times, and he likes to try and likes to play some “hero ball,” forcing the big play even if it’s not there which is a double-edged sword in itself. There’s a lot of technical issues for Wilson that need cleaning up – where he holds the ball, his footwork on the move, and throwing off his back foot. Saleh needs to put the work in with him heavily this offseason on some very fixable issues this offseason. Still, if the New York media doesn’t destroy this Utah boy’s confidence, the Bills might have a new problem to worry about twice a season.
NFL Comparison: 35% Brett Favre/65% Johnny Manziel w/o the vices.
#3. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
I will preface this with the fact I despise Ohio State (Go Blue)…but I find myself wanting to root for Justin Fields the more I dive in to his tape and such. The kid can ball. I actually lean towards giving Fields more value as a pro prospect than Wilson right now if we’re being honest. He should check all the boxes Kyle Shanahan is going to be looking for in his Jimmy G replacement. I wasn’t sure what SF was planning at QB this season until they mortgaged their future to move up to this spot and I just don’t think it was for Mac Jones lol. In terms of skill set and winning against the best competition (never lost a Big 10 game) he’s second to only Lawrence. He’s 100% an athlete but he’s also a tough as nails passer who’s not afraid to sit in the pocket and take a hit to get the right throw off. Fields and his accuracy are a receivers dream – he can deliver easy to catch balls to his targets in tight windows or in stride to give them some rope to work with after the catch. He’ll extend a play and fight for extra yard or two when his team needs him like a true leader – a true “lay it all on the line” guy. What worries me the most about Fields is the guy has less awareness than a deer in headlights. He can get completely lost and turn into a mess when faced with a blitz…and at the next level he’ll have to work on that or his durability and decision making are going to be put to the test in the NFL. His performance in the national championship wasn’t great and he took a bit of a stepback statiscally last season, but I’d feel safe betting on Fields to find success in Shanahan’s system.
NFL Comparison: This is hard to pin. He reminds me a lot of Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott but with a little more athletic upside and less awareness than them both.
*TRADE* Atlanta trade pick #4 to New England for picks #15 & #46 in 2021 and a 1st & 3rd in 2022
#4. New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
I think ole’ Bill has the Falcons on the phone ready to make a deal the instant San Fran passes on Lance. The Falcons could stay put and take Kyle Pitts to elevate an already dangerous passing attack or go with a potential replacement for Matt Ryan to groom…but I think they’re really looking to trade down, and the Patriots make sense as a partner. If Belichick is even 1% human being, he has to be a bit pissed about Brady winning the Super Bowl without him while he went 7-9 and couldn’t find continuity under center. Hence, why he was so active in free agency, and I think the biggest move is yet to come. In steps Trey Lance, who might be the most exciting QB prospect in this draft. He has tremendous physical prowess, combining his size, arm strength, and athleticism into the build you’d want for the modern-day QB. He has heaps of upside as a QB who can move the ball in the NFL behind his arm or his legs. Lance has gotta improve the control he shows at times, specifically while throwing on the move, and comes off a bit raw. It’s worth noting that the patriots did just send “top executives” to Lance’s second pro day as well *insert eyes looking to the side emoji*. Hopefully Patriots fans are ready to begin the season with Newton as their starter, regardless of who they draft, but with the future waiting to takeover.
NFL Comparison: I hate to do this and it’s too easy (especially after the commercial) but reminds me of smaller Josh Allen. A physical, athletic specimen who needs the right people around him to get the most out of him at the next level.
#5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Could it be Pitts here? Sure, it’s a sexy pick and adding a top-tier target for Joe Burrow (when he’s healthy) is not a bad idea, but you can’t let Burrow come back from such a bad injury to such a sketchy line. They did add Riley Reiff and hope Jonah Williams will take the next step, but neither hold a candle to the franchise anchor Sewell can grow to be protecting their franchise QB. In 2019 he won the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman in the nation) and was a unanimous All-American before opting out of the 2020 season. He’s the type of guy to provide “wow” blocks every Sunday, able to shuck defenders off the line and climb to the second level to really spring the big play. An exceptional athlete for 335 pounds and has the quick footwork of an Irish river dancer. After a year off and some minor mechanical issues, there’s probably going to be some growing pains if expected to be a day 1 starter. Although he can blow people off the line with his blocking, it’s more technique than actual strength, so he’ll benefit from an NFL strength and conditioning program. Burrow + Pitts/Chase = Burrow hit before he can get them the ball…Burrow + Sewell = Burrow able to deliver his ball to whatever receiver untouched….it’s math. No one would love to see this pick happen more than Joey B and his new knee.
NFL Comparison: Some glaring parallels to Ronnie Stanley.
#6. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
My favorite prospect in this entire draft (other than whoever the Bills take and our UB boys). Pitts is an electric factory at the tight end position and has the highlight reel to back that up. The Dolphins are in a great spot here to get Tua some support this season whether Sewell, Chase, or Pitts is available here, and Pitts makes sense. I have Sewell gone, and Chase wouldn’t be the wrong move, but Pitts fills more of a hole than WR and having him fall to No. 6 feels almost sinful. He’s a game-breaking playmaker with the rare combination of top-level ball skills, athleticism, and speed to pair with a 6’6″, 245 lb body. He can stretch the field, make yards after the catch, run through or by defenders, and provide a 50/50 red zone threat. I don’t see any problem with him even lining up as a straight up receiver in the NFL. Pitts needs to work on his blocking and route running to be the ultimate weapon he can become but provides a team with an day 1 mismatch to opposing defenses. I hope Matt Milano is ready to try and cover this guy because he is a matchup nightmare for defenders and is ready to take the league by storm.
NFL Comparison: A more lethal Darren Waller.
#7. Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
It feels shameful not to have a receiver come off the board until No. 7 with the talent in this class that has Ja’Marr Chase at the forefront. In 2019 with Joe Burrow, he was the most dominant receiver in college football before opting out of 2020. He can be an immediate impact threat on a offense that still misses Calvin Johnson, lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones and is trying to give Jared Goff a fighting chance. Chase is built like an ideal No. 1 receiver and has the physical traits to beat any DB in his path, in a variety of ways. He explodes off the line like a bat out of Hell, bursts out of breaks leaving secondaries struggling to adjust and can hit the second gear to burn coverages over the top – basically a human missile that’s sole purpose is to track down the ball by any means necessary. Catch radius isn’t a term in Chase’s vocabulary, and he’ll contort to in his vicinity and spear it out of the air. A lot of little things can hinder his status as the perfect pass catcher – he’s not the tallest target (6’0″), needs to put some serious work into developing a route tree ready for the next level and obviously, losing a season of experience as a WR can make a guy a bit rusty. Still, he’s the cream of the crop, as the kids say.
NFL Comparison: A more compact, impactful Calvin Ridley.
#8. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Another deep position group in this draft, CB, isn’t as clear-cut as WR is, but I think Surtain II is the leader of the pack and addresses a big hole in the Carolina roster. Rashawn Slater makes all the sense in the world here too, but I give the slight edge in value to the man out of ‘bama. The Panthers CB depth is just that, depth. Donte Jackson took a step forward last season, which was nice, but Troy Pride Jr. did not look good, and AJ Bouye is on a sharp decline – they need a bonafide star to lock down opponents’ top targets. The son of a former-NFL star, a five-star recruit, and All-American 3-year starter at Alabama gives Surtain one of, if not the most impressive pedigrees in this entire draft class. He’s gifted with elite athleticism, and his durability is a huge factor here as well, which Surtain certainly has after starting 38 consecutive games in college. His ability to track down balls, disrupt receivers and recognize routes as they unfold comes almost second nature to Surtain. He was literally groomed to be a top-flight CB, and it shows. He’ll have to be more physical to translate his play directly to the NFL, good thing he’ll have A.J. “I’ll knock your teeth out” Bouye as a teammate to show him the way.
NFL Comparison: I saw this somewhere else and can’t get it out of my head, so I’m stealing it – Nnamdi Asomugha (minus 3″ and the acting career).
#9. Denver Broncos: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Broncos are in a weird spot here. Do they trust Drew Lock to be their starter? Trade up for a top guy? Hope someone falls? Reach for Mac Jones? Sorry, many QB-related hypotheticals here, and I don’t see any of them playing out well for them at this spot. So what does Elway do? Build around Lock, who still really hasn’t gotten a chance to be his best self. Calling Sewell the best OT in this draft is no slight to Slater because I think he’s got a quality, long-term NFL starter written all over him. Garrett Bolles is great, but I wouldn’t be too confident in Ju’Wuan James (he’s only appeared in 3 games since 2019) on the opposite side, and Slater can be that other bookend. His lack of length could even have the Broncos see him as an asset on the interior of their line, which wasn’t good last season. He opted out of the 2020 season but still accumulated 37 straight starts at Northwestern, playing both tackle positions. He’s a standout athlete on the offensive line and put up an impressive 9.96 RAS score for someone of his stature. He’s not the physical specimen or posseses the eye-popping strength of other top OT’s in this class, but makes up for that with his mechanics, versatility, and athleticism.
NFL Comparison: If Isaiah Wynn somehow fused with Lightning McQueen.
#10. Dallas Cowboys: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
I’m certain that Surtain won’t be here, and with Sewell and Slater off the board, I think CB is the move for the Cowboys here. Dan Quinn is sure to run a lot Cover 1, and he needs a CB like Horn that plays a lot of press man to execute that. He’ll help plug up an abysmal secondary for Dallas that could desperately use the 6″1′ natural footballer. I just brought up Slater’s crazy RAS score…well, Horn had a 10/10 and is what we like to call an “athlete”. However, there are a few red flags because he struggled some in space in college and then withheld from running lateral drills at his pro drill hmmmmm. Could he be hiding the fact he’s stiff moving at angles that aren’t a straight-line? Still, he’s a guy who won’t let receivers get a lot of separation from him and will prevent “the big play.” He’s versatile in his coverage abilities and isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage and contribute against the run. Caleb Farley is another guy I can see targeted here, but the whole back surgery thing has to steer away a Cowboys defense that needs immediate help, and honestly, I still like Horn here regardless of the health status of Farley. Although unofficial, his pro day times have cemented Horn as a safe top-15 pick for any defense.
NFL Comparison: Everything we wanted Prince Amukamara to be out of Nebraska.
#11. New York Giants: Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan
If they didn’t sign Kenny Golladay, I’d be all over them, adding WR here to help out Danny Dimes. The Giants went hard in free agency with the idea their offense and defenses are both close to breaking out. One guy they couldn’t land was Leonard Floyd, which showed they want to upgrade a pass rush that is lackluster outside of Leonard Williams, and Paye is a high-upside guy that fits their scheme and can be eased in. He has just 19 starts in his time at Michigan, but he made his presence known and flashed many positive traits. I definitely would’ve liked to see more production out of him as well (just 2 sacks last season), although he has the tools to fix that. No one his size can display the quickness and lateral movement along the line as well as him in this draft. He can shed blocks and pursuit the ball carrier in open space. Paye uses his body like a forklift by attacking with a low pad level and then using his power and bend to upheave blockers (his 25.8% pass rush win rate was #1 in the Big 10 last season). This might be a bit of a reach for Paye, but Gettleman won’t be afraid to pull the trigger for the leadership he’ll add and the possible payout.
NFL Comparison: I see signs of Cliff Avril.
#12. Philadelphia Eagles: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
I’m honestly disappointed in myself for having BOTH the Bama receivers available here at No. 12 but the Eagles will be ecstatic to take Smith here after moving back in the draft and injecting a bit of confidence into Jalen Hurts. If you’re going to move forward with Hurts and want him to succeed, you need to surround him with more talent than Fulgham and Reagor. I think it’s safe to say the reigning-Heisman winner and guy who just put up 1,850 receiving yards in the SEC has some upper-echelon talent. Philly misses DeSean Jackson, and Smith is the type of guy to turn him into an afterthought among Eagles fans. His routes are smoother than butter across all three levels of the field with an unmatched tempo, he has a dynamic burst off of cuts/breaks, sticky hands (he actually uses his hands to catch the ball!!!), and a tremendous handle on his body – showing off a level of athleticism that always puts him in the best spot to receive the ball and LAUNCH. Are you sold yet? You should already be. Not to mention he ran a 4.27 second 40, the fourth-best of all time. Smith can flat out FLY. Similar to Slater behind Sewell, having Smith behind Chase isn’t meant to downplay just how good Smith can be. The glaring problem is he obviously needs to bulks up a bit. I shiver, thinking about his 170 lb frame running across the middle and getting met by a safety with a full head of steam.
NFL Comparison: A “sky is the limit” DeSean Jackson.
#13. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
2 Bama receivers in a row? In this economy?? Why not. AVT makes sense here to solidify the line that is tasked with protecting their crown jewel, Justin Herbert…but imagine the damage he can do in his second season if they load up his arsenal with a home run hitter like Waddle. This is really broad and not fair to him, but he’s kind of the Great Value brand version of Smith. He has legitimate game-breaking abilities and can find himself running in the open field towards the end zone every time he touches the ball. He might’ve run a faster 40 than Smith had he actually run the drill, but it’s hard to measure Waddle’s terrifying “football speed” with a stop watch. He’s going to be one of the fastest players in the NFL when he’s drafted and can be the guy on the outside opposite of Keenan Allen to help divert the defense’s attention. Waddle also provides value as a return man for the Chargers, who didn’t have much consistency there last year. He’s definitely a bit undersized for a guy to be a perimeter receiver, and I called him Devonta Smith-lite earlier because he’s nowhere near the route runner or as comfortable receiving a pass, but is every bit the pure playmaker. No one will like this pick more than Herbert.
NFL Comparison: Tyreek Hill but not a shitbag.
#14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
AVT is another guy projected all over the place in this first round, but the Vikings should be pumped to have him available at this spot. They can use an edge for sure with some solid options available, but they need offensive line help, and AVT has a lot of buzz surrounding him after this last season. He transferred from G to LT and excelled with the move. His technique and mechanics are very sound, which should allow him to find success pretty quickly in the NFL. He has nimble feet and sneaky athleticism for such a big dude that’s invaluable to lineman today and allows him to process then adjust on the fly. He can anchor himself against a heavy rush even though he really excels as a zone run blocker (hello Dalvin Cook) which will help him bring stability to any offensive line. AVT’s lack of ideal length might be an issue against crafty edge rushers, and he has trouble engaging properly with defenders at times but nothing glaring that makes me think he can’t be a very good starter in the proper scheme.
NFL Comparison: A stronger, more versatile David Bahktiari type.
#15. Atlanta Falcons: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Not gonna lie, from purely a football perspective, Micah Parsons is my favorite defensive prospect in this draft to become an absolute superstar in the NFL. I say football perspective because he does have some character concerns. Plain and simple, he seems like kind of a shithead – he apparently incited a riot in high school, started a fight with a teammate at Penn State that involved a knife, then opted out of the 2020 season and is known to stir the pot without a filter on Twitter. Not the best look. On the field, though, he’s exactly what you want, though. I don’t think I’ve watched more film on anyone than Parsons because I enjoy his play so much. You can plug him in the middle of any scheme, and he will thrive. A hard-hitting, reliable tackler against the run with the type of range that you can see him making plays in the backfield or 20 yards downfield in coverage. He has a rare reactionary type burst that turns him into an animal attacking its prey on the field. It’s fun watching him put his athleticism into action when he’s bouncing around the front 7 trying to sniff out the play. His upside is off the charts, even though some of the things that make him the player he is can be detrimental to his play. Sometimes he plays too aggressively or with too much intent and puts himself out of position or past the play. If he can develop some patience and mature, there’s no reason he doesn’t end up an X-factor level defender. The Falcons trade back to get another second-rounder in a deep draft and land the compliment Deion Jones needs in the middle of that defense.
NFL Comparison: I see bits and pieces of a lot of LBs here – Darius Leonard, Dont’a Hightower and Myles Jack come to mind for various reasons.
#16. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Farley is one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft and a candidate to make any team regret passing on him. Some people have him as the first or second CB off the board but opting out of 2020 concerns me more than other prospects because he missed his pro day after having a minor back (concern intensifies) surgery just last month. This comes after missing the end of the 2019 season because of an injury…do I hear durability concerns? I saw a term used about Farley that I love – separation deleter. He’s long at 6’2″ and can flat out run. He doesn’t allow receivers to feel comfortable from the second the ball is snapped and can quickly transition to receivers to stay with them throughout their route. Farley’s not just big and fast but possesses a great overall skill set and can cover any target on the field. Outside of just the possible durability issue, he needs to smooth his game over and work with NFL coaches to better play with his body. At times, he seems clunky and can’t just rely on his physical gifts to be a consistent CB for a team that just lost Patrick Peterson. Malcolm Butler is a nice addition, but certainly, no Peterson, and Robert Alford hasn’t played a snap since December 2018. If the Cardinals don’t want to waste another season of Kyler Murray, they need to fill that hole in the secondary, and Farley is worth the risk.
NFL Comparison: Jimmy Smith that needs some WD-40.
#17. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
After Gruden carved up his offensive line like a Thanksgiving Turkey, OL makes a lot of sense here for the Raiders with some good value to be had. I could see the Raiders eyeing up guys like Teven Jenkins or Alex Leatherwood here, but after Darrisaw’s All-American 2020, he’s earned the respect to warrant this pick. Darrisaw saw his stock explode after anchoring a VT offensive line this past season that paved the way for SIX 250-yard rushing games while he allowed 0 sacks himself. Darrisaw showcases excellent athleticism and explosion for the position, even behind an NFL-ready body (6’5″, 314 lbs). He can tend to overextend sometimes, especially against the blitz, and lacks great footwork that he tries to compensate for by always keeping them moving. He’ll be as good as he wants to be, and if he puts in the work consistently, the kid has major potential. I can see the former 3-star recruit contributing immediately at RT (although he’s a true LT IMO) for Gruden’s offense.
NFL Comparison: Some team sources have reportedly compared him to Russell Okung, and I see that. Big, athletic, and can bring some nastiness to a blocking unit…Gruden should be drooling.
#18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
After having their pick at a shiny new weapon with their first pick (I projected Pitts falling into their laps, but any of the receivers available would make sense there), this is where Miami gets in the trenches with a tackle or EDGE. Am I a bit “biased” here because I think it’d be cool for Miami to take a player from the U? 100%. So it came down to Phillips or Rousseau, and I give the edge to Phillips here this draft. He started as a consensus 5-star recruit and went to UCLA, but a myriad of injuries plagued his time there, and he left for Miami this last season, where he had the bounceback he was capable of. Phillips provides scheme versatility, he can have his hand in the dirt or be a stand up guy showing success defending the rush or pass. He’s a whole package “tweener” displaying a high-speed motor, very real football instincts, and the potential to be a staple edge defender for a defense. Like the man whose number he snatched, he’s a bit of a raw one-year wonder that’ll need to step up his pass-rushing repertoire to replicate his college production.
NFL Comparison: A “lengthier” Maxx Crosby.
#19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
My absolute dream pick for the Bills – but I don’t see him falling anywhere out of the 17-26 range unless he also likes to record himself inhaling weed like it’s oxygen out of a gas mask. JOK s a chess piece anyone wants on their defense. The WFT is desperate for some competent LB (is he even a LB or an in the box, swiss army knife safety?) play to take advantage of their defensive line, and JOK is the do-it-all player to complement their pass rush. He uses his speed to cover a lot of ground playing sideline-to-sideline and can be trusted to cover pretty much anyone with his extraordinary coverage skills. He was a first-team AP All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season after his attention-grabbing play. Seriously though – this guy can drop back like a FS, pursue and take down anyone on the field with the ball, rush the passer effectively and read an offense like a book. Why don’t I have him going higher? BECAUSE THE NFL IS STILL AFRAID OF THE S/LB HYBRID. He’s a little undersized to be a true LB and will need to outwork people to free himself up in the NFL because of that size but would be wasted as a situational SS type guy. Some team’s going to end up being really happy with this pick, and I think it’s Washington’s time to make up for failing the similar Su’a Cravens.
NFL Comparison: His physique, play style and versatility all remind me of one man: Derwin James.
#20. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
I don’t even want to write about this pick, I can’t wait to sit back and laugh after some team uses their first-rounder on Jones. Is there a better candidate than Ryan Pace, the guy who took Trubisky over Mahomes and Watson, to fire away here at Jones? They’ve made it clear that Andy Dalton is QB1 for the Bears as they embark on the post-Trubisky era, but that isn’t too inspiring, and jones is a guy who shouldn’t start right away anyways. I’m not trying to be harsh on Jones, and there are many people smarter than me that think he can go top 5. I just don’t see it. There’s still a lot to like about him, though – a smart decision-maker that “plays it safe” but still looks confident throwing the ball. As a passer, he has a great touch who can loft balls with consistently good placement, and has the accuracy to lead a receiver or deliver on the back shoulder. Sounds all nice, but the two terms I can’t get out of my head when watching him are “one-year wonder,” who had the best weapons in college football, and “game manager” when I watch his tape. He not imposing physically, and his arm won’t blow you away, which is probably why he breaks down against a heavy pass rush. Nothing about Jones “wows” me, but nothing about him is glaringly awful. I don’t see him more than a high-end backup.
NFL Comparison: Matt Barkley with a higher ceiling.
#21. Indianapolis Colts: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
I’ve seen Rousseau projected anywhere from pick No. 10 to No. 60. This is probably because he’s only played one full season at Miami in 2019 after opting out of the 2020 season due to Covid concerns. The lack of tape is a cause for concern, but the tape he does have, is impressive. After an injury ended his freshman season, he took college football by storm in 2019, finishing second in the nation behind some guy named Chase Young with 15.5 sacks. Rousseau earned himself ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-ACC and Freshman All-American honors for the Canes and solidified himself as a force off the edge. A converted highschool WR/S, Rousseau’s biggest positive is that he’s an explosive athlete with a relentless motor. He’s definitely one of the more “slippery” edge prospects available this draft as well. Downside? A lot of his production came playing from playing a 0-tech at a NT spot which, with his frame, won’t be possible in the NFL. Also, he doesn’t convert his speed into power well and has trouble and lacks balance when attacking a block. That being said he fills a big hole for a Colts team that has a chance to compete this year and desperately needs a defensive end to anchor their line to provide pass rush support to Leonard and Buckner. Colts fans should be terrified of taking a raw pass-rushing prospect like GR with their draft history.
NFL Comparison: Montez Sweat without all the sweat. Has all the tools, now needs to develop them.
#22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
I’m seeing people like Elijah Moore here for Tennessee, but I like Bateman here if they’re both are available. A.J. Brown proved himself as a bonafide top receiving option last season, and they see potential in Josh Reynold. Still, the departures of Corey Davis and Jonnus Smith leave a glaring hole in the receiving department. They need secondary help in a bad way, too, and a CB could make sense with a ton of value on the board, but they can’t go without supporting Tannehill and hoping to be a powerhouse relying solely on Derrick Henry. In steps, Bateman, who after opting out…then in…then out again after 5 games, did enough over his career to showcase what he can bring to the NFL. He’s got a good combo of size and speed to be an outside threat that can work across the middle of the field opposite Brown. Some of the most pro-ready hands in the draft and will have a chance to catch anything thrown in his radius without breaking stride. He has the upside but needs experience at the pro-level to fully develop after dealing with issues like working through physical corners who will crowd him at the line and adjusting to throws downfield.
NFL Comparison: His play style and physique remind me of Keenan Allen…but I don’t see him replicating Allen’s production.
#23. New York Jets: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
“The Walking Touchdown” or something like that. I’m sure Etienne dormed in the end zone over his collegiate career he was there so much, racking up 78 (!!) scores in 4 seasons. What isn’t there to say about this guy? He’s REALLY quick – fast off of his first step with ankle-breaking cuts on the ready, explosive through gaps in the defense, and has legit breakaway speed in the open field – a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Etienne excels at reading the defense in front of him and showed he can combine natural runner’s instincts with solid vision and patience. Guy sounds perfect, right? Well, he might be in for a rude awakening against NFL defenses. The Clemson star isn’t that big and struggled once he met contact to advance, or hold onto, the ball (7 fumbles the last 2 seasons). The Jets lost Frank Gore (200+ touches last season), La’Mical Perine didn’t do much in his rookie season, and do you really want Tevin Coleman as your RB1 for Zach Wilson? Etienne provides a homerun threat to their arsenal and a safety blanket for Wilson while being someone their fanbase can actually get excited about.
NFL Comparison: A faster Aaron Jones. Dual threat, compact and makes the most of what they see in front of them.
#24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
My buddy, who is a Steelers fan, wasn’t happy when I told him I had Pittsburgh going CB here, and I don’t blame him. There are way too many holes in this roster for a team coming off of 12 wins. The offensive line and running back both make sense here but in an AFC North division that keeps looking better and better, they need to bolster their depth at CB. Joe Haden just turned 32. They released Steven Nelson, and Cam Sutton is solid, but he and Haden aren’t a top-2 that instills fear in opposing receivers. Newsome can step in and be the boundary guy they need opposite Haden and allow Sutton to settle into the nickel. He’s a loose-hipped, physical CB that isn’t afraid to charge into a receiver and force an incompletion. Northwestern’s #2 can read and react to the receiver off the line or already into his speedy backpedal. He’s got some work to do cleaning up his playstyle (penalties=bad) and reacting faster to the play in front of him as it happens. A real Pittsburgh Steelers type pick here to lock down their perimeter.
NFL Comparison: slim Xavier Rhodes – similar length, speed and play style.
*TRADE* Jacksonville trade pick #25 to Kansas City for picks #31 & #94 in 2021
#25. Kansas City Chiefs: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
This draft isn’t short on quality offensive lineman, and the Chiefs are in a great spot to move up a bit and take a shot at securing Jenkins to the line they just gutted. When Patrick Mahomes is your QB, you have to do everything in your power to keep him safe, and that Super Bowl was evidence of that. Jenkins is a mountain of a man with a thicc, lengthy build ready for the NFL that’s supported by his raw strength. He manhandles rushers in his pass block and can drive downfield to open rush lanes. He was consistent in college at both Right and Left tackle and can give the Chiefs a physical, athletic blocker for their $450 million man. His biggest trouble is keeping control of his body at times, showing some sloppy footwork and a tough time keeping his balance.
NFL Comparison: Lane Johnson type ceiling and similarities at RT but the Morgan Moses comps from team sources fit well.
#26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa
Honestly, I thought Ojulari here for the Browns would be a fantastic pick…until they signed Jadeveon Clowney. They need to bolster up some spots on their defense if they want to win the AFC North, and Zaven Collins is the man for the job. Their LB unit is a liability, and they need someone to blossom behind their pass rush. Athletically and physically, he’s a freak. As a 6’4″ 260 lb OLB, he put up a 4.65 40 and had a 8.73 RAS (good for 8th best among all LBs). He started all 3 years at Tulsa and racked up all the awards last season, being selected as a first-team AP all-pro, AAC DPOTY and winner of the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards, both honored to the best defender in college football. He’s a surprisingly good coverage LB (4 INTs in 2020, 2 returned for a TD) for someone of his size and can cover nearly anyone across the entire field while still getting after it as a rusher. Collins is a straight up playmaker that can change the momentum of a game in a single play. He’s definitely a bit raw and might start off a sub-package stud that can definitely become an every down LB. He has to put his size and power to use and play more physical at the next level to shed blocks and finish tackles effectively.
NFL Comparison: Leighton Vander Esch 2.0.
#27. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Ravens need to replace the 14.0 sacks they lost when their top two threats off the edge, Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon, left this offseason – so the need for a player like Oweh makes all the sense in the world. He probably fits best into their defense as an OLB but can get down and dirty if needed for certain packages. Oweh’s your classic workout warrior, and it showed at the combine with a blazing 4.37 second 40 (9.92 overall RAS) and elite composite explosion grades. His burst and motor aren’t all he contributes off the snap because he can convert all that speed into power, unlike some similar styled players. He plays real bendy and fluid, which you love to see coming off the edge. I don’t think Oweh had that poor production at Penn State like some people say, but he definitely left a lot on the table. He has the upside to be a great rush LB in the NFL but needs someone like Don Martindale to help him develop a real pass rushing plan for him other than being explosive. I’d love to him fall to the Bills, and I believe Oweh gets under drafted, but his fit for the Ravens is obvious.
NFL Comparison: Fast Aldon Smith w/o the off-field troubles.
#28. New Orleans Saints: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
This was kind of hard to project for the Saints since their roster is kind of all over the place, but Moehrig is the best player available within their needs here. Moehrig provides stability to a safety unit comprised of the recently franchised tagged Marcus Williams and Malcolm Jenkins, who’ll be 34 after this season. He’s a presence in the middle of the field, unafraid to drive downfield and make plays near the line of scrimmage. Moehrig Isn’t the fastest but still covers ground well and has the combo of vision and instincts to be involved in every play. A bit of a disappointing pro day doesn’t help his stock, even though he said he wasn’t 100%, but he’s the best safety in this class and can be used in a lot of ways for the Saints.
NFL Comparison: A physically tuned up Justin Simmons.
#29. Green Bay Packers: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
This Packers team can go a lot of different directions with a later first-round pick – there’s value here at OL, CB, WR & LB – and I think adding a weapon for Aaron Rodgers is a nice play. Davante Adams is a monster, but then you have Lazard and MVS, who are solid but don’t have the potential of Marshall. Rodgers tends to elevate the receivers around him, and Marshall has the talent to actually help Rodgers like Adams does. He’s a mismatch nightmare at 6’4″ with high-gear, straight line speed. In 2020 he was a productive playmaker averaging over 100 yards a game and amassing 10 TDs in just 7 games before his opt out. If Marshall can work on his release and route tree at the next level, the Packers can have a dynamic weapon to take all the attention of Adams.
NFL Comparison: Slimmer, faster Michael Pittman Jr.
#30. Buffalo Bills: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
God damn, Mel Kiper is going to have everyone thinking I copied his pick here. I haven’t been too vocal on what I want the Bills to do this draft other than not draft a RB at No. 30 (s/o Matt Breida). So what makes sense for them? A trade back would be cool if there’s someone they like and can get later, but with the talent in this draft and BB liking the “best player available” strategy, I think they stay put. So that has me thinking CB (thiccc nickel @Greg????), EDGE, or LB. Out of those needs, the best player available here would be Ojulari if he slips through the cracks. These guys can go anywhere in this draft, but his upside in our defense piques the shit out of my interest. He’ll probably be a bit of a developmental guy that they’ll need to ease in (similar to Epenesa), which works with the defensive line rotation the Bills love. I see Ojulari thriving more as a pursuit/rushing OLB but can function with his knuckles in the dirt. Ojulari would ideally absorb every bit of knowledge he can from Jerry Hughes to ramp up his set of moves and learn to set the edge since I think they’re pretty comparable players. What makes him worthy enough to be selected by Big Baller Beane? The man is a freak. He’s built like a brick shit house and uses it as a battering ram against blockers. He’s gifted with all the tools of a great pass rusher; a natural quick twitch, balance, power, and aggressiveness. The process, you say? The guy is praised as a great teammate and onfield leader throughout his playing career and should fit right into our team’s culture. The production, you say? Oh, buddy, over 10 games last season, Ojulari accumulated 8.5 sacks, 13 TFL, and 4 FFs. He’ll need to grow as a tackler, not just a pass rusher, and truly grow into someone who can set the edge consistently. I honestly think if he stayed another year in school to continue developing his game in an easier setting, we’d be talking about him as a top 5 pick next year. He can be an exciting weapon for a Buffalo defense in need of a spark.
NFL Comparison: I talked about Jerry Hughes above, a tweener that needed experience and the right environment to be successful on the line, and now I’ve talked myself into it. Similarly size with a bit lower RAS, but I think Hughes is the perfect mentor to help Ojulari reach his ceiling.
#31. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
Jacksonville trades back and still lands the guy I think they target at #25 if they stay put to plug up that defensive line. Their top 2 DTs right now are Taven Bryan and Roy-Robertson Harris…the position needs addressing. Barmore is a THICCCC dude with tremendous raw power as a 310 lb 3-tech. He relentlessly attacks lineman with his hands and pass rush moves. He can hold the line on double teams or penetrate and disrupt…two words: GAP INTEGRITY. His playing time was limited over his two seasons, and although he’s raw, he still produced. His willy nilly throw, whatever you’re feeling at the blockers technique, will need straightening out to be a consistent contributor as an NFL starter. He’s agile enough to shed blocks and powerful enough to bully those in his way. Jags land themselves a good one this late in the draft.
NFL Comparison: *deep breath* Marcell Dareus.
#32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington
Onwuzurike’s stock isn’t as high as it could’ve been had he not opted out of 2020 since people think his play was propped up by his flashy moments and not his overall game. His game is pretty damn polished overall – he has a high motor, attacks the right gaps off the snap, and maintains balance with a nice, low pad level. He’s explosive off the snap and can throw blockers off quickly but doesn’t always convert the opportunities into stats…kind of like Oweh (2 sacks, 6 TFL). The production isn’t that big of a red flag to me with how disruptive he is overall. He can be all over the field, causing havoc as a defensive lineman. The Bucs don’t have any massive holes after their convincing Super Bowl victory, even though their defensive line can fall apart at any moment. Vita Vea is coming off a bad injury, and Suh, Gholston, and Mclendon aren’t getting any younger. Onwuzurike needs to fill out his frame a bit to turn his disruption into real production in that defense.
NFL Comparison: The evolved (healthy) version of Sharrif Floyd.
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2 Responses
Love reading your articles. Keep them coming!!