Mauricio's Mock Draft 1.0: Cowboys land top cornerback
The NFL Draft is only 20 days away, and this time around it won't be in a virtual fashion. Fans will be back in the stands and Roger Goodell will walk out to the podium and be hugged by the Draft's top prospects. Without further ado, the Jacksonville Jaguars are now on the clock… 1. […]
The NFL Draft is only 20 days away, and this time around it won't be in a virtual fashion. Fans will be back in the stands and Roger Goodell will walk out to the podium and be hugged by the Draft's top prospects.
Without further ado, the Jacksonville Jaguars are now on the clock…
1. JAX: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
A true no-brainer for the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence is the best QB prospect in a long, long time and he'll be ready to prove it.
2. NYJ: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
What makes Zach Wilson so exciting is his great ball placement and ability to consistently extend plays with good off-platform throws. By now, it seems like the Jets are all-in on Wilson.
3. SF: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Many are saying "the Draft starts at 3" and that is true. The growing consensus is that the 49ers are looking at Mac Jones. But I'm not sold on that just yet. If Kyle Shanahan wants to take the most talented quarterback, it's either Fields or Lance.
4. ATL: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
If the Falcons aren't ready to start preparing for life after Matt Ryan by taking a quarterback with this pick, they'll likely trade out of it. In this scenario, they find an insanely talented Trey Lance that despite not facing top competition in college, he should be able to adapt to the NFL.
5. CIN: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
The pass-catchers the Bengals could draft here will be tempting. But Cincinnati needs to be smart with this pick and protect Joe Burrow. Sewell is a great athlete and at only 20-years of age, he's a great option.
6. MIA: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Pitts might just be the best non-quarterback in this Draft class. More than a tight end, Pitts is an elite playmaker that will create some interesting mismatches in the NFL.
7. DET: WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Chase showed us what he's capable of as an X receiver in 2019. He's a legit deep-threat, changes gears easily, and can play inside and outside.
8. CAR: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
There are a lot of interesting possibilities for the Panthers with this pick. But after getting Sam Darnold, Slater is a significant upgrade for their offensive line. The Panthers already have offensive weapons and if they want to find out what they have in Darnold, this is the way to go.
9. DEN: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
The Broncos are a true wildcard in the Draft. In this scenario, they lean toward giving Drew Lock some competition at QB. The Broncos' roster is more talented than some think. If they want to lean toward a quarterback, I believe they can.
10. DAL: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
This would be a great spot for the Dallas Cowboys to be in. It might be one of those weird instances in the Draft where your best player available also suits your top need. One year after drafting Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys desperately need to upgrade their defense.
Patrick Surtain II has a prototypical bodybuild to play CB in the NFL. He matches it with great football IQ and just the right level of physicality, drawing few penalty flags. Surtain is a great fit for Dan Quinn's defense and will shine in press coverage while being capable of playing zone very well.
"Overall, Surtain lacks elite play strength and twitch for the position, but he is smooth, instinctive and the game happens slower for him than most cornerbacks. He projects as an NFL starting-level press-man corner with Pro Bowl potential."
For Surtain, the main concern is speed issues being a potential liability in deep passes. However, Surtain is far from slow and should make up for it with his sticky coverage.
11. NYG: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
The Giants need to get Daniel Jones some help on offense and they do it by adding one of the best athletes in the Draft. Waddle is explosive in his movements, consistently beating coverages despite being a small target.
12. PHI: WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
The Eagles land Heisman Trophy Winner Devonta Smith at #12 in this scenario, which will be considered a steal if it happens come April 29th. Smith is a natural route-runner who will drastically help Jalen Hurts' chances of success.
13. LAC: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Horn is a physical cornerback. Perhaps too physical, as he drew plenty of flags in his collegiate career. But he'll be able to start right away and will play well as a press-man cornerback for the Chargers.
14. MIN: OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
The Vikings, as usual, need help on their offensive line. Vera-Tucker is the best guard in this year's draft class and should help a Minnesota offense that already has talent.
15. NE: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
The Patriots will surely be interested in trading up for a quarterback, but in this scenario, they get the best linebacker of the Draft. Parsons is a versatile athlete that will thrive in any NFL defense, but watching him in New England would be so much fun. He's a three-down linebacker with tremendous upside. A steal at #15.
16. AZ: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
The Cardinals address a top need while arguably getting one of the best players available. Newsome II's high football IQ should compensate for some durability issues.
17. LVR: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
The Raiders could consider an offensive tackle in this spot, but Owusu-Koramoah's range presents too much value to pass on.
18. MIA: EDGE Jalean Phillips, Miami
Despite medical concerns, Phillips might just be the best edge rusher in this class. After getting the best player available at #6, now they address one of their biggest needs.
19. WFT: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Darrisaw has plenty of experience as he started at left tackle three seasons for Virginia Tech. Washington gets their man to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick.
20. CHI: EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Dane Brugler's top edge rusher in this class falls to the Chicago Bears. Ojulari led the Georgia Bulldogs in sacks in each of the last two seasons, totaling 14.
21. IND: EDGE Kwity Paye
Paye played all around Michigan's defense, displaying his athleticism and intensity every snap. The Colts get a raw player with huge upside for their defense.
22. TEN: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
The Titans are not afraid of making high-risk, high-reward bets in the NFL Draft. If it wasn't for a recent surgery, Farley would still be CB1 on most boards.
23. NYJ: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
With prototypical size, Rousseau has the potential to become one of the most explosive pass rushers in the league. However, he needs to improve his technique.
24. PIT: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
As Ben Roethlisberger gets ready to return for one more season, the Steelers get him some help at offensive tackle.
25. JAX: S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
After getting the best quarterback available at #1, the Jaguars get their free safety to upgrade their defense. Moehrig is a true ballhawk who's also a leader in the locker room.
26. CLE: EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
The Browns get someone to complement Myles Garrett in the pass-rushing department. I wouldn't be surprised to see them draft the best defensive tackle in this class, Christian Barmore, either.
27. BAL: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Lamar Jackson needs pass-catchers. Now. Toney's versatility will let the Ravens play him at any spot.
28. NO: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
The Saints might go for the best player available, and that could be LB Zaven Collins. Collins is a durable, NFL-ready linebacker whose range will make him fit right into the Saints' defense.
29. GB: OG Landon Dickerson, Alabama
Another year, another non-wide receiver in the Draft for the Packers. But if Dickerson is the pick, it'll be worth it. The Packers need a replacement for Corey Linsley and they get it with an offensive line with All-Pro potential who started 37 games in Alabama.
30. BUF: EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington
The Bills didn't have the same defense last season as they did in 2019. Tryon can help change that.
31. KC: WR Elijah Moore, Mississippi
The Chiefs' priority should be replacing their offensive tackles, but with the top guys gone in this scenario, they get a dynamic player in Moore instead. Andy Reid could do wonders with Moore's route-running.
32. TB: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Barmore is a scary player. Although his Pro Day was bad, he's too good for the Bucs to let him slip to the second round. With their 22 starters set to return, they can afford to take a risk on Barmore.
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