It’s officially draft month, folks!
We are just a few weeks away from the start of the NFL Draft. At this juncture, teams are wrapping up their Pro Day visits and draft prospects are beginning their Top 30 visits to teams. It’s also around this time that teams begin to finalize their draft board and start their own mock drafts. All 32 teams will be looking at different scenarios that may occur on draft day.
This draft process has been exhausting, as it usually is during this point of the cycle. We experience draft fatigue on big-name prospects such as Kyle Hamilton and Kayvon Thibodeaux. We also see the consistent discourse around one of the worst quarterback classes since 2013 or 2014 (take your pick).
So, here we are. It’s time for my second mock draft of this cycle, with my last one coming just after the conclusion of Super Bowl 56 (congrats, Rams fans!). This is an important reminder that mock drafts are simply scenarios that could occur come draft night. No, your team won’t fulfill every need with their first pick. There are seven rounds in the NFL Draft so be patient.
You’ll either love this mock draft or you will never want to see this for the rest of eternity. Hope you enjoy this! Let’s get down to business.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars – EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
If we’re talking about value here, Kayvon Thibodeaux is arguably the best player in the NFL Draft. Currently rated as my No. 2 player on my big board, Thibodeaux would be a great product on and off the field for an organization that already features a franchise QB and a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Doug Pederson. Thibodeaux has incredible athleticism, bend, pass-rush skills, and terrific run defending skills. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be considered one of the favorites to be the first player off the board.
2) Detroit Lions – EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
The Detroit Lions have the option here to go with Malik Willis with the 2nd overall pick. I believe they’ll wait and see what could be available on the backend of the first round at the position or take the best player available at that point.
With that said, the Lions would be wise to start building their defense. Why not go with the local talent and top EDGE prospect, Aidan Hutchinson. The Heisman Trophy finalist has it all: size, a variety of pass rush skills, upside as a run defender, and versatility. He also displays the leadership skills, energy, and a non-stop motor that would make him a fan favorite early in his career.
3) Houston Texans – S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
For the love of humanity, let’s end the overthinking of the best safety prospect since 2018. Kyle Hamilton has the makings of being an All-Pro safety and he can be asked to play in a variety of roles on an NFL defense.
No, he didn’t run very fast in the 40-yard dash. Guess what? The 40-yard dash doesn’t exactly matter for safeties. As long as you test well on the explosive drills like broad jump (10’11”) and vertical jump (38”), the 40-yard dash shouldn’t factor hugely into a prospect’s grade.
Hamilton wins with explosiveness, elite football IQ, and terrific instincts. He has everything you want in a potential superstar safety. This isn’t hard, folks. #DraftKyleHamiltonBecauseHeIsVeryGoodAtFootball
4) New York Jets – CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
Derek Stingley Jr. looked healthy during his LSU Pro Day and showed the world why he has the profile of a potential Top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. Sure, his past injuries are a concern. However, when healthy, Stingley was arguably the best player on the field. Besides, for a player that had just recovered from a Lisfranc injury, Stingley looked as good as ever from an athletic testing standpoint. Stingley has some of the best ball skills in this draft class with the instincts and coverage skills to back up his case as the top cornerback in the NFL Draft.
5) New York Giants – EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia
The Giants have options here. Trading back is one of them, especially if the Saints come calling in an effort to jump Carolina for Malik Willis. In this scenario, the Giants stay put and address the defense with the selection of Georgia pass rusher Travon Walker.
Walker is an interesting study. I certainly get the upside and the hype around him. Walker is a terrific run defender with size, rare athleticism, flexibility, and absurd upside for the position. However, he has yet to show off any true variety to his pass rushes and will need to develop in this area.
I will not fault any of the teams in the Top 5 for taking Walker, even the Jaguars. Walker has the chance to be a special player. It’s up to Brian Daboll and his coaching staff to hone in on developing his moves and counters while allowing him to use his run defending skills and speed-to-power to attack opposing linemen.
6) Carolina Panthers – OT Evan Neal, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers are in a peculiar spot. They do have the option to trade back. They also have the option to draft Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett here. Knowing David Tepper and with Matt Rhule being on the smoking hot seat, taking one here is certainly a possibility.
However, the best offensive player in this draft class falls into their lap at 6th overall. Evan Neal is too talented to pass up on, especially for a team that hasn’t had a starting left tackle in consecutive seasons since Jordan Gross retired in the 2014 offseason.
Neal will have a massive physical presence upfront with great movement skills, clean pass sets, and amazing run blocking skills at the point of attack. I understand the need for a quarterback here. But, I don’t believe the Panthers will pass up on the opportunity here to take the best offensive lineman in the NFL draft.
TRADE! The New York Giants send 7th overall and 81st overall to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for 16th overall, 19th overall, and 98th overall.
7) New Orleans Saints (via Giants, from Bears) – QB Malik Willis, Liberty
With the Panthers taking Neal, the Saints make their move and trade up for Malik Willis. New Orleans may sit tight at 16th and 19th overall and take the best available wide receiver or left tackle on the board. It’s hard to know anything about the Saints true plans in the NFL Draft as they usually keep a tight lid on things within the organization.
Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton would be great veteran mentors for the young, talented, but raw quarterback out of independent Liberty. Willis has the arm talent, out-of-structure ability, mobility, and elite athleticism to be an All-World quarterback in the NFL. His success, however, will very much depend on the situation his NFL team will be in.
The Saints have the coaching staff and the offensive line to help Willis when he does get the starting nod. He should be set up for success early on in his career with a great organization like New Orleans.
8) Atlanta Falcons – QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
I don’t expect this to be a popular pick by any means. Heck, I cringed at myself when I made this pick. Desmond Ridder has his fans and also his critics. There are some that see him as a future star quarterback while others believe he’s a long-term backup. I believe I’m in the middle of that argument. Ridder has the size, the arm talent, and the athleticism to develop into a starting quarterback. However, I have serious concerns with his mechanics and general accuracy.
The fit in Atlanta makes sense for Ridder, oddly enough. I believe his skill set would be a good fit for Arthur Smith’s offense that would allow him to use his athleticism and arm strength to his advantage. I don’t think Ridder will start in Year 1, especially after the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota as their starter post-Matt Ryan trade.
9) Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) – OL Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State
The Seahawks are in a precarious spot. They traded their franchise QB, Russell Wilson, to the Broncos in mid-March and seem to be on the path to a rebuild. However, they still have an oddly constructed roster that has plenty of talent but plenty of holes. Enough talent to win seven to eight games, enough holes to keep them out of the playoffs OR back in this same position a year from now.
Seattle wants to compete and Pete Carroll continues to trout out the mindset of ground ‘n pound football with good defense and special teams. Well, drafting the best player available will help push that football philosophy. Ikem Ekwonu features incredible power at the point of attack and is tenaciously aggressive. While he has room to grow from a technical perspective, there is plenty to love about Ekwonu in the run and pass game.
10) New York Jets (via Seahawks) – EDGE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
The Jets went in the direction of upgrading their defensive backfield with the selection of Derek Stingley. However, the Jets have lacked a true pass rush for several years, even with the drafting of Quinnen Williams in 2019. Jermaine Johnson is about as complete of an EDGE rusher as they come. He’s not a “can’t miss” prospect. But, Johnson is a true technician in the run and passing game with great variety in his pass rushes and terrific FBI against the run. Robert Saleh would love to have Johnson’s smarts and versatility as a pass rusher.
11) Washington Commanders – WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
The Commandeers need a true #2 wide receiver opposite of the uber-talented Terry McLaurin. A cornerback could be a possibility. Kyle Hamilton could be a “best player available” selection if he were to fall this far. I believe this is the right spot to draft Garrett Wilson. He’s a superbly talented receiver with good route-running ability and an understanding of how to deceive and manipulate defensive backs. Add on his terrific ball skills, short-area quickness, and RAC ability and you have someone that reminds me a lot of Stefon Diggs.
12) Minnesota Vikings – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Patrick Peterson may have been brought back, however, that shouldn’t keep the Vikings from taking a CB at 12. The Vikings defense desperately needs a true No. 2/future CB1 on its roster. Andrew Booth Jr. is the type of talent you draft to boost your defense. Currently rated as my top player at his position, Booth showcases unreal twitchiness and explosiveness that teams will fall in love with. He also displays terrific ball skills, fluidity, clean footwork, and upside in zone coverage. Booth has the potential to be a superstar at the position.
13) Houston Texans (via Browns) – EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue
Lovie Smith would be loving this draft if I had to guess in this scenario. Adding a future star at safety boosts the secondary for Houston. Adding George Karlaftis to the trenches would make this a home run first-round for the Texans. Karlaftis has a lot of upside, thanks to being a great technician as a pass rusher that makes up for the lack of length. Karlaftis isn’t the most powerful pass rusher and he has more room for growth as a run defender. However, teams will love his motor and play-to-play effort.
14) Baltimore Ravens – iOL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
I could see the Ravens taking the best defensive player available here at 14. But remember: there are 7-rounds in the NFL Draft. They don’t have to draft a defensive player here. Nor do they have to draft an offensive lineman here. However, I believe Kenyon Green is arguably the best offensive player in this draft class. It’s important to protect your former MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Losing Bradley Bozeman hurts this team. Replacing him with Green, a terrific all-around guard who can play any spot but center, would be a great selection.
15) Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins) – CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati
Darius Slay is a great cornerback and still quite underrated at the position. However, he’s in his early 30s and his decline in play is expected sooner than later. The Eagles must take advantage of the deep CB class with the selection of Sauce Gardner. The senior from Cincinnati offers great size and length, man/zone coverage skills, and great ball skills that made him one of the most feared defenders in the FBS this past season. Gardner would be a good fit in Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
16) New York Giants (via Saints, from Eagles, from Colts) – OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
In this scenario, the Giants trading back with the Saints could be a God-send in their effort to protect Daniel Jones or whoever will be the starting quarterback after this season. I love Charles Cross, who is currently rated as my No. 2 offensive tackle on my board. He’s incredibly advanced in pass protection with terrific footwork in pass sets and awesome movement skills that could help ease his transition to the next level. While he has room for growth as a run blocker and overall functional strength, Cross can play both left and right tackle if Andrew Thomas doesn’t work out next season.
17) Los Angeles Chargers – iDL Jordan Davis, Georgia
Run defense was one of the worst attributes for the Chargers this past season. It’s the reason they were run over by one of the worst rushing offenses in football aka the Houston Texans. The Chargers have made an effort to fix this with key free agent signings in the trenches such as Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Trading for Khalil Mack helps a lot, too!
Adding one of the best run-defending defensive lineman to come through the NFL Draft in Jordan Davis would be the top of the cake for a Chargers team looking to make a run at the AFC West crown. Davis has marvelous size, otherworldly power and strength, and heavy hands that allow him to penetrate the backfield with consistency.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints) – iOL Zion Johnson, Boston College
With Brandon Brooks retiring this offseason, the Eagles need a stud upfront that can create movement at the line of scrimmage and be a beneficiary in a run-heavy attack. Zion Johnson would be a great successor to Brooks and would bolster the Eagles offensive line in the run game. Johnson displayed consistently flawless technique and showed above-average play in his pass sets. There is a lot to like about Johnson, including his versatility. This would allow him to be a potential successor to Jason Kelce, who is approaching the end of his career.
19) New York Giants (via Saints, from Eagles) – iOL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
After selecting Charles Cross to be their future starting right (or left) tackle, the Giants turn around and take arguably the best offensive player on the board in Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum. I thought Linderbaum showed ample strength and power at the point of attack when watching his film. He’s smart, understands his assignments, and consistently communicates with his fellow linemen. Linderbaum moves well in the run game and would be a nice fit in Brian Daboll’s offensive in New York.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
I don’t trust Mason Rudolph as the starter in Pittsburgh. I just don’t see it at all. It’s no secret that the Steelers like Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett.
Could Pickett be that guy? Maybe. I like him more than most, oddly enough. I thought he was a good – not great – decision-maker with the football. His pocket awareness needs work and he doesn’t have an elite arm. However, Pickett is smart. He possesses clean mechanics, out-of-structure ability, and great accuracy.
I don’t know if Pickett will ever be an elite or very good QB. I do think he can be an adequate starter that plays on an average to above-average. Staying home in Pittsburgh would be good for Pickett, especially in Matt Canada’s offense.
21) New England Patriots – WR Drake London, USC
I know Patriots fans will see this as a possible N’Keal Harry flashback. I get it, I do! However, Drake London is a great receiver and is a better player coming out than Harry was. London has incredible size and ball skills. We all know this. But, London has great run-after-catch skills and is quite nuanced as a route runner that creates natural separation. He’s a great fit for the Patriots offense and Mac Jones’ underthrown deep throws.
22) Green Bay Packers (via Raiders) – WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Nah, Nah, Nah. Nope! The NFL can’t accept this, right?!? There has to be a veto of some sort for this treachery?
Welp, the NFL can’t do anything about this because this could be a real possibility in a few weeks. Aaron Rodgers can’t rely on just Allen Lazard and Amari Rodgers next season. Adding another receiver like Olave would be perfect for A-Rod.
Olave doesn’t have the prototypical size and his body type is less than ideal for the position. Despite these lackluster qualities, Olave has terrific route-running skills, superb hands, and incredible IQ for the position that he uses to his advantage against opposing defenses. Olave won’t win with strength. That’s not his forte and it never will be. He wins with finesse and would be a match made in heaven in terms of his landing spot to begin his NFL career.
23) Arizona Cardinals – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
The Arizona Cardinals are a really good football team…if the NFL was only 8-9 weeks long. Their traditional midseason collapse continued in 2021, when they were embarrassed by the eventual world champion Rams in the Wild Card round.
I don’t know how the Kyler Murray saga will play out. I don’t know if Kingsbury will still be around this time next year. There are plenty of unknowns for this talented football team. But all I know is that they need help on defense, especially on the boundary at cornerback. Byron Murphy is a nickel-only corner and their other options (Jace Whittaker and Marco “Shoe-Thrower” Wilson) aren’t very appealing.
Trent McDuffie would be a great selection here. He has the ability to play inside and out. He displayed really good quickness, fluidity, and agility on film with, overall, good coverage and run defending skills. McDuffie can be a cornerstone piece in the secondary for Arizona.
24) Dallas Cowboys – S Daxton Hill, Michigan
When I saw Daxton Hill still on the board at 24, it was a no-brainer selection to make in this mock draft. It’s been a minute since the Cowboys have had a healthy and good safety on the backend of their defense. Adding Hill to Dan Quinn’s defense would be a jolly to watch. He is arguably the best safety in this draft class not named Kyle Hamilton. Watching Hill’s tape is fun, where you will see him play with terrific eye discipline, instincts, awareness, short-area quickness, ball skills, and explosiveness. Hill should go higher than 24, but the Cowbys would be lucky to have him on their roster.
25) Buffalo Bills – RB Breece Hall, Iowa State
In the Blue Chip Scouting Mock Draft series on YouTube, I had the chance to do a Buffalo Bills 7-rounder with Cover 1’s Kevin Massare. In this mock draft, Kevin mentioned the Bills love for Iowa State running back Breece Hall. With the Bills not infatuated with Zack Moss and Devin Singletary a pending FA in 2023, the organization is expected to target the RB position, potentially in the first round. Hall is a creative runner with good vision, anticipation skills, quick footwork, agility, and home-run speed that the Bills would love to have in their backfield with Josh Allen.
26) Tennessee Titans – OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning may be a little bit raw and could go higher than 26, but he has the stuff Mike Vrabel would kill for on his offense that loves to pound the football downhill. We all saw what Penning can do. He’s similar to Taylor Lewan in terms of playstyle: nasty, mean, aggressive mauler mindset that wants to knock your head off at the point of attack. Derrick Henry running behind Penning off right tackle with the both of them running over defenders at the first, second, and third-level? Yes, please!
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like a quarterback should still be a pretty big need for the Buccaneers, especially if Brady does indeed retire after this season, once and for all.
Kyle Trask isn’t going to move the needle for me. Matt Corral does, however. I think Corral would be landing in a perfect spot here with Brady as his mentor. Bryon Leftwich’s offense fits Corral’s skill set perfectly, in my opinion, due to Corral’s beautiful deep ball. The former Ole Miss Rebel is athletic with a lightning-quick release and good general accuracy. With Corral behind Brady, he would be starting by Year 2, with a great roster, play-caller, and good protection upfront that would allow the redshirt junior to have an easy start to his NFL career.
28) Green Bay Packers – EDGE Boye Mafe, Minnesota
The Packers could absolutely double-dip at wide receiver. However, it is a deep group at the position and there is no need to be anxious this early in the draft. The Packers lost Za’Darius Smith in free agency, but still, have Preston Smith and Rashan Gary coming off the EDGE. Still, Green Bay needs another pass rusher to add to their rotation. Mafe has very intriguing tools and athleticism to develop into a star at the next level. This would be a good-looking start for the front office with the selections of Mafe and Olave.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via Dolphins, from 49ers) – WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
I’m sorry for even allowing this possibility. Sure, Mecole Hardman is already slated as their true deep-threat wide receiver. But Jameson Williams would add another element to the Chiefs offense. He may not play until mid-season, but Williams is a touchdown waiting to happen. He has incredible speed downfield with the ability to take the top off defenses. He’s got great ball tracking skills, short-area quickness, and the body control to develop into a potent route runner at the next level. There’s plenty to love about Williams despite his ACL injury.
30) Kansas City Chiefs – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Chiefs need help in the secondary and losing Tyrann Mathieu hurts. Rashad Fenton and La’Jarius Snead are talented young corners. However, it won’t be enough against the AFC West’s stockpile of weapons they’ve added this offseason. Kaiir Elam is a forgotten man in a deep defensive draft class. He’s still one of the most talented corners in this draft class with good press-man and zone skills. Elam has great size and matches up well as an outside cornerback at the next level.
31) Cincinnati Bengals – CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA
It feels inevitable that a guy that tested off the charts for his size is going to get drafted high in the NFL Draft. The Bengals have plenty of “B-type” talent across the board and very sufficient talent at cornerback. That’s enough for a player like Tariq Woolen to develop behind. Woolen has unreal size, fluidity, athleticism, and length for the position. However, he is quite raw and will need to time to develop into a formidable starting CB.
32) Detroit Lions (via Rams) – QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
The Lions do indeed take a quarterback in the first round, but it’s not Malik Willis with the 2nd overall selection in the NFL Draft. It’s Sam Howell with the last pick of Day 1. As many of you may (or may not) know, Howell is my top-rated QB in this year’s draft class. Like all the other QBs in this year’s group, Howell will need time to develop and grow into a starter. A perfect place to do that would be in Detroit. Sure, they are a ways away from being a playoff contender and are well in the mists of a rebuild. However, getting the future of the franchise now and allowing him to develop and jump into a better situation in 2023 would be the best thing for both parties. Count me in!
