ITH NFL Mock Draft 1.0: A Post Season Look
Week 17 has come to an end, the regular season is over, and for 18 teams that means it is officially draft season. It is the start to the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to kick off the season than with a full first-round mock draft! This was a collaborative draft by Jacob Keppen and Ben Schwartz, Ben handled the odd-numbered picks and Jacob selected for the even-numbered teams. For this draft, we selected our picks based on what we would do if we were running each team’s war room. Here it is: Our first mock draft of the draft season!
https://thedraftnetwork.com/mockDraft/1arDE5Vy3Q
#1 Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Jacksonville Jaguars have won the lottery and get to add the best quarterback prospect coming out of college in a long time to their roster. It will be a fresh start for Jacksonville with a new head coach, a new quarterback, and perhaps a new sense of hope for the Jaguars faithful. - Ben Schwartz
#2 New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
The New York Jets said that they have a big trade planned for this offseason. As there are no trades in this mock draft, the big trade is shipping out current quarterback Sam Darnold. With a new head coach to replace Adam Gase, the Jets decide to start over with a potential franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. Fields checks off almost all of the boxes of a possible star at quarterback and can hopefully turn around the Jets franchise. - Jacob Keppen
#3 Miami Dolphins (from HOU): Ja’marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Miami Dolphins are in a unique position. It's not often a team that won double-digit games the previous year gets an opportunity to select an impact player with a top-five pick. Pairing Chase, who many considered to be the #1 receiver over Justin Jefferson at LSU, with DeVante Parker would give the Dolphins a formidable one-two punch at wide receiver, and that could only help the development of Tua Tagovailoa in his second season. - Ben Schwartz
#4 Atlanta Falcons: Zach Wilson, QB BYU
Atlanta could possibly trade down, but just like the Jets they stay put and draft their quarterback of the future in Zach Wilson. Matt Ryan is 35 and nearing the end of his NFL career. He can mentor a very talented and flashy young quarterback in Wilson and help him become a more complete quarterback. Wilson is a big-time playmaker that can hopefully be the new face of Atlanta moving forward. - Jacob Keppen
#5 Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
After selecting their future franchise quarterback with 2019's No. 1 overall pick in quarterback Joe Burrow, there is no doubt in my mind that Cincinnati's biggest offseason priority is protecting Joe Burrow and preventing him from getting injured again. This means strengthening an offensive line that led the AFC in sacks allowed in 2020. Sewell is the best offensive lineman in the draft, and can slide right into the left tackle position, hopefully covering Burrow’s blindside for years to come. - Ben Schwartz
#6 Philadelphia Eagles: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama
The Eagles need a lot of help in multiple areas, most of all at wide receiver. The Eagles quarterback, whoever it is next year, needs someone that can get open and catch the football. Alabama’s Devonta Smith is one of the best route runners to come out of college in recent years. Philly could possibly have a true star at receiver for the first time in years. - Jacob Keppen
#7 Detroit Lions: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
There are a lot of needs for this Detroit Lions team that will be starting with a new head coach and general manager in 2021 and could potentially be losing many players to free agency. But one of Detroit's top priorities has to be upgrading a pass rush that has ranked toward the bottom of the league in sacks each of the past two seasons. The 6’4’’ 272-pound Paye provides a scary blend of power and speed that will help the Lions generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. - Ben Schwartz
#8 Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State
The Carolina Panthers are in the perfect position to take a quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater is a great bridge quarterback, one who has experienced everything in the league and can help a young backup. A great runner with a cannon for an arm, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance has superb potential. He can sit a year or two and learn from Bridgewater, then hopefully be the Panthers next star at quarterback. - Jacob Keppen
#9 Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
A.J. Bouye has not panned out the way the Broncos had hoped on the outside, and there is not much hope for improvement as he will be 30 years old next season. Caleb Farley presents an opportunity for the Broncos to grab a shutdown corner in the pass-happy AFC West. At 6'2" 207 pounds, Farley has the length to hang with big-bodied receivers. But he also has the speed of a smaller cornerback, ball-hawking ability, and an understanding of offensive concepts from playing quarterback in high school. - Ben Schwartz
#10 Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama
The Cowboys defense is a mess, why not give them the best corner left on the board. Surtain is a technically great cornerback with good physicality. In a division with Terry McLaurin, Darius Slayton, and now Devonta Smith, Surtain can be a big addition to the Cowboys leaky secondary. Reunite Surtain and Trevon Diggs. - Jacob Keppen
#11 New York Giants: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons is deservedly the top linebacker taken off the board, and looks to have everything teams want in a linebacker as a powerful 6'3", 245-pounder who has the sideline-to-sideline range and can rush the passer. Parsons will be able to shore up the middle of the Giants’ defense while providing a lot of value as an edge rusher as well. Parsons’ versatility will be able to elevate a good Giants defense to a great one. The Giants go with the best defensive player available.- Ben Schwartz
#12 San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina
The 49ers have seen great cornerback play over the past few years from Richard Sherman. Now 32, the future Hall of Famer is reaching the end of his great career. The 49ers draft Jaycee Horn to eventually take over for Sherman. Horn is a physical corner who is sticky in man coverage. The son of former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee has the tools and pedigree to be a big-time corner in the NFL. - Jacob Keppen
#13 Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
The Los Angeles Chargers found their quarterback of the future a year ago in sixth overall pick Justin Herbert. Now, the priority needs to be adding talent in front of the young quarterback to protect him, a tough task considering three of L.A.'s five starters on the offensive line are set to hit free agency in 2021. Enter Rashawn Slater. Slater has the athleticism and body type to play any position on the line and he plays bigger than his size thanks to excellent technique and aggressive playstyle. - Ben Schwartz
#14 Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OL Virginia Tech
Christian Darrisaw can finally be the answer to the Vikings tackle problems. He is proficient in both the run and pass games, and is a special mover in space. Help out your franchise running back in Dalvin Cook, as well as help keep Kirk Cousins upright by taking Darrisaw. - Jacob Keppen
#15 New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
For the first time in a while, it is accurate to say the New England Patriots have holes almost everywhere on the offense. While guys like Jaylen Waddle and Kyle Pitts are still on the board here, the Patriots have been astonishingly unsuccessful at developing offensive skill players in recent years. So they decide to take a chance on Mac Jones, who plays an efficient and mistake-free brand of football that could appeal to the Patriots’ scheme. They’ll be able to pick up weapons in free agency with the fourth-most cap space in the league. - Ben Schwartz
#16 Arizona Cardinals: Eric Stokes, CB Georgia
Kyle Pitts was an extremely intriguing option for Arizona here, but the glaring need at cornerback is too great to overlook. The Cardinals are in a similar situation to San Francisco, their star corner is getting up there in age and doesn’t have too much time left in the league. Stokes is a good athletic corner that has a ton of upside. - Jacob Keppen
#17 Las Vegas Raiders: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
This past season, the Raiders were in the bottom third of the league in both passing defense and sacks. With a new defensive coordinator on the way next season, Ojulari could be a fun, new weapon to unleash on opposing defenses. He is a twitchy edge rusher, something Vegas lacks, that will be able to use his incredible speed and bend to put more pressure on quarterbacks. He has also shown he is able to defend against the run, and offers some versatility being able to play on the line and as an outside linebacker. When having to play Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year, the more uncomfortable you can make them, the better. - Ben Schwartz
#18 Miami Dolphins: Zaven Collins, LB/EDGE Tulsa
I really really wanted to give Jaylen Waddle to Miami here. The idea of Tua reuniting with Waddle in addition to Chase at #3 was so exciting. Thinking logically though, Zaven Collins is a perfect fit for the Dolphins. Collins is an exciting linebacker that can rush the passer, stop the run, as well as drop back into coverage. He’s a fantastic athlete for his size and would be a great complementary piece to Kyle Van Noy. - Jacob Keppen
#19 Washington Football Team: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
While strengthening the offensive line is another concern, whoever is playing quarterback for the Football Team is dangerously short on receiving talent outside of Terry McLaurin. By taking Waddle, Washington finds a perfect complement to McLaurin. It is a shame we only got to see four games with Waddle in this year’s Alabama offense, but he was arguably better than Devonta Smith, averaging 22.3 yards per catch. Waddle and McLaurin will open up the field for each other and give Washington’s next quarterback a lot to work with. - Ben Schwartz
#20 Chicago Bears: Kyle Pitts, TE/WR Florida
Yes, the Bears drafted Cole Kmet last year. Don’t miss out on an elite level prospect because you took a good one the year before. Pitts can play in multiple positions for the Bears and be the top weapon for Mitchell Trubisky. Pitts can be used almost like Darren Waller or Travis Kelce as a big receiver, he shouldn’t spend too much time inline anyways. Most likely losing star Allen Robinson this offseason, the Bears manage to luck into an elite weapon in Kyle Pitts. - Jacob Keppen
#21 Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR): Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
In this mock draft, the Jaguars have already locked up their quarterback for the future with the first overall pick, now they grab the anchor of one of the best offensive lines in the country last year in Liam Eichenberg. The 6'6" 302-pounder is not the most physically gifted prospect at his position, but he gets taken off the board here because he is one of the most NFL-ready. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn't allow a sack on almost 1,200 pass-blocking snaps in over two seasons with Notre Dame. A clean pocket and time to throw will do wonders for Lawrence’s development, making this pickup beneficial. - Ben Schwartz
#22 Indianapolis Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas
Anthony Castonzo has been a top-level tackle for years for the Colts. Now getting old and facing a bad ankle injury, the Colts should probably look for his eventual replacement. Samuel Cosmi will need a bit of time, but has great potential to be a top-level tackle. He’s big and can move really well. - Jacob Keppen
#23 Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Cleveland Browns are trending in the right direction, but there are still weaknesses within this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball at the linebacker position. Owusu-Koramoah would be the best linebacker on the roster coming into camp, and he will be able to add athleticism and physicality to the Browns defense. The 6'1" 215-pounder is the type of sideline-to-sideline player with an ultimate range that NFL clubs covet, and he's just as effective in pass coverage as he is at stopping the run. - Ben Schwartz
#24 Tennessee Titans: Joseph Ossai, EDGE Texas
The Tennessee Titans cannot get to the quarterback. They have only 19 total sacks this season. Harold Landry currently leads them with only 5.5 sacks this season. While Landry is talented, he needs another pass rusher alongside him. Joseph Ossai is a raw prospect with a ton of athleticism. He needs some refining, but has all the potential to be a playmaker off the edge for the Titans. - Jacob Keppen
#25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Patrick Jones, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay has a lot of high-priced veterans on their roster, not all of which can be kept. With one or both of Jason Pierre-Paul or Shaq Barrett leaving, the Bucs will need to rebuild their pass rush.
#26 Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
I am tired of Lamar Jackson not having a top weapon to rely on at receiver. Lamar needs an alpha dog receiver that makes big catches, and that is Rashod Bateman. Bateman is a great route runner that can make tough grabs and make magic with the ball in his hands. Lamar needs a go-to weapon, and that can be Bateman. - Jacob Keppen
#27 New York Jets (from SEA): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
It is difficult to believe that the Jets would not jump at the opportunity to reunite their future franchise quarterback with his top target from the last two years. While he does not possess game-breaking speed, Olave is arguably the best route runner in the entire draft and will be able to find holes in NFL defenses. Breshad Perriman is the only free agent wideout of note for the Jets, so Olave will be stepping into an experienced wide receiver room with the chance to make a big impact in year one. - Ben Schwartz
#28 Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB Alabama
Let’s have fun with this one. Over the last stretch of the season, the Steelers offense really looked extremely uninspiring. Ben Roethlisberger showed his age, and the running attack was not able to take over. Najee Harris is a dominant power back who can be the focus of the Steelers offense moving forward.
#29 New Orleans Saints: Jay Tufele, DL, USC
While the idea of picking up a receiver to eventually replace the aging and expensive Emmanuel Sanders is intriguing, I ultimately went defense for the Saints first-rounder because of the crazy depth at wide receiver in this year’s class. The potential departure of Sheldon Rankins in free agency could leave a hole up front for the Saints, and Tufele would be a great way to fill it. Tufele uses his powerful hands to defeat interior linemen inside and get to the QB, and is able to defeat blocks to stop the run. If Rankins stays, the Saints could definitely look to the outside for their first pick. - Ben Schwartz
#30 Buffalo Bills: Dylan Moses, LB Alabama
The Bills swing for the fences on another linebacker with Alabama’s Dylan Moses. Moses is a great athlete who can be a top tier outside linebacker in the future. Buffalo has two great linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, and here they add another potential big-time playmaker on defense. - Jacob Keppen
#31 Green Bay Packers: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The Green Bay Packers have not selected a wide receiver in the first round since 2002 when they selected Javon Walker. I think that trend breaks this year as the Packers look for a compliment to Devante Adams. While Moore is not a big receiver, standing at just 5’10’’, he is an explosive big-play threat with the potential to break a big gain anytime he touches the ball. Moore is a RAC monster, can give Aaron Rodgers more options on short routes, and has the potential to line up anywhere on the field. The Packers will jump on this versatility and give the aging Aaron Rodgers another option. - Ben Schwartz
#32 Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Davis, IOL Ohio State
Kadarius Toney was such a tempting pick here. Toney would be so much fun alongside Kelce and Hill. It would certainly be the fun pick. Kansas City made the fun pick last year with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now it’s time to make the right pick. The Chiefs struggle to run the ball, the interior line is not good. Wyatt Davis is the perfect fit for the Chiefs. He is a great zone guard that is phenomenal at reach blocking. He might not be the fun toy that Toney would be, rather he’s like getting a pair of new tires for the holidays, a smart and mature pick. - Jacob Keppen
By: Jacob Keppen & Ben Schwartz
