Jacob Keppen’s “What I Would Do” Mock Draft: Version 1

It’s never too early for a mock draft! We are five weeks into the NFL season, and there are clearly some fanbases already looking forward to the future. Whether you are a team currently sitting at 0-5 with a top two pick, or a 2-3 team with three top ten selections it is draft season all season here at ITH. This mock isn’t based on what I think teams will do this coming April, rather what I would do if I was suddenly in charge of all 32 teams.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon

The easy pick here is to just slot Alabama tackle Evan Neal here. The Jaguars have a bit of a question moving forward at left tackle, and I’m a big proponent of getting a franchise tackle for your young quarterback. 

After this weekend though, it’s clear that Jacksonville has a big problem outside of the line, this defense just looks defeated. Henry gashed the Jaguars for 130 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense looked downright defeated all game. Jacksonville is a mess right now, I have no idea what direction they are going in with this Urban Meyer saga. Kayvon Thibodeaux is the best player in the draft and will hopefully help turn this lackluster defense back into Sacksonville

2. Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Again… picking Evan Neal first overall would’ve made everything easier. Thibodeaux would easily slot into this Lions team as a standout stud on defense. Instead, we give Dan Campbell a defensive stud in a different position with Notre Dame super safety Kyle Hamilton. While I don’t believe Hamilton goes this early in April due to the value of safeties just not warranting a top selection for most teams in the league, Hamilton fully deserves to go this high. He’s a unicorn of a safety who has the size and athleticism to fulfill multiple roles on defense.

3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley, CB LSU

The Texans are a tough team to select for. If I’m the Texans, if I miss out on Thibodeaux I’m trying to trade back and gather more assets for this long-term rebuild. There’s an idea to go quarterback here, but I just don’t know if there’s one good enough to warrant third overall, at least not yet. If they stay at three, they just need to focus on getting talent on a pretty talentless roster. Derek Stingley has been a high-profile cornerback prospect for a while now, the Texans can start there.

4. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT Alabama

A lot of people are going to feel bad for the Jets now that they can’t draft Stingley, well don’t… they’re about to help out their offense a lot. Just imagine for a second, you are able to get a tackle who is 6’7 over 350 pounds, and is able to move? Sounds like a pretty dang great player to have huh? NOW IMAGINE TWO PLAYERS LIKE THAT! Evan Neal moved over to left tackle for this season to replace Alex Leatherwood, but he has experience at right tackle. The Jets offensive line is starting to build something nice, but they really do need another piece or two. In Neal, they have the big piece that they need.

5. Philadelphia Eagles: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan

Philly going defensive line again?! The fanbase might not love this pick, but it’s the pick they need. Philly is a team that always builds through the lines. The tackles are good and so is Josh Sweat, but Brandon Graham is 33 now out the season with an injury and Derek Barnett really hasn’t warranted a second contract, failing to record a sack since Week 11 of last season. Aidan Hutchinson has been one of the best players in college football and will continue to make Philly one of the most feared defensive lines in the league.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth, CB Clemson

You didn’t think I’d neglect the cornerback position for Philly, did you? Besides Darius Slay, the Eagles secondary is full of question marks. Steve Nelson has been hit and miss so far this season, and is only on a one-year contract. Andrew Booth has the athleticism and ball skills of a true #1 corner. Philly has their first taste of a lockdown corner in about a decade with Darius Slay,  Booth hopefully takes over the mantle from Slay.

7. New York Giants: Kenyon Green, IOL Texas A&M

That’s right! Interior lineman in the top ten! “But sir! Guards don’t go in the top 10!” DOESN’T MATTER! The Giants over the past two years have had a massive problem with their interior line. Saquon Barkley has struggled the past two years, and it’s not due to a lack of talent. A lot of times Barkley is being met in the backfield, no holes formed at all! Kenyon Green is a force of an interior lineman who should help their former #2 overall running back out a lot.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Demarvin Leal, DL Texas A&M

The Falcons might be the second hardest team to pick for in the top ten besides the Texans. Do you go for a quarterback here, letting them sit and learn behind Matt Ryan? Do you get a cornerback here, definitely is a valid option. I opted to go with Demarvin Leal to help Atlanta bolster their defensive line. Leal has dominated college football once again this year and is a versatile piece for Dean Pees’ defense. It might not be as sexy of a pick as a unicorn receiving tight end, but Leal is a really good player.

9. New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

For one the Patriots aren’t being mocked a quarterback in the first round! Now the easy pick is definitely at cornerback. The Pats just traded away Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson is in the last year of his deal. Even if they bring back Jackson, they could always have Elam as their second corner and have Jalen Mills be the heir to Devin McCourty’s spot at safety.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa

Yes, that’s right! TWO interior offensive linemen going in the top ten. Although he plays at a position that is seen as less valuable than others, Tyler Linderbaum is a top-five player in the 2022 NFL Draft Class. He has dominated college for two years now, using his great mobility and run blocking to keep Iowa’s offense humming. While the Eagles did draft Landon Dickerson in the second round last year, I’d keep Dickerson at guard and let Linderbaum be the heir apparent to Eagles great Jason Kelce. Linderbaum has a very similar play style to Jason Kelce. 

11. Miami Dolphins: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

The Dolphins are in a very weird position moving forward. Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t really proven to be the guy quite yet. Are they going to stick with Tua, are they going to make a trade this offseason? Either way, the Dolphins need more weapons. Will Fuller is on IR yet again, and Jaylen Waddle could use a good complementary receiver. Olave gets open and catches the football. He’s everything the Dolphins need at receiver.

12. New York Jets: George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue

The Jets need a standout pass rusher. Quinnen Williams has been really good the past two years, but the Jets need some pressure off the edge. George Karlaftis is a dynamic pass rusher from the Big Ten who can help bolster this Jets front seven. Karlaftis can win in multiple ways and reminds of Washington Football Team legend Ryan Kerrigan.

13. Washington Football Team: Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss

This team needs a quarterback. Washington can keep playing around all they want, trying to scrape together a quarterback who manages not to mess things up enough with a good team around them, but this team needs a quarterback. Taylor Heinicke has not shown any reason this year as to why he is the future quarterback for the nameless ones, and it’s time to stop playing around. You can argue the value of quarterback this year all you want, Washington has to pick a direction at the position very soon. Corral has been a revelation this year for Ole Miss and hopefully can better utilize Terry McLaurin and Co.

14. Minnesota Vikings: Sauce Gardner, CB Cincinnati

On paper, the Vikings cornerback position is pretty rough. Currently starting is Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland… less than ideal in 2021. Drafting cornerbacks has not been a strong suit for the Vikings the past few years, Cam Dantzler already looking like he’s on the way out of Minnesota. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has been one of the top corners in college football over the past three years, not allowing a single touchdown in his time with the Bearcats.

 

15. Pittsburgh: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio State

I want this to be a quarterback here. You want this to be a quarterback here. We all want this to be a quarterback. If you’ve watched Big Ben play football at all this season, it’s been unwatchable football… I just can’t pull the trigger on one here. There’s a good amount of speculation that Pittsburgh can bring in a big-time quarterback this offseason, and they need help on their line. Nicholas Petit-Frere is a player I’m higher on than most, I think he has the look of a potential franchise tackle with his size and athleticism. 

16. Kansas City Chiefs: Drake Jackson, EDGE USC

Kansas City’s defense is in trouble. They legitimately cannot stop anyone right now. I think one of the biggest problems is their lackluster pass rush. Frank Clark will most likely be gone this offseason, making it even more of a priority. Drake Jackson is an athletic edge rusher who can pair well next to Chris Jones.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Ikem Ekwonu, IOL NC State

The popular pick last season was to give Cincinnati an offensive tackle. The Bengals opted to stick with Jonah Williams, and it’s gone pretty well. Williams doesn’t allow really any pressure, I’m good with the Bengals left tackle situation. What the Bengals could use is a guard though. Ikem Ekwonu is one of the most fun players in college football, bulldozing defenders out of the way for his running backs. Joe Mixon will like this one. 

18. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State

The Saints need another wide receiver. We’re not really sure when Michael Thomas is going to come back, but when he does he needs another complementary receiver. Jameis Winston loves to throw it deep, and Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson is one of the best deep threats in the nation.

19. Tennessee Titans: Devin Lloyd, LB Utah

The Titans defense is in trouble. Currently, the Titans are allowing 26 points per game, 24th in the league. If they really want to compete with the powerful offense they’ve built, they need to improve that defense. Cornerback is intriguing here, but the Titans need to address their linebacker position moving forward. Both Rashan Evans and Harold Landry’s contracts are expiring this year, let’s give them a dynamic linebacker in Utah’s Devin Lloyd. Lloyd can do it all, able to make plays sideline to sideline and in coverage.

20. Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB Liberty

Malik Willis has a high ceiling… he’s a good ways away from that ceiling currently though. The traits of Willis jump off the chart upon inspection. He has a great arm and can get it done with his legs. He can make big plays and has all the potential in the world. He is coming from a very college-style offense that doesn't ask him to make many reads and has questions about his accuracy. He needs to sit and learn. The Broncos need a quarterback for the future and Teddy Bridgewater can teach Willis a lot. 

21. Carolina Panthers: Sean Rhyan, OL UCLA

Carolina needs a left tackle. We’ve been saying this for years now, it’s really nothing new. They thought maybe Greg Little would be the guy, but it was not to be. Little, a former second-round pick, is already on to a new team. Currently, the starting left tackle is Cam Erving. Sean Rhyan is a bit of a tweener, a tackle who can be viewed as a potential guard at the next level, but his tape is really good at tackle. He’s a good athlete with a lot of good tools.

22. New York Giants: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina

There is a temptation to give New York a receiver here. It’s tempting, but with the amount of money they gave Kenny Golladay and the ability to grab good receivers in the middle rounds I’m fine passing on one here. Azeez Ojulari has been good in his rookie season, but the Giants could use another pass rusher. Kingsley Enagbare is an athletic 3-4 edge rusher who can help the Giants pass rush.

23. Cleveland Browns: Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati

Myles Garrett is one of the best players in football. He’s a top-five defensive end and a perennial defensive player of the year candidate. Cleveland could use another defensive end, enter in Myjai Sanders. Sanders surprised many by returning for his senior season, and he’s improved! Sanders has great length and great effort and could be a good glue piece to that Cleveland defensive line.

24. Detroit Lions: Trent McDuffie, CB Washington

For Detroit, going wide receiver was very intriguing here. The allure of adding another defensive piece to this team is too good to pass up on though. I’m still holding out hope that Jeff Okudah can be the guy in Detroit, but it won’t hurt to add another talented corner. McDuffie is a smart corner with great instincts.

25. Las Vegas Raiders: Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia

Who knows what direction the Raiders are going to go in this offseason. With the rate things are going, I might legitimately be running the Raiders by the draft (Mark Davis I will link my resume below, let’s talk.) Jonathan Hankins is in the last year of his deal, and I believe Jordan Davis is the perfect replacement. Davis is a tank of a defensive tackle who fills up running lanes simply by existing.

26. Buffalo Bills: Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State

I really want just one more speedy option on this Bills offense. John Brown was the perfect receiver for Josh Allen, someone who could spread the field for the massive armed QB. Diggs is a phenomenal receiver, and Jahan Dotson would pair greatly with him. Dotson is one of the fastest players in the draft and can take the top off defenses.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Perrion Winfrey, IDL Oklahoma

There’s a trend with Bucs mock drafts to give them offensive line help, and I’m not really sure why. I feel as though since the moment Donovan Smith stepped foot into Tampa, draft fans have been trying to find his replacement. I know there’s a potential out in his contract, but since Tom Brady has arrived Donovan Smith has played really well. He’s off to his best start in his career and I wouldn’t be surprised if they stick with him. Ndamukong Suh is getting up there in age, and shouldn’t play forever (at least we think.) Perrion Winfrey is a disruptive defensive tackle who can eventually take over for Suh.

28. Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas

Who knows what is going to happen to the Packers this offseason. Is Aaron Rodgers coming back to Green Bay? Is Davante Adams coming back to Green Bay? WHO KNOWS! Let’s, for the sake, assume that Rodgers does come back. Whether or not Adams returns shouldn’t impact whether they bring in another weapon. Burks is a big target who can make some crazy catches down the field. He would be a great secondary weapon or eventual replacement for Adams.

29. Los Angeles Chargers: Adam Anderson, EDGE Georgia

It’s hard to find a ton of holes in this Chargers team. Immediately you want to peg a receiver for LA, but Mike Williams has been incredible this year. I think LA looks at a secondary pass rusher. Joey Bosa is amazing, but there really isn’t another big-time threat. Adam Anderson may not be a full-time defensive end, at least not at first, but he could definitely fulfill a Designated Pass Rusher role for the Chargers

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30. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Joseph, S Northwestern

Boy, don’t the Cowboys look good! Originally I wanted to give them a right tackle… but Terrence Steele has actually been a big surprise for the Cowboys this year. Maybe get another receiving weapon, but you can get that later in the draft. Trevon Diggs has been a revelation at corner this year for Dallas, let's get another stud in that backfield. Joseph is a good all-around safety who excels in coverage and has great ball skills.

31. Baltimore Ravens: Darian Kinnard, OL Kentucky

Darian Kinnard just feels like a Raven doesn’t he. I don’t know how to feel about Kinnard’s projection to tackle for most teams. For most teams, I think he’s best suited to be a mauling guard. If it doesn’t completely work out on the outside he can be a mauling guard for the Ravens. With how much Baltimore runs the ball, a tough run blocker of a lineman-like Kinnard could be a great replacement for right tackle Alejandro Villaneuva. 

32. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Jobe, CB Alabama

I see Arizona’s roster, I see a pretty sizable hole at cornerback. It’s not that there’s a lack of talent, Byron Murphy and Robert Alford are pretty good options, but they definitely aren’t the deepest at the position. Jobe is an experienced defensive back who can hopefully immediately contribute to a Cardinals team looking like a real Super Bowl contender.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen