ITH Final Mock Draft: Draft Day
Well, this is it! NFL Draft day is nearly upon us and this year’s Draft is shaping up to be as exciting as any. In this no-trade, one-round mock draft, Jacob Keppen, and Ben Schwartz give their best predictions of what they see happening on Thursday night. For the final iteration of this mock draft series, Jacob Keppen will be selecting the odd-numbered picks and Ben Schwartz will be selecting the even-numbered picks.
Round 1
Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
Trevor Lawrence has been the pick for months now. Nothing is changing here right before the draft. Next pick. - Jacob Keppen
New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB BYU
The Jets have been locked into Wilson now for about a month, prompting them to trade Sam Darnold. Wilson’s accuracy, play-action skills, and ability to throw in a moving pocket make him an ideal scheme fit for New York. Now the Jets just have to set him up for success. - Ben Schwartz
San Francisco 49ers (via MIA, via HOU) - Trey Lance, QB NDSU
All signs point towards Trey Lance and Mac Jones being the front runners for the Niners pick. Lance is the better prospect with a lot more upside. Kyle Shannahan finally gets the quarterback he wants. - Jacob Keppen
Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
Pitts becomes an instant starter for the Falcons and a player that Arthur Smith can line up just about anywhere on the field. He is the second-best player in the Draft and is a piece that can be built around in the future. How are you going to cover all of the Falcons weapons? - Ben Schwartz
Cincinnati Bengals - Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
The biggest kept secret in this draft is that Joe Burrow wants his #1 wide receiver back. The Bengals oblige, looking to recreate the dynamic duo’s magic from their LSU days. - Jacob Keppen
Miami Dolphins (via PHI) - Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
The dreams of Miami landing Pitts or Chase died here, but this isn't a nightmare scenario. This could be Smith or Waddle, but Waddle is the right choice here because of his speed and explosiveness. Miami needs someone to stretch the field and be a big-play threat. - Ben Schwartz
Detroit Lions - Penei Sewell, OT Oregon
The Lions pretty much need help everywhere. The roster is brutal on both sides of the ball, with Detroit needing a true rebuild. When in doubt take a lineman. Sewell can play either side and be a great building block for the new Dan Campbell Lions. - Jacob Keppen
Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern
New GM Scott Fitterer commonly targeted athletic and somewhat undersized offensive tackles during his time in Seattle. Slater fits this mold exactly. Ultimately, the Panthers will likely look to trade out, and reports have shown that this possibility is becoming even more likely. - Ben Schwartz
Denver Broncos - Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
Yes, the Broncos have Drew Lock, but Drew Lock should not stop them from taking a great prospect in Justin Fields. Due to team needs and wants, Fields is slipping far too much in the draft. He will be greeted with a very high-level young supporting cast in the mile-high city. (Update: Although Denver traded for Teddy Bridgewater, I’m still sticking to this pick) - Jacob Keppen
Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama
If the draft falls this way the Cowboys will 100% be selecting a cornerback here at ten. At this point, it is 50/50 for which corner that will be, Surtain or Horn. Surtain II was tested early by teams, yet was able to punish opponents for doing so. - Ben Schwartz
New York Giants - Devonta Smith, WR Alabama
The Giants went out and got a true #1 receiver this offseason in Kenny Golladay, but they need a very good complementary #2 now. Devonta Smith will work well as a Z receiver, giving Daniel Jones an all-around playmaker and weapon. No more excuses for Danny Dimes now. - Jacob Keppen
Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA via SF) - Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina
The Eagles have had issues at the corner position for quite some time and Horn is as good of a solution as any. Horn is a fast, fluid athlete who plays with a confident, physical style. - Ben Schwartz
Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech
This has been the easy pick for months. Protect Justin Herbert! Christian Darrisaw is a high-caliber offensive tackle prospect that can keep Justin Herbert safe for a very long time. - Jacob Keppen
Minnesota Vikings - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL USC
The Vikings tend to lean towards defense, but Vera-Tucker is too good for a team with problems all over the offensive line to pass up on. Vera-Tucker provides great value with his positional versatility and can help the Vikings on opening day. - Ben Schwartz
New England Patriots - Mac Jones, QB Alabama
There have been rumors of the Patriots wanting their quarterback of the future all offseason, and they get it here in Mac Jones. Jones should provide stability for the Patriots and has a good amount of weapons who can do things after the catch like he did at Alabama. - Jacob Keppen
Arizona Cardinals - Greg Newsome, CB Northwestern
Newsome has the size (6-foot-1), speed (4.38 in the 40-yard dash), and ability to be the Cardinals' No. 1 cornerback of the future. He's versatile enough to seamlessly transition into Vance Joseph's scheme and is talented enough to see the field early in his rookie year. - Ben Schwartz
Las Vegas Raiders - Teven Jenkins, OT Oklahoma State
The Raiders pretty much forced themselves into this pick. They are without a right tackle after trading away Trent Brown this offseason. Teven Jenkins fits the Mayock-Gruden mold of players very well. - Jacob Keppen
Miami Dolphins - Micah Parsons, LB Penn State
Micah Parsons is the kind of player that Brian Flores will salivate over being able to add to his defense. It is hard to see Parsons falling this far, but if he does the Dolphins will be getting an alpha, playmaking linebacker to help anchor their defense. - Ben Schwartz
Washington Football Team - Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Washington has some pretty solid weapons now, Rashod Bateman will add the finishing touches to an offense on the rise. He can be the perfect secondary “get it done” receiver next to the explosive Terry McLaurin. He just complements McLaurin and the newly acquired Curtis Samuel so well. - Jacob Keppen
Chicago Bears - Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama
Chicago's offensive line has declined in recent years, so that should be addressed early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Given the run on tackles, the Bears could be pressured to address the position at this spot if none of the quarterbacks fall to them. Leatherwood is a good scheme fit for Chicago. - Ben Schwartz
Indianapolis Colts - Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame
I’ve made this pick about a thousand times, and I will do it a thousand more. You have to protect Carson Wentz. Anthony Castonzo retired, leaving big shoes to fill at left tackle. Stay in-state and take a day one ready tackle in Liam Eichenberg. - Jacob Keppen
Tennessee Titans - Elijah Moore, WR Ole Miss
After losing key offensive pieces this offseason, the Titans need to add another impact player. A.J. Brown’s former college teammate gives the Titans a reliable slot receiver to replace Adam Humphries. - Ben Schwartz
23. New York Jets (via SEA) - Jayson Oweh, EDGE Penn State
There are a ton of question marks with this year's edge rusher class. Jaelan Phillips and Azeez Ojulari both have medical red flags. Jayson Oweh offers athleticism unheard of before at the position and has extremely high upside on a team that needs a standout pass rusher. - Jacob Keppen
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris, RB Alabama
Linebackers were tempting but Pittsburgh has to fix a shoddy running game and the league consensus is Harris is special. Harris is a true three-down running back and can provide a spark for a Steelers team looking to get back on top of the AFC North. - Ben Schwartz
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) - Dillon Radunz, OT North Dakota State
Just like with Liam Eichenberg to Indianapolis, Dillon Radunz to the Jacksonville Jaguars is a pick I will make every time. Radunz can play inside first if needed, then take over the reins at left tackle and protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for the next decade. - Jacob Keppen
26. Cleveland Browns - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame
The linebacking corps was a weak spot for the Browns last year, so this is a position the front office could target early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Joe Woods will have big plans for how to apply this versatile and athletic linebacker. - Ben Schwartz
27. Baltimore Ravens - Sam Cosmi, OT Texas
Now that the Orlando Brown Jr. fiasco is behind them, the Ravens now need a right tackle. Sam Cosmi has experience at right tackle and is the best tackle prospect left on the board. - Jacob Keppen
28. New Orleans Saints - Trevon Moehrig, S TCU
The Saints lost Sheldon Rankins, so they could target an interior defensive lineman with this selection. However, safety and the secondary as a whole is a bigger need. Moehrig’s excellent coverage and ball skills will be a welcome addition in New Orleans - Ben Schwartz
29. Green Bay Packers - Pete Werner, LB Ohio State
The Green Bay Packers have a big problem at inside linebacker. On a very good team, that position just stands out like a black eye. Pete Werner has been receiving recent first-round buzz and out of all of the top linebacker prospects left, he’s the one best suited to play inside. - Jacob Keppen
30. Buffalo Bills - Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan
Clemson RB Travis Etienne was tough to pass up but GM Brandon Beane is thinking long-term here. Paye, who in all likelihood will not be available this far into the first round, is a high-upside edge rusher and fills arguably the Bills greatest positional need. - Ben Schwartz
31. Baltimore Ravens (via KC) - Terrace Marshall Jr, WR LSU
Forget about edge rushers, the Baltimore Ravens need to help out their quarterback. Every offseason the former MVP Lamar Jackson’s name is drug through the mud. Get him a #1 wide receiver. Marshall is a big-play threat who can be a late first-round star. - Jacob Keppen
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Barmore, DT Alabama
Defensive line makes a ton of sense here for the Buccaneers, but whether it is on the edge or the interior is anyone’s guess. The Buccaneers have few needs and can afford to get the best player available. Look out for a Barmore fall, however, after reports came out that he is a tough player to coach. - Ben Schwartz
Jacob Keppen
Ben Schwartz