Hello friends! It's the most wonderful time of the year... or it would be if there was actual sports going on. It would be baseball season, NHL and NBA playoffs, the Kentucky Derby, and the NFL Draft. Well, at least the Draft is still happening, even if it is via video conference. Make sure to boo Goodell as loud as you can. Maybe even tweet the video to him/NFL Network. I bet they will actually get a kick out of it. As we know from the past many years I have been doing this, I do not project trades. This is a combination of what I think will happen, and what I think teams should do based on their needs. So, no, I won't have my Skins trading back, or some team jumping into the Top 10 for a QB. The chips just fall where they may.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this year's Draft as much as possible. I know I will. I think the top of Round 1 this year is pretty predictable, but who knows what could happen before 8:00 PM ET on Thursday. Here we go- Cincinnati, you are on the clock!
Round 1
1. Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Pretty obvious pick. The Bengals get their QB of the future, who had one of the best college QB season ever on the way to a Heisman and a National Championship. Burrow is from Ohio, and has already had an effect on the franchise, almost forcing them to keep oft-injured superstar WR AJ Green. I think he will get some more help during this draft, that's for sure.
2. Washington Redskins- Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
So, I understand Chase Young is the best prospect according to everyone. I know Ron Rivera loves his defense. Would he be my pick based on needs? No. The Skins' D-line is actually pretty solid. The next guy would be my pick, or a big trade back. But, Ryan Kerrigan only has one year left on his contract, so Young could slot in immediately opposite Montez Sweat. And, you really don't pass on the consensus #1 prospect, especially when he is available at #2. So, no late drama. Save that for the middle rounds and if/when Trent Williams is traded.
3. Detroit Lions- Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Back-to-back Buckeyes! Okudah is the top corner in the draft, and an immediate starter after the Lions traded Darius Slay to the Eagles. He has amazing cover skills, and is already being compared to Patrick Peterson and Stephon Gillmore. This, btw, is why I want him in DC. Instead, Detroit gets him at 3, and they are thrilled.
4. NY Giants- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The first 3 picks are almost locks, barring a trade by Detroit. The Draft starts at #4, and I see the Giants making a huge addition to their OL. And I mean HUGE. Becton is 6'7, 364, a first team All-ACC honoree, and would be the perfect bookend to help protect franchise QB Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley
5. Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
There has been some talk about Miami trading up. There has been some talk about Miami preferring Justin Herbert. I don't buy any of it. The Dolphins organization tanked this season specifically to get Tua, so they will take Tua. He can sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick until they know he is 100% healthy and ready to go, and then he will take over.
6. Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Unless the Chargers were planning to enter a new season and a new stadium with Tyrod Taylor as their QB, they need to draft one. Herbert is the most physically-gifted QB in the Draft. He has size. He can move. He has a rocket arm. He is a four-year starter at Oregon. He is being compared to Carson Wentz but faced Pac-12 talent. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if some teams were thinking of him over Tua. In this care, Herbert falls to a west coast team, and has a chance to start right away.
7. Carolina Panthers- Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson
You may have thought that Joe Burrow was the most talented player on the field in the national championship. I'd argue it was Simmons, who made every possible play he could all year for the Tigers. He also put on a show at the Combine. For a team that is looking to replace the defensive playmaking abilities of Luke Kuechly, Simmons falling to 7 is the best case scenario.
8. Arizona Cardinals- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Wills is the top tackle prospect in the Draft. The only issue is that he has been a right tackle his whole career. That doesn't matter to the Cardinals, who need better pieces across the line to protect Kyler Murray. Wills is an easy pick, especially with Marcus Gilbert coming off an ACL tear.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars- Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Jags need help on their D-line. Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus are gone, and Yannick Ngakoue wants to leave. So, they make an easy choice and take the best D-lineman available. Brown has elite skills, and his FLOOR is a solidly good player. I bet he'll be closer to that All-Pro potential most scouts see in his future.
10. Cleveland Browns- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
I would have loved if the Browns traded a high pick for Trent Williams at some point. Instead, one of the top tackles falls to 10, and they are able to sure up their line. Maybe now that it will be fixed, Baker will be out of excuses? Probably not.
11. New York Jets- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The WR class this year is insanely deep, and yet there is no consensus #1. The Jets still have Jamison Crowder in the slot, but they lost Robby Anderson. Lamb did his damage from every WR spot, so he is the first WR gone.
12. Las Vegas Raiders- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Man, I really don't like typing "Las Vegas Raiders". Anyway, the former team from Oakland needs some weapons for Derek Carr (or whoever their QB will be..), and Jeudy may be the most talented WR in the draft. An excellent route runner, he will be the perfect weapon out of the slot for Gruden's offense.
13. San Francisco 49ers- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
WR RUN! Speaking of running, Ruggs is a total burner, and the 49ers need that kind of deep threat opposite Deebo Samuel. Plus, Emmanuel Sanders left, so it is a need for the defending NFC Champions.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
So, if you haven't heard, the Bucs have a new QB. They should probably draft some O-Line help to protect Tom Brady. This could also be fixed if they trade for Trent Williams also, but they should get a younger guy in case some of their veterans start breaking down. Thomas is in the discussion for top tackle in the draft, and is gone in the top 15.
15. Denver Broncos- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Drew Lock will send John Elway a big virtual hug for getting him another WR this early. Now, with Cortland Sutton, Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay, Noah Fant, and Jefferson, the Broncos have skill position players to keep up with the Chiefs... or at least try to.
16. Atlanta Falcons- CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
The Falcons seem to always need help on defense. CJ Henderson is the best CB available, and it is a position of need. He will be a quality starter Year 1, runs a sub-4.4 40, and has solid cover skills. If he improves his focus and tackling just a little, he can be every bit as good as Okudah.
17. Dallas Cowboys- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Cowboys have a fair number of holes to fill, but none of the best players available fit the immediate needs at center, edge rusher, or corner. However, they do have a need at safety. McKinney is a name on the rise, and it is very rare that Alabama defenders with 1st Round grades don't pan out.
18. Miami Dolphins- Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota
The Fins have holes everywhere, and they have a ton of pics. They have spent a pretty penny in free agency, but still have a need at safety. Antoine Winfield brings NFL pedigree, was extremely productive at Minnesota, and had an outstanding combine. He can anchor their secondary.
19. Las Vegas Raiders- Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
They added Maliek Collins, but only on a one-year deal. Kinlaw was a 1st-Team All American, and dominated at DT. He can plug into the center of that line and dominate for years.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars- K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
So, as we mentioned earlier, the Jags really need help along that D-line. The best edge rusher still on the board is available to them at #20. Chaisson can come in to help replace Calais Campbell's production, which is now in Baltimore.
21. Philadelphia Eagles- Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Eagles may want to look for more of a deep threat burner type WR with this pick, but I don't know how you pass up on Tee Higgins' talent. He can play all 3 WR positions. He is a huge red zone target, and a natural playmaker. NFL.com compares him to AJ Green. You wouldn't pass on a young AJ Green just cause he isn't the fastest guy available, right? Neither should the Eagles.
22. Minnesota Vikings- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs to the Bills for this pick (and others). That makes an immediate need for the Vikings at the WR spot. Aiyuk has gotten better every season, including from JUCO to the Pac-12. He can help take the pressure off of a healthy Adam Thielen.
23. New England Patriots- Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU
Not a QB? No, not a QB. I know, it is crazy, but isn't just like Belichik to want to prove he can win with anyone? And how do you do that? With defense. Plug Patrick Queen into that front seven. He is both a leader and a player in the mold of Thomas Davis, who can help to revitalize a sudden star-less Patriots squad.
24. New Orleans Saints- Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
The Saints don't have many holes to fill, so they can take the best player available for those few positions. The main one is middle linebacker, since Kiko Alonso is coming off his third ACL tear. They need some youth. Murray compares favorably to a Kwon Alexander type, so he would be a perfect fit.
25. Minnesota Vikings- AJ Epenesa, DE, Iowa
They need corners as well, and they have already added a WR, but the best player available is Epenesa, who fits a need off the edge now that Everson Griffin is gone. A 2nd-team All America, Epenesa has a Carlos Dunlap comp, and will be able to get after those NFC North QBs starting Game 1.
26. Miami Dolphins- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Well, they drafted a new QB, they might as well protect him. Jackson is the best LT available, having started the entire season at LT for the Trojans. He is also a good human being, having had surgery in the summer of 2019 to donate bone marrow to his younger sister. You can't help to root for a kid like that. The Dolphins improve their line and their culture with this pick.
27. Seattle Seahawks- Yentur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
Look, the Seahawks usually try to trade their first round pick. They have traded completely out of the 1st round 4 of the past 7 years. But I don't project trades, and they need to replace Jadeveon Clowney. Gross-Matos is the best DE available.
28. Baltimore Ravens- Cesar Ruiz, OC/G, Michigan
Ruiz played mainly center for Big Blue, but analysts seem to think he has the ability to play guard at the NFL level as well. That is good, because Marshall Yanda retired this offseason, so guard is a big need for the first time in years.
29. Tennessee Titans- Zach Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
A team who used a pounding rushing game, a mistake-free QB, and an amazing defense to make playoff waves adds another defensive weapon. Baun steps into the void left by Jurrell Casey, who was inexplicably traded for a 7th round pick after making his 5th consecutive Pro Bowl.
30. Green Bay Packers- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Stefon's little brother goes to the NFC North, but to a Vikings rival. The Packers will have chances to add offensive playmakers for Rodgers later, but also need to sure up their secondary. Diggs has size and speed, and could even play some free safety if needed.
31- San Francisco 49ers- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
The Niners already got their offensive weapon. Now they add a playmaker on defense. Johnson is a physical press corner with excellent ball skills and natural instincts. He could be the heri-apparent to Richard Sherman by the Bay.
32. Kansas City Chiefs- D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
It almost seems unfair to give the Chiefs more offensive weapons, doesn't it? But they do, adding the #1 RB in the class. Swift lives up to his name, and projects to be a young Frank Gore type, only possibly a better receiving threat out of the backfield. He projects to be a 3-down back if asked to be, and would just make the best team in football even better.
There is Round 1 and Day 1. I can't wait to see how right (or wrong) I am, and how trades will mess all of this up. Read more picks below, all the way through Round 7 and pick 255. Enjoy the Draft, my friends, and thank you for reading!
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