Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Mock Draft Central




 




Is there anything worse than pouring your heart into a mock draft only to wake up the next day to see news that has completely blown it up ? Well thanks a lot Jags for continuing your off-season spending spree by extending Cam Robinson longterm! 

Do I dare create mock draft 2.0 ? Only if you Double Dare me.


1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travon Walker

After originally projecting Ekwonu here I will amend to Walker. Travon is 6'5" 272 and ran a 4.51 forty while adding a 35.5" vertical. As I write these stats I can't help, but picture Frank Caliendo's Mel Kiper impersonation. Just shaking his head and disagreeing with facts. Anyways, the facts are indisputable. Travon Walker is an absolute athletic freak with immense upside worthy of the 1st overall selection. 


2. Detroit Lions - Aiden Hutchinson 

This just feels right. Let Lions fans have something to cheer about.


3. Houston Texans - Evan Neal

I know the Texans have been linked to Derek Stingly. Well folks, we might just get to that shortly. For now they will take a future perennial pro bowler in Evan Neal.


4. New York Jets - Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner

Jets need a ton of help in the secondary. They gave up the 3rd most passing yards last season. As deep as this class is at WR they can afford to wait before adding a playmaker on offense.


5. New York Giants - Ikem Ekwonu

For the love of God please draft a lineman to help Saquon and give Daniel Jones a chance.


6. *TRADE* Houston Texans - Derek Stingly

The Carolina Panthers draft capital has been decimated. Yes they desperately need to find a franchise QB, but I'm not sure if they need to take one at 6 when they can potentially get their guy at 13. If the Texans truly want Stingly this move makes a lot of sense. He could fall to 13, but sometimes you just have to go get your guy. 

Texans trade picks 13, 37 and 170 for picks 6 137 and a future 5th


7. New York Giants - Kyle Hamilton

His draft stock has been sliding since his underwhelming 40 time, but this guy is a baller. He's one of the safest players in the draft. 


8. Atlanta Falcons - Jameson Williams

The Falcons are no strangers to Bama WRs. They have selected both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in previous first rounds. I get the worry about him potentially missing part of the season, but do the Falcons really expect to contend this year anyways ? Shouldn't matter. 


9. Seattle Seahawks - Kayvon Thibodaux 

Seattle needs pass rushing juice to help mask their secondary woes. With Stingly and Sauce gone why not take a guy who was in contention for the number 1 pick just a few months ago.


10. New York Jets - Garrett Wilson

The Jets rush to the podium with this pick. They struck out on trading for WRs. Unless they can convert a hail marry deal for Deebo I believe Wilson is their target. They want speed. Many mocks have London here, but I don't think he has the explosiveness the Jets are looking for.


11. Washington Commanders - Drake London

Washington has speed with Scary Terry, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. London would compliment this group very well and add a different element to their passing game and redzone offense.


12. *TRADE* New Orleans Saints - Kenny Pickett

After the slide down from the Panthers the Saints would love nothing more than leap right in front of their division rivals to not only get their guy but block the Panthers in the process.

Saints Trade picks 16 49 and 120 for picks 12 77 and 184


13. Carolina Panthers - Malik Willis

I think Pickett is their guy, but they will look to slide back and get him being content with Willis as a plan B.


14. Baltimore Ravens - Charles Cross

The Ravens are obviously built around Lamar Jackson and the run game. Cross will only help their philosophy thrive.


15. Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Olave

Olave is a dynamic deep threat. The Eagles desperately need a playmaker opposite of Devonta Smith.


16. Minnesota Vikings - Trent McDuffie 

The Vikings need help in the secondary. The value wasn't quite there at 12 with sauce and stingly gone. This makes more sense.


17. Los Angeles Chargers - Zion Johnson

The Chargers bolstered their pass rush with the off-season blockbuster deal for Mack. They could potentially go WR here, but adding another potential star on the O-line next to Slater seems like the right decision.


18. Philadelphia Eagles - Nakobe Dean

The Eagles need to come away with a WR and a LB early in this draft. Dean would provide much needed athleticism and upside at the LB position. 


19. New Orleans Saints - Trevor Penning

They traded up to get their guy now it's time to build around him.


20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordan Davis

They need to upgrade their O-line, and add depth in the secondary as well as their WR corp, but they have a huge void in run defense. The Steelers franchise needs a guy like Jordan Davis. They were uncharacteristically abysmal against the run last season and have to play in a division against Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb and the Ravens. Davis would be a match made in heaven.


21. New England Patriots - Devin Lloyd

A versatile LB to bolster the defense seems like a direction Belicheck would love to go in.


22. Green Bay Packers - Treylon Burks

Will this finally be the year the Packers draft a QB in the first round ? Has to be right? Burks has the traits to be a number 1 WR. I'm not worried about his underwhelming 40 time. He carries his pads well and is still   dynamic with the ball in his hands.


23. Arizona Cardinals - Jermaine Johnson

The Cardinals could look to add a dynamic WR here, but Johnson sliding is too good to pass up after the loss of Chandler Jones


24. Dallas Cowboys -  George Karlaftis

Will Jerry Jones just take a WR anyways ? Probably, but they could use offensive line and pass rush help much more. Karlaftis fills the void left by Randy Gregory's bizzare FA exit. He scored a pass rush grade over 90 by PFF


25. *TRADE* Kansas City Cheifs - Christian Watson 

The Cheifs have 12 picks in this draft and have a huge void to fill to replace Hill. Watson has elite size and speed (6'4" 4.36 forty 38.5" vert). KC would be wise to be aggressive to lock up their guy by leaping GB and Tennessee. 

KC trades picks 29 and 94 for picks 25 and 130


26. Tennessee Titans - Devontae Wyatt

Titans could look to trade back here, but I think the D-Line talent still left is too tempting to pass up.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  - Kenyon Green

A versatile Offensive lineman to help protect Brady in what might be his last dance.


28. Green Bay Packers  - Skyy Moore

Wait now the Packers take 2 WRs ?? Seems blasphemous, but something they probably need to do. They locked up an Alpha Anquan Bolden type with Treylon Burks and now can add a burner (4.41 forty) to go with him. Rodgers won't complain.


29. Buffalo Bills - Breece Hall

Offense complete. This is the missing piece that could put them over the top and into the Super Bowl.


30. Kansas City Cheifs  - Boye Mafe

The Cheifs need to load up on defense after doing what it takes to add a dynamic WR. Mafe lead senior bowl practices in pass rush grades according to PFF.


31. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Linderbaum

The clear cut center in this class ends his slide here. The Bengals passed on addressing offensive line needs last year and hit a home run in the process. This year they might just strike gold on the O-line


32. Detroit Lions - Desmond Ridder

They pick again at 34. If they want to take a QB here why not ?





ROUND 2


Let's get down to the nitty gritty



33. Jacksonville Jaguars - George Pickens

Reports have Pickens sliding "deep" on day 2, but he's a potential alpha to pair with Christian Kirk. Give Lawrence all the help you can.


34. Detroit Lions  - Jahan Dotson 

The Lions have 5 picks in the top 100. They will take at least 1 WR in that span. Dotson is a first round talent.


35. New York Jets - Nik Bonitto

Saleh adds another playmaker on defense. Bonitto earned pass rush grades above 92 in each of the last 2 seasons.


36. New York Giants  - Arnold Ebiketie

After foregoing pass rush help in the top ten they address it here with a productive college edge rusher.


37. Carolina Panthers - Tyler Smith

I stick to the narrative. Draft a QB. Draft a protection plan.


38. New York Jets - Bernhard Raimann

Maybe they continue to add defensive help, but their o-line needs upgrading as well. Raimann only allowed 10 pressures all of last season. 


39. Chicago Bears - Alec Pierce 

6'3" with 4.41 wheels Pierce makes for a great addition to the Bears that just lost Allen Robinson. 


40. Seattle Seahawks  - Andrew Booth Jr

The hawks gave up the 2nd most passing yards in the league last season. They should probably add some DBs.


41. Seattle Seahawks  - Kaiir Elam

The hawks need more than 1 DB to fix their atrocious secondary.


42. Indianapolis Colts - Wan'Dale Robinson 

The Colts have a major receiving void after Michael Pittman. Wan'Dale would be a great compliment. He graded out as PFF 3rd best WR out of 207 qualifiers last season. He ran 72% of his routes from the slot. He can help squeeze out all the football Matt Ryan has left. Just look at this little guy go!


43. Atlanta Falcons - Sam Howell

The Falcons have said they will come away from this draft with a QB. Howell took a step back as a passer after losing many of his weapons from his 2020 campaign. He did however show another element to his game by rushing for over 1000 yards and breaking 63 tackles.


44. Cleveland Browns - David Ojabo

The Browns might be able to bring back Clowney, but either way this makes for a great pick.


45. Baltimore Ravens  - Travis Jones

The Ravens have 7 picks between round 3-4. They have the luxury of drafting best available.


46. Minnesota Vikings - Lewis Cine

They addressed their corner need in the first round now they get safety help. Cine is yet another talented Georgia Bulldog to come off the board. 


47. Washington Commanders  - Daxton Hill

Hill is 6'0" with 4.38 speed. A much needed athlete who can play in the slot for a team that gave up the 4th most passing yards last season on 7.6 ypa


48. Chicago Bears  - Abraham Lucas

After adding a weapon for Justin Fields earlier it's time to improve his protection. Lucas played for a pass heavy team. He saw just under 2200 pass blocking snaps in his career. His experience should provide a much needed boost on the O-line. 


49. Minnesota Vikings  - John Mechie III

Kevin O'Connell is likely going to want to bring in another WR early on in this draft. Thielen has already shown signs of breaking down. Mechie would be a great replacement as a polished route runner.


50. Kansas City  - Jaquan Brisker

KC has a big safety void to fill with the honey badger out. Brisker posted a coverage grade of 89.5 this past season.


51. Philadelphia Eagles  - Josh Paschal

Paschal is an edge rusher who stands 6'3" 278 and can absolutely stuff the run.


52. Pittsburgh Steelers  - Jalen Pitre

The Steelers still needs to add a WR, but with guys like Metchie and Wan'Dale gone taking a corner like Pitre is a no brainer. He can fill their slot coverage void still left from the loss of Mike Hilton. Pitre has great instincts and playmaking ability. See here


53. Green Bay Packers  - Trey McBride

I know what you're thinking. There's no way the Packers draft 2 WRs AND a TE. Hear me out. The Packers are bereft of receiving talent. They are rumored to be trying to trade for Darren Waller. That's not going to happen. With Aaron Rodgers now locked into the Packers for life they have no choice, but to go all in. McBride is the top TE of this class and would help the Packers pass game immensely.


54. New England Patriots - Kyler Gordon

Gordon is a versatile corner Belicheck can use in different packages


55. Arizona Cardinals  - Kenneth Walker III

The Cardinals resigned Conner to a 3 year deal, but they lost Chase Edmonds. Conner was a revelation last season, but history shows he can't hold up to a full workload for an entire season. Walker lead the nation with 89 broken tackles last season. Walker would add dynamic playmaking ability and form a great duo with Conner.


56. Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Tolbert

Ok Jerry, I know you can't help yourself. Here's a 6'1" wide out with sub 4.5 speed. Tolbert ranked 5th last season in deep receptions.


57. Buffalo Bills  - Rodger McCreary 

The Bills lost Levi Wallace in free agency and Tre'Davious White is returning from an ACL tear. Adding a corner early should be a priority. 


58. Atlanta Falcons  -  Dameon Pierce 

First they landed the WR. Then they took the QB. Now they complete the triplets with the RB. Pierce broke a tackle on 39% of his carries last season en route to landing the top rushing grade by PFF.


59. Green Bay Packers - Kingsley Enagbare

After loading up on offense with their first 3 picks the Packers can now turn to defense.


60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  - James Cook

Cook is a versatile RB made for today's NFL with great hands quickness and speed. His 4.42 forty time was faster than his brothers. Cook is essentially Dalvin, minus about 15 lbs but with more speed. I'm sure Brady can think of ways to use him.


61. San Francisco 49ers - Nick Cross

Cross is 212 lbs with 4.34 speed. His size and range combination is a steal at this point.


62. Kansas City Cheifs  - Quay Walker

They can't get enough defensive pieces. 


63. Cincinnati Bengals  - Cam Taylor-Britt

After Eli Apple broke the internet from his bad play the Bengals should probably add a DB relatively early.


64. Denver Broncos - Zach Tom

With their first pick it might be a good idea to help protect Russell Wilson. Tom scored the highest pass blocking grade last season.







2022 NFL Mock Draft

 




It's that time of year! The time to put a mock draft together and attempt to project what unpredictable NFL franchise's will do after 1 evening of "research". This year feels particularly difficult with no clear top pick or top QB. Will I get any picks correct ? Probably not, but here I go nonetheless.



1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ikem Ekwonu

Doug Pederson wants to invest in offense. As a franchise who's future is ride or die with Trevor Lawrence, it's probably a good idea to draft a protection plan.


2. Detroit Lions - Aiden Hutchinson 

This just feels right. Let Lions fans have something to cheer about.


3. Houston Texans - Travon Walker

Texans have been linked to Derek Stingly. Well folks we might just get to that shortly.


4. New York Jets - Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner

Jets need a ton of help in the secondary. They gave up the 3rd most passing yards last season. As deep as this class is at WR they can afford to wait before adding a playmaker on offense.


5. New York Giants - Evan Neal

For the love of God please draft a lineman to help Saquon and give Daniel Jones a chance.

6. *TRADE* Houston Texans - Derek Stingly

The Carolina Panthers draft capital has been decimated. Yes they desperately need to find a franchise QB, but I'm not sure if they need to take one at 6 when they can potentially get their guy at 13. If the Texans truly want Stingly this move makes a lot of sense. He could fall to 13, but sometimes you just have to go get your guy. 

Texans trade picks 13, 37 and 170 for picks 6 137 and a future 5th


7. New York Giants - Kyle Hamilton

His draft stock has been sliding since his underwhelming 40 time, but this guy is a baller. He's one of the safest players in the draft. 


8. Atlanta Falcons - Jameson Williams

The Falcons are no strangers to Bama WRs. They have selected both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in previous first rounds. I get the worry about him potentially missing part of the season, but do the Falcons really expect to contend this year anyways ? Shouldn't matter.


9. Seattle Seahawks - Kayvon Thibodaux 

Seattle needs pass rushing juice. Why not take a guy who was in contention for the number 1 pick just a few months ago.


10. New York Jets - Garrett Wilson

The Jets rush to the podium with this pick. They struck out on trading for WRs. Unless they can convert a hail marry deal for Deebo I believe Wilson is their target. They want speed. Many mocks have London here, but I don't think he has the explosiveness the Jets are looking for.


11. Washington Commanders - Drake London

Washington has speed with Scary Terry, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. London would compliment this group very well and add a different element to their passing game and redzone offense.


12. *TRADE* New Orleans Saints - Kenny Pickett

After the slide down from the Panthers the Saints would love nothing more than leap right in front of their division rivals to not only get their guy but block the Panthers in the process.

Saints Trade picks 16 49 and 120 for picks 12 77 and 184


13. Carolina Panthers - Malik Willis

I think Pickett is their guy, but they will look to slide back and get him being content with Willis as a plan B.


14. Baltimore Ravens - Charles Cross

The Ravens are obviously built around Lamar Jackson and the run game. Cross will only help their philosophy thrive.


15. Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Olave

Olave is a dynamic deep threat. The Eagles desperately need a playmaker opposite of Devonta Smith.


16. Minnesota Vikings - Trent McDuffie 

The Vikings need help in the secondary. The value wasn't quite there at 12 with sauce and stingly gone. This makes more sense.


17. Los Angeles Chargers - Zion Johnson

The Chargers bolstered their pass rush with the off-season blockbuster deal for Mack. They could potentially go WR here, but adding another potential star on the O-line next to Slater seems like the right decision.


18. Philadelphia Eagles - Nakobe Dean

The Eagles need to come away with a WR and a LB early in this draft. Dean would provide much needed athleticism and upside at the LB position. 


19. New Orleans Saints - Trevor Penning

They traded up to get their guy now it's time to build around him.


20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordan Davis

They need to upgrade their O-line, and add depth in the secondary as well as their WR corp, but they have a huge void in run defense. The Steelers franchise needs a guy like Jordan Davis. They were uncharacteristically abysmal against the run last season and have to play in a division against Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb and the Ravens. Davis would be a match made in heaven.


21. New England Patriots - Devin Lloyd

A versatile LB to bolster the defense seems like a direction Belicheck would love to go in.


22. Green Bay Packers - Treylon Burks

Will this finally be the year the Packers draft a QB in the first round ? Has to be right? Burks has the traits to be a number 1 WR. I'm not worried about his underwhelming 40 time. He carries his pads well and is still dynamic with the ball in his hands.


23. Arizona Cardinals - Jermaine Johnson

The Cardinals could look to add a dynamic WR here, but Johnson sliding is too good to pass up after the loss of Chandler Jones


24. Dallas Cowboys -  George Karlaftis

Will Jerry Jones just take a WR anyways ? Probably, but they could use offensive line and pass rush help much more.


25. *TRADE* Kansas City Cheifs - Christian Watson 

The Cheifs have 12 picks in this draft and have a huge void to fill to replace Hill. Watson has elite size and speed (6'4" 4.36 forty 38.5" vert). KC would be wise to be aggressive to lock up their guy by leaping GB and Tennessee. 

KC trades picks 29 and 94 for picks 25 and 130


26. Tennessee Titans - Devontae Wyatt

Titans could look to trade back here, but I think the D-Line talent still left is too tempting to pass up.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  - Kenyon Green

A versatile Offensive lineman to help protect Brady in what might be his last dance.


28. Green Bay Packers  - Skyy Moore

Wait now the Packers take 2 WRs ?? Seems blasphemous, but something they probably need to do. They locked up an Alpha Anquan Bolden type with Treylon Burks and now can add a burner (4.41 forty) to go with him. Rodgers won't complain.


29. Buffalo Bills - Breece Hall

Offense complete. This is the missing piece that could put them over the top and into the Super Bowl.


30. Kansas City Cheifs  - Boye Mafe

The Cheifs need to load up on defense after doing what it takes to add a dynamic WR. Mafe lead senior bowl practices in pass rush grades according to PFF.


31. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Linderbaum

The clear cut center in this class ends his slide here. The Bengals passed on addressing offensive line needs last year and hit a home run in the process. This year they might just strike gold on the O-line


32. Detroit Lions - Desmond Ridder

They pick again at 34. If they want to take a QB here why not ?