Finally, it's time for mock drafts to matter. (Assuming we have a draft! We can all hope.) Free agency has begun and most of the big names are off the board -- this dramatically changes everything we know about mocks and the draft approach from teams. This is especially true in "weird" years, like the 2011 lockout offseason or the 2020 coronavirus offseason.Â
Take the Jets for example: they were widely projected to get an offensive lineman for weeks/months in mock drafts. And then they went out and signed a bunch of offensive linemen! That doesn't prevent them from drafting another lineman if he's the best player on the board, but I think there's a really good chance the Jets look at adding an offensive weapon for Sam Darnold instead.Â
So who would make sense? Well you'll need to scroll down (or scroll up) ... actually I'll just tell you, it's Jerry Jeudy. And to me, the Jets taking him at 11 would create a potentially crazy run on wide receivers during the first round. We thought some of these guys might drop, but I'm getting the sense we could see a bunch in the first round.Â
All right, let's get to it.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
There's no reason to think the Bengals will go in a different direction here other than Burrow.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The sense I get is the Redskins would love to bluff someone into coming up for Tua, but no one will be willing to give them the requisite picks (aka the RG3 package) to do so. Standing pat and taking Young is plenty fine.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Do-it-all linebacker/safety hybrid makes a lot of sense for a Bill Belichick protege like Matt Patricia to draft. That would be one thing about the Lions' offseason that makes sense, so that's good.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
It is NOT hard to picture Dave Gettleman fawning over the "rhair" (rare) physical traits and athleticism that Becton possesses. The Giants also need help on the offensive line and Gettleman has spent free agency addressing the defense primarily.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Tua's draft stock is in flux with people wondering about his health status, and the coronavirus situation probably isn't helping him much in terms of being able to prove he's healthy in person. That could benefit the Dolphins by allowing them to sit back and land him with the fifth overall pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Chargers are really going to just roll with Tyrod Taylor as their only option at quarterback? Come on. They're gonna dive in during the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
No clue what the Panthers are doing but I think they would be fine snaring one of the draft's top prospects at No. 7 overall.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
With the Cards landing DeAndre Hopkins via trade they don't need to worry about grabbing a wideout here and can focus on improving the offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Jags are clearly rebooting so there's no need to pigeonhole them with a particular position here. Give them the best player on the board.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
The Browns have had a very impressive offseason so far -- adding more protection for Baker Mayfield should be paramount.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Jets could definitely still go offensive line here, but I think their free agency plan is setting them up to give Sam Darnold some weaponry, especially considering the likely departure of Robby Anderson.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Jets going with a WR at 11 could potentially spark a run that people haven't suggested could come. Lamb makes a world of sense in Jon Gruden's offense.
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 From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 13
The 49ers landed this choice draft pick in the DeForest Buckner trade but they're pretty good at DL so why not grab a potential Joe Staley replacement instead?
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 Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 - Pick 14
Yes, the Raiders already got Marcus Mariota and they have Derek Carr, but I don't think Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden are satisfied yet. There's not an ideal guy for Tampa at 14, so they make sense as a trade down partner here.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Broncos could use one more weapon alongside Courtland Sutton to really put this offense in a position to help Drew Lock in 2020.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Atlanta's always in the market for a pass rusher and should absolutely be looking for help on defense heading into this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Losing Byron Jones in free agency is a pretty big blow for this defense. Adding a star cornerback in the draft could go a long way to mitigate the damage.
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 From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
I'm not sure the Dolphins will be obsessed with landing any particular player or position, rather just getting the best players they can find. Kinlaw and Christian Wilkins on the interior would be outstanding.
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 Mock Trade from
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Bucs have to improve the offensive line with Tom Brady in the fold. Another trade down could even make sense, but Jones is rising in this draft process.
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 From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
I love a good spite pick, and this would be a prime spite selection if the Jaguars added a cornerback with the pick they got from the Jalen Ramsey trade.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Wouldn't rule out a trade down here, but the Eagles want to improve the wide receiver position and Jefferson isn't going to sit on the board forever.
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 From
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 22
Adding a cornerback will definitely be a priority for Minnesota but they can wait a few picks with the options on the board. Here, they focus on replacing Everson Griffin and/or improving their defensive line and getting better against the run.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Duron Harmon was sent packing so the Patriots could very well choose to beef up their secondary here, although everything feels up in flux with New England choosing not to add to the quarterback position yet, outside of Jarrett Stidham.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Saints adding another stud defensive player in this draft still makes a lot of sense to me. This is a roster also looking for depth -- an offensive lineman wouldn't be a surprise either.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Vikings not only love drafting cornerbacks but they actually need to draft a cornerback now. No one's better at finding talent there than Mike Zimmer.
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 From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
The Dolphins are just loading up on the defensive line in this draft and I don't mind it one little bit, especially with what they've done on the secondary. If this defense is suddenly GREAT, Miami could end up being frisky in 2020.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Explosive EDGE type of defender makes sense especially since we don't know what will happen with Jadeveon Clowney just yet.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Ravens have a loaded roster and I think they'll go best player available here -- grabbing a stud WR who fell because of injury feels like a fun thing to do in order to help out Lamar Jackson.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
With Jack Conklin departing, the Titans need to shore up the depth and talent on their offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Packers need to add another piece at receiver for Aaron Rodgers and this is a good draft to do it.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Would Kyle Shanahan take a running back this early? Maybe he would for an explosive player like Dobbins who would fit nicely in terms of pass catching and explosive one-cut runs.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
I don't know what to give the Chiefs in this draft. I do know they would probably consider trading out of the spot, but that they also could use some running back depth. Damien Williams has been a revelation in KC, but there's nothing wrong with more talent in an Andy Reid offense.
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