Even a global pandemic couldn't derail the NFL offseason, with the bulk of key free agency additions coming and going right on schedule last week. The new world order at QB saw the Buccaneers, Colts and Panthers address the top of their depth charts with some players you may have heard of (Philip Rivers, Teddy Bridgewater, some guy named Tom Brady), but there's still plenty left to do for every team if they want to win next year's Super Bowl, even (especially?) the defending champions.
In the mock draft below, you'll find six first-round trades I've predicted based on my draft pick value chart, which received a few tweaks recently to steepen the curve of value in the top 20. Those deals include a surprise team moving up to No. 3 for a quarterback, the 49ers celebrating the DeForest Buckner trade by moving way down the board, the Vikings getting aggressive with their enlarged pick cache and more.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The Bengals may be having trouble finding the right trade partner for Andy Dalton, but that shouldn't affect taking Burrow as the team's next franchise QB at all.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Young is about as valuable a non-QB prospect you're ever going to find, so I can't see Washington being satisfied with any trade offers to move down.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 3
While Gardner Minshew flashed as a rookie, I don't think he's locked in as the long-term QB. Having sold off veterans for a lot of draft capital, I can see the Jaguars packaging their two first-round picks (or one plus Yannick Ngakoue?) and kicking in No. 165 to beat a Miami offer for Tagovailoa, who would be the No. 1 pick in many drafts if the medicals check out.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Yes, the Giants need tackle help even after adding Cameron Fleming, but they can address the position at the top of the second round. There's no other prospect available like Simmons, who can be a versatile playmaker for the defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
With Tagovailoa off the board, the Dolphins could just take the next QB on their list here. But after all the free agency activity settled many QB situations, it makes more sense to grab an elite left tackle and then plan on taking either Justin Herbert or Jordan Love with their second pick, perhaps after a trade up.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Chargers appear to ready to roll with Tyrod Taylor in the short-term, but Herbert is a great option to bring in and develop into the team's new franchise QB to take over whenever ready.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Panthers found a potential franchise QB in Teddy Bridgewater, and I expect them to focus heavily on the defensive side in the draft. Here they get the best corner in the class as a worthy successor to James Bradberry.
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Mock Trade from
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 8
How about this? Rather than trade No. 39 and likely more draft capital to move up from No. 5, the Dolphins package No. 18 and 39 to send to an Arizona team that traded away its second-rounder, and Miami picks up a QB with exciting traits to develop behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. And they pick up a much better franchise left tackle at No. 5 in the trade-off as well.
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Mock Trade from
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 9
The Lions trade back with the Jaguars, pick up No. 20 and a mid-round pick plus this one, and get the top defensive tackle in this class, a player who could be a fit for them at No. 3 anyway. That's a big win for the Detroit front office.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
The Browns land a left tackle to pair with big free-agent signing Jack Conklin and give the offensive line the upgrade it desperately needs.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Jets have bigger needs after signing George Fant to play left tackle, but with the depth at the WR and CB positions in this class, it makes more sense to lock down the right side of the O-line with Wills, who has plenty of experience at right tackle and could be a backup plan for the blindside as well.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Raiders need to bring aboard a No. 1 receiver after the Antonio Brown addition crashed and burned, and the good news is they're perfectly positioned to get one here.
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Mock Trade from
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 13
The Ravens now have seven picks in the top 140, which gives them the ammo to make a bold move in the first round. Here, they ship No. 28, 55 and 106 to get all the way up to 13 and take arguably the top receiver in the draft, someone who fits as a perfect complement to Marquise Brown in the passing game.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The Bucs have landed the biggest fish on the QB market, and now it's important they strengthen the offensive line in order to keep Tom Brady on the field. There's a good chance they'll be able to take one of the top four tackles at this spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
While many are pegging the Broncos to take a WR here, the depth in the class plus the presence of a No. 1 option already on their roster in Courtland Sutton means they can wait until Day 2 for the position. A linebacker like Murray won't be available at their next pick however, and he also fills a huge need.
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Mock Trade from
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 16
The Vikings have a ton of draft capital after trading Stefon Diggs, so here they package No. 22, 89 and 132 to move up for a difference-maker at defensive tackle to play next to the newly-signed Michael Pierce.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Cowboys are thin at edge rusher after losing Robert Quinn, but here they're fortunate to have the second-best edge talent in the draft fall into their laps in Chaisson.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 18
The Cardinals trade back before making their first pick and still get a talented player to plug in at right tackle in Jones, who shined throughout the predraft process.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Raiders picked up Eli Apple already but they shouldn't stop there when it comes to addressing their needs at corner. Henderson would be an excellent value at 19 and should even garner consideration at No. 12.
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Mock Trade from
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 20
The Lions use the second first-rounder they acquired from the Jaguars in their trade down to bolster their talent at corner after dealing Darius Slay.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Sure, the Eagles could take a receiver here, but they'll still get a good one at No. 53 with the depth in the class. Even though LB is never a top focus for the franchise, they should jump at the chance to land one of the top linebackers in the class to address their biggest remaining need on defense.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 22
The Falcons move back six spots, pick up No. 89 and 132 to help with their effort to rebuild the defense and still land a quality cornerback despite two others coming off the board at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The depth at receiver causes a top-15 talent to fall into the Patriots' laps, and Ruggs will help stretch the defense for whomever is lining up at quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Saints must improve their depth at corner, and doing so in the first round gives them a talented player at the position who could start long-term.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Vikings moved up for a stud at defensive tackle earlier, and with their original first-rounder they can still land some talent at cornerback to help replace their losses.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
The Dolphins added Kyle Van Noy in free agency, and here they get a similar type player who can get after the passer but also handle off-ball duties. The Dolphins defense could be very good, very quickly.
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Mock Trade from
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 27
With the receiver run seemingly about to begin, the Colts trade No. 34 and No. 75 for this pick and No. 133 to hop the pack for the excellent Jefferson to complement T.Y. Hilton.
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Mock Trade from
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 - Pick 28
The 49ers moved all the way down from 13 to get two Day 2 picks from the Ravens, and rather than pick up someone from the top of the receiver market in the top 15 they get a quality player who won't wow you with his speed but does plenty else well enough to win.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
After trading away Jurrell Casey in a cost-cutting move, the Titans go out and fill that spot by taking Epenesa, who should be able to stand up to a role as a 3-4 end in the Titans defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Packers need to give Aaron Rodgers some better weapons to complement Davante Adams, and Shenault has a much higher ceiling than he's shown in the pre-draft process while hampered by an injury.
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Mock Trade from
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 31
McKinney is too good a talent to slip out of the first round, and he'd be the perfect fit to help the Buccaneers' secondary. They package their next two picks (No. 45 and 76) to get back into the first round for the versatile defensive back, and that leaves the 49ers with No. 45, 55, 76 and 106 after their two trades down.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Chiefs have a big need at cornerback, and even with several coming off the board in the back half of the first round, Igbinoghene represents a great find who can lock down one starting spot.
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