It sure looks like the Jets, Jaguars and Bengals will end up with the first three picks -- and there's really no mystery what they'll likely do; New York and Jacksonville desperately need quarterbacks while Cincinnati desperately needs to protect its current franchise QB, Joe Burrow (who, incidentally, saw his season end with an ACL injury).
After that, however, things get interesting; the Chargers, who have needs along the offensive line, at edge rusher and in the secondary, instead use the No. 4 pick on ... a tight end. Meanwhile, Mac Jones might end up being this year's Daniel Jones. Not in terms of his play on the field but because NFL teams may end up liking him more than media folks and Draft Twitter. For the record: we really like Jones and wouldn't be surprised if he's the third QB off the board and eventually finds his way into the top 10.
Keep reading to see how the rest of the first round unfolds. And remember, the draft order is based on team record, strength of schedule and the subsequent tiebreakers.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
We're at the point in the proceedings where Jets fans would be very angry if the Jets actually won a game this season. Trevor Lawrence is the future and the only way to guarantee that is to remain winless.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Justin Fields isn't a bad consolation prize but he's not at the same level of Lawrence, at least not yet. Some eyebrows were raised around the league after a subpar performance against Indiana a few weeks ago, but there's still a lot to like about Fields' game.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
Without Burrow, the Bengals might be the NFL's worst team -- and yes, we know the Jets are still in the league. And as long as they're picking in this spot we're going to pencil in Sewell, the best offensive lineman in the class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
This seems insanely high for a tight end but what if Pitts is the best pass catcher in this draft (and he is)? And if you agree with that, why not give Justin Herbert another weapon, especially since Hunter Henry is currently playing on the franchise tag.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
The Cowboys would love to trade down (they're not taking a QB here unless something drastically changes) but for now we have them upgrading their offensive line with Slater, who was dominant at left tackle but can also play guard or center.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
We're going to be saying this until draft night: the NFL is higher on Mac Jones than the media and by the time it's all said and done he could find himself a top-10 pick. He's played at a high level each week and while he's a traditional pocket passer there will be a market for his services from plenty of QB-needy teams.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Matt Ryan is still a top-15 QB but he's on the downside of a great career. And if the Falcons like Zach Wilson, who has been so much fun to watch in 2020, they could draft him with designs of giving him the starting gig in 2021 while letting Ryan serve as the bridge quarterback.
| |||
From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 8
DeVante Parker has been a reliable target this season but there's not much depth behind him. Ja'Marr Chase is a legit No. 1 and his presence would give Tua another downfield go-to threat.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
NFL teams will tell you they're concerned by some players choosing to opt out. Farley isn't one of those players. He was one of the best defensive backs in the country in 2019 and he didn't even know it. He's only going to get better once he gets to the NFL.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
The Giants defense has come to life in recent weeks, thanks in large part to defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. But the unit needs to improve its pass rush and Paye, who is an athletic marvel, fits exactly what the team needs along the D-line.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
Parsons opted out but he's another player who didn't hurt his draft stock by doing so. He might end up being the best standup linebacker to come out in the last 4-5 years.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Surtain, whose dad played DB in the league, has been the best cornerback on Alabama's roster the last two seasons. He's a physical playmaker who would immediately bolster Denver's secondary.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Horn opted out a few weeks ago to prepare for the NFL. His dad is Joe Horn, so he has NFL bloodlines. A physical, playmaking CB, Horn adds depth to a team that will have five cornerbacks headed for unrestricted free agency (including Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett) and two more as exclusive rights free agents.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Vikings have needs along the interior offensive line and Davis is a road grader.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Yes, Mitchell Trubisky is coming off a great game but the Bears have little to play for and it's hard to imagine the team gives him a long-term deal. Which means it's on to the next franchise QB. Trey Lance is a strong-armed, athletic QB who comes from FCS North Dakota State and he'll need time to grow into the job.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Waddle is a high-upside speed demon who is also a threat in the return game. The Patriots desperately need to get better at wideout and Waddle solves that problem on Day 1.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
Oweh doesn't yet know how good he is and we could be looking back in several years and wonder how he wasn't drafted higher. The Raiders' defense is a mess and they have to get better at getting after the QB.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
Smith's only issue is that he weighs 175 pounds. He plays like the toughest wideout in college football but teams concerned by his durability may lead to him sliding a bit in Round 1.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Darrisaw has tons of athleticism but he needs to play with more consistency. When he's on point he's special, though some NFL teams may view him as a guard.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 20
Ossai has a non-stop motor and regularly finds himself in the backfield either disrupting the run game or harassing the QB.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Collins is a 260-pound linebacker -- a throwback in terms of measurables -- who moves like Roquan Smith or Devin White. He also has a nose for the ball, with two pick-sixes during the '20 campaign.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
Cosmi is a solid left tackle who protected Sam Ehlinger at Texas. In Tampa he would give the Bucs some much-needed depth along the offensive line.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
Kendrick is still learning the position but his instincts and his physical gifts make him an intriguing prospect.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Rousseau racked up 15.5 sacks last season but opted out in 2020. He's new to the position and the question is whether he can come close to replicating that type of production at the next level.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 25
The Jets will need to protect their new franchise QB and Vera-Tucker, who shined at guard last season, has moved to LT this season for the Trojans, and his versatility might be his best asset.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 26
Mayfield needs to improve his anchor and some teams will wonder if his short arms could necessitate a move to guard, but he has the ability to be a quality NFL starter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
The Browns have battled injuries this season, especially on defense but even when they're healthy the defensive line could use some depth. Adding an interior presence like Tufele will only make an already young and physical defense even more so.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Owusu-Koramoah is a tweener, which is why some NFL teams view him as a safety and not a linebacker. Above all else, he's an athlete and Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier will find ways to get him on the field.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Campbell is a long cornerback who can match up against an NFL team's No. 1 wideout. He's still learning the position, which means his best football is still in front of him.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Basham is a physical freak. Consistency will be the key to his success but he has all the physical tools to dominate.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Bateman isn't flashy but he just makes plays. And in the Saints offense he could have immediate success.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Bolton is a hard-hitting middle-of-the-field spark plug with sideline-to-sideline speed.
|
