This is Mock Draft Version 20, if you're keeping track, but it's the first one to include trades. So let's get crazy. The first four picks are all quarterbacks, the Panthers trade up from No. 8 to No. 3 to grab Justin Fields, and the Falcons land Mac Jones a selection later.
Meanwhile, the Steelers, who traded up to the 10th spot in 2019 for linebacker Devin Bush, trade up to No. 10 again, this time for quarterback Trey Lance, who can sit for a year behind Ben Roethlisberger before taking over the job in 2022.
In case you're wondering -- and we're guessing you are -- here are the mock draft trades for the teams involved:
- Panthers get No. 3 pick, Dolphins get picks 8, 39, 104.
- Steelers get No. 10 pick, Cowboys get picks 24, 55, and 2022 first rounder.
Keep reading to see how the rest of the first round unfolds.
Round 1 - Pick 1
Urban Meyer is now the Jags' new head coach and it's only a matter of time before Trevor Lawrence joins him in Jacksonville. And before you ask, no, there's no way -- none -- that Meyer thinks about Ohio State QB Justin Fields here.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
This could just be a placeholder until the Jets send the pick to Houston in a deal for Deshaun Watson, but for now, New York targets Zach Wilson as its next franchise quarterback. Ideally (again, assuming Watson isn't in the plans), the Jets' best option would be to a) trade down or b) target an offensive lineman like Penei Sewell. But QB-needy teams fall in love all the time and it's a stretch to think that Sam Darnold will magically elevate every aspect of his game in 2021.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 3
The Panthers can lean on Teddy Bridgewater for one more season, which is best-case scenario for Fields, who has a chance to be special but isn't yet ready to be an NFL starter.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
NFL teams seem to like Jones more than media folks so this may seem way too high for the Alabama QB. While he's no real threat to run, he does everything else at a high level. Matt Ryan will be back for the '21 season for the Falcons and Jones can take over in Year 2.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
This would make the Bengals -- and Joe Burrow -- incredibly happy; the offensive line was a weekly issue for Cincy and protecting Burrow is at the top of the to-do list. Sewell is the second-best player in this class and has a chance to be a starter for the next decade.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Eagles need a new head coach but it appears Carson Wentz's job is safe (for now, anyway). Assuming the quarterback for next season is currently on the roster, finding a downfield playmaker is a priority. And no one was more explosive during the 2020 college season than Smith.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola are all headed for free agency in a few months. And while the Lions will almost certainly keep Golladay, who has been injured for much of this season, adding Chase makes too much sense not to happen.
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 8
The Dolphins trade down, accumulate picks, and still get one of the most dynamic players in the class. Waddle's 2020 campaign was interrupted by an ankle injury, but he's one of the fastest people on the planet who is already a more polished route runner than Henry Ruggs, a former teammate who was the first wideout drafted a year ago.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Bryce Callahan was a bright spot in the secondary in 2020, but he, along with four other CBs, will have his contract expire next spring. Farley, who opted out for 2020, is our CB1.
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Mock Trade from
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 - Pick 10
Two years ago, the Steelers traded up to No. 10 for Devin Bush. This time they're looking a franchise QB to replace Big Ben, who appears likely to return for '21. Lance is short on experience, but long on everything else NFL QBs are evolving into.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Giants have needs along the offensive line, but the defense could use some upgrades too. Micah Parsons has opted out of the 2020 season, but he's the No. 1 LB in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
San Francisco has five cornerbacks headed for unrestricted free agency (including Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett) and two more as exclusive rights free agents. Surtain was Alabama's best CB the last two seasons and and is coming off a strong junior campaign.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Pitts could end up being the best pass catcher in this draft. And if so, why not give Justin Herbert another weapon, especially since Hunter Henry is currently playing on the franchise tag?
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The Vikings have needs at edge rusher but also along the interior offensive line and Vera-Tucker, who is a stud on the interior but starred at tackle this season for USC, has the versatility to line up anywhere.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Patriots drafted Kyle Dugger last year in Round 2 and Collins, who plays linebacker, possesses that type of freakish athleticism.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Chandler Jones will be a free agent after the 2021 season and the Cardinals could use an explosive young pass rusher. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks last season, but few of them came off the edge. The good news is that as a converted WR he's still new to the position and he's only going to get better.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Raiders' defense is a mess and they have to get better at getting after the QB. Paye, meanwhile, is an athletic marvel who showed vast improvement from the '19 to '20 seasons.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Slater is one of our favorite players in this class; he was dominant at times for Northwestern in 2019 (he opted out in 2020) and he can also play guard and even center.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Football Team obviously needs a long-term answer at QB after dumping Dwayne Haskins, but after winning the division and making the playoffs, they'll likely have to trade up to get one. For now they're staying put and upgrading the O-line with one one the most athletic lineman in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The Bears made the playoffs, effectively putting themselves out of the running for one of the top QBs in this class. And GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy are returning for '21, though Mitchell Trubisky's future remains up in the air. Whomever ends up under center needs weapons and Toney is coming off an explosive campaign for the Gators.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Anthony Castonzo announced his retirement last week and Jenkins, who plays with an edge, is athletic, has great feet and moves well in space. He can play either tackle position.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Oweh is a freakish athlete just scratching the surface on his potential, which fits exactly what the Titans need after managing just 19 sacks during the regular season.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 23
Najee Harris went from likely Day 3 pick to RB1 by returning to Alabama in 2020 and for the Jets he adds much-needed depth to a backfield that now includes rookie QB Zach Wilson
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Mock Trade from
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 24
The Cowboys trade down, stockpile picks and still get one of the most physical cornerbacks in the class, filling a huge need in the process.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 25
Barmore was our DT1 coming into the season, took a while to get going, and then saved his best football for the final month of the season. He was absolutely dominant in 'Bama's run to the championship.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Browns were middle of the road in getting after the quarterback and there is little depth behind Myles Garrett. Ojulari had a standout season for the Bulldogs and while he hasn't drawn the national attention of Kwity Paye or Jaelan Phillips, he's a legit terror off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon will be free agents in a few weeks and even if one (or both) returns, the Ravens need to get better off the edge. Ossai is coming off an impressive 2020 season.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Saints have four CBs on the roster headed for free agency and even though Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins and Patrick Robinson are still on multi-year deals, you can never have enough big-play corners. Campbell is long, physical and is only going to get better with experience.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
A defensive tackle or an edge rusher makes sense here, but Travis Etienne is coming off back-to-back strong seasons, has elite contact balance and is a pass-catching threat coming out of the backfield.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
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.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Packers need help in the middle of their defense and Bolton is a sideline-to-sideline spark plug.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Basham is a physical specimen who will be dominant once he puts it all together. In K.C. he'll give the Chiefs' defense a much-needed boost off the edge.
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