There is a short supply of blue-chip talent in the upcoming draft, but none of them play the quarterback position. Fortunately, teams at the top of the draft are not among those in need at the position this year. They can capitalize on taking advantage of some of the defensive talent available. For those reasons, the top of mock draft projections typically do not feature quarterbacks. Today's mock draft exercise is no different.
The draft order is based on SportsLine's current Super Bowl odds. Without further ado, let's kick this off!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The presence of K'Lavon Chaisson should not prohibit Jacksonville from taking another edge rusher of Kayvon Thibodeaux's talents. The mission is simply to get the most talent in the building.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
None of the quarterbacks available represent an upgrade over Jared Goff. The hope is that Jeff Okudah returns from his injury and the secondary lives up to its potential with Kyle Hamilton.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Houston has struggled to find answers at the cornerback position. Derek Stingley Jr. is a great player that would uplift that secondary. The Texans might have to find a quarterback elsewhere.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Cornerback and edge rusher are commonly selected for the Jets. Perhaps that says more about my thoughts on how the team should be built than their actual strategy. Andrew Booth Jr. would give New York some of the high-level talent they have lacked at that position.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Andrew Thomas has been greatly improved this season. If Matt Peart pans out at right tackle, then the Giants will be well on their way to constructing an offensive line actually capable of protecting Daniel Jones. Kenyon Green would take them one step closer to being one of the league's best.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Atlanta needs a beacon of hope for the future. A new quarterback, alongside Kyle Pitts, would give the fans something to be excited about next season.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 7
Philadelphia has two accomplished veterans over the age of 30 along its defensive line. DeMarvin Leal presents a smooth transition from the group that has provided them success for a decade to a younger collection of talent with the same expectations.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Ikem Ekwonu is a massive human being who has always been capable of paving a path for running backs. He has the versatility to hold up at offensive tackle or move inside to guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Jonah Williams has been playing well this season, but Evan Neal would give them a pair of bookends long-term. If Jackson Carman pans out, then Cincinnati should be in good shape moving forward.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 10
The Giants continue supplementing its defensive front to create a rotation capable of staying fresh and providing the offense with a variety of different looks.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Washington adds a strong leader in hopes that the defense lives up to its potential and the team can actually be competitive again. Sam Howell is likely never going to reach the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks, but expectations must be reasonable outside the top 10.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Pittsburgh knows it is time to move on from Ben Roethlisberger, and an answer does not exist on the roster. Malik Willis is far from a polished product but gives them more upside at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
New England adds some juice to the roster in the form of Garrett Wilson. The Patriots have a quarterback they can believe in for a decade-plus, so the objective becomes surrounding him with talent.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Some teams are devoid of talent at the wide receiver position, whereas others have some players who inspire hope. Las Vegas is one of those teams that could feel a lot better about where it stands at the position by season's end dependent upon on the development of Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs III.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 15
Philadelphia added interior players on each side of the ball before adding cornerback Trent McDuffie to the secondary. All of this is based on the possibility that Jalen Hurts could be a long-term answer at quarterback, which is still subject to change.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Carolina simply needs help along the offensive line. A stud offensive tackle would be the best outcome, but the cream still needs to rise to the top.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 17
The offensive line reconstruction continues for general manager Joe Douglas. First-round picks have been used in consecutive years on Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker, who played sensational in London last week. Tyler Linderbaum would quickly upgrade that unit from area of concern to strength.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Denver has a few aging players and some general upgrades that need to be made to its front seven. It has to be done over the course of a few years rather than all at once.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Minnesota adds some edge rush potential opposite Danielle Hunter. Aidan Hutchinson is a strong, highly-productive player who would endear himself to Mike Zimmer.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 20
Devin Lloyd would be a step outside of the norm for a Bill Belichick disciple. Patriots teams are often known for their strength and physicality along the front seven. Lloyd is a more mobile player capable of getting off blocks or dropping into coverage.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Drake London has been the most productive wide receiver in college football this season. He is a bigger body that will compliment Michael Thomas in that passing game.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Tennessee has struggled to cultivate an edge rush. By throwing more bodies at the problem, they are increasing the odds of it being fixed. In an ideal situation, they have enough talent at the position to create a rotation.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Los Angeles looks to return to the days of having two dominant edge rushers. Joey Bosa and Myjai Sanders would provide Brandon Staley with more flexibility to throw stunts.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Dallas has shown that it would like to keep Micah Parsons at linebacker, which means it needs to add pass rush elsewhere. Adam Anderson gives the Cowboys some insurance in the event of further injury to a Randy Gregory or a DeMarcus Lawrence.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
It is clear that, for whatever reason, there is a disconnect between Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr.. Jarvis Landry and Beckham count for over $30 million towards the salary cap and the production has not met the investment. Chris Olave represents a chance to start over with Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and Olave.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
After moving on from Orlando Brown Jr., Baltimore created a need at offensive tackle. Zion Nelson could be the solution opposite Ronnie Stanley and allow the run game to continue being the strength of the roster.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Arizona has made a significant investment in its roster, and that has translated to being the only undefeated team remaining. The contributions continue with Kaiir Elam in the first round.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The end of the road is coming for Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith in Green Bay. A transition plan has to be established, and that plan includes Kingsley Enagbare. A lot could change depending upon how the Aaron Rodgers situation plays out.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 29
Detroit already added Kyle Hamilton earlier in the round and now its land George Pickens with the pick acquired from the Rams. An incredible amount of length is being brought to the Motor City.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Kansas City can rely upon Tyreek Hill in the passing game, but Travis Kelce has more football behind him than he does ahead. The Chiefs have attempted to fill the void with Mecole Hardman and Josh Gordon, but I think the search will continue into the offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Buffalo adds a cornerback opposite Tre'Davious White. The Bills defense has drastically improved because of its investment in the front seven. They can solidify the back end with "Sauce" Gardner from Cincinnati.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Tampa Bay adds depth to its offensive line and an eventual replacement for Donovan Smith. The Buccaneers will have to use some cost-cutting measures in the coming years to clean up the mess of this year's salary cap.
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