As a collective unit, several of the We Know Fantasy contributors came together to construct a first round mock draft of the upcoming NFL Draft on April 23rd. Nate, Cody, Steven, Mike, Nick and Jared each played the general manager of several NFL teams as they made their selections. Checkout how the collective determined the first round of the draft to pan out below.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - It’s a done deal, baring the Dolphins or someone else making a massive trade to move up. Burrow is the guy to get in this draft. He’s posed in the pocket, makes the throws and is a born leader. It’s amazing how at this point last year we were talking about this guy as a fifth, sixth or even seventh round selection. Now he’s sure to be a lock for the first overall selection. He rewrote the college football record books last season and led the LSU Tigers to a national title and collected a Heisman along the way. The Bengals need their next guy and that guy is Joe Burrow (Nate.)
2. Washington - Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State - Perhaps the biggest no-brainer of the draft, I have the Redskins taking Chase Young here. Young is perhaps the top overall player in the draft and the Redskins have a ton of holes to fill. They can start here, by taking an elite pass rusher (Cody.)
3. Detroit Lions - Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson - This pick is more of what I would do rather than what I think will actually happen. Mainly because I think the Lions will trade down here. However, if they stick at three, grab the best overall player on the board. Simmons can be a defensive centerpiece Motor City hasn't seen since the likes of Ndamukong Suh (Mike.)
4. New York Giants - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn - Hear me out. I know the Giants took Dexter Lawrence 17th overall a year ago, but he is no Derrick Brown. New head coach Joe Judge will be in control of the offensive side of the ball but he is of the Patriots’ coaching tree that has taught defensive success through a dominant defensive line, mainly interior linemen. Brown is as good of a defensive tackle prospect we’ve seen in over a decade. Heavy fans, footwork, explosive off the ball, you name it, he does it. The Giants could very well go Jeffrey Okudah here or an offensive tackle but a pass rush presence was a major lack of their team last year and adding a talent such as Brown to anchor that defensive line will make everyone else on the team better (Nate.)
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama - This was mostly simple. Tua comes with major risk with his hip injury that he suffered last season. Miami can afford to wait and let him heal fully before sticking him out there in 2021. When healthy, he can be the best quarterback in this class due to his ability to make every throw and his leadership on the field (Steven.)
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State - Chargers at six select Okudah over Herbert. This was tough, but putting Okudah, Derwin James, Chris Harris Jr., Casey Hayward and Desmond King gives them the best defensive backs in the league; legion of boom 2.0. Playing Mahomes well the past two seasons, this gives them a better chance to get back to 12 wins and can wait at quarterback (Jared.)
7. Carolina Panthers - Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama - With the likes of Isaiah Simmons, Derrick Brown and Jeff Okudah all off the board already, it leaves the Panthers in a strange situation. Since there aren’t any trades in this draft, the best move here would be for the Panthers to take an O-lineman of their choice. Wills will probably be the best option, as the team looks to replace both Trai Turner (traded to LAC) and Greg Van Roten (left in free agency) (Cody.)
8. Arizona Cardinals - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa - Wirfs is listed as an offensive tackle, but many believe he will eventually make the move to guard. Either way, the Cardinals need offensive linemen to keep Kyler Murray protected. Wirfs could be the next Quentin Nelson (Nick.)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jordan Love, QB, Utah State - Every draft has a few shockers. Jacksonville, like most teams, has been quiet about their draft plans, and most people assume that by trading Foles and showing no interest in Cam Newton or Jameis Winston, that they are all in on Minshew. However this is a team that hasn't had a potent passing attack since Thunder and Lightning (Jimmy Smith/Keenan McCardell.) I think they might shock us all and go get the guy with the big arm, then grab him some new weapons later on (Mike.)
10. Cleveland Browns - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville - There isn’t much doubt that Cleveland is going to take on offensive lineman here. Luckily for them, Becton is still on the board here. At 6’7” and 360 pounds, this guy is absolutely ginormous. He showed great footwork at the combine and could end up being the best lineman in the draft (Cody.)
11. New York Jets - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia - A wide receiver makes sense here but with the class being so deep, the Jets can get a great talent in the second round. Reports have suggested recently that the Jets are in love with Henry Ruggs III, which could be the route they take. However, I think they opt to improve one of the league’s worst offensive lines to protect Sam Darnold. There’s no sense in giving him weapons if he doesn’t have time to get them the ball (Nate.)
12. Las Vegas Raiders - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma - The Raiders have lacked a true wide receiver one for years now. They have the right pieces in the core but are missing a guy like Lamb. Lamb joins the Raiders with elite ball skills ability that will make Derek Carr look really good throwing his way. He may not be the fastest guy in this class but what he can do with the ball in his hands is something special (Steven.)
13. San Francisco 49ers via Indianapolis Colts - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama - I still think a defensive line replacement for Deforest Buckner (who they traded to acquire this pick) makes a lot of sense here. Maybe a Javon Kinlaw. But I want to believe that the 49ers look to improve the defensive side of the ball after their showing in the Superbowl. I can not help but think of what the best route running prospect of the past four decades would look like Kyle Shanahan’s system (Nate.)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida - I’m a big Henderson fan. If it wasn’t for this class having a clear number one in Jeffery Okudah, Henderson would be a top ten selection. Henderson isn’t on the same level as Okudah, but he’s far above the rest of the field. He’s tall at 6’1’’ and has sub 4.4 40-yard-dash speed. There isn’t much not to like about this guy, especially for a team that fielded one of the worst secondaries in the league a year ago (Nate.)
15. Denver Broncos - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama - Denver swapped out Chris Harris Jr. for A.J. Bouye this off-season, so they've already given their secondary some much deserved attention this year. However I don't see that move making them better. I think you take the best centerfielder on the board and work your way back to being the "no fly zone" (Mike.)
16. Atlanta Falcons - K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU - The Falcons will look to replace former eight overall pick Vic Beasley. Chaisson, with a solid 6’4” frame, is capable of doing so. He is quick, flexible and has a high football IQ. Chaisson is a good cornerstone piece to rebuilding the defense in Atlanta (Nick.)
17. Dallas Cowboys - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU - Dallas selecting Fulton from LSU offsets the obvious loss of cover corner Byron Jones (to Miami.) Fulton is eerily similar to Jones as a corner who covers well (led LSU in pass breakups) despite only having one interception. He’s a great athlete and Jerry Jones loves a second chance story (Jared.)
18. Miami Dolphins via Pittsburgh Steelers - Grant Delpit, S, Miami Dolphins - Miami continues to address needs on this team. Miami recently released All-Pro Reshard Jones so there was a need to fill in this top notch secondary. Delpit helped lead LSU to a National Championship even with a down season. Eight Career picks in three seasons, the Dolphins are getting a very talented safety (Steven.)
19. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears - Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama - The Raiders were a bottom ten team against the pass in 2019. They play in a division with Patrick Mahomes twice a year so beefing up that secondary is a major need. Diggs is a very physical corner who will be able to matchup with the best. He does need to be more patient and watch the play develop more but nonetheless, a great building block (Steven.)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams - Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina - This would be a dream scenario in Duuuuval where need meets value. Kinlaw shouldn't and most likely won't fall this far. In fact they might take the versatile D-lineman with their ninth overall pick. Kinlaw is an athletic freak and would immediately improve a woeful run defense that surrendered over 200 yards on the ground in five consecutive weeks following the injury to Marcel Dareus, who by the way is a free agent and not likely to return for cap reasons (Mike.)
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU - The hype is real for the Eagles drafting Jefferson. They let slot receiver Nelson Agholor walk. At 6’1” 203lbs and having 4.43 40-yard-dash speed, Jefferson has the attributes to be a star. The electric receiver could be the missing piece of the Eagles offense (Nick.)
22. Minnesota Vikings via Buffalo Bills - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama - This just feels like a perfect fit to fill the void left by the Stephon Diggs’ departure. I actually like a couple remaining wide receivers better than Ruggs, however I think they go with the speed guy to compliment a more tactical receiver in Theilen on the other side (Mike.)
23. New England Patriots - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon - This is a no-doubter. If Herbert is still here on draft day, he will be a Patriot. The Pats like Herbert and there have even been rumors of the team trading up to get him. With the team in search of a new franchise quarterback for the first time in 20 years, to get one of the top quarterbacks in the draft this late in the first round is an absolute steal. If Herbert wasn’t available here, I believe the pick would be tight end Cole Kmet (Cody.)
24. New Orleans Saints - Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma - The Saints pick up a guy with back to back 100 tackle and four sack seasons. Murray does make questionable decisions but you can’t teach range, physicality and urgency in a linebacker. The Saints need to get younger at the position and beef up their pass defense, which was in the middle of the pack in 2019 (Steven.)
25. Minnesota Vikings - Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State - Minnesota finds a way to replace another off-season departure in Everson Griffen. Coming away with Ruggs and Gross-Matos in the first round would be a huge win for Skol nation. Both players should be gone before Minnesota is on the clock. I think the Penn State product will be a perennial double digit sack guy at the next level, provided he doesn't bully his teammates in the locker room (Mike.)
26. Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans - Josh Jones, OT, Houston - Miami could have gone a different route here as in edge rusher or running back. Miami desperately needs some offensive line help after giving up almost four sacks-per-game in 2019. Miami also was the worst rushing team in the league only averaging 72 yards-per-game. Jones has highly functional athleticism that helps him play across the line. He does have to work on his footwork but with the right coaching, he should be great (Steven.)
27. Seattle Seahawks - Zack Baun, LB/EDGE, Wisconsin - Seattle drafts Baun from Wisconsin because he can move around fluidly between the seven man fronts. Baun needs to add about ten pounds to his frame, but fits well with personel and skillset to defend Arizona’s and San Francisco's systems (Jared.)
28. Baltimore Ravens - A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa - Ravens addressed a clear need for their defense after averaging just 2.2 sacks-per-game in 2019. Epenesa has top ten talent that fell in this draft due to his pass defense. This guy knows how to get to the quarterback with back-to-back ten plus sack seasons (Steven.)
29. Tennessee Titans - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU - The Titans have needs despite playing in the AFC Championship game this past year. They could have used help along both sides of the line but at this point it seemed like a reach. Gladney is a special cornerback that can do it all. Coach Verbal will have fun using special blitz packages. Hopefully he can build up strength since he can be pushed around at times (Steven.)
30. Green Bay Packers - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU - The Packers let Geronimo Allison seek another team. MVS was a bust last season. Adams was a stud even after missing several weeks with turf toe. Reagor has speed and is very fluid with the ball in his hands. Reagor draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson. Imagine him opposite Davante Adams, with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball (Nick.)
31. San Francisco 49ers - Antonie Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota - The 49ers signed Jimmie Ward to an extension this off-season, which leaves them with limited money to extend Jaquiski Tartt who is in the final year of his contract. Winfield is a perfect candidate to play along Ward. He’s the definition of a ballhawk. He plays the ball extremely well and hits hard. He is a little undersized but just like his father, he plays much larger than he looks. He can also play slot corner (Nate.)
32. Kansas City Chiefs - J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State - The Super Bowl champs find a ground and pound chain mover in Dobbins at 32. They like Damien Williams, but Dobbins’ ability in short distances and green zone appeals to Reid. A gap-pass-pro is stellar, but he needs work to protect aux pass rush from the edge. A grinder who adds toughness to a finesse offense (Jared.)
Σχόλια