It is that time of the year again. Where a bunch of analysts like myself make predictions on 21-24 years olds taking a guess if they are going to be an NFL star. This year the draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is my third year doing a mock draft so if you are unfamiliar with my work this is how they go.
- Only the first round of the draft
- I will never understand how some of these people do 7-round mock drafts
- I do not predict trades
- That is very difficult to do
- I am predicting what I think each team will pick
- Not what I would do at that pick
- If you would like further analysis on these picks and possible trade scenarios you can check out my podcast episode on it here
So without further ado the Jaguars are on the clock: With the 1st overall pick they select:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars-Travon Walker 6’5 270lbs JR Georgia
- Rare athleticism and versatility along the defensive front.
- Walker primarily wins with quickness and speed-to-power as a pass rusher,
- Freak Athlete with a high ceiling
- Shot up draft boards
- Did Struggle vs Alabama in the SEC Championship game
2. Detroit Lions-Aidan Hutchinson 6’6 260LBs SR Michigan
- Length, power, fundamentals, effort, and speed
- Just overall a solid Pass rusher who can also play a little bit of OLB
- Next level effort
- Reminds some people of J.J Watt
3. Houston Texans-Kayvon Thibodeaux 6’4 254LBs JR Oregon
- The most talented player in the class
- Former number one recruit
- Very good athlete with regards to explosion and agility
- One flaw is his consistency and motor. Is it high enough
- Texans need to take the best player here and Thibodeaux is that
4. New York Jets-Evan Neal 6’6 337LBS JR Alabama
- Jets could go in a lot of different directions
- Have to help out Zach Wilson
- Will also help Michael Carter
- uses his massive frame and power to move defenders off the line of scrimmage when run blocking
- Excelled at both LT and RT
5. New York Giants-Iken Ekwonu 6’4 310LBs JR NC State
- A starter since day 1
- His tenacity, size, devastating power at the point of attack
- Giants need to keep developing the line even tho past picks have not panned out well.
6. Carolina Panthers-Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner 6’3 190LBS JR Cincinnati
- Great size for a CB
- Elite coverage skills
- Doesn’t get beat deep/keeps everything in front of him
- Better in a zone scheme
- Build a young CB duo with him and Jaycee Horn
7. New York Giants (Via Chicago Bears)-Kyle Hamilton 6’4 220LBs JR Notre Dame
- My personal favorite player in the draft
- A unicorn
- Can play S, CB, LB, Nickel, and is excellent playing the FS robber role.
- Reminds me of Derwin James
- High IQ would be my #1 overall pick
8. Atlanta Falcons-Derek Stingley JR.6’0 190LBS JR LSU
- Unreal freshman season
- Hasn’t played a meaningful game in two year
- When healthy- has elite speed with an excellent instinctual ability to get up for INT and Pass Deflections
- Pair him with A.J Terrell
9. Seattle Seahawks (Via Denver Broncos)-Charlie Cross 6’5 305lbs RS Soph Mississippi St.
- Exceptional first step
- Excellent athlete
- Dominant run defender
- Seattle will rely on the run a lot next season
10. New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks)-Garrett Wilson 6’0 180LBS JR Ohio State
- Dynamic threat with the ball in his hands
- Great after the catch
- Better in the slot but his big-play ability to perfect for Zach Wilson
11. Washington Commanders-Drake London 6’4 220LBS JR USC
- Jump ball threat/contested catcher
- Great body control
- Fits new QB Carson Wentz perfectly
12. Minnesota Vikings-Zion Johnson 6’3 312LBS RS Senior Boston College
- Played LG and LT
- Consistent player, always have good posture and control of his frame
- Continue to build that line for Dalvin Cook and Kirk Cousins
13. Houston Texans (Via Cleveland Browns)-Jordan Davis 6’6 340LBS SR Georgia
- Dominate in the run game
- Incredible first step
- Almost impossible not to double team him
- The only issue is how many snaps can he play a game
14. Baltimore Ravens-Devonte Wyatt 6’3 307LBS SR Georgia
- Disruptive interior rusher
- Not as powerful as Davis but he’s a little quicker in getting in the gaps
- Can line up anywhere on the D-line
15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Miami Dolphins)-Trent McDuffie 5’11 193LBS JR Washington
- Very good athlete and quickness in coverage
- Rarely out of position
- Can play on the outside or in the slot
16. New Orleans Saints-Malik Willis 6’0 220LBS RS Senior Liberty
- Extradiornary athlete
- Most talented QB in the class
- Doesn’t go through progressions well
- Relies on his legs too much
- Has an absolute cannon
- Needs time to develop/sit out a year or two
17. Los Angeles Chargers-Jermaine Johnson 6’5 250LBS RS Senior Florida State
- Quick off the ball
- Variety of moves and takes good angles
- Not a game-changer but a solid player that gives effort at all times
- Will fit well, with Bosa and Mack as a third option
18. Philadelphia Eagles (Via New Orleans Saints)-Jameson Williams 6’1 180LBS JR Alabama
- Home run ability
- Excellent deep ball threat from the slot or the outside
- Breakaway speed
- My favorite WR in the class
- Won’t be ready for week one (Tore ACL)
- Third straight year Eagles take a WR in round 1
19. New Orleans Saints (Via Philadelphia Eagles)-Chris Olave 6’1 190LBS SR Ohio State
- Refined route-runner
- Creates separation with smooth footwork
- Doesn’t excel at contested catches
20. Pittsburgh Steelers-Kenny Pickett 6’3 220LBS RS Senior Pittsburgh
- I am not convinced Trisbisky is the guy for the future
- Pickett is experienced that brings good size, mobility, accuracy, poise, toughness, and leadership to the table
- Very good at going through his progressions
- The issue is he is already 24 years old
21. New England Patriots -Devin Lloyd 6’3 237LBS RS Senior Utah
- Great at covering side to side
- Versatility in also being able to rush the passer from the inside and the outside
- A downhill player that creates a lot of tackles for lost
22. Green Bay Packers (Via Las Vegas Raiders)-Treylon Burks 6’2 225LBS JR Arkansas
- Swiss army knife
- Can line up out wide, in the slot, and even in the backfield
- Excellent at sheading the first tackler
- Great at getting the 50/50 balls
- First time ever the Packers are picking a WR in the first round in the Rodgers era
23. Arizona Cardinals-George Karlaftis 6’4 275LBS JR Purdue
- Best power rusher in the draft
- Insane raw power
- Sures up the line for when JJ Watt gets hurt
24. Dallas Cowboys-Daxton Hill 6’0 191 LBS JR Michigan
- Versatile defender
- Can play high safety, or nickel in the slot
- Concerns about his size
25. Buffalo Bills-Kaiir Elam 6’1 190LBS JR Florida
- Primarily a zone and press corner
- Excellent athlete
- Not the best tackler in space and stopping the run
26. Tennesse Titans-Nakobe Dean 5’11 225LBS JR Georgia
- Excellent reactions and uses quickness and agility to go side to side
- 2021 Butkus Winner (Best LB in the Country)
- Little undersized
- While he can shoot gaps, he played with a ton of talent and holes were easier for him in my opinion
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tyler Linderbaum 6’3 290LBS RS JR Iowa
- Riley Jensen will retire soon
- Linderbaum can be his replacement for the future
- Sure up OL for Brady as well
28. Green Bay Packers-Trevor Penning 6’7 325LBS RS Senior Northern Iowa
- Huge human being
- Fluid athlete for his size
- Not great at moving laterally
- A little bit of a project
29. Kansas City Chiefs (Via Miami Dolphins)-Andre Booth Jr. 6’0 195LBS JR Clemson
- An exciting blend of size, athleticism, instincts, physicality, ball skills, and competitive toughness
- Can clean up missed tackles and improve in zone coverage
30. Kansas City Chiefs-Boye Mafe 6’4 265LBS RS SR Minnesota
- Offers great athleticism on the edge and his flashes of effortless movement skills in space
- In other years he would be higher up on draft boards due to his potential
31. Cincinnati Bengals-Kenyon Green 6’4325LBS JR Texas A&M
- Experienced (35 starts in three seasons)
- Better in the run game
- Can play both guard positions and RT
32. Detriot Lions (Via Los Angeles Rams)-Lewis Cine 6’2 200LBS JR Georgia
- Can play single-high safety and come down to the slot
- In the run game, he is a violent, physical hitter. He comes downhill with authority
- Can play in any defensive scheme
