The NFL finally announced the compensatory selections this week, which means the draft order is set for all seven rounds! In my latest mock draft, some new teams are linked to the quarterback position, which will inevitably throw a wrench into the plans constructed by other teams.
The idea of recent mock drafts has been to provide some scenarios that could potentially shake up the entire draft. They may not be likely, but they are not out of the realm of possibility. For example, check out a mock draft from last month where I had the Vikings trading Stefon Diggs to Baltimore right here. Then, I had Washington selecting Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa No. 2 overall. This week, we've got other surprises ahead.
Position rankings are based on our composite prospect rankings. Let's kick this thing off!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Burrow to Cincinnati is the worst kept secret in sports right now.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Will it be Tua Tagovailoa or Young for the Redskins?
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 3
I'm convinced that Indianapolis and Tampa Bay prefer to add a veteran. I'm not as convinced with the Chargers. Tagovailoa can be a franchise quarterback in a market that desperately needs a recognizable face.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Wirfs just seems like a Dave Gettleman pick. I come back to that every week. The offensive line has been important to them. I would expect them to solidify those roles before venturing to other positions.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Miami loses out on Tagovailoa so they turn to Herbert, who they are apparently enamored with as well.
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Mock Trade from
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 - Pick 6
In a deal with the Chargers, Detroit moved down to No. 6 overall. In exchange, they add a 2021 first round pick. Detroit was probably torn between Isaiah Simmons and Okudah at No. 3 overall. They have the same dilemma at No. 6 overall but now have additional draft compensation in their back pockets.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Simmons is not a traditional off-ball linebacker. He can fill so many roles but the idea is that he will replace Luke Kuechly and cover every blade of grass. As the saying goes, the Earth's surface is 71 percent water-covered and the other 29-percent is covered by Simmons.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Arizona locked up D.J. Humphries but I'm not convinced that he is the answer long-term. If he is, then they still need to upgrade the other side. Wills steps in and starts Day 1.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Derrick Brown could strengthen an already formidable defensive line. He adds an element of pass rush up the middle, which should benefit Calais Campbell and Josh Allen.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
With Tristan Wirfs off the board, Thomas is probably the best fit for what Cleveland wants to do in their offensive scheme. They could still pursue some veteran options but it would not be a surprise to see them add two offensive tackles.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Becton is a monster of a lineman. He will not fit every scheme and will require some extra coaching attention. His potential is off the charts though. With his size, he could become a truly dominant left tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The first wide receiver comes off the board at No. 12 overall. It would not surprise me if Lamb was the first wide receiver drafted. It would not surprise me if Jerry Jeudy is the first wide receiver drafted. There should not be much of a gap between when the two are selected.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Jeudy gives Indianapolis another explosive element to their offense. They become less reliant on the usually reliable T.Y. Hilton by adding the soundest technician at the wide receiver position.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Tampa Bay would love to take an offensive tackle but Chaisson is the best value. The Buccaneers can potentially take an offensive tackle on Day 2. A rookie quarterback does not seem likely for them.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Denver needs to bolster its secondary. They will lose Chris Harris Jr. but that only intensifies the need at the position. Henderson could lock down half the field and allow those talented pass rushers to do work up front.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Atlanta has pigeon-holed themselves into a position where they should take the best defensive front seven player on the board. Javon Kinlaw would make some sense as well but the pick is Murray. He is an active linebacker capable of covering sideline-to-sideline.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Everyone is familiar with Dallas' needs in the secondary but they could have a glaring weakness up the middle as well. Kinlaw is a freakish athletic specimen that could deliver what they were hoping to receive from Taco Charlton.
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From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
It is all about best player available for the Dolphins. After adding Justin Herbert, they land one of Tua Tagovailoa's favorite wide receivers. Ruggs has speed to burn but is also a better route-runner than many are willing to credit.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
Las Vegas added a game-changing wide receiver at No. 12 overall before swooping back down to address the quarterback position. Love is a good value at this stage considering recent buzz that he could go within the top 10.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
Queen is a smaller off-ball linebacker but that is what Jacksonville needs if Telvin Smith does not return. The Jaguars are really building a phenomenal front seven but the secondary has to become their focus on Day 2.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Tiger has landed...with the Eagles. Jefferson is a viable deep threat option for Carson Wentz. Philadelphia probably needs to take another wide receiver or two before the weekend closes.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Bills Mafia opts not to reach for a wide receiver and instead replaces Jerry Hughes with a strong edge rusher from Happy Valley. Gross-Matos has been a consistent producer for the Nittany Lions.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Operating under the possibility that Tom Brady signs with either Tampa Bay or Tennessee, it makes sense that New England would broach the idea of taking a quarterback in the first round. They have Jarrett Stidham on the roster but only the organization knows whether he could be a long-term solution.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
New Orleans lands a really good football player at a position of need. Fulton gets a little handsy downfield and that will need to be cleaned up or the NFL will do it for him. However, he does a good job mirroring receivers down the sideline. It should make for some physical practices with Michael Thomas.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
If Anthony Harris leaves in free agency, then McKinney can fill the void. Regardless, I like him in a role where he can play a variety of positions and be allowed to operate freely in the secondary.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
Best player available. Miami can slide A.J. Epenesa inside of their base 4-3 defensive scheme and allow him to push the pocket. His combination of strength and technique will present problems for the AFC East.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Diggs has been the selection for Seattle on more than one occasion. He fits their profile at cornerback. He is long, which gives him a larger range to make plays on the ball.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Baun can play on the edge but is best suited inside as an off-ball linebacker. He is a smart player capable of handling the defensive calls. The Ravens still need to address the edge roles with Matt Judon potentially gone this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
It becomes increasingly likely that Jack Conklin departs in free agency with each passing day. Rather than crossing their fingers and hoping for the best, Tennessee decides to be proactive and fix the problem.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Similar to the aforementioned Conklin, it seems likely that Bryan Bulaga will leave in free agency. My understanding is that Green Bay has not had serious contract conversations with his representatives. Jackson was not fully healthy for most of the season and is only 20 years old. His best days are still ahead of him and that entices the Packers to snag him in Round 1.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
San Francisco could lose their safeties this offseason as well. Those roles need to be addressed. Delpit is capable of filling either role. There were points that he was a top 10 pick and others have suggested he should not be taken until the fourth round. The difference is split a bit in this scenario.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Cornerback, offensive line and running back will likely rotate as Kansas City's pick of choice in any given week. The board sets up well for them to add a cornerback and swing back around to get a running back later.
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