A successor for Rodgers but not for Brady?
Now that the main Free Agency moves have been made, it’s time to make a new NFL Mock Draft! In this version we add some transfers that could liven up the evening of Thursday.
NB: the exchanges simulated in this Mock Draft are indicated in red.
1- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow (QB, LSU)
No surprise with this choice. Zac Taylor secures his quarterback favorite and finally has a man who fit in his offensive system.
2- Washington Redskins: Chase Young (Edge, Ohio State)
Washington has a need on the pass-rush. Additionally, with the arrival of Ron Rivera as head coach, finding new defensive leaders will be essential. Chase Young may be the best player of this vintage and there’s no reason the Redskins let him go.
3- Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State)
Detroit could go down in this 1er round, especially if the Chargers want to get past the Dolphins. However, the Lions could keep their choice to get Jeff Okudah back. Better cornerback this year, he would form a thunderous duo with Desmond Trufant.
4- New York Giants: Mekhi Becton (OL, Louisville)
Same comment as for Detroit: New York could go down if Los Angeles wanted to burn politeness in Miami. Either way, the Giants should pick a tackle with their pick and Mekhi Becton is good enough to claim such a high selection.
5- Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama)
Before the 2019 season, everyone thought Miami was going to tank up to get Tua Tagovailoa back. In the end, Miami could recover it without having the first choice of this 2020 draft.
6- Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)
Los Angeles has lost Philip Rivers and seems to be counting on Tyrod Taylor next year. However, the former Bills player is not a long term solution and getting a young pitcher back would be a good idea. Here, Tua Tagovailoa is already out, forcing the Chargers to fall back on Justin Herbert, excellent with Oregon.
7- Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown (DL, Auburn)
The Panthers can go in a lot of directions with this pick (CB, LB, DL). The middle of the defensive line seems one of the most important needs and Carolina would therefore choose Derrick Brown here, letting the phenomenon Isaiah Simmons pass.
8- Arizona Cardinals: Trade with Las Vegas (including Picks # 12 and # 19)
Raiders Pick: Isaiah Simmons (LB, Clemson)
If Carolina lets Isaiah Simmons pass, Las Vegas can jump at the chance. Mike Mayock is under the spell of the player and will not hesitate to step up in the draft to have him in his team. Arizona would recover in exchange the two choices of the Raiders in this 1er tower.
9- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama)
Gardner Minshew is going to need some targets next season. Luckily, Jerry Jeudy is still available, so why deny it? Among the top two receivers in this draft, he has what it takes to become the No.1 Jacksonville has been waiting for so long.
10- Cleveland Browns: Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa)
It’s no secret that Cleveland needs to strengthen its offensive line. Tristan Wirfs is very talented and has the advantage of being able to play both right and left of the line. Associated with Jack Conklin, recruited recently, he would finally allow Baker Mayfield to breathe a little.
11- New York Jets: CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)
Dilemma for the Jets: strengthen the offensive line or offer a major target to Sam Darnold? With the departure of Robby Anderson and an ultra promising CeeDee Lamb still available, the second option is preferred here.
12- Las Vegas Raiders: Traded with Arizona
Cardinals selection: Jedrick Wills (OT, Alabama)
Despite falling four places following the trade with the Raiders, Arizona is still in a position to pick a very good offensive lineman. Jedrick Wills fills an immediate need and the Cardinals pick a player they could very well have chosen with their initial pick.
13- San Francisco 49ers (trade w / Indianapolis Colts): Javon Kinlaw (DT, South Carolina)
DeForest Buckner left for Indiana in exchange for this choice, he will have to be replaced. Javon Kinlaw is a physical freak and would perfectly make up for Buckner’s loss to job for job.
14- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia)
Tom Brady is now a Buccaneer, and at 42 it will be imperative to protect him well. Andrew Thomas may not be the most potential lineman of this vintage, but he will make an impact in his first game.
15- Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama)
If Courtland Sutton is winning more and more in Colorado, someone has to be found to support her. Henry Ruggs is supersonic and showed real qualities during the Combine, which should not have left Denver indifferent.
16- Atlanta Falcons: CJ Henderson (CB, Florida)
Several positions need to be reinforced on the Falcons side, especially in defense. With the departure of Desmond Trufant and the quality of this draft class at the post of cornerback, Atlanta would do well to prioritize this position. CJ Henderson is physical and would be of great service from the moment he arrives.
17- Dallas Cowboys: Kristian Fulton (CB, LSU)
Byron Jones gone, Dallas has a huge need for cornerback. Several players are likely to be chosen, but Kristian Fulton would do the trick perfectly.
18- Miami Dolphins (trade w / Pittsburgh Steelers): Trevon Diggs (CB, Alabama)
Despite a recruiting where a lot of dollars have been spent, Miami still has to find a player opposite to Xavier Howard. Stefon Diggs’ brother has many qualities and would be a luxury No.2 in the post of cornerback.
19- Las Vegas Raiders (trade w / Chicago Bears): Traded with Arizona
Cardinals selection: Yetur Gross-Matos (Edge, Penn State)
After the trade with the Raiders, Arizona finds itself in our scenario with a second selection at 1er tower. Choose a player capable of putting pressure on the quarterback would be a logical choice given the low production of players around Chandler Jones. Yetur Gross-Matos has very interesting potential and would fill that gap, although he will have to improve many points in his game when he arrives in the NFL.
20- Jacksonville Jaguars (trade w / Los Angeles Rams): Trade with Minnesota
Vikings selection: Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU)
Second exchange of this evening with Minnesota who comes to burn politeness in Philadelphia to recover Justin Jefferson. Ultra solid receiver under the LSU jersey, he proclaims himself the best receiver of this vintage; enough to forget Stefon Diggs?
21- Philadelphia Eagles: Tee Higgins (WR, Clemson)
Overtaken by Minnesota for Justin Jefferson, the Eagles fall back on another receiver. Tee Higgins has been good in Clemson’s jersey and, while he may not have what it takes to be a No. receiver, he will only be able to improve the Philadelphia receiving squad.
22- Minnesota Vikings (trade w / Buffalo Bills): Traded with Jacksonville
Jaguar Selection: Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama)
Jacksonville is down two places but loses absolutely nothing with this exchange. In addition to collecting new draft choices, they can choose the player they want in the person of Xavier McKinney. Defensive back versatile, it will strengthen a backfieldi Florida very weakened by the loss of Jalen Ramsey during last season.
23- New England Patriots: K’Lavon Chaisson (Edge, LSU)
The Patriots are very credible candidates to select a quarterback, but Bill Bellichick could trust Bryan Hoyer or Jarrett Stidham for at least a season. In this hypothesis, New England chooses here a pass-rusher talented in the person of K’Lavon Chaisson. Still raw, it will develop perfectly in a proven system.
24- New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen (LB, LSU)
With the signing of Emmanuel Sanders and the contract extension / restructuring of Janoris Jenkins, the Saints can prioritize the position of linebacker. Excellent tackle, Patrick Queen would replace AJ Klein numerically. A pure product from Louisiana, its selection would please local fans.
25- Minnesota Vikings: Ross Blacklock (DL, TCU)
Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen are no longer there and we will therefore have to draft on the defensive line. Ross Blacklock could perhaps be picked lower, but Minnesota need to secure a talented player on the position. Maybe a reach, but surely a paying choice for the Vikings.
26- Miami Dolphins (trade w / Houston Texans): Austin Jackson (OT, USC)
After the quarterback and the cornerback, I ask the offensive lineman. Miami did not make up for the loss of Laremy Tunsil during last season and would recover here a player capable of evolving on the sides of the line. In addition, recover his quarterback for the future, that’s good, but protecting it is even better!
27- Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jones (OT, Houston)
Assuming that Seattle will keep Jadeveon Clowney, the main need is still to solidify the offensive line. Josh Jones is not a first round in power but would have the merit of filling this need. It is also not excluded that Seattle will rise in this draft if another lineman holds their attention and slips a bit during the evening.
28- Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma)
The needs are not many in Baltimore, but solidify the line of linebackers would be a good idea. The top players are not legion in the position and it would not be impossible for Baltimore to have to wait until the second round to reinforce this position if ever Kennteh Murray were to be chosen earlier.
29- Tennessee Titans: AJ Epenesa (Edge, Iowa)
End of the fall for AJ Epenesa. After an average combination, the Iowa player finds himself in Tennessee in a team that needs pressure as opposed to Harold Landry. Epenesa is not the fastest or most technical player in this vintage but has proven in the NCAA that he has certain qualities.
30- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love (QB, Utah State)
Surprise! Below the Burrow / Tagovailoa / Herbert trio but very much above the others quarterbacks of this draft, Jordan Love finds himself in Green Bay. He will have time to adjust behind a veteran, while the Packers prepare for the post Aaron Rodgers. Love is often compared to Patrick Mahomes and would have the same conditions here to develop; for a similar fate?
31- San Francisco 49ers: AJ Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Second selection of the evening for the 49ers. After making up for the loss of DeForest Buckner, San Francisco must find a satisfactory solution unlike Richard Sherman. AJ Terrell is one of the good ones cornerbacks likely to be chosen at 1er round and would be a perfect # 2 for Californians.
32- Kansas City Chiefs: Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU)
Kansas City is a perfect candidate to come out of the 1er round, but if the Chiefs keep that choice, they too can strengthen the position of cornerback. Kendall Fuller gone, Jeff Gladney would take his place here. He could directly be made responsible given the fairly average level of this group in Kansas City.
AT read also: our Mock Draft 1.0 before the Free-Agency.
