Doug’s NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0

We are almost there. The most critical week of the NFL season. Don’t come woofing at me about no Super Bowl. That only takes a half-day and doesn’t involve every team. The draft is THE premiere NFL event.

And what’s the best way to prep for the draft? As any good fantasy degenerate will tell you, it’s a mock draft. So here’s what I think will go down on April 29th.

1. Jacksonville – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson. Any other pick would be just plain stupidity.
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU. Justin Fields is probably the second-best quarterback, but the Jets seem set on Wilson.
3. San Francisco – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio St. Most “professional” mockers have Trey Lance here. They are wrong. Every reason that they give for Lance to be the guy, Fields does better. Don’t overthink it.
4. New England (TRADE) – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State. The Pats have been exceptionally aggressive in the offseason and they carry it over to the draft. The Hoodie (and his dog) trades up to get his QB of the future.
5. Cincinnati – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon. I really wanted to reunite Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow but protecting him is too big of a priority.
6. Miami – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama. I will reunite Smith and Tua as they do have plenty of magic together. 
7. Detroit – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern. If you are retooling your offense, LT is one the places you start with.
8. Carolina – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida. The acquisition of Sam Darnold was a turning point of this draft. Pitts might be the second-best player in this draft and will give Darnold a sure target.
9. New York Giants (TRADE) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU. I can’t really see him falling much further. Someone will come up for him and the Giants are giving Daniel Jones every chance to fail.
10. Dallas – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama. Everybody and their mother has the Cowboys taking Surtain here. 
11. Denver (TRADE) – Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan. Von Miller doesn’t appear long to be a Bronco and Paye would be a good replacement. 
12. Philadelphia – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn St. The Eagles linebackers are bantha poodoo. Parsons immediately solidifies the middle of that defense. 
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech. Just like Cincy, the Chargers will protect the young face of their franchise.
14. Minnesota – Gregory Roussau, Edge, Miami. The Vikes really felt the loss of Danielle Hunter last season. This selection will ensure constant pressure upfront. 
15. Atlanta (TRADE) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina. That whole defense needs an overhaul and CB is a cornerstone piece.
16. Arizona – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama. Putting him opposite Nuk Hopkins would give defensive coordinators fits. 
17. Las Vegas – Jaelen Phillips, Edge, Miami.His injury history will push him down the board but he’s talented.
18. Miami – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame. The Dolphins brass would probably tell you they feel good about their linebackers, but they don’t have anyone with the JOK’s athleticism.
19. Washington – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota. He’s quick and explosive. Fitzmagic needs plenty of toys for all of his beard-led comebacks.
20. Chicago – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma St. The Bears management is incompetent so even punter isn’t off the table here. Still, if we are being fair, this is the way they should go. Jenkins is a nasty blocker who can play on either side of the line.
21. Indianapolis – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC. The Colts need to shore up the LT spot after a retirement.
22. Tennessee – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech. He’s coming off a back procedure, but he’s every bit a talented as Surtain.
23. New York Jets – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida St. New coach Richard Saleh will want a lockdown corner to solidify his defense.
24. Pittsburgh – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama. The Steelers need to find the QB of the future and the ‘Bama signal-caller falls right in their lap.
25. Jacksonville – Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky. The fastest riser in this year’s draft gets a chance to anchor a rebuild.
26. Cleveland – Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia. You can never have too many pass rushers.
27. Baltimore – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern. This is a glaring need for the Ravens.
28. New Orleans – Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn St. The Saints have taken chances on high talent/low production guys before. Oweh fits that bill.
29. Green Bay – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama. I know the Packers faithful want a wideout, but they’ll never do that. Green Bay has been trying to shore up the middle of that D-line for a while now.
30. Buffalo – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama. Making this pick would give the Bill a NASTY offense. 
31. Kansas City – Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama. The Chiefs kicked their tackles to the curb after the season. They’ll need to start to replace them. 
32. Tampa Bay – Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan. When you’re the champs, there aren’t a ton of holes. Making sure that Tom Brady stays upright becomes a priority.