Howdy y’all! A big tradition for my friends and I is to make a giant first round mock draft and see who gets the closest. As the back-to-back winner, I think it’s time I throw my hat in the ring among other NFL draft analysts. I’ll be going off best fit, what insiders are saying and just the general vibes of the draft. Anyways, without further ado, here is who I have going in the top ten of the NFL draft.
#1 Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young QB Alabama
There was a lot of debate on whether C.J. Stroud or Young would be the choice, following the Panthers trade with the Bears for this pick. It was a heavy sum to give up, but the Panthers desperately need a franchise QB to pair with a roster budding with young talent. Between Young canceling all of his pre-draft visits with teams not named Carolina and Houston, and Adam Schefter saying “the ship has sailed” on Young at No.1, I am inclined to believe that we will see Young in bright blue.
#2 Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud QB Ohio State
I’m starting to get weary about the Texans actually using this pick to take a QB. The best available player here would be Will Anderson and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein reported that the Texans “don’t covet Stroud like the public thinks.” However, I still feel like this is the smart decision if they can’t trade out of pick #2. I mean their QB room consists of Kyle Allen and Davis Mills! Stroud is a proven winner, led the FBS in TD passes with 41 and has the patience and poise to be an NFL QB. Give me Stroud at #2.
#3 Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson EDGE Alabama
When it’s all said and done, I believe we will be proclaiming Anderson as the best player in this draft. He’s explosive, flexible, and, best of all, he is equally good at pass rushing and run defending. Many are inclined to think that the Cardinals will trade out of three but why would they? The only team I can see making a move is Tennessee and I don’t think they have the draft capital to tear Arizona away from a defensive cornerstone like Anderson. The Cardinals will replace J.J. Watt with a man with Watt like potential at the edge position.
#4 Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson QB Florida
Anthony Richardson is the guy you throw all the chips at. We’ve seen guys like him before come into the league, Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, guys who are freaks of nature but still haven’t figured out how to play smart football. Yes, he was consistently inconsistent at Florida and has very questionable decision making at times but he is an ATHLETE. The Colts need a QB and will be very happy hanging their hat on this one.
#5 Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter DT Georgia
Jalen Carter has had a very bad pre-draft process. After an arrest and a pro-day that was less than stellar, some teams have soured on Carter as a player. However, if there is one coach that can handle young players that lack maturity; it’s Pete Carroll. Seattle will look to improve a meh D-line and build around newly re-signed QB Geno Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyree Wilson goes here as well.
#6 Detroit Lions – Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
Put another quarter in the CB machine for the Lions after Jeff Okudah flopped for the young defense. I bring up Jeff Okudah not because he is who Gonzalez will replace but because the two are eerily similar. They both are high speed guys with a knack for man coverage and have the physical attributes to cover anyone. Where Okudah lost a step due to injury, I think Gonzalez will thrive on a team that looks primed to take the NFC North by storm.
#7 Las Vegas Raiders – Paris Johnson OT Ohio State
The Raiders made a spla- well, a solid move in snagging former 49ers QB Jimmy Garrapolo in the offseason. Jimmy G has all the weapons, WR Davante Adams, RB Josh Jacobs, and…. no RT to speak of. Well, Jermaine Eluienmunor exists and I don’t doubt he is a better tackle than me but I cannot fathom him being the starter on a team gunning for the playoffs. Enter Paris Johnson, the best tackle in the draft.
#8 Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech
The Falcons have by and large the worst pass rush in the NFL. There are a lot of things wrong with this roster, but I can confidently say this D line is the thing that plagues this team the most. Tyree Wilson is raw but has the brute strength and speed to make an immediate impact for Atlanta. He’ll need to get smarter and craftier in the NFL, but I have no doubt that Wilson will be a solid player for this Falcons D.
#9 Chicago Bears – Broedrick Jones OT Georgia
Yippee! Justin Fields turned himself into a dual-threat QB with game breaking elusiveness! How did he learn it? A Bears O-line that makes me just shudder thinking about it. For Fields’ sake I hope this is the pick but I believe in Ryan Poles to make a good decision. Jones has a few question marks given how he is lacking in experience, but he has great tools.
#10 Philadelphia Eagles – Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa
The Iowa DE is a one man wrecking crew, using his size and strength to wreck through opposing linemen. This is something the Eagles could’ve used in last year’s Super Bowl but alas better late than never. I think he will learn a lot under Brandon Graham and come to replace him as the veteran begins to age. A scary pick for a scary roster.