Johnny's NFL Mock Draft 1.0

With the annual NFL Scouting Combine just days away, what better time than now to officially release my first of many mock drafts this offseason.

While my preference is to lean toward accuracy as it relates to team needs and prospects rankings, I will occasionally spice things up with some “mega-trades” that are bound to take place either predraft or during the actual event. However, this initial crack at predicting the first 32 picks remains relatively modest given how early it is in the process.

For those of you unfamiliar with this class, especially when compared to the 2021 crop, it’s much more “meat and potatoes” this time around. There isn’t the star appeal from the likes of Trevor Lawrence or Ja’Marr Chase, rather this group prides itself on toughness upfront on both lines of scrimmage.

As you’ll see, thats good news for teams like the Arizona Cardinals…

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
   While their preference may be to go offense, there is no player worthy of that selection first overall. Which means the Jaguars will benefit from a fearsome edge duo of Allen and Hutchinson for years to come.
   
2. Detroit Lions – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
   If Hutchinson manages to “fall” to pick two, it’s a no brainer for Detroit. However, I still think Dan Campbell is too desperate for an elite pass rusher to pass on someone like Walker.
   
3. Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
   With Laremy Tunsil potentially on his way out of Houston, it makes sense for the dismal Texans to reinsert a cheap alternative back into their pipeline.
   
4. New York Jets – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
   There may be no faster riser than Penning, who put on an absolute clinic during last month’s Senior Bowl. With Mekhi Becton’s weight causing concern, Penning is a surer bet to ensure the safety of Zach Wilson.
   
5. New York Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
   Historically speaking, defensive edges from Oregon do not make for great pros. Be that as it may, Thibodeaux appears to be the exception and should see his name called within the first ten picks.
   
6. Carolina Panthers – Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
   With Sam Darnold likely returning for another season, the priority should be a complete revamp of the team’s offensive line. Ekwonu is incredibly polished after starting the past three seasons for N.C. State.
   
7. New York Giants (via Chicago) – Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
   With a new regime taking over, no player should be off the table. That includes Green, a high motor guard who is an immediate plug-and-play prospect for New York’s horrific offensive line.
   
8. Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
   Positional value may see Hamilton slide a bit, ala Derwin James, but there’s an argument to be made that the South Bend product is the draft’s most complete player.
   
9. Denver Broncos – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
   Willis offers the most upside compared to any other quarterback in this year’s class. If Denver strikes out on either Rodgers or Wilson, they’d be foolish not to be aggressive for the Liberty standout.
   
10. New York Jets (via Seattle) – Drake London, WR, USC
    Even after taking Elijah Moore a year ago, the Jets are starved for difference makers on the outside. London is drawing “Mike Evans” level comps at the next level.
    
11. Washington Commanders – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
    Washington is in a dire state at quarterback, largely because no top end NFL starter would approve a trade to DC. Enter Pickett, who lays claim to the most “pro ready” of any quarterback entering the draft.
    
12. Minnesota Vikings – Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinatti
    Another draft, another high pick on a corner for Minnesota. The Vikings are desperate for playmakers in their secondary and shouldn’t count on the likes of Patrick Peterson to save them.
    
13. Cleveland Browns – Derek Stingley Jr. , CB, LSU
    With Denzel Ward potentially hitting the open market, Cleveland needs to keep up in the ultra-competitive AFC North arms race that now includes the AFC Champion Bengals.
    
14. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
    Davis will probably be overdrafted based on his position, but he’s still a great player worthy of a top 20 selection. Baltimore was unceremoniously run over by teams down the stretch last season and needs to get younger.
    
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami) – Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
    With Brandan Graham on his last legs, Johnson becomes the heir apparent as the next great Philly edge rusher.
    
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis) – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
    Sensing a theme? The Eagles, after going heavy offense the prior two drafts, opt for back-to-back future defensive staples of their team.
    
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
    With Mike Williams set to reach free agency, the Chargers can’t be coy about surrounding Justin Herbert with as many weapons as possible. Jameson Williams is the draft’s most polished pass-catcher.
    
18. New Orleans Saints – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
    With the Saints looking at a lengthly rebuild, they opt to go BPA with the supremely gifted Dean out of the SEC.
    
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
    The run on linebackers has begun, with Philly targeting their first true impact replacement since the departure of Jordan Hicks.
    
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
    Mason Rudolph is not an NFL caliber starting quarterback, which means Pittsburgh may be forced into overdrafting someone like Corral come pick 20.
    
21. New England Patriots – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
    Mac Jones was efficient in year one largely because of how little he was asked to throw downfield. At some point that will need to change and Olave is an instant upgrade over what New England has in-house.
    
22. Las Vegas Raiders – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
    After the eventual release of former first-round pick Damon Arnette, it became abundantly clear that the Raiders would scour the offseason for his replacement.
    
23. Arizona Cardinals – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
    The Cardinals remedy their mistake of passing on former Iowa product Tristan Wirfs by adding another Hawkeye in Linderbaum. The All-Big 10 selection can plug in at right guard while Rodney Hudson holds down center for the next several years. With Linderbaum in the fold, a weakness at guard now becomes a strength with the Iowa native drawing Jason Kelce comparisons.
    
24. Dallas Cowboys – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
    Like all of us watching, the Cowboys saw the beginning of the end for the now 31-year-old Tyron Smith last season. Cross isn’t an immediate upgrade come year one, but is certainly more cost effective for the cash-strapped Cowboys.
    
25. Buffalo Bills – Trent McDuffle, CB, Washington
    After what happened in the AFC Divisional Round against Mahomes and company, it would be shocking if Buffalo didn’t draft MULTIPLE corners early.
    
26. Tennessee Titans – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
    The Titans go value with the addition of Ojabo, who even outshined fellow Michigan man Aidan Hutchinson on certain Saturdays.
    
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trey McBridge, TE, Colorado State
    With the pending retirement of Gronk combined with the free agent bound O.J. Howard, Bruce Arians nets a safety blanket for whomever is throwing passes down in Tampa next season.
    
28. Green Bay Packers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
    If it wasn’t already clear, the Packers need more playmakers even if they are able to bring back Davante Adams. Burks can dominate on the outside with a projected 40 time of sub 4.4.
    
29. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco) – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
    If Tua is ever going to succeed down in South Beach, the Dolphins must do a far better job in protecting him. Johnson is a sneaky top 20 option given his size.
    
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
    While improvements were made over the second half of last year, KC’s secondary still struggled when it mattered most. Hill is an immediate upgrade over Daniel Sorensen.
    
31. Cincinatti Bengals – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
    Of all the picks thus far, this feels like the most likely to be dealt for a proven star player. Given Joe Burrows modest rookie deal, the Bengals are in win-now mode.
    
32. Detroit Lions (via LA Rams) – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
    The Lions double-down on impact defenders from Georgia’s historic squad and immediately announce their arrival amongst the league’s most improved teams.
    

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