With the concept of about two weeks away, and teams locked in meetings to complete evaluations and set up their boards, I thought I would take my first chance to determine the top 10.
Obviously, a lot can change between now and when these choices are made, and as always, my one-and-only mockery will only appear on the draft day, but I was in touch with a number of performers who selected the top 10 and many agents for the best prospects and things seem to be at least somewhat in focus.
Here’s what I think:
1) Jacksonville – Trevor Lawrence. Duh.
2) NY Jets – Zach Wilson. Double duh.
3) San Francisco – Mac Jones. I go along with the usual group thinking here for this exercise.
4) TRADE New England – Trey Lance. The Falcons may not want to go into mid-teens, but then, with such a premium on attacking players, they still need to get a defender in the Pats, plus much-needed draft capital for their version of a recovery-at-the-game. -fly with new management that does not get surplus. The hoody gets his QB.
5) Cincinnati – Kyle Pitts. I believe this is now where Mike Brown, the owner,’s heart is, and if he wants Pitts, they get Pitts.
6) Miami – Ja’Marr Chase. Starting with WRs starts here, and the LSU burner has the chance to be very special.
7) Detroit – Justin Fields. I expect the OSU QB to crush its last workout. Jared Goff has limitations. Letting Fields sit for a year would be smart. They have additional draft capital from the Matt Stafford / Goff agreement to be flexible in 2021 and beyond.
8) Carolina – Penei Sewell. The new QB Sam Darnold now has a pack of weapons with a variety of offensive weapons. No excuses.
9) Denver – Micah Parsons. There may be character issues, but this is an elite athlete who can disrupt everywhere. Vic Fangio are now trying to win with this defense, and they can add a quarter via trade (more on this below). Eventually, some defensive players have to get off the board.
10) Dallas – Rashawn Slater. Roof Prescott is ending the season and the Olympics have become a problem. A few years back, Cowboys chose the path in the Olympics to become a decent team again. It’s time to start recharging with the group getting older and often injured.
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Collins loved teams more than through Mock Draft Nation
Linebacker Zaven Collins (Tulsa) gets more love from teams than is apparently displayed by Mock Draft Nation. Linebackers in general are going to do better than we have seen in the last few years because the EDGE and DT groups are thin and do not have a safe studs. People also sleep on OSU LB Pete Warner, who is going much better than I see. Jamin Davis of Kentucky is also going high. “It’s Kwity Paye and a lot of hope and prayer,” one GM said of the pass-rush class.
Bridgewater looks Broncos-bound
Would be very surprised if Teddy Bridgewater is not in Denver by the weekend. Keep talking about it, and I know the Broncos are quite interested. It fits perfectly with Fangio’s model and the new GM was part of the Vikings buyer that Teddy B set up.
Lions can have strong value to move down
I came very close to spotting trade on Fields at number 7. Don’t know how far the Lions would be willing to go, but if they don’t grab the QB themselves, they could gain strong value in a downward direction. Maybe from the Patriots, if Lance was gone and New England did not move up higher. Maybe from the Washington Football Team. The Lions know they are not close, many young regimes have amassed the capital route and it will also make a lot of sense for Detroit. They can take the best defensive player on their board – as the Lions need help everywhere on the side of the ball – but there are not very sure things in the pass-rush class, and they will eventually make a lot of calls. whatever it is. Denver and Dallas could also be a decline in a QB.
More inside notes
- Talk to some executives this week who believe the top 15 picks will move heavily to the offensive side of the ball, with defensive players completing the round. You see this is reflected in this top 10. With five QBs expected to be in the top 10, and probably three WRs in the top 12, and two tackles, at least, in the top 15 or so, plus Pitts. well, do the math.
- Dallas could very well go turn at 10, and whatever it is, I think several of them are going into their teens. Arizona will attack Jaycee Horn if he’s still available if they choose, from what I’m gathering.
- The Dolphins picks a year ago left some puzzled. Although I think taking RB Najee Harris on no. 18 looking a little rich, I hear a strong buzz that he is very interested in the choice.
- For years, we’ve seen QBs start right away – in some cases as soon as week 1 of their rookie year – but the pendulum swings. Many of this group of backs will express red. Flash of the past. And given how little football was played at some schools last year, that makes sense.
- Keep hearing the Vikings and Bears do a lot of work on QBs in this draft. I probably won’t take one in the first round, but you never know.
- The Eagles are going to have a choice of one – and possibly two – of the best expansions in this draft by moving back to 12. I think the return is going to work out well for them.
- At this point, I expect Alijah Vera-Tucker, the USC, to be the third attacking linebacker on the board after the top two tackles.