NFL Mock Draft 1.0 Part 1

*This Mock Draft is based off of teams at their current spot. We do not take trade into account.*

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Nathan: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

The without a doubt pick here for the Jaguars is Trevor Lawrence. Trevor has shown in the past 3 years that he is the number 1 pick with no question. Lawrence has the height, arm strength, mobility and accuracy to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The only thing I can see stopping him is the Jaguars franchise.

Chris: Trevor Lawrence. QB, Clemson

This is the only lock of the entire draft. Trevor Lawrence has been talked about as a can’t miss prospect since his freshman season. He has great size, a great arm, and great speed. I see his floor being very solid, and his ceiling could be top 5 of all time. The Jags need to figure out their team because this is not a player you can waste.

2. New York Jets

Nathan: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

With a new regime taking over in New York, I have the Jets taking Zach Wilson. Wilson came on to the scene this past year in a huge way leading BYU to a 11-1 record and a Bowl victory over UCF. Wilson has the ability to run around to extend the play and be a scoring threat running the ball. Not only can he make plays with his feet, but he is very accurate; completing 73.5% of his passes. Wilson has all the intangibles to succeed in the NFL, but the only question marks are his durability and size.

Chris: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

I think the Jets try out Darnold for one more season. I think it is much more important to build a solid foundation before adding a QB. He could be completely set up for failure if there are no weapons around him. I am not too fond of most of the QB’s in this draft. Sewell creates a strong offensive line to help strengthen the run game and pass game.

3. Miami Dolphins

Nathan: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Dolphins improved in a lot of ways last year and hope to improve even more with this pick. Smith give the Dolphins that playmaker on the outside that they so desperately need on their offense. The Heisman trophy winner brings speed and an after the catch game that makes him dangerous with the ball. I think the Dolphins take Smith over Chase because of the familiarity he has with Tua.

Chris: Ja’Maar Chase, WR, LSU

The Dolphins need a playmaker. Other than Parker, they do not have many wideouts who Tua can trust. Gesecki had a blowup season. A combo of those three would really help Tua come into his own. I see Chase as the best receiver in this draft. He reminds me of Odell Beckham Jr. He has an NFL ready body and could produce immediately.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Nathan: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

I think it’s time for the Falcons to look forward to the future with this pick.It has to be between Fields and Wilson. I have them taking Fields with the 4th pick in this years draft. This pick makes too much sense with all the variables in the situation. 1, Matt Ryan is 36 and has a huge contract the Falcons can move on from next year. 2, it will hopefully be the only time the Falcons have a top 5 pick to take a high caliber QB. Besides all of that, Fields is a strong QB prospect who can make plays with his legs and knows how to win at a high level.

Chris: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

The Falcons finally get their replacement for Matt Ryan. He is a QB with high upside coming off an incredible season in college. He is a bit undersized, but he reminds me of a young Drew Brees. One thing Wilson has is mobility. He seems to have a pretty perfect style for the current NFL. Similarly to Baker Mayfield, he can run, but does not rely on it. This sets the Falcons up for years to come. He can also learn from a real professional in Matt Ryan.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Nathan: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

If you watched any of the Bengals this past year, you know that they struggled to protect Joe Burrow throughout the whole season. With that being said, the Bengals need to take one of the best offensive lineman in the draft in Sewell. Sewell possesses good athleticism, strength, quickness, and football IQ. He has been a projected top 5 pick since the end of last year and now goes top 5 to the Bengals.

Chris: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Pitts looks like he could end up being one of the most underrated players in this draft. Even if he is being drafted high, I see very little hype around him. He is a physical freak who would help Burrow a lot. He is big enough to block but is a great receiver. The Bengals really need offensive lineman to protect Burrow. With Sewell going before them they have to settle for another weapon. Slater is someone I have my eye on for them, but that may be if they trade back.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Nathan: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

With the lack of talented WRs on the Eagle roster, Ja’Marr Chase falling to them at pick 6 is a gift sent from above. Chase going into this year was looked at as the top WR in the 2021 draft before sitting out this past year. As most peoples number 1 WR, Chase brings exactly what the Eagles are looking for in a WR 1. That’s someone who can catch 10 passes and put up 100 yards a game.

Chris: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

If Smith plays like he does like he did in college then he will be an all time great. He is a rare mix of speed, route running, and catching. The Eagles offense could be full of speed if they have Reagor, Smith, and Goodwin on the field at the same time. Nick Siriani needs to make sure he gets the ball in the playmakers hands in his first season. Smith could be a comfort blanket for Jalen Hurts for years to come. The Eagles are very thin at receiver so this is an obvious spot for him to be taken.

7. Detroit Lions

Nathan: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The Lions this past season had a very bad defense, and one player wont fix that. However, picking what most consider the best defensive prospect in the draft is a start. Parsons can do just about everything you can ask for out of a linebacker. He can stop the run, rush the pass, and play coverage all at a high level. The only question mark with him is his character ,but the talent is there.

Chris: Justin Fields, QB, OSU

Justin Fields had an incredibly strong college career. He would have a Hiesman if it was not for Burrow having the best QB season of all time. I saw some incredible passes made by Fields this season. More specifically in the playoff game against Clemson. He was throwing balls 40+ yards down the field right on the dot. The Lions traded for Goff this offseason, but I do not see them keeping him long term. He had a surgery that left him with screws in his throwing hand. This could derail his career. He can be cut soon with no dead cap.

8. Carolina Panthers

Nathan: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

The Carolina Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to a 3 year $63 million deal last year. I don’t see Bridgewater as the QB of the future. If the Panthers don’t trade for Watson, I see them taking Lance. Lance was consider to be the second best QB in the draft going in to this year. This changed after sitting out the 2020 season to prepare for the draft. Out of all the players in this draft, Lance posses the biggest threat with his legs as he rushed for 1100 yards and 14 TD’s in 2019. Lance is the pick for me here if I were the Panthers.

Chris: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Parsons comes in a fills the spot that they have been missing since Luke Kuechly retired. Teddy Bridgewater did not have a great season, but I see them waiting until next season to draft a QB. He is a physical freak. He can do it all it is just a matter of getting his mind right. Reports say he may not love football so some people see him falling down draft boards. I see him as a top 5 talent.

9. Denver Broncos

Nathan: Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Alabama

With a very weak secondary that already moved on from A.J. Bouye this offseason, the Broncos look to improve their secondary with Surtain Jr. The son of of former NFL CB Patrick Surtain, Surtain Jr. was a three year starter at Alabama who brings a great pedigree to the game. His length, discipline, and mild-mannered playing style make him the best CB prospect in my opinion.

Chris: Caleb Fairley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Broncos severely need corner back help after the season they had in 2020. I was close to having them take Trey Lance, but decided they needed a speedy corner instead. Fairley and Surtain Jr. have been 1a and 1b in many mock drafts I look at. They lost Chris Harris Jr. a year ago and now cut AJ Bouye because of how bad of a season he had. They are getting bare. I do see them bringing in a QB whether it is in Free Agency or the next few rounds.

10. Dallas Cowboys

Nathan: Caleb Fairley, CB, Virginia Tech

Fairley is the 2nd best CB prospect in this draft and is a very smart pick here for the Cowboys. Dallas’s secondary this past year was a weak point of the team after losing Byron Jones, and Trevon Diggs not performing at a high level. Fairley will instantly improve the Cowboys secondary and will provide them with a true number 1 corner.

Chris: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

We saw Dallas really struggle last season because their lineman were going down like flies. That is what happens with age. I do not see Zach Martin and Tyron Smith sticking around much longer. Slater has been moving up boards because some people think he could be a better than Sewell. This is not a sexy pick, but it will benefit their 20 million dollar running back.