Hello all, I recently did a mock with other twitter users. I felt it would be appropriate to judge and critic the draft because that’s what I do. It will also be a good transition into my first mock draft where I GM every team.
In this piece we are going to analyze the mock and then I’ll do my own. This will be the last time I do a no trade mock because the twitter draft was a no trade just first round mock. Going to give each pick a letter grade and a little explanation if necessary.
1. Bengals: Joe Burrow QB LSU: (A) Gamechanger and I try not to invoke that language too often especially with a QB but I will for Burrow.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE Ohio St: (A-) Don’t like him as much as the Bosa bros since he isn’t as polished. There are some kinks in his game that need to be worked out but he can be a difference maker at some point in his career.
3. Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio St: (B+) I’m not convinced Okudah is far and away the best corner in the draft but he can come in a be a serviceable corner. Corner is probably the most impactful defensive position so taking a CB so high is worth it.
4. Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson: (C-) This would be a much worse pick if the Giants didn’t have so many glaring holes on the defense. They can just try him everywhere this season and see if there is a good fit. But if you followed me before you know I don’t think Simmons is a first round pick so the grade has to be low.
5. Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama: (A) Would be lucky to get him here as Tua might be the best QB in the draft. I don’t care at all about the injuries as good QBs have like 10 year lifespan at least. Take your guy.
6. Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB Oregon: (B) I’m falling back on the “take you guy” argument here. QBs are generally so hard to judge and Herbert had a lot of ups (and downs). The Chargers also desperately need a QB to pair with a young and still really good defense.
7. Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT Auburn: (B+) The rebuild has got to start somewhere and if this is a quick turn around like it seems the Panthers are planning for; Brown is great since he’s ready from day 1.
8. Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa: (B+) There are plenty of places to improve on the team but if you want to help Murray post Hopkins trade you’ll improve the offensive line. Wirfs is probably my number 2 or 3 lineman thought so this is a bit of a stretch.
9. Jaguars: Jordan Love, QB Utah State: (D) This is a really terrible pick. The Jags are in full rebuild mode with a quarterback they already have on a rookie deal. Taking a QB this early with so many other holes on the defense is just wrong. I wouldn’t mind the Jags taking a QB next year after they test Minshew out but taking one here and now is such a horrible mistake.
10. Browns: Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville: (B) I like the idea but the execution might be wrong. Becton is probably my 3rd or 4th guy on my big board but the intent is there. After the offensive line struggled mightily last year signing Conklin in the offseason and drafting a lineman should go a long way in helping the offense. Bacton seems to me to be boom or bust but if he can make the transition he is going to be a monster. I might want to err on the side of caution with a team teetering on the brink of a playoff berth so taking Becton is more of a risk.
11. Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama: (A) Jeudy fell to far probably, he could to the Giants at number 4. Pairing him with Darnold will let you know if you need to moe on or sign Sam to a ltd. #1 WR on my board.
12. Raiders: CJ Henderson, CB Florida: (B) Not my second rated corner but the Raiders need secondary help and Henderson is one guy I would take a chance on. Not confident he will pan out but he will start and then we can judge, probably my 3rd corner off the board.
13. 49ers: Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama: (C) Ruggs will do this high but I think it’s a mistake. There was a lot of talent on this team and he didn’t really stick out. He is more than a speedster so he’s not a Darrius Heyward-Bey but he’s also my like 6th WR off the board.
14. Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia (A) He will be my top O-lineman off the board. The Buccs do still have needs in the secondary but since he fell so far you take the value pick here to help protect Brady.
15. Broncos: CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma (C) I remain unconvinced Ceedee’s style of play will translate well into the NFL. He’s also much farther down on my big board. But the Broncos should draft a WR in this spot to help the young offense. My grade is reflective of that smart choice.
16. Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU (B-) I’ve seen this in a lot of mocks so it makes sense. The Falcons defense have been their issue for the past 2 years and their pass rush is a big reason why. K’Lavon is not my favorite prospect but this pick just makes sense.
17. Cowboys: Grant Delpit, S LSU: (B) The Cowboys have a fairly complete roster but safety and CB are big issues. They hopefully paid Clinton-Dix with someone who is competent. I’m not fully sold on the safety class this year.
18. Dolphins: Jedrick Wills Jr, OT Alabama: (A-) Lots of hole here to fill on the offense. Pairing Tua with a great offensive lineman from his old team is smart. Hopefully he can be the Tunsil replacement or at least close to it. Surprised he fell so far since good lineman are so few and far between.
19. Raiders: Justin Jefferson, WR LSU: (A-) Really good pick, love Jefferson he’s a straight up good receiver. Huge fan of adding to this offense with Jefferson but if there is a QB in this draft they like the Raiders need to go after them asap since a WR is an upgrade to the offense but not as big of an upgrade I’d like.
20. Jaguars: Kristian Fulton, CB LSU: (A) A great pick here. The Jags have to replace Jalen with an outside corner and Fulton would be a perfect choice for them here. Not much to say it’s almost a perfect pick.
21. Eagles: KJ Hamler, WR Penn St: (D+) The Eagles need speed at the WR position and probably not another big body like Arcega-Whiteside (if he pans out) but Hamler is a second round pick at best.
22. Vikings: Javon Kinlaw, IDL South Carolina: (A) He fell to far so this is a great value pick. I’m not sure the Vikings need Kinlaw but he’s a great pick here no matter what. I’ve been advocating for taking players to fill needs but BPA is more than a good strategy.
23. Patriots: Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma: (B+) The Pats need to do something at the QB position this draft or soon in FA. Murray doesn’t plug the most important hole but they need a LB bad. This was my pick and Murray has a bunch of upside so I like it but the Pats overall need to address the QB situation.
24. Saints: Patrick Queen, LB LSU: (B) Another really complete roster but I guess they could use a linebacker. I wouldn’t be critical of too many picks that carry a first round value here so they get a nice B.
25. Vikings: Jeff Gladney, CB TCU: (C-) They need a corner but I’m not sure this is the one.
26. Dolphins: Xavier McKinney, S Alabama: (B+) A better safety than Minkah, not better player for sure. Love the Dolphins draft here they are grabbing probable future stars despite the position.
27. Seahawks: Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama: (C+) Again they could use a corner but I wouldn’t have taken Diggs this high, he seems like a early second rounder or mid second rounder. might end up just being a guy.
28. Ravens: Zach Baun, EDGE Wisconsin: (B) They need pass rushers on the edge of their 3/4 defense beside Judon. Buan is getting a lot of hype and I’m becoming more of a fan but not fully on board yet. Why it’s not a higher grad even though they need to address the position.
29. Titans: Austin Jackson, OT USC: (A-) Addressing Conklin’s departure should be at the top of the Titans list. Jackson is a first round talent and he could be a steal this far back in the draft.
30. Packers: Jalen Reagor, WR TCU: (A) A great pick this late in the draft the Packers could have really gotten a steal here. They need a WR and this draft is rich with them and with Reagor starting you in the face you have to make the move.
31. 49ers: AJ Terrell, CB Clemson: (C+) I’ve come around on Terrell more so I don’t hate the pick at the end of the 1st. The 49ers have some more holes than a returning championship team should have and this helps. The CB talent on this team is all o Sherman they need other dudes to step up.
32. Chiefs: AJ Epenesa, EDGE Iowa: (A) This is really good value and at a position they can rotate Epenesa in without putting too much on the rookies plate. Huge fan of this selection.
Those were the small twitter commentators picks now the below are mine. Plz NFL franchises give me a job when the below turns out to be the only correct choices.
1. Bengals: Joe Burrow QB LSU
2. Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE Ohio St.
3. Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio St.
4. Giants: Jedrick Wills Jr., OL Alabama
5. Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB
6. Chargers: Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa
7. Panthers: Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
8. Cardinals: Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
9. Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT Auburn
10. Browns: Josh Jones, OT Houston
11. Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
12. Raiders: Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
13. 49ers: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
14. Buccaneers: Jordan Love, QB Utah State
15. Broncos: Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
16. Falcons: Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
17. Cowboys: CJ Henderson, CB Florida
18. Dolphins: Javon Kinlaw, IDL South Carolina
19. Raiders: Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
20. Jaguars: Grant Delpit, S LSU
21. Eagles: CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
22. Vikings: A.J. Epenesa, DE Iowa
23. Patriots: Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama
24. Saints: Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
25. Vikings: Damon Arnette, CB OSU
26. Dolphins: Xavier McKinney, S Alabama
27. Seahawks: K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge LSU
28. Ravens: Patrick Queen, LB LSU
29. Titans: Austin Jackson, OT USC
30. Packers: Michael Pittman, WR USC
31. 49ers: Ross Blacklock, DT TCU
32. Chiefs: D'Andre Swift, RB Georgia