We are less than a month away from the NFL Draft, and there seems to be little buzz about it.
That's because there is no clear-cut top player and the quarterback class isn't that good. Sure, there might be a star who emerges from the quarterbacks, but I think if Houston's Davis Mills was in this draft, he would be the first quarterback taken. He went in the third round last year.
That's why the buzz isn't great. It's also why doing mock drafts get tougher as we get closer to the actual draft.
The issues start at the top. What will the Jaguars do? In my first mock, I had them taking Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson. But the more I think about it, tackle Evan Neal from Alabama makes more sense, so he's the pick here.
The Jaguars put the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson, but he hasn't signed it or signed a long-term extension. That leaves open the possibility of taking Neal and taking the tag off of Robinson or trading him. They could also keep Robinson, draft Neal, and then play Neal at right tackle or guard, two positions he also played at Alabama.
The Jaguars would then have four tackles on the roster in Robinson, Neal, Walker Little and Jawaan Taylor, who struggled as their right tackle last season, but they need to be better up front.
If they all were to come to camp, the coaches could figure out who plays where. If Robinson is gone, they would likely play Neal at left tackle and let Little and Taylor compete on the right side. Or maybe Little plays left tackle and Neal and Walker compete.
No matter how you look at it, they need to get better up front. This offseason has been about Trevor Lawrence, adding two receivers, a top-dollar guard and a tight end in free agency. Neal would be another piece, which is why I have him going first in this mock, my Mock. 2.0. That can change as we move closer, but I think it would be the right pick.
Elsewhere, Monday's Saints-Eagles trade might just be the first of several as we ready for the draft to get here.
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Round 1 - Pick 1
They will strongly consider Aidan Hutchinson, but I think in the end they get another piece to help out Trevor Lawrence. He could play guard for a year if needed.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The Lions would love this scenario, getting a local kid and filling a need. Hutchinson to the Lions is a perfect pick for both sides.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
They need to get edge help, which is why I think they would pass on taking Ikem Ekwonu with this pick. Walker has the tools to be a star off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The Jets have to get help for their pass rush. While Thibodeaux has fallen some, there is a lot to like with his game. Robert Saleh would love to add this type of edge player.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
They need to improve their line, and Ekwonu would pair with Andrew Thomas to give them a nice duo of young tackles. He could also play guard, with some scouts thinking he's better off inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
This is way too high for my taste for Willis, but desperate teams do desperate things. The Panthers are desperate. They could also consider Kenny Pickett here.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
Like the Jets, they need more help pass rush help. After adding a tackle with their earlier pick, now they can add a rush player who is coming off an impressive season.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
They could opt to pass on a quarterback here, but this is another team that badly needs to fill the position. Receiver and corner could also be in play here.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 9
They have to improve their offensive line, and Cross could step in and start at left tackle right away. Both tackles from last year are gone for now.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 10
After taking a pass rusher earlier, they come back and take the top corner in this draft. Gardner will add a nice, long corner to a defense that needs that to match up with the Bills.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
He is a playmaker on the back end who can give them a player who can drop down to help in the run game. His 40 time disappointed, but he will still go in the first round. I would go receiver here, but I could see Hamilton being the pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
They brought back Patrick Peterson on a one-year deal, so why not add a player from his college? Peterson can help develop Stingley, who would be higher in this mock if he were healthy for most of his career.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 13
This is a player who can solidify any team's run defense. He is a power player who will improve as a pass rusher. Some scouts think he goes top-10 overall.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
They play a lot of man coverage and adding a corner makes sense. He isn't a big corner, but he has the tools to fit what they want from their defense.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 15
This is a risky pick since he's coming off a torn ACL, but he's running again and should be ready by mid-season. This would give the Eagles a game-changer.
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From
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 16
They traded this week to get this pick, so they have to take a shot on a quarterback. Ridder is the best option here. I think he has a chance to be really good.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The right tackle spot remains a concern for the Chargers. Penning is an aggressive player who will give them a solid player to step in and start right away.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 18
They have to get help for their pass rush. Age is starting to become a bit of an issue on their front. Karlaftis will help.
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From
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 19
They take the quarterback and now add a speed threat to go with him. Wilson is a big-time player who will help the passing game.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
They signed Mitch Trubisky, but he isn't the long-term answer. Corral would perfectly fit what they want to do with their passing game.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Versatile defensive backs are the Bill Belichick way, and Pitre would bring that skillset to the Patriots. He can play up near the line or in the middle of the field. He will be better than Kyle Hamilton, who will go earlier in this round.
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From
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 - Pick 22
London is a big receiver in the Mike Evans mold. He is coming off an injury, so there is a concern, but he would help give Aaron Rodgers a big weapon down the field.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
They could go a variety of ways here in terms of position, but I think they need to get better in the middle of their line. Linderbaum is the best of this center class.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The corner position remains the one spot with concerns for the Bills. Booth could come in and push Dane Jackson.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The right tackle spot is a concern. Smith is a player NFL scouts like a lot more than the draft media does. Smith could play right tackle and then take over on the left side down the road.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
They need another inside player to go with Vita Vea. There is talk they could bring Ndamukong Suh back, but if not Wyatt would be a nice replacement.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
They go receiver-receiver with their two picks. Why not? Without Davante Adams, they need help in the worst way.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 29
They need to find a replacement for Tyreek Hill, and Dotson would give them a nice speed threat. Nobody is Hill, but Dotson can run.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
They lost Charvarius Ward in free agency to the 49ers, so drafting a young replacement would be ideal. Elam could step in and start right away.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
It looks like Trent McDuffie, his teammate at Washington, will go earlier, but Gordon might be the better NFL player. With Eli Apple on a one-year deal, they need to get a young corner.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 32
If Ridder were still here, they could consider that. But instead they add to their receiver group by taking Burks.
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