It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
The regular season is over, the bowl season is well underway and the college football community is looking forward to the New Year’s Six Bowls and the College Football Playoff!
So with all that going on, the team here at F10Y CFB have turned our attention towards the NFL Draft and from now will be bringing you regular written and audio draft content, culminating in the second edition of our Draft Scouting Reports which will be on sale in the Spring!
For now though, we have put together our first mock draft of the season so far, this is a team mock, with no trades, with the draft order taken from tankathon.com/nfl earlier this week.
Let us know what you think
1 .Jacksonville Jaguars – Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Ed Farrar with the pick:
Jacksonville needs to add blue chip talent to a woeful roster. For me there’s only one blue chipper in this class, and whilst he’s a safety, he’s the only guaranteed star in this class. This won’t be popular, but Hamilton and Cisco could be a properly elite, franchise changing safety duo for Jacksonville.
2. Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Lee Wakefield with the pick:
Despite winning their way out of the#1 spot recently, Detroit still walks away with the best player in college football (in my opinion) with this pick.
The Lions 2021 draft was full of Pac-12 players, with Penei Sewell, their first round pick from last year also out of Oregon, as well as Levi Onwuzike, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jermar Jefferson who also came in from the west coast.
Detroit takes another potential star out of Eugene to add some star power to a defense that really needs it.
3. Houston Texans – Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Kieran Patterson with the pick:
After missing star QB Deshaun Watson for another year it’s clear the Texans are moving on, and who better to start your rebuild with than Ole Miss signal caller Matt Corral.
Strong arm, solid decision making and scrambling ability make Matt the no brainer QB1 in this draft.
4. New York Jet – Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Raj Garcha with the pick:
Having invested heavily in the offense last year, it’s time for the defence to undergo surgery for Gang Green. The Jets need pass rush help, and the best player in the draft (in my opinion) in Hutchinson fits the bill.
5. New York Giants – Derek Stingley Jr., Corner, LSU
Andy Moore with the pick:
The Corner with the highest upside in the draft lands in New York to bolster a secondary that already has a young star in the making in Xavier McKinney. Stingley has all the attributes of a lockdown, Jalen Ramsey level player, and although the Giants have several other needs, this feels like the perfect addition to bolster the back end of the Giants defense and a Cornerback room that is good, not great.
6. New York Giants – Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
Andy:
Evan Neal could easily have been the pick here, as the Giants go back to back at the top of the first round. However, the versatility that Linderbaum projects to have at the next level made him too appealing to passover at this spot. The Iowa star has played at Center throughout his college career, and he could easily slot in there immediately – but with New York currently turning out Matt Skura at Left Guard, the prospect of giving him reps at that position might be all too appealing for whoever the Giants Head Coach is in 2022.
7. Carolina Panthers – Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Keith Lucken with the pick:
This is an easy selection for the Panthers. A combination of Cam Erving and Brady Christensen at Left Tackle hasn’t worked out this year, so let’s put in the best offensive prospect in the draft and immediately upgrade that Offensive Line. Neal has ridiculous athleticism for his size and has been impressive at Left Tackle this year for the Crimson Tide, after seamlessly switching over from the Right Side.
8. New York Jets – Andrew Booth Jr., Corner, Clemson
Raj:
With Hutchinson addressing the Front seven, the secondary is next on the list. ABJ is an athletic, twitchy ball-hawk that instantly becomes a plug and play starting corner for the Jets.
9. Atlanta Falcons – Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, NC State
Lee:
The Falcons are a low-key mess at the moment with a roster that doesn’t make sense and very little cap space to work with this coming offseason. Quarterback could be a consideration here in the top 10 but for me, it’s far too early to take a swing on a young passer who simply won’t have the high ceiling that’s worth betting on. Ekwonu is the pick for a couple of reasons. firstly, he’s a great prospect with all the tools and aggression to be a top end tackle in the league and secondly, it’s better to get the line at least partially sorted before you bring in your next guy under center – Ikem Okwonu can be a cornerstone piece of the Falcons for years to come.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – DeMarvin Leal, Interior Defensive Line, Texas A&M
Keith:
With three first round picks, the Eagles can grab impact players and complete their rebuild, and they’ll start by adding the very versatile Leal. Texas A&M had him at EDGE more than the interior, but it’s inside that his NFL future lies. With Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave already established, Leal will have the time to develop but still get on the field on passing downs ealy in his career.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie, Corner, Washington
Andy:
The Vikings had a ton of draft capital in 2021 and they will want to give players like Wyatt Davis, Chazz Surratt & Patrick Jones enough time to make an impact before drafting similar position. One position they didn’t address was Corner, and in Trent McDuffie they could add a high quality piece who excels in man or zone. McDuffie is also a major contributor after the catch as a proficient open field tackler.
12. Washington Football Team – Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
Raj:
Grabbing a threat opposite McLaurin was key. A fair few receivers are in a similar mould to Scary Terry, therefore WFT selects the 6’5 monster Drake London to be that big threat on the outside.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Andy:
There’s a lot of holes on this Raiders roster, but the Wide Receiver room looks particularly threadbare after Henry Ruggs threw his career away. We also know how much Mike Mayock loves a high profile skill position player, and Garrett Wilson easily fits that bill. The Ohio State star can threaten at all levels, using a deadly combination of acceleration and sharp route running to create separation consistently. If Wilson doesn’t fit the bill, book Jameson Williams in here instead.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
Keith:
I considered Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks here for Philadelphia, but ultimately I went with the most complete Linebacker in the draft. I know historically Philly don’t draft round one linebackers, but this is an area of weakness for this team and can’t be ignored, especially with Lloyd still available. He compares favourably to Fred Warner & Bobby Wagner, and every NFL team wishes they had that kind of player on the second level of their defense.
15. Denver Broncos – Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
Lee:
The Broncos could go QB here as their roster isn’t too far away from being one that you look at and say, “they’re a contender” but again this isn’t the place for a QB, it might not even be a year for a QB if I’m perfectly honest… They have Teddy Bridgewater in-house, they need to extend him but I think he’d be more than happy to stay in Denver for another year or two until they see in their new era. You could copy and paste my analysis of the Ikem Okwonu pick from earlier to be honest, Charles Cross is inexperienced as a Redshirt Sophomore but he seems more than ready to take the step up to the pros.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers – Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati
Ed:
The Steelers will never get in range for an elite QB prospect without a trade up, so there’s good value in taking a high upside player like Ridder here to take a shot at a potential franchise guy.
17. Cleveland Browns – Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Kieran:
After losing OBJ the Browns will be in the market for another pass catcher and Jahan Dotson fits the bill. Fast, agile and safe hands make Dotson a great target for Mayfield on those deep shot play action passes.
18. Baltimore Ravens – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Corner, Cincinnati
Raj:
Corner is a big area of need for the Ravens. Sauce Gardner is that lockdown corner that opposite Marlon Humphrey, could be a lockdown secondary the Ravens need to re-establish themselves.
19. New Orleans Saints – Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
Raj:
Michael Thomas is a non-event at the Saints, therefore replacing him with a prototypical Wide Receiver with freakish hands and athletic ability will give Sean Payton a shiny new weapon to design his offense around.
20. Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, Running Back, Iowa State
Keiran:
Not a flashy pick but the bills need a running back. Breece Hall fits the bill and can run the ball all 3 downs. This makes Buffalo a Superbowl contender.
21. Miami Dolphins – Darian Kinnard, Offensive Tackle, Kentucky
Andy:
The Dolphins’ struggles along the Offensive Line are well documented, 2020 first rounder Austin Jackson has been shunted to Left Guard and replaced at Left Tackle by 2021 second round pick, Liam Eichenberg. Whilst Jackson and Eichenberg have shown signs of growth in recent weeks, the glaring hole remains at Right Tackle, which is particularly important given that Tua Tagovailoa is left handed. Step forward Darian Kinnard, a man mountain who has started on the Kentucky line since 2018, and at Right Tackle since 2019. It just makes too much sense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis, Interior Defensive Line, Georgia
Lee:
It is well documented how the Chargers have struggled to defend the run across the whole season and whilst that aspect of their defense has improved recently, it still sticks in my mind as their biggest flaw heading into what could be a playoff game against a team who loves to run the ball like the Colts or Titans. Part of the issue has been adapting to Brandon Staley’s defense and quite simply, not having the correct guys in the defensive line room. Enter Jordan Davis who can be the run-stuffing, two-gapping defensive tackle that Los Angeles needs, with the added bonus of being able to provide an interior pass rush too. This pick doesn’t just improve the run defense, it provides more one-on-one match ups for Joey Bosa off the edge. Win-win.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Keith:
I was determined to get a Wide Receiver with one of these three first round picks, but the remaining ones, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams, are too similar to DeVonta Smith. The consolation prize though is Purdue Edge George Karlaftis. He is routinely mocked in the top 10, which is too high for my liking, but down here creeping towards the end of round one is about right. With Derek Barnett and Ryan Kerrigan probably leaving as free agents, Karlaftis should slide into a starting role immediately for the Eagles.
24. Detroit Lions – Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
Lee:
With their second selection of the first round, the Lions can afford to take a swing at this year’s Quarterback class. When selecting a QB this year, I really think ceiling is going to be a huge consideration for teams – Which I think makes Malik Willis a more enticing choice than the likes of say, Sam Howell or Kenny Pickett, who I feel have lower potential than Willis. In this scenario, having Jared Goff under contract for up to 3 more years is quite a sizable advantage. Whilst, yes, it’s Jared Goff, Malik Willis isn’t really ready to start and probably won’t be for another year or two, so having Goff as starter and mentor and allowing Willis to develop in the background could be a nice deal for the Lions in the long run.
25. Cincinnati Bengals – Roger McCreary, Corner, Auburn
Ed:
The Bengals need to upgrade the offensive line for sure, but with the top tackles off the market they should instead invest in a top corner to partner Awuzie during their Super Bowl window.
26. Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
Raj:
Captain and leader of the Georgia defense, Dean is the modern day do-it-all linebacker that brings value on and off the field for the Titans defense.
27. Arizona Cardinals – Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M
Andy:
The versatility of Kenyon Green would make him a great addition to any team that needs Offensive Line help. The Cardinals may not have a glaring need here, but Justin Pugh isn’t getting any younger and they have an opt-out on Kelvin Beachum’s deal after this year. As a former 5 star with more than 35 stars under his belt, it is easy to see Green coming in and displacing either veteran as a stalwart of Kyler Murray’s protective shield.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trevor Penning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
Keith:
With Wide Receivers Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown free agents after the season it would be easy to mock Chris Olave or Jameson Williams here. But Tampa Bay loves a small school Offensive Lineman, and Trevor Penning is the best one available in this year’s draft. Now current Left Tackle Donovan Smith has been playing very well this season, but he does have a bit of a monster contract and there will come a time when the Bucs will have to create some salary cap room, and Smith could be a casualty. After the success they’ve had with FCS lineman Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet, Penning will be in a great situation to sit and learn and become the next in line.
29. New England Patriots – Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Kieran:
With their QB1 secured the Pats now need a legit WR1 and with Chris Olvae’s OSU pedigree this is a great pats pickup. If he can build some good chemistry with young Mac this could be an elite tandem for years to come in the NFL.
30. Dallas Cowboys – David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
Lee:
David Ojabo has taken the college football landscape by storm opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a Michigan Wolverines team who as a whole have taken college football by strom and have made the College Football Playoff since Jim Harbaugh took over the team, which in the eyes of many onlookers was well overdue. Ojabo is young and inexperienced with only 1 year real playing time under his belt, but he’s got the speed and bend off the edge that makes Defensive Coordinators swoon and pairing him with DeMarcus Lawrence could form a fearsome tandem for Dem Boyz.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Ed:
The Chiefs have a few things to address moving forward, but getting another young, electric receiver to play opposite Tyreek Hill can benefit them massively on the offensive side of the ball.
32. Green Bay Packers – Devonte Wyatt, Interior Defensive Line, Georgia
Not many holes on this Green Bay roster right now, but if one of the stud Linebackers had fallen here I’d have taken them. That being said, Devonte Wyatt is a first round player in my book and he would immediately compete with the likes of Dean Lowry, Kingsley Keke and Tedarrell Slaton for playing time. A vastly underrated member of the best front seven in college football, Wyatt doesn’t get the publicity he deserves, but I’m hopeful he can get his name called in this range come draft day.
And that’s all for now, let us know your comments – We know that in all mock drafts, we get every single pick wrong!
