Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
Credit: theacc.com
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Ikem Ekwonu - North Carolina State
After a strong performance at the combine, Ekwonu should be (if he wasn't already) in the discussion to hear his name called first on draft night. Ekwonu's athleticism pops up on his tape, and he has the positional versatility to play multiple positions on the line.
2) Detroit Lions: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson - Michigan
Detroit head coach Dan Campell has preached the importance of building in the trenches. In Hutchinson, the Lions add an explosive athlete whose effort matches his talent.
3) Houston Texans: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux - Oregon
With Davis Mills in tow on an inexpensive rookie contract, Houston has the flexibility to take a "best player available" approach to their selection. Hence, despite his passion and motor concerns amongst NFL executives, Thibodeaux is too talented to pass on here. Thibodeaux has an impressive mix of speed and power that make him a nightmare to block one on one.
4) New York Jets: CB Ahmad Gardner - Cincinnati
The Jets opt to address their secondary with Ekwonu and the top consensus top two pass rushers gone. Gardner is a smooth and long corner with fluid hips and the straight-line speed (4.41-second forty-yard dash) to keep up with the twitchiest receivers in the NFL.
5) New York Giants: OT Evan Neal - Alabama
New general manager Joe Schoen has vowed to build the Giants' roster with the intent of getting the best from quarterback Daniel Jones. In this scenario, he uses the first of their two top-seven selections to select Neal, an athletic marvel at the tackle position. With Andrew Thomas coming off of an improved second campaign, the selection of Neal would give the Giants one of the better young bookend duos in the NFL.
6) Carolina Panthers: OT Charles Cross - Mississippi State
While Carolina has the resources to explore all possible upgrades at the quarterback position, the team needs to build a viable infrastructure for a quarterback to succeed in. The best pass-protecting tackle in the draft, Cross's experience in an Air Raid offense should help lessen the learning curve of the transition to the NFL and give Carolina another tackle to pair with Taylor Moton.
7) New York Giants (from CHI): EDGE Travon Walker - Georgia
New Giants defensive coordinator loves to blitz the quarterback. The Giants need to acquire more playmakers on the edge for his aggressive scheme to work with this team. Not given much opportunity to showcase his talent at Georgia, Walker's athletic traits at his size give him the potential to be one of the best players in this draft class. Pairing Walker with last year's second-round selection, Azeez Ojulari will provide the Giants with two young former Bulldogs to build around.
8) Atlanta Falcons: WR Garrett Wilson - Ohio State
With All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Ridley's future in question after being handed an indefinite suspension, Atlanta's playmaking options outside of Kyle Pitts are barren. Wilson has the elite body control and athleticism to be a dangerous weapon in the NFL from day one. With Matt Ryan likely around for at least another season, the Falcons can continue to rebuild their roster before finding their heir apparent.
9) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): CB Derek Stingley Jr. - Louisiana State
After a blockbuster trade that saw Denver acquire quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are now controlling the ninth selection, amongst other assets. With the selection of Singley Jr., Seattle is banking on the potential of perhaps the most talented prospect in the draft class. Injuries and inconsistency have clouded his draft outlook, but when engaged, Stingley has the makeup of a shutdown corner, an invaluable asset in today's game.
10) New York Jets (from SEA): EDGE Jermaine Johnson - Florida State
A potential trade-up landing spot for a quarterback-needy team, the Jets could look to upgrade their defensive line if they do not trade down. After beginning his college career in Athens, Johnson transferred to Florida State. He led the ACC in sacks, putting his dormant potential on display. With the additions of both Gardner and Johnson, the Jets add significant pieces to a defense that was the NFL's worst last season.
11) Washington Commanders: CB Trent McDuffie - Washington
With Matt Corral, Kenny Pickett, and Malik Willis still on the board, Washington could choose a quarterback here. But, instead, Ron Rivera adds another chess piece to his defense with McDuffie. McDuffie's strong showing at the combine confirmed the athletic traits that have helped him develop into possibly the best corner in the class.
12) Minnesota Vikings: S Kyle Hamilton - Notre Dame
Plagued with poor play in the secondary over the last few years, Minnesota will be ecstatic to see Hamilton still on the board at 12. Hamilton is the best safety prospect to enter the NFL in some time, with his range and elite size standing out as his best traits. In addition, Hamilton would immediately create one of the premier safety duos in the league with veteran Harrison Smith.
13) Cleveland Browns: WR Jameson Williams - Alabama
With Jarvis Landry set to hit free agency, Cleveland is left with a shortage of reliable weapons on the outside. Despite suffering a torn ACL in January, a healthy Williams is an ideal complement to the Browns' vaunted run game. Williams is an explosive athlete who has the vertical speed to stretch defenses and create big plays.
14) Baltimore Ravens: IDL Jordan Davis - Georgia
After what may be the most impressive combine performance ever, Davis secured his position as a top-20 selection. Davis would come in to replace Calais Campbell at the nose tackle position, giving Baltimore yet another massive body to control the center of their front.
15) Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA): EDGE David Ojabo - Michigan
Armed with three first-round selections, Philadelphia has the ammo to add instant-impact players to their roster, starting with Ojabo. While raw and light on football experience, Ojabo has a tantalizing skill set and the makeup of an elite pass rusher if appropriately developed.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (from IND): LB Devin Lloyd - Utah
To succeed with their physical and time-draining style of play, Philadelphia needs to find more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Lloyd is an athletic, physical linebacker who would immediately be a tone-setter for the Eagles' defense. While he still needs to improve his processing, Lloyd has the necessary tools to be an impactful three-down linebacker.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: CB Andrew Booth Jr. - Clemson
In an AFC West division that houses arguably four top-15 quarterbacks, the Chargers must address their defense to take pressure off Justin Herbert and the offense. Booth is a physical corner who has the size and length to be a plus starter at the corner position. Additionally, with Chris Harris set to hit free agency, the addition of Booth would allow Asante Samuel Jr. to move into the slot and improve their pass defense.
18) New Orleans Saints: QB Matt Corral - Mississippi
Following the departure of longtime head coach Sean Payton, the Saints are in a weird position. Taysom Hill has not proven himself to be a long-term starting quarterback in the league, leading the Saints to take a chance on Corral. Corral is an intriguing prospect with an electric arm and underrated athleticism. While his skill set is a bit raw, and he likely needs a year to sit, Corral is a high-risk, low-reward prospect who can elevate the Saints' offense in time.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Drake London - Southern California
After addressing the defense with their first two selections, Philadelphia gives Jalen Hurts another dynamic weapon to throw to. London is a big-bodied receiver (6-foot-4) who is elite at the catch point and an underrated athlete after the catch. In a crucial year for Hurts, London will complement Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert in the passing game.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Malik Willis - Liberty
Finally, at pick 20, we see the first quarterback selected. Willis is an electric athlete with a cannon of an arm that will rank amongst the strongest in the league once he's drafted. Concerns regarding inconsistent play and the complexity of his offense at Liberty might keep him outside of the top ten. Still, Willis's physical potential warrants his selection as a first-round pick.
21) New England Patriots: WR Chris Olave - Ohio State
In need of a big-play athlete on the outside, the Patriots would love the addition of Olave to their receiving corps. Olave is a dynamic athlete who combines elite straight-line speed advanced route running. To compete with the Bills' high-powered offense in the division, the Patriots have to increase the frequency of chunk plays, which Olave should help with.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: IDL Devonte Wyatt - Georgia
Yet another member of the Georgia defensive line in the first round, Wyatt to Las Vegas is a match made in heaven. With elite lateral quickness and an initial punch that has some pop, Wyatt has cemented his status as a first-rounder and will serve as the solution to the Raiders' problems in run defense in this scenario.
23) Arizona Cardinals: EDGE George Karlaftis - Purdue
After fading down the stretch in two consecutive seasons, Arizona needs to infuse more depth and talent into their roster. With Chandler Jones set to hit free agency, Karlaftis would slide in as an instant impact performer at the edge position with the potential to develop into a plus starter at the position in time.
24) Dallas Cowboys: IOL Zion Johnson - Boston College
With so much money invested in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas needs to add more depth to its once-vaunted offensive line to help create more explosive plays for the offense. With the positional flexibility to play guard or center, Johnson is a plug-and-play offensive lineman who helps keep the star attractions in Dallas upright.
25) Buffalo Bills: WR Treylon Burks - Arkansas
Although the Bills have more pressing needs at cornerback and interior offensive line, Burks is too talented for Brandon Beane to pass up at 25. Blessed with a linebacker's frame (6-foot-3 and 225 pounds), Burks is a physical phenomenon that will run through and away from defenders on the field.
26) Tennessee Titans: LB Nakobe Dean - Georgia
While a bit undersized (measured at 5-foot-11 at the combine), Dean is an elite athlete who can cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. With a solid front four in front to absorb blocks, Dean would be free to wreak havoc in Tennessee's defensive scheme.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Roger McCreary - Auburn
Another draft, another Auburn cornerback for Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay has a lot of decisions to make regarding their personnel this offseason, including top corner Carlton Davis who is scheduled to hit free agency. In McCreary, Tampa Bay is getting an aggressive, physical cornerback who should thrive behind the Buccaneers' front seven.
28) Green Bay Packers: WR George Pickens - Georgia
After agreeing to terms on a lucrative extension for longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay finds another dynamic weapon to keep him happy. Pickens is a big and dynamic athlete at the wide receiver position who would have been in contention receiver number one in this class if not for a torn ACL suffered last April. Still, Pickens' burst and elite size make him a steal at 28.
29) Miami Dolphins (from SF): IOL Tyler Linderbaum - Iowa
With Tua Tagovailoa now the entrenched starter, Miami needs to protect the former fifth overall pick better. While his size won't make him a for every team, Linderbaum is a pro-ready center prospect with the toughness and skill to be a long-term solution for the Dolphins at center.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: WR Christian Watson - North Dakota State
A freaky athlete at 6-foot-4, Watson's strong combine performance has boosted his stock. After Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, Kansas City needs to add more weapons for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Watson gives the Chiefs' offense explosiveness and size at the receiver position.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: OT Bernhard Raimann - Central Michigan
Raimann is a raw talent who has limited experience at the tackle position is an intriguing project for teams looking for an offensive lineman. While his transition to the league may have a tough learning curve, Raimann has the athleticism and demeanor to help keep Joe Burrow upright.
32) Detroit Lions (via LAR): QB Sam Howell - North Carolina
With Jared Goff under the contract, the Lions do not need to find an instant solution at the quarterback position. So instead, they select Howell with the final pick of the first round. Howell has a great arm and the requisite toughness to man the quarterback position in Detroit. In time, he could develop into a plus starter.
