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As sports enthusiasts look forward to the upcoming NFL Draft and drool with anticipation at having literally any live sports news, Rotoballer staff writers decided to have a little fun this week. We chose a couple of teams each and tried to mock what we think should happen in this month's draft.
To the best of our ability, we tried to select the best value at a position of need for the team, not so much trying to inhabit the specific drafter and choose as he would. We decided to prevent any trades and there is a short rationale for each pick as well as the Twitter handle of the drafter so you can tell them how amazing their picks and insights were.
Let's kick things off with round one. For now, we're all set to do at least three rounds with some potential fantasy fallout articles to follow. You can check out other NFL mock drafts from our RotoBaller staff as well.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
1. Cincinnati Bengals (@DennisMClausen)
Joe Burrow, QB LSU
This one doesn't require a lot of explanation. Burrow is the best quarterback in the draft, and the Bengals had to start Ryan Finley at times last season. The Bengals tab Burrow to become the face of the organization, following in the footsteps of every Buffalo Bills fan's favorite hero, Andy Dalton.
2. Washington Redskins (@Envisionff)
Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
Surprise of the draft right from pick number two. While the Skins could certainly trade this pick in real life, allowing Tua to be taken here, we're not doing trades in this mock, so they hold firm here. With the new coaching staff in Washington, they may want their own guy anyway. Taking him here also leaves them a year to get a feel for what Haskins has to offer while Tagovailoa fully recovers from his injury.
3. Detroit Lions (@CoachRiggall)
Chase Young, DE Ohio State
It doesn't get much easier than this. The Lions are thrilled with the way the board falls for them and run up to the podium to take Young, who is a generational talent they can use at edge rusher opposite Trey Flowers.
4. New York Giants (@SamskiNYC)
Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson
Simmons is very versatile, having taken snaps at linebacker, safety, and even some corner. That's incredibly valuable in today's NFL with offenses using all kinds of formations and schemes. Simmons gives the Giants their best LB since LT and an anchor for their defense.
5. Miami Dolphins (@Roto_Chef)
Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
Tua being taken #2 overall is a brutal blow for the Dolphins, but they need to add a quarterback to this rebuilding squad that Brian Flores has moving in the right direction. The Fins are nearly as high on Herbert, so they'll use this pick to grab their QB of the future and still have the luxury of having him sit for a year if they need/want to.
6. LA Chargers (@_PhilClark)
Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
The board couldn't have fallen worse for the Chargers who may now need to scramble to sign Cam Newton or Jameis Winston to a one year contract (they should do that anyway). Now that the option of securing either Tua or Herbert has been eviscerated, the Chargers will regroup, avoid any temptation to reach for a QB, and address a glaring need on their offensive line. Whoever they get to eventually be the QB of the future will need to stay upright, after all.
7. Carolina Panthers (@DennisMClausen)
Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio State
This pick likely comes down to Derrick Brown or Okudah, but the Panthers desperately need to address their secondary with only Donte Jackson as a reliable cornerback. In today's NFL, but especially in the Panthers' division, teams need at least three solid starting cornerbacks to keep offenses in check. While they could certainly wait on CB in a deep draft, here they'll secure the top cornerback option and then probably double-tap and grab another one in the later rounds.
8. Arizona Cardinals (@GbridgfordNFL)
Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
This pick would have been Ceedee Lamb if the Cardinals wanted to break NFL defenses. Instead, they get the best right tackle available to keep Kyler Murray upright. Andrew Thomas was an outstanding option, but Wills' athleticism is potentially a better fit in this wide-open offense. Murray should be running for his life a lot less this year.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (@Roto_Chef)
Derrick Brown, DT Auburn
The Jaguars are tempted to take a WR here, but with a deep class and another pick in the first round, they will shore up their terrible D-line first. Brown is a beast and could help the Jaguars run defense immediately in addition to adding value as a pass-rusher.
1o. Cleveland Browns (@SamskiNYC)
Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
With the Browns sniffing around Trent Willams, it's clear that left tackle is their biggest priority. Wirfs would also be an option here, but he's a better fit at RT and the Browns are set there now after signing Jack Conklin. Andrew Thomas has the shot to be a high-quality LT, so the Browns will jump on that.
11. New York Jets (@RotoSurgeon)
Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa
Protecting Sam Darnold is priority #1 for the Jets. They signed a heap of new linemen this offseason, including T George Fant to presumably take over at LT but still have a hole at RT. Given Wirfs' experience there, he can slide right in and presumably slide elsewhere, maybe even LT in the future if need be.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (@_PhilClark)
Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
A dream scenario unfolds for the Raiders, as all options at wide receiver remain available after 11 picks. While both CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs will be enticing, the Raiders seize Jeudy to operate as the WR1 that they desperately need. Adding a star of this caliber while moving to a new city is a major boon for the organization.
13. San Francisco 49ers (@RotoSurgeon)
CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
If the 49ers want to succeed, they need to surround Jimmy Garroppolo with as many playmakers as possible. The board falls perfectly for them as they'd like jump at the chance to take either Jeudy or Lamb. The 49ers have a potent rushing attack along with YAC Gods George Kittle and Deebo Samuel but are missing a true, alpha outside receiver like Lamb. The offense really took a step forward when it signed Emmanuel Sanders and Lamb should be able to provide them with even more juice now that Sanders is gone.
14. Tampa Bay Bucs (@RotoSuperstar)
Javon Kinlaw, DL South Carolina
An offensive line pick could be a possibility here as well, but with the big names off the board, the Bucs look to fill another need on the interior of the defensive line. As mentioned in my 32 for 32 article, Kinlaw is a big-bodied, strong tackle that can overpower his opposition, eat up blocks and allow linebackers free space to operate in.
15. Denver Broncos (@RotoSuperstar)
Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama
In trying to build a young nucleus, the Broncos' immediate need is a playmaker opposite Courtland Sutton. They get just that with Henry Ruggs III. As shown at the scouting combine, and in my 32 for 32 article, Ruggs has the speed to take the top off of a defense and allow Sutton to have more space to operate on short to intermediate routes.
16. Atlanta Falcons (@_PhilClark)
C.J. Henderson, CB Florida
Atlanta must address multiple needs defensively and begins that process by bolstering the secondary. Henderson is a strong cover corner with solid technique and long arms. He has shown some mental lapses and struggles against the run, but the Falcons desperately need to stop the pass, and Henderson can do that with almost any CB in this draft.
17. Dallas Cowboys (@juscarts)
K'Lavon Chaisson, LB LSU
With Henderson off the board and the Cowboys sticking with their "Nah, we're not picking a safety in the first" attitude, Jerry and Stephen Jones grab a pass rusher. Chaisson is a competitor with the build and speed to be a force off the edge. He's emerging as a run defender but that would just be an added bonus for the Cowboys.
18. Miami Dolphins (@Roto_Chef)
Josh Jones, OT Houston
Upgrading the offensive line is the most glaring need, especially after trading Laremy Tunsil to the Texans before the 2019 season. Jones is the best tackle on the board at this point. He has incredible natural ability and elite upside, but he comes with an awful lot of risk given his current raw footwork. Still, this is a chance the Dolphins can afford to take.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (@_PhilClark)
A.J. Terrell, CB Clemson
The Raiders need a talent infusion at cornerback. While Kristian Fulton is a possibility, the team will pair Terrell with his former Clemson teammate Trayvon Mullen. He's long, rangy and an excellent athlete, which the Raiders have always loved. If he gets stronger, he can be even better, so this is a great upside pick for Las Vegas (which is super weird to type).
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (@Roto_Chef)
Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama
The Jags' once-dominant defense lost Jalen Ramsey now A.J. Bouye and need a corner badly. Diggs should be able to step in as a starter on Day 1. A former wide receiver, Diggs is still learning the cornerback position, which makes his potential value even more exciting.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (@Envisionff)
Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
The Eagles are desperate to find wide receiver help. Jefferson will fit perfectly in the slot where he caught 98% of his passes in 2019. He's not an elite athlete, but he has played all over the field and is incredibly valuable in contested catch situations. That could make him a strong partner for Alshon Jeffrey and a good security blanket for Carson Wentz.
22. Minnesota Vikings (@Envisionff)
Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
The Viking secondary was bad in 2019. With Xavier Rhodes gone, they need to start early to replenish the corps. Fulton is a great man-to-man corner who is a bit raw but improved with each year at LSU. He has the kind of upside the become a lockdown cornerback at the next level.
23. New England Patriots (@scotteTheKing)
Jordan Love, QB Utah State
There have been analysts who have compared Jordan Love to both Patrick Mahomes and Jameis Winston. He is still a bit raw, but if there's any coach who can get him to reach his potential it's Bill Belichick. If Love gets taken here, then Jarrett Stidham is not the future in New England.
24. New Orleans Saints (@Envisionff)
Patrick Queen, LB LSU
With Jordan Love off the board and Emmanuel Sanders signed in free agency, the need for the Saints turns to defense. They get the fastest linebacker, and he doesn't even have to leave the state.
25. Minnesota Vikings (@Envisionff)
Tee Higgins, WR Clemson
The two main needs for Minnesota are at wide receiver and cornerback. They helped themselves with the first need on their first pick, so now they get a big receiver to go downfield and replace the recently-traded Stefon Diggs. Higgins is the best receiver left on the board and fills a major need.
26. Miami Dolphins (@Roto_Chef)
Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin
The ideal scenario plays out for Miami and they are able to grab the top RB of this class to fix the league's worst running game. At the end of the first round, the Dolphins have drafted potential cornerstones at QB, RB, and LT. Not a bad day's work.
27. Seattle Seahawks (@scotteTheKing)
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE Penn State
Carroll and Schneider's priority is improving the pass rush, which has always been a calling card of Seattle's defense. Gross-Matos is the best pure pass-rusher at defense end after Chase Young. In a so-so defensive line class, the Seahawks will pounce now before the value at the position goes off a cliff.
28. Baltimore Ravens (@RotoSurgeon)
Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
The Ravens went back-and-forth here between Murray and Cesar Ruiz; however, given this draft's lack of ILB talent, Murray had to be the pick. The Ravens were left with a hole in the middle of the field after the departure of CJ Mosley and Murray fits their system well.
29. Tennessee Titans (@SamskiNYC)
A.J. Epenesa, DE Iowa
The Titans could use a RT, but there isn't one worth drafting here so they look to the defensive line which went from a strength to an area of need after trading Jurrell Casey. Casey did a little bit of everything, lining up as a 3-4 defensive end and never leaving the field. Epenesa saw his draft stock fall because he wasn't explosive at the combine, but he's a talented and versatile player who uses strong hands to make plays in the backfield.
30. Green Bay Packers (@GbridgfordNFL)
Jalen Reagor, WR TCU
A brutal stretch kicked off at 21 overall when Justin Jefferson was taken, and it didn't get better for Green Bay from there. Looking at the board at 30, they'll take the high-ceiling option of Jalen Reagor to pair with Davante Adams and Devin Funchess. His speed should help open up the top of the defense for them to work underneath.
31. San Francisco 49ers (@RotoSurgeon)
Cesar Ruiz, C Michigan
Interior offensive line became a need for the 49ers after they released Mike Person. They added some depth in free agency, but those pieces are more holdovers. Ruiz could be the future. He has the ability to play anywhere along the interior of the line and has proven his value in an NFL-style offense.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (@juscarts)
Damon Arnette, CB Ohio State
The Chiefs need backs of both the running and defensive varieties, but in the first round, they decide to go with the corner variety since depth at running back will likely last deeper into the draft. Arnette is an aggressive corner who thrives in press situations. He'll be an asset on an aggressive turnover-happy defense.
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