Zach Kurtz’s 1st Round Mock Draft 1.0
The NFL Draft is just mere days away and I don’t know about you but I cannot wait! Here’s a 1st Round Mock of what I think will/should happen. I put a lot of research into every pick so let’s call these predictions educated guesswork.
- Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s all but confirmed that the Jags get their franchise quarterback who is one of, if not the greatest QB prospect of all time. Things are looking up after years of swinging and missing at this position.
- Zach Wilson, QB BYU
New York Jets
This is another no brainer. The Jets get their fresh start after the failed Sam Darnold experiment and Wilson could be the perfect man to right this ship.
- Mac Jones, QB Alabama
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco makes the move that has more than half of the country cringing just at the thought of it. Kyle Shanahan knows what he wants and he went and got it. You gotta admire that even if you’re a Mac Jones doubter.
- Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State
Atlanta Falcons
Arthur Blank gets his way and the Falcons should be set at Quarterback for the next decade. This was a match made in heaven as Lance has worlds of upside but needs some time to develop behind a veteran and Matt Ryan’s contract fits perfectly into this time window.
- Ja'Marr Chase, WR LSU
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals get the best WR of this ultra talented class and reunite him with Joe Burrow. The LSU duo will make a lot of noise for years to come. Some see Cincinnati taking Sewell but I think they’ll trust their 1st rd pick from two years ago in Jonah Williams and newly acquired Riley Reiff who only allowed one sack and committed one penalty in over 1k offensive snaps in 2020.
- Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
Miami Dolphins
Miami traded back and still got their man who is arguably the best player in this draft. Tua should be rejoicing now that he has an elite weapon who will put the league on notice immediately.
- DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
Detroit Lions
Detroit gets their much needed replacement for Kenny Golladay. Smith will be an immediate playmaker with Jared Goff looking the Heisman winner’s way early and often.
- Penei Sewell, OT Oregon
Carolina Panthers
Matt Rhule and co. have expressed interest in trading back to accumulate picks but they can’t pass up on the best Offensive Tackle by far considering that’s arguably their biggest need.
- Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
Denver Broncos
Drew Lock’s days are numbered as Denver gets their man without having to trade up. The Broncos haven’t had success with a QB since Peyton Manning and Fields should change that with this talented weapons arsenal.
- Patrick Surtain ll, CB Alabama
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas didn’t really have a choice but to go Defense here. They were in the bottom 10 in yards allowed last season and have a huge hole at cornerback. I’ve been toggling back and forth between Surtain and Horn but Jerry Jones and co. decide to go for the sure thing and snag the most NFL ready defensive back in this class.
- Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern
New York Giants
There’s been lots of reports that Big Blue could be going for a Receiver here but I see them shoring up the offensive line once again. Golladay, Slayton and Shepard are more than enough skill to go along with Barkley and Engram. They just need to keep Daniel Jones upright in what is probably his last chance as the starter. Slater fits the bill as a versatile lineman who’s played at a high level his entire collegiate career.
- Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, the Eagles are taking back to back 1st round Receivers who have the same first name. Jalen Hurts needs another high end weapon who can keep defenses honest and Waddle should do just that while reuniting with his former Quarterback.
- Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech
Los Angeles Chargers
Telesco opts to go for the most glaring need which is left tackle. Protecting Herbert at all costs is the way to go after he spent most of his rookie campaign under duress. Darrisaw is often ranked above Slater and should be more than capable to man Los Angeles’ blindside for years to come.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL USC
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings brass seem to be in love with Vera-Tucker and it’s not hard to see why. He’s a very versatile Lineman with worlds of upside. Kirk Cousins can breathe a sigh of relief.
- Micah Parsons, LB Penn State
New England Patriots
Belichick decides to stay put and go for the best player available which ends up being a top ten talent with some character issues. In need of some youth and speed at Linebacker, Parsons could end up thriving as a Patriot making this a wicked steal.
- Jaycee Horn, CB South Car
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals desperately need more help at the Cornerback position despite signing Malcolm Butler in free agency. Losing Patrick Peterson left a huge hole in a secondary that already was undermanned. Horn is my favorite CB prospect from this class and has loads of potential with his out of this world athleticism and ball hawking skills.
- Trevon Moehrig, S TCU
Las Vegas Raiders
Mayock and Gruden can’t pass up on the best Safety in this class by far. Moehrig will help solidify the Raiders porous secondary that surrendered 4,212 and tied for 5th fewest interceptions last season. This TCU playmaker will add some teeth to Gruden’s Defense that they’ve been lacking.
- Kwity Paye, DE Michigan
Miami Dolphins
Brian Flores and co. turn their attention to the other side of the ball and take the first pass rusher off the board. The former Michigan Wolverine has the athleticism, power and motor to make opposing Quarterbacks Paye. Please forgive me!
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame
Washington Football Team
Riverboat Ron’s defense just got a whole lot scarier. Owusu-Koramoah is a game changing linebacker that will take this Washington squad to the next level.
- Teven Jenkins, OT Oklahoma State
Chicago Bears
Some believe Chicago will go Wide Receiver here but I see them shoring up their offensive line for a slam dunk with this specimen out of Oklahoma State.
- Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama
Indianapolis Colts
The retirement of stud left tackle Anthony Castonzo has had Indy fans cringing especially with Carson Wentz under center. Leatherwood is versatile and has plenty of starting experience and should be able to take care of the blindside as a rookie in Indy.
- Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
Tennessee Titans
Often touted as the best Cornerback of this draft class, Farley drops down the board due to his back injury. Overall this could be one of the biggest steals of the draft as Tennessee gets a much needed cover corner after finish 28th or worse in almost every relevant passing statistic and cutting their top two CBs.
- Creed Humphrey, C Oklahoma
New York Jets
Humphrey is one, if not the best center prospect I can remember and the Jets are lucky to nab him at 23. Centers don’t typically get selected in the 1st round but Humphrey is a special prospect.
- Najee Harris, RB Alabama
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh was dead last in rushing yards last season and desperately needs to improve that facet of the game with an aging Roethlisberger. They definitely have bigger holes to fill but enough is enough.
- Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa
Jacksonville Jaguars
Urban Meyer has talked extensively about rebuilding this defense and signed four defensive lineman in free agency last month. Collins will round out the front seven nicely as they could use another outside linebacker as defensive coordinator Joe Cullen has stated they’ll run multiple fronts but revert to a 3-4 base formation. Collins is a former Quarterback and is extremely versatile.
- Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Cleveland Browns
Although it’s not Cleveland’s biggest need, scooping up Bateman would make perfect sense. He’s been working out and getting trained by OBJ and would instantly make an impact as a versatile receiver with size that they’re lacking at the position. Mayfield’s contract is soon to get a lot heftier and carrying OBJ and Landry’s huge cap hits may not be in the cards for Stefanski and co.
- Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Georgia
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore lost Pro Bowl pass rushers Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency leaving a gaping hole in their front seven. Ojulari fits perfectly in Baltimore’s scheme and even said “It would be a dream to play for Baltimore.”
- Greg Newsome II, CB Northwestern
New Orleans Saints
Struggling against the salary cap has left the Saints with quite a few holes to fill via the draft. Newsome will fill the biggest need replacing veteran Janoris Jenkins at CB2 to pair with Pro Bowl cover corner Marshon Lattimore. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree here as Newsome is the son of former 1st round pick and Super Bowl champion Craig Newsome of the Packers.
- Christian Barmore, DT Alabama
Green Bay Packers
The Pack get the best interior defensive lineman in this class to help with their soft run defense that let them down last season. Barmore has all the makings of a future Pro Bowler and looks to be exactly what Green Bay is in need of to turn things around on defense.
- Jayson Oweh, DE Penn State
Buffalo Bills
For once Buffalo doesn’t have any glaring needs but adding a talented young pass rusher into the mix behind veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison would be a smart move by Beane and McDermott.
- Kadarius Toney, WR Florida
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore gets Lamar Jackson another Receiver to pair with Hollywood Brown and Sammy Watkins. The ultra talented Toney should be an immediate impact player for the birds and fantasy owners.
- Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Miami
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The rich just keep getting richer. The reigning Super Bowl champions who somehow managed to retain every single starter from their championship run add possibly the most talented pass rusher of this class to their rotation behind the aging Jason Pierre Paul. Phillips comes with injury and character concerns but he’s well worth the risk at 32.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you’d like to join our Mock Draft Pool join the group that’s linked below and you can find it in the announcement section.
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