NFL Mock Draft Part I

NFL Mock Draft Part I:

I'm taking the bait. As somebody who has covered the NFL in various forms in terms of print, magazines, blogs, etc., it's time to start releasing NFL Mock Drafts. We're less than two weeks away from something sports fans and bettors have been clamoring to watch and that's the NFL Draft, whether it's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay battling it out on ESPN or the NFL.com crew. Take a look at my first Mock Draft with comments about each player. This is not who I think should go, but who each team will end up picking.

Round 1

1)Cincinnati Bengals - QB Joe Burrow, LSU, 6-3, 220.

Comments: This is a no-brainer. Burrow threw for 60 touchdowns and just six picks. Very accurate thrower. If there is a concern, it's how went from pretty good to Heisman winner in two seasons.

2)Washington Redskins - DE/Edge Chase Young, Ohio State, 6-5, 264

Comments: The best pass rusher in the draft by far, who should make an immediate impact. He recorded 16.5 sacks last season and might be the best player overall. If there is a concern, it's that he is a bit too upright against the run.

3)Detroit Lions - CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State, 6-1, 205.

Comments: This is likely the last of the predictable picks. Detroit needs a top corner after trading away Darius Slay to the Eagles. Okudah is a big corner who moves like a smaller guy. Very athletic and compares to Jalen Ramsey.

4)New York Giants - OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama, 6-4, 314

Comments: The Giants need so much and sure, Isaiah Simmons is another option. But Wills has long arms to make up for his lack of prototypical height for a left tackle. Could play either side and is a mauler in the running game. He'll need time to develop into an elite pass protector.

5)Miami Dolphins - QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama, 6-1, 217

Comments: There are a lot of rumors going around that Tua might slip due to health concerns. He moves well, is accurate and is a great deep ball thrower. Had 87 TDs and 11 picks in his career at Alabama with a 69.3% completing rate.

6)LA Chargers - LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, 6-3, 238

Comments: Sure, the Chargers need a quarterback, but you can't go wrong with Simmons. Why reach for a Justin Herbert? Simmons can do just about anything on the football field. He can play inside or out or even some safety.

7)Carolina Panthers - DL Derrick Brown, Auburn, 6-5, 326

Comments: Brown is the best defensive tackle in the draft. Was SEC Defensive Player of the Year and that's saying something considering there are so many great players at Alabama and LSU. Can play several positions on the line due to strength, size and explosiveness.

8)Arizona Cardinals - OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa, 6-5, 320

Comments: An athletic tackle who should be able to make things easier for Kyler Murray. Good pass blocker. Played right tackle, but has the ability to play left tackle.

9)Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, 6-5, 324

Comments: The Jags need a lot. If they think Gardner Minshew is the future, why take a chance on Justin Herbert? Kinlaw had six sacks last year and is not just a big dude. He's an athlete who can get to the quarterback from the inside. His upside is incredible because he is still raw.

10)Cleveland Browns - OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia, 6-5, 315

Comments: It's time to be less flashy and more about substance. The Browns have enough skill positions, but they need an upgrade on the offensive line. Thomas has good length and a football IQ. Another very good offensive tackle in a very strong group.

11)New York Jets - WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama, 6-1, 193

Comments: Jeudy might not have the great intangibles in terms of size and speed, but nobody runs better routes and nobody is smoother. The Jets desperately need a receiver with Robbie Anderson gone and Jeudy is the safest pick of the receivers. He might not have the greatest upside, but he will be good off the bat.

12)Las Vegas Raiders - WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama, 5-11, 188

Comments: This is so Raiders. Ruggs is a blur on the field and will fit well with Drew Lock's big arm.

13)San Francisco 49ers - WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma, 6-1, 195

Comments: The 49ers got this pick from the Colts and with the loss of Emmanuel Sanders, could use another receiver. Lamb is a vertical threat who is very explosive and is bit like a DeSean Jackson. Every time he touches the ball, he can score.

14)Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville, 6-7, 369

Comments: A monster who can protect Tom Brady and moves extremely well. Will need to get wait down to go up against some of the best Edge rushers in the game.

15)Denver Broncos - CB C.J. Henderson, Florida, 6-1, 204

Comments: Big, athletic corner with great speed. Good technique. Can use a future number one corner with Chris Harris gone.

16)Atlanta Falcons - Edge K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU, 6-3, 254

Comments: Chaisson had 6.5 sacks so he still needs to refine his pass rushing moves. He has a great burst and could add more size. Tremendous upside.

17)Dallas Cowboys - Edge A.J. Epenesa, Iowa, 6-5, 274

Comments: Another big pass rusher who is very powerful against the run and can rush the passer.

18)Miami Dolphins - OT Josh Jones, Houston, 6-6, 310

Comments: Long and consistent four-year starter. Will need to get stronger. Miami needs to protect Tua at all costs.

19)Vegas Raiders - QB Justin Herbert, Oregon, 6-6, 236

Comments: Sure, this is late for Herbert and the Raiders did add Marcus Mariota. But that shows that they don't have great confidence in Derek Carr. Herbert is not ready to play in Game 1, but he can sit for a season. They also may trade Carr.

20)Jacksonville - CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama, 6-1, 205

Comments: Jags need a corner to replace Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Diggs is a big corner who blossomed in his senior season. Also the younger brother of Stefon Diggs, so has great genes.

21)Philadelphia Eagles - WR Justin Jefferson, LSU, 6-1, 202

Comments: Philly is desperate for a receiver who can catch the ball. Jefferson isn't a burner, but he's fast enough.

22)Minnesota Vikings - CB Kristian Fulton, LSU, 6-0, 197

Comments: The Vikes lost Xavier Rhodes and they need some help at corner. Fulton has enough size and speed to become a No. 1.

23)New England Patriots - QB Jordan Love, Utah State, 6-4, 225

Comments: Does Bill Belichick really have that much confidence in Jarret Stidham or does he think he could make Love into a star? Love is a big, athletic quarterback coming off a subpar senior season. If he had his 2018 numbers (32 TDs, 6 INTs), he'd be a top-10 quarterback.

24)New Orleans Saints - LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, 6-2 243

Comments: Murray is one of the premier inside linebackers in the draft and guys who don't put up huge sack numbers, usually don't get drafted very high. He has the size and speed to become a starter from Day 1.

25)Minnesota Vikings - WR Denzel Mims, Baylor, 6-3, 205

Comments: Big receiver who could start from Day 1 next to Adam Thielen. Could be a very good vertical threat but needs to be more consistent.

26)Miami Dolphins - RB De'Andre Swift, Georgia, 5-8, 212

Comments: Swift is a super-talented back and can also catch passes. He'll fit well next to Jordan Howard, who is more of a power back.

27)Seattle Seahawks - OLB/Edge Zach Baun, Wisconsin, 6-2, 238

Comments: With Jadeveon Clowney not expected back, the Seahawks need a pass rusher. Baun is a good athlete who produced 12.5 sacks at Wisconsin last year.

28)Baltimore Ravens - ILB Patrick Queen, LSU, 6-1, 230

Comments: The Ravens don't usually reach for guys, but Queen is a need. They are desperate for an inside linebacker and Queen has great range. The only question is his size and whether that will hurt him in the running game.

29)Tennessee Titans - OLB/DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State, 6-5, 266

Comments: Sturdy Edge rusher who is very explosive. Had 9.5 sacks last year. Long athlete who needs to keep getting better.

30)Green Bay Packers - WR Jalen Reagor, TCU, 5-11, 190

Comments: The Packers always seem to need a receiver. Very dangerous receiver with good explosion and sturdily built. Could play slot as well.

31)San Francisco 49ers - DT Ross Blacklock, TCU, 6-3, 290

Comments: The 49ers need to replace DeForest Buckner up front and Blacklock, while not huge, has a lot of power and mobility.

32)Kansas City Chiefs - DL Jordan Elliott, Missouri, 6-4, 320

Comments: Going defense make sense here. Elliott can help against the run and is athletic for his size.