Mock Draft 2.0: Four Straight QBs Go, Bears Make Last Ditch Effort?

 It's been almost 2 weeks since NFL free agency opened and boy has it been wild. We have seen a flurry of signings, trades, and cuts almost like no other year ever (due to the lowered cap). Today we saw our first two massive draft pick trades of the off-season with more surely to come with the Dolphins sending pick #3 to the 49ers for pick #12 and future picks and then the Dolphins used that #12 pick and other picks of their own to trade back up to #6 with Philly. With all the moves and now these trades, it's time for the JK Football mock draft 2.0 of the off-season.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: This pick hasn't changed since last time and we won't ever think about changing it. Lawrence is the best QB prospect possibly of the 2000s. He's been projected no. 1 here since his high school days. Urban Meyer lands his franchise QB.

2. New York Jets select Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: In any other year, Wilson would be the no brainer no. 1 overall pick in the draft, this is just a rare year when you have the best QB prospect in decades available. Nonetheless, the Jets are ready to move on from Sam Darnold and with a new regime in Gotham city, they will be ecstatic to have their own franchise QB to build around. The throws that Wilson can make are incredible and Mahomes-like. Back to back future Pro Bowl QB's.

3. San Fransisco 49ers (via past trade with MIA) select Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: What a move by the Niners! With one of the best rosters in football, their Super Bowl window is now and the only player holding them back from being a dominant team happened to be the most important player on the team. Jimmy Garopollo was awful last year during a lost season for SF. The Niners know they won't have the chance to pick this high again for awhile so they made the massive trade to get up to 3. Justin Fields is going to the perfect situation here. Shannahan is a QB guru and teams are afraid of Fields' inability to progress through reads. With Shannahan, he will be coached out of it. This is a huge pick and the Niners are selecting the next big dual-threat QB in the NFL. This division is WILD!

MOCK TRADE: Atlanta Falcons send pick #4 to Carolina Panthers for pick #8 + Carolina's 2022 1st round pick)

4. Carolina Panthers (Via mock trade with ATL) select Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: Our first mock trade of the mock draft sees the Panthers jumping in on the run for QB's and snagging high potential slinger Trey Lance from NDSU. HC Matt Rhule isn't afraid to make moves for players he wants and with the team behind him he gambles to come up and get his guy. Carolina is closer than some think to contending and they believe Lance will be a future Pro Bowler at the position. Despite playing so little in college, Lance's singular full season of play speaks for itself. The kid can play and has the skillset every NFL team desires in today's league.

5. Cincinatti Bengals select Penei Sewell, Tackle, Oregon: After the first four selections were all QB's, the Bengals finally end the run by going offensive tackle at 5. Penei Sewell is arguably the best O-line prospect we've seen in a decade. He is a dominant mauler who has received actual Heisman votes for his play on the Ducks o-line. The Bengals finally have their franchise QB in 2020 top pick Joe Burrow, now it's time to protect him. They get him his blindside protector of the future with Sewell who if coached up correctly, could be a surefire Hall of Famer someday. 

6. Miami Dolphins (via past trade with PHI) select Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: What a day it was for Miami. Accepting two massive trades that in the end saw them move down just 3 spots and pick up an extra future 1st round pick along with other future picks. In the end, the thing that makes those moves even better is that the guy who they would have taken at 3, is still here for them at 6. Before FA, Ja'Marr Chase likely would have been the pick for them and he still could be, but with the signing of Will Fuller, Miami opts for Pitts instead. The second best player in the entire draft in my opinion, Pitts is the definition of a matchup nightmare. Too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs. With Will Fuller and Devante Parker spearheading their WR core, adding Pitts would be an insane get. Pitts is incredible.

7. Detroit Lions select Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU: Detroit might be the team that ends up benefitting the most from the way things have gone down in the top 6. The run on QB's made sure they would end up with a good pass catching option at 7, but now it looks like they are in position to get possibly the best one in the draft. After Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones left for New York and Jacksonville in FA, the Lions were left with basically nothing at the WR position. Aggressive new head coach Dan Campbell won't have that. Chase who opted out of the 2020 season was the best WR in college in 2019. He possesses all the no. 1 WR traits teams are looking for in 2021. What a pick for the Lions.

8. Atlanta Falcons (Via mock trade with CAR) select Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: When the Niners traded one pick ahead of them to grab Justin Fields, the Falcons who were strongly considering him decide to just move down and stick with Matt Ryan. Now here at 8, they get the best defensive player in the draft. Micah Parsons is the definition of versatile. He can play all over the defense just like 2020 top 10 pick Isaiah Simmons. He is a freak athlete and put it on display during his pro day. He posted a 4.39 40 yard dash time that had social media buzzing. The Falcons defense has struggled for years but adding Parsons gives them an instant boost. This kid will be a pro bowler very very soon. 

9. Denver Broncos select Rashawn Slater, Tackle/Guard, Northwestern: Before FA, corner was the position everyone and their mother had Denver taking at pick 9, but they went out and acquired former All-Pro CB Kyle Fuller along with solid young talent Ronald Darby. That position is now solidified to say the least. I think the team thinks long and hard about going Mac Jones here but in the end, they stick with Drew Lock and can't resist the best player on the board in Slater. Slater is one of the most NFL ready prospects in this draft. His tape against some of the better teams in college speaks for itself. He also can play all 5 of the positions on the O-line at a very high level. He absolutely shutdown reigning DROY Chase Young last season. Denver is gonna be stoked to have him along with the emergence of Garrett Bolles.

10. Dallas Cowboys select Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: This is one of the more no-brainer picks in the draft. If Surtain is here at 10 for Dallas, they will take him. Secondary was a major weak spot for the Cowboys last season and it needs to be fixed at all costs or they will be in for a repeat of 2020. Enter Surtain II, son of NFL legend CB Patrick Surtain. He was a beast this season at Bama', showing he has what it takes to be one of the rare 'shutdown' type corners in the NFL. He also boasts the prototypical measurables that NFL teams look for in 2021 at 6'2, 200 pounds. This pick will give Dallas a major piece for new DC Dan Quinn to utilize. 

11. New York Giants select Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: What an off-season for the Giants. Along with re-signing key pieces of their team like Leonard Williams and others, they brought in one of the best receivers in football in Kenny Golladay from Detroit. However, that should not stop them from taking Waddle here. I think the Giants are surprised but in a good way when they have the choice between Waddle and his Heisman winning receiving core mate from Bama Devonta Smith here at 11. In the end, they go with Waddle due to his Tyreek Hill-esque speed and return ability as well. Daniel Jones will have no excuse now with an offense of Barkley, Golladay, Engram, and now Waddle at his disposal. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via past trade with MIA) select Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama: These two picks will be linked to each other throughout the course of their careers. College teammates playing the same position, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle go in back to back picks to rival teams. It's impossible to definitively say which is the better prospect, it is so close. The Eagles are just glad that after trading back from 6 to add another first next year, one of the top 3 receivers is still on the board for them. Smith is coming off potentially the best college season by a WR ever in which he won the Heisman and a National Championship and was virtually impossible to guard. The knock on Smith is he is small for an NFL receiver at around 170 pounds but it might prove not to matter at all. The Eagles finally get their guy at WR, they've been searching for so long. Jalen Hurts will love this pick. 

MOCK TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers send pick #13 to Chicago Bears for pick #20 + their second round pick this year and next year (2022)

13. Chicago Bears (Via mock trade with LAC) select Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: The fourth straight Bama player goes off the board as the Bears go Mac Jones here at 13. What a failed off-season it has been so far for Chicago. They went all in on a trade offer to Seattle for Russell Wilson and when it was declined they were left scrambling and had to overpay for a one-year deal on Andy Dalton. Now with HC Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace on the burning white-hot seat, they go all in to try and save their jobs. They overpay a bit to make sure the Chargers accept their deal as they move up to 13 from 20 for Jones. Jones had an amazing season in which he helped lead Bama to a National Title. He showcased Brady-like pocket awareness all threw a beautiful ball all year long. I'm not sure if the Bears are a good fit at all for the young QB but the team goes all in for him in hopes of their front office saving their jobs.

14. Minnesota Vikings select Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan: The Vikings could go many different directions with this pick, even at the edge position, but in the end they settle on Kwity Paye out of Michigan. Considered by some as the best rusher in the draft, Paye uses his freakish athleticism and burst off the line to dominate the opposing offensive line. The speed Paye has for his size and position is incredible. CB and IOL are intriguing positions of need for this spot, but Mike Zimmer and the Vikings go edge with Danielle Hunter's recent displeasure with the organization to make sure they will have at least one guy they can rely on for pressure.

15. New England Patriots select Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: The Patriots watch as the top QBs, WRs, and defensive players go off the board ahead of them and while I assume they try to trade up, teams like Chicago are simply offering more than they would be willing to. Now at 15, with so many options and directions Bill Belichick can go, he opts for the electric Kadarius Toney. Toney is coming off an unreal 2020 season. He showcased he was one of the best route runners in college football and the kid played all over the offense. WR, RB, you name it. One of the fastest players in this years draft too. The Pats need just one more weapon to pair with their free agent signings and their offense could be deadly entering the 2021 season. Toney on the Pats could be a nightmare for other squads.

16. Arizona Cardinals select Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: What an off-season for Arizona. They were hyper aggressive in FA and it resulted in them bringing in so many household names that will be massive contributors for them this season. Now they get another break as one of the best defensive players in the draft is still there for them at 16. Caleb Farley is fresh off a breakout 2020 season. Farley proved he was one of, if not the, best corners in college and this draft. New to the position as a converted WR, Farley is already this good while still learning the position. This will be a major get for the Cardinals who are starting to round into shape for a playoff run this season. 

17. Las Vegas Raiders select Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tackle/Guard, USC: The Raiders have had a weird off-season, but it looks up with the selection of AVT here. Likely a top 10 talent in the draft, Vera-Tucker is one of 2020-21's biggest risers. He was an unknown coming into this year but played so well he's now a lock to be a first round selection. One thing that makes him so great is he can play any of the 5 offensive line positions, and he can play them all at a high level. The Raiders dismantled their whole offensive line for cap saving purposes so gaining a guy like AVT who can play wherever they need him to would be a major W for LV. One NFL analyst said that Vera-Tucker is a surefire future All-Pro. Time will tell.

18. Miami Dolphins select Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami: After adding the polarizing talent Kyle Pitts at pick 6 from an in-state school, the Dolphins continue to go with players from the state of Florida as they go with Rousseau out of Miami. Coming off a 2019 season in which Rousseau had over 10 sacks and was easily the best or second best rusher in college football, it seemed like his position in the next year's draft was solidified at the top. He then opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID and his stock has taken a hit. He is a raw talent but we've already seen him produce so well, who is to say he can't do it at the next level? Especially after being coached up. I really like this add for Miami as Rousseau could be the steal of the draft.

MOCK TRADE: Washington Football Team trades pick #19 to the New York Jets for pick #23 + pick #66 (rd. 3) and a 2022 6th rounder

19. New York Jets (Via mock trade with WFT) select Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: After snagging a stud QB at pick 2, the Jets stay aggressive and package their second first rounder with other picks to move up 4 spots and get the player they want. Jaycee Horn is a player whose stock is rising quickly in the pre-draft process and has top 10 pick potential. The Jets see him falling and know they need to make a move up to grab him. Horn is one of the most physical corners in college football. He also has the measurables NFL teams desire the CB position. The Jets are really lacking talent in the secondary and new HC Robert Saleh is all about defense. He will be overjoyed to be able to move up and get a talent like Horn all the way at 19. Steal.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (Via mock trade with CHI) select Greg Newsom II, CB, Northwestern: I could see the Chargers going O-line here, but with the release of Casey Hayward leaving their secondary looking depleted, the team and defensive minded new HC Brandon Staley opt for Newsome. One of the fastest players in the draft, that obviously isn't the only thing Newsome has going for him. He is 6'1 which is something NFL teams drool over for a starting CB. He also has great ball skills and football IQ. Newsome could go even higher but durability is a concern so I think 20 to the Chargers would be an ideal spot for him. Newsom has star potential written all over him and could be a key piece in the Chargers potentially becoming a contender this season.

21. Indianapolis Colts select Christian Darrisaw, Tackle, Virginia Tech: The Colts would rush to the podium with this draft card. One of the top tackles in this draft class, Darrisaw falling to 21 would be a steal for the Colts. I almost talked myself into giving them speedster WR Elijah Moore here, but the Colts have a gaping hole at tackle with the recent retirement of Anthony Castonzo along with Darrisaw falling to 21 made it impossible to go with something else. Darrisaw will be a starter in the NFL for a long time. He has the ideal frame and has improved every year of his career. Great pick for Indy who could be one of the best teams in the AFC in 2021. 

22. Tennessee Titans select Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: Edge was a popular pick for the Titans at 22 for a long time leading up to FA, but the team broke the bank for former Steeler rusher Bud Dupree. Now they have much bigger needs than edge. WR rises to the top of that list. The Titans go with the massive wideout Terrace Marshall out of LSU. This kid is very underrated and could have a Justin Jefferson like rookie year. He is huge for a WR at 6'3-6'4 but then he also has elite speed for the position. He's like a not as strong version of DK Metcalf. He also produced big time at LSU before opting out mid-season. I think if Marshall turns in a strong pro day, he will rise up draft boards and the Titans would love to pair him with AJ Brown. A Brown/Marshall WR duo with Derrick Henry in the backfield would be a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.

23. Washington Football Team (Via mock trade with NYJ) select Teven Jenkins, Tackle, Oklahoma State: With the thought in mind that they needed a tackle and so many good options still available, the Football Team jumped at the opportunity to move down a few slots and pick up more ammo for the later rounds. At 23, they get a guy they would have thought about taking at 19. Jenkins is a name that has risen throughout the pre-draft process so far. Teams love how he's played left and right tackle and done so at high levels. He has the frame of an elite NFL tackle along with the durability. Jenkins has improved each of his last two seasons in college and really looks like a guy who could be a franchise tackle on an NFL team. Likely to wait another year before finding their franchise QB, it makes sense for the team to get a tackle now while they don't have more pressing needs or a higher draft pick. This move is for the future.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers select Najee Harris, RB, Alabama: The first RB is off the board! After a decent free agency period, the Steelers have decided to let go of 2020 starter at the RB position James Conner. The Steelers are in super win now mode with Big Ben entering possibly his final year on the team and a bad run game really held them back last year. Enter Harris who plays with the toughness and size of Derrick Henry but has amazing hands like Le'Veon Bell. Harris would be an absolute game-changer for Pittsburgh's offense and has potential to be the kind of move that could push them over the hump. A+ pick.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via past trade with LAR) select Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU: The Jags had serious money going into free agency and they put a lot of it to work. New HC Urban Meyer means business as he made a bunch of win now signings and has this team ready to compete with Trevor Lawrence now at the helm. His next addition is hard hitting safety Trevon Moehrig out of TCU. This is such a great value pick for the late first round. Moehrig is a ball hawk. He has 7 picks to his name over his college career. The Jags roster overhaul is taking shape and Moehrig will be a huge addition to the backend. Their secondary now consists of Shaq Griffin, CJ Henderson, and Moehrig. The potential of that trio is off the charts.

MOCK TRADE: Cleveland Browns trade pick #26 to Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for pick #31 + pick 95 (rd. 3) and pick #144 (rd. 4) 

26. Kansas City Chiefs (Via mock trade with CLE) select Samuel Cosmi, Tackle, Texas: The aggressive as always Chiefs strike a deal with Cleveland to move up 5 spots to ensure they get the tackle they want. After a horrendous showing in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs overhauled their O-line in the early part of FA. Cutting both of their starting tackles and inking former Patriot guard Joe Thuney to a monster deal. Now the Chiefs are on the hunt for their bookend starting tackles and so when they know they want Cosmi, they make sure to give up what it takes to get him. Cosmi is massive at 6'7 which is a huge positive for NFL teams looking into him. He also only missed one game in his college career which shows his durability for the position which it is needed in. Patrick Mahomes is going to LOVE this pick.

27. Baltimore Ravens select Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: I think the Ravens were sad to see Tennessee grab Terrace Marshall ahead of them at 22 but that's how the draft works and so the Ravens quickly shift their focus to Bateman out of Minnesota. Bateman is a jack of all trades type of wideout. He really can do some of everything. The Ravens struck out big time at WR in free agency. They tried for names like Kenny Golladay, Will Fuller, Juju Smith, TY Hilton, etc. They ended up with Sammy Watkins. That is not ideal. The Ravens offense is in clear, desperate need of a stud WR1 that Lamar Jackson can trust. Bateman has a great chance of being that guy. His best trait is his route running which will go a long way at the next level.

28. New Orleans Saints select Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia: The Saints as we have known them of the past couple years are gone. Drew Brees is retired along with a bunch of key contributors gone to other teams in FA. The Saints have holes everywhere and it will be tough for them to begin this retooling period but taking Campbell here is a step in the right direction. At 6'2, Campbell brings amazing size to the corner position. Along with that, Campbell is a former track start. He brings blazing speed to the football field. Size and speed are 2 of the main things NFL teams look at when they first start scouting corners. Campbell isn't just all athleticism either, he is great in man coverage. The Saints grab Campbell and he will be a starting corner from day one. His size and speed alone are enough to start for him but he will develop into a skilled player over time.

29. Green Bay Packers select Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: I think finally the Packers address the WR position in round 1! It's been years and years but this has to be the year. Possibly Aaron Rodgers' final season in Green Bay, the Packers keep getting to the NFC Championship game and fail time and time again to make it over that hump to the Super Bowl. I think the reason is because they never have that reliable 2nd target. Finally, they get one, and it's Rondale Moore. Considered one of the most electric players in college, Moore is a mini wrecking ball when he has the football in his hands. Even though he is undersized at WR (5'9), he plays much much bigger. With Matt LaFleur's innovative wildcat, modern day type offense, he would get more out of Moore than maybe anyone else. Having Moore and Davante Adams would be insane.

MOCK TRADE: Buffalo Bills send pick #30 to Cincinnati Bengals for pick #38 (rd. 2) + their 4th and 6th round picks

30. Cincinnati Bengals (Via mock trade with BUF) select Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss: Back to back receivers by the last name of Moore go as the Bengals trade back into the first round. The Bengals have had a nice off-season so far, making multiple big name signings in FA and then grabbing future franchise tackle Penei Sewell at pick 5. Now they trade back into round 1 to get Joe Burrow another weapon. Moore was super productive at Ole Miss this past season. Over 1000 yards and 6 TDs in only 8 games. Along with that production comes his speed. One of the fastest players in the draft, Moore killed it at his pro day with a 4.32 4o yard dash. That is crazy fast and would have been second among receivers at last year's combine. Joe Burrow sees his offense shaping up, he will love Moore.

31. Cleveland Browns (Via mock trade with KC) select Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky: After trading down with Kansas City and acquiring more assets, the Browns get the guy they probably still would have taken at 26 in Davis out of Kentucky. Jamin Davis has seen his draft stock on the rise as of late as teams are falling in love with his coverage ability along with his elite size for the position (6'4). He also has great speed for the coverage linebacker spot. Cleveland is in need of consistently good play from their linebackers so adding a guy with the pure athleticism as Davis would be a huge add for him. A knock from some on Davis is he has shown all this potential but hasn't played enough games in college to prove he is one of the best. I see that as a positive though because he could be even better than already advertised and has low mileage on his body heading into the grueling NFL. Great trade down and then pick by Cleveland.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Zaven Collins, Outside Linebacker, Tulsa: The final pick of this mock draft is Zaven Collins to the defending champs. The Bucs have done such a good job re-signing all their key players that they really have no immediate holes so this pick can really be a depth/future pick. In that case, the Bucs go with Collins who has some of the highest potential out of any player in the whole draft. The true definition of an X-factor. Collins is 6'4, 260 pounds (built like a defensive end) but has great coverage skills. He's basically an edge rusher playing coverage linebacker. His versatility that allows him to play all over the defense is why the Bucs will fall in love with him here. He can be subbed in and out and all around and give Todd Bowles another piece to work with. The rich get richer with Collins falling into the Bucs' lap.