Alex Ruiz's NFL Mock Draft 3.0
With less than 2 weeks till the start of the Draft, I will give my full first-round mock. Just a head up for those who are new, I give analysis on the not playoff teams, and this where I believe the prospects will go, not where I want them to go. With that said let’s get started!
Pick #1
The Jacksonville Jaguars selects: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
Photo Via: AP News
This pick is pretty straightforward, the best QB prospect to become the #1 overall pick
Pick #2
The New York Jets selects: Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)
Photo Via: The New York Post
The Sam Darnold trade solidifies a QB being taken. Scouts around the league fell in love with Zach Wilson and his arm. His draft stock continues to rise and there is no doubt in my mind that he’ll be picked as QB #2 of the class.
Pick #3
The San Francisco 49ers select: Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)
Photo Via: WorldNewsEra
I initially believed that Justin Fields would be the QB taken here but with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan skipping the Justin Fields pro day to watch Mac Jones sent off alarms in my mind. While Jones isn't the most athletic guy, he has elite metal traits and great accuracy. While Kyle Shanahan will attend Fields second pro day, I'm sure he has Mac as his top option this year.
Pick #4
The Atlanta Falcons select: Trey Lance (QB, NDSU)
Photo Via: ABC News
4 STRAIGHT QB’S IN THE 1ST ROUND! Lance needs development in his game to really succeed at the pro level. Many have Atlanta trading out of the 4th pick but I see them taking this chance to prepare for the future. Lance will get the mentorship he needs to unleash the potential that scouts have been raving about.
Pick #5
The Cincinnati Bengals select: Ja’marr Chase (WR, LSU)
Photo Via: Getty Images
Chase was instrumental to Burrow’s success at LSU. Burrow has been a huge advocate for the bengals to pick Chase at #5. While their O-line needs work, I feel they will choose to listen to Burrow and address the O-line in the second round.
Pick #6
The Miami Dolphins select: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
Photo Via: Goducks.com
The Dolphins miss out on Chase but get O-line help for Tua. Sewell was great at Oregon and had a great pro day showing off his agility for a lineman. Miami gets the top tackle in the draft.
Pick #7
The Detroit Lions select Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)
Photo Via: Bleacher Report
Waddle will be the face of the new Detroit WR group. I had thoughts about Justin Fields in the position but something tells me they will commit to Goff. Giving him an explosive and speedy receiver like Waddle will definitely help out the offense.
Pick #8
The Carolina Panthers select: Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)
Photo Via: Dallasnews.com
Pitts has been one of the top prospects of this class. Carolina has tons of weapons of offense and adding Pitts brings another element to the game. Whoever starts at QB for Carolina will have versatile weapons to throw too.
Pick #9
The Denver Broncos Select: Justin Fields (QB, OSU)
Photo Via: thespun.com
Denver gets lucky to have Fields fall this far. His pro day was phenomenal showing off the arm and speed of his. His stock has been plunging down for the last 2 months and I don’t understand why. Fields will probably not start the season but he sure does provide a wake-up call for Drew Lock and his future in the NFL.
Pick #10
The Dallas Cowboys select: Patrick Surtain II
Photo Via: insidethestar.com
With Kyle Pitts gone, the clear choice for the Cowboys is Surtain. He was amazing in college and should be good on the other side of Trevon Diggs. I can see the Dallas defense have a great season in 2021.
Pick #11
The New York Giants select: Micah Parsons (LB, PSU)
Photo Via: Pennlive.com
Parson’s was fun to watch at Penn State. He was quick on his feet and is an excellent tackler. The Giants bolster their Linebacker core and get the best available player in the draft. The Giant’s defense will continue to improve.
Pick #12
The Philadelphia Eagles select: Devonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
Photo Via: AP News
With the top quarterback prospects no longer available, they will now fully commit to Hurts and his development. Devonta Smith will be heading to Philly and hopefully, Philadelphia media isn't harsh on the kid like they were to Jalen Reagor last season.
Pick #13
The Los Angeles Chargers select: Rashawn Slater (OT, Northwestern)
Photo Via: ProFootballnetwork.com
The Chargers are 100% selecting a tackle to protect the reigning rookie of the year. Slater falls right to them and what a pick up this will be to the Chargers O-line.
Pick #14
The Minnesota Vikings select: Kwity Paye (DE, Michigan)
Photo Via: Michigandaily.com
The Vikings addressed the corner position a bit by getting Pat Peterson. They missed Danielle Hunter last year and adding a younger pass rusher on the other side of him will help improve the defensive unit.
Pick #15
The New England Patriots select: Christian Darrisaw
Photo Via: hokiesports.com
Isaiah Wynn hasn't been capable of staying on the field consistently. I'm doubtful that New England will want to commit to him on a long-term deal. Darrisaw is available and I see them think of this as the perfect replacement for Wynn.
Pick #16
The Arizona Cardinals select: Jaycee Horn
Photo Via: Bleacher report
The Cards need to add more youth to the corner position. Horn’s athleticism was on full display at his pro day wowing me and tons of scouts watching. This was a tight race for me on whether Caleb Farley should be in the position but knowing that Farley went through back surgery put Horn ahead as that’s a concern for many teams.
Pick #17
The Las Vegas Raiders select: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Photo Via: AP News
The Raiders linebacker core does not pose any freight to most teams, but adding the hard-hitting and explosive Owusu-Koramoah definitely will. We will have to see if the Raider’s defense improves to give their team a shot at getting a playoff spot.
Pick #18
The Miami Dolphins select: jaelanPhillips
Photo Via: 247sports.com
On the defensive end, the Dolphins will want to improve their pass rush. Phillips was able to outperform fellow teammate Greg Rousseau at Florida's pro day and looks to be more NFL-ready.
Draft picks for the playoff teams
Pick #19
The Washington Football team selects: Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)
Pick #20
The Chicago Bears select: Greg Newsome III (CB, Northwestern)
Pick #21
The Indianapolis Colts select: Azeez Ojulari (DE, Georgia)
Pick #22
The Tennessee Titans select: Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida)
Pick #23
The New York Jets select: Alijah Vera-Tucker (IOL, USC)
Pick #24
The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Jaylen Mayfield (OT, Michigan)
Pick #25
The Jacksonville Jaguars select: Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU)
Pick #26
The Cleveland Browns select: Asante Samuel Jr (CB, Florida State)
Pick #27
The Baltimore Ravens select: Terrace Marshall Jr (WR, LSU)
Pick #28
The New Orleans Saints select: Rahshod Bateman (WR, Minnesota)
Pick #29
The Green Bay Packers select: Trevin Jenkins (Oklahoma State)
Pick #30
The Buffalo Bills select: Greg Rousseau (DE, Florida)
Pick #31
The Kansas City Chiefs select: Samuel Cosmi (OT, Texas)
Pick #31
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Zaven Collins (DE, Tusla)