Kevin Fielder’s mock draft 1.0
Because the stage will get set for the Tremendous Bowl, the NFL Draft will get an excellent clearer image. 30 of 32 groups have turned their focus to the low season, together with the NFL Draft on April 27. With that, understanding how entrance places of work may assault the draft turns into essential.
Though mock drafts are an imperfect science, they’re excellent for setting the scene. In the end, no mock draft in January shall be excellent, however they might help paint an image of what groups want and the way they’ll use the sources accessible.
Right here at Vikings Wire, we’ll have you ever coated on the ever-changing NFL Draft panorama.
1. Chicago Bears: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
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The Chicago Bears might select to commerce down, however they want expertise. On this mock draft, the Bears keep put and tackle a large want. After buying and selling Robert Quinn on the deadline, the Bears have desperately wanted a bit to construct the protection round. Will Anderson can be a no brainer for this and could possibly be a large increase for the Bears’ fortunes.
2. Houston Texans: Alabama QB Bryce Younger
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It goes with out saying, however Davis Mills isn’t the way forward for an NFL franchise. Consequently, the Houston Texans look in direction of the draft to get their franchise quarterback. Bryce Younger isn’t an ideal quarterback prospect, however there may not be a extra NFL-ready signal-caller within the draft.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Georgia DT Jalen Carter
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The Arizona Cardinals defensive position wants an injection of expertise, and Georgia defensive sort out Jalen Carter is simply that. Thought-about by some to be the perfect defensive participant on the 2021 Georgia staff, Carter is a uncommon mix of measurement and athleticism for the defensive position. Mix that with a sky-high ceiling, and this shortly turns into a no brainer for the Cardinals.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Kentucky QB Will Levis
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There are few quarterbacks with as many traits as Will Levis. He has one of many strongest arms within the draft and has loads of athleticism to make him a dual-threat quarterback. The issue is that his movie reveals regarding valleys that decrease his ground. Whereas the Colts might go for the next ground, Chris Ballard takes a swing for the fences with Levis.
5. Carolina Panthers (by way of Seattle): Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
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Commerce Particulars: Seattle trades1.05 to Carolina for 1.09, 2.61 (by way of San Francisco), 2024 1st spherical decide
The musical chairs are over for the Carolina Panthers. After beginning 4 quarterbacks final season, the Panthers start their new period with a centerpiece. For head coach Frank Reich, Stroud is a quarterback that gained’t want as a lot seasoning as others. He’d possible begin instantly, and the Panthers might construct a strong core to assist him develop.
6. Detroit Lions: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
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The Las Vegas Raiders are in a precarious scenario. They want a quarterback after selecting to half methods with Derek Carr however might select to deal with a number of wants on either side of the ball, together with offensive line. Whereas buying and selling down can be advantageous, Anthony Richardson would add a definite buzz for the Raiders. Pairing him with Davante Adams ought to assist him develop too.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
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The Atlanta Falcons haven’t had a lot of a cross rush sans Grady Jarrett. Lorenzo Carter added 4 sacks, whereas Arnold Ebiketie added simply two and a half. Whereas including one edge rusher gained’t remedy all their issues, it will likely be an enormous enchancment for a staff needing instant assist. Tyree Wilson is a novel case of physicality and flexibility that NFL groups need from edge rushers.
9. Seattle Seahawks (by way of Carolina): Clemson DT Bryan Breese
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The Seattle Seahawks selected to commerce out of the quarterback sweepstakes, that means they’ll should pivot. On this case, Clemson defensive sort out Bryan Breese can be an instance of pivoting and nonetheless gaining worth. He’s a multi-dimensional defensive lineman and will put on totally different hats for the Seahawks’ protection. The increase a expertise like Breese provides would elevate the whole protection.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (by way of New Orleans): Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy
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Cornerback is a necessity for Philadelphia, however there’s an excellent probability James Bradberry earns an extension after his sturdy season. The Eagles’ entrance seven, then again, will look totally different in 2023. Fletcher Cox and Robert Quinn are free brokers, as are a number of inside defensive linemen. Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy would pair properly with Haason Reddick and assist retool the Eagles’ cross rush.
11. Tennessee Titans: Northwestern OT Peter Skronski
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The Tennessee Titans’ present left sort out is Dennis Daley. Want I say extra? Merely put, the Titans want to deal with the offensive line. They should add higher-quality gamers throughout the road to assist defend their quarterback — whoever it might be — and open up lanes for Derrick Henry. Peter Skronski has expertise enjoying left sort out in faculty and would slot proper in for the Titans.
12. Houston Texas (by way of Cleveland): TCU WR Quentin Johnston
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The Houston Texans have wants throughout the board, however giving assist to their new quarterback must be close to the highest. With the potential departure of Brandin Cooks, the Texans ought to prioritize a large receiver. Whereas John Metchie III might make an impression subsequent season, his standing for subsequent season remains to be a query mark. Quentin Johnson would an incredible match subsequent to Younger (and doubtlessly Metchie), giving him a dynamic weapon to throw to.
13. New York Jets: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
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The New York Jets have made strikes to deal with the offensive line, however that work is ongoing. Paris Johnson’s long-term function within the NFL is questionable, however his versatility is a energy. The Jets can afford to experiment together with his function and discover what works for the offensive line. Early on, although, it will most likely be proper sort out for the previous Buckeye.
14. New England Patriots: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
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The New England Patriots will possible look to re-sign unrestricted free agent Jonathan Jones, however upgrading at cornerback ought to nonetheless be a precedence. Notably, the improve must be a boundary cornerback who can add some wanted peak into the room. Recent off a profession season, Devon Witherspoon makes quite a lot of sense for the Patriots. At 6 toes tall, Witherspoon would add much-needed measurement to the room and be an improve over Jalen Mills.
15. Inexperienced Bay Packers: Alabama SAF Brian Department
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With Adrian Amos seeming to decelerate and Darnell Savage seeing a discount in his snaps, security has develop into a urgent want for Inexperienced Bay. Brian Brach would assist remedy that want and embody a flexible chess piece for the Packers. Department has performed all around the discipline and could possibly be a large increase for the Packers’ secondary.
16. Washington Commanders: Penn State CB Joey Porter, Jr.
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Washington wants a quarterback, however there isn’t one accessible at this spot, so let’s pivot to a different want. The Commanders’ cornerback room is already skinny, and Kendall Fuller could possibly be a cap casualty this low season. Joey Porter, Jr. would begin instantly for Washington and supply high-level playmaking skill within the secondary.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
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The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t go into subsequent season with their rag-tag group of cornerbacks. Kelee Ringo has some issues attacking the ball, however his athleticism is unmatched and can assist him make an instantaneous impression within the NFL. For the Steelers, he’ll begin on the boundary alongside and assist cowl a few of the gifted broad receivers the division has to supply.
18. Detroit Lions: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
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The Detroit Lions traded TJ Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings throughout the commerce deadline, leaving a gaping gap at tight finish. Whereas Brock Wright made some performs down the stretch, Michael Mayer is a transparent improve. Mayer would supply the Lions with one other high quality receiving choice subsequent to rising broad receiver Amon’Ra St. Brown. His skill to win over the center would additionally open up the Lions offense, and provides the Lions’ quarterback – whether or not it’s Jared Goff or another person – an choice they’ll depend on.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: South Carolina CB Cam Smith
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Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean are free brokers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ depth at cornerback is skinny. Drafting Smith would enable the Buccaneers to maneuver on from one among Murphy-Bunting or Dean and use that cap house on different items to assist speed up a retool. Though Cam Smith doesn’t have the prototypical body, his fluidity greater than makes up for it and makes him a day-one starter within the league.
20. Seattle Seahawks: USC WR Jordan Addison
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It could be a luxurious decide to some, however broad receiver is a sneaky want for the Seattle Seahawks. Pretty much as good as DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are, the Seahawks don’t have a dependable third broad receiver that may win on the surface. Jordan Addison suits that invoice together with his skill to separate in several methods. Deciding on Addison would additionally enable Lockett to play within the slot, the place he’s one of many NFL’s greatest.
21. Forfeited decide by the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first spherical decide after an NFL investigation revealed the staff violated the league’s insurance policies relating to tampering.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense was firing when their broad receivers had been wholesome. The inherent drawback is that Mike Williams and Keenan Allen each have in depth harm histories and struggled to stay on the sector. Can we repair that? Though Jaxon Smith-Njigba lacks the explosiveness the Chargers want his skill to separate at such a excessive degree greater than makes up for that.
23. Baltimore Ravens: Boston School WR Zay Flowers
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The Baltimore Ravens have uncared for the broad receiver place for lengthy sufficient. After years of choosing receivers later within the draft, discovering a possible game-changer would profit the offense significantly. Zay Flowers provides the Ravens’ offense a home-run menace, and his dynamic athleticism will enable him to make performs in any respect three ranges. No matter who the Ravens’ beginning quarterback is, Flowers must be an impactful participant as a rookie.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Maryland CB Deonte Banks
Nov 19, 2022; School Park, MD
Patrick Peterson turned again the clock for the Minnesota Vikings, however father time remains to be undefeated. Deonte Banks is a bodily nook with some fluid motion to win in man-to-man protection. If Banks can clear up a few of his method, his ball expertise make him a novel playmaker on the backend. Pairing him subsequent to Andrew Sales space might additionally tackle the Vikings’ cornerback room for the foreseeable future.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Georgia TE Darnell Washington
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Evan Engram loved a revitalization for the Jacksonville Jaguars, however Doug Pederson needs to play in 12 personnel. Ideally, choosing a good finish who can play hooked up to the road of scrimmage must be a precedence as a result of it opens up the place Engram is greatest. Darnell Washington is likely one of the most bodily gamers within the draft, and he’s no stranger to 2 tight finish units. Deciding on Washington would give the Jaguars a high-end blocker and dependable receiving weapon for Trevor Lawrence.
26. New York Giants: Utah CB Clark Phillips II
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The playoff window is open for the New York Giants, and it’s time to deal with it as such. Cornerback Fabian Moreau performed 66% of their snaps, however he’s an unrestricted free agent, and the Giants aren’t swimming in cap house. Clark Phillips II is barely undersized, however his instincts and ball expertise make him an intriguing match on the surface. His success in man protection can be a energy in a Wink Martindale system that depends on blitzing the quarterback.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Texas RB Bijan Robinson
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Jerry Jones likes to make flashy strikes. With Tony Pollard coming into free company, might that splash come at operating again? Bijan Robinson was among the best operating backs in faculty soccer, and he performed on the College of Texas. Robinson suits the skillset of a contemporary operating again who can contribute in several areas. With the expertise the Cowboys have alongside the offensive line, Robinson could possibly be one of many league’s most electrical operating backs.
28. Buffalo Payments: LSU Edge B.J. Ojulari
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The Buffalo Payments struggled to get previous a banged-up Cincinnati Bengals offensive line, exposing a significant want for the protection. Getting Von Miller wholesome shall be a large increase, however cross rush is essential within the AFC. B.J. Ojulari isn’t a whole product, however his athleticism and upside as a cross rusher make him an thrilling prospect.
29. Cincinnati Bengals: Florida OL O’Cyrus Torrence
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The Cincinnati Bengals made strides to repair the offensive line final season, however the work is hardly over. Their two beginning offensive guards are Alex Cappa and Cordell Volson, and upgrading alongside the inside might assist increase the offense. With O’Cyrus Torrence’s versatility, the Bengals might select to play him at both spot and proceed to enhance the place it issues essentially the most.
30. Denver Broncos (by way of San Francisco): Iowa Edge Lukas Van Ness
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If the Denver Broncos select to remain in odd-man fronts, getting a possible game-changer on the road must be a precedence. The Broncos might additionally use assist in the cross rush division after buying and selling Bradley Chubb on the commerce deadline. Lukas Van Ness doesn’t have a whole pass-rush device belt, however there’s cause to imagine he can enhance with some extra progress as a participant.
31. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: SMU WR Rashee Rice
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JuJu Smith-Schuster and MeCole Hardman are free brokers, and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have a protracted listing of inconsistent broad receivers. That’s a recipe for catastrophe in a league that’s seeing broad receivers develop into more and more precious. Rashee Rice doesn’t have essentially the most numerous route tree, however his explosiveness is difficult to duplicate. If he diversifies that route tree, Rice generally is a versatile broad receiver that elevates an offense.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
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Miles Sanders is an unrestricted free agent, and whereas he’s an impactful starter for the Eagles, he’s nonetheless replaceable. Whereas the Eagles might select to re-sign Sanders, drafting a operating again might assist get monetary savings for different positions. Though Gibbs is an efficient runner, his skill as a receiving again is exclusive and makes him a flexible operating again prospect for the NFL.