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The NFL Draft is only three weeks away and Mock Draft 2.0 is here. There were a couple blockbuster deals that have been made since our first mock draft, and we predicted a couple more in this latest edition. After an entertaining off season there were a ton of changes in this mock and we expect a lot more movement come draft day. As always follow us on twitter @TheUpsidePlay for more Draft Analysis and Fantasy conversations.
#1 Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson
There is no surprise at the top of this one. Trevor Lawrence will be the first overall pick and rightfully so. The former Clemson Quarterback has been compared to Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. Lawrence is not only a gifted passer but he can make plays happen with his legs, an ability that has grown more valuable over the last couple of years. Tank for Trevor is finally complete as the Jags grab their franchise QB here.
#2 New York Jets- Zach Wilson QB, BYU
The Jets have been linked to Zach Wilson for the entire offseason and just traded away Sam Darnold which gives Wilson the clear path to start week 1. The Jets could still surprise us all and take Fields but all signs point to Wilson here. Wilson is extremely athletic with a rocket arm and fearless mentality. Robert Salah will start his Jets career with who a shiny new QB at #2.
#3 San Francisco 49ers- Justin Fields QB, Ohio State
Every day we hear a new rumor of what QB John Lynch will grab in this year's draft. The 49ers traded away a ton of future assets and made it very apparent they want to grab the QB of their future at #3 in 2021, and Mac Jones talk has been buzzing ever since. I can't justify them trading away #13, 2 future 1st’s, and a 21’ 3rd for a guy that almost certainly would’ve been there at 7 or 8. Give me Justin Fields and his dual-threat ability here! All last year it was Lawrence 1A / Fields 1B and not much has changed in our rankings. Shanahan’s scheme with a true dual-threat with big-play ability is flat-out dangerous, the Ohio State product will stay in red and land in San Francisco.
#4 Denver Broncos (Traded from Atlanta)- Trey Lance QB, North Dakota State
Our first big trade is here and as much as we wanted to put Kyle Pitts and his enormous upside at #4 it’s hard thinking that someone won’t trade up for a talent like Trey Lance. Lance’s most common con we’ve seen is the strength of competition he faced at North Dakota State, that being said he’s never lost at the collegiate level, finished 2019 with 28 TD’s and 0 Int’s, and ran for 1,100 yards in that same season. He just might be the most polished running QB in this year’s draft and we haven’t even scratched the surface of his potential, Elway takes another swing at a QB and trades up for Lance at #4.
#5 Cincinnati Bengals- Penei Sewell OT, Oregon
There are plenty of people who want to see Ja’Marr Chase reunite with Joe Burrow here but The Bengals need to protect their Franchise’s top player. Burrow was running for his life before his injury and the running game was never able to get off the ground. Sewell is the best lineman available, he’s 6’5, agile and can move across the field fluidly with power. The Bengals would be smart to make this pick and pair Sewell with Burrow for what they hope is a successful rebuild.
#6 Miami Dolphins- Ja’Marr Chase WR, LSU
Ja’Marr’s pro day was the nail in the coffin for his WR1 ranking in this year's class. Sub 4.4 40 times and his burst and quick release project perfectly into the NFL. Chase is a monster who can easily make the Dolphins better. While watching chase you will not see a defender anywhere near him because he is just that good of a separator. His size, speed and strength are through the roof and we could be looking at the next big offensive weapon in the NFL
#7 Detroit Lions- Micah Parsons ILB, Penn State
Detroit is an interesting team that can go in so many directions. We would not be surprised to see a guy like Slater or Devonta Smith go here but with Dan Campbell calling the shots now he could easily go with an athletic freak in Penn State’s Micah Parsons. Parsons is a great linebacker who can play sideline to sideline and give Detroit a great piece to build their defense around. The Lions don't need to go with a QB at this point as the top 4 guys are off the board. With 4 first-round picks in the next two years and Jared Goff's massive contract they will elect to play that out and address the future of the position at a later time.
#8 Carolina Panthers- Kyle Pitts TE, Florida
Carolina is most likely out of the QB market after trading for former Jet Sam Darnold. Even though we believe the Panthers should bolster their defense, Kyle Pitts would give them another option on an offense that already has CMC, DJ Moore, and Robby Anderson. There’s nothing that we can say about Pitts that you haven’t already heard. He’s a big athletic tight end with great hands, solid blocking abilities, and has big play ability every time he touches the ball.
#9 Atlanta Falcons (Traded from Denver)- Kwity Paye DE, Michigan
Atlanta trades back and receives a haul of draft picks to help speed up their rebuild. Kwity Paye is an explosive edge rusher who can get to the quarterback in a hurry. He isn’t just a speed guy as he has the power and strength to deal with the league's top offensive lineman. The Falcons need to bolster their defense in the same division as the Saints and the Buccaneers. Matt Ryan is getting up there in age but Arthur Smith and the Falcons decide to roll with him for now and find his replacement later.
#10 Dallas Cowboys- Patrick Surtain II CB, Alabama
Surtain is our CB1 and the Cowboys need to solidify that position. Jerry Jones will do all he can to trade up for a guy like Kyle Pitts but they can’t keep ignoring the defense any longer. Dak Prescott was on fire before his season-ending injury but they kept on blowing leads and giving up a ton of points through the air. Surtain is a physical corner who will fit perfectly in that division and should have good battles with Kenny G and Terry McLaurin for years to come.
#11 New York Giants Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern
New York signed Kenny Golladay in free agency so that most likely puts them out of the running for a guy like Jaylen Waddle or Devonta Smith. Saquon Barkley is coming off of his second injury-filled season and wasn’t productive when he was healthy but that was not his fault. The Offensive line was atrocious last season and Slater would be the best option at this point. The Giants would also be smart to solidify the line so they can properly evaluate Daniel Jones before potentially finding his replacement.
#12 Philadelphia Eagles- Devonta Smith WR, Alabama
Philadelphia took a wide receiver in the first round a season ago but the need is still there. Devonta Smith is a Heisman winner who had one of the best seasons from a Wide Receiver we’ve ever seen. There are concerns about his size as he weighed in at 174 pounds but his tape shows a crisp route runner and an incredible ability to separate from defenders. Philly made the change from Carson Wentz to Jalen Hurts and need to surround him with the talent and weapons to find out what they have in Hurts. Smith gives them a true number 1 talent who can change the direction of this offense.
#13 Los Angeles Chargers- Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech
The Chargers spent up on their offensive line in Free Agency but could benefit from protecting their top asset in Justin Herbert. A top left tackle would open up the running game and give Herbert all the time he needs to move them downfield. This could also be a trade back spot but in this mock, the Chargers stay put and select the athletic tackle with great feet and quickness to make an impact in the run and play-action game. Darrisaw can play either tackle and provide a big jolt to their running game.
#14 Minnesota Vikings- Gregory Rousseau DE, Miami
The Vikings need to get more pressure on the opposing QB’s. In 2020 the Vikings were 28th in the NFL in sacks with 23. Gregory Rousseau is a gifted pass rusher who would easily make an impact on this Vikings defensive line. The Miami pass rusher opted out of the 2020 season but in 2019 he had 15.5 sacks. At 6’7 253 pounds Rousseau is a huge prospect with upside for the Vikings who are trying to compete with the Green Bay Packers.
#15 New England Patriots- Mac Jones QB, Alabama
Bill Belichick gets his new QB without trading up in this one. Yes, there are rumors about the 49ers reaching for Mac Jones at three but we ultimately think Mac Jones falls to pick 15. The Patriots missed the playoffs in the first year without Tom Brady and we all know that Bill Belichick will not tolerate having another losing season. Mac Jones is a smart quarterback with pinpoint accuracy but there are concerns about how he does without the best weapons and he only had 1 full season at Alabama after backing up 2 NFL QB’s in Tua and Jalen Hurts. Jones fits the Patriots as well as anyone in this draft and he needs to go to a coaching staff who can tap into his true potential and there’s none better than Bill Belichick.
#16 Arizona Cardinals- Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina
The Cardinals lost Patrick Peterson in free agency and they play in the best division in football. The quarterbacks in that division include Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, and Potentially Justin Fields. The Cardinals started hot last season and faded late due to their defense lacking a legit corner option. Jaycee Horn will give the Cardinals a big corner to compete with the All-Pro receivers that currently play in the NFC West.
#17 Las Vegas Raiders- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders need a linebacker who can run with tight ends and running backs and also rush the passer off the edge. JOK is an explosive linebacker/ Safety hybrid who can play all around the Raiders’ new-look defense. In Gus Bradley’s scheme JOK can play a Melvin Ingram/ Derwin James role and give the Raiders a true athletic and versatile weapon. The Raiders could use an offensive lineman here but with 4 picks in the top 80, they can easily grab one then.
#18 Miami Dolphins- Alijah Vera-Tucker OT, USC
Miami went and took Ja’Marr Chase with pick 6 and will double down on the offensive side of the ball with versatile offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Offensive line for Miami was inconsistent last season and they can easily upgrade it with this pick. Vera-Tucker has played all across the line at USC. Vera-Tucker is a plug and play guy that can get snaps anywhere Miami needs him to. The Dolphins took a major leap last season and continue to add to a young but ready team.
#19 Tennessee Titans (Traded from Washington)- Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama
With Jaylon Waddle falling a little bit here Mike Vrabel and the Titans come up to select the Alabama speedster. The Titans lost Corey Davis and taking Jaylen Waddle will give Tennessee another weapon to lineup across from A.J Brown that could easily make the Titans’ offense elite. Waddle can play in the slot and can line up outside to make it even easier for A.J Brown and Derrick Henry to terrorize the league.
#20 Chicago Bears- Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota
The Bears need a good amount of help on their team but with Allen Robinson expected to leave next season, Rashod Bateman can come in and be the Bears’ new top weapon. Chicago could also surprise and jump up to take a QB if one of them starts to fall but in this one, it is between an offensive lineman or a speedy sure-handed receiver. Batemon had a quiet 2020 season but showed a ton of promise in 2019, he’s a smooth receiver with top tier route running and solid hands at the point of catch.
#21 Indianapolis Colts- Teven Jenkins OL, Oklahoma State
Tevon Jenkins has been rising up draft boards lately as his athleticism and hand strength have become very apparent. He’s 6’6, 320, with the ability to play both tackle spots. A very agile big man with NFL power and he LOVES to finish his blocks. He can do wonders for their run scheme...the Jonathan Taylor truthers are gonna love this man up front.
#22 Washington Football Team (Traded from Tennessee Titans)- Jayson Oweh, Penn State
I told myself I wouldn’t get too caught up in pro day numbers but I absolutely couldn’t help myself after seeing Jayson Oweh’s measurable's. He came in at 6’5, 257, ran a 4.36-4.38 40 yard dash, and had a 39.5 inch vert… “High ceiling” might be a huge understatement with Oweh. He struggled last season as he failed to record a sack but the raw athleticism is there, if he can grind on his technique Washington could be looking at a huge steal here at #22.
#23 New York Jets- Caleb Farley CB, Virginia Tech
The Jets just miss out on Bateman here and instead are rolling with some help in the secondary. If it weren't for some huge red flags when considering Farley’s back problems he would easily be off the board before #15 in this draft. When grading the CB position following the college football season he was projecting higher than Patrick Surtain. He’s a big and physical press corner that can jam receivers at the line, possesses good ball skills, and contests at the catch point frequently.
#24 Pittsburgh Steelers- Azeez Oljulari DE, Georgia
The debate at who Pittsburgh should take at #24 literally ruined our writing team. We went back and forth for an absurd amount of time debating what position they would target especially with all the RB’s still on the board. Obviously the running game had a meltdown last season for the Steeler nation, they ranked dead last in rushing offense going for just 84.4 per game. OT and RB are definitely realistic options here, but when thinking about Pittsburgh under Tomlin, you think defense. Azeez Olijuri is an elite edge rusher who’s quick off the snap and is excellent at gaining leverage and changing direction, making him a tough block for most OT’s.
#25 Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevon Moehrig S, TCU
Jacksonville has a ton of holes so there’s really no one that can be ruled out here at 25. Trevon Moehrig is the best safety in this draft and getting two of the best players at their positions in the first round would be a great start to the Urban Meyer era in Jacksonville. Moehrig has great ball skills and a knack for coming up and making tackles in the run game. It might not be the flashiest pick but Moehrig will step right in and anchor that secondary that just added Shaquill Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins.
#26 Cleveland Browns- Christian Barramore DL, Alabama
Barramore is our first true IDL off the board as the Alabama first round counter reaches 5. This man can instantly clog up space up front and can help relieve some double team pressure Myles Garrett faces on a game to game basis. As a sophomore he finished with 9.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks, terrorizing SEC offensive lines. He has long arms, a high motor, with the ability to overpower interior lineman. Cleveland adds some meat up front to their defense and grabs our top DT at #25.
#27 Baltimore Ravens- Jalen Phillips DE, Miami
Baltimore lost Yannick Ngakoue, Matthew Judon and Jihad Ward so adding a pass rusher would be an easy choice here, Phillips has been rising up draft boards with his athletic ability and knack for getting to the QB. 2020 was his year to shine with Gregory Rousseau opting out he was able to put together a very solid season tallying 45 tackles and 8 sacks. Phillips would be playing a ton of snaps for Baltimore’s new look defensive line and should be a great addition.
#28 New Orleans Saints- Asante Samuel Jr. CB, Florida State
The offseason Marshon Lattimore is having would be concerning for any franchise, and although the Saints featured a top 5 pass defense last year, a true CB2 would do wonders for Sean Payton’s squad. Asante Samuel Jr. has the size of a slot corner but has been defending the outside at a high level for his whole career. He’s a quick corner who plays bigger than his frame, not afraid to get in his opponents face and let him know who he’s lining up across. Florida State trash talking cornerback… yeah sign me up.
#29 Green Bay Packers- Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, LSU
Alright i’ll address it.. I know the fantasy community desperately wants to see Rondale Moore land in the first round with an elite QB, but Terrace Marshall Jr’s pro day gives him the nod here. Green Bay already has a crop of big receivers with Allen Lazard (6’5), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6’4) and Davante Adams (6’1) so why not add Marshall Jr (6’4) to the mix. Seriously though the guy ran a 4.38 40 and has a 39 inch vert at 6 foot 4, that’s first round upside. Aaron Rodgers finally gets a legit weapon in the first round in 2021.
#30 Buffalo Bills- Najee Harris RB, Alabama
The Bills were a bottom 3 rushing team last season and desperately need to take the pressure off of Josh Allen. Taking Najee Harris here gives the Bills a legitimate workhorse back who can be in on all three downs. Last season there was no help from the running game and Buffalo had to completely go away from rushing the ball. Harris will come in and open up the offense for Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
#31 Kansas City Chiefs- Zavien Collins MLB, Tulsa
Kansas City was plagued by injuries to their offensive line but added to that in Free Agency so going to the defensive side of the ball would be beneficial. When you watch Collins tape you can see a player who is all over the field makes a ton of tackles and has the burst and explosiveness to make an impact in the backfield. He was a consistent player in all 3 of his season’s and could make the seamless leap to attacking the AFC West offenses very soon.
#32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Landon Dickerson C, Alabama
Tampa Bay is returning all 22 starters from their Super Bowl winning team. With no glaring needs they take an experienced Center who can come in and play for the aging Ryan Jensen. The Buccaneers could also trade out of this spot to gain more future picks but taking Dickerson is the smart move here. The Offensive line was a big reason for the lopsided superbowl win and adding to that would be music to Tom Brady’s ears.
- Vincenzo Sciacqua, Upside Play || Ryan Mobley, Upside Play
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