90.9 Mock Draft: Zack Wheeler
This is my first Mock Draft of this year’s cycle. I imagine this won’t be the last, as team needs and player movement is as fluid as ever (especially this year). Here it is:
1 . Jacksonville Jaguars- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan. The Jaguars are a team that underperformed on a large scale last year. With a defense that allowed far too many points last season, as well as one that lost Myles Jack in free agency, a dynamic edge rusher like Hutchinson makes sense.
2. Detroit Lions- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon. The Lions, also coming off of a disappointing season, were a few plays away from mediocrity. Adding a dynamic defensive presence like Thibodeaux sets up the front seven for long term success.
3. Houston Texans- Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinatti. The Texans showed fight last year. The offense flashed greatness, but the defensive backfield was an embarassment almost every Sunday. Gardner is a big, physical corner who will challenge almost any receiver from day one.
4. New York Jets- Evan Neal. OT, Alabama. Neal is regarded as the best tackle in this draft. He could sit behind Mekhi Beckon and Morgan Moses to learn at first, and could quickly develop into a good blocker for Zach Wilson at any of the 5 positions.
5. New York Giants- Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State. Daniel Jones, the Giants’ quarterback, has clearly not shown enough. Saquon Barkley is always hurt and has lacked productivity when healthy. A bad Giants O-Line could to blame, and adding Ekwonu is a step in the right direction.
6. Carolina Panthers- Malik Willis, QB, Liberty. Willis is easily the most dynamic quarterback in this year’s class, garnering comparisons to guys like Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick. Some experts believe his arm will rival that of Josh Allen with some time and coaching. Willis is a proven winner, unlike Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.
7. New York Giants (via Bears)- Travon Walker, DE, Georgia. Walker was a dynamic player on an elite Georgia defense last year, and the Giants have lacked a great edge rusher for the last several seasons. Look for them to fill a need here.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State. With the suspension of Calvin Ridley and departure of Russell Gage, the Falcons are in desperate need of a pass catcher. Also, Marcus Mariota could use a new weapon to start off on the right foot in Atlanta.
9. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)- Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU. Stingley is instinctive and highly intelligent. His experience covering the elite pass catchers of the SEC will help him thrive in Seattle.
10. New York Jets (via Seahawks)- Drake London, WR, USC. With a young quarterback and a decent line in front of him, the Jets have a solid foundation. Drake London’s length and strength
will help him become a dynamic piece of the New York offense. He will likely boost the development of Zach Wilson.
11. Washington Commanders- Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame. When an athlete like Hamilton falls into your lap at 11, you almost have to take him. Hamilton possesses all of the physical tools to be a great safety, as well as pass coverage ability, linear speed, and sound tackling.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State. Dalvin Cook is seemingly always injured and Kirk Cousins takes a few too many hits. Cross is a plug and play tackle that will quietly make an already productive Vikings offense take the next step.
13. Houston Texans (via Browns)- George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue. The Texans take another defensive building block to strengthen the front seven with this pick. Karlaftis could become the edge rusher that fills the shoes of JJ Watt, who’s production has not been accounted for since his departure.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama. The Ravens have two glaring weaknesses: injuries and wide receiver. Williams is an electric pass catcher with the speed to outrun anyone on the field. Paired with Hollywood Brown and Rashod Bateman, the Ravens could once again have a group of receivers that would give secondaries across the league nightmares.
15. Philedelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)- Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas. The Eagles already have speed at the receiver position, but adding Burks brings a physical presence to the unit. He has been compared to AJ Brown due to his size and athleticism, and he can win the 50–50 ball with ease.
16. New Orleans Saints (via Colts)- Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa. In short, the Saints just lost all-world LT Terron Armstead in free agency. Penning’s size and physicality at the point of attack make him a worthy replacement.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa. Linderbaum is a “can’t miss” lineman, who plays more on the interior. He would likely provide good guard depth for the Chargers, who have an aging interior group.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)- Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson. Booth was a great player on an otherwise bad unit last season. He is scrappy, quick, and plays with no fear… which are traits Eagles fans expect of their team. Look for Booth to be a day one starter in Philly.
19. New Orleans Saints (via Eagles)- Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington. Gordon is the bigger, more physical Washington corner, and his play style would compliment that of Marshon Lattimore. He is great in coverage and should give the Saints’ secondary a bit of releif.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt. The Steelers historically avoid Pitt players, but in a thin quarterback class such as this one, Pickett is the best option left. He is a bit more athletic than Mitch Trubisky and has the potential to be really good. Also, if Mike Tomlin can make the
likes of Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges look like viable starters, Pickett should thrive in his offense.
21. New England Patriots- Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah. Lloyd is a textbook Patriots player- disciplined, hard nosed, and smart. Lloyd’s physical skillset paired with mentoring from Donta’ Hightower and coaching from Bill Bellichick make this a great pick.
22. Green Bay Packers (via Raiders)- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State. With the departure of Davantae Adams, now would be an impeccable time for the Packers to finally draft an offensive skill player in the first round. Olave is capable of having a monster game every time he touches the field, and those chances only improve with Aaron Rodgers under center. Olave is likely the number one receiver on opening day if he’s in Green Bay.
23. Arizona Cardinals- Kenyon Greene, OL, Texas A&M. Greene is arguably the best run blocker in this class, which could help the Cardinals balance their offense while giving Kyler Murray more time to be in the pocket.
24. Dallas Cowboys- Jermaine Johnson- EDGE, Florida State. The Cowboys’ defense has two studs and nine players that are iffy at best. Adding Johnson to the front line will help the defense get much needed pressure to the quarterback, while allowing Micah Parsons to be a more versatile player.
25. Buffalo Bills- Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia. The Bills are a team with little weakness. The defensive line is still young, but adding a freak athlete like Davis will make the unit even more deadly than before. Davis has the size and speed to stuff the run and hit the quarterback, and he could be the missing piece to a championship caliber roster.
26. Tennessee Titans- Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College. Johnson will be an early impact player, as the Titans’ O-Line has struggled to create space for the run game. He will help protect Tannehill and plow the ground Derrick Henry needs to create big runs.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Boye Mafe, EDGE, Boston College. Why not draft a lineman and protect Tom Brady? Because Tampa’s front seven is getting old. The offensive linemen on the roster already have enough experience to play well. Also, more speed on defense never hurt anyone.
28. Green Bay Packers- John Metchie III, WR, Alabama. Metchie, though injured for the end of last season, was productive when healthy. He could become the full time slot receiver for the Packers, which is something they haven’t had in years.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via 49ers)- George Pickens, WR, Georgia. Pickens was the star of the Bulldogs last year. Kansas City needs a dynamic playmaker to replace Tyreek Hill and offset Juju Smith-Shcuster.
30. Kansas City Chiefs- Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn. McCreary is the “safe” pick, filling a hole at corner and overall improving the defense. The Chiefs might go corner here because taking a safety here could be poor value.
31. Cincinatti Bengals- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington. McDuffie is less polished than most of the corners in this draft, but his versatility is too good to pass up. He is an overall balanced defender who could fill in outside or in the slot.
32. Detroit Lions (via Rams)- Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss. The Lions spent the house on Jared Goff, but he’s not their long term answer. Corral adds extra mobility that Goff lacks, and he would have good systems in place to succeed with time.
Teams without first round picks:
Bears- Traded their pick this year to the Giants. They lack the capital to move back in the first round.
49ers- With Deebo Samuel requesting a trade, the 49ers could deal him for a first rounder. This pick could be used to draft his replacement.
Broncos- Traded their first pick to Seattle for Russell Wilson. A long term answer at quarterback is well worth an early draft pick.
Colts- The Colts have few needs and a roster full of talent. Their secondary is the only weak spot, but even that improved in free agency.
Raiders- Traded their pick for Davantae Adams. Good move on paper, but is that enough to get the Raiders over the hump?
Rams- Traded their pick to the Lions in the Matt Stafford trade last offseason. The Rams historically don’t use their first round picks, and they instead trade them for established players.
Dolphins- Traded picks this year for Tyreek Hill. They will have a first round pick next year from the Laremy Tunsil deal a few years ago.
