The 7-round beast is around the corner. Here is a 1-round mock at 1 pm on 3/28 with no trades other than one exercised.
1)Jacksonville Jaguars-Ikem Ekwonu (OT) NC State
I’m all in on this. This is Trevor Lawrence’s bodyguard on the field. Leader, physical, impact player who makes the whole line and room better.
2)Detroit Lions- Aiden Hutchinson (EDGE) Michigan
Hutchinson stays in State and Lions fans will be thrilled. He’s a 3-down impact EDGE that requires attention on every play.
3)Houston Texans- Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE) Oregon
This is a hunch. I can see Caserio trying to get his impact EDGE guy to improve the defense all around. Definite motor questions?
4)New York Jets- Kyle Hamilton (S) Notre Dame
They’ve cycled through previous Safety picks in the last couple of seasons. Hamilton can do-it-all as a Safety while being a cerebral player under Robert Saleh. This is a nice match, especially in a division with the weapons rivals have.
5)New York Giants- Jermaine Johnson III (EDGE) FSU
My #2 ranked prospect in this draft. His pass-rush repertoire is elite and combined with the personnel on the roster, he’ll get some 1 on 1.
6)Carolina Panthers-Evan Neal (OT)
You find the guy who’s blindside he’ll be protecting in the 2nd round but Neal will be a day one starter.
7)New York Giants- Charles Cross (OT) Mississippi St
Plug and play whom you don’t have to worry about. Technically sound for Brian Daboll.
8)Atlanta Falcons- Travon Walker (EDGE) Georgia
Another prospect staying at home. It feels like this has been a position of need for years with continuous misses.
9)Seattle Seahawks- Malik Willis (QB) Liberty
This is a Seattle move. I was firm with no first-round QB this year but he can be brought along slowly.
10)New York Jets- Trevor Penning (OT) Northern Iowa
The need at Tackle is huge and the biggest question is Bechton’s health. It’s about protecting Zach Wilson and making the new offensive weapons better.
11)Washington Commanders- Ahmad Gardner (CB) Cincinnati
“Sauce” brings a new element to defense with a lot of talent on it. Gardner needs to be a shutdown guy on the outside.
12)Minnesota Vikings- Derek Stingley JR (CB) LSU
The injuries cause this slide. It felt like the Vikings were in high-scoring games or those coming down to the wire. You get a playmaker you can count on in those moments.
13)Houston Texans- Andrew Booth JR (CB) Clemson
Adding playmakers to the defense for Caserio continues. A.J Brown and Michael Pittman are in this division.
14)Baltimore Ravens- Jordan Davis (IDL) Georgia
Davis isn’t just a nose, he can play along the defensive front, which fits the Ravens well. Patrick Queen is going to love him.
15) Philadelphia Eagles- Trent McDuffie (CB) Washington
Get ’em while they’re hot!! I love the corners coming out of UW. Pairing McDuffie with Slay and allowing that rotation upfront to get home can improve a team that did make the playoffs last year.
16) Philadelphia Eagles- Zion Johnson (IOL) Boston College
Just a technician, who you can move around according to need.
17)L.A Chargers-Devin Lloyd (LB) Utah
Adding Lloyd to a group that got huge shots in the arm this off-season is ideal. He and Patrick Murray are a nice tandem.
18)New Orleans Saints- Jameson Williams (WR) Alabama
They have a lot of smaller pieces and Michael Thomas is an enigma. Williams can be integrated mid-season and brought up to speed.
19)Philadelphia Eagles- Chris Olave (WR) Ohio State
Like Smith the previous year, the Eagles grab a guy with a PHD in route-running at WR. The question is, is the QB in place?
20)Pittsburgh Steelers- Tyler Linderbaum (IOL) Iowa
I know they have the most interesting QB room in the league but Linderbaum fills a need that will make the Offense better from Day One.
21)New England Patriots- Devonte Wyatt (IDL) Georgia
History supports this pick. At one point it was Warren-Wilfork-Seymour-Green. Barmore-Wyatt starts the next construction of the front.
22)Green Bay Packers- Garrett Wilson (WR) Ohio St
Position of need that I feel they double dip to keep Aaron Rodgers happy.
23)Arizona Cardinals- George Karlaftis (EDGE) Purdue