NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Trades and Pro Days in the books

Is Hutchinson the best player in this draft? All of the experts seem to believe the Jaguars think he is. At the end of the day, this mock draft is about projecting what will happen, and things seem to be leaning towards Hutchinson being the first name called on April 28.

Previous pick: OT Evan Neal, Alabama

Walker’s stock has shot up since the Combine. The Lions tend to favor athletically-gifted players, and you just know Dan Campbell wants to build his team from the line of scrimmage back.

Previous pick: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Houston gets arguably the best overall player in the class to fall to them with the third overall pick. Neal should be a franchise cornerstone tackle for at least a decade, protecting Davis Mills or whoever the Texans brings in to play the position in the future.

Previous pick: CB Derek Stingley, LSU

Stingley’s stock had started to dip following the Combine, which he missed due to injury. However, he was healthy for his Pro Day and put on a show for the scouts in attendance. He has the upside of a true lockdown man corner, and shouldn’t get out of the top 5.

Previous pick: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

This pick remains unchanged from our first mock. Ekwonu is a potential first-overall pick, and the Giants get him fifth overall. Whether it’s Daniel Jones or another quarterback under center in the future, he needs to be protected.

Previous pick: Unchanged

The Panthers are the top team on the board that truly needs a quarterback. They can afford to move back a few spots and still have that be true. In doing so, they add two top-100 picks.

Panthers get:

–11th overall pick (1st round)
–47th overall pick (2nd round)
–2023 2nd round pick

Commanders get:

–6th overall pick (1st round)
–144th overall pick (5th round)

The Commanders have one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL, and now they add a potential elite player in the secondary to compliment that group. Some experts have Gardner ranked ahead of Stingley on their boards, so even while trading up this may be seen as a value pick.

Previous pick: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State (Panthers)

The Giants already made a top-five pick, and realistically could be in the hunt for a quarterback next year. It makes all the sense in the world for them to spread out their draft assets here, with more to come later

Giants get:

–16th overall pick (1st round)
–19th overall pick (1st round)
–2023 6th round pick

Saints get:

–7th overall pick (1st round)
–81st overall pick (3rd round)
–147th overall pick (5th round)

Why did the Saints sacrifice a future first to add a second first-round pick in 2022? Many believe it’s to facilitate a move into the top 10. That’s the case here, as they shoot up from the mid-teens to seventh overall. With the pick, they add a replacement for Terron Armstead in Cross. This could also be a move for a quarterback, but it seems like New Orleans wants to give it a full shot with Jameis Winston. Plus, this QB class isn’t great, and they’ll eventually need a tackle anyway.

Previous pick: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (Giants)

By trading Matt Ryan, the Falcons have signaled they’re ready to enter a rebuild. The team has a number of needs, so at this point, it’s best player available. That’s Thibodeaux, who had seven sacks in 10 games last year for Oregon. Thibodeaux was the consensus top overall pick in the draft for much of the college football season, so this is another potential value pick.

Previous pick: CB Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, Cincinnati (Vikings)

In some ways, this may be a reach. But in others, this pick almost makes too much sense. Williams would have been the top receiver in this class and a lock for a top 10 pick had he not torn his ACL in the National Championship last year. By all accounts, he’s been flying through his rehab and may be able to play at some point in 2022.

At the same time, the Seahawks are in a post-Russell Wilson rebuild, and don’t necessarily need production from Williams in Year 1. They can let him take his time to recover. When they add a quarterback in 2023, he’ll come into a great situation with a fully-healthy Williams on one side and D.K. Metcalf on the other.

Previous pick: EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue (Broncos)

The Jets already added on defense by drafting Stingley, and now turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball. Wilson is the kind of well-rounded receiver who will make life easy on a young quarterback. He brings a slightly different dynamic than the Jets’ current top two receivers Corey Davis and Elijah Moore.

Previous pick: WR Drake London, USC

See Pick 6 for trade details

The Panthers’ move down pays off, as they’re still able to get their guy in Willis. Unlike other quarterback-needy teams like the Saints and Seahawks, Carolina’s decision makers may not have the luxury of being able to wait for a stronger class in 2023. They make Willis the top arm off the board just outside of the top 10.

Previous pick: QB Malik Willis, Liberty (Commanders)

This is somewhat of a fall for Hamilton, who some consider to be a top five pick. The beneficiary of his slide is Minnesota. The Vikings get a versitile play-maker, who will be able to eventually step in for 33-year-old All-Pro safety Harrison Smith.

Previous pick: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State (Falcons)

With the first of their many picks received in return for Deshaun Watson, the Texans get a potential generational playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Davis proved at the Combine he’s more than just an early-down nose tackle, and should be a player Nick Caserio can build around for years to come.

Previous pick: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas (Browns)

Baltimore could use help on the offensive line, but it’s a deep class at both tackle and guard. Instead, they focus on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens had trouble filling the void left by the departure of Matthew Judon last year. Johnson should be able to play a starting role on the edge right away, and has impact player upside.

Previous pick: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Sometimes, the most obvious answer is the right answer. The Eagles were desperately thin at linebacker last year, and the best linebacker in the draft falls to them at 15. No need to overthink things.

Previous pick: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

See Pick 7 for trade details

With the first of their two picks received from the Saints, the Giants continue add in the trenches. This time, it’s on the defensive side of the ball. Karlaftis is a potential top-15 talent, but his stock may be dropping due to impressive Combine numbers from a number of other players at the position. However, he doesn’t slide all the way out of the top half of the first round.

Previous pick: DT Jordan Davis (Eagles)

The Bills have been aggressive all offseason, so why stop now? They move up to address a major need.

Chargers get:

–25th overall pick (1st round)
–89th overall pick (3rd round)
–130thoverall pick (4th round)
–2023 3rd round pick

Bills get 

–17th overall pick (1st round)

In order to contend in the AFC, teams are going to need to be able to cover. Buffalo’s cornerback group is the team’s biggest question mark right now, with Tre’Davious White coming off a torn ACL, and Levi Wallace leaving in free agency. To try to bridge the gap, they add a versatile corner by taking McDuffie.

Previous pick: WR Garrett Wilson (Chargers)

The Eagles seem to value receivers based on physical traits – they either like guys who are really big or really fast. Last year, they added a fast receiver in DeVonta Smith. This year, they go with size in London, who is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. Some suggest London could be a fringe top 10 pick, but he’s had to delay his Pro Day twice due to injuries. That could hurt him in a deep receiver class.

Previous pick: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (Saints)

See Pick 7 for previous trade details

A lot has been made about the Bears’ roster shortcomings despite not having a first-round pick this year. Under new leadership, Chicago is going to kick the can down the road on not having that first-round selection, and borrow from the future to jump into the top 20 this year.

This is also the real reason the Giants traded down from seven – to add a future premium asset to help next season if they need to move up to get a quarterback. By trading with the Saints first, they still get to make multiple first-round picks in 2022 and get an extra first in 2023.

Giants get:

–48th overall pick (2nd round)
–2023 1st round pick

Bears get:

–19th overall pick (1st round)
–81st overall pick (3rd round)

The NFL is a copycat league, and one of the latest trends is pairing quarterbacks with their college receivers. By moving back into the first round, the Bears are able to reunite Justin Fields with Olave, while adding a much-needed playmaker on offense.

Previous pick: EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan (Chiefs)

Did you notice the theme developing here? The Steelers need a quarterback, but feel confident they can move back and get their guy. So, they use this as a chance to add more draft assets.

Steelers get:

–24th overall pick (1st round)
–88th overall pick (3rd round)

Cowboys get:

–20th overall pick

Dallas’ offensive line is on the verge of being a mess. The team released La’el Collins earlier this offseason, and Tyron Smith is 31 and has been limited by injuries over the last two seasons. Knowing that, they jump two potential tackle-needy teams in the Patriots and Packers to take Penning. Penning is still somewhat of a developmental player, but the Cowboys may not need him to start to begin the season.

Previous pick: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama (Raiders)

At the beginning of the pre-draft process, Dean didn’t seem like a fit for the Patriots. But as the Patriots’ scheme starts to shift, he’s looking more and more realistic as a do-it-all off the ball linebacker. He has the high football IQ needed to play the role in New England. On top of all that, he’s met with the Patriots on multiple occasions leading up to the draft.

Previous pick: CB Andrew Booth, Clemson

The Packers need a big, physical receiver to replace the big, physical receiver they traded to the Raiders in Davante Adams. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds Burks can win physically down the field against most cornerbacks and is also a threat with the ball in his hands.

Previous pick: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (Steelers)

Beyond Byron Murphy, the Cardinals lack both top-tier talent and depth at cornerback. Booth would not only provide another starter and depth, but help them deal with some of the bigger receivers in the NFC West (Metcalf, Allen Robinson).

Previous pick: EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia 

See Pick 20 for trade details

The Steelers have had as a close a look at Pickett as any NFL team. If the concerns about his hand size are really overblown, they’d know better than anybody. They make the pick and keep the 2021 ACC Player of the Year at Heinz Field.

Previous pick: G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M (Cowboys)

See Pick 17 for trade details

The Chargers struggled mightily against the run last year, allowing 4.6 yards per carry. That ranked 28th in the NFL. They were also middle of the pack as a pass rushing unit. In Wyatt, they get a versatile defensive lineman that should be able to help in both situations.

Previous pick: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington (Bills)

If the Titans are going to contend, they’re going to do it running the football. That’s not going to be easy with uncertainty at guard. To sure things up, they add Green who should be a Day 1 starter in the NFL.

Previous pick: G Zion Johnson, Boston College

Tampa lost both starting guards this offseason, with Ali Marpet retiring and Alex Cappa leaving in free agency. They already added one starter by trading for Shaq Mason, but the left guard spot is still up for grabs. Johnson should be able to fill the role right away.

Previous pick: DL Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

The Packers use their second first-round pick to improve their secondary. Hill will add depth throughout the defensive backfield to start, and could fill a number of different roles as the season progresses.

Previous pick: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

There’s a case to be made that the Chiefs will use these back-to-back picks at the end of the first round to move up. That’s a possibility – a situation we sort of addressed in our first mock draft. However, they have two glaring needs and the board has fallen favorably for both. They use the first of the two picks to add an explosive inside and outside receiver in Dotson, who combined with Marquez Valdes-Scantling should help fill the hole left by Tyreek Hill’s departure.

Previous pick: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa (Dolphins)

The Chiefs have a big hole at cornerback, which has become more glairing as other teams in the AFC West have loaded up on quarterbacks and deep threats. Elam has No. 1 corner potential, and the Chiefs hope he’ll reach that ceiling sooner rather than later.

Previous pick: Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State (49ers)

The Bengals complete their overhaul of their offensive line by taking Linderbaum. By adding him to the mix, they can move Ted Karras back out to guard and will have replaced four starters from last season.

Previous pick: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan

The Lions are more than a year away, so they can afford to make a pick that’s a true investment in the future. That pick is Ojabo, who was projected to go in the top half of the first round before tearing  his Achilles at his Pro Day. He’s not expected to play in 2022, but he should be good to go at Detroit comes out of its rebuild in 2023. The fifth-year option on the contract makes the lost year not sting as bad.

Previous pick: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati