The NFL Draft is tonight. Draft prospects will find homes and NFL teams will begin the process of selecting their stars of tomorrow.
With that we present our 32-team three round mock draft, done by our own Pierre Baptiste Jr., Parth Shukla, and Mar’Quell Fripp-Owens.
Round 1 – Pick 1) Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been rumored to be choosing between 4 players. Ikem Ekwonu is on that list and it’s been reported that he’s a personal favorite of new head coach, Doug Pederson. And he’s who they select in our mock draft. An incredible athlete and stout tackle, Ekwonu is set to protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for years to come.
Round 1 – Pick 2) Detroit Lions: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
The hometown kid stays home in Detroit. The Lions need help everywhere and Hutchison could be the face of the franchise as they shift into year two of the Dan Campbell experience. Campbell was quoted as saying, he wants to build a culture that will “bite a kneecap off.” Aidan Hutchison brings that and more. He told Detroit News’ Angelique Chengelis before the 2021 college football season, “To ensure that we have success this season, I’m willing to die for this, I swear. I want it more than anyone, I promise you that.”
That sounds like a kneecap biter.
Round 1 – Pick 3) Houston Texans: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
The Houston Texans are another franchise that needs help seemingly everywhere. They simply take the best player avaliable. General Manager Nick Caserio is a Bill Belichick protégé. One of Bill Belichick’s closest confidants in coaching is Nick Saban, who coached the 6-foot-7, 337 pound mammoth of a man. Caserio is looking to establish a culture and build a foundation and what better way to do it than starting up front and selecting a prospect who many consider to be the best offensive tackle in the class. Neal can also play both guard spots, in addition to both tackle spots.
Round 1 – Pick 4) New York Jets: DE Travon Walker, Georgia
Traits, traits, traits and more traits. That’s the rationale behind this pick. The New York Jets take a player with one of (if not THE) highest ceilings in this draft class in Travon Walker. He’s big, long, quick, and powerful. Walker has every tool that you want in a high level defensive end and he would be turned loose in Robert Saleh’s defense.
Round 1 – Pick 5) New York Giants: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
The New York Giants have to fix their offensive line. Specifically their pass protection. A guy they’ve showed a ton of interest in throughout the pre draft process has been Mississippi State’s Charles Cross and Cross is the guy they take at number 5 overall. The Giants’ staff members in attendance at Cross’ Pro Day included OC Mike Kafka, OL coach Bobby Johnson and assistant OL coach Tony Sparano Jr. Per PFF, on 719 pass blocking snaps in 2021, Cross gave up zero sacks and just 16 pressures all season.
TRADE
Carolina trades the 6th overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for the 15th, 51st, 101st overall picks, and T Andre Dillard
The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that has been one of the most aggressive around this time of year, always looking to wheel and deal. Philadelphia reportedly has 3 to 4 players they’d be willing to move up for (SAF Kyle Hamilton, CB Derek Stingley Jr., CB Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, and DE Kayvon Thibodeaux). Carolina decides it’s best to trade back and re-coup some draft picks as after picking 6th overall, they wouldn’t pick again until 137th.
Round 1 – Pick 6) Philadelphia Eagles: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
The Philadelphia Eagles move up for one of the premier defensive talents in this draft class who started to slide down the board. Philadelphia gives up one of it’s two first round selections, it’s second round pick, and one of it’s two third round picks to move up and select Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Howie Roseman is a wheeler and dealer, and we know that the Eagles are a franchise that builds through the trenches. They get stronger at a position that lacks youth in defensive end. With Brandon Graham seemingly on his way out of the door, Roseman moves up and selects a player who could become the face of the defense over the next decade.
Round 1 – Pick 7) New York Giants: CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
The Giants, after selecting their tackle of the future, get their number one cornerback of the future in Sauce Gardner. New York is reportedly looking to trade former free agent signee James Bradberry IV and what a better replacement than the cornerback who never allowed a touchdown in his collegiate career.
Round 1 – Pick 8) Atlanta Falcons: WR Garret Wilson, Ohio State
The Atlanta Falcons breathe life into an offense devoid of much talent (outside of Kyle Pitts) and select Ohio State wideout Garret Wilson, who some may say has the highest ceiling of any receiver in the draft. Wilson immediately becomes wide receiver one in a room compromised of the suspended Calvin Ridley, Olamide Zaccheaus, Damiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge, and Auden Tate (among others). Wilson fills a need both in the present and future.
Round 1 – Pick 9) Seattle Seahawks: DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
This is a hand-in-glove fit for Seattle. After the Eagles snagged Kayvon Thibodeaux a few picks ahead of them, they select FSU’s Jermaine Johnson, who looks to forge the foundation of a new generation of Seahawks defense. Johnson, who we here at The Blitz consider to be one of the highest floor players in this draft, is a pass rusher who has ton of move within his repertoire that will help help become a high level-impact player at the NFL level.
Round 1 – Pick 10) New York Jets: WR Drake London, USC
This pick is simple: it helps New York find all the answers to the test on the quarterback they selected number 2 overall last semester. London is a big bodied possession receiver who some have compared to Mike Evans (I more-so see him as a Tee Higgins/Eric Decker esque receiver). London has a long and wide frame that will make him Wilson’s best friend at wide receiver.
Round 1 – Pick 11) Washington Commanders: SAF Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Washington kicks off the Commander era with the selection of a player who some consider to be the best player in the entire draft. He’s not only the best player available here, but he’s a legitimate blue chip prospect who adds to the back-end of an already stacked Washington front seven. Hamilton is the final cherry on top to a team who seemingly thinks they’re ready to compete for a playoff spot.
Round 1 – Pick 12) Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
The Minnesota Vikings need help on the back end. Sure they re-signed veteran Patrick Peterson, but after him the cupboard is a bit bare. They bolster their defensive backfield at 12th overall with the selection of a prospect who some consider the best cornerback in the draft in Derek Stingley Jr. out of LSU. Stingley joins his former teammate Justin Jefferson as the latest Tiger to now don the Viking purple at the NFL level.
TRADE
Houston sends 13th overall pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for the 20th and 52nd overall picks
Houston decides to move back and recoup two high end selection, because as stated, they need help everywhere and the more picks, the more bullets in the chamber. Pittsburgh moves up for, well you see…
Round 1 – Pick 13) Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Malik Willis, Liberty
The post Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh is underway as Mike Tomlin gets the quarterback who Pittsburgh has been smitten with throughout the pre-draft process. Malik Willis has all the tools necessary to become a high level starter at the NFL level, it’s just about getting to a place where he can maximize his talents, and what better spot than Pittsburgh? A team that has had just three head coaches in over 50 years and hasn’t missed the playoffs ever in the Mike Tomlin era. Pittsburgh is a stable environment where Willis will have every chance to develop and become the QB everyone thinks he can become.
Round 1 – Pick 14) Baltimore Ravens: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
Jordan Davis just seems like a Baltimore Raven right? The big 6-foot-6 340 pound man was made to play in John Harbaugh’s 3-4 defense and soak up space in the middle while athletic and powerful pass rusher get home to the quarterback. Davis will make his money as a run stuffing vaccum at the NFL level and Lord Knows, Baltimore needs it in a division with Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Kareem Hunt.
Round 1 – Pick 15) Carolina Panthers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Carolina trades back and gets the player they would’ve selected at 6th overall, quarterback Kenny Pickett. Matt Rhule needs to win now and he selects a player who can help him do that. Carolina has struggled to solve the quarterback position since Matt Rhule’s hiring and Pickett has been a prospect that Carolina has been linked to throughout the pre draft process. Many consider Pickett to be the most Pro-Ready quarterback in the draft and that is a perfect fit for Carolina.
Round 1 – Pick 16) New Orleans Saints: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
New Orleans lost tackle Terron Armstead in free agency. They replace him with quite literally the nastiest offensive lineman in the class in Trevor Penning, who gives them a high ceiling potential franchise left tackle to protect the blindside of Jameis Winston.
Round 1 – Pick 17) Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
The Los Angeles Chargers continue to add to the development of quarterback Justin Herbert by giving him a wide receiver who likely would’ve been the first wideout taken if not for injury. Williams slots in into a wide receiver corps that already contains Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
TRADE
Philadelphia trades 18th overall pick to Chicago in exchange for the 39th and 48th picks
The Philadelphia Eagles decide to trade again, this time moving back into the second round with the Chicago Bears. Chicago decides to move up and being the process of developing their own developmental hub for quarterback Justin Fields.
Round 1 – Pick 18) Chicago Bears: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Chicago moves up for one of the best wide receivers in the draft (we consider him to be the top wideout in the class). General Manager Ryan Poles makes his mark in his first draft as the head huncho in Chicago by pairing Justin Fields with his college teammate, Chris Olave. Chicago needs to create the best possible environment for Justin Fields and they do so my trading two second round picks and moving up for a first round selection and taking the most pro-ready wideout in the draft.
Round 1 – Pick 19) New Orleans Saints: SAF Daxton Hill, Michigan
New Orleans also lost safety Marcus Williams in free agency. They did sign Marcus Maye and do have Chauncey Gardner-Johnson but Dax Hill is much more than just a safety. He can literally play wherever you want him, that includes in the slot.
Round 1 – Pick 20) Houston Texans: DE George Karlaftis, Purdue
The Houston Texans trade back and select a very high floor defensive end in George Karlaftis. This is a player that can help change the culture in Houston. He’s a highly productive and high motor defensive end.
Round 1 – Pick 21) New England Patriots: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
The New England Patriots need help in the linebacker room in the worst way and the consensus linebacker one falls right into their laps at 21st overall. It’s practically a no brainer. Lloyd brings speed, production, high IQ and versatility to Foxborough.
Round 1 – Pick 22) Green Bay Packers: G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
The Green Bay Packers select one of the best players in the class that has been pushed down the draft board (for whatever reason). But Green is a damn good football player. He’s an absolute mauler in the run game and isn’t too shabby in pass protection either. Aaron Rodgers gets protection and he has a surprise coming up soon.
Round 1 – Pick 23) Arizona Cardinals: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
The Arizona Cardinals have become sort of a safe haven for University of Washington defensive backs (see Budda Baker and Byron Murphy). The rich get richer here as Arizona selects McDuffie, who’s said the Cardinals were one of the team’s he’s built a “strong relationship” with throughout this draft process.
Round 1 – Pick 24) Dallas Cowboys: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
The Dallas Cowboys once again opt for a luxury pick here with Treylon Burks. He will undoubtedly bring some versatility and flash to an already stout offensive unit. Dallas replaces the departed Amari Cooper with Burks.
Round 1 – Pick 25) Buffalo Bills: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
The Buffalo Bills select the uber-talented and uber-athletic cornerback out of Clemson to pair with Tre White. The Bills have one glaring need and it’s a starter opposite White, they find their guy in Booth, who they had a top 30 visit with.
Round 1 – Pick 26) Tennessee Titans: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
The Tennessee Titans shake up the back end of the first round and surprise some folks and decide to go quarterback. Ryan Tannehill struggled in the playoff matchup against the Bengals and Tennessee looks to start the clock on the succession plan in Tennessee.
Round 1 – Pick 27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Buccaneers take Elam in what may seem like a redundant pick, considering they do have Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean on the outside right now, but Davis only played in 10 games last year and Dean’s contract is up after next season. Elam is a pick for the future.
Round 1 – Pick 28) Green Bay Packers: WR George Pickens, Georgia
I mentioned a surprise earlier, and Aaron Rodgers gets his new number one wideout in George Pickens, who is quite literally a quarterbacks best friend at 6-foot-3 195 pounds with 32 3/8″ arms. Pickens can run any route you put in front of him and he’s a menace as a blocker.
Round 1 – Pick 29) Kansas City Chiefs: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State
The Kansas City Chiefs look to bolster their receiving room after trading away Tyreek Hill and signingJuJu Smith-Schuster. Watson makes sense here as a field stretcher who also adds some versatility to Andy Reid’s offense.
Round 1 – Pick 30) Kansas City Cheifs: DE David Ojabo, Michigan
The Chiefs double back and take the best player on the board. Ojabo would’ve undoubtedly gone higher if not for injury and the Chiefs are a team that can wait a few weeks until Ojabo is healthy. He has a high ceiling and will no-doubt help a Kanas City defense that needs pass rush help.
Round 1 – Pick 31) Cincinnati Bengals: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
The Bengals continue to help further Joe Burrow’s development and take the best available player, who is considered by some a top 10 player in this draft. Tyler Linderbaum has perennial All-Pro written all over him.
Round 1 – Pick 32) Detroit Lions: QB Matt Corral, Mississippi
The Detroit Lions decide to take a quarterback at 32 overall. Matt Corral is a big armed and mobile project that could sit behind Jared Goff for a year before taking the reins as Detroit’s franchise guy in 2023.
Round 2
Round 2 – Pick 33) Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Travis Jones, UConn
Round 2 – Pick 34) Detroit Lions: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Round 2 – Pick 35) New York Jets: CB Roger McCreary, Auburn
Round 2 – Pick 36) New York Giants: DE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
Round 2 – Pick 37) Houston Texans: SAF Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
Round 2 – Pick 38) New York Jets: G Zion Johnson, Boston College
Round 2 – Pick 39) (From Chicago) Philadelphia Eagles: SAF Lewis Cine, Georgia
Round 2 – Pick 40) Seattle Seahawks: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
Round 2 – Pick 41) Seattle Seahawks: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Round 2 – Pick 42) Indianapolis Colts: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Round 2 – Pick 43) Atlanta Falcons: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
Round 2 – Pick 44) Cleveland Browns: DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota
Round 2 – Pick 45) Baltimore Ravens: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington
Round 2 – Pick 46) Minnesota Vikings: SAF Jalen Pitre, Baylor
Round 2 – Pick 47) Washington Commanders: G Tyler Smith, Tulsa
Round 2 – Pick 48) (From Chicago) Philadelphia Eagles: CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA
Round 2 – Pick 49) New Orleans Saints: WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Round 2 – Pick 50) Kansas City Chiefs: LB Christian Harris, Alabama
Round 2 – Pick 51) Carolina Panthers: OT Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
Round 2 – Pick 52) Houston Texans: DT DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
Round 2 – Pick 53) Green Bay Packers: DE Logan Hall, Houston
Round 2 – Pick 54) New England Patriots: G/C Cameron Jurgens, Nebraska
Round 2 – Pick 55) Arizona Cardinals: DE Drake Jackson, USC
Round 2 – Pick 56) Dallas Cowboys: DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
Round 2 – Pick 57) Buffalo Bills: RB Breece Hall, Iowa State
Round 2 – Pick 58) Atlanta Falcons: DE Josh Paschal, Kentucky
Round 2 – Pick 59) Green Bay Packers: WR John Metchie III, Alabama
Round 2 – Pick 60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: G Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Round 2 – Pick 61) San Fransisco 49ers: G Dylan Parham, Memphis
Round 2 – Pick 62) Kansas City Chiefs: DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Round 2 – Pick 63) Cincinnati Bengals: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
Round 2 – Pick 64) Denver Broncos: LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
Round 3
Round 3 – Pick 65) Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA
Round 3 – Pick 66) Detroit Lions: WR Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
Round 3 – Pick 67) New York Giants: LB Quay Walker, Georgia
Round 3 – Pick 68) Houston Texans: RB Kenneth Walker, Michigan State
Round 3 – Pick 69) New York Jets: OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State
Round 3 – Pick 70) Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
Round 3 – Pick 71) Chicago Bears: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
Round 3 – Pick 72) Seattle Seahawks: G/C Cole Strange, Chattanooga
Round 3 – Pick 73) Indianaplois Colts: T/G Zach Tom, Wake Forest
Round 3 – Pick 74) Atlanta Falcons: G Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
Round 3 – Pick 75) Denver Broncos: OT Rasheed Walker, Penn State
Round 3 – Pick 76) Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
Round 3 – Pick 77) Minnesota Vikings: LB Channing Tindall, Geogria
Round 3 – Pick 78) Cleveland Browns: WR David Bell, Purdue
Round 3 – Pick 79) Los Angeles Chargers: G/C Sean Rhyan, UCLA
Round 3 – Pick 80) Houston Texans: TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
Round 3 – Pick 81) New York Giants: C Ed Ingram, Ohio State
Round 3 – Pick 82) Atlanta Falcons: SAF Nick Cross, Maryland
Round 3 – Pick 83) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
Round 3 – Pick 84) Pittsburgh Steelers: SAF Bryan Cook, Cincinnati
Round 3 – Pick 85) New England Patriots: CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
Round 3 – Pick 86) Las Vegas Raiders: DT Matthew Butler, Tennessee
Round 3 – Pick 87) Arizona Cardinals: WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Round 3 – Pick 88) Dallas Cowboys: C Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan
Round 3 – Pick 89) Buffalo Bills: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
Round 3 – Pick 90) Tennessee Titans: TE Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
Round 3 – Pick 91) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Zachary Carter, Florida
Round 3 – Pick 92) Green Bay Packers: EDGE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State
Round 3 – Pick 93) San Francisco 49ers: EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
Round 3 – Pick 94) Kansas City Chiefs: CB Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
Round 3 – Pick 95) Cincinnati Bengals: CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
Round 3 – Pick 96) Denver Broncos: EDGE Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
Round 3 – Pick 97) Detroit Lions: SAF Kerby Joseph, Illinois
Round 3 – Pick 98) New Orleans Saints: QB Carson Strong, Nevada
Round 3 – Pick 99) Cleveland Browns: LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
Round 3 – Pick 100) Baltimore Ravens: T Max Mitchell, Louisiana-Lafayette
Round 3 – Pick 101) (From Eagles) Carolina Panthers: LB Troy Andersen, Montana State
Round 3 – Pick 102) Miami Dolphins: C Luke Fortner, Kentucky
Round 3 – Pick 103 Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Sam Williams, Mississippi
Round 3 – Pick 104: Los Angeles Rams: CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
Round 3 – Pick 105 San Fransisco 49ers: WR Calvin Austin III
Cover Image Credit: Bridget Bennett – New York Times
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