The NFL Draft is just under a month away,  and with free agency and the combine behind us, things are beginning to fall in place in terms of how the first round could play out. 

Once again our own Mar’Quell Fripp-Owens is back with us to bring mock draft variation 2.0. Find out how as the dust clears, teams processes have began to show themselves.

As always, any complaints, comments, or concerns should be sent in the direction of The Philly Blitz.

Enjoy!

1.) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB) – Miami

Up to this point, all signs point toward the Titans taking Cam Ward with the first overall pick. Following his Pro Day, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Titans have become ‘increasingly impressed’ with the Miami signal caller and are set to hold a private workout with him. 

The most damning piece of evidence pointing to this selection, however, comes from an unlikely source.

In free agency, Tennessee signed quarterback Brandon Allen, who most notably spent time with former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan in Cincinnati. During this time, Allen served as the backup to help usher in the Burrow era and could be in position to help the Titans do the same with Ward.

2) Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders (QB) – Colorado 

Something has to give in Cleveland. Following his record-breaking extension, franchise player Myles Garrett was asked about his belief in the Browns quarterback situation.

“After conversations, I do have an idea,” Garrett said. “I like it [the idea] enough to be here smiling in front of you because I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it.”

Clearly, there’s a plan in place. Yet as the veteran quarterback market grows thinner by the day, with each passing minute, signs get closer to a potential selection of a quarterback. It’s been rumored that the team could go with Abdul Carter here, which would make sense given that the newly acquired Joe Tryon-Shoyinka only signed a one-year deal. However, until some sense is made of the quarterback position in Cleveland, this is where we stand.

3) New York Giants: Travis Hunter (WR/CB) – Colorado

By the recent moves the Giants have made, it’s clear that both general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have received their marching orders: Win at all costs.

While a quarterback of the future would be the perfect selection here, the board doesn’t offer that luxury, and even if it did, I’m not sure the HC/GM timeline provides the necessary time frame to see out that process.

With the additions in the QB room, the Giants have allowed themselves the opportunity to take the best player available instead of forcing a need. In this instance, you end up with potentially the best player in the class. The acquisition of Paulson Adebo gives New York a chance to truly see what former first-round pick Deonte Banks is made of before deciding to align Hunter on the defensive side of the ball. 

In the meantime, a pass-catching group of Travis Hunter and Malik Nabers isn’t too shabby.

4) New England Patriots: Abdul Carter (EDGE) – Penn State

If you’re the Patriots, in this instance, the ball has been taken out of your court. This is the best case scenario where you’re just waiting to see which one of these ‘generational’ prospects fall into your lap. 

Talk about an overhaul to your defense. After adding both Milton Williams and Harold Landry III in free agency to help beef up the pass rush, you get the chance to add a talent worthy of consideration to be the best amongst his peers.

After finishing with just 28 sacks last season, this potential Patriots pass rushing group offers a much-needed breath of fresh air.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DT) -Michigan 

Talk about a hand-in-glove fit. After making a plethora of moves at a multitude of other positions, the focus remains on a front seven that ranked 32nd in pass rusher win rate and 27th in run stop rate, according to ESPN. 

After the team neglected the need in free agency, it becomes clear what the plan is.

“Yeah, I think the most important thing you talk about when you talk about defense is your play style,” new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said.

“My vision for us defensively, we want to be a tough, fast, physical, violent at the point of attack team. What does that mean? That means that you’ve got guys who take pride in not getting blocked.”

Graham helps them accomplish that goal in a major way.

6) Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan (WR) -Arizona 

The Raiders took a swing at Geno Smith in the quarterback market, re-aligning him with former head coach Pete Carroll — this time in Las Vegas. Now that the quarterback position has been addressed, it’s time to add some weapons to a group that features a lot of Brock Bowers, some Jakobi Meyers, and not much after those two. 

Given the history of both Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, a running back wouldn’t surprise anyone here. Yet with such a deep RB class, the Raiders instead give Geno Smith a number one weapon.

As Chip Kelly often says, “ Big people beat up little people,” and there aren’t many that offer the measurables of Tetairoa McMillian. 

7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (OT) – Missouri 

The Jets bought in Justin Fields to fill the void at the quarterback position this off-season. Now, New York is left to figure out which plan of action would best maximize the production they will receive. 

The team is in need of a secondary option to pair with Garrett Wilson. They could opt to use this selection to address that need.

Or the Jets could add what could be considered the final piece along an offensive line that the front office has invested heavily in, in recent years.

Membou should slide into the Right Tackle spot seamlessly, becoming a stalwart on an offense that should dominate on the ground. 

8) Carolina Panthers: Jihaad Campbell (LB) -Alabama 

The Carolina Panthers have made it a point of emphasis to beef up the front of this defense. This comes with the additions of Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton to pair with Derrick Brown along the interior. Yet, there are still necessary changes to be made along the EDGE for a group that tallied just 32 sacks on the season, ranking in the bottom third of the league. 

There’s a lot to like about what Campbell, who was originally recruited as an EDGE, brings to the table in terms of pass rush nuance.

If Carolina decides to let Campbell remain in his off-ball linebacker position, the team should have a potential need at the position filled as both Josey Jewell and Christian Rozeboom are both entering the final year of their contracts.

9) New Orleans Saints:  Will Johnson (CB) – Michigan 

There is a clear need at the cornerback position for the Saints. Following the trade that saw longtime cornerback Marshon Lattimore dealt to the Commanders before the trade deadline, the group of Paulson Adebo and rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry manned the outside admirably for New Orleans.

Fast forward to modern day, with Adebo now a New York Giant, New Orleans finds themselves in a similar predicament. 

The team resigned Isaac Yiadom, who has been serviceable when he’s been able to stay on the field. Still, adding a prospect with the lockdown potential that Johnson possesses to a secondary of this caliber should allow New Orleans to improve a group that ranked at the bottom of the league, allowing 238.5 ypg through the air. 

10) Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty (RB) – Boise State

In the old adage of positional value, the conversations as to whether if/when a RB should be taken in the first round have always referred back to the state of your roster and if a player of this stature could ‘put your team over the top’.

There will always be push back when you go against conventional wisdom, but Ben Johnson has never had a problem thinking outside of the box.

The question remains whether the Bears roster has reached that point, or if Jeanty is even that type of prospect. Yet with the addition of multiple key contributors along the offensive line, Chicago has put themselves in position to take the best player available. 

11) San Francisco 49ers: Kenneth Grant (DT) – Michigan 

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. For year, the 49ers have made it a point of emphasis to make the defensive line a strength. Once, even investing five first-round draft picks over six seasons to improve the group. These days, however, have become modern history, with the historic 2019 season a far cry from what the roster fields currently. 

Heading into the off-season, the Niners released three starters along the defensive line, setting the stage for a retooling of the group. After boasting the league’s top run defense just two seasons ago, San Fran allowed the second most rushing touchdowns in the league last season. To improve this, they add  Kenneth Grant, an imposing run stopper along the interior. 

12) Dallas Cowboys: Emeka Egbuka (WR) – Ohio State

The Dallas Cowboys have an opening at wide receiver, and when you hear new head coach Brian Schottenheimer express his offensive philosophy, it’s hard not to imagine what Egbuka and his skill set could look like in this offense. 

“I look at some of the things we did in Seattle, but all things starts with what our players do well,” said Schottenheimer. “I’m a believer in cut splits, shifts, and motions to distort things, marrying our runs and passes and make those things look the same. There’s also a tempo element we’re excited to mix in.” 

Sounds a lot like the four-year man out of Ohio State. I referred to Egbuka as the ‘dirty work’ man, showcasing valuable ability as a blocker, both along the perimeter and on the move, particularly in condensed formations. This selection gives the team another inside-outside versatile option to pair with CeeDee Lamb, who clearly fits into the parameters of what the offense wants to do.  

13) Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell (OT) – LSU

This is the type of blessing the Miami Dolphins need. Every year, there is a player who falls outside of his expected draft positioning for one reason or another. For Campbell, the conversation is: does his polished skill set outweigh the lack of measurables needed to succeed at tackle at the NFL level? 

For the Dolphins, this conversation shouldn’t phase them one bit. While it’s no secret that there is a potential need at left tackle with the absence of Terron Armstead. Miami just needs to add a level of toughness and physicality that has been missing from the trenches on both sides of the ball. 

14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE) – Penn State

It truly doesn’t matter who is playing quarterback for this Colts offense, if the team doesn’t find themselves an easy button. The team is bolstered by a top ten rushing attack, and there is no shortage of weapons in terms of pass-catching options. Yet if you’re the Colts and it’s 3rd and 5, who do you trust to make a play? 

This Colts offense needs a quarterback’s best friend. Tyler Warren could be that and so much more. His positional versatility will create mismatches as he is a threat both in-line and in the slot. The most important question, however, is how Warren will be presented as a weapon. He has proven the ability to make an impact with the ball in his hands and in multiple facets. It just depends on how Indy decides to utilize him.

15) Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green (EDGE) – Marshall

Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes. No, this isn’t a Taylor Swift joke, we’re talking about serious business here.

For the Atlanta Falcons rank last in the league with just 141 sacks since the start of the 2020 season, and haven’t had a double-digit sack player in about a decade. There isn’t a team in the league that is more in need of a premier pass rusher than Atlanta. 

The team added Leonard Floyd to pair with Arnold Ebiketie and last year’s third-round pick Braden Trice, who missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear. This should add some depth to a group that finished with just 31 sacks last season, but a pass rush extraordinaire like Green could elevate this group to different heights.

16) Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Banks (OT) – Texas

Arizona has a quality set of weapons at the skill positions on offense, and following a strong set of moves in free agency, the defense continues to trend in the right direction. However, heading into year three of the Jonathan Gannon era, if you had to pinpoint an area of concern for the Cardinals, it’s hard not to point to the lack of consistency along the offensive line. 

Arizona would like to believe they have the two tackle spots solidified with both Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams returning from injury. However, with Williams heading into the last year of his deal, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to take a prospect that offers some G/T versatility.

Particularly with the interior of this group being a glaring weakness, Banks should be able to find a home beside one of these bookend tackles this season before potentially finding a home on the outside if seen fit. 

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Mykel Williams (EDGE) – Georgia 

The Bengals sure as hell better do a great job drafting a defense because they’re going to have a tough time paying for one after extending their two star receivers. While it remains to be seen what will happen with Trey Hendrickson, either way, the team needs to add another pass rusher following the release and retirement of longtime Bengal Sam Hubbard. 

Williams gives the group a solid starting point as it begins to reshape itself. Williams also offers a bit of alignment versatility for a Bengals team that could also use the help along the interior. 

18) Seattle Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori (S) – South Carolina 

Football Gods, I don’t ask for much, but having the opportunity to see Emmanwori in a Seattle defense would be a dream come true. Safety isn’t quite a necessity at this point for the Seahawks, but this selection comes down to fit. 

It was fun to see how Mike Macdonald was able to deploy Kyle Hamilton in a multitude of ways during his time in Baltimore. It’s hard not to see a few similarities from Emmanwori, specifically with how he was utilized at or near the LOS as a Gamecock. Emmanwori is a freak athlete who offers a unique skill set. There aren’t many landing spots that offer a clear path to stardom, but this might be the best one. 

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker (LB) – Georgia 

The prospects of Jalon Walker in Tampa Bay are intriguing, not just from a fit standpoint, but what learning under a couple of high-profile veterans could do for his development. 

Not only would the Buccaneers not need Walker to contribute immediately. With him having the opportunity to work with Hassan Reddick as a pass rusher, while simultaneously having the opportunity to learn under Lavonte David, Walker’s versatility might be his greatest asset with Tampa Bay. 

20) Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland (TE) – Michigan 

Payton has historically placed premium value on positions that many would consider to be the odd men out in terms of positional value. He’s made famous the term of the ‘Joker’ role in his offense. Guys who create mismatch nightmares in the most unconventional way, which is exactly how you’d explain Colston Loveland. 

While the Broncos did make a move at the tight end position during free agency, adding Evan Engram. Payton has notoriously used 12 personnel as a way to craft mismatches on the field. With both Engram and Loveland, the two could be seen as interchangeable in terms of in-line and slot snaps respectively. 

You could use the term ‘Power Slot’ as a great description of Loveland, who is a three-level difference maker in an offense, accounting for 34.7% of the Michigan passing offense this past season. 

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: TreVeyon Henderson (RB) – Ohio State

The departure of Najee Harris in free agency has left a potential hole at running back for the Steelers. The team added Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, and while pairing him with Jaylen Warren is a formidable duo, the team doesn’t possess a true workhorse back that Arthur Smith has known to love.

For a Steelers team that had just 11 runs of 20+ yards this past season, despite ranking in the top five of attempts, there is a clear need to add an element of explosion from the position. Adding a player like Henderson, who can make an impact at any point with the ball in his hands, both as a pass catcher and as a rusher, would be huge.

Not to mention, Henderson might just be the best pass blocker in the class. Which, added to a room that already features Warren and Gainwell, who are already strong pass protectors in their own right, could give the Steelers the best set of blocking backs in the league.

22) Los Angeles Chargers: Jahdae Baron (CB) – Texas 

What Jessie Minter wants to do defensively is create a beautiful symphony of chaos. Exotic pressure packages and a melting pot of players asked to fill a plethora of roles. Position-less football has never felt closer than watching the Chargers defense, specifically in the secondary, where Derwin James and Tarheeb Still are already asked to wear multiple hats. 

Why not add another player that presents alignment versatility in the backend for the Chargers?  Jahdae Barron, who thrived in that ‘Big Nickel’ role for the Longhorns throughout his tenure, put a lot of good things on tape this past season, showcasing his ability to excel on the outside. 

23) Green Bay Packers: Darien Porter (CB) – Iowa State

This selection could easily be a wide receiver, but the Packers don’t utilize first-round picks on wide receivers, typically opting to address it at the start of day two. As we await a resolution for the Jaire Alexander debacle, it is expected that the Packers need a new number-one cornerback.

In terms of rankings, there are a few of his cornerback peers who may have an argument to be ahead of Porter in this stage in the process. However, there isn’t a cornerback in this class that presents a better scheme fit for Green Bay than Porter. 

It’s no secret that general manager Brian Gutekunst prefers cornerbacks on the bigger side.  “You know me. I’d love all those guys to be 6-3 1/2 and 220. I’d love that,” Gutekunst said. However, Porter excels in zone coverage, specifically in both cover 2 and cover 3, which the Packers ran at 26% (Cover 2: 3rd) and 33% (Cover 3: 13th), respectively.

24) Minnesota Vikings: Malachi Starks (S) – Georgia

Why not get the Mad Scientist in Brian Flores even more toys to work with? It’s well known that Flores loves to utilize his ‘Big Nickel’ look, trotting out three safeties at times. That’s if you consider Malachi Starks to be a safety; personally, I refer to him as a weapon. With Harrison Smith only getting older, the time is now to address the position.

It’s hard to find a true weakness in Stark’s game outside of the traditional positional value conversation that surrounds certain positions. He’s proven to have the ability to play in the nickel if needed, excelling both in coverage and as a run defender. Starks is more than capable of holding his own as a deep safety, often finding himself at or near the football.

25) Houston Texans: Grey Zabel (OL) – North Dakota State

It didn’t take long to watch a Texans game to notice the immediate need along the interior of the offensive line. With the unit allowing 54 sacks last season and 20.5 of those coming from the interior alone, it was clear a change was necessary. 

Since Houston has completed a near-overhaul of the group, departing with three starters, including both guards. The addition of Zabel gives the Texans an option along not just the interior, but also at either tackle spot if needed. With 2,463 offensive snaps to his name, he has worked at all five positions across the OL at some point or another. Zabel should bring a sense of consistency to the group. 

26) Los Angeles Rams: Shevon Revel (CB) – East Carolina 

They say you draft for the future, not today. As for tomorrow, the secondary could look much different for a Rams group that has three of their top defensive backs scheduled to hit the market following this season. Not to mention the fact that the team needs a consistent option to pair across Ahkello Witherspoon.

Revel has flown under the radar through the draft process, as he’s recovered from an early-season ACL tear. If the Rams are willing to bank on the upside, you’ll get a player whose size, speed, and physicality present a potential shutdown corner, with quality ball skills. Revel has snagged 2 interceptions in just three games played. 

27) Baltimore Ravens: Walter Nolan (DT) – Ole Miss

The Baltimore Ravens are the kings of traits over tape, capitalizing on the upside and freak athletes that other teams seem to devalue. The selection of Walter Nolan is no different. While Nolan is far from a finished product, the talent (and the traits) and flashes are evident. 

With the recent retirement of Michael Pierce,  the Ravens now have an opportunity to slide Travis Jones into the 0-tech spot. This leaves an opening for a rotational role at the other defensive tackle position. 

28) Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE) – Tennessee 

It is paramount that not only do the Detroit Lions find a pass rusher, but they find one who is capable of producing immediately. Finding a running mate to pair alongside the returning Aidan Hutchinson, who we should mention is also due an extension soon, hasn’t been an easy task for Detroit, who have seemingly exhausted every avenue except one.

“Those guys are hard to acquire, and it’s hard to keep them financially, you know,” Lions GM Brad Holmes said.

“Again, we have one that’s due for an extension, and we’ve already kind of gotten to the planning stages about him already. So when you talk about adding another one, it’s like, well, alright, can you financially add another one? Because you want to add the other one on top of everything else that you have, and that makes it tough.”

Based on Holmes’ statements, it’s clear that if the team wants to address the position, it will happen in the draft. There aren’t many at the position who have been as productive as Pearce Jr. throughout his college tenure. He should be able to step in and be provide ample opportunity to rush the passer early in his career. 

29) Washington Commanders: Shemar Stewart (EDGE) – Texas A&M

After watching double-digit sack guy Dante Fowler exit via free agency, the Washington Commanders need a lead pass rusher. Washington has been linked to multiple headline pass rushers via the trade market for the majority of the off-season, with the team clearly looking to make a big swing at the position. 

Here they land a pass rusher with some of the highest upside in the class. While some have harped on the limited production throughout his career, Stewart, however, is the typical ‘traits over tape’ prospect whose blend of speed and power makes it easy to project a potential double-digit sack guy by his second contract, especially under the tutelage of Dan Quinn. 

30) Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon (DT) – Oregon

Buffalo has begun to travel every necessary path needed to have an opportunity to finally slay the dragon, to say the least. The team made heavy efforts in free agency to improve both the pass rush and the interior of the defensive line. 

Acquisitions such as Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi, and Michael Hoecht were set to become key contributors to this unit, that is, until six-game suspensions were handed down to both Ogunjobi and Hoecht for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Drugs policy. 

Now with Buffalo having an unexpected hole along the interior of the defensive line, the Bills add the Oregon standout tackle to pair with Ed Oliver along the interior. This move gives Buffalo a much-needed two-gapper to level the playing field and give the team some depth along the front seven when the reinforcements return. 

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Darius Alexander (DT) – Toledo

There is a running joke that every time the Chiefs lose a Super Bowl, the team hits a cultural reset along the trenches on both sides of the ball. The left tackle position that plagued the team all season long should be among the top priorities, but Kansas City could use just as much help defensively at both the EDGE and interior of the line. 

Alexander is a powerful, long prospect that causes disruption along the interior, no matter how or where he is utilized. There is some growth to be made, but Alexander can be the type of imposing force needed alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis along this Kansas City front.

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE) – Boston College

The defending champions continue to reload along the trenches. Following the departure of Josh Sweat in free agency and Brandon Graham’s retirement, Philadelphia could be in need of some more pass-rushing prowess. While the team did add Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to the unit, both are on just one-year deals as the Eagles continue to look towards the future. 

This selection right here is an Eagles special. Adding a player with close ties to the roster and/or city to help mitigate the transitional period and bring a level of comfort both on and off the field. Or as general manager Howie Roseman often refers to it, the cohabitation matrix. 

Ezeiruaku, a South Jersey native, not only adds to the culture being built but also brings a steady pass rush presence with 30 sacks across four seasons.

Cover Image Credit: The Philly Blitz