Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Thanks to blockbuster trades such as Deshaun Watson landing in Cleveland and Tyreke Hill taking his talents to South Beach, the NFL landscape has changed dramatically. In what has been arguably the wildest NFL off-season in recent memory, here is my mock draft for INSCMagazine!
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia: Partner Walker and the Kentucky version of Josh Allen and you have yourself a nice duo for years to come. You may see a few SEC debates between those two in Jacksonville’s future.
- Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon: You can guarantee that fromer Ducks standout and current LT Penei Sewell is in Dan Campbell’s ear saying we got to get this guy. Lions love to have Ducks for dinner apparently.
- Houston Texans – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan: The last Big 10 DE the Texans took was a Houston legend and that was JJ Watt. That’s pretty big shoes to fill, however he carried a whole Michigan team on his back last year, so I’d say he’s up for the task.
- New York Jets – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State: Wilson to Wilson has a nice ring to it in New York, or maybe Wilson Squared equals six points who knows. I can guarantee you this quarterback Wilson needs playmakers and Ohio State WR’s have typically performed well at the next level.
- New York Giants – Ickey Ekwonu, OT, NC State: The Ickey Shuffle gets reborn as the Giants start rebuilding their O-line. Maybe Daniel Jones finally gets enough time to become Danny Dimes.
- Carolina Panthers – Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State: Quarterback might be the immediate need here but Jermaine Johnson reuniting with his college teammate in Brian Burns will generate more pass rush for those guys in Carolina.
- New York Giants-*From Chicago*, Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia: From one side of the line to the other New York is establishing both sides of the line to start the foundation.
- Atlanta Falcons – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: With the departure of Matt Ryan, Atlanta attempts to take their replacement here.
- Seattle Seahawks-*From Denver*, Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: With the departure of Bobby Wagner this selection gives the Seahawks fresh fish to work with in the Pacific Northwest
- New York Jets – *From Seattle*, Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame: Robert Saleh gets a new toy for the back end of that Defense.
- Washington Commanders – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State: They better protect that new Commander-In-Chief in Wentz. They may have that opportunity here with Cross.
- Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU: Minnesota is quietly becoming LSU North, and for once, it’s ok to take a corner in the first round. His biggest question is how healthy he is.
- Houston Texans –*From Cleveland* Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati. Houston needs to clean up the back end of that Defense. Lovie is loving his new defensive additions in the draft.
- Baltimore Ravens – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue: They lost out on the Za’Darius Smith sweepstakes, so they turn to the fountain of youth to find George from Purdue.
- Philadelphia Eagles –*From Miami* Drake London, WR, USC: Philadelphia had the chance to take Justin Jefferson, however they can make up for it here with selecting the stud wideout from USC.
- Philadelphia Eagles – *From Indianapolis* Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota. Mafe was stellar in his Senior Bowl and Combine he lands in Philadelphia with a rising draft stock.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Zion Johnson, G, Boston College. They’ve gone all defense in Free Agency they continue to build the foundation up front.
- New Orleans Saints – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa: The loss of Armstead to Miami gives the Saints an immediate need at OT.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia: the eventual replacement for Fletcher Cox will get one year learning from Fletcher as they spice up that Defensive Line.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh: Can the former Pitt standout replace a two-time Super Bowl champion and Canton-bound legend? We will see.
- New England Patriots – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama: Perhaps Belichick and Saban have a bromance that we don’t know about? Mac Jones gets one of his old targets united with him in New England.
- Green Bay Packers – *From Las Vegas* Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: Aaron Rodgers is lobbying for a WR here, any pick that isn’t a WR and you’ll see more drama out of Green Bay.
- Arizona Cardinals – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: Olave’s route running would create mismatches for DeAndre Hopkins.
- Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa: Dallas is rebuilding that offensive line again!
- Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State: Buffalo seems like they are a starting RB away from a Super Bowl run.
- Tennessee Titans – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State: The Julio Jones experiment failed, so they add Dotson to replace Julio.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut: A solid Day One starter.
- Green Bay Packers – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: From one Green and Gold to another Green and Gold.
- Kansas City Chiefs –*from San Francisco through Miami*, John Metchie III, WR Alabama: Tyreek Hill leaves and Patrick Mahomes loves a speedy WR on the outside.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State: Kansas City gets a boost from their pass rush here.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa: Franchise QB Joe Burrow needs all the protection he can get at this point.
- Detroit Lions – *From LA Rams* Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia: Replace one Bulldog with another Dean will give you versatility on defense.