By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
The major names of NFL Free Agency are now mostly off the board. With rosters taking on new shapes, it’s time for an updated Mock Draft.
There are some changes from the previous mock. I gave myself a full ‘no trades’ rule to keep things simpler, although there will definitely be trades.
Overall, 17 of the 32 picks changed. For those that stayed the same, instead of repurposing my reasoning from the first mock draft (which you can read by clicking here), I’ll be highlighting what the different organizations or players are doing to help in the fight against COVID-19, because we all need some positivity like that right now.
Anyways, let’s get to the picks.
1. Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Future Bengals QB and Ohio native Joe Burrow put this video out on Twitter Wednesday morning encouraging people to listen to state officials and help flatten the curve. (Previous mock draft pick: Joe Burrow)
2. Redskins: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
Chase Young shared a video on Monday of doctors being applauded at the airport as they arrived to help manage the crisis. (Previous: Chase Young)
3. Lions: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
The Lions moving on from Darius Slay opens the door for them to pick Okudah third overall. Okudah isn’t just the best cornerback in this class, he’s one of the most complete defensive backs we’ve seen enter the league in some time. (Previous: Derrick Brown)
4. Giants: OT Jedrick Willis, Alabama
Jedrick Willis’ college coach Nick Saban recorded this message for fans, which the Alabama Football account posted yesterday. (Previous: Jedrick Willis)
5. Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Tua is still working his way back from a serious hip injury and surgery, but all reports are he is progressing on time. His movement doesn’t look to be hampered in this video he shared on Monday:
6. Chargers: QB Jordan Love, Utah State
The Chargers shared this info about helping the LA Food Bank last week. (Previous: Jordan Love)
7. Panthers: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
The Panthers added Robby Anderson on Tuesday, who was one of the top wide receivers in free agency. Still, for Matt Rhule’s down field offense to work, they’re going to need more than one burner. (Previous: Jerry Jeudy)
8. Cardinals: EDGE Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
The Cardinals need everything. Simmons is the best player on the board at this point. More of a true pass rusher, he’d be a great fit opposite free agent signing De’Vondre Campbell, who is more of an edge setter. (Previous: Jeff Okudah)
9. Jaguars: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Jaguars were among the worst teams defending the run last season. Brown will change that in a big way, while still being able to rush the passer. (Previous: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson)
10. Browns: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Browns have made a few moves on offense this free agency, highlighted by the signing of Austin Hooper. Still, none of it matters if they can’t protect Baker Mayfield. Meanwhile, the Haslam family has pledged $1.5 million to help fight Coronavirus. (Previous: Tristan Wirfs)
11. Jets: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The Jets addressed their need for a tackle in free agency. Now, need to get somebody for Sam Darnold to throw the ball to, especially having lost Robby Anderson. Lamb would slide into his role nicely. (Previous: Mekhi Becton)
12. Raiders: WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama
Ruggs is the fastest player in the draft, and the Raiders love speed. They also posted the most predictable coronavirus meme. (Previous: Henry Ruggs)
13. 49ers: DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
The Niners traded DeForest Bucker for this pick. They opened up cap space but now need help in the middle of the line. Kinlaw will be a great replacement for a fraction of the cost. It was also amusing to see him shoot his shot with the Lions on Twitter. (Previous: K’Lavon Chaisson to Colts)
14. Buccaneers: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
If you acquire Tom Brady, you’d better protect Tom Brady. The Bucs offensive line was one of the biggest reasons people didn’t think Brady would go to Tampa, they need to step it up. (Previous: Justin Herbert)
15. Broncos: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Drafting Andrew Thomas to beef up their offensive line would be a good idea for the Broncos. A much better idea than tweeting this video of head coach Vic Fangio making meatballs in a super creepy way. (Previous: Andrew Thomas)
16. Falcons: DE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
The Falcons had the fourth fewest sacks in football last year, and only took a step back losing Vic Beasley in free agency. They desperately need pressure off the edge. Chaisson is raw but he has tremendous upside. He could give them the kind of pass rusher they haven’t seen since Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. (Previous: A.J. Epenesa)
17. Cowboys: CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
-The Cowboys managed to hold on to both Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper in free agency, making Byron Jones their biggest casualty of the offseason. Henderson gives them another potential number one cornerback. (Previous: CeeDee Lamb)
18. Dolphins: T Josh Jones, Houston
The Dolphins have done quite a bit to improve their interior offensive line in free agency, but still need a blindside protector for Tua. Jones’ ability to be effective on the move will be huge as Tua runs around and extends plays. (Previously: Kristian Fulton)
19. Raiders: CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
The Raiders need to build up their secondary. They hit on a corner last year in Treyvon Mullen, now they need to get somebody to play on the other side. (Previous: C.J. Henderson)
20. Jaguars: EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
The Jaguars dominant defense that took them to the 2017 AFC Championship Game is nothing but a memory at this point. Getting back to that point starts up front, so the Jags add to a dominant inside presence in Brown with a pass rusher in Epenesa. (Previous: Javon Kinlaw)
21. Eagles: WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
The Eagles have done little to address their need for a wide receiver, particularly because they’ve been addressing so many other needs. That makes sense in a year where the depth at the position in the draft is so deep. Also, do yourself a favor and watch this video to the end.
22. Vikings: WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
The Vikings lost, among other things, one of the best deep receivers in the game when they traded Stefon Diggs for this pick. They pick up a different deep threat here in Higgins. (Previous: Jonathan Taylor to Bills)
23. Patriots: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Queen is a true three-down, two-phase linebacker that is becoming rarer and rarer in today’s game. With all their losses in free agency and Dont’a Hightower’s retirement always a possibility, they need to work on finding a new staple at the position. I believe even with Tom Brady’s exit, Bill Belichick is more focused on defense than offense right now. (Previous: Xavier McKinney)
24. Saints: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
The Saints need to build up depth at linebacker, especially linebackers that can get downhill and stop the run. Murray fits that need. (Previous: Justin Jefferson)
25. Vikings: OT Lucas Niang, TCU
A number of Vikings players have pitched in in the fight against COVID-19, including Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph. There’s a list of everything they’re doing here:
26. Dolphins: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
The Dolphins have a pair of excellent corners in Xavien Howard and new signee Byron Jones. Still, the best way to capitalize on that is talent over the top. That’s where McKinney comes in. (Previous: Josh Jones)
27. Seahawks: EDGE Zack Baun, Wisconsin
The Seahawks have pushed a very important cause, calling for blood donations at a time when the nation is on short supply. (Previous: Zack Baun)
28. Ravens: EDGE Terrell Lewis, Alabama
The Ravens need help on the edge and seem to love drafting Alabama defensive players. Lewis is a considerable risk given his injury history, but the upside is tremendous. Those are the kinds of value picks teams look for at the end of the first round. (Previous: Kenneth Murray)
29. Titans: CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel took the time out to call an elderly Titans fan and former Ohio State football player (Vrabel’s alma mater) in a touching moment. (Previous: Trevon Diggs)
30. Packers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
-This is tricky because I went with no trades, but if Herbert falls to this spot it would actually make a ton of sense for the Packers to take him. When Brett Favre was nearing the end, the Packers selected Aaron Rodgers at the back end of the first round. Rodgers is 36 and Green Bay needs to start planning for who will be next. (Previous: Tee Higgins)
31. 49ers: S Grant Delpit, LSU
49ers team president Al Guido announced last week that the team would create a $500,000 fund to pay employees who can’t work due to COVID-19. (Previous: Grant Delpit)
32. Chiefs: CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
The Chiefs were already thin at cornerback last year, and now they’ve lost Kendall Fuller to free agency. A reset at the position is much needed. (Previous: Yetur Gross-Matos)
For those of you looking for a more in-depth Patriots projection, I will have a Patriots seven-round mock draft up in the coming days, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, you can check out my first Patriots mock (keep in mind it’s a bit dated) by clicking here.