The Draft Academy: Mock Draft 5.0

This is my first mock with free agency underway. Hopefully, as more free agents get signed the picture will become more and more clear as to the direction teams plan on going with their draft picks. I will be performing 2 rounds in this mock with a total of 2 trades as well.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson

This is going to be my pick for the Jaguars in every mock draft I do until April 29th at 8 pm. There seems to be a trend of many analysts trying to find issues with Lawrence's game and to put it simply there are very few. He is an elite prospect with a floor of becoming a top 15 quarterback in the league and a ceiling of becoming one of the best.

2. New York Jets

Zach Wilson QB, BYU

There has been a lot of hype surrounding Zach Wilson lately and I am definitely on that hype train. He has a lot of traits that you simply cannot teach and can become a stud at the next level.

3. Miami Dolphins

Penei Sewell OT, Oregon

In this mock, I don't have the Dolphins trading back or for Deshaun Watson so I have them drafting a franchise left tackle in Penei Sewell. With Tua being a left-handed thrower I could see them moving him over to the right tackle spot to protect Tua's blindside.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Justin Fields QB, Ohio State

This quarterback class is extremely talented and Fields seems to have become a forgotten man to many people. He is a very talented quarterback with the traits to become elite at the next level. Having the opportunity to sit behind Matt Ryan for a few years could be the difference between becoming a bust and him becoming elite.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase WR, LSU

With Sewell off the board, the Bengals look to reunite Joe Burrow with his favorite target from college in Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals could instantly be in the conversation for the best trio of wideouts in the league if they draft Chase.

6. Philidelphia Eagles

Patrick Surtain CB, Alabama

The Eagles need a lot of help on both sides of the ball and by adding a talented corner like Surtain they could fill a hole on their roster that has been there for a long time. With Darius Slay on one side and Surtain on the other, the Eagles should be very confident in the coverage ability of their corners for the next few years.

7. New England Patriots

Trey Lance QB, NDSU

TRADE: DET receives 2021 1st round pick #15

2021 3rd round pick

2022 2nd round pick

2023 4th round pick

NE receives 2021 1st round pick #7

The Patriots get aggressive in trading up to draft their future quarterback in Trey Lance. I don't think he should come in and start right away and with Cam Newton coming back for another year I believe they can start Cam until they believe that Lance is ready. My pro comparison for Lance is Cam Newton so there is no better player for him to sit behind and learn from.

8. Carolina Panthers

Mac Jones QB, Alabama

After coaching Mac Jones in the Senior Bowl, head coach Matt Rhule decides that he can be the Panther's future. He is one of the more underrated players in this draft in my opinion and with the weapons that the Panthers have, Jones can take over immediately and make an impact.

9. Denver Broncos

Caleb Farley CB, Virginia Tech

The Broncos have seemed to be tied to drafting a corner in this year's draft and Caleb Farley might just be the best one in it. After running a sub 4.3 40 yard dash he showed off just how athletic he is and has elite size, length, and ball skills to become an elite, press-man corner in the NFL.

10. Dallas Cowboys

Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern

The Cowboys were one of many teams that dealt with a lot of injuries last year and their offensive line was one of the many positions that got crushed. By adding Rashawn Slater they not only add depth but add a versatile lineman who can play both tackle and guard and help keep newly signed franchise quarterback Dak Prescott upright.

11. New York Giants

Devonta Smith WR, Alabama

The Giant's two biggest needs are offensive weapons and edge rusher as of right now. Devonta Smith can come into this offense and take over as the number one wideout immediately. There are some concerns regarding his size but his hands and route runnings are elite and he is arguably the most reliable target in this class.

12. San Francisco 49ers

Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech

With Trent Williams as a pending free agent, the 49ers have a massive hole at left tackle. Christian Darrisaw can take over as that starting left tackle spot if Williams isn't resigned, and if he is resigned Darrisaw can bump to other positions along that front to help dominate in that run-first offense.

13. Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama

TRADE: LAC receives: 2021 1st round pick #18

2021 2nd round pick #50

MIA receives: 2021 1st round pick #13

The Dolphins can grab their franchise left tackle and then trade up to take an elite receiver in Jaylen Waddle. This is the best-case scenario for the Dolphins as they can add both protection and weapons to help develop into the franchise quarterback that they drafted him to be. Waddle, Tua's former teammate at Alabama, will bring in another comfort level for Tua in the passing game and he is a versatile threat who can stretch the field and help take away the underneath attention from Gesicki and Parker.

14. Minnesota Vikings

Christian Barmore IDL, Alabama

This is a pick I can't seem to get away from. Barmore is a perfect fit in Minnesota in my opinion as they need help in the trenches on both sides of the ball and Barmore can be an asset as both a run defender and a pass rusher.

15. Detroit Lions

Micah Parsons LB, Penn State

TRADE: NE receives: 2021 1st round pick #7

DET receives 2021 1st round pick # 15

2021 3rd round pick

2022 2nd round pick

2023 4th round pick

The Lion can trade back and add a decent amount of draft capital. They are also able to draft one of the best defenders in this year's class in Micah Parsons. He is a freak of an athlete and has shown that he can play on the edge as a pass rusher in obvious passing situations. He can be a great player to build around on that defense.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Kyle Pitts TE, Florida

Pitts falling this far would be a surprise in my opinion. He is arguably the best offensive weapon in this class and would give the Cardinals multiple elite options for Kyler Murray to throw to. With Kyle Pitts and Deandre Hopkins, defenses wouldn't be able to throw double teams at either of them very often and the Cardinals could produce the most explosive offense in the NFL.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Kwity Paye EDGE, Michigan

The Raiders need to focus on the defensive side of the ball in this year's draft, specifically the front 7 where they haven't been able to replace edge rusher, Khalil Mack. Kwity Paye is my top-ranked edge rusher and although he didn't produce elite numbers at the college level he shows a lot of very good traits that should translate well to the next level and help the Raiders produce more off of the edge.

18. Los Angelas Chargers

Samuel Cosmi OT, Texas

TRADE: MIA receives: 2021 1st round pick #13

LAC receives: 2021 1st round pick #18

2021 2nd round pick #50

The Charger's number one goal of this offseason should be to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Cosmi is an NFL-ready tackle who can play on both the left and right sides and will help keep Herbert upright.

19. Washington Football Team

Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota

The Football Team is very close to becoming a contender in the NFC in my opinion. With arguably the NFL's best defensive front and some solid pieces on offense, they are a quarterback away from contending in the playoffs. With all of the top options in the draft gone already, they decided to go with receiver Rashod Bateman who would complement Terry McLaurin very well.

20. Chicago Bears

Aleja Vera-Tucker OL, USC

The Bears are in a tough spot not knowing who their quarterback is and Allen Robinson does not seem too happy with the franchise tag. By adding the versatile Aleja Vera-Tucker they are adding an anchor who played as a tackle but projects to bump inside to a guard or center position. The Bears made their playoff push by running the ball and I think that's what they need to get back to.

21. Indianapolis Colts

Jaycee Horn CB. South Carolina

With the resurgence of Xavier Rhodes, cornerback isn't necessarily a need for the Colts, but with Rhodes at 30 years old, it can't hurt by adding a talented man corner in Jaycee Horn. He's big, long, physical, and can be molded into a player who is a keystone of the Colts defense with Rock Ya-Sin.

22. Tennessee Titans

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame

JOKer is a swiss army knife type of player who has value as both a linebacker and safety and is too talented for the Titans to pass upon. He has the pass coverage skills to play on 3rd down and has shown that run defending ability as a weakside linebacker. Under Mike Vrabel, he can turn into a stud.

23. New York Jets

Najee Harris RB, Alabama

After drafting Zach Wilson with the 2nd overall pick the Jets take their future bellcow in Najee. He is a beast of a back who can take 20-25 touches a game with ease and should help take some pressure off rookie QB Wilson.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Travis Etienne RB, Clemson

Etienne is an electric weapon and only needs 10-15 touches a game to have a big impact. The Steelers have missed having Le'Veon Bell in the backfield and are looking to replace James Conner who they most likely won't resign in free agency.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Terrace Marshall Jr WR, LSU

The Jaguars have some solid weapons around Lawrence but by adding another versatile weapon in Marshall they can move all of their pieces around and surround Lawrence with a lot of talent. With DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault, James Robinson, and Terrace Marshall Jr, Trevor Lawrence will have a lot of options to throw the ball to.

26. Cleveland Browns

Zaven Collins LB, Tulsa

The Cleveland Browns need to add pieces on the defensive side of the ball. Zaven Collins is one of my favorite defensive players in this draft class and was a monster at Tulsa. He is excellent when dropping back into zone coverage and can be a thumper in the run game. The Browns have a big need at linebacker and Collins can fill that hole for them.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Jalen Mayfield OT, Michigan

The Ravens could have a massive hole at right tackle with Orlando Brown wanting out and wanting to play at left tackle. By bringing in Jalen Mayfield they have an instant replacement who can help in this run-first offense.

28. New Orleans Saints

Gregory Rousseau EDGE, Miami

The Saints are one of the hardest teams to mock in my opinion so I have them going with the best player available in Gregory Rousseau. He had elite production the last time he was on the field and after opting out of the 2020 season he hopefully worked on his technical ability as a pass rusher. Rousseau could learn a lot from Cam Jordan and one day take over his spot.

29. Green Bay Packers

Kadarius Toney WR, Florida

With the Packers bringing back RB Aaron Jones I decided to mock Kadarius Toney who could become a dynamic WR2 for the Packers. With all the attention on Davante Adams, Toney could put up some solid numbers and learn a lot from one of the best receivers in the league.

30. Buffalo Bills

Greg Newsome II CB, Northwestern

The Bills need a CB2 to line up opposite of Tre White. Greg Newsome ran an impressive 4.38 40 yard dash at his pro day and projects to be a difference-maker as a corner in the NFL.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Liam Eichenburg OT, Notre Dame

The Chiefs NEED to protect Mahomes. After he was running for his life in the Super Bowl the Chiefs decided to release both of their starting tackles and now need to look to replace them in both the draft and free agency. Liam Eichenburg doesn't possess the upside of some of the other tackles in this class but he might be the most NFL-ready of the bunch. And coming out of Notre Dame is a bonus as many Notre Dame linemen have success at the next level.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Levi Onwuzurike IDL, Washington

The Buccaneers have brought back many of their free agents from their Super Bowl-winning team but need to add some depth on their interior defensive line. Levi Onwuzurike opted out of the 2020 season but had a solid showing at the senior bowl and can help add depth behind Vita Vea.

Round 2

33. Jaguars

Teven Jenkins OT, Oklahoma St

34. Jets

Jaelan Phillips EDGE, Miami

35. Falcons

Azeez Ojulari EDGE, Georgia

36. Dolphins

Javonte Williams RB, UNC

37. Eagles

Nick Bolton LB, Missouri

38. Bengals

Dillon Radunz OT, NDSU

39. Panthers

Eric Stokes CB, Georgia

40. Broncos

Joseph Ossai EDGE, Texas

41. Lions

Rondale Moore WR, Purdue

42. Giants

Aaron Robinson CB, UCF

43. 49ers

Wyatt Davis OL, Ohio State

44. Cowboys

Trevon Morhrig S, TCU

45. Jaguars

Asante Samuel CB, FSU

46. Patriots

Pat Freiermuth TE, Penn State

47. Chargers

Creed Humphrey OL, Oklahoma

48. Raiders

Daviyon Nixon DL, Iowa

49. Cardinals

Jayson Oweh EDGE, Penn State

50. Chargers

Quincy Roche EDGE, Miami

51. Football Teams

Alex Leatherwood OT, Alabama

52. Bears

Nico Collins WR, Michigan

53. Titans

Elijah Moore WR, Ole Miss

54. Colts

Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, USC

55. Steelers

Elijah Molden CB, Washington

56. Seahawks

Landon Dickerson OL, Alabama

57. Rams

Baron Browning LB, Ohio State

58. Ravens

Ronnie Perkins EDGE, Oklahoma

59. Browns

Jay Tufele IDL, USC

60. Saints

Jevon Holland S, Oregon

61. Bills

Brevin Jordan TE, Miami

62. Packers

Jabril Cox LB, LSU

63. Chiefs

Trey Smith OL, Tennessee

64. Buccaneers

Carlos Basham Jr. EDGE, Wake Forest