NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 1-15

The build up to any NFL draft is always a curious time, with player visits and rumour mongering making it very difficult to get a good understanding of what is actually going on. Having said all of that, let’s take a look at how the first round might go once again

The Panthers traded up to the number one overall pick for a reason, to get a franchise QB. Any of the top three guys could be in play here, but the biggest swing for the fences move would be to take Richardson. A QB with TE size and 4.4 speed it would be easy to pigeonhole him as just a running threat, but with a huge arm and improving accuracy, he could well be an elite QB before we know it.

The Texans were so close to having the first overall pick, but with a late win taking that out of their hands they will be left taking whoever’s left. In this instance, they are in a position to take possibly the safest option with Stroud falling into their laps. Often regarded as a system player at OSU, Stroud operates well in structure, but with good athleticism and escapability, he can be so much more than that in the NFL.

The Cardinals are in an inevitable position, with huge cap space dedicated to a QB who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations and a roster depleted of some of their best talents in the offseason. Getting a player of Anderson’s talent would be the kickstart this franchise needs, with good size and great production in the SEC, Anderson has every chance to be amongst the best in the league at sacking the quarterback.

The draft may well have worked out perfectly for the Colts here, with new head coach Shane Steichen getting the quarterback he needs. The Colts tried to plug the gap at QB with short term starters for a few years now, but this year a QB has fallen to them who could take the franchise forward and allow them to challenge in the AFC once again.

The Seahawks have got to be optimistic about their roster for the next 2-3 years, with a resurgent Geno Smith a great draft class in 2022 they are looking like the real deal. This allows them to take a chance on Wilson whose reputation perhaps proceeds his output up until now. A huge man who is able to win with his size and strength at the line of scrimmage, Wilson would be a very solid addition to a talented roster.

Detroit has an absolute stud WR in Amon-Ra St.Brown and they could well have another in Jameson Williams, but with Williams missing almost all his rookie season through injury, they have an opportunity to take another talented offensive weapon with the sixth overall pick. Smith-Njigba is a do-it-all player who knows how to get open and make the tough catches when needed, adding him to a talented Lions team could make things extremely difficult for opposing defences.

Witherspoon has the attitude and aggressiveness to succeed as a top level player in the NFL. With good size and a 4.4 40 yard dash, Witherspoon has the physical tools to match almost any WR in the NFL, but it is inner confidence which really stands out, CB can be a lonesome position at times so being able to shake off mistakes is a huge asset. The Raiders have a fairly talented roster, but CB stands out as an area in need of an upgrade, Witherspoon gives them this immediately.

The Falcons have a variety of needs all over the roster, but with Desmond Ridder entrenched as the starter for at least 2023, protecting him becomes the priority. With Jake Matthews signed through 2026 on the left, Atlanta can give him a right tackle to solidify the line over the next few years. Johnson has the size and quickness to play either tackle spot so could eventually slide over to LT once Matthews moves on.

The Bears have one of the most physical linebacker groups in the league after signing TJ Edwards and Tremaine Johnson in free agency. This allows them to take a slightly undersized edge rusher in Smith with the ninth overall pick. An absolute freak of an athlete, running the fastest 40 yard dash for anyone his size in NFL Combine history, Smith can make an impact rushing the passer and is a solid run defender when needed as well. He is a swiss-army knife type who could be lined up anywhere and make an impact

With reports Jalen Carter isn’t taking visits with teams below the Eagles as they have promised to take him if available, don’t be shocked to see Howie Roseman trading up to get the defensive tackle from UGA. There are some unanswered character concerns to work through, but if the Eagles are confident these aren’t an issue, then the rest of the NFC East should be a little concerned that Carter has been added to a defensive line already featuring Hassan Reddick and Josh Sweat.

This is a pick that is getting lots of juice in the past few days with Levis visiting Nashville and reportedly impressing head coach Mike Vrabel. Levis enters a Titans organization in the midst of rebuilding and with a QB room in a state of flux. Veteran Ryan Tannehill and second-year player Malik Willis are probably not the players to lead Tennessee to glory, but Levis has an opportunity to sit behind Tannehill for a year or two to hone his impressive physical tools into a complete NFL QB

Flowers is garnering more and more attention as the draft process moves forward. A talented if undersized wide receiver out of Boston College, Flowers would make a great pairing with newly selected QB Bryce Young. First year head coach Demeco Ryans will probably get the defence playing good football, so the priority has to be scoring points. Adding a player with Flowers’ quickness and route running will open things up all over the field for the Texans.

Upgrading the offensive line group is an absolute must for the Jets, even without the presumed Aaron Rodgers trade confirmed yet. On a very talented roster it is the one position which doesn’t look especially good. Enter Peter Skoronski from Northwestern. With arms shorter than most NFL tackles, Skoronski would be an outlier if he stayed on the outside in the NFL, but whether he kicks inside to guard or stays at tackle, he will almost certainly offer a solidity the Jets otherwise don’t have

Cornerback remains the obvious position for the Patriots to target and somehow the talented Gonzalez has fallen all the way to them at 14. With potential to become a lockdown corner in the NFL, the Oregon prospect looks every bit the athlete, standing at 6’1” and running a 4.38 40. Belichick needs CBs who can operate in space for his scheme to work, this pick gives him that and then some.

Like the Patriots before them, the Packers have one area which needs addressing early, in this instance it is pass catchers. I could see the Packers taking a TE like Kincaid here, but Jordan Addison offers Green Bay a reliable option for presumed starter Jordan Love. Addison knows how to get open better than most, so with Christian Watson stretching defences on the outside, expect the USC prospect to thrive in the middle of the field.