The last you heard from me was on January 20 of 2019. After predicting a Patriots victory on the road in the AFC Championship Game, my post for the Super Bowl picks never uploaded and I took a break.
Well, like Michael Jordan in the Spring of 1995, I'm back!
Obviously, I've missed a lot. I'll play catch up at some point the best that I can but for today, you get my Mock Draft.
That's right. Roger Goodell and the NFL are moving on with the show, Covid-19 be damned. Starting tonight and carrying through Saturday, the NFL will host its annual college draft through the magic of technology.
Here is my guess.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow had a season for the ages with the Tigers and with Tua Tagovailoa still recovering from a hip injury, there is no doubt about the future of football in Cincinnati.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Even the Redskins could not mess up the opportunity to invest in a potential wrecking ball on the defensive line like Young, even though there are rumors floating that the Falcons want to move up here.
3. Miami Dolphins (projected trade with Detroit Lions): Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Miami has three first round picks, so they can focus on quarterback later in the round. They give the Lions the 39th pick (the first of their two picks in the second round) to jump the Giants for Wills.
4. New York Giants: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Giants are ok with the Dolphins jumping them for Wills as Wirfs is no consolation prize.
5. Detroit Lions (projected trade with Miami Dolphins): Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Jeff Okudah, the standout cornerback from Ohio State, has been mocked to the Lions for weeks but Matt Patricia will instead go with the multi-dimensional Simmons to strengthen his defense.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Chargers are likely looking at a rebuild but as they move in to a new stadium in LA. Tagovailoa can be their quarterback of the future but also stir interest in the team's new Los Angeles base.
7. Carolina Panthers: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Panthers will be happy to see Okudah drop a few spots into their laps at #7.
8. Atlanta Falcons (projected trade with Arizona Cardinals): CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
A lot of pre-draft buzz has the Falcons looking to move up. The Cardinals are happy to move back a few spots and add the 78th pick this year plus a third next year and in exchange, the Falcons make an important upgrade to a secondary that has four divisional games against Tom Brady and Drew Brees in 2020.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Jaguars like what they saw from Gardner Minshew in 2019, but the opportunity to finally land the franchise quarterback they've been seeking since the days of Mark Brunell makes Herbert the choice.
10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Baker Mayfield's decision making should improve if he's given time to make decisions. Thomas joins free agent Jack Conklin on a rebuilt Browns line.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (projected trade with New York Jets): Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Tampa Bay is going "all in" on 2020 so moving up a few spots to add a tackle to protect their soon-to-be 43 year old quarterback makes a lot of sense. I don't think it's the last trade that the Bucs make in the first round.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Brown is projected by many pundits to be a Top 10 pick so if he drops to Vegas at #12, I cannot see Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock passing on him.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The 49ers will have their choice of the wide receiver prospects to add to Jimmy G's arsenal.
14. New York Jets (projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Jets add a receiver to help Sam Darnold while adding the 76th overall pick.
15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The run on receivers continues with the blazing fast Ruggs landing in Denver.
16. Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with Atlanta Falcons): Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Making an investment in the protection of Kyler Murray makes sense for the Cardinals.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
The news that Jerry Jones will be drafting by himself due to social distancing means this one could go in any direction, but Ruiz makes sense to replace the recently retired Travis Frederick.
18. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
The Dolphins may have to use some additional draft capital to move up for Love but if they do go tackle with their first pick as I project, then taking Love at this point would make sense.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago Bears): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
After landing the disruptive Brown earlier in this mock draft, Gruden adds a big play receiver a few picks later.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Jaguars use the pick they added in the Jalen Ramsey trade to strengthen their secondary.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
The run on offensive tackles continues as the Eagles invest in the protection of Carson Wentz.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo Bills): A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Mike Zimmer adds the replacement for Everson Griffen on his defensive line.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (projected trade with New England Patriots): Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Sticking with the "all in" theme for the Buccaneers - and building off of their trade earlier in the week with the Patriots for Rob Gronkowski - Tampa sends the disappointing (so far) OJ Howard, their second round pick (45th overall), their fourth round pick (117th overall), their fifth round pick (161st overall) and their second round pick in 2021 to the Patriots to add this pick and also Julian Edelman. Gronkowski and Kmet give Brady two huge targets at tight end and then Edelman becomes the slot receiver to compliment Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Bill Belichick adds needed draft capital in 2020 and 2021.
24. New Orleans Saints: K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
Competing with Brady and the Buccaneers offense will require additional pass rushers for the Saints. Chaisson, a hometown hero from the national champion Tigers, fits that need.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Another piece on defense for Zimmer.
26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans): Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
After adding their left tackle and quarterback of the future earlier in the first round, head coach Brian Flores adds a leader for his defense.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Although the Seahawks would always be wise to add help for Russell Wilson, Kinlaw helps bolster the Seattle defensive line.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Lamar Jackson Era has started in Baltimore, but the heart of the Ravens is still their defense.
29. Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Jack Conklin's departure for Cleveland creates a need at tackle that the Titans can address with the mammoth Wilson.
30. Green Bay Packers: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
With a projected NFC playoff picture including the likes of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Jimmy Garoppolo, the Packers make a sound choice to add depth in the secondary.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
The strength of the defending NFC Champions is their defensive line, and after dealing DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis for the 13th pick (and receiver CeeDee Lamb in this mock), adding a pass rusher here is a likely scenario.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The defending Super Bowl champs bolster their secondary with Fulton, who was a contributor on the Tigers national championship defense.
As for Bill Belichick and the Patriots:
45. New England Patriots (projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
A year after drafting N'Keal Harry with their first pick, Belichick adds Higgins to give the Patriots and their new quarterback a pair of big targets at receiver.
56. New England Patriots (projected trade with Miami Dolphins): Antoine Winfield, Jr., S, Minnesota
The Patriots are not carrying Thuney on the franchise tag so they will trade him this weekend. Giving up the 56th and 154th picks is a good price for Miami to add an All-Pro left guard that they can pair with (my projected) first round pick Jedrick Wills. The Patriots add a tough safety, a position of need as Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung get close to the end of their careers.
57. New England Patriots (projected trade with L.A. Rams): Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
The Patriots are happy to deal the 87th, 125th, and 213th picks to the Rams, who are in need of draft picks, to pick up another needed piece for an aging defense and the 199th overall pick.
98. New England Patriots: Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
After adding OJ Howard in a (projected) trade from Tampa Bay, Belichick invests in the tight end position for a second time on draft weekend.
100. New England Patriots: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
The Patriots need help on the OL, even if they do not trade Joe Thuney. Wanogho can join 2019 picks Yodny Cajuste and Hjalte Froholdt as young pieces on the line. 2018 first round pick Isaiah Wynn can stay at left tackle or kick in to left guard so adding depth at tackle and guard is wise.
117. New England Patriots (projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
Jennings and Harrison will join 2019 pick Chase Winovich and 2018 pick Ja'Whaun Bentley as the future of the Patriots at linebacker.
139. New England Patriots: Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
Belichick's defense rely on having strong defensive lines and Fotu should be able to contribute up front as a rookie.
154. New England Patriots (projected trade with Miami Dolphins): Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
Muse projects as a special teams tackling machine and that always draws the attention of Belichick.
161. New England Patriots (projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Logan Stenberg, OG, Kentucky
Stenberg is another big body to add to the rebuilding offensive line.
172. New England Patriots: K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
As Belichick reloads and rebuilds, Hill adds a reliable pass catcher.
195. New England Patriots: Nick Coe, DE, Auburn
The Patriots take a shot at a big (6-5, 280) and (relatively) fast (4.89 40-yard dash) defensive lineman.
199. New England Patriots (projected trade with L.A. Rams): Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
Taking a quarterback at a pick as low as #199 is unlikely to pay off for Belichick, right?
204. New England Patriots: Broderick Washington, DT, Texas Tech
The Patriots continue to invest in their defensive line.
212. New England Patriots: Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State
Brown would likely be a "redshirt" player in 2020 but he's tall and athletic and after a solid career at Penn State, would be great value at the end of the sixth round.
230 New England Patriots: Sean McKeon, TE, Michigan
With their last pick of the weekend, Belichick takes a Massachusetts native who demonstrated the ability to contribute as a blocking tight end in college.
Fifteen picks seems like a high number for Belichick, but as the team is transitioning away from the Brady era it makes sense to add a lot of bodies in this draft. The Patriots have major needs on both sides of the ball and if they can secure several contributors from this class - and Jarrett Stidham can handle the quarterback duties - then they will be in contention to win another AFC East title.
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