Coming out of the Combine, a few of the NFL draft experts at SU put their heads together for a Student Union Mock Draft 1.0. No trades yet, as teams are just beginning to figure out their board, and if a move is necessary.
Check out what prospects we have heading to your team. Let us know on twitter if you hate it, but especially shout us out if you love it.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Starting the mock with one of the easiest picks in the whole draft. The record breaking QB was the best player on the best team in the country. The Bengals need to stay busy in this draft, supplementing Burrow with talent on both sides of the ball. If Burrow is selected with the first overall pick, he will be the first QB since Cam Newton to win the Heisman, National Championship, and be selected #1 overall.
– Jonathan
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
It does not take long watching the tape to understand how special Chase Young has played this year. Just simply looking at the stat sheet, he bagged over one sack per game. On a team that had really special talent all over the field, he proved to be the best of the best. The Redskins could be putting together one of the best front 7s in the NFL with a pick like this.
– Jonathan
3. Detroit Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Best corner in the draft. Okudah is the perfect replacement for Darius Slay, who the Lions are rumored to be shopping. No brainer pick if they don’t trade out of it.
– Jackson Fields
4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills Jr., OL, Alabama
The Giants have a lot of holes to fill, but none of them are as bad as the offensive line. Jedrick Wills helps the team open more running lanes for Saquon Barkley and protect Daniel Jones, who fumbled the ball nearly every time he was hit last year. Picking a starting caliber left tackle at 4 should be an easy decision for the boys in blue.
– Zach Spiecker
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Best quarterback left on the board. Wanted to take Tua, but he was picked right before. He probably needs a year to sit, but has all the physical tools. – Jackson
7. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
If Simmons falls to seven in the draft, the Panthers should be thrilled. An athletic freak and one of the most versatile defenders we have ever seen, Simmons has the ability to step right into this Carolina defense. He would be their best player day one, and a perfect replacement for Luke Kuechly, and a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
– Cody Goggin
8. Arizona Cardinals: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Kyler Murray is great, but he needs some weapons. As the only Cardinals fan Student Union Sports has to offer, I bring a unique perspective. I’m the only one who saw receivers consistently dropping passes, running back routes, and not helping out Kyler. Jeudy is the best route runner in this class and can develop into the outside threat the Cardinals have not had in years.
– Zach
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
In nearly any other draft, Brown would be going in the top 5. Fortunately for the Jags, he is available at 9. They may be in the best spot in the draft, with loads of defensive talent to choose from. Brown is an elite run stuffer, and he comes at a time where they need help on their front line.
– Jonathan
10. Cleveland Browns: Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville
11. New York Jets: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
Tristan Wirfs fits the bill here for what New York is looking for. After struggling to keep an offensive line healthy and with poor play last year, the Jets will need to surround Darnold with talent, if they hope to improve his progression towards being their franchise QB. Wirfs had a strong showing at the combine this weekend and has the tools to be a tackle at the next level.
– Cody
12. Oakland Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
CeeDee Lamb is going to be good. And the Raiders need good at the receiver position. Since the Amari Cooper trade, the Raiders have struggled at the WR position. Whether they have Derek Carr or somebody else throwing to him (Tom Brady??) the Raiders could use somebody with the release and catch radius Lamb has to offer.
– Zach
13. Indianapolis Colts: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Ruggs makes sense for the Colts at 13 with Jeudy and Lamb off the board. They are in need of WR depth and Ruggs is an absolute monster. Assuming Jacoby Brissett will be the starter again next year, the Colts will be looking for playmakers at receiver throughout the draft.
– Harrison
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
15. Denver Broncos: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Similar to the Jets, the Broncos need to improve on their line to keep their young QB upright. Garrett Bolles could be a free agent after 2020 if the Broncos decline his fifth year option, and Ja’Wuan James had trouble staying healthy in 2019 at right tackle. While tackle is one of the most-needed positions for the Broncos, I could see them taking a WR or CB with the departure of Emmauel Sanders mid-season and pending free agency of Chris Harris. If Henry Ruggs III is still available, he would be a good fit here to compliment Courtland Sutton.
– Cody
16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Falcons’ defense is in rough shape and could use a pass rusher in a bad way. K’Lavon Chaisson could help to solve that problem. Chaisson amassed 6.5 sacks for the LSU Tigers in 2019 and has good bend around the edge. Atlanta could go a lot of ways here, but the focus should likely be on the defensive side of the ball.
– Cody
17. Dallas Cowboys: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
The big unknown for Dallas is the status of Dak Prescott’s contract negotiations. If they somehow can’t resign their QB, they might consider going in that direction, but I would expect that by April we will have that answer. With Byron Jones not coming back, DB would be the best path to take, with both Grant Delpit and Xavier McKinney making sense at safety. Instead I chose to go with Javon Kinlaw to help bolster the defense up front. Dallas obviously has a lot to shake out in free agency, but I expect that they improve their defense.
– Cody
18. Miami Dolphins: Yetur Gross-Matos, DL, Penn State
19. Oakland Raiders: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen is the 2nd best LB in the class, behind otherworldly Isaiah SImmons. His speed at the linebacker position is going to fit nicely with a Raiders defense that has struggled the last few years. A strong tackler, Queen could contribute 100+ tackles his rookie year. That is something the Raiders desperately need.
– Zach
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
With the midseason trade, sending an unhappy Jalen Ramsey that net them this pick, they draft his replacement. Fulton possesses great man coverage abilities and makes the case for CB2 in this draft. The Jags are reloading on defense with these first two picks. They hope to get back to the dominance they are used to on the defensive side of the ball.
– Jonathan
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Long, fast, and great hands. Able to separate throughout his route tree. Most underrated receiver in the draft because he was surrounded by other good receivers at Clemson.
– Jackson
22. Buffalo Bills: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Justin Jefferson blew up the combine, cementing his spot as a first round prospect. The Bills need an outside threat to catch Josh Allen’s passes, and Jefferson’s 40 time is a perfect fit. His combination of hands and speed could lead to a nice rookie season with the Bills.
– Zach
23. New England Patriots: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
I almost went with Cole Kmet here. But if you have heard the rumors, Tom Brady might be out the door. Even if he stays, Jordan Love is a perfect developmental QB for Belichick and crew. He has a big arm and enormous potential from the most important position in football. With Love slipping down the board, it was impossible to pass on Bill getting his QB of the future. – Zach
24. New Orleans Saints: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
The Saints desperately need a WR2. Michael Thomas had a record breaking year, and Drew Brees can make any pass catcher look good, but they need more help. Shenault is a great pick for two reasons. He provides Brees with a target and sheds some coverage off of Thomas, but he gives Sean Payton a utility tool, similarly to what Taysom Hill was last year. The former high school QB would maximize his talents in the New Orleans offense.
– Jonathan
25. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Not ready to draft Kirk Cousins replacement in Minnesota just yet. If Love was available at 25, I would be tempted to pull the trigger. Instead I like Jeff Gladney at this spot. Xavier Rhodes saw a massive drop off in production last season, and CB is a glaring weakness for the Vikings. He may be a bit of a porject, but I would feel safer as a Vikings fan, knowing the team drafted someone to give Rhodes a little bit of competition in training camp. – Jonathan
26. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Tayor, RB, Wisconsin
27. Seattle Seahawks: AJ Epeneza: EDGE, Iowa
Took a bit of a hit at the combine, but should not be enough to kick him out of the first round. The Seahawks are faced with a couple of choices this season. Jarran Reed and Jadaveon Clowney are both set to be free agents. Clowney may want more money than the Seahawks are willing to provide. Since they are unable to franchise tag him, look for Seattle to draft his replacement at the back end of the first round.
– Jonathan
28. Baltimore Ravens: Zach Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
The Ravens need a bit of tackling and a bit of pass rush. Why not both in one pick? Zack Baun has played edge at Wisconsin, but he has the coverage skills to play off ball LB at the next level. The Ravens could send him at the QB or have him in coverage, and he will succeed in both areas.
– Zach
29. Tennessee Titans: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
30. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
The Packers need a WR pretty badly. But with a huge run on WRs in the back end of this mock draft, they should be content to wait it out til the 2nd round to find some quality talent. Jones could play a similar role for the Packers, as Andre Dillard played for the Eagles. He could plug in at RT, but at the very least he will be able to learn behind David Bakhtiari and give Aaron Rodgers more coverage than his partners at State Farm. – Jonathan
31. San Francisco 49ers: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Depending on what Isaiah Simmons is projected as in the draft, McKinney is S1. Somewhat surprised that he is still available at this point in the draft, but the 49ers would be overjoyed with a pick like this. As a team that made it to the Super Bowl this year, they have a few holes to patch up, but nothing they need to reach on. McKinney can be plugged in right away and provide a boost to the SF secondary.
– Jonathan
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Super Bowl Champions essentially have a lot of luxury here. There aren’t a lot of key departures on the team and they will strictly be making moves to improve their team rather than having to plug holes. After franchise tagging Chris Jones this week, he will either be back in KC for another year or they will be able to flip him for some high value picks. With that in mind, I think that the Chiefs will look to improve at either CB or LB here. Patrick Queen would have been a great fit for this defense, but Kenneth Murray is another guy who will be able to step in an every down linebacker in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
– Cody
