Soko Mock Draft V1.0
11 January 2021 DRAFT Opinion Philadelphia Eagles
- JAX – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Is there an anymore obvious selection in this draft than Trevor Lawrence at 1:01? There have been people mocking Lawrence as the first overall pick since the end of his freshman season at Clemson. Jacksonville won the #TankForTrevor competition and ultimately land what, some will say, is the best quarterback prospect to come through in the last two decades, perhaps ever.
2. NYJ traded to ATL – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
This is one I found more interesting than not. We’ve heard the rumors that Douglas is not overly impressed with Sam Darnold, and my look to trade him this offseason. However, Atlanta has already made franchise cornerstones Matt Ryan and Julio Jones available for trade. Why not jump start the rebuild by taking your heir to the throne?
3. MIA traded to DET – Justin Fields, QB, OSU
Another interesting trade here. Detroit is seemingly moving on from Matthew Stafford this offseason and is in a prime position to do so. New GM, new head coach and likely a new quarterback. Fields is an above average quarterback who has set the world on fire down the stretch. Scouts will likely be enamored by his athleticism and escapability enough to look passed his bad tape to start the season.
4. ATL traded to NYJ – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
So why would the Jets pass up an opportunity at a new quarterback if they’re already willing to part ways with Darnold? Simple. They haven’t given him any playmakers to help him along the way. His best receivers have been an over-the-hill Jamison Crowder and a six game stretch of Breshad Perriman. With Mekhi Becton already in the fold at left tackle, they pass on Sewell and land their perennial star receiver here in Ja’Marr Chase.
5. CIN – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
This just makes too much sense. Hollywood Joe needs protection and quick! Sewell is considered a generational tackle project. Being that he’s only 21, Sewell still hasn’t completely matured into his body and it’s scary to think just how good he can be. Of his 961 pass protection snaps at Oregon, Sewell allowed 7 total pressures and 2 sacks. Cincinnati will likely slide Jonah Williams to RT to facilitate this choice.
6. PHI traded to CAR – Trey Lance, QB, ND State
Carolina is another team that will be looking for a quarterback, as Bridgewater has likely always been a “stop-gap” for the franchise, and they get their guy here with a trade from Philadelphia at number six. Although overshadowed by the stars of the power five conferences, Lance will have plenty of suitors in the draft as well. A strong-arm and athleticism to match, Lance lines up perfectly with the vertical/quick strike attack that Matt Rhule runs on offense.
7. DET traded to MIA – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Miami finally gets their field stretching receiver. Philadelphia will not be happy to miss out on the Heisman Trophy winner BUT, gain the draft capital necessary to help fill the void. Smith will compliment Devante Parker perfectly and form a young, explosive tandem for Tua to throw to for years to come.
8. CAR traded to PHI – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
You would think that Philadelphia fans would be sad to miss out on DeVonta Smith but whenever his teammate, and unanimous all-pro corner, Patrick Surtain II is your consolation prize, it’s enough to ease the blow. The son of a Hall of Fame corner, Junior looks to carve out his own legacy and it should begin in Philadelphia. Philly will be on the prowl for an elite young corner to pair with Darius Slay, and eventually take over for him, for the immediate future.
9. DEN – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
A no-brainer decision for the Broncos here. The best defensive player available that fills a void in the linebacker room. The Broncos could look to stack Parsons with Von Miller on the outside while he carves out the few small holes he has at MIKE and would help elongate Miller’s career at the same time, being utilized as a pass rush only option.
10. DAL – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Cowboys ownership still can’t seem to figure out that big time offense isn’t the problem. With Dak Prescott, the team was steam-rolling opposing defenses. Jerry is going to give him the best tight end prospect in the class and give it one more go with Dak on the tag to make certain the he is the quarterback before committing long term money.
11. NYG – Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)
In a draft that is loaded on the offensive side, there’s a dearth of premiere talent on the defensive line. That allows the best edge rusher in the class to fall to the Giants here. Rousseau will be able to provide a steady pass rush to an already stout defensive front seven in New York and, potentially, solidify themselves among the more elite groups.
12. SF – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
With Richard Sherman aging, his health declining and being a pending free agent, it’s time for the Niners to get their next lockdown corner. See, Caleb Farley. A wide receiver converted cornerback, Farley has all of the intangibles to make big plays at the next level. Size, speed, athleticism, length, you name it, he’s got it. Farley’s issue remains his health. A combine screening will determine a lot for his draft position.
13. LAC – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
PROTECT YOUR YOUNG QUARTERBACK will be the theme with a lot of the offensive tackle picks. Outside of Sewell, Darrisaw is the tackle prospect that I’m most excited for. The 2020 Outland Trophy Winner and AP All-American, Darrisaw will have the pleasure of being Justin Herbert’s blind side protector for the next decade if he so chooses. Darrisaw was credited with 293 pass-lock snaps, in which he allowed just six pressures. Of his run-block win grade, Darrisaw graded out as the second best in the OT class, behind Sewell.
14. MIN – Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah, LB, Notre Dame
Minnesota is having a bit of an identity crisis. Cutting a lot of high priced veterans in the offseason, trading away Stefon Diggs, trading for Yannick Ngaokue and then immediately trading him to Baltimore for less than they gave up. It’s been disturbing. As they look to turn the corner on a rebuild, getting an insanely talented pass rusher at 14 will be the key. This is where Owusu shines.
15. NE – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Falling clear to 15, it’s impossible to ignore the lack of quality pass catches New England currently have in the fold. Jakobi Meyers was the teams leading receiver and he ended the season with 729 yards. Jaylen Waddle was set to lead the 2021 WR class before an injury derailed his climb up boards. Instead, Bill B and the dark empire select Waddle here at 15 with the expectation of him returning to his prior form and giving their signal caller a solidified WR1.
16. ARI – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
We’re seeing a reoccurring them here. PROTECT YOUR YOUNG QUARTERBACK! Kyler Murray had the second highest pressure rate allowed in the entire NFL last season, second to just Carson Wentz, and he held up well through the first 11 weeks of the season. After week 11, we saw a frustrated Murray trying to play hero ball which led to turnovers, incompletions and a diminished ability with his legs. Arizona gets one of the best young tackle prospects in the draft to protect their franchise QB.
17. LVR – Joseph Ossai, DE, Texas
Ever since the trade of Khalil Mack, the Raiders have lacked a true pass rushing playmaker. Enter the 3 year Texas product, Joseph Ossai. The consensus All-American edge rusher logged 55 tackles, five sacks and 16 tackles for loss, most in the Big 12, in a 2020 season that was nothing short of disappointing for the Longhorns. A semifinalist for the Chuck Benarik Award for the best defensive player in the nation, Ossai would immediately bolster a young defensive line in Vegas that’s begging for a playmaker.
18. MIA traded to PIT – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Make no mistake about it, Pittsburgh will be in the business of getting a new quarterback this offseason. Whether Ben Roethlisberger retires or not, the 38 year-old has slowed down and his body is showing the signs of a career of physical play. Although they don’t have the ammunition to move up for a top 4 QB, they watched Kyle Trask slide down boards long enough and make the move with Miami to draft the Florida signal caller. Trask flashed a lot of big play potential in a 2020 season that saw him finish fourth in the Heisman race and a third place finish in the Davey O’Brien Award competition.
19. WFT – Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Another team that will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason opts to pass on Mac Jones and worry about protecting their future signal caller, rather than reaching for one that might not fit. Just two seasons after drafting Dwayne Haskins in the first round, they cut the Buckeye without even garnering any trade interest. Washington looks to remain patient here and takes the Michigan left tackle that will only rise throughout the draft process.
20. CHI – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
A bad decision by Chicago? Come on, it’s almost too easy. Chicago selects the Heisman Trophy third place finisher and the winner of the Davey O’Brien Award for best quarterback in college football. Mac Jones was given the best college football player, a consensus top running back, and numerous All-American’s across his offensive line and has led his team admirably to the National Championship game against Ohio State tonight. After moving on from Mitch Trubisky this offseason, Chicago will be eager to find his replacement.
21. IND traded to PHI – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Don’t shoot the messenger. Chris Ballard makes the one move that has alluded him his entire time as General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts. Ballard lobs Howie Roseman an offer he cannot refuse and reunites Frank Reich with Carson Wentz, sending the #21 overall selection to Philadelphia in the process. With the 21st pick, the Eagles sure up the secondary with the selection of hard-nosed, ball hawking, playmaking cornerback, Jaycee Horn. The trade back from 6 and ammo acquired in the Carson Wentz trade make back-to-back corner selections that much easier of a decision for Howie.
22. TEN – Azeez Ojulari, DE, Georgia
This past offseason, Tennessee prioritized the signing of premier pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Vic Beasley Jr. Needless to say, those high profile signings did not work out. Combining for just 11 games played and zero total sacks, Beasley was cut and Clowney has been on IR. Azeez Ojulari will be the high motor, productive pass rusher that they sought in the 2020 offseason.
23. NYJ – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Going back to protecting Sam Darnold, this selection has to be a no-brainer. Sam Cosmi is a swing tackle that can play either right or left tackle and do it productively. As I said with the Chase selection, Mekhi Becton projects as their left tackle of the future so Cosmi will likely slide to the right side of the line and give Darnold some peace of mind as far as his edges are concerned. No more “seeing ghosts,” for Sam.
24. PIT traded to MIA – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
What an easy decision here for Miami. The board falls to them perfectly, allowing them to draft the pass coverage, athletic freak of a linebacker, Zaven Collins. Their edges are complete, now they have the sideline-to-sideline coverage man that they have so desperately needed.
25. JAX traded to CLE – Wyatt Davis, OG, OSU
Jacksonville lets Cleveland take the lesser guard product because of their affinity for Ohio State football players. This isn’t a sleight at Davis either. Davis projects as a stalwart piece on an offensive line that produced the third most efficient rushing attack in the NFL in 2020. Joel Bitonio will likely be the cap casualty that allows this pick to happen.
26. CLE traded to JAX – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
Just as they traded 25 to Cleveland, Jacksonville finishes their day 1 of the NFL draft with an inside protector to pair with new quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville already has young playmakers at every skill position on offense, in addition to a franchise center in Branden Linder, so VT will get to work with an all-pro center next to him for the next 3-5 years.
27. TB – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Just like protecting young quarterbacks, you have to protect old quarterbacks as well. Tom Brady will be entering his age 44 season with one thing in mind, and that is himself. If Tampa Bay is unwilling to commit to his protection that he didn’t receive this past season, Tompa Bay will go back to Tampa Bay quickly.
28. BAL – Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
A lot of folks give Baltimore’s secondary all the credit in the world for getting them to this point in the season, but are quick to look passed the contributions that they’ve received from Calais Campbell, Pernell McPhee and Yannick Ngokuae. The important thing to note here, all three of those pass rushers are projected as URFA’s this offseason. This results in them getting younger and cheaper talent in Phillips here.
29. NO – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
New Orleans is in deeper cap hell than Philadelphia is this offseason. They will likely have the retirement of Drew Brees come off their books but that’s the only major thing that could happen. Who am I kidding? With the suspension of Michael Thomas, all remaining guaranteed money on his massive extension has been voided. Additionally, Emmanuel Sanders is due a MASSIVE eleven million dollars entering his age 34 season. Look for New Orleans to sure up their wide receiver room to create some stability for their future QB.
30. BUF – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
“But Soko, they already have Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.” Yes, I’m well aware that they have too average-to-below average running backs in their offense. Why do you think Josh Allen averaged 37 passes per game in 2020? They have no running game. The consensus RB1 falls to the Bills here and they should be running this pick to the podium themselves and jumping through tables after it’s announced.
31. GB – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Finally, a first round wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers to work with. After Devin Funchess didn’t work out and MVS/ESB seeming more like role players than real presences, look for Aaron Rodgers to demand this pick of the franchise. They drafted his replacement last year and he rewarded them with an MVP caliber 2020 season. After the injuries and all, get the man some help and let Terrace, ARod and Davante cook.
32. KC – Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The defending world champions only get better here. An underrated talent in Nick Bolton is being overshadowed by athleticism, prototypes and bad conference teams and that makes the rich get richer here. A weak linebacking unit is the only thing holding Kansas City back from pushing themselves COMPLETELY away from the pack but the unit gets better with the selection of Nick Bolton.
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