With less than two weeks to go til the first round of the NFL draft is underway, we're bringing your our Chopping Lines Mock Draft 2.0. Unlike the first go round, we've plugged in some trades that we could see possibly going down based on how the board falls. We'll see how much of this actually comes to reality, but rest assured that April 27th is going to be a wild night no matter what. Let's get into this mock however, Panthers on the clock.
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| Photo by Butch Dill/AP |
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young- Alabama
We eluded to this in our 1.0 mock, but it feels like Carolina will shoot for a more conventional quarterback the closer this draft gets. Per Adam Schefter, there's been a growing rumbling that, "Houston's wasting their time meeting with Young." Meaning that Bryce may not just be going to Carolina in my mind. He's the most pro-ready QB in this group and will walk into a situation with sky high expectations. We'll see how he and Frank Reich click.
2. Houston Texans: QB CJ Stroud- Ohio State
If CJ Stroud is your consolation prize with the #2 pick, you could be well worse off. There's definitely an argument to be had that he's the superior prospect to Young, but neither seem to be bad options. THE Ohio State University hasn't historically produced quality pro quarterbacks though. Will Houston set him up to break this trend or will he be David Carr 2.0?
TRADE:
Tennessee receives: 2023 3rd pick and Deandre Hopkins
Arizona receives: 2023 11th pick, 2023 41st pick, 2024 1RP + 3RP, 2025 1RP and Ryan Tannehill
3. Tennessee Titans (via ARI): QB Anthony Richardson- Florida
Splash! Blockbuster of a move here, with Tennessee paying a premium to move from pick eleven to number three, just ahead of division rivals Indy, to select their quarterback of the future. In this case, it'll be Florida's Anthony Richardson. Fun wrinkle with this trade has the Cardinals sending Deandre Hopkins to the Titans to help boost Richardson's stable of weapons, receiving Ryan Tannehill (and his expiring contract) in the process. With Kyler Murray likely to miss the start of what feels like a lost season, a veteran QB with a semi-similar skill set may be a nice bridge for Arizona to not rush their short, expensive quarterback back into action.
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Will Levis- Kentucky
This fourth pick feels like purgatory for Jim Irsay and the Colts. #1 is off the board, AFC South rival Houston seems highly unlikely to send #2 their way and a hefty price would need to be paid to move up just one slot to #3. According to recent reports, the aforementioned facts and their need for a quarterback have Indy pretty much set on Will Levis being the pick here at four. Definitely feels like a reach to me, but they may not have a choice at this point if they're truly set on addressing the position through the draft.
5. Seattle Seahawks- EDGE Will Anderson- Alabama
Dream scenario for Seattle here...getting arguably the top player in this draft by staying put at five. Anderson would be a tremendous boost for their D-line as the Seahawks slowly build a young, dominant defense up in the Pacific Northwest.
6. Detroit Lions: DT Jalen Carter- Georgia
Combine concerns aside, Jalen Carter's got tremendous tape and an elite skillset. The pairing of Hutchinson/Carter for the next 5+ seasons has to have the Lions salivating. They've met with the Bulldog a few times over the last couple weeks; expect them to be calling his name come April 27th.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Christian Gonzalez- Oregon
A couple marquee talents trickling down the board here to a team with a defense that could use some help. With Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby being mainstays on the defensive line, we have the Raiders addressing the secondary here at seven, selecting our CB1 Christian Gonzalez. He's a big, physical and aggressive corner-- exactly what a team that faces Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year needs.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Tyree Wilson- Texas Tech
Arthur Blank and Terry Fontenot would be thrilled about this development...a premier edge rusher falling to a team that's finished 31st and 32nd in the league in sacks the last two seasons. For reference on how bad the Falcons have been at getting after the opposing QB, they've totaled 68 sacks the last three seasons. Philly notched 70 last year alone... Wild incompetence by Atlanta's pass rush. Brighter days ahead though with this Tyree Wilson pick!
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9. Chicago Bears: OT Paris Johnson Jr- Ohio State
No change in this pick from our 1.0 mock. Chicago's going to do it's very best to maximize Justin Fields' supporting cast over the next season or two to see just exactly how good the kid can be. Paris Johnson Jr. is a massive man with some excellent film that'll impossible for the Bears to pass on. Anchor for the left side of this O-line.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Calijah Kancey- Pittsburgh
Javon Hargrave's departure left a big hole on Philly's defensive line. While some of the second tier edge guys are appealing here, Calijah Kancey has legit star potential on the interior line. He has a relentless motor, great hands and tenacity that should help him fit right into an already uber-talented pass rushing group. If he and Jordan Davis can shut down the run, there won't be many exploitable areas against this D.
11. Arizona Cardinals (via TEN): OT Peter Skoronski- Northwestern
As mentioned above, this season feels like a wash for the Arizona Cardinals, so why not try and build up for the future around your young QB? Their haul of draft picks from Tennessee will help a lot with that, as will selecting a stud left tackle. I think Paris Johnson is a little better than Skoronski, but he'll make for a solid foundational piece down in the desert.
12. Houston Texans: WR Jordan Addison- USC
Dalton Schultz was a nice free agent addition, but Bryce Young is going to need some improvements at receiver to maximize his chances of success. Houston should have their pick of any in the draft here at 12, and it feels like Jordan Addison is the perfect replacement for Brandin Cooks.
13. New York Jets: OT Anton Harrison- Oklahoma
Speaking of new quarterbacks...will the Jets have Aaron Rodgers fully secured under center by the time they're drafting? There seems to be a never ending list of snags holding up that trade, surely raising anxiety within the Jets organization. Whoever is under center will benefit from an improved offensive line, so we'll give them Anton Harrison here. Many are higher on Broderick Jones, but I've liked more of what I've seen from Harrison in my film crunches.
TRADE:
Tampa Bay receives: 2023 14th pick,
New England receives: 2023 19th pick, 2023 82nd pick, 2024 2RP
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via NE): OT Broderick Jones- Georgia
With there being a hot run on offensive tackles, the Bucs have to trade up from 19 to jump ahead of Pittsburgh and get Donovan Smith's replacement. Short trip south for Broderick Jones from Athens, Georgia down to his new home in Tampa. He should be welcomed with every opportunity to start on an offensive line that needs plenty of help.
15. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Lukas Van Ness- Iowa
I think I've dismissed wide receiver being a possibility here with how Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson progressed last year, but it does still feel like tight end could be in play. I don't think the positional value is there though for Brian Gutenkunst and the Packers at 15, so I'll give them Lukas Van Ness to pop onto their defensive line. He's a versatile talent and high motor guy that should grow a three down player for Green Bay.
16. Washington Commanders: CB Devon Witherspoon- Illinois
I fell in love with Devon Witherspoon watching his tape...while I think Gonzalez has a bit more to offer, the Illinois corner can more than hold his own. He plays great coverage, is plenty fast and a very sure tackler for his size. He'll be a welcome addition to a squad that matches up against AJ Brown and CeeDee Lamb twice a season.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Joey Porter Jr.- Penn State
OT is definitely in play here...but Pittsburgh is also armed with the 32nd pick, and there's better value at cornerback here at 18. Their selection is going to keep things in house, choosing the the son of a former Steelers stalwart Joey Porter. He'll travel across the state to start opposite of Minkah Fitzpatrick, in what could be the makings of an elite duo. Definitely a feel good story for the Steel City.
18. Detroit Lions: CB Deonte Banks- Maryland
The recent trade of Jeff Okudah opened up a need for some quality depth in the Detroit secondary. Cue Deonte Banks, the speedster from UMD. Few players stock rose higher than Banks after the combine, as he went from a fringe first rounder to a near lock with his 4.35 40. I'm not as high on him as I am other corners in this class, but the Lions should be a solid landing spot for him.
19. New England Patriots (via TB): DE Bryan Bresee- Clemson
Classic move for a well-run franchise here to trade back, acquire two more draft picks and still get their guy a few slots later. I graded Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy pretty similarly and believe the former has a little higher of a floor. He can take some notes from Dietrich Wise and Lawrence Guy as the Pats ease their rookie into a growing role as the season progresses.
TRADE:
New York receives: 2023 20th pick
Seattle receives: 2023 25th pick, 2023 89th pick, 2024 3RP
20. New York Giants (via SEA): Jaxon Smith-Njigba- Ohio State
Given the talent levels of this particular receiving class, as well as the teams in need of the position, I think we start seeing a run in this part of the draft. The Giants need help desperately at the position, and will definitely consider a move ahead of Baltimore and Minnesota for their guy. In this case, it's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. A depth chart of JSN, Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins offers much more optimism than it's current state. He'd hop right into the WR1 spot for the G-Men.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Myles Murphy- Clemson
Still think Bijan could be in play here for the Chargers, but it seems like the Austin Ekeler contract drama has subsided some. Would certainly be a luxury pick this strong roster could afford. But we're going to keep our 1.0 selection for them the same with Clemson's Myles Murphy. He, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack would make for an imposing trio down in LA, plus Murphy can stop the run some; an area where they sucked a year ago.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Zay Flowers- Boston College
With the recent Odell Beckham Jr. signing, I think cornerback probably jumps receiver on the Ravens' list of needs. Unfortunately for them, most of the top tier corners are off the board at this point, so I have them rolling with Zay Flowers. He'd given Baltimore as solid a trio at wideout as they've had in recent memory and be able to stick around after OBJ's one year deal is up. Could consider a slight move up for CB however.
23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Quentin Johnston- TCU
The run on receivers continues, with Quentin Johnston heading up to Minnesota to pair up with Justin Jefferson on the perimeter. I'm not as high on the TCU speedster as many, but he'd be an absolute monster of a WR2 for the Vikings. Potential Bijan Robinson landing spot too with Dalvin Cook being a cut candidate after this season, if not trade bait prior.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Cam Smith- South Carolina
The Jaguars were an inspiring unit last season, but gave up the 5th most passing yards in the league. And that was playing in the AFC South, where they played six games a season vs. Matt Ryan, Ryan Tannehill and the Davis Mills/Brandon Allen platoon. Cornerback has to be the move here, and Cam Smith is a solid player who'll have a chance to start right out of the gate for Jacksonville.
25. Seattle Seahawks (via NYG)- OG O'Cyrus Torrence- Florida
Like the Patriots, it's nice to trade down and still get your target in the first. Torrence is a force on the interior line who'll keep franchise quarterback Geno Smith upright while opening up some running lanes inside for Kenneth Walker to explode through. Plug and play guy here who could be a mainstay for the next decade.
26. Dallas Cowboys: RB Bijan Robinson- Texas
Here's to you, Mr. Robinson. Not a far trip from the University of Texas to Dallas, where Bijan and Tony Pollard would make for an absolutely dynamic duo in Big D. An aggressive offseason of filling roster holes allows them to make this luxury pick here, adding a real home run threat to this offense. His emergence would allow them to consider letting Tony Pollard walk next offseason, rather than making a large financial commitment at the position.
27. Buffalo Bills: S Brian Branch- Alabama
Originally went offensive tackle with this pick, but with Brian Branch falling down the boards, I have a hard time seeing Buffalo passing on the top safety in the draft. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are a great tandem, but they're not getting any younger or cheaper. Branch gives them a third safety for subpackages this season and will allow them to move on more easily from Poyer and/or Hyde next offseason.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Dawand Jones- Ohio State
We liked tight end Michael Mayer prior to the Bengals' signing of Irv Smith last week. He or Dalton Kincaid, who was recently medically cleared from a back injury-- could still potentially be in play here, but RT feels like the most practical move to protect Joe Burrow moving forward. They'll keep the 28th pick in-state with Ohio State's Dawand Jones. Jones was never going to beat out teammate Paris Johnson for the left tackle spot, but he could potentially work his way to the side of the line by the time Orlando Brown Jr.'s contract is up. Should be some big, bad bookends on the offensive line in Cincy.
TRADE:
Detroit receives: 2023 29th pick, 2023 257th pick
New Orleans receives: 2023 55th pick, 2024 2RP + 3RP
29. Detroit Lions (via NO): TE Dalton Kincaid- Utah
Originally mocked Kincaid to Detroit at 18, which was a fun luxury pick, but didn't love the value there. However, trading back into round one to secure the best pass catching tight end in the draft does have a bit more appeal. He was cleared from his back injury last week, removing a red flag that was tough to overlook. New Orleans needs picks, and Detroit has a bunch to spare, making this a mutually beneficial move.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: C John Michael Schmitz- Minnesota
Not a sexy pick, but Jason Kelce isn't getting any younger. John Michael Schmitz is a really technically sound center who would probably benefit from a year behind the future Hall of Famer. He can add some muscle in the meantime and provide quality depth for the Super Bowl runner ups. Rumor has it the Eagles may trade out or up from this spot, depending how things fall.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Nolan Smith- Georgia
Sneaking in at the end of round one is the MVP of the combine, edge rusher Nolan Smith. His 4.39 40-time has put him head and shoulders above many similar prospects, but his small frame and inconsistent production had him slip some. There's definitely some appeal in taking him in the first to get that 5th year option, especially if he can reach his lofty ceiling of potential. With Frank Clark no longer on the roster, the defending champs will certainly welcome the pass rushing help.
The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first round pick this season*
Stephen Ross is a scum bag
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@Choppinglines
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
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