In the last four months, we’ve released half a dozen Eagles-only, seven-round mock drafts. For the first (and last) time, here is our only complete first-round mock draft of the NFL.
1) Jaguars: Trevon Walker, DE, Georgia: I would have let Cam Robinson go freehand instead of tagging him as a franchise and just taking one of the best offensive tackles for #1 overall, but this ship has sailed. Walker is the leader in the clubhouse, taking first place overall, and I won’t disagree with Vegas here.
2) Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan: This could be a landing spot for Kayvon Thibodeaux, but we’re going to chalk here with Hutchinson. If Thibodeaux goes here, my appearance will be ruined. Please don’t get me dirty, Lions.
3) Texans: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU: Lovie Smith has publicly criticized the Texans’ cornerback game in 2021.
4) Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama: An ugly situation is brewing with LT Mekhi Becton, the Jets’ first-round pick in 2020 amid rumors he may never play for the team again. Neal has experience playing both LT and RT in Bama, so he can play LT if the Jets’ relationship with Becton is unsustainable, or he can switch to RT if it is.
5) Giants: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati: The Giants will almost certainly defeat James Bradberry, and Sauce can jump right in as a starter in his place. Barring a tradeback, they would be sure to land either Ikem Ekwonu or Charles Cross on pick #7.
6) Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State: The Panthers have had a huge “FOR SALE” sign on this pick for months, but if Ekwonu is there, they’ll sprint this pick to the podium.
7) Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State: The Giants have been associated with Cross for some time. His fit at RT would be a small projection (assuming the Giants just left Andrew Thomas at LT), but the Giants have desperately needed to solidify their offensive line for about a decade. “Sauce and Cross” also rhymes.
8) Falcons: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama: It’s felt all along like the Falcons are the first team to get a wide receiver in this draft, and they’ll likely have their pick. Williams would make a lot of sense here as the Falcons have already signaled they know they will be bad this season after trading Matt Ryan. In other words, they don’t need immediate production from any receiver they could take, so theoretically they won’t be deterred by Williams’ cruciate ligament rupture, which could cause him to miss the start of the season.
9) Seahawks: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon: The Seahawks have next to nothing on the edges. Thibodeaux is unlikely to fall further.
10) Nozzles: Drake London, WR, USC: The Jets could also trade back here and still land a receiver, but there seems to be a genuine interest between them and London.
11) Commanders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: Terry McLaurin had 1,053 receiving yards in 2021. The next closest player, RB JD McKissic, had 397. McLaurin can’t do it all alone.
12) Vikings: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State: The Vikings are in dire need of help from Edge Rusher, and they are fortunate that Johnson dropped to 12.
13) Texans: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State: The Texans have Brandin Cooks as a wide receiver and not much else.
14) Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre-Dame: Jordan Davis could also be in play here for the Ravens, and security isn’t among Baltimore’s greatest needs, but Hamilton is too tempting to pass up at this point.
15) Adler: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia: The Eagles get their unicorn. We go into much more detail about this choice here.
16) Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh: I still can’t figure out why on earth the Saints made this deal with the Eagles. Will a new wide receiver and offensive tackle really make them contenders? You can’t really think that, can you? You can’t really believe Jameis Winston is the answer to quarterback either, can you? And if he’s not, they won’t have a first-round pick to get one in 2023. Maybe just take one now? It’s as logical as any other place for Pickett to land.
17) Chargers: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington: In a division with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr, additional bodies in the secondary would help.
18) Eagles: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: Burks is a hefty YAC monster to play between DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins. Again, more analysis on this selection here. A return exchange from this point is also possible.
19) Saints: Trevor Penning, OT, North Iowa: The departure of Terron Armstead left a gaping hole at LT in the Saints line. Penning has a Jon Runyan-like mentality and will add some viciousness to the New Orleans offense.
20) Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: Bringing in Mitchell Trubisky buys the Steelers a year to whack Willis.
21) Patriots: George Karlaftis, DL, Purdue: This just feels like a Belichick pick.
22) Packers: Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan: The Packers love some early-round defenders, and Hill can play both corners and safety. He would be a short-term answer in the slot and a long-term answer to security.
23) Cardinals: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State: Arizona needs more pass rush firepower. JJ Watt and Markus Golden are both well into their 30s.
24) Cowboys: Zion Johnson, iOL, Boston College: The Cowboys have a head start on rebuilding an offensive line that’s beginning to fall apart.
25) Invoices: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida: Elam is 6’2 and runs a 4.39. He goes to round 1.
26) Titans: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Hey, finally a linebacker! I think the Titans are hoping for a receiver to drop, but that’s not happening to them here. Lloyd fills a pretty obvious hole in the middle of the Titans’ defense and would be a DROY candidate playing behind the Titans’ talented front line.
27) Privateers: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia: Cine would be an instant upgrade from Jordan Whitehead going freehand.
28) Packer: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota: Preston Smith and Rashan Gary are good edge rushers but don’t have much depth behind them.
29) Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State: The Chiefs continue to accelerate their offense, especially after the trade with Tyreek Hill.
30) Chiefs: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan: The Chiefs don’t need players who can play early in the season. They need people who can contribute in January.
31) Bengal: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson: A sporting hernia injury knocks Booth down somewhat, but he should still go into Round 1. Even Eli Apple stinks.
32) Lions: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia: Walker pips Georgia teammate Nakobe Dean for last spot on lap one.
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