Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Cleveland Browns from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Award, the versatile Tulsa defender (6-4, 260) can rush the passer or drop in coverage. Collins had four sacks and four interceptions, two of which were returned for scores, in eight games this past season.
The Browns appear to have replaced last season's leading tackler B.J. Goodson with former Indianapolis starter Anthony Walker, but the fact Walker was signed to just a one-year deal suggests the club could still be looking for an upgrade. Davis is an athletic marvel just scratching the surface of his potential and might offer the immediate impact Cleveland needs to take the next step.
His size could force him into the slot, but Samuel was a PBU machine at Florida State with 33 in his career. The Browns seem stacked at corner, but Troy Hill's contract is really a one-year deal with an out next season, and they'll be taking care of their EDGE need with the impending signing of Jadeveon Clowney.
They needed an edge rusher, but the spot opposite Myles Garrett now appears to be filled, following the reported signing of Jadeveon Clowney. Owusu-Koramoah is one of the top linebackers in this class.
Although he had only one interception in college, Newsome has 25 passes defended in 21 starts and it was a challenge searching for big plays allowed on his tape. It doesn't hurt that he tested like an elite athlete with a 4.38 40-yard dash and 6.90 3-cone drill at 6-foot and 192 pounds.
We've placed edge rushers here in recent mocks, but a corner also could be a great fit. The highly confident and athletic Newsome could vie for a starting role in Cleveland right away if he can beat out Greedy Williams. The Browns know they need to curb the number of big plays they allow in the pass game, and this would be one savvy way to address that.
Davis is another defender who is rising since the season ended. He's really only a one-year starter -- he started one game in 2019 -- but he was tremendous last season with 96 tackles, three interceptions and a sack. Davis was all over the field making plays. He could play any of the linebacker spots for the Cleveland 4-3 defense. The Browns could also target an edge rusher with this pick, even if they do sign Jadeveon Clowney.
Rousseau didn't have the lights-out pro day everyone wanted to see, but he still has the lights-out potential. He's put on a ton of weight since he got to Miami and is just scratching the surface. A 2020 opt-out who is a hard evaluation with just one full year of college football, Rousseau's upside remains enticing, especially in the back end of Round 1.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Buffalo Bills from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The Bills ranked middle of the league in team sacks (38, T-15th), but no player had more than five sacks in 2020. In addition, starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are both on the wrong side of 30. While the Bills drafted A.J. Epenesa in the second round last year, taking a swing on the immense upside of Oweh at the back of Round 1 makes sense.
Despite his lack of production (zero sacks in 2020 after posting five in 2019), Oweh has rare traits. As Bruce Feldman noted in his annual Freaks list, Oweh is "the most explosive one of the bunch" (of athletic freaks). The 257-pound defender ran a 4.36 forty with a 39.5-inch vertical at Penn State's Pro Day.
Only five teams surrendered more rushing touchdowns than the Bills a year ago (21) and none of those clubs reached the playoffs. The 2021 defensive tackle class is below average, but most see the massive (and still ascending) Barmore as the best of the bunch.
It feels like a corner or edge rusher here would be a reach for the Bills even though they're needs. I didn't plan to have a running back go in the first round, but Buffalo needs a dynamic three-down back who has the speed to be a home-run hitter and the hands to be Josh Allen's safety valve.
A couple of players who have dropped because of injury concerns -- cornerback Caleb Farley and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau -- could be in play here, but Barmore is also an option as the Bills try to build up the interior of their defensive line.
Did you know Oweh had zero sacks last season? I understand why that stat has been recycled every time Oweh's name is mentioned, but disruption is production and he had plenty of backfield disruption on tape. Late to the game, he is just scratching the surface of his immense potential.
The Bills have struggled to heat up their pass rush and could use another body here. As it turns out, Oweh might have the most tailor-made EDGE body in the entire class. He's an elite athlete with rudimentary pass-rush skills that can be coached up over time. His upside is thrilling, and Oweh should be a good locker-room fit in Buffalo.
With starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison over the age of 30, the Bills need to get younger on the edge. They took AJ Epenesa in Round 2 last year, but that's not enough. The speedy pass-rusher Ojulari had 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. Cornerback and running back are other positions Buffalo could target.
Samuel can play multiple positions in the defensive backfield and had an outstanding season in 2020, giving up just 179 yards in eight games, per PFF. He also had an impressive pro day to back up the solid career in Tallahassee.
While I'm reluctant to give the Packers a wide receiver here (last two iterations of my mock have been defenders), the addition of an electrifying playamker in Toney's mold would give Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, the type of weapon not currently on the roster. Toney had 70 catches for 984 yards, 19 rush attempts for 161 yards and 11 total touchdowns in 2020.
Sure, Green Bay could look at receivers Elijah Moore (Ole Miss) or Rashod Bateman (Minnesota), or even Clemson running back Travis Etienne if it were to lose Aaron Jones to the open market. But the Packers have continued to look elsewhere in Round 1 during the Aaron Rodgers era, which suggests they might do so again. And lining up Onwuzurike (another opt-out) next to Kenny Clark on that defensive line forms a problem for opponents.
Rob Demovsky on his fit with the Packers: It's not enough to just change defensive coordinators. The Packers now have to give Joe Barry some players. They have done that recently when they've changed DCs. Dom Capers got B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews when he arrived in 2009, while Mike Pettine got Jaire Alexander in the first round when he came here in 2018.
With starting outside cornerback Kevin King likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Packers need someone to pair with second-team All-Pro Jaire Alexander. The NFC Championship Game served as a harsh reminder that no matter how much Alexander locks down one side of the field, a competent offense can exploit the other. Campbell stands 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, which if he starts from Day 1, would give Green Bay a nice contrast in body types between him and Alexander. Says The Athletic's Dane Brugler of Campbell, “All the talent is there for him to grow into an NFL starter.” Campbell wouldn't have to start right away if the Packers sign a veteran like Richard Sherman or Xavier Rhodes in free agency, but targeting a future starting outside cornerback is paramount in this year's draft, nonetheless. -- Matt Schneidman
Aaron Rodgers wanted new offensive weapons last season, and though the Packers' offense performed well without them, there were issues. In the 2020 season, Davante Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdowns when facing single-high coverage. When facing two-high coverage, he scored just one touchdown.
Opposing defenses were able to double Adams with impunity with deep safeties because there was nobody to force those defenders into the box as underneath weapons in the passing game. The addition of Rondale Moore would be huge for Matt LaFleur's offense because Moore is so dynamic on screens, slants, and other quick routes. Combined with Green Bay's pre-snap motion concepts and play-action game, having a weapon of Moore's caliber, especially after the catch, would give the Packers an entirely different (and much-needed) dimension.
Yes, the junior of that Asante Samuel. This might be a little high for him -- most projections fall somewhere around the second round -- but I just really like his game. And while Jaire Alexander was an All-Pro cornerback last season, Green Bay was abused on the other side of the field.
They will get Aaron Rodgers a wide receiver this time around if the Packers front office knows what is good for them. Toney's explosiveness would pair nicely with All-World Davante Adams.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Buffalo Bills from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
With a rare combination of size (6-5, 285), strength and athleticism, Basham fits the mold of what the Bills look for in an edge defender. While 2020 was a down year compared to 2019, Basham had 18.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2019.
The missing piece of this offense is an elite running back. Buffalo didn't have a single player break 700 rushing yards last season, and its running backs found pay dirt just eight times on the ground. But Etienne scored 70 times over his college career and is a home run hitter in space. This offense could be dangerous.
Marcel Louis-Jacques on his fit with the Bills: If the Bills' loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game taught them anything, it's the importance of elite speed. Etienne provides that not just as a runner but also as an accomplished receiver out of the backfield. He would join Devin Singletary and Zack Moss to form a solid group of rushers.
This is a glorious development for the Bills, as Owusu-Koramoah would instantly step into Matt Milano's playmaker role if the veteran signs elsewhere in free agency.
Only five teams rushed less often than the Bills in 2020. In the bottom 7 teams, you find the Super Bowl winner (TB), the runner-up (KC), the team that kicked us out last year (HOU). Obviously, being one-dimensional isn't as bad as it used to be. I don't think it's the plan, however.
Since the Bye, including playoffs, Josh Allen was our top rusher 6 of 13 times, Singletary 5, and Moss and Yeldon 1 each. Our four RBs combined for 1301 yards this year. Najee Harris had 1733, and led the SEC in Yards From Scrimmage, Rushing TDs (26), and put up 19.8 YPC through the air. Najee is the fastest of the over-230 RBs: 4.4 speed at 230 pounds. Harris had the second-most Missed Tackles/Touch since 2018 (min 250 rushes). Number 2 in that time span was Zack Moss, and Number 2 in 2019 was Devin Singletary!
The Bills need offensive line help. Starting guard Jon Feliciano and right tackle Daryl Williams are both scheduled to become free agents. Given their tight cap situation, the Bills may have a hard time retaining both. Either way, Buffalo needs to get younger up front. In the four drafts since Sean McDermott took over as head coach in 2017, the Bills have drafted three offensive linemen and just two on the first two days of the draft. Cody Ford's future appears to be at guard, so the Bills should invest in a young tackle to handle the right side opposite Dion Dawkins. Eichenberg was reliable throughout his career at Notre Dame, showing the type of power and nastiness in the running game the Bills love. This looks like it could be a sweet spot for offensive linemen in the draft order, but don't be surprised if the Bills entertain trading back to get more picks on the second day of the draft. -- Matthew Fairburn
Last season, the Bills had two defenses: The one where cornerback Tre'Davious White was healthy (quite good) and the one where he wasn't (not so good at all). Though White is a top-three player when healthy and Buffalo may have the NFL's best safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, it's been tough for the franchise to find the ideal bookend for White. Taron Johnson established himself as a presence in the slot last season, but Levi Wallace hasn't become that guy on the outside.
If the Bills are to finally grab that elusive Lombardi Trophy, it's time for new blood out there.
The son of the former Patriots, Eagles, and Falcons defensive back who played in the NFL from 2003 through 2013 (in case you want to feel old), Samuel was especially effective in zone coverage last season -- in those instances, he allowed nine receptions on 19 targets for 97 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He's a perfect fit for Buffalo's aggressive, zone-heavy defense, either from the slot or outside. Just don't think he can't hold up outside on a regular basis because of his size -- the tape, as they say, don't lie.
Jerry Hughes can't play forever -- although, it feels like he can at times -- so Buffalo brings in another young, hungry pass rusher after 2020 second-round pick A.J. Epenesa recorded only one sack as a rookie.
Starting offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams are scheduled to become free agents next month. Mayfield was a left tackle at Michigan, but could move inside at the next level.
Trent Murphy is a free agent and Mario Addison may end up a cap casualty -- cutting Addison would save the Bills $8.2 million if he's released after June 1. Ossai is the best of both worlds. He's a relentless pass rusher, but is also capable of being impactful against the run and in pass coverage.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Buffalo Bills from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
Once again, Josh Allen made tremendous year-over-year strides. In his third season, the strong-armed quarterback shattered career highs across the board -- 69.2% completion rate, 6.5% TD%, 1.7% INT%, 7.9 Y/A and 107.2 passer rating. While he built instant chemistry with Stefon Diggs (career-best 127 catches and 1,535 yards) in their first season together, several of the team's offensive linemen -- guards Jon Feliciano and Brian Winters and right tackle Daryl Williams -- are scheduled to become free agents in 2021. Davis is my top-ranked guard prospect.
Dominant right tackle Daryl Williams is one of three starting offensive lineman headed for free agency. Mayfield features the athletic ability and size combo that makes offensive line coaches salivate.
With several pending free agents on the offensive line, the Bills might be in a position to use an early round draft pick on a tackle or guard. Mayfield consistently improved as the Wolverine's right tackle and he has the skill set to slide inside to guard if needed, which would give Buffalo flexibility.
The Bills are tight when it comes to available cap space and have key free-agent decisions to make in starting right guard Jon Feliciano, right tackle Daryl Williams, and linebacker Matt Milano. All three mean a great deal to the Bills team, but it's unlikely all three can be retained. Buffalo should prioritize keeping its offensive line intact, which leaves Milano as the odd man out. Collins is a versatile linebacker that is outstanding playing downhill, blitzing, and in coverage.
The Josh Allen-Stefon Diggs connection was electric this season, but with Jon Feliciano, Daryl Williams and Brian Winters starring at free agency, the interior offensive line will likely need new blood to keep Allen upright and flinging it to Diggs. Cody Ford will return from a knee injury, but Davis has the 315-pound size, mobility and awareness to make a big impact. In 666 pass-blocking snaps over the past two seasons, Davis has allowed just two sacks.
Basham fits the bill as a versatile defender who could be a nice addition to a young core up front as the Bills hope to upgrade their defense after allowing a few too many big plays in 2020.
