Drafting early-round wide receivers has been more miss than hit for Bill Belichick, but London is a top-15 talent who should elevate to the WR1 role early in his career for the Patriots. A former USC basketball player, the 6' 5" wideout uses his large frame and wide catch radius to dominate at the catch point.
Getting help for Mac Jones would be nice. But the image that will be burned into Bill Belichick's brain all offseason was the scoreboard from the playoff loss to the Bills and the helplessness the Patriots felt defending Josh Allen. Some teams might not know how to best unlock the 275-pound Walker's unusual skill set, but we believe he's an ideal fit in New England.
If anyone knows the value of a dominant nose tackle, it's Bill Belichick, who watched Vince Wilfork set the tone for his best units throughout the Patriots' dynasty. Davis has the size, athleticism and power to make a similar impact for the Pats in this generation.
The Patriots were second in passing yards allowed per game (187.1), tied for second in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.4) and second in interceptions (23). And they were one of three teams to keep opponents under 60% completion percentage. But the back seven could lose several starters to free agency, including cornerback J.C. Jackson, safety Devin McCourty and linebacker D'onta Hightower. It could also use an influx of speed in that area, of which Gordon has a ton. His versatility and ability to jump routes would also be welcome on one of the league's top defenses -- and he'd make the potential loss of Jackson a little easier to handle.
Linebacker and safety are two other areas to watch, and I'd watch how the receiver class is playing out as New England nears its pick. Ohio State's Chris Olave would give quarterback Mac Jones a smooth route runner with great separating speed. Alternatively, Alabama's Jameson Williams will likely miss some time but could end up the top receiver in the class. Bill Belichick would find ways to get the ball into his hands.
Throughout much of the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots have boasted one of the NFL's best linebacker corps. His group is facing a potentially significant transition in 2022, however, with longtime standouts Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins among a handful of free agents at the position.
Lloyd lacks the bulk of most of the previous New England linebackers, but his instincts and playmaking ability are definitely befitting the Patriot Way.
No reason to waste (more) time before remedying 2019's first-round mistake with WR N'Keal Harry. Williams might be a top-10 pick had he not torn an ACL in the national championship loss to Georgia. He's a burner who was remarkably productive in 2021, averaging 100 receiving yards and a TD catch per game. The Ohio State transfer didn't play with Pats QB Mac Jones in Tuscaloosa, but -- as soon as he's healthy -- he has the goods to develop into the dominant target this team has long lacked.
* It's unclear if the 21/22 picks were the Raiders trading up a spot or if it was an inadvertent error in pick order.
The Patriots haven't exactly had a ton of success in drafting first-round receivers, but they still need to upgrade that position badly. Olave is a polished, highly productive pass catcher who can provide a field-stretching presence and the ability to get separation in high-leverage situations. He's a game-ready playmaker who'd provide a boost for Mac Jones.
It's impossible to project what the Patriots will do this far out from the Draft, but it is easy to connect the dots of how slow they looked on defense against the Bills with this upcoming draft class' strength on defense. Karlaftis looked like JJ Watt to start the ‘21 season before cooling off, but he has the player profile to fit the Patriots' defense to a T.
Pickens has an elite skill set as an outside playmaker and proved his work ethic coming back from a torn ACL in the spring to be a factor in the late stages of the Bulldogs' title run. He's worth the investment at this point of the first round.
Chenal isn't for everyone's scheme, but any of Belichick's disciples will love the skill set he brings to the table. The Wisconsin product has the block-beating ability and football IQ to seamlessly replace Dont'a Hightower. He recorded the highest run-defense grade and second-highest pass-rushing grade among linebackers in college football last year.
Levi Wallace led Buffalo's corners in snaps played and will be an unrestricted free agent next month. Meanwhile, the team's top cornerback (Tre'Davious White) is recovering from a torn ACL. While you can never have too many talented cornerbacks, McDuffie could be off the board much earlier than this and would be a wise choice for the Bills.
There will be debates in draft rooms across America, trying to figure out the sweet spot for Davis. Back in the day, he might have been a top-10 pick. But how much value is there now for a massive, space-devouring nose tackle who averaged 25 snaps per game? The Bills have a decent nucleus up front but could unleash Ed Oliver more as a three-technique and let the 6-foot-6, 365-pound Davis occupy blockers and shut down the run game.
The Bills have a surprising amount of needs for a perennial playoff contender, so this pick will be about maximizing value at any number of positions. This scenario gives them the chance to add an athletic, versatile playmaker for the interior of their defensive line in Leal, who has limitless upside.
The Bills' depth issues at cornerback were made very clear once Tre'Davious White got injured. Things aren't about to get better, either, with Levi Wallace hitting the open market. If Buffalo can find a solid CB2 opposite White, with Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde patrolling at safety, the secondary would be downright scary. Booth is a press corner with a smooth backpedal and great ball skills, but he can play off-man and zone, too. He picked off three passes in 2021 for the Tigers and would fit in nicely with a team ready to win a Super Bowl.
The Bills surrendered 19 touchdowns on the ground last season. To put that in perspective, the four teams that allowed more -- the Lions, Chargers, Jaguars and Jets -- lost an average of 12 games.
Defensive-minded coach Sean McDermott might appreciate a monster in the middle, such as the massive Davis to help shore up one of the few glaring holes for this Super Bowl contender.
He had eight sacks among 52 QB pressures in 2021. Buffalo's aging D-line is poised to be stripped of its depth in free agency, but Ebiketie and 2021 rookies Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham could form a next-gen nucleus up front.
With 32-year old Cole Beasley getting a bit old for the position and 34-year old Emmanuel Sanders slated for free agency (and also getting old), the Bills opt here to upgrade their already strong pass catcher corps. Dotson can play all over the formation, runs sharp routes, and perfectly complements the team's Stefon Diggs–Gabriel Davis duo. Getting more playmakers for Josh Allen can't be a bad thing.
A potential top 10 pick before an ACL injury in the national championship game, Jameson Williams falls into a great situation with the Bills. His speed--before and after the catch--will open this offense up and allow the team to move on from pending free agents at the receiver position.
Levi Wallace is a pending free agent and Tre'Davious White is coming off an injury, so grabbing an athletic, NFL-sized corner like Booth is an easy projection.
McDuffie is the best pure zone corner in the class and one heck of a tackler. That would fit in perfectly with the Bills. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound corner missed only six of 101 tackle attempts in his career.
Injuries decimated the Baltimore roster in 2021, but center Bradley Bozeman had a solid season. The problem? He's now a free agent and could get more money on the open market. The Ravens could turn to the draft for his replacement, and if Linderbaum is on the board at No. 14, they would upgrade. Linderbaum is pro-ready right now -- he already has great technique and is already a great run and pass-blocker. This one makes a ton of sense.
Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there.
Good players just seem to fall to the Ravens in the draft, right? That is the case here because it wouldn't surprise me if Walker ends up being one of the best defensive players from this draft class. With players like Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams set to hit free agency, the Ravens' defensive line could look very different in 2022.
What McDuffie lacks in size -- 5-foot-11, 195 pounds -- he makes up for in short-area quicks and polish. On 296 coverage snaps in 2021, he allowed just 16 catches from 36 targets for 111 yards and zero touchdowns, earning an impressive 88.7 PFF coverage grade in the process.
With aging veterans Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee hitting free agency and Tyus Bowser expected to miss significant time with an Achilles injury, the Ravens need a pass rusher. Like rookie Odafe Oweh, his former teammate at New Jersey's Blair Academy, the 6-5, 250-pound Ojabo is a raw prospect with outstanding athleticism and speed. He racked up 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles this season.
Keeping Lamar Jackson upright remains a priority and the way the Ravens' offensive line got hit with injuries this season makes bringing in somebody like Green with five-tool versatility a priority.
You might want to constantly replenish the talent on your offensive line if running the football is your team's identity. Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. He developed into a dominant pass protector this season and could end up cracking the top-10 in April.
A singularly calamitous spate of injuries this past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though true centers seldom earn this consideration -- the last to be taken in the top 15 picks was Steve Everitt to the Browns in 1993 -- Linderbaum is a uniquely talented blocker who can unlock even more possibilities in the Ravens' diverse run game.
The Ravens could a number of directions with this pick, but nothing can be more meaningful than adding to the offensive line with the return of a healthy Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins in 2022. They need an answer at right tackle and Trevor Penning is a perfect fit.
A massive, road-grading blocker, Penning is the type of offensive lineman we've seen Baltimore gravitate toward in the past. He could help stabilize the tackle spot, especially if Ronnie Stanley returns to form after his latest injury.
Buffalo doesn't have many holes on its roster, but Tre'Davious White's season-ending knee injury in November put the focus on its cornerback depth. This late in the first round, teams are hoping for rookie starters, but they'll also take high-upside prospects who could grow into starters in time. McDuffie can cover wideouts outside or from in the slot, so the versatility is a plus. He was very good in man coverage for the Huskies. I also thought about a guard here, and the Bills' running backs were disappointing again in 2021, even though Devin Singletary had a couple of good games to end the season. This is a little too high for a back on my board, but we could see risers after the combine, so keep an eye out.
Giving a weapon like Williams to Josh Allen and the Bills' offense hardly seems fair. Wide receiver isn't at the top of the Bills' needs, but it would be tough to pass on Williams' talent if he were to fall this far due to his recent torn ACL. Teams will have more information about his knee and surgery at the scouting combine.
Jordan Davis could very well go higher in the actual draft come April, but the 6-foot-6, 340-pounder's lack of pass-rushing prowess ultimately drops him to the back end of the first round in this mock. He's only managed 30 career pressures and totaled just 14 in the 2021 season. Of course, his ability to two-gap and positively affect the run game every time he takes the field should ultimately draw interest in the first round.
Linebacker Matt Milano is a star, but former first-round pick Tremaine Edmunds has been a disappointment for the Bills. The 6-3, 235-pound Lloyd, who was named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year after recording 110 tackles this season, grades well in run defense, pass coverage and as a blitzer.
Sean McDermott is going to need some reinforcements in the front seven this offseason and Thomas' ability to wreak havoc will turn him into a draft darling. He's got the size to move around the front and would slot in nicely next to the pieces already on the Bills' roster.
The Bills will look to reinforce both lines this offseason. Johnson is capable of being three-down player as a potentially elite run defender and an underrated pass rusher.
Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane built the NFL's top-ranked defense by finding value across the board, which is what they could do here with Booth. Aggressive both when finding the ball in the air and against the run, he would make a worthy counterpart to Tre'Davious White.
The Bills get a running back to add a physical element to their offense. Kenneth Walker kind of plays like a diet version of Marshawn Lynch, which would help Buffalo be less reliant on Josh Allen's legs to convert short yardage for them.
The guard situation in Buffalo has been a revolving door over the last two seasons and that's not ideal when you have so much invested in Josh Allen as the franchise quarterback.
Zion Johnson fits the Bills perfectly. Starting off as a non-scholarship football player at Davidson, Johnson transferred to Boston College and quickly became an impact starter and continued to improve across three seasons. He's a physical blocker with excellent technique that could immediately stabilize the left guard position while offering positional flexibility.
Cleveland has invested a lot of money into the offensive guards and tackles. Center is one position where they could save towards the salary cap and upgrade. J.C. Tretter has been solid this year but Linderbaum would thrive in a wide zone scheme.
Leal is an athletic 6-foot-4, 290 pounder, whose quick, balanced feet enhance his ability to hold his base and shift weight when battling at the line of scrimmage. Leal can operate effectively from various defensive alignments, regardless of whether he is positioned inside (3-technique), or along the edge of the line (5-technique). Cleveland may lose some talented defensive linemen due to free agency and Leal's ability to play along the defensive front would make him invaluable for a frugal franchise.
The Dawg Pound get a true Dawg to root for in Jordan Davis. He could have declared after the 2020 season, but stuck around for a shot at a national title. Davis is a physical monster (6-6, 340) who commands double teams on virtually every snap.
The Baker Mayfield project is stalling out and I have a feeling that if the Cleveland Browns don't get it turned around that Odell Beckham Jr. won't be the only departure. The Browns have a talented roster but need more out of their QB. With this pick, I believe they draft a QB. Desmond Ridder's athleticism will be intriguing for Kevin Stefanski in his run-heavy offense. Plus, Ridder has proven to be a flat-out winner.
Like his teammate Garrett Wilson, Olave is a seasoned route-runner. He's been getting open at one of the highest rates in college football since he stepped into a major role as a sophomore in 2019. Olave's 49 receptions over 10 yards downfield with at least two steps of separation since 2019 are the most in the Power Five by 11 (Wilson is No. 2, for what it's worth). Olave's wheels have led to 19 deep touchdowns over the last three years -- the most in the Power Five by five.
Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, and the Browns have several important decisions to make in the receiver room this offseason, which means they could look to the position with their pick. Wilson, who reminds me of Stefon Diggs, is my WR1 in this class. He has strong hands, shows off unique body control and is a creative route runner with a high-level understanding of how to get open. With general manager Andrew Berry showing that he values age -- Wilson will be 21 when he's drafted -- and production, Wilson checks many of the boxes Cleveland looks for in prospects.
The Everson Griffen situation is heartbreaking but it only magnified Minnesota's immediate need at edge rusher. Drake Jackson is the best prospect at the position on the board.
McDuffie is a patient cornerback who avoids panicking in coverage, displaying unflappable confidence and an elite awareness on the gridiron. He is adept in man or zone schemes and supports the run better than most cornerbacks. A versatile athlete, he consistently demonstrates adequate NFL range when dropping into coverage downfield. Minnesota experiences some lapses in coverage and if they acquire a talent like McDuffie, those miscues should lessen and increase accountability within the defensive secondary.
Everything you read about Leal talks about his versatility. You can put him anywhere along the D-line and he can help you. Already with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL this season, the 6-4, 290-pound Leal can get what he wants, when he wants it.
Jordan Davis is a dominant interior defensive lineman that plays with brute strength. In college, he has shown the ability to bull rush offensive linemen and collapse the pocket. He will immediately help a Minnesota Vikings defense that has failed to slow down opposing offenses' rushing attacks.
Elam dominated so much as an underclassman -- 89.8 and 81.0 coverage grades as a true freshman and sophomore in 2019 and 2020 -- that opposing offenses have largely avoided him in 2021. This year, Elam has been targeted 27 times in seven games, 18 of which came in just two games (Alabama and Samford). In addition, he has allowed only one explosive reception over 15-plus yards while making six plays on the ball. Elam is fantastic at the line of scrimmage in press-man coverage, but he can thrive in multiple schemes.
With Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland on expiring contracts and 2020 third-rounder Cameron Dantzler still developing, Minnesota's long-term outlook at cornerback looks bleak. In past early-round selections at the position, the Vikings' front office has valued versatile cornerbacks who are also consistent run-defenders. Booth is one of the best in this class at both of those, and so he'd check the boxes that the regime has coveted.
Los Angeles has consistently been gashed on the ground this season. Jordan Davis can not only take up space in the middle but apply pressure in pass rushing situations.
The Chargers compete in a division with talented quarterbacks, like Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes and a litany of game breaking receivers. Wideouts like Tyreek Hill, Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and tight ends such as, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and Noah Fant require defensive backs capable of defending these pass catchers. Should Los Angeles pick McCreary, they'll get a player with the skill set to quickly undercut ball carriers and limit how far they get downfield. Ultimately they'll have an unrelenting, physical defensive back with good hands and game changing ability.
It's hard to miss London among other wideouts -- he's a full 6-5 and uses that size and amazing hands and catch radius to grab anything in his area code. And 88 catches in just eight games is a ridiculous number at the college level.
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have been great WRs when fully healthy, but we all know the best ability is availability. The Los Angeles Chargers take playmaker Garrett Wilson with this pick to give them another WR option, especially with the injury histories of both Williams and Allen--and the former being a pending free agent.
"They [Georgia] have a defensive lineman [Jordan Davis] that's 340 pounds and runs better than everybody on this call," said South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer following his team's loss to the Georgia Bulldogs.
Coach Beamer isn't kidding, as Davis is a rare specimen at 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds. The interior defensive lineman has been a force against the run since he stepped foot in Athens in 2018. He has earned an 88.7 run-defense grade while collecting 42 run stops and 14 tackles for loss or no gain. Davis attempted 69 tackles against the run over that span (464 run snaps to be exact) and only missed four.
The Chargers' run defense is still one of the worst in the league -- it ranks 32nd in yards per carry allowed (4.8) and rushing first downs allowed (85). And with Linval Joseph set to become a free agent, the team could look for a younger option. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Davis is an anchor in the middle who could completely change a defense. He has the potential to have a Vita Vea type of effect on a defense, as his presence allows other defenders to roam and make plays.
Atlanta adds a franchise quarterback to eventually replace Matt Ryan. Ryan's presence allows for a natural transition of power when Corral is ready. The Falcons are already equipped with Kyle Pitts and Calvin Ridley.
A massive human (6-6, 340 lbs), Davis is an immovable presence who typically shoves his way past double and triple teamed blockers. He utilizes underrated quickness and herculean strength to wreak havoc along the line of scrimmage dismantling offensive plays before they effectively develop. The Falcons would be ecstatic if Georgia Bulldog, star defensive tackle, Jordan Davis were available when they drafted.
It seems a fait accompli that the Falcons take a QB here, it's really just a question of which type of QB you think best fits them. I feel like Willis' upside, in the right hands, could blossom.
Linderbaum went from a defensive tackle to the best offensive lineman in college football in just two years. He played both sides of the ball in high school and was recruited to play on the interior defensive line, where he logged 18 snaps in his first season. He then flipped to center for the 2019 campaign, where he started and recorded the fifth-best grade in the FBS at the position (81.7). Linderbaum claimed the No. 1 spot in 2020 and is on pace to do the same in 2021, as he owns a 94.9 PFF grade through Week 12. No interior offensive lineman in the class match Linderbaum's movement skills. His athletic profile enabled him to be one of Iowa's top wrestlers as a high schooler.
The Falcons lack foundational pieces on defense, outside of tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback A.J. Terrell, and they have needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Leal is a consistent pressure generator; just check out his tape against Ole Miss on Saturday, when he had seven total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. That's just a snapshot of his next-level projection. Although he likely won't be a defender who gets double-digit sacks in a season, his versatility, strength and ability to disrupt dropbacks are areas that Atlanta lacks up front.
The Ravens signed 33-year-old (in September) Alejandro Villanueva to start opposite Ronnie Stanley, but the team still needs a longer-term replacement for Orlando Brown. Nelson enters his true junior season as a three-year starter at left tackle, but he could become the team's starting right tackle in 2022 (or 2023). In addition, Nelson's left tackle versatility would provide insurance for the Ravens in the event that Stanley misses time in the future like he did last season.
With additions to the edges this draft cycle, as the Baltimore Ravens added Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes in the 2021 NFL draft, the Ravens could look to bolster the interior next draft cycle.
That could make Jordan Davis from Georgia an ideal fit. Davis does the bulk of his damage against the run, but his ability to align at both 1-technique and 3-technique could make him an intriguing option for NFL defenses. If he starts to be more of a factor attacking the passer, watch out.
While he's not quite the Bosas or Chase Young, Harrison is next in the Ohio State defensive end pipeline. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder earned an 86.6 pass-rushing grade as a sophomore in 2020.
Despite losing Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens' only offensive line addition in the draft was a guard in the third round (Ben Cleveland). They signed Alejandro Villanueva, but he isn't a long-term solution. The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Walker has 22 starts at left tackle in college, and the Maryland native could step into a starting role on the right side opposite Ronnie Stanley.
Linderbaum was recruited as a defensive lineman, but switched to the offensive line during bowl prep of his freshman season and has never looked back. He heads into the fall as the top center in college football.
Over the last two seasons, Salyer has lined up at left tackle, right tackle and left guard, and it will be interesting to see where he lines up as a senior. It doesn't always look pretty, but his wide base and natural power help him overwhelm defenders.
Davis is an enormous human being who can clog running lanes all day long, but he'll need to expand his pass-rush repertoire (mostly because he's only needed brute strength to beat most of the O-linemen that lined up in front of him).
A team can never be too deep in the trenches, especially not in the AFC North. Defensive linemen Calais Campbell will also see his deal expire after 2021, so it's possible the Ravens will have a legitimate hole to fill along the DL anyway. Davis was a stud for the Tigers as a freshman, ripping off 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. An ankle injury put a damper on Davis' 2020 season a bit, however, and he was not quite able to continue his upward trajectory. Expect Davis, a powerful DT with a red-hot motor, to get back on track in 2021 with a cleaner bill of health.
Both Marshon Lattimore, who will play on the fifth-year option, and Patrick Robinson are scheduled to become free agents next offseason. Especially if they aren't able to retain both, they could look to add another corner early in 2022. Gardner (6-2, 188) is a long corner with natural playmaking abilities -- three interceptions in each of his first two seasons for the Bearcats.
The football world awaits the camp battle between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to determine the successor after the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees. But with rumblings that the New Orleans Saints were looking to move up in the first round a few days ago, potentially to draft a quarterback if the one they liked was available, QB might be a position to watch for the Saints next spring.
Kedon Slovis, the USC passer, might be the kind of QB to catch Sean Payton's eye. Through 18 career games for the Trojans Slovis has posted a completion percentage of 70.0%, along with 5,423 passing yards, 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, giving him a career NCAA Passing Efficiency mark of 158.2. His ball placement and proficiency could be a fit in Payton's offense.
The SEC is loaded with corners heading into 2021, and Emerson's game deserves more love. He broke up 12 of his 59 targets as a sophomore this past season and only allowed 33 catches for 306 yards. He's a long playmaker on the outside at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds.
Despite it being a big need, the Saints waited until Round 7 to draft a receiver last week (Kawaan Baker). Their current WR depth chart beyond Michael Thomas has Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway in starting roles, and regardless of who the quarterback is, the Saints need receiving help. Pickens is a 6-foot-3 receiver with 14 TDs over the past two seasons. He tore his ACL in March, but he is still a top receiver in the class and could return late in the season for a final draft push.
Davis would've likely been the first defensive tackle selected this year had he left school -- Christian Barmore was selected by the Patriots in the second round with the 38th overall pick.
Battle became a full-time starter as a sophomore last season and didn't disappoint, earning high marks from the coaches for his play versus the run and the pass. Safeties have been shut out of the first round each of the last two years, but players like Hamilton and Battle will try to change that next spring.
Jobe doesn't come into the '21 season with the recognition of, say, Patrick Surtain II or even Trevon Diggs, but he's a long CB who plays at Alabama and has more than held his own against some of the best players in the country.
Daniels is not yet a first-round lock, but there is a pretty decent chance he gets to that range after the 2021 season. Daniels, a former five-star recruit and freshman starter at USC, came on strong for the Bulldogs down the stretch after returning from a knee injury that took him down in 2019. Though he does not have the strongest arm, Daniels' decision making is sound and he's got the accuracy to be a difference maker. Potentially not having George Pickens at WR this year will hurt, but that UGA offense is well constructed and has some other ball-winners.
