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The first mock draft of the year is always special: which guys did you have the right feel for early on? Which guys were you completely wrong about? Even though you’ve been seeing mock drafts from a rotating cast of staff writers here at Whole Nine Sports, this is my first one of the season. Feel free to hold me accountable, now or in April.
(Note from the founder: Before we get into the mock, thank you for reading! If you have any feedback or are interested in writing for Whole Nine Sports email Bolsen@Wholeninesports.com or contact us on Twitter @WholeNineSports or @WNS_Brandon. We have positions open for fantasy football, gambling, college football, the NFL Draft, and the NFL. No experience required!)
1.1 Cincinnati Bengals
The pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
The Bengals seem ready to move on from Andy Dalton, and Burrow is the top quarterback in this class. He has the arm strength to make all of the NFL throws, and leadership qualities you look for in a franchise QB.
1.2 Washington Redskins
The pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Washington have their franchise QB in Dwayne Haskins Jr., making this an obvious selection. Young is a pass rusher you can build an entire defense around and will pair nicely with Montez Sweat.
1.3 New York Giants
The pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
New York has their quarterback, their running back, now they need to protect them, making this pick an easy one.
Others considered: Isaiah Simmons
1.4 Miami Dolphins
The pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Despite the hip injury, Tua remains a top 5 talent and the second-best Quarterback option in this class, and the leader Miami needs.
Others considered: Jerry Jeudy
1.5 New York Jets
The pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Sam Darnold needs help on offense, and a top of the line pass catchers is just what the doctor ordered.
Others considered: Tristan Wirfs, Jeffrey Okudah
1.6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The pick: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Yeah, Eason is my QB3. Jameis Winston is up to 20 interceptions on the season, and Tampa Bay can’t be satisfied with that, especially given the talent at receiver with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Bruce Arians (The QB whisperer) gets a big arm to mold in Eason.
Others considered: Jeffrey Okudah, Jonathan Taylor
1.7 Denver Broncos
The pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Denver was seconds from taking Devin Bush in the draft, until Pittsburgh swooped in and offered them a trade, they couldn’t say no to. Simmons, a converted safety steps into the middle of the defense and gives them the playmaker they desperately need.
Others considered: CeeDee Lamb, Tristan Wirfs
1.8 Atlanta Falcons
The pick: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Atlanta’s defense has stepped up in recent weeks, but Derrick Brown is a top five talent and difficult to pass up at 8. He steps in and makes that defensive line an absolute force right away.
Others considered: Jonathan Taylor, A.J. Epenesa
1.9 Arizona Cardinals
The pick: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Arizona needs to disrupt the passer on a more consistent basis if they want to compete against the likes of Goff, Wilson, and Jimmy G. Epenesa is a bully on the edge that gets after the quarterback.
Others considered: Jonathan Taylor, Jeffrey Okudah
1.10 Detroit Lions
The pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Another target for Stafford in Detroit. Lions fans are getting to the point where they want to start seeing some playoff victories out of their veteran QB, and with Kenny Golladay, TJ Hockenson, Marvin Jones and CeeDee Lamb, there’s no excuse anymore.
Others considered: Dylan Moses, Hamsah Nasirildeen
1.11 Jacksonville Jaguars
The pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Nick Foles is not a starter and Gardner Minshew may be a fun story, but he’s not a franchise quarterback. Love is moving up the boards and will test well enough at to make some GM fall in love with him.
Others considered: Henry Ruggs III, Kristian Fulton
1.12 Cleveland Browns
The pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Cleveland needs to protect Baker Mayfield. Period. The pick should be whoever the top lineman is on their board.
1.13 Los Angeles Chargers
The pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Rumor is Philip Rivers is done in LA after this season, leaving a gaping hole at quarterback. Herbert has all the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL, he just has to get the mental aspect under control.
1.14 Oakland Raiders (CHI)
The pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The Antonio Brown project was an abject failure. Ruggs gives Derrek Carr a receiver that is able to take the top off of a defense, and he reunites with Alabama teammate Josh Jacobs.
Others considered: Tyler Biadasz
1.15 Philadelphia Eagles
The pick: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Philadelphia’s receiver situation has been in flux all season. Higgins gives Wentz a potential number one that he can trust.
Others considered: Javon Kinlaw, Dylan Moses
1.16 Miami Dolphins (PIT)
The pick: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Miami gets a quarterback, and now they get a running back. The offense is coming along nicely.
Others considered: Laviska Shenault Jr.
1.17 Tennessee Titans
The pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Tennessee needs a cornerback to play across from Logan Ryan with Adoree’ Jackson in the slot, and Fulton is CB1 left on the board here.
Others considered: Yetur Gross-Matos
1.18 Carolina Panthers
The pick: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Nasirildeen steps in day one and gives Carolina a safety they can trust, and one that automatically becomes one of the team’s best tacklers.
Others considered: Laviska Shenault Jr.
1.19 Jacksonville Jaguars (LAR)
The pick: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
After trading Jalen Ramsey, there’s a hole at cornerback. An argument can be made for Adebo being the top CB in the class. The fit is perfect.
1.20 Oakland Raiders
The pick: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Kinlaw and Hurst in the middle? Yikes. Look out AFC West quarterbacks.
Others considered: Dylan Moses
1.21 Dallas Cowboys
The pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Robert Quinn is getting up there in age and won’t play forever. Gross-Matos is the best pass rusher in the class (I said what I said) and will excel with DeMarcus Lawrence commanding all of the double teams.
Others considered: Laviska Shenault Jr.
1.22 Indianapolis Colts
The pick: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Marlon Mack is having a breakout season, eliminating the immediate need for running back. The biggest hole on the team could possibly be another linebacker to play next to Darius Leonard, and Moses is hard to pass on in the 20’s.
Others considered: D’Andre Swift
1.23 Kansas City Chiefs
The pick: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
As if this offense needs more help, however since losing Kareem Hunt, the running back position hasn’t been solidified by any one player. Swift does that.
Others considerea: AJ Terrell
1.24 Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Think Minnesota misses their big men in the middle of the defense? Davis and Linval Joseph will have Vikings fans reminiscent of days past in all the best ways.
1.25 Miami Dolphins (HOU)
The pick: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Shenault Jr. rounds out the big three that will lead Miami into the future (Tua, Taylor). This offensive core immediately becomes a threat to score every time they have the ball.
Others considered: Tyler Biadasz
1.26 Buffalo Bills
The pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Josh Allen needs a big target. Justin Jefferson is a big target. That is all.
Others considered: Jedrick Wills
1.27 Green Bay Packers
The pick: Marvin Wilson, DL, Florida State
Wilson is a big body that can handle the nose but is quick enough to also play End in Green Bay’s 3-4, helping that run defense.
Others considered: Kenneth Murray, AJ Terrell
1.28 Seattle Seahawks
The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Gone is the Legion of Boom, in steps Marquise Blair and Xavier McKinney. The pair gives Seattle one of the league’s top secondaries.
Others considered: Jedrick Wills
1.29 Baltimore Ravens
The pick: Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Baltimore doesn’t really have many holes. Anywhere. But getting after the quarterback is one thing they could get better at. Robinson is a formidable pass rusher that is also excellent at setting the edge in the run game.
Others considered: K’Lavon Chaisson
1.30 New Orleans Saints
The pick: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Michael Thomas is the best receiver in the league. Reagor is the perfect complement. End of story.
Others considered: Kenneth Murray
1.31 New England Patriots
The pick: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Tom Brady can’t play until he’s 50 (I think……I don’t really know). Jalen Hurts just feels right in New England.
Others considered: Bryce Hall
1.32 San Francisco 49ers
The pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Wide receiver may seem like the big need in San Francisco, but Deebo Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders have paired nicely since the trade and should be the top 2 next seasons. In the meantime, Murray is hard to pass up and looks nice in that defense. He is a mean linebacker that will play across from Fred Warner and hold down the middle of the defense.
