Season 75 RZBR Mock Draft
by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
Red Zone Bleacher Report Season 75 Mock Draft
Welcome to draft day Red Zone!! We have arrived at the greatest time of the year, when everyone is 0-0 and hope around the league is palpable. Our second annual mock draft is going to dive into the first 32 picks, and see where we think these teams are headed. Enjoy!
#1 - New York Jets: Vernon Jordan - Quarterback
Yes, I have the Jets passing on Danny Carpenter AND Barry Nolan, the consensus top two quarterbacks all year long, for the upside of Vernon Jordan. The Jets NEED a home run here, they can't settle for being 'safe' at the quarterback position for the last two seasons of the cycle, and Vernon Jordan brings massive upside. He has the best arm in the class, and is the best deep ball thrower. He would come in and immediately upgrade the Jets to a downfield passing attack.
#2 - Green Bay Packers: Forfeited Due to Suspension
#3 - Minnesota Vikings (from Browns): Jonathan Dunn - Defensive End
The Vikings experienced a tumultuous season in Season 75 that saw them blown out in the divisional round against the Cardinals, and go through a wholesale change on offense. Cole Rinehart is the future in Minnesota, and the Vikes are satisfied with their offense. I see them going for the best edge rusher in the class in terms of athleticism, and that is Jonathan Dunn. He brings the most upside after testing off the charts at the combine, and would excel on a defensive line with Danielle Hunter and Larry Green.
#4 - New York Giants: Melo Alexander - Cornerback
The Giants failed to address their cornerback needs in last year's draft by passing on Devon Witherspoon in favor of quarterback Manny Myers, so this year they take the top corner in Melo Alexander, who is a better prospect. Alexander is the best all-around athlete in the class at the position, and has elite coverage skills for just 21 years old. He would be a massive upgrade for the Giants. I think they will be tempted to take another swing at quarterback, but this is the right pick.
#5 - Indianapolis Colts: Trent Mitchell - Left Tackle
Trent Mitchell has been the top player in this class since the first mock draft was released, and somehow he falls into the laps of the Colts at 5, and taking him gives the Colts an argument for best offensive line in the league. Mitchell is a near perfect prospect, and the best tackle to come into Red Zone in some time. They will be tempted to upgrade at edge rusher, but I think the Colts take the tremendous value here and further foritfy their protection for Jalen Hurts.
#6 - Denver Broncos: Danny Carpenter - Quarterback
Denver takes another quarterback! Danny Carpenter is a consensus top quarterback in this class, and is a very safe bet to play well in Red Zone. The Broncos decide to move from the Dak Prescott era into the Carpenter era.
#7 - Pittsburgh Steelers (from Rams): Jeff Towns - Defensive Tackle
The Steelers have three 1st round picks, and after trading away superstar rusher T.J. Watt, and letting Stephon Tuitt leave in free agency, it is time to usher in a new era of defensive fronts in Pittsburgh. They'll start with a defensive tackle in Jeff Towns, who has tons of upside as a 3 down defensive tackle. He will be the new man in the middle of this defensive line.
#8 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Nate Jacobs - Outside Linebacker
First the Steelers solidify their defensive line, and then the Steelers grab a high upside edge rusher in Nate Jacobs, who has flown up draft boards the past few weeks. He tested off the charts at the combine, and has highly skilled pass rush moves for a 21 year old. He is no T.J. Watt (nobody is), but he could be the next dynamic edge rusher in Pittsburgh to chase the likes of Lamar Jackson and Zach Wilson.
#9 - New York Jets (from Seahawks): Kai Hillman - Wide Receiver
Kai Hillman is my personal top receiver in the class, and is the best deep threat of all the wideouts. The Jets desperately need a difference maker at the wide receiver position, as their top two wideouts are more of possession players. Hillman will take the top of opposing defenses, and since we are following this mock, the Jets just drafted the best deep ball thrower in the class. Pair him with Hillman, and fireworks are heading to New York.
#10 - Philadelphia Eagles: Dalton Richard - Cornerback
There are four cornerbacks who project to go in the 1st round, and luckily for the Eagles here, they get to swing at one of them. I think they will be very tempted by taking a safety as well, which I wouldn't necessarily disagree with. The Eagles need secondary help everywhere, and Richard is an immediate upgrade for them at corner.
#11 - Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cowboys): Hugh Bass - Wide Receiver
If the Jaguars leave the 1st round without helping Trevor Lawrence, it is general manager malpractice. I know they are going to look hard at safety here, as the Jaguars are a very 'best player available' organization, but they NEED playmakers. Hugh Bass is a 6'4 stud who can go up and get the ball anywhere, he would be an elite threat in the red zone, and give the Jags another dimension on offense with Jeff Chaney and the addition of Mark Andrews.
#12 - Carolina Panthers: Will Edmonds - Outside Linebacker
Carolina had problems defensively last year, and was the main reason for their downfall, not the retirement of Christian McCaffrey. Will Edmonds may be the best pure edge rusher in the class, but lacks that eye-popping athleticism of Nate Jacobs. The Panthers need pass rush help, and Edmonds brings a ton of versatility.
#13 - San Francisco 49ers (from Bears): Alonzo Payton - Defensive Tackle
The 49ers also have three 1st round picks in this draft, and with minimal roster holes, they can afford to take swings at adding special players to push for another RZ Bowl run. Alonzo Payton would start next to Javon Kinlaw at defensive tackle, and add more pass rush power to an already elite rotation.
#14 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Phillip Wilford - Safety
See! The Jaguars can still take defense!! After taking a wideout at 11, the best safety in the class is still available for the Jaguars at 14, and Wilford will pair up with Jamal Adams for an elite duo. Wilford could easily be a top ten selection, he is the best cover safety in the draft and has very high upside.
#15 - San Francisco 49ers (from Saints): Tre Adkins - Cornerback
Why not grab a cornerback here? As mentioned earlier, there are four really good corners in this draft, and the 49ers continue to stockpile defensive pieces for another title run. Adkins lacks size with his 5'9 frame, but has elite athleticism and is a fesity man coverage corner. He would excel in the slot for San Francisco.
#16 - Los Angeles Chargers: Antwuan Beckett - Outside Linebacker
The Chargers have one of the best defensive end pairing in Myles Garrett and Joey Bosa, and will look to add another threat off the edge in linebacker Antwuan Beckett. If there is one thing you can't have enough of in Red Zone it's pass rush, and Beckett adds another tool to the toolbox of the Chargers already impressive front.
#17 - Miami Dolphins: Nick Baldwin - Defensive End
The Dolphins defensive front had undergone a makeover the last two seasons, and the regression of Jadeveon Clowney will push the Dolphins into the defensive end market. Thankfully for them, there are a lot of good ones. Nick Baldwin jumps off the page with his athleticism, and is thought by many to be the best run defending lineman in the class. He fills a huge need for Miami.
#18 - Las Vegas Raiders: Marcus Simmons - Defensive End
The Raiders are in cap hell, and just traded away superstar rusher Maxx Crosby to free up space and add another cheaper contract. The Raiders need to replace pass rush production, and Marcus Simmons is a very talented rusher, and excelled in the film room during the combine. He joins an already talented front with Jonathan Allen and Jamie Chavez.
#19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ramon Bramble - Offensive Tackle
The Buccaneers are an aging roster with a new coaching staff, but I still think the upgrades this team needs is on the offensive side of the ball, and that starts with upgrading protection for Jeff Rushing. Bramble in another year would be going way higher than this, but the depth of the defensive line class has pushed offensive lineman down. He is a day 1 starter at left tackle for the Bucs.
#20 - New England Patriots: Stan Franklin - Center
Tremendous value for the Patriots at a position of massive need, Stan Franklin is the best center in the class, and a top 10 overall player on my big board. He is a day one starter and further solidifies an improving Patriots offense.
#21 - Atlanta Falcons: Quincy Snead - Offensive Guard
The Falcons have a very talented defense, and have the right quarterback/running back combination to lead them to another NFC South title, but they need to upgrade the protection. Snead is the best guard in the class, and fills an immediate need for the Falcons. Steal here.
#22 - Buffalo Bills: Josh Matthews - Defensive End
The rich get richer, as Buffalo's loaded defense adds another rotational piece to help Michael Jones and company. I could easily see Matthews going earlier, but the depth at the defensive line position will see someone fall down, and Buffalo definitely has a need to add another rusher. Matthews has that quick twitch that scouts look for, and elite straight line speed. He can get after the quarterback with tenacity.
#23 - Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Alan Dunbar - Cornerback
Alan Dunbar is the best press corner in the draft, and excels at defending the run. The Chiefs have a legitimate #1 corner in L'Jarius Sneed, but need depth behind him. Dunbar may battle for the #2 cornerback job, and brings a big upgrade into that cornerback room.
#24 - Pittsburgh Steelers (from Commanders): Alex Weaver - Outside Linebacker
Why not? The Steelers take a third defensive player, and their second edge rusher of the draft. Weaver and Jacobs would be two of the most athletic edge rushers paired together in the league, and could grow into a formidable duo. The Steelers honestly don't have many glaring needs outside of their front seven, so I could see them attacking the draft this way.
#25 - Minnesota Vikings: Ron Barnett - Outside Linebacker
The edge rushers continue to fly off the board, as the Vikings take another pass rush threat to add to their front seven. Barnett is a very intriguing prospect, his physical intangibles have pushed him up draft boards, and his improved pass rush moves throughout his collegiate career have shown continuous commitment to growing his game. The Vikings simply have to improve their rush, and adding two blue chip pass rushers feels like the best way for them to get back to the Super Bowl.
#26 - Houston Texans: Dalton Baker - Defensive Tackle
With a new coaching staff in Houston, who knows which way they will go? I am confident that the offense is pretty set, and the biggest need for me seems to be the middle of this defensive line. Dalton Baker is a very safe pick, he is a filmroom geek, and he was consistently the most prepared defensive tackle in all pre-draft interviews. He would be a day one starter for Houston.
#27 - Detroit Lions: Zach Bruggerman - Center
The Lions lost some key pieces on the offensive line, and in this mock they bring in the best all-around run blocker in the class. Bruggerman is a bulldozer at center, and will fit the identity of the Motor City Kitties perfectly.
#28 - Kansas City Chiefs: Taylor Spurlock - Defensive End
The Chiefs continue to add more to their defense, and I think Spurlock would be a perfect fit in this defense. He didn't wow anyone at the combine, but his fundamentals and game tape were phenomenal. He could be one of the gems of this defensive line group.
#29 - Green Bay Packers (from Bengals): Walter Hoover - Defensive End
Once again, the crazy depth of the defensive lineman shows, as Hoover is at the bottom of the 1st round and may be the best power rusher in the class. What he lacks in flashy upside that some of the other rushers do, he brings consistency in run defense. The Packers need help in their front seven, and Hoover brings some attitude.
#30 - Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Alexander - Middle Linebacker
The Cardinals are in a great position - they really don't have any needs and their roster is almost 100% intact from last year's run to the NFC Championship. Brandon Alexander is the best inside linebacker in the draft, and although the Cardinals don't need him, Keanu Neal is aging and Alexander would be a great addition to an already deep group.
#31 - San Francisco 49ers: Miles Buckley - Outside Linebacker
I love when teams take a chance on elite athletes at the end of the 1st round, and the 49ers have a need for an edge rusher on their defense that can also drop into coverage. Buckley was a combine freak, and despite being very raw from a fundamentals standpoint, is starting to rise up boards simply because of how much ground he can cover.
#32 - Las Vegas Raiders (from Ravens): Rick Davis - Offensive Tackle
The Raiders finish out the mock by upgrading at right tackle. Tyrell Crosby is a replaceable veteran, and the Raiders need to upgrade their offensive line to protect Skillin and claim their identity back as a 'punch you in the mouth' offense. Davis, once again, falls due to the depth of defensive lineman, but would be a mid-1st pick in a normal year. Great value for the Raiders here.