RZ B/R Season 77 Mock Draft 1.0

by adelfish | 2 years ago | 0 Comments

Red Zone Bleacher Report Season 77 Mock Draft 1.0

Welcome to the first mock draft for the upcoming Season 77 draft! We are a little over halfway through the regular season, and the draft order is starting to take shape, along with the top prospects in the class. Let's take a look!
 

#1 - New York Giants: Joe Allen - Quarterback (Oregon)

Not going to overthink this one, the Giants have one of the worst quarterback rooms in the league with Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, they need to start over. Allen is the top quarterback in the class, and will immediately upgrade the Giants offense.

#2 - Houston Texans: Bret Elston - Defensive End (Oregon)

The Texans get the top defensive player in the class, and they really could go anywhere on the defensive line with this pick. Houston's defensive line is lacking star power, and Elston brings a ton of that, with elite power and run defending, he is an all-around stud at the position.

#3 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Tim Fowler - Quarterback (Troy)

There are two quarterbacks that will go in the top five in this draft, the aforementioned Joe Allen, and Tim Fowler. Fowler has all the traits to be a very good quarterback in Red Zone, with great game management skills. He doesn't have the deep ball and arm strength of Allen, but he will be a very good starter in this league. The Steelers quarterback room is abominable, they need a new face.

#4 - New York Giants (from CHI): Sergio Spearman - Defensive End (Wisconsin)

The best quarterback in the class, and maybe the best edge rusher? Spearman is an elite pass rusher, and while he doesn't have the power of Bret Elston, he may be the best pure rusher in the class. Pairing Spearman with Kayvon Thibodeaux could be a dynamic duo for the cycle.

#5 - Seattle Seahawks: Franklin Goodwin - Cornerback (Syracuse)

This is such a Blueprint pick. I could go two ways on this one, but I think Blue wants to grab the 21 year old stud cornerback in Goodwin, and have his franchise corner for the cycle. Seattle needs help everywhere on defense, and going for the premier position is the move here.

#6 - New York Jets: Justin Peerman - Tight End (Oregon)

I could see Peerman going as early as 4th overall to the Giants to give their new quarterback a top weapon, but he 'falls' to 6 here. Listen, Peerman might be the best player in the draft, but how early is too early for a tight end? At 6, this gives Zach Wilson an elite weapon to go with the young receivers they've added. This would hopefully help slow the turnover issues in New York.

#7 - Carolina Panthers: (from PHI): LaMichael Dodson - Defensive Tackle (Oklahoma State)

A steal here at 7, Dodson has been hyped all season for his elite penetration at the tackle spot, and with the Panthers running a 4-3, they can pair Dodson with Derrick Brown. Is this their biggest need? No, but passing on elite talent is something the smart GMs avoid, and this organization knows a blue chipper when they see one.

#8 - Detroit Lions (from LAR): Ben Feeny - Outside Linebacker (Colorado)

Detroit is an up-and-coming team, but needs to continue to build up their young defense. They have the elite pass rusher in Aiden Hutchinson, now they need an athletic linebacker who can drop into coverage and rush the passer; Feeny does all of that and more. Adding Feeny gives them a blue chipper at the linebacker spot, and takes pressure off the Lions secondary.

#9 - Washington Commanders: Jason Neal - Outside Linebacker (Clemson)

Washington has a great offense, and while they could look at continuing to bolster that side of the ball, I think they need more help defensively to push them over the top. Jason Neal is a great rusher with elite strength and power. He could help take the pressure off Chase Young, and unlock more pressure for this Commanders' front.

#10 - Indianapolis Colts: Matt Patchett - Right Tackle (USC)

The Colts shockingly are picking in the top ten in this mock, and their roster has been exposed this season. I believe Astin goes best player available, so why not take the top offensive lineman? The Colts have Nelson locked in for the forseeable future, so taking the top tackle and kicking him to left tackle could really solidify this unit to protect whoever is playing quarterback.

#11 - Atlanta Falcons: Dom Webber - Defensive Tackle (USF)

Atlanta currently allows 173 yards on the ground per game to opposing offenses, they have to upgrade their front seven. Dom Webber is one of the best run defenders at his position, adding him is a massive upgrade to a defensive line full of holes.

#12 - Las Vegas Raiders: Justin Camarillo - Defensive End (Texas A&M)

The Raiders have elite edge rushers in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but they need more help on the defensive line. Camarillo is skyrocketting up draft boards, and would be a great fit for a team that is lacking difference makers at this spot.

#13 - Miami Dolphins (from SF): Jon Spears - Right Tackle (Alabama)

Austin Jackson has given up double digit sacks so far this season, and the Dolphins need to provide more time for their quarterback. Jon Spears is one of the best pass blockers in the class, he should slide in as a day one starter.

#14 - Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): Shaq Redmon - Middle Linebacker (Alabama)

This Eagles roster is loaded for the forseeable future, so why not get the best zone coverage linebacker in the draft? Redmon is fantastic for the Crimson Tide, and would fill the biggest hole on this Eagles defense, a unit that currently ranks 21st against the pass.

#15 - Cincinnati Bengals: Evan Parsons - Defensive End (Connecticut)

The Bengals have a lot of needs, especially at the quarterback position, but I see Rondell continuing to upgrade the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line is very solid with D.J. Reader and Trey Hendrickson, so adding a great pass rusher in Parsons could give the Bengals the pair of edge rushers they've been seeking. 

#16 - New England Patriots: Evan McNair - Cornerback (Notre Dame)

Gone are the days of the elite Patriots secondary, as the aging Malcolm Butler and Jalen Mills have been exposed in their age. The Patriots have one great corner in Jonathan Jones, and in a division that loves to pass the ball, I can see them pairing Evan McNair's great size with Jones. McNair is a great all-around defender, with a nose for the football.

#17 - Baltimore Ravens: Mike Chambers - Right Tackle (Texas Tech)

Baltimore's offense has sputtered throughout the season, so upgrading the protection for Lamar Jackson is key, especially to the side he prefers to scramble. In a deep offensive line class, Chambers stands out among the top five tackles. Great combination of pass and run block, along with elite size.

#18 - Houston Texans (from CLE): Josh Logan - Outside Linebacker (Auburn)

I really wanted to go offensive line here, but the Texans have way too many holes in their front seven. Giving them a formidable defense is more important to me at this stage of the rebuild. Adding an elite edge in Logan to pair with the selection of Elston gives the Texans two stars in the front seven, and arguably the best future at the position in the AFC South. These two players make Houston tougher to play against.

#19 - Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Evan Depofi - Right Tackle (Penn State)

Now the Seahawks attack the trenches. The addition of Laremy Tunsil gave the Seahawks a franchise left tackle, now let's bookend that line with a great tackle in Depofi, one of the better run blockers in the class. The Seahawks already have an elite running back and run game, let's continue to build on it.

#20 - Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Barker - Defensive End (Washington State)

I feel like Frank Clark is not long for Kansas City, so finding his eventual replacement is key. Barker is a fanastic power rusher and one of the better run defenders in the class. The Chiefs offense is set, so they continue to build the defense.

#21 - Cincinnati Bengals (from DET): Ty Blake - Offensive Guard (Alabama)

The Bengals did everything they could to upgrade their offensive line last season, but the black sheep of the group is Jackson Carman at left guard. The Bengals have the luxury of adding the best interior blocker in the class in Ty Blake, who gives the Bengals a good starter at all five offensive line spots.

#22 - Buffalo Bills: Travis Clements - Left Tackle (Stanford)

Clements is the top left tackle in the class, and could slide to right tackle to replace David Quessenberry. Clements has everything you want in a good starting lineman; size, strength, and smarts. He is one of my safest picks in the group, and helps the Bills offense protect their MVP quarterback.

#23 - Green Bay Packers: Jeremiah Carradine - Outside Linebacker (Tennessee)

Green Bay continues to upgrade the defense, adding Carradine to pair as an edge rusher with the elite Rashaan Gary. Carradine projects to test off the charts at the combine, and is having a great year at Tennessee in terms of pressuring the quarterback.

#24 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Julian Lamb - Offensive Guard (Oklahoma)

The Buccaneers are in a similar situation to Cincinnati, where they have a great starter at every spot except for left guard. Julian Lamb is the 1B to Ty Blake's 1A, so now the Bucs have a legit star offensive line.

#25 - Carolina Panthers (from NO): Matt Irving - Middle Linebacker (N.C. State)

The Panthers upgrade the defense again, this time adding one of the better run stopping linebackers in the draft. Irving has good athleticism, pairing with his great tackling skills. The Panthers continue to build their young front seven.

#26 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Lance Dobson - Wide Receiver (Georgia)

Finally, a receiver! The Jaguars are outperforming their current roster talent, and there are holes all over this roster. I like the idea of grabbing another weapon for Trevor Lawrence, and Dobson is my favorite receiver in the group. Good all around route running, and is the most reliable.

#27 - Arizona Cardinals: Larry McKenzie - Right Tackle (USC)

Same story for the Cardinals as it was for Baltimore, protecting Kyler Murray is key, especially to the side he prefers to scramble. McKenzie is another great tackle in a deep class, and is a day one starter for Arizona. 

#28 - Tennessee Titans: Max Barnett - Outside Linebacker (Penn State)

Tennessee needs help stopping the run, so they grab one of the best run defending linebackers. Barnett does not offer much as a pass rusher, but he is a relaible 3 down linebacker that can drop into coverage against tight ends, and stuff the run.

#29 - Minnesota Vikings: Eric Lewis - Cornerback (TCU)

I doubt Lewis makes it this far, but the Vikings would be thrilled to get him here. The weakness of this Vikings defense is their secondary, especially the cornerback position. Lewis is a great zone defender that can cover a lot of ground. He would provide some much needed athleticism to the Vikes' secondary.

#30 - Miami Dolphins: Danny Harris - Defensive End (Vanderbilt)

The Dolphins upgrade on the defensive line, adding Harris to join Emmanuel Ogbah on this much improved Dolphins defense. Harris is a great run defender, and will never wow you with his ability to get to the quarterback. Look for him to dominate the combine on the bench press.

#31 - Philadelphia Eagles (from LAC): Randy Brooks - Quarterback (Kansas State)

Randy Brooks sneaks into the bottom of the 1st round, as the Eagles are looking for their Jalen Hurts replacement, and want the 5th year option on Brooks' deal. Brooks has elite arm talent, and stands tall in the pocket against the rush. He reminds me a lot of Joe Burrow in terms of his physical traits. The question is, can you deal with the growing pains of developing him? He is a very raw thrower of the football. The Eagles are looking for lightning in a bottle, Brooks might be it.

#32 - Indianapolis Colts (from DAL): Duane Thompkins - Outside Linebacker (Louisville)

Rounding out the 1st round is linebacker Duane Thompkins, who is one of the best pass coverage linebackers in the class. Indy needs help all over their defense, and bringing in a premier pass coverage linebacker will help slow opposing tight ends and running backs, something that has killed them all year.