Welcome to #MockDraftSZN everyone! With the Super Bowl wrapped up and the franchise tag window set to open here shortly, let's start to think about what every team needs/wants/dream's about. You can see how terrible I did last season HERE (at least I started out well!), and decide if this is something you want to follow or not. I will try to do 4 total this year (now, post-combine/pre-free agency, post free agency, draft week). This is mostly just for fun and discussion. This year's process is starting late for myself, so this first mock could be all over the place. You can tell me how wrong I am about your favorite team whenever you deem necessary. As always, I will go over the highlights of the mock and will describe my thoughts on other picks in response to comments below. With that, let's get into the mock!
- Hello Nashville! After the Patriots beat the Bills backups in Week 18, Tennessee holds that precious #1 spot this season. This time last year, we knew Caleb Williams was going to go #1 overall, but we weren't convinced the Bears were the team that was going to take him. Not only do we not know if the Titans will shop this pick, I have no idea who the Titans will take if they keep it. I'm not ready to start predicting big, ground breaking trades, so I'm giving them the best edge rusher in this class, and my personal top prospect. Expect this pick to change leading up to draft day.
- I cannot tell you how much I dislike this QB class for QB needy teams. Last year, I felt like the top QBs deserved the praise they were getting, and for the most part, that played out well during the season. I think Cam Ward will be a decent starter in this league, and that's the nicest thing I have to say about any of them. I think the Giants have to take the top one, which is Ward for me, and I think any team that grabs another one is reaching for him in the first round. That includes the Raiders, who I have taking Sanders at 6.
- Last year at this time, I told you the Eagles were my team to watch in the draft, and boy, did Howie and team nail their draft (congrats to them on their Super Bowl victory, as well.) At this moment, I don't have one specific team in mind for draft purposes that I want to keep an eye on, but I do have a team that leading into FA I want to keep close eyes on: the Washington Commanders. After a stellar rookie year from Jayden Daniels, I am intrigued to see how they build around him, and with the cap room to make some moves, I expect them to get a couple of the top FAs. I have them taking WR for now, but we will see how FA goes and if this pick sticks.
- I felt like at this point in time last year, we knew basically who the top 6 or so picks were going to be. At least for right now, I don't have that same sense, which could make this draft fun and exciting. To me, Abdul Carter is the best prospect in the class. Travis Hunter is the most intriguing, but I don't see him playing two-way in the NFL, so which side of the ball do you put him in for? After that, it's a free for all, which could cause teams to move up and down early, but I need to get a better sense of what teams are thinking before I start predicting a lot of movement. With that being said, I only have 1 trade early. In this scenario, I absolutely hate the board for the Ravens at 27. Tennessee knows they are in rebuild mode and Levis may not be their guy of the future. They don't take QB #1 overall, but they trade back up to get a 5th year option on Dart.
