NFL Mock Draft 7.0

Authors | Mark Ellenbogen & Michael Weitzner

It gets a little boring doing NFL Mock Drafts by yourself (if you want to see the last sole mock, click here). So for this mock, we brought in Mark Ellenbogen; he's been dying to do a mock draft and since the real NFL Draft is less than a week away, its time. Here's how this mock draft works: Mark made the selections for all of the odd numbered picks (#1, #3, #5, #7, #9, #11, #13, and so on) and Michael made the selections for all of the even numbered picks (#2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and so on). After making each pick, we wrote a brief explanation of why we made the selection. Early next week, we will be making another joint mock draft but will switch who makes which picks. But for now, ENJOY!

Mark Ellenbogen - Odds

Michael Weitzner - Evens

1.         Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Slam dunk. Bengals will have no interest in trading out of this spot and will select the hometown kid.

2.         Washington Football - Chase Young, Edge, Ohio St.

Google a picture of Chase Young and you’ll understand why he’s the pick. He’s the highest rated player (overall) in this draft.

3.         Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio St.

Okudah makes it three straight Urban Meyer recruits to go off the board to start the draft. Detroit may try and move back to get more picks and still get Okudah, but for now they stay at 3 and replace Darius Slay.

4.         New York Giants - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

This draft has five offensive tackles that are considered above the rest. Wirfs is an athletic freak (yes, as an offensive lineman) and helps give 2019 1st round pick Daniel Jones some extra protection.

5.         Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

There’s been a lot of smoke lately that Justin Herbert will be the pick, but I’m not buying it. When healthy, Tagovailoa is the best QB in this draft. Miami passed on Drew Brees many years ago because of an injury and they shouldn’t let lightning strike twice.

6.         Los Angeles Chargers - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Draft. Is he a safety? Maybe. Is he a linebacker? Possibly. Should he play on the line of scrimmage? Perhaps. But if there is a time that’s willing to take an athlete and find a position for him, it's the Chargers.

7.         Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn

Brown is a disruptive force in the interior defensive line and Carolina can use someone to help shore up their run defense.

8.         Arizona Cardinals - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

The Cardinals have a TON of offensive weapons to help 2019 #1 overall pick Kyler Murray. Wills is the selection to help protect him. Wills is a right tackle and will start day one.

9.         Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

It would be very surprising for Herbert to fall out of the top 10. I don’t think he’ll get past Miami and the Chargers, but Jacksonville scoops him up here after falling in their lap despite going with Gardner Minshew for next year.

10.       Cleveland Browns - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The Browns spent big in free agency and found their starting right tackle in Jack Conklin. This still leaves a gaping hole at left tackle. Andrew Thomas is a true left tackle and will help the Browns protection Baker Mayfield.

11.       New York Jets - Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville

The Jets will either go OL or WR here and because this draft is so deep at WR, they get the last of the consensus top 4 tackles here and will get a weapon for Sam Darnold later.

12.       Las Vegas? Raiders - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

This Draft is absolutely loaded with wide receiver talent. But there are two or three that are head and shoulders above the rest. My favorite is Jerry Jeudy because his route running skills are supreme.

13.       San Francisco 49ers (from IND) - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

San Francisco gets a dynamic receiver to go along with Deebo Samuel as well as George Kittle for Jimmy G.

14.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

While the Bucs need a starting offensive tackle, they need a player who can play right tackle. Without a stud right tackle left, the Bucs boost their secondary and take the top safety in the Draft.

15.       Denver Broncos- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

Denver gets the speedy Ruggs for Drew Lock to throw downfield too. They need someone to pair with Courtland Sutton and Ruggs fills that void.

16.       Atlanta Falcons - Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

After signing edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr, the Falcons get much needed help on the defensive line. But the help doesn’t end there, taking Kinlaw gives an interior presence.

17.       Dallas Cowboys - K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

After losing Robert Quinn in free agency, Dallas bolsters their pass rush with Chaisson opposite Demarcus Lawrence.

18.       Miami Dolphins (from PIT) - Josh Jones, OT, Houston

The Dolphins find their starting left tackle (thank god).

19.       Las Vegas! Raiders (from CHI) - CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Vegas needs help at corner and Henderson, while not the most physical, is very good in coverage.

20.       Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

If only the Jags had a transcendent talent at cornerback who could affect individual games and be a leader on the defense. While Fulton might not be all of those things, he is a talented cornerback who can make an impact right away. 

21.       Philadelphia Eagles- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Philly got so thin at the position by the end of last season, former University of Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. was one of their starters. Jefferson gives Carson Wentz a go-to receiver.

22.       Minnesota Vikings (from BUF) - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Cornerback is one of the many team needs that Minnesota should address in the Draft. Luckily for the Vikings, they are two first round picks. Jeff Gladney can help an ailing secondary that just lost Xavier Rhodes.

23.       New England Patriots- Jordan Love, QB, Utah St.

This one is just too tempting to pass up. Love probably has the highest ceiling, but also the lowest floor of any QB in this draft. He’s raw and will need time, but Belichick will attempt to replace Brady with Love.

24.       New Orleans Saints - Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

The Saints are in win-now mode and have done an incredible job of team building from the previous few drafts and this offseason. That means the Saints can add depth and improve defense.

25.       Minnesota Vikings- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona St.

Minnesota traded Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, so I expect them to try to replace him with one of their first round picks. Aiyuk gives Kirk Cousins another weapon to go with Adam Thielin.

26.       Miami Dolphins (from HOU) - A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa

Miami needs help at almost every position on the field. Epenesa can play inside and as an edge defender; and most importantly, gives Miami an edge setter.

27.       Seattle Seahawks- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn St.

It appears Jadeveon Clowney won’t be back with Seattle so they take Gross-Matos to get pressure on the QB.

28.       Baltimore Ravens - Zack Baun, Edge, Wisconsin

It seems as though the Ravens have lost every single front-7 player in the last two offseasons. Baun can play on the line of scrimmage and as a traditional linebacker, which gives the Ravens flexibility.

29.       Tennessee Titans- Isaiah Wilson, OL, Georgia

Much of Tennessee’s surprising run to the AFC championship game was due to their offensive line and running game with Derrick Henry. They lost Jack Conklin to free agency and get Wilson to be his replacement.

30.       Green Bay Packers - Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

The Packers have an aging but still elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, who seemed to have only one weapon to throw to last season. Shenault is an elite wide receiver prospect but has had some personal issues. Green Bay takes advantage of his fall and get their #2 wide receiver.

31.       San Francisco 49ers- Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan

I think the 9ers are likely to try and trade this pick and acquire a 2nd rounder since they don't have a pick in rounds 2-4, but they take Ruiz here. Weston Richburg, who was their center, suffered a torn patellar tendon and that’s a tough injury to come back from. Ruiz is the top interior lineman in the draft and becomes their starter from day 1.

32.       Kansas City Chiefs - A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

Super Bowl Champions replace the departed Kyle Fuller in the Draft.