So It’s Come to This…Spitball Pub NFL Mock Draft
We tried like hell to fight the urge, but Nick and I couldn’t resist. With the NFL draft still 48 brutal hours away, the armchair GM’s at Spitball Publications couldn’t contain our excitement. It seems that every year draft season is about a week too long, as anticipation reaches a sickening fever pitch where men (and ladies, I’m sure there are dozens of you) of all ages become utterly obsessed with the NFL draft. Thinking we all know best, while realizing that none of us do, mock drafts have become a part of what makes draft season a special kind of crazy.
Today, Nick and I traded-off all 32 picks in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. Nick took all odd selections, and I handled the even numbered picks. Trades were negotiated, friendships were tested and blood was shed, but I think we ended up with a pretty damn decent mock draft.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence | QB | Clemson
Nick Fischetti: So I’m on the clock with Jacksonville and for one pick in this draft I’m unplugging the phones. There’s nothing anyone can offer outside of maybe Patrick mahomes that takes this pick away. Consensus, first overall pick, Trevor Lawrence.
2) New York Jets - Zach Wilson | QB | BYU
Brian Jennings: Another pick that has been set in stone for some time now. Jets general manager Joe Douglas is never one to reject a trade call, but his phone will be busy calling his new franchise QB once the Jets are officially on the clock. Wilson’s off-platform arm talent makes him the most exciting Jets QB to step under center for the franchise since Joe Namath, and a risk worth taking for New York.
3) San Francisco 49ers - Mac Jones | QB | Alabama
Nick: Emphasis on the word WAR bc that’s what’s happening inside the SF war room right now.
The ceiling of Trey Lance has been thrown around for months. There’s screaming, fighting, heads butting, but at the end of the day John Lynch trusts one guy more than anyone. I’m honestly not sure why, but Shanahan gets his man.
4) Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts | TE | Florida
Brian: Though a call did come in with a compelling offer to slide back, it doesn’t seem likely that Atlanta would opt to move out of the top 10 for anything less than what Miami charged the 49ers back in March. With no team willing to meet that price, Atlanta accepts their financial commitment to Matt Ryan by making the only move that greatly improves their chances of winning a Super Bowl with him under center.
5) Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon
Nick: Outside of Lawrence and Wilson, there’s one pick that I feel pretty confident in. Joe Burrow possibly won’t play in 2021 and that might put them right back in the mix for a top flight weapon next year. For this year, they’ll get Burrow’s franchise tackle and he will get hundreds of reps before playing with Burrow. He sat out in 2020, but he is still tackle #1.
6) Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase | WR | LSU
Brian: The fifth and sixth picks in the draft offer a really interesting pressure point for teams looking to trade up for a sliding QB. If Cincy decides to pick with their heart and grab the most dynamic receiver in the draft, I think Miami would be open to moving back a few spots to secure even more picks. In this situation though, I think Miami runs to the podium to get Tua a bonafide #1 WR. I’ve heard rumors that Miami prefers not to draft a player who sat out in 2020, but I have a feeling the talent of Chase will be too good to pass up here.
*****TRADE***** New England trades 2021 1st round pick (15), 2nd round pick (46), 2022 1st round pick & 2022 3rd round pick to Detroit for 2021 1st round pick (7)
7) New England Patriots - Trey Lance | QB | North Dakota State
Nick: Uncle Bill out smarted the competition. By loading up on free agents and having a ton of defense coming back from sitting out a year he knows to slide up here. Belichick trades 15, next years first, this years 46th overall and a third next year for 7. Detroit losing franchise QB Matthew Stafford won’t be hesitant to load up on assets.
So a little surprise here, when everyone thinks they’re moving up for Fields, I still don’t know why but for some reason I see this… Uncle Bill selects Trey Lance.
*****TRADE***** Denver trades 2021 1st round pick (9) and 3rd round pick (71) to Carolina for 2021 1st round pick (8)
8) Denver Broncos - Justin Fields | QB | Ohio State
Nick: Denver slides up one and selects QB from THE Ohio State Justin Fields, stepping into Denver with Cortland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Noah Fant, Jerry Jeudy, a bunch of weapons at his disposal.
9) Carolina Panthers - Jaylen Waddle | WR | Alabama
Brian: After playing their hand exactly as they wanted, Carolina’s smokescreens about wanting to add another QB net them an extra third round pick to build around Sam Darnold. Given the extra pick, it feels like Carolina is in a sweet spot to choose whoever they deem as the BPA. After losing Curtis Samuel in free agency, I think Carolina goes out and replaces him by taking the dynamic Alabama burner.
10) Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain II | CB | Alabama
Brian: It’s possible that Jerry Jones could be tempted by Northwestern man-eater Rashawn Slater as a means of fortifying the offensive line for a returning Dak Prescott, but everyone knows Dallas needs defense in the worst way. I find it hard to believe that the Cowboys will pass on the flashy, big play-ability of Surtain, who becomes the first defensive player off the board.
*****TRADE***** Arizona trades 2021 1st round pick (16), 2022 CONDITIONAL 1st round pick and WR Christian Kirk to NY Giants for 2021 1st round pick (11)
11) Arizona Cardinals - DeVonta Smith | WR | Alabama
Brian: Arizona seems absolutely desperate to add an offensive weapon to help push Kyler Murray to the next level. They don’t have a lot to give in terms of 2021 draft capital with just two picks in the top 150, but playing Cardinals GM I was able to get a bit creative. Offering a 2nd round pick in 2022 that would jump to a first round pick if the Cardinals make the 2021-22 NFC Championship game plus another ready-made weapon for Daniel Jones in Kirk was enough for Nick, doing his best method acting as David Gettleman, to uncharacteristically slide back.
Though there are defensive players the Cardinals very much like with this pick, HC Kliff Kingsbury gets his head here and selects dynamic Alabama WR DeVonta Smith, tailoring their offense around the two dynamic Heisman Trophy winners.
12) Philadelphia Eagles - Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina
Brian: Checking to make sure no season ticket holders are in earshot, Eagles GM Howie Roseman breathes a sigh of relief as Arizona does not take the player the Eagles have targeted with the 12th pick. Though passing on Smith would be difficult to swallow, and a decision that would certainly enrage fans, Arizona’s aggressiveness leaves the Eagles in position to add the type of physical corner they crave. Adding to that the absolutely mad reports that new Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni played rock-paper-scissors with prospects over zoom to test their competitive nature, the highly-competitive Horn seems like a perfect fit for the culture the Eagles want to establish.
13) Los Angeles Chargers - Rashawn Slater | OT | Northwestern
Nick: Now we’re in an interesting situation as Micah Parsons has fallen and is a known stud... but Justin Herbert shocked a lot of people last year and we would be very stupid to not protect our FINEST asset.
Chargers “blow an ACL running to the podium” and select “maneater” Rashawn Slater from Northwestern
14) Minnesota Vikings - Christian Darrisaw | OT | Virginia Tech
Brian: This would be a dream scenario for Minnesota, as the player they reportedly covet is sitting in their laps for the taking. Though many see Slater as the better prospect, the Vikings reportedly have their hearts set on the massive, physical Virginia Tech LT Christian Darrisaw, who to their pleasant surprise makes it past Los Angeles and heads north to Minnesota.
15) Detroit Lions - Micah Parsons | LB | Penn State
Nick: For the Lions, they pulled a ton of assets from NE, and they still got the guy they wanted and probably would’ve taken at seven.
Not only BPA, but huge team need and what seems like instant impact player, Micah Parsons LB out of Penn State.
16) New York Giants - Kwity Paye | EDGE | Michigan
Nick: For the Giants, we gained some assets, we didn’t want to be all in right now even though we are. We wanted to have future assets and that’s what we did, the offense is full of weapons, our secondary is stacked on paper, let’s make them look even better and eat the shitty QBs in the NFC East.
17) Las Vegas Raiders - Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama
Nick: I don’t know why but you got me thinking.
This pick makes too much sense and it’s so Raiders to reach a bit here. Personally, I love the player, I think he’s going to be a dominant tackle for a LONG time. This guys a beast, I believe the smoke, Alex Leatherwood to Oakland.
18) Miami Dolphins - Zaven Collins | LB | Tulsa
Brian: Talk about smoke, a lot has been said in recent days that the Dolphins will use this pick to secure a pass rusher for Brian Flores’ defense. Given the fact that we’ve only seen one (or two, depending on how one views Parsons) pass rusher off the board, I think the Dolphins taking what will essentially be their pick of the litter at this position makes sense. Interesting to note, it’s been reported recently that Tulsa’s Zaven Collins has added close to 20 lbs during the pre draft process has me thinking this already perfect player for what the Dolphins do makes too much sense.
19) Washington F.T. - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame
Nick: First real head scratcher. Washington adding Ryan Fitzpatrick, to me, feels like they’re going to play possession football, eat offenses alive and play ball control. A need is LB and we can go with a killer behind that VICIOUS D line. One of those monster guys who can do it all on the defense front, LB from Notre Dame, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Daniel Jones just shat his pants…
20) Chicago Bears - Alijah Vera-Tucker | OL | USC
Brian: Tough call for the Bears here who, while desperate for a QB, will likely have to settle for building around whoever the long term answer shakes out to be. There’s plenty of reason to believe the Bears could look to bolster their receiving group in the event that fences can’t be mended with Allen Robinson, but the value of adding to a hurting offensive line seems too great to pass up. Chicago goes BPA with the versatile USC stud.
21) Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips | EDGE | Miami
Nick: I’ve had my eye on this guy for Indy for about a month. Colts made a huge move for Carson Wentz and they are going to draft the next most impactful position on the football field.
22) Tennessee Titans - Teven Jenkins | OT | Oklahoma State
Brian: Tennessee is one team that certainly won’t be fielding calls to trade back if the board breaks the way it has here. Inexplicably, the Titans have weathered the run of offensive lineman we should expect in the 13-23 range with their top target still intact. While it’s unconventional for a team to take the same position with back to back first round picks, Isaiah Wilson was no ordinary bust at right tackle this year. With the absolutely mountainous Jenkins still available, there’s no other way for Tennessee to go.
23) New York Jets - Azeez Ojulari | EDGE | Georgia
Nick: This is a scenario that I have played in my head a few times for the Jets. “What if they stay at 23 and lose out on their linemen?”
What’s fun about a first round mock if you’re just throwing picks around that don’t directly impact what you’re doing?
We can call this worst case scenario I guess. But I’m still really excited about this pick. We just brought in Carl Lawson and a plethora of D linemen. This team is not gonna be completely fixed in one season. Let’s establish our pass rush and possibly rebuild the NY sack exchange. A beast from the SEC.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers - Caleb Farley | CB | Virginia Tech
Brian: Well we all think we know what’s coming here don’t we? Rumor has long since gotten out that Pittsburgh covets Alabama RB Najee Harris, and I buy it completely. What better way to transition from Ben Roethlisberger to whomever comes after him than by bringing in a bonafide three down stud who excels in seemingly every aspect of the game? It makes so much sense, except for the fact that drafting a RB in round one doesn’t really feel like a Pittsburgh thing to do, does it? No matter how often I try it on, this doesn’t seem to fit. A Pittsburgh pick is taking stock in their strengths, taking advantage of value, and realizing there’s three electric young QBs to rip them apart in the AFC North for the next decade. The Steelers take a risk, swing for the fences, and ruin the Ravens day.
25) Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Barmore | DT | Alabama
Nick: Urban Meyer is not gonna let a great player fall any lower. With his first real pick urban Meyer is gonna take DT Christian barmore from Alabama and show the NFL show stupid they are for letting him fall this low.
It was an easy day for the new JAX staff with Lawrence and now Barmore falling to 25.
*****TRADE***** Buffalo trades 2021 1st round pick (30), 3rd round pick (93) and 2022 2nd round pick to Cleveland for 2021 1st round pick (26) and 2022 5th round pick
26) Buffalo Bills - Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson
Brian: Buffalo has been playing an interesting game at running back for the last two seasons. In 2019, the team brought in Devin Singletary, got a decent amount of production out of him and then drafted Zack Moss to pair with him last season. However, whenever I watch Bills games, it seems as if they aren’t particularly satisfied with either. The Bills have every reason to have complete and total faith that Josh Allen is their franchise QB, but given the landscape of the AFC, it’s clear their offense needs to be explosive as it possibly can be in order to break through. With that said, I’m buying the hype.
27) Baltimore Ravens - Jayson Oweh | EDGE | Penn State
Nick: I have two positions in mind here for Baltimore, one is running out of options and one I like a bunch of guys so I’m gonna go with the former and take jayson Oweh EDGE out of Penn State
28) New Orleans Saints - Elijah Moore | WR | Mississippi
Brian: To insure that Taysom Hill (or Jameis?) has the most success possible in succeeding the most legendary player in Saints history, New Orleans opts to provide another element of electricity to their offense. Todd McShay reported that most teams have a preference when it comes to the fourth receiver off the board, and I think this player would be a perfect fit in New Orleans.
29) Green Bay Packers - Rashod Bateman | WR | Minnesota
Nick: Well we took a gamble. We got an MVP season out of Rodgers and the only thing missing for him is a legit #2 receiver who can “do it all”
Some like Rondale Moore, but for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers it’s gonna be 6’2 210 for me.
30) Cleveland Browns: Trevon Moehrig | S | TCU
Brian: Cleveland slid back to 30 to accumulate some future assets, and most importantly buy some time as a lot of targets went before their scheduled pick at 26. Luckily, if Cleveland had been stuck at 26, I think they’d take a swing on exactly the player they’ll acquire here for a nice value. The Browns front office will I’m sure be receiving calls from their dynamic receiving duo to bring in yet another LSU dog in Terrance Marshall with this pick, but truth be told their offense has enough mouths to feed as is (theirs included). This seems like a perfect spot for Cleveland to take a swing on the top rated safety in the class.
31) Baltimore Ravens - Kadarius Toney | WR | Florida
Nick: Second Baltimore pick is going to attack a position that they lack oh so much. And my goodness is this SUCH a Ravens pick. Lamar Jackson needs players he can get the ball too on easy throws and let them make plays in space. It makes too much sense.
*****TRADE***** Philadelphia trades 2021 2nd round pick (37) and 3rd round pick (70) to Tampa Bay for 2021 1st round pick (32)
32) Philadelphia Eagles - Terrance Marshall Jr. | WR | LSU
Brian: Howie Roseman gives his fans one more reason to sweat before heading to bed on Thursday night as the Eagles strike a deal with the Super Bowl champs. The Eagles accumulated assets by shipping off Carson Wentz and trading back from six in order to inject talent into this roster. Watching a mini-run of receivers occur and not wanting to sit on their hands, the Eagles decide to act in order to truly find out if Jalen Hurts is the long term answer at QB. The Eagles should have no problem scoring TDs next season as they add the man who’s hauled in 23 over the last two seasons.