Mock draft! Frey-Sam 2.0

By: Josh Frey-Sam

What better day for a mock draft than Saturday?

Lots of words ahead (this is as long as my newsletter will ever get), so let’s get right into it.

My explanation for each pick is below, but I will offer my takeaways from this mock on Monday.

Enjoy!

Titans: Cam Ward will go No. 1 in this draft, the only question is who will select him. My perfect scenario for the Titans was to sign a veteran QB, trade back and draft Abdul Carter. No QB to be found, however, and they aren’t starting Will Levis again.

Browns: To me, the Browns bringing in Russell Wilson for a visit says a lot about which direction they want to go at QB. They could go Shedeur Sanders here, but he would be drafted to play immediately. Take the best player available to create a frightening duo with Myles Garrett.

Giants: The Giants had a representative at every Colorado game last season. Sanders gets a big market, and the Giants get a new, young QB for what is a make-or-break season for the team’s personnel.

Patriots: This is a dream for Pats fans, and yet such a tough decision. Do you opt to protect Drake Maye, or give him an elite weapon? My gut tells me Travis Hunter is simply too good to pass up.

Jaguars: New HC Liam Coen has seen elite play from the interior of the defensive line his entire NFL career (Aaron Donald with LAR and Vita Vea with TB). A new weapon would be fun here — keep an eye on TE — but Graham gives Jacksonville one of the truly elite fronts in the league.

Raiders: I had the bold idea of TE here (specifically Tyler Warren) because that would be frickin awesome. I also haven’t dismissed CB here. The smoke around Jeanty to the Raiders feels more than warranted, though. A great fit for where they’re at.

Jets: A new quarterback; and the Jets want to run the football. Membou is a freaky athlete and a much-needed foundational piece on that offensive line.

Panthers: Lots of holes to fill here. The Panthers upgraded the secondary in free agency, let’s take care of that porous defensive front. Campbell can play on or off the ball, he’ll be the Micah Parsons of this defence.

Saints: What a weird team to gauge. I like trading back here, personally, but I think they stick and pick. Demario Davis will be a trade candidate going forward, and Walker can play on or off the ball.

Bears: I did a three-round mock for the Bears in this space earlier this week and landed on Barron. Worked out the same. He’s just a ball player. A solid piece in the high-flying NFC North.

Niners: San Francisco needs to get back to the trenches. Campbell can plug in at LG immediately and will be an option at LT when Trent Williams’ time is done.

Cowboys: Everyone wants WR here. Wait until Day 2. Zabel has five-position flexibility and would really stabilize this unit. Zabel will be highly coveted on draft night.

Dolphins: Protect Tua. The Dolphins need an upgrade on this unit. Booker will plug in at RG and work well in this scheme.

Colts: The Colts did a good job of filling some holes in free agency. Now they fill another with the best player on the board. Warren can help in both the run and pass game.

Falcons: They need someone who can disrupt the passer. This is a tremendous value for what Williams could become.

Cardinals: Johnson is as instinctive and fleet of foot as any corner in this class. Arizona, which was a below-average unit against the pass last season, hasn’t had a corner with this kind of takeaway ability since Patrick Peterson.

Bengals: Cincy is a trade-back candidate here. They need draft picks to round out this roster with starting-calibre players. I didn’t like a partner on this day, however. If Trey Hendrickson is traded, this needs to be an EDGE rusher. I also like CB here. I went with Banks Jr., who will start at LG and can kick over to LT in a pinch.

Seahawks: Hawks have two second-rounders and could very well trade up for an offensive lineman they like. We had some fun here with the Loveland pick. He might as well be a receiver, and he will surely be a Day 1 impact player for whoever gets him. Twelve personnel with Loveland and Fant could be fun.

Buccaneers: The Bucs have a nice roster with not a ton of pressing needs. They need to build up that pass rush again, though. Pearce Jr. fits what they’re looking for.

Broncos: Mark this as a spot where a QB-needy team could look to trade up if the Steelers (next pick) don’t land Aaron Rodgers. I believe that is where Rodgers will land, though, making the Broncos a stick-and-pick with Hampton. Absolutely love this fit.

Pittsburgh: As mentioned, if the Steelers land Rodgers, they aren’t going QB here. This defence struggled against the pass a season ago. They get Starks, who can work as a chess piece on the back end. Just get this guy in the building and figure out the rest later.

Chargers: The Chargers brought in Mike Williams (yawn) and still have Quentin Johnston (yikes). Golden has a skillset that can transfer immediately to the pros, just like Ladd McConkey did last season.

Packers: The fallout of the Jaire Alexander situation could change this, but the Packers are in a wait-and-see position with a lot of players they’re expecting to break out. They need a big body who can win on the outside. Higgins fits everything GM Brian Gutekunst likes in a receiver.

TRADE! Saints via Vikings: The Saints are back in the first round, and there’s only one reason you do such a thing. Dart injects some life into this fan base as the future of the franchise. This is also a win for the Vikings, who have just four draft picks entering the night. Saints send this year and next year’s second-round pick to Minnesota.

Texans: The Texans need more playmakers, especially with Tank Dell out for much of the season. McMillan’s slide ends, and Houston has a new twin tower in the receiver room with Collins and McMillan.

Rams: Poona Ford was a big get for the Rams in free agency, and now they double down on the interior with Grant, who could go much earlier than 26.

Ravens: This could very well be one of the talented cornerbacks available. The Ravens have a history of keeping its pass-rush cupboard full, however, and they continue that trend with Green, who has all the makings of a future top-end QB attacker.

Lions: The Lions have other needs that might appear more pressing, but Egbuka feels like he’d come in and fit seamlessly with this offence. Detroit remains dangerous on the perimeter.

Commanders: They still need help and something to look forward to in the future in the secondary. Hairston tested off the charts at the Combine, and could have a quick path to a starting role.

Bills: The Bills already strengthened the interior by bringing on Larry Ogunjobi, who is suspended for the first six games of the season, but DaQuan Jones isn’t getting any younger and they need to keep the interior of this line a strength.

Chiefs: Was Isiah Pacheco just playing injured last season or was it a deeper issue? Either way, they need some juice out of the backfield again.

Eagles: Might as well call this the Philly Special, too.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh