The NFL draft kicks off one week from today, and with the first couple picks all but locked into place, it’s time for my fourth mock draft of the spring.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Too many people are making a fuss out of nothing over what Lawrence said to former Freep columnist Michael Rosenberg in his great Sports Illustrated profile last week.
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Bold but correct move by Robert Saleh to hitch his wagon to a rookie quarterback, even if I’m not sure Wilson is the right one.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
It didn’t matter what Justin Fields and Trey Lance did at their second pro days. Kyle Shanahan is smitten with Jones.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
The hot rumor here is that Atlanta will take Kyle Pitts. But if owner Arthur Blank truly wants a quarterback, who’s going to tell him no?
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Joe Burrow and his favorite target from LSU’s 2019 national championship team will make sweet music again.
6. Miami Dolphins
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
It’s Pitts or Chase for the Dolphins, with one of the Alabama receivers waiting as a consolation price if only three quarterbacks go in the top six.
7. Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
I had a scout speculate to me the other day that the Lions might go Rashawn Slater over Sewell if both are on the board. Slater is the safer pick, and can play any position. But Sewell is a stud with the potential to be one of the premier tackles in the game.
8. Carolina Panthers
Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
The Panthers need receiver help, too, but Slater is a Day 1 starter with a high floor who will be just as valuable to new quarterback Sam Darnold.
9. Denver Broncos
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Not sure what Wednesday’s news that he’s managing epilepsy will do to his draft stock, but Fields is absolutely worthy of a top-10 pick based on talent and potential.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
Jerry Jones can’t swing the big trade up for Pitts, so the Cowboys get help for their defense instead.
11. New York Giants
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
This goes against everything Dave Gettleman stands for, but at some point, the Alabama receivers are too good to pass up.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
A new partner in crime for Darius Slay in the Eagles’ secondary.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Smart move by the Chargers to protect their investment in Justin Herbert.
NFL draft preview: Starters available at OT into Round 2
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14. Minnesota Vikings
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Mike Zimmer loves his linebackers and Parsons can help in a variety of ways.
15. New England Patriots
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Patriots went on a spending spree this offseason, but their receiving corps is still subpar.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
He’s the most talented corner in the draft, but the injury concerns are significant.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
The Raiders traded Gabe Jackson, Trent Brown and Rodney Hudson this offseason. Some help upfront is warranted.
18. Miami Dolphins
Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
If the Dolphins revisit a Xavien Howard trade, Newsome gives them a ready-made replacement.
19. Washington
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Football Team needs more help on offense, but the value here is defense.
20. Chicago Bears
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Phillips is one of the draft’s biggest boom-bust prospects given his injury history. With his job on the line, GM Ryan Pace can take a calculated roll of the dice.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
This is a good landing spot for the twitchy Paye, whose production never matched his tools at Michigan.
22. Tennessee Titans
Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame
A year after taking massive bust Isaiah Wilson in Round 1, the Titans go the safer route on their offensive line.
23. New York Jets
Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
You didn’t think Jared Davis was the answer at linebacker, did you?
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Steelers have tricked themselves into believing they can contend in 2021.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Jaguars have two second-round picks to get Lawrence more help on offense.
26. Cleveland Browns
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Cleveland might be tempted here to start the run on the second tier of receivers.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
With Jenkins available at 27, the Ravens can trade disgruntled offensive tackle Orlando Brown.
28. New Orleans Saints
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Sean Payton will have to manufacture more offense this fall, and Toney is the type of player who can help him do it.
29. Green Bay Packers
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Packers finally spend an early draft pick on a receiver only to see him play the bulk of his career with another quarterback?
30. Buffalo Bills
Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
Getting another pass rusher for that defense will solidify the Bills’ hold on the AFC East.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
I kept Oweh out of my first few mock drafts, but his freakish athletic ability is too hard to ignore.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Azeez Ojulari, LB, Georgia
Todd Bowles has to be salivating at the chance to add another pass rusher to the mix.
In: Eichenberg, Oweh
Out: Jalen Mayfield, Landon Dickerson
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.