Cody Schopp’s NFL Mock Draft 4.0
With just under a week away, here is my final mock draft of the offseason. Jones slides, New England gets their QB of the future, and trades galore. Kansas City and Baltimore also made a trade involving Orlando Brown Jr and the 31st pick, along with a handful of other picks. Some players rise from my previous mock, while others fall. If you would like to view my previous mock draft, click here.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1) – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson. Jacksonville can’t screw this up and no surprise here on the pick. What’s going to be surprising is how long it takes Roger Goodell to announce this pick on draft night.
New York Jets (2) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU. Head Coach Robert Salah needs a quarterback. Great accuracy and had an 11:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2020.
San Francisco 49ers (via Miami Dolphins thru Houston) (3) – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU. The first shock of day 1 as the 49ers pick Lance instead of Mac Jones, who begins to slide. This would only work if the 49ers were willing to stick with Garoppolo for one more year, leaving Lance to sit and learn the system.
Atlanta Falcons (4) – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida. Atlanta picks up Pitts to give quarterback Matt Ryan another target in the passing game. With Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley clogging up the corners, Pitts is a matchup nightmare and would flourish in Atlanta.
Cincinnati Bengals (5) – Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon. Keeping quarterback Joe Burrow upright should be Cincy’s number 1 priority. Gives the Bengals a long-term solution to the blindside of Burrow.
Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles) (6) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU. Miami ends up with the player they would have picked at 3. Chase gives Tua and company a legit number 1 alongside DeVante Parker on the outside.
Detroit Lions (7) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama. The Lions don’t currently have a huge downfield threat at WR. Waddle would provide the Lions a receiver with big-play ability with his quickness and speed.
New England Patriots (via Carolina Panthers) (8) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State. New England gets aggressive and leapfrogs Denver to land Fields, ending his slide. Strongarm, elusive, and keeping the play alive are all the traits he would bring to the table.
Denver Broncos (9) – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State. Von Miller isn’t getting any younger, and Parsons provides big hit opportunities with his explosiveness.
Dallas Cowboys (10) – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama. No change for the Cowboys as they go with Surtain II. Large, physical cornerback will pair nicely with fellow corner Trevon Diggs in the secondary.
New York Giants (11) – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern. Giants pick Slater in hopes that it provides Daniel Jones more time in the pocket. Giants already signed Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph to improve the passing game.
Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami thru San Francisco) (12) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama. The Eagles made the mistake last year by taking Reagor over Jefferson; they don’t make that same mistake this year with the selection of Smith.
Los Angeles Chargers (13) – Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech. Keeping sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert upright should be priority number 1 for the Chargers.
Tennessee Titans (via Minnesota Vikings) (14) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina. Titans jump to 14 to get Horn to leapfrog ahead of the Cardinals to help defend the pass.
Carolina Panthers (via New England Patriots) (15) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame. Butkus Award winner in 2020, JOK will provide effectiveness in coverage and against the run.
Arizona Cardinals (16) – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern. Newsome II provides good strength and can play in any scheme.
Las Vegas Raiders (17) – Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama. Raiders bring in the top defensive interior prospect in the draft to help against the run.
Miami Dolphins (18) – Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State. Miami already got Tua a weapon in the passing game; time to help protect him on his blindside. Jenkins projects as the best RT in the draft, so keeping the left-handed Tua’s blindside strong should be a priority for Miami.
Washington Football Team (19) – Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky. Great against the run and disciplined as a defender, Davis will help in both run and pass situations.
Chicago Bears (20) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama. Jones’ slide ends with the Bears selection. His time at Alabama may just provide the Bears with a steal if Jones makes it this far.
Indianapolis Colts (21) – Samuel Cosmi, OL, Texas. Cosmi is a fundamentally sound left tackle that will keep Carson Wentz’s blindside protected for the foreseeable future.
Minnesota Vikings (via Tennessee Titans) (22) – Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan. This may come down to Mike Zimmer vs Rick Spielman. Minnesota did spend a lot on defense, but Paye would help solidify the defensive line.
New York Jets (via Seattle) (23) Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech. Back surgery will likely send Farley falling down the draft boards. New head coach Robert Salah gets an athletic corner with good ball skills.
Pittsburgh Steelers (24) – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama. With no real threat in the running game, Harris provides a three-down back for the Steelers.
Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) (25) – Trevor Moehrig, S, TCU. Jacksonville goes defense with the best safety in the class to help in their secondary.
Cleveland Browns (26) – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa. With the signing of Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns can focus on improving their linebacking core. Collins has the size and speed to be both a pass rusher and play in coverage.
Baltimore Ravens (27) – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota. Baltimore picks Bateman to give quarterback Lamar Jackson a number 1 option. Can win both in the slot and outside.
New Orleans Saints (28) – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC. New Orleans gets a steal of a pick as Vera-Tucker’s draft-day slide ends. Will help protect either quarterback Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill and open up running holes for Alvin Kamara.
Green Bay Packers (29) – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU. Green Bay gives quarterback Aaron Rodgers another weapon. With Davante Adams opposite him, Marshall may thrive in single coverage or the slot.
Buffalo Bills (30) – Jaelan Phillips, DL, Miami (FL). Injuries are the only thing keeping him down this far. Bills get an athletic pass rusher that has all the tools to be great.
Baltimore Raven (via Kansas City Chiefs) (31) – Azeez Ojulari, DL, Georgia. With their second first-round selection, Baltimore drafts Ojulari to bring youth to an experienced defensive line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (32) – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson. Etienne gives the Buccaneers a dual-threat out of the backfield.