CHASE PETERSEN MOCK DRAFT 2.0

By Chase Petersen

A lot of movement has happened with the draft order since the last time I wrote up a mock, so I figured it was time to get back on the horse and write up another one. I did no trades, because I just recently wrote up a 5 potential first round trade article, check that out. This is precisely based on what I would do, not what I think is going to happen.

Jaguars, Jacksonville Jaguars 2020

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

2021 Record: 3-14

Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

There should be no real argument about this, but the Travon Walker hype seems to be real (you won’t see him in my top 10). While Hutch himself isn’t the athlete that Walker is, he is a damn good athlete in his own right. Hutch is the best blend of athleticism and production in this class, and it fits a position of need for the Jaguars.

Lions, Detroit Lions 2020

2. Detroit Lions

2021 Record: 3-13-1

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Imagine an OL from left to right of Taylor Decker, Ickem Ekwonu, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, and Penei Sewell. Whichever QB they get in 2023 would be walking into an amazing situation. Sure, they have much bigger needs, and taking a guard at #2 overall is a terrible misuse of resources, but an OL like this one gives your offense a very high floor for a long time.

Texans, Houston Texans 2020

3. Houston Texans

2021 Record: 4-13

Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

The Texans need help literally everywhere, and no one pick is going to fix what they have going on. I was thinking OL here, but the decision to keep Laremy Tunsil moved me away from it. Instead they start loading up the secondary for Coach Lovie.

Jets, New York Jets

4. New York Jets

2021 Record: 4-13

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Imagine an OL bookended by Mekhi Becton and Evan Neal. The Jets will win every game getting off the bus. This gives them 3 very good pieces along their offensive line, and it could lead to it being the league’s best in a few years.

Giants, New York Giants 2020

5. New York Giants

2021 Record: 4-13

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Why has no one mentioned this as a landing spot? Brian Daboll sat front row to watch Josh Allen’s ascension to stardom, so why wouldn’t he try his hand with Willis too? Daniel Jones has proven time and time again that he is below average at his best, so they might as well move on when given the opportunity.

Panthers, Carolina Panthers 2020

6. Carolina Panthers

2021 Record: 5-12

Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

All the hype is QB here in this spot, but my QB1 is already off the board, and I don’t value another one this highly. Instead, I grab Stingley and pair him with last year’s 8th overall pick in Jaycee Horn, to form what could be the league’s best CB duo.

Giants, New York Giants 2020

7. New York Giants

2021 Record: 4-13

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

The OL needs help, and Giants’ fans know it. That’s why they beef it up with Cross and create a nice OT tandem to protect their new QB Malik Willis for the foreseeable future. Now they just need to throw late round resources at the interior and pray for a hit or two.

Falcons, Atlanta Falcons 2020

8. Atlanta Falcons

2021 Record: 7-10

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Falcons are another roster that needs help just about everywhere, but nowhere as bad as their WR room. Right now Kyle Pitts is the only good-NFL caliber weapon on that team, and Williams could legitimately step in as Marcus Mariota’s WR1 when he returns from his injury.

Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks 2020

9. Seattle Seahawks

2021 Record: 7-10

Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

The Seahawks need to take a swing at a valuable position, and I do that here and stop Thibodeaux’s slide. He has the potential to be a top 3 player overall from this class, and Seattle has been a team that’s needed pass rush help for awhile.

Jets, New York Jets

10. New York Jets

2021 Record: 4-13

Drake London, WR, USC

The Jets are a team in need of an alpha WR1, and they get London here who can be that guy. London, Elijah Moore, and Corey Davis doesn’t sound too bad as a 3 deep group of WRs. Hopefully, they can help Zach Wilson reach the levels we all thought he could during last year’s draft. 

Washington Football Team 2020

11. Washington Commanders

2021 Record: 7-10

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

The addition of Wilson may scream that Terry McLaurin is on his way out the door. Or, it could mean that Washington wants to load up on WRs that can create consistent separation for Carson Wentz. Last time they went to the OSU well for a WR, it worked out great.

Vikings, Minnesota Vikings

12. Minnesota Vikings

2021 Record: 8-9

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

I promise I didn’t do this on purpose, the board just fell this way. I would be ecstatic on draft night if this happens, and here it does. The Vikings’ need secondary help in a bad way, here they get the long term Harrison Smith replacement, from the same school they got Harrison Smith.

Texans, Houston Texans 2020

13. Houston Texans

2021 Record: 8-9

Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia

I will not be surprised to see Jordan Davis go 10 picks higher than this, just being honest. However, The Texans take him here and pair him with Gardner, giving them two staples for their defense for the next half decade at least.

Baltimore Ravens

14. Baltimore Ravens

2021 Record: 8-9

Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

This would be the most wonderful landing spot for Walker. A team known for developing raw edge talent. Last year they drafted Jayson Oweh, and now the tandem of Walker and Oweh would be easily the most athletic EDGE duo in the history of any level of football.

Eagles, Philadelphia Eagles 2020

15. Philadelphia Eagles

2021 Record: 9-8

Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Philly has solid edge rushers, but they’re getting up there in age. This is low for where most people have Johnson, but I just don’t see a top 10 player here. He’s good, but not amazing. A safe-ish pick, but I’m not sure on the upside.

Saints, New Orleans Saints 2020

16. New Orleans Saints

2021 Record: 9-8

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

After signing Jameis to a 2 year cheap deal, might as well stack the deck for him. Olave next to Michael Thomas makes for a mighty fine duo, and a WR2 is a desperate need for this team.

Los Angeles Chargers 2020

17. Los Angeles Chargers

2021 Record: 9-8

Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

I wanted to load up with another WR, but they all came off the board quickly. Instead I grab Andrew Booth who could come in and be a great CB3 for the Chargers. Even though Tyreek Hill left the division, Devante Adams entered it, so they need to load up in the back end to shut these high end offenses down. 

Saints, New Orleans Saints 2020

18. New Orleans Saints

2021 Record: 9-8

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Saints don’t necessarily need a CB, but the value here for McDuffie is too high. McDuffie is a guy that I am almost certain will be a good player in the NFL.

Eagles, Philadelphia Eagles 2020

19. Philadelphia Eagles

2021 Record: 9-8

Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Daxton Hill is going to get drafted highly. He is an insanely versatile player, who will probably be mainly used in the slot. He is insanely athletic and can fill multiple roles on the defense. Philly fans would probably hate the pick, but would come to love the player.

Steelers, Pittsburgh Steelers 2020

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

2021 Record: 9-7-1

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Desmond Ridder is my QB2, and if the Steelers loved Malik Willis, I think they’d like Ridder, too. He isn’t the same type of runner as Willis, but he has the speed to be lethal on scrambles. He also has arguably the 2nd biggest arm in the class, so he can sling it around.

Patriots, New England Patriots

21. New England Patriots

2021 Record: 10-7

George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

Karlaftis just seems like that quiet, come to work everyday type of Patriots guy. He has the ability to be a 10+ sack guy for multiple years, for what that’s worth. He has been pushed down some boards, but I see him as a high floor, fairly high ceiling prospect.

Packers, Green Bay Packers

22. Green Bay Packers

2021 Record: 13-4

Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa

The Packers need a few repairs on their offensive line, and Linderbaum is arguably the best overall OL in the class. They selected Josh Meyers a few years ago, and that hasn’t worked out. Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting any younger, so you have to keep him clean.

Cardinals, Arizona Cardinals 2020

23. Arizona Cardinals

2021 Record: 11-6

Travis Jones, IDL, Connecticut

I love Travis Jones. The Cardinals need a big nasty NT to clog up the middle, and he even showed more than a little ability rushing the passer. If Jones ends up having a better career than Jordan Davis, I will be the least surprised.

Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys 2020

24. Dallas Cowboys

2021 Record: 12-5

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

This just feels too easy. Jerry loves his Razorbacks, they just traded Amari Cooper, and an Arkansas player is the best WR on the board, chalk it up.

Bills, Buffalo Bills 2020

25. Buffalo Bills

2021 Record: 11-6

Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Right now Buffalo’s CB2 is Siran Neal. If they want to win the AFC they’ll have to be able to cover Ja’Marr Chase, AJ Brown, Devante Adams, Keenan Allen, Diontae Johnson, the list goes on and on. Elam has that press cover ability that teams tend to covet.

Titans, Tennessee Titans 2020

26. Tennessee Titans

2021 Record: 12-5

Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

This feels like a Mike Vrabel pick. He could go 8ish picks higher, but here in lands in a situation that really needs his services. He has the game to be a punisher in the run game and open the lanes wide for Derrick Henry.

Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2021 Record: 13-4

Skyy Moore, WR, Westrn Michigan

The Bucs need some WR depth until Chris Godwin is able to get back on the field. Skyy Moore has the ability to get off the line, and get open quickly, as the Tom Brady system needs. Tom only has 10-15 years of ball left to play, so the Bucs need to load up on the offense to make his life easier.

Packers, Green Bay Packers

28. Green Bay Packers

2021 Record: 13-4

Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

Christian Watson is a stud who falls because of playing at a small school. Pairing him with Aaron Rodgers allows Watson to have a bare minimum floor of Marquez Valdez-Scantling. I think Watson has more ability than that though.

Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs 2020

29. Kansas City Chiefs

2021 Record: 12-5

Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor

Back to back picks for the Chiefs here and they start with Jalen Pitre. This allows them to keep La’Jarius Sneed on the outside, and let Pitre man the slot. This team just lost Tyrann Mathieu, who was the heart and soul of the defense. Jalen Pitre is a guy who can become that.

Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs 2020

30. Kansas City Chiefs

2021 Record: 12-5

George Pickens, WR, Georgia

With the second pick they take the ultra-talented WR out of Georgia. If anyone can get the fullest potential out of a WR, it should be Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. And when it comes to potential, Pickens has a lot of it.

Cincinnati Bengals 2020

31. Cincinnati Bengals

2021 Record: 10-7

Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia

Cincy needs some pass rush from the interior, so they nab Wyatt. Age is a concern for him, but if he’s a great football player, who cares? Wyatt has the ability to come in and wreak some havoc on passing downs while he learns to play the run. 

Lions, Detroit Lions 2020

32. Detroit Lions

2021 Record: 3-13-1

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

This feels like a slam dunk. Some people I’ve heard have Corral as their QB1, and at times through the season, he was mine as well. It’s a perfect situation because they have the beefed up OL, and Jared Goff can play while Corral gets back to a full 100%.

CHASE PETERSEN

NFL DRaft ANALYST

From just outside Kansas City Missouri, Chase has been obsessed with the NFL Draft for as long as he can remember. An avid Minnesota Vikings and Texas Longhorns fan, connect with Chase on Twitter @SportsTalkCenter

5/5