First Round | Picks 21-32
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jay Tufele, IDL, USC
With a move to a 3-4 defense, the Bucs could use another defensive tackle to play opposite Vita Vea. Ideally, they’d want one who’s athletic enough to play on the edge. Jay Tufele fits that description.
This is a little high for Tufele. His technique is all over the place, and he doesn’t have the numbers to suggest a first-round grade. However, Tufele does provide size and athleticism on the interior that gives him the potential to be a pass-rushing defensive tackle. There’s nothing valued more in the NFL right now than interior pressure.
22) Cleveland Browns – Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forrest
Myles Garrett is arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL, but the Browns need someone who can consistently play well opposite him. Grabbing a high floor pass rusher in Carlos Basham would provide stability to their defensive line.
Basham is a lot like his cousin, Jets EDGE Tarell Basham. He’s not a strong athlete, he’s doesn’t have dominant physical strength, and his size isn’t all that impressive. For Basham, it’s all about the little things. He’s a strong technical pass rusher and has dominated the ACC with his superior pass rush moves. In the running game, he sets the edge well and never gives up on a play. He may never be an elite or even above-average player, but Basham should carve out a role as a strong-side EDGE in the NFL.
23) Chicago Bears – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Bears offense needs help. Even if they manage to hang onto Allen Robinson, which seems unlikely given their cap situation, they have little else at wide receiver. Jaylen Waddle would be a quick fix.
Waddle is athleticism incarnate. His speed is matched only by Rondale Moore in this class, and wouldn’t be matched in almost any other class. That’s not all Waddle has in his game. He’s a strong route runner and has strong hands. He has number one WR potential, but even if he doesn’t reach his ceiling, Waddle will be an explosive weapon for years to come.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Eric Ebron signed a two-year deal with the Steelers this offseason, but he’s a likely casualty given their cap constraints. Kyle Pitts would provide a younger and cheaper option in the passing offense.
Pitts is a threat all over the field. He’s a size-speed mismatch across the field, and his route-running ability makes him a potential elite receiving tight end. He can work over the middle, vertically, by the sidelines, and in the red zone. There’s nowhere on the field that Pitts isn’t a weapon for his quarterback. Pitts’ blocking leaves a lot to be desired, but his ability as a receiver more than makes up for it.
25) Jacksonville Jaguars – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
After helping out the defense earlier, the Jaguars turn their attention to the offense. Again they target a high-floor prospect who can help the team in all phases. Pat Freiermuth is the best all-around tight end in this draft class.
Freiermuth isn’t the receiver that Pitts is, but he’s no slouch himself. Freiermuth isn’t a game-breaker, but he’s a solid safety blanket for a quarterback and a strong red-zone target. What makes Freiermuth an elite prospect is strong blocking. He’ll come into the NFL a ready and willing pass and run blocker. That all-around skill set gives him a high enough floor that he’ll be a first-round pick.
26) Tennessee Titans – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Titans are set to lose Corey Davis in free agency in 2021. They’ll need to add another physical possession receiver to their offense to compliment their strong running game and YAC based passing game. That’s a perfect role for Rashod Bateman.
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Bateman is an excellent route runner with strong hands. He can run any route and make any catch imaginable. He uses his elite play-strength and physicality to get win 50-50 balls and dominate down the field. The issue is that Bateman lacks top-end speed. He’s not going to separate from many corners in the NFL, which will limit his ceiling. He’s likely best used as a big slot receiver, similar to how the Bucs use Chris Godwin. That role will allow his route running and physicality to take over, and he should be able to dominate the smaller slot corners in the league.
27) New Orleans Saints – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Drew Brees is looking close to done. His performance in 2020 is giving off 2015 Peyton Manning vibes. The Saints need to be ready to move on from him as soon as next season, and as much as they love Taysom Hill, he’s not the answer.
Kyle Trask is flying up draft boards with a strong start to the 2020 season. Trask is the typical pocket passer. He’s a big kid with a strong arm who is best in a west coast system. He makes his money on short, quick throws and timing routes. That’s music to the ears of Sean Payton and Michael Thomas. Trask isn’t for everyone — his footwork needs a ton of work and he lacks mobility. It’ll take a good coach and the right system to get the most out of Trask, and the Saints are a perfect fit in this first-round NFL mock draft.
28) Buffalo Bills – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
The Bills need a better number two cornerback than Josh Norman or Levi Wallace. It’s really the only hole left on the Bills’ defense. Adding Asante Samuel Jr. would lock up that spot long term and make an elite defense even better.
Samuel Jr. is a lot like his father. He’s a smaller cornerback who thrives in off-man coverage but lacks the strength to win battles with physicality. Bigger receivers often bully Samuel, but he’s athletic enough to make up for his lack of strength.
There are two main differences between Samuel Jr. and his father. First, Samuel Jr. is a decent tackler. He doesn’t shy away from tackling, and he rarely misses a tackle. Second, he lacks ball skills. Samuel Jr. leaves a ton of turnovers on the table due to poor hands.
29) Green Bay Packers – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Can someone please get Aaron Rodgers some weapons? It feels like every year, Rodgers is working with a sub-par receiving core that’s lifted by Davante Adams when he’s healthy. They need to get another legitimate weapon for the passing game. DeVonta Smith is a solid option whom Rodgers would love.
Smith is a jack of all trades, master of none. His hands are strong, he’s an above-average route runner, he’s an average athlete, and his football IQ is off the charts. NFL teams are going to love Smith for his rock-solid play at all levels. There’s simply nothing Smith can’t do on the football field. However, Smith’s lack of any truly elite trait limits his ceiling. No receiver in his class has a higher floor than Smith, but he may have the lowest ceiling of all the first-round receivers.
30) Baltimore Ravens – Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
The Ravens and Matt Judon seem destined for a break up in 2021. After franchise tagging the star EDGE in 2020, Judon is likely on the lookout for a huge payday that the Ravens just don’t seem likely to give him. Look for them to replace him as fast as humanly possible.
Quincy Roche fits the new Ravens norm. He’s smaller, uber-athletic, and has tons of college production. Roche’s technique isn’t far behind his physical dominance. He understands how to set up offensive lineman, and his counter-moves are better than expected. However, Roche has the biggest red flag a top-end prospect can have on the field — he has a low motor.
Roche gives up on plays way too easily, and it takes him out of the running game more times than not. It’s easy to see him get discouraged when he’s blocked for a few seconds and gives up on rushing the passer. All it’ll take is one team to keep him motivated on the field for him to have an elite ceiling. I wouldn’t bet against the Ravens setting him straight.
31) New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) – Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
The Jets’ interior offensive line has been a mess in 2020. No team in the NFL has allowed more pressures and sacks from their interior than the Jets. They need to fix that in 2021 if they plan on being competitive. Wyatt Davis is the best interior offensive lineman left with a first-round grade in this first-round NFL mock draft.
Davis has good physical tools. His play-strength is up there with anyone in this class, and he’s a decent athlete for his size. Davis was impressive in his first year as a starter in 2019, but he showed warts. He’s not quite there technically, and he struggled against the better teams in the Big Ten. He’ll be one to keep an eye on when the conference returns to the field in late October. He could shoot up draft boards with a strong performance and challenge Trey Smith for the top guard spot in this class.
32) Kansas City Chiefs – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Chiefs close out this mock draft by adding talent to their secondary.
Paulson Adebo is a tricky prospect who will need the right system. He’s not very athletic, nor is he strong enough to make up for it. The athletic profile will make some question how his name is anywhere near the first round. Adebo is smart — he knows how to get the best out of his limited ability. He specializes in soft-press coverage that allows him to make use of his excellent length and high football IQ. Both skills have led to Adebo’s strong ball skills.
He’ll likely be a better fit for a zone defense at the next level, but the right press-man scheme could work.
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