NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Giants and Steelers Get New QBs

In what could be one of the worst quarterback draft classes in recent history, two teams find their future early in the first round of the NFL Draft.

This might just be one of the worst quarterback draft classes since 2010 when Sam Bradford went first overall. This draft is going to heavily be focused on the defense early in the first round. In our Mock Draft 1.0, we look at all of the teams that were eliminated from the playoffs.

The EDGE position is becoming a more and more important position with today’s NFL that has turned into a passing league. If a team does not have a solid EDGE rushed, it’s going to hurt the pass defense early in games.

Mock Draft 1.0 Results

Note: No trades were made in this mock draft 1.0. Draft picks were made with the current draft order. 

Jacksonville Understands Needs Over Wants

The easy pick here would be to select Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon, but instead, they take OT Evan Neal. After selecting QB Trevor Lawrence with the first-overall pick the year before, the Jaguars commit to protecting their quarterback. If Cam Robinson leaves in free agency, this fills that need. If Robinson stays, the Jaguars might have two very good, young tackles.

This is a very easy move for the Jaguars. They could even trade down a few picks and not only get more draft picks but Neal as well. I didn’t do trades, so the Jaguars take Neal first-overall.

Quarterbacks of the Future

Is it crazy to think that just a few years after selecting QB Daniel Jones in the top 10, the New York Giants would take another one? No, because the Arizona Cardinals took Kyler Murray with the first overall pick after taking Josh Rosen in the top 10 just the year before. It’s not uncommon for a new general manager and head coach to want their own quarterback. Since the Giants will be working with a new front office, they could likely be looking for their own quarterback to mold with Ole Miss QB Matt Corral.

We’ve talked about how the quarterback class is just not great this year, right? Kenny Pickett, who is most likely the second-best quarterback in the draft slides to the playoff teams. Where does the Pittsburgh product land? Not far at all. The Pittsburgh Steelers find their future at the quarterback position in the first round to pair with their young offensive playmakers. If Pickett can come in and produce at a Mac Jones rate, the Steelers could return to the top in a very crowded AFC North.

Four Receivers in the Middle of the Mock Draft 1.0

This is another common trend as of late and that doesn’t change for our Mock Draft 1.0. In a passing league, wide receivers are a dime-a-dozen, but some teams want that top threat. We’ve seen this in the last several years where teams can find studs late in the first round or early second. Once that first receiver goes, they all follow pretty quickly.

This year, the Philadelphia Eagles kick off the dash to the best receivers by selecting Chris Olave to add to DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor. The Los Angeles Chargers follow it up by adding weapons for Justin Herbert by selecting the Alabama receiver Jameson Williams. The scary pick here is Garrett Wilson, who will pair alongside Michael Thomas in New Orleans.

Games Are Won In The Trenches

There is a huge focus on winning in the trenches early on in this draft. The top five picks include two offensive tackles and three edge rushers. Twelve of the top twenty-four picks are players that fight in the trenches. The numbers are split evenly between offense and defense, as well.

There needs to be more focus on these positions. Teams are starting to focus more on pass rushers to slow down high-power offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. How do we combat that? Adding top offensive line talent.

That’s it for the Mock Draft version 1.0. Next week, we will add the Divisional Round losers in our version 2.0.