NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks Go 1-2-3

Not that it ever went away, but with the NFL regular season over, mock draft season is officially upon us. We, OutKick’s Clint Lamb and Ryan Glasspiegel, did a mock draft, snake-style. Picks 1-18 are set; 19-32 will be determined based on playoff performances, so we took educated guesses about how those will be slotted. Here we go:

1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

It was fun to see people on social media attempt to add suspense to this pick. Regardless of how well Justin Fields plays, it’s going to be Trevor Lawrence. Having guys like James Robinson, DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr. is a good start, but Jaguars still need more talent. Good thing they have plenty of draft capital and cap space. –Clint

2) New York Jets – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Jets have an interesting dilemma in the draft. They could draft a new quarterback to compete with and very possibly supplant Sam Darnold. They could draft a quarterback of the future and trade Darnold. They could also trade the pick to another quarterback-needy team and collect a bounty for it. I don’t know if Fields will ultimately be the Jets’ pick, but after the toughness, leadership, and talent Fields showed against Clemson, I do see him going second overall. –Ryan

3) Miami Dolphins (via Texans) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

We are going to get so sick of this conversation by the time the draft finally arrives, but in my estimation the Dolphins need to pick a quarterback. The way Brian Flores used Ryan Fitzpatrick as a closer tells you everything you need to know about how he has internally evaluated Tua Tagovailoa. The quarterback position is so important that I believe Dolphins brass will seize this shot at an upgrade. PS – I know Dolphins GM Chris Grier stated flatly this week that Tua is their QB. No disrespect to him personally, but I don’t believe anything that any coaches or GMs say during draft season.  –Ryan

4) Atlanta Falcons – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami

The intrigue of adding a potential franchise quarterback for the future would’ve been enticing, but Ryan surprisingly had the Dolphins sniping Zach Wilson. This is a little too early for Trey Lance, and the Dolphins need more help along the defensive front. Rousseau is still a raw prospect, but he has some inside-out ability with a rare combination of length, explosiveness and power. –Clint

5) Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

This is an obvious connection. Penei Sewell isn’t without flaws, but he will upgrade the protection in front of Joe Burrow. The Bengals can’t afford to let him down again. Sewell will also help in the run game, bringing a balance of physicality and athleticism. I think he would’ve also been a useful piece in Miami. –Clint

6) Philadelphia Eagles – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama 

Crime pays. The Eagles, who have been bereft at wide receiver the last couple seasons, could very well have their pick of Smith or LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase at sixth overall in this quarterback-heavy draft. Doug Pederson will be rewarded for the tanking scandal that has engulfed the news this week. –Ryan

7) Detroit Lions – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State 

The Lions spent the last several seasons with Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia overhauling the defense with paltry results. Parsons has the potential to be an anchor piece in Detroit’s defense for years to come. –Ryan

8) Carolina Panthers – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Teddy Bridgewater is a good — not great — quarterback, which means a future signal-caller could still be on Carolina’s radar. Trey Lance is a perfect option to be groomed by Joe Brady for a season or two (presuming Brady does not get a head coaching job). Lance is mobile, possesses plenty of arm strength and is productive, even if he’s not a complete product. –Clint

9) Denver Broncos – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Ryan made this decision a little easier by having Detroit take Parsons. Adding an off-ball linebacker with some pass rushing ability to play next to Alexander Johnson might’ve been too good to pass up, but the Broncos desperately need more help on the perimeter at cornerback. Surtain might be the best available player here, and he fills that void. Win-win. –Clint

10) Dallas Cowboys – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

The Cowboys need help on defense, and Jerry Jones knows it. However, I could see all that getting thrown by the wayside if Chase is still on the board at 10. The Cowboys clearly don’t have a need at wide receiver right now, considering they have Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, but there is an out in Cooper’s deal after next season. Someone of Chase’s caliber is worth grabbing, even when he’s not a need. –Ryan

11) New York Giants – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

The Giants are keeping Dave Gettleman. When a team has to announce they are retaining the general manager, that means he’s on the hot seat. Gettleman knows that, for better or worse, his future is tied to the development of Daniel Jones next season, so it would be logical to go out and get him some protection. –Ryan

12) San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The 49ers have work to do at cornerback. The group isn’t bad, but Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett and multiple others are all slated to hit free agency. Farley has size and length (6-2, 207) as well as an ability to play press and man coverage, making him a nice fit in San Francisco. –Clint

13) Los Angeles Chargers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Passing up on an offensive lineman could prove costly — and unpopular — but Pitts is the best available player and fills a major need. Hunter Henry played out the season on the franchise tag, which means he’ll once again hit free agency. The Chargers don’t have a lot of cap space right now, so finding his replacement via the draft could be their best option. –Clint

14) Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan

The Vikings’ defense greatly regressed this past season. Paye had just two sacks this past season, but for Paye and the Wolverines, the season was only six games long. He also had 6.5 in 2019 and could develop into a pass rusher that the Vikings were sorely missing this year. –Ryan

15) New England Patriots – Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

The rebuilding Patriots suddenly have needs all over the place. While it would hardly be shocking if Bill Belichick traded down from this spot, Phillips had eight sacks for the Hurricanes this past season and could help the New England defense. –Ryan

16) Arizona Cardinals – Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

I seriously considered Jaycee Horn here. The Cardinals should probably go defense, but adding more help up front for Kyler Murray is too appealing. Vera-Tucker is a versatile piece who can play multiple spots up front. I see him settling in at guard in Arizona. –Clint

17) Las Vegas Raiders – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Notre Dame

Kwity Paye seems like a guy Jon Gruden would want. Unfortunately, he went two picks earlier to Minnesota. I’m a little surprised to see Jaylen Waddle, Jaycee Horn and Azeez Ojulari still on the board, but Vegas still pivots to Owusu-Koramoah. He is a sub-package linebacker/safety hybrid who will instantly improve the defense. –Clint

18) Miami Dolphins – Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa

Dolphins fans might groan if they go two picks in the first round without drafting a skill position player, but Nixon would be a nice addition on the defensive line. –Ryan

19) Washington Football Team – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Washington has a stout defense, and they just won the NFC East. While Alex Smith has an extraordinary comeback story, how sure can we be that he will still be the quarterback there in 36 months? Mac Jones is coming off a splendid season for Alabama where he’s thrown for 4,036 yards and 36 touchdowns. –Ryan

20) Chicago Bears – Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

There aren’t any quarterbacks worth taking here, and I have concerns about Kyle Trask’s lack of arm strength in the Windy City. So we pivot to an upgrade at right tackle. Bobby Massie’s time as the starter should come to an end. Mayfield is capable of being a plug-and-play with the occasional growing pain. –Clint

21) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams) – Jay Tufele, IDL, USC

The Jaguars need more interior pressure to complement what’s on the outside in Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson. Not only is Tufele a solid run defender, he’s also capable of being a three-down player. It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jacksonville give Lawrence another offensive piece. –Clint

22) Indianapolis Colts – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

The Colts are in need of their quarterback of the future, whether that is next season or perhaps a year later, especially since this year may be Philip Rivers’ last. Trask threw for 4,283 yards and 43 touchdowns — both tops in the nation — this season at Florida. –Ryan

23) Tennessee Titans – Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson

The offense in Tennessee seems set, even if it could take a step back if they lose offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to a head coaching job. However, they need help on defense. The Titans gave up 277.4 pass yards per game this season, the fourth-most in the league. Kendrick would be a great fit in the secondary. -Ryan

24) Cleveland Browns (Clint) – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

Ojulari is quickly climbing my draft board, and this might prove to be too low before it’s all said and done. He’s not a perfect schematic fit in Cleveland, but he will provide plenty of pass rush opposite Myles Garrett. That combination will also benefit the secondary. –Clint

25) Baltimore Ravens (Clint) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Yet another player who should not have fallen this far. Waddle can make an impact on special teams and win vertically, but he can also be effective on the short-to-intermediate stuff. Baltimore will be able to move him around to create mismatches for Lamar Jackson. –Clint

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

Tampa Bay ranked 21st in the NFL in pass yardage defense, giving up 246.6 yards per game. Moehrig, the first safety off the board in this mock draft, could be a good option to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr., whom the Bucs picked in the second round last season. -Ryan

27) New York Jets (via Seahawks) – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

I know people groan about selecting running backs in the first round, but Harris is a game-changer that the Jets could use, especially since they have the luxury of having two first-round picks this year. -Ryan

28) Pittsburgh Steelers (Clint) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Horn is a perfect fit in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he’s a thickly built cornerback with a physical style that should flourish in the AFC North. Joe Haden will be 32 years old in April, and former third-round pick Justin Layne hasn’t taken the next step. More help is needed. –Clint

29) New Orleans Saints (Clint) – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

Moses struggled coming back from an ACL injury. Could that cause a draft day fall? Absolutely, but his height-weight-speed combination will impress at the combine. The Saints continue to search for effective linebacker play next to Demario Davis, and that doesn’t look like it’ll come from Kwon Alexander. –Clint

30) Buffalo Bills – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota 

This clearly isn’t a position of need for the Bills, because they have Stefon Diggs locked up long-term and Cole Beasley had a career year. Nonetheless, Bateman is an explosive playmaker, and you can never have too many of those. –Ryan

31) Green Bay Packers – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

While the Packers have arguably the best left tackle in the NFL in David Bakhtiari, he just tore his ACL and it happened late enough in the season that it’s tough to know when he’ll be back to 100 percent. Despite the popular take in the media last year, this team does not need more offensive skill position players. Fortifying the depth on the offensive line is always a good idea. –Ryan

32) Kansas City Chiefs (Clint) – Rashawn Slater, IOL, Northwestern

I don’t feel good about Tulsa’s Zaven Collins falling out of the first round. He would also be a fit in Kansas City, so that’s something to keep an eye on. With that being said, I really like Rashawn Slater’s fit too. The positional flexibility will help him get into the starting lineup almost immediately. –Clint