Behold! Gator's Annual Mock Draft.
This is my annual crack at the NFL Draft. This year, I chose not to include trades and just went straight up. However, I could see some shuffling back into the first round from a team like the Giants or Browns or perhaps a team like the Steelers trading further back to gain more draft capital while snagging QB Jaxon Dart. Dart is the X-factor in this draft as he has first-round talent but not top-ten territory, ergo, teams that pass on him early will want a shot at getting back into the late first round to secure a possible fifth-year option.
This leaves plenty of talent available for round two, including DT Walter Nolen, WR’s Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka, and CB Trey Amos. I went with Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku to the Lions because of his immediate impact at a position of need (and he’s a player, too, Brad Holmes) who should complement Hutchinson just fine.
The uncertainty about Mike Green’s off-field issues was the deciding factor for me, but if the Lions feel that’s a big nothing chalupa, he’ll be the pick. I really like Kenneth Grant as well, but went for the bigger need in this case. You can make a very strong case for the Lions to take any of the final five selections in this mock. This is simply my rationale.
Would the Lions move up for someone special? Perhaps, but who would that person be and is there enough separation where they'd be compelled to part with draft picks to get their guy? Could they trade back? Sure, if the Browns or Giants, who pick at 33 and 34, respectively, decide to move back into the first round, the Lions' phone might ring and they’d be wise to answer it based on who I see could be available to start Day 2.
Without further ado:
1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami
2. Cleveland Browns - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
3. New York Giants - DE Abdul Carter, Penn State
4. New England Patriots - OT Will Campbell, LSU
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
6. Las Vegas Raiders - CB Will Johnson, Michigan
7. New York Jets - OT Armand Membou, Missouri
8. Carolina Panthers - DE Jalon Walker, Georgia
9. New Orleans Saints - QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
10. Chicago Bears - DT Mason Graham, Michigan
11. San Francisco 49ers - DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
12. Dallas Cowboys - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
13. Miami Dolphins - OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
14. Indianapolis Colts - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
15. Atlanta Falcons - DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
16. Arizona Cardinals - WR Matthew Goden, Texas
17. Cincinnati Bengals - S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
18. Seattle Seahawks - OG Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
20. Denver Broncos - RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
22. Los Angeles Chargers - TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
23. Green Bay Packers - CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
24. Minnestoa Vikings - CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
25. Houston Texans - OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
26. Los Angeles Rams - OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
27. Baltimore Ravens - S Malaki Starks, Georgia
28. Detroit Lions - DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
29. Washington Commanders - DE Mike Green, Marshall
30. Buffalo Bills - DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
31. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
32. Philadelphia Eagles - DE James Pearce, Jr., Tennessee