Welcome to NFL Draft Day!
Here is my one and only published mock draft for this year, including an explanation of the Buffalo Bills' pick at No. 30 overall:
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence - QB - Clemson
2.) New York Jets: Zach Wilson - QB - BYU
3.) San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones - QB - Alabama
4.) Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts - TE - Florida
5.) Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase - WR - LSU
6.) Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle - WR - Alabama
7.) Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell - OT - Oregon
8.) Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields - QB - Ohio State
9.) Denver Broncos: Trey Lance - QB - North Dakota State
10.) Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II - CB - Alabama
11). New York Giants: DeVonta Smith - WR - Alabama
12.) Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn - CB - South Carolina
13.) Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater - OT - Northwestern
14.) Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker - OL - USC
15.) New England Patriots: Micah Parsons - LB - Penn State
16.) Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley - CB - Virginia Tech
17.) Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw - OT - Virginia Tech
18). Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris - RB - Alabama
19.) Washington Football Team: Zaven Collins - LB - Tulsa
20.) Chicago Bears: Teven Jenkins - OT - Oklahoma State
21.) Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye - EDGE - Michigan
22.) Tennessee Titans: Elijah Moore - WR - Ole Miss
23.) New York Jets: Greg Newsome II - CB - Northwestern
24.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne - RB - Clemson
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore - DT - Alabama
26.) Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - LB - Notre Dame
27.) Baltimore Ravens: Azeez Ojulari - EDGE - Georgia
28.) New Orleans Saints: Jamin Davis - LB - Kentucky
29.) Green Bay Packers: Trevon Moehrig - S - TCU
Jaelan PhillipsMichael Laughlin - South Florida Sun Sentinel via Sipa USA
30.) Buffalo Bills: Jaelan Phillips - EDGE - Miami
I didn’t expect Phillips to be available here when I started this mock, since he’s considered by many to be the best edge defender in the entire draft, but medical concerns could cause him to fall. Teams may feel he’s just too much of a risk to take for such a high pick. Some may even have him completely off their board due to having three concussions.
He also suffered a severe wrist injury after being hit by a car while riding his scooter, and two separate ankle injuries, all occurring during his first two collegiate seasons at UCLA in 2017 and 2018. That's where he committed after being one of the top high school recruits in the nation.
Phillips even retired from football after his concussions and injuries and decided to pursue music production. His grandfather, Jon Robertson, is currently the Dean of the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and is a world-renowned pianist and conductor. His father is a trumpet player, and his mother plays the cello.
The 21-year-old plays several instruments himself, including being a classically trained pianist. So when he briefly retired from football, he still pursued something he was passionate about and in his bloodlines.
Phillips eventually decided to resume his football playing career, transferring to the University of Miami in 2020, where he recorded eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, was named a Second-Team All-American, as well as All-ACC, and was a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player.
Phillips can line up anywhere. He can put his hand on the ground as a defensive end, stand up as a linebacker, and even play some inside on the defensive line. He’s incredibly versatile and athletic as a pass rusher. At 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, he’s long and strong enough to play the run effectively. He does it all.
It’s hard to know what the Bills’ medical evaluation is on Phillips. He could even be off their board completely. However, if he’s not, I believe he’s good enough, fits a big need, and could play right away, making him a very highly rated player for them. He’d be the most immediately impactful player they could wind up grabbing with the 30th pick.
31.) Baltimore Ravens: Kadarius Toney - WR - Florida
32.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayson Oweh - EDGE - Penn State
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