Deshaun Watson is likely to make a decision on a trade in the coming days, so let's create a mock draft featuring a mock trade of the talented but controversial young quarterback.
In this mock, the Saints and Texans -- and Watson, who has a no-trade clause in his current deal -- agree to a trade. Here's what it looks like.
Saints get: Deshaun Watson, 2022 third-round pick
Texans get: 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
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Let's see how a trade that sizable would impact the first round.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Evan Neal
OL
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 340 lbs
Even after the Brandon Scherff signing, I still feel like the Jaguars will pick Neal at No. 1 overall. The more blocking help for Trevor Lawrence, the better.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
The Lions don't overthink it and pick Hutchinson to be their alpha rusher instantly.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 272 lbs
Walker has the size, length, and athleticism to be picked this high on draft night. The Texans don't need him to be amazing right out of the gate, given their rebuilding process.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 224 lbs
The Jets need more playmakers in the secondary, and Hamilton is absolutely one of those.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Ikem Ekwonu
OL
NC State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Ekwonu is a plug-and-play tackle who could play guard if needed for the Giants.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 220 lbs
I can't envision the Panthers offering the best compensation package to the Texans, nor the best environment to Deshaun Watson. Because of that, they need to turn their attention to quarterback in the draft.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
Kayvon Thibodeaux
EDGE
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
Thibodeaux falls into the Giants' lap, and they can't pass on him a second time.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 183 lbs
The Falcons restructured Matt Ryan's contract again, making it more difficult for them to move on from him in 2023. Strange. With that in mind, they get Ryan a top-tier receiver prospect to pair with Kyle Pitts down the middle of the field.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 9
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 225 lbs
The Seahawks get Willis as the long-term option at quarterback while Drew Lock serves as the placeholder.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 10
Mississippi State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
The Jets should be thrilled with landing Cross at the tail end of the top 10. He has All-Pro upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Chris Olave
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 187 lbs
The Commanders have to prioritize weapons for Carson Wentz, and Olave has a high floor. Ohio State East in the nation's capitol at receiver.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 190 lbs
Edge rusher is a sizable need for the Vikings. So is cornerback. This is nice value for Gardner.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
David Ojabo
EDGE
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 252 lbs
The Browns wait on receiver, instead landing a bendy athlete to complement Myles Garrett.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Jordan Davis
DL
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 336 lbs
Let's get crazy with Davis' draft position. The Ravens adore oversized defensive linemen, and Davis is rather large.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 15
Jermaine Johnson II
EDGE
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 254 lbs
The Eagles did sign Haason Reddick at the start of free agency, but they still have a need on the edge.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
LSU
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
The Eagles can't pass on Stingley with all of their first-round selections. He has too much upside and the position is a need in Phily.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Northern Iowa
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 325 lbs
To shore up the right tackle position could go a long way in Justin Herbert building on the first two very encouraging seasons to begin his NFL career.
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Mock Trade from
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 18
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
With just a sliver of the compensation from the Watson trade, the Texans get Davis Mills another receiving weapon in Burks.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 199 lbs
The Eagles pass on receiver and instead go with one of the most explosive players in the entire class in Cine to strengthen the safety group.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 207 lbs
Ridder is the experienced, decently improvisational quarterback the Steelers will likely gravitate toward if they stay put at No. 20 overall, even after the Mitchell Trubisky signing.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
George Karlaftis
EDGE
Purdue
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
Matthew Judon needs a running mate on the edge of the Patriots defensive line. Karlaftis is high floor and high upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Devin Lloyd
LB
Utah
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 235 lbs
The Raiders have to get better in their linebacker group. Lloyd is a missile at the second level.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Zion Johnson
OL
Boston College
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 316 lbs
Johnson will be ready to start at right guard in front of Kyler Murray. Protecting him better is a priority. Receiver can come in Round 2 for Arizona.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 180 lbs
The Bills are willing to wait on Williams' recovery process that will probably run a few months into his rookie season.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Central Michigan
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 303 lbs
Raimann is an older prospect, but he would be an instant starter on the right side of Tennessee's offensive front. The Titans need to be in win-now mode.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 325 lbs
With Brady back, the Buccaneers have to strengthen the interior of their offensive line given the losses of Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Jahan Dotson
WR
Penn State
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 184 lbs
A receiver for Aaron Rodgers! In Round 1. Dotson has some Randall Cobb characteristics to him and can stretch the field.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 29
Iowa
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 314 lbs
The Dolphins erupt when Linderbaum is still on the board. Huge get for Mike McDaniel.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Drake London
WR
USC
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
London isn't the speed type the Chiefs have prioritized during the Mahomes era, but he has the rebounding ability to thrive with an aggressive quarterback throwing him the football.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Kaiir Elam
CB
Florida
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 191 lbs
Elam is a big and fast with man-coverage specialty. Smart choice here by Cincinnati.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 32
Nakobe Dean
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 231 lbs
Massive steal for the Lions, a team in need of a playmaker at linebacker.
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