I've only been doing mock drafts at CBSSports.com for the last few seasons, but I've been doing them in my brain forever, and I'm having a hard time remembering the last time I've had this much uncertainty in my mind about how the top of the draft will go. There is no clear-cut No. 1 prospect in this class. At least, not from the consensus perspective.
We don't know if the first pick will be an offensive lineman or an edge rusher, and even if we knew for sure which position the Jacksonville Jaguars were targeting, we still wouldn't know which player. Toss in a lack of a clear No. 1 QB option, and things get even murkier.
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Thankfully, the picture should get clearer once we get through the combine and NFL teams start making free-agent signings, but for now, my mock is more art than science. Let's take a look at what I've painted.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Evan Neal
OL
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 340 lbs
Last year the Bengals showed us that, sometimes, the best way to help your quarterback is to draft a great receiver instead of an offensive lineman. There are no Ja'Marr Chases in this draft, though, so a tackle makes the most sense here.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
I don't think it's guaranteed that the Lions take Hutchinson at this spot because they have plenty of needs. That said, Hutchinson makes a lot of sense from both the need and fit perspective, so there's a reason you see him here in so many mocks.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Kayvon Thibodeaux
EDGE
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
Lovie Smith's defense is predicated on generating pressure on opposing QBs with a four-man rush. Thibodeaux can provide that from multiple spots on the line, and he's effective against the run as well. He's my top player in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Ikem Ekwonu
OL
NC State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
It's not the most significant position of need for the Jets, but Ekwonu is my favorite offensive lineman in this class and could prove to be a foundational piece for the next decade. To have both your QB and your LT on rookie deals would be quite a luxury.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 224 lbs
This is a best player available projection. Safety isn't the Giants' most significant concern, but there aren't many teams in the NFL who couldn't use a player of Hamilton's caliber.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 220 lbs
The Panthers need a QB desperately, and Pickett is the most NFL-ready of this class. Until the Panthers do something that indicates otherwise, I'm convinced this is their direction with No. 6, though it might not be Pickett.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
George Karlaftis
EDGE
Purdue
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
It might defy expectations for the Giants to go defense with both their first-round picks, but they've greatly improved both their pass rush and secondary with this pick and Kyle Hamilton.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 190 lbs
I love everything about Ahmad Gardner's game, and if I were a Falcons fan, I'd be thrilled with this outcome. That said, they might opt to go with the top receiver on their board, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Jermaine Johnson II
EDGE
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 254 lbs
Johnson has been flying up draft boards over the last month, and it's not hard to see why. He left Georgia because it was hard to crack the rotation, but that's more about the ridiculous depth the Bulldogs had at the position than Johnson's ability. He's a disruptive force.
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Mock Trade from
New York Jets
Round 1 - Pick 10
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 225 lbs
There's been a lot of smoke about Pittsburgh's affinity for Malik Willis, and in this mock, it moves up to make sure any of the other teams in the market for a QB can't get him. Willis is the kind of QB lottery ticket who can pay huge dividends, as he's got a ceiling the others in this class don't.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Nakobe Dean
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 231 lbs
The Commanders could go for a QB here, but with Pickett and Willis off the board, is the best available QB now that much better than the best available with their next pick? I say no, so you might as well take a player who could prove to be the best player on your defense for the next 10 years.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
LSU
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
The Vikings are another team that could go after a QB here, and we don't know what they'll do with Kirk Cousins. Regardless, Stingley would be a terrific pickup here. After all, the last time the Vikings took an LSU product who slid further than he should've in the draft, it worked out pretty well.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 183 lbs
However you feel about Baker Mayfield, the Browns could stand to give him some help. Wilson might be the ideal replacement with Odell Beckham Jr. gone and Jarvis Landry possibly following.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Washington
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 193 lbs
Washington has produced a lot of solid NFL defensive backs over the last few years, and McDuffie is the latest. The Ravens could certainly use an infusion of young talent in their secondary, and while it may not be McDuffie, I expect this to be the position the Ravens target.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 15
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 272 lbs
Walker isn't a player who's going to wow you with overwhelming athleticism, but there's such power and violence to his game that it's hard to be anything but impressed. He could come in handy for an Eagles team in need of some more physicality up front.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
Treylon Burks is not the best player in this class, nor is he the best receiver, but he's my favorite to watch. He's big, strong, faster than you expect, and is a monster after the catch. He and Devonta Smith would be an incredibly potent duo.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Chris Olave
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 187 lbs
Mike Williams might be the most attractive receiver on the free-agent market, so if the Chargers can't afford to retain him, Olave makes a lot of sense as a replacement. He doesn't have the size of Williams, but he's a polished route runner who can stretch a defense vertically. Just imagine him smoothly running under a 60-yard heave from Justin Herbert.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 207 lbs
I had Matt Corral going to the Saints in my first mock, and I'm switching the pick to Desmond Ridder here. Both have their strengths, but Ridder might be the safer pick, and he offers plenty of upside himself, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Baylor
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 200 lbs
I've heard so many differing opinions from people on Pitre, but I'm a big fan of what he can do. There's some question about where he's best suited to play, but the fact he can play different roles well is what makes him attractive to me.
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Mock Trade from
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 20
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 180 lbs
If not for a torn ACL suffered in the national title game, I'd expect Williams to go earlier. There aren't many players in this class with the kind of game-breaking speed he has. The idea of Williams being able to freelance as Zach Wilson roams around the pocket and buys time will give defensive coordinators migraines.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
David Ojabo
EDGE
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 252 lbs
Given New England's track record drafting receivers, it'd probably be better served to sign one in free agency and add an edge rusher to the fold with this pick. Ojabo is not a finished product, but there's a lot to dream on here, and he could flourish in the New England defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Devin Lloyd
LB
Utah
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 235 lbs
Lloyd isn't a perfect linebacker prospect, but it's hard to argue with his production or demeanor. When you watch him play, he's aggressive and fearless. The effort and desire to impose his will overcomes most of his potential shortcomings.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Iowa
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 314 lbs
I don't know if drafting a center will cause Kyler Murray to put the Cardinals back in his Instagram bio right away, but I bet Linderbaum will quickly become one of Murray's best friends. If drafting strictly on the ability to play his position, Linderbaum would be a top-10 pick, but centers don't typically go that high.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Mississippi State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
Cross is the most underrated offensive lineman in this class and has a chance to be the best when the dust settles. For a Dallas team that could use some improvements up front, getting Cross at No. 24 is a steal.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Drake London
WR
USC
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
I don't know that there's a receiver in this class who knows how to use his body better than London. There's a grace and purpose to all of his movements, and it allows him to overcome his lack of top-end speed. The way he's able to keep defenders away from the ball with his body while simultaneously positioning himself in a way that allows him to catch the ball and avoid a big hit at the same time is awe-inspiring sometimes.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 325 lbs
Tennessee could use some improvements on the interior of its offensive line, and Green makes a lot of sense. He's an excellent run-blocker who fits the Titans from a scheme and demeanor perspective. Some teams might want to try him at tackle, and while he could be an average tackle, he might be an All-Pro guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Jordan Davis
DL
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 336 lbs
A cult hero among college football fans, Jordan Davis is fun to watch. Some of the film reminds me of when I was an eight-year-old doing Oklahoma drills against my 16-year old cousin in his basement. So many interior linemen flail helplessly as they try to move him out of the way or stop him from getting where he's trying to go.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Jahan Dotson
WR
Penn State
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 184 lbs
Assuming the Packers keep Aaron Rodgers and go all-in to win a Super Bowl, adding another receiver to the mix on offense would make sense. Dotson would give Green Bay something it hasn't had to pair with Davante Adams: a deep-threat who can reliably run other routes, too.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 29
Northern Iowa
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 325 lbs
The group of Trevor Penning fanatics continues to grow. He's not the most graceful player, but he's athletic enough. He's also meaner than hell, which is always an endearing quality for an offensive lineman.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
I'll probably have Daxton Hill to the Chiefs in every mock I do until I know what the future of Tyrann Mathieu holds. If Mathieu leaves Kansas City, Hill makes all the sense in the world as his logical replacement.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Central Michigan
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 303 lbs
This might be an odd fit for Cincinnati. The Bengals would prefer somebody to step in and improve their line right away, and I'm not sure Raimann fits that bill entirely. Still, while he might need some seasoning, there's a lot to like about his potential, and he's shown a lot of flashes for a player still getting familiar with the position.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 32
Nevada
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
There's nothing more valuable in the NFL than a QB on a rookie deal, and by snatching one in the first round, Detroit can buy an extra year on Strong's contract. Maybe it isn't Strong -- who has a cannon of an arm -- but drafting somebody who could compete with Jared Goff right away or take a "redshirt" year isn't the worst idea for Detroit. Plus, drafting Strong here wouldn't keep Detroit from taking another QB next season if the opportunity presents itself.
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