3GML 3 Round Mock Draft
The first wave of free agency has come and gone, meaning it’s time for another mock draft! Let’s raise the ante here by doing a 3-round mock. For this draft, there is complete analysis on every pick in the first round, and analysis on remaining 3GML picks in rounds 2 and 3. To make it fun, I have added some trades in the first round… and it gets a little weird. So, for my own sanity’s sake, I chose not to extend trades into the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
The picks I make here are based more on what I think the teams would/could do based on scheme and team needs post-free agency. Not having completed my own draft board, I have used a combination of what I hear NFL teams think of players and available boards / rankings from various draft analysts. I also tried to be creative and shake things up a bit. Enjoy.
Round 1
Pick 1: Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow
At the moment, it looks like it would take a blockbuster trade to make the Bengals move off of this pick. I’m talking New Orleans Ricky Williams / Minnesota Vikings Herschel Walker trades. Both were bad ideas at the time and proved to be bad ideas afterwards. Unless the Bengals clearly signal Burrow isn’t their guy, you can write this pick on the card in sharpie.
Pick 2: Washington Redskins – EDGE Chase Young
If you are Washington, you are thinking long and hard about trading out of this pick. With needs across the board (outside of a stacked DL) and in clear rebuild mode, the new front office could use the extra picks. On the flip side, Chase Young might be the closest thing to a generational talent we’ve seen in awhile, and we know new HC Ron Rivera loves him some defense. I think they stay put and take the player. Look for them to offload Ryan Kerrigan for some extra draft capital in this scenario.
Pick 3: Green Bay Packers – CB Jeff Okudah
This was another strong trade back candidate before free agency. But after free agency, I think the they stay put. Why? Well first, they filled their need at tackle by signing Bryan Bulaga at an affordable price. Secondly, several of the potential QB needy teams in the top 15 filled that need in free agency. Its basically down to the Dolphins as a trade up candidate, who seem content to keep their picks and take whoever falls to them at 5. The Pack find their backfield mate and eventual replacement for Casey Hayward.
Pick 4: New York Giants – OT Jedrick Wills
Dave Gettleman came out at the combine and said they’d entertain a trade back here if they thought they could get more value than they would staying put. After free agency, it doesn’t look like this will happen. Instead, the Giants stay put and get arguably the top tackle in the class. Gettleman loves his “hog mollies” and he gets one with a nasty streak.
Pick 5: LA Chargers – QB Tua Tagovailoa
Post-combine, the word on the street was LA had cooled on Tua and were more interested in Justin Herbert. But most people recognize this is the time of year where every front office is lying through their teeth. Tua is acing his health exams, and it was reported Miami had tried desperately to get Tua for a private workout before the COVID-19 virus shut everything down. As long as he continues to heal, this is their guy – make no mistake about it.
Pick 6:
TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders trade Picks 12, 80, 81 and a 2021 4th to Detroit for picks 6
Las Vegas Raiders – QB Justin Herbert
Gruden gets a wild hair and jumps ahead of Carolina to get himself a shiny new QB. While the Raiders have claimed they are happy with Carr (what did I just say about lying season?), the fact is Gruden didn’t choose him, and this is very much Gruden’s team. As a QB lover, Gruden wants to get his guy in the building, and recognizes this is his best opportunity in the next few drafts. The addition of Mariota to the QB room also brings a mentoring presence for Herbert should Carr be moved… speaking of…
Gruden’s on the phone with Belichick before the card for Herbert even hits Goodells hands! That crazy Gruden has just flipped Carr and pick 121 to the New England Patriots for pick 23 to offset the draft picks the Raiders just lost!
Pick 7:
TRADE: New York Jets trade Picks 11 and 68 to Carolina Panders for Pick 7
OT Mekhi Becton
The Jets trade up ahead of other tackle needy teams in Arizona and Cleveland to get their guy, and it only costs them 1 of their 2 third round picks. Becton is a monster of a human with unreal athleticism for his size (9.85 relative athletic score – elite), and his stock is soaring after the combine. He can hold down the left side for Darnold and will provide the Jets with a strong run game and pass protection for years to come.
Pick 8: Arizona Cardinals – OT Tristen Wirfs
The Cardinals just made an unreal trade to offload David Johnson and his terrible contract, getting DeAndre Hopkins in return. While we all loved the idea of reuniting Kyler Murray with Ceedee Lamb, this just isn’t going to happen now (or at least shouldn’t). Instead, the Cardinals address a long-standing need and draft more OL help. While Thomas was in play here, the Cardinals resigned DJ Humphries to hold down the left tackle spot, so Wirfs makes more sense here at RT. Plus, the Cardinals can slide him to G, where he could use his elite strength, if he doesn’t pan out on the outside.
Pick 9: Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Derrick Brown
The Jaguars are in desperate need of CB help, but there isn’t one on the board appropriate for this pick. Instead, they can address that need later. Here, they choose to attack another glaring weakness, bringing in Derrick Brown to fill in the void left by the departure of Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell.
Pick 10: Cleveland Browns – OT Andrew Thomas
Thomas may not be their first choice, but the Browns don’t have to give up any picks and still fill their primary need. Thomas has some flaws to his game but has the potential to be the franchise left tackle the Browns have desperately needed since future HoF Joe Thomas retired.
Pick 11: Carolina Panthers (from New York Jets) – LB Isaiah Simmons
This is a dream scenario for the Panthers. In year 1 of a full rebuild, I doubt that drafting a young QB was really in the cards for the Panthers. Like the Dolphins this last year, they’d be better served by trading away aging veterans and high draft capital this offseason for 2021 picks and cap space. So far this offseason, it would appear the Panthers brass agree. By trading with the Jets in this scenario, they acquire more draft capital and still get an elite athlete in Simmons to fill the void left by Luke Kuechly’s surprise retirement. And if you think the NFL won’t let a talent like Simmons fall this far, see James, Derwin and Edmunds, Tremaine.
Pick 12: Detriot Lions (from Las Vegas Raiders) – CB Kristian Fulton
The Lions were hoping for Simmons to fall in their laps, but it didn’t happen. Instead they turn their attention to their most dire need, CB. After trading a disgruntled Darius Slay to the 3GML Texans, the Lions select Fulton, whose size and physicality in man coverage fits well with Patricia’s scheme. While this might seem high for Fulton, his 4.46s forty at the combine showed he is faster than many assumed, and this will surely boost his value for some teams. The Lions also have “their guys” and don’t mind paying too much to get them, either in the draft or free agency. While CJ Henderson is also strong in man coverage, the Lions are unlikely to take a CB whose tackling skills (willingness) are questionable.
Pick 13: San Francisco 49ers – DL Javon Kinlaw
While the 49ers could take the pick of the litter for WR here, the 49ers GM has shown a strong tendency towards drafting defenders in the first round. The Niners also hold pick 30 and with such a deep WR class, will look to add a WR there. In the previous 3 drafts, the 49ers GM has selected CB, LB, S, and Edge in the 1st round. This time, the 49ers choose to address a growing need at DL and take the explosive Javon Kinlaw, completing the defensive rebuild at every level.
Pick 14: Tampa Bay – WR Henry Ruggs III
Tampa just signed Tom Brady and traded for RB Dalvin Cook, taking 2 huge needs off the board here. There isn’t a tackle worth picking at this point, on either side of the ball, and Brady wants weapons. And strangely, not a single WR has come of the board yet... A deep draft at the position combined with team needs causes GMs to look elsewhere and Tampa reaps the benefits. Now imagine giving Brady weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Henry Ruggs at WR in Bruce Arians offense? Slam dunk. And if you point out that Tom might not have the arm strength any more to take advantage of Ruggs in the deep game, I’ll be quick to point out that Ruggs will give you plenty of RAC ability that plays well to Brady’s quick passing game.
Pick 15: Denver Broncos – WR Jerry Jeudy
This pick is WR 9 times out of 10. Denver had its heart set on a speedster like Ruggs, but it didn’t play out the way they had hoped. Instead, they take Jeudy, who will complement well what Denver has in Cortland Sutton. Jeudy’s route running skills are arguably the best in the class, and in any other class, he would be considered an explosive player. Its just when you’ve got Henry Ruggs and Denzel Mims in your class, a mid-4.4s forty seems more pedestrian. But no one should sleep on Jeudy’s abilities.
Pick 16:
TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders trade picks 19 and 90 to Atlanta for pick 16
WR Ceedee Lamb
Gruden is at it again! Atlanta’s phone was ringing of the hook as teams were shocked to see Lamb still on the board. The Falcons pick up some extra capital to move back only 3 spots, and the Raiders move up to get their WR1 to pair with their new young QB. Ceedee Lamb is perhaps the most polished player in the draft, and he looked heads and shoulders above the other wideouts who participated in the Combine drills. He’s not a burner, but with talent like this, it doesn’t matter.
Pick 17: Dallas Cowboys – CB CJ Henderson
The Cowboys let Byron Jones walk so they could (checks notes) tag Dak Prescott instead of extending him and pay Amari Cooper $100 million dollars despite the deepest WR draft class in years. But really, this is fallout from overpaying Zeke Elliott and Tank Lawrence last offseason. Now their secondary just got MUCH weaker. Byron Jones was an explosive athlete, so lets give them another explosive athlete in C.J. Henderson. He’s not the best or most willing tackler (understatement), but his traits are enough to gamble on here.
Pick 18: Green Bay – DE K’Lavon Chaisson
The Packers GM was on the phone to Atlanta to get Lamb, but they lost out to Gruden. Their recent trade for Diggs softens the blow, so instead, they go another direction here. This is low key need here, as the Packers recently moved on from their stud edge rusher Myles Garrett after he attempted to put Mason Rudolph’s helmet back on the wrong way. With the aging Clay Matthews potentially out the door as well, they need edge rusher help. They get an explosive edge presence in Chaisson to pair with the ascending Harold Landry.
Pick 19: Atlanta Falcons (from Las Vegas Raiders – DE AJ Epenesa
The Falcons were hoping Chaisson would fall to them after their trade back but were surprised by the Packers pick. Instead, they go for plan B and get Epenesa to fill the ‘Big End’ position in Dan Quinn’s 4-3 under scheme. Epenesa’s poor combine might scare some teams away, but the Falcons like his film and think his game is well suited for their defense. Having picked up extra draft capital in the trade back, the Falcons don’t mind reaching a bit here with Epenesa.
Pick 20: Houston Texans – S Xavier McKinney
This is a popular pick to the Texans here, and it is understandable. Need meets value as other positions are starting to become thin for first round talent. The Texans traded for and extended Tre Boston, who will fill the deep FS position, leaving Xavier McKinney to patrol the box and be the versatile player they desire.
Pick 21: Philadelphia Eagles – LB Patrick Queen
The Eagles still need CB help (they didn’t get Slay in our world), but there is better value here for another position of need. The Eagles starting linebackers are currently Duke Riley, Alex Singleton, and TJ Edwards… woof! Lets pair Riley with another LSU linebacker in the explosive Patrick Queen and shore up the second level.
Pick 22: Minnesota Vikings – WR Justin Jefferson
Exit one superb route runner, enter one that could be. Justin Jefferson is known for his smooth route running skills and good hands but could stand to expand his route tree. He tested much better than anyone expected, but that also illustrates issues with his play speed. Spending time in the wide receiver room with Adam Thielen will certainly help to maximize his skill set.
Pick 23: Las Vegas Raiders (from New England Patriots) – CB A.J. Terrell
Gruden and Mayock are building a specific team culture in Las Vegas and have shown a propensity for selecting players from winning college teams. A.J. Terrell fits that bill and will reunite with his former Clemson teammate Trayvon Mullen to strengthen this weak secondary. This is a bit of reach, but the Raiders have shown that they don’t care about value if they think it’s a good culture fit (see Ferrell, Clelin).
Pick 24: New Orleans Saints – QB Jordan Love
The Saints are making one last push to get Drew Brees that second Lombardi Trophy. They’ve been very active in free agency and have addressed their need for a WR2 by signing Sanders. Instead, the Saints look to the future here and roll the dice with the talented, but raw Jordan Love. I don’t take the Taysom-Hill-is-our-future talk seriously, and nor should you. They know what he is and that is why Teddy started when Brees went down. Love will come in and give Payton the best of both worlds – arm talent and mobility. Love needs to redshirt a season or two, and doing that behind Drew Brees is about as good as it can get.
Pick 25: Miami Dolphins – LB Kenneth Murray
The Dolphins have been active this offseason, trading for WR and CB depth. That leaves LB as the biggest need, and again, need meets value with this pick. Murray has the range and physicality to set the tone on the second level but will need to improve his decision making a bit if he wants step in at Mike. If all else fails, he can slide into the Will position and play to his athleticism. The Dolphins snatch Murray up before Baltimore gets him at pick 28.
Pick 26: LA Chargers – OT Josh Jones
Boy, the NFL loves Josh Jones and his traits. I’ve seen people gush on him. But he’s also raw (and I’ve also seen him comped to Tytus Howard, who many felt was a reach and a half in the first round). But we’ve seen NFL teams use the back end of the first round to take high ceiling, low floor prospects many times. I think the Chargers gamble on his upside here and fill a position of need.
Pick 27: Green Bay Packers – S Grant Delpit
The Packers traded with the Vikings for Diggs, so taking a WR at the back end of the 1st with Diggs, Cooks, and Smith-Schuster on their roster seems gratuitous. Turning to OT, they miss out on Josh Jones, and other OT’s might be a reach here. One area they could improve on is safety. Kazee and Baker are on the last year of their contracts, leaving only Adrian Amos on the roster in 2021. Taking Delpit here would add talent and depth and allow Amos to slide from FS down to SS, the position he played during his breakout year in 2017.
Pick 28: Baltimore Ravens – LB / EDGE Zach Baun
From what I hear, the NFL is VERY high on Zach Baun, and this just seems like a Ravens pick. A versatile LB that won’t be a true edge in the NFL, but isn’t really a typical off-ball LB. The Raven’s will know how to use his versatility, as they have others in the past. Plug him into this defense and I guarantee you it will work.
Pick 29: Tennessee Titans – EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
The Titans need both Edge and IDL help, but we go with Edge here knowing they picked Simmons in the first round last year. Gross-Matos is another high-trait player that hasn’t quite put it all together. He may be better suited in an even front than the mixed 3-4 front that Tennessee plays in, but in todays NFL, where teams are in sub-packages more than base, I don’t think it matters as much.
Pick 30: San Francisco 49ers – WR Denzel Mims
This is an easy pick. The 49ers need a running mate opposite of Julio that can stretch the field and allow Tyler Boyd to play in the slot. Mims shocked the Combine when he ran a 4.38s 40 and 6.66s 3-cone, showing 90th percentile or better speed and agility for the position. He’s still a bit raw but can come in and learn from one of the most dominant WRs in the NFL.
Pick 31: Minnesota Vikings – CB Trevon Diggs
Out goes one Diggs, in comes another. This seems like the perfect revenge for the Vikings, who were forced to trade big brother Stefan Diggs because he was unhappy with his usage. Trevon fills an immediate need at a position that Zimmer covets. Diggs is still a bit raw, but Zimmer is a guru and will bring the best out of him.
Pick 32: Kansas City – IOL Cesar Ruiz
KC need talent at corner, but that position has been ransacked in the first round. RB is another position to consider, as D’Andre Swift is still on the board. But rather, the Chiefs address another area of need, looking to shore up their depleted interior offensive line. The Chiefs currently have two former 7th rounders at center and left guard. Its time to infuse this line with some more talent, and the Chiefs take Ruiz, who has been shooting up boards during this draft season.
Round 2
Pick 33: Cincinnati Bengals – IOL Lloyd Cushenberrry III
Pick 34: Indianapolis Colts - WR Tee Higgins
Pick 35: Detroit Lions – IDL Ross Blacklock
Pick 36: New York Giants – S Antoine Winfield Jr
Pick 37: Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Jeff Gladney
Pick 38: Carolina Panthers – IDL Neville Gallimore
Pick 39: LA Chargers – RB D’Andre Swift
Pick 40: Arizona Cardinals – RB J.K. Dobbins
Pick 41: Cleveland Browns – LB/S Kyle Duggar
Pick 42: Miami Dolphins – IDL Justin Madubuike
The Dolphins resigned Danny Shelton to play nose tackle, but they could use a true starter at the other 2 positions in their three-man front. While both Raewkon Davis or Madubuike are in play here, Madubuike is the choice because of his versatility and pass rush upside.
Pick 43: Chicago Bears – CB Noah Igbinoghene
Pick 44: Indianapolis Colts – Edge Terrell Lewis
Pick 45: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Austin Jackson
Pick 46: Denver Broncos – OT Ezra Cleveland
Pick 47: Atlanta Falcons – CB Jaylon Johnson
Pick 48: New York Jets – WR Laviska Shenault Jr
Pick 49: Pittsburg Steelers – IDL Raekwon Davis
Pick 50: Green Bay Packers – OT Lucas Niang
The Packers missed out on Josh Jones above, but circle back in the second round and get another athletic tackle. Niang is a bit raw, but he has high upside and is well suited to play the RT position for the Packers in a few seasons.
Pick 51: Dallas Cowboys – S Ashtyn Davis
Pick 52: Los Angeles Rams – RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Pick 53: Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jalen Reagor
Pick 54: Buffalo Bills – RB Jonathan Taylor
Pick 55: Baltimore Ravens – WR Jonathan Peoples-Jones
Pick 56: LA Chargers – IOL Jonah Jackson
Pick 57: Seattle Seahawks – Edge Curtis Weaver
Pick 58: Minnesota Vikings – IDL Marlon Davidson
Pick 59: Seattle Seahawks – OT Isaiah Wilson
Pick 60: Baltimore Ravens - IOL Matt Hennessy
Pick 61: Tennessee Titans – TE Cole Kmet
Pick 62: San Francisco 49ers – OT Prince Tega Wanogho
With the future of star LT Trent Williams in doubt, the 49ers take the raw, but athletic Tega Wanogho in the bottom of the second. He profiles as a high-upside LT that will fit well in Shanahan’s zone-based scheme, but he needs experience in the position before he can be a full-time starter.
Pick 63: Kansas City Chiefs – CB Damon Arnette
Pick 64: Green Bay Packers – RB Cam Akers
As of this mock, the Packers have only one RB on their roster in Damien Williams. While Akers’ production was questionable in college, he has all the ability in the world. The Packers GM recognizes the awful O-line Akers ran behind at Florida State and gambles on his upside at the bottom of the second round.
Round 3
Pick 65: Cincinnati Bengals – WR Brandon Aiyuk
Pick 66: Washington Redskins – Adam Trautman
Pick 67: Detroit Lions – EDGE/LB Josh Uche
Pick 68: Carolina Panthers (from New York Jets) – IOL Robert Hunt
Pick 69: Carolina Panthers – WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pick 70: LA Chargers – S Jeremy Chinn
Pick 71: Miami Dolphins – Edge Julian Okwara
Okwara tumbles down the board a bit due to flaws in his run game, but Miami stops the tumble here. The Dolphins have tagged Barrett after his breakout season, but his future beyond 2020 is at question. Okwara’s gumby athleticism is worth gambling on here as a potential replacement piece in their 3-4 scheme should Barrett head elsewhere in 2021.
Pick 72: Arizona Cardinals – LB Willie Gay Jr.
Pick 73: Jacksonville Jaguars – WR K.J. Hamler
Pick 74: Cleveland Browns – LB Malik Harrison
Pick 75: Miami Dolphins – CB Bryce Hall
The Dolphins have a stud zone corner in Desmond King, and they add a potential one in Bryce Hall. If he had come out in last year’s shallow DB class, Hall was a potential first rounder. A deep class this year and his injury this last season pushes him down the board to the waiting arms of the Dolphins.
Pick 76: Houston Texans – OT Ben Bartch
The Texans have spent this offseason shoring up many of their weaknesses, but the left side of the line is still a question. Having only 1 pick in the top 75 means they miss out on many of the bigger name prospects, so they take a development prospect with upside here. Despite his small school pedigree, Bartch showed at the Senior Bowl that he could hang in the big leagues.
Pick 77: Denver Broncos – LB Jordyn Brooks
Pick 78: Atlanta Falcons – IDL Davon Hamilton
Pick 79: New York Jets – Edge Darrell Taylor
Pick 80: Detroit Lions (from Las Vegas Raiders) – S Terrell Burgess
Pick 81: Detroit Lions (from Las Vegas Raiders) – LB Troy Dye
Pick 82: Miami Dolphins – IOL Damien Lewis
The Dolphins need an upgrade at the LG position and Damien Lewis can provide it. He’s a monster in the run game, and perfectly suited for a gap/power scheme - just what the Dolphins are looking for in their offensive lineman.
Pick 83: Denver Broncos – CB Cameron Dantzler
Pick 84: Los Angeles Rams – OT/IOL Matt Peart
Pick 85: Miami Dolphins – QB Jake Fromm
The Dolphins traded this offseason for Cam Newton, but his long-term health remains a question mark. Ryan Finley was not good in his limited time as a starter. The Dolphins have always leaned on the run game, so having a game manager at QB is not so much an issue. Jake Fromm is smart and careful with ball, and he would work well in a run-heavy offense where he doesn’t have to carry the team.
Pick 86: Buffalo Bills – Edge Jonathan Greenard
Pick 87: New England Patriots – TE Jared Pinkney
Pick 88: New Orleans Saints – CB Troy Pride
Pick 89: Minnesota Vikings – OT Saadhiq Charles
Pick 90: Atlanta Falcons (from Oakland Raiders) – IOL Nick Harris
Pick 91: Houston Texans – QB Jalen Hurts
The Texans surprise by taking Jalen Hurts, but with no backup currently rostered, this pick makes sense. Hurts may not be as dynamic or toolsy as Lamar Jackson, but he does share some similarities, particularly with his mobility outside of the pocket. His history with new head coach Lincoln Riley and familiarity with Riley’s offense certainly helps as well.
Pick 92: Baltimore Ravens – TE Hunter Bryant
Pick 93: Tennessee Titans – CB Darnay Holmes
Pick 94: San Francisco 49ers – RB Zack Moss
With both Alvin Kamara and Phillip Lindsay on the last year of their contracts, the 49ers must look to the future. They can’t keep both, even with the RB market value down of late. Zack Moss provides a complimentary back for early downs to rest the more dynamic back, be it Kamara or Lindsay, moving forward.
Pick 95: Denver Broncos – IDL Rashard Lawrence
Pick 96: Kansas City Chiefs – RB Eno Benjamin
Pick 97: Cleveland Browns – IOL Netane Muti
Pick 98: New England Patriots – WR Van Jefferson
Pick 99: New York Giants – Edge Jabari Zuniga
Pick 100: New England Patriots – Edge Bradlee Anae
Pick 101: Seattle Seahawks – CB Michael Ojemudia
Pick 102: Pittsburg Steelers – IOL Tyler Biadasz
Pick 103: Philadelphia Eagles – CB Amik Robertson
Pick 104: Los Angeles Rams – LB Evan Weaver
Pick 105: Minnesota Vikings – S K’Von Wallace
Pick 106: Baltimore Ravens – RB/WR Antonio Gibson
