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On the Friday edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory, we did a full first-round mock — something we plan to do once a month (and perhaps more often in April) leading up to the NFL Draft.
Here are the selections as we see them before free agency and immediately after the NFL season has ended:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
A no-brainer. The highest grade we’ve given someone in KC Draft Guide history.
2. New York Jets - QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
It will be back and forth between Fields and Zach Wilson for me as the process continues, I believe. For now, it’s Fields.
3. Miami Dolphins - WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
The best wide receiver in the class — and the prototype for wide receivers that go in the top 10.
4. Atlanta Falcons - QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Atlanta gets their quarterback of the future and hopes to never be in this spot this early in the draft again.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Sewell will be 20 on draft day. He’s a young prospect with immense talent to develop. The upside is special.
6. Philadelphia Eagles - TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Pitts is a tight end in name only. He’s a versatile offensive weapon that the Eagles can line up out at “X” with some frequency and know that they have an excellent big-bodied pass catcher who wins at the catch point and be a mismatch.
7. Detroit Lions - WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Slighter receivers don’t typically go early in the draft, but Waddle has a trump card — he’s the fastest receiver in the class.
8. Carolina Panthers - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
The Panthers have tried to be aggressive for a quarterback already this offseason and in this scenario, they take a swing on Lance. Don’t be surprised if they trade up to get Fields or Wilson.
9. Denver Broncos - CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Denver just released AJ Bouye and will look to add another cover player to its defense as it tries to slow down some great offenses in their division.
10. Dallas Cowboys - OL Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Cornerback is an option here, too, but Slater can play anywhere on the offensive line and help solidify a group that has had health issues. If Tyron Smith can’t stay healthy, Slater could be the left tackle of the future.
11. New York Giants - LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
There is not a more Dave Gettleman pick than to grab the linebacker with a big grade that falls out of the top 10. What is positional value? Parsons is actually pretty good value here.
12. San Francisco 49ers - CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Richard Sherman’s contract is up and Farley fits their scheme perfectly. The most athletic corner in the class — impressive for a man his size.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
A small reach, but Cosmi has a high ceiling and could protect Justin Herbert’s blindside for the next decade if he pans out.
14. Minnesota Vikings - OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Big, athletic tackle to drop into a zone-heavy scheme. Vikings have to be happy he falls here.
15. New England Patriots - WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
DeVonta Smith falling all the way to 15? Historically, the bigger-bodied, athletic receivers are the ones that go early. Smaller guys have to wait. Smith looked unprecedentedly small in Mobile, but his talent is undeniable. He still goes in the first half of round one.
16. Arizona Cardinals - CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
The Cardinals might move on from Patrick Peterson. If they do, a young cornerback makes sense to continue building their defense.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
I hate giving the Raiders Paye, but he makes way too much sense. A dense, athletic pass rusher is hard to find.
18. Miami Dolphins - OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Play him wherever you want along the line and you’re going to get better. AVT can stick at tackle in my opinion, but if you need to kick him inside he’ll be dominant.
19. Washington Football Team - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Continue to add coverage players in the back seven to compliment an elite pass rush.
20. Chicago Bears - OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
One of our favorite players in the class. Not sure the league values him as high as we do — but I’d be giddy if he wound up in KC. He goes well before that here.
21. Indianapolis Colts - EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Colts keep stacking pass rushers as they look to claim the AFC South title. Rousseau was ultra-productive in 2019 before electing to opt out.
22. Tennessee Titans - EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Back-to-back Miami pass rushers for back-to-back AFC South teams. Phillips is athletic enough to play as a stand-up. His talent is undeniable. The health is the question.
23. New York Jets - RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Jets get someone to take the pressure off of Fields. Harris has immense value as a runner and pass-catcher. He would be a rookie of the year candidate.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
The Steelers take a more ready-made offensive tackle as Big Ben’s window closes.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Pair your elite quarterback prospect with an “X” receiver that will go get the ball for you. Bateman would compliment Laviska Shenault and DJ Chark well in the Jaguars’ passing game.
26. Cleveland Browns - DL Christian Barmore, Alabama
Stacking more defensive line talent to go with Myles Garrett. Barmore would thrive on the interior with Garrett’s presence on the field.
27. Baltimore Ravens - OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
Too rich for my blood, but feels like a Ravens type of offensive lineman.
28. New Orleans Saints - LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
Bolton will help those “bat games” hurt a little bit more. A physical, downhill linebacker with good range and adequate enough coverage skill that he’s not a liability.
29. Green Bay Packers - WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Shanahan offenses — like what Green Bay runs under Matt LaFleur — have seen a lot of manufactured touches to wide receivers. Toney would be a perfect recipient of those and add a layer to an already great offense.
30. Buffalo Bills - LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
A long, dense, freak athlete at linebacker with plus coverage skills? That’s a nice pairing next to Tremaine Edmunds. The length and athleticism at the second level in Buffalo would be scary.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
We gave the Chiefs offensive line help in rounds two and three, so let’s just get that out of the way right now. You can listen to the podcast to hear those.
Bet on dense, athletic pass rushers always. Oweh was a disruptor in the Big Ten despite not recording a sack. Make no mistake about it though — this isn’t just an athlete playing football. This is still a football player — and one who affected the quarterback despite not bringing him down much in 2020. You can’t find his athletic profile after the first round very often. He’s expected to post some absurd numbers when he tests. He’s got the raw materials to turn into a problem in the NFL. Brendan Daly would be thrilled to have this kind of player in his room.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas
It hurts not seeing the Chiefs at 32. I wanted to give them Mac Jones out of spite, but adding another pass rusher when it’s uncertain they’ll be able to retain all of theirs makes sense. Ossai seems to fit the physical profile similar to Shaq Barrett.
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