Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft March 9th

Mock drafts are something that I truly love. I have been working on them since I was 15 years old. I’m 30 now, so I have a little experience doing them. I love putting together mock drafts after the conclusion of free agency because you have a better idea of the team’s needs but they are still fun to work on! NFL Free Agency starts Monday, March 15th at 4 PM EST. The NFL Draft starts April 29th and concludes on May 1st. If you haven’t already, check out my Top 10 Free Agents on the market and where they will land. Here is my Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft on March 9th!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson

This pick is a lock. Urban Meyer didn’t come out of retirement to coach Gardner Minshew. He wanted the generational quarterback AND the unlimited amount of cap space to build the team in his image.

2. Carolina Panthers (Trade via NYJ) – Zach Wilson – QB – BYU

IF the Jets do keep Sam Darnold, they would most likely trade out of the second pick as the haul that would be dangled in front of them would be too good to turn down. It’s no secret that Matt Rhule is desperate for a quarterback and Zach Wilson is the next best one with enormous upside.

3. Miami Dolphins – Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida

Don’t let the tight end designation fool you, Kyle Pitts is an offensive weapon. He’s a superhuman that was created in a lab somewhere that completely dominated the SEC. Instead of opting for the best wide receivers in the draft, take the safer pick and keep adding weapons for Tua.

4. San Francisco 49ers – (Trade via ATL) – Justin Fields – QB – Ohio State

San Fran is another team eager for a quarterback. Jimmy G hasn’t gotten it done for them and it’s time to find one that Kyle Shanahan can have faith in. Fields is a fantastic fit for this offense. A dual-threat, big-armed quarterback that sometimes needs assistance reading defenses and processing the game faster. Shanahan can help with that.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell – OT – Oregon

Penei Sewell has seemed destined for Cincinnati since the Bengals failed to properly address their offensive line situation in last year’s draft. Jonah Williams can’t stay healthy and it’s clear that Joe Burrow needs some time and room to step up in the pocket. He was the worst quarterback on deep passes last year and adding a 330-pound nimble monster left tackle can help that.

6. Philadelphia Eagles – Devonta Smith – WR – Alabama

If the Eagles truly intend on giving Jalen Hurts a chance, they need to draft a playmaker early. Hurts isn’t the most accurate quarterback but Smith can make plays all over the field. His catch radius is incredible and he doesn’t drop any passes.

7. Denver Broncos (Trade via Det.) – Trey Lance – QB – NDSU

Does Denver love Drew Lock? I don’t believe so. He has talent but he couldn’t put it together last year with loads of offensive weapons (minus Courtland Sutton). Trey Lance is another tall, big-armed quarterback that has incredible running ability. If he continues to develop, this offense could be a fun one to watch.

8. New York Jets (Trade via Car.) – Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU

I truly believe the smartest thing the Jets could do is keep Darnold another year. Not because I believe in Sam Darnold (which I don’t) but because Adam Gase was such a horrific offensive coach that literally every player that left him went on to be successful somewhere else. If you read my Free Agency Fantasy Breakdown, you would see that I have the Jets spending big on signing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chris Carson. Drafting Ja’Marr Chase would help create an offensive juggernaut that Sam Darnold would succeed in. As well as adding a 2022 first round pick and 2021 second round pick from Carolina.

9. Detroit Lions (Trade via Den.) – Rashawn Slater – OT – Northwestern

The Lions are in rebuild mode. So adding picks is necessary to the development of this team and that is why I believe they go with Slater here. A plug-and-play left tackle that gives the Lions the ability to shuffle around their offensive line. There is a chance Detroit goes and selects a quarterback this year but their roster is devoid of talent so chances are they will be picking early next season. Build up the roster for 2022.

10. Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Farley – CB – Virginia Tech

Dallas has holes all over this defense so they could go in many different directions but with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis set to hit the market as free agents, both corner spots could be up for grabs. Caleb Farley is an incredible athlete that moved to the position a few years ago and is just scratching at the surface of his potential.

11. New York Giants – Jaylen Waddle – WR – Alabama

If the draft sets up the Giants this way, I think the pick will come down to the best player available. Jaylen Waddle is a game breaker in the mold of Tyreek Hill and could give Daniel Jones some much-needed help on offense. If Gettleman doesn’t go the receiver route, I could see him selecting Micah Parsons to help build up that defense.

12. Atlanta Falcons – (Trade via SF) – Micah Parsons – LB – Penn State

This trade would have massive ramifications. The Falcons would get another first next year and a second this year. Rebuilding the team without actually rebuilding allows the team to fix the defense on the fly and give the Falcons the best chance to win this year. Parsons would help all three levels of Atlanta’s defense. He’s a great and athletic inside linebacker (although he does need to work on his vision reading run-pass options) with the ability to rush the passer.

13. Los Angeles Chargers – Alijah Vera-Tucker – OG – USC

Justin Herbert looks like the real deal. He has some weapons on offense but needs some help along the line. The Chargers are set to lose multiple players along the interior of the offensive line so with Vera-Tucker you have the versatility to play him at center, guard or tackle. A very useful player that can help advance the development of their franchise quarterback.

14. Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye – DE – Michigan

Minnesota is such a weird team. There is an ample amount of talent all over the place but there seem to be road bumps every year. The secondary was criticized greatly last season but that’s what happens when you have two rookie corners starting. Kwity Paye can come in and give a boost to a team that had 23 sacks in 2020 and take some pressure off of the secondary.

15. New England Patriots – Mac Jones – QB – Alabama

Bill Belichick calls up Nick Saban and asks him his thoughts on Mac Jones. Saban sells Mac Jones to Belichick. Patriots draft Mac Jones. I can only assume this is how it will go down. I have a hard time selling Mac Jones as a top 10 pick. Even top 20. He’s such a hard evaluation as he was surrounded by talent but doesn’t have the athletic qualities that the NFL game is transitioning to. I’m sure his intelligence and work ethic will be coveted by the Patriots though.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Christian Darrisaw – OT – Virginia Tech

The Cardinals need to protect Kyler Murray. The offensive line is bad and JR Sweezy and Kelvin Beachum are free agents. Plug Darrisaw at left tackle or right tackle and give Kyler a better chance to succeed.

17. Las Vegas Raiders – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB/S – Notre Dame

Gruden and Mayock love taking players from blue blood schools and JOK fits that mold. Owusu-Koramoah can be that hybrid player that Gruden has been lacking on his team. His combination of speed, athletic ability and versatility will appeal to the Raiders.

18. Miami Dolphins – Gregory Rousseau – DE – Miami

Chris Grier and Brian Flores have very quietly built up a quality roster in their short time in Miami. Now they just need to add playmakers to the team. Rousseau was once thought of as a top 10 pick but after opting out last year there have been some questions about him. I think the team that has the best knowledge of Rousseau is the one that is based in his backyard.

19. Washington Football Team – Rashod Bateman – WR – Minnesota

Washington is another team that needs to figure out their quarterback position but with having a late selection in the first round, a trade up seems inconceivable. They decide to stay put and take another uber athletic wide receiver. Bateman is 6’1 210 pounds and runs a 4.37 forty yard dash. He would complement Terry McLaurin very well.

20. Chicago Bears – Kadarius Toney – WR – Florida

Even with the franchise tagging of Allen Robinson, wide receiver is still a position of need for the Bears. There is still a possibility that Robinson forces his way out of Chicago, as has been speculated, so wide receiver is the pick here. Toney is a home run hitter every time he gets his hands on the ball so whoever the quarterback is in Chicago can feel safe throwing him slants and bubble routes.

21. Indianapolis Colts – Dillon Radunz – OT – NDSU

Colts have a massive need at left tackle following the retirement of Anthony Castonzo so why not grab a left tackle that went to the same school as their new quarterback Carson Wentz? Although Radunz and Wentz never played together, I’m certain this would be a welcomed addition as protecting Wentz is key to his success. North Dakota State has quietly put out quality NFL talent and Radunz can more than hold his own.

22. Tennessee Titans – Patrick Surtain II – CB – Alabama

Cornerback may not be the Titans’ biggest need right now but there has been speculation of cutting one or both of Malcolm Butler/ Adoree Jackson. Surtain takes a bit of a tumble down the first round as he is a fit for zone coverage defenses but the talent is too good to let fall any further. Drafting the best player available is something good teams do. Edge is also a possibility with this pick.

23. New York Jets – Landon Dickerson – OG/C – Alabama

Going along with what I’ve been preaching, I believe that the Jets could improve their team dramatically by standing pat on Sam Darnold. They have their left tackle of the future and I gave them Ja’Marr Chase with the eight pick. Adding another piece to the offensive line will help Mike LaFleur’s offense flourish.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Samuel Cosmi – OT – Texas

With Alejandro Villanueva most likely leaving via free agency, the Steelers now have two massive holes along their offensive line. They could go Cosmi or a guard/center (to replace the now-retired Maurkice Pouncey) but I think they will opt for the player that can play left tackle and address center later in the draft.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Zaven Collins – LB – Tulsa

With the new regime in place the Jaguars are going to be switching to a 3-4 defense. Myles Jack will stay outside and Schobert will man one of the two middle positions. Quincy Avery, a third round pick from 2019, has been bit by the injury bug too many times to count on so signing Collins gives the Jaguars flexibility to use the Tulsa product all over the field.

26. Cleveland Browns – Azeez Ojulari – Edge

I could only imagine the relief on Myles Garrett’s face if this is the pick. I’m not the biggest fan of this defensive end/edge class but Ojulari’s burst is incredible. He can get to the quarterback with ease and playing opposite Garrett will split the attention for both players giving them the best chance to thrive.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr – WR – LSU

Can we please get Lamar Jackson a big-bodied wide receiver? Lamar isn’t the most accurate passer but he can get the ball there. Insert Marshall Jr, a 6’3 200 pound wide receiver that can finally be a go to guy for Lamar. This allows Hollywood Brown to be a number two receiver and take the top off the defense. The whole offense will be better with this pick.

28. New Orleans Saints – Elijah Moore – WR – Ole Miss

Moore may not be as well known at this time but he is rising draft boards. His 2020 tape was incredible: 86 catches, 1193 yards and 8 touchdowns in just eight games! He may be 5’8 and 185 pounds but his run after the catch ability is always on full display. Moore constantly gets behind the defense and would be a welcomed addition to Sean Payton’s offense.

29. Green Bay Packers – Rondale Moore – WR – Purdue

The Packers have to add another offensive weapon and there may not be a better weapon than Moore. In addition to his breakaway speed (estimated 4.33 forty), he can also lift a truck as noted by his 600 pound squats. Aaron Rodgers will finally be a happy man on April 29th.

30. Buffalo Bills – Jalen Mayfield – OT – Michigan

The Buffalo Bills have a very good roster with few holes. One player it looks like they are losing is right tackle Daryl Williams. Williams is a good player but with the Bills gearing up to give Josh Allen the bag, they need to be smart with their money. Jalen Mayfield solves the right tackle situation.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Tevin Jenkins – OT – Oklahoma State

It was abundantly clear that the Chiefs needed offensive line help in the Super Bowl. Tevin Jenkins is a mauler with a mean streak that has played guard and both tackle positions at Oklahoma State. His positional versatility would fit well into what Kansas City needs.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jaelan Phillips – DE – Miami

Pending what the Bucs do in free agency, there are no glaring needs on this team. You can never have enough edge rushers though! Shaq Barrett potentially leaving is a cause for concern but with or without him, Jaelan Phillips can step right in (as long as his medicals check out).

Thanks for checking this out! Appreciate the read-through. Let us know what you think of these picks! I have also put together a comprehensive free agency prediction of the top 140 players and an up-to-date salary cap breakdown with predicated. I will be creating mock drafts like this often. – bit.ly/3arhKzR

Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft March 9th