James HillNFL Mock Draft - Top 10 with Mason Riney
I originally asked Mason if he would like to write an article for the site as I have enjoyed interactions with him over twitter and I know he does some great work for 5 Yard Rush. Mason wanted to do a mock draft which I was very pleased about. After I told Mason that I was considering to do my first mock draft, he made the suggestion for us both to do a mock draft for the top 10 together to compare and see how it came out.
So without further ado I present to you our first joint top 10 mock draft open.
With the 1st overall pick the Jacksonville Jaguars...
James
Select - Trevor Lawrence, QB / Clemson
Let’s get this one out the way quick, whichever team was in this spot was almost certain to be taking Trevor Lawrence. He’s one of the best quarterback prospects for a long while and would be the greatest shock in draft history if anyone else is taken here.
Mason
Select - Trevor Lawrence, QB / Clemson
No getting cheeky here. Urban Meyer begins his reign in Jacksonville as we all expect, and he gets his franchise quarterback with the first overall selection. (Shahid Khan sheds a small tear as the clock strikes midnight on mustache madness)
With the 2nd overall pick the New York Jets...
James
Select - Zach Wilson, QB / BYU
No messing around here for me, The Jets take their quarterback of the future. All the media hype seems to be pushing towards the Jets being all in on Zach Wilson. The kid is athletic with a big arm and had an incredible 2020 season. If it was my choice I’d 100% take Justin Fields out of the two but in saying that I am very excited to see Wilson play at the next level.
Mason
TRADE - to San Francisco - Zach Wilson, QB / BYU
New head coach Robert Saleh puts his faith in Sam Darnold, and this allows Kyle Shanahan and his 49ers to move up, in being the highest bidder for the number two overall selection. Zach Wilson is crafty and has a perplexing ability to extend the play consistently. The future of the bay rests once again on a former BYU field general.
With the 3rd overall pick the Miami Dolphins...
James
Select - Penei Sewell, OT / Oregon
The Dolphins could do anything here, they could trade back or take a wide receiver, tight end or even in some crazy people’s minds take a quarterback They have a fair few top draft picks already, so I don't see the need to trade back. Penei Sewell seems the real deal, OK he opted out of 2020 but he had already done enough to be talked up way before this season. Dolphins give their quarterback much needed protection.
Mason
Select - Penei Sewell, OT / Oregon
The Dolphins select Penei thus further solidifying their offensive trench. They could very well trade back however Sewell’s size and ability to block multiple defenders is not available come every draft.
With the 4th overall pick the Atlanta Falcons...
James
TRADE - to San Francisco - Justin Fields, QB / Ohio State
If Justin Fields ends up at the 49ers the league needs to seriously worry. Fields at this early stage is my 2nd best QB in this draft. People try to sell Zach Wilson as athletic, but this guy is head and shoulders above him. I think the 49ers are prepared to stick with Jimmy G but if Fields is still on the board at 4 I think this will be too great an opportunity to turn down for the right price.
Mason
TRADE - to Denver - Justin Fields, QB / Ohio State
Are you tasting the spice yet? The number two selection trickle effect begins as the Broncos move up to give former second-round pick Drew Lock some quarterback competition come camp. Fields make multiple reads, can hit the receiver deep in stride, and will extend the play with his legs if need be.
With the 5th overall pick the Cincinnati Bengals...
James
Select - Kyle Pitts, TE / Florida
Give me the most fun player to watch last season. They already feel good about their wide receiver position group after taking Tee Higgins last year but why not bring in a freak athlete who is up there with the best receiving options in the draft but is actually a tight end. It’s an area they need to improve and it doesn’t come much better than this out of college game.
Mason
Select - Rashawn Slater, OT / Northwestern
The Bengals give franchise quarterback a sigh of relief as they select the quick, multiple positions playing lineman out of Northwestern. It's not a sexy pick but a much-needed one.
With the 6th overall pick the Philadelphia Eagles...
James
Select - Ja’Marr Chase, WR / LSU
With Pitts off the board, they sprint like Usain Bolt to the podium and take arguably the best wide receiver in the draft. Chase kept Jefferson in the slot for a reason at LSU. Chase is the real deal and much needed talent for the Eagles.
Mason
Select - Kyle Pitts, TE / Florida
Pitts is one of the most exciting players in this year's class, and with Ertz searching for trade, the winds of change flow through Philadelphia as the “Prosperous Pitts era” begins.
With the 7th overall pick the Detroit Lions...
James
Select - DeVonta Smith, WR / Alabama
The Lions have lost Kenny G and Marvin Jones in free agency, so it makes sense to go get yourself the Heisman Trophy winner from last season to try to fill the void.
Mason
Select - Ja’Marr Chase, WR / LSU
Danny Amendola is the highest wide receiver on the Lions depth chart, so for me, this is a no-brainer.
With the 8th overall pick the Carolina Panthers...
James
Select - Trey Lance, QB / North Dakota St.
I’ve been saying all off season, Trey Lance and the Panthers just makes sense. His stock has risen lately, but I think the quarterbacks selected above him are all much safer options. Lance will be very raw at the next level but easily has the biggest ceiling and will suit the style the Panthers are aiming for going forward.
Mason
Select - Trey Lance, QB / North Dakota St.
Lance to Carolina is a match made in heaven, and I believe he should be the starting quarterback by mid-season. He is smart, has a giant arm, and all of the athletic ability a coach could ever dream of at the quarterback position. Sideline’s throws are direct, and he can extend the play with his legs as well as anyone in the class.
With the 9th overall pick the Denver Broncos...
James
Select - Mac Jones, QB / Alabama
All aboard the Mac Jones hype train. I just don’t think the Broncos settle with another year with Drew Lock as their guy. We know Jones is not mobile, but you only have to look at the 43 year old quarterback who just won his 7th Super Bowl to realise you can be successful with a pocket passer.
Mason
TRADE - with Atlanta - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE / Miami
With the recent release of Allen Bailey and no re-signing of S. Means, Atlanta brings in the Miami EDGE rusher to compete with the undrafted Tuioti-Mariner. Rousseau can create a scene rushing from the edge; however, he has only played one full year of collegiate ball.
With the 10th overall pick the Dallas Cowboys...
James
Select - Caleb Farley, CB / Virginia Tech
The Cowboys defence quite frankly stinks, so they surely go defence here. Surtain is a more polished cornerback but Farley is lightning quick and just seems the type of player that the Cowboys fall in love with, the more they watch his tape.
Mason
Select - Patrick Surtain II, CB / Alabama
In this year's class, the most NFL-ready corner, standing at 6’-2”, is an aggressive player with all of the world’s potential. Dallas finds their starting corner opposite Trevon Diggs.
This has been great fun putting together, we would love to hear your thoughts on our takes and also how your top ten looks.