Now that the big game is firmly in the rearview, the eyes of the pro Football world are fully fixed upon late April's event. Thanks to TDN's perpetual focus on the draft, you can play GM any time you like. Earlier today that's just what I did, here is the result!
When pick 14 rolled around the best OL had already been selected.
But the cost of those decisions is that Trey Lance was still on the board, as were a few immediate-impact defensive players.
If the real draft breaks this way then I would say it's better than a coin-flips odds that the Purple will move down. Since that isn't an option with the free mock drafter, I opted for the home run swing and the long-term replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Welcome home Trey!
Even with quick-pick engaged, the wait between 14 & 78 was depressing, not unlike how Thursday and much of Friday will go in April. One pick before Minnesota, guard Trey Smith was taken by Tennessee which adds to the negativity of that wide of a gap.
With no single lineman distinguished from the others I decided for another curveball - DE Payton Turner from Houston. In the mold of Danielle Hunter and DJ Wonnum, Turner could prove to be another high-mid round steal for the defense. Getting a line that can create pressure is a must. The fact that it will help the young corners on the back-end also factors in.
A dozen picks later, there still wasn't a great, good or decent match between OL & selection. That would drive the fanbase bonkers but there was a different hole to fill with the 90th pick. Coming from Pittsburgh, safety Paris Ford. This way, even if they bring back Anthony Harris on what would be a significant reduction from his franchise tag salary of 2020, they would have the next man up to play along side & possible, eventually, supplant Harrison Smith.
When pick 118 rolled around, there were a couple intriguing offensive options at the top of the board, but OL can't be passed over any more. It's a bit of a reach but the fourth round is about the right time to start doing that. In this case it resulted in guard David Moore from Grambling University. I'm a firm believer in the notion that smaller school players get discounted for where they come from and Moore may be no different. Except for the unicorns, playing in the FCS downgrades guys at least a round, sometimes much more. With the unusual evaluation that will take place this offseason - even more unusual than last Spring, players from that level and lower could get relegated even further down the boards. That approach of judgement could lead to some teams getting steals where they otherwise would not be able to.
Then, wouldn't you know it, one of the players considered at 118 was still on at the board at 124. As an option to compete for WR3, as well as replace KJ Osborn, receiver Demetric Felton from UCLA is an easy pick.
Pick 134 created a conundrum. Running backs Trey Sermon & Chuba Hubbard were available. It's the position of least-need for the Purple this year, what with Cook locked into a long deal and Mattison still on his rookie contract. But I suspect that will change April 2022. That's a topic for another day. As enticing as those players were, the decision was made to go in a different direction. It came down to pair of defensive lineman. With Turner already in the mix for DE snaps the tie went to the inside - Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh. Since the Purple can boast the best defensive line coach in the league the choice makes all the more sense.
Then came pick 142. If done right it could eliminate two problems with one pick. Georgia's Richard LeCounte III would add another player to the competition for safety reps while also being a guy who has proven to be able to make an impact on special teams. Birds, meet stone.
The offensive skill-position players continue to be near the top of the board, goes to show why this draft is being compared to 2020's. Adding another receiver wouldn't be the worst idea, but it felt unwise during the mock process. So instead I opted for a guy that already has a history of wreaking havoc in Minnesota, but now could do so as a home team player - DE Shaka Toney, Penn State.
Offensive skill continued to dominate the top of the draft board when 170 rolled around. Call it a homer pick if you like, but I bypassed those guys and many other possibilities to try and aid the improve of the OL. From Fargo's Big Green Machine Cordell Volson, OL.
With pick 195 bypassing those skill players stopped being acceptable. It just so happened that one of the best ones available has the size and skill to be in the mix with the guys behind Jefferson & Thielen as well as help on punt & kick coverage. Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford.
IF OL can't be addressed near the top of the draft then it should be repeatedly in the later rounds. And really, both methods of approach should be taken. With pick 220 there is one from the Iowa factory that's too good to pass up - Alaric Jackson. He played tackle in college but may be best suited for guard in the pros. Whichever one he is better for, it's all about adding as many competitors to make the roster as possible!
Which brought me to the last pick, for now. There isn't a snowflakes chance at the equator that the team is going to go through an entire draft without selecting a cornerback, no matter the amount of currency already invested at that spot. Well, to this point, that was the situation. It just so happened that there was a top-200 player still available and he plays that position. From the O to the cold, I closed out with the Duck, Thomas Graham Jr..
There you have it, the first mock draft of the year. Doing these is right up there with the best parts of pro football fandom, so expect plenty more over the next weeks and months!
And if you're so inclined to do a mock or two yourself, feel free to share about the process
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