13 Jan 49ersHive Mock Draft 2.0

It’s that time again: mine & Stewart’s mock draft 2.0 is here.

After an exciting opening week of NFL playoffs, we are slowly inching closer to a more accurate idea of draft positioning.

For this mock, I handled the even picks, and Stewart took on the odd numbered picks.

Without further ado, the *official* mock draft 2.0 of 49ersHive!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Be surprised when I say this, but this pick comes with the slightest, most microscopic grain of salt. Lawrence is still the consensus #1 pick in the draft…but. If the Jaguars reportedly hire ex-Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, don’t be surprised to hear some rumblings of the Jags taking Justin Fields instead. If this was me, I wouldn’t allow that to happen, but hell, we’ve all seen crazier things. Anyways, Lawrence to the Jags, can’t pass that up.

2. New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Change of direction here. Even after Fields’ “so-so” performance, he’s still a top-3 QB in this draft. With a new head coach incoming, the Jets should hit the reset button for the entire roster, and that includes QB. Move on from Sam Darnold, start fresh, and get things going in the right direction. Fields is everything you want in a franchise QB.

3. Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The Miami Dolphins should sprint to turn In their draft card. Select the best tackle prospect in the draft, and keep Tua safe.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

New head coach, new GM, future QB? Matt Ryan isn’t getting any younger, and in a talented QB class, the Falcons cannot afford to pass up on their future signal-caller. Zach Wilson is Justin Fields with not-as-much speed. That isn’t a knock in any way, Zach Wilson is just as sure of a prospect as Fields is.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

A simple decision: get the next best tackle prospect to protect Joe Burrow. Slater’s tape against Chase Young alone makes him a top-10 pick.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

After the release of Doug Pederson, this pick could be anything with an incoming new HC. In any event, that defense needs a lot of help. This could be Surtain or Farley area, but for now, give them the best LB in the draft. Parsons can do it all, but more importantly, he is a proven leader. Eagles defense needs a powerful voice to anchor the front 7.

7. Detroit Lions: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU

The transition, for this franchise begins with Trey Lance, who will eventually be ready to take over for an aging and brittle Matthew Stafford. The Detroit rebuild begins.

8. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

With an offense that seems to be trending in the right direction, even with Teddy Bridgewater, the defense could use some help. After losing James Bradberry the previous season, the Panthers need a solid CB to pair with Donte Jackson. Slide them feisty CB Caleb Farley, who is everything that a corner should be: Stingy, annoying, and tough as nails. Balanced in man and zone, Farley is a day 1 starter in the league.

9. Denver Broncos: Jeremiah-Owusu Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Vic Fangio gets his version of Roquan Smith. Koramoah would be an instant boost to an aging Broncos defense that will need to deal with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes 4 times a year. With a solid secondary in place, the middle 3 LBs could improve.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

This could be Kwity Paye territory, as the Cowboys could use a boost in the pass rush department. But for now, give them some secondary help. Surtain would be CB1 for a defense that just hired former Falcons HC Dan Quinn. Surtain, much like Farley, is the 1A/1B CB prospect in this draft class.

11. New York Giants: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

Dave Gettleman LOVES trench players, and the Giants are desperate for closers. Payes speed and athleticism will create havoc on every other passing down snap.

12. San Francisco 49ers: JaMarr Chase, WR, LSU

If the draft falls like this, this could be total trade down territory. But for now, let’s have some fun. JaMarr’s blend of size, speed, and toughness alone should make him a top-10 pick. But, with no trades for this mock, 49ers should go BPA. Assuming Garoppolo is back, this offense needs to give him more weapons to succeed. Enter Chase, who would instantly contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year. A WR room of Aiyuk, Samuel, and Chase would be the best in the NFC West.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Weapons, and more weapons. If you want to take down the Kansas City Chiefs and outscore them, Waddles homerun hitting ability from anywhere on the field is special, and the Chargers have seen it up close every year in Tyreke Hill. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jaylen Waddle: Good luck stopping that.

14. Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

One more year of Cousins and his weapons is fine. This defense gets younger and more athletic, give them Rousseau, who can do anything Mike Zimmer will ask of him. Long and versatile, Rousseau is the next best pass rusher this defense needs.

15. New England Patriots: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Heisman winner and CFB playoff champion, the best WR in the class goes to New England. Now they have to find a QB to get him the football.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

After seeing Kyler Murray get hurt, Kingsbury and Co. should be doing everything possible to prevent their franchise QB. Darrisaw, who can line up anywhere, can provide solid pass protection, and much needed thump in the run game.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

Huge upside, speed, technique, and power on the edge. He might be raw, but when it’s all said and done, he might be the best pass rusher in the class. Raiders NEED to get that defense better if they even want a chance to compete in their division.

18. Miami Dolphins: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

Assuming they keep Tua, that offense has a lot of potential if they can give him more weapons. With Mike Gesicki, Devante Parker, Preston Williams, and Jakeem Grant on deck, I think they’re one more big-time playmaker away from being a top unit. Enter Bateman, who’s physicality and big play ability cannot be passed up at this point of the draft.

19. Washington Football Team: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

This is too early for a QB, so give them more offensive weapons. The defense is solid, but the offense has very little upside outside of WR Terry McLaurin and RB Antonio Gibson. Pitts is the clear number 1 tight end in this class, and he would help that offense tremendously.

20. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

This “feels” like the only thing that makes sense, and after possibly losing Mitch Trubisky in FA, they need to address the future. After a beautiful CFB playoffs, Jones makes too much sense. Sit him behind Foles for a season, and let him loose afterwards. Jones as more upside than Mitch, and again, this just feels like the right pick.

21. Indianapolis Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

With Anthon Costanzo officially retired, Chris Ballard has to keep his line strong if Rivers is back for the 2021 season. Cosmi is polished and has good technique, but needs to enhance his strength to match up with NFL DEs.

22. Tennessee Titans: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

That defense needs as much help as the next. After wasting two straight good seasons of Ryan Tannehill and Co., the offense needs some help from the defense. Enter Horn, who is physical, strong, and one of the best in press coverage. Pair him with Adoree Jackson, and the defense could be top-15 in the league.

23. New York Jets: Joseph Assai, DE, Texas

The Jets do not have a pass rusher with 7 sacks, and edge is a mammoth need. Pair him with Quinnen Williams, and this defensive line has some hope.\

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alijah-Vera Tucker, OT, USC

After their disastrous fallout, the Steelers could go anywhere with this pick. But, with one more year of Big Ben, he is going to need more protection. After multiple injuries along the OL, give them one of the better solid tackle prospects in the draft. Tucker is physical and technically sound, something the Steelers have historically loved out of their OL.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Protecting Trevor Lawrence should take precedence over anything and everything, and the reliable Mayfield will do just that. If they let OT Cam Robinson walk into FA, this pick makes too much sense.

26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

After getting hosed by Pitt in the playoffs (even after a win) the defense could still use a boost. This could be secondary territory, but let’s shore up the LB room. Give them Collins, who is solid in coverage, and as athletic as an NFL safety.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayson Oweh, Penn State

With Shaq Barrett hitting FA, and JPP getting older, they could use a slight youth movement at DE. Oweh isn’t the cleanest prospect, but with this defense, he offers a lot of upside. Pairing him with a veteran like JPP can work wonders.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

All I can say about this: get Lamar Jackson a damn weapon. Marshall, if it wasn’t for Smith, Chase, and Waddle, would get drafted in the teens. Marshall is as solid as the next prospect up, and the Ravens cannot pass on addressing a porous WR room.

29. Derion Kendrick: CB, Clemson

The Saints have a lot of tough decisions to make with a shrinking salary cap, and getting younger in the secondary will help that a lot.

30. Buffalo Bills: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Even after drafting Zack Moss, the Bills offense lacks a true RB1. The best RB in the class, Josh Allen would get paired with one of the best college RBs in the game. A trio of Harris, Singletary, and Moss would be lethal in an already potent offense.

31. Green Bay Packers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Getting Rodgers another WR to take some pressure off of Davante Adams is necessary. Also, after missing out on the last crop of talented WRs, you cannot afford to let a good route runner like Olave pass them by.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Stokes, DB, Georgia

This Chiefs team can never have too many secondary pieces. In a division with pass heavy teams like the Broncos and Chargers, as well as the occasional Raiders, this defense can use some backend help. Stokes offers a lot of speed and decent ball skills (4 INTs). A Chiefs defense that could add another ball hawk should not be allowed, but here we are.