20 Jan 49ersHive Mock Draft 3.0

Another weekend of the playoffs, more draft picks set in stone. After an exhilarating weekend that featured the Ravens, Browns, Saints, and Rams all losing, we have more first round positions shaping up for the upcoming NFL Draft.

With NFL teams like the Jets, Lions, Falcons, and Chargers all announcing their official coaching hires, draft choices are *theoretically* taking shape based off of the given coaches’ track record. As is every mock draft, lots of guesses and “obvious choices” are provided for each team based off of need and draft spot.

In this mock draft, my man Stewart (@solockedin) and I get crazy! Lots of surprise twists and turns throughout, so let’s get right into it! For this mock, Stewart took on the even numbered teams, and I went after the odds.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State. Let’s get crazy right off the bat! With the Jaguars hiring former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, I cannot over look the Ohio connection. Fields (although isn’t the prospect that Lawrence is) still has extremely high upside as a QB. He’ll step into an offense that has weapons like James Robinson, DJ Chark, and Laviska Shenault. A young team all around, Fields is an outspoken leader that would win over his team with his toughness and game instantly. The Jags need a culture changer and a proven winner, Fields can do and be just that.

2. New York Jets: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson. Easy decision for the Jets, the unthinkable happens and they land the best prospect in the last 10 drafts: Trevor Lawrence. Bye bye Sam Darnold.

3. Miami Dolphins: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern. Surprised? Assuming the Dolphins hold onto this pick, they need to protect Tua at all costs. The hype behind Slater is real. Turn on last season’s film between him and Chase Young, and you’ll see why he’s a top-10 OL. Slater’s game is refined, the technical aspect of his game is solid, and the guy is just an absolute monster on both sides of offense (pass pro and rushing). This could be a landing spot for Sewell, but I have to go with the best overall OL in the class.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon. the Falcons are in a division with supreme pass rushers. They land a monstrous OT. A nasty run blocker and sound pass protector to help Matt Ryan. This team should be making the playoffs each year, hot take.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU. This is a nightmare situation for the Bengals in a no-trade scenario. With no top OL on the board, the Bengals could use another weapon to pair with Tyler Boyd. Enter Ja’Marr Chase, arguably the draft’s best WR, and Joe Burrow’s former Tiger teammate.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State. With Doug Pederson out, the next head coach should be looking to fix a defense that is aging and atrocious. With Parsons, they’ll get a man who can do it all in the middle of the field. Whether it’s tackling, covering, or ball hunting (6 forced fumbles in 2 seasons) Parsons is a true LB. This defense needs an anchor, and Parsons is just that.

7. Detroit Lions: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU. With a new head coach and GM in place, the Lions should be looking to hit the reset button. Move on from Stafford, and start fresh at the QB spot. Zach Wilson may not have Stafford’s arm, but he can do everything else. He can hit all levels of the field with precise ball placement, and make plays throwing on the run. Wilson gives the Lions salary cap flexibility, and stability at the QB spot for the next 10-12 years.

8. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech. Farley is arguably the best CB in this class, depending on how you view Patrick Surtain. In any event, why CB? In a division that features Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, and Calvin Ridley, the Panthers could use some help at the CB position. Farley is physical in man, can diagnose plays in zone, and knows how to make plays on the ball (6 INTs, 19 PBUs in 2 seasons).

9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama. This could be Trey Lance territory, but I think Elway (now new GM George Paton) will give Drew Lock one more shot. Lock was playing part of the season injured, and with young pass catchers. Give him a chance, and address a defense that is aging out. Surtain is roughly the same as Farley, and has all the tools and skills needed to be CB1 in a division that has the best QB in the NFL.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech. Injuries to Tyron Smith, who has began to age and has a massive contract makes one of the best OL developing teams go young. Darrisaw is long, athletic and raw but is capable of playing right or Left tackle.

11. New York Giants: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama. I smiled making this pick, as I think the Giants offense can use a massive upgrade. Joe Judge has the defense trending in the right direction. This could be Kwity Paye range, as the Giants could use another pass rusher, but I believe in the unit for now. I think the Giants have one more season’s worth of patience in Daniel Jones, so they need to get him another weapon. Smith in this offense would be Jones’ favorite target, and an instant upgrade over Slayton and Shepard.

12. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU. The 49ers have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL but the quarterback position needs addressing. In terms of tool and talent, Lance has the highest ceiling of any prospect. He’s raw and needs some grooming, the 49ers take him and let him grow behind Garoppolo for one year or sooner if injury hits #10 again. Lance has a huge arm, throws a beautiful deep ball and his running ability is great. Kyle Shanahan has a new weapon, let’s go!

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama. Another pick that had me grinning, the Chargers taking Waddle would be like the Chiefs getting a second Tyreke Hill. Herbert is the second best QB in his division, and he needs all the offensive help he can get when going up against Mahomes and the Chiefs. Waddle arguably has the highest ceiling in this offense, and with Herbert throwing to him, could be a sneaky favorite for offensive rookie of the year (long shot, but not too crazy).

14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan. This team doesn’t have pass rush with Daniel Hunter unhealthy all season, give them an ultra athletic, hard working pass rusher in Kwity Paye Michigan. He may not have the ceiling that Ojulari has, but Paye is plug-and-play.

15. New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida. 12 TDs on only 43 receptions? Sign me up! The Patriots, no matter what they do at QB, are desperate for an offensive weapon. Belichick did his best with Newton and the limited amount of weapons, but it’s time to give him a dominate pass catcher. Pitts may not be Gronkowski, but his receiving ability is reminiscent of what George Kittle offers.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina. Patrick Peterson is toast and Kirkpatrick isn’t the future at outside corner, so Steve Keim gets a long, man cover corner who needs some grooming.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame. The Raiders NEED to go defense with this pick, no matter if it’s Koramoah. Anyways, they need Koramoah. The LB unit was very underwhelming with Littleton and Kwiatkowski. There isn’t a DB or DE worth taking this high, so Koramoah makes sense. Notre Dame breeds leaders, and Koramoah would be a lightning bolt for a defense that needs a leader.

18. Miami Dolphins: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC. No matter who the quarterback is that Dolphin OL needs fixing and they get a versatile player who can start right away. Adding Slater and Tucker may not be the sexy choice, but it’s the right choice for keeping Tua upright. Tucker has some work to do, and may not project as a tackle, but his flexibility is vital for this OL.

19. Washington Football Team: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama. The Washington team has no choice here, but it makes sense. Alex Smith and Heinicke are not the future, but Jones can be. The national champion QB comes from a winning background, and would be a plug-and-play QB for a team that needs stability at the position. This is a trade back spot for Washington with this draft board, but they need to address the future NOW.

20. Chicago Bears: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas. The Bears could cut both tackles in cap saving moves and nobody would lose sleep. Getting a franchise Tackle at this spot helps whoever they add at Quarterback. Cosmi is silky, a good pass protector who needs to add some weight and get stronger. Cosmi offers lots of upside, and is an ideal fit for Nagy’s offense.

21. Indianapolis Colts: Jaylen Mayfield, OT, Michigan. Losing Anthony Castonzo sucks, but lucky for Ballard and the Colts, they’re in a position to address the spot instantly. Mayfield has some refinement to do to his game, but has massive upside in an offensive-friendly scheme. Mayfield is a plug-and-play player, and having Quenton Nelson next to him will work wonders.

22. Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, DE, Georgia. An athletic and fast pass rusher who bends the edge in the mold of Harold Landry who he will partner in Tennessee. The Titans’ pass rush this season was anemic, and the defense as a unit wasted one of Tannehill’s best seasons as a QB. Ojulari may not turn the defense around, but he gives the Titans some hope on the defensive line.

23. New York Jets: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama. Let’s get even crazier. After the Jets miraculously added future star QB Trevor Lawrence, next up is the ground game. With new HC Robert Saleh in place, as well as new OC Mike LaFleur, they both should look at each other and think “We need offensive help”. Najee Harris is an INSTANT upgrade at the RB spot, and would spearhead the offense with Lawrence for the next decade. I expect the Jets and their unlimited salary cap to address the OL, so drafting offensive playmakers makes sense. Harris is a bully, plain and simple.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State. Bud Dupree isn’t coming back and the Steelers need to keep adding young pieces, Oweh is extremely raw but strong and has tremendous potential. Pairing him with TJ Watt could develop into an absolute nightmare.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Gregory Rousseau, DL, Miami. The Jaguars continue to surprise and draft another first round DL. The Jags have previously drafted Taven Bryan, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Josh Allen in the first, but continue to do so. I feel that teams will follow the blue print that the 49ers laid down and that’s by drafting high-end defensive linemen. Rousseau can play anywhere on the line, and drafting the former ACC rookie of the year would give the Jags depth on the DL for the next 5 years.

26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa. A speed linebacker with coverage skills to help the Browns’ front-7. After a disappointing loss in the playoffs, the Browns could use more athleticism on defense, and Collins offers that tremendously.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota. Lamar’s upside as a QB is capped due to two things: His offensive play caller, and lack of play makers. Greg Roman will survive, but the Ravens desperately lack high-end play makers on offense. Having Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown is not enough. With Bateman, who may have the best YAC ability in the draft, is an instant play maker the offense has been lacking for years. Bateman can play instantly, and is arguably WR1 in this offense.

28. New Orleans Saints: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri. Kwon Alexander is hurt again and they traded away Kiko Alonso. I was tempted to take Kyle Trask but that would be too big a reach. I think Sean Payton likes Jameis Winston enough to give him a chance, addressing the defense should be the next step. Bolton in this defense may not be a day 1 starter, but he offers pro-bowl upside down the road.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama. The Buccaneers will need to address OL if they want to keep Brady upright for another season. Drafting Leatherwood would be an instant upgrade over Donovan Smith, who will likely be a cap casualty once the offseason rolls around.

30. Buffalo Bills: Joseph Ossai, DE, Texas. The Bills defense is formidable, but just imagine them with another pass rusher with strength and unbelievable hustle. They look ahead and plan to replace Jerry Hughes in a few years. After drafting Epenesa last year, Ossai can grow into what the teams Bills think/thought Epenesa could be.

31. Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes, DB, Georgia. The Packers are a tough team to project here, but I have to roll with the defense. Aaron Rodgers and the offense are set for at least 3-4 more seasons, so getting younger and more athletic on the defensive side should be the main goal. Stokes may not be a day 1 starter, but he provides solid depth early on behind a secondary that could become expensive down the road.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Davis, OL, Georgia. Protection for Mahomes is paramount. Wyatt Davis is long and powerful. He’ll help the Chiefs in both the pass and run game. Andy Reid loves his maulers on offense, and Davis would be just that in an offense that will make his job very, very easy.

That about wraps it up for the 49ersHive 3.0 mock. For this piece, we wanted to get a little crazy before we introduce trades. Follow us on Twitter @anthonyrmperry and @solockedin for more 49ers content as the offseason progresses!