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Brad Biggs’ NFL mock draft 2.0: A handful of teams could be interested in moving up into the top 10 for a QB

brad biggs, chicago tribune
·7 min read

Nearly everyone expects quarterbacks to go 1-2-3 in the NFL draft, and the big question for a lot of teams, the Chicago Bears included, is when the fourth and fifth QBs will come off the board.

Things will become interesting when one or two of the passers after presumptive No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence and No. 2 Zach Wilson come off the board April 29, the opening night of the three-day draft in Cleveland. Which quarterback will be selected next: Ohio State’s Justin Fields, Alabama’s Mac Jones or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance?

A handful of teams could be interested in moving up to get a shot at a passer, and movement in the top 10 will be fascinating. In our NFL mock draft 2.0, there is one projected trade up by the Denver Broncos, who are lurking in the quarterback market.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

There’s zero suspense when it comes to the No. 1 pick. The Jaguars will begin their rebuild under Urban Meyer with Lawrence.

New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Wilson has figured to be the guy for the Jets for many weeks, and the trade of Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers all but cemented the move.

San Franciso 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

There has been a ton of buzz surrounding Alabama’s Mac Jones, but Lance dazzled at his pro day and would be a really interesting fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, especially if given the time to develop behind Jimmy Garoppolo.

Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

The Falcons are in prime position to trade the pick to a QB-desperate team or one seeking to make the first selection of a non-quarterback. First-year general manager Terry Fontenot can stay put and add a dynamic playmaker in Pitts for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The Bengals can provide Joe Burrow with a high-profile skill-position player such as Ja’Marr Chase or give him some protection after he was sacked 32 times in 10 starts as a rookie.

Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

The Dolphins could have remained at No. 12 and gotten an excellent wide receiver. They could not have stayed there and landed Chase, the best wide receiver in a talented class for the position.

Denver Broncos (projected trade with Detroit Lions): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Broncos have been lurking in the quarterback market and will make a move to get the fourth one to come off the board.

Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

Coach Matt Rhule is entering Year 2 of a seven-year contract, so he has time to see if the Sam Darnold reclamation project works. The Panthers will pass on a quarterback and add needed protection up front.

Detroit Lions (projected trade with Denver Broncos): DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Lions could stay at No. 7 and consider a quarterback or trade back, continue to add future draft capital and add a badly needed playmaker on the outside.

Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys need to shore up the offensive line, and Rashawn Slater might fit well here if he’s still on the board. But they also need a cornerback and can get the top one in the class.

New York Giants: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

The Giants made strides on defense during Joe Judge’s first season but are in need of more juice off the edge. Phillips can step in and help immediately.

Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

The Eagles have pressing needs for a playmaker on the outside to aid Jalen Hurts and at cornerback. In a deep draft for wide receivers, the Eagles can grab Horn here.

Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

The Chargers can use help on the offensive line and at cornerback, too, but it would be exiting to see what Justin Herbert can do with an electric performer on the outside in Waddle.

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

The Vikings have been trying everything to rebuild the offensive line for a couple of years and get a big man who can play tackle. But don’t be surprised if Mike Zimmer pushes for help to aid a defense that couldn’t stop anyone in 2020.

New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

The Patriots might have to move up to get a quarterback, and you cannot rule out help elsewhere on offense, but they need a plan beyond Cam Newton.

Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Cardinals a cornerback to replace Patrick Peterson and can get a good one — if medical reports on Farley’s back issue are accurate.

Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Some believe Parsons could be a top-10 pick, but that would be a rich investment for an inside linebacker in today’s game. Whatever Las Vegas the Raiders do, they need to invest in the defense.

Miami Dolphins: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Paye compares in a lot of ways to another former Michigan edge rusher, Brandon Graham, in that he’s a little shorter and powerful.

Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Washington could be in the mix for a quarterback. Ron Rivera also needs a few more pieces on defense to get that unit where he wants it, and the versatile Owusu-Koramoah would be a nice fit.

Chicago Bears: Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

If the Bears cannot get into position to draft a quarterback, they need to find another way to get more explosive on offense. Trading back, if Ryan Pace can find a willing partner, would make sense. Moore would add an element missing from Matt Nagy’s offense.

Indianapolis Colts: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

The Colts will be looking for help on the offensive line and at cornerback but also need to beef up the pass rush.

Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

The Titans ranked 30th in sacks last season with only 19, and Mike Vrabel needs more help even after making a splash signing in free agency with Bud Dupree.

New York Jets: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

The fourth cornerback to come off the board is a little hard to identify. The Jets have a clear need, and Newsome has the speed to step in and contribute immediately.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Vera-Tucker has the ability to be a high-caliber guard, and some believe he’s suited to play tackle at which the Steelers have a clear need.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

The Jaguars need upgrades across the board and could seek help to protect Trevor Lawrence. Or they could opt for a playmaker in the secondary.

Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

Collins is a throwback at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and can move like a lot of the smaller linebackers in today’s game. He would be a perfect fit for an AFC North team.

Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

An edge rusher would make a lot of sense here, and the Ravens have been considering veteran options. But they need to add playmakers to help quarterback Lamar Jackson.

New Orleans Saints: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

The Saints need help in the secondary but imagine how creative Sean Payton would be with an electric athlete like Toney.

Green Bay Packers: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

Figure the Packers will draft a wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers this year in another strong draft at the position — but not in Round 1. Davis can strengthen the middle of the defense right away.

Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

The Bills need some more production off the edge, and Rousseau has slid a little after an underwhelming pro day. He will contribute right away.

Kansas City Chiefs: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

The Chiefs need help on the offensive line, and even if Jenkins projects as a right tackle, he can slide in and start from Day 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

The Buccanneers are getting older in the middle of the defense, and Barmore can provide help in the rotation from the start for a team that has brought back nearly all the key parts from its championship run.