McShay Mock Draft

When was the last time the Saints picked someone that the "experts" predicted? Lattimore?

I think Thomas was getting mocked to us but it was in the first

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Another mock draft, another Lawrence-to-Jacksonville projection. You won't be seeing much of anything else, and for good reason. The 6-foot-6 big-armed quarterback has all the traits you want in a franchise guy, and he would be the focal point of what new coach Urban Meyer hopes to build. Only Washington has a lower Total QBR over the past three seasons than the Jaguars' 41.6, but Lawrence has finished in the top 10 among all FBS quarterbacks in that category in every season of his college career. He will throw for scouts on Friday ahead of surgery on his non-throwing shoulder this spring, but consider him a lock for the top pick at this point.

2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

What the Jets do here will alter how the draft plays out -- but this projection is more about the spot than the team because, frankly, the Jets have some evaluating and decision-making ahead. We know they are listening to offers for QB Sam Darnold, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are aggressively pursuing a trade. Regardless, this much is pretty clear to me: If Darnold is traded, Wilson should be the pick. And if New York keeps Darnold, I think a team -- perhaps Carolina -- will jump on the chance to move up to take Wilson here.

The BYU signal-caller is tough in the pocket but can also create when it all breaks down, and he excelled on the deep ball this season, hitting 20 of 27 passes thrown at least 30 yards downfield.

Trade: Carolina moves up the board

OK, my guy Mel Kiper Jr. waived the no-trade clause on our mocks, so let's have at it. The Panthers give the Dolphins a call in this scenario, seeing a chance to jump the line to get a quarterback at No. 3. Miami originally acquired this pick via an August 2019 trade with the Texans but now hand over the selection to Carolina in exchange for the No. 8 pick, the Panthers' second-rounder (No. 39) and a 2022 first-rounder. It's a great haul for the Dolphins, who just barely missed the playoffs this season and can now build even further around QB Tua Tagovailoa. But it's also a good price for the Panthers, who need their QB of the future.

3. Carolina Panthers (via mock trade with MIA through HOU)
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Eight of the Panthers' 11 losses were one-score games, running back Christian McCaffrey missed most of the season and the defense was an improved unit this year. But Carolina needs a QB it can build around. Teddy Bridgewater is under contract for two more years -- with a potential out after the 2021 campaign -- and can serve as a bridge, but his 15-to-11 TD-INT ratio in 2020 left a lot to be desired.

The quarterback-to-Carolina rhetoric isn't new, but some might be surprised to see Lance as the pick rather than Ohio State's Justin Fields. Both possess strong arms, both are highly competitive, both are sturdy in the pocket and can pick up chunks when they decide to tuck it and run, and both can hit the deep ball. But in going back to the tape, I think Lance goes through his progressions a little quicker than Fields, who gets stuck on his primary read too often. It's tight, but I think Lance has an edge.

4. Atlanta Falcons
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Atlanta will want to move out of this spot and pick up some extra draft capital, and plenty of other teams likely will be interested. It needs reinforcements at edge, offensive line, running back, tight end and linebacker. Quarterback, however, is not a dire situation, as Matt Ryan is still highly productive and under contract through 2023. But if the Falcons can't trade out, will they really pass on the opportunity to draft their QB of the future? It's no given that they will be drafting this high again any time soon, and Ryan is turning 36.

Fields has consistency concerns, but he will be a talented NFL starter with an ability to drive the ball and make plays off-schedule outside of the pocket. In two seasons as the Buckeyes' starter, he has 63 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions. If it plays out like this, it would be the first time that quarterbacks have gone 1-2-3-4 to begin Round 1.

5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

6. Philadelphia Eagles
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

The Eagles' wide receivers room ranked No. 30 in yards this season (2,082), and they were one of three teams to catch fewer than 60% of their WR targets (56.3%). Those numbers came even after they drafted Jalen Reagor in the first round last April. The Eagles need to give quarterback Jalen Hurts -- who is taking the reins as the team moves on from Carson Wentz -- tools to succeed, and that, of course, starts with a game-breaker on the outside.

Chase vs. Alabama's DeVonta Smith is a tough call, but I think Chase might have slightly better traits and certainly more size at 6 feet, 200-plus pounds. You might have forgotten because he opted out in 2020, but Chase had 20 touchdowns and nearly 1,800 yards in 2019. It's win-win for Philadelphia if both receivers are still on the board, but the LSU product gets the call here.

7. Detroit Lions
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

8. Miami Dolphins (via mock trade with CAR)
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

9. Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

10. Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

11. New York Giants
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Trade: Chicago makes a play for a QB

12. Chicago Bears (via mock trade with SF)
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

14. Minnesota Vikings
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC

15. New England Patriots
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

16. Arizona Cardinals
Gregory Rousseau, DE/OLB, Miami (FL)

17. Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

18. Miami Dolphins
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

19. Washington Football Team
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

20. San Francisco 49ers (via mock trade with CHI)
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

21. Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

23. New York Jets (via SEA)
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington

26. Cleveland Browns
Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa

27. Baltimore Ravens
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

28. New Orleans Saints
Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

This one is a tougher read because the Saints have some questions that will be answered in free agency. The secondary is littered with holes at the moment, and inside linebacker requires some attention. (Missouri's Nick Bolton could be someone to watch.) And who will be under center?

All that aside, Mayfield makes sense. New Orleans has found success in taking linemen early, as it did with Cesar Ruiz last April, Erik McCoy in the second round in 2019 and Ryan Ramczyk at the tail end of Round 1 in 2017. I like Mayfield in rotation inside as a rookie and then sliding back to his natural position outside at tackle in 2022 if the Saints aren't able to return both Ramczyk and Terron Armstead after next season. His power would help open lanes for running back Alvin Kamara.

29. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF

30. Buffalo Bills
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

31. Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Tryon, DE, Washington

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

quote:

---

Video never turned the page past the top 12.

---

Look at the bottom line scroll, it shows all 32

I would not be upset with Najee Harris.

He could replace Murray now and is insurance behind two back who have missed time over the last two years.

This is also assuming we only lose Hendrickson, Rankins, Brees, and Cook this offseason. Which I think can be done.

quote:

---

He could replace Murray now

---

I think depth behind AK & Murray is more important than trying to cut Murray to save around $2.5M. They are the only RBs under contract.

Also, it should be noted that Queen was drafted at 28 last year and came with a $2.2M cap hit. So, whoever they pick (assuming they stay at 28) should have a similar #.

This scenario would end up a cap wash to get younger. But, the team would need to make that gamble before the draft because they need to be under the cap in about 1 month (sometime mid-march)

quote:

---

A stronger running game will make Winston’s job easier.

---

1.The running game is already strong, if he needs a better running game than the one that we have then he’s probably not the guy.
2. Good running backs can be had after the 1st round

A stronger online helps...everyone.

quote:

---

If I'm being honest, our OL isn't as elite as some people think. We can definitely improve on the interior.

---

Agreed
Ruiz didn’t impress anyone this year and Peat was Peat