The Inaugural BnB Mock

Yes… It is that time of year again! The NFL Draft is tonight and I could not be more excited to watch all the chaos unfold. There are many storylines to follow, including who the 49ers’ QB selection will be, if the Patriots can find their next franchise QB and if the Eagles will actually draft a consensus first-round talent with the #12 overall pick. Without further ado, let’s do one final “Black and Blue” mock!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Trevor Lawrence

No explanation needed here. He’s the best player in the draft and the best QB prospect in recent memory.

2. New York Jets - QB Zach Wilson

We’ve known for weeks this was where the Jets were going. Sam Darnold’s departure and the hiring of Robert Salah all but sealed the deal for BYU’s QB going green.

3. San Francisco 49ers - QB Justin Fields

I can already hear people clamoring for Mac Jones here, given that many draft experts have that locked in. While I understand the fit with Jones, Kyle Shanahan basically revealed what San Francisco is looking for, “you want to find the next Drew Brees who can move like Lamar Jackson.” This made Fields the clear front-runner in my mind. Fields has the highest floor among him, Trey Lance and Mac Jones and given that San Francisco is ready to win now, he is the smartest option.

4. Atlanta Falcons - QB Trey Lance:

“But Noah, the Falcons have Matt Ryan!!” Yeah, so? The Falcons’ window to win a Super Bowl with Matt Ryan as their QB has closed. Rather than getting stuck in QB purgatory, why not take Lance, who may have the second highest ceiling of any QB in the draft? Let him learn under Matt Ryan for a year or two and then give him the keys to the franchise.

5. Cincinnati Bengals - TE Kyle Pitts

Something about Pitts in orange and black just feels right… This gives Joe Burrow a premiere middle of the field target to pair with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.

6. Miami Dolphins - OT Penei Sewell

The Dolphins are a smart organization. Smart organizations protect their quarterbacks. Protecting an injury-prone Tua Tagovailoa in a “prove-it year” will do more for him than a weapon will, especially given that they have Will Fuller, Devante Parker and Mike Gesicki.

7. Detroit Lions - WR Ja’Marr Chase

The Lions seem committed (?) to trying to win with Jared Goff. With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr gone, Detroit needs someone who can make plays on the boundary. Enter the best overall receiver in the draft…

8. Carolina Panthers - CB Jaycee Horn

My favorite cornerback in the draft and your favorite cornerback’s favorite cornerback. In a few years, we’ll talk about Horn like how we talk about Richard Sherman.

9. New England Patriots (trade with Denver) - QB Mac Jones

Here come all the Alabama guys. I think New England is the perfect spot for Jones. Having played under Nick Saban, the transition to playing for Bill Bellicheck won’t be as crazy as it normally would be. Jones is a great decision-maker who can make enough throws to win you ballgames.

10. Dallas Cowboys - CB Patrick Surtain II

Dallas has been linked to Surtain since its season ended in Metlife Stadium in early January. Having lost Byron Jones and Chidoube Awuzie in consecutive offseasons, it is clear the Cowboys need help at corner. Surtain will be pro-ready from Day 1.

11. New York Giants - WR Devonta Smith

I’ve been begging for this to happen since November 2019 when Smith torched LSU all game. The Giants still need a separator, despite the addition of Kenny Golladay. While Smith has size concerns, he also has the ceiling of Odell Beckham Jr.

12. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Jaylen Waddle

This was a tough call… I was torn between Waddle and Parsons but ultimately chose Waddle because it seems the Eagles are in on Jalen Hurts as their guy. Adding Waddle would make this offense among the fastest in the NFL, which is an important dynamic to have (just ask Kansas City).

13. Los Angeles Chargers - OT Rashawn Slater

The second best offensive lineman in the draft goes to Los Angeles to protect a budding star in Justin Herbert. He should be pro-ready from Day 1 given his performance against Chase Young and Ohio State a year ago.

14. Minnesota Vikings - OG Alijah Vera-Tucker

The Vikings could go defense here but adding Tucker could really bolster their offense. They’re better protection away from having a dynamic offensive group. Cousins can be decent, Cook is great, Jefferson is great and Theilen is great.

15. Denver Broncos (via Patriots) - LB Micah Parsons

This is too late for Parsons but it speaks to the quality of players in this draft. A combination of Parsons, Chubb and Von Miller is a scary thought for the Chiefs and Chargers in protecting Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

16. Arizona Cardinals - EDGE Kwity Paye

Paye isn’t my favorite prospect in the draft by any means, but he should be a productive pass rusher for many years to come. Arizona’s bet is to go compile multiple edge rushers to transform their defense, with the hope Kyler Murray can take another leap.

17. Las Vegas Raiders - CB Caleb Farley

There are viable red flags with Farley, but how could you watch the Raiders last year and not think they need all the secondary help they can get? Bet on the upside.

18. Miami Dolphins - EDGE Jaelan Phillips

It’d be somewhat surprising if Phillips fell this far, but it’s only right he winds up a Dolphin. Miami will be in the position to draft the best player available.

19. Washington Football Team - WR Elijah Moore

20. Chicago Bears - LB Zaven Collins

21. Indianapolis Colts - OT Christian Darrisaw

22. Tennessee Titans - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

23. New York Jets - WR Rashod Bateman

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - RB Najee Harris

25. Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Gregory Rousseau

26. Cleveland Browns - OT Teven Jenkins

27. Baltimore Ravens - WR Kadarius Toney

28. New OrleansSaints - LB Jamin Davis

29. Green Bay Packers - LB Jayson Oweh

30. Buffalo Bills - S Trevon Moehrig

31. Kansas City Chiefs - EDGE Azeez Ojulari

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Greg Newsome II