Some surprises in NFL.COM analyst 1st mock … We don’t usually link to mock drafts from other draft analysts, but we do pay attention when people like Daniel Jeremiah, the NFL Network’s top draft analyst, post a projection. It’s doubtful that Jeremiah is any smarter or more insightful than the next guy, but as the NFL Network’s prime draft analyst, he’s at least connected. So when he posts a projection in which a lot of the picks tend to run counter to the current consensus in the draft community we’re going to take note. It’s always possible, of course, that he’s just being a smart-ass trying to be different, but it’s also very possible that he’s picking up stuff from his contacts around the league that is reflected in those seemingly off-the-wall picks. For those that haven’t seen it, here are some the highlights:
- No surprise to start, as Jeremiah has QBs Trevor Lawrence and Zack Wilson going to Jacksonville and the NY Jets, respectively, with the first two picks. He also has Atlanta taking a QB with the 4th pick, but Trey Lance, not Justin Fields. In fact, Jeremiah has Fields going to Carolina with the 8th pick. And for the record, no sign of either of second-tier QBs Mac Jones or Kyle Trask anywhere in this opening round mock.
- In maybe an even bigger surprise, Jeremiah has Cincinnati selecting G/T Rashawn Slater 5th overall over OT Penei Sewell, who drops all the way to Dallas at #10. We reported we were hearing something very similar ourselves when posting a piece on the latest GBN Big Board tweaks yesterday.
- Again, no surprise in that Jeremiah has Miami taking a WR at #3 – remember DJ doesn’t have any trades in his mock – but he does have the Dolphins taking Ja’Marr Chase rather than DeVonta Smith, Miami rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa’s old-buddy from Alabama. And not to digress, but it would be hard to imagine that if the Dolphins did pass on Chase at that point, that Cincinnati would then also pass on the chance to reunite Joe Burrow with his favorite target from his LSU days in order to take an offensive linemen. But we do in fact, regress. FTR, Jeremiah has Smith going 7th to Detroit.
- Jeremiah has New England taking Penn State LB Micah Parsons, who is usually rated in the top ten, way down at #15. Again, this reflects something we have been picking ourselves. No question that Parsons is an immensely talented player, but there are some concerns with his natural football instincts and just where he is going to fit in an NFL defense, plus there are some teams questioning his overall maturity.
- In a draft loaded with WRs, its a bit of a surprise to see Kadarius Toney going as high as 19th overall to Washington, but there is something of a buzz out there he’s likely to crack the opening round.
- A little bit farther down in the opening round, Jeremiah has OTs Jalen Mayfield and 6-6 Teven Jenkins going to Chicago and Pittsburgh respectively with the 20th and 24th picks. Neither has been prominent in many, if any, other mocks to date. Same story for safety Trevon Moehrig, LB Nick Bolton, CB Aaron Robinson and WR Tutu Atwell, who are all selected in the final few picks. What do they say: time will tell!!
