Joshua Jordan Mock Draft 2.0 with commentary from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein

Draft Day

Apparently I need to move up Roquan Smith in next week's Mock 3.0. Courtesy photo

Now that all the big moves of free agency have taken place, it's time to take a look at how the first round of the draft may play out. I'm probably one of the few people that don't have a projected trade in the Top 10. That's because I think the Broncos stay put and take their franchise QB at pick No. 5. My mock draft is a bit different from some the national guys like Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.  And I certainly don't have their resume, but I do have the luxury of talking football with guys like Lance, and have co-hosted draft shows in the Houston market the last few years. If you want to see how Lance has the first round shaking out compared to mine, you can read his mock draft here. Also, check out Lance's thoughts on a couple of my picks in the video above. Below is my Mock 2.0, and I'll continue to update it every Thursday up until draft day. 

 

1. Cleveland Browns- USC QB Sam Darnold

The Browns finally get their franchise QB. I'm not buying the Josh Allen rumors yet.

2. New York Giants- NCST DE Bradley Chubb

The Giants find a replacement for JPP.

3. New York Jets- UCLA QB Josh Rosen

The Jets grab their QB.

4. Cleveland Browns- Penn St. RB Saquon Barkley

Cleveland finally has some talent on offense, and they get the best player and best QB in the draft.

5. Denver Broncos- Wyoming QB Josh Allen

Many have the Broncos trading out here, but I think they stand pat and take their future QB.

6. Indianapolis Colts- Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmonds

The Colts add an incredible playmaker to their defense.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ohio St. CB Denzel Ward

The Bucs get the best corner in the draft.

8. Chicago Bears- Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson

The Bears get maybe the best player in the draft and protect their young QB.

9. San Francisco 49ers- UTSA DE Marcus Davenport 

The 49ers need some pass rush and they get it with Davenport. I'm a little concerned with this pick after talking with Lance. 

10. Oakland Raiders- Washington DT Vita Vea 

Gruden gets some help for Khalil Mack on the defensive line.

11. Miami Dolphins- Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

 The Dolphins take the best player available and roll with Tannehill another year.

12. Buffalo Bills- Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

The Bills don't even have to trade up into the Top 10 to get their QB.

13. Washington Redskins-  Florida State Safety Derwin James

Washington needs a physical presence at safety.

14. Green Bay Packers- Louisville CB Jaire Alexander

The Packers go back to the well and select another corner in the first round.

15. Arizona Cardinals- Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey

The Cardinals upgrade their putrid offensive line.

16. Baltimore Ravens- Alabama WR Calvin Ridley

Ozzie Newsome adds the best receiver in the draft to help his veteran QB. He'll be a nice pairing with possession WR Michael Crabtree.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Georgia LB Roquan Smith

The Chargers get a steal at pick 17. Smith falling is more about the position he plays.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Iowa CB Josh Jackson

Pete Carroll and John Schneider get their replacement for Richard Sherman. Jackson has size and terrific ball skills.

19. Dallas Cowboys-  Alabama DT  Da'Ron Payne

The Cowboys run up to the podium to pick their new defensive lineman.

20. Detroit Lions- Texas OT/OG Connor Williams

The Lions get some help on their offensive line. Williams can play tackle and guard.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - UTEP OG Will Hernandez

The Bengals line was awful last year.

22. Buffalo Bills- UCLA OT Kolton Miller

The Bills are thrilled to see Miller available.

23. New England Patriots- UCF CB Mike Hughes

The Pats replace Butler at CB.

24. Carolina Panthers- Boston College DE Harold Landry

Julius Peppers can't play forever.

25. Tennessee Titans- LSU DE Arden Key

The Titans need pass rush and they address it with Key. He can win one-on-one matchups.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Florida DT Taven Bryan

Dontari Poe left in free agency so the Falcons add a DT.

27. New Orleans Saints- Alabama LB Rashaan Evans

The Saints add a playmaker on the second level.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alabama S Ronnie Harrison

He just feels like a Steeler.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Michigan DT Maurice Hurst

Calais Campbell is getting old, so the Jags add some depth on the defensive line.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Georgia OG Isaiah Wynn

The Vikings spent a ton of money on Kirk Cousins, so they add some help on the line to protect him.

31. New England Patriots- Boise St. LB  Leighton Vander Esch

Belichick adds to his horrible defense again.

32. Philadelphia Eagles- South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst

The Super Bowl champs add another toy for Carson Wentz.

Most Popular

The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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