My analytics-based mock is based solely on a contextual, data-driven model that aims to do one thing: maximize each team's potential to win as many games as possible in 2021.
Frelund’s football takes are always interesting so here’s her first mock draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
3. Miami Dolphins-Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
4. Atlanta Falcons-Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
5. Cincinnati Bengals-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
6. Philadelphia Eagles-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
7. Detroit Lions-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
8. Carolina Panthers-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
9. Denver Broncos-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
10. Dallas Cowboys-Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
11. New York Giants-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
12. San Francisco 49ers-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
13. Los Angeles Chargers-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
14. Minnesota Vikings-Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
15. New England Patriots-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
16. Arizona Cardinals-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
17. Las Vegas Raiders-Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State
18. Miami Dolphins-Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
19. Washington Football Team-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
20. Chicago Bears-Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
21. Indianapolis Colts-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
22. Tennessee Titans-Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
23. New York Jets-Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
27. Baltimore Ravens-Jaylen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
28. New Orleans Saints-Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
29. Green Bay Packers-Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
30. Buffalo Bills-Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
31. Kansas City Chiefs-Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
***
One thing that jumps out of Frelund’s mock draft is that she has two North Dakota State players in it.
If Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater isn’t available at #14, USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker is presently my preference for the Minnesota Vikings. Frelund sees him as a guard. If he’s the pick at #14, I see him as a tackle with last year’s second-round pick Ezra Cleveland remaining at guard. That can be worked out on the field. The Vikings simply need to get more talented football players on the offensive line. Building that position group with mid-round picks and street free agents hasn’t worked. At all. If Vera-Tucker (or any offensive lineman) is the pick at #14, it’d be the fourth time since 2018 that the Vikings have used high-end draft capital on the offensive line.
2018: Brian O’Neill, OT, second round
2019: Garrett Bradbury, C, first round
2020: Ezra Cleveland, OT, second round
2021: ?
The Vikings have several needs. The 7-9 record that earned them the 14th pick is proof of that. Depth at receiver, pass rush, defensive tackle, safety to name some from the top of the team's need list. The offensive line has been a mess for about a decade. It simply has to be fixed and not taped together.
Other than the first player taken, everything about this draft is a guess. Despite that, I seriously doubt that North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance falls to the New England Patriots at #15. His being on the board through the first 15 picks of the draft is a byproduct of Frelund's mock. She's making picks for teams that will help them win this year. It's rare that a rookie quarterback boosts a team's chance of winning games.
It's fun to see a different sort of mock draft.
No comments:
Post a Comment