Mock draft season is in full swing, and now that free agency has gone through its initial wave, the pieces are beginning to fall into place. Until they don’t.
In this latest mock from NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein, all it takes is a few trades at the top of the order to send everyone’s plans reeling.
Zierlein predicts the Cincinnati Bengals will trade out of the top spot with Miami, who will move down from No. 5 to snare LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall selection. Cincy will select Oregon’s Justin Herbert at No.5.
With the second pick, Washington stays put and takes Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young. At No. 3, the Detroit Lions take the Los Angeles Chargers’ offer and move out leaving the Bolts to select Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Before we get to the Giants at No. 4, a few comments. I can see the Bengals and Dolphins making moves. Both teams are in flux and drastic measures are needed to jump-start both programs. Why Washington stays at No. 2, though, is a mystery. Surely teams looking for a QB will be shooting offers at them and certainly one will be likely to pique their interest. Detroit moving back makes sense. In this scenario why would they take Jeff Okudah at 3 when they can amass draft capital and still get him a No. 6.
At No. 4, Zierlein predicts the Giants will take Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
Massive and athletic are descriptors we don’t often see used in the same sentence, but the Louisville left tackle is that guy. The Giants could go with Isaiah Simmons or Jedrick Wills in this spot, as well.
True. If the Giants stay at No. 4, they will have the pick of the lot when it comes to the four top offensive tackles in this draft, as well as Simmons. But if there’s movement at the top, the feeling is Washington might be one of the teams to either take a quarterback themselves or trade back with another team looking for one. The buzz is there will be trades.
Washington has many needs and with a new head coach and general manager may not be in love with Dwayne Haskins. If that is the case, they could maneuver and take a quarterback, which would allow Chase Young to fall.
Now, whether Detroit still trades out knowing this is unknown, but it is possible that Young slides to the Giants at No. 4.
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