Kiper mock draft – Syndication Server

Commanders go offense in Mel Kiper’s final mock draft

Mel Kiper goes offense for the Commanders in his final mock draft.

Will the Washington Commanders go offense or defense in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft? Washington’s preference would likely be to move down in the first round, adding more selections in a draft that is considered strong in the middle rounds.

Who does ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. see the Commanders taking the first round of his final mock draft? He has Washington going offense with Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave.

If Washington wants to put Carson Wentz in a position to succeed, it could take Olave and pair him with another Ohio State receiver in Terry McLaurin. The Commanders’ defense has a lot of young talent, but the offense is lacking. Olave is great after the catch.

In Kiper’s final mock draft, Olave is the third wide receiver off the board, with Garrett Wilson going to No. 8 to the Falcons and Drake London landing with the New York Jets at No. 10.

If Kiper’s scenario played out, the Commanders would presumably decide between Olave and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.

Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft has Jags addressing major needs in first two rounds

The latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Jaguars addressing several areas of need, including taking a pair of pass-catchers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the only team in the NFL that doesn’t have to sweat its first selection in the draft. While other teams may have to weigh options and prepare backup plans, Jacksonville has the chance to do exactly what it wants with the first-overall pick.

“What it wants” will almost certainly be the addition of former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and though that pick is certainly receiving the most attention of all of the Jags selections, building a young core around him is just as important as pulling the trigger on him.

With this in mind, the latest two-round mock draft from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper shows the Jaguars hammering their needs with their first four selections, especially in the receiving corps. Here’s how Kiper thinks the Jags will go about the 2021 NFL Draft:

New Mel Kiper mock draft has Jags addressing secondary in Round 1

Mel Kiper thinks that the Jags will use the 25th pick in next month’s NFL Draft to select TCU safety Trevon Moehrig.

We’re just over a month away from the start of the NFL Draft, and now that free agency is behind us, we have a much clearer picture of what the Jacksonville Jaguars need to address this April. The organization has made a wide range of signings so far this offseason to provide depth, which gives the team a bit of freedom in the draft.

Where there isn’t freedom, though, is with the first overall pick. That decision is immutable, and to the surprise of no one, the latest mock draft from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper shows the Jaguars selecting former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick.

With four picks in the top 45, new Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke can get Lawrence some premier help. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a wide receiver with one of their second-rounders (Nos. 33 or 45), and there should be stellar options on the board (Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman, Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore or LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. would be ideal weapons). Offensive line and tight end are other positions to prioritize. But c’mon, this pick is Lawrence all the way. And the Jags have the No. 25 selection to add a high-end talent as well.

But where do the Jaguars go with that 25th pick? There will likely be several talented receivers available, but it’s a deep class at that position. Considering the team added a number of receivers in free agency, including Marvin Jones, Jacksonville may find better value elsewhere.

After signing cornerback Shaquill Griffin and safety Rayshawn Jenkins, the secondary isn’t quite as concerning a spot as it was a few weeks ago. But it’s far from an ideal situation, and Kiper predicts that the Jags will solidify it by selecting Texas Christian safety Trevon Moehrig. Considered by many to be the top safety in the class, Kiper has the Jaguars making him the first off the board.

Finally, a safety off the board. The Jaguars added Rayshawn Jenkins in free agency, but expect him to play closer to the line of scrimmage. They still need a deep safety to compete with Jarrod Wilson. Moehrig has range and can play as the center fielder and is also a solid tackler. I wouldn’t rule out a wide receiver to Jacksonville here, and it also could be in the market for an offensive lineman. This team is still far away from contention, though, so this could be a spot to watch for a team trying to trade into Round 1.

This move would make a lot of sense. As Kiper mentioned, the team could probably upgrade from incumbent starter Jarrod Wilson, and Moehrig would compete to start Day 1.

With Jacksonville deciding to tag left tackle Cam Robinson and make a number of defensive line signings, the offensive and defensive trenches are not quite the positions of need they used to be, and if Moehrig falls that far, there could be merit to going secondary in the first round in back-to-back drafts.