The NFL Vent Zone Mock Draft - WITH TRADES

Top 16 picks only

Our second mock draft of draft season, celebrated in style, WITH TRADES! I love this time of year and getting creative with draft picks is a lot of fun. Here is what we came up with.

1. Dan selecting for Carolina Panthers: BRYCE YOUNG Despite being the slightly riskier prospect (one of the smallest QBs we have seen in the NFL), Young is as close to perfect everywhere else as a QB prospect. Referred to by an NFL GM as a 'genius', he has all the mental traits that you want from a quarterback to go along with his physical skillset. The Panthers have their QB1
   

2. Tebbs selecting for the Houston Texans: WILL ANDERSON For a long time it seemed that CJ Stroud and Bryce Young were locks for the first two picks, however, recent whispers from the Texans camp have people thinking the pick may go elsewhere. Tebbs is in agreement and opts for the sure-fire defensive stud in Will Anderson. Demeco Ryans (new Texans HC) knows how useful it it to have a dominant edge defender, having benefitted from having Nick Bosa on his defense in San Francisco, and aims to build in a similar way here. Many people have Anderson as their number one player in this year's draft.
   

3. TRADE: The Cardinals trade the 3rd overall pick to the Tennessee Titans Tebbs selecting for the Tennessee Titans: CJ STROUD The decision to pass on CJ Stroud makes number 3 an even more interesting position. The temptation to go up for a quarterback could entice a good number of teams, which is exactly what has happened in our mock draft. The Titans move up to select their future QB. The best pure thrower in this years draft can learn behind Tannehill before taking the reigns.
   

4. Dan selecting for the Indianapolis Colts: WILL LEVIS If there’s one thing Indi needs, it’s a YOUNG quarterback. Kiss goodbye to the old person QB carousel, Indianapolis have their future (hopefully). Undoubtably, there is some risk that comes with selecting Will Levis, but there are enough physical and character traits to make him worthy of a top pick.
   

5. Tebbs selecting for the Seattle Seahawks: TYREE WILSON It appears to be close between the top two edge defenders and at such an important position, this is a bit of a no brainer for Seattle. A bonus to be in the top 5, and they get a crucial position filled. Wilson is an outrageous physical specimen who is quick, tall and explosive. Seattle get a big boost to their D line.
   

6. Oli selecting for the Detroit Lions: DEVON WITHERSPOON. The defense was making some great strides towards last year and this draft is a great opportunity to keep building it up. They have already added some players to their secondary this off-season but it is a crucial position and you can’t have too much talent there. Witherspoon is a prototypical corner back who is lean, quick, agile but physical as well. Dan points out that Witherspoon is a psycho, who is explosive and fearless. A pretty good match for Dan Campbell.
   

7. Dan selecting for the Las Vegas Raiders: CHRISTIAN GONZALES The Raiders have a crying need at the cornerback position and there is not much between the top 2 CBs in the draft. It is likely that they would be happy to take either, but in this case, it is Christian Gonzales. Gonzales is a prototypical cornerback build. He is tall, fluid, physical in press coverage and will make an instant impact for whoever drafts him.
   

8. TRADE: The Falcons trade the 8th overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles Dan selecting for the Philadelphia Eagles: JALEN CARTER A scary pick for the league, as the Eagles trade up to select the wildcard of the top 10. Jalen Carter has gone through some difficult times off the field in the run up to the draft, but the talent is undeniable and could be the most exciting in the whole draft class. The Super Bowl runner-ups get a fantastic replacement for Javon Hargreave in the middle of the defensive line.
   

9. Oli selecting for the Chicago Bears: PARIS JOHNSON JR The Bears traded out of the first overall pick because they already have their quarterback, in Justin Fields. So, it’s time to support him. Tight end or wide receiver is an option here, but this high up in the draft it’s important to get the most crucial positions. Pariso Johnson Jr is the pick. Many have him as the highest ranked tackle thanks to his big physique, quick feet and agility. Some good protection for the young QB.
   

10. TRADE: The Falcons get the 10th pick as part of their trade with the Eagles for number 8 overall. Tebbs selecting for the Atlanta Falcons: JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA A team that needs some juice get it on the offensive side of the ball. The selection of Smith-Njigba to add to an offense that has Drake London and Kyle Pitts should make the Falcons a fun team to watch... hopefully.

11. TRADE: The Cardinals get the 11th pick as part of their trade with the Titans for number 3 overall. Oli selecting for the Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy The Cardinals traded down because they simply have so many holes on the roster. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL recently said that he thinks they have the worst roster in the NFL and they start filling those holes with Myles Murphy, an explosive but raw edge defender. His skillset isn't as refined as those edge defenders that are forecast to go before him but he is very productive and an incredibly hard worker.
    

12. Tebbs selecting for the Houston Texans: ANTHONY RICHARDSON What a draft for the Texans! They get potentially the best player in the draft at number 2 overall and can then stand pat at 12 and select the quarterback with the highest ceiling. Richardson has some developing to do, but his physical attributes put him in the freaky category, and there isn'r an area of the field he can hit. Could this draft be a turning point for the Texans?
    

13. Oli selecting for the New York Jets: PETER SKORONSKI The Jets look set to benefit from having one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time lining up behind centre next season and they should set their main priority as making sure he stays on his feet. Therefore, the selection of Peter Skoronski seems a safe one here. Many have him as the best offensive lineman in the draft, and he could play anywhere along the line for the Jets.
    

14. Dan selecting for the New England Patriots: DARNELL WRIGHT The run on offensive linemen is underway and the Patriots follow up the Skoronski pick with Darnell Wright. A huge offensive tackle who uses his size and power to make up for a slight lack of agility.
    

15. Tebbs selecting for the Green Bay Packers: BRODERICK JONES The funny selection here is to give the Packers the first round wide receiver that Arron Rodgers begged for, for so many years. But this high in the draft, common sense has to prevail and that comes in the shape of the big offensive tackle, Broderick Jones.
    

16. TRADE: The Washington Commanders trade the 16th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings Dan selecting for the Minnesota Vikings: HENDON HOOKER Our final pick in the draft sees another trade. Dan has always been sweet on Hendon Hooker (selecting him for Tennessee at 11 in our last mock draft) and makes the move here to secure him as the Vikings future replacement of Kirk Cousins. Injury and age is what has kept Hooker flying under the radar, but the talent and pocket presence makes him an exciting prospect for the Vikings.

Listen to our more in depth explanations and the chaos of live trades on the podcast here:

Spotify - Click here...

Apple Podcasts - Click here...