“The War Room” is a column by Reagan Griffin Jr. about professional sports.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Lock it in.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young, DE, Ohio St.
There’s some buzz about Washington trading back. However, it would be foolish to pass on a prospect like Young.
3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio St.
Out goes Slay, in comes Okudah.
4. New York Giants
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Dave Gettleman isn’t the type to get fancy here. The tricky part is identifying which of these tackles he likes the best. My money is on Wills.
5. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami
Shout out to Thanos. This was inevitable. Now, the Dolphins will have to get their young QB some infinity stones.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Phillip Rivers is in Indianapolis now, and it’s a new era for the Chargers. If they want to look for youth, there aren’t many better options than the former Duck.
7. Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Matt Rhule has emphasized beefing up his defense. I’m not sure there’s anyone beefier than Derrick Brown in this entire draft class.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Arizona has gotten Kyler Murray an elite weapon in DeAndre Hopkins. Their #1 priority now has to be protecting their franchise quarterback.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
There’s been a lot of momentum building for Henderson in the later stages of the draft process, and there’s currently a Jalen Ramsey-sized hole in the Jaguars’ secondary.
10. Cleveland Browns
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Baker Mayfield has all the tools that he needs to be successful, except for one: someone watching his blind side.
11. New York Jets
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Very tough for the Jets to not go wide receiver here, but there will be solid weapons to be had in later rounds. Protecting Sam Darnold gets top priority here.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
It’s a shame that a prospect as special as Simmons slipped this far in my mock draft … for everyone but Raiders’ faithful, at least.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
After trading DeForest Buckner for this pick, it can only be assumed that Kyle Shanahan will be looking for a piece to add to his chessboard. If he finds himself with Jerry Jeudy next season, that might mean checkmate.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Tom Brady is 42 years old. If the Buccaneers so much as let him get touched in the pocket, he may very well turn into dust.
15. Denver Broncos
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Arguably the best receiver in the draft falls to Denver. It only makes sense to grab Drew Lock a new toy to play with.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
The Falcons have been lacking at the line of scrimmage for far too long now. This pick immediately changes that.
17. Dallas Cowboys
K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
Yes, they just signed Aldon Smith. However, Jerry and Co. are taking an enormous leap of faith by putting any eggs into that basket. Chaisson gives them the flexibility to comfortably do so.
18. Miami Dolphins
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Who better to pair with Tua than the Crimson Tide speedster, with whom he’s already built a strong rapport?
19. Las Vegas Raiders
Jordan Love, QB, Utah St.
It’s clear that Derek Carr isn’t cutting it for Jon Gruden long-term. Love is a prospect with very high upside, and has been connected to the Raiders throughout the draft process.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
It looks like Jacksonville is willing to run with Gardner Minshew for the time being. If the Jags want to give him a fighting chance, they’ll need to invest in their offensive line.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Despite reports that Alshon Jeffery could be on the trade block, it seems like Philly is willing to stick it out with him on the outside. If that’s the case, Howie Roseman could look to target a player that can operate in the slot. Say hello to Justin Jefferson.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Vikings need a player that they can plug and play at the corner position. Fulton fits that mold … plus he’s used to wearing purple and gold.
23. New England Patriots
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Bill Belichick is Brady-less. Although some might view that as a reason to take a QB early, I think the Patriots will target the best player available. Queen is a valuable addition to any defense.
24. New Orleans Saints
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Drew Brees has to have another receiver to throw the ball to other than Michael Thomas. Reagor, who reportedly ran a sub 4.3 forty at his pro day, gives this Saints offense a legit deep threat.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona St.
Stefon Diggs is a Buffalo Bill, leaving Minnesota with a gaping hole at the receiver position. Given his versatile skill set, Aiyuk could come and fill that spot immediately.
26. Miami Dolphins
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Dolphins need to focus on taking the best player available at each of their picks. They need to collect talent at every position. At this point in the draft, McKinney is my highest-rated prospect left on the board.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Unless the Hawks are comfortable with starting Tre Flowers opposite Shaquill Griffin again, they need to upgrade at the CB position.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
That dominant offense that the Ravens displayed last year isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. However, the defense would benefit from adding a centerpiece such as Murray.
29. Tennessee Titans
Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn
You’d think that a player would go unnoticed playing next to a guy like Derrick Brown. That wasn’t an option for Davidson. His tenacious nature fits what Mike Vrabel and the Titans want to do perfectly.
30. Green Bay Packers
Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
After losing Blake Martinez to the Giants this offseason, the Packers could use some help at the position. They won’t have to travel far to find it either, with Baun having developed right in their backyard.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
A combination of their great pass rush and Richard Sherman allowed the 49ers to hide what was a sizable hole at the second cornerback position last season. That recipe for success won’t hold up forever, however, and it’s time that the team looked elsewhere for help.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio St.
Damien Williams played masterfully in the Super Bowl but faced issues with his hamstring all season long. When it comes to the running back position, it’s best to make it a group effort. Dobbins gives Williams a strong partner in crime and acts as a great contingency plan.
“The War Room” runs every other Wednesday.