Mock Draft 1.0 (Part 5)

Pick 27: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Sam Howell (UNC)

This is definitely a hot take, as I have the Bucs taking UNC’s Sam Howell at pick 27. They seek to replace Brady, and honestly, I think a good number of this year’s rookies could have success in their system. They have one of the most solid rosters in the league, including a great O-Line which is vital for rookie QBs. Howell has potential, and head coach Bruce Arians will try to make him the next best thing after Brady. 

Pick 28: Green Bay Packers – WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)

With Aaron Rodgers back, the Packers seek to give him another target besides Davante Adams. Burks looks great physically and is even drawing comparisons to A.J. Brown, who has placed himself as a top 10 receiver after just his third season. Working with the best receiver in the league in Davante Adams will only help him become a monster, not to mention having Aaron Rodgers as your QB makes everything easier. 

Pick 29: Miami Dolphins (via SF) – ED Travon Walker (Georgia)

Although it may not seem like a major need, I have Miami taking the fourth Georgia player of the first round in edge rusher Travon Walker. He’s a great player, and Miami is a system he will thrive in. Coach Mike Mcdaniel may seek for O-Line, but if the options are limited like they are in my mock, they won’t reach for a mediocre lineman. 

Pick 30: Kansas City Chiefs – CB Jalen Pitre (Baylor)

We’ve seen Kansas City’s weaknesses, and Pitre fills in at the corner spot where they need help. In the first half of the season, their coverage was simply the worst in the league, and they try to upgrade here. If they don’t get a wide receiver in free agency like I expect, they may go with one here. 

Pick 31: Cincinnati Bengals – CB Daxton Hill (Michigan)

Like the Dolphins, the Bengals would love for a lineman to fall into their lap, but there is no available lineman good enough to take here. Instead, they fix their other weakness at corner by going with Daxton Hill who had a great season at Michigan in 2021. 

Pick 32: Detroit Lions (via LA Rams) – Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State)

Jermaine Johnson III has been flying up draft boards, as I saw him get taken at 7 in an NFL network mock. If he is available at 32, the Lions will snatch him up, if they don’t choose to go QB here.