The Widely Anticipated MHS Mock Draft 1.0

[MHS831]

Hello fans,

I thought I would get my needs lists out and do a mock based on best player available, need, and rumor (and I am out of the loop).  It all starts with the Panthers selecting Bryce Young.  There is a new era of QB in the NFL, but you still need a guy who is intelligent beyond his years--this matters for a rookie who will be expected to start day 1.  I think the need for a 6-4 QB is still real, but in the grand scheme of things, a player who can lead, who can read (defenses), and who can feed (distribute the ball to players when they need it)--seems to be a player who can make everyone better.  I am leaning Stroud, to be honest, but this is what I think the Panthers will do.  A coach on the field is a valuable asset, and with a young QB coach and OC without play calling responsibilities, I see the marriage.  To appreciate Young, you have to imagine the film room, practice, and meetings with position players.  This is not to say that Stroud cannot be these things, but it is questionable how he will do without a prestine pocket and the best WRs in College football history to throw to--I mean, both of this tackles will also be first or second round picks.  Not to say Bama was not ideal for a QB, but they experienced a bit of a dip at WR and maybe even RB.  A nearly impossible call to make from my perspective, so I am going to guess what the Panthers will do based on what they KNOW.  Yes, his size is a concern, but the new NFL rules that protect the QB and his excellent vision are second to none-he is elusive and smart with his body.  50% sure this is the pick.

Let me know what you think without getting into the Stroud/Young debate again.  I know both sides, lean Stroud, but think they will admire the brain of Young too much to pass up.

1.      RD 1	Panthers	Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2.	Texans	CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3.	Titans (predicted trade)	Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
4.	Colts	Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
5.	Seahawks	Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
6.	Lions	Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
7.	Raiders	Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
8.	Falcons	Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
9.	Bears	Lukas Van Ness, Edge/DL, Iowa
10.	Eagles	Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
11.	Cardinals	Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
12.	Texans	Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
13.	Jets	Parris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
14.	Patriots	Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
15.	Packers	Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
16.	Commanders	Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
17.	Steelers	Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
18.	Lions	Devin Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
19.	Buccaneers	Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
20.	Seahawks	Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California
21.	Chargers	Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
22.	Ravens	O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
23.	Vikings	Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
24.	Jaguars	Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
25.	Giants	Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
26.	Cowboys	Dalton Kinkaid, TE, Utah
27.	Bills	Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
28.	Bengals	Brian Branch, S, Alabama
29.	Saints	Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
30.	Eagles	Kalijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
31.	Chiefs	Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
32.   RD 2	Steelers	Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
33.	Texans	Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
34.	Cardinals	Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
35.	Colts	Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
36.	Rams	Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
37.	Seahawks	Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
38.	Raiders	John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
39.	Panthers	Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia  (The best player available and a long-term answer at TE.  Still raw. I know this bothers some who think we are fine at CB, my next selection would have been fellow Bulldog Kelee Ringo, CB.  Panthers may trade back into the round to get an additional third and an edge rusher)

[rebelrouser]

Either of those UGA players at 39 would be great. I doubt they are both there.  

[Ivory Panther]

I like this draft. Washington will be a stud but damn I really hope Cam Smith is there at 39. 

Edited April 4, 2023 by Ivory Panther

[OldhamA]

You lost me at #1 overall.

[MHS831]

12 hours ago, OldhamA said:

You lost me at #1 overall.

I want Stroud as I mentioned, but I see Young in the cards for some reason.  And, by the way, this mock draft is 100% accurate--it is exactly how this thing is going down.

[MHS831]

What influenced me to go against my bias and select YOUNG?  Reich will be calling the plays during the game.  With the most intelligent QB to come out in years, he will be communicating--during the game--on a more sophisticated level.  When I heard that Reich was "blown away" by Young's intelligence--I immediately went there in my mind.  A cerebral coach with an NFL QB background would LOVE a cerebral QB on the field.  If the OC were calling plays during the game, this would matter less to me--but when the HC/former QB is calling plays, he will value that in-game communication more than we probably realize.

 

[*FreeFua*]

I guess won’t be able to make another 1st round bet with you this year 

[MHS831]

57 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

I guess won’t be able to make another 1st round bet with you this year 

Fool me once, shame on you----by the way, how much more humiliating could my profile pic be?

Edited April 5, 2023 by MHS831

[Basbear]

[Hoenheim]

My dream is for Hyatt or Flowers to drop to us. We've got a decent WR room if they stay healthy but we don't have an X Factor at the position (unless Marshall or Chark really surprises me). 

Otherwise I'd be fine with one of the TEs, edge rusher, or LB. I would not be too enthused to get a CB or DT.

 

[MHS831]

33 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

My dream is for Hyatt or Flowers to drop to us. We've got a decent WR room if they stay healthy but we don't have an X Factor at the position (unless Marshall or Chark really surprises me). 

Otherwise I'd be fine with one of the TEs, edge rusher, or LB. I would not be too enthused to get a CB or DT.

 

I want an edge and a WR---If we get QB, edge and WR---Happy camper.