Final Mock Draft 3.0: KC Chiefs stay and select surprise player

To me, there is one glaring need outside of the quarterback position for the Washington Commanders. That position is at cornerback. If the season were to start today, they would have a combination of Kendall Fuller, Danny Johnson, and Benjamin St-Juste running the show on the back end. The best addition that they could make at this point to improve this group of below-average to average dudes is by drafting Joey Porter Jr., a star corner out of Penn State.

Joey Porter Jr. is just another talented cornerback in this deep class. He has tremendous speed and good hips when receivers break in and out of their routes. Further, his length would be a problem for smaller receivers. For an NFC East team that has to face the Cowboys and Eagles twice a year, this would be the smartest decision that they could make.

The Steelers were an embarrassment on offense a season ago. The biggest reason for that was an inability to protect their young quarterback and move the defensive line in the rushing attack. Dawand Jones is the first piece of the puzzle to try and address those issues that have plagued them. Jones is a behemoth of a man at 6’8 and 374 pounds, but he is quicker on his feet and more athletic ability than you might anticipate for a guy his size.

For the Steelers, Jones’s physicality would fit right into their hard-nosed history and culture. He is virtually never overpowered by physical defensive ends and has the length to compete with speedy EDGE rushers. If he can provide a consistent push in the rushing game and be a functional pass-blocker, the Steelers will have made an excellent move to better themselves for the long term.

The Lions have an explosive offense and most of the time last season, they found themselves in high-scoring shootouts. Despite their selection of Aidan Hutchinson a season ago, there is still a need for another pass-rusher. After investing their first pick in Christian Gonzalez, the Lions get a steal with Tyree Wilson falling all the way to 18 overall.

Some have Wilson projected to go much higher, but this is a really deep class of EDGE rushers, which means that some could fall through the cracks. With a powerful punch at the point of attack and the ability to play anywhere on the defensive line, Tyree Wilson would be a great addition to a young Lion’s defensive roster. If the Lions are the beneficiary of Wilson’s tumble, they could be a dark-horse contender for the NFC.

From Tampa Buccaneers in projected trade

The Eagles are not only willing to trade out of their top ten spot for a bunch of draft capital, but they are also willing to move back because one of their biggest areas of need is running back. In their projected trade with the Bucs, they get the best of both worlds. Bijan Robinson is one of the most talented players in the draft, but running backs aren’t valued in the same way that they once were. For a team like the Eagles, which made it to the Super Bowl a season ago, grabbing a luxury pick that could make them that much better offensively is absolutely worth it.

Robinson will provide the Eagles with an explosive one-cut type running back that the Eagles have not had since Brian Westbrook. Robinson can simply do it all. He can make plays in the passing attack and is incredibly elusive in tight spaces. The Eagles could make their offense go from great to elite if he pans out to be what some analysts are expecting.

Seattle already selected a top-notch pass-rusher at 5th overall, now it is time to further improve the back end of the defense. While Seattle made an excellent move selecting Tariq Woolen last season, they need a contingency plan for life after Jamaal Adams who is due a hefty sum after this season.

To some, the selection of Brian Branch would be a surprise. However, his versatility is key. Branch is capable of playing all over the field. With good field vision and an ability to fly downfield and make tackles in the run game, Brian Branch could help the defensive backfield next year and for the foreseeable future as the heir to Jamaal Adams.