Draft duel:
Writers Art Stapleton and Andy Vasquez jointly project and analyze the NFL’s first round.
NFL offseason is about to get very, very busy with free agency starting next week. Not far off, on April 29, the Jaguars will be officially on the clock and franchise-altering decisions will be made. We wanted to take a look at how the entire first round would play out from two different perspectives, those of Giants writer Art Stapleton and Jets writer Andy Vasquez:
1. Jaguars
Stapleton: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson. The phrase “generational talent” gets thrown around far too often nowadays, but Lawrence’s time is now, and the Jaguars get rewarded for failure in 2020.
Vasquez: Lawrence.
2. Jets
Stapleton: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU. The Jets could still stick with Sam Darnold or make the big splash if Deshaun Watson gets his way in Houston. But Wilson offers a reset at the position for Joe Douglas, and his creative skill set off platform and out of the pocket plays well in today’s NFL.
Vasquez: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State. Drafting a new quarterback and moving on from Darnold makes the most financial sense for the Jets, as long as they believe there’s one available who can be better than Darnold. There’s an argument for Wilson, but Fields’ success against top competition gives him the edge.
3. Dolphins
Stapleton: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU. Out of sight, but not out of mind, Chase bypassed this past season due to COVID-19 concerns and to prepare for the draft. He is the best receiver in the draft and was Joe Burrow’s dominant playmaker in 2019.
Vasquez: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon. The Dolphins need a wide receiver, but they’re also thin at tackle and Sewell has the chance to be an immediate contributor and eventual star. The Dolphins solidify their line, but don’t be surprised if they trade down with a QB-needy team.
4. Falcons
Stapleton: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State. Game experience is somewhat of a question mark, but Lance is incredibly talented. Bring him to Atlanta to learn for a year behind Matt Ryan with new head coach Arthur Smith, seen as a bit of a QB guru.
Vasquez: Wilson.
5. Bengals
Stapleton: Sewell.
Vasquez: Chase.
6. Eagles
Stapleton: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida. Pitts can do so much at the position, and he’s right there with the top WR. Eagles could go with one of the CBs or surprise with a QB, but pairing him with Dallas Goedert is very appealing if Zach Ertz winds up getting traded as expected.
Vasquez: Pitts.
7. Lions
Stapleton: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State. Parsons opted out of the 2020 season, and, like Chase, the hype would be through the roof had he played. I think he’s the best defensive player (and the most versatile) in the class.
Vasquez: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama. The Lions need a playmaker and Waddle has the potential to be the most exploThe sive in this draft. His mix of elite speed and elusiveness gives the Lions a weapon to build around.
8. Panthers
Stapleton: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama. This might be a surprise, but Matt Rhule and Co. got to see Jones up close and personal at the Senior Bowl. The Panthers want an “alpha” at QB.
Vasquez: Lance.
9. Broncos
Stapleton: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech. Denver could be a trade-up spot for teams in the teens. For now, give Vic Fangio’s defense a stud cover man with loads of potential.
Vasquez: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama. Surtain was equal to the hype and better than opposing receivers during his run at Alabama. His attention to detail, on and off the field, make him the first corner
back off the board.
10. Cowboys
Stapleton: Surtain. Vasquez: Farley.
11. Giants
Stapleton: Waddle. Vasquez: DeVonta Smith,
WR, Alabama. I’ve already taken Waddle off the board, so this ends up being an easy decision for the Giants. Smith’s electric play-making ability and precise route running will make an instant impact for the Giants.
12. 49ers
Stapleton: Jaycee Horn,
CB, South Carolina. San Francisco is expected to lose Richard Sherman to free agency, so in steps Horn, who brings length and instincts to the boundary. Vasquez: Jones.
13. Chargers
Stapleton: Rashawn Slater,
OL, Northwestern. While Sewell gets the hype, Slater might be the best all-around lineman in the draft. He can play tackle or guard. Put him in front of Justin Herbert and watch Slater excel. Vasquez: Parsons.
14. Vikings
Stapleton: Gregory Rousseau, DL-OLB, Miami. Rousseau is raw, and he’s coming off an opt-out season, so some of the projection is based on yearold tape and workouts. He can grow into a force on the edge with a chance at being a factor on the interior as well. Vasquez: Slater.
15. Patriots
Stapleton: Smith. Vasquez: Jaelan Phillips,
EDGE, Miami. Ideally, an offensive playmaker would have been here for the Patriots. But they still need to get younger on defense and put more pressure on the quarterback, which makes Phillips a great fit.
16. Cardinals
Stapleton: Christian Darrisaw,
OL, Virginia Tech. Arizona’s defense will get the offseason headlines with JJ Watt coming aboard, but another investment in front of Kyler Murray isn’t a bad thing. Vasquez: Jaycee Horn, CB,
South Carolina. The cornerback talent drops off steeply after Horn, who already has the requisite skills to thrive outside and continues to improve. The cornerback-needy Cardinals won’t let him slip by.
17. Raiders
Stapleton: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama. Barmore is a beast on the interior, and he turned it on down the stretch of this past season in becoming one of the Crimson Tide’s most indispensable performers. Vasquez: Kwity Paye,
EDGE, Michigan. Paye’s massive potential and his ability to contribute immediately – he has the size, athleticism and intelligence – make him too appealing for the Raiders to pass.
18. Dolphins
Stapleton: Phillips. Vasquez: Rashod Bateman,
WR, Minnesota. Bateman’s precise route running, strong hands and tenacity make him the ideal fit. The Dolphins’ get their playmaker after solidifying their offensive line.
19. Washington
Stapleton: Fields. Vasquez: Darrisaw.
20. Bears
Stapleton: Bateman. Vasquez: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, Southern California.
The Bears need to get this pick right and they need depth on the interior offensive line. It’s hard to argue against picking Vera-Tucker, whose athleticism and instincts should allow him to thrive.
21. Colts
Stapleton: Rondale Moore,
WR, Purdue. The Colts might end up saying goodbye to T.Y. Hilton. Moore is a multifaceted playmaker who could slide right
into an offense helmed by Carson Wentz. Vasquez: Samuel Cosmi,
OT, Texas. The Colts have big questions on the offensive line and Cosmi can provide an immediate answer. His mix of experience and versatility will serve Wentz well.
22. Titans
Stapleton: Pay. Vasquez: Barmore.
23. Jets
Stapleton: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia. The Jets got their new quarterback, and now the search for a pass rusher – one that has seemingly gone on since John Abraham left – lands on the talented Ojulari. Vasquez: Terrace Marshall
Jr., WR, LSU. He was unstoppable as LSU’s top weapon in 2020 and proved he can make plays wherever he lines up. The Jets benefit from this deep class of receivers, and Marshall, who is 6-foot-3 with tremendous ball skills, could be their long-awaited No. 1.
24. Steelers
Stapleton: Jalen Mayfield,
OL, Michigan. The Steelers must replace at least two starters on the line, and Mayfield has some versatility where he can
contribute at tackle and guard. Vasquez: Teven Jenkins,
OL, Oklahoma State. As Art pointed out, the Steelers need help on the offensive line. Jenkins has the talent to start immediately and a ridiculously high ceiling so he gets the nod.
25. Jaguars
Stapleton: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre
Dame. Owusu-Koramoah has speed and instincts, and his ability to be both a pass rusher with the skill to perform well in coverage is appealing. Vasquez: Ojulari.
26. Browns
Stapleton: Ronnie Perkins,
EDGE, Oklahoma. Olivier Vernon may not return to Cleveland, so imagine the boost a rookie like Perkins gets playing opposite Myles Garrett. Vasquez: Owusu-Kora- moah.
27. Ravens
Stapleton: Kadarius Toney,
WR, Florida. Toney is an explosive player. While he is not as polished as the receivers who have gone before him, the former Gator could complement Hollywood Brown very well and be another outlet for Lamar Jackson.
Vasquez: Rousseau.
28. Saints
Stapleton: Joseph Ossai,
EDGE, Texas. The Saints may have to replace Trey Hendrickson, a free agent, so Ossai would get the opportunity to step right up and show what he can do. Vasquez: Eric Stokes Jr., CB, Georgia. New Orleans needs to add youth and depth to its cornerback room and Stokes has massive upside with his rare mix of size and speed.
29. Packers
Stapleton: Greg Newsome
II, CB, Northwestern. Green Bay is seeking defensive pieces to make another strong run, and Newsome has all the tools to push his stock not only into the first round, but even higher than this. Vasquez: Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan. The Packers need to add to their offensive line depth and Mayfield has the talent and strength to be an immediate option at several positions.
30. Bills
Stapleton: Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State. Buffalo may have shoes to fill at right tackle due to free agent Daryl Williams, and Jenkins will win over teams with what he has shown on tape. Vasquez: Najee Harris, RB,
Alabama. He’s proved he can be a weapon as a runner and as a receiver, making him the perfect weapon/potential improvisational option for mobile quarterback Josh Allen.
31. Chiefs
Stapleton: Vera-Tucker. Vasquez: Tony.
32. Buccaneers
Stapleton: Collins. Vasquez: Travis Etienne,
RB, Clemson. He’s the best player left on the draft board and the Bucs need some help at running back. Tom Brady is clearly capable of making another run and Etienne is a perfect weapon to add.