The Tower NFL Mock Draft

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Cole Cleveland, Reporter

  1. Carolina Panthers – QB CJ Stroud

The Panthers traded a haul of picks to the Chicago Bears to move up to Number 1 and likely take their franchise QB of the future. The decision however is between CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. Both were dominant in the college level, but Bryce Young lacks size and is a riskier choice at the number one spot. Leaving the Panthers to take the Ohio State QB.

  1. Houston Texans – QB Bryce Young

The Texans, like the Panthers, are looking for their next franchise QB. With CJ Stroud off the board, the Texans may get their first choice at QB in Heisman Winner, Bryce Young. Young lacks a prototypical NFL QB size but is a prolific passer with a good arm.

  1. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

The Cardinals do not need a QB and are likely to take the best non-QB player available. Will Anderson Jr. has been a dominant force off the edge at Alabama using his strength and pure athleticism, that matched with his strong body frame make him the third player off the board.

  1. Indianapolis Colts – QB Anthony Richardson

The Colts are another team looking to the future at the QB position. The Florida QB shot up draft boards after his historic performances at both the NFL Draft Combine and the University of Florida’s Pro Day. His size and athleticism is generational and his ceiling is as high as it gets, but with concerns about his accuracy, he is the third quarterback off the board.

  1. Seattle Seahawks – DL Jalen Carter

The Seahawks are coming off of a surprise playoff appearance and are looking for another piece to add to a young, successful team. Carter’s draft stock has fallen a bit due to off the field concerns, but his play on the field was amongst some of the best in the country. The Seahawks could use a dominant defensive tackle and Jalen Carter could be just that.

  1. Detroit Lions – EDGE Tyree Wilson

The Lions defense struggled early on in the season and struggled with pass rush throughout the season. They could be looking for another Edge to play on the opposite side of Aiden Hutchinson. This could create a young and dominant pass rush for an already explosive defense in Detroit.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Christian Gonzalez

The Raiders vastly underperformed last season in-large part due to their lackluster defense. Their secondary was amongst the worst in the league and taking a CB can begin to help the defense vastly. Gonzalez was a lock down CB in the PAC-12 the past 2 seasons and could go off the board early.

  1. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Nolan Smith

The Falcons are looking to get a top offensive and defensive talent in the draft. Nolan Smith dominated the NFL Draft Combine and has been considered by many scouts as the best all around defensive player in the Draft. The Falcons can vastly improve their defense with a player like Nolan Smith.

  1. Chicago Bears – OT Paris Johnson Jr.

The Bears traded back with the Panthers to acquire WR DJ Moore and future picks. However, the Bears offense still needs a better offensive line to protect QB Justin Fields. Johnson Jr. is a massive lineman built around the run game, which could be a perfect fit for a QB who has a high tendency to run

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Devon Witherspoon

The Eagles do not have many strong needs in this draft besides depth on their defense. Taking a CB with a high ceiling, such as Devon Witherspoon, is a strong option in their situation. The Illinois CB is one of the more raw prospects within the class, being a great athlete with not as much on the field experience.

  1. Tennessee Titans – OL Peter Skoronski

The Titans lost Taylor Lewan in free agency this spring and they will need another lineman to protect their quarterback and there is not a better option than Skoronski. The Northwestern tackle is widely considered the top tackle in the draft.

  1. Houston Texans – EDGE Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness is one of the more experienced prospects in the class. After an underwhelming career at Iowa and a solid NFL Draft Combine performance, Van Ness became a top talent in the class and is a prototypical NFL EDGE.

  1. New York Jets – CB Joey Porter Jr.

The Jets secondary lacked depth and talent at times throughout the last season. The Jets need one last piece to fully turn around their secondary and compete as one of the best in the league next season.

  1. New England Patriots – EDGE Miles Murphy

The Patriots had a weak run stopping defense last season. They lack specifically power rushers off of the edge. Miles Murphy is the perfect fit as he is a good run stopper that is strong off of the edge.

  1. Green Bay Packers – WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba

After the departure of Allen Lazard and Davante Adams in the last 2 seasons, the Packers are looking to rebuild their WR core especially as QB Jordan Love steps up as the likely starter next season. Smith-Njigba was arguably the best WR in college football last season and his Combine performance proved he was a top prospect in the Draft.

  1. Washington Commanders – CB Deonte Banks

The Commanders secondary has been great for the past couple of seasons; but after losing some talent in free agency, the Commanders could add a young piece to the room and have him learn behind the starters for some time to fully be successful.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Broderick Jones

The Steelers showed promise towards the end of last season. Led by Rookie QB Kenny Pickett, their number one priority now is protecting their franchise QB and giving him the best chances to succeed.

  1. Detroit Lions – WR Quentin Johnson

The Lions have a very mediocre lineup but could use another outside receiver to take the top off of the defense. Johnson was an explosive playmaker at TCU and was a vital part of their College Football Playoff run.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Will Levis

The Buccaneers have been rumored to be searching for their next QB following Tom Brady. Levis has a strong arm and played in a similar offensive scheme as the Buccaneers at Kentucky.

  1. Seattle Seahawks – OL O’Cyrus Torrence

The Seahawks have Comeback Player of The Year Geno Smith and are looking to build a solid foundation around him for the years to come. Torrence thrived in a conference known for difficult pass rushers and developed good size and agility, perfect for what the Seahawks need.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers – DL Bryan Bresee

The Chargers have been building up their defensive line for the past couple of seasons and are in need of another defensive lineman to build a solid defense . They have built a strong foundation for their defense and this is another good piece.

  1. Baltimore Ravens – WR Jordan Addison

The Ravens have been looking to add pieces around their MVP QB Lamar Jackson for a couple of seasons. They will be looking for another weapon to pair alongside WR Odell Beckham Jr. to create a good situation for their star QB.

  1. Minnesota Vikings – QB Hendon Hooker

Kirk Cousins is in the final year of his contract and has struggled in big games time after time. The Vikings could look to get a developing QB to learn behind Cousins during his final season on his contract. Although Hooker is recovering from a Torn ACL, he should be able to return at some point within the upcoming season.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – DL Calijah Kancey

The Jaguars had a weak run stopping defense last season. They lack specifically power rushers on the defensive line. Calijah Kancey is the perfect fit as he is a good run stopper that is strong in the middle.

  1. New York Giants – S Brian Branch

The Giants lost SS Julian Love due to free agency and really need a new player at his position. Brian Branch has been a long time starter for the Crimson Tide and is the top Safety in the class and a player the Giants could use.

  1. Dallas Cowboys – TE Michael Mayer

The Cowboys lost both of their starting Tight Ends in free agency and Michael Mayer is one of the most complete TE prospects in recent history. His ability to block and catch efficiently is exactly what the Cowboys offense needs the most.

  1. Buffalo Bills – WR Zay Flowers

The Bills are one more offensive weapon away from potentially being one of the greatest offensive units in NFL History. Add Zay Flowers, an athletic pass catcher to an already electric offense and Buffalo’s offense just got even better.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – OL Darnell Wright

The recurring theme surrounding the Bengals every offseason is that they need to get QB Joe Burrow more protection. Darnell Wright was incredibly efficient in a pass heavy system at Tennessee that worked similarly to the Bengals offense. He is strong and a good pass defender.

  1. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Will McDonald IV

The Saints defense lacked a strong boom or bust player this season. Will McDonald has high value as a pass rusher and pairing him with Cam Jordan would make a fantastic delete duo.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – OL Anton Harrison

After Andre Dillard left in free agency, the Eagles are in dire need to replace someone at his position. Anton Harrison built a strong resume at Oklahoma for being a good pass protector. Exactly what the Eagles need for their young QB Jalen Hurts.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs – EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Since Frank Clark was released, the Chiefs are in dire need to replace someone at his position. Felix Anudike-Uzomah built a strong resume at Kansas State for being a good pass rusher, which is exactly what the Chiefs need for their defense to defend their Super Bowl Title.