19. Tampa Bay (10-7)
The Bucs need a little more juice on the edge of their defense with their two leading sackers — Calijah Kancey (7.5) and Vita Vea (7.0) — playing along the interior.
Pick: Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee. Pearce had a great Combine that verified his first step and speed of the edge are legit. He had 7.5 sacks this season and there’s a ton of upside in Pearce’s game.
20. Denver (10-7)
The Broncos need to continue to put pieces around emerging young quarterback Bo Nix.
Pick: WR Matthew Golden, Texas. Golden was the fastest receiver at the Combine (4.29) and that gives Nix and head coach Sean Payton a fun weapon to add to their offense.
21. Pittsburgh (10-7)
A receiver certainly makes sense here, but potentially getting the best cornerback in the draft in the 20’s seems like a very Pittsburgh Steelers savvy move.
Pick: CB Will Johnson, Michigan. Johnson has terrific size (6-2, 202) and movement skills with a consistent track record of production. After sitting out the Combine, will he be able to run the 40 at Michigan’s Pro Day later this month? If not, he could drop some, but I still view him as one of the best cornerbacks in the class.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Khalil Mack is headed toward free agency while Joey Bosa and Bud Dupree are only under contract through 2025.
Pick: Edge Mike Green, Marshall. Green (6-4, 248) is a gifted pass rusher, who recorded 17 sacks and three forced fumbles last season for the Thundering Herd.
23. Green Bay (11-6)
The Packers could use help at cornerback and along their defensive line. Jaire Alexander has struggled to stay healthy, and Eric Stokes is headed for free agency.
Pick: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State. Thomas has terrific length (6-2, 198), and though he has to sharpen his technique, he’s got all the tools to be a quality starter in the NFL. The Packers like big, physical corners.
24. Minnesota (14-3)
I had them going defensive tackle in my first Mock but getting a tackle/guard combo player gives Kevin O’Connell’s offense some options upfront moving forward.
Pick: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State. The medicals from the Combine will be important evaluator for him after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. When healthy, he’s got the traits to be a quality starting tackle in the NFL.
25. Houston (10-7)
The Texans have some uncertainty at the wide receiver position with Tank Dell’s injury and Stefon Diggs coming off an ACL injury and headed to free agency. Offensive line makes sense here, too, but I have them adding a weapon outside.
Pick: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri. Burden has terrific run-after-catch skills to go along with his 4.41 speed at the Combine as he recorded 21 touchdowns for the Tigers over the last three seasons.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
