Today is one of the most anticipated days of the year on the sporting calendar and it has nothing to do with an actual game or match. It's NFL Draft Day!
Why the NFL Draft on a wrestling website? Why not? Let's have some fun!
Earlier this year, as I was reading one of the hundreds of NFL Mock Draft's I tweeted something to the effect of, "There is nothing more useless and inaccurate than an NFL Mock Draft, yet I will read them all." Someone replies and said you could say the same about wrestling rankings and pre-tournament predictions. Touche.
Since football is the most popular sport in the country (after wrestling, of course), there are plenty of wrestling people who double as hardcore football fans. Instead of the InterMat staff publishing an NFL Mock Draft, we decided to get people from all walks of the wrestling community involved in our little bit of fun. There are some wrestlers, coaches, wrestling media members, fans, an SID, along with an athletic administrator who got in the mix and made picks for their favorite teams.
So were these picks serious or a joke? Well, there were no ground rules, so a couple of our guest "GMs" may have had some fun with their respective selections. Most picks came with a rationale behind their choice, too, just like an actual mock draft.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence-Clemson (QB)
"There's no suspense here. Trevor Lawrence has been regarded as perhaps the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL draft. Lawrence can do it all and should be a cornerstone for new head Urban Meyer. He'll instantly become the face of a franchise for a team who has desperately needed one for years" - Earl Smith (InterMat)
2) New York Jets: Zach Wilson-Brigham Young (QB)
"If they were smart, they'd go with Justin Fields (Ohio State) because you should never trust a school that doesn't have wrestling. Remember this is the Jets we're talking about" - Matt Valenti (Associate AD; University of Pennsylvania; 2x NCAA champion)
3) San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields-Ohio State (QB)
"He can move in the pocket and run the ball, but also drop back and throw it. He reminds me of Cam Newton with a better arm and better decision-making" - Nate Engel (Assistant Coach; Oregon State)
4) Atlanta Falcons: Trey Lance-North Dakota State (QB)
"Matt Ryan is on his way out whether it comes this year or next and there aren't many times a franchise gets the chance at a top-five pick. Lance has all the goods. He's big, fast, has a strong arm, and takes care of the football. (30 TD's to 1 INT in his last two years)" - Jacob Hewgley (MatGeeks on Rokfin)
5) Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell-Oregon (OT)
"The Bengals drafted their franchise quarterback with the number one pick last year in Joe Burrow. He went down with a torn ACL after looking the part of an elite QB. The Bengals need to prioritize protecting him and Sewell is the best option to do so" - Ben Watson (Host - The Inside Trip podcast)
6) Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts-Florida (TE)
"Best non-QB in the draft. The Dolphins WR room isn't as bad as advertised and Pitts/Mike Gesicki will create a ton of mismatches. Pitts is a pass catcher, not just a TE" - Joe Esposito (@jespo134)
7) Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons-Penn State (LB)
"He's an animal on the field, tweets about wrestling, has a crazy-fast 40 time for a linebacker, and can do it all at a need position for the Lions. Best Linebacker in the draft" - Kevin Claunch (Host - Bloodround podcast)
8) Carolina Panthers: Mac Jones-Alabama (QB)
Wait… .we've got a trade. Carolina and San Francisco have swapped quarterbacks at the request of Carolina's General Manager. Mac Jones will go to the 49ers and Carolina will take Justin Fields.
"Even though Fields is two inches shorter, he has similar characteristics to Cam Newton in his ability to extend plays. He's dynamic and mobile with a lot of accuracy. He'll fit in well with Christian McCaffrey and help us get to another Super Bowl" -Michael Macchiavello (2018 NCAA champion/Wolfpack WC)
9) Denver Broncos: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah-Notre Dame (LB)
"We really need a QB, though" - Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado)
10) Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II-Alabama (CB)
"Best CB in the draft and Dallas needs help defending the passing game and overall on the defensive side of the ball" - Tony Ramos (Associate Head Coach - North Carolina)
11) New York Giants: Jamarr Chase-LSU (WR)
"Chase will bring pure electricity to this dormant offense. With the addition of Golladay and Saquon coming back from injury, Danny Dimes has nuclear weapons at his disposal" - Joe Dubuque (Assistant Coach - Princeton)
12) Philadelphia Eagles: Asante Samuel Jr. - Florida State (CB)
We're getting a little nostalgic as Samuel's father, by the same name, was a cornerback for the Eagles from 2008-11. - Kevin McGuigan (Philly Wrestling)
13) Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech (OT)
"The Chargers found their franchise QB last year with Justin Herbert; they just need to keep him upright going forward. That's where Darrisaw comes in. Good athletic ability for a lineman, especially in the run game" - Earl Smith (InterMat)
14) Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker - Southern California (G/OT)
"Since the highest graded Minnesotan, Trey Lance, is off the board and it's probably too early to draft Gopher Rashad Bateman, I guess the Vikings will draft for a position of need. With the 14th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Alijah Vera-Tucker tackle/guard from USC. He is a versatile player and will be a much-needed upgrade on the offensive line" - Cody Arnold (@CodyOcho5)
15) New England Patriots: Devonta Smith - Alabama (WR)
"I'm thrilled to select Devonta Smith. The Patriots have missed on wideout after wideout, but with Smith falling, this is a no-brainer. There are questions about his size, but no player in college consistently generated the separation Smith did at Alabama. The Patriots love versatile players and Smith brings exciting possibilities to this offense in both the slot and out wide" - Dylan Ryan (Duke Wrestling 2011-15, @rhino184)
16) Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn - South Carolina (CB)
"With the departure of Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals desperately need help at the cornerback position" - (Denis Ryan - Arizona/Columbia Wrestling, @denisryan52)
17) Las Vegas Raiders: Trevon Moehrig - TCU (S)
"My beloved Oakland Raiders skid to the finish line in 2020 after starting the season looking like a formidable playoff contender. They are close to being an upper-echelon team, like half the other teams on any given Sunday. I think offensive tackle is in need of an upgrade, and 315 lb Christian Darrisaw of VT would be great, but he's off the board. So, ultimately the Raiders turn to Safety Trevon Moehrig of TCU, as he's one of the best overall players still available. He is a playmaker and has the size and range to play. The Raiders need to improve on some dismal defensive performances from a year ago, and will look to Moehrig for immediate help" - Kevin Roberts (RobertsWrestling.com)
18) Miami Dolphins: Rashawn Slater - Northwestern (OT)
"Miami needs to continue to build a wall in front of Tua, and can't pass up top 10 value at 18" - Joe Esposito (@jespo134)
19) Washington Football Team: Caleb Farley - Virginia Tech (CB)
"You could make a case that the 7-9 Football Team hurt themselves by winning late last season and making the playoffs. But I'll take the division title no matter what the record.
That being said, we don't draft until #19. I winced every time an analyst gave us a defensive player. We're LOADED on defense.
But the way the projections (and this mock itself) are, there's no sure thing at Wide Receiver (I'm skeptical of both Jaylen Waddle and Kadarius Toney), no uber stud O-Lineman (Slater was taken the pick prior), and all the franchise QB's are gone.
So give me Caleb Farley, who, if not for injury concerns, would be the consensus #1 Corner in the draft. The guy's a unicorn. At 6'2, 207lbs, he was recorded during a game at 24.1mph. You know the fastest time Tyrek Hill EVER registered? 22.3!
No one's scoring on us next year" (Willie)
20) Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome II - Northwestern (CB)
"Let's keep this Northwestern stud in the 2nd city. He gave up just one reception over 10 yards in 2020 and is praised for how quickly he reacts to routes. You can always use another CB and help replacing Kyle Fuller" - Tommy Baranoski (Host - Bloodround Podcast)
21) Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye - Michigan (Edge)
"Kwity Pay is a fast and powerful player that fits one of the Colts biggest current needs in an edge rusher. Paye is built like former Colts great, Dwight Freeney, and could slide into Matt Everflus' aggressive defense nicely. Has consistently been named one of Michigan's hardest workers, and when you match that with his other traits, it suggests he could be a future impact player" - Austin Early (Host - Changing Levels Podcast/InterMat Big Ten correspondent)
22) Tennessee Titans: Jaylen Waddle - Alabama (WR)
"The Titans need some more wideout options to give them diversity as opposed to just running the ball with Derrick Henry. Jaylen Waddle may slip by because he's coming off an injury. And remember, the Titans have a history with 'Bama players" - Cody Cleveland (Chattanooga All-American)
23) New York Jets: Teven Jenkins - Oklahoma State (OT)
Jake Aferiat (Daily Collegian)
24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris - Alabama (RB)
"Steelers haven't had a true RB1 who can carry the load since Le' Veon Bell and it's a huge need. Ben can carry them anymore and they rushed for less than 55 yards in seven of the last 11 games last season and the team collapsed. As the running game goes, so do the Steelers. Harris helps make them a far more complete offense and his style of running fits the franchise" - Mason Beckman (Rudis/Lehigh two-time All-American)
25) Jacksonville Jaguars: Elijah Moore - Mississippi (WR)
"You've got a nice new shiny toy in top-overall pick Trevor Lawrence; you may as well get him a friend. Elijah Moore is an excellent weapon out of the slot and has the toughness you like despite not having ideal size" - Earl Smith (InterMat)
26) Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins - Tulsa (LB)
J Jaggers (Associate Head Coach - Ohio State)
27) Baltimore Ravens: Christian Barmore - Alabama (NT)
Baltimore's DLine stinks. It stinks. Their best player in the unit is Calais Campbell, who was drafted two months after J Jaggers beat Chad Mendes. Jesus. Barmore will be the next Campbell. He's by far the best interior DL in the draft. (Willie)
28) New Orleans Saints: Rondale Moore - Purdue (WR)
"It's a win from every angle. The Saints have been searching for another WR to take the pressure off of Michael Thomas and the last time they picked up a Boilermaker, it worked out pretty well for them. Moore has incredible big-play potential and Sean Payton will find ways to get him the ball in space" - Tanner Lipsett (Purdue - Sports Information Director)
29) Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman - Minnesota (WR)
"Aaron Rodgers finally gets his WR! Bateman brings size, speed, and productivity to a high-powered Packers offense. Aaron Rodgers is all smiles after this pick" - Cory Kundert (@CKundert10)
30) Buffalo Bills: Azeez Ojulari - Georgia (Edge)
"The Bills front seven needs to get younger and more dynamic and Ojulari fills this need. He is aggressive, has high football IQ and a frame to build on" - Scott Green (Head Coach - Wyoming Seminary)
31) Baltimore Ravens: Gregory Rousseau - Miami (DE)
I'm going back to the DL. Who the heck drafts two DL's in the first round? I sincerely don't care. The Ravens unit is that bad. Kiper's 3rd best DE is here, and that's a steal. (Willie)
32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayson Oweh - Penn State (Edge)
"I'll be flying to Tampa on Thursday to personally oversee what's going to happen at One Buccaneer Place. Since we can probably get wrestler Osa Odighizuwa of UCLA in a later round, I'm waffling between Washington's Levi Onwuzurike, Penn State's Jayson Oweh, and Clemson's Travis Etienne. The Bucs' own experts seem to think those are the top choices at the 32nd position in the first round, which, as you know, go to the Super Bowl CHAMPION Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington doesn't have wrestling, so Onwuzurike is out. I don't trust Jayson's, since they spell their names with unnecessary Ys. I also can't go with Etienne because the RB by committee, coupled with the fact Clemson has no wrestling, eliminates him from contention. Screw it, the Bucs can make that D even more fearsome with Oweh, so he's the pick. He went to Blair Academy and Penn State. He might not be a wrestler, but he's as close as you can get without actually wrestling simply by proximity!" - Jason Bryant (Mat Talk Online)
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