5 NFL Draft Picks We Want To See Happen

We’re heading down the home stretch with the NFL Draft now only a week away. While we don’t know how things are going to unfold over the three-day event, we can say that this will be the most unique draft in the history of the league. The ripple effect from the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shifted the scouting process and will likely have a major impact on draft day selections for the league’s 32 teams. We expect plenty of fireworks along the way but do have our wish list of landing spots for some of this year’s top prospects. Here are the five NFL Draft picks we want to see happen:

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Kyle Pitts to the Bengals

Sure, there’s been a lot of chatter about Pitts going to the Falcons fourth overall, but that almost seems like a “quarterback or trade” spot for Atlanta. So there’s a good chance Pitts is on the board for the Bengals at Pick 5. 

While many have Cincinnati pegged for Oregon LT Penei Sewell, that math doesn’t quite add up. Cincinnati already has 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams in house at left tackle and signed Riley Reiff to man right tackle. Where the Bengals need help is in the interior of their offensive line, and this is just too early to take Alijah Vera-Tucker. 

So that essentially leaves Pitts and Ja'Marr Chase on the board for Cincinnati. Both are premium options, but Pitts would give Joe Burrow and complete mismatch at tight end. The two of them could make magic for the better part of the next decade.

Najee Harris to Pittsburgh at pick 24

This one is almost too obvious. The Steelers are coming off a 2020 season where they managed a league-low 1,351 rushing yards. That fact doesn’t sit well with owner Art Rooney II, and there have been strong hints that the team will address their backfield early in the draft. 

Pittsburgh hasn’t been outside of the bottom five in the league in rushing yards since 2017. Not-so-coincidentally, that was Le'Veon Bell’s last year with the team. In Harris, the Steelers would get a very similar player to Bell in his prime. He isn’t a home-run hitter, but Harris is a bigger back with a true three-down profile. He’d check nearly every box for the Steelers to shore up their run game.

Elijah Moore to Green Bay at pick 29

Everyone knows the Packers aren’t going to take a wide receiver in the first round, but I’m going to continue to hold out hope. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a 48-touchdown season, which is that much more remarkable considering his wide receiver corps consisted of Devante Adams and a whole lot of nothing else. Green Bay could really use an upgrade.

Enter Moore, who can best be describe as Steve Smith 2.0. Sure, he’s undersized, but put on the tape. When you do, you’re going to see a player who shows up much bigger on the field. He’s scrappy, physical, and blazing fast. Moore would be the perfect complement to Adams and would really open things up for the Green Bay offense.

Brett Whitefield takes a deeper look at Elijah Moore, here.

Javonte Williams to Atlanta at 35

Like Pittsburgh, the Falcons are in major need of some help in the backfield. Gone are essentially all remnants of the Dan Quinn era with Todd Gurley still a free agent and Ito Smith released. Atlanta did sign former Panthers back Mike Davis, but he showed in 2020 that he isn’t much more than a complementary piece in a backfield.

Arthur Smith and company are a good bet to address the position on Day 2, so why not get one of the top options at the position? Williams is a first-round talent who isn’t much behind the top two options at running back in Najee Harris and Travis Etienne. He’s a physical and elusive back with three-down ability who could make an instant impact for Smith and the Falcons.

Derek Brown provides a scouting report on Williams, here.

Kellen Mond to Denver in round two

We’ll go off the beaten trail for this one. It’s no secret that the Broncos need a quarterback. If they don’t address the position in Round 1, don’t be surprised to see them select a signal caller in the second round. That essentially whittles the list down to three players: Kyle Trask, Kellen Mond and Davis Mills. 

While all three are very possible in this spot, Mond is the most interesting given his experience and skillset. He’s a four-year starter who has a lot in common with Dak Prescott in terms of measurables and college career arch. Better yet, landing with the extremely intriguing group of skill position players in Denver would give Mond some serious sleeper potential.

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