NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Giants grab Isaiah Simmons, Jets pick Tristan Wirfs

The Serby Mock 2.0 has the Giants making an historic linebacker pick and the Jets beginning their much-needed offensive line overhaul.

Picks 1-15 in this mock, picks 1-20 in the next one:

1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow (QB, LSU)

This will be the pick the rest of the way — the franchise quarterback for a franchise desperate for the right one. And this kid is the right one — physically, mentally and emotionally, so accurate and such a leader, to pair with coach Zac Taylor. Burrow might want to check with Troy Aikman about how a rookie quarterback with great expectations copes with a team rebuilding around him.

2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young (DE, Ohio State)

Let’s just say: Daniel Jones’ mobility will be put to the test, possibly for the next decade or so. A generational pass rusher to join former first-round picks Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne and form a 49ers East defensive line for new coach Ron Rivera. A costly December victory for the Giants, but that’s not Pat Shurmur’s problem anymore.

3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State)

A plug-and-play, 6-foot-1, 200-pound press corner who has been compared to a more mature Jalen Ramsey and a young Darrelle Revis. Rashaan Melvin will be a free agent, and Darius “Big Play” Slay is 29 with just one year left on his contract. Coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn dodged owner Martha Ford’s guillotine and need to make a playoff push in their third season together. The Lions owned the league’s worst pass defense in 2019. And Aaron Rodgers isn’t going anywhere.

4. New York Giants
Isaiah Simmons (LB, Clemson)

Protecting Daniel Jones is paramount, and Nick Saban is sure to be whispering sweet nothings to Joe Judge about the merits of offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who would be a plug-and-play RT because he played there exclusively. But if GM Dave Gettleman can sign OT Jack Conklin in free agency, he can turn his attention to the kind of playmaker Big Blue desperately needs — a 6-foot-4, 230-pound Swiss Army knife who can play safety, rush the passer, do whatever, and will test well at the Combine. Gettleman drafted LB Shaq Thompson in the first round as Panthers GM, and Simmons is a much better prospect. Gettleman muses aloud that the Giants hadn’t drafted a linebacker in the first round since Carl Banks in 1984. Judge replies: “I was 2.”

5. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama)

Sitting behind Ryan Fitzpatrick is the ideal scenario for all concerned. Coach Brian Flores didn’t tank for Tua and will get his QB of the future anyway, as long as the medicals on that hip check out. Deadly accurate, mobile and oozing with maturity and class.

6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)

Coach Anthony Lynn needs a quarterback now that Philip Rivers will be looking for a new home. All this talk about Herbert being an introvert should have fallen by the wayside with his Senior Bowl MVP performance. He’ll be the Bo Callahan on draft day — 6-foot-6, 227 pounds and all that arm talent to make Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry that much more dangerous.

7. Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn)

The odds on Cam Newton returning are dwindling. New coach Matt Rhule has seven years to rebuild David Tepper’s team in his own image, so a quarterback could be in play early. But first, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound stud to fill a void alongside Kawann Short.

8. Arizona Cardinals
Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia)

Beauty will be in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the offensive tackle class. Coach Kliff Kingsbury will need one if and when LT D.J. Humphries becomes a free agent. The optics of QB Kyler Murray hiding behind 6-foot-7, 368-pound Mekhi Becton would be too good to be true. But Thomas is 6-5, 320 and an experienced LT. WR CeeDee Lamb should also be a consideration here.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Javon Kinlaw (DT, South Carolina)

The darling of the Senior Bowl, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound monster whose power inside would make life even easier for pass-rushing wonder Josh Allen.

10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT, Alabama)

The optics of Baker Mayfield hiding behind 6-foot-7, 368-pound Mekhi Becton … but seriously, folks, new coach Kevin Stefanski desperately needs to keep his quarterback upright so Odell Beckham Jr. doesn’t feel compelled to tell opponents, “Come get me.” And you can hide behind a nasty 6-5, 322-pounder who should be able to project to LT.

11. New York Jets
Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa)

No need to mention that Sam Darnold would be able to hide behind 6-foot-7, 368-pound Mekhi Becton. GM Joe Douglas didn’t have anything close to those measurables when he was an All-Atlantic 10 selection at Richmond. But Douglas is more of a hard-nosed, old-school football guy who will prefer football players over athletes, and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz (whose program produced Marshal Yanda, Bryan Bulaga) delivers Douglas a powerful, nasty 6-5, 322-pound RT with positional versatility. The franchise quarterback needs a cast of new bodyguards, and Le’Veon Bell, assuming he’s isn’t traded, needs a cast of new road graders.

12. Las Vegas Raiders
CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)

Don’t think Antonio Brown will be catching passes from Derek Carr — if in fact Jon Gruden decides to roll the dice in Las Vegas with Carr. Chucky craves a 6-foot-2, 190-pound target who may not have elite speed but has drawn comparisons to DeAndre Hopkins.

13. Indianapolis Colts
Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama)

GM Chris Ballard passes on QB of the future and instead gets Jacoby Brissett a complement to T.Y. Hilton, who has been a tad too fragile and turns 31 in November. No one should expect Jeudy to be Marvin Harrison, but he’s fast and an elite route-runner. Can’t rule out a tackle, as Ballard is keeping his fingers crossed LT Anthony Castonzo does not retire.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville)

After Jameis Winston’s 30-interception season, coach Bruce Arians has to consider QB Jordan Love here, but in this scenario, he opts to hide behind our ascending 6-foot-7, 368-pounder with the sweet feet either as the replacement for or heir apparent to RT Demar Dotson, who turns 35 in October.

15. Denver Broncos
Kristian Fulton (CB, LSU)

Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III could flash John Ross speed at the Combine, and coach Vic Fangio would be tempted to get Drew Lock a replacement for Emmanuel Sanders opposite Courtland Sutton. And LT Garett Bolles doesn’t look like the long-term answer. But CB Chris Harris Jr. is a free agent, and Patrick Mahomes is on the schedule twice every year.

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