NFL Draft Special: PRZ Michigan High School Mock Draft

Happy Draft Day! Today is a gigantic day for NFL fans all over the world, but it's an especially exciting day for the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit. I'll be spending all day today at the Draft, and I hope to see some of you there!   This special article takes our rankings and inserts them into today's 1st-round. This will be a hypothetical draft of Michigan's best high school talent!   There are a few teams who will very likely trade out of their current position IRL, but for simplicity, I did not perform any draft trades.   *This article is souly for fun and doesn't have any barring on rankings, evaluations, etc.   #1 - Chicago Bears | [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood']   Quarterback - Belleville   In real life, there's no doubt that the Bears are going to pick [player_tooltip player_id='188015' first='Caleb' last='Williams'](USC). In this hypothetical scenario, there's no doubt the Bears would pick [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood']. He's that good.   #2 - Washington Commanders | [player_tooltip player_id='557747' first='Khalief' last='Canty']   Offensive Tackle - Cass Tech   The Commanders need a quarterback, and I don't see them picking anything other than quarterback later tonight. In this scenario, there isn't a Quarterback worth taking here considering the elite talent at other positions. Instead, the commanders opt for the best offensive tackle I've ever seen at the high school level. This is an easy home run for them.   #3 - New England Patriots | [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler']   Quarterback - Cass Tech   Odds suggest that the Patriots are going to choose LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels later tonight. [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] also fits the bill for them. Sadler is a raw but uber-athletic quarterback who's upside is too hard to pass up.   #4 - Arizona Cardinals | [player_tooltip player_id='547739' first='Dakota' last='Guerrant']   Wide Receiver - Harper Woods   There are a lot of phenomenal wide receivers in Michigan, though I feel that Dakota has the highest upside of any current Michigan receiver. He took off during his freshman year, and he'd be perfect for the Arizona Cardinals offense, especially considering they'll likely add Marvin Harrison Jr in real life.   #5 - Los Angeles Chargers | [player_tooltip player_id='899493' first='Avery' last='Gach']   Offensive Tackle - Groves   In reality, I highly suspect that the Chargers will trade down. If they were to stick and pick in this scenario, [player_tooltip player_id='899493' first='Avery' last='Gach'] would fit the Harbaugh scheme extremely well. Jim Harbaugh teams are always led by dominant offensive lines, and In this scenario, Avery is likely their best bet.   #6 - New York Giants | [player_tooltip player_id='568194' first='Gregory' last='Patrick']   Offensive Tackle - Portage Northern   The Giants have had some bad luck with early-round offensive linemen in the past. Tonight, they're rumored to be big-time candidates for a receiver, though in this scenario, I don't see how you could pass up [player_tooltip player_id='568194' first='Gregory' last='Patrick']. He'd be a vital piece in building that Giants offense that's tried so hard to get off the ground in recent years.   #7 - Tennessee Titans | [player_tooltip player_id='602233' first='N-Kye' last='Wynn']   Offensive Tackle - Muskegon   The Titans desperately need to bolster their offensive line. Especially since they look to rebuild after losing Taylor Lewan, Derrick Henry, firing Mike Vrabel (etc), offensive line is a very safe pick. This organization is at the start of a rebuild, and N-Kye would look to hold down Will Levis's (Or whoever is QB) blindside for a decade to come.   #8 - Atlanta Falcons | [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka']   Defensive End - Howell   The Falcons currently have one of the weakest defensive line rooms in the NFL. Adding a piece like [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka'] would immediately bolster that group, and he's a player who could play right away on a win-now team.   #9 - Chicago Bears | [player_tooltip player_id='603743' first='Elijah' last='Dotson']   Wide Receiver - Belleville   I know that Elijah is trending toward being a defensive back in college, but I couldn't help pair him as a receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] on the Chicago Bears. We've seen college QB/WR duos work wonders in the NFL when they get drafted by the same team (Ja'Maar Chase and Joe Burrow). The Bears are likely to go QB-WR with their first two picks in real life, and it's obvious they're looking to take a leap in their usually lackluster pass offense.   #10 - New York Jets | [player_tooltip player_id='212356' first='Ben' last='Nichols']   Offensive Tackle - Davison   Most mock drafts I read have the Jets take a playmaker or an elite tight end. Both of those are in play here, but I think protecting Aaron Rodgers needs to be top priority. On top of that, history says that drafting an offensive lineman this high is smarter than tight end.   #11 - Minnesota Vikings | [player_tooltip player_id='566880' first='Andrew' last='Knight']   Quarterback - SH Stevenson   It's no secret that Minnesota is looking to draft a high-upside quarterback in the first round. If I had to bet, I'd say there's a deal in place to trade up with the Chargers at #5. In this hypothetical scenario, [player_tooltip player_id='566880' first='Andrew' last='Knight'] would be the safest and most pro-ready quarterback on the board.   #12 - Denver Broncos | [player_tooltip player_id='1148711' first='Nate' last='Rocheleau']   Quarterback - Harper Woods   Here comes the run at Quarterback. The Broncos are another team that desperately needs a Quarterback. Nate has the highest upside of any pro-style QB on the board currently, and fits Sean Peyton's scheme perfectly.   #13 - Las Vegas Raiders | [player_tooltip player_id='247643' first='Beau' last='Jackson']   Quarterback - West Bloomfield   The Raiders are another team in position to rebuild, and they desprately need their QB of the future. Gardner Minshew gives them the opportunity to draft a high-upside quarterback like Michael Penix... or [player_tooltip player_id='247643' first='Beau' last='Jackson']. This selection is another great fit for what I think the Raiders are trying to do.   #14 - New Orleans Saints | [player_tooltip player_id='600132' first='Xavier' last='Newsom']   Defensive End - Detroit MLK   This is a slam-dunk pick for the Saints. Because of the run on Quarterbacks and tackles, arguably the best defensive end stayed on the board. Xavier would provide much-needed help on the New Orleans defensive front.   #15 - Indianapolis Colts | [player_tooltip player_id='437969' first='Desmond' last='Straughton']   Defensive Back - Roseville   The Colts need a DB, and they also need a receiver. This was a tough choice, but in this case, the upside of Desmond was too difficult to pass up, especially because of the lack of DBs and bounty of WRs in this class.   #16 - Seattle Seahawks | [player_tooltip player_id='412180' first='Darrin' last='Strey']   Offensive Tackle - Paw Paw   The Seahawks need to improve the interior of their offensive line. They have some young talent in that group, but the numbers say that IOL is a weak spot for this team. Darrin would provide an excellent plug and play option to any position on the offensive line.   #17 - Jacksonville Jaguars | [player_tooltip player_id='899429' first='Kamren' last='Flowers']   Wide Receiver - West Bloomfield   The Jags just added Gabe Davis, but lost Calvin Ridley. Trevor Lawrence is still looking to get over the hump and emerge as an elite NFL quarterback. Kamren would provide a much-needed deep threat!   #18 - Cincinnati Bengals | [player_tooltip player_id='1113047' first='Holden' last='Niemi']   Tight End - Dexter   Just imagine if Joe Burrow had an elite tight end at his disposal. Drafting Holden (or Brock Bowers if the stars align IRL) would provide an immediate receiving threat with elite size to one day become a great blocker.   #19 - Los Angeles Rams | [player_tooltip player_id='899578' first='Rashad' last='Jones']   Defensive End - Belleville   The Rams are another team rumored to be in play for a defensive lineman. Of course, when a 1st-ballot hall of fame D-Lineman retires, you'll want to attempt to fill that role. [player_tooltip player_id='899578' first='Rashad' last='Jones'] or a lineman like Byron Murphy from Texas would be a perfect pick here.   #20 - Pittsburgh Steelers | [player_tooltip player_id='563422' first='Damion' last='King']   Wide Receiver - De La Salle   The Steelers have one of the most perplexing Quarterback situations with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. I'd assume they want to develop Justin and give him the best weapons possible surrounding him. [player_tooltip player_id='563422' first='Damion' last='King'] provides a next-level ready deep threat who can run the entire route tree and get to work after the catch.   #21 - Miami Dolphins | [player_tooltip player_id='1217536' first='Jayden' last='Savoury']   Tight End - St. Mary's   Mike McDaniel loves his athletic Tight Ends. Jayden on the Dolphins would fit like a glove into that offense.   #22 - Philadelphia Eagles | [player_tooltip player_id='1134355' first='Charles' last='White']   Linebacker - St. Mary's   The Eagles are one of those teams that don't always follow draft rules. They need major help at linebacker, and even though Charles is more raw than others on this board, he'd fit in with what the Eagles are trying to build defensively.   #23 - Minnesota Vikings | [player_tooltip player_id='278012' first='DiMari' last='Malone']   Linebacker - Dakota   The Vikings defensive front 7 needs a superstar. DiMari has the traits to develop into one. He would fit right in with the Brian Flores led defense.   #24 - Dallas Cowboys | [player_tooltip player_id='1148693' first='Kory' last='Amachree']   Running Back - Haslett   After the sharp decline of Ezekiel Elliott and losing Tony Pollard, Dallas is left with zero proven running backs. Kory would provide immediate support in the run and pass game, similar to a Jahmyr Gibbs.   #25 - Green Bay Packers | Lamar Fairfax Jr.   Defensive Tackle - Belleville   With the Detroit Lions running the NFC North, other teams in he division will look to stop their elite O-Line and Run Game. The Packers already have a good front 7 with some young defensive linemen, but adding an interior piece like Lamar Fairfax might be the final piece in what's looking like an awesome run defense.   #26 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers | [player_tooltip player_id='318570' first='Marcello' last='Vitti']   Athlete - Divine Child   Marcello reminds me a lot of Jabrill Peppers from Michigan. Coming out of college, Jabrill was a Heisman finalist and one of the faces of college football, but he was taken #25 by the Browns, and he took a while before developing into a solid NFL player. Marcello is in a similar boat. He's an elite high school player, but he's a swiss army knife who might need a little development. He'd be a great fit for a Bucs defense that actually needs to fill a lot of holes defensively.   #27 - Arizona Cardinals | [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry']   Running Back - Grandville   Adding an elite receiver and running back would be a dream for any Cardinals fan. Jayden would be a home run here and an excellent compliment to the aging James Connor.   #28 - Buffalo Bills | [player_tooltip player_id='437922' first='Willie' last='Fletcher']   Defensive End - Detroit MLK   The Bills are entering a unique rebuilding stage. They have their elite Quarterback, but had to trim their cap and let go of several players. They'll look to replace aging EDGE rusher Von Miller soon, and drafting a player like [player_tooltip player_id='437922' first='Willie' last='Fletcher'] would do just that.   #29 - Detroit Lions | [player_tooltip player_id='602288' first='Ethan' last='Kraatz']   Guard - Saginaw Heritage   Brad Holmes is known for unconventional and unexpected draft selections. Last year, people hated the Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and even the Sam LaPorta pick. At the time, those were all considered to be a big reach. On paper, Ethan isn't the obvious pick. Though, I think the Lions will do everything in their power to keep their status as an elite offensive line. Ethan is someone who's risen his stock a ton last season, and he'd fit perfectly with the hometown Detroit Lions.   #30 - Baltimore Ravens | [player_tooltip player_id='1134353' first='Jim' last='Harris']   Offensive Tackle - Muskegon   Like the Lions, Baltimore seems to always prioritize offensive line. Drafting [player_tooltip player_id='1134353' first='Jim' last='Harris'] is a plug and play pick and will provide excellent run blocking for this run-heavy team.   #31 - San Francisco 49ers | [player_tooltip player_id='568110' first='DiJon' last='Wilson']   Defensive Back - River Rouge   The 49ers are celebrating here. Lucky for them, Arizona filled a desperate need, Detroit went O-Line, and Baltimore went O-Line. DiJon is someone who I considered going a while ago, and the 49ers would have a steal at this position.   #32 - Kansas City Chiefs | [player_tooltip player_id='247647' first='Deshaun' last='Lanier']   Wide Receiver - Chippewa Valley   I'd bet anything that most WRs have Kansas City as their #1 most-wanted landing spot. Patrick Mahomes elevates the play of his receivers like nobody else, and Deshawn would be an immediate plug-and-play vertical threat in this explosive offense.

Happy Draft Day! Today is a gigantic day for NFL fans all over the world, but it's an especially exciting day for the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit. I'll be spending all day today at the Draft, and I hope to see some of you there!