Leatherheads Mock Draft 1.0

Well everyone it’s official: we made it through season one of LOEGM Leatherheads!

While I know myself and the other commissioners are happy with how things have gone, we are excited to be moving forward into season two and beyond. So, without further ado, I will get going on the first piece of 2020-2021 LOEGM football content: the first-round mock draft!

Pick #1: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Backup pick: RB Jonathan Taylor

The Bills were not great last season, there is no way around that or else they wouldn’t have the first overall pick. What is good for the Bills is that they will have the player of their choice at #1, which will allow them to add a much-needed RB. Helaire and Taylor both offer upside at the position and should get a good amount of reps this season.

Pick #2: QB Joe Burrow

Backup pick: N/A

Green Bay has a solid roster to start out the season and head into the draft, only lacking a QB on the offensive side of the ball. Good thing the Bills take a RB so that Green Bay can fill their most needed position with rookie sensation Joe Burrow.

Pick #3: RB Jonathan Taylor

Backup pick: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Washington needs a quality RB so they end up with one of the top two in the draft here. I have them getting Taylor in this mock, but if Taylor goes first then CEH will be donning the Burgundy and Gold for years to come.

Pick #4: RB Cam Akers

Backup pick: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Jacksonville is another team desperately in search of a RB so I have them taking one of the best two left with their first pick as they search for some points this season.

Pick #5: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Backup pick: QB Justin Herbert

Detroit is a hard team to plan for as their offense is completely filled out. So, I see them going for a strong extra RB in Vaughn who can be used when the other players are on bye, or with Herbert as they have the luxury of waiting for him to start.

Pick #6: WR Jerry Jeudy

Backup pick: WR CeeDee Lamb

After grabbing a quality RB at third overall, Washington can round out their offense with one of the top two WR in the class. I have them taking Jeudy but could see them going either way.

Pick #7: QB Tua Tagovailoa

Backup pick: QB Justin Herbert

New York is in a pretty bad spot. I think the Jets are currently the worst roster and they are sitting down at seventh overall. I think they need to get a QB here and play for the future. Seeing as they have Rosen I have them taking Tua so they hold the new Dolphins QB whenever Fitz is done (probably week 6 or so).

Pick #8: WR CeeDee Lamb

Backup pick: WR Jerry Jeudy

The Rams had a solid roster last year as evident by their playoff run, and they sit here at 8th. They need a WR since the two they have are on the same bye. I have them adding one of the top WR in the class to help eliminate the need.

Pick #9: RB D’Andre Swift

Backup pick: WR Justin Jefferson

Tampa did not have a fun season last year and I don’t see it being too much better this season. One bright spot will be either adding D’Andre Swift to help the running game or a sneaky WR in Justin Jefferson to help the offense out.

Pick #10: RB J.K. Dobbins

Backup pick: WR Justin Jefferson

I am under the impression that Oakland will want a RB (seems to be a theme) but I don’t know if Swift will be here and I’m not certain they love Dobbins. I find Dobbins to be the safe play but maybe they get luck with Swift or someone higher.

Pick #11: WR Justin Jefferson

Backup pick: WR Michael Pittman

Hey a team that can benefit from a WR. I look for San Fran to take the best WR available if the top Rb’s (up to Dobbins) are gone. If there is a high end RB remaining everything goes out the window.

Pick #12: QB Justin Herbert

Backup pick: WR Steven Sims

Looking at the Bears roster there isn’t a clear pick here in my mind. I think they take the shot on Herbert if he is still here, or they add a WR in Sims who did fairly well in the NFL last season.

Pick #13: WR Michael Pittman

Backup pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk

Cleveland is another one of those teams that I don’t just see a glaring hole in for this season. I think they could add a solid receiver in either Pittman or Aiyuk and have a great base set up for themselves.

Pick #14: IDP Joe Schobert

Backup pick: WR Jalen Reagor

It’s funny. I didn’t think I would be projecting an IDP until maybe 25th or sometime later, but based on the Broncos roster this seems like a good route to go. I could see them taking a WR if they stick to offense but we’ll see what happens.

Pick #15: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Backup pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk

Does KC need either of these positions? No, not really. But of the positions they need does anyone make sense? Also no. So, I have them taking Fitz to be a good player for 4 weeks before he must lean on Tyrod.

Pick #16: WR Brandon Aiyuk

Backup pick: WR Jalen Reagor

Green Bay got their QB at #2, so I have them adding a WR here. I am assuming even with these two as backups above, they both fall to Green Bays choice at 16.

Pick #17: WR Steven Sims

Backup pick: WR Jalen Reagor

Reagor continues to be a solid backup option on teams boards, but Sims probably offers more and has NFL experience to help the Giants push for the playoffs.

Pick #18: WR Jalen Reagor

Backup pick: WR Denzel Mims

After the early RB run we have now hit the WR portion of the draft. Reagors slide ends here (maybe?) as long as Petra and the Panthers don’t mind being down two WR in week 9.

Pick #19: RB Zack Moss

Backup pick: RB A.J. Dillon

Not sure if Stidham is going to be the guy this year and there isn’t a viable QB in sight unless Pittsburgh trades for one. I see them filling the QRB spot with a rookie RB to start the season.

Pick #20: WR Laviska Shenault

Backup pick: WR Adam Humphries

With two WR occupying the same bye week, Cincinnati will probably make a play at a WR to fill that gap.

Pick #21: RB A.J. Dillon

Backup pick: RB Darrynton Evans

Philly has a hole at RB (and not much else) so they grab one of the two best on the board at this point in the draft.

Pick #22: RB Darrynton Evans

Backup pick: WR Denzel Mims

With the injury to Deebo Samuel I think the Cardinals can wait on a WR (since they have Pettis) and grab a solid RB before the turn. But I never know what Ahmed is going to do so there’s that.

Pick #23: WR Adam Humphries

Backup pick: RB Darrynton Evans

I am holding out hope the Eagles land both Dillon and Evans because I think it would be funny for some reason. If Evans goes at 22 I see the Eagles taking a productive WR.

Pick #24: WR Denzel Mims

Backup pick: Henry Ruggs III

Tennessee needs some type of upgrade at WR if they are going to have any chance this season, so they take one of the two best remaining.

Pick #25: WR Henry Ruggss III

Backup pick: K Jason Myers

I would be lying if I told y’all I actually have a plan for my pick at this spot. I think I could use a WR and if I don’t see one I like I will just take a K.

Pick #26: IDP Deion Jones

Backup pick: IDP De’Vondre Campbell

The Chargers have a good hold of their roster between starters and backups, except for on defense. They should use the draft to get some of that on their roster… defense wins championships, right?

Pick #27: IDP De’Vondre Campbell

Backup pick: WR K.J. Hamler

Baltimore isn’t as set as the Chargers are in terms of backups on their roster. But both players I have put here would be in their starting roster and have a lot in common with a lot of guys on the current roster.

Pick #28: RB Joshua Kelley

Backup pick: RB Brian Hill

Atlanta is another roster that I really like coming into the draft. I think they need to add a RB or try to trade for a Qb to hold their own in Jones’ bye week, but I think they’re solid as a unit.

Pick #29: RB Brian Hill

Backup pick: Antonio Gibson

KC needs a RB after getting a QB with their first pick in this mock. I think they take Hill as he isn’t a rookie, but they could reach out for a guy who is RB and WR eligible.

Pick #30: RB Antonio Gibson

Backup pick: RB Lynn Bowden

Indy desperately needs a RB so I see them grabbing one of these two as they’re the only viable options left.

Pick #31: IDP Derwin James

Backup pick: IDP Lavonte David

Unless Rick and the Patriots decide to reach on a RB I see them going for IDP here. These are the top two left so I assume one will be coming off the board.

Pick #32: RB Lynn Bowden

Backup pick: TE Vance McDonald

The Chiefs could still use an RB so I have them reaching for one here at the end of the first. They also could use a TE so I could see them jumping for McDonald even though he is in a position battle.

And there you have it. My mock draft for the first draft in league history. The draft starts next Saturday at 9AM EST. Good luck to all and continue to be on the lookout for more content from all LOEGM leagues.