As conference championship weekend kicks off in the NFL, we are nowhere near knowing what will happen in the upcoming NFL draft. The popularity of the draft has led to an overwhelming amount of NFL mock drafts, including our own, because fans want to absorb as much of the “what ifs” as possible.
Since the end of the season, we’ve heard that the Tennessee Titans “love” QB Cam Ward and continue to hear questions about whether Deion Sanders would allow the Cleveland Browns to select his son, QB Shedeur Sanders. While the Browns might not care now, Sanders’ preference could become an issue.
While it is not required for the Browns (or Titans) to take a quarterback just to take one, most mock drafts have seemed to lean in that direction. Not so fast says two big-time draft analysts.
First, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Cleveland going in a different direction and now The NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who was a scout for the Browns years ago, has joined Kiper’s train with WR/CB Travis Hunter being the second pick. Not only did DJ have Cleveland passing on a quarterback but also Tennessee who selected DE Abdul Carter at the top of the draft.
Jeremiah makes an interesting note about how he thinks Hunter should be used in the pros:
I’m in the minority as someone who prefers him as a full-time offensive player who moonlights on defense.
It is easy to see how a player could be a part-time receiver at the pro level but moonlighting on defense? Most defenses have three cornerbacks on the field a majority of the time so would Hunter be the fourth corner? Come in for third downs? Only to match up with certain receivers?
As he notes, most believe that Hunter is best suited to play cornerback in the NFL and some receiver. Many would rank WR Tetairoa McMillan as the top overall receiver in this draft class, not Hunter.
In his first mock, Jeremiah has Ward selected as the third overall pick, and Sanders dropping to the sixth spot. McMillan was selected in the top 10 but behind Hunter and TE Tyler Warren as offensive-skilled position players.
