Surely we’ll be better than last year.

When Adam Spencer and I mocked last year’s draft, we got a little cute with trades. We ended up getting just 8 picks correct. In our defense, batting .250 when it comes to mock drafts is actually not terrible? That’s one of the reasons we wait until the day of the NFL Draft to release our first and only mock.

So this year, we scrapped the trades. We just got down to business. No messing around.

That meant taking a whole bunch of SEC players, obviously. We went with 14, to be exact. That would be 1 short of tying the 2020 record of 15 SEC players off the board in Round 1.

We can only assume that NFL front offices watched as much SEC football as we did, and we’ll see that reflected this weekend. Here’s what we think Round 1 will look like:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars — Aidan Hutchinson, Edge (Michigan)

Don’t overthink it. Go with the guy who was a machine at Michigan. He’s dominant against the run and as a pass-rusher, he tested well and he checks every off-the-field box you’d want in a No. 1 overall pick. The Jaguars need stability and in a draft full of dice rolls, they should feel fortunate to have a clear path to take Hutchinson at No. 1 overall. (Connor O’Gara)

2. Detroit Lions — Travon Walker, Edge (Georgia)

Walker has been getting a lot of buzz for the No. 1 spot, but I can’t argue with the Hutchinson pick. Walker needs a bit more time to develop, but he has all the makings of a guy who can be an elite pass rusher at the NFL level. Detroit will be thrilled to pounce on him in the No. 2 spot here. (Adam Spencer)

3. Houston Texans — Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB (Cincinnati)

You mean to tell me that there’s some debate about Gardner’s pro potential? Like, the guy that Alabama didn’t want to test in the Cotton Bowl? Like, the guy who allowed a 0.0 quarterback rating in single coverage this year? Yeah, I’m taking that guy if I’m a franchise in desperate need of, um, franchise guys. Plug in Gardner as one of the elite corners for the next decade. (CO)

4. New York Jets — Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge (Oregon)

Thibodeaux is one of the toughest prospects to get a read on. Some teams don’t seem to want anything to do with him, based on his personality. Others might have him atop their draft boards. The Jets desperately need an edge rusher, though, so on paper, this fit makes sense. If Walker or Hutchinson doesn’t fall to No. 4, New York would be wise to use this pick to scoop up the talented Oregon pass rusher. We’ll see how he handles the bright lights of the Big Apple, though. (AS)

5. New York Giants — Evan Neal, OT (Alabama)

If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re smart. Adam is going after the dice rolls in the top 5 and I’m going with guys who have freakish talents and elite college production. Neal is that dude. The Giants can pair Neal alongside Andrew Thomas and know that they’ve got the tackle spots figured out for whatever this new regime has planned with Brian Daboll. (CO)

6. Carolina Panthers — Ikem Ekwonu, OT (NC State)

Getting Ekwonu at No. 6 is a steal for the Panthers. Yes, they probably still need a long-term solution at quarterback, but this isn’t a great QB draft. Instead, the Panthers will invest in their offensive line, snagging a player who many think could be the best player from this draft class. Mel Kiper Jr. has Ekwonu at No. 2 overall on his big board. (AS)

7. New York Giants — Malik Willis, QB (Liberty)

Willis’ best comp is Josh Allen. Who was it who just helped turn Allen into a superstar with the Bills? Daboll. Who just became the Giants’ new coach? Daboll. You see what I’m getting at here. This move would work well on a couple of fronts. You could let Willis sit a year behind Daniel Jones, and you could also motivate your starter as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. (CO)

8. Atlanta Falcons — Drake London, WR (USC)

London is drawing comparisons to Mike Evans. Evans, a Texas A&M product, has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL since he was a first-round pick in 2014. That’s a lot for London to live up to, but he has the skills to do it. Evans went No. 7 overall to the Buccaneers back in 2014, so No. 8 feels like a great spot to grab a guy who compares favorably to him. Plus, the Falcons need to reload at receiver with Julio Jones gone and Calvin Ridley suspended for the whole year. (AS)

9. Seattle Seahawks — Kenny Pickett, QB (Pittsburgh)

Sorry, Adam. Something tells me that Drew Lock is not about to fill the place of Russell Wilson. Maybe Pickett won’t, either. But like Wilson, who was criticized for his size and his late emergence in the pre-draft process, Pickett just might be a guy that Pete Carroll fell in love with in the pre-draft process. The Seahawks saw the value of having a quarterback on that rookie contract. Dare I say, they’ll pull the trigger on a signal-caller in Round 1 for the first time since Rick Mirer in 1993. (CO)

10. New York Jets — Garrett Wilson, WR (Ohio State)

Drew Lock will beat out Pickett for the starting job. I’m not worried! The AFC East, on the other hand, should be worried if Garrett Wilson ends up in their division. This highlight video shows there’s nothing that he can’t do on the football field. He’ll give Zach Wilson a dynamic young target to throw to and makes the Jets’ offense, dare I say it, actually look scary entering 2022. (AS)

11. Washington Commanders — Kyle Hamilton, S (Notre Dame)

Best. Player. Available. The Commanders should be giddy if Hamilton somehow falls outside of the top 10. Sure, they could use some help opposite of Terry McLaurin at receiver, but this was a group who allowed the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. They need a versatile, dynamic back-end player like Hamilton who could be the missing piece to a bounce-back defensive season. (CO)

12. Minnesota Vikings — Derek Stingley Jr., CB (LSU)

If Stingley is still on the board at No. 12, this is a no-brainer, absolute lock of a pick. The Vikings shouldn’t even need a full minute to come off the clock before scrambling to draft Stingley. You play in a division with Aaron Rodgers. Draft cornerbacks. Lots of them. Stingley is getting a lot of buzz at No. 3 to the Texans. But, do you trust the Texans to do the right thing? I certainly don’t. This would be a major value for the Vikings at No. 12. (AS)

13. Houston Texans — Nakobe Dean, LB (Georgia)

If the Texans got Gardner and Dean, I’d applaud them for finally doing something right. Dean is exactly the type of reliable, game-changing linebacker who can help turn around the fortunes of a struggling franchise. You’ll never have to worry about him as the leader of that defense. Lovie Smith can mold Dean like his 2020s version of Brian Urlacher or Derrick Brooks. (CO)

14. Baltimore Ravens — Jermaine Johnson, Edge (Florida State)

Johnson has all the skills that you want in an edge rusher. He can use his hands, he has great balance and he has speed off the edge:

The Ravens need some consistency when it comes to rushing opposing quarterbacks. Johnson should be a contributor from Day 1 in Baltimore. (AS)

15. Philadelphia Eagles — Treylon Burks, WR (Arkansas)

Third time’s the charm? Hey, picking a receiver in Round 1 in 3 consecutive years might be a bit Detroit Lions-ish, but Burks is the high-floor guy that the Eagles desperately need in that passing game. He’d be an excellent complement to the versatile DeVonta Smith. Burks could even be used occasionally in the running game to help Jalen Hurts. The former Arkansas star would be an excellent fit for a team in desperate need of skill-player weapons. (CO)

16. New Orleans Saints — Jameson Williams, WR (Alabama)

With the Michael Thomas situation the way it is, the Saints need stability in the receiving corps. Yes, Williams tore his ACL in the national title game, but he could be ready for Week 1 this fall. If he is, he’s an immediate star at wide receiver. He has the speed of a Tyreek Hill and hands that will make him a great pass-catcher on slants and over the middle. His breakaway speed means he can turn quick passes into big plays, which quarterbacks love:

Yeah, he’s a guy who will fit right in with the Saints. (AS)

17. Los Angeles Chargers — Jordan Davis, DT (Georgia)

It’s not just that Davis was built to live a Hollywood lifestyle.

The Chargers ranked No. 30 in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, and they tied with the Steelers for the most rushing first downs allowed in the NFL. Davis would turn that around from Day 1. He eats up space like nobody in this draft, he can get in the backfield and even though he’s considered a 2-down player (for now), he can also rush the passer. He’s worth the perceived conditioning risks. (CO)

18. Philadelphia Eagles — Andrew Booth, CB (Clems0n)

The Eagles got their wide receiver earlier with Treylon Burks. Now, they go to the other side of the ball. There’s an old saying in football that receivers get moved to cornerback because they can’t catch. Well, Booth actually has elite ball skills, combining for 5 interceptions and 9 pass breakups the past 2 years. His tape is impressive:

He could start immediately opposite Darius Slay for the Eagles in 2022. (AS)

19. New Orleans Saints — Charles Cross, OT (MSU)

Could the Saints go with a quarterback here? Possibly, but given the investment they made in 3 quarterbacks on the roster, I could see them trying to replace 3-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead with a guy like Cross. Yes, there are questions about Cross and the Air Raid offense he blocked for. But in the latter half of Round 1, he could be a Day 1 left tackle. (CO)

20. Pittsburgh Steelers — Matt Corral, QB (Ole Miss)

The Steelers lost Ben Roethlisberger to retirement this offseason. Now, they’re going with Mitchell Trubisky as their 2022 starter, it seems, but that doesn’t rule them out of the mix for a quarterback here at No. 20. If Corral is still sitting there waiting to hear his name called, the Steelers should absolutely draft him. Just look at where he ranks among SEC QBs since 2020:

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1518394358793445376

That’s pretty good. Some will question Corral’s durability, but you can’t question his heart and toughness. He seems like a leader guys will play for. (AS)

21. New England Patriots — Devin Lloyd, LB (Utah)

Ideally, I bet Bill Belichick is hoping that Nakobe Dean falls to him at No. 21. But Lloyd would also be an excellent option. The Patriots need more speed in the middle of that defense. Lloyd is on the smaller side at 237 pounds, but he’s exactly the type of instinctual, coachable defensive player that the Patriots always seem to find in the draft. (CO)

22. Green Bay Packers — Chris Olave, WR (Ohio State)

The Packers finally, mercifully, draft a wide receiver in Round 1. Of course, this comes after they traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, so it’s probably too little, too late. Still, as a Packers fan, snagging Olave here would thrill me. Olave is an elite route runner, just like Adams was:

He has the potential to develop into one of the best route-runners in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers likes to be able to count on his receivers to be where they’re supposed to be, so Olave seems like a great fit in that regard. (AS)

23. Arizona Cardinals — Jahan Dotson, WR (Penn State)

I hate that Adam took Olave for the Packers, and not just because I’m a Bears fan who hates the thought of him catching passes for Aaron Rodgers. Ideally, Olave would be there to fill the Christian Kirk role in Arizona. But Dotson could handle that, as well. He’s an exceptional route-runner who could help extend the career of a guy like Deandre Hopkins and present another field-stretching option with Rondale Moore. (CO)

24. Dallas Cowboys — Tyler Linderbaum, C (Iowa)

Linderbaum is perhaps the best overall lineman in this draft class. Unfortunately for him, teams don’t place a huge draft premium on interior linemen. But, at this spot, he makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys, who need to beef up their presence on the interior of the offensive line. (AS)

25. Buffalo Bills — Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)

It’s awfully tempting to put a pass-catching tailback in this spot, but I’ll instead go with one of the more underrated corners in the country. Elam is a 3-year starter who has all the next-level traits you’d want. He could replace Levi Wallace and form a talented duo alongside Tre’Devious White. Of equal importance, Elam and White could constantly debate who the real “DBU” is. (CO)

26. Tennessee Titans — Kenyon Green, OL (Texas A&M)

The Titans love to hand the ball to Derrick Henry, so why not get a road grader to put in front of him along the offensive line? Green’s versatility makes him a fit anywhere but center along the line. And his ability to get to the second level is strong:

https://twitter.com/Graham_SFN/status/1519015679436808193

Henry is probably calling his GM right now to say, “Hey, go get that guy for me!” (AS)

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Devonte Wyatt, DT (Georgia)

I really wanted to go with DeMarvin Leal here. I wouldn’t rule that out. But I could see the Bucs finding an ideal complement to Vita Vea in Wyatt, who proved to be the perfect complement to Jordan Davis at Georgia. Wyatt has the versatility needed as both a run defender and a pass-rusher, much like the guy he could be replacing, Ndamukong Suh. (CO)

28. Green Bay Packers — Trevor Penning, OL (Northern Iowa)

More help for Aaron Rodgers in the first round? Penning is a massive human being who always plays through the whistle. He’s a straight-up mauler who is just as physical in pass protection as he is blocking the run:

The Packers have a strong offensive line, but there’s just not much depth behind the first 5 guys. And, there are injury concerns there. Adding Penning at 28 is not only a great value — it’s also a move that will help Rodgers stay clean in the pocket as he gets older. (AS)

29. Kansas City Chiefs — George Pickens, WR (Georgia)

The Chiefs didn’t just lose Tyreek Hill. They also lost Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson. Sure, they added JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but that’s 178 receptions, 2,071 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns to replace. Pickens would be in an excellent spot to develop and provide some insurance if Smith-Schuster’s 1-year deal doesn’t turn into anything long term. Very few — if any — receivers in this class can go haul in a 50-50 ball like Pickens. Something tells me Patrick Mahomes would become fast friends with the Georgia wideout. (CO)

30. Kansas City Chiefs — Daxton Hill, DB (Michigan)

The Chiefs snagged a great value pick in Pickens. Now, they address their secondary. Tyrann Mathieu is still a free agent. If the Chiefs don’t re-sign him, there’s a massive hole in their secondary. Hill can play anywhere in the secondary and can even hit like a linebacker if you put him in the box:

Sounds a lot like the Honey Badger to me. (AS)

31. Cincinnati Bengals — Roger McCreary, CB (Auburn)

We saw in the playoffs that the Bengals have a desperate need for a lockdown corner. They resigned Eli Apple to a 1-year, $4 million deal. Adding McCreary, who graded out as PFF’s top corner in America this past season, would make a ton of sense. He spent the past 3 years consistently guarding elite outside receivers in the SEC, and he became one of the nation’s best. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase should know McCreary well.

Let him develop into that No. 1 corner spot for the defending AFC champs. (CO)

32. Detroit Lions — Desmond Ridder, QB (Cincinnati)

There could be some movement here if a team really likes Ridder. But, if the Lions keep this pick, taking a flyer on the Cincinnati quarterback makes a lot of sense. Do the Lions see Jared Goff as their long-term answer? I don’t see it. Why not keep taking chances on guys until you lock down the player who is going to play the most important position in the game for you for the next decade? Ridder has a lot of upside. Learning behind Goff for a year or two wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for him. (AS)