Mock Draft 3.0: Top 6 quarterbacks go in top 16; Super Bowl champs snag new weapon, 49ers add edge
By Cody Spears
Steelers add a difference maker in the secondary; Dolphins snag big tackle
No.19: Los Angeles Rams - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The first cornerback off the board, Mitchell had a dominant Senior Bowl showing and answered the only question in his profile- Can he be as good against better competition? The Rams get their Jalen Ramsey replacement with another menace at cornerback.
No.20: Pittsburgh Steelers - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Steelers need more talent injected into what's now becoming a promising secondary. They could use a versatile "glue" player to fill the needed roles. DeJean brings versatility to his game, being able to align across the defense. Steelers also need another offensive tackle, but taking Georgia's Brodrick Jones and Amarius Mims in back-to-back drafts would be redundant.
No.21: Miami Dolphins - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims has a fantastic athletic foundation but needs to be a right tackle at the next level. The Dolphins could fill a Xavien Howard-sized role at cornerback, but getting more offensive lineman talent on such a run-dependent scheme is paramount. Austin Jackson, their current right tackle, can move inside, relieving the underperforming Isaiah Wynn, or to the left tackle spot, replacing Terron Armstead.
No.22: Philadelphia Eagles - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Latu has fallen in mock drafts recently due to his athletic profile not being as impressive as his peers. He had a good showing at the Senior Bowl but he isn't going to wow anyone at the NFL Scouting Combine. In turn that should make him a top-3 edge rusher in the class, fall to the Eagles. Eagles once again scoop up talent that has fallen in the draft.
No.23: Houston Texans - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson wrecked the Senior Bowl, which has catapulted him from top-50 consideration to a first-round lock. The Texans, who will also return 2022 first-rounder guard Kenyon Green, continue building around their new franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud, pairing him with a versatile center for the next ten years.
No.24 Dallas Cowboys - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Cowboys restock their defense as new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer looks to install his defensive back-dependent scheme. Cornerback Trevon Diggs is recovering from an ACL tear, and the other starters, Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis, are scheduled for free agency, as is safety Jayron Kearse. McKinstry's physicality will pair nicely with an aggressive cornerback Zimmer scheme.