Welcome back to the Padded Cell, everyone. It’s been a while, but Draft Day is still somewhere out there on the horizon. With so much to do and so little time to do it, let’s first go over the rules that govern this mock.

• This mock draft will be one round in duration with projected Browns picks for subsequent rounds.
• Trades are not allowed.
• This mock will be a combination of who I think will be the best selection for teams and who I think they’ll take. Some picks will be strictly a pest player available (BPA) selection regardless of position, according to “Wunkle’s Big Board”.
• I’ll also include other players that I think could e signed as undrafted rookie free agents. Some will be developmental players and others will be warm bodies to help out in training camp.

So, with that, let’s get on with the show!

ROUND ONE

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU

Comment: This has been about the worst kept secret in recent draft history that I can remember. Rumors from early in the silly season had it that Burrow would pull a John Elway type move if selected by the Bungles.

2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young – DE – Ohio State

Comment: The best player in this year’s draft regardless of position heads to the Skins. This could be a place for a trade down, but in the end, I think not.

3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah – CB – Ohio State

Comment: Buckeyes go off the board back-to-back because the Lions traded away Darius Slay.

4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills Jr. – OT – Alabama

In my first rough draft at this mock, I had Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons going here. And, while that may still happen, I think the Giants front office will want to invest in protecting starting QB Daniel Jones. Wills is the most polished OT in the draft.

5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa – QB – Alabama

Comment: Whoa, Nelly . . . the oft-injured left hander still goes off the board in the top five.

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Love – QB – Utah State

Comment: The Bolts parted ways with Phillip Rivers and have said publicly that Tyrod Taylor is their guy. I’m not believing them for a second. Of all the QB’s in this draft, Love has the closest physical ability to the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes.

7. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons – LB/S – Clemson

Comment: In the aftermath of losing Luke Kuechly to retirement, the Panthers are looking for someone to fill those shoes. This kid is a sideline to sideline play maker.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs – OT – Iowa

Comment: Thanks to Bill O’Brien, the Cards were able to bolster their WR group before the draft. Now they can focus on protecting their franchise QB, Kyler Murray. Wirfs is the most athletic OT in this draft, as his combine numbers will attest to that statement.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown – DT – Auburn

Comment: The Jags are going to tank for Trevor Lawrence this year, but their defensive line gets a huge shot in the arm with this pick.

10. Cleveland Browns: Mekhi Becton – OT – Louisville

Comment: He’s so big that you can’t go around him. He’s so strong that you can’t go through him. And check this out; the kid can get to the next level. Sure, he’s very raw; but we’ve got Bill Callahan for an O-line coach, who’s arguably the best in the business.

11. New York Jets: Andrew Thomas – OT – Georgia

Comment: Protecting their franchise QB Sam Darnold has to be a top priority. This is also a team that may trade up in order to secure a tackle that they covet other than Thomas.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb – WR – Oklahoma

Comment: There will be a lot of speculation over which WR will go off the board first, but the Raiders still draft by the stopwatch. The kid can make plays.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw – DT – South Carolina

Comment: The 49ers pattern for success is predicated on a stout defense that begins up front. That hasn’t changed.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: K’Lavon Chaisson – DE – LSU

Comment: The Bucs are another team that could sneak into the top ten in front of Cleveland if they want to secure an OT. In this draft scenario, they go for a pass rusher.

15. Denver Broncos: Jerry Jeudy – WR – Alabama

Comment: I could give them a CB here, but Jeudy is rated much higher and is also an area of need.

16. Atlanta Falcons: CJ Henderson – CB – Florida

Comment: The defensive secondary just got some immediate help.

17. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney – S – Alabama

Comment: The defense in “Big D” needs some help, particularly in the secondary.

18. Miami Dolphins: Grant Delpit – S – LSU

Comment: When you have multiple picks in the first rounds, you can get a lot better in a hurry. Thank you Captain Obvious for that riveting commentary.

19. Las Vegas Raiders: Kristian Fulton – CB – LSU

Comment: They still need some help in the secondary, even after this selection.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Henry Ruggs III – WR – Alabama

Comment: The only reason that Justin Herbert isn’t taken yet is because I believe that the Jags are going to tank for Trevor. They may still prove me wrong, though.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: AJ Epenesa – DE – Iowa

Comment: Not their biggest need, but he’s the highest ranked non-QB on the list.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Tee Higgins – WR – Clemson

Comment: I find it ironic that the Vikings trade a disgruntled receiver and use the pick acquired to get another receiver.

23. New England Patriots: Justin Herbert – QB – Oregon

Comment: I still can’t imagine the Hoodie starting the season with Brian Hoyer, Jarret Stidham and Cody “sixteen baby carrots” Kessler as their three quarterbacks. In fact, this would be the perfect spot for Herbert to land after experiencing an Aaron Rodgers like plummet.

24. New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Murray – LB – Oklahoma

Comment: Linebacker is one of the Saints’ top three needs, and here’s as good a place as any for them to grab one.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Yetur Gross-Matos – DE – Penn State

Comment: Much needed secondary help is also on Minnesota’s shopping list, but this is the BPA in an area of need.

26. Miami Dolphins: Josh Jones – OT – Houston

Comment: O-line is a glaring need for the Fins, both inside and out.

27. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Taylor – RB – Wisconsin

Comment: The Seahawks have a lot of needs for a team so talented. One of them is a bell cow running back. Enter Jonathan Taylor into the mix.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Queen – LB – LSU

Comment: It sounds so strange to say that the Ravens need linebacker help.

29. Tennessee Titans: Neville Gallimore – DT – Oklahoma

Comment: They’d like to take an OT here to replace Jack Conklin, but it’s just too much of a stretch.

30. Green Bay Packers: Justin Jefferson – WR – LSU

Comment: As usual, the first round is loaded with SEC players.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Trevon digs – CB – Alabama

Comment: Sometimes the rich just keep getting richer. Richard Sherman can’t play forever.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: AJ Terrell – CB – Clemson

Comment: The Chiefs defense played well at times, but not all the time. This selection should help the back end.

OTHER PROJECTED BROWNS PICKS

041: Ashtyn Davis – S – California

074: Jonathan Greenard – DE – Florida

097: Malik Harrison – LB – Ohio State

115: JR Reed – S – Georgia

188: Derrick Tuszka – DE – North Dakota State

237: Tyler Clark – DT – Georgia

POSSIBLE UDRFA SIGNINGS

Binjimen Victor – WR – Ohio state

Jon Runyan Jr – OG – TSUN

Jordan Mack – LB – Virginia

Juwan Johnson – WR – Oregon

Ron’Del Carter – DE – James Madison

Riley Stapleton – WR – James Madison

Dylan Stapleton – TE – James Madison (yes, he’s Riley’s twin brother)

James Robinson – RB – Illinois State

Marquise Bridges – CB – North Dakota State

Kevin Davidson – QB – Princeton

And that concludes this version of my mock draft. Let me know what you think.