Mock Draft: As usual, it’s all about the QBs

Because they are make believe, mock drafts tend to go wild. Lots of projected trades. Runs on specific positions. A surprise pick or two.

For this year’s selection process there is an obvious trend — one that should stun nobody. It’s all about the quarterbacks, with potentially the first four spots being occupied by passers.

Here’s one look, barring trades, at what might happen Thursday night in Cleveland.

1. Jacksonville

Just like in 2020 with Joe Burrow, this one is a slam dunk as new coach Urban Meyer gets his signal-caller.

TREVOR LAWRENCE, QB, CLEMSON

2. New York Jets

Perhaps the Jets will have more luck behind center with this pick than they did with the oft-injured and disappointing Sam Darnold, now in Carolina.

ZACH WILSON, QB, BYU

3. San Francisco (from Miami via Houston)

Clearly, GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan had someone targeted to be their future quarterback when they made this deal. That target is ...

MAC JONES, QB, ALABAMA

4. Atlanta

If Julio Jones can stay healthy and Calvin Ridley keeps soaring, the Falcons could have one of the league’s most dangerous offenses by adding ...

KYLE PITTS, TE, FLORIDA

5. Cincinnati

Thanks to the early concentration on QBs, the Bengals were sitting pretty here, knowing they would get either Pitts or ...

PENEI SEWELL, OT, OREGON

6. Miami (from Philadelphia)

Hey, Tua, remember how LSU outscored ‘Bama in 2019? One of the reasons for that is now your teammate.

JA’MARR CHASE, WR, LSU

7. Detroit

If the Lions remain here, they will add a big-time threat for new passer Jared Goff. The question is do they go for Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith or teammate Jaylen Waddle?

DEVONTA SMITH, WR, ALABAMA

8. Carolina

There is no more obvious example of how offense matters most in the NFL these days as the Panthers make it eight straight players from that side of the ball.

RASHAWN SLATER, OT, NORTHWESTERN