Mark Craig's first-round mock draft: Runs on quarterbacks and receivers are a sure bet

Human beings are actually assembling non-virtually in Cleveland for an NFL draft that could be unlike any other.

Quarterbacks will be selected with the first three picks, tying the record set in 1971 (Jim Plunkett, Archie Manning, Dan Pastorini) and matched in 1999 (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith).

That much we do know about Thursday night's first round.

Now, for what it's worth – and be kind, folks – this mock draft has quarterbacks going in the first four picks, five in the top eight and a sixth going 32^nd to Tampa as an understudy to a certain Super Bowl Whisperer.

This mock draft also envisions seven receivers going in the first round, including to Detroit, Chicago and, yes, even Green Bay. Of the 32 picks, 20 are offensive players, starting with the top nine, which should make the Cowboys' putrid defense happy.

Three mock trades are predicted. Two of them have the Patriots going up to get a quarterback and the Vikings going down to recoup a second-round pick and landing the first edge rusher off the board.

So, yep, that's exactly what will happen. Mark it down in (invisible) ink.

Pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Earth has 7.674 billion people. This pick means 7.674 billion mock drafts will start 1-0.

Top need: QB

Pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

The Jets become the first team in NFL history to use a top-three pick on a quarterback twice in four years. No pressure, Zach.

Pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Sorry, not buying Mac Jones to the 49ers.

Top need: CB

Pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Atlanta hasn't picked this high since it took Matt Ryan third overall 13 years ago. The Falcons' new regime can take the best non-quarterback, trade down for extra picks or solve its long-term quarterback situation while implementing some Taysom Hill-like packages as Lance learns under Ryan.

Pick: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

It's tempting to reunite Joe Burrow with his former LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Until you remember the beatings Burrow took as last year's No. 1 overall pick.

Top need: WR

Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

The reason Pitts is the best tight end prospect EV-er? Simple. He's really a gigantic receiver.

Pick: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Biggest need matches perfectly with best player.

Top need: QB

Pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

The trade: Carolina gets the 15^th, 46^th and 120^th picks.

Top need: QB

Pick: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Poor George Paton. The former Vikings exec debuts as Denver GM with a top 10 pick and still gets shut out of the top five quarterbacks. At least he got a good deal for Teddy Bridgewater.

Top need: CB

Pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Top need: Edge rusher

Pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The modern-day, sub-4.4-running linebacker would become the first linebacker picked by the Giants in the first round since 1983 (Carl Banks).

Top need: WR

Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Top need: OT

Pick: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

Los Angeles gets a fast-climbing and bona fide blindside protector for franchise QB Justin Herbert.

Top need: RB

Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Miami pounces on the chance to pair a great receiver with a great tight end (Pitts).

Top need: TE

Pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Too good to pass on. Help for Sam Darnold will have to wait.

Top need: TE

Another team needing a cornerback considers Caleb Farley's back surgery too big of a risk this high.

Top need: OL

Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Vegas' abysmal defense gets an elite rush-and-cover linebacker.

Top need: OL

With the top three offensive tackles off this board, the Vikings could take Alijah Vera-Tucker, a guard with All-Pro potential. Or they could address another big need and — in this mock scenario — have their pick of the best edge rusher available. Picking up Miami's second-round pick would allow them to focus on an offensive lineman on Day 2. Phillips comes with some concerns about his love for the game. He left football in 2019 because of concussions suffered at UCLA. But the 6-5, 260-pounder with the 4.6 40 returned and was a force at Miami in 2020. The Vikings will bank on D-line guru Andre Patterson getting the best out of Phillips.

Top need: QB

Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Naturally, Washington will follow the Vikings' risky pick with safer selection. Let the Phillips/Vera-Tucker comparisons begin.

Top need: QB

You're welcome, Andy Dalton.

Top need: WR

Pick: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

The trade: The Colts get the 27th and 94^th picks.

A perfect fit for an edge rusher with this much untapped potential.

Pick: Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

The Titans fill a need with the fifth receiver taken 22^nd overall. Hey, it worked for the Vikings last year.

Top need: CB

Pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The risk vs. reward finally matches up for Farley.

Pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Pittsburgh can't pass on the top running back when he's this versatile.

Top need: OT

Pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

Within 25 picks, the Jaguars get a quarterback and a quarterback tormentor.

Pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

Kevin Stefanski's defense keeps getting better.

Top need: OT

Pick: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

Indy will try to do something Philly couldn't: Protect Carson Wentz.

Pick: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

The ideal fit if he's still on the board.

Top need: WR

Pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

They did it! The Packers take a receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002 (Javon Walker).

Pick: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

A pass rusher for Leslie Frazier trumps the urge to add a running back here.

Top need: WR

Pick: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

Eventually, every NFL team will have a receiver from LSU or Alabama.

Pick: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

Tom Brady turns 44 in August, and there is a slight chance he won't play forever. The Bucs brought everyone back and could use a young backup to sit and learn from the master.