What if NFL teams could draft Southwest Florida high school players. Who would they pick?
It's NFL Mock Draft season.
So why not do one for the deep, local talent that Southwest Florida has to offer before the real thing takes place from April 28-30?
Instead of picking college players, let's delve into a fantasy world where NFL teams are limited to just taking high school players from our coverage area.
Big 15 update: Where are Southwest Florida's best being recruited to play college football?
So what are the rules? Since we're already breaking the NFL Draft eligibility requirements, there won't be many.
High school freshmen will be eligible for this draft.
Teams own the picks they currently have heading into the draft. No mock trades. Sorry.
These selections are based on positional needs for each team, and not the best available player. You'll notice that very quickly. Remember, this is not a ranking of the area's best players, but of the players that would fill an actual NFL team's need.
Players with Southwest Florida ties who don't play here any longer are also eligible.
Players are listed for the high school team they played for in the 2021 season and not where they are now or will play in 2022.
Here is the first NFL Mock Draft featuring only Southwest Florida locals:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Demetrie Morgan, DL, Dunbar
The Jaguars desperately need a pass rusher to strengthen the defensive line. They get that here with Morgan, who was tied for the team lead with 71 tackles, while adding a team-high 22 tackles for loss. Morgan also had 10 sacks for Dunbar, and will be valuable for the Jags in their rebuild.
More Dunbar football: Seven players from history-making team commit to play at the next level
2. Detroit Lions
Devin Moore, CB, Naples
The Lions desperately need secondary help alongside Jeff Okudah, and drafting a lockdown corner who can also play safety gives Detroit more versatility on the back end. Moore, who has signed with Florida, tallied 10 interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and finished with 160 tackles at Naples.
3. Houston Texans
Jordan Church, OL, Dunbar
The first offensive linemen goes off the board here at No. 3, with Church going to Houston. Now at IMG, Church protected the blind sides of both Daveon Palmer and Landon Winterbottom last season, while also helping the Tigers rush for 180 yards per game.
Meet: The members of the Southwest Florida Sports Awards All-Region Football Offense Team
4. New York Jets
David Portu, DL, Bishop Verot
Portu had one heck of a 2021 season, finishing with 59 tackles on the defensive line with 18 tackles for loss, leading the team. The big defensive linemen also led Verot with 9.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles, giving the Jets a reliable piece in the front seven.
Meet: The members of the Southwest Florida Sports Awards All-Region Football Defense Team
5. New York Giants
Jaheim Buchanon, OL, Lehigh
Buchanon, paired up with Andrew Thomas at the tackle spots, could be a strong duo for years to come, regardless of whether Daniel Jones will be quarterbacking or not. Buchanon helped the Lightning rush for 219 yards per game, and will clear holes for Saquon Barkley, assuming he can stay healthy.
6. Carolina Panthers
Konner Barrett, QB, Gulf Coast
Barrett is the first quarterback to go in the draft, filling a big need for Carolina, who rotated between Sam Darnold and Cam Newton last season. Barrett threw for 2,099 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 415 yards and nine rushing touchdowns for the Sharks who played a tough schedule.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago)
Chris Graves, CB, Bishop Verot
Graves gives the Giants some much-needed help in the secondary, after the Giants allowed 238 passing yards per game last season, just below the league average. The 6-foot-1 corner welcomed challenges at Bishop Verot, intercepting a pair of passes while not getting tested much against the opposition. He signed with Miami.
Signing Day: Signing Day: Bishop Verot's Chris Graves sticks with Miami, Lehigh's Aidan Gousby is a Gopher
8. Atlanta Falcons
Shawn Russ, CB, Dunbar
Russ is the third defensive back to go off the board, right after Graves went to the Giants. The Falcons could've very easily went with a wide receiver given Calvin Ridley's suspension for gambling, but the Falcons need someone talented opposite A.J. Terrell. Russ provides that and should be a strong asset for Atlanta.
More on The Big 15: Dunbar's Shawn Russ accepts any challenge that comes his way
9. Seattle Seahawks
Kirill Bykov, DL, South Fort Myers
It's either an edge rusher or an offensive lineman here for Seattle, and snagging Bykov at nine could be considered a steal. Bykov finished with 96 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and a team-high 10.5 sacks for Willis May and the Wolfpack. He also forced three fumbles and had a fumble recovery, giving Seattle a long-term option in the front seven.
10. New York Jets (via Seattle)
Olsen Patt Henry, WR, First Baptist
Zach Wilson getting a receiver here is surely what the Jets were hoping for, as Henry will be a reliable piece alongside Elijah Moore. Henry can certainly take some pressure off the receiving corps, as the 6-foot-4 product caught 61 passes for 1,053 yards with 17 touchdowns, averaging 95.7 yards per game and one touchdown on nearly every 3.5 receptions.
11. Washington Commanders
Anthony Benjamin, WR, Dunbar
Benjamin to Washington makes the most sense, as the Commanders have been seeking another wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin. Benjamin can provide another element in the slot, as the 5-foot-9 wideout caught 38 passes for 758 yards with seven touchdowns, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Kensley Faustin, CB, Palmetto Ridge
Patrick Peterson isn't the long-term answer for Minnesota (he's 31 and on the back end of his career), and the Vikings missed badly on Jeff Gladney after selecting him 31st overall in 2020. Faustin gives Minnesota some help here after allowing the fourth most passing yards per game (275.2) in 2021. He finished with 75 tackles and three picks as a sophomore and will play his junior season at Naples.
13. Houston Texans (via Cleveland)
Rich Mellien, WR, First Baptist
Henry and Mellien, who happen to be brothers, go within a few picks of each other, and deservedly so. Mellien was a machine when it came to all-purpose yards, finishing with 1,447 total and 16 touchdowns. Mellien's dynamic play will help the Texans, who have been in need of a playmaker since DeAndre Hopkins was traded to Arizona.
More: Introducing the 2021 Naples Daily News All-Area Football Offense Team
More: Introducing the 2021 Naples Daily News All-Area Football Defense Team
14. Baltimore Ravens
Tyre Cunningham, LB, Lehigh
The first linebacker goes off the board here. Considered the alpha of the Lehigh defense, Cunningham was a machine for the Lightning, finishing with 144 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two blocked punts. Cunningham adds to a nasty linebacking corps that already includes Patrick Queen and Tyus Bowser.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami)
Greg Delaine, CB, Fort Myers
The Eagles haven't drafted a corner as high as 15 since taking Lito Sheppard in 2002, but Delaine to Philadelphia makes a ton of sense. Darius Slay turns 32 by the end of next year, and the Eagles will need a long-term option sooner rather than later. Delaine provides that and then some, and would play for Nick Sirianni (no relation to Sam or Sam Jr.).
More: National Signing Day: Fort Myers' Greg Delaine signs to play football at Syracuse
16. New Orleans Saints (via Indianapolis/Philadelphia)
Jacob Tudor, OL, Naples
Losing Terron Armstead to Miami was a backbreaker, thus giving the Saints another position to fill come the draft. Tudor helped the Golden Eagles rush for 350 yards per game. That should please Alvin Kamara, who would love to prove he's more than just a receiving back after averaging his lowest YPC average (3.7) of his five-year career in 2021.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Jonathon Cole, OL, Dunbar
Protecting the quarterback is something teams must do to make it to the Super Bowl (Joe Burrow proved overwise), and getting a lineman here will only help Justin Herbert and the Chargers contend in a loaded AFC West that will provide plenty of fireworks. Cole helped Landon Winterbottom and Daveon Palmer throw for 195.2 yards per game at Dunbar last season.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans)
Dearis Thomas, LB, Naples
Philadelphia going defense with both of their picks? It's a little bit of a stretch, but Devonta Smith doesn't immediately need help with Greg Ward, Dallas Goedert, and others proving they can pick up the slack. Thomas totaled 120 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He signed with FAU.
19. New Orleans Saints (via Philadelphia)
Carter Smith, QB, Bishop Verot
The second quarterback goes off the board at 19, with the Saints getting a long-term option for the future, not wanting to continue with Jameis Winston under center. Smith was solid for Verot as a freshman, throwing for 2,025 yards with 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions, while adding 580 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ty Keller, QB, First Baptist
Keller follows right after Smith, giving Pittsburgh it's next quarterback following the strong career of Ben Roethlisberger. Keller was a gunslinger with First Baptist last season, throwing for 2,573 yards with 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. Expect Pittsburgh to go out and find a wide receiver for Keller in the later rounds.
21. New England Patriots
Myles Graham, LB, ECS
Graham is the prime example of a local that has NFL bloodlines, making him an excellent fit at the next level. The sophomore had 130 tackles at linebacker, with an interception and a pair of forced fumbles. Graham has since transferred and will play his junior season at Woodward Academy in Georgia.
More: Earnest Graham steps down as ECS head football coach, assistant Mack Mitchell will take over
22. Green Bay Packers (via Las Vegas)
Winston Watkins, WR, IMG Academy
With a slew of locals in Kurt Benkert, De'Vondre Campbell, and Sammy Watkins playing for the Packers, why not Winston too? The IMG receiver, who played his eighth-grade year at ECS in 2020, would add to the Southwest Florida pipeline in Wisconsin, while also having a chance to play with his cousin, Sammy.
More: Fort Myers' Winston Watkins Jr. commits to Texas Au0026M at FBU Freshman All-American Bowl
23. Arizona Cardinals
Joseph Miller, WR, Gulf Coast
With Christian Kirk off to Jacksonville, the Cardinals need a slot receiver in the long term to pair alongside DeAndre Hopkins, as A.J. Green signed a one-year deal for the second straight season. Miller's numbers in a spread offense were solid, catching 56 passes for 883 yards with six touchdowns. Miller's experience in a spread should give him a leg up in Kliff Kingsbury's offense.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Javieane Stevens, DE, Dunbar
Stevens was a menace on the defensive line, finishing with 54 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, and a forced fumble for a Dunbar team that finished 9-1. With the Cowboys aiming to improve the defensive line, this pick gives Micah Parsons the option to stay at linebacker.
25. Buffalo Bills
Richard Young, RB, Lehigh
Running backs don't normally go in the first round (just 10 have been picked since the 2016 NFL Draft), but Young could be the piece that the Bills need to finally win a Super Bowl. He has rushed for 3,591 yards so far in his career at Lehigh, and would be Buffalo's No. 1 back come Week 1.
More: Lehigh running back Richard Young reveals top seven including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State
26. Tennessee Titans
Nick Garcia, OL, Lehigh
Tennessee is in need of an offensive lineman, and this pick gives them a chance to get more productive years out of Derrick Henry, who is now 28 years old. Garcia blocked for a Lehigh offense that produced 2,189 yards on the ground in 2021, which should please Henry while he continues to try and stay in his prime.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Avian Rice, S, Dunbar
Rice's athleticism gives the Bucs a solid piece in the secondary, especially after losing safety Jordan Whitehead to the Jets. Rice had a knack for making the big play, and was tied for second on the team with 66 tackles while adding three interceptions for Sammy Brown and the Dunbar defense.
More: National Signing Day 2022: Gulf Coast, North Fort Myers, CSN, Dunbar, Verot hold ceremonies
28. Green Bay Packers
Jonas Duclona, CB, Naples
Duclona has demonstrated his ability to be a strong No. 2 corner alongside Devin Moore, and he'll have a chance to mesh well in the Green Bay secondary that will get younger with Duclona's addition. He'll be paired up with Jaire Alexander, who missed 13 games due to a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 4.
More: Jason and Jonas Duclona are rising football stars at separate schools in Collier, Lee counties
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via San Francisco/Miami)
Kerry Brown, Hybrid, Naples
Brown's versatility on the defensive side is worth noting. As a junior, Brown finished with 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, and a sack for the Golden Eagles. Brown will give the Chiefs immediate help in the secondary, who allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game (251.5) last season.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
Preston Shemansky, WR, First Baptist
After trading Tyreek Hill to Miami, Patrick Mahomes needs a weapon on the outside that can get yards after the catch. Shemansky's speed provides that, and could make an immediate impact in a high-powered offense after racking up 593 receiving yards on 31 receptions with eight touchdowns. Shemansky is the third Lions receiver to go in the first round after Olsen Patt Henry (No. 10) and Rich Mellien (No. 13).
31. Cincinnati Bengals
Hyrum Dewsnup, OL, Gulf Coast
It seems like offensive line or corner here, but protecting Joe Burrow, especially after last year, should be a top priority for Cincinnati. Dewsnup helped protect No. 6 overall pick Konner Barrett, who passed for 212 yards per game with the Sharks last season. The junior lineman also helped in the rushing game (116.6 YPG), which should make Joe Mixon happy.
32. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles)
Jason Duclona, WR, Estero
Duclona could have to face his brother Jonas twice a year, which makes this pick unique and interesting for Detroit. The 6-foot-1 wideout caught 30 passes for 576 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 19.2 yards per catch. With the Lions looking to build for the future, Duclona and Amon-Ra St. Brown could be the best WR duo in the NFC North once Adam Thielen's time ends in Minnesota.
Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: All-SWFL NFL Mock Draft: Which high school football players would be picked?
