Post-Free Agency Mock Draft
This is the mock draft that comes after the bulk of free agency has filled holes for teams and changed team needs across the league. Signings, trades, and cuts have a real effect on what teams will do in the draft. Atlanta signing Kirk Cousins means they won’t be looking to make a move for a QB in round one. Conversely, Minnesota losing Cousins and making a trade with Houston to pick up a second first round pick means they are looking to be aggressive to move up to get a QB. Justin Fields getting traded means Chicago is dialing in on the QB they want at #1 overall. The Chargers cutting Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen means they will almost certainly use the fifth pick overall on a WR and won’t likely entertain a trade unless it’s an overwhelming offer. Things are starting to take shape and teams are starting to zero in on what they are going to do in the draft. Let’s see how things might look now in the draft. Here we go.
Round 1
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Caleb Williams QB USC
The Bears cleared the deck for their new franchise QB when they shipped Justin Fields to Pittsburgh for a bag of chips and a cookie (it wasn’t even a good bag a chips, it’s the generic kind that no one really wants). It would be a major upset at this point if the pick isn’t Caleb Williams and unless Washington is willing to throw a bunch of stuff at Chicago to move up from #2 overall so they can get Williams, this pick is a done deal. The Bears also made a move that has to really piss Fields off, just before they traded him away, they traded for WR Keenan Allen to pair with DJ Moore. That means Williams will walk into a Shane Waldron-led offense with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and newly signed RB D’Andre Swift as his top weapons. Fields got Luke Getsy’s offense with guys like Darnell Mooney and D’Onta Foreman for most of his career. I’m not the biggest Williams fan but he’s walking into a much better environment for success with legitimate top-end NFL WRs and a real offensive coordinator. If Williams doesn’t work out, it won’t be because the Bears failed him. Williams has to learn to run an offense most of the time while using his otherworldly gifts only some of the time.
2. Washington Commanders (4-13): Jayden Daniels QB LSU
I’m not a Daniels fan either but no one asked me and the Commanders seem to be trending towards taking the Heisman winner. Daniels is an explosive athlete with a ton of college experience, he started for five years. He can throw down the field and he might be the guy to truly unlock Terry McLaurin as a legitimate #1 WR. Where Daniels struggles is in the intermediate part of the field and I also think his throws lack some velocity that could come back to haunt him against NFL caliber defenders. He wasn’t a great QB until this last year when he broke out as a fifth-year senior and considering he had Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. as his WRs, seems like he may have been a product of his environment. Kliff Kingsbury oversees the Commanders offense and that also makes me nervous for his development. He may fit Kingsbury’s preferred style of QB but so did Kyler Murray and Murray looked better last year in a half of a season away from Kingsbury than he did in his years with him. Daniels is also reckless with his very skinny body when running the ball and behind a suspect Washington o-line, I worry about his health and safety.
3. New England Patriots (4-13): Drake Maye QB North Carolina
I like what the Patriots have done in free agency so far but they get an incomplete grade because they haven’t addressed the three top needs they had coming into the off season; QB, LT, and WR. Not that any of those positions are important at all. They have helped the depth on offense with WR KJ Osborn, RB Antonio Gibson, TE Austin Hooper, OT Chukwuma Okorafor and QB Jacoby Brissett. Gibson might be the only one of those guys who can make a difference but the depth means something. If Osborn means less Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor at WR and Brissett means no Bailey Zappe at QB, that’s a win. If Drake Maye falls to this spot, I think the Patriots make the pick, if he goes second, they trade out to a team looking for Daniels or JJ McCarthy. I hope they don’t get sucked into the JJ McCarthy hype. Maye is the prototypical NFL QB with elite size at 6’4 225 lbs. with a top-shelf arm that can make every throw. They need to get him more WR help and a LT but the hope is you aren’t picking this high again anytime soon and he’s too good of a QB prospect to pass on. If Maye isn’t available, answer Minnesota’s calls and move down.
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13): Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio St.
The Cardinals are going to be tempted to trade with the Vikings who are looking to move up and have two first round picks in this draft to offer but the Cardinals already have six picks in the first three rounds, they need difference makers, not just bodies. Harrison is a serious needle mover on the offensive side of the ball especially if you pair him with Kyler Murray. The Cardinals need playmakers on offense, Marquise Brown signed in Kansas City and they traded Rondale Moore for backup QB Desmond Ridder. Harrison takes over as the go-to offensive playmaker on the team and if they want to get the best out of Murray, they should get him better weapons than Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch. They will look to find some defensive difference makers with their later picks, Harrison is too good to pass up.
5. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE from LA Chargers): JJ McCarthy QB Michigan
I said the Chargers would need to be overwhelmed, how about two first round picks in this draft (#11 and #23) plus Minnesota’s first next year. That should be plenty to get Jim Harbaugh to move off the idea of taking a WR with the fifth overall pick. The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins so they need a plan and I’m pretty sure Sam Darnold is only a stop-gap plan. McCarthy is well liked by a lot of NFL people and he has potential. The good news is Darnold will at least make him earn the starting job, and he probably will. Having Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones as his offensive playmakers will make the QB’s job much easier than it would normally be for a rookie QB going this high in the draft. Having arguably the best WR in football, a top five TE, an emerging second WR, and a veteran RB with elite skills is a situation any QB would like to be in (well I guess not Kirk Cousins). I actually agree with the Vikings not outbidding Atlanta for Cousins because the savings they will get allows them the opportunity to re-sign Jefferson and LT Christian Darrisaw, and add to their defense. It’s a smarter team building strategy, now they just have to hit on the QB.
6. New York Giants (6-11): Rome Odunze WR Washington
The Giants made a major trade on the defense to get Brian Burns to pair off the edge with Kayvon Thibodeaux and that should seriously help the defense. Then they also addressed their offensive line issues with OT Jermaine Eluemunor, OG Jon Runyan, and even OG Aaron Stinnie. Stinnie will probably have to hold off Evan Neal who will likely move inside with Eluemunor taking the RT job but that adds interior depth. Most teams probably have Malik Nabers as the next WR after Harrison, if they don’t have Nabers first, but his game and his body type is too similar to guys the Giants already have like Jalin Hyatt and Darius Slayton. Odunze is the big body outside WR who gives them a different dimension in the passing game. The Giants are going to give Daniel Jones one more chance to be the guy at QB but they also hedged against that bet by signing Drew Lock, who looked decent at the end of last season in Seattle. Odunze is my favorite player in this draft and his game is going to be elite, once the Giants get a better QB than Daniel Jones.
7. New York Jets (TRADE from Tennessee): Malik Nabers WR LSU
The Jets have gone out of their way to address the offensive line with legitimate veteran starters in LT Tyron Smith, LG John Simpson, and RT Morgan Moses. Adding those three to holdovers C Joe Tippmann and RG Alijah Vera-Tucker should solidify the line. While Smith isn’t the picture of healthy and Moses is aging it means they don’t have to prioritize the offensive line here. With Nabers falling past the Giants there could be a bidding war to move up to get him. The Titans signed Calvin Ridley to team with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks so they can afford to trade down. The Jets signed Mike Williams to a short-term deal to pair with Garrett Wilson but they still lack much beyond those two and Williams’ health can’t be counted on. Nabers is an electric playmaker and he and Wilson would be a dynamite pair next year and for years to come. The team’s defense is good (they even added Hassan Reddick), they addressed offensive line, they have a good RB, if they want Aaron Rodger to succeed, they need more pass catching weapons. If they want Nabers they have to get ahead of Chicago at nine and possibly ahead of Atlanta at eight.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10): Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo
If one of the top three WRs were to make it this far I don’t think the Falcons would pass on him even if it means a fourth straight year of drafting a skill position player in the top ten. However, they did pick up Darnell Mooney in free agency and they traded Desmond Ridder for Rondale Moore so WR isn’t a glaring need like it was pre-free agency. Even I can admit that and those two aren’t my favorite guys. The defense left a lot to be desired last year so it’s about time a defender gets drafted. Quinyon Mitchell probably wasn’t the guy most thought would be the first defender off the board but he’s earned it. He had a great year at Toledo, then he went to the Senior Bowl and showed he belonged with the big boys. Finally, he went to the combine and blew the doors off the testing and measured up in every way. He’s my CB1 for this class and he would make a great running mate for AJ Terrell. They could go for an edge rusher like Dallas Turner but I think they see the value in a potential lockdown CB over a very good edge rusher.
9. New Orleans Saints (TRADE from Chicago): Joe Alt OT Notre Dame
The Bears have spent draft capital to pick up Montez Sweat and Keenan Allen and so they trade down to pick up future assets from the Saints, who also don’t have a lot of draft picks but don’t really care. The Saints blew a first-round pick on Trevor Penning at OT a couple of years ago and now they move up for a better bet, Joe Alt. Alt takes the starting LT job immediately and fixes a major hole in their offense. They haven’t been shopping big in free agency because they are always up against it with the cap but if they get a rookie LT salary on the books that would help them overall. They can look to trade Penning for a late round pick to someone who might want to try to salvage him or they try him at RT where Ryan Ramczyk’s knee injury complicates things. The Saints have four fifth-round picks and I could see them trading a couple of them to move up here from 14th overall to get ahead of a few teams that might take these top tackles.
10. Tennessee Titans (TRADE from NY Jets): Olu Fashanu OT Penn St.
I had the Titans taking a WR in my last mock draft and then they went out and signed Calvin Ridley to a $92 million deal and that changes things considerably. Assuming they hold on to DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks to go with Ridley, WR isn’t going to be a priority. The other big news is that the Titans are trading for Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed meaning they have addressed another major need. Sneed’s contract will be expensive so they should look to save some money at a normally expensive position, like LT. Fashanu is a beast and he would plug right in at LT which would kick Nicholas Petit-Frere back to the RT spot and with the additions of C Lloyd Cushenberry and OG Saahdiq Charles to go with second-year guard Peter Skoronski, the line should be much improved. Give new offensive line coach Bill Callahan these guys and he can make the offensive line a strength after it was a huge liability last year. Will Levis will appreciate it.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Minnesota): Brock Bowers TE Georgia
The Chargers can’t pass up the trade offer from the Vikings who moved up for a QB so they end up picking here. It’s still possible they take a WR like Brian Thomas Jr. or maybe they take a RT like Taliese Fuaga but Bowers is very appealing. Yes, the Chargers signed two TEs in free agency, Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst, but this offense is going to be run by Greg Roman. Roman ran the Ravens offense that featured multiple TE sets and Mark Andrews. Bowers is an even more dynamic weapon than Andrews was at the time. The team traded Keenan Allen and cut Mike Williams; they need dynamic offensive weapons. It would be a travesty for this team to go into the season with Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston as Justin Herbert’s top weapons. Bowers isn’t a traditional TE. He’s a guy you can line up anywhere and throw him the ball or hand it off to him and he makes plays. There are plenty of good WRs in this draft so they can address that spot later, there is only one Brock Bowers.
12. Denver Broncos (8-9): Terrion Arnold CB Alabama
The Broncos would certainly like to make a move up to get a QB but they just don’t have a lot of draft capital to work with and the Vikings outbid them here. Sean Payton and George Paton will have to pivot to filling other holes and that’s fine, they have plenty. They need cheap talent because cutting Russell Wilson is costing them the largest dead cap hit ever (literally double the previous high). They have Patrick Surtain II at one CB, he’s one of the best in the game, he needs a partner. Arnold broke out this year at Alabama and showed he can play both outside and in the slot, a skill set the Broncos defense could really use. This pick might come down to choosing between two Alabama defenders and I think they pick Arnold over edge rusher Dallas Turner. They can’t go wrong either way.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9): Taliese Fuaga OT Oregon St.
The Raiders made a major move on defense signing former Dolphin DT Christian Wilkins. He’s not as well-known as guys like Aaron Donald or Chris Jones but Wilkins is a difference maker and the Raiders defense needs as many of those as they can get. They signed QB Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O’Connell and while neither of those guys will stop them from taking a QB if they can, it means they don’t have to reach for one. The offensive line lost the right side and they need to get at least one starter. Fuaga can come in and play RT immediately but if the team makes a move for a veteran OT at some point he could also slide inside to guard. It’s conceivable the Raiders forgo a QB in this draft to build up the offense a little bit better to help a future QB and grabbing a talented o-lineman like Fuaga would be a solid place to start in this draft.
14. Chicago Bears (TRADE from New Orleans): Dallas Turner Edge Alabama
This would be the ideal scenario for the Bears after taking Caleb Williams first overall. Trade the ninth pick overall to pick up some draft capital later in this draft or possibly in next year’s draft and still end up with the guy you would probably take at nine if you stay there. Turner would be an excellent addition opposite Montez Sweat and gives the defense the ability for multiple fronts because of his versatility. They could go with WR Brian Thomas Jr. but I think they wait on the WR pick, it’s a deeper position than edge rusher.
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8): Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU
The Colts are not a team that spends money on outside free agents, they have signed a backup DT Raekwon Davis and a new backup QB Joe Flacco. They have extended many of their own guys but they are basically counting on Anthony Richardson’s return from his injury to improve this team. One thing they could do to help Richardson out is give him a legitimate deep threat. Alec Pierce is a solid player but he’s just not the dynamic playmaker down the field they need. Brian Thomas Jr. is all of that and more. With Michael Pittman Jr. signing a big money extension, they have to get a dynamic weapon to play opposite him. Pittman is a pro’s pro and he’s as steady as they come but he’s not scaring anyone down the field. Pierce hasn’t developed into that either, Thomas is 6’3 209 lbs. and runs a 4.33 and can put the fear of God in to a defense. He’s a big play, touchdown machine and he’s a steal here. They need someone who can allow Richardson to unleash his arm.
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8): Troy Fautanu OL Washington
The Seahawks have spent most of their free agency addressing the defense with DT Jonathan Hankins, LBs Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, and safety Rashawn Jenkins being their main additions. On offense, they traded for backup QB Sam Howell, backup TE Pharoah Brown and added some depth on the offensive line. They need better options on the offensive line. The interior of the line was decimated in free agency and part of that is because they didn’t want those guys back. I’m giving them Fautanu because he played at Washington under new OC Ryan Grubb and he offers position versatility. He can be an immediate starter at OG, the position most teams see him moving to after being an OT in college. The good thing about that is the team had some issues with OTs Charles Cross and Abe Lucas staying healthy last year and Fautanu would be a guy you can slide outside to cover if you need to. They have more work to do on the interior of the line but Fautanu would be a good start.
17. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE from Jacksonville): Byron Murphy II DT Texas
The Rams come into this draft with 11 picks overall, they have the ability to move up if they see a reason, Murphy is that reason. Aaron Donald has been the rock their defense has been built on for years and he just retired. It’s unfair to compare anyone to Donald or to put the pressure of replacing him on any one guy but Murphy looks the part. He’s an undersized, penetrating DT who just doesn’t quit. He puts pressure on the pocket and he would be a great addition to a Rams defense that just lost its biggest playmaker. The Rams use some of their draft capital to move up two spots to get ahead of the Bengals who are probably eyeing Murphy too. Les Snead isn’t afraid to trade picks away.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): Jared Verse DE Florida St.
They have made some smart, economical moves in free agency because they just paid Joe Burrow and they have to pay Ja’Marr Chase soon. Geno Stone and Vonn Bell were smart deals at safety and addressed a huge need for them, now they have to find some impact players on defense if possible. The only consistent pass rusher on the Bengals has been Trey Hendrickson and even he can be a little up and down from season to season. He’s also 30 and not getting a lot of help from Sam Hubbard, Myles Murphy, or Joseph Ossai. Hubbard is a solid player but offenses don’t gameplan against him. Verse is a twitchy athlete with a quick first step who can convert speed to power and get into the backfield. He’s not the biggest end at about 255 lbs. but the Bengals have guys to use in the run game, they need someone to use with Hendrickson in the pass game. He won’t start over Hubbard but he’ll play every passing down and could really change the dynamic of this defense. They signed Sheldon Rankins because he can rush the passer from the DT spot, Verse would add even more pressure off the edge.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE from LA Rams): Nate Wiggins CB Clemson
I would fundamentally disagree with Wiggins going before Cooper DeJean in the draft but in this instance the new Jaguars defensive coordinator is Ryan Nielsen. Last year in Atlanta as the defensive coordinator he predominately used man coverage and that is a Wiggins specialty. DeJean has more versatility but the Jaguars signed Darnell Savage and they plan to use him in the slot and they signed Devin Duverney as a return man so DeJean’s versatility and special teams value is less valuable to them. Wiggins is a skinny corner but he’s a top-notch man cover guy and pairing him with Tyson Campbell would mean they don’t have to rely on 30-year-old free agent Ronald Darby to be a full-time starter. The Jaguars could be smart and take DeJean anyway but I’m not betting on Trent Baalke as the GM making smart decisions. Signing Arik Armstead at DT and Mitch Morse at center were good moves. However, Gabe Davis and Devin Duverney at WR, Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby in the secondary, and not signing Josh Allen long-term and having to franchise him, those were not great team building moves. It would be too bad to because I’m sure Bill Belichick would enjoy coaching DeJean next year when he replaces Baalke and Doug Pederson in Jacksonville.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): Jackson Powers-Johnson C Oregon
The Steelers big moves have come at QB, they signed Russell Wilson to a veteran minimum contract since he’s making big money from Denver, they traded Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia, and then traded for Justin Fields. They have insisted Russell Wilson is their starter, I say Fields is starting by week four and Wilson gets booed by the Steelers fans in his first home game. They finally addressed their ILB spot by signing Patrick Queen, he’s a real player they can count on. The one big cut that hasn’t really registered for people was cutting center Mason Cole. They didn’t pick up a veteran replacement so they fill that hole with the best prospect here. Powers-Johnson is a monster in the pivot and they can’t afford to allow pass rush up the middle. Wilson is short and can’t scramble anymore and Fields will get happy feet if pressed in the pocket. Powers-Johnson only has one year of starting experience at center but he will have two veteran guards flanking him in Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels. He fills a major need unless you think Nate Herbig is the answer at center.
21. Miami Dolphins (11-6): Amarius Mims OT Georgia
This team is in salary cap hell and they had to let quite a few guys go in free agency and make some tough cuts. They replaced most of their defensive losses with cheaper veteran free agents with LB Jordyn Brooks the only guy who cost a little more. On the offensive line they replaced oft-injured center Connor Williams with Aaron Brewer, Brewer isn’t as good as Williams when Williams is healthy but Williams is rarely healthy. The interior of the line was a concern before Robert Hunt left and they have to address the line overall. LT Terron Armstead is coming back next year but he’s injured a lot and they need to have a plan for that. Mims isn’t a sure thing and he’s inexperienced, however, you can’t teach a guy to be nearly 6’8 340 lbs. and to move like Mims. He won’t be thrust into starting here unless Armstead or Austin Jackson gets hurt, that would give him time to develop a little. His presence also allows Liam Eichenberg to stay inside and not have to be used at OT. Mims has amazing upside if he reaches his potential. If he does have to play, the Dolphins’ offensive scheme will help cover some of his inexperience by making it easier on him.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Cooper DeJean CB Iowa
The Eagles went big on some of their free agent spending signing RB Saquon Barkley and edge rusher Bryce Huff. Huff was a part-time player for the Jets but they are expecting more out of him in Philadelphia. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is the architect of a defensive scheme being used widely throughout the league and the Eagles decided to go get the originator himself to fix their defensive issues. While they are transitioning to some younger players up front with Fletcher Cox retiring and trading Hassan Reddick (Huff is his expected replacement), the secondary needs new blood. The brought back CJ Gardner-Johnson after his year in Detroit but CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry are aging and Bradberry was pretty bad last year. DeJean brings youth and versatility to the backend, two things they could really use. Fangio’s defenses use multiple looks and DeJean’s ability to line up outside, in the slot, as a safety, or even as a dime LB would be very helpful to Fangio. DeJean has been overlooked as he’s been rehabbing a broken leg from the season but teams know who he is and he won’t fall too far. He’s also an elite punt returner and with the new kickoff rules I would experiment with him doing that too.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Minnesota): JC Latham OT Alabama
This is the second pick the Chargers get from Minnesota in the earlier trade and it couldn’t work out better. Jim Harbaugh is building a team to be a power running attack led by RB Gus Edwards, Latham takes that to another level. Latham is almost as wide as he is tall and he’s a road grader in the running game. He’s a natural RT and he’s a serious upgrade over Trey Pipkins and he’ll bring the toughness and nastiness Harbaugh wants on his offensive line.
24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5): Graham Barton OL Duke
The Cowboys have taken some hits in free agency as they gear up for having to pay Dak Prescott on an extension, CeeDee Lamb probably looking for a top three WR contract, and having to make Micah Parsons the highest paid defensive player in the league. That meant losing veterans like LT Tyron Smith and C Tyler Biadasz in free agency. They could take a OT like Tyler Guyton to replace Smith but this team is looking to win now and Guyton is still a bit of a project. Barton played LT at Duke but he is more likely to play center in the NFL and he’s a four-year starter so he steps in on day one. He also gives them flexibility as he could be a LT, a center, or a guard, and with LG Tyler Smith’s ability to play LG or LT it gives them the ability to find the best five. I think Barton ends up at center, Tyler Smith at LT, and they find a LG, either later in the draft or a veteran free agent. If they want Dak and CeeDee to be worth paying, they need to fix the offensive line quickly.
25. Green Bay Packers (9-8): Tyler Guyton OT Oklahoma
The Packers addressed their biggest need in free agency by spending a bundle to sign Xavier McKinney at safety, it was a necessary move considering the safety class in this draft isn’t good. They don’t have a ton of other glaring needs and the few they could use (LB, another safety, OG) are not picks you make here. One thing they should address is OT. The cut David Bakhtiari because he was expensive and always injured and backup Yosh Nijman left for Carolina. They still have LT Rasheed Walker and RT Zach Tom; they were fine fill-ins last year. Guyton may need some time to develop and he wouldn’t have to be a starter right away but he gives them competition. They need help at guard and center and Guyton might be good enough to allow them to slide Tom inside where he might be better suited. Walker was okay last year but Guyton has more upside as a future LT so that’s a possibility too. This is a very young offense and Guyton would fit right in as a guy learning on the job.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8): Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama
Okay, fine, I guess I’ll come off my Chop Robinson pick after the Bucs traded away Carlton Davis to Detroit. They can talk all they want about Zyon McCollum and giving him a chance, they aren’t passing on McKinstry if he’s here. McKinstry wasn’t as great last season as people thought he would be going into the season but he’s a still a potential day-one starter in the NFL. He has size, skill, and the confidence to matchup with NFL receivers. The Bucs were quiet in free agency apart from re-signing their own guys and bringing back Jordan Whitehead at safety. They are counting on improvement from some young guys on defense along with Baker Mayfield getting even more comfortable with the offense. It’s a bold strategy for Todd Bowles to bet his job on a team that went 9-8 in a weak division and hoping they just get better. McKinstry has a higher ceiling than Davis achieved at CB but it’s probably not going to change the team’s outcome all that much.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Laiatu Latu Edge UCLA
The Cardinals made some unspectacular additions to help out their defense with guys like Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, and Khyiris Tonga, along with LB Mack Wilson and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting. None of these players are going to change the fortunes of this defense but they raise the floor. They need a game changer and Latu has the type of pass rush skill that could make a difference. With him it’s not about potential, he has the skills right now to be an affective pass rusher. While he may never be an 18-sack guy in the NFL, he’s a legitimate threat teams will have to deal with.
28. Buffalo Bills (11-6): Adonai Mitchell WR Texas
Things seem to be trending away from Keon Coleman as a first-round pick and while I don’t agree, I can’t ignore it. The Bills signed Curtis Samuel in free agency but that will hardly fix their issues at WR. Samuel’s health isn’t he most reliable and his skill set is hardly a replacement for what they lost in Gabe Davis (not that Davis was great). Davis was their downfield threat who opened things up for Stefon Diggs. Mitchell is a 6’4 receiver with 4.3 speed who can get downfield and track the ball for the big play. He would allow Josh Allen the ability to use his exceptional arm and keep the offense moving. Mitchell also has the upside to become a legitimate #1 WR when Stefon Diggs finally talks his way out of Buffalo (it’s just a matter of time). It’s possible the Bills pivot to a guy like Chop Robinson as an eventual Von Miller replacement but I think they give Allen a weapon and hedge against Diggs’ issues.
29. Detroit Lions (12-5): Chop Robinson Edge Penn St.
The Lions made a couple of moves that will help their defense with the signing of DT DJ Reader and the trade for CB Carlton Davis III. Reader is a roadblock in the middle of the defensive line and he’ll make life easier for Alim McNeill on the inside. Davis will be the best CB the team has had since the heyday of Darius Slay. He’s not some All-Pro but they just need competence to be better. They cut Cam Sutton after some off-the-field stuff and I’m sure they are hoping for Emmanuel Moseley to get healthy (you’re better off hoping for Power Ball numbers) but there is another way to help their struggling secondary, a better pass rush. They signed DE Marcus Davenport but being the third team to believe in a guy who has never proven anything is not a great place to be. If Chop Robinson falls this far, they would be lucky to grab him. He has an electric first step and he’s an incredible athlete. Pairing him opposite Aidan Hutchinson might just juice the pass rush enough to make a difference for this defense.
30. Baltimore Ravens (13-4): Kingsley Suamataia OT BYU
The Ravens haven’t done much in free agency except lose some key pieces on the offensive line and in the secondary. They may be able to cover up some of the losses in the secondary and there are still some veteran free agents there that could help, there is less help on the o-line available. The team lost OGs John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler in free agency and then traded RT Morgan Moses. They need to protect Lamar Jackson and new RB Derrick Henry needs some holes to run through so offensive line should take priority. Suamataia isn’t the most experienced player but he’s got the physical gifts to play RT and potentially be a LT in the future, considering Ronnie Stanley’s injury history, that’s not to be overlooked. The Ravens need to draft more than one offensive lineman so they might as well start early.
31. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): Jordan Morgan OL Arizona
The 49ers had some issues on the defensive line at the end of last season so they made some changes. Arik Armstead was cut for salary cap purposes, they also let Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young, Randy Gregory, and Javon Kinlaw all walk. They traded for DT Maliek Collins and signed Yetur Gross-Matos, Leonard Floyd, and Jordan Elliot. They hope that gives them steadier production around stars Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave. The offensive line has some issues that are covered up by Kyle Shanahan’s offense but they should address them. Jordan Morgan is an experienced LT who possibly projects better to guard but he could hold his own in Shanahan’s offense. LT Trent Williams is still the best in the business but he’ll be 36 next year. RT Colton McKivitz isn’t great but is passable under Shanahan. RG was a trouble spot until Jon Feliciano stepped in, they re-signed him but will he keep playing the way he was? There are places on this line Morgan could play early and at the very least, he’s great depth.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6): Jer’Zhan Newton DT Illinois
The Chiefs are coming off back-to-back Super Bowls so clearly, they’re doing something right. They re-signed DT Chris Jones, he’s the straw that stirs the drink on defense and on offense they signed WR Marquise Brown. I’ve never been a big fan of his but compared to most of the guys they had at WR last year, he’s Jerry Rice. He gives them a nice complement to Rashee Rice, the only WR they had that was actually good last year. The two big holes they have now are at LT, where Donovan Smith won’t be asked back, and at CB where they traded away L’Jarius Sneed. Unfortunately for the Chiefs the good OT have been snatched up in this mock draft so unless they make a move up in the first round, they will have to wait for one or reach for one. At CB, they have had luck in the middle rounds getting quality players and anyone else right here is also a reach. They can just look for the best player available and that’s likely Newton. He’s a penetrating DT who could play next to Chris Jones, give him some snaps off, and simply add depth as a rotational guy for now. Jones is over 30 so Newton isn’t a bad investment in the future.
Round 2
33. Carolina Panthers: Ladd McConkey WR Georgia
The Panthers spent way too much money on two new OGs Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt and then they traded for WR Diontae Johnson, clearly, they want to help Bryce Young succeed. They also brought in several solid veterans on defense to improve a unit that wasn’t very good last season. As much as the overly expensive OGs and Johnson will help, they shouldn’t be done on offense. They have Jonathan Mingo, a rookie WR from last year to go with Johnson but another WR would help. McConkey is a strong, reliable route runner with the ability to play inside and outside and would make a nice addition to Mingo and Johnson and they can mix and match where they line up. They have to support Young as much as possible to find out if he’s worth continuing with or do they have to look for a new QB sooner rather than later. I have serious doubts about Young’s potential moving forward but the offense last season didn’t do him any favors. Dave Canales did a good job coordinating an offense last year for a shorter QB in Baker Mayfield but he had actual talent to work with in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and others. McConkey would be another guy to help Young.
34. New England Patriots: Keon Coleman WR Florida St.
I really want the Patriots to use this pick in a deal to get Tee Higgins from Cincinnati but if they don’t, go get Coleman. I’m hoping he falls out of round one because he has legitimate #1 WR potential and the Patriots and Drake Maye need one.
35. Arizona Cardinals: TJ Tampa CB Iowa St.
The Cardinals signed Sean Murphy-Bunting but he can only play one CB spot and they need multiple starters. Tampa has great size and plays a physical style of football; Jonathan Gannon will appreciate him.
36. Washington Commanders: Darius Robinson DE Missouri
The Commanders signed two former Dallas DEs in Dorace Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr and added Clelin Ferrell too. Armstrong could be a good pickup but Fowler is going to be 30 and Ferrell has never been much. This defense needs talent and it doesn’t matter which position. Robinson is the best defensive player left on the board and he’s well worth this pick.
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Roman Wilson WR Michigan
If the Chargers get Brock Bowers and JC Latham in round one, they walk out winners. However, they need some help at WR. Josh Palmer has been inconsistent and he’s in the last year of his contract. Quentin Johnston had a rough rookie year too. Wilson is a known commodity to Harbaugh and he would fit right in. He would give Justin Herbert a legitimate downfield threat. He’s not the biggest guy but he’s a talented WR.
38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat DT Texas
The Titans have filled plenty of needs in free agency but the d-line still needs work. They cut Teair Tart last year and could use a nose tackle to replace him, Sweat is a beast. At 6’4 366 lbs. he’ll take some focus off Jeffrey Simmons and make his life a lot easier.
39. Carolina Panthers: Ja’Tavion Sanders TE Texas
If you’re going to try to help Bryce Young, you might as well go all in. They spent free agent money on the defense, the draft is to build around Young and they need a TE. Sanders has potential as a very nice safety valve for Young if he can figure out a way to see over the middle.
40. Washington Commanders: Xavier Legette WR South Carolina
The Commanders got a new QB in round one and while they have Terry McLaurin (an underrated guy) and Jahan Dotson (a guy who needs better QB to help him reach his potential), they need a big guy. Legette isn’t a classic big WR being only 6’1 but he plays big. He wins contested catches like a guy who’s 6’4 and he brings serious down the field speed.
41. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin S Minnesota
The Packers spent a fortune to bring in Xavier McKinney at safety but he only solves half of the problem. Nubin is my favorite safety prospect in a weak class of safeties. He can play with McKinney and really help this secondary.
42. Houston Texans: Troy Franklin WR Oregon
The Texans traded out of the first round and this is one of the picks they picked up from Minnesota in that trade. They addressed many of their issues, especially on defense, in free agency with DE Danielle Hunter, DT Denico Autry, NT Folorunso Fatukasi, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, and CB Jeff Okudah. They can still address a few issues on offense even after picking up Joe Mixon to be their new star RB. Nico Collins had a breakout season last year and Tank Dell was right with him until he got hurt. Unfortunately, at 165 lbs. they may want to consider that Dell might get banged up. Robert Woods is getting older and they didn’t get much from John Metchie, Noah Brown, or Xavier Hutchinson. Franklin would be a guy that could help CJ Stroud continue to develop his already impressive game and take a little pressure off Dell and Collins. Franklin is a deep speed master and that would open up the intermediate passing game and make Mixon’s life a little easier with some lighter boxes to run against.
43. Atlanta Falcons: Marshawn Kneeland DE Western Michigan
The Falcons’ defense is a work in progress, Quinyon Mitchell helps the coverage but what would really help the coverage is some pass rush. Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie are nice players but they need more. Kneeland is a small-school guy with some talent and potential, they could do worse.
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington
Different spot but the same result as my last mock draft, the Raiders take Penix. They signed Gardner Minshew which means they don’t have to reach for a starter but if Penix falls this far, they would be crazy to pass on him. I’m not his biggest fan but he’s better than Aidan O’Connell.
45. New Orleans Saints: Bo Nix QB Oregon
I’m sticking with this pick because it makes sense to me. Derek Carr wasn’t great last year and when the Saints decide to cut bait on him, they are going to take a big salary cap hit which means a nice young, cheap QB will be good to have around.
46. Indianapolis Colts: Ennis Rakestraw CB Missouri
Rakestraw is a solid CB prospect with some upside. They already have JuJu Brents from last year’s draft but they need more help in the secondary. The Colts don’t seem to want to spend money so they are less likely to pick up one of the veteran CBs left on the market.
47. New York Giants: Kamari Lassiter CB Georgia
The Giants also need another CB opposite their rookie from last year, Deonte Banks. Lassiter is a little undersized but he plays smart football and he’s tough. He can be the outside guy if they need him to be but he has the versatility to play the slot as well.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ricky Pearsall WR Florida
This team signed Gabe Davis, now they need a good WR for Trevor Lawrence to use. Pearsall is gaining a little buzz for being a better athlete than given credit for. Pearsall can play and Lawrence will love him.
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Cooper Beebe OG Kansas St.
The Bengals signed Trent Brown to be their RT and they have Orlando Brown Jr. at LT; they might as well continue to build their giant line. Beebe is 6’4 335 lbs. and he’ll look tiny next to Brown and Brown Jr.
50. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Frazier C West Virginia
The Eagles lost Jason Kelce to retirement and while they plan to move Cam Jurgens to center, those plans could change if Frazier is still available here. He’s a starting center on day one and that means Jurgens stays at RG where he’s already pretty good.
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Xavier Worthy WR Texas
No offense to Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, or Calvin Austin III, but George Pickens needs a real running mate. Worthy is small but he’s damn fast and he can go deep. The deep ball might be the only play Russell Wilson still has in him so Pickens and Worthy would be perfect for him, until he’s replaced by Justin Fields.
52. Los Angeles Rams: Bralen Trice DE Washington
The Rams’ defense was better than it should have been last year which is why Raheem Morris got a head coaching job. They need to give new defensive coordinator Chris Shula more help. Trice isn’t some amazing athlete but he gives his all every play and he’s a good football player. He’ll fit right in.
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Ja’Lynn Polk WR Washington
The team signed DeVante Parker to be their third WR behind AJ Brown and Davonta Smith, as a guy who has watched Parker for a few years in New England, you can do better. Polk is shorter than Parker but he’s actually the contested catch master that Parker is supposed to be but has never been. Polk helped make Michael Penix Jr. look good on some bad throws, now he can do it for Jalen Hurts.
54. Cleveland Browns: Edgerrin Cooper LB Texas A&M
The Browns signed Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush because they needed help at LB. Hicks will be 33 this year and Bush has bounced around for a reason. Cooper is a talented guy who needs some discipline and development but he’s perfect for Jim Schwartz to mold into a real player.
55. Miami Dolphins: Devontez Walker WR North Carolina
The Dolphins have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle but not much else at WR. Hill is 30 and has some off-the-field issues still. Walker is bigger than both of them and he’s a down the field threat with 4.36 speed. That would only make him about the fifth fastest guy on the Dolphins but that will have to do. He will make a nice complement to Waddle once Hill either becomes too expensive or something else takes him off the field.
56. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Brooks RB Texas
I don’t think the Cowboys will go into the season with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as their top RBs. Brooks is a complicated prospect because he’s the best RB in the draft but he tore his ACL in November. He might not be ready for the start of the year but he’s worth waiting for. The Cowboys could look for a stop-gap veteran to help out next year on a cheap deal, I hear Ezekiel Elliot is available.
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adisa Isaac Edge Penn St.
They let Shaq Barrett go which leaves them with some uninspiring edge rushers. Solid players but no difference makers. Isaac has plenty of work to do but his physical profile gives him a chance to become a legitimate pass rusher.
58. Green Bay Packers: Junior Colson LB Michigan
The Packers depth chart looks solid after their first two additions so they look for more depth here. Colson would be a nice hedge against Isaiah McKenzie at LB. The Packers like McKenzie inside next to Quay Walker but Colson brings a different skill set. He’s a bit bigger with more stopping power against the run game.
59. Houston Texans: Kiran Amegadjie OT Yale
The Texans have Laremy Tunsil and Tyus Howard at OT but they don’t have a lot of depth. Amegadjie is a prospect that needs some time to develop but his athleticism and length are hard to find. Tunsil will be 30 this year so developing a young tackle isn’t a bad idea.
60. Buffalo Bills: Kamren Kitchens S Miami
Jordan Poyer signed with Miami and Micah Hyde is still a free agent which leaves Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards at safety for the Bills. Kitchens isn’t a great athlete and his combine performance hurt his stock but he’s a good football player. He’s not winning a lot of races in the NFL but he can hit and he can cover deep, he can help a team right away.
61. Detroit Lions: Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky
Corley is a big-bodied, run after the catch specialist who would be a nice complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown’s inside game and Jameson Williams deep speed. He can play the intermediate area and make some plays after the catch.
62. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Sainristil DB Michigan
Sainristil is going to be an excellent nickel corner in the NFL with the ability to play some safety and just be a piece in the secondary. He was awesome at Michigan playing defense in the Baltimore defensive system so this would be an easy transition.
63. San Francisco 49ers: Kris Abrams-Draine CB Missouri
The 49ers have Charvarius Ward at CB and then the other guys are a bit uneven or injury prone. I’m not saying Abrams-Draine is the answer but he gives them more options. He’s a solid player who can make some plays on the ball and create turnovers. They’ve done worse at the position.
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Paul OT Houston
If Paul makes it this far, he’s worth a chance for the Chiefs. He would be the best LT option they have at the moment and he has serious upside. He isn’t a finished product by any means but he’s 6’7 333 lbs. and has starter potential and beyond with some good coaching.
The Hott Read 