The NFL Draft starts on Thursday in Pittsburgh, meaning it’s coming up fast and things are starting to come into focus. We know the first pick of the draft but after that, it’s a crapshoot. The consensus has been that the Jets would take Ohio St. edge Arvell Reese. That’s starting to change and it looks like they may be leaning another way. Everyone knows RB Jeremiah Love is one of the top five players in the draft but it’s not clear if anyone in the top five wants to spend a pick on a RB. S Caleb Downs is also one of the better prospects this year but he’s a safety and there’s questions about whether anyone will take a safety in the top ten. There’s little consensus on the top offensive tackles and who might go where and who’s worth the most. The best prospects on the o-line are guys who are right tackles or guards so teams aren’t dying to spend top end draft capital on guys they don’t think can play LT.
There should be plenty of Ohio St. guys going in round one and maybe as many as four of them in the top ten. The Giants and Bengals decided to shake up the top ten of the draft over the weekend when the Giants sent unhappy DT Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the tenth overall pick. Lawrence will be the best DT the Bengals have had since Geno Atkins. The Giants get a second top ten pick and that’s big for them. There isn’t a DT worth taking in there to replace Lawrence so I would think that would be a point of emphasis early on day two. Let’s look at the latest Mock Draft, it’s three rounds which is 100 picks.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14): Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana
There’s not much left to say about this pick. The Raiders need a QB and Mendoza is a great pick for Klint Kubiak’s offense. The Raiders did just sign Kirk Cousins to make sure they don’t have to rush Mendoza onto the field and if they don’t fix their offensive line, Cousins can take the hits for a while. Mendoza will start eventually, and by eventually, I do mean this season. He’s too good and Cousins doesn’t have that much left in the tank.
2. New York Jets (3-14): David Bailey Edge Texas Tech
Arvell Reese has been the conventional wisdom pick here for a while but that is starting to change. Reese isn’t a surefire edge rusher given his lack of play at that specific position. He’s a hybrid player and that leaves some doubt about where he’s best suited. Bailey is an edge rusher, and he has elite skills getting to the QB. He may not be the strongest run defender, but no one is drafting him to stop the run. He has double-digit sack ability, and he would fit the Jets defensive scheme quite well. I’ve been a big fan of Bailey from the start, and he has the ability to be the best edge rusher from this class.
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14): Arvell Reese LB Ohio St.
Reese is a freaky athlete and has LB skills and can be an excellent pass rusher. The issue is not knowing which one he’ll be best at and how quickly. He has the speed and athleticism to be a top pass rusher but he’s undersized for the role full-time. The Cardinals will need to decide quickly how they want to use him and have him focus on that position. If a team taking him isn’t committed to playing him at one spot, it could hurt his development. The Cardinals need playmakers on defense and using Reese as an edge rusher would give them one opposite Josh Sweat. While the Cardinals could go offensive line here, I believe their free agent pick ups of LG Issac Seumalo and RT Elijah Wilkinson means they don’t have to reach for an offensive lineman and they can take the best player on the board.
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14): Sonny Styles LB Ohio St.
There’s a lot of smoke out there about the Titans taking RB Jeremiah Love, and while Love is an excellent prospect, I don’t see Robert Saleh spending the fourth overall pick on a RB. The Titans defense still needs help and LB is a serious need. Cedric Gray and Cody Barton don’t remind anyone of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw or any of the other great LBs Saleh has coached. Sonny Styles is a freak athlete and could be an immediate starter. At 6’5 244 lbs. with 4.46 speed and a 43.5-inch vert, he’s a superhuman athlete. He can run, he can cover, he can tackle, and he can lead a defense from the middle LB spot. As much as I love Jeremiah Love as prospect, the RB position doesn’t offer the same impact Styles could have at LB.
5. New York Giants (4-13): Francis Mauigoa OT Miami
With the Giants having two top ten picks it opens up the possibility of them drafting Jeremiah Love if he’s here. However, they still need plenty of help on the offensive line and Mauigoa may be too good to pass up. He would become an immediate starter at RG over Daniel Faalele, the late free agent signing from Baltimore. Having Mauigoa lined up next to RT Jermaine Eluemunor would seriously upgrade that side of the line. Those two could really help the running game if Cam Skattebo is healthy all season. Mauigoa is also the eventual replacement at RT.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12): Monroe Freeling OT Georgia
I’m sticking to this pick because it just feels like something the Browns would do. Freeling is mostly potential at this point but he’s one of only a few guys I think can start at LT from this class and actually be good. He’s not a finished product but the Browns don’t care, they aren’t building for 2026. They’re looking to get a QB in the 2027 draft and giving Freeling a year of starting experience in the NFL at LT would be helpful for their future franchise QB. He can take his lumps while Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are back at QB to take the punishment. He might be a bust, but he also has the highest possible ceiling of all the offensive linemen in this class. The Browns have been terrible for a long time; they should take the chance on greatness.
7. Washington Commanders (5-12): Jeremiah Love RB Notre Dame
The Commanders return Bill Crosky-Merritt, and they signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, so they should definitely draft Love. Love is one of the three best prospects in this class, and the Commanders badly need an upgrade at RB. Love is better than the three guys they have at RB. He’s a three-down back who can carry the ball on early downs and be a devastating playmaker on third down. Pairing him in the backfield with QB Jayden Daniels would be an electric pair and the Commanders have a pretty solid offensive line to help Love in the run game.
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11): Carnell Tate WR Ohio St.
The Saints miss out on the three top edge rushers and while Mansoor Delane or Caleb Downs makes sense here, they look to help QB Tyler Shough. Tate is probably never going to be a true WR1, but he can be an excellent WR2 behind Chris Olave. He gives you a bigger body on the outside with real downfield potential and a true red zone threat. Shough showed great promise last season once he stepped in at QB and he has all the skills to take advantage of Olave and Tate. Having a couple of legitimate WRs would help Shough’s development and give the Saints offense a real boost.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11): Rueben Bain Jr. DE Miami
The Chiefs would be ecstatic if Bain falls to them here at nine overall. He’s a perfect fit for their defensive front and would be a welcome addition. Opposite George Karlaftis, they really don’t have anyone of note after letting Mike Danna go. DT Chris Jones has always been their most feared pass rusher, but he’s aging and at times he takes plays off. Bain has never taken a play off. He has a relentless motor, and he will wear an offensive line out by the end of a game. He doesn’t have the ideal measurables teams seek for a DE but he’s going to succeed in the NFL because he has no quit in him.
10. New York Giants (from Cin): Caleb Downs S Ohio St.
The Giants get this pick from Cincinnati, and they probably take the guy the Bengals would pick if they were here. Downs is too good to fall much farther in this draft and John Harbaugh, and his new defensive coordinator Dennard Walker know the value of a good safety. They have Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland, but the Ravens often ran a three safety look on defense and the Giants could look to do the same. Downs gives them options and Holland and Nubin are good athletes who should take well to the new Ravens-style defense being implemented in New York.
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10): Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee
The thought has been that with this whole Dolphins roster teardown that they would look to draft in the trenches and take an offensive lineman and start to rebuild up front. That would make sense, but Jermod McCoy has been the mystery box in this draft. After the 2024 season he looked like a surefire first-round CB, then he tore his ACL last January and missed the entire 2025 season. He hadn’t played or worked out until his private workout at the beginning of April. His knee has been the question about him, and he ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds, question answered. When he’s healthy, he’s the best CB prospect in the draft and he’s an elite talent. Jeff Hafley has a massive rebuild on his hands in Miami and taking the best player available is the right approach, that’s McCoy. It’s just a bonus that this team’s secondary is a dumpster fire.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1): Mansoor Delane CB LSU
This would be an optimal outcome for the Cowboys. Delane is one of the best players in this draft and happens to fill a need at CB for Dallas. They have DaRon Bland, who has been hurt often lately, and they signed Cobie Durant from the Rams. Durant is fine but he’s not stopping you from drafting someone better. They drafted Shavon Revel Jr. last season when he was recovering from an ACL tear, and he started to play at the end of the season. They will likely avoid McCoy if he falls just to avoid doing that again. However, Delane has no such issues. He’s not an elite athlete but his cover skills are excellent, and he could quickly become their best corner. They need upgrades on defense but there are no pass rushers or linebackers I would take over Delane if he’s still on the board.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona St.
I’m going to be upset if they take Makai Lemon after I changed my mock draft pick this late in the game after having Lemon here the whole time. Tyson has been a mystery because it’s not known what teams think or know about his injury issues. He certainly has a long injury history, and his hamstring injury has been keeping him from working out. The buzz has been that teams aren’t as worried about it as draft media is making it out to be. His skill set is impressive, and teams know he can be a difference maker on offense. The Rams have Devante Adams and Puka Nacua, but Adams is 34 and Nacua has some off field issues. Tyson has the highest upside of any WR in this draft, if he’s healthy, he has WR1 potential. Leave it up to Sean McVay and he’ll find the best way to use Tyson’s considerable skills.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9): Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
The Ravens need more playmakers on offense in the passing game. WR Zay Flowers is a good WR, but TE Mark Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman don’t scare anyone. Sadiq is a crazy athlete and while he wasn’t overly productive at Oregon from a stats perspective, he’s a threat with the ball in his hands. The Ravens lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency, so they need help at TE. Sadiq gives them a guy who can threaten downfield and he’s a good blocker on the move. He’s not an inline blocker but get him going downfield in the run game and he’s good. They need interior offensive line help and that’s a possibility here but I think Sadiq is too good to pass up, there will be plenty of interior offensive linemen available on day two.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE from TB): Olaivavega Ioane OG Penn St.
If Ioane gets past the Ravens (his most mocked draft slot), it’s completely within the realm of possibility the Steelers see too much value to let him slide farther. The Bucs don’t need Ioane, but they would like to pick up some extra picks, so they move down. Ioane would immediately step into the starting LG spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo, and he feels like a Steelers player. The Steelers have a history with some great interior offensive linemen and Ioane could be the next Alan Faneca.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Makai Lemon WR USC
The Jets offense has RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson and not many other playmakers. They can hope AD Mitchell figures it out at WR but he’s an outside receiver anyway. Lemon would come in and play mostly in the slot and give Geno Smith an excellent target over the middle of the field. Lemon isn’t very big at only 5’11 but he plays much bigger and stronger than his frame. He’s excellent at the catchpoint and would really open things up for Garrett Wilson. They signed a lot of free agents to fill holes on defense and they signed Dylan Parham to fill their need at LG. Lemon would give them some real juice on the offense as they build toward drafting a QB in 2027.
17. Detroit Lions (9-8): Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama
Proctor isn’t the surefire prospect he seemed to be going into the season last year. He’s 6’7 352 lbs. and moves like a man much lighter. He has all the power you want but lacks consistency in his game. He also has a tendency to let his weight creep up and that’s not good for him. Going to a team like Detroit with an excellent o-line coach in Hank Fraley and a head coach like Dan Campbell who will hold him accountable, would be best for Proctor. The Lions may be moving Penei Sewell to LT to replace Taylor Decker so Proctor could end up at RT and that’s fine, his profile fits well there. He gives them options because he could be a LT, or if all else fails, they could move him inside to OG and he could be dominant.
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8): Dillon Thieneman S Oregon
There have been many mock drafts that have Thieneman going off the board before this pick and while that’s possible, I just don’t see it. He’s a great athlete and good safety prospect but he’s still just a safety. That said, he’s a perfect fit in Minnesota. The Vikings have to replace Harrison Smith and to give Brian Flores the three safeties he likes to use. Thieneman can play wherever Flores wants him and his athleticism gives him the ability to fit everywhere.
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9): Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana
Cooper would be the third WR the Panthers have taken in the first round of the draft in three years. Unfortunately, the first one they took was Xavier Leggette and he’s been very underwhelming. Tetairoa McMillan was awesome as a rookie last season, and they love what Jalen Coker gives them too but the other spot needs work. Cooper has a perfect complementary skill set to put with McMillan and Coker and to give Bryce Young the best chance to succeed. He runs great routes, catches everything, and he gets extra yards after the catch.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Ahkeem Mesidor DE Miami
The Cowboys have Donovan Ezeiruaku coming back from an injury and they traded for Rashan Gary as their two outside pass rushers, that’s not ideal. No one knows Ezeiruaku’s prognosis and Gary has had a slow decline in the last few years. Mesidor will be a 25-year-old rookie who might be maxed out as a player but he’s pretty good right now. They aren’t looking for a developmental pass rusher; they want to win now. Mesidor can give them snaps immediately and he has versatility to move around up front if they mess with different fronts. I can make a compelling argument they should just take LB CJ Allen, but edge rusher is a more valuable position to fill at this point in round one.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE from Pitt): Keldric Faulk DE Auburn
The Bucs trade down and pick up extra draft capital because they don’t have any glaring needs. Even the places where they need help (edge, LB, defensive line), they picked up a number of veterans to fill gaps. Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL A’Shawn Robinson, DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, LB Alex Anzalone, and LB Christian Rozeboom, make it so those positions don’t need a rookie to come in and start. Faulk is a young player with great upside who could be a DE in their defense and eventually give them some pass rush. He would be an eventual replacement for what they lost in Logan Hall, and has a higher ceiling than Hall had.
22. New England Patriots (TRADE from LAC): TJ Parker DE Clemson
The Patriots are likely to trade for AJ Brown after June 1st when the salary cap issues are easier for the Eagles to handle. That would mean they are trading 2027 draft capital and hanging onto their picks here. They signed Dre’Mont Jones to be one edge rusher, but Harold Landry is still the other starter, and he’s aging and missed the end of last season with an injury. Parker had a tough year at Clemson, but he was still giving it his all even when the season was essentially over for the Tigers. Parker showed at the Senior Bowl that he still has great skill and gives great effort and that’s something Mike Vrabel will appreciate. The Patriots use some of their extra draft capital to move up to this spot to get ahead of teams like Philadelphia and Chicago who are also looking for edge rushers. The Chargers only have five picks, so they are happy to move down and get some extra picks.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Blake Miller OT Clemson
GM Howie Roseman is known for liking linemen in the first round of the draft and after the tough year the Eagles offensive line had, taking an offensive lineman feels right. RT Lane Johnson, LG Landon Dickerson, and C Cam Juergens all had injury issues last season. Miller was a four-year starter at Clemson and would be the heir apparent to Johnson on the right side. He isn’t the most physically gifted player, but he has more experience than any lineman in this draft. The Eagles changed offensive line coaches this off season so they can’t count on Jeff Stoutland to develop the next great Eagles’ lineman. Also, the scheme change for new OC Sean Mannion might require a different type of offensive lineman. Miller would be a solid choice and Roseman likes to take good players in round one.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jax): Denzel Boston WR Washington
The Browns are almost assuredly taking an OT and a WR in round one and here they get Monroe Freeling sixth overall and Denzel Boston at 24. This feels like the better outcome than taking Carnell Tate sixth and then settling for an OT here. Boston doesn’t have elite speed, but he has great size, an incredible contested catch ability, and he profiles like a WR1. The Browns need someone who can make plays at WR as Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman aren’t scaring anyone. I like this move for the Browns but it’s not great for Boston’s development. Playing with either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson as his QB isn’t going to help him much. He’s going to have to wait until they draft a QB in 2027 before his career can take off. If I were Boston I might fake a hamstring injury for the year.
25. Chicago Bears (11-6): Zion Young DE Missouri
I haven’t been a “Zion Young in the first round” guy but it’s hard to find the right fit for the Bears. None of the LT’s profile as immediate upgrades over the guys they have now. DT is a less than stellar position in the first round, it’s better saved for later. The Bears have a certain profile they want at DE for Dennis Allen and Young fits it perfectly. He’s 6’6 262 lbs. and plays with the power Allen wants. He sets the edge in the run game and while he isn’t the bendiest athlete, he can get to the QB. Dayo Odeyingbo is coming off an injury, and they need a guy to start, Young can start.
26. Buffalo Bills (12-5): Kayden McDonald DT Ohio St.
I’m not coming off this pick. The Bills have to be better against the run and while they should consider LB CJ Allen here, if they aren’t better at NT, the LBs won’t matter. They can’t seriously think Deone Walker, at 6’7, is a good idea there and TJ Sanders and Ed Oliver are at least 30 lbs. too light to be the NT. Moving to a 3-4 defense is a major adjustment and if you don’t have a NT, you’re screwed. McDonald changes your entire run defense on his own. He may not get to the QB very much, but he’ll anchor the middle of your defense, he won’t give an inch to the offense, and he’ll make your LBs much more effective. And those LBs should come later in this draft.
27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): Caleb Lomu OT Utah
Trent Williams will be 38 next year and while he’s still playing at a high level and they just gave him a new extension, he can’t play forvever. They have some expensive players already in QB Brock Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, DE Nick Bosa, and LB Fred Warner, all of whom are much younger than Williams. Replacing Williams will not be easy but Lomu has a chance to be a very good LT. He’s still young and he needs to fill out his frame and gain strength, but he moves well and would fit in San Franscisco’s offense quite well. They could try him at LG until Williams moves on and then they have their LT of the future.
28. Houston Texans (12-5): CJ Allen LB Georgia
The Texans top two LBs, Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’o To’o, could both be free agents in 2027 and Al-Shaair will be 29 next season. CJ Allen would be an excellent replacement at MLB, and no one knows the value of a great MLB like DeMeco Ryans. Allen is a pure middle or inside LB and he’s a hammer looking to do some damage to ball carriers. He’s got experience as a starter at a top program and if they draft him this year, he’ll have a year to learn the system and then can step in as starter next year. This team is getting expensive and re-signing the LBs might be too expensive and a place where they can save some money.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Max Iheanachor OT Arizona St.
The Chiefs have Jaylon Moore who can fill the RT role for this season but he’s on the last year of his contract. Iheanachor is a raw prospect who needs some time to develop. The Chiefs have taken raw OT prospects before, and it hasn’t been a rousing success so they may not want to go down that road again. However, Iheanachor is a scary physical specimen, and he’s only been playing football for a few years. If he can develop his skills, he and Josh Simmons could be a great OT duo for Patrick Mahomes for years.
30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver): Malachi Lawrence Edge UCF
The Dolphins are almost a blank slate and while they do have Chop Robinson as one edge rusher, they are lacking opposite him. They signed Josh Uche and David Ojabo in free agency but neither of them will keep the team from drafting an edge rusher. Lawrence has been a late riser after a great combine workout. He’s athletic and long and has loads of potential. The Dolphins have to hit big on some players and that means taking some chances. They took CB Jermod McCoy earlier in this draft, if his knee is fine, he’s a potential Pro Bowl CB. Lawrence is going to take some time to develop but this team has the time to give him. They can ease him in with the veterans they have ahead of him, Uche and Ojabo, and hope he eventually becomes an elite pass rusher.
31. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from NE): Keylan Rutledge OG Georgia Tech
There’s always going to be one guy that goes in round one that no one is really talking about and my pick is Rutledge. No one really talks about guards anyway, but Rutledge has been under the radar as guys like Chase Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, and even Genning Dunker have gotten more hype. Rutledge was awesome at Georgia Tech last season, and he would fit quite nicely at LG in Mike McDaniel’s offense. Some teams have even asked Rutledge to work out as a center so he would give them some flexibility in case something happens to Tyler Biadasz. This also feels very much like a Jim Harbaugh pick.
32. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE from Seattle): Ty Simpson QB Alabama
There are two certainties in the first round of this draft; Fernando Mendoza is going first overall and Seattle is going to trade the 32nd pick. The Seahawks have four draft picks, and they can pick up a late rounder from Arizona to drop down two spots to 34 overall. The Cardinals give up a late round pick to move up two spots to get Simpson at QB and with the last pick of round one they get the future fifth-year option on the QB. Simpson is not a sure thing but he’s better than what they have. Current projected starter Jacoby Brissett wants more money to be the starter, but the Cardinals could trade him away to get back a late round pick and go with Simpson and Gardner Minshew at QB. If Simpson is bad, you can keep him as your back up and try for a QB again in 2027. It’s a small move with a lot of upside if you hit on the QB pick, and not a lot of downside if he’s not good enough. Even if it’s not the Cardinals moving up for Simpson, the Seahawks will be auctioning this pick off to anyone for an extra draft pick in this draft.
Round 2
33. New York Jets: Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
The Jets have Demario Davis, a 37-year-old free agent they signed, and Jamien Sherwood, a guy I’m not sure they like any more at LB. Rodriguez isn’t the biggest or fastest LB but he’s really good.
34. Seattle (from Arizona): Cashius Howell Edge Texas A&M
The Seahawks lost Boye Mafe in free agency this off season and Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall are both free agents after this season. Demarcus Lawerence will be 34 and this team counts on waves of pass rushers to make their defense work. Howell is undersized but he’s a blur off the edge and he would be great as a part of a rotation.
35. Tennessee: KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M
I’ll actually be surprised if Concepcion makes it to round two but here he is. He’s an elite playmaker and the Titans could use one of those at WR. He’s bigger and better than Wandale Robinson and he could replace Calvin Ridley as the deep threat. He’s not the biggest WR and he needs to work on his drops, but he would fill a need for Cam Ward.
36. Las Vegas: Christen Miller DT Georgia
The Raiders spent a lot of money on LBs Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to improve their defense, especially against the run. If they don’t improve the DT spot it will be money wasted. Miller is a run-stuffing demon and would make the investment that much more worthwhile. Miller is an underrated prospect, and he would start immediately in Vegas.
37. New York Giants: Caleb Banks DT Florida
The Giants take a risk here to try to replace Dexter Lawrence with one of the most intriguing DT prospects in the draft. Banks is a 6’6 332 lbs. freak who’s an impressive athlete but has foot injury issues. Big men and bad feet are not a great combination, but Banks is worth the risk, he has All-Pro potential if he’s healthy.
38. Houston: Peter Woods DT Clemson
The Texans have one of the best defenses around and it starts up front. DT Sheldon Rankins has been one of their good interior players. Rankins is an undersized DT who penetrates and disrupts, that’s exactly what Woods is good at. Rankins is 32 so getting a younger version would be a smart move.
39. Cleveland: Aveion Terrell CB Clemson
Terrell is an excellent cover man but he’s undersized and he ran his 40 in the 4.6 range which is going to hurt his stock a bit. Here he comes in as the slot corner and that’s a good place for him to start. This defense should still be good and Terrell will help them.
40. Kansas City: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo
I have McNeil-Warren falling a bit because he’s not as polished as you might think and he’s not as great in coverage as you would want. He’s got great size, great athleticism, and he’s a menace coming downhill. Steve Spagnuolo will understand how to use him and he’s excellent value for the Chiefs who are looking for help in the secondary.
41. Cincinnati: Keionte Scott DB Miami
Scott won’t be for everyone but he’s perfect for what Cincinnati needs. They were awful against the run last season and even traded the 10th pick to get DT Dexter Lawrence. Scott is a nickel back who is truly impressive against the run. The Bengals young LBs struggled to stop the run last season so getting a guy like Scott to be the fifth DB would really help. He doesn’t look like a guy who stops the run because he’s not overly big, but he tackles well and hits like a tank. The Bengals need to improve their defense, Scott does that.
42. New Orleans: Chris Johnson CB San Diego St.
Johnson isn’t the most physically impressive CB but he’s an excellent cover man. He can play zone or man and he isn’t afraid to get involved in run defense. The Saints need to replace Alontae Taylor and Johnson is a plug-and-play starter.
43. Miami: Chase Bisontis OG Texas A&M
The Dolphins signed Jamaree Salyer, but he really should be a backup player so Bisontis can come in and start at RG. He has good size and he even played some RT early in his college career. Upgrading the line for Malik Willis would be a smart move.
44. New York Jets: Brandon Cisse CB South Carolina
The Jets have Nahshon Wright on a one-year deal and Brandon Stephens could be a cap casualty as he turns 30 next year. Cisse could give them a guy who can play some this year and then step into a bigger role in 2027, this team is building for 2027.
45. Baltimore: Gennings Dunker OL Iowa
The Ravens offensive line needs plenty of help on the interior. The organization has had a lot of luck with interior offensive linemen from Iowa, Tyler Linderbaum and Marshall Yanda were great players for the Ravens. Dunker was a RT who will move inside to RG, John Simpson can play LG, and they can draft a center later.
46. Tampa Bay: Anthony Hill Jr. LB Texas
The Bucs lost Lavonte David to retirement and while they signed Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, those two are short-term solutions. Hill is a great athlete and a very intelligent LB. He has experience and he would be a great investment for the long term.
47. Indianapolis: Gabe Jacas DE Illinois
The Colts need some help up front evidenced by the fact they signed Arden Key at DE and he might start. Jacas is a brute up front and will be a nice complement opposite Latu Laiatu.
48. Atlanta: Dominique Orange NT Iowa St.
The Falcons traded former second-round pick DT Ruke Orhorhoro for Jaguars former second-round pick DT Maason Smith, that didn’t solve a thing. This team desperately needs a real NT, that’s Orange. He plugs the middle like a NT should and that’s well worth this pick.
49. Minnesota: Germie Bernard WR Alabama
The Vikings lost Jalen Nailor in free agency and Jordan Addison isn’t the picture of consistency. Bernard is nothing if not consistent, you can set your watch by him. He runs precise routes, blocks in the run game, and catches everything you throw to him. He isn’t flashy but he’s effective.
50. Detroit: Colton Hood CB Tennessee
The Lions keep investing at the CB position and sooner or later it will pay off. Terrion Arnold hasn’t been great, DJ Reed is getting older, and the secondary is generally banged up. Hood is a great athlete who likes to play physical and he would fit a Dan Campbell team just fine.
51. Carolina: Treydan Stukes DB Arizona
Stukes is long and lean, and he can play in the nickel or be the deep safety which would make a good match with Trevor Moehrig. The Panthers could stand to have a ball hawking player in the back end to get some turnovers. Stukes might go higher than this.
52. Green Bay: Chris McClellan DT Missouri
The Packers need help at DT and McClellan would be a good fit as a rotational DT who can line up at any spot. They are so desperate for help they signed Javon Hargrave; that’s not a great sign. There are more well-known DT on the board, but McClellan is a very talented player.
53. Pittsburgh: Antonio Williams WR Clemson
Williams is a slot merchant and would be a great addition to WR corps with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr on the outside. He’s quick, shifty, and can make moves inside to break away. If Aaron Rodgers is the QB next season, he would appreciate Williams in the slot.
54. Philadelphia: De’Zhaun Stribling WR Ole Miss
If the Eagles are planning on trading AJ Brown in June, grabbing this Ole Miss WR would make some sense. Stribling has great physical tools as a downfield threat, but he needs a little more development. They signed Hollywood Brown and traded for Dontayvion Wicks to play behind DeVonta Smith so they can give Stribling some time to get acclimated.
55. LA Chargers: AJ Haulcy SS LSU
The Chargers have 34-year-old Tony Jefferson slated to start at SS. Jesse Minter did some wonderful magic with the Chargers secondary last year, but he’s gone and it is worth upgrading the talent for the new DC. Haulcy is a game wrecker and can create some havoc in the secondary.
56. Jacksonville: Jake Golday LB Cincinnati
It will be a bit of a learning curve for Golday as he will have to become more of a traditional LB if he ends up in Jacksonville. He played a bit of a hybrid position in college, but he has all the skills to be an excellent LB. They need to replace Devin Lloyd and that’s a tall order.
57. Chicago: Skyler Bell WR UConn
Trading away DJ Moore opens more playing time for Luther Burden III but you still need three WRs in today’s game and Khalif Raymond isn’t one of them. Bell can play in the slot or outside so he and Burden would make a nice pair who can move around the formation. He’s highly productive and would be a useful player immediately.
58. San Francisco: Chris Bell WR Louisville
The 49ers signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk at WR to fill the holes on the roster, those are fine for this year, but they aren’t long-term solutions. Bell is coming off a torn ACL so he may not play much this year, they don’t need him too. He has WR1 potential and spending the year learning from Mike Evans can’t be a bad thing.
59. Houston: Emmanuel Pregnon OG Oregon
Houston signed Wyatt Teller from Cleveland as a stopgap at LG. He’ll be 32 this season and he’s not a long-term option. This team has had some interior o-line issues, so Pregnon is a smart investment.
60. Chicago: Josiah Trotter LB Missouri
The Bears cut Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards is coming off an injury, so the LB spot is a little thin. Devin Bush isn’t a great answer, and Trotter is a beast against the run. The best description I’ve heard of Trotter’s play is he’s a hammer looking for a nail. He’s not great in coverage but he’s a run-stuffing savant.
61. LA Rams: Lee Hunter NT Texas Tech
The Rams love what Poona Ford does for them at NT but he’s 31 and can’t play forever. Hunter is a run-stuffing NT only, he brings almost nothing as a pass rusher but that’s fine. Hunter struggles to stay low and use leverage, give him a season to learn it from a guy who only survives because of his leverage, Ford.
62. Denver: R Mason Thomas Edge Oklahoma
The Broncos have apparently moved Jonah Ellis from edge rusher to LB, so they need a third edge rusher to go with Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto. Thomas’ biggest issue is he’s a very undersized pass rusher. That’s not a problem for Denver, that’s all they have.
63. New England: Caleb Tiernan OT Northwestern
Tiernan started for three years at LT at Northwestern after starting his first year at RT. He has great height, but it doesn’t translate to great length. He might be best suited to be a guard but for this season he would back up at LT, RT, and LG and give the Patriots some depth they don’t have. He may be Morgan Moses’ eventual replacement at RT.
64. Seattle: Jadarian Price RB Notre Dame
If Seattle holds on to this pick this would be the smart move. They need a RB and Price has starter ability. He played behind Jeremiah Love at Notre Dame, so his legs are fresh. He could hold down the starting job until Zach Charbonnet is healthy, although nothing says he would give it up once Charbonnet is back.
Round 3
65. Arizona: Darrell Jackson Jr. NT Florida St.
The Cardinals have Roy Lopez and Andrew Billings as their NTs, they could use an upgrade. Jackson is a big man in the middle.
66. Tennessee: Sam Hecht C Kansas St.
I think round three is where the run on centers gets going. Might as well start it here. Tennessee signed Austin Schlottmann in free agency, that doesn’t make me feel good.
67. Las Vegas: De’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana
Ponds is far too good to fall this far but he’s very undersized. The Raiders could use him in the slot behind Taron Johnson, who will be 30 this year. Or they could use him outside instead of Darien Porter, replacing a really tall CB with the really short CB.
68. Philadelphia: Max Klare TE Ohio St.
The Eagles brought Dallas Goedert back on a one-year deal. He’s aging so they find the closest thing they can to him in this draft, that’s Max Klare.
69. Houston: Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt
The Texans have Dalton Schultz at TE and not much else. Schultz is a solid TE but he’s not a weapon. Stowers is an elite athlete who is a passing game weapon, he can’t block to save his life, but the Texans can have other TEs do that. Stowers is dynamic in the passing game.
70. Cleveland: Jake Slaughter C Florida
Todd Monken will run a hybrid type of blocking scheme and Slaughter can handle that. He can also start immediately at center which means Elgton Jenkins can play guard. With Jenkins and Zion Johnson at the guard spots, Slaughter’s lack of size is offset a little.
71. Washington: Malachi Fields WR Notre Dame
This team has Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey behind Terry McLaurin, so they need WR help. Fields isn’t a burner but he’s a big-bodied ball winner who gives them a different dimension. I like him better than Chris Brazzell II.
72. Cincinnati: Gracen Halton DT Oklahoma
The Bengals have added Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen at DT to go with BJ Hill and TJ Slaton. Lawrence, Allen, and Hill are all on the wrong side of 30 and none of these guys are elite interior pass rushers unless Lawrence can get back to doing that. Halton is undersized but these other guys make up for that, Halton gives them a different skill set.
73. New Orleans: Derrick Moore Edge Michigan
The Saints need to get younger on defense and after adding CB Chris Johnson in round two, they get a pass rusher to pair with Chase Young here. Moore is a solid player all around and will be a nice addition to the defense.
74. Kansas City: Keith Abney II CB Arizona St.
The Chiefs need some new blood at CB and Steve Spagnuolo loves a good mid-round CB prospect. Abney is a little on the short side but he’s a fighter and Spags will love his toughness.
75. Miami: Jalen Kilgore DB South Carolina
Kilgore is an excellent athlete who mostly played in the nickel this last season. He could be a safety or a nickelback. If someone is going to take a chance on his upside it might as well be Jeff Hafley in Miami.
76. Pittsburgh: Zxavian Harris DT Ole Miss
Harris is a 6’8 330 lbs. behemoth who is built to play DE in a 3-4 defense. Cameron Heyward is going to be 37 this season and they don’t have a ton of depth at DE.
77. Tampa Bay: Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
Tampa Bay picked up an extra third in my mock trade from round one (#99 overall) so they use their own third round pick to grab a young QB. Baker Mayfield is coming off a rough year, he’s heading towards a new contract, and he just turned 31. Nussmeier came into the season as a potential first-round pick but had a rough year because of injury. The Bucs have Jake Browning as their backup; Nussmeier would be a solid investment.
78. Indianapolis: Keyshaun Elliott LB Arizona St.
The Colts have no LBs to speak of and Elliott was a two-year starter at ASU at MLB. He has the type of experience you need to step right into the starting lineup and hit the ground running.
79. Atlanta: Keyron Crawford Edge Auburn
The Falcons may be looking at a future without James Pearce Jr. as he faces serious criminal charges. They need a pass rusher opposite Jalon Walker. Crawford was the guy jumping off the film when people were scouting Keldric Faulk.
80. Baltimore: Connor Lew C Auburn
Baltimore’s offense is going to change a bit, and they may want a center with a little more size and Lew is a bit bigger than Logan Jones. He can be used in more blocking schemes so he’s the pick here.
81. Jacksonville: Tyler Onyedim DT Texas A&M
The Jaguars starting DTs are Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton, both are on the wrong side of father time. Onyedim isn’t a big body but he’s a penetrating tackle who could take some pass rush snaps and help Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker get free.
82. Minnesota: Jaishawn Barham Edge Michigan
Barham has played as a traditional LB and as an edge rusher and I think Brian Flores would like his skills for his defense. The team is looking to trade Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkle is getting older. They need a long-term running mate for Dallas Turner.
83. Carolina: Drew Allar QB Penn St.
I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Panthers signed Kenny Pickett and traded Andy Dalton away, they want someone who could step in if Bryce Young faulters. Allar has all the physical tools of an NFL QB and getting coaching from a guy like Dave Canales might just unlock something.
84. Green Bay: Mike Washington Jr. RB Arkansas
The Packers have to get someone to give Josh Jacobs a break, and they simply have no one right now. Washington is a big guy with great speed and would fit into their run blocking very well. He’s not a great third-down back but Jacobs can handle that, give Washington some of the early carries to save the wear and tear on Jacobs.
85. Pittsburgh: Markell Bell OT Miami
Bell is a huge man at nearly 6’9 346 lbs. but he carries it well. LT Broderick Jones has been a disappointment and he’s dealing with a neck injury. Bell isn’t a surefire starting LT but he’s the best bet here. He started for Miami so he’s used to playing with the big boys. There would be some bumps in the road but he might end up better than what they have gotten out of Jones.
86. LA Chargers: Romello Height Edge Texas Tech
Height is an undersized pass rusher who is going to struggle against the run in the NFL. Luckily the Chargers only need him as a designated pass rusher. Khalil Mack still handles the heavy lifting on run downs.
87. Miami: Chris Brazzell II WR Tennessee
The Dolphins WR corps looks like the cast of the Smurfs. They need some size on the outside and a deep threat and that’s Brazzell’s calling card. He’s not an advanced route runner, thank the Tennessee offense for that, but you can’t teach a guy to be 6’5 and run a 4.37 40-yard dash.
88. Jacksonville: Travis Burke OT Memphis
Burke is a giant human who will need some coaching to keep his pad level down and not lose leverage. The Jaguars have their starting OTs for now, but Cole Van Lanen and Anton Harrison are not exactly a Pro Bowl pairing. A developmental OT in round three is solid.
89. Chicago: Zakee Wheatley S Penn St.
The Bears overhauled their entire safety group and they still need help. Wheatley would give them a good athlete who can cover and that seems to be their way they want to go.
90. Miami: Bud Clark S TCU
The overhaul of the secondary continues. This gives them a CB1 in Jermod McCoy, a big nickel player who could be a SS in Jalen Kilgore and now a deep safety, Bud Clark. Jeff Hafley should be smiling.
91. Buffalo: Dani Dennis-Sutton Edge Penn St.
The Bills have Greg Rosseau, Bradley Chubb, and Michael Hoecht at edge rusher, they are all 260+ lbs., the Bills have a type. Dennis-Sutton fits the mold and if Chubb’s injury history repeats itself, they will need another pass rusher.
92. Dallas: Kaleb Elarms-Orr LB TCU
Elarms-Orr is a very athletic LB with plenty of snaps under his belt. The Cowboys desperately need LB help and he’s the best one left on the board.
93. LA Rams: Logan Jones C Iowa
Jones only falls this far because he’s an undersized center who doesn’t fit everyone’s scheme. He fits perfectly in LA for the Rams who already start an aging, undersized center in Coleman Shelton. They can get away with it because their guards, Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, are gigantic. Jones takes Shelton’s job in week 1.
94. Miami: Sam Roush TE Stanford
The Dolphins have Greg Dulcich at TE, in other words, they need a TE. Roush is a true Y TE which means he can line up and block. He is also a solid pass catcher, he can do it all for the offense.
95. New England: Oscar Delp TE Georgia
The Patriots have Hunter Henry, who is aging, and just signed Julian Hill, who is mostly a blocking TE. Delp isn’t great at anything in particular but he’s a great athlete. They can afford to develop him over the next year behind the guys they have, his ceiling is pretty high.
96. Seattle: Kage Casey OL Boise St.
Casey was a LT at Boise St. but he’ll move inside in the NFL. If he can replace Anthony Bradford at RG, he will be a Seahawks fan favorite. His best spot might be at center, and they should try him there too.
97. Minnesota: Emmett Johnson RB Nebraska
Playing Aaron Jones every week is like driving a car with 200,000 miles on it. Every time you start it you hope it gets you where you’re going. Johnson has a similar skill set to Jones as a good zone runner and a guy with excellent hands. He doesn’t look like much but he’s really damn good, again, like Jones.
98: Philadelphia: Jalen Farmer OG Kentucky
Farmer is a big, physical guard who would give the Eagles some solid depth behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen. Dickerson hasn’t been the picture of health so Farmer might even get to play some.
99. Tampa Bay (TRADE from Pitt): Diego Pounds OT Ole Miss
Pounds is a big guy with long arms, and he should be able to be the swing tackle for the Bucs. They found themselves short-handed last year when injuries struck and had to move C Graham Barton to OT, not ideal. Pounds could also be competition at OG if needed.
100. Jacksonville: VJ Payne DB Kansas St.
VJ Payne is a big defensive back at 6’3 and while he was a safety at Kansas St., he could be a big nickel or even an outside guy in the NFL. The Jaguars need help at safety and taking a versatile piece like Payne makes sense.
The Hott Read 