Just my thoughts from day two (rounds 2 &3). 

• The Bills traded from the last pick of round one (#32) to the first pick of round two (#33) and stole the WR I wanted for the Patriots, Keon Coleman.  Coleman was the guy I mocked to the Bills in my early mock drafts in round one, apparently, they did like him.  He’s going to be good.
• Once Coleman was gone the Patriots moved down from 34 to 37 giving the Chargers a chance to move up to get the WR they wanted, Ladd McConkey.  He’s the perfect Jim Harbaugh WR, he’s tough but not flashy.  McConkey is a good player but I’m glad the Patriots passed, I think he might be redundant with Demario Douglas already in the slot. 
• The Falcons continue to boggle the mind by trading up in round two to take a DT but instead of taking Jer’Zhan Newton, they took Ruke Orhorhoro.  Newton is a plug-and-play guy and Orhorhoro is a project, also, this team has bigger needs than DT depth.  The Falcons are confounding. 
• Washington isn’t a team with a dire need at DT either with Jonathan Allen and DaRon Payne but at least they took Newton is was just too good to pass up.  Allen is also going to be 29 and is pretty expensive so Newton was great value and this team just needs talent. 
• The Patriots come around at 37 and take WR Ja’Lynn Polk, one of My Guys.  I love this pick.  There were a lot of WRs still available but I love Polk for Drake Maye’s sake.  Polk is a ball winner, he catches everything.  Maye won’t have to be perfect with his placement because Polk has a huge catch radius.  He’s not the biggest, or the fastest guy, he’s just a pure receiver.  He’s going to be a better pro than some of the WRs from round one. 
• The Titans took DT T’Vondre Sweat.  A guy who admitted he “used to” party too much but he was over that, and then got a DUI three weeks ago.  This isn’t going to end well.
• The Rams must have loved the Florida St. defensive line film because they took Jared Verse in round one and then traded up to take his teammate DT Braden Fiske.  He’s not great but he’s solid. 
• Finally, the Eagles ended the nightmare when they traded up and took Cooper DeJean with the 40^th pick overall.  They took CB Quinyon Mitchell in round one and moved up to get DeJean, clearly Howie Roseman wasn’t going to let the team endure the terrible secondary they had last season again.  DeJean is going to play all over Vic Fangio’s defensive backfield and Fangio is going to love DeJean’s football IQ.  Amazing value for the Eagles and I think a very good landing spot for DeJean.
• That pick started a run on CBs.  Kool-Aid McKinstry goes to the Saints, Kamari Lassiter to the Texans, and Max Melton to the Cardinals.  McKinstry gets a good situation with Marshon Lattimore as the #1 CB with Paulson Adebo entering the last year of his contract.  Lassiter is a small CB with slow timed speed but he’s a smart football player going to play for DeMeco Ryans.  If anyone gets the best out of Lassiter, it’s Ryans.  Melton looks the part of a good CB and he will get every chance to start because Arizona’s secondary is terrible.
• The Raiders steal Jackson Powers-Johnson and he’s an immediate starting guard for them. They followed that up with taking OT Delmar Glaze from Maryland in round three.  Glaze can compete to start at RT for them so they did a very nice job adding to the offensive line. 
• The Packers took uber-athlete Edgerrin Cooper to go with Quay Walker at LB, he’s raw but talented.  The also took S Javon Bullard from Georgia who can also help Xavier McKinney in the middle of the field.  Their choice of RB Marshawn Lloyd from USC in round three was great.  I like Lloyd as a better backup to Josh Jacobs than even AJ Dillon.  Lloyd does everything well. 
• The Panthers traded up to get RB Jonathan Brooks from Texas.  Brooks tore his ACL in November so it’s no guarantee he’s ready to go to start the season.  Once he’s healthy, he’s a great back but I’m not sure how much he helps this year.  They also took LB Trevin Wallace in round three, he’s going to have to sit and learn, he’s a great athlete with not great instincts. 
• The Giants took S Tyler Nubin in round two and CB Andru Phillips in round three, awesome job.  Those two will really help a secondary that needs it. 
• I gave Trent Baalke credit for getting Brian Thomas Jr. in round one, he was a steal.  Apparently, Baalke wanted to get back into my bad graces because he took DT Maason Smith, a good athlete but not a great player in round two and then CB Jarrian Jones in round three.  Jones is another athlete without any refined skills.  These guys aren’t difference makers. 
• The Bengals took DT Kris Jenkins from Michigan, he’s a going to be a more productive pro than he was at Michigan.  He’s good.  They also took NT McKinley Jackson, a true nose tackle to replace DJ Reader.  He’s a nice complement to Jenkins.  Between those picks they took a flyer on WR Jermain Burton. Burton is a supremely talented WR who has serious character issues.  The Bengals have never shied away from those guys but Burton can be a headcase on the field.  He’s been referred to as “uncoachable” by several different coaches. 
• Washington was a team with a ton of second day picks and they followed the Jer’Zhan Newton pick up with some really good football players.  CB Mike Sanristil is going to be one of the best nickel backs in the league.  The took TE Ben Sinnott who is just a tough, athletic guys who can play all over and will a tone setter.  OT Brandon Coleman is a big dude who moves well and has a legitimate shot at the LT job.  They finished off day two with WR Luke McCaffrey, Christian’s little brother.  He hasn’t been a WR very long so he’s still learning but he could fill the Curtis Samuel role on this offense and maybe even stay healthy long enough to play in actual games. 
• The Steelers might just be acing this draft.  After taking Troy Fautanu in round one they got C Zach Frazier in round two.  Now Fautanu is clearly staying at OT because Frazier is going to be a day one starter at center and he’s going to be the perfect Steelers’ center.  WR Roman Wilson in round three is highway robbery.  This team regularly drafts day two WRs who are awesome, Wilson will continue the trend.  Finally, they took LB Payton Wilson, an incredibly athletic LB with great speed and a questionable medical history.  He may not have long career but he’ll be a good ILB for the Steelers and they need more than just Patrick Queen there. 
• The Colts took the risk on Adonai Mitchell who fell to 52^nd overall.  It’s a risk worth taking for a guy whose skillset complements Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.  If he hits, he can be a true #1 WR, if not, they still have Alec Pierce.
• The Dolphins followed up the Chop Robinson pick in round one with a raw OT prospect Patrick Paul from Houston.  He could replace Terron Armstead someday. 
• Dallas took Tyler Guyton late in round one, a worthy choice.  In round two they took DE Marshawn Kneeland at 56 and he could be a steal, even if he isn’t a star someday, he’s a nice pickup.  Then they got Cooper Beebe in round three.  Beebe mostly played guard but I think there is a good chance he wins the center job next season and if he does, they just got two starting offensive lineman, that’s really good for them.  The choice of LB Marist Liufau was terrible, that was a massive reach, he’s more like a 6^th round pick. 
• Tampa Bay took DE Chris Braswell, he fits their scheme well.  S Tykee Smith is a solid nickel back for their defense.  Then they took one of my other favorite guys WR Jalen McMillen.  It’s a little unfortunate for him because they have Chris Godwin in the slot so McMillen won’t get a lot of playing time right away but if they have to move off of Godwin for salary purposes at some point, they have a great replacement. 
• The Texans were part of the run on CBs earlier with Kamari Lassiter but they followed up with OT Blake Fisher and then S Calen Bullock in round three.  Fisher has some talent and with RT Titus Howard hurt so often Fisher is a nice addition, he could take Howard’s job if Howard misses too much time.  Bullock missed a lot of tackles at USC but USC’s defense was atrocious and he has a ton of physical skill.  Maybe DeMeco Ryans teaches him how to take the correct angle and actually wrap a guy up and Bullock becomes a much better player. 
• The Lions followed up their great Terrion Arnold pick in round one with another CB Ennis Rakestraw in round two.  I’m not a big Rakestraw fan but he’s a scrappy player who plays with an attitude and he just went to the perfect team for him.  He won’t have to be a starter in Detroit and his mentality fits right in.  If Rakestraw is going to be a good pro, it’s because he’s going to the right place. 
• The Ravens came back around in round two and found their starting RT.  Roger Rosengarten wasn’t talked about much because he was overshadowed on an amazing Washington offense in college but he’s a good RT.  He protected Michael Penix’s blindside since Penix is a lefty.  Rosengarten will be fine starting immediately.  They also took edge rusher Adisa Isaac, the Penn St. pass rusher who was actually a good pass rusher, imagine that.  I expect Isaac to have more sacks in Baltimore next season than Chop Robinson has in Miami. 
• I hated the Chiefs trade up for WR Xavier Worthy in round one.  I love their trade up for Kingsley Suiamataia in round two.  He’s not a finished product but playing for Andy Reid and playing with Patrick Mahomes will be the best thing for him. 
• The Jets started off round three with WR Malachi Corley.  He’s the perfect complementary piece to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, the question is; will Aaron Rodgers ever look to him?  He’s a really good run after the catch player, that offense could use that. 
• The Cardinals had a crapload of picks after their two first rounders.  After CB Max Melton, who came in the run of CBs, they took; RB Trey Benson, G Isaiah Adams, TE Tip Reiman, and CB Elijah Jones. I love the Benson pick.  He’s a perfect pairing with James Connor.  Benson isn’t an every down back but he has the speed and burst to take any carry to the house, unlike Connor who’s a grinder.  Isaiah Adams can start immediately at guard and he makes their line better.  TE Tip Reiman is a big, physical blocking TE, the perfect player opposite Trey McBride.  Jones isn’t a guy I would think could start for a team but this is the Cardinals secondary we’re talking about, he’s at least going to play. 
• The Chargers finally fulfilled the Jim Harbaugh connection by drafting LB Junior Colson in round three.  Colson is a steal in round three because he’s an immediate starter at LB and he’s almost assuredly the play caller on defense.  He already knows the defense after being the MLB for Jesse Minter’s defense at Michigan last year.  He’s the best LB on the team and they need his tackling to sure up their weak run defense.  Outstanding pick and he might be my early frontrunner for defensive rookie of the year. 

That’s my wrap up of day two.  The third day of the draft will bring some fun players into the NFL and some good stories.  I expect P Tory Taylor, DT Logan Lee, and TE Erick All to be drafted from the Hawkeyes.  I wouldn’t mind seeing the Patriots double up at WR by drafting Troy Franklin or Devontez Walker to get some deep speed on the team and then they can cut Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster to make room. They can also grab another OT like Christian Jones and I wouldn’t complain. They should take a TE to backup Hunter Henry because he gets banged up and I don’t trust Austin Hooper.  Ja’Tavion Sanders has slipped or Erick All would be a nice pickup late. 

Some of the guys I’m watching to see where they go today because they are good or interesting players.  CB TJ Tampa, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, QB Spencer Rattler, QB Michael Pratt, WR Malik Washington, WR Brenden Rice, and RB Cody Schrader.  I’ll get to my team break downs as soon as possible after the draft concludes.    

Well, you can’t say that wasn’t interesting.  Six QBs in the top 12, a stunning pick at eight overall, and 14 straight offensive players to start the draft.  After my five mock draft and the billions of other mocks people did across the internet, we all got the top four right, we should have known the fifth pick, and then at eight, it got weird.  Let’s take a look.

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams     QB     USC

The Bears just drafted the best QB in franchise history (I know, I said the same thing about Justin Fields three years ago, it was true then too).  The difference is Williams is about to lead the best Bears offense ever because he has help and his coordinator is an actual coordinator and not Luke Getsy. 

2. Washington Commanders:  Jayden Daniels     QB    LSU

The Heisman trophy winner becomes the face of the franchise for the new and improved Washington team.  He’s going to be running for his life if they don’t draft some lineman but he won’t be boring.  Thank you, Adam Peters, for this next pick.

3. New England Patriots:  Drake Maye     QB     North Carolina

I was so bummed when the Patriots ended up with the third pick because I thought they had blown their chance at getting Maye, instead they get the steal of the draft.  He’s everything Mac Jones wasn’t.  He’s a leader, he has all the physical tools to be a star, and I can’t wait to watch him.  Now, go get him some help.

4. Arizona Cardinals:  Marvin Harrison Jr.     WR     Ohio St.

Monti Ossenfort didn’t get cute and he got a superstar.  Harrison is going to be awesome.  He walks in on day one as WR1 and he’ll catch 100 passes this year. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers:  Joe Alt     OT     Notre Dame

How did we all miss this one?  We knew Jim Harbaugh wanted to build in the trenches and we knew it would be really expensive for team to trade up.  So, Harbaugh stays here and picks the best offensive tackle in the draft.  It made so much sense, no one saw it coming. 

6. New York Giants:  Malik Nabers     WR     LSU

I had the Giants picking Odunze so I had the right position but my Odunze love colored my judgement.  They went with the guy so many people had as the second best WR and it makes sense.  Now, if they only had a QB who could throw it to him. 

7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham     OT     Alabama

Latham was always hard to project because he’s a specific type of mauler who only played RT.  Turns out he ends up going to a team with one of the best offensive line coaching in the game, Bill Callahan, who loves those guys.  I’m a little skeptical that Latham can play LT but Callahan turned Jedrick Wills Jr. into a solid LT in Cleveland, if he can do that, I’m not counting out Latham. 

8. Atlanta Falcons:  Michael Penix Jr.     QB    Washington

The stupidest pick in draft history? Possibly.  This one shocked everyone but Falcons GM Terry Fontenot.  He just spent $100 million guaranteed to sign Kirk Cousins and then he takes a QB with the eighth pick, WTF?  This isn’t even a developmental player who needs to sit for a couple of years, Penix is about to turn 24.  I’m fairly certain the Falcons, who plan to try to win right now, could have used a difference maker here at #8 overall.  I’m not a Penix fan anyway but this is incredibly bad team building.  Your defense needed help and every defensive player is still on the board and there are at least 12 defenders who would have an immediate impact on the defense. 

9. Chicago Bears:  Rome Odunze     WR     Washington

Yeah, about that “best Bears offense ever” I mentioned earlier.  Here’s the guy to put it over the top.  He’s the perfect fit in an offense with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift.  He’s the big, physical downfield receiver who will dominate in the red zone and he’s always available whenever Caleb wants to scramble around and make a play. 

10. Minnesota Vikings:  JJ McCarthy     QB     Michigan

The Vikings didn’t have to make a major move up (they flipped spots with the Jets) to get their QB.  McCarthy is the more athletic version of Brock Purdy and in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, that will be perfect.  He’s set up to succeed with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and a solid offensive line. 

11. New York Jets:  Olu Fashanu     OT     Penn St.

The Jets did the smart thing after signing two 33-year-old OTs in free agency, they drafted a great OT prospect.  Fashanu is going to be excellent and he isn’t even going to be thrown into the starting lineup until Tyron Smith gets hurt, so around week 5 probably. 

12. Denver Broncos:  Bo Nix     QB     Oregon

Can you smell that?  That’s desperation.  Sean Payton traded for Zack Wilson last week and now he drafts Bo Nix at 12, he’s grasping at straws.  I don’t think either of those guys beats out Jarrett Stidham in a fair fight but now that Nix was taken 12^th overall, I think the fight is fixed.  Payton hopes Nix is his new Brees, the problem is Nix is Drew Brees his last two years when he wasn’t very good.  

13. Las Vegas Raiders:  Brock Bowers     TE     Georgia

I get going best player available and Bowers’ skillset fits in nicely with Devante Adams and Jokobi Meyers at WR and Michael Mayer as the traditional TE.  However, the QBs are Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell and you probably need two starters on the offensive line.  Bowers may languish in an offense that doesn’t have the ability to use his gifts.  

14.  New Orleans Saints:  Taliese Fuaga     OT     Oregon St.

He’s a day one starter, I’m just not sure if it’s at LT, RT, or LG.  Either way, he’s a quality starting offensive lineman and they should probably draft more of these in this draft.  Fuaga will be good, he may never be a perennial Pro Bowler but he’s solid. 

15. Indianapolis Colts:  Laiatu Latu     DE     UCLA

The first defender off the board is Latu.  He’s a great technical pass rusher who probably tops out as a 10-12 sack guy but he’ll get those 10-12 sacks every year for the next 8-10 years if stays healthy.  I’m a little shocked they didn’t take a CB with the massive need they have there and every defender still on the board. 

16. Seattle Seahawks:  Byron Muphy II     DT     Texas

I can’t say I’m surprised because Murphy fits what Mike Macdonald, the new head coach likes to do.  Macdonald had Justin Madubuike in Baltimore last year and he was awesome, Murphy can be that guy.  This makes Seattle’s defense much better up front. 

17. Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Turner     Edge     Alabama

The Vikings move up again, this time six spots, and take a guy who shouldn’t still be available and is a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense.  Flores comes from the Belichick school of defense where he likes defenders who can do multiple things.  Turner is a really good pass rusher who can also drop in coverage and hold his own.  He gives Flores the ability to disguise any and all looks and that should scare people. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals:  Amarius Mims     OT    Georgia

The Bengals continue a trend of drafting guys a year before they will likely need them.  Trent Brown is on a one-year deal at RT and Mims needs some time to develop.  He will likely have to play 8-9 games this year when Trent Brown gets hurt because that’s inevitable, but he should be good by then.  Also, the Bengals’ OTs are Olando Brown Jr. who is 6’8 345 lbs., Trent Brown who is 6’8 355 lbs., and Mims who is 6’8 340 lbs., that’s insane.  This was literally the only place Mims could go where he’d be the little guy at OT. 

19. Los Angeles Rams:  Jared Verse     DE     Florida St.

The Rams needed help on their defense and Verse is a guy who steps in immediately and gives them actual help.  He’s a pocket pusher as a rusher and he’s very good against the run.  Verse makes this defense better. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Troy Fautanu     OL     Washington

Fautanu is a good player and it will be interesting to see where they play him.  Most teams had him rated as a guard but that’s the one place the Steelers are good on the line.  He can play LT but he doesn’t have prototypical length for it.  The question that brings up is whether he is a better option at OT than Dan Moore Jr.  They also have Broderick Jones at RT and could move him to LT.  The other thought is could he move to center, another spot where the Steelers need help. 

21. Miami Dolphins:  Chop Robinson     Edge     Penn St.

Famous quote from Brad Pitt in Moneyball “if he’s a good hitter, why doesn’t he hit good,” that’s what I think of when I watch Robinson.  If he’s such a good pass rusher, why did he only have four sacks last year at Penn St.  He has a electric first step, but it takes more than one step to get the QB. I’ve never seen an edge rusher take one step and sack a QB on his second step.  It doesn’t get easier to rush the passer in the NFL, I’ve seen too many of these guys fail to believe he’ll be any different. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles:  Quinyon Mitchell     CB    Toledo

This is a frickin steal for the Eagles.  Mitchell is the best CB in this draft and they just got him at 22.  James Bradberry’s days are numbered in Philly.  Mitchell comes in and he can start immediately opposite Darius Slay and he eventually replaces Slay as CB1. 

23. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Brian Thomas Jr.     WR     LSU

I have to admit, well played by Trent Baalke.  He traded down six spots and got a potential #1 WR in Thomas.  Thomas needs a little time to hone his skills but I like him better than every WR they have, especially Gabe Davis. 

24. Detroit Lions:  Terrion Arnold     CB     Alabama

This is another ridiculous steal.  Arnold is the perfect Detroit CB.  He is an absolute dawg and Dan Campbell is going to love this guy.  He can play inside or outside and he’ll work perfectly in Aaron Glenn’s defense.  This could not have fallen better for a team desperate for a starting CB. The NFC North is going to be a dog fight.  

25. Green Bay Packers:  Jordan Morgan     OT     Arizona

A lot of scouts have Morgan pegged as a guard but I think they will give him a shot to win the RT job so they can move Zach Tom inside to center.  If not, Morgan replaces Jon Runyan Jr. at OG and he’ll be very good.  This was the first place where I wondered about Cooper DeJean not going in round one because he would have been an excellent fit in Green Bay and the Packers tend to love Hawkeyes. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Graham Barton     OL     Duke

Robert Hainsey was okay at center last year but I think Barton takes the job and kicks Hainsey out to LG which might be a better spot for him anyway.  If they team wants to keep Hainsey at center because he has some experience than Barton plays LG and he and Tristan Wirfs form a Pro Bowl left side in Tampa for the next half decade. 

27.  Arizona Cardinals:  Darius Robinson     DL     Missouri

Arizona’s defensive line is made up of a bunch of guys nobody else wanted so this isn’t surprising.  I am a little surprised they didn’t grab DeJean because they need CB help just as much as they need d-line help and I think DeJean is a better player. 

28. Kansas City Chiefs:  Xavier Worthy     WR     Texas

The Chiefs traded up to make a pick I hate.  Did the Chiefs forget they already signed Marquise Brown?  Brown is 5’9 170 lbs. and only known for his speed.  Worthy is 5’11 165 lbs. and is only known for his 4.21 forty at the combine.  I understand the thought that Patrick Mahomes can make any WR better but that didn’t work for Mecole Hardman and to me I’m not sure Worthy is more than just a skinny, faster version of Hardman.  They needed a guy with some size to give them a complement to Brown’s speed.  This feels like the WR version of the Clyde Edwards-Helaire pick after their first Super Bowl, the just went for the shiny object.   

29. Dallas Cowboys:  Tyler Guyton     OT     Oklahoma

The Cowboys move down and still get the OT they need.  Guyton is pretty raw but he has skill and beggars can’t be choosers.  It will be interesting how they bring him along.  They can throw him out there immediately and let him take his lumps or let Tyler Smith start at LT and give Guyton some time. 

30. Baltimore Ravens:  Nate Wiggins     CB     Clemson

I don’t like to question Baltimore’s first round picks; they are historically very good at these things.  However, they lost three starting offensive linemen in the off season and LT Ronnie Stanley hasn’t been the picture of health.  Lamar Jackson is going to be running for his life if the start Daniel Faalele at RT and Ben Cleveland at RG.  They know what they’re doing when they draft DBs but o-line is such a glaring need. 

31. San Francisco 49ers:  Ricky Pearsall     WR     Florida

Clearly, they are planning or life after either Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk.  Kyle Shanahan knows what he needs to keep his offense humming and Pearsall feels like a good fit.  There are WRs I like better but this pick is understandable.

32. Carolina Panthers:  Xavier Leggett     WR     South Carolina

The Panthers got antsy and moved up one spot so they could get the WR they like in Leggett.  I’m not sure how Leggett is much different than Jonathan Mingo, who they drafted in the second-round last year but they must see something.  I’m not Leggett’s biggest fan, he was a fifth-year senior breakout player who hadn’t done much of anything for four years.  There are a number of WRs I like a lot better and I certainly didn’t see the need to move up into round one to get Leggett when you had the next pick.  

Second Round thoughts

I’m stunned Cooper DeJean didn’t get picked in round one and not just because I’m a Hawkeye fan.  I think the thing that conspired against him was no defensive players off the board in the first 14 picks and then no CBs until pick 22.  Teams over drafted two QBs and four edge rushers went before any of the top CBs.  It’s a tough beat for DeJean considering he could have returned to Iowa to be a part of their elite defense again.  The good news is the first five teams that pick in round two could all use a CB so I hope his wait isn’t too long.   

Other guys who I thought were first round guys were C Jackson Powers-Johnson and DT Jer’Zhan Newton but their falls are a little more understandable.  Powers-Johnson only has one year of experience at center. Newton is coming off foot surgery that certainly could have given some teams some pause.  Kool-Aid McKinstry is also a little surprising but he hasn’t been as highly rated as he once was and the CB position fall hurt him too. 

At WR, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I like Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Adonai Mitchell, Troy Franklin and even Ja’Lynn Polk more than Worthy, Pearsall, and Leggett but WR is a position where teams take guys they think fit their scheme and style the best.  I may disagree with them but at this point WR is a crapshoot. 

There are still some offensive linemen on the board I like.  OT Kinsley Suamataia, C Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Zach Frazier could all be day one starters on the right team.  At CB you have DeJean, McKinstry, and TJ Tampa who all look like starters to me. Throw in Newton all the WRs I just listed and you can understand why Day 2 of the NFL draft is my favorite.     

It’s been a while since I did this sort of thing before the draft but I felt like declaring some of the guys I like better than the consensus or just a little more than I probably should.  I’ll throw out a few guys at the end I don’t particularly like.  I’m not going to include some of the top guys like Marvin Harrison Jr. or Brock Bowers, everyone loves those guys. 

My Guys

QB Drake Maye – North Carolina: He’s my favorite QB in the class.  He has all the physical tools from a great arm to great athleticism to be on the move.  He’s also got the pedigree.  His dad was a QB at North Carolina and his brothers were top athletes too.  This guy has been competing his whole life and he’s ready to do that in the NFL.

RB Trey Benson – Florida St.: There aren’t going to be a bunch of RBs drafted very high and with that, I only like a couple.  Benson has the talent and physical skills to be awesome.  He needs to work on waiting for the hole to open but he can be a joy to watch. 

WR Rome Odunze – Washington:  My favorite player in the draft.  He’s going to be a stud. He’s big, physical, runs great routes, and absolutely bullies defenders when the ball is in the air.  I haven’t loved a WR this much since Andre Johnson. 

WR Ja’Lynn Polk – Washington: He’s also great at the catch point and while he isn’t a freak like Odunze, he’s a really good WR. 

WR Jalen McMillan – Washington:  That Washington WR corps was amazing and McMillan was even hurt for some time last year.  He’s going to be a fantastic slot receiver immediately and he can have some success outside eventually. 

WR Keon Coleman – Florida St.:  I don’t care what they say about him being slow in the 40, this guy has some serious talent and he has great size. He also hasn’t just focused on football for very long, he originally went to Michigan St. and played football and basketball.  He’s just scratching the surface of his talent, I think he has #1 WR upside.

OT Olu Fashanu – Penn St.: I have no idea why some have him sliding down a bit in round one.  Other than Joe Alt, there isn’t a better OT in this draft.  He’s big, physical and while he has some rounding out to do of his overall game, he’s a beast. 

OL Graham Barton – Duke: Guys this talented and versatile don’t miss.  He could be a Pro Bowl center, a All-Pro guard, or just a really solid OT.  He’s going to be a steal. 

C Zach Frazier – West Virginia: He’s going to be a starting center early in his career and then for a very long time.  He’s a grinder. 

DT Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton – Illinois:  As much as I hate giving praise to an Illini player this dude is so good.  I’ve been watching him destroy people for years at Illinois and he’s too good not to be an awesome pro.  The only thing that could stop him is if the foot injury he’s recovering from persists. 

CB/DB Cooper DeJean – Iowa:  Of course, I love DeJean but seriously, he’s going to be awesome if a team uses all his talents.  He’s so versatile it boggles the mind. 

CB TJ Tampa – Iowa St.: I hate giving the Cyclones any credit even more than I hate giving it to Illinois but I like Tampa.  Physical, tough CB with some fight in him.  He’s going to be a better pro than some of the CBs drafted ahead of him. 

Not My Guys

QB Jayden Daniels – LSU: I’m scared the Patriots are going to end up with him.  He’s skinny, he runs around like a kamikaze, and when he runs it’s to run, he never runs to throw.  It’s a dangerous combination against NFL defenders. 

QB Michael Penix Jr – Washington: As great as he was at Washington, I think he was a product of a great offensive system and elite WR talent (I already mentioned those guys).  I think if he isn’t in the perfect system with some great WR talent, it could be a problem.  (Maybe the Seahawks should draft him)

QB Joe Milton – Tennessee:  This guy has a cannon for an arm.  That’s the only good QB trait he has. He should try playing TE. 

RB Braelon Allen – Wisconsin: He lost his way at Wisconsin last year in their new offense but part of it’s his fault.  He’s a big back who doesn’t play with the decisive power he should.  If he finds it, he can be good, if not he’ll be lucky to be Ron Dayne in the pros. 

WR Adonai Mitchell – Texas:  He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s just not that good at doing WR things.  He needs a lot of help to take advantage of his physical gifts. There is just something missing from his game. 

WR Xavier Worthy – Texas: I promise I’m not picking on Texas WRs on purpose.  Worthy is really, really fast, he’s also really, really small.  He also lacks some WR skills that would make him a bit better. 

DE Chop Robinson – Penn St.:  He’s an incredible athlete but I’ve seen this before.  He has one move, run really fast around the edge and hope you get to the QB.  He has no pass rush moves and can’t finish at the QB. 

CB Ennis Rakestraw – Missouri:  He had almost no ball production and he’s undersized.  I don’t mind an undersized CB if he has some playmaking traits but that’s not Rakestraw. 

I basically don’t like any LBs or Safeties in this draft.  If you have a need at either of those positions, good luck and don’t pick any of them early.  LB Junior Colson and S Tyler Nubin might be starters eventually but I’m not going out of my way to draft those guys. 

The draft is fast approaching and teams are making their final moves, I hope.  The Bills trading Stefon Diggs was an inevitability but I didn’t see it happening a couple of weeks before the draft.  It puts some pressure on the Bills to find some help at WR, Josh Allen is good but he’s now lost Diggs and Gabe Davis leaving Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir as his top WRs, that’s rough.  We haven’t seen the Vikings make their move up the board yet but we may have to wait until draft day to see if the Patriots like their options at three, if the Cardinals decided they’re willing to move off four, or if it’s the Chargers trading out at five.  Draft boards are taking shape, teams are devising strategies to fill their needs, and it’s almost time to get the show on the road. 

I’m going to have a little fun with this final mock draft.  I made a few big trades up in the first round with teams that have glaring needs.  It threw a wrench into some of the picks and then I threw in a couple of different moves.  I’m not a huge fan of this overall draft class, it’s a little thin.  However, there are some guys I like a lot.  

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina):  Caleb Williams     QB     USC

I’m not getting cute here and if you want to know my thoughts on this pick, go back and read my other mock drafts.  Unless Williams pulls an Eli Manning between now and the draft, this one is set.  According to reports, the Commanders made a big offer and Chicago turned them down, they are all in on Caleb.  I think he has a high ceiling as a potential superstar but I do see the scenario where he doesn’t work out.  The Bears have worked to get him help so he’s supported on the field.  The questions are; Will Williams become the player his talent shows he can be or will he be another failed Bears QB? Is Shane Waldron the guy to get the best out of Williams? Only time will tell.  I see the flashes of greatness from Williams but I also recognize the problems in his game. 

2. Washington Commanders (4-13):  Jayden Daniels     QB     LSU

Washington has kept a pretty tight lid on which QB they plan to take with this pick.  I can make the argument for Daniels or Drake Maye and if you want me to work a little harder, I could make the case for JJ McCarthy but it’s not as convincing.  The one aspect I don’t believe I’ve touched on is that this team needs a face of the franchise.  While I firmly believe Maye is the better pro prospect, Daniels is clearly the higher profile player.  Daniels won the Heisman last season, he put up video game like stats, and he’s one of the most athletic QBs ever.  This is a franchise that could use an easy PR win and that can’t be discounted.  It won’t be the reason they take Daniels over Maye but it’s part of the equation when you’re drafting a QB this high. 

3. New England Patriots (4-13):  Drake Maye     QB     North Carolina

I think the Patriots want Maye and they are using the JJ McCarthy hype as a smokescreen in case Maye goes second.  If Maye is off the board here, they will look to trade down and the best thing they can do is create interest from multiple teams.  The Vikings, Broncos, and Raiders all may be looking to move up but they may like different QBs here.  Making each of them think you might take the guy they like creates competition for the pick.  The Patriots have Jacoby Brissett so they don’t have to take a QB if they don’t like their options.  They also don’t have to trade out if they don’t like the offers.  Marvin Harrison Jr. would be an amazing consolation prize if Maye is gone and no teams make a trade offer worth moving down for.  I love Maye, he’s my favorite QB and I think he has elite talent.    

4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13):  Marvin Harrison Jr.     WR     Ohio St.

I said this before but it’s worth repeating, the Cardinals have six picks in the top 103 overall.  They do not need to move down to get draft capital, they have draft capital.  They need difference makers so unless someone makes it worth their while, they stay here and take Harrison.  He’s the best WR prospect in a decade at least and they need him.  Unless, Monti Ossenfort believes he can do what he did last season when he traded down and then traded back up to get the guy he wanted, he stays here.  Trying the trade down, trade up move is risky when you’re talking about losing Marvin Harrison Jr.

5. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE from Chargers):  JJ McCarthy     QB     Michigan

I know, this is the same as my last mock but I just feel like this is the most realistic possibility when it comes to the top five picks.  The Chargers have no reason to stay here unless Jim Harbaugh just loves Malik Nabers and that seems unlikely.  Harbaugh is going to build in the trenches first and foremost.  The Vikings have amassed draft capital to make this move and McCarthy fits their style of play.  He’s the point guard just dishing it out to his playmakers; Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.  He makes Kevin O’Connell’s offense run and does it at about a tenth of the cost of Kirk Cousins.  Jefferson gets an extension, LT Christian Darrisaw gets and extension, and there’s still money to spend on defense next year. 

6. New York Giants (6-11):  Rome Odunze     WR     Washington

Sorry, my top six picks stay the same.  I think Odunze fits what the Giants need and with all four QBs off the board they just take the WR they need.  Malik Nabers is probably the preferred choice over Odunze by most teams but Odunze is the better fit for the Giants’ WR corps.  They have smaller, fast guys, Odunze is a big fast guy.  He can make Daniel Jones look better if Jones can stay healthy (that’s a big if).  If not, he makes Drew Lock more acceptable.  Odunze, Jaylin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson isn’t a bad young group of WRs for the Giants next QB to start off with. 

7. Tennessee Titans (6-11):  Joe Alt     OT     Notre Dame

Okay, I’m going back to the Joe Alt to the Titans pick that is everyone’s standard pick in every mock draft everywhere. The Titans have Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Treylon Burks at WR so unless they give up on Burks already, they need an OT before they need Malik Nabers.  It won’t do Will Levis any good to have great WRs if Nicholas Petit-Frere is lining up as his LT.  Alt is a big guy with long arms and all the skills needed to be a Pro Bowl LT.  He’s not the flashiest guy but he’ll be solid as a rock for the next decade at LT. 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE from Atlanta):  Malik Nabers     WR     LSU

GM Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson can’t have another failure like last year.  They wanted Calvin Ridley back to pair with Gabe Davis but he left for Tennessee.  They still need help at WR because they may still cut Zay Jones.  Nabers would be a homerun swing to try to fully unlock Trevor Lawrence.  This would be an expensive trade moving from 17 to 8 but the roster isn’t lacking and they could afford to give up some draft capital.  Also, their biggest need is at CB and while they could draft one at 17 there are more good veteran CBs on the market to sign after the draft who can help than there are WRs who move the needle.  Taking Nabers and signing Stephen Gilmore at CB is far more impactful than signing Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Terrion Arnold or Nate Wiggins.  They make this move to get ahead of the Bears when they see Nabers fall past the Titans.  This is the first of some fun trades and picks coming up.     

9. Chicago Bears (7-10):  Dallas Turner     Edge      Alabama

The Bears will almost certainly try to move up if Nabers falls past the sixth pick but they don’t have a lot of capital to make it worth it to the Titans to risk losing Alt.  If all the WRs are gone the Bears then have to weigh trading down vs. taking the top edge rusher.  Some of the teams looking to move up might be teams looking to draft that edge rusher (Rams, Bengals).  A team looking for an OT could also look to move up but that’s either teams picking much later in round one (Packers, Chiefs, Ravens) or teams without much to trade (Saints, Dolphins).  If the Bears like Turner as the complement to Montez Sweat, they should just take him here.

10. New York Jets (7-10):  Olu Fashanu     OT     Penn St. 

The Jets signed LT Tyron Smith and traded for RT Morgan Moses but both of those guys are 33 years old and Smith hasn’t played a full season in a long time.  They need depth and talent for the future and Fashanu is too good to pass up.  Keeping Aaron Rodgers healthy is priority one in New York.  While the Jets could also look at WR, it seems unlikely they plan to heavily use a rookie WR given Rodgers’ aversion to them.  They feel like a team that will sign a veteran free agent WR sometime before training camp.  They also still have Allen Lazard on the roster and while he was bad last year, he’s a Rodgers favorite so they may have more plans for him than we know. 

11. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Minnesota):  Cooper DeJean     CB     Iowa

The first curveball moment in the draft comes here.  DeJean has been the forgotten man after Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold seemed to secure the top two CB spots at the combine, then DeJean’s pro day happened.  His relative athletic score was off the charts and while they may have needs on the offense, defensive back is a big need too.  New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter studied in Baltimore and the Ravens defense likes defensive backs with versatility.  DeJean is as versatile as they come.  He can play any position in the defensive backfield, he can be an outside corner opposite Asante Samuel or play the nickel, or he can pair with Derwin James to be the best safety duo in the league.  Harbaugh throws off everyone’s draft boards. 

12. Denver Broncos (8-9):  Brock Bowers     TE     Georgia

The Broncos need a QB but I don’t see them taking one here and they don’t have the draft capital to move up for one.  This roster also just needs help.  The offense has Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, and Marvin Mims Jr., you aren’t scaring anyone with that group unless Patrick Mahomes is your QB, and they don’t have a Mahomes.  Bowers is an electric offensive weapon and Sean Payton has been known to figure out how to use those in his career.  Bowers is also simply the best prospect on the board and the Broncos need good players.  Whoever they end up with at QB would greatly appreciate having a guy with Bowers skills at his disposal.

13. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9):  Quinyon Mitchell     CB     Toledo

The Raiders need help at QB also but they are in a similar spot to the Broncos in the fact they just don’t have the means to move up without mortgaging their entire future.  They stay put and take Mitchell who would seriously upgrade their secondary.  They have Jakorian Bennett penciled in as the starter opposite Jack Jones at CB and it would look a lot better if Mitchell was your CB1 and Jones was your #2.  They could go offensive line but CB is just as big of a need and Mitchell is the type of athlete the Raiders love.  He may be coming from a small school but he’s ready to play right away and he’s got top level talent. 

14. New Orleans Saints (9-8):  Taliese Fuaga    OT    Oregon St. 

The Saints are generally an organization that is hard to pin down when it comes to the draft.  They shouldn’t be this year; they desperately need help on the offensive line.  LT Trevor Penning was so bad last season he got benched.  RT Ryan Ramczyk has a knee injury with a troubling prognosis.  Fuaga should probably play RT or inside at guard but I wouldn’t rule him out at LT if it’s between him and Penning.  They should probably re-sign Andrus Peat regardless of who they draft here but if they don’t, Fuaga could fill the LG spot.  He gives them options and right now they need that on this offensive front.  Derek Carr isn’t great with a good line in front of him, a bad line just compounds the problem.

15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8):  Terrion Arnold     CB     Alabama

I go back and forth on the Colts needing a CB and maybe wanting a WR but if Arnold falls to this spot, I think it’s an easy choice.  He’s a starting caliber CB on day one and gives them a guy with CB1 upside to play opposite JuJu Brents.  Brents and Arnold would make a nice duo outside with Kenny Moore in the slot.  Arnold has the versatility to play in the slot too which always helps.  WR is a potential need but this draft is much deeper at that position than CB so they wait to find a new deep threat. 

16. Buffalo Bills (TRADE from Seattle):  Brian Thomas     WR     LSU

The Bills lost Gabe Davis in free agency and traded Stefon Diggs; they need WR help.  Luckily for them, they have quite a bit of draft capital in this draft and they picked up capital next year with the Diggs trade.  They have 10 draft picks in this draft and while they have taken some heavy losses at WR and in the secondary, 10 rookies aren’t making this roster.  They need quality, not quantity.  They use some picks to move up and get the fourth WR.  There is a clear top three at WR but Thomas feels like he’s the second tier of WR all by himself.  The Bills need a difference maker and Thomas would be an upgrade over what Gabe Davis gave them before.  He has the size and speed to really open up the offense for Josh Allen and he’s a potential WR1.

17. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE from Jacksonville):  Byron Murphy II     DT     Texas

The Falcons’ defense is in a transition to the Raheem Morris/Jimmy Lake scheme from what Ryan Nielsen was running last year and the front needs some juice.  DTs Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata aren’t getting any younger as both are over 30.  They need so much help at DT they are dusting off Eddie Goldman trying to find bodies.  Murphy is an undersized DT with a great first step and the ability to collapse the pocket.  Morris and Lake coached the Rams last year with Aaron Donald so they should know how best to use Murphy.  They can hope his inside rush presence will make things easier on the edge guys. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8):  Jared Verse     DE     Florida St.

The Bengals need some pass rush help opposite Trey Hendrickson and Myles Murphy didn’t do much last year after being their first pick.  Verse has some burst off the edge but he also brings power to the position.  He can finish the play in a couple of ways and has more skill than Murphy.  Verse is a little older and farther along in his development and this team needs someone who can help right away.  They want to compete; Verse would help this defense do that.

19. Los Angeles Rams (10-7):  JC Latham     OT     Alabama

The Rams spent big money to keep RG Kevin Dotson and to sign LG Jonah Jackson in free agency.  That moves Steve Avila to center and turns the interior of the Rams line into a power running group.  They still have LT Alaric Jackson, who they like, but RT Rob Havenstein will be 32 this season and it’s the last year of guaranteed money on his contract.  Latham would continue their trend of getting power players up front, he’s a massive road grader at RT.  He could even play some guard this year if he doesn’t unseat Havenstein. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7):  Jackson Powers-Johnson     C     Oregon

This pick just makes too much sense.  This team has to block well up the middle or the offense just won’t run with either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at QB.  Powers-Johnson is a monster inside and his power game will work well in Arthur Smith’s offense where they will rely heavily on Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.  He isn’t the most experienced player with only one year as a starting center but the guards are veteran guys who can help him develop. 

21. Miami Dolphins (11-6):  Troy Fautanu     OL     Washington

The starting guards on the Dolphins depth chart going into the draft are Isaiah Wynn and Robert Jones, that’s rough.  Fautanu played tackle at Washington but his best fit is likely inside at guard.  He would be an immediate starter for the Dolphins and he honed his pass protection skills playing in Washington’s high flying passing game so he would fit right in down in Miami.  He also brings the added versatility that if Terron Armstead’s injury concerns persist, he’s a solid choice as a fill in at LT.  Maybe not his ideal spot but he can handle himself if needed. 

22. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE from Philadelphia):  Amarius Mims     OT     Georgia

The Chiefs see the run on offensive linemen start and decide they have to get ahead of the Chargers and Cowboys or they will miss out on the good OTs.  They make Philly a strong offer to move up for an upgrade at LT.  Mims is really inexperienced with only eight starts in college but the man is 6’8 340 lbs. and is an athletic freak.  He played RT at Georgia but he has all the physical qualities of a LT.  The Chiefs won the Super Bowl with Donovan Smith at LT last year, there is no way Mims growing pains will make him any worse than Smith was and Mims will only get better.  If Mims hits, and under Andy Reid’s tutelage it’s not hard to imagine he would, he has All-Pro potential. 

23. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Minnesota): Tyler Guyton     OT     Oklahoma

Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz play this just right and end up with the most impactful DB for them, Cooper DeJean, and still get a starting RT. Guyton might not unseat Trey Pipkins immediately because he’s still a work in progress but he will eventually.  Harbaugh won’t ask too much of Guyton early and they will develop him into a starting RT.  Guyton is a little green but he has the size, skill, and athleticism to excel at RT. 

24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5):  Graham Barton     OL     Duke

Barton played LT at Duke for most of his career and it’s possible he could man that spot in a pinch but he’s probably moving inside.  His best position is likely center where his lack of ideal length won’t hinder him.  Just so happens that the Cowboys need a new center or someone to play either LG or LT depending on what they do with Tyler Smith.  Either way, Barton starts somewhere and he’ll be good immediately. This team isn’t trying to build for the future, they need to win now. 

25. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE with Green Bay):  Michael Penix Jr.     QB     Washington

With the top OTs, the top two centers, and the top three CBs (especially Cooper DeJean) off the board, it shouldn’t be hard to convince the Packers to trade out of this spot.  I think the Raiders give up the 44^th pick in this draft and a second rounder next year.  The Raiders make the move up to get Penix to give them an upgrade over Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.  They make the move to ensure Denver doesn’t do something like give up a first rounder next year to get into the back of the first round to steal Penix. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8):  Laiatu Latu     Edge    UCLA

The run on offensive linemen pushes Latu down a bit in this mock draft.  That’s good news for the Bucs as they need a legitimate pass rusher and Latu has serious skills.  He’s not the most athletic pass rusher, that’s Dallas Turner, and he’s not the most powerful, that’s Jared Verse. What he is, is the absolute best technician we’ve seen in quite some time.  Most college edge rushers have a move or two they rely heavily on and that’s how they win.  Latu is the most complete edge rusher you will find when it comes to his arsenal of pass rush moves.  His hand fighting is elite and he has moves, counter moves, and counters to his counter moves.  He won’t wow you with his athleticism but he’ll put on a clinic when it comes to pass rush techniques. 

27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston):  Nate Wiggins     CB     Clemson

This pick would be a bigger no-brainer than taking Marvin Harrison Jr. earlier.  When your top CB is Sean Murphy-Bunting having Wiggins fall this far is a blessing.  Wiggins is as skinny as they come, he’s 6’2 173 lbs., and that might scare some teams off but beggars can’t be choosers.  Emmanuel Forbes was the skinny CB who got drafted last year by Washington and struggled but it’s unfair to compare Wiggins to Forbes.  Wiggins’ game isn’t like Forbes’ game at all.  Wiggins is willing to play a WR up close and he doesn’t back down.  He will get overpowered in the run game but he covers like a blanket. 

28. Seattle Seahawks (TRADE from Buffalo):  Jer’Zhan Newton     DT     Illinois

The Seahawks trade down twelve spots and still get a guy they would have considered at 16 overall, smart move by GM John Schneider in his first draft without Pete Carroll.  The Seahawks know they need reinforcements on the d-line.  They signed Jonathan Hankins after re-signing Leonard Williams.  The problem is Williams will be 30, Hankins is 32, and Jarran Reed is 31.  They need some young talent and Newton is awesome.  He’s only available because he had foot surgery and there may be some questions about his health.  He’s a monster on the interior when healthy and he’s well worth the risk. 

29. Detroit Lions (12-5):  Kool-Aid McKinstry     CB     Alabama

The Lions traded for Carlton Davis III, signed Amik Robertson, and hope Emmanuel Moseley will be healthy this year, that’s not enough.  If McKinstry is available he’s too good to pass up.  He has a really high upside even if he didn’t quite live up to expectations this last season.  McKinstry has a body of work at Alabama that shows he has top-level skills.  With as bad as things got in the secondary last season for the Lions, they should err on the side of caution.  They lost CJ Gardner-Johnson and had to cut Cam Sutton; more help is needed.  McKinstry might not have the ceiling of a CB1 like people thought going into the season, but he’s still a really good CB. 

30. Baltimore Ravens (13-4):  Marshawn Kneeland     Edge     Western Michigan

There has been some buzz about Kneeland moving up into the first round and I think there’s a chance the Ravens take a chance on him.  They need pass rush help.  They re-signed Kyle Van Noy because they are still waiting for Odafe Oweh or David Ojabo to break out and Van Noy gave them some help last year on the edge.  The problem is that he’s 34 and they may need him at ILB with Patrick Queen gone.  Kneeland is a bet on potential.  He shows flashes of great pass rush but he isn’t consistent.  He has some power, knows how to use his hands, and has long arms but he’s still raw.  I suppose if you have three raw pass rush prospects, one of them will hopefully hit. 

31. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from San Francisco):  Ladd McConkey     WR     Georgia

The Chargers traded down to get two first-round picks from Minnesota and now they take a little of their extra draft capital to move back up in to round one to get a third pick and get ahead of teams like Carolina and New England who want WRs.  McConkey would be their replacement for Keenan Allen.  Allen was a savant in the slot and ran routes with precision and accuracy that Justin Herbert loved.  This guy can do the same thing.  He’ll be exceptional at getting open and giving Herbert a target over the middle of the field. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE from Kansas City):  Darius Robinson     DL     Missouri

The Eagles made the move down because they got a good deal from Kansas City but I could see them trying to make a move back up to get Jer’Zhan Newton, they have the picks to do it.  But in this mock draft they don’t so they take Darius Robinson.  Robinson is a big DE or a tall, long DT.  They just lost Fletcher Cox to retirement meaning the DT rotation will heavily rely on Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.  Davis isn’t a full-time player and Robinson gives them a versatile piece on the d-line.  He can rotate inside and can also give them a big DE who can play on the edge against the run.  They have some smaller edge guys like Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith so Robinson would be a good complement to those guys.

Round 2

33. Carolina Panthers:  Adonai Mitchell     WR     Texas

The Panthers are trying to help Bryce Young succeed but they need better weapons.  They have Jonathan Mingo, Diontae Johnson, and Adam Thielen, none of those guys are great deep threats.  Mitchell has the ability to get down field and open up the underneath stuff for Johnson to thrive.  Young probably doesn’t have the ideal arm to take total advantage of Mitchell but he adds a dimension the offense doesn’t have right now. 

34. New England Patriots:  Keon Coleman     WR     Florida St.

I’m trying to manifest this pick if the Patriots don’t make a deal for Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk during the draft.  I like Coleman’s upside as a potential #1 WR and one way or another, the Patriots need one of those. 

35. Arizona Cardinals:  Chop Robinson     Edge     Penn St.

The more you watch Chop Robinson the more convinced you become that he shouldn’t be a first-round pick.  He might still make it but he’s just a designated pass rusher and he’s no great at that.  The Cardinals need defensive help and Robinson is the kind of prospect that if he hits, he’s really useful, if not, he’s off the team in three years. 

36. Washington Commanders:  Kingsley Suamataia     LT     BYU

If the Commanders go into the season with Cornelius Lucas at LT, it won’t matter what QB they take second.  Suamataia isn’t a finished product by any means but he has the talent to be a starting LT in the NFL. 

37. San Francisco 49ers (TRADE from LA Chargers):  TJ Tampa     CB     Iowa St.

Charvarius Ward is a good outside CB and Deommodore Lenoir is good in the slot and passable outside. If they can find an outside CB better than Ambry Thomas, they should.  Tampa is a better CB than Thomas and he’s really tough, something that defense will like. 

38. Tennessee Titans:  Bralen Trice     DE     Washington

The Titans need pass rush help and while Trice isn’t the quickest edge rusher he has legitimate pass rush skill.  He also has enough size to play on the end of the Titans three-man front and not be completely overwhelmed. 

39. Carolina Panthers:  Ja’Tavion Sanders     TE     Texas

Sanders is never going to be Travis Kelce; he’s probably not going to approach being Greg Olsen but he’s got a higher ceiling than Tommy Tremble.  Sanders has the ability to be a good middle of the field target, assuming Bryce Young looks that way. 

40. Washington Commanders:  Jordan Morgan     OL     Arizona

If the Commanders draft two offensive linemen with their second round picks it will be among the smartest moves the team has ever made.  Morgan would upgrade the right side of the line at either RG or RT.  

41. Green Bay Packers:  Kiran Amegadjie     OT     Yale

The Packers have Zach Tom at RT but word is they want to move him inside to center to replace Josh Myers, that means they need a new RT.  Assuming Rasheed Wallace is still the LT Amegadjie can play on the right side.  Amegadjie might end up at LT because of his long arms but for now he starts at RT. 

42. Houston Texans:  Zach Frazier     C     West Virginia

The Texans have made a lot of moves to surround CJ Stroud with a good team ready to compete.  They signed a lot of veterans to improve their defense.  On offense they went big with trades for both RB Joe Mixon and WR Stefon Diggs.  The Diggs trade gives them one final piece to go with Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz, and Diggs is a heck of a piece.  I don’t think he’s who he was two or three years ago, but he’s a great second WR to Collins.  Last year they had a number of injuries up front and yet Bobby Slowik made the offense work.  One of those injured guys was Juice Scruggs, their second round pick last year.  Scruggs was supposed to be their center last year before he got hurt, instead he played some guard when he was healthy.  Frazier would be a potential upgrade at center and at the very least he gives them interior depth with Shaq Mason on the wrong side of 30.

43. Atlanta Falcons:  Adisa Isaac     Edge     Penn St.

Isaac isn’t the athlete Chop Robinson is but he might end up the better player.  The Falcons need help rushing the passer and Isaac can give them some help there.  He’s versatile enough to allow them to use multiple fronts and if he and Byron Murphy II can improve the pass rush enough, the holes in the secondary won’t seem so pronounced.

44. Green Bay Packers (TRADE from Las Vegas):  Tyler Nubin     S     Minnesota

The Packers get this pick from the Raiders for the trade up in round one and they grab a safety to pair with Xavier McKinney.  McKinney is a good pickup but he doesn’t solve the whole safety problem, he and Nubin just might. 

45. New Orleans Saints:  Cooper Beebe     OG     Kansas St.

The Saints may have just drafted an entirely new left side of the offensive line with Fuaga in round one and Beebe here.  That wouldn’t be a bad idea.  Beebe has versatility as he’s played both tackle spots and both guard spots and he has practiced at center just in case.  If everything goes wrong at RT, he could fill in there in a pinch.  Fuaga and Beebe together on the left side would be a nice combo. 

46. Indianapolis Colts:  Xavier Leggette     WR     South Carolina

I nearly put Xavier Worthy here as the deep threat the Colts need to help open up the middle for Michael Pittman to work, then I remembered Chris Ballard is their GM and he would never take a guy that small.  Here’s Leggette instead.  He’s only 6’1 but he’s 223 lbs. of pure athleticism who also has legit deep speed.  Sorry Alec Pierce, you’ve been replaced. 

47. New York Giants:  Ennis Rakestraw     CB     Missouri

The Giants have a need for a CB opposite Deonte Banks.  Banks had a nice rookie year but he has little help on the other side.  I’m not a huge fan of Rakestraw considering his lack of production and his lack of size but he’s not a bad pick here.  If he goes round one, that’s a bad pick. 

48. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE from Jacksonville):  Patrick Paul     OT     Houston

Jake Matthews is 32 and somehow Kaleb McGary is already 29 and both guys don’t have any guaranteed money on their deals after this season.  McGary hasn’t been the picture of health and using this extra second round pick from Jacksonville to get a potential future starting OT is a smart move. 

49. Cincinnati Bengals:  T’Vondre Sweat     DT     Texas

Sweat falls a bit because he had a drunk driving arrest just a few weeks before the draft.  The Bengals have never shied away from guys with some questionable personal issues before.  They need to replace DJ Reader at DT and Sweat is the perfect replacement on the field.  Hopefully for him and the team that drafts him the DUI was a one-time stupid mistake and he learned his lesson.   

50. Philadelphia Eagles:  Andru Phillips     CB     Kentucky

Phillips is a little on the small side at 5’11 190 lbs. but he doesn’t play like it.  He’s tough, physical, and not afraid to mix it up. The Eagles need some help at CB and Phillips has the type of toughness their defense needs. 

51. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Xavier Worthy     WR     Texas

I’m sticking with this pick from my last mock draft.  Worthy is a deep speed guy who is the polar opposite body type of George Pickens.  Worthy is short and light but he will go long, all day long, if you want.  This offense needs WRs. 

52. Los Angeles Rams:  Jaden Hicks     S     Washington St

The Rams have overhauled their secondary with veterans Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White at CB and Kamren Curl at safety.  It was a needed an overhaul and Hicks completes it when he pairs with Curl at safety. 

53. Philadelphia Eagles:  Malachi Corley     WR     Western Kentucky

Corley is a big, physical WR who is known for his run-after-the-catch ability.  The Eagles may run into issues with AJ Brown’s contract and getting a guy like Corley would be a nice hedge against losing Brown over a contract dispute. 

54. Cleveland Browns:  Junior Colson     LB     Michigan

They signed Jordan Hicks to be their new MLB but he’s going to be 33 this season and he’s not a long-term solution.  They also signed Devin Bush because they needed help at LB and he’s just a guy.  Colson isn’t a flashy player but he’s tough, steady, and he’s a starting caliber player on day one. 

55. Miami Dolphins:  Bo Nix     QB     Oregon

There are some questions about Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami if the Dolphins don’t want to pay top dollar for him.  Nix is a highly accurate QB over the middle with a quick trigger and Mike McDaniel might be able to make him work in his offense.

56. Dallas Cowboys:  Roman Wilson     WR     Michigan

The Cowboys have to get some offensive weapons besides CeeDee Lamb.  They need help at WR and RB and Roman Wilson is better value than any RB in the draft.  Wilson becomes the third receiver behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks and pairs quite nicely as he can play inside or outside. 

57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Mike Sanristil     CB     Michigan

The Buccaneers plan to play Zyon McCollum as Carlton Davis III’s replacement meaning they need a third CB.  Sanristil is undersized at 5’9 but he’s highly athletic and he’s a superstar nickel back.  He has amazing field awareness and despite his size, he’s a tough as can be. 

58. Green Bay Packers:  Edgerrin Cooper     LB     Texas A&M

The Packers depth chart looks pretty solid overall.  They are planning on Isaiah McDuffie to take over one LB spot opposite Quay Walker and they usually play five DBs.  Cooper is a really talented prospect who needs some development but he’s a steal here.  He can team with McDuffie as they should complement each other. 

59. Houston Texans:  Kamari Lassiter     DB     Georgia

Lassiter is a tough prospect because he’s undersized at 5’10 180 lbs. and he ran slow at the combine, 4.61 in the 40.  That’s a bad combination.  There’s just one thing, he’s a good football player.  I don’t think he sticks at CB but he could be a safety prospect for some teams and play a little in the slot.  The Texans have Jimmy Ward and he’s getting older and Lassiter would fit in with the Texans strategy of getting good football players. 

60. Seattle Seahawks (TRADE from Buffalo):  Ja’Lynn Polk     WR     Washington

The Seahawks picked up this pick from Buffalo after trading in round one. Tyler Lockett has no guaranteed money past this season and he’ll be 32 this year, good time to find his replacement.  Polk isn’t as big as DK Metcalf but he’s actually a better contested catch guy than Metcalf has proven to be.  Metcalf can be the deep threat, Jaxson Smith-Njigba is the slot guy, Polk can be the other outside guy. 

61. Detroit Lions:  Troy Franklin     WR     Oregon

This is the Josh Reynolds upgrade.  Franklin is a good after-the-catch guy and he’s a big play waiting to happen.  He would work well with Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot and Jameson Williams as the deep threat opposite him.  Franklin doesn’t get the credit he deserves for just being a playmaker with ball in his hands. 

62. Baltimore Ravens:  Ricky Pearsall     WR     Florida

The Ravens need offensive line help but this isn’t an organization that reaches and the linemen left here are not as good as Pearsall will be at WR.  He’s a guy who just understands how to get open and he’s a good athlete too. 

63. San Franscisco 49ers:  Blake Fisher     OT     Notre Dame

This is a Kyle Shanahan special.  Fisher shouldn’t go this high but he’s a long, lean athletic mover at OT and he’ll do exactly what Shanahan likes.  He could replace Colton McKivitz at RT and kick McKivitz inside.  If it doesn’t happen this year, it would happen eventually.

64. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE from Kansas City):  Dominick Puni     OG     Kansas

Puni was a Division II player who transferred up to Kansas and looked like he belonged.  He can play guard or tackle and the Eagles could use some depth at both.  He needs to get stronger but his pass blocking is solid and he has length.  He’s an alternative to Tyler Steen at RG this season and maybe an option at RT when Lane Johnson retires, he’ll be 34 this year.   

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 14^th 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.