Tag: Mock Draft

2025 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – The Finale

This one is pretty long.

Here’s my final mock draft for 2025 and it should be a doozy, it’s three rounds.  We have entered the outright lying phase of the proceedings as 32 teams have 32 agendas and will do whatever they have to do to make it happen.  Then you have a few hundred agents, handlers, and family members of prospects, who are lying because they all have the same agenda, get their guy drafted as high as possible.  It’s tough to tell the smoke from the fire and it’s even harder to tell the difference between the real intel and the bullshit.  I have a pretty good BS detector but I won’t get most of this right. 

The rollercoaster that is the Shadeur Sanders prospect experience is a little insane.  Making heads or tails of where Ashton Jeanty might go could drive a person to drink.  The Cleveland Browns signed Joe Flacco after trading for Kenny Pickett and I don’t know if that means anything when it comes to their need to draft a QB.  The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and I’m pretty sure that means they pass on a QB early, but should it?  Probably not.  After Abdul Carter it’s a grab bag at edge rusher and there are a lot of good ones in that bag.  Is CB Will Johnson going to go 6th, 16th, or 26th?  Well, he’s going somewhere in that range.  Let’s see if we can decipher this shitshow before it gets going.

1. Tennessee Titans (3-14): Cam Ward     QB     Miami

The Titans aren’t hiding their intentions with the way they set up their off season.  They overpaid LT Dan Moore to fix the offensive line and now Moore, LG Peter Skoronski, C Lloyd Cushenberry, RG Kevin Zeitler, and RT JC Latham, should give Ward a pretty solid offensive line to start his career behind.  Ward can be dynamic with his arm and if the Titans find him some complementary weapons to WR Calvin Ridley in the passing game, the offense should really improve.  Ward is a mature leader who can command the huddle and he gives the Titans a real QB to build around.  If I were the Titans, I would ship Will Levis off in a trade so there’s no illusions or tension in the QB room when Ward steps into it.  Levis should have at least a little trade value, there are a few teams still desperate for a starter.  Speaking of the Browns…

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14):  Travis Hunter     WR/CB     Colorado

Remember that smoke a couple of weeks ago about the Browns possibly taking Shadeur Sanders because they really want to fix their QB issues?  Well, the Giants called their bluff and they signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston at QB so the Browns lost their leverage trying to get the Giants to trade up.  Now the Browns seemed to be pivoting to their real target, Hunter.  The signing of Joe Flacco shouldn’t preclude the Browns from taking a QB in this draft but it means they don’t need to take one here.  Hunter will probably play mostly WR for the Browns but they will find some playing time at CB for him too.  He gives them a playmaking WR for whichever QB is playing for them.  I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that drafting an underdeveloped WR at #2 overall would be insane if he wasn’t Travis Hunter and brought value as a CB.  Jerry Jeudy had a good year and I’m still a fan of Cedric Tillman but Hunter is a different level of playmaker with the ball in his hands.  Cleveland does have 10 picks in this draft so if they want to move back up into the end of round one to grab a QB, they have the ammunition to do it. 

3. New York Giants (3-14):  Abdul Carter     Edge     Penn St. 

I’m sure the Giants would prefer Travis Hunter to fall here so they could start him at CB and have him moonlight at WR opposite Malik Nabers.  However, the narrative that they don’t need Carter is just wrong.  Yes, they traded for Brian Burns last year and paid him a ton of money.  They also drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth pick in the 2022 draft, so they have invested at edge rusher.  The problem is Brian Burns had 8.5 sacks last season and Thibodeaux only had 5.5.  Thibodeaux hasn’t lived up to his top five billing and the team is going to have to decide on his fifth-year option soon as he’s going into year four.  Burns is fine but he’s not a truly elite pass rusher.  Carter would be given a chance to really shine for this defense and could outplay both of them as a guy getting into the backfield.  This is too early for the Giants to address their needs at CB but maybe they get better CB play if the pass rush was a little more effective with Carter on the field.  When you’re 3-14, you don’t pass on talent at a premium position like edge rusher. 

4. New England Patriots (4-13):  Will Campbell     OT     LSU

This isn’t the ideal scenario for the Patriots as having Sanders go in the top three would mean either Hunter or Carter would be on the board.  That said, this is the most likely scenario and I don’t see a team making much of an offer to trade up here with Hunter and Carter off the board.  The Patriots stick and pick and take the guy they really need.  Campbell is one of my favorite players in this draft and I have a hard time seeing Vrabel not liking him.  He probably isn’t going to be Trent Williams or Tristan Wirfs but Campbell can be a starting LT in the NFL for a decade.  The Patriots won a lot a games and Super Bowls with guys like Matt Light and Nate Solder protecting Tom Brady’s blindside.  Campbell is a massive upgrade over anyone they have on the roster who could even think of playing LT.  Get the guy who will be Drake Maye’s favorite player for the next decade and then move on to fix the other issues with your roster.  Oh, and if anyone wants to trade up to take Mason Graham or Ashton Jeanty, the Patriots are open for business. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13):  Mason Graham     DT      Michigan

 I have had Graham going fifth in all four of my mock drafts, the first one had the Jets trading up for him but the last three have him going to Jacksonville.  Pretty sure if I were a betting man, I would bet Graham to go anywhere but fifth overall, no way am I getting that right.  He should though, the Jaguars are in desperate need of DT help and Graham is a stud.  Yes, his arms are short and he measured in under 300 lbs. at the combine, come on, he was trying to test well athletically.  He will play closer to 305-310 lbs. and he’s be a beast.  Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will appreciate the help up front on that defense and Graham will be a rock.  New Jaguars GM James Gladstone came from the Rams, they know how to build a defensive front and Graham is a cornerstone piece. 

6. New Orleans Saints (TRADE from Las Vegas): Shadeur Sanders     QB     Colorado

The Raiders do a nice job here making the Saints nervous that the Jets are going to take Sanders at seven overall.  The Saints have never been afraid to move up and now the Raiders pick up some more draft capital and drop down only three spots.  Sanders is an underwhelming athlete with good touch on his passes and is very accurate if he’s throwing the routes he likes to throw.  He doesn’t have elite arm strength or talent but he’s tough as nails and he gives the Saints a young, cheap alternative to Derek Carr.  The Saints are going to have to eat a lot of dead money when they ditch Carr but at least Sanders will be on a rookie contract.  I’m not sure it’s a good idea for Kellen Moore to stake his first head coaching job on Shadeur Sanders but he could do worse, I mean he could start Derek Carr for multiple years. 

7. New York Jets (5-12): Armand Membou     RT     Missouri

It’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Jets would consider Sanders at this spot if he’s on the board.  Sure, they signed Justin Fields and have said all the right things publicly about him being their starter.  However, do you remember me saying teams lie with their words all the time but never their money?  The Jets gave Fields some money but not a ton and not on a long contract.  Anyway, they go with Membou who can step in immediately at RT for the departed Mogan Moses and he and Olu Fashanu should make nice bookend tackles for whomever is the Jets long-term starting QB.  Membou has the physical style and athletic profile to be a  very good RT. 

8. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE from Carolina):  Tyler Warren     TE     Penn St.

The Colts get antsy with Carolina on the clock and too many picks that could get traded or teams that could take Warren so they move up and get their guy.  No team in the league needs a TE more than the Colts.  Warren is generally considered the best one in this draft and he could really help their offense by being a weapon over the middle and down the seam.  They could use him as a red zone threat and even as a short-yardage back.  Shane Steichen could come up with some creative ways to use Warren and Anthony Richardson in the backfield together and use their athleticism to really put the defense in conflict. Depending on the trade value chart you subscribe to, this trade could cost them somewhere around a third or fourth round pick.  If you’re GM Chris Ballard or Steichen, you can’t care, you need to get better now.  If you’re the Panthers, you need as many picks as possible because you still have plenty of holes to fill. 

9. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE from New Orleans): Tetairoa McMillan     WR     Arizona

I know the RB group of Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, and Zamir White looks bad, and it is, however, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and Ramel Keyton as the top three WRs doesn’t look better.  Sure, they have Brock Bowers at TE but he needs some help.  How about drafting a 6’4 219 lbs. contested catch, outside WR who can take some of the pressure off Bowers and open things up a bit.  Geno Smith loved to throw down the field to DK Metcalf, he’ll truly enjoy throwing it up to a guy who can go up and get it.  The Raiders could take Ashton Jeanty, but there are a lot of good backs in this draft and the receiver group drops off pretty quickly. 

10. Chicago Bears (5-12):  Ashton Jeanty     RB     Boise St.

The Bears did a really nice job of filling the glaring holes on their roster in free agency and with their trades.  LG Joe Thuney, RG Jonah Jackson, and C Drew Dalman make the offensive line less of a priority while Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett help the defensive line.  If there was a no-brainer pick on the o-line or d-line I would take that guy here, but there isn’t.  When Ben Johnson was offensive coordinator for the Lions, they took Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall at one point, I don’t think Johnson would hesitate to take Jeanty to be his star RB.  He once had D’Andre Swift in Detroit, he knows what he is.  Jeanty is a special playmaker and he can be both the thunder and lightning for this offense.  He has elite contact balance and doesn’t go down easily while also having the ability to break a big run.  Jeanty and Rochon Johnson would make a nice backfield tandem. 

11. San Francisco 49ers (6-11):  Will Johnson     CB     Michigan

This is not a pairing I’ve seen anywhere I can remember, mostly because it seems everyone either gives the 49ers an offensive or defensive lineman.  That defensive lineman I understand, I’ve been doing that because the 49ers generally build the defense up front first.  I’m not sold on any of the defensive linemen at this spot nor do I think they go for an offensive lineman.  Will Johnson has been sliding down the draft boards because he hasn’t really worked out and he has refused to run the 40 so teams can see his speed.  I don’t care, Johnson is a good, tough CB with elite size and great coverage skills.  This team lost Charvarius Ward in free agency and they need a CB1.  Their top three CBs; Deommodore Lenoir, Tre Brown, and Renardo Green are all under 6’0 tall.  Johnson is 6’2 and in a division with guys like Puka Nacua, Devante Adams, and Marvin Harrison Jr., a little size could be useful. 

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10):  Matthew Golden    WR     Texas

In a vacuum I would oppose Golden going 12th overall in the draft, I don’t think he’s that great.  He had a good year at Texas and he ran a really fast 40 time at the combine.  The 40 time seems misleading because when you watch him play, he doesn’t play that fast.  He’s good and he is fast but he isn’t 4.29 fast during games.  That said, this would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys and I can support it.  After CeeDee Lamb the other two listed starting WRs for Dallas are Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo, this is a massive hole in the roster.  I do still think they need to address offensive line early but Golden fixes a major issue for them.  They can wait on RB with Javonte Williams at least a capable starter and who knows, maybe Miles Sanders isn’t quite done at 27 years old. 

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE from Miami): Jalon Walker     LB/Edge     Georgia

It doesn’t feel like there’s a consensus on where to play Walker, is he an off-ball LB or is he an edge rusher.  His best plays are moving forward and attacking but he’s too small to be a full-time pass rusher.  The Buccaneers signed Haasan Reddick, re-signed Anthony Nelson, and still have Yaya Diaby on the edge.  The problem is Reddick is going to be 31 this year and is coming off a lost season after a contract dispute, Nelson is a backup, and Diaby is a nice player but he’s not elite.  The team also needs some LB help with Lavonte David aging and not much beyond him.  If Todd Bowles can find the right combination of using Walker to rush the passer and play LB, he can be a dynamic playmaker the defense needs.  This team doesn’t have a lot of draft picks but they also don’t have a ton of needs.  They need impact players not depth players.  Walker has the upside to be that guy.  He also comes with the downside that he could get a coach fired if it doesn’t work out. 

14. Carolina Panthers (TRADE from Indianapolis): Mike Green     Edge     Marshall

The Panthers move down and while they miss out on the top offensive playmakers in the draft like TE Tyler Warren and WR Tetairoa McMillan, they pick up valuable draft capital and still end up with an edge rusher who could be a difference maker.  Green was a leading sack guy in college football last year and he knows how to get to the QB.  The Panthers have Jadaveon Clowney, DJ Wonnum, and Patrick Jones II at edge rusher but none of those guys are difference makers.  Green gives them a high-level pass rusher immediately and this defense needs him.  If they want to get an offensive playmaker here, TE Colston Loveland would be the one. 

15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9): Shemar Stewart     Edge     Texas A&M

The Falcons can’t be too happy to see Jalon Walker and Mike Green go off the board with the two picks directly ahead of them.  It’s doubly concerning that those two players went to teams within the Falcons own division.  The Falcons need an edge rusher in the worst way, which is something we have been saying in every draft since John Abraham left in 2013.  It would help if the Falcons would settle on the type of defensive front they want to run. They have vacillated between a 3-4 and 4-3 so many times in the last several years it’s dizzying.  With new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on board, they should be a 4-man front, for now at least.  Stewart would give them a legitimate DE with the size and skills needed to play right now.  Stewart wasn’t a sack producer at Texas A&M but you can’t teach a guy to be 6’4 267 lbs. and be as athletically gifted as Stewart.  He needs to learn to finish his pass rushes and get the sack but the Falcons could do worse at DE, as a matter of fact, they have for about the last 12 years now. 

16. Detroit Lions (TRADE from Arizona): Donovan Ezeiruaku     Edge     Boston College

The Lions make the major move up the board when they see the run on edge rushers begin.  Ezeiruaku isn’t my favorite pass rusher in this draft but I can see the Lions loving him.  He’s sort of the opposite of a lot of edge guys in this draft, he isn’t a freak athlete who didn’t produce big numbers.  He’s a solid athlete who happens to really know how to get to the QB.  He had over 30 sacks in college and that includes 16.5 last year.  The Lions need a guy who can get to the pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.  Ezeiruaku has long arms and great bend and knows how to finish when he gets to the QB.  He’s relentless and he’s the type of hard-working grinder the Lions love.  There has to be some kind of big move in this draft to spice it up, Detroit gives up pick 28 and a next year’s first rounder to go up to get the pass rusher they need.  It’s a lot to pay but this team has a Super Bowl window and it’s open right now. 

17. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE from Cincinnati): Colston Loveland     TE     Michigan

The Rams wanted Brock Bowers last year but they couldn’t make the move necessary to get up in the draft to take him.  They don’t miss this time.  Loveland will give the Rams a great weapon over the middle to complement Devante Adams on the outside and Puka Nacua everywhere else.  The Rams have plenty of picks to use this year and they aren’t shy, moving up nine spots is a costly jump but they need some new blood at TE.  Loveland has high upside and while he wasn’t great last season at Michigan, I chalk that up to their horrible QB play.  He could end up being better than Tyler Warren and I wouldn’t be overly surprised. 

18. Seattle Seahawks (9-8):  Grey Zabel    IOL    North Dakota St.

The Seahawks had one of the worst interior offensive lines in the NFL last season and they did nothing to improve it except not bring back Laken Tomlinson.  C Olu Oluwatimi stepped in at the end of last season and held his own and he might be a good fit in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense, that would be helpful.  But they still need new guards and Zabel is one of the more athletic guard prospects you’ll find here.  He played LT at North Dakota St. but moving inside has been the plan for him in the NFL.  He could end up a center but for now he slots in a LG next to Charles Cross and hopefully solidifies the left side of the Seattle o-line.  He shouldn’t be the last interior offensive lineman they take in this draft either. 

19. Miami Dolphins (TRADE from Tampa Bay):  Derrick Harmon     DT     Oregon

The Dolphins defensive line is in shambles.  They have Zach Sieler and that’s about it. They need someone, anyone to give them some legitimate defensive line play on their front.  They use a 3-4 defense and generate pass rush from their OLBs but that’s hard to do if the guys up front are subpar.  Harmon is the unsung star of this defensive line class.  He’s strong, steady, and can be absolutely devastating in the middle.  They could use him at nose tackle or at end in the 3-4 defense and he’ll destroy people.  Having him at end with a guy like Bradley Chubb or Jaelen Phillips coming off his edge, would change the way you have to block this defense.  They could look for a CB upgrade since they are looking to trade Jalen Ramsey and Storm Duck is not an answer at the position.  Harmon is better than any CB available here.

20. Denver Broncos (10-7):  Omarion Hampton     RB     North Carolina

Mason Graham at five to Jacksonville and Omarion Hampton at 20 to Denver, probably the two most common mock draft fits.  The Broncos have to get a RB to make Sean Payton’s offense more effective.  Bo Nix was really good as a rookie and they should be fine at WR and offensive line but at RB they need an upgrade.  Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are solid role players but Hampton is a star. He’s a three-down back who brings power and speed to the backfield.  He is going to be a great addition to any backfield but he can dominate in Denver. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7):  Emeka Egbuka     WR     Ohio St.

The consensus has been moving Egbuka down the draft and part of that is because everyone seems to think the Steelers are going to draft a QB in round one, I don’t buy it.  They did that with Kenny Pickett and it was a disaster.  I think the trade for DK Metcalf means they will look to move on from the roller coaster that is George Pickens and that means they still need a WR2.  Egbuka is the perfect WR2.  He can be whatever you need him to be.  He can play inside or outside, he catches everything you throw to him, and he can block in the running game.  If he’s the best WR from this class in five years, that wouldn’t be surprising.  Drafting Ohio St. WRs is also usually a good idea.    

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6):  Kenneth Grant     DT     Michigan

The Chargers would love it if Colston Loveland falls this far but with him off the board they settle for a different Wolverine.  The connection to Harbaugh and DC Jesse Minter is obvious but so is the Chargers need for some defensive line help. They lost Poona Ford and Morgan Fox up front and they weren’t exactly stacked there to begin with.  Grant can play nose tackle and he could also play on the end and be very effective.  The Chargers could look for another edge rusher or a CB but Grant is a value pick and they know him well.

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6):  Jahdae Barron     CB     Texas

The Packers could still move on from Jaire Alexander and if they do, they will need another outside CB.  Barron doesn’t have elite size or measurables but he’s a damn good football player.  He can play outside CB, inside slot, or moonlight as a safety.  The Packers have Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, and Javon Bullard who are all guys who can play multiple positions in the secondary.  Barron gives them another guy to mix and match and he’s honestly one of the best prospects in the draft, he just isn’t the biggest CB. 

24. Cleveland Browns (TRADE with Minnesota): Jaxson Dart     QB     Ole Miss

The Vikings don’t have many picks in this draft so they are ripe for a trade down.  They filled most of their big needs in free agency so they move down here with Cleveland so the Browns can come up and snag the QB they need to get in this draft.  The Browns signed Joe Flacco and traded for Kenny Pickett so they don’t need a starter right away but they still need a QB of the future.  Dart wouldn’t have to step in right away but Flacco and Pickett aren’t going to stop him from taking the job if he’s good enough.  Dart is a solid prospect but not an elite one.  He would give the Browns some hope that they have a guy they can count on going forward. 

25. Houston Texans (10-7):  Josh Simmons     OT     Ohio St.

The Texans signed Cam Robinson after trading away Laremy Tunsil so technically they don’t need a new LT.  Unless you’ve seen Robinson play before, then you know they do still need a LT.  Simmons is coming off a major knee injury so he may not be ready to start when the season starts so Robinson is a decent stop-gap at LT.  Somewhere around week five Simmons should be healthy enough to take over and by then the team should be ready to bench Robinson.  Simmons has long term potential and could be an elite LT, that would go great with their franchise QB CJ Stroud. 

26. Cincinnati Bengals (TRADE from LA Rams):  Jihad Campbell     LB     Alabama

The Bengals need to take the best defensive player they can get and that’s Campbell.  The only reason he lasts this long is because he’s generally seen as an off-ball LB and he has a shoulder issue.  If his shoulder is healthy, he’s a steal here.  He’s a playmaker wherever you use him and they can use him at LB and then also use him as a blitzer.  He just makes plays and this defense sorely lacks guys who do that.  The Bengals move down in this trade and pick up a third round pick and still get one of the best defensive players in this draft, that’s a smart move.

27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5):  Mykel Williams     Edge     Georgia

The Ravens have a need at pass rusher and while Williams wasn’t the most productive pass rusher, he still has great upside.  He doesn’t turn 21 until this summer and he’s still developing.  It feels a little like they have done this before and it’s worked some guys and not so much others.  Williams has all the physical tools to be elite, he just needs to develop some of his pass rush moves and refine his technique.  You can’t teach a guy to be built the way Williams is built and his potential is well worth this pick. 

28. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE from Detroit):  Kelvin Banks Jr.     OL     Texas

The Cardinals could take just about any position on defense but Banks offers a lot of value here.  He could be an immediate starter at LG or he could end up beating out Jonah Williams at RT.  At the very least, he replaces Williams when the team moves on from him.  He would make a nice bookend with Paris Johnson Jr. eventually and starts at LG in the meantime.  If the Cardinals want to solidify their offense, Banks is too good to pass up.  They move down a lot in this trade but picking up a future first round pick is worth the drop.   

29. Washington Commanders (12-5):  James Pearce Jr.     Edge     Tennessee

James Pearce Jr. is an elite edge rusher who knows how to get to the QB better than most of the edge rushers in this class.  He falls this low because there are questions about his character off the field.  That may end up working in his favor if he goes to Washington, it’s a better situation than a lot of places for him.  This is a good young team that needs a pass rusher and Dan Quinn is an excellent coach.  The strong culture Quinn is building in Washington around guys like Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, Bobby Wagner, and others, would be a good environment for Pearce to start his career. 

30. Buffalo Bills (13-4):  Walter Nolan     DT     Ole Miss

The Bills don’t have any glaring needs but that doesn’t mean they can’t get better at an important position.  They aren’t very deep at DT and the only free agent they signed was Larry Ogunjobi who is going to miss the first six weeks with a suspension.  Nolan can be a devastating player at DT but he lacks consistency. He also has some red flags off the field.  He wouldn’t need to be a full-time player right away and the Bills have the veterans who would be a good influence on him. He could actually live up to his immense potential in this situation. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2):  Josh Conerly Jr.     OT     Oregon

The Chiefs gave LT Jaylon Moore plenty of money to be their starting LT but that doesn’t mean he should be.  They need more options at OT because not only is Moore not a sure thing, Jawaan Taylor at RT isn’t great either.  Conerly isn’t a finished product but he’s good enough to compete with Moore who has only been a backup in the league.  Moore started games last year in San Francisco when Trent Williams was out but that’s a very specific offensive system and we will see if he can translate over.  Conerly is a good player and if they draft him, he will push Moore for the LT job immediately.  He also gives them depth and options at both OT spots.    

32. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3):  Malaki Starks     S     Georgia   

The Eagles have added quite a bit of veteran depth on both offense and defense.  At this point they should go best player available and I’m a believer in Starks.  He didn’t test well at the combine but safety is one position where I would rather have a guy who has good instincts than a guy who’s only a great athlete.  Starks is that guy, he just knows how to play and what he’s looking at.  You don’t have to be that fast if you can diagnose the play a second earlier than everyone else.  The Eagles don’t have great safety depth after trading away CJ Gardner-Johnson.  Starks gives them some cover if Sydney Brown isn’t healthy and the truth is he can push Brown even if Brown is healthy.  Also, Howie Roseman didn’t pick a Georgia defender in last year’s draft so he has to be dying to get one, he can’t wait any longer.   

Round 2

33. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE from Cleveland):  Maxwell Hairston     CB     Kentucky

The Vikings get this pick plus a couple of more picks from Cleveland so the Browns can move up and get their QB.  The Vikings only had four picks coming into this draft, trading down and getting more picks is a good move.  Here they take Hairston who is a smaller, feisty CB who should be pretty good in Brian Flores’ defense.  They need the help in the secondary and Hairston should be able to step in right away.  Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers aren’t big CBs either so these guys could be interchangeable to a certain extent. 

34. New York Giants:  Tyler Booker      OG     Alabama

If the Giants pass on a QB in round one, I think it’s a sign they are resigned to not taking one early.  They will live with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston unless someone falls to them later in the draft.  Booker can step in at guard and replace Greg Van Roten, that’s a massive upgrade.

35. Tennessee Titans: Nic Scourton     Edge     Texas A&M

The Titans cut Harold Landry and he was their best edge rusher.  Dre’Mont Jones and Arden Key aren’t scaring anyone.  Scourton needs to get back to being the guy he was at Purdue; he was a real edge threat there.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Emmanwori     SS     South Carolina

The Jaguars are counting on Liam Coen to fix the offense, they need talent to fix the defense.  Mason Graham is a major addition up front but the back-end needs help.  Emmanwori is an uber-athlete but he’s a little raw.  He’s still an upgrade over the free agents they brought in and he’s a playmaker. 

37. Las Vegas Raiders: Quinshon Judkins     RB     Ohio St.

The Raiders pass on Jeanty in round one because there are two Ohio St. RBs in round two that new OC Chip Kelly knows well.  They take the bigger back who can handle the workload of a primary back.  Judkins is the starter immediately in Vegas.

38. New England Patriots: Luther Burden III     WR     Missouri

This is a risky proposition considering the Patriots history with early round WRs.  It’s also risky because Burden didn’t have a great year last year.  I think Drake Maye makes that all go away.  He’s a massive upgrade over Burden’s QB at Missouri and he will raise the play of the guys around him.  Oh, and there’s no Belichick or Mayo around to screw up a young WR. 

39. Chicago Bears: Donovan Jackson     OG     Ohio St.

The Bears got their flashy new toy in round one with Jeanty, now it’s time to get better in the trenches.  Jackson is just too good to pass up at this point.  They probably shouldn’t completely count on Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney isn’t a spring chicken.  Donovan Jackson is really good; he could beat out Jonah. 

40. New Orleans Saints: Jayden Higgins     WR     Iowa St.

If the Saints take Shadeur Sanders in round one, they should get him more help at WR.  Chris Olave is good but he’s got concussion issues and Rashid Shaheed has injury issues too.  Higgins has inside out versatility and could give Sanders a big target to throw to wherever he lines up. 

41. Chicago Bears: Tyliek Williams     DT     Ohio St.

The Bears continue to get better on the lines with another Ohio St. guy.  Williams is a big guy who would give them a good depth piece this year and will be an eventual starter inside.  He’s good against the run and would be a complementary pairing for Grady Jarrett. 

42. New York Jets: Jalen Milroe     QB    Alabama

Justin Fields has a two-year deal and that would be just the right amount of time to see if Milroe is ready to play.  The Jets are doubling down on a specific type of QB but that’s a better plan than they have had for a long time.

43. San Francisco 49ers: Carson Schwesinger     LB     UCLA

A slightly undersized rangy LB.  That sounds just like what San Francisco needs.  They lost Dre Greenlaw to Denver in free agency and Schwesinger would make a nice running mate for Fred Warner for the rest of his career. 

44. Dallas Cowboys: Darius Alexander     DT     Toledo

The Cowboy can’t be satisfied with Mazi Smith at DT so they take a shot here with a small school guy who looked great at the Senior Bow.  Alexander can hang with the big boys.

45. Indianapolis Colts: Aireontae Ersery     OL     Minnesota

Ersery could compete to be the RG to begin with but he’s also great depth at multiple spots.  He can hang at LT if you need him, he could also be a RT.  Braden Smith is good but he’s getting expensive and if the Colts wanted to move on, Ersery could be the new RT within a year or two.

46. Atlanta Falcons: Benjamin Morrison     CB     Notre Dame

Someone is going to take a shot on Morrison despite his hip injury.  He’s far too good to let fall much farther and the Falcons need CB help.  If Morrison is healthy, he’s a massive steal here because he has high level starter written all over him. 

47. Arizona Cardinals: Jaylin Noel     WR     Iowa St. 

Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, and Greg Dortch are fine at WR but they aren’t taking any attention away from Marvin Harrison Jr. to make his life easier.  Noel is being underrated, he’s very good.  He can be a second WR on the outside or he can dominate from the slot.  Either way, he’s a massive upgrade for the Cardinals passing game. 

48. Miami Dolphins: Shavon Revel Jr.     CB     East Carolina

Revel is the other CB someone is going to gamble on coming off an injury.  He might be even better than Morrison at some point.  The Dolphins are looking to trade Jalen Ramsey and they needed a couple of CBs before that little development came around.  If Revel’s knee is healthy and they move Ramsey, he’s CB1 on day one. 

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Jackson     Edge     Arkansas

Just keep taking defensive players.  That strategy should be simple enough but it’s even better when a good DE falls to you.  Jackson is a little buried in the group of edge players beyond the top guys.  He’s very good and him starting opposite Trey Hendrickson instead of Joseph Ossai or Myles Murphy would be a good thing for the Bengals.

50. Seattle Seahawks: Mason Taylor     TE     LSU

I may have Taylor too low.  With his bloodlines; Jason Taylor is his father and Zach Thomas is his uncle, he’s got a lot going for him.  He isn’t spectacular at any one thing but he’s an excellent all-around TE.  New offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak needs weapons for Sam Darnold and his two TE sets could use a guy like Taylor.

51. Denver Broncos: Elijah Arroyo     TE     Miami

The Broncos signed Evan Engram but Sean Payton has never been shy about using multiple TEs.  Arroyo could be a matchup nightmare and give Bo Nix another nice target over the middle of the field.  If they can’t find a WR2 they like, just load up on TEs. 

52. Seattle Seahawks: Trey Amos     CB     Ole Miss

The Seahawks need an outside CB or two depending on how they feel about Riq Woolen’s contract situation.  Amos has starter ability and would be an excellent value this late in the draft. 

53. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE from Tampa Bay): Treyveon Henderson     RB     Ohio St.

The Chiefs make a move to get ahead of the Packers, Chargers, and Bills who could all be looking for RBs.  Henderson is a major playmaker and the Chiefs have been emphasizing speed on offense.  He’s never going to be a 20 carry per game back but he doesn’t need 20 touches to make an impact. 

54. Green Bay Packers: Alfred Collins     DT     Texas

The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency and getting a big body for the middle of the defensive line should be a priority and Collins is a big boy.  They don’t have a ton of screaming needs so filling a big hole with Collins feels like a smart play. 

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Elic Ayomanor     WR     Stanford

Ayomanor is not a perfect prospect, his hands can be a little inconsistent.  However, he has size and can play on the outside and right now they are counting on Mike Williams’s return to give them some juice outside.  I’d rather bet on Ayomanor’s upside. 

56. Buffalo Bills: Darien Porter     CB     Iowa St.

Porter is 6’3 and has elite athletic traits, there’s a reason he has a lot of fans in the NFL.  He’s only been a CB for a few years so he’s just developing his skills at the position.  The Bills just brought back Tre’Davious White, or what’s left of him.  Clearly, they need help at CB. 

57. Carolina Panthers: Jack Bech     WR     TCU

In round one the Panthers passed on getting a pass catcher for Bryce Young by trading down and grabbing a much-needed pass rusher.  Now they get a big outside ball winner in Bech.  He’s 6’2 216 lbs. and plays even bigger.  He makes Young’s life easier. 

58. Houston Texans: Kaleb Johnson     RB     Iowa

This pairing makes a lot of sense.  Johnson can play in a Nick Caley offense and the team needs someone other than Joe Mixon in the backfield.  Mixon is a great down-to-down grinding back, Johnson is the homerun hitter.  Don’t misunderstand me, Johnson can punish guys with his size but he has breakaway speed the Texans simply don’t have in the backfield. 

59. Baltimore Ravens: Jonah Savaiinaea     OG     Arizona

The Ravens do this a lot, take a guy who’s very talented but maybe not a perfect prospect, and turn him into a stud.  Savaiinaea played OT at Arizona, he’s going to be a big, mauling OG in the NFL.  Everyone else needs to stop letting the Ravens draft guys like this. 

60. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE from Detroit): Azareye’h Thomas     CB     Florida St.

I’m not sure if I have Thomas too high or too low.  He ran a really slow 40 time and it has hurt his draft stock, but he’s a good CB.  The Cardinals need good defensive players and Thomas is arguably the best one left on the board. 

61. Washington Commanders: Dylan Sampson     RB     Tennessee

Sampson is short but stout and has speed to burn and can be an electric playmaker.  The Commanders have Austin Ekeler but he’s 30 and hasn’t always been the picture of health.  Sampson would be a nice complement to Brian Robinson going forward. 

62. Buffalo Bills: Cam Skattebo     RB     Arizona St.

The Bills seem to be in a contract dispute with James Cook so they may need a RB.  I’m not a huge Skattebo fan but he’s a grinder who has some skills.  I could see him having a cult-like following in Buffalo and he could be an effective back behind the Bills offensive line.

63. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE from Kansas City): Harold Fannin Jr.   TE   Bowling Green

The Buccaneers could go in many directions but grabbing a pass catcher like Fannin Jr. would be a fun move.  Forget whether he’s a TE or not, he’s a playmaker.  Put him on the field with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan and you have something really cooking for Baker Mayfield.  

64. Philadelphia Eagles: TJ Sanders     DL     South Carolina

The Eagles are just restocking a defense that took some hits in the off season.  Sanders gives them a nice depth piece up front and he can rotate in with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo.

Round 3

65. New York Giants: Tyler Shough     QB     Louisville

The QBs fall into the third round because when teams are convinced they like a guy they take them in round one, they don’t wait until round two.  Shough is older and has an injury history.  He’s got talent but he may already be at his ceiling.

66. Kansas City Chiefs:  Jack Sawyer    DE     Ohio St.

Only the Chiefs could be lucky enough to get a guy like Sawyer in round three.  He’s tough and relentless.

67. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE from Cleveland): Marcus Mbow     OL     Purdue 

The Vikings need an upgrade at guard and they need some depth at OT, Mbow provides both. 

68. Las Vegas Raiders: Omar Norman-Lott    DT     Tennessee

The Raiders get a penetrating DT who can help in the rotation and play next to Christian Wilkins.

69. New England Patriots: Bradyn Swinson     Edge     LSU

The Patriots still need to improve the pass rush and Swinson is a good prospect.  This is great value here.

70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jared Wilson     C/G     Georgia

Mitch Morse retired and the team signed Robert Hainsey at center, that’s not a great plan.  Wilson is a better plan.

71. New Orleans Saints: JT Tuimoloau     DE     Ohio St.

They Saints need help up front and Tuimoloau is really good at this point in the draft, he can be starting DE fairly early in his career.

72. Chicago Bears: Oluwafemi Oladejo     DE     UCLA

The Bears need more juice off the edge.  Oladejo has only been an edge rusher for a year but that just means he’s going to get better at it.

73. New York Jets: Jalen Royals     WR     Utah St.

The Jets WR group is ugly after Garrett Wilson, Royals is being overlooked a bit. 

74. Carolina Panthers: Princely Umanmielen     Edge     Ole Miss

Umanmielen falls all the way to round three because he’s a bit undersized and needs some development.  He does have some good pass rush skills and the Panthers need all the help they can get. A CB or a TE would make sense here but Umanmielen is too good to pass up even after taking Mike Green in round one. 

75. San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Milum     OL     West Virginia

Milum played LT at West Virginia but he’s a little undersized from a length perspective.  However, he’s a good athlete and mover and he’ll fit right in to Shanahan’s scheme.

76. Dallas Cowboys: Jacob Parrish     CB     Kansas St.

The Cowboys let Jourdan Lewis walk in free agency and could use a nickel back.  Parrish is a little undersized but he’s feisty as hell.

77. New England Patriots: Ozzy Trapilo     OT     Boston College

The Patriots offensive line needs more than one OT.  Morgan Moses is 34 and they don’t have a great backup plan.  Caeden Wallace may need to be a guard.  Trapilo is long and needs some development but he’s the perfect swing tackle for now and if Will Campbell has to be a guard, maybe Trapilo is the LT of the future. 

78. Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Turner     DE     Texas A&M

The Cardinals signed some veteran d-linemen but they need some youth. Turner is a big DE who can play in their scheme. He’s a prototypical 3-4 DE. 

79. Houston Texans: Kyle Williams     WR     Washington St.

Tank Dell is dealing with a devastating knee injury and Stefon Diggs is gone.  Nico Collins needs more help than Christian Kirk.  Williams has been flying under the radar, he may go higher than this. 

80. Indianapolis Colts: Josaiah Stewart     Edge/LB    Michigan

The Colts have a history with undersized DEs.  I’m not projecting Stewart to be Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis but he has some of that in him.  He plays like a man possessed.

81. Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Watts     S     Notre Dame

Just keep taking the best defensive player on the board.  Watts isn’t going to wow you with his physical traits but he’s an excellent safety. 

82. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Grant     OL     William & Mary

Klink Kubiak is bringing the Shanahan offense to Seattle and he needs better players up front.  Grant was a LT at Williams & Mary but he can transition inside.  He has the athleticism you want in the scheme.  He starts out at guard but if Abe Lucas has injury issues, Grant could step in at RT.

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle McCord     QB     Syracuse

The Steelers didn’t have a second-round pick but they get McCord here in round three.  He can back up Aaron Rodgers (or compete with Mason Rudolph if Rodgers retires) and he’s got some upside. 

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nohl Williams     DB     California

Williams has some versatility and could be a CB or a safety and the Buccaneers need help in the secondary.

85. Denver Broncos: Jordan Burch     DE     Oregon

Burch is a power DE who could help the Broncos push the pocket.  The defense could use a little help up front as they have some impending free agents next year.

86. Los Angeles Chargers: Terrance Ferguson     TE    Oregon

The Chargers missed out on the TEs earlier but Ferguson is a great consolation prize.  He can be a starting TE right away.

87. Green Bay Packers: Tre Harris     WR     Ole Miss

The Packers have four good WRs but they are still looking for a great one.  Harris probably isn’t it but he has potential playing with Jordan Love.  I would say he’s a little redundant with Christian Watson but Watson gets hurt a lot so having a backup to him would be helpful. 

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quincy Riley     CB     Louisville

The Jaguars aren’t great at CB and Riley has some upside.  He’s a little undersized but he doesn’t play that way.

89. Houston Texans: Joshua Farmer     DT     Florida St.

The Texans need some depth at DT, it’s the one spot on the defense that needs a little help.  Farmer isn’t flashy but he’s solid.

90. Cincinnati Bengals (TRADE from LA Rams): Tate Ratledge     OG     Georgia

The Bengals make one offensive move and that’s to get some help at guard.  They signed Lucas Patrick but they need more competition and Ratledge has starter ability.

91. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Kennard     Edge     South Carolina

The Ravens need help at edge rusher and Kennard knows how to get to the QB.

92. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Bond     WR     Texas

The Seahawks need some speed at WR that’s better than Marquez Valdes-Scantling.  Bond has serious off the field red flags but he’s a burner and he’s been trying to fight back against the off the field issues.  He may fall farther than this but on talent, he’s worth the pick. 

93. New Orleans Saints: Dorian Strong    CB     Virginia Tech

The Saints have Kool-Aid McKinstry and that’s about it at CB.  Strong at least gives them options. 

94. Cleveland Browns: Anthony Benton     OT     NC State

The Browns offensive line needs a lot of work. Benton wouldn’t necessarily be a starter right away but he could be with this group.  At the very least, he gives them options.    

95. Kansas City Chiefs: Gunnar Helm     TE     Texas

Travis Kelce won’t play forever and while Noah Gray is a good player, Helm gives them a solid option. 

96. Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron Williams      OT     Texas

The Eagles love to take big, hulking offensive lineman and turn them into stars.  Williams is a massive ball of clay and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland probably turns him into a Pro Bowler three years from now.

97. Minnesota Vikings: Ty Robinson     DT     Nebraska

The Vikings signed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave at DT, they are both over 30.  Robinson showed off some good athleticism in workouts and he gives them a rotational DT.    

98. Miami Dolphins: CJ West     DT     Indiana

The Dolphins double dip at defensive line after taking Derrick Harmon in round one, they absolute should do this.  West is a fire hydrant, he’s short and stout, he makes it work.

99. New York Giants: Tory Horton     WR     Colorado St.

One of the most underrated players in this draft is Tory Horton.  If he hadn’t gotten hurt last year, he’s at least in round two, if he had left CSU for a bigger school and a better offense, he might be a first rounder.  The Giants get a steal. 

100. San Francisco 49ers: Ashton Gillotte     Edge     Louisville

The 49ers continue to rebuild the front seven of the defense and Gillotte is a good player this late in round three. 

101. Los Angeles Rams: Demetrius Knight Jr.     LB    South Carolina

The Rams don’t usually spend draft picks on LBs but Knight is good value here, he’s a starter for the Rams very quickly. 

102. Detroit Lions:  Miles Frazier      OG     Detroit

The Lions need to get some depth at guard with Graham Glasgow getting older and Kevin Zeitler moving on.  I picked Frazier over his teammate Emery Jones but either one works. 

2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Post combine but before free agency.

Every year the NFL combine is one of the most polarizing events in the pre-draft run up and this year will be no different.  You don’t even have to work out to have a bad combine, just ask Shadeur Sanders.  Clarity comes in many forms, a guy is faster than you thought, a guy is slower than you hoped.  He doesn’t measure up, literally, or he has some bad interviews with teams.  This is the current narrative with Sanders, teams apparently didn’t like his attitude during interviews.  There have always been some mixed reviews about Sanders as he can be brash and arrogant, but those are traits that most QBs have to some extent. You kind of have to if you’re a top QB prospect.  Some teams will make moves with a veteran or deals start to come together before the league year starts next week and that will have some effect on the draft.  There are other things that have happened to change this mock draft so I’ll start with some news that changes things. 

Matthew Stafford is staying in LA with the Rams which means the Giants and Raiders had to either pivot to other veterans when free agency opens or they look to the draft.  The Raiders pivoted to a trade for Geno Smith from Seattle, which changes the calculus for the Raiders and the Seahawks. The Bears have traded for two new starting offensive guards in Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson so all those mock drafts with them taking Tyler Booker are out the window.  Alaric Jackson re-signed with the Rams meaning that’s one less option for the Patriots at LT so if they strike out with Ronnie Stanley, LT becomes the priority with the fourth pick. Tee Higgins got franchised again by the Bengals so the Patriots may have to look elsewhere in free agency for a WR or they look for one in the draft again.  Sam Darnold didn’t get franchised by the Vikings so he’s the top available veteran QB and could be in play for Tennessee, Cleveland, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, or all of the sudden, Seattle. Things will become clearer next week as teams start signing free agents but what’s the fun in waiting for that, lets Mock Draft. 

1. New York Giants (TRADE from Tennessee):  Cam Ward     QB      Miami

This starts with Tennessee making a move this next week at QB.  I think they are the dark horse to sign Darnold and then they can look to move the first pick for some draft capital.  They don’t want to drop too far, they made it clear they want one of the best players in the draft, that means either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter.  They move down to three and let the Giants come up to get their QB.  Ward can be a Brian Daboll’s mini-version of Josh Allen only he won’t have to fix Ward’s accuracy, he’s pretty accurate.  Ward isn’t as big as Allen but he has some movement skills and he has all the throws in his bag that make him a legit NFL QB.  He doesn’t lack for confidence in his arm and he will allow Daboll to unlock all the parts of the offense in New York.  And he’ll make Malik Nabers very happy. 

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14):  Abdul Carter     Edge     Penn St.

The Browns seem adamant they are not trading Myles Garrett and I tend to believe them because there just isn’t a deal out there that seems feasible.  Trading him for two late first round picks and some other picks doesn’t seem like enough and its only really good teams that would trade for him so you’re not getting top draft choices.  Either way, I think they take Carter to either pair with Garrett on the defensive line and/or as a hedge against eventually losing him either in a trade or free agency.  Carter has a stress reaction in his foot (whatever that means) and it will need to be thoroughly checked out but I don’t think it will end up hurting his draft stock.  He’s one of the two blue chip prospects in this draft and Cleveland would be lucky to land him.  I also think this is where Kirk Cousins ends up as stopgap at QB so they don’t take one this early. 

3. Tennessee Titans (TRADE from NY Giants): Travis Hunter     CB/WR     Colorado

The Titans pick up a third rounder this year and another pick next year to move down two spots and they still get arguably the best player in the draft.  Hunter can be the CB1 this team needs after L’Jarius Snead wasn’t everything they thought he could be.  He’s also the CB1 they wished they had gotten when they drafted Caleb Farley a couple of years ago.  He can also be a part-time WR to give them some juice opposite Calvin Ridley for a new QB, Sam Darnold or otherwise.  New GM Mike Borgonzi and the new front office said they didn’t want to pass on a generational prospect, well, here’s the generational prospect and you picked up two more picks, that’s good process. 

4. New England Patriots (4-13):  Will Campbell     OT     LSU

Alaric Jackson is off the market and as much as I think they will make a major offer to Ronnie Stanley, I think he goes back to Baltimore.  He’s been there a long time, he’s an older player, and unless the money difference is ridiculous, he’s going to stick with the team that is closer to winning a Super Bowl while he’s still playing.  That puts OT as the #1 need for this team.  Armand Membou from Missouri put on an athletic show at the combine and is getting buzz as the OT1 in this draft.  Sorry but he played RT for three years and I’m not going through the “we can move him to LT and he’ll be fine” stuff again after last year.  Membou’s arms are about ¾ of an inch longer than Campbell’s, I don’t care.  Will Campbell started as a freshman and has started for three years at LT at LSU playing against SEC competition and has been awesome. Don’t overthink it, take Campbell and he can be Drake Mays blindside protector for the next decade. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13):  Mason Graham     DT     Michigan

The Jaguars need high end talent and Graham is one of the best players in this draft.  He measured in with shorter than ideal arms at the combine, so what?  Watch this guy play at Michigan and he causes mayhem wherever he lines up.  They need help on the interior of the defensive line as they are a little thin there.  Graham would make life easier for Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen and he even has the versatility to line up outside a bit and they can play with moving Walker around.  He doesn’t look like the prototypical DT body type with his big barrel chest and short arms but he makes it work.  Jacksonville has plenty of work to do but at this point, taking the best player available is the smart move instead of reaching to fill a need. 

6. San Francisco 49ers (TRADE from Las Vegas):  Armand Membou     OL     Missouri

This would be a shocking trade given Kyle Shanahan rarely invests draft capital this high in offensive linemen but Membou helps them tremendously.  He can step in this season as the LG to replace Aaron Banks and then be the eventual replacement for Trent Williams at LT.  Membou is a very athletic player which fits Shanahan’s blocking scheme and giving him a year to learn the left side at guard next to the best LT in football would make a smoother transition.  It would take a special talent to get Shanahan to do this and Membou might be that guy. Also, Trent Williams is going to be 37 next season and he’s extremely expensive.  With all the issues the 49ers have with salary right now and Brock Purdy’s extension on deck, they could use a cheap LT for a few years on a rookie deal.  They also make this deal because if the Jets don’t re-sign Morgan Moses, Membou is a player they could take a serious look at next.

7. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE from NY Jets):  Shemar Stewart     DE     Texas A&M

This is where things get really interesting, the Raiders trade out of six after trading for Geno Smith and passing on Shadeur Sanders and now the Jets do the same thing.  The Jets need a lot of help on defense, their entire secondary not named Sauce Gardner, are all free agents.  They need picks to rebuild this roster and if they aren’t convinced Sanders is a good fit for Aaron Glenn or New York, they can trade down.  The Falcons need help in the front seven of their defense and they have gone back and forth between a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense too many times and guys don’t fit the scheme when they change.  Stewart didn’t produce sacks in college but he did produce pressure and he can play multiple spots up front.  He lost weight so he looked fast at the combine coming in at 267 lbs. but he played last year at 281 so he can be whatever they need him to be.  Their offense should be ready to go, the defense needs reinforcements so they move up for Stewart who made himself some money at the combine. 

8. Carolina Panthers (5-12): Tetairoa McMillan     WR     Arizona

The Panthers somehow salvaged Bryce Young in the last half of the season and Xavier Legette became a solid rookie WR with him.  They like Jalen Coker too but they need a true WR1 and that’s McMillan.  He’s a big, tall outside WR with a great catch radius and he’ll make Young’s life a whole lot easier.  When in doubt, Young can throw it up and McMillan is more likely than not to come down with it.  This team needs playmakers and McMillan is the best one in the draft.  They could use some help on defense for sure but this is a deeper draft on the defensive line and they can wait until their second-round pick to grab a pass rusher. 

9. New Orleans Saints (5-12):  Will Johnson     CB     Michigan

The Saints are in salary cap hell and they need a lot of help on defense.  Those two things don’t mesh well so they have to start somewhere.  Most have them looking for defensive line help but they also need a CB to start.  New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is a defensive backs coach at heart and they traded away Marshon Lattimore last season and they probably don’t have the money to re-sign Paulsen Adebo, that leaves Kool-Aid McKinstry as their only solid starting outside CB.  Will Johnson didn’t have a great season at Michigan and teams may wonder about his top-end speed but he’s a player and he’s a starter immediately in the NFL next season.  They could take a chance on a guy like Jalon Walker (he’s a little small for their tastes), Mykel Williams (they do like oversized DE’s who aren’t all that productive in college), or they could go for a guy who seems like more a sure thing, that’s Johnson.  Sometimes it’s best to just draft a good football player. 

10. Chicago Bears (5-12):  Mike Green     DE     Marshall

Ben Johnson isn’t messing around with his offensive line overhaul as the Bears already worked two trades to pick up Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to be their new starting guards, that solves that problem.  The next big issue is getting Montez Sweat some help rushing the passer.  Mike Green is a little out of sight, out of mind at the moment, after not participating at the combine.  However, he had a good Senior Bowl week and he’s a legit pass rusher off the edge.  He plays with more power than you would think for a guy his size and I think Dennis Allen will be able to work with that.  There’s a little part of me that wanted to give Ben Johnson Ashton Jeanty at RB and if the Bears sign a DE in free agency, that might be where my next mock draft goes. 

11. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE from San Francisco):  Ashton Jeanty     RB     Boise St. 

This is where things get dicey for Shadeur Sanders, trading for Geno Smith wouldn’t preclude them from drafting Sanders.  However, if they pass on him after trading down, look out, the free fall could be real.  Smith an immediate upgrade from what they ran out there last season at QB.  Jeanty would be a huge upgrade from what they ran out there at RB last season too. Geno Smith, with Jeanty and Brock Bowers is the beginning of a much better offense than they had last season. If they add a good WR at some point, the offense starts to get really interesting.    

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10): Kelvin Banks Jr.     OL     Texas

The Cowboys need a RB and a WR but they also just lost future Hall of Famer Zack Martin at guard and the offensive line is paramount to their success.  The jury seems split on Banks but he’s a good prospect at guard or tackle.  He could be an immediate starter at guard to replace Martin but he’s also a nice hedge against Tyler Guyton having any development issues at LT and if Terrence Steele doesn’t regain his form at RT, Banks could help there too.  The Cowboys have never shied away from taking offensive linemen in round one and this would be a solid choice for them. 

13. Miami Dolphins (8-9):  Nick Emmanwori     S     South Carolina

The Dolphins look to be pivoting in their secondary as both starting safeties from last season are free agents, Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer.  Holland is going to get a big free agent deal somewhere and Poyer is an aging player.  I’m not the biggest Emmanwori guy because I think he needs to go to a place that has a plan to use him.  He’s a great athlete who is either a really big safety or a small LB.  The Dolphin’s defensive coordinator is Anthony Weaver who cut his teeth in Baltimore and the Ravens know a thing or two about using safeties well.  If Weaver can find a plan, Emmanwori can be a very additive piece to the Dolphin’s secondary.  I probably wouldn’t take Emmanwori this high but after is combine showing and looking at the fit and the need in Miami, this pairing seems plausible.    

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9):  Tyler Warren     TE     Penn St. 

This is may be the most common mock draft pairing across the internet.  That’s because it makes a ton of sense.  The Colts don’t have a great TE and Anthony Richardson could use all the help he can get.  Warren is a supreme athlete and he’ll be a really good all-around TE.  The team needs playmakers and Warren is a playmaker.  Warren is 6’6 255 lbs. and runs like a deer.  He will give Richardson a big over-the-middle target and make his life a little easier. 

15. New York Jets (TRADE from Atlanta): Jahdae Barron     DB     Texas

The Jets secondary is going to need a complete overhaul.  Sauce Gardner is the only returning player of note and that means they need a starting outside CB, a nickel back, and two starting safeties.  Barron is the jack of all trades player in the secondary.  Depending on what they do in free agency he could be the starting outside guy opposite Gardner, or the nickel corner.  He can also play safety and while he was more of a zone guy at Texas I think Aaron Glenn will like his feistiness as a guy who doesn’t back down.  Barron could be for the Jets what Glenn made Brian Branch in Detroit, and that’s useful for any defense.  Barron’s best spot is a nickel who can be moved all over the field. 

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9):  Jalon Walker     LB     Georgia

The Cardinals need playmakers on defense and Walker may be a bit of a tweener but he’s a playmaker.  He would fit their scheme pretty well as a pass rushing LB who can also play off ball and be guy who just gets to the QB when they need it.  Walker has his fans and his detractors but at the midpoint of the first round he’s a really good value pick.  The Cardinals defense needs all the help it can get and Jonathan Gannon is a smart defensive mind who should find ways to use Walker’s skills to the fullest. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8):  Jihaad Campbell     LB     Alabama

Trey Hendrickson is the best player on the Bengals defense and he’s been given permission to seek a trade.  Germaine Pratt is one of the better players and he’s requested a trade.  This defense was bad last year and if those two guys are gone things get ugly.  Campbell is a hybrid LB/edge player depending on who you ask and this defense needs anybody who can make a play.  He’s a little raw but he’s worth a gamble for a team that needs all the help they can get on defense.  If there was an elite edge rusher or CB left, I would put them here but Mykel Williams is a gamble similar to other ones they have taken at DE that haven’t worked out.  That feels like to big of a risk.  At worst Campbell is just a damn good LB.

18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7):  Shadeur Sanders     QB     Colorado

The Seahawks may be in luck after trading away Geno Smith if Sanders falls this far.  The reviews from the combine were not great about Sanders’ interviews but he’s well worth a shot at this point in the draft.  The real question is will his fall end here or do the Seahawks take Jaxson Dart, who seems to be closing in on Sanders to be QB2 in this class.  New Seahawks offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak is from the Shanahan school of offense so Sanders’ skill set would be a good fit.  He’s not the most physically talented player but he’s highly accurate and throws a nice deep ball.  I have said before, he’s somewhere between Brock Purdy and Jared Goff, that’s a good fit for the offense. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7):  Mykel Williams     Edge     Georgia

The Buccaneers are losing most of their edge rushers, that’s not a bad thing since the ones they are losing aren’t great.  Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaq Barrett haven’t been the most effective guys and while Anthony Nelson is a solid backup, they need more opposite Yaya Diaby.  Williams is a stud athlete who just never produced at Georgia like you would think his athleticism would allow.  That could be rectified if used as an true edge rusher and not a DE like he was at Georgia.  This would be a bet on potential but Williams might be worth it. 

20. Denver Broncos (10-7):  Omarion Hampton     RB     North Carolina

This one might surprise some people but Hampton had a great combine and the Broncos need a RB.  Javonte Williams has never been the same since his knee injury a couple years ago and he’s a free agent.  The team has some guys but none of them stepped up last season.  Hampton is a bell cow type of back; he can handle a major workload.  He’s big, physical, fast and he has enough skill as a pass catcher to be an every down back.  Sean Payton found his QB last season, this year he gets his answer at RB.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7):  Matthew Golden     WR     Texas

Golden had a good combine while Luther Burden III was fine but unspectacular and Emeka Egbuka didn’t test in Indianapolis.  He feels like the guy with momentum at this point and the Steelers desperately need WR help.  They could look at Jaxson Dart but drafting a QB that might be a reach in the early 20s of the draft feels a little too soon after the Kenny Pickett debacle and the Steelers seem like they want a veteran instead.  Golden would give whoever plays QB a better chance to succeed because he’s a nice complement to George Pickens.  He’s not the biggest WR but he has speed and runs good routes, that’s a nice combination if you can get it. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6):  James Pearce Jr.     OLB     Tennessee

The reviews are really mixed on Pearce at this point.  No one doubts his traits and what he brings as a pass rusher but there are serious questions about him off the field.  There were some things about his time at Tennessee that will give teams pause, however, there are also those who say his issues were about the environment at Tennessee for him.  The Chargers cut Joey Bosa to save a ton of money and Khalil Mack is a free agent, they need pass rush help.  Jim Harbaugh is no stranger to guys who have some questionable character traits but he believes in his own culture enough to think he can help them overcome those issues.  I can see Harbaugh taking a chance on a guy if he thinks he can get the best out of him.  If Pearce has his head on straight and plays to his talent, he’s a star. 

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6):  Kenneth Grant     DT     Michigan

The Packers don’t have a lot of losses coming in free agency so there are not a ton of clear holes to fill.  DT TJ Slaton is a free agent and he’s the one big body they have at the position.  Also, Kenny Clark has been great for them but he’ll be 30 this year and he’s quite expensive.  They like Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, the two backup DTs for now but neither of them is very big.  Grant is a space eater who can push the pocket from time to time.  He’s 6’4 330 lbs. and can be immovable, he would give them a good, young DT who keeps the LBs clean and makes life easier for the pass rushers on the edge. 

24. Minnesota Vikings (14-3):  Derrick Harmon     DL     Oregon

The Vikings have a couple of free agents on their defensive line and they weren’t exactly stacked there to begin with.  Harmon is 6’5 313 lbs. and can play anywhere on the line in any formation and he’ll be an effective player.  He hasn’t gotten as much attention as some others but he’s the type of lineman Brian Flores will love because he can use him anywhere and move him where he’s most effective.  He’ll find matchups whether it’s inside or outside and Harmon will create havoc.  He makes the front seven a tougher matchup across the board. 

25. Houston Texans (10-7):  Tyler Booker     OG     Alabama

The Texans offensive line was pretty awful at times last year and got a little better when they moved Tytus Howard to guard and played Blake Fisher at RT.  They still need more help inside because it looks like they are cutting Shaq Mason at RG.  Booker was one of the least athletic players at the combine and it took him out of being a top half of the first-round type of player.  That said, he’s an excellent guard who plays with power and precision and is always where he’s supposed to be.  He gets the highest marks from teams when it comes to character and leadership and that will mean something to DeMeco Ryans.  He’s a plug and play guy at OG and he’ll make the offensive line a lot better for CJ Stroud and especially for the running game.  

26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7):  Walter Nolen     DT     Ole Miss

The Rams drafted Jared Verse and Braden Fiske as their first two picks last year and they hit on both of them.  Along with Kobie Turner, who they hit on a couple of years ago, they have some really good building blocks in the front seven.  They may lose Bobby Brown III in free agency this off season so getting a guy like Nolen would really help them.  Nolen is a truly talented interior defensive lineman who would fit between Turner and Fiske and really juice their interior pocket pressure.  This team hasn’t invested much in the secondary lately but Nolen is a better prospect than the CBs and safeties here so they go best player available over trying to fill a bigger need. 

27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5): Malaki Starks     S      Georgia

This would be right up the Raven’s alley.  Starks is one of the better football players in this draft but he went to the combine and looked like a pedestrian athlete competing against Nick Emmanwori.  The problem is he’s a better football player and this is why the Ravens always draft so well.  Marcus Williams is a free agent and while Ar’Darius Washington stepped up last year when Williams was out, he’s also a restricted free agent.  Whether they re-sign Washington or not, they need another safety so they can move Kyle Hamilton back to the position where they move him all over creation.  Starks is a great football player who plays the game faster than he runs and sees things and reacts with elite instincts for the game.  He and Hamilton would be a nightmare pairing for the rest of the league. 

28. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE from Detroit):  Josh Simmons     OT     Ohio St.

The Chiefs franchise tagged RG Trey Smith, traded LG Joe Thuney and seemingly are set up to move Kingsley Suamataia to LG after he failed to take the LT position.  This leaves them spending a lot of money on Trey Smith, C Creed Humphrey, and RT Jawaan Taylor so they need to save some money at LT.  Simmons was on his way to being a top half of the first-round player before he hurt his knee.  Assuming all medical checks come back fine, he’s well worth a late first round pick here.  The Chiefs make a small move up to get him ahead of Washington potentially looking for an OT or another team moving up.  Simmons is an immediate starter assuming his knee is good and he’s the best LT they have had since the best days of Eric Fisher. 

29. Washington Commanders (12-5):  Luther Burden III     WR     Missouri

The Commanders are clearly invested in making the most of Jayden Daniels and they proved that by trading for Deebo Samuel from San Francisco. They have money to spend in free agency but I think they invest that on defense and try to build out the offense in the draft.  Deebo is a nice veteran but he gets hurt a lot and they need more than one WR.  They have Terry McLaurin as their WR1 and then a bunch of free agents they hope to improve upon.  Burden had a tough year at Missouri but he’s a true talent and he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands.  I think he could have a better year than Deebo and become a favorite target for Daniels.  They could look for a LT but Brandon Coleman did a solid job last year and they can wait to address the offensive line needs. 

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE from Buffalo):  Colston Loveland     TE     Michigan

The Jaguars have a lot picks in this draft and they trade their second-round pick (36th overall) and maybe a fourth rounder to move back into the end of round one to get Loveland.  The Jaguars just cut Evan Engram for salary cap purposes and he has been one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets.  If they are looking to get the best out of Lawrence, they need to give him all the help they can get and Loveland is an excellent TE.  He would be a good middle of the field target while Brian Thomas Jr. is a outside deep threat.

31. Detroit Lions (TRADE from Kansas City):  Grey Zabel     IOL     North Dakota St.

The Lions pick up a later round pick from Kansas City and still end up with a starting offensive lineman they likely would have taken at 28.  Zabel can step into the RG spot that Kevin Zeitler is likely vacating as a free agent and he starts the process of the Lions getting younger on the interior offensive line.  Zeitler is 35 and LG Graham Glasgow will be 33 this year.  C Frank Ragnow is going to be 29 and his body has taken a beating over the years.  Zabel is good insurance in case Ragnow hangs it up earlier than expected at some point in the next couple of seasons.  The Lions know the value of their awesome offensive line and the worst thing they can do is let it start to fall apart.  Zabel is a nice investment for the future. 

32. Cleveland Browns (TRADE from Philadelphia): Jaxson Dart     QB     Ole Miss

The Browns have the 33rd pick and there’s no chance Philadelphia would take Dart so why make this trade?  Well, they pick up the 5th year option on a rookie QB contract by drafting Dart in the first round and not the second.  The Browns have 12 picks in this draft including five sixth rounders, flip one to Philadelphia and you get added time for a rookie QB.  This also matches up because I think they sign Kirk Cousins as a cheap veteran free agent and this pick gives them a guy who can sit and learn behind Cousins for a couple of years if necessary and the that make the 5th year option that much more important.  The Browns get a cheap veteran in Cousins, a cheap rookie in Dart and have remade their QB position without spending too much money or a lot of draft capital.  This is how you move on while having to eat Deshaun Watson’s stupid contract.