Tag: nfl draft

2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

Just when you think things can’t get any crazier in the NFL, the Ravens trade two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby and then a few days later, they rescind the trade due to a “failed physical”.  I put that in quotations because it feels a little convenient.  They knew he had meniscus surgery in January; the knee stuff wasn’t a surprise.  They then signed Trey Hendrickson to a deal that is suspiciously the same money left on Crosby’s deal.  The Ravens look bad and it’s only one piece of the mock draft puzzle.  The first-round pick (14) goes back to the Ravens now (along with next year’s one).  The Ravens need a new center because the Raiders seriously outbid them for Tyler Linderbaum.  I’m not a conspiracy buff but the Ravens didn’t rescind the trade until the Raiders had stolen Linderbaum.  I’m not saying…but…I’m not, not saying. 

Free agency certainly changed the team needs as is to be expected and so did a trade or two.  My repeated attempts to send RB Jeremiah Love to Kansas City are over with the Chiefs signing Kenneth Walker III.  The Chiefs’ need to refill their secondary becomes paramount with the losses of CB Trent McDuffie (traded), CB Jaylen Watson (signed with the Rams), and S Bryan Cook (headed to the Bengals).  The Panthers no longer have a crying need for a MLB with Devin Lloyd signing and they spent a boatload of money on edge rusher Jaelen Phillips; another need off the checklist.  The Commanders signed two edge rushers, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, probably not a priority early in the draft now.  The Dolphins traded WR Jayden Waddle to Denver, that was the big move for the Broncos and that may be a white flag from the Dolphins.  I love trying to put all the pieces together.  Let’s take a look at my latest Mock Draft. 

1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14): Fernando Mendoza     QB      Indiana

As expected, the Raiders did not go out and sign Malik Willis or trade for Patrick Mahomes (just seeing if you’re paying attention).  This pick is Mendoza; it’s been Mendoza and at this point we could just have him sign his contract and tell the Jets they’re on the clock.  Fernando should find a house, buy it, set up the moving company to take his stuff from Bloomington to Vegas, probably just use the company that moved him from Berkley, CA to Bloomington last year.  Someone give him a key to Raiders’ facilities so he can start working out. 

2. New York Jets (3-14): Arvell Reese     Edge     Ohio St. 

The Jets have been quite aggressive in changing up their defensive personnel for Aaron Glenn.  They traded for DT T’Vondre Sweat and S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and signed Edge Joseph Ossai, DE Kingsley Enagbare, DT David Onyemata, S Dane Belton, and CB Nashon Wright, that looks great for Glenn who is trying to save his job.  The problem is Wright, Belton, Enagbare and Onyemata are all one-year deals, this isn’t a long-term plan.  GM Darren Mougey still needs to set this team up for success in the future even if Glenn isn’t the coach.  The best player available is Arvell Reese who can slot in with these guys just fine.  There are some questions as to whether or not Reese is really an edge player.  His pro day workout showed some issues that might give the Jets some pause.  However, Reese doesn’t have to be an edge player for them with the guys they signed plus Will McDonald around, he can be a LB.  They have Demario Davis, who is 37 and Jamien Sherwood, someone they aren’t completely sold on.  The team will have to decide soon if they are keeping McDonald long-term and Ossai’s contract isn’t prohibitive in any way.  Reese gives Glenn, or any new coaching staff in the future, plenty of versatility to fit into any system.

3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14): Sonny Styles     LB     Ohio St.

I have consistently had the Cardinals trading down because they need a RT and there isn’t great value in taking one here.  They addressed offensive line with the signing of LG Isaac Seamalo, and they also brought in RT Elijah Wilkinson, who started last year for the Falcons.  Styles is such a phenomenal athlete and would change the feel of their defense. Cody Simon was okay at ILB last year and Mack Wilson is fine too, but Styles is a true difference maker.  Teams like the Giants (Tremaine Edmunds) and the Browns (Quincy Williams) addressed LB so there may not be team looking to move up unless the Titans want to move up one spot.  When in doubt, just take the 6’5 240 lbs. athletic freak on defense and call it a day.

4. Tennessee Titans (3-14): David Bailey     DE     Texas Tech

Robert Saleh wants to remake the Titans’ defense and he’s off to an excellent start.  They signed three new CBs (Alontae Taylor, Cor’dale Flott, and Josh Williams) and he rebuilt most of the front four with the trade for DE Jermaine Johnson and signing DT John Franklin-Myers.  David Bailey would be the last piece to a truly overhauled defensive line with Johnson and Bailey at DE and Fraklin-Myers and Jeffrey Simmons inside at DT.  Saleh likes an attacking front four and these guys would fit the bill.  Franklin-Myers can also play DE on running down early to allow Bailey to grow into the role a little more and that would be ideal for him.  The Titans might decide to try to move up for Sonny Styles if they think Arizona might take him, but they can’t go wrong with Styles or Bailey. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE from NYG): Rueben Bain Jr.     DE     Miami

The Chiefs decided not to wait and see if Jeremiah Love would be available to solve their RB problem and they signed Kenneth Walker III instead.  Here they decide not to wait to see who they can get at nine overall, they make a move up to get the pass rusher they want.  They picked up extra draft picks from their trade of Trent McDuffie to the Rams and if they are willing to part with a third-round pick here, they can get ahead of Washington and New Orleans and get Rueben Bain Jr.  With Reese and Bailey gone in the first four picks, the run on edge players scares them into moving up.  Bain is the perfect fit in their defensive scheme, and they desperately need to get more pop off the edge.  The team saw their Super Bowl window slam shut last year and they know they can’t wait around to make some changes. 

6. Cleveland Browns (5-12): Monroe Freeling     LT     Georgia

The Browns are slowly but steadily rebuilding their offensive line.  After trading for Tytus Howard, they re-signed OG Teven Jenkins, and then signed LG Zion Johnson and C/G Elgton Jenkins.  While I wouldn’t say Teven Jenkins is a surefire starter and they overpaid Johnson, technically they have starters at four spots.  That leaves LT still to be filled unless they actually think Dawand Jones is a LT, he’s not.  They may be better playing Jones at RT and moving Howard inside to guard.  Freeling is the guy who climbed the draft boards between the end of the season and the actual draft.  That doesn’t always work out great, but Freeling has the length and athleticism to be a LT in the NFL.  There aren’t many of those guys in this draft, so the Browns take their shot here and hope they find a long-term answer at the position.  This team knows it has time to develop a player like Freeling, they know where they are as a franchise. 

7. Washington Commanders (5-12): Jeremiah Love     RB     Notre Dame

This would be the dream for the Commanders because they desperately need to improve their running game.  The offensive line has some talent and with Jayden Daniels returning to health, the offense can get back on track.  This may come down to a choice between Love and Carnell Tate because they need offensive playmakers everywhere.  Love is an elite prospect and is so far above the other RB prospects, he’s not even in the same universe.  There is far more depth at WR in this draft, and I also still believe Brandon Aiyuk ends up in Washington once the 49ers jettison him.  Love would make for a great backfield mate to Daniels and he’s the top RB on the roster on day one. 

8. New Orleans Saints (6-11): Carnell Tate     WR      Ohio St.

The Saints have Chris Olave at WR and then not much else.  If they want QB Tyler Shough to continue to progress as a player, they need to get him some help.  Tate is the perfect complement to Olave as a big-bodied outside WR who can get down the field but also dominate in the intermediate area.  He would be a great red zone target and pushes guys like Devaughn Vele into more of a support role, where he would be better suited.  The Saints could use some new blood on defense so CB Mansoor Delane or S Caleb Downs are certainly a possibility but giving Shough a chance to succeed is a smart move.   

9. New York Giants (TRADE from KC): Spencer Fano     OL     Utah

The Giants aren’t the most obvious trade down candidate as they could take an o-lineman or they could draft Jeremiah Love or Carnell Tate at five overall, both fill major needs.  However, they don’t have a third-round pick, and this team has plenty of holes to fill.  They need WR, DT, offensive line, and LB help, just to name a few.  Fano has a chance to step in at RG immediately with the potential to be a long-term solution at RT. Some teams also see him as a potential center and this team can’t be too married to the idea of John Michael Schmitz at center since he’s entering the last year of his rookie deal and hasn’t been the picture of consistency.   

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11): Mansoor Delane     CB     LSU

The team addressed issues on the defensive line with DT Jonathan Allen and DE Boye Mafe signing.  You can question the wisdom of the Allen signing but they needed a DT and beggars can’t be choosers.  The Bengals’ CBs were solid last season with Dax Hill being healthy, DJ Turner playing well and even Jalen Davis was solid at nickel.  All three of these guys are scheduled to be free agents in 2027 so unless they get working on contracts now, they could lose one, two, or all three next year.  Delane isn’t an elite athlete, he’s actually about as average of an athlete as you’ll find at CB.  However, he’s also excellent in coverage.  At LSU, he showed he could be a man cover corner last season, and that was after three years of being a very good zone corner at Virginia Tech.  His versatility makes him a worthy choice here even if he’s not the superior athlete most teams like at CB. 

11. Miami Dolphins (7-10): Caleb Downs     S     Ohio St.

I doubt anything would please Jeff Hafley more than getting Caleb Downs to start the rebuild of the Dolphins’ secondary.  They’re a blank slate and Downs is arguably the best defensive player in this draft.  Getting him at 11 overall would be a major coup and Hafley was a secondary coach coming up the ranks.  Downs is an immediate starter at safety and the best player in their secondary and it’s not close.  If they think Downs won’t fall this far they do have plenty of draft capital to make a move up if they want after trading WR Jaylen Waddle.  The Waddle trade does mean they will consider WR if guys like Downs and Mansoor Delane are off the board, but if either of those guys are around, they have to take the best defensive player available for the secondary.  WR is a far deeper position and they can find help later. 

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1): CJ Allen     LB     Georgia

This is pretty high for an off-ball LB who isn’t the ridiculous athlete that Sonny Styles is, but the Cowboys are telegraphing this pick with their moves.  Unless they plan on drafting Makai Lemon to be their third WR and turning this offense nuclear, they are looking to fill the ILB role.  They love DeMarvion Overshown but he’s only one ILB and he’s coming off his long rehab season.  Marist Liufau is not the answer next to him.  Allen is a hard-nosed, run-stuffing beast who can help this team continue to improve their run defense and he can be the QB of the defense.  They finally got some beef up front with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, now all they need is a tackling machine at the second level, welcome CJ Allen.  There will be talk about the value of taking an off-ball LB at this high of a pick but the Cowboys have never cared about positional value in the draft.  They have routinely taken interior offensive linemen in round one (Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin) despite that not being a valued position.  All of them were excellent picks. 

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Makai Lemon     WR     USC

The Rams had one glaring need going into this off season and it was outside CB.  They decided to import the Chiefs top two CBs, Trent McDuffie (trade) and Jaylen Watson (free agent) to fix it. The entire Rams offense from the end of the season when Warren McClendon Jr. had taken over at RT returns next season with only Jordan Whittingham stepping into Tutu Atwell’s spot as the third WR.  This team simply doesn’t have a major hole so they take the one guy who can supercharge their offense.  Lemon is from just down the road in Los Angeles at USC and he’s the perfect slot receiver to complement Puka Nacua and Devante Adams.  He gives Sean McVey the chance to only use three TE sets when he wants to and not because he needs to.  Lemon plays bigger than his size and still gives you excellent speed and route running in the slot.  This offense was excellent before and they just got better. 

14. Baltimore Ravens (back from Las Vegas): Kenyon Sadiq     TE     Oregon

This pick belonged to the Raiders for a few days but it’s back to Baltimore after the Maxx Crosby trade was rescinded.  The Ravens’ needs have changed after signing Trey Hendrickson at edge and John Simpson at guard, addressing their two biggest needs.  They still need a center after losing Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders crazy free agent offer but there are no centers here to take.  Sadiq isn’t usually mocked to the Ravens, but they did just lose Isaiah Likely to the Giants and Charlie Kolar to the Chargers.  They need depth and their new offensive coordinator is Declan Doyle.  Doyle came up under Sean Payton, a coach who loves a good, versatile TE for his passing game.  Just think of guys like Jimmy Graham, Taysom Hill, and even Payton trying to make Evan Engram happen in Denver last year.  Doyle also then spent last year in Chicago under Ben Johnson using Colston Loveland as a weapon in the Bears’ offense.  Johnson was the guy who made Sam LaPorta so incredible in Detroit.  Doyle could see Sadiq as the guy who can give the offense some punch and playmaking. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE from TB): Olaivavega Ioane     OG     Penn St. 

This would be a smart move for the Steelers as they need a LG after losing Isaac Seamalo in free agency. If Ioane falls this far the Steelers can use some of their 12 picks to move up and Tampa Bay could use a few more picks in this draft to address some needs.  The Steelers filled their long-standing need for a WR with their trade for Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis.  Pittman is a fantastic addition and a great complement to DK Metcalf.  Everyone is operating under the assumption Aaron Rodgers will be back at QB, whether that’s good or bad is a matter of perspective.  Having a solid offensive line is an absolute necessity if Rodgers is the QB, Ioane helps that.  They filled holes at CB (Jamel Dean), RB (Rico Dowdle), and safety (Jaquan Brisker) in free agency.  Ioane gives them another young, talented offensive lineman and he feels like a Steeler.  He’s a powerful run blocker and an excellent pass protector who fits the offense quite well.

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jermod McCoy     CB     Tennessee

The Jets signed a number of defensive backs to reconfigure their secondary but that shouldn’t stop them from taking McCoy.  CB Nashon Wright was only signed to a one-year deal and CB Brandon Stephens could be gone after the season if they want out of his deal.  McCoy is a guy coming off a missed season due to his torn ACL, but he should be ready for next season.  The good news is the Jets wouldn’t have to rush him onto the field but he’s well worth taking as he could eventually be a CB1.  The Jets need talent; McCoy might be the best CB in this draft. 

17. Detroit Lions (9-8): Kadyn Proctor     OT     Alabama

It feels strange to put Proctor ahead of Francis Mauigoa but Mauigoa isn’t a LT prospect and Proctor is the next best LT prospect after Freeling.  Proctor would fit the Lions offensive scheme that is predicated on power running and he fills the huge hole created when they released Taylor Decker.  Decker is 32 and coming off an injury plagued season so moving on is understandable, but it won’t be easy.  Proctor is a mammoth individual at 6’7 352 lbs. and he has excellent athleticism even if he can be a bit heavy-footed going side to side.  It is possible they will take Mauigoa and either play him at LG or move Penei Sewell to LT and play Mauigoa at RT.  He does fit the profile of a power player on the offensive line like the Lions prefer.  LT is the more important position than LG and taking Proctor just lets Sewell continue to dominate at RT instead of having to move more people around.

18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8): Dillon Thieneman     S     Oregon

The Vikings feel like they addressed their biggest issue with the signing of Kyler Murray to “compete” against JJ McCarthy at QB.  This is even less of a competition than Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson was in Indianapolis last year.  If they won’t say it, I will, Kyler Murray is the starting QB.  I’m not a Kyler fan but he’s better than McCarthy.  They didn’t have many holes on the roster to address and signed CB James Pierre, that’s a solid pickup.  The one other major loss is Harrison Smith probably won’t be back a safety.  They have Josh Mettelus and Theo Jackson, but Brian Flores likes to use three safeties.  Thieneman put on a show at the combine with his incredible athleticism and he’s a great successor to Smith. He gives Flores all the versatility he needs in his safety group to keep the defense at its highest level.   

19. Carolina Panthers (8-9): Jordyn Tyson     WR     Arizona St.

The Panthers took a WR in round one last year, but Tyson would be too good to pass up here.  The Panthers filled their biggest needs in free agency with LT Rasheed Walker, C Luke Fortner, LB Devin Lloyd, and edge rusher Jaelen Phillips.  The rest of the roster seems solid, but Tyson would be a major upgrade over Xavier Leggette who stills leaves a lot to be desired.  Pairing Tetairoa McMillan with Jordan Tyson on the outside with Jalen Coker in the slot would leave no excuses for Bryce Young.  This would be one of the better young WR groups in the NFL if Tyson stays healthy.  The only reason he falls this far in the draft is due to questions about his durability.  Leggette’s presence would mean Tyson wouldn’t have to carry a heavy load early on and could ease into the job.     

20. New England Patriots (TRADE from Dallas): Francis Mauigoa     OL     Miami

The Patriots have eleven picks in this draft and with all of their free agent shopping the last two years and their draft last season, they don’t have glaring needs.  They signed Alijah Vera-Tucker to be their LG but he’s a coin flip at best to be healthy each game and there’s really no chance you should count on him for 17 games.  RT Morgan Moses is 35 and could fall off the cliff at any moment and they don’t have anyone of note behind him.  If Mauigoa starts to fall to this range of the draft the Patriots should trade up to get ahead of teams like the Chargers and the Bills who may be looking for interior help.  He has the ability to play guard so he’s insurance against Vera-Tucker’s inevitable injury and he’s the heir apparent to Moses at RT.  Last season, the Patriots lacked power at LG as Jared Wilson was overmatched physically, that wouldn’t be a problem if Mauigoa played there.  The worst-case scenario would be in two years Mauigoa replaces Michael Onwenu at RG. 

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE from Pittsburgh): Akheem Mesidor     Edge     Miami

The Buccaneers lost WR Mike Evans to free agency, and they simply can’t replace him. They still have Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson so they won’t even try to replace Evans here.  They also lost CB Jamel Dean and DL Logan Hall in free agency, but they drafted Benjamin Morrison at CB last year and they picked up free agent A’Shawn Robinson to replace Hall.  That will allow them to find the best player for their defense and this defense needs an edge rusher.  Mesidor was fantastic at Miami last year and while Miami played him at DE, he’ll move to OLB here and it’s a solid move for him.  Mesidor isn’t the longest edge player so moving off the line a bit should be a better fit.  He will already be 25 in his rookie season so there’s not a lot of time to waste and the Bucs are looking for help right now.  The Bucs pick up an extra pick from the Steelers to move down a few spots and still get a guy they need. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Denzel Boston     WR     Washington

It feels a little strange having the Chargers taking a WR in round one with Jim Harbaugh as the head coach, but he clearly recognized the offense wasn’t good enough last year.  He hired Mike McDaniel to fix it and while McDaniel’s Miami offenses were predicated on speed, they did that to match personnel.  Harbaugh wants to run the ball, McDaniel is excellent at that, but the passing game has to be better.  WR Quentin Johnston has been the definition of inconsistent, and they have to make a decision on his future here soon.  Ladd McConkey is the underneath, slot guy while Tre Harris started to get more playing time as the deep threat.  Boston would be the perfect fit in this group.  He’s a big, powerful receiver who is excellent in the intermediate area, a true red zone threat, and would allow Justin Herbert to attack all areas of the field.  At 6’4 212 lbs., he’s a big-bodied WR who plays tough and can run after the catch, another thing McDaniel would be able to use on offense. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Keldric Faulk     DE     Auburn

The Eagles are an expensive team with some tough decisions coming up and they made one decision this off season that could have ripple effects.  They signed DT Jordan Davis to an extension, and it may mean they look to move on from Jalen Carter.  A year ago, that would have seemed crazy, but Carter had a down year, and Davis stepped up big time.  GM Howie Roseman loves to pick trench players, offensive or defensive side doesn’t really matter to him.  Getting Faulk, a guy who doesn’t turn 21 until September, feels like Howie making a move to cover for himself a year early.  If the team looks to trade Carter instead of paying him and Davis, Faulk can be the DE on one side of Davis.  Faulk isn’t a twitchy edge player like a lot of the pass rushers in this draft.  He’s 6’6 274 lbs. and is a power end who stuffs the run.  He’s never going to be a high sack guy and that’s fine, that’s not what the Eagles would ask him to do. 

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Omar Cooper Jr.     WR     Indiana

The Browns have overhauled their offensive line, their defense really doesn’t need any help unless it’s young depth, and they desperately need a QB but that’s a problem for 2027.  They could look at Ty Simpson, but they are set up to draft a QB next year so getting some more help for that guy now would be nice.  They will still have Jerry Jeudy on the books for a couple of years, and they seem to like Isaiah Bond.  Neither of those guys should stop them from getting a playmaker like Cooper.  Cooper isn’t the biggest or fastest WR but he’s an excellent route runner and would be a QBs best friend. 

25. Chicago Bears (11-6): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren     S     Toledo

Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, and CJ Gardner-Johnson were all free agents, and I thought the Bears would re-sign one or two of them, they didn’t.  They did sign Coby Bryant from Seattle but as of now their other starting safety is…Cam Lewis? I guess.  That’s not ideal.  Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an excellent prospect out of a small school that seems to be making solid defensive backs lately.  McNeil-Warren has the size and skill set to be starter and having a veteran like Coby Bryant and the rest of that secondary around him would be very helpful for a rookie. 

26. Buffalo Bills (12-5): Kayden McDonald     NT     Ohio St.

The Bills filled their biggest need with their trade for DJ Moore and while I could argue they should pick up another WR, I’m guessing they will try to get something out of Josh Palmer this year.  The defense is taking on more of a 3-4 alignment with new head coach Joe Brady hiring Jim Leonhard to run it.  That means they need a true NT and 6’8 Deone Walker is not the guy you want to try to play at NT.  McDonald is 6’3 330 lbs. run-stuffing beast who is built exactly how you want a NT to be built and plays the game like an immovable object.  Put Walker and Ed Oliver on either side of McDonald and you have yourself the start of a solid three-man front for your defense. 

27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): KC Concepcion      WR     Texas A&M

The 49ers have added two free agent WRs and traded for one DT.  They signed the biggest WR they could, bringing Mike Evans to be their top outside threat.  Evans isn’t young anymore but he’s still 6’5 and a ball winner when it counts. They also signed Christian Kirk as a stopgap at slot receiver; he’s not a long-term plan.  They traded a third-round pick for DT Osa Odighizuwa, an excellent DT who improves the middle of the defense.  The offense still needs playmakers with Ricky Pearsall the only WR of note, besides Evans, and George Kittle likely to miss at least most of the season after his Achilles tear in the playoffs.  Enter KC Concepcion, the slot receiver from the Aggies.  He’s a shorter player at 5’11 but he’s nearly 200 lbs. so he can play over the middle with his size.  He’s quick and deadly with his change of direction and will give Kyle Shanahan a solid piece in the passing game.  Kirk’s presence means Concepcion won’t be rushed but the kid can make plays.   

28. Houston Texans (12-5): Peter Woods     DT     Clemson

The Texans’ roster is in very good shape; the one area they could use some help is at DT.  Unfortunately for them, the DT position isn’t exactly great.  Caleb Banks was looking like a solid choice until he broke his foot at the combine, adding that to his foot injury during the season and his stock is way down.  Woods was the top DT prospect coming into the season, but he had tough year at Clemson.  He’s still a talented player but teams have to ask themselves if his play was on him or if it was a Clemson thing, other Clemson guys weren’t great either.  Woods is the type of penetrating DT the Texans like, they have Sheldon Rankins, who does it well.  Rankins is aging so getting a guy who can spell him now and eventually replace him would be a smart move. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LA Rams): Caleb Lomu     OT     Utah

The Chiefs would likely jump at the chance to take Jermod McCoy or Mansoor Delane but they will be long gone.  They won’t spend a first-round pick on just any CB, they have found starters in mid and late rounds before. I think they will settle for a mid-round CB and take Lomu.  Lomu is excellent value at this point in the draft.  He’s perfect for them now because he’s a young player and they don’t have to start him right away because they have Jaylon Moore to play at RT.  Moore only has one more year on his deal so Lomu can sit for the year, if necessary, but he also gives them a potential LT alternative if Josh Simmons has any other personal issues he has to deal with.  The hope would be in two years they have Simmons at LT and Lomu at RT and have a great pair of young OTs for the next decade. 

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver): Cashius Howell     Edge Texas A&M

The Dolphins can go in just about any direction here, but Howell would give them a dynamic edge player to line up opposite Chop Robinson.  They signed Josh Uche and David Ojabo but neither of those guys are going to stop them from bringing in some real talent.  Howell is undersized and isn’t great against the run but that’s what the veterans are for, to give him some time to adjust to the NFL.  The Dolphins are nearly a clean slate so it’s hard to predict where they will go in the draft but taking a talented pass rusher who can get to the QB seems like a good idea. 

31. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE from NE): Aveion Terrell     CB     Clemson

The Cowboys signed Cobie Durant from the Rams and he’s a solid player, but he shouldn’t stop them from drafting a guy with the upside of Terrell.  DaRon Bland has been a good starter for them when healthy but that’s not a given anymore.  Bland can play the slot while Durant and Terrell play the outside, or Terrell could give them snaps in the slot.  Either way, with the makeup of this defense and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker being around, expect the team to address their need at CB. 

32. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE from Seattle): Blake Miller     OT     Clemson

The Seahawks have four picks in this draft, so they are motivated to move off this pick to save some money after re-signing Jaxon Smith-Njigba and with Devon Witherspoon next in line for a raise.  The Raiders move up to get themselves a new RT who would fit nicely into their revamped offensive line.  Miller is a big man with good mobility and great toughness.  If they are investing in QB Fernando Mendoza with the first pick of this round, it’s a wise move to get him a new OT with the last pick of the round.   

Round 2

33. New York Jets: Jacob Rodriguez     LB     Texas Tech

The Jets just signed Demario Davis but he’s 37 years old and their other ILB is Jamien Sherwood who I’m not sure they even like anymore.  Rodriguez isn’t the most physically intimidating LB but he’s just plain good.  They need more good players.   

34. Arizona: Max Iheanachor     OT     Arizona St.

The Cardinals signed Elijah Wilkinson as a stopgap RT, he started as an injury replacement all last season for the Falcons.  They can do better.  Iheanachor is still raw and Wilkinson could give him some time to adjust but he’s a much better talent for the long-term.

35. Tennessee: Chase Bisontis      OG     Texas A&M

The Titans have addressed many of their needs in free agency, especially on the defense.  One area of concern is still the interior of the offensive line.  It doesn’t look like Kevin Zeitler will be back at RG so Bisontis would be an immediate starter.  He’s a talented interior player and a better option than free agent signee Cordell Volson.

36. Seattle: Colton Hood     CB     Tennessee

When you’re the Super Bowl champs you don’t generally have glaring needs so it’s smart to look at where you lost someone in free agency.  They let Riq Woolen leave in free agency and while they re-signed Josh Jobe, it leaves them a little thin at CB.  They also lost Coby Bryant at safety so if they wanted to use Devon Witherspoon at nickel so Nick Emmanwori can play safety, Hood would give them an outside CB who can step into Witherspoon’s spot.    

37. New York Giants: Caleb Banks     DT     Florida

The Giants were awful at stopping the run last year even with some real investments in their front seven.  They weren’t great on the interior of the defensive line and their LBs were bad.  They cut Bobby Okereke and replaced him with Trumaine Edmunds and here they draft Banks.  Banks has a foot issue to worry about but taking him at 37 is a steal.  If he’s healthy all season, he changes the defensive line immensely. 

38. Houston: TJ Parker     DE     Clemson

While the Texans already took a defensive lineman in round one with Peter Woods, they doubled up by taking a DE here, Woods’ Clemson teammate Parker.  Parker was a top prospect who fell a little in this draft because he had a less than stellar year at Clemson.  He’s still a talented edge rusher.  The Texans have Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, but Hunter will be 32 this season, he’s getting really expensive, and they are going to have to spend a ton to keep Anderson pretty soon.  Getting a younger, cheaper alternative at DE is smart play, especially when they are getting Parker at a discount. 

39. Cleveland: Gennings Dunker     OL     Iowa

The Browns grabbed Monroe Freeling to play LT and that would give them five new starters but only if Teven Jenkins is the RG, they can do better.  Dunker is a beast who played RT in college but should be a road grader at guard in the NFL.   

40. Kansas City: Chris Johnson     CB     San Diego St.

Johnson looks like an average athlete on the field, but he proved at the combine that’s not actually true, he’s a very good athlete.  He’s 6’0 193 lbs. and he can play man or zone coverage equally well.  His versatility will be the thing Steve Spagnuolo loves about him, and he’ll be starting fairly early because I just think he’s better than Kristian Fulton.

41. Cincinnati: Christen Miller     DT      Georgia

Jonathan Allen and BJ Hill are slated to be the Bengals starting DTs, they are both 31.  TJ Slaton was supposed to be their big free agent signing last year that they brought in to stop the run, it didn’t work.  Miller is an underappreciated player from Georgia who should blossom in the NFL.  He does all the dirty work but there is untapped potential in his game. 

42. New Orleans: Lee Hunter     DT      Texas Tech

Even with the departure of LB Demario Davis and the expected departure of Cam Jordan, this front seven still has too many guys on the wrong side of 30.  One of those is NT Davon Godchaux who will be 32 this season and they are going to need a new nose tackle soon.  It’s the perfect fit for Hunter who doesn’t fit in all alignments on defense but is perfect to fill that spot in New Orleans.    

43. Miami: Emmanuel Pregnon     OG     Oregon

Miami took two defensive playmakers in the round one, now it’s time to address the offense.  They signed OG Jamaree Salyer in free agency and they have LG Jonah Savaiinaea who they drafted in the second-round last year.  I’m not convinced either is a great fit in Bobby Slowik’s offense.  Salyer has never been great inside at guard even though he’s built like one and Savaiinaea struggled last season.  Pregnon fits any scheme and he’s better than either of these guys.  Keeping Malik Willis upright would really help this offense.  

44. New York Jets: Germie Bernard     WR     Alabama

The Jets addressed all three levels of their defense with their first three picks, time for some offense.  Bernard isn’t flashy but this team has Garrett Wilson and AD Mitchell for flash, they need substance.  Geno Smith will appreciate Bernard being exactly where he’s supposed to be, exactly when he’s supposed to be there. 

45. Baltimore: Sam Hecht     C     Kansas St.

The Ravens can’t go too far into this draft without finding Tyler Linderbaum’s replacement at center.  There aren’t really any centers with good size for their scheme, so they go with Hecht who has the technique to play any style of offense.  I was tempted to go with Logan Jones just to replace one Iowa center with another, but he’s much more of a zone-only center and that’s not what the Ravens will likely run. 

46. Tampa Bay: Jake Golday     LB     Cincinnati

Tampa signed Alex Anzalone from the Lions, he’s a solid LB but they need more help.  Golday is a supreme athlete who isn’t your typical LB prospect, he’s hard to slot into just one role.  He would give Todd Bowles some flexibility at LB and he would likely replace SirVocea Dennis in a lot of alignments.

47. Indianapolis: Anthony Hill Jr.     LB     Texas

The Colts are basically staring over at LB after trading Zaire Franklin.  The guys on the roster have no experience to speak of.  If you’re going to start over at LB, Anthony Hill Jr. is a good place to start.  He’s an excellent three-down LB and he can run your defense from day one.  He’s fast, athletic, he can cover, and he can tackle, what more could you ask for? 

48. Atlanta: Zion Young     Edge     Missouri

The Falcons traded this year’s first rounder last year to draft James Pearce Jr. and now James Pearce Jr. has been charged with four felonies (Google it, it’s a truly horrible episode I would not like to discuss here).  Not only is his NFL future uncertain at best, so is his future freedom.  They signed Azeez Ojulari and Samson Ebukam, but those guys are coming off injuries. Young gives them a solid power edge player to line up opposite Jalon Walker.    

49. Minnesota: Malachi Lawrence     Edge      UCF

Lawrence is a late rising prospect who really opened some eyes at the combine.  This may end up being too low for his eventual spot.  The Vikings are exploring trading Jonathan Greenard for some salary cap relief, and they will need another pass rusher if they do that.  Even if they keep Greenard, his contract is getting expensive and his counterpart, Andrew Van Ginkle is 31.  They should be looking for a long-term partner for Dallas Turner on the edge. 

50. Detroit: Gabe Jacas     Edge     Illinois

With the addition of LT Kadyn Proctor in this mock draft and C Cade Mays in free agency, the offensive line issues should be addressed.  On defense, they still don’t have an edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and they need to replace Alex Anzalone at LB.  Jacas is great value and far better than any LB left on the board.  Jacas is almost always described as a rugged DE, I can’t think of a description Dan Campbell would love more. 

51. Carolina: Ty Simpson     QB     Alabama

I’ve been struggling with where to put Simpson, he’s not a guy teams are going to draft to start right away.  However, he has starting potential.  The Panthers traded Andy Dalton to Philly, and they signed Kenny Pickett to be the backup.  Bryce Young has been good enough to not be outright discarded but what if Dan Morgan and Dave Canales aren’t sold.  This would be like the Eagles drafting Jalen Hurts when they had Carson Wentz as their starter.  Wentz failed and the Eagles didn’t miss a beat.  If Young struggles again, Simpson could be their answer.  This would be one of the more intriguing places Simpson could get drafted.  He wouldn’t take Young’s job immediately, but he would ratchet up the pressure on Young to be better.   

52. Green Bay: Brandon Cisse     CB     South Carolina

The Packers are counting on Micah Parsons to be healthy and Lukas Van Ness to finally be relevant at edge rusher.  If they aren’t, the secondary is not equipped to handle the pressure.  Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Benjamin St. Juste are not good enough at CB.  The Packers have a size threshold for their CBs, so D’Angelo Ponds is off the table for them.  Cisse had round one buzz early, but other guys passed him.  He still has starter potential and that makes him a solid choice for the Packers.

53. Pittsburgh: Zachariah Branch     WR     Georgia

The Steelers roster is actually in solid shape overall, if you consider Aaron Rodgers a solid choice at QB, it seems dubious to me.  One area of need is still at WR, even with the addition of Michael Pittman Jr.  The next best WR after DK Metcalf and Pittman is either Roman Wilson and his 12 catches from last year or Ben Skowronek.  Branch needs to work on his route running but he can be a slot merchant right away.  If Aaron Rodgers is the QB, he will hate the way Branch runs routes, but he will love the fact that he’s open almost immediately so Rodgers can dump the ball off to him.

54. Philadelphia: Chris Bell     WR     Louisville

The AJ Brown divorce from Philadelphia is coming at some point.  It may not happen this off season, but it is inevitable.  Bell is a big, physical WR who uses his strength to bully opponents and he’s excellent after the catch.  The only reason he’s still here is because he’s coming off a knee injury.  If the Eagles keep Brown into the season, Bell may be healthy enough by the trade deadline to allow them to move Brown then.   

55. Los Angeles Chargers: R Mason Thomas     Edge     Oklahoma

The Chargers re-signed Khalil Mack at age 35 and they still have Tuli Tuipulotu on the edge, that’s the same two they started last season with.  Last year they traded for Odafe Oweh because they needed more pass rush, now Oweh is in Washington.  They need some speed off the edge and that is Thomas’ specialty.  He’s not a big guy but they have Mack to play on run downs.  Thomas is the designated speed rusher to start the year, and he gives them some juice off the edge. 

56. Jacksonville: Josiah Trotter     LB     Missouri

The Jaguars suffered a major loss when LB Devin Lloyd signed with Carolina.  Trotter isn’t the all-around LB Lloyd is but he’s a solid MLB prospect who can fill a need as a run-stuffer early in his career as he rounds out his game overall.

57. Chicago: Dani Dennis-Sutton     DE     Penn St.

The Bears need some help opposite DE Montez Sweat and while Dennis-Sutton wasn’t the most productive player at Penn St. he was a solid player.  He showed excellent athleticism at the combine although he doesn’t show it on the field.  He is the size profile Dennis Allen prefers so he’s the pick here.

58. San Francisco: Eli Stowers     TE     Vanderbilt

Stowers is an elite athlete who is a pass catching TE only.  If you need a blocking TE, this isn’t your guy.  George Kittle will be rehabbing a torn Achilles most of the season and this offense needs a TE who can be a part of the passing game.  Jake Tonges is a nice player, but Stowers would be a weapon. 

59. Houston: Max Klare     TE     Ohio St.

The Texans have Dalton Schultz and that’s nice, but he’s ageing and they need some depth.  Klare is a solid all-around TE who can be a security blanket for CJ Stroud and give you some real production. 

60. Chicago: Keylan Rutledge     OG     Vanderbilt

Chicago had to make a trade for C Garrett Bradbury when Drew Dalman suddenly retired because while they are good on the interior of the offensive line, they are not deep.  Joe Thuney is 34 and Jonah Jackson is 29 and hasn’t always been the healthiest.  Rutledge is a stud run blocking guard and would give them some depth inside and someone to eventually replace one of the guards.

61. Los Angeles Rams: Connor Lew     C     Auburn

This would be the perfect situation for Connor Lew.  The Rams have Coleman Shelton at center and he’s a trusted veteran.  However, he’s 31 and he’s not some superstar, he’s just a solid player.  Lew is coming off a torn ACL and probably won’t be ready to start the year.  He is talented enough to take the job from Shelton when he’s healthy, but he wouldn’t be needed this year necessarily.

62. Denver: Dominique Orange     DT     Iowa St.

The Brocos defense is excellent and while Orange wouldn’t be a one-for-one replacement for John Franklin-Myers, he would allow them to move some guys around.  They don’t have a traditional NT on the team and Orange would give them one.  That would allow Malcolm Roach and DJ Jones to be used in a rotation along the line.

63. New England: Derrick Moore     Edge     Michigan

The Patriots signed Dre’Mont Jones, a very solid veteran edge player who gives them more in the run game than K’Lavon Chaisson did last season.  They still need more help on the edge as Harold Landry is aging and coming off an injury, and the rest of the depth chart is unproven.  Moore would be the perfect player to eventually replace Landry.

64. Seattle: Jadarian Price     RB     Notre Dame

The Seahawks may try to move down from this spot too just to pick up another pick but if they keep it, it’s hard to see them not taking a RB.  Maybe it’s Mike Washington Jr. from Arkansas and not Price because of Washington’s speed but I like Price.  I think he’s just scratching the surface of his talent and Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet is coming off a torn ACL in January.  They need someone to carry the load early in the season.                   

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 3.0

Post Free Agency – Mostly

The All-Star games (Senior Bowl, Shrine Game) are over, the NFL Combine is over, and now the vast majority of free agency is behind us.  There’s a saying, owners will lie to you with their words but they don’t lie with their money.  When it comes to free agency, they will tell you exactly what they think of their own players, and the other free agents on the market. Free agency can be very telling for the NFL draft and what teams are thinking and where they are heading.  It’s as much about who they signed as who they didn’t or even who they didn’t pursue. 

The Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns may have telegraphed what they are planning on doing with the first two picks if you read into their moves.  The Titans overhauled their offensive line to make a much better group up front but didn’t even attempt to sign a veteran QB.  In fact, they even lost their veteran backup Mason Rudolph.  The Browns’ only move at QB was to trade Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a pick swap for Kenny Pickett from Philadelphia.  That’s not solving their QB issues.  The Falcons have surprisingly not cut Kirk Cousins so for now it looks like he’s on the roster as the backup to Michael Penix next season.

Teams filled major holes on their rosters to make sure they don’t have to reach for a prospect and they can take the best player available as they see fit.  The Bears fixed major issues on their offensive and defensive lines.  They could still draft prospects at those spots but now they don’t have to if there is someone on the board they feel is better value.  The Vikings did the same thing filling major holes on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines, now they can do what they want to do in the draft.  There are still from free agents who can fill some roles but at this point, those guys aren’t going to preclude a team from drafting a guy at the same position if they like the prospect.  For instance, the Giants signed Russell Wilson and the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs, those deals aren’t going to stop those teams from drafting a QB and WR, respectively, if there is a good one available. 

This Mock Draft is going to look a lot different than the last one and that’s the fun part.  Let’s get started. 

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

Previously, I was operating under the belief that Brian Callahan was going to try to get a veteran QB to run his system so he doesn’t get fired after his second year in Tennessee.  The Titans new GM Mike Borgonzi didn’t even attempt to sign a veteran QB so either he’s ready to let Callahan have some time with a rookie QB or he knows he’s firing Callahan regardless and just wants to get a new QB.  Ward is good prospect, he really shouldn’t be a #1 overall pick type of guy, but in this QB class he looks great.  They Titans way overspent for LT Dan Moore but that moves fixes two spots since he’ll be better at LT than JC Latham was last year and Latham will be lightyears better than the RTs the Titans had last year.  Latham is a more natural RT and they signed Kevin Zeitler at RG.  The offensive line is fixed and now Cam Ward will be protected and the run game will be much improved. 

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14):  Shadeur Sanders     QB     Colorado

This is a major shift from before and I disagree with it but stick with me.  Sanders may have tanked his draft stock a bit at the combine with some less than stellar interviews.  I’ve mentioned before how Deion said his kid wouldn’t go to certain teams and I assumed the Browns would be on that list given their history, well, things have changed.  Now it’s Sanders who might be looking for anyone to take him so he doesn’t fall to the back half of round one or later so now every team is on the table.  Deion will convince himself Kevin Stefanski is a good QB coach who will do well with Shadeur and that’s how they will sell it.  Shadeur isn’t an elite physical talent but Stefanski has won with guys like Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins who weren’t physically dominant guys, just solid pocket passers.  Sanders is a tough player, it doesn’t fit the glitz and glamour persona, but on the field he’s a tough SOB.  He will need to be behind a crappy Browns offensive line but going second overall looks better for the brand than going 21st overall.  I don’t think this ends well for Shadeur or Stefanski when it’s all said and done but when two sides are desperate, things like this happen. 

3. New York Giants (3-14): Travis Hunter     CB/WR     Colorado

The Giants signed Paulson Adebo at CB in free agency and they still have Deonte Banks but Adebo is just a solid CB while Banks has been a disappointment.  Hunter would be the best CB on the team and would also give them another dynamic part-time weapon on offense to go with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton.  Hunter wouldn’t need to be a full-time player at WR and he could still be a difference maker with this offense.  The Giants signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal and that was after they signed Jameis Winston.  That’s two veterans and I’m still thinking they look for a QB later in the draft.  I’m guessing they will likely draft a QB in round two or try to trade up if they like a prospect at the end of round one.  Wilson got starter money for a year but Winston basically got third string money.  This Giants team can’t pass on a generational talent if they have a chance to get a guy like Hunter. 

4. New England Patriots (4-13):  Abdul Carter     Edge     Penn St.

The Patriots need a LT and a WR but if Carter is here, they have two choices, take Carter, or hope someone will give you a king’s ransom to move up to get Carter.  I have them taking Carter because I don’t think Mike Vrabel will pass on adding Carter to this defense.  The Patriots’ pass rush was awful last season and Milton Williams and Harold Landry aren’t going to fix it alone.  Carter has a potential foot injury but he should be fine.  I understand their desperate need for a LT and this pick will definitely be on the block if Carter is there if someone has a great offer for Eliot Wolf and Vrabel to consider.  At this point, the Patriots are looking at signing a veteran LT like Joe Noteboom or DJ Humphries in free agency, and while that’s not a good plan, those guys are upgrades over Vederian Lowe.  Oh, and I have a move later if things fall right, stay tuned. 

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

I’m not coming off this pick until something tells me Jacksonville has any other plan.  They signed two interior offensive linemen, even if Robert Hainsey and Patrick Makari don’t inspire a ton of confidence.  It leaves the interior of the defensive line and secondary the most likely spots to address here and there isn’t a DB worth taking.  The top talents are off the board so it’s not really a trade up spot for anyone so the Jags are stuck just staying put and taking the best player they can and that’s Graham.  He’s slightly undersized and doesn’t have long enough arms for some teams but watch the guy play and you’ll forget all of that.  Graham makes life easier for Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker (assuming they don’t trade him).  They could go WR Tetairoa McMillan but after taking a WR in round one last year, that feels like a stretch. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13):  Tetairoa McMillan     WR     Arizona

This pick could very well come down to a choice between McMillan and RB Ashton Jeanty and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who will tell you McMillan is the better prospect, including me.  However, Pete Carroll once traded a fourth and a fifth-round pick to get Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo when he was in Seattle.  He also drafted Kenneth Walker in round two of the 2022 draft.  The last time he took a RB in round one was in 2018 when he took Rashaad Penny, I don’t think he’ll want to repeat that move when he knows he can get RB talent later.  McMillan is the best WR in this class by a mile and while this may be a bit higher than he should go, they need him.  They have TE Brock Bowers and he’s an elite pass catching weapon.  WR Jakobi Meyers is a good slot guy underneath but he’s rumored to be on the trading block.  Tre Tucker is a nice idea as a deep threat but that’s still just an idea.  McMillan would become a Geno Smith favorite as a deep target down the field.  He’s everything you want in a down field ball winner that Geno never had in DK Metcalf.  McMillan actually uses his size to his advantage. 

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

The Jets filled the biggest hole on their roster by signing QB Justin Fields to replace Aaron Rodgers, I’m calling it an upgrade.  Maybe reuniting Fields with his old college teammate Garrett Wilson will unlock something.  I know Wilson will be happier with Fields than he seemed to be with Rodgers.  The team did lose RT Morgan Moses to the Patriots and I’m fairly certain going into the season with Carter Warren or Max Mitchell at RT isn’t a great plan.  Membou was a stud at RT for Missouri and he’s a great athlete who can start immediately there.  They have Olu Fashanu from last season at LT and unlike other positions, drafting OTs in the first round of back-to-back drafts is actually a solid plan.  They have bookend OTs for whatever QB they decide to draft in the 2026 draft.  Fields is just a placeholder after all. 

8. Carolina Panthers (5-12): Tyler Warren     TE     Penn St.

The Panthers spent some money in free agency but it wasn’t on the offensive side of the ball.  The only outside free agent they grabbed on offense was RB Rico Dowdle.  They did re-sign guys like WR Adam Theilen, TE Tommy Tremble, C Austin Corbett, and backup QB Andy Dalton; none of those moves are moving the needle on offense for Bryce Young.  They need a playmaker and with McMillan off the board the next best pass catcher is TE Tyler Warren.  Warren is a monster at TE.  He’s a great athlete who can play TE, you can use him as a wildcat QB, you can hand the ball off to him in the backfield if you want.  He would be a dynamic weapon over the middle of the field and down the seam.  He is also a capable blocker in the run game so that would help the Chuba Hubbard/Rico Dowdle backfield. 

9. New Orleans Saints (5-12):  Shamar Stewart     DE     Texas A&M

GM Mickey Loomis has a tendency to draft the trenches and while they could grab an offensive lineman like Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks here, Stewart fits their DE profile too well.  Stewart is a guy who can play DE at around 280 lbs. and he’s not really that productive when it comes to sacks, sounds just right for Loomis.  Stewart is a scary athlete and he did create pressure at A&M he just doesn’t get home a lot.  The team re-signed Chase Young and they have Carl Granderson but they are still relying quite heavily on Cameron Jordan and they need some new blood.  Stewart is worth the pick and he could develop into a good DE.  Hopefully he’ll learn a few things from Jordan while he’s still there.

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

Ben Johnson didn’t waste any time once he got to Chicago telling Ryan Poles to fix the interior of the offensive line and get some defensive line help too.  LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman, and RG Jonah Jackson were brought in to fix the offensive line and they should help keep Caleb Williams upright.  More importantly, they should really open up the run game.  Johnson had D’Andre Swift when he was the offensive coordinator in Detroit and they ended up letting Swift walk and replacing him with David Montgomery and eventually adding Jahmyr Gibbs.  Jeanty would be the first step in upgrading the RB sot on this offense for Johnson.  Jeanty is an elite back with the ability to play all three downs.  He’s got the ability to pound teams on first and second down and be a weapon on third down.  He has speed and great contact balance and Johnson will love him in his offense.  He also takes a lot of pressure off Caleb Williams to be the whole offense. 

11. San Francisco 49ers (6-11):  Jalon Walker     LB     Georgia

This is one of the tougher spots to predict.  The 49ers lost a lot of players in free agency and they need help in a lot of areas.  O-line, interior defensive line, pass rusher, LB, and CB are all areas they could address.  While they should look for an offensive lineman, Kyle Shanahan just doesn’t usually do that early.  Since they are the enigma team, I’m giving them the enigma player.  Jalon Walker mostly played like a LB at Georgia but his best plays are as a pass rusher.  He’s too small to be a full-time end but returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is used to using undersized designated pass rushers.  He had guys like Bryce Huff and Will McDonald IV with the Jets.  The 49ers need help at LB after losing Dre Greenlaw in free agency so he can fill a role there and Saleh can unleash him as a pass rusher when needed. 

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

I’m holding on to this pick because it makes too much sense and the Cowboys have done almost nothing in free agency again so nothing has changed here.  They lost a future Hall of Famer in RG Zack Martin and RT Terrence Steele isn’t exactly a stalwart at this point.  Banks gives them some flexibility if Steele struggles but if Steele is fine than they have a nice plan at RG to replace Martin.  The team could also use help on the defensive line but something tells me they won’t take another Michigan DT like Kenneth Grant after the way Mazi Smith has worked out for them.  That’s a completely unfair way to put it and Grant will be the run-stuffing DT Smith has never been but the Cowboys may be just a little gun shy on that kind of pick.  A DE is also a possibility with Demarcus Lawrence moving on but they brought back Dante Fowler so they may just wait at that spot, there’s depth there. 

13. Miami Dolphins (8-9):  Kenneth Grant     DT     Michigan

The Dolphins signed two safeties in free agency but Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis shouldn’t stop them from taking a safety if they really like Nick Emmanwori or Malaki Starks.  However, they are almost completely devoid of anything resembling starters on their defensive line with the exception of Zach Seiler. I’m guessing he would like some help up front.  Grant is a behemoth of a man at 6’3 331 lbs. and would give them the type of nose tackle who could really help their defense.  He’s an immovable object in the middle of the line and can collapse the pocket from time to time.  He and Seiler would be a nice pair up front, then they can add more help later.  Emmanwori or Starks would be massive upgrades at safety too but the defensive line is the more pressing need. 

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9):  Colston Loveland     TE     Michigan

If Tyler Warren goes in the top ten, it’s going to push Loveland up the board a little bit.  The Colts lost two interior offensive linemen in C Ryan Kelly and RG Will Fries but they have C Tanor Bortolini and they managed without Fries last year when he was hurt.  They also signed S Cam Bynum and CB Charvarius Ward to fortify the secondary.  That still leaves the gaping hole they have at TE and Loveland will be an awesome consolation prize if Warren is gone.  Loveland would give them a big target over the middle of the field and would be a nice complement to their WR corps.  They could also look at Jihad Campbell as they do have a need at LB. 

15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9):  Mike Green     Edge     Marshall

The Falcons should consider trading down with their massive amount of needs on the defensive side of the ball but Green might be too good to pass up.  This team has been dying for a legitimate edge rusher since the days of John Abraham and Green is a legit pass rusher.  He would solve some problems for this team and give them a playmaker on defense besides S Jesse Bates.  The Falcons didn’t do much in free agency except a couple of moves on the fringes with some veterans like DE Morgan Fox and OLB Leonard Floyd.  Those are solid depth players but they aren’t turning this defense around.  The offense should be good with all their skill guys and the only real issue they need to address there is at center where they lost Drew Dalman.  If someone wants to move up here, the Falcons can move down and still get a guy like Grey Zabel who could step in at center for them. 

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9):  Will Johnson     CB     Michigan

The Cardinals would be unbelievably lucky if Johnson falls to them at 16.  He’s still an elite prospect in my evaluation and he just had a tough year with injuries and a team that just wasn’t as good.  Johnson does not have elite speed, but he has every other aspect you want in a CB1.  This team needs CB help and Johnson is the best one in this draft not named Travis Hunter.  Johnson has the size and skills you want in a top CB and can match up with bigger WRs and make life easier for Max Melton, Garrett Williams, and Sean Murphy-Bunting.  The Cardinals did a good job in free agency addressing needs in the front seven, Johnson would be the perfect pick for them in the draft to fix an major issue in the secondary. 

17. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from Cincinnati): James Pearce Jr.     Edge     Tennessee

The Chargers did re-sign Khalil Mack at edge rusher but he’s 34 and his backup is Bud Dupree who is 32 and not exactly the picture of health.  They did lose Joey Bosa and that’s a big loss for the six to eight games he played a year.  The point is that Tuli Tuipulotu is going to need a pass rushing partner for the long-term and Pearce is a guy with some serious pass rushing juice.  He has some character concerns but that isn’t something that is going to scare off Jim Harbaugh, he’s fine with guys who are a little different.  Getting Pearce away from his issues at Tennessee should help him focus and if he’s on, he’s a menace to opposing QBs.  The Chargers have ten picks going into this draft and they use a little of their excess capital to move ahead of a team like Tampa Bay who could be looking for a pass rusher too.  The Bengals only have six picks coming into this draft and given the amount of money they gave Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this off season, they need some extra draft capital to get some cheap players for their defense. 

18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7):  Will Campbell     OL     LSU

The Seahawks desperately have to address their interior offensive line and they have failed to do so in free agency.  They even struck out on a second-level OG in Teven Jenkins who apparently picked the Browns who have two starting OGs instead of the Seahawks.  They have to protect new QB Sam Darnold because he’s awful when he’s pressured.  Also, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was brought in to fix the running game and he could really use some help in instituting the new blocking scheme.  Will Campbell should be given a shot to be a LT but here he’s going to play LG next to Charles Cross and his intelligence, his precision skills, and his athleticism will play very well in Kubiak’s Shanahan style offense.  My dream of him falling far enough for the Patriots to move up to get him dies here because it’s just a little too far to move up.  Hold on though, I’m not done yet. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7):  Jihad Campbell     LB     Alabama

The Buccaneers signed Hassan Reddick and hope he can resurrect his career as a pass rusher after the debacle that was last season.  They also re-signed Anthony Nelson who is a good depth piece and still have starter Yaya Diaby.  They aren’t as desperate for an edge rusher as long as they think Reddick still has something in him.  They also brought back LB Lavonte David, who is 35 and the other starting LB is either SirVocea Dennis or Anthony Walker.  I would call LB a bigger need.  Luckily for them, Jihad Campbell happens to be an excellent LB prospect who could start next to David this year and then take over for him as the defensive play caller when he retires.  Campbell can also be used as a pass rusher in certain situations.   

20. Baltimore Ravens (TRADE from Denver):  Jahdae Barron     DB     Texas

The Ravens have 11 picks in this draft because they play the compensatory pick game better than any team every year.  They have an extra fourth rounder and three extra sixth round picks this year.  They use some draft capital to move up to take Barron, the next best defensive back in the draft.  Barron doesn’t have prototypical size but he has insane skills.  He’s one of the most instinctual defenders in the draft and he can play outside CB, nickel back, or line up at safety.  The Ravens love versatility in the defensive backfield and with Barron joining Kyle Hamilton, Ar’Darius Washington, and Marlon Humphrey as pieces you can move anywhere, the Ravens defense will be awesome again. 

21. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE from Pittsburgh):  Mykel Williams     DE     Georgia

The Eagles have eight picks in the draft and their roster is too good overall to need that many rookies, they need quality, not quantity.  The Steelers don’t have a lot of picks and they need some value.  The Eagles move up to draft another Georgia defender, Howie Roseman has a type.  The team lost Brandon Graham to retirement and Josh Sweat and Milton Williams left in free agency.  This team is built in the trenches and they need another defensive end.  Williams hasn’t been all that productive as a pass rusher but that’s not what Georgia really asked him to do.  He was a DE who made life easier on the LBs so they could make plays.  If you stack Williams up front with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, it makes pass rushing easier for Nolan Smith, Zack Baun, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, and maybe Bryce Huff if he can resurrect his career.  Roseman once again outsmarts the competition. 

22. Cincinnati Bengals (TRADE from LA Chargers): Nick Emmanwori     S     South Carolina

The Bengals move down in this trade to pick up an extra pick or two from the Chargers and they still get a guy they would have seriously considered at 17 overall.  Emmanwori was a workout wonder at the combine and he’s one of the most athletic prospects you’ll ever find.  He would solve a huge problem at safety for the Bengals and give them a playmaker the defense doesn’t have outside of Trey Hendrickson, assuming they keep Hendrickson around.  They need help all over the defense but their safeties were pretty bad last year.  Emmanwori steps in at one spot and they can hope having him will make Geno Stone better.  He had a rough first year in Cincy and needs a partner he can work with to get better.  At this point, just take the best defensive player on the board and then with all your other picks, keep taking defensive players. 

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6): Shavon Revel Jr.     CB     East Carolina

The Packers roster is pretty solid at this point but there could be some questions at CB.  Jaire Alexander has a habit of getting injured and missing time and he makes a lot of money, that’s not a good combination.  The team signed Nate Hobbs, who was a really good nickel corner, from the Raiders but they also have Javon Bullard who can play the nickel and that’s what Keisean Nixon has been in the past too. They really need some outside CB help and while Revel is coming off a torn ACL last September, he’s still an excellent prospect.  He has great size at 6’2 which would be welcome on this team, most of their CB are under 6’0.  Revel is a big, physical, and brings the type of attitude you want in a top CB.  If his knee checks out with teams’ medical staffs, he should be a first-round pick. 

24. New England Patriots (TRADE with Minnesota):  Josh Simmons     OT     Ohio St.

The Patriots have nine picks in this draft and after getting lucky to get Abdul Carter at fourth overall, they still need to address LT.  The Vikings only have four picks in this draft and since they don’t have any massive holes in their starting lineup, they can afford to trade down and pick up some picks so they can draft some cheap talent to give them some depth.  The Patriots can still sign a guy like Joe Noteboom to be their starting LT to start the year next season as Josh Simmons is recovering from a knee injury.  However, Noteboom or any other veteran LT at this point is only a band-aid and they need a young guy.  Simmons was on his way to being a top 15 pick when he hurt his knee.  He’ a legitimate NFL starting LT and he’ll have Drake Maye’s blindside covered for the next ten years, except for probably the first 4-6 weeks of next year.  This would be an almost ideal move for the Patriots (I would like it better if they could get Will Campbell but Simmons is very good too).  They can give up the 38th overall pick in this draft, one of their two third round picks, and maybe a 3rd round pick next year to move up to this spot.  They also have some extra seventh round picks to throw in to give the Vikings some more draft pick inventory. 

25. Houston Texans (10-7):  Matthew Golden     WR     Texas

The Texans jettisoned LT Laremy Tunsil and OG Kenyon Green in different trades and cut OG Shaq Mason to save some money.  It seemed like offensive line would be a huge need but then they started putting band-aids on their bullet wounds and they may think they are alright.  They signed LT Cam Robinson; he should start so Tytus Howard can stay at LG and Blake Fisher can stay at RT.  They also signed OG Laken Tomlinson and traded for OG Ed Ingram.  One of them could start but both shouldn’t have to.  They also signed OT Trent Brown, assumably to be the swing tackle.  They have plenty of bodies to piece together a starting five up front.  Where they are lacking is at WR, not for bodies, but for difference makers.  Nico Collins is a legit WR1.  They trade for Christian Kirk and he should be a solid slot guy.  They have to assume Tank Dell will miss the year and at this point they can only hope he returns to his career someday.  WRs Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III, and free agents Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios don’t move the needle.  Matthew Golden does.  He’s a great complement to Collins; he can replace a lot of the things Dell was good at and he’s a legitimate WR2 who gives you speed down the field. 

26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7):  Maxwell Hairston     CB      Kentucky

The Rams should almost certainly draft a LB early but that just isn’t their style.  They generally don’t put lot into their CB group either, at least not since the days of Jalen Ramsey.  They don’t have major holes to fill outside of LB so they grab a high upside CB prospect in Hairston.  He wasn’t considered a first-round prospect until he went to the combine and ran 4.28 in the 40.  That caught some people’s attention and now here he is.  He’s undersized coming in at just under 6’0 and about 185 lbs. but he’s a feisty guy who likes to mix it up and he has elite speed.  The Rams have done worse at CB, as a matter of fact they still are doing worse, with Ahkello Witherspoon set to start again.  Hairston gives them some upside at CB opposite Darious Williams and Hairston has a chance to be very good. 

27. Denver Broncos (TRADE from Baltimore):  Omarion Hampton     RB     North Carolina

The Broncos make the move down the board when Baltimore overpays a bit to move up and Denver adds some future picks to really address their depth.  They get the added bonus of ending up with the RB they want anyway.  The Broncos have Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime at RB after letting Javonte Williams leave in free agency.  If McLaughlin or Estime were going to be the featured back they would have taken the job last year, it’s not like Williams was too good to pass.  Hampton gives Sean Payton a true work horse and he allows McLaughlin to become the third down back he should be and Estime to be a good backup.  The Broncos feel fine moving down in the draft because while they like Hampton, there are plenty of good backs in this draft and they could always take a WR here like Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka. 

28. Detroit Lions (15-2):  Tyler Booker     OG     Alabama

The Lions need an edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson but they are not a team who drafts for need if there is a good player on the board who fits their culture.  There is no better culture fit for the Lions than Booker.  He’s known to be a high character leader who plays with the grit and grind Dan Campbell prefers.  OG isn’t an obvious need if second-year man Christina Mahogany can step in at RG for Kevin Zeitler.  However, Graham Glasgow is going to be 33 and they don’t have much depth on the interior of their line.  Getting a head start on keeping the o-line as a top unit is a good strategy.  Booker isn’t an elite athlete but he’s a very good guard who wouldn’t miss a beat if he has to play. 

29. New York Giants (TRADE with Washington):  Jaxson Dart     QB     Ole Miss

The Commanders only have five picks in this draft and only two in the first four rounds, they take advantage of the Giants desire to get a QB and their need to get ahead of the Steelers who had moved down in this mock draft.  Jaxson Dart has become the consensus third QB in the draft and the Giants missed out on the top two in round one.  They need a QB of the future, it’s not Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston.  They pay up a bit to move up from 34 to 29 and get into the first round to get Dart.  He doesn’t have to start right away with Wilson on board but he could give Wilson a run for the job in training camp.  The Giants probably have to give up the 34th pick, their own third rounder (65) and maybe a pick next year. They pay an extra tax because it’s a QB and because Washington is in their division. 

30. Buffalo Bills (13-4): Derrick Harmon     DT     Oregon

As much as I would like to give the Bills a CB here, they need outside CB help, the DT spot is too valuable and there are two good ones to choose from.  I’m going with Harmon over Walter Nolan because Harmon is the bigger body who would spell DaQuan Jones next to Ed Oliver.  Nolan might be more of the penetrating DT Oliver is.  They can’t go wrong but I like Harmon’s fit.  The team signed Joey Bosa to give them depth at DE but their depth at DT isn’t great.  They signed Larry Ogunjobi who’s going to be 31and is going to miss six games with a PED suspension.  They can find a solid CB prospect in round two or just re-sign Rasul Douglas and patch it together in the secondary again. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2): Walter Nolan     DT     Ole Miss

The Chiefs gave LT Jaylon Moore enough money to believe he’s their starting LT next season.  That moves Kinsley Suamataia inside to LG to replace Joe Thuney who they traded to Chicago.  If they think that solves the left side of the offensive line they don’t have much left to do on offense. They re-signed Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster at WR.  They could use a more dynamic RB but that’s a worry for later.  On defense they lost some guys up front like Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton and Chris Jones needs some help.  Walter Nolan is slightly undersized but he’s a pocket crusher and would give them some playmaking up front.  An edge rusher and a safety would be nice but Nolan is a good value this late.  The Chiefs usually do well with late round guys in the secondary so I would guess they wait to address safety or CB. 

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE from Philadelphia):  Malaki Starks     S     Georgia

I think the Steelers end up with Aaron Rodgers at QB and if they trade down it’s because they aren’t sold on Jaxson Dart as the long-term solution to the QB problem.  The Steelers offense needs another RB but it’s not pressing and otherwise their needs are on defense.  They could look for a younger defensive lineman but Starks is too good to pass up.  He’s not an elite athlete by the combine standards but this guy is a real football player at safety.  He does everything well and he would be a nice chess piece next to Minkah Fitzpatrick in the middle of the defense.  No offense to DeShon Elliott, he’s a nice player, but Starks is a difference maker.  He can play in the slot if they need him to or be a more traditional safety.  He’s a steal at this pick, no pun intended. 

SECOND ROUND

33. Cleveland Browns:  Josh Conerly Jr.     OT      Oregon

If the Browns take a QB in round one, they should get him a real LT in round two.  Conerly may be a little raw but he’s an elite athlete who can step in at LT immediately.  They should really want to find someone other than Dewand Jones to play that spot. 

34. Washington Commanders (from NYG): Luther Burden III     WR     Missouri

The Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel to get a YAC (yards after the catch) guy.  Samuel is going to get hurt and miss time so why not get a real YAC guy who will play games for you.  Burden has fallen down draft boards after a tough year but he’s a still a playmaker. 

35. Tennessee Titans:  Donovan Ezeiruaku     Edge     Boston College

The Titans signed Dre’Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter to go with Arden Key as their edge rushers.  They need to do better.  Ezeiruaku isn’t ready to be a full-time edge player yet, he’s a little undersized but he will get after the QB.  Solid addition to the rotation.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Grey Zabel     C/G     North Dakota St.

The Jaguars added Robert Hainsey from Tampa Bay at center because he knows the offense after playing for Liam Coen last season.  That doesn’t mean he’s a good player.  He was benched in Tampa for rookie C Graham Barton.  Zabel is this year’s Barton, a guy who played OT in college but will likely be a center in the pros.  Zabel is a better option than Hainsey. 

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

Judkins isn’t the next best RB in this class but Chip Kelly is the new OC in Vegas and he had Judkins at Ohio St.  They already signed Raheem Mostert to be the speed back, Judkins is the power back to take most of the carries.  Kelly knows he’ll fit his running game perfectly. 

38. Minnesota Vikings (from NE):  Tyliek Williams     DT     Ohio St.

The Vikings got better on the defensive line with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave but Allen is 30 and Hargrave is 32, so those aren’t long-term solutions.  Williams is a tough DT who plays the run well and gives them some youth and depth for now.  He’s a solid investment in the future of the position too.

39. Chicago Bears: Nic Scourton     DE     Texas A&M

The Bears went luxury pick in round one with Jeanty, they go for best value here.  Scourton had some first round buzz early but he was underwhelming at A&M.  He needs to get back to being the guy he was at Purdue before he transferred to A&M.  He has some juice as an edge rusher when he’s right and he might give them a little more than Austin Booker as the third DE in the rotation. 

40. New Orleans Saints:  Emeka Egbuka     WR     Ohio St.

This team has Chris Olave, who has concussion issues, Rasheed Shahid, who’s usually injured, and they just signed Brandin Cooks.  You could say they need a WR.  Egbuka is as solid as they get as a route runner and all-around WR.  He would really help them with his consistency alone.

41. Chicago Bears: Aireontae Ursery     OT     Minnesota

Ursery could be used as an OG if Jonah Jackson has health issues and he’s a hedge against Braxton Jones not taking the next step.  Ursery is a gigantic man and is more athletic than he gets credit for.  He could end up being the long-term solution at LT or the future at LG, Joe Thuney is going to be 33 next season.

42. New York Jets: Jayden Higgins     WR     Iowa St.

The Jets have to get Justin Fields some pass catchers and while this team could grab a TE, I like Higgins here.  It would be poetic if drafting one Iowa St. WR was the catalyst for dumping Allen Lazard, their current Iowa St. WR.  Higgins is better. 

43. San Francisco 49ers:  Darius Alexander     DT     Toledo

The 49ers defensive line needs a lot of help and the DT position is especially rough.  Alexander is a small school guy who looked great at the Senior Bowl and he’s the best DT left on the board.  He shouldn’t be the only defensive lineman the 49ers take, but he’s a good start.

44. Dallas Cowboys:  Benjamin Morrison Jr.     CB     Notre Dame

The Cowboys have Trevon Diggs returning from injury and DaRon Bland at CB but they lost Jourdan Lewis in free agency.  Morrison is coming off a hip injury but if he’s okay, he’s a steal here.  He can play the slot like Lewis did or he can play outside and Bland can play the slot.  He gives them flexibility. 

45. Indianapolis Colts: Donovan Jackson     OG     Ohio St.

Jackson steps in immediately at RG to replace Will Fries and he’s an excellent player to get here in round two.  He played some LT at Ohio St. out of need but he has Pro Bowl potential as a guard in the NFL. 

46. Atlanta Falcons:  Trey Amos     CB     Ole Miss

The Falcons have been looking for a CB to play outside opposite AJ Terrell since they drafted AJ Terrell.  Amos would give them that guy and allow Clark Phillips to be the nickel back like he should be.  Just keep drafting defense Atlanta.

47. Arizona Cardinals:  Jaylin Noel     WR      Iowa St.

Noel was a problem for opponents of Iowa St.  He and Higgins were a dynamic duo and while Noel doesn’t have the physical profile of Higgins, he might be the more effective receiver.  He would be an excellent complement to Marvin Harrison Jr., he can play in the slot or outside if needed.

48. Miami Dolphins:  Azareye’h Thomas     CB     Florida St.

The Dolphins have Jalen Ramsey at one CB spot but as of now the other starting CB is Storm Duck, that’s not a good place to be.  Thomas has great size and he can immediately start on this team.  They need defensive help, Thomas would help.

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Jackson     DE     Arkansas

The Bengals go defense again, it should be their theme. Jackson is a long DE prospect at 6’6 and he can give them some help on the edge for Trey Hendrickson.  Sooner or later they should hit on one of these DE prospects they keep drafting. 

50. Seattle Seahawks: Darien Porter     CB     Iowa St.

The Seahawks have Devon Witherspoon at one CB spot but he’s best in the slot.  Riq Woolen is a one outside CB but they are going to have to make a decision on re-signing at some point.  Porter is a big CB at 6’3 and while he’s a little underdeveloped because he’s only been a CB a couple years, he’s a talented player.

51. Denver Broncos:  Jalen Royals     WR     Utah St.

The Broncos found their QB last year and not they are just trying to help him out.  Courtland Sutton proved to be a WR1 last year for Bo Nix, they still need a complementary guy.  Royals is a playmaker who is best with the ball in his hands.  Sutton is the downfield guy, Royals would be the after the catch guy.  He doesn’t overwhelm you with his physical stature but he’s a dynamic weapon.

52. Seattle Seahawks:  Jonah Savaiinaea     OL     Arizona

Savaiinaea is a big man at 6’4 324 lbs. who would work best inside at OG but has spent time at OT.  They need him at OG and he’s a good athlete who would work for the new offense.  He also would be a nice hedge against Abe Lucas’ injury issues if they need him at RT.  If they draft two OTs who they will play at OG with two of their first three picks, no one will bat an eyelash. 

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jack Sawyer     Edge     Ohio St.

The Buccaneers are counting on Hassan Reddick to come back after a lost season.  They need more help off the edge than that and Sawyer gives them a pass rusher.  He’s not the most dynamic athlete but he’s the guy who never quits.  He helps immediately off the edge.

54. Green Bay Packers:  Alfred Collins     DT     Texas

The Packers have some good interior defensive tackles but they don’t have a big body guy after losing TJ Slaton in free agency.  They need a guy like Collins to complement their guys like Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and Karl Brooks.  Collins gives them a different skill set. 

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Elic Ayomanor      WR     Stanford

The Chargers are bringing back Mike Williams after his really rough year with the Jets/Steelers, that’s how desperate they are for an outside WR.  Ayomanor is 6’2 206 lbs. and would give them a great complement on the outside to Ladd McConkey’s inside dominance. 

56. Buffalo Bills:  Xavier Watts     S     Notre Dame

Watts is a safety who isn’t going to wow you with his physical gifts, he’s just going to play the position with great instincts and knowhow.  That’s pretty much what Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer did for years, that works in this defense. 

57. Carolina Panthers: Princely Umanmielen     Edge     Ole Miss

Umanmielen is a slightly undersized pass rusher but the Panthers have some bigger guys on the edge; Jadaveon Clowney, DJ Wonnum, and Patrick Jones Jr.  They need a guy with a little speed off the edge, that’s Umanmielen’s game. 

58. Houston Texans:  Kaleb Johnson     RB     Iowa

The Texans need to get some more playmakers on offense and Johnson is a major playmaker.  They have Joe Mixon but they don’t have a good second back.  Johnson would fit the offensive system and he would be a great addition. 

59. Baltimore Ravens:  Carson Schwesinger     LB     UCLA

The Ravens are a team that likes to draft best player available and Schwesinger is probably that right here.  They don’t need a LB but their roster rarely “needs” anyone in particular.  Schwesinger gives them depth at LB and talent added to the roster.

60. Detroit Lions:  JT Tuimoloau     DE     Ohio St.

Everyone likes to put Jack Sawyer with Aidan Hutchinson but I think he’s teammate Tuimoloau would be a great value pick here.  He’s a great talent who doesn’t let up either. 

61. Washington Commanders:  Mason Taylor     TE     LSU

Mason Taylor is a good all-around TE who does everything well but isn’t a standout at any one thing.  He’s going to be a good pro for a decade and he can be a good weapon for Jayden Daniels for a long time, they have also played together.

62. Buffalo Bills:  Demetrius Knight Jr.     LB     South Carolina

The Bills have dealt with Matt Milano’s injuries over the last few years and have had to patch together the LB corps.  Knight would give them a good athlete and tough LB they can count on.

63. Kansas City Chiefs:  Treyveon Henderson     RB     Ohio St.

Every team in the league should be kicking themselves if they let the Chiefs get Henderson.  Henderson is a blur on the field and would give the Chiefs the speed back they have been missing.  He’s the perfect complement to Isaiah Pacheco and he’ll be awesome in Andy Reid’s offense.

64. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Philadelphia):  Tyler Shough     QB     Louisville

The Steelers pick up this pick from Philly from the first-round trade.  If they end up with Rodgers, Shough would be a great pick up here to be the guy for the near future.  Rodgers isn’t a long-term solution and he may not even last the season if they keep George Pickens around.  There’s no scenario where Rodgers and Pickens are on the same team all year and they don’t try to kill each other.  Shough could be ready quickly to step in and he has starting caliber talent.     

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.       

Pre-Combine Notes

The NFL Combine is coming up this week and there should be some interesting players that will be weighed and measured, and hopefully they will actually work out.  The top players at the positions rarely work out and it’s a safe assumption that happens again this year.  There are some guys who can really help themselves if they work out and do well.  The flip side is you can hurt yourself if you don’t do well.  I’m going to give you a little primer on who could help themselves (or not) this week at the combine.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Milroe (Alabama)- He has the opportunity to show off his elite athleticism, which is something everyone knows he has but when you do it in front of them, it leaves a lasting impression.  I’m not a Milroe guy because I have a lot of questions about him in the passing game but he could move into the QB3 spot of this draft with an impressive showing in Indy.

Will Howard (Ohio St.)- One of the more intriguing QBs after he led Ohio St. to a National Championship.  Howard is 6’4 236 lbs. and he shows good accuracy. He’s more mobile that he gets credit for because he’s pretty big. He doesn’t want to run with the ball but he can move out of the pocket and throw on the run. 

Tyler Shough (Louisville)- Shough (pronounced like Shuck) will be 26 years old in September, he’s been in college 7 years.  He started at Oregon, went to Texas Tech, and ended up at Louisville.  When he throws at the combine, he’s going to make all the others look bad, he’s got arguably the best arm in the class.  He might scare off a few of the more notable players from throwing because they don’t want to look bad in comparison. 

Kyle McCord (Syracuse)- The guy who left Ohio St. and had a great year at Syracuse could make himself some money if he looks good at the combine.  He didn’t dominate the Shrine Bowl like some expected but he was good and if he carries that momentum into the combine, he could move up the board. 

Running Backs

Quinshon Judkins (Ohio St.) – Judkins transferred to Ohio St. last year after dominating for a couple of years at Ole Miss.  He moved into a timeshare with Treveyon Henderson and while they were both good it didn’t let either really dominate during the season.  Henderson was the speed guy while Judkins was the power back. Judkins showed in the National Championship game that he can be a dominate back.  He’s fallen behind a number of guys in this draft but someone is going to get a great back on day two.  He could really move up too if he shows some of the skills people forgot he had this last season. 

Kyle Monangai (Rutgers) – Monangai is listed at 5’9 209 lbs. but no one who has ever tried to tackle him would believe that.  He’s one of the toughest runners in college football and his game will translate to the pros.  He needs to prove to teams he has some speed and elusiveness that he rarely showed at Rutgers.  He’s a true power runner but he can do a little more than that.  If he can outperform expectations in the 40, the broad jump, or the vertical, just to prove some explosiveness, it will help his draft stock.

Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) – There is no doubt he has everything you want in the run game, speed, power, vision, patience, it’s all there.  The one thing that Iowa didn’t use Johnson for enough was in the pass game.  He has good hands and I believe he’s a complete back but there just isn’t a lot on film showing different aspects of catching the ball.  The pass catching drills for the RBs could be huge for Johnson’s stock. 

Wide Receivers

Luther Burden III (Missouri)– I’m not certain Burden will work out but I think he should.  He had a less than stellar season at Missouri, but it wasn’t his fault.  He can go to the combine and show that he’s still the playmaker he was two years ago.  I’m seeing him fall behind guys like Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden, I like those guys but Burden has the higher upside as a true playmaker. 

Emeka Egbuka (Ohio St.) – Egbuka is the all-time leading WR at Ohio St. in most categories, it helps that he spent five years there.  He was never the #1 guy and he’s not going to be a WR1 in the NFL but he’s an awesome #2.  He can move up the boards by showing off his athleticism, which is an underrated part of his game.  Most see him as a great route runner and steady presence.  He has more agility and body control that make him really good at the route running and gives him an opportunity to make tough catches.

Tez Johnson (Oregon) – He’s going to blaze the 40-yard dash because he has elite speed, but it would help if he does it weighing someone over 160 lbs.  He was 156 at the Senior Bowl and that was all anyone wanted to talk about.  Being fast is great but too many teams will take him off their board if he’s in the 155 lbs. range. 

Tory Horton (Colorado St.) – Horton played at Nevada and Colorado St. and was really productive at each place but he’s been injured lately.  He missed most of this last season and he will need the medical checks to come back clean.  Whoever ends up with Horton later in the draft is going to get very productive player who should outperform his draft slot. 

Arian Smith (Georgia) – Speed, speed, and more speed. Smith is going to try to break Xavier Worthy’s combine record in the 40 and he’s sure to run in the 4.2’s.  He’s never been the best WR from a production standpoint but teams won’t be drafting him because he’s a productive player, it’s because his speed is enticing.  I’m not his biggest fan but he’ll be the talk of the combine if he gets close to Worthy’s time. 

Savion Williams (TCU) – He’s also known as the other TCU WR.  Jack Bech was the productive WR at TCU and he should go higher than Williams but Williams is very intriguing.  He’s 6’5 225 lbs. and he has speed and agility all day.  Unfortunately, he’s very underdeveloped from a skill prospective and his hands are inconsistent.  If he looks good catching the ball and running routes, someone might take a flyer on him way earlier than anyone expects. 

Tight Ends

Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) – This guy as highly productive in college, as a matter of fact, he was so productive some people think he’s a WR not a TE.  He’s undersized for a TE or oversized as WR, not sure which is truer.  At the combine, teams are going to try to figure that out. Can he block well enough to play TE or is he only a receiving TE?  He doesn’t have the size to be a great blocker but technique and willingness can go a long way towards being a competent blocker at TE.      

Luke Lachey (Iowa) – Lachey had a rough year coming off a major injury the year before, having Iowa changing the offense, and having pretty ugly QB play all year. Lachey is a talented athlete with great size and great hands.  It’s a good TE class so he needs to stand out at the combine and make teams go back and watch him before his injury and before Iowa’s offense was a disaster, he was really good back then.

Offensive Line

Will Campbell (LSU) – Campbell’s combine results only matter as far as his arm length.  Teams are concerned he won’t have arms over the minimum 33-inches teams like for offensive tackles.  If he’s at 33 or above, they will largely forget about it.  If it’s under 33, then it becomes a conversation about him becoming a guard.  I don’t care all that much but teams seem to care a lot.  I would take him covering Drake Maye’s blindside for the next decade.   

Charles Grant (William & Mary) – Grant is a small school prospect who’s 6’4 300 lbs. so he’s also a bit small for a LT.  He makes up for his size deficiency with his athleticism.  He’s the perfect fit in zone blocking scheme because of his movement skills.  Not everyone is going to like him but he’s going to be impressive when he works out. 

Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) – Conerly is another guy who will be quite the athletic specimen at OT but he also has the requisite size to be a legitimate starting LT next season.  Conerly is not a refined player and he’s going to have his growing pains but the combine could be his showcase if he works out. 

Josh Simmons (Ohio St.) – This is all about his medical evaluation.  He had a torn patellar tendon early last season but he looked quite good leading up to that point. He has the size and athleticism everyone wants in LT, there’s just questions about the knee and the fact he doesn’t have a lot of starts at the power 4 level, he transferred into Ohio St. 

Defensive Line

Darius Alexander (Toledo) – Alexander had a really good Senior Bowl week proving he could hang with the big boys after playing at Toledo. He’s an athletic guy for size and while this is a deep defensive line class, Alexander stands out.  If he continues to stand out at the combine, he’ll keep moving up the DT board. 

The Big Boys; Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Deone Walker (Auburn), Alfred Collins (Texas), Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee) – It’s always fun to watch the freaky big guys run the 40 and do the drills and realize just how unbelievably athletic these guys can actually be.  These are the truly scary athletes, Shemar Stewart is a 6’6 290 lbs. DE who could run 4.5 in the 40, that’s incredible.  And I guarantee you one of these guys is going to do something incredible in one the drills or something like the vert or broad jump.  Fun times.

The speed rushers; James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Mike Green (Marshall), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), Josiah Stewart (Michigan) – This group is going to need to workout to stand out from each other.  There are so many good edge rushers in this class these guys need to show out to put themselves in position to be drafted before the others.  Abdul Carter is the top edge rusher and that’s not a question but who’s #2 might have a bunch of different answers at the moment and the combine is the chance these guys need to prove it should be them. 

Linebackers

Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) – Knight is a 6’2 245 lbs. run stuffer who is a little stiff and doesn’t move great laterally.  He lacks pass coverage instincts and shouldn’t be counted on to do that to much.  His workout is about showing he’s improved his agility and fluidity. 

Carson Schwesinger (UCLA) – He’s the opposite of Knight, he’s speedy, fluid, and sometimes looks like he was shot out of a cannon.  He’s got good coverage ability because of those traits and he’s pretty good at blitzing even though he lacks size.  At 6’2 226 lbs. he can get overwhelmed in the run game but he can be a good player if used correctly.

Defensive Backs

Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) – Emmanwori is going to dominate at the combine, that’s what elite athletes do.  For me, it’s the position drills that will be interesting.  Is he fluid enough and comfortable enough to play safety full-time or is he a tweener, between a safety and LB.  His athletic testing scores are going to impress everyone, can he be a useful football player and not just a great athlete. 

Jahdae Barron (Texas) – Here’s the opposite of Emmanwori, Barron is an awesome football player no matter where you put him but his testing numbers and measurements aren’t going to impress.  He won’t be the tallest, strongest, fastest, or the longest DB prospect but he’s going to be really good anyway.  If he can show some of the athleticism teams want to see, it will help him immensely. 

Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) – These two need their medical checks to go well.  If Morrison’s hip injury is a question, he falls from round one pretty easily.  Revel had a less worrisome knee injury but teams can be scared off when a guy has any leg injury as a DB. 

Trey Amos (Ole Miss) and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida St.) – These are the two guys most likely to benefit if Morrison and Revel fall due to injury concerns.  They can help themselves by having good workouts in Indy.  Both have good size and coverage ability and if one out performs the other, he could move up draft boards significantly.