Tag: nfl

2026 NFL Draft Quick Hits

2026 NFL Draft-1st Round Reaction

I have some thoughts about how the first round of the draft went; I thought I’d share them.  I mentioned it many times last night to many people, it felt like this draft was drunk.  It was just stumbling around and incoherently mumbling from pick three on. 

The first two picks were pretty clear.  QB Fernando Mendoza and Edge David Bailey made perfect sense for the Raiders and Jets, well done. 

In the last week there were reports of the Arizona Cardinals looking at taking RB Jeremiyah Love, an understandable rumor if you’re trying to drum up interest for someone to trade up. Instead, a bad organization made a bad move and actually took Love.  Jeremiyah Love is arguably the best player in the draft but now he’s going to go to waist on a team that doesn’t have QB, has a suspect offensive line, and has Tyler Allgier, James Connor, Trey Benson and Bam Knight already on the roster.  Bad organizations stay bad because they do things like this.  This seems like an ownership decision hoping to sell tickets with a big-name college player they can put on posters, that’s not how you win in the NFL. 

The Titans pulled the next stunner by taking WR Carnell Tate fourth overall.  I like Tate as a player; I just don’t see him as a guy you take this high in the draft.  He’ll be a good pro, I’m just not sure he’ll ever reach the level you want from a guy you take this high at WR. 

The Giants weren’t expecting LB Arvell Reese to fall to five, but they couldn’t pass him up, he’s way too good.  They don’t really need him with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Keyvon Thibodeaux already on the defense but Reese was too much value.  This probably means Thibodeaux is on the trading block, someone from New England should give the Giants a call. 

The Chiefs were the team to make the move up with the trade from nine to six with the Browns (the Browns are collecting draft picks like Pokémon cards).  They didn’t move up for an edge rusher, they took CB Mansoor Delane.  Delane is a perfect scheme fit for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, and they certainly had a hole to fill.  So much for them counting on mid-round CBs to fill the need, they got aggressive, it’s a good move. 

Dan Quinn thanks the football gods for dropping a football god right in his lap.  Sonny Styles is an athletic freak who actually plays with the type of LB instincts you want.  They desperately needed a guy to take over the defense from Bobby Wagner and Styles is a great player to do that. 

The Saints stood pat at number eight and took a shot at greatness.  WR Jordyn Tyson has some big injury concerns to overcome but he’s a truly impressive talent.  If he’s healthy, he and Chris Olave are going to be a problem.

The Browns traded down to nine and took Spencer Fano.  I have questions about this pick.  They need a LT and Fano hasn’t played LT for a couple of years and only played it one year at Utah.  He doesn’t have ideal length and he’s a very slight player.  I’m not saying he can’t do it but it’s a question. 

The Giants used the tenth pick to take OL Francis Mauigoa, he’s going to start at RG until they need him at RT, solid choice.

The Cowboys moved up one spot to make sure no one gave Miami a better deal so they could secure S Caleb Downs.  Downs is a game changer for that defense.  Great move.

The Dolphins move down one spot and take OT Kadyn Proctor, yikes.  Proctor’s former coach Nick Saban said it best, he’s not a self-starter.  He’s likely moving positions as the team has Patrick Paul at LT.  Do they move Proctor to RG, the obvious hole on the line, or to RT to replace Austin Jackson.  Either one puts Proctor under some pressure to adapt, I’m not sure that’s going to be a good thing for him.  This feels like the moment in the Marvel Universe where Dr. Strange tells Tony Stark there’s a 1 in 14 million chance of it working. 

I said this draft was drunk and the Rams were doing Jagerbombs all night.  They took QB Ty Simpson to be Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent.  Go watch the Rams post draft presser, Sean McVay looked very unhappy.  When I say “they” took Ty Simpson, seems like GM Les Snead was “they” in this situation.  A team that was very close going to the Super Bowl who doesn’t usually pick this high taking a backup QB (maybe 3rd string if he can’t beat out Stetson Bennett), strange choice.  McVay could turn Simpson into an NFL QB but if he’s not on board with the pick, that’s tough for Simpson. 

We got a couple of no brainer picks.  The Ravens took OG Vega Ioane, of course they did.  Then the Bucs rejoiced because they desperately need pass rush help and Rueben Bain Jr. fell all the way to 15.  He may not be an obvious fit in the scheme, but Todd Bowles better figure out how to use him, he might just save his job. 

The Jets took TE Kenyon Sadiq, I should have seen that coming.  New OC Declan Doyle wants to run two-TE sets, now he can.  The Lions are moving Penei Sewell to LT and so they took the RT equivalent of Taylor Decker, Blake Miller.  Steady, experienced, and thoroughly unspectacular, good choice.

The Vikings are shooting for the moon with DT Caleb Banks.  From a talent standpoint he’s a top ten player in this draft.  He also happens to be 6’6 330 lbs. and has multiple broken bones in his left foot.  If he’s healthy, he has All-Pro potential, there’s just as good of a chance he plays 15 games in the next three years, and they are declining his fifth-year option and drafting another DT.

The Panthers are thinking long-term, not a bad idea.  Their starting LT from last season tore his patellar tendon and might not play this season, which is his last on his contract.  They signed Rasheed Walker to be the stopgap, but his is a one-year deal.  LT Monroe Freeling would be best served if he doesn’t have to play right away.  Freeling sits for a year and then in 2027, he’s the starting LT. 

The Eagles traded with the Cowboys to move up and snake the Pittsburgh Steelers and drafted Makai Lemon while the Steelers were on the phone with him.  He’s headed to Philly to be part of the revamped WR corps that is assuredly losing AJ Brown on June 1. 

The Steelers had to quickly pivot off Lemon and for some reason they didn’t just pivot to KC Concepcion, instead they took RT Max Iheanachor.  Iheanachor is pretty raw, but LT Broderick Jones has been a disappointment and has a neck injury.  Iheanachor isn’t playing LT, but Troy Fautanu played LT in college and he can slide over to the left side and Iheanachor can play the right side. 

The Chargers stayed put and took Edge Ahkeem Mesidor.  They need an edge rusher and Mesidor will hit the ground running.  He’s already 25 but they are ready to win now. 

The Cowboys moved down and still got the edge rusher they like, Malachi Lawrence from UCF.  He’s unpolished and for now, probably just a designated pass rusher, but that works for this team, they have starters, Rashan Gary and Sam Williams can play the early downs. 

The Browns took WR KC Concepcion.  He’s immediately the best WR on the roster and he’ll be really happy in 2027 when they finally get a QB.  2026 is not going to be great, although they could target him 150 times this season. 

The Bears are the luckiest team at the end of this round.  Not only did their division rival Vikings take a DT with a bad foot but they passed on a really good safety.  What did the Bears need? A really good safety.  They let all their safeties go and the only guy they brought in was Coby Bryant.  Dillon Thieneman is a playmaker in the secondary.  Also, some good edge rushers fell to round two, they can still make a move there. 

When I said the draft was drunk the last ten picks were like everyone at the end of the night at the bar looking for someone to go home with.  Of the last 10 picks, 8 of them were traded, some of them multiple times.  Everybody was dancing with everybody and just grabbed someone when the music stopped.  There were six picks in a row traded, 25-31, including the Bills and 49ers both trading down multiple times and out of round one completely. 

The Texans took OG/C Keylan Rutledge, he either beats out Jake Andrews at center or he’s Wyatt Teller’s eventual replacement at LG. 

The Dolphins moved up to get CB Chris Johnson.  He’s a Jeff Hafley kind of guy and only the second CB taken in the draft, there’s going to be a run on CB in round two. 

The Patriots moved up to take OT Caleb Lomu.  He was the last of the top OT prospects and Patriots needed some help.  They have 35-year-old Morgan Moses at RT and when Will Campbell went down last season, they didn’t have much behind him.  Lomu gives them depth and he will eventually be the RT, it might even happen this season.

The Chiefs taking DT Peter Woods is pretty amazing.  Woods is a smaller, attacking DT who will give them someone other than Chris Jones to rush from the inside.  They signed Khyiris Tonga to be the big run-stuffer in the middle, Woods is the penetrating DT next to him. 

The Jets jumped back into the round to grab WR Omar Cooper Jr.  That gives them three first-round picks.  Cooper is a really good player who will make life easier for Geno Smith.  I’m obviously not a Jets fan but I will feel bad if the Jets curse ruins the careers of David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr., I like those players. 

The Titans decided to do the same and jumped back in to get DE Keldric Faulk.  Of course they did, Robert Saleh had to get his defensive end.  Faulk is an excellent run defender and is a very nice complement opposite Jermaine Johnson. 

The one team that desperately wanted to trade out of round one was the Seahawks but after so many trades, there was no one left to go home with at the end of the night.  They took RB Jadarian Price.  He fills a huge hole where Kenneth Walker III used to be but this feels too high for Price.  He’s never been a lead back; he was Jeremiyah Love’s backup at Notre Dame.  When you’ve just won the Super Bowl, you get a pass, but this could be much like the Chiefs taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire a few years ago.  That wasn’t a good pick. 

Round 2 Thoughts

There are some very good players still on the board.  CB Jermod McCoy has fallen and it’s all because of his knee injury.  Apparently running his blazing 40 at his workout didn’t answer questions and teams are scared of his injury.  If he can overcome it, he’s going to be the steal of this draft. 

There’s going to be a run on CBs at some point.  McCoy, Avieon Terrell, Colton Hood, and Brandon Cisse were all guys with round one potential at one point.

The defensive tackle and edge rush group is still quite deep.  DTs Kayden McDonal and Christen Miller should go pretty quickly.  TJ Parker, Zion Young, Cashius Howell, and Gabe Jacas are still left at edge. 

S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren fell to round two as I thought he might.  He had a good year and he’s a good prospect, but he’s got some flaws.  He’s going to be a good pick for someone, but they need to use him right. 

The OT class got picked pretty clean so if you want an offensive lineman you’ll have to settle for a guard.  There are good guards left, Chase Bisontis, Gennings Dunker, and Emmanuel Pregnon are all immediate starters for a team in need. 

The LB group is also deep since only Sonny Styles went as an off-ball LB in round one.  CJ Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, Anthony Hill Jr., Jake Golday, and Josiah Trotter could all be second round picks.

The last guy I can’t believe fell to round two is WR Denzel Boston.  He’s a potential WR1 and he’s going to go very early.  

The top of the second round got shuffled a bit with San Francisco ending up with the first pick of round two (33) and the Bills with the third pick (35).  That means two playoff teams from last season who want to compete are looking for the best value here. If San Francisco doesn’t want Denzel Boston, they should be shopping this pick to the highest bidder. 

Let’s see if the drunken party that was last night’s round one has a hangover in round two or if the party continues.  Day two is always my favorite, enjoy the ride.    

2026 NFL Mock Draft-The Final One

The NFL Draft starts on Thursday in Pittsburgh, meaning it’s coming up fast and things are starting to come into focus.  We know the first pick of the draft but after that, it’s a crapshoot.  The consensus has been that the Jets would take Ohio St. edge Arvell Reese.  That’s starting to change and it looks like they may be leaning another way.  Everyone knows RB Jeremiah Love is one of the top five players in the draft but it’s not clear if anyone in the top five wants to spend a pick on a RB.  S Caleb Downs is also one of the better prospects this year but he’s a safety and there’s questions about whether anyone will take a safety in the top ten.  There’s little consensus on the top offensive tackles and who might go where and who’s worth the most.  The best prospects on the o-line are guys who are right tackles or guards so teams aren’t dying to spend top end draft capital on guys they don’t think can play LT. 

There should be plenty of Ohio St. guys going in round one and maybe as many as four of them in the top ten.  The Giants and Bengals decided to shake up the top ten of the draft over the weekend when the Giants sent unhappy DT Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the tenth overall pick.  Lawrence will be the best DT the Bengals have had since Geno Atkins.  The Giants get a second top ten pick and that’s big for them.  There isn’t a DT worth taking in there to replace Lawrence so I would think that would be a point of emphasis early on day two.  Let’s look at the latest Mock Draft, it’s three rounds which is 100 picks.   

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

There’s not much left to say about this pick.  The Raiders need a QB and Mendoza is a great pick for Klint Kubiak’s offense.  The Raiders did just sign Kirk Cousins to make sure they don’t have to rush Mendoza onto the field and if they don’t fix their offensive line, Cousins can take the hits for a while.  Mendoza will start eventually, and by eventually, I do mean this season.  He’s too good and Cousins doesn’t have that much left in the tank. 

2. New York Jets (3-14): David Bailey     Edge     Texas Tech

Arvell Reese has been the conventional wisdom pick here for a while but that is starting to change.  Reese isn’t a surefire edge rusher given his lack of play at that specific position.  He’s a hybrid player and that leaves some doubt about where he’s best suited.  Bailey is an edge rusher, and he has elite skills getting to the QB.  He may not be the strongest run defender, but no one is drafting him to stop the run.  He has double-digit sack ability, and he would fit the Jets defensive scheme quite well.  I’ve been a big fan of Bailey from the start, and he has the ability to be the best edge rusher from this class.

3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14): Arvell Reese     LB     Ohio St.

Reese is a freaky athlete and has LB skills and can be an excellent pass rusher.  The issue is not knowing which one he’ll be best at and how quickly.  He has the speed and athleticism to be a top pass rusher but he’s undersized for the role full-time.  The Cardinals will need to decide quickly how they want to use him and have him focus on that position.  If a team taking him isn’t committed to playing him at one spot, it could hurt his development.  The Cardinals need playmakers on defense and using Reese as an edge rusher would give them one opposite Josh Sweat.  While the Cardinals could go offensive line here, I believe their free agent pick ups of LG Issac Seumalo and RT Elijah Wilkinson means they don’t have to reach for an offensive lineman and they can take the best player on the board. 

4. Tennessee Titans (3-14): Sonny Styles     LB     Ohio St.

There’s a lot of smoke out there about the Titans taking RB Jeremiah Love, and while Love is an excellent prospect, I don’t see Robert Saleh spending the fourth overall pick on a RB.  The Titans defense still needs help and LB is a serious need.  Cedric Gray and Cody Barton don’t remind anyone of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw or any of the other great LBs Saleh has coached.  Sonny Styles is a freak athlete and could be an immediate starter.  At 6’5 244 lbs. with 4.46 speed and a 43.5-inch vert, he’s a superhuman athlete.  He can run, he can cover, he can tackle, and he can lead a defense from the middle LB spot.  As much as I love Jeremiah Love as prospect, the RB position doesn’t offer the same impact Styles could have at LB. 

5. New York Giants (4-13): Francis Mauigoa     OT     Miami

With the Giants having two top ten picks it opens up the possibility of them drafting Jeremiah Love if he’s here.  However, they still need plenty of help on the offensive line and Mauigoa may be too good to pass up.  He would become an immediate starter at RG over Daniel Faalele, the late free agent signing from Baltimore.  Having Mauigoa lined up next to RT Jermaine Eluemunor would seriously upgrade that side of the line.  Those two could really help the running game if Cam Skattebo is healthy all season.  Mauigoa is also the eventual replacement at RT.   

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

I’m sticking to this pick because it just feels like something the Browns would do.  Freeling is mostly potential at this point but he’s one of only a few guys I think can start at LT from this class and actually be good.  He’s not a finished product but the Browns don’t care, they aren’t building for 2026.  They’re looking to get a QB in the 2027 draft and giving Freeling a year of starting experience in the NFL at LT would be helpful for their future franchise QB.  He can take his lumps while Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are back at QB to take the punishment.  He might be a bust, but he also has the highest possible ceiling of all the offensive linemen in this class.  The Browns have been terrible for a long time; they should take the chance on greatness. 

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

The Commanders return Bill Crosky-Merritt, and they signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, so they should definitely draft Love. Love is one of the three best prospects in this class, and the Commanders badly need an upgrade at RB.  Love is better than the three guys they have at RB.  He’s a three-down back who can carry the ball on early downs and be a devastating playmaker on third down.  Pairing him in the backfield with QB Jayden Daniels would be an electric pair and the Commanders have a pretty solid offensive line to help Love in the run game.

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

The Saints miss out on the three top edge rushers and while Mansoor Delane or Caleb Downs makes sense here, they look to help QB Tyler Shough.  Tate is probably never going to be a true WR1, but he can be an excellent WR2 behind Chris Olave.  He gives you a bigger body on the outside with real downfield potential and a true red zone threat.  Shough showed great promise last season once he stepped in at QB and he has all the skills to take advantage of Olave and Tate.  Having a couple of legitimate WRs would help Shough’s development and give the Saints offense a real boost. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11): Rueben Bain Jr.     DE     Miami

The Chiefs would be ecstatic if Bain falls to them here at nine overall.  He’s a perfect fit for their defensive front and would be a welcome addition.  Opposite George Karlaftis, they really don’t have anyone of note after letting Mike Danna go.  DT Chris Jones has always been their most feared pass rusher, but he’s aging and at times he takes plays off.  Bain has never taken a play off.  He has a relentless motor, and he will wear an offensive line out by the end of a game.  He doesn’t have the ideal measurables teams seek for a DE but he’s going to succeed in the NFL because he has no quit in him.  

10. New York Giants (from Cin): Caleb Downs     S     Ohio St.

The Giants get this pick from Cincinnati, and they probably take the guy the Bengals would pick if they were here.  Downs is too good to fall much farther in this draft and John Harbaugh, and his new defensive coordinator Dennard Walker know the value of a good safety.  They have Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland, but the Ravens often ran a three safety look on defense and the Giants could look to do the same.  Downs gives them options and Holland and Nubin are good athletes who should take well to the new Ravens-style defense being implemented in New York. 

11. Miami Dolphins (7-10): Jermod McCoy     CB     Tennessee

The thought has been that with this whole Dolphins roster teardown that they would look to draft in the trenches and take an offensive lineman and start to rebuild up front.  That would make sense, but Jermod McCoy has been the mystery box in this draft.  After the 2024 season he looked like a surefire first-round CB, then he tore his ACL last January and missed the entire 2025 season.  He hadn’t played or worked out until his private workout at the beginning of April.  His knee has been the question about him, and he ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds, question answered.  When he’s healthy, he’s the best CB prospect in the draft and he’s an elite talent.  Jeff Hafley has a massive rebuild on his hands in Miami and taking the best player available is the right approach, that’s McCoy.  It’s just a bonus that this team’s secondary is a dumpster fire. 

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1): Mansoor Delane     CB     LSU

This would be an optimal outcome for the Cowboys.  Delane is one of the best players in this draft and happens to fill a need at CB for Dallas.  They have DaRon Bland, who has been hurt often lately, and they signed Cobie Durant from the Rams.  Durant is fine but he’s not stopping you from drafting someone better.  They drafted Shavon Revel Jr. last season when he was recovering from an ACL tear, and he started to play at the end of the season.  They will likely avoid McCoy if he falls just to avoid doing that again.  However, Delane has no such issues.  He’s not an elite athlete but his cover skills are excellent, and he could quickly become their best corner.  They need upgrades on defense but there are no pass rushers or linebackers I would take over Delane if he’s still on the board.  

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Jordyn Tyson     WR     Arizona St.

I’m going to be upset if they take Makai Lemon after I changed my mock draft pick this late in the game after having Lemon here the whole time.  Tyson has been a mystery because it’s not known what teams think or know about his injury issues.  He certainly has a long injury history, and his hamstring injury has been keeping him from working out.  The buzz has been that teams aren’t as worried about it as draft media is making it out to be.  His skill set is impressive, and teams know he can be a difference maker on offense.  The Rams have Devante Adams and Puka Nacua, but Adams is 34 and Nacua has some off field issues.  Tyson has the highest upside of any WR in this draft, if he’s healthy, he has WR1 potential.  Leave it up to Sean McVay and he’ll find the best way to use Tyson’s considerable skills.

14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9): Kenyon Sadiq     TE     Oregon

The Ravens need more playmakers on offense in the passing game.  WR Zay Flowers is a good WR, but TE Mark Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman don’t scare anyone.  Sadiq is a crazy athlete and while he wasn’t overly productive at Oregon from a stats perspective, he’s a threat with the ball in his hands.  The Ravens lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency, so they need help at TE.  Sadiq gives them a guy who can threaten downfield and he’s a good blocker on the move.  He’s not an inline blocker but get him going downfield in the run game and he’s good.  They need interior offensive line help and that’s a possibility here but I think Sadiq is too good to pass up, there will be plenty of interior offensive linemen available on day two.    

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

If Ioane gets past the Ravens (his most mocked draft slot), it’s completely within the realm of possibility the Steelers see too much value to let him slide farther.  The Bucs don’t need Ioane, but they would like to pick up some extra picks, so they move down.  Ioane would immediately step into the starting LG spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo, and he feels like a Steelers player.  The Steelers have a history with some great interior offensive linemen and Ioane could be the next Alan Faneca. 

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Makai Lemon     WR     USC

The Jets offense has RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson and not many other playmakers.  They can hope AD Mitchell figures it out at WR but he’s an outside receiver anyway.  Lemon would come in and play mostly in the slot and give Geno Smith an excellent target over the middle of the field.  Lemon isn’t very big at only 5’11 but he plays much bigger and stronger than his frame.  He’s excellent at the catchpoint and would really open things up for Garrett Wilson.  They signed a lot of free agents to fill holes on defense and they signed Dylan Parham to fill their need at LG.  Lemon would give them some real juice on the offense as they build toward drafting a QB in 2027. 

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

Proctor isn’t the surefire prospect he seemed to be going into the season last year.  He’s 6’7 352 lbs. and moves like a man much lighter.  He has all the power you want but lacks consistency in his game.  He also has a tendency to let his weight creep up and that’s not good for him.  Going to a team like Detroit with an excellent o-line coach in Hank Fraley and a head coach like Dan Campbell who will hold him accountable, would be best for Proctor.  The Lions may be moving Penei Sewell to LT to replace Taylor Decker so Proctor could end up at RT and that’s fine, his profile fits well there.  He gives them options because he could be a LT, or if all else fails, they could move him inside to OG and he could be dominant. 

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

There have been many mock drafts that have Thieneman going off the board before this pick and while that’s possible, I just don’t see it.  He’s a great athlete and good safety prospect but he’s still just a safety.  That said, he’s a perfect fit in Minnesota.  The Vikings have to replace Harrison Smith and to give Brian Flores the three safeties he likes to use.  Thieneman can play wherever Flores wants him and his athleticism gives him the ability to fit everywhere. 

19. Carolina Panthers (8-9): Omar Cooper Jr.     WR     Indiana

Cooper would be the third WR the Panthers have taken in the first round of the draft in three years.  Unfortunately, the first one they took was Xavier Leggette and he’s been very underwhelming.  Tetairoa McMillan was awesome as a rookie last season, and they love what Jalen Coker gives them too but the other spot needs work.  Cooper has a perfect complementary skill set to put with McMillan and Coker and to give Bryce Young the best chance to succeed.  He runs great routes, catches everything, and he gets extra yards after the catch. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Ahkeem Mesidor     DE     Miami

The Cowboys have Donovan Ezeiruaku coming back from an injury and they traded for Rashan Gary as their two outside pass rushers, that’s not ideal.  No one knows Ezeiruaku’s prognosis and Gary has had a slow decline in the last few years.  Mesidor will be a 25-year-old rookie who might be maxed out as a player but he’s pretty good right now.  They aren’t looking for a developmental pass rusher; they want to win now.  Mesidor can give them snaps immediately and he has versatility to move around up front if they mess with different fronts.  I can make a compelling argument they should just take LB CJ Allen, but edge rusher is a more valuable position to fill at this point in round one. 

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE from Pitt): Keldric Faulk     DE     Auburn

The Bucs trade down and pick up extra draft capital because they don’t have any glaring needs.  Even the places where they need help (edge, LB, defensive line), they picked up a number of veterans to fill gaps.  Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL A’Shawn Robinson, DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, LB Alex Anzalone, and LB Christian Rozeboom, make it so those positions don’t need a rookie to come in and start.  Faulk is a young player with great upside who could be a DE in their defense and eventually give them some pass rush.  He would be an eventual replacement for what they lost in Logan Hall, and has a higher ceiling than Hall had.

22. New England Patriots (TRADE from LAC): TJ Parker     DE      Clemson

The Patriots are likely to trade for AJ Brown after June 1st when the salary cap issues are easier for the Eagles to handle.  That would mean they are trading 2027 draft capital and hanging onto their picks here.  They signed Dre’Mont Jones to be one edge rusher, but Harold Landry is still the other starter, and he’s aging and missed the end of last season with an injury.  Parker had a tough year at Clemson, but he was still giving it his all even when the season was essentially over for the Tigers.  Parker showed at the Senior Bowl that he still has great skill and gives great effort and that’s something Mike Vrabel will appreciate.  The Patriots use some of their extra draft capital to move up to this spot to get ahead of teams like Philadelphia and Chicago who are also looking for edge rushers.  The Chargers only have five picks, so they are happy to move down and get some extra picks.   

23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Blake Miller     OT    Clemson

GM Howie Roseman is known for liking linemen in the first round of the draft and after the tough year the Eagles offensive line had, taking an offensive lineman feels right.  RT Lane Johnson, LG Landon Dickerson, and C Cam Juergens all had injury issues last season.  Miller was a four-year starter at Clemson and would be the heir apparent to Johnson on the right side.  He isn’t the most physically gifted player, but he has more experience than any lineman in this draft.  The Eagles changed offensive line coaches this off season so they can’t count on Jeff Stoutland to develop the next great Eagles’ lineman.  Also, the scheme change for new OC Sean Mannion might require a different type of offensive lineman.  Miller would be a solid choice and Roseman likes to take good players in round one.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jax): Denzel Boston     WR     Washington

The Browns are almost assuredly taking an OT and a WR in round one and here they get Monroe Freeling sixth overall and Denzel Boston at 24.  This feels like the better outcome than taking Carnell Tate sixth and then settling for an OT here.  Boston doesn’t have elite speed, but he has great size, an incredible contested catch ability, and he profiles like a WR1.  The Browns need someone who can make plays at WR as Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman aren’t scaring anyone. I like this move for the Browns but it’s not great for Boston’s development.  Playing with either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson as his QB isn’t going to help him much.  He’s going to have to wait until they draft a QB in 2027 before his career can take off.  If I were Boston I might fake a hamstring injury for the year.    

25. Chicago Bears (11-6): Zion Young     DE     Missouri

I haven’t been a “Zion Young in the first round” guy but it’s hard to find the right fit for the Bears.  None of the LT’s profile as immediate upgrades over the guys they have now.  DT is a less than stellar position in the first round, it’s better saved for later.  The Bears have a certain profile they want at DE for Dennis Allen and Young fits it perfectly.  He’s 6’6 262 lbs. and plays with the power Allen wants.  He sets the edge in the run game and while he isn’t the bendiest athlete, he can get to the QB.  Dayo Odeyingbo is coming off an injury, and they need a guy to start, Young can start. 

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

I’m not coming off this pick.  The Bills have to be better against the run and while they should consider LB CJ Allen here, if they aren’t better at NT, the LBs won’t matter.  They can’t seriously think Deone Walker, at 6’7, is a good idea there and TJ Sanders and Ed Oliver are at least 30 lbs. too light to be the NT.  Moving to a 3-4 defense is a major adjustment and if you don’t have a NT, you’re screwed.  McDonald changes your entire run defense on his own.  He may not get to the QB very much, but he’ll anchor the middle of your defense, he won’t give an inch to the offense, and he’ll make your LBs much more effective.  And those LBs should come later in this draft.   

27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): Caleb Lomu     OT     Utah

Trent Williams will be 38 next year and while he’s still playing at a high level and they just gave him a new extension, he can’t play forvever.  They have some expensive players already in QB Brock Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, DE Nick Bosa, and LB Fred Warner, all of whom are much younger than Williams.  Replacing Williams will not be easy but Lomu has a chance to be a very good LT.  He’s still young and he needs to fill out his frame and gain strength, but he moves well and would fit in San Franscisco’s offense quite well.  They could try him at LG until Williams moves on and then they have their LT of the future. 

28. Houston Texans (12-5): CJ Allen     LB     Georgia

The Texans top two LBs, Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’o To’o, could both be free agents in 2027 and Al-Shaair will be 29 next season.  CJ Allen would be an excellent replacement at MLB, and no one knows the value of a great MLB like DeMeco Ryans.  Allen is a pure middle or inside LB and he’s a hammer looking to do some damage to ball carriers.  He’s got experience as a starter at a top program and if they draft him this year, he’ll have a year to learn the system and then can step in as starter next year.  This team is getting expensive and re-signing the LBs might be too expensive and a place where they can save some money. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Max Iheanachor     OT     Arizona St.

The Chiefs have Jaylon Moore who can fill the RT role for this season but he’s on the last year of his contract.  Iheanachor is a raw prospect who needs some time to develop.  The Chiefs have taken raw OT prospects before, and it hasn’t been a rousing success so they may not want to go down that road again.  However, Iheanachor is a scary physical specimen, and he’s only been playing football for a few years.  If he can develop his skills, he and Josh Simmons could be a great OT duo for Patrick Mahomes for years.   

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver): Malachi Lawrence     Edge     UCF

The Dolphins are almost a blank slate and while they do have Chop Robinson as one edge rusher, they are lacking opposite him.  They signed Josh Uche and David Ojabo in free agency but neither of them will keep the team from drafting an edge rusher.  Lawrence has been a late riser after a great combine workout.  He’s athletic and long and has loads of potential.  The Dolphins have to hit big on some players and that means taking some chances.  They took CB Jermod McCoy earlier in this draft, if his knee is fine, he’s a potential Pro Bowl CB.  Lawrence is going to take some time to develop but this team has the time to give him.  They can ease him in with the veterans they have ahead of him, Uche and Ojabo, and hope he eventually becomes an elite pass rusher. 

31. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE from NE): Keylan Rutledge     OG     Georgia Tech

There’s always going to be one guy that goes in round one that no one is really talking about and my pick is Rutledge.  No one really talks about guards anyway, but Rutledge has been under the radar as guys like Chase Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, and even Genning Dunker have gotten more hype.  Rutledge was awesome at Georgia Tech last season, and he would fit quite nicely at LG in Mike McDaniel’s offense.  Some teams have even asked Rutledge to work out as a center so he would give them some flexibility in case something happens to Tyler Biadasz.  This also feels very much like a Jim Harbaugh pick. 

32. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE from Seattle): Ty Simpson     QB     Alabama

There are two certainties in the first round of this draft; Fernando Mendoza is going first overall and Seattle is going to trade the 32nd pick.  The Seahawks have four draft picks, and they can pick up a late rounder from Arizona to drop down two spots to 34 overall.  The Cardinals give up a late round pick to move up two spots to get Simpson at QB and with the last pick of round one they get the future fifth-year option on the QB.  Simpson is not a sure thing but he’s better than what they have.  Current projected starter Jacoby Brissett wants more money to be the starter, but the Cardinals could trade him away to get back a late round pick and go with Simpson and Gardner Minshew at QB.  If Simpson is bad, you can keep him as your back up and try for a QB again in 2027.  It’s a small move with a lot of upside if you hit on the QB pick, and not a lot of downside if he’s not good enough.  Even if it’s not the Cardinals moving up for Simpson, the Seahawks will be auctioning this pick off to anyone for an extra draft pick in this draft.

Round 2

33. New York Jets: Jacob Rodriguez     LB     Texas Tech

The Jets have Demario Davis, a 37-year-old free agent they signed, and Jamien Sherwood, a guy I’m not sure they like any more at LB.  Rodriguez isn’t the biggest or fastest LB but he’s really good. 

34. Seattle (from Arizona): Cashius Howell     Edge    Texas A&M

The Seahawks lost Boye Mafe in free agency this off season and Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall are both free agents after this season.  Demarcus Lawerence will be 34 and this team counts on waves of pass rushers to make their defense work.  Howell is undersized but he’s a blur off the edge and he would be great as a part of a rotation. 

35. Tennessee: KC Concepcion     WR     Texas A&M

I’ll actually be surprised if Concepcion makes it to round two but here he is.  He’s an elite playmaker and the Titans could use one of those at WR.  He’s bigger and better than Wandale Robinson and he could replace Calvin Ridley as the deep threat.  He’s not the biggest WR and he needs to work on his drops, but he would fill a need for Cam Ward. 

36. Las Vegas: Christen Miller     DT     Georgia

The Raiders spent a lot of money on LBs Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to improve their defense, especially against the run.  If they don’t improve the DT spot it will be money wasted.  Miller is a run-stuffing demon and would make the investment that much more worthwhile.  Miller is an underrated prospect, and he would start immediately in Vegas.

37. New York Giants: Caleb Banks     DT     Florida

The Giants take a risk here to try to replace Dexter Lawrence with one of the most intriguing DT prospects in the draft.  Banks is a 6’6 332 lbs. freak who’s an impressive athlete but has foot injury issues.  Big men and bad feet are not a great combination, but Banks is worth the risk, he has All-Pro potential if he’s healthy. 

38. Houston: Peter Woods     DT     Clemson

The Texans have one of the best defenses around and it starts up front.  DT Sheldon Rankins has been one of their good interior players.  Rankins is an undersized DT who penetrates and disrupts, that’s exactly what Woods is good at.  Rankins is 32 so getting a younger version would be a smart move. 

39. Cleveland: Aveion Terrell     CB     Clemson

Terrell is an excellent cover man but he’s undersized and he ran his 40 in the 4.6 range which is going to hurt his stock a bit.  Here he comes in as the slot corner and that’s a good place for him to start.  This defense should still be good and Terrell will help them.

40. Kansas City: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren     S     Toledo

I have McNeil-Warren falling a bit because he’s not as polished as you might think and he’s not as great in coverage as you would want.  He’s got great size, great athleticism, and he’s a menace coming downhill.  Steve Spagnuolo will understand how to use him and he’s excellent value for the Chiefs who are looking for help in the secondary. 

41. Cincinnati: Keionte Scott     DB     Miami

Scott won’t be for everyone but he’s perfect for what Cincinnati needs.  They were awful against the run last season and even traded the 10th pick to get DT Dexter Lawrence.  Scott is a nickel back who is truly impressive against the run.  The Bengals young LBs struggled to stop the run last season so getting a guy like Scott to be the fifth DB would really help.  He doesn’t look like a guy who stops the run because he’s not overly big, but he tackles well and hits like a tank.  The Bengals need to improve their defense, Scott does that. 

42. New Orleans: Chris Johnson     CB     San Diego St.

Johnson isn’t the most physically impressive CB but he’s an excellent cover man.  He can play zone or man and he isn’t afraid to get involved in run defense.  The Saints need to replace Alontae Taylor and Johnson is a plug-and-play starter. 

43. Miami: Chase Bisontis     OG     Texas A&M

The Dolphins signed Jamaree Salyer, but he really should be a backup player so Bisontis can come in and start at RG.  He has good size and he even played some RT early in his college career.  Upgrading the line for Malik Willis would be a smart move. 

44. New York Jets: Brandon Cisse     CB     South Carolina

The Jets have Nahshon Wright on a one-year deal and Brandon Stephens could be a cap casualty as he turns 30 next year.  Cisse could give them a guy who can play some this year and then step into a bigger role in 2027, this team is building for 2027. 

45. Baltimore: Gennings Dunker     OL     Iowa

The Ravens offensive line needs plenty of help on the interior.  The organization has had a lot of luck with interior offensive linemen from Iowa, Tyler Linderbaum and Marshall Yanda were great players for the Ravens.  Dunker was a RT who will move inside to RG, John Simpson can play LG, and they can draft a center later. 

46. Tampa Bay: Anthony Hill Jr.     LB     Texas

The Bucs lost Lavonte David to retirement and while they signed Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, those two are short-term solutions.  Hill is a great athlete and a very intelligent LB.  He has experience and he would be a great investment for the long term. 

47. Indianapolis: Gabe Jacas     DE     Illinois

The Colts need some help up front evidenced by the fact they signed Arden Key at DE and he might start.  Jacas is a brute up front and will be a nice complement opposite Latu Laiatu. 

48. Atlanta: Dominique Orange     NT     Iowa St.

The Falcons traded former second-round pick DT Ruke Orhorhoro for Jaguars former second-round pick DT Maason Smith, that didn’t solve a thing.  This team desperately needs a real NT, that’s Orange.  He plugs the middle like a NT should and that’s well worth this pick.   

49. Minnesota: Germie Bernard     WR     Alabama

The Vikings lost Jalen Nailor in free agency and Jordan Addison isn’t the picture of consistency.  Bernard is nothing if not consistent, you can set your watch by him.  He runs precise routes, blocks in the run game, and catches everything you throw to him.  He isn’t flashy but he’s effective. 

50. Detroit: Colton Hood     CB     Tennessee

The Lions keep investing at the CB position and sooner or later it will pay off.  Terrion Arnold hasn’t been great, DJ Reed is getting older, and the secondary is generally banged up.  Hood is a great athlete who likes to play physical and he would fit a Dan Campbell team just fine.

51. Carolina: Treydan Stukes     DB     Arizona

Stukes is long and lean, and he can play in the nickel or be the deep safety which would make a good match with Trevor Moehrig.  The Panthers could stand to have a ball hawking player in the back end to get some turnovers.  Stukes might go higher than this.  

52. Green Bay: Chris McClellan     DT     Missouri

The Packers need help at DT and McClellan would be a good fit as a rotational DT who can line up at any spot.  They are so desperate for help they signed Javon Hargrave; that’s not a great sign.  There are more well-known DT on the board, but McClellan is a very talented player. 

53. Pittsburgh: Antonio Williams     WR     Clemson

Williams is a slot merchant and would be a great addition to WR corps with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr on the outside.  He’s quick, shifty, and can make moves inside to break away.  If Aaron Rodgers is the QB next season, he would appreciate Williams in the slot.

54. Philadelphia: De’Zhaun Stribling     WR     Ole Miss

If the Eagles are planning on trading AJ Brown in June, grabbing this Ole Miss WR would make some sense. Stribling has great physical tools as a downfield threat, but he needs a little more development.  They signed Hollywood Brown and traded for Dontayvion Wicks to play behind DeVonta Smith so they can give Stribling some time to get acclimated.  

55. LA Chargers: AJ Haulcy     SS     LSU

The Chargers have 34-year-old Tony Jefferson slated to start at SS.  Jesse Minter did some wonderful magic with the Chargers secondary last year, but he’s gone and it is worth upgrading the talent for the new DC.  Haulcy is a game wrecker and can create some havoc in the secondary.

56. Jacksonville: Jake Golday     LB     Cincinnati

It will be a bit of a learning curve for Golday as he will have to become more of a traditional LB if he ends up in Jacksonville.  He played a bit of a hybrid position in college, but he has all the skills to be an excellent LB.  They need to replace Devin Lloyd and that’s a tall order. 

57. Chicago: Skyler Bell     WR     UConn

Trading away DJ Moore opens more playing time for Luther Burden III but you still need three WRs in today’s game and Khalif Raymond isn’t one of them.  Bell can play in the slot or outside so he and Burden would make a nice pair who can move around the formation.  He’s highly productive and would be a useful player immediately. 

58. San Francisco: Chris Bell     WR     Louisville

The 49ers signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk at WR to fill the holes on the roster, those are fine for this year, but they aren’t long-term solutions.  Bell is coming off a torn ACL so he may not play much this year, they don’t need him too.  He has WR1 potential and spending the year learning from Mike Evans can’t be a bad thing. 

59. Houston: Emmanuel Pregnon     OG     Oregon

Houston signed Wyatt Teller from Cleveland as a stopgap at LG.  He’ll be 32 this season and he’s not a long-term option.  This team has had some interior o-line issues, so Pregnon is a smart investment. 

60. Chicago: Josiah Trotter     LB     Missouri

The Bears cut Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards is coming off an injury, so the LB spot is a little thin.  Devin Bush isn’t a great answer, and Trotter is a beast against the run.  The best description I’ve heard of Trotter’s play is he’s a hammer looking for a nail.  He’s not great in coverage but he’s a run-stuffing savant.  

61. LA Rams: Lee Hunter     NT     Texas Tech

The Rams love what Poona Ford does for them at NT but he’s 31 and can’t play forever.  Hunter is a run-stuffing NT only, he brings almost nothing as a pass rusher but that’s fine.  Hunter struggles to stay low and use leverage, give him a season to learn it from a guy who only survives because of his leverage, Ford. 

62. Denver: R Mason Thomas     Edge     Oklahoma

The Broncos have apparently moved Jonah Ellis from edge rusher to LB, so they need a third edge rusher to go with Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto.  Thomas’ biggest issue is he’s a very undersized pass rusher.  That’s not a problem for Denver, that’s all they have.   

63. New England: Caleb Tiernan     OT     Northwestern

Tiernan started for three years at LT at Northwestern after starting his first year at RT.  He has great height, but it doesn’t translate to great length.  He might be best suited to be a guard but for this season he would back up at LT, RT, and LG and give the Patriots some depth they don’t have.  He may be Morgan Moses’ eventual replacement at RT.

64. Seattle: Jadarian Price     RB     Notre Dame

If Seattle holds on to this pick this would be the smart move.  They need a RB and Price has starter ability.  He played behind Jeremiah Love at Notre Dame, so his legs are fresh.  He could hold down the starting job until Zach Charbonnet is healthy, although nothing says he would give it up once Charbonnet is back.        

Round 3

65. Arizona: Darrell Jackson Jr.     NT     Florida St.

The Cardinals have Roy Lopez and Andrew Billings as their NTs, they could use an upgrade.  Jackson is a big man in the middle.

66. Tennessee: Sam Hecht     C      Kansas St.

 I think round three is where the run on centers gets going.  Might as well start it here.  Tennessee signed Austin Schlottmann in free agency, that doesn’t make me feel good.

67. Las Vegas: De’Angelo Ponds     CB     Indiana

Ponds is far too good to fall this far but he’s very undersized.  The Raiders could use him in the slot behind Taron Johnson, who will be 30 this year.  Or they could use him outside instead of Darien Porter, replacing a really tall CB with the really short CB. 

68. Philadelphia: Max Klare     TE     Ohio St.

The Eagles brought Dallas Goedert back on a one-year deal.  He’s aging so they find the closest thing they can to him in this draft, that’s Max Klare.

69. Houston: Eli Stowers     TE     Vanderbilt

The Texans have Dalton Schultz at TE and not much else.  Schultz is a solid TE but he’s not a weapon.  Stowers is an elite athlete who is a passing game weapon, he can’t block to save his life, but the Texans can have other TEs do that.  Stowers is dynamic in the passing game. 

70. Cleveland: Jake Slaughter     C     Florida

Todd Monken will run a hybrid type of blocking scheme and Slaughter can handle that.  He can also start immediately at center which means Elgton Jenkins can play guard.  With Jenkins and Zion Johnson at the guard spots, Slaughter’s lack of size is offset a little.

71. Washington: Malachi Fields     WR     Notre Dame

This team has Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey behind Terry McLaurin, so they need WR help.  Fields isn’t a burner but he’s a big-bodied ball winner who gives them a different dimension.  I like him better than Chris Brazzell II.

72. Cincinnati: Gracen Halton     DT     Oklahoma

The Bengals have added Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen at DT to go with BJ Hill and TJ Slaton.  Lawrence, Allen, and Hill are all on the wrong side of 30 and none of these guys are elite interior pass rushers unless Lawrence can get back to doing that.  Halton is undersized but these other guys make up for that, Halton gives them a different skill set.

73. New Orleans: Derrick Moore     Edge     Michigan

The Saints need to get younger on defense and after adding CB Chris Johnson in round two, they get a pass rusher to pair with Chase Young here.  Moore is a solid player all around and will be a nice addition to the defense.

74. Kansas City: Keith Abney II     CB     Arizona St.

The Chiefs need some new blood at CB and Steve Spagnuolo loves a good mid-round CB prospect.  Abney is a little on the short side but he’s a fighter and Spags will love his toughness. 

75. Miami: Jalen Kilgore     DB     South Carolina

Kilgore is an excellent athlete who mostly played in the nickel this last season.  He could be a safety or a nickelback.  If someone is going to take a chance on his upside it might as well be Jeff Hafley in Miami. 

76. Pittsburgh: Zxavian Harris     DT     Ole Miss

Harris is a 6’8 330 lbs. behemoth who is built to play DE in a 3-4 defense.  Cameron Heyward is going to be 37 this season and they don’t have a ton of depth at DE.

77. Tampa Bay: Garrett Nussmeier     QB     LSU

Tampa Bay picked up an extra third in my mock trade from round one (#99 overall) so they use their own third round pick to grab a young QB.  Baker Mayfield is coming off a rough year, he’s heading towards a new contract, and he just turned 31.  Nussmeier came into the season as a potential first-round pick but had a rough year because of injury.  The Bucs have Jake Browning as their backup; Nussmeier would be a solid investment. 

78. Indianapolis: Keyshaun Elliott     LB     Arizona St.

The Colts have no LBs to speak of and Elliott was a two-year starter at ASU at MLB.  He has the type of experience you need to step right into the starting lineup and hit the ground running. 

79. Atlanta: Keyron Crawford     Edge     Auburn

The Falcons may be looking at a future without James Pearce Jr. as he faces serious criminal charges.  They need a pass rusher opposite Jalon Walker.  Crawford was the guy jumping off the film when people were scouting Keldric Faulk.

80. Baltimore: Connor Lew     C     Auburn

Baltimore’s offense is going to change a bit, and they may want a center with a little more size and Lew is a bit bigger than Logan Jones.  He can be used in more blocking schemes so he’s the pick here.   

81. Jacksonville: Tyler Onyedim     DT     Texas A&M

The Jaguars starting DTs are Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton, both are on the wrong side of father time.  Onyedim isn’t a big body but he’s a penetrating tackle who could take some pass rush snaps and help Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker get free.   

82. Minnesota: Jaishawn Barham     Edge     Michigan

Barham has played as a traditional LB and as an edge rusher and I think Brian Flores would like his skills for his defense.  The team is looking to trade Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkle is getting older.  They need a long-term running mate for Dallas Turner.

83. Carolina: Drew Allar     QB     Penn St.

I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Panthers signed Kenny Pickett and traded Andy Dalton away, they want someone who could step in if Bryce Young faulters.  Allar has all the physical tools of an NFL QB and getting coaching from a guy like Dave Canales might just unlock something. 

84. Green Bay: Mike Washington Jr.     RB     Arkansas

The Packers have to get someone to give Josh Jacobs a break, and they simply have no one right now.  Washington is a big guy with great speed and would fit into their run blocking very well.  He’s not a great third-down back but Jacobs can handle that, give Washington some of the early carries to save the wear and tear on Jacobs. 

85. Pittsburgh: Markell Bell     OT      Miami

Bell is a huge man at nearly 6’9 346 lbs. but he carries it well.  LT Broderick Jones has been a disappointment and he’s dealing with a neck injury.  Bell isn’t a surefire starting LT but he’s the best bet here.  He started for Miami so he’s used to playing with the big boys.  There would be some bumps in the road but he might end up better than what they have gotten out of Jones. 

86. LA Chargers: Romello Height     Edge     Texas Tech

Height is an undersized pass rusher who is going to struggle against the run in the NFL.  Luckily the Chargers only need him as a designated pass rusher.  Khalil Mack still handles the heavy lifting on run downs. 

87. Miami: Chris Brazzell II     WR     Tennessee

The Dolphins WR corps looks like the cast of the Smurfs.  They need some size on the outside and a deep threat and that’s Brazzell’s calling card.  He’s not an advanced route runner, thank the Tennessee offense for that, but you can’t teach a guy to be 6’5 and run a 4.37 40-yard dash.  

88. Jacksonville: Travis Burke     OT      Memphis

Burke is a giant human who will need some coaching to keep his pad level down and not lose leverage.  The Jaguars have their starting OTs for now, but Cole Van Lanen and Anton Harrison are not exactly a Pro Bowl pairing.  A developmental OT in round three is solid.

89. Chicago: Zakee Wheatley     S     Penn St.

The Bears overhauled their entire safety group and they still need help.  Wheatley would give them a good athlete who can cover and that seems to be their way they want to go.

90. Miami: Bud Clark     S     TCU

The overhaul of the secondary continues.  This gives them a CB1 in Jermod McCoy, a big nickel player who could be a SS in Jalen Kilgore and now a deep safety, Bud Clark.  Jeff Hafley should be smiling.

91. Buffalo: Dani Dennis-Sutton     Edge     Penn St.

The Bills have Greg Rosseau, Bradley Chubb, and Michael Hoecht at edge rusher, they are all 260+ lbs., the Bills have a type.  Dennis-Sutton fits the mold and if Chubb’s injury history repeats itself, they will need another pass rusher.

92. Dallas: Kaleb Elarms-Orr     LB     TCU

Elarms-Orr is a very athletic LB with plenty of snaps under his belt.  The Cowboys desperately need LB help and he’s the best one left on the board.

93. LA Rams: Logan Jones     C     Iowa

Jones only falls this far because he’s an undersized center who doesn’t fit everyone’s scheme.  He fits perfectly in LA for the Rams who already start an aging, undersized center in Coleman Shelton.  They can get away with it because their guards, Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, are gigantic.  Jones takes Shelton’s job in week 1. 

94. Miami: Sam Roush     TE     Stanford

The Dolphins have Greg Dulcich at TE, in other words, they need a TE.  Roush is a true Y TE which means he can line up and block.  He is also a solid pass catcher, he can do it all for the offense.

95. New England: Oscar Delp     TE     Georgia

The Patriots have Hunter Henry, who is aging, and just signed Julian Hill, who is mostly a blocking TE.  Delp isn’t great at anything in particular but he’s a great athlete.  They can afford to develop him over the next year behind the guys they have, his ceiling is pretty high.

96. Seattle: Kage Casey     OL     Boise St.

Casey was a LT at Boise St. but he’ll move inside in the NFL.  If he can replace Anthony Bradford at RG, he will be a Seahawks fan favorite.  His best spot might be at center, and they should try him there too. 

97. Minnesota: Emmett Johnson     RB     Nebraska

Playing Aaron Jones every week is like driving a car with 200,000 miles on it.  Every time you start it you hope it gets you where you’re going.  Johnson has a similar skill set to Jones as a good zone runner and a guy with excellent hands.  He doesn’t look like much but he’s really damn good, again, like Jones.   

98: Philadelphia: Jalen Farmer     OG     Kentucky

Farmer is a big, physical guard who would give the Eagles some solid depth behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen.  Dickerson hasn’t been the picture of health so Farmer might even get to play some. 

99. Tampa Bay (TRADE from Pitt): Diego Pounds     OT     Ole Miss

Pounds is a big guy with long arms, and he should be able to be the swing tackle for the Bucs.  They found themselves short-handed last year when injuries struck and had to move C Graham Barton to OT, not ideal.  Pounds could also be competition at OG if needed.  

100. Jacksonville: VJ Payne     DB     Kansas St.

VJ Payne is a big defensive back at 6’3 and while he was a safety at Kansas St., he could be a big nickel or even an outside guy in the NFL.  The Jaguars need help at safety and taking a versatile piece like Payne makes sense.          

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.                   

NFL Coaching Carousel

The NFL took the crazy season to a new level with John Harbaugh getting fired by the Ravens after 18 seasons and Mike Tomlin walking away from the Steelers after 19 years.  These were the two longest tenured coaches in the league, and both are Super Bowl winners.  Add them to two-time winning Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland and the only AFC North coach coming back next year is Zac Taylor in Cincinnati.  Taylor could have been fired but the Bengals don’t like to fire coaches with time left on their contracts so Taylor will be on the firing line next year.

There will be nine new head coaches next year, that’s a lot.  It’s almost always somewhere between 5-8 each off season so nine is on the high side, although it’s not unheard of.  The jobs are the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.  I’ll take a look here at each job and give you some thoughts on who’s up for the job, who I would recommend, and my prediction for each opening.  At the end I’ll throw in some thoughts on some coordinator openings that are intriguing.  Let’s dive in.

New York Giants

Out: Brian Daboll-fired in season

In: John Harbaugh-finalizing a deal

The Giants wasted no time getting Harbaugh in for an interview and they are moving fast.  With Mike Tomlin looking to take at least a year off, Harbaugh is the top candidate for pretty much everyone and he was just deciding where to interview.  The Giants are a good job with QB Jaxson Dart, RB Cam Skattebo, WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, DT Dexter Lawrence, Edge rushers Adbul Carter and Brian Burns, and some other young talent on defense.  Having QB, WR, LT, DT, and DE looking good means your team is off to a good start.  It will be interesting to see how it shakes out with GM Joe Schoen, who has been retained so far, and a new coach with as much leverage as Harbaugh has. 

The luck may have turned for the Giants because they have had a series of misses at head coach and were looking at another tough coaching search without a great list of candidates until Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti gifted them Harbaugh.  Maybe they would have ended up with Stefanski but no one has the resume of Harbaugh at this point (since Tomlin’s not taking a job).

My Recommendation: Definitely would have been Harbaugh.

My Prediction: None, Harbaugh already has the job.

Baltimore Ravens

Out: John Harbaugh

Top Candidates: Jesse Minter, Anthony Weaver, Kevin Stefanski, Jim Schwartz, Brian Flores, Klint Kubiak, Vance Joseph

With Harbaugh gone and likely taking OC Todd Monken with him to New York, this is a complete reboot of the coaching staff.  The Ravens have been built on their defense for a long time and have had some excellent defensive coaches who have moved elsewhere.  Mike Macdonald is the one that got away as he’s the head coach in Seattle now.  If they are looking for someone similar, Jesse Minter is that guy.  Minter is the Chargers DC and he’s been awesome.  He’s still young at 42 but he has great experience.  He coached for the Ravens as a defensive assistant, was also the National Championship winning DC under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and now has had two excellent years running the Chargers defense. 

Anthony Weaver is another coach who spent time on the defensive staff for the Ravens before he took over the Dolphins defense a couple years ago. People rave about Weaver as a leader and he once served as the Assistant Head Coach of the Ravens for John Harbaugh.  Weaver also worked with Mike Vrabel when Vrabel was in Houston.  Minter and Weaver should be at the top of the Ravens list because they know the team, they understand the culture, and they are two guys who have earned their shot. 

Kevin Stefanski is an excellent coach who’s been in a horrible situation.  Jim Schwartz has been a great defensive coordinator for a long time in the NFL.  So has Brian Flores and he deserves another shot.  Vance Joseph is coordinating the best defense in the league and he’s worthy too. 

My Recommendation: Hire Minter, he can keep the culture while making the right changes.

My Prediction: Jesse Minter – The Ravens regret letting Mike Macdonald get away, Minter is the closest they get to him. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Out: Mike Tomlin

Top Candidates: Brian Flores, Chris Shula, Kevin Stefanski, Nate Scheelhaase, Anthony Weaver, Ejiro Evero

The Steelers don’t do this very often, only 3 coaches since 1969.  When they hired Bill Cowher and when they hired Tomlin, those weren’t hot coaching candidates, they were just the guys they liked the best in the interview room.  That makes this tough because we aren’t in the room to see what they see.  Their list has some young and intriguing choices like Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase from the Rams.  Shula, the grandson of the great Don Shula has been Sean McVay’s DC for the past two seasons and he’s been excellent.  After the team lost Aaron Donald to retirement and Jalen Ramsey left, everyone expected a downturn, it didn’t happen.  Shula is a bright, young defensive mind.  Nate Scheelhaase is the passing game coordinator for Sean McVay’s Rams and he’s seen as an up-and-comer.  He’s only been an NFL coach for two seasons, he came from being Iowa St.’s OC to work with McVay.  He could blow them away in the process. 

Stefanski, again is an excellent coach but probably not their guy.  Anthony Weaver might have some of that Tomlin interview energy and that also goes for Evero.  Neither one of them coordinated elite defenses this year but it is more about them as leaders than X’s and O’s guys.  Flores spent a year coaching LBs for Tomlin after he left Miami and so there is some familiarity to the organization.

My Recommendation: Anthony Weaver. He feels like a guy who could keep the Tomlin culture going but give it a refresh. 

My Prediction: Chris Shula-he just feels like the type of young guy they will like. 

Atlanta Falcons

Out: Raheem Morris

Top Candidates: Jeff Hafley, Mike McDaniel, Kevin Stefanski, Klint Kubiak, Anthony Weaver, Aden Durde

The Falcons are starting the whole thing over with Matt Ryan being hired to be President of Football Operations and he’s in charge of hiring a new GM and head coach.  I’m not sure where he’s leaning at GM but he could have some strong feelings on head coach. Jeff Hafley coached at Boston College and Matt Ryan is an alumnus.  They weren’t there at the same time but certainly Ryan knows Hafley.  Ryan did cross paths with Mike McDaniel who was an offensive assistant for the Falcons when Ryan was the QB.  Ryan had his most success under Kyle Shanahan and that’s who McDaniel worked under before being a head coach.  McDaniel also would have crossed paths with Jeff Ulbrich in Atlanta when they were both assistants.  The Falcons would like to keep Ulbrich as their DC and McDaniel may be open to that.

Stefanski is going to be up for most jobs so I’m mentioning him here.  He isn’t connected to Ryan but his offense would work for the Falcons.  Klint Kubiak is a hot OC who could get a job and he runs the Shanahan offense too.  Weaver is a guy well liked in the league and well respected in coaching circles.  Aden Durde is a new name for most but he’s the DC in Seattle under Mike Macdonald so his name is going to keep coming up. 

My Recommendation: Mike McDaniel, if anyone is going to save Michael Penix as a franchise QB, it’s him.

My Prediction: Mike McDaniel- I just can’t get the fit with Ryan and with Ulbrich out of my mind. The only question is will McDaniel like the idea of Michael Penix at QB.  If he doesn’t, he’s the most overqualified OC candidate for the top teams looking for an OC. 

Miami Dolphins

Out: Mike McDaniel

Top Candidates: Jeff Hafley, Kevin Stefanski, Robert Saleh, Joe Brady, Anthony Campanile, Chris Shula

The Dolphins fired GM Chris Grier during the season and then waited a few extra days after then end of the season to fire Mike McDaniel.  The firing coincided with the Ravens firing John Harbaugh and felt like a reaction to it and many assumed owner Stephen Ross might make a play for Harbaugh.  That didn’t happen and he hired Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM from Green Bay.  Sullivan was in Green Bay a long time and so he has connections to current Packers DC Jeff Hafley and former Packers defensive assistant Anthony Campanile.  Hafley might just have a leg up here because of that but Campanile has really impressed this year as the Jaguars DC.  It could be a dogfight between the two of them.  This isn’t the most attractive job because you have to figure out the QB situation with Tua. 

Stefanski, yep he’s still here and is a solid candidate.  Saleh is a guy who really rehabbed his coaching stock by taking the MASH unit that is San Fransico’s defense and doing quite well.  He made people remember what made him such a great coach before the Jets fiasco.  Joe Brady hasn’t gotten a lot of requests to interview and it may be because the Bills are still playing.  I’m throwing Chris Shula in here but I wouldn’t think he would want to take his first head coaching job where his grandfather was such a legend, that’s a lot to ask. 

My Recommendation: Jeff Hafley, he seems ready for the move and as long as he finds an OC, he should be good.

My Prediction: Jeff Hafley- It feels like he’s going to get a job this cycle and this is the best chance he has at one.  The connection to Sullivan wins out. 

Tennessee Titans

Out: Brian Callahan

Top Candidates: Kevin Stefanski, Arthur Smith, Klint Kubiak, Matt Nagy, Mike McCarthy, Mike McDaniel

The Titans are in a unique position because it feels like they want an offensive mind to coach Cam Ward.  The defensive coordinator group is better stocked with young talent than the offensive side so it’s a different search.  Stefanski and McDaniel are the best offensive minds available this cycle and the Titans may luck out that the better jobs will be filled by defensive candidates.  Stefanski would be an excellent fit and he would love the idea of having his QB and it not being Deshaun Watson.  McDaniel could also do wonders with Ward. 

Arthur Smith was the Steelers OC but the best work in his career was as the OC of the Titans when Mike Vrabel was the coach, the ownership group hasn’t forgotten him.  Matt Nagy has a connection to GM Mike Borgonzi who used to be in Kansas City.  I can’t see a team with a young QB going with Nagy after his time in Chicago. Also, the Titans are going to be opening a new stadium and Matt Nagy is not the name they need selling tickets.  Klint Kubiak is an excellent young offensive mind but I’m not sure he’s up for this job.

My Recommendation: Kevin Stefanski, they would be lucky to get such a good coach after firing Mike Vrabel and whiffing on Brian Callahan. 

My Prediction: Kevin Stefanski- he’s such a good coach and here he gets to build out his offense around a QB he might actually like.  The Titans get lucky that the Giants got Harbaugh and Ravens going with a guy they know well.  This is a good match. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Out: Pete Carroll

Top Candidates: Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, Jesse Minter, Ejiro Evero, Davis Webb, Klint Kubiak

The Raiders are hiring a coach again, it’s a yearly ritual in Sin City.  There was an early rumor that Tom Brady wants Brian Flores and to bring in Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator, that would be way too good for this franchise.  They haven’t had competent coaching like that since Jon Gruden…the first time.  They are looking at the usual suspects at this point.  Vance Joseph, Jesse Minter, and Ejiro Evero are defensive coordinators who deserve a shot, or a second shot in Joseph’s case.  Kubiak is the offensive mind a lot of teams are kicking the tires on.  The one outside the box idea is Davis Webb.  Webb was a backup/third-string QB in the league not long ago and he’s only 30.  Currently, he’s Sean Payton’s QB coach in Denver but he’s a guy on the fast track.  The potential pairing of Vance Joseph as head coach and Webb as the OC would make some sense too.  They are both currently on the Broncos staff. 

My Recommendation: Move heaven and earth to convince Brian Flores to take the head job and for Brian Daboll to be his offensive coordinator.

My Prediction: They will screw this up.  That’s my prediction, they will screw this up.  Unless Brady can pull off the Flores/Daboll thing, this could go badly.  I’ll pick Flores for now but more likely they hire Webb without getting him some help to fix the o-line or they hire Evero and he can’t get a decent OC which will screw him over. 

Cleveland Browns

Out: Kevin Stefanski

Top Candidates: Mike McDaniel, Grant Udinski, Tommy Rees, Jim Schwartz, Nate Scheelhaase, Dan Pitcher

The Browns are clearly looking for a young offensive coordinator type who doesn’t understand how bad this job is.  Their preferred candidate is Mike McDaniel because at least he’s been a head coach.  Grant Udinski (Jaguars), Tommy Rees (Browns), Nate Scheelhaase (Rams), and Dan Pitcher (Bengals) are all young offensive guys who are some sort of coordinator (Scheelhaase is the passing game coordinator, the others are OC) for play calling head coaches.  Jim Schwartz has been the Browns awesome DC but he was a failed head coach once and hasn’t gotten a second shot.  None of these young coaches should take this job as their first job, they can all wait for a better opportunity.  McDaniel is said to be thinking about taking a good OC job instead of one of the bad head coach jobs (that would be the Browns, Cardinals, and maybe the Raiders he would be avoiding).

My Recommendation: When they strike out on the young OCs they should promote Schwartz and then make Rees the play calling OC.  This team is in transition and I’m not sure any hire is a long-term thing. 

My Prediction: Mike McCarthy- Once the Browns strike out on all of these guys, including McDaniel taking the OC job with the Eagles or Lions or someone like that, they pivot.  McCarthy is looking for a third chance at a head coaching job, he wouldn’t object to Jim Schwartz staying on as defensive coordinator, and at least he’s willing to do the job. 

Arizona Cardinals

Out: Jonathan Gannon

Top Candidates: Vance Joseph, Robert Saleh, Arthur Smith, Thomas Brown, Matt Burke, Klint Kubiak

The Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon and rightfully so but there were only expected to be maybe five openings at the time, instead there are nine.  The Cardinals are at the bottom of the pecking order with the Browns.  The Kyler Murray situation at QB is murky at best, the offensive line needs an overhaul, and the team has been bad for a while.  Vance Joseph was an excellent defensive coordinator for them at one time, so his name is here.  Robert Saleh would be a guy to bring a complete change from the personality of Jonathan Gannon.  Gannon had a reputation for being an odd duck and not much of a motivator, Saleh is the exact opposite. 

Arthur Smith has ties to the Titans organization and GM Monti Ossenfort was with the Titans for a time.  Thomas Brown is with the Patriots but he’s been with a few organizations and has a lot of fans in the league.  He may not get a head coaching job this cycle but I think he’s a likely OC for one of the better OC openings in the league.  Matt Burke is the DC in Houston and has been an excellent DC who doesn’t get as much credit as he should because his head coach DeMeco Ryans is a defensive guy.  Burke calls that defense and should get more credit.  Kubiak could be the guy here, but he might be better off passing on this job and staying Seattle’s OC if he can’t do better.

My Recommendation: Anthony Weaver or Robert Saleh.  Jonathan Gannon was such a strange personality this team needs to think about getting a more dynamic football guy.  Saleh or Weaver fit that mold.    

My Prediction: Vance Joseph- He deserves another shot, he got shortchanged when he was the head coach in Denver.  It’s not an easy job and it’s not that desirable but Joseph’s knowledge of the franchise should make him more amenable to taking the position. 

Quick Hitters

One of the more interesting things about this hiring cycle is that most of the good young coaches teams are looking at are defensive guys.  Jesse Minter (Chargers DC), Anthony Weaver (Miami DC), Jeff Hafley (Green Bay DC), Anthony Campanile (Jacksonville DC), Chris Shula (Rams DC), Ejiro Evero (Carolina DC), Aden Durde (Seattle DC), and Matt Burke (Houston DC) are roughly in their 40s (Shula is 39, Burke turns 50 in March).  These are guys who are seen as being ready to step into head coaching roles.  It’s been said that there aren’t a lot of good young offensive guys which is why Kevin Stefanski and Mike McDaniel are getting so many interviews, good offensive guys who are still young but are on their second job.  Klint Kubiak is the only young offensive coordinator getting serious consideration and even he has people wondering if he’s ready. 

With that said, there are a ton of really young up-and-coming offensive minds that just aren’t quite ready for the top job yet but should be getting OC jobs for some of these defensive guys.  It’s actually a really good thing for a few of the older DCs like Brian Flores, Robert Saleh, Vance Joseph, and Jim Schwartz because these guys may have failed before because they missed on the offensive coordinators they hired.  Certainly, that was true for Flores in Miami and Saleh had OC and QB problems with the Jets. 

Davis Webb (Denver QB coach), Grant Udinski (Jacksonville OC), Nate Scheelhaase (Rams passing game coordinator), Mike LaFluer (Rams OC), Klay Kubiak (San Francisco OC), Thomas Brown (New England passing game coordinator), Tommy Rees (Cleveland OC), Klayton Adams (Dallas OC) and Dan Pitcher (Cincinnati OC) might be guys to look at if your team needs a new OC and there are a few established teams looking to make changes there.  Philadelphia, Detroit, LA Chargers and Kansas City are all looking for new OCs for their well-established head coaches.  The young guys may stay with the coaches they are already working with but they should be looking to move for a play calling job if they don’t have one right now. 

The 4 Big OC Jobs

Kansas City Chiefs – Andy Reid has allowed both Eric Bienemy and Matt Nagy to call plays for him so this is an attractive job.  I don’t think he’ll put one of these young guys in charge of rebooting the Mahomes offense though.  I think he hires Kliff Kingsbury.  Mahomes knows Kingsbury well and while it won’t be the Air Raid from their college days, it will be a better passing game than Nagy had going last year.

Philadelphia Eagles – This could be the Brian Daboll spot when Las Vegas screws up the Flores/Daboll pairing.  Nick Sirianni needs another new offensive coordinator and it’s an even numbered year so it should be a good one this time.  Kevin Patullo (2025), Kellen Moore (2024), Brian Johnson (2023), Shane Steichen (2022), it’s a pattern.  Daboll is a good offensive mind and he’s better off as a play caller in the booth and not coaching on the sidelines, he’s too emotional on the sidelines.  This is a GM Howie Roseman thing, Sirianni isn’t hiring this OC.  He’s going to shoot for the moon with Daboll and McDaniel first but he may have to settle for Mike Kafka.    

Detroit Lions – In their dreams they get Mike McDaniel if he doesn’t get one of the better head coaching jobs.  If it’s between the Browns head coaching job and Detroit’s OC job, take the Detroit job Mike.  I think he gets the Atlanta job so they have to move on.  This is where one of the young guys could go shine.  One of McVay’s guys, Mike LaFluer or Nate Scheelhaase, would be excellent.  Maybe they go the Shanahan tree and grab Klay Kubiak, he’s the younger brother of Klink Kubiak and is San Fransico’s OC.  The dark horse for me here is Thomas Brown, the Patriots passing game coordinator.  No ties that I know of, but he is well respected in the league and he did a great job for the three games he was promoted to OC in Chicago last year before he then got promoted again to head coach.  I don’t want to see the Patriots lose him because if Josh McDaniels does ever get another head coaching shot, I would like Brown to take over as OC, but that’s a pipe dream, he’s getting an OC job before McDaniels could possibly leave.

Los Angeles Chargers – This one is a mystery to me because Jim Harbaugh doesn’t have an extensive network in the league at this point.  He took most of his staff from guys his brother John had in Baltimore but he just fired Greg Roman so there aren’t any others to pick from.  Mike Kafka (Giants OC/interim HC), Matt Nagy (Kansas City OC), or another retread OC feels like a Harbaugh pick. He should really look to the Rams or 49ers staffs.  One name that has a tie to the Chargers organization but not Harbaugh is Miami Dolphins OC Frank Smith.  With Mike McDaniel gone I would assume they are moving on from him but I believe he’s still under contract with Miami until they hire a new coach.  Smith is well known for his offensive line and run game prowess so that would fit quite nicely with what the Chargers need.   

2025 NFL Season Predictions

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award

Top Contenders: QB Josh Allen, QB Lamar Jackson, QB Patrick Mahomes, QB Joe Burrow, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Derrick Henry, QB Jayden Daniels

Sleepers: QB CJ Stroud, QB Drake Maye, QB Caleb Willams, QB Bo Nix

We all know this is a basically an award for the best QB so that’s who’s on the list, and the two best RBs in football. Allen won it last year and rightfully so, he was awesome. Lamar has won twice and the Ravens will be good again so he’s in the running. Mahomes is the running as long as he’s still standing. Burrow made a late run last season when he was absolutely on fire and if he had led the Bengals to one more win, he might have had it. Allen was far enough ahead to hold him off but it was closer than you think. Barkley and Henry deserve a mention because they’re awesome players and if they have repeat seasons to last year, they are in the conversation. Daniels’ candidacy will hinge on whether or not the Commanders did enough to help him, I’m not sure Deebo is enough to get him over the hump. They did improve his protection so that will help. The sleepers are three rookie QBs who played the most last year besides Daniels. Any of them could level up and breakthrough. Each would need to get their team to the playoff to be in the conversation. Stroud had the sophomore slump Daniels is looking to avoid, if he bounces back, he’s worth noting.

My Pick: Josh Allen
It feels like it’s his time right now. The Bills haven’t conquered the Chiefs mountain yet but it’s not because of Allen. He doesn’t have the best supporting cast in football but he levels his guys up. If he turns Keon Coleman into a legit WR1, Khalil Shakir becomes a great number two, and then maybe he finally gets guys like TE Dalton Kincaid and WR Josh Palmer to level up, it’s his back-to-back MVP season.

Offensive Player of the Year

Top Contenders: RB Saquon Barkley, RB Derrick Henry, RB Jamyr Gibbs, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR CeeDee Lamb, RB Bijan Robinson

Sleepers: TE Brock Bowers, WR Puka Nacua, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, RB De’Von Achane

Barkley won this award last season and he certainly earned it. He had over 2000 yards rushing and was a nearly unstoppable force for the Super Bowl Champions. It was impressive and his win was even more impressive when you consider how great Derrick Henry was as a RB, Bijan Robinson was overall, and that Ja’Marr Chase won the receiving triple crown. Chase is only the fifth receiver to ever lead the league in receptions, yards, and receiving TDs and he still didn’t touch Barkley. Gibbs had a great year for Detroit too, he had to shoulder more of the load when David Montgomery was banged up and he showed he’s up to the task. Jefferson and Lamb are the only two WRs who can reasonably be in the conversation of the best WR in the league with Chase. Those three are simply a level above everyone else. As for my sleepers, Bowers was amazing as a rookie. The numbers he had were insane and that was with some of the worst QB play in the league. Now he has Geno Smith who even on his worst day is a competent NFL starting QB. Puka Nacua has been excellent in LA and with Cooper Kupp gone and Devante Adams his new partner in crime, his stats might go up. Amon-Ra St. Brown should not be underestimated and Achane is a game breaker and the only way the Dolphins are awesome is if he is.

My Pick: WR Ja’Marr Chase
Last season he had over 1700 yards and 17 TDs and that was with a very slow start to Joe Burrow’s year. If Burrow can get going early and the Bengals don’t have their usually September slow start, Chase could get 2000 yards receiving. He’s the best WR in football and has one of the four elite QBs in the game.

Defensive Player of the Year

Top contenders: OLB TJ Watt, DE Myles Garrett, DE Micah Parsons, DE Nick Bosa, CB Patrick Surtain II, CB Derrick Stingley Jr., DE Maxx Crosby, S Kyle Hamilton

Sleepers: DE Trey Hendrickson, CB Christian Gonzalez, DT Jalen Carter, DE Will Anderson Jr., DB Cooper DeJean

Patrick Surtain II took his rightful place at the top of the CB position last season and won the Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been the best in the league for a couple of years but it took a few years for him to get the recognition. TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and Nick Bosa are all pass rushers who have won this award in the recent past and are still good enough to do it. They have set the bar pretty high for themselves since they already have won it but it’s possible to repeat. Micah Parsons went from us not knowing what would happen to him with his contract situation and playing on not so great defense, to maybe being the favorite for the award. Derrick Stingley Jr. might be the only guy truly giving Surtain a run for his money as the top CB in the league right now. There are plenty of really good CBs but Surtain and Stingley Jr. are a cut above. DE Maxx Crosby is in the same pass rushing tier as the guys above but the Raiders have to be better for him to get the league-wide recognition. Maybe with Pete Carroll around, they will be. Kyle Hamilton is the chess piece that makes the Ravens defense amazing.

As far as sleepers, Trey Hendrickson is as good of a pass rusher as these other guys but the Bengals defense has been hot garbage and he either needs them to skyrocket up the league standings or he needs to get traded. Christian Gonzalez is a guy I can see taking the next step to level up to the Surtain/Stingley level of cover corner. He would have to be unbelievable to win this award but this is the year he starts building towards eventually winning it. Jalen Carter might be the best DT in football but unless you’re Aaron Donald, this is a tough award for a DT to win. Will Anderson is still a young guy but he’s about to truly breakout on a dominant defense in Houston, he’s eventually going to win this award. I’m throwing DeJean in because he’s going to make plays all over the field for one of the best defenses in football. His DC Vic Fangio is trying to play him wherever he can, just to get him on the field. He won’t win the award this year, but he has one in him.

My Pick: Micah Parsons
Originally, I picked Derek Stingley Jr. for his breakout year and winning this award, then Parsons got traded to Green Bay and it’s over. He’s going to a team with an ascending defense, playing under a really good coordinator, and he’s going to be motivated to prove he’s the best. Parsons has every reason to show everyone how great he is and to rub it in Jerry Jones’ face. Parsons can lead the league in sacks and help Green Bay get over the hump. That’s the kind of difference that wins you this award.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Top Contenders: QB Cam Ward, RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Travis Hunter, WR Tetairoa McMillan, RB Omarion Hampton, RB TreVeyon Henderson, RB Kaleb Johnson

Sleepers: WR Jayden Higgins, Luther Burden III, WR Tory Horton

I feel like this is a RBs award to lose. Jeanty has to be the favorite as the top RB prospect and going to a team that is going to use him a ton. However, there are three others who are going to get used a ton. Omarion Hampton will get the Lion’s share of the carries in LA with Najee Harris not being fully healthy. Henderson is already outplaying Rhamondre Stevenson in New England the Patriots need as much playmaking on offense as they can get. Kaleb Johnson is going to get the early down work in Pittsburgh and if the offensive line is just solid, he’s going to break some big runs. Cam Ward is pushing the boulder up hill in Tennessee but he’s a QB and if he plays well, people will notice. Travis Hunter is a big name and can make plays but he’s the second WR to Brian Thomas Jr. and he’s still finding his way. I love McMillan but Bryce Young still has to prove to me he’s a legitimate starting QB who can use a real WR1.

I picked three WRs as sleepers because they should all contribute and have breakout potential. Higgins is the WR2 to Nico Collins but he has CJ Stroud so that helps. Burden is buried deeper on the depth chart in Chicago but something feels right between him and Ben Johnson. I love Horton as a dark horse. Sam Darnold is going to need a deep threat in Seattle decided it’s going to be Horton when they cut Marquez Zaldes-Scantling.

My Pick: RB Omarion Hampton
I’m picking Hampton over Jeanty and Kaleb Johnson even though my gut really wants to go with Johnson. Hampton is going to get the most carries for an offense that’s going to run the ball a ton. He’s a truly talented back and Jim Harbaugh is going to ride him all season long. Jeanty will get a ton of carries too but Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly will use others and I also think the Raiders offense won’t be quite as good. Johnson is going to be a stud in Pittsburgh but they still love Jaylen Warren and Johnson is going to face tougher boxes with Aaron Rodgers not scaring anyone.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Top Contenders: DE Abdul Carter, DE Jalon Walker, DE Shamar Stewart, LB Jihaad Campbell, CB Travis Hunter, CB Will Johnson, DT Mason Graham

Sleepers: S Malaki Starks, OLB Mike Green, DB Jahdae Barron

The DROY usually goes to either the best pass rusher or the top cover corner, so it generally mirrors the defensive player of the year award. Carter is in prime position on a loaded Giants front to be highly productive. Jalon Walker has been exclusively practicing as a pass rusher for the Falcons. Shemar Stewart got a late start with his contract dispute but he has plenty of talent and he’s going to get every opportunity to be a difference maker for the Bengals. Jihaad Campbell is a LB but in Vic Fangio’s defense he’s going to do many different things. Travis Hunter would be high on the list if he was going to play CB more but most of his time is going to be spent on offense. Will Johnson is a dark horse; he was a second-round pick but he’s a first-round talent. Mason Graham probably won’t make enough splash plays as a DT to get noticed enough to win the award. Malaki Starks might make enough plays at safety in the Ravens defense to get noticed. Same goes for Mike Green as a pass rusher for the Ravens. Jahdae Barron will play in Denver but might get overshadowed too much on his own defense to stand out.

My Pick: DE Abdul Carter
I’m going with the most likely pick here. Carter is set up to succeed in New York, he’s in a big market where every one of his big plays will be played up. My next favorite is Will Johnson, the Cardinals stole a good one in round two.

AFC Playoff Teams
Kansas City
Buffalo
Baltimore
Houston
Wild Card Teams
Denver
LA Chargers
New England (yep, I said it)

NFC Playoff Teams
Philadelphia
Green Bay
Tampa Bay
LA Rams
Wild Card Teams
Detroit
Minnesota
San Francisco

AFC Championship Game
Kansas City vs. Buffalo

NFC Championship Game
Detroit vs. Green Bay

Super Bowl Matchup
Green Bay vs. Buffalo

Super Bowl Winner
Buffalo Bills

Playoff Explanation

Yes, I picked the Patriots to make the playoffs as the last team in on the AFC side. The six top teams in the AFC feel pretty solid but the seventh seed doesn’t seem clear to me. KC, Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston as the division winners is pretty easy. I like Denver after the season they had and it’s hard to go against the Chargers after the season Harbaugh had with them in year one. It came down to two teams for me, the Patriots or the Bengals. I don’t like Miami this season, there’s just bad vibes there and I can’t get behind the Aaron Rodgers Steelers. I love the Bengals offense but that defense might be atrocious. If they get off to a slow start like they usually do, they may dig a hole too deep to dig out of. I like the Patriots to be like Washington last year in the NFC. Some good veteran leadership, a good head coach, and an electric QB to carry them on his back. It also helps that the Patriots have one of the easier schedules in the league.

I made one change from my division previews. I had Detroit winning the NFC North over the Packers but that was before the Packers got Micah Parsons. I thought it was going to be a tight race between them and I think Parsons pushes the Packers ahead. Picking the wildcard teams is tougher in the NFC because there are a lot of teams to like. Detroit is still too talented to write off and I think JJ McCarthy can do enough with that roster in Minnesota to get them to the playoffs. The last spot isn’t easy, there are plenty of options. The Seahawks could be good if Klint Kubiak fixes their o-line issues. Atlanta could be plucky if the defense is even decent. San Francisco was a last second pick for me for the last spot because while the injury issues are still present for them, they simply can’t have as bad of luck as they had last season. Brandon Aiyuk should be back at some point and now they have Brian Robinson to take some of the load off Christian McCaffrey. The defense has better players and Robert Saleh back calling it.

In the end, it’s hard to bet against KC and Buffalo in the AFC, Mahomes vs. Allen is the prize fight we all deserve. I feel like it’s time for Buffalo to get over the hump and this feels like Josh Allen’s year. I actually had Green Bay and Detroit in my NFC Championship game before the Parsons trade but I did switch to Green Bay as my NFC Super Bowl pick instead of Detroit. I am worried about Detroit’s interior offensive line but if Aidan Hutchinson stays healthy I think their defense will be really good. Parsons pushes the Packers over the Lions for me. They did not have a difference maker on defense, now they have one of the top five defensive playmakers in the league, added to a defense that as pretty good last season.

Thoughts and Predictions

Last year the rookie class was mostly about the QBs. This year the rookie class is going to be about the rookie RBs. Ashton Jeanty (Raiders), Omarion Hampton (Chargers), Kaleb Johnson (Steelers), TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots), RJ Harvey (Broncos), and Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt (Commanders) will all play huge roles with their teams. While they won’t all start to begin the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are all the starters by the midpoint of the year. Also, Jaydon Blue (Cowboys), Ollie Gordon (Dolphins), Kyle Monangai (Bears) and Bhayshul Tuten (Jaguars) are four more guys who can work their way into bigger roles as the season goes on. It feels like a bit of a changing of the guard as some guys age and these young guys take over.
Speaking of aging, I’m worried about the Matthew Stafford back issue. Stafford is 37 years old and missed most of training camp with a back issue. The back of any 37-year-old can be iffy and with a guy who can routinely get hit by 300 lbs. defensive linemen it’s especially an issue. Everything for the Rams hinges on Stafford’s health. I picked them to win the NFC West but if Stafford misses games with this back issue, all bets are off. I’m not riding with the Rams if their QB is Jimmy G.

There were three big contract issues heading towards week one and the Commanders got a new deal done with WR Terry McLaurin and the Bengals gave DE Trey Hendrickson more money to satisfy him this season. The third was Micah Parsons and I can’t believe Jerry Jones traded him. It makes no sense to trade him and even less sense to do it now. He’s under contract for the year; he wasn’t going to miss games with his “back” issues. Play out the season, franchise tag him in the off season and trade him next year before the draft. It’s not a surprise Jerry Jones let his ego get the best of him, he once fired Jimmy Johnson because he couldn’t stand people giving Johnson credit for the team winning. The two first round picks and a player trade was always going to be there. You either trade him this last spring when you can get a draft pick to help you this year, or you wait until next off season. Dumbest trade in Dallas since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic…been a tough year in Dallas.

Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman is a trading machine, he’s pulled off a number of trades in the last couple of weeks. They’re small moves but they improve the roster along the fringes and that’s where games can be won and lost. I’m not sure why more GMs don’t do what Roseman does. Roseman picked up guys like OT Fred Johnson, CB Jakorian Bennett, WR John Metchie III, and backup QB Sam Howell. Some of these guys may not make a difference but I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two of them come in handy at sometime this season.

Speaking of trades, the Patriots seem to be holding onto some veterans they have to be looking to trade. Their initial 53-man roster had eight WRs, along with LB Anfernee Jennings and S Kyle Dugger. Jennings and Dugger don’t seem to fit the new defense but they will fit someone’s defense. I hope they are just holding onto them to get some value and not because they are paying them real money. At WR, Kendrick Bourne was non-existent during the preseason, they ended up cutting him when they couldn’t get a deal done with Minnesota (Vikings preferred Adam Thielen instead), but there are WR needy teams (Steelers, Commanders, 49ers), they should have taken anything for Bourne.

The other team that did well with trades was the 49ers. They picked up RB Brian Robinson Jr. and he’s going to be a great combo with Christian McCaffrey. They also took a flyer on WR Skyy Moore who was a bust in Kansas City. That’s a low cost move and Moore is a talented player who may just need a change of scenery.

Going into training camp it felt like Cam Ward was the one rookie QB worth paying attention to with Saints QB Tyler Shough another possibility. Ward showed he could be a problem in Tennessee, maybe sooner rather than later. Shough lost the starting job to Spencer Rattler, that’s not a good sign. Giant’s rookie QB Jaxson Dart looked awesome when he played and Russell Wilson is on notice. The Giants don’t have an easy slate to start the year and if Russell struggles, Dart’s getting that job pretty quickly.

There are two expensive veteran QBs who need to have good seasons or their teams may look to move on from them. There are enough teams who need starting QBs next year that they could look into trading for these guys. Trevor Lawrence is out of excuses in Jacksonville, it’s put up or get out time. Kyler Murray is in year seven and if it doesn’t get better on offense in Arizona and they stagnate, he could be gone. Maybe they get traded for each other.

The other QBs to keep an eye on for potential moves maybe even as early as the trade deadline this year are Kirk Cousins and Tanner McKee. Cousins is still in Atlanta and they will wait to see if Michael Penix Jr. is the answer there. McKee is the backup in Philadelphia and he’s got some buzz about how good he is. Howie Roseman picked up Sam Howell as his third QB because he knows McKee has value and he will either trade him before the deadline this year or look to move him this off season.

It’s always interesting to look at who the first coach fired will be. Brian Daboll (Giants), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) and Shane Steichen (Colts) feel like the early leaders. Steichen is counting on Daniel Jones at QB so that’s not great but the Colts schedule isn’t that hard to start off the year, he should survive a while. The Dolphins schedule isn’t that hard but three of the first five games are against their division, if they start 1-4, it’s gets dicey. Daboll could easily start the year 0-4, they start at Washington, at Dallas, home against Kansas City, home against the Chargers, that’s rough. However, week 5 is against the Saints and Daboll has the Jaxson Dart card to play.

The guy who could very easily be gone by week five or shortly there after is Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland. It’s completely unfair because of the QB hand he’s been dealt but the reality is this team is facing a daunting schedule to start the year. They go Cincinnati, at Baltimore, Green Bay, at Detroit, then Minnesota the first five weeks and going from Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel or Shadeur Sanders isn’t going to give anyone a lot of hope. The next three after that are at Pittsburgh, Miami, and at New England, not exactly any gimmes in that. For Stefanski’s sake, I hope he gets fired so he can go coach somewhere that isn’t a trainwreck, he’s a good coach who deserves better. I think things go very poorly in Cleveland and the ownership group has to make a change, Stefanski gets canned, GM Andrew Berry won’t be far behind. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz is the most likely interim head coach.