Ward is the top quarterback in the draft, and quarterbacks go
first. I’m still not sure the Titans are going to be the
team to take him, but I’m confident he’ll be selected
with this pick. At this point, Tennessee didn’t add any
meaningful quarterbacks in free agency, and currently relying
on Will Levis. Ward could immediately start for the Titans, and
he’d be their quarterback of the future.
Hunter is a true unicorn of football, and it’s one of the
reasons he’s such a valuable asset. I don’t know if
I would say Hunter fills a hole the same way a quarterback or
even Abdul Carter would here, but it looks like Cleveland isn’t
willing to pass on his uniqueness. He can play both offense and
defense at a high level, and he’s going to be able to immediately
impact games in multiple facets.
Previous Pick: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
1.03 New York Giants - Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
It’s going to be interesting to see if the Giants wants
to take a potential generational pass rusher here or if they’ll
want to load up on future picks. They don’t have a massive
need at edge rusher, but three players are head and shoulders
above the rest. I don’t project trades in this mock, meaning
the Giants get the last of those three.
Previous Pick: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
1.04 New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Campbell was seen as the top offensive tackle throughout the
entire draft process before he measured a short wingspan at the
NFL Combine. New England needs to protect Drake Maye, and Campbell
makes sense for several reasons. He’s arguably the most
talented tackle in this class, and that’s likely where he
starts his career. If he can’t stay at tackle, he has elite
guard potential, and the Patriots need help along the interior
of their line anyway.
Jacksonville is one of the most difficult spots to predict. Hunter
or Campbell would be elite options here, but they’re both
off the board. I did consider Tetairoa McMillan, but it feels
a bit high for him. Instead, they take the best defensive tackle
in the class. Graham is an NFL-ready player who consistently found
success against high-level competition in college. He’s
one of the safer options on the board, and he comes with elite
upside as well.
Previous Pick: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
1.06 Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders are fully committed to Geno Smith, meaning it’s
premature to have them take Shedeur Sanders here. Instead, they’ll
select a player who can immediately take pressure off of Smith.
Jeanty is an elite running back prospect, and he’s going
to be the focal point of whatever offense selects him. Las Vegas
has a hole at the position, and they find a true three-down back
here.
Previous Pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
1.07 New York Jets - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Jets drafted Olu Fashanu over Brock Bowers last season, and
I’m not sure it was the right choice. Once again, they’re
going to have to make the choice between an elite playmaker at
tight end or an offensive tackle. Bowers’ success should
be enough to shift their focus to another matchup nightmare. Warren
can change the game for New York, and he’d be an elite playmaker
to pair with Garrett Wilson.
The Panthers are in dire need of pass rushers, and they’ll
have their pick of anyone besides Abdul Carter. Walker is undersized,
but he comes with elite pass rush potential. He also is a plus
defender in coverage. He’s a player who has the potential
to change the game with his ability to get to the quarterback,
and that’s the number one trait Carolina needs at the moment.
Previous Pick: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
1.09 New Orleans Saints - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
There have been reports about Derek Carr potentially missing
the season. It seems as if Carr and the Saints aren’t on
the same page anyway, and it’s clear he isn’t going
to be their quarterback for much longer. Sanders is a polarizing
prospect, but quarterbacks always get selected earlier than their
talent would suggest. The Saints fill a major hole, and they get
a potential star to build around.
Previous Pick: Will Johnson, CB, LSU
1.10 Chicago Bears - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Bears are clearly focused on rebuilding their offensive line,
and that’s what they’re going to attack in this draft.
They traded for improvements on the inside, and they have Darnell
Wright at right tackle. Membou looked elite at the NFL Combine,
and his stock is on the rise. He has the potential to take over
as the long-term left tackle, solidifying this starting line for
years to come.
Previous Pick: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
1.11 San Francisco 49ers - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The 49ers need help along the defensive line, but they also need
to find someone to take over for Trent Williams once he retires.
Brock Purdy is about to get a massive contract, and San Francisco
will prioritize keeping him healthy. Banks is a player who is
flying up draft boards as we get closer to the draft, although
it doesn’t seem like he’s going to sneak into the
top 10.
I’ve been mocking Jeanty to Dallas for quite some time,
and that would be the pick if he were on the board. There isn’t
another running back worthy of this high of a selection, especially
when you consider the overall depth. Instead, we’ll shift
to wide receiver for a team that’s struggled to find an
elite option to pair with CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys can grab the
best wide receiver in this draft, and he’ll pair nicely
with Lamb finding his snaps out of the slot.
Previous Pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
1.13 Miami Dolphins - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Dolphins have several holes they need to fill, but it feels
a bit early to take any of the offensive linemen or safeties left.
They still need help at cornerback, and Johnson is the best option
on the board. He’s a player who has the potential to shadow
opposing WR1s throughout his career, and he has the best combination
of upside and need for Miami.
Previous Pick: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
1.14 Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Tyler Warren has been mocked to Indianapolis quite a bit this
offseason, but it’s unlikely he falls this far. Instead,
they can shift to a more traditional tight end in Loveland. Indianapolis
still needs to improve at the position, and Loveland can immediately
act as a security blanket for Richardson. He can help the Colts
offense in multiple ways, and he’ll take a lot of pressure
off of their young quarterback.
Previous Pick: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
1.15 Atlanta Falcons - Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
The Falcons are a team that needs help with their pass rush every
season, and they continually opt to draft other positions. Once
again, they need pass rush help, and they get it here. Williams
isn’t seen as the most NFL-ready prospect, but he comes
with elite upside. He has the ability to take games over on the
defensive side of the ball, and that’s something Atlanta
has lacked in the past.
Previous Pick: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
1.16 Arizona Cardinals - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Arizona has a few different positions they can take here, but
I’m going with the flashy pick. Marvin Harrison Jr. looked
outstanding as a rookie, but the Cardinals could use someone to
take the top off of opposing defenses. Golden and Harrison could
be a dangerous combination for years to come, and they wouldn’t
truly need to focus on the position again for quite some time.
The Bengals could go a few ways with this pick, but they’re
going to put points up on offense regardless of who’s there.
Instead, they need to focus more on their defense. That was their
downfall last season, and they need to add a pass rusher. Stewart
didn’t have much college production, but he had one of the
best performances of anyone at the NFL Combine. He’s the
type of high-upside player that can change the trajectory of an
entire defense in the future.
Previous Pick: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
1.18 Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
Seattle undoubtedly needs to get better along the offensive line.
Sam Darnold hasn’t proven to be a great quarterback with
pressure in his face, and the Seahawks don’t currently have
the line to stop that. Zabel is likely to play guard in the NFL,
but there’s potential that he will end up at tackle. He’s
a safer option who comes with flexibility, which could be a major
key to fixing Seattle’s problem.
Previous Pick: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
1.19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Lavonte David has been a huge part of the Tampa Bay defense for
over a decade, but he’s 35 now. Campbell is an outstanding
linebacker who can learn from David. This is the type of pick
where a team is looking to seamlessly transition into the future,
and those are the type of skills Campbell brings to the table.
Previous Pick: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
1.20 Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Broncos aren’t in dire need of a running back, but
this would add another dimension to their offense. They clearly
hit with Bo Nix, and the team outperformed expectations last season.
They did all of that without high-end production from their backfield.
Hampton looked elite at the NFL Combine, and he could find himself
drafted in the first round. He’d be able to take pressure
off of Nix, and he could work as a three-down back.
Previous Pick: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
1.21 Pittsburgh Steelers - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Steelers let both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson walk in
free agency. Regardless of how you feel about either player, it
doesn’t make sense for a team like Pittsburgh to actually
enter the season with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson as their
quarterbacks. They could sign Aaron Rodgers, but that doesn’t
solve any long-term problem. The Steelers have consistently proven
that they can win with questionable quarterback play, and it makes
sense for them to find their signal-caller of the future, even
if there are growing pains.
Previous Pick: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
1.22 Los Angeles Chargers - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Chargers have plenty of holes that need to be filled. They
need help on the interior of their defensive line, and it’s
one of the more pressing needs. Harmon is an outstanding defender
in the run game, and he has the potential to be disruptive in
the passing game.
Previous Pick: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
1.23 Green Bay Packers - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Green Bay needs help in their secondary, and Barron is an elite
option at this point. He’s shown flashes of being an elite
coverage corner, and he’s willing to help in the run game.
There are some questions about his size on WR1s, but that was
never truly a problem for him in college. His game looks as if
it’ll translate well to the NFL, and he can become a CB1
for a team in need of pass coverage help.
Previous Pick: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
1.24 Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
I’m not entirely sure this is the most pressing matter
for Minnesota, and that adds a bit of risk to this pick because
they’re extremely limited in terms of picks for this draft.
Still, Emmanwori is an elite athlete who can help their defense
for years to come. Harrison Smith is an aging player whose best
days are behind him, and they’re going to need to find someone
to take over that important role.
Previous Pick: Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
1.25 Houston Texans - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Houston added Christian Kirk in the offseason, which makes wide
receiver a bit less important than offensive tackle. They traded
away Laremy Tunsil, and they’re going to need to fill that
massive hole. It’s always extremely important to protect
your franchise quarterback, and that’s what Houston is likely
to fix early in this draft. Simmons’ skills were never in
question, although his durability remains a major concern.
Previous Pick: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
1.26 Los Angeles Rams - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Most people will say this is entirely too high for Milroe, but
we know that quarterbacks are constantly overdrafted. He boasts
incredible physical traits, allowing an offense to completely
revolve around him. He would easily be drafted in the top half
of the first round if he were a more consistent passer, but that
doesn’t mean the Rams can’t bring that out of him.
He can change the game in multiple ways, and the Rams are going
to need a replacement for Matthew Stafford sooner rather than
later.
Baltimore needs help at both offensive tackle and guard in this
draft. The four obvious first round offensive tackles are off
the board, and it’s unlikely they reach for that position
here. Instead, they can take the best guard in the draft in Booker.
He can immediately help this offensive line, although Grey Zabel
is an interesting option here because of his versatility.
Previous Pick: Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama
1.28 Detroit Lions - Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
The Lions struggled with injuries to their edge rushers last
season, and it showed they need more depth. Green performed extremely
well at his time in Marshall, flashing tremendous upside. He looked
outstanding at the Senior Bowl, and it boosted his stock. Although
he fell a bit here, he’ll be in an elite spot across from
Aidan Hutchinson.
Previous Pick: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
1.29 Washington Commanders - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston
College
Washington could use a wide receiver to bolster their future,
but edge rusher is a more pressing matter. Dante Flower Jr. left
in free agency, and he was a double-digit sack option. Ezeiruaku
is a bit undersized, but he posted 16.5 sacks for Boston College
last season. He comes with outstanding burst, and he is one of
several high-upside options in a deep class at this position.
The Bills need help in their secondary, and it’s likely
the most pressing matter for their roster. Hairston ran the fastest
40-yard dash at the Combine, and it’s drastically helped
his stock. Speed kills in the NFL, and he can immediately help
this defense.
Previous Pick: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
1.31 Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Chiefs need major help on the offensive line, specifically
at tackle, as they struggled to keep Patrick Mahomes clean during
the Super Bowl. Conerly performed well at the NFL Combine, and
it seems as if there’s a major drop-off at offensive line
once he’s off the board. He’s a solid option late
in the first round.
Previous Pick: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
1.32 Philadelphia Eagles - James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Pearce is one of the most athletic edge rushers in this class.
He boasts elite speed, and there hasn’t been any concern
about his talent. He does have some off-field concerns, which
is one of the reasons he could fall in the draft. Philadelphia
is a team willing to grab players who are falling due to various
concerns, and they get another elite talent with that strategy
here.
Previous Pick: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
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