It’s mock draft season! This is my favorite time of the NFL year and I have plenty of thoughts and opinions. Some if it is informed and based on fact, the majority of it is just opinion and what I think the smartest move for the team would be based on what I’m hearing.
Without further ado…
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
I like the pick. Love Ward’s composure and confidence in the pocket along with his ability to hit every throw.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Best player in the draft, easy pick.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Second best player and top defensive disruptor in this draft. Shedeur could go here, but not if they’re smart.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
New England really needs to solidify their line and have been tied to Campbell all offseason. If Giants go Sanders this will be Abdul Carter.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Jags need a lot of help and new offensive head coach Liam Coen gets Trevor Lawrence a weapon similar to Higgins who he had in college. The insiders are mocking Jeanty here but I just don’t understand adding a new RB with Etienne and Bigsby already on the roster.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Jalon Walker, DE/OLB, Georgia
All the talk about Raiders and Jeanty being a lock but this is a deeep RB draft and their needs on defense are massive. Walker is a stud LB who’s only scratching the surface at edge and can help the Raiders in multiple ways.
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jets could go many directions, and should probably go OL here, but defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn can’t pass on one of the top 5 players in this draft if he falls to him.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Panthers really need edge help and they’ll be happy with either Georgia player that falls to them.
9. New Orleans Saints: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Saints have a lot of interest in Dart and its seeming more and more that they’ll be able to get him later on. They want to find their replacement for Cam Jordan before he retires and are able to add a physical freak who would benefit from having Jordan as a role model.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
How does Ben Johnson keep doing it? Jeanty falls into the wiz kids lap and he gets his version of Jahmyr Gibbs in Chicago.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The biggest need for the 49ers is easily DL but it will be hard to pass on a prospect like Membou, especially if they don’t plan on drafting this high again. Plus its a very deep DL draft so they take their chance at OL here and plan to dip into DL multiple times with their 10 other picks. BUT, if Membou isn’t still on the board Walter Nolen could be the pick here.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
I think the Cowboys would really like for Jeanty to fall to them or even Membou, but they really need to add some weapons to this offense outside of Ceedee Lamb and they add what I think would be a great compliment.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Dolphins need OL help but could also very easily go CB here. Similar to the 49ers strategy they take the OL prospect now before the well runs dry and hope to get defensive help in the later rounds.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Colts get they guy they’ve been wanting all offseason. I personally don’t understand Indianapolis going tight end, I feel they underutilized Mo Allie-Cox and Jelani Woods, but those guys are different style of players compared to Warren. Colts get a safety blanket for whoever they put under center.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Falcons need edge help and as long as they get the answers needed to see past the off-field issues, it will be hard to pass up the best pure pass rusher in the draft.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Cardinals need help at corner and manage to get one of the top players at the position.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Bengals need to add to the trenches, most notably on defense. They could go James Pearce here and add edge, but Nolen could very well be the best DT in the draft so they lean that route.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Like many of the teams in the draft, the Seahawks need to improve their trenches. OL could be the pick here and I think Zabel should be considered, but Harmon will fit with their veteran edge rushers to bolster the front of the defense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Chalk pick but the need and the fit are there. I could see Baron going here as well, but they take the #1 LB.
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
My better judgement tells me its Omarion Hampton here, especially after adding Evan Engram this offseason, but rumors are swirling that Payton has a crush on Loveland and might even consider trading up for the well-rounded TE.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The pick everyone is waiting for. All draft night America will be standing by, waiting to see where the son of Prim goes and its to the Steel City. Writers have reported Steelers we’re never considering QB in round 1 until Tomlin met Sanders and if the Colorado signal caller falls to this spot he’ll be the pick.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Chargers shed a tear when they see Loveland go to the Broncos, but no worry! Harabaugh adds a different Michigan player and arguably the better fit for the team, if you ask me.
23. Green Bay Packers: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
This is tough because the Packers could go WR here, but they never do. I think James Pearce Jr. makes them forgo offensive weapon yet again for a potential stud opposite Rashan Gary.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Another hard one to figure out, but another situation where the fit and need matched up well. Cam Bynum departed for the Colts in the offseason so Minnesota quickly fills the hole with the most athletic safety in this draft.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Texans need to protect quarterback CJ Stroud, so they decided to ship off Laremy Tunsil this offseason. Simmons could be the top OL in this draft and would be a steal at 25 if he can stay healthy.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
I don’t see Barron falling this far but if he does the Rams will be ecstatic. Great fit for that defense.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Grey Zabel, OG/C, NDSU
Ravens bolster their interior offensive line with the best OG / C in the draft and continue to prioritize the run.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
I initially had Tyleik Williams here, and in the draft preview podcast you’ll hear me say the same. But the more I analyzed this situation and thought about the fit, I think edge is more of a need and Ezeiruaku sitting there to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson will be very intriguing.
29. Washington Commanders: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Commanders need help at safety and add the rangey playmaker from Georgia.
30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
There are reports that Josh Allen and second year receiver Keon Coleman are having issues getting on the same page, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they went receiver here. But, I think the need at CB is more pressing. I then kept going back and forth between Amos and Hairston, but ultimately landed on Hairston’s speed to help with the likes of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle twice a year.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
If they Chiefs went DL, specifically edge here, I wouldn’t be surprised at all. However, I think they’re aiming to build their offensive line of the future and after adding Jaylon Moore this offseason to the outside, they get young talent on the interior to help bolster Mahomes’ protection for years to come.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
I have to give Parker credit for this one. After I saw the fit for Ezeiruaku in Detroit at 28, I wasn’t sure who the Eagles would go here but then he mentioned Mason Taylor replacing Goedert and I really liked that call. It’s a great fit, and when you win the Super Bowl you can go for wants over needs.
