RADIO
1. New York Jets- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Dante Moore remains QB1 on my board, but Mendoza’s hype is out of control and he remains the safest quarterback prospect in this class. The Jets should abstain from going QB in this class, but Woody Johnson is… let’s say “reactionary.” Expect him to fall in love with the hyped-up Heisman winner.
Jets Receive- Pick #1
Giants Receive- Picks #4, #18, Jets’ 2027 second round pick
2. Las Vegas Raiders- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Raiders stay put and land the highest upside quarterback in this class. Moore throws with more natural velocity and power than Mendoza and has better mobility, but his lack of experience will scare some teams away. Mark Davis does not scare so easily.
3. Cleveland Browns- Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Browns drafted the best player available (Mason Graham) last year, even though he didn’t address any of their biggest needs. They go that route again here, with no quarterback or offensive lineman bringing the upside that Reese does.
4. New York Giants- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Andrew Thomas routinely fails to play a full season, while the right side of New York’s offensive line is bound for free agency. Fano is a sturdy tackle with experience playing either side of the line, plus he has a high floor if he has to kick inside to guard. The Ute would offer Big Blue versatility and upside at multiple positions of need.
5. Tennessee Titans- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Titans have to get Cam Ward help, both on the offensive line and at receiver. Jeremiyah Love is also an option given the Titans’ lack of long-term options in the running back room, but Tyson carries more positional value and his contested catch skills can help Cam Ward take the next step.
6. Arizona Cardinals- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
This is high for Simpson, a strong candidate to return to college if Alabama doesn’t continue their playoff push, but Arizona is clearly moving away from Kyler Murray and towards a younger and more polished pocket passer. Simpson is a distributor with decent arm strength, good decision making ,and the accuracy to take advantage of Arizona’s strong weapons.
7. Washington Commanders- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Jayden Daniels has a deep threat and an improved offensive line, but Deebo Samuel is a shadow of his old self and Washington needs a true chain mover at receiver. Tate is arguably the best redzone and boundary weapon in this class, giving Daniels a reliable big weapon to lean on.
8. New Orleans Saints- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Mickey Loomis draft picks don’t always fit “the norm,” and he’s shown a clear value for what a back like Alvin Kamara or Love can bring to an offense. With Tyler Shough showing promise and the Saints’ offensive line improving, adding the best overall player in this class could help Shough take the next step.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Pass rush will be the top priority for the Bengals this offseason, whether Trey Hendrickson returns or not. Bain Jr. is a powerful edge setter who could help unlock the potential of a deceptively strong secondary, led by the ascending D.J. Turner II.
10. Miami Dolphins- Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
With the Dolphins out of quarterback range in this class but seemingly turning the page on Tua Tagovailoa after his benching, we will project Miami to add Kyler Murray as their new starter in this mock. With Murray in tow, Downs offers Miami an elite nickel back who can also play deep.
11. Los Angeles Rams- Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)
The Rams will look to quarterback later in this draft, but the value isn’t there this early. With Matthew Stafford likely to return next year, Mauigoa gives Los Angeles a versatile and powerful blocker who can start at tackle or guard.
12. Kansas City Chiefs- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Travis Kelce is talking like a man strongly considering retirement, and if he isn’t then he will next year. Sadiq is an elite athlete and underrated blocker, given his lack of size. This would be an ideal long-term asset for the Chiefs, if they do not add Kyle Pitts in free agency.
13. Dallas Cowboys- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cowboys have to add pass rush help in this draft, given they traded Micah Parsons with zero plans on replacing his production. Bailey leads college football in quarterback pressures, sacks, and pass rush win rate this season.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Mike Green is ascending as an edge rusher, as we predicted. However, Baltimore could still use more talent on its front seven after age and free agency has picked it over. Woods is an athletic 3-tech and a perfect fit for the Ravens’ 3-4 scheme.
15. Minnesota Vikings- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Vikings’ defense still needs help in the secondary, even if its pass rush has covered up some of those warts. McCoy didn’t play a snap this year due to injury, but his ball skills make him the likely CB1 in this class if his medicals and testing turn out well.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Faulk is best suited for a 4-3 scheme, but he can be an effective player in Tampa’s 3-4 front. The Bucs have pursued an elite pass rusher with multiple first round picks in recent years without luck, so Faulk makes sense as another high upside edge.
17. Detroit Lions- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Lions continue to struggle in the secondary, with former first round pick Terrion Arnold struggling to live up to his billing in two straight seasons. Delane has a ton of experience and is productive playing the ball, making him the rare immediate starter on a true contender.
18. New York Giants (via Jets Trade)- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon could be seen as redundant, given the similarity of his skillset and that of Malik Nabers. However, he is a top-15 talent who could fall to a Giants team in desperate need of more playmakers. The combination of Nabers and Lemon would be dangerous and a generous source for nicknames or t-shirt slogans.
19. Carolina Panthers- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Panthers have had several Hall of Fame-caliber linebackers in their 30 year history, with their current GM arguably amongst those respected names. They lack a difference maker and leader at the center of their defense now, though, making the best interior backer in this class a fine fit.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Steelers continue to win their way out of drafting a “surefire” franchise quarterback. Their next biggest need is a running mate for DK Metcalf. While Boston’s size is similar to Metcalf’s, he’s more of a possession receiver who can move the chains while Metcalf drags defenders deep.
21. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor is an alienating prospect, but Dallas has historically built themselves through a powerful offensive line and Proctor is powerful. He could replace Terrence Steel at right tackle or move inside to guard and allow Tyler Smith to move back to his original tackle spot, where he has played in place of Tyler Guyton at times this year.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The biggest difference from this Eagles team and its Super Bowl winner from last year is its inability to drive interior defenders off of the ball. Ioane is a powerful run blocker who can compete for a starting spot immediately, even on an experienced line like Philly has.
23. Houston Texans- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu is a borderline first round prospect, but offensive line is Houston’s biggest need by a mile and the talent dries up in this class quickly. The Utah tackle is still raw, but he has good size and is a plus mover on outside zone and second level plays.
24. Buffalo Bills- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell has an athletic build and good burst around the edge, which helped him to 11.5 sacks in the SEC this year. The Bills know that Kansas City is far from dead, while Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert are just two of many other elite quarterbacks they have to stop in the AFC, so adding edge rush help makes sense.
25. Los Angeles Chargers- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Chargers secondary has held up well this year, but it is aging and could use more depth. Offensive line depth is a key need, but the value isn’t there in this scenario so they lean towards a polished and experienced corner who can compete for a job right away.
26. San Francisco 49ers- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The 49ers desperately need help on the offensive line, like many drafting in this range, but the value isn’t there in this class or this mock. So, you should expect John Lynch to draft defensive line yet again. Alfred Collins disappointed as a rookie and McDonald had a transcendent year as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
27. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The risk Cleveland would take by going best player available early (Arvell Reese) is that they will almost assuredly miss out on an immediate difference maker at offensive tackle. Instead, they go with the playmaking Concepcion, who offers more speed and big play ability than anyone in the Browns wide receiver room.
28. Los Angeles Rams- Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
The Rams have a need at outside corner, where they historically value speed and athleticism. Jones has good height and elite speed, making him a fine fit for a team unlikely to address its quarterback need early in this class.
29. Chicago Bears- A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
The Bears could use more depth and upside on the interior of their defensive line, including a powerful run defender who can help supplement a unit that struggled against the run when T.J. Edwards was off the field. Washington has a high floor as a run stuffer and pass rush upside.
30. New England Patriots- Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Drake Maye has been the best deep ball thrower in the NFL this season, despite his weapons carrying little pedigree or fanfare. Branch could add a new element to their deep game, while also offering YAC ability on crossing routes and screens.
31. Denver Broncos- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Both of Denver’s interior linebackers could be cap casualties in the offseason, making it a potentially big need. Allen is an elite athlete with the youth (20 years old) and coverage range to potentially become an All-Pro in Denver’s scheme.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The Seahawks could be in position to draft the best player available, with Bell’s dominant tape against Miami (FL) a persuasive argument for his cause. Tory Horton showed signs of promise, but he struggled with injury. Meanwhile, Cooper Kupp has proven he’s over the hill while Rashid Shaheed is earmarked for free agency, so receiver could be a need.
