Hello everyone and welcome to Mock Draft 2.0! This may or may not come as a surprise, but the closer we get to the draft the more excited I get! Even though it's still really early in the process, publishing mock drafts is truly my favorite thing to do!
The research, the watching, the writing, everything, it's just a fun space to exist in, regardless of how accurate this mock draft ultimately ends up being. Now, I don't know if this year's draft will be more or less predictable than last year, but I think I've got a fairly decent grasp on what each team will do, or at least what position they'll target at this point in time.
In this mock draft you will find two quarterbacks, two running backs, four wide receivers (including Travis Hunter), two tight ends, four offensive tackles, two interior offensive linemen, four interior defensive lineman, six edge rushers, one linebacker, four corners (including Travis Hunter), and two safeties.
Now, with all of that being said I, Logan Blackman, host of the Logan Blackman Show and self proclaimed Draft "Expert" am proud to present to you mock draft 2.0! Enjoy!
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1. Tennessee Titans - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
In the last mock draft, I had the Tennessee Titans drafting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. This time, I have them going in a different direction and selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. So, what changed? In regards to my own personal opinion, nothing. I think the Titans should still draft Ward here at one because of the issues Levis had in his second year as the starter, and as quarterback is the most important position on the field I think taking the draft's top quarterback would be the best step moving forward. But, the closer the draft gets the more reports come out that Tennessee only 'likes' Ward, and 'love' Carter. Obviously Lord knows how true that is, but for the sake of argument I'm going to have them take Carter here at number one. Apart from quarterback, edge rusher arguably holds the highest positional value when it comes to the draft. If you take a look at every draft since 2000, edge rushers have been taken with the first overall pick five times (Travon Walker, Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Mario Williams, Courtney Brown), second most only to the quarterback position which have been taken a whopping 18-times (two offensive tackles have been taken in that time frame as well). As arguably the best overall player in the draft, Carter certainly fits the 'generational talent' tag that President of Football Operations Chad Brinker stated they 'couldn't pass on' earlier this offseason. Throughout the season Carter constantly demonstrated why he was the best pass rusher in college football. Wearing the number 11 jersey that was made famous by LaVar Arrington and Micah Parsons, Carter terrorized quarterbacks to the tune of 12-sacks and 68-total tackles (which ranked fourth on Penn State) with 23.5-tackles for loss, good for best in the nation. Playing with one arm against Notre Dame, Carter was constantly in the backfield, causing quarterback Riley Leonard a ton of problems throughout the game. Carter's explosiveness and power around the edge make him a scary opponent whether he's got his hand in the dirt or he's in a sprinters stance. Though I again think the Titans should draft Ward here with the first overall pick, with how many needs they have on the roster I don't think it'd be crazy to select arguably the top player in the draft. Despite the recently announced foot injury, Carter would give a team that finished third from the bottom in sack production a massive boost, giving them a stud at the edge rusher position (note: HC Brian Callahan and GM Mike Borgonzi view Travis Hunter more as a CB).
Other(s) - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL); Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
2. Cleveland Browns - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Out of all the teams within the top five, I believe the Cleveland Browns are probably the most likely to trade back with a quarterback needy team. With the Giants needing a quarterback at three, it wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world to see a team like the Jets or Raiders jump them to get the quarterback they covet. With Abdul Carter probably being Cleveland's number one draft target, him coming off the board to Tennessee at one may make the Browns open for business, but with their need for a quarterback also being fairly substantial I think they may actually stay put and take someone like Cam Ward here with the second pick in the draft. The Browns are in a pretty messy situation when it comes to the quarterback position, as Deshaun Watson reportedly re-tore his achilles during his offseason rehab. With Watson appearing in just 19-games across his first three years in Cleveland, the Browns have wheeled out the likes of Jacoby Brissett, Jeff Driksel, Joe Flacco, PJ Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jameis Winston, and most recently Bailey Zappe at the quarterback position. With Kevin Stefanski taking over play calling duties, I'm sure he'd love a guy that he can count on for a full season, which is why again I have them going with Ward. The top quarterback in this year's class (according to me), Ward can make so many plays for you at the position. Sure he may not be like Jayden Daniels in regards to pure athleticism (not many are) but his ability to make plays off script is truly second to none in this class. With that, when he's forced to scramble outside the pocket or make off platform throws Ward is as cool as they come, rarely letting the pressure get the best of him. That being said, there are times Ward can get caught trying to play hero ball, which is something that doesn't usually work all too often. Thankfully for the Titans, that can be improved upon. Ward has a fantastic arm and loads of experience, lining up for the likes of Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami (FL) while setting the all time career NCAA passing touchdown record (158). His arm talent, athleticism, and calmness under pressure make him the ideal prospect for the Browns here with the second overall pick (if he's here of course).
Other(s) - Will Campbell, iOL/OT, LSU; Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
3. New York Giants - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Same pick as mock draft 1.0, I think Colorado's Sheduer Sanders would make the most sense for the New York Giants here with the third overall pick, especially after the Jets moved from seven to two to select Miami's Cam Ward. Though there have been some reports swirling around suggesting that the Giants may be making a move for current Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, I still feel there's a strong connection between the Giants and Sanders, something that has been reported on pretty much ever since Colorado's bowl game against BYU. With no quarterbacks currently on the roster and Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen seemingly on their last legs, they have to ace the quarterback position this offseason. Sanders may not have the arm talent of someone like Ward, but for what he 'lacks' there he makes up for with his work ethic, accuracy, and toughness. Sanders may divide opinions from fans, but there's no doubt he's a talented quarterback who would hopefully turn the Giants fortunes around, giving last year's sixth overall pick Malik Nabers a legit signal caller under center.
Other(s) - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado; Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
4. New England Patriots - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Much like I brought up before with Abdul Carter with the first overall pick, Travis Hunter could very well consider himself to be the top overall player in the draft. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is an absolute menace on either side of the ball, racking up over 1,000-yards receiving and 14-touchdowns with four interceptions this past season. The main questions surrounding Hunter is where do you play him? Depending on who you ask you may get a different answer, though reports coming out of the Combine suggest that the New England Patriots consider Hunter to not only be the draft's number one corner, but the draft's number one receiver as well. New head coach Mike Vrabel joked about jawing back and forth with Hunter about playing both ways, stating, 'you're not the only one that played two ways. There are some other guys that have done this too.' No matter what position suits him best, the fact of the matter is that Travis Hunter will make plays, which is why I think the Patriots take him here at four. Arguably the most explosive player in the draft, Hunter will be a threat wherever he goes and whatever side of the ball he's on. His speed and pure athleticism make him an absolute match-up nightmare on both sides of the ball, which is why again I don't feel like he'd fall much further than New England here at four, even after his Shohei Ohtani take. Drake Maye needs help on offense, and I'm sure second team All-Pro selection Christian Gonzalez would love a partner on defense, Hunter would just check so many boxes for the talent hungry Patriots (I really toyed with the idea of giving New England either Mason Graham or Will Campbell, but I just couldn't look past Hunter).
Other(s) - Will Campbell, iOL/OT, LSU; Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Much like the previous three picks, I have the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting the same player I had them taking in mock draft 1.0, selecting Michigan's Mason Graham here with the fifth overall pick. I'm sure there are people out there who would like to see the Jaguars take a corner in the form of Will Johnson, or even a receiver to help out Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. (or just Travis Hunter if he's available), but Mason Graham is one of the top players in the draft, meaning that they can't really afford to pass on him if he were to be available. At 6'3" 320 lbs., Graham causes massive problems for interior offensive linemen, using his size, power, and technique to blow past them in both the run and pass game. He may have only finished the regular season with three and a half sacks (two coming in one game) but he will always make plays along the defensive line. With new head coach Liam Coen coming in from Tampa, the defensive side of the ball may very well be addressed with this pick, despite himself being an offensive guy. Plus, the Jaguars could do a lot worse than pairing Graham with Arik Armstead in the middle with Josh Hines-Allen and former first overall pick Travon Walker coming off the edges. Drafting Graham would definitely help sure up the defensive side of the ball, making them more physical and more intimidating in the process. Coen stated that they want to play with physicality on the defensive side of the ball, Graham would certainly help add to that here at five.
Other(s) - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This may come as a surprise to some out there as the Raiders arguably have much greater needs on the roster than at running back. Sure, Vegas had one of the worst rush attacks in the league last year, but does that out way their need for a top tier wide receiver, re-enforcements on defense, or (most importantly) a new franchise quarterback? Probably not, but one cannot deny how awesome of a player Boise State's Ashton Jeanty was/is. The dude was an absolute electric factory while in college, finishing this past season with a whopping 2,601-yards and 29-touchdowns while helping the Broncos secure the three seed in the first ever 12-team Playoff. Though he didn't come away with the Heisman Trophy, Jeanty came closer than anybody to break Barry Sanders' all time single season rushing record, finishing 27-yards short of football immortality. Though he may not be the biggest back in the draft (5'9" 215 lbs.) his ability to bounce off tacklers and all around toughness is truly second to none in this class, forcing 126-missed tackles while averaging a pretty insane seven yards per carry. Though his numbers in the pass game may not be insanely impressive, Jeanty is still a more than capable receiver out of the backfield, making him a threat in almost every aspect of the offense. With the resurgence of the running back position in the NFL, this pick seems like far less of a reach than it would have maybe three or four years ago. With Carroll being a defensive minded head coach who will want to re-establish the run, and with GM John Spytek looking for a running back with 'great instincts, great vision, and hard to bring to the ground,' I think Jeanty would tick all the necessary boxes for Vegas here at six, giving them a true difference maker on the offensive side of the ball.
Other(s) - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan; Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
7. New York Jets - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The New York Jets will be another one of the teams to watch leading up to the draft as they will inevitably be one of the teams liked with a trade up the draft board to secure their hopeful quarterback of the future, replacing Aaron Rodgers. Though I think that's a likely scenario, Lord knows if either Ward or Sanders will make it past the third overall pick, and if the Titans and Browns are set in their ways landing one of those top options may be a little difficult. Though not impossible, I'm just going to keep them here at seven and have them select Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Despite it probably not being their biggest need on paper, Warren is almost too good of a prospect to pass up here at seven. Whoever the Jets eventually take at quarterback in this draft, one of the best things for said young quarterback would be to give them a reliable target at tight end, Warren would provide not only that but would also boost up the rest of the offense with his overall play. As a guy who finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy race, Warren did a mixture of everything while playing in Happy Valley. I'm not exaggerating, the dude even lined up at center and caught a touchdown on the same play this past season against USC (a game where he caught 17-balls for 224-yards and a touchdown). Whether you want him to put his hand in the dirt as a traditional tight end, line him up in the slot, as an H-back, or even as a wildcat quarterback, Warren will add so much to your offense. At 6'6" 257 lbs., Warren totaled 1,233-yards receiving with eight touchdowns, with 700 of those yards coming after the catch. He may not be an absolute burner but defenders just can't handle him, his size makes him a match-up nightmare both before and after the catch as defenders just can't match up with him on the outside. For the Jets who are in need of a re-boot on the offensive side of the ball, Warren would give them a reliable for whoever lines up under center next season (to me, the Jets are the most likely team to make a big move up the draft board).
Other(s) - Will Campbell, iOL/OT, LSU; Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) (trade up)
8. Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
Like I said in the last mock draft, as much as I would love to give the Panthers someone like Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan so they can continue to build around Bryce Young, their defense was absolutely atrocious last season which makes me feel like they have to take one of the top defenders available here at pick number eight. Just so we're on the same page, when I say atrocious, I mean atrocious as Carolina ranked dead last in total, rushing, and scoring defense while also ranking in the bottom four in regards to total sacks this past season. Sure they have players like Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn, but the former missed all but one game this season after suffer a meniscus injury during their week one blow out loss to New Orleans. As good as they are, the defense as a whole needs a face lift and the best option to me is probably Georgia's Jalon Walker. Though I had another Georgia product in the form of Mykel Williams going here last time out, I think Walker's ability to play either as a linebacker or an edge rusher could really suit the Panthers on defense, especially after cutting Shaq Thompson after 10-years with the team. Though not necessarily the biggest at 6'2" 245 lbs., for what Walker 'lacks' in size he makes up for in pure speed and power in either getting after the quarterback or dropping back as a spy. The dude is just so explosive (probably the most explosive in this class) which allows him to get past blockers with ease, picking up three sacks in Georgia's week eight win against Texas. Not only that, but his side-to-side movement and his quick change of direction allows him to be effective in the run game as well. He just makes so many plays, and if the Panthers want to improve their defense they could do a lot worse than selecting Walker here at pick eight.
Other(s) - Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M; Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
9. New Orleans Saints - Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M
Much like their division rivals before, New Orleans could use some help both in the wide receiver department and pretty much anywhere on the defensive side of the ball. For starters the Saints are just completely devoid of talent, even despite the fact that they have the likes of Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave on offense. With the latter only appearing in eight games last year due to concussions, adding someone like Tetairoa McMillan would make a ton of sense for them, especially with the organization bringing in former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in to serve as the teams new head coach. Usually when an offensive guy comes in they want to try and build up that side of the ball, but with the Saints ranking third to last in total defense, bottom six in passing defense, and bottom two in run defense, I think it's safe to say they may need to address the defensive side of the ball here at nine. With Cam Jordan turning 36 in July and with former first round pick Payton Turner not living up to his draft position (who is also a free agent), I think adding another player along the defensive line may be the best option, which is why I have them going for Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart. After posting ridiculous numbers at the NFL Combine (registering a perfect 10.00 RAS (Relative Athletic Score)), Stewart has been a name that has been rapidly rising up draft boards and if I'm being honest, we shouldn't be too surprised. Though he didn't put up insane production this past season, Stewart is one of the most athletically gifted defensive linemen in this class. Despite the four and a half sacks in three seasons at A&M, Stewart still generates a lot of pressure from the defensive line, using his explosiveness and long arms to drive offensive linemen back into the quarterback. He's far from the finished product but his ceiling is ridiculously high. Putting on a great displays at both the Senior Bowl and the aforementioned Combine, Stewart definitely has scouts on notice. At 6'6" 290 lbs. (weighed 267 at the Combine), Stewart would add a versatile piece to the Saints defensive line, as his speed and power would make him a real threat and an ideal pick for New Orleans here at nine.
Other(s) - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall; Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
10. Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, iOL/OT, LSU
Long story short, the Bears need to continue to work on the offensive line. Now I know there's probably some people out there who would love to see them take Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty here, but with him not available they have to turn to their biggest problem area. Obviously sacks are not only on the offensive line, but the fact of the matter is that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams got sacked a league leading 68-times this past season, which was 16-more than CJ Stroud who was sacked the second most amount of times (52). I don't think you need me to tell you that that's not ideal, which is why I'm hoping they address the line here. In mock draft 1.0 I had Chicago selecting Missouri's Armand Membou here with the 10th overall pick. Though a very good player, if this is how the draft ends up playing out the Bears will sprint to the podium to select this year's top tackle in the form of LSU's Will Campbell. Though his arm length may be in question, I again think Campbell is the draft's top tackle prospect. At 6'6" and weighing in at 323 lbs., Campbell has started at tackle for the Tigers since 2022. Since that first season in Baton Rouge the dude has given up just two sacks (886-total snaps, 557-pass blocking snaps, two sacks), boasting great footwork, technique, and athleticism to mix with his big frame. Solid in pass protection and a finisher in the run game, whether you want him to line up at tackle or guard Campbell would be an excellent addition to the Bears offensive line, giving them a potential stud at either position for the foreseeable future. Either way, whatever position he ends up making his own, I'm sure this selection would make both Caleb Williams and Bears fans alike really happy.
Other(s) - Kelvin Banks Jr., iOL/OT, Texas; Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri
11. San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
With reports coming out that they are close to locking up quarterback Brock Purdy to a new longterm deal, most people out there may assume that San Francisco would add more pieces along the offensive line as that unit could definitely use some reinforcements as Aaron Banks is entering free agency and Trent Williams isn't getting any younger. Though that may be the case, since becoming GM John Lynch has more or less seemed to target defensive players with their earlier picks in the draft. Now, most of those picks have been used on defensive linemen and though Ole Miss' Walter Nolen would make a ton of sense here (especially with Javon Hargrave entering free agency), if Michigan's Will Johnson is available I'd have a hard time believing they'd pass on him here at 11. With former second team All-Pro corner Charvarius Ward all but guaranteed to leave in free agency this offseason, Johnson would give the 49ers a ready made replacement at the position. Johnson, standing at 6'2" and weighing 202 lbs., boasts the ideal size teams look for in the modern NFL corner. Extremely instinctive and reactive, Johnson reads quarterback's eyes better than most at the position, being able to break and make plays on the ball with ease. With both interceptions from this past season being returned for touchdowns, Johnson is also able to make plays with the ball in his hands, making him just that much more dangerous. A nagging toe injury could hurt him a little bit, but I think he's too talented to fall much farther past San Francisco (and would pretty surprised if he fell out of the top-10 in general). With Robert Saleh coming back as defensive coordinator, Johnson would be a great scheme fit and give him his own 'Sauce' Gardner in the bay area. He's a true shut down corner and would be an excellent addition to the Niners defense (John Lynch talked about the depth of the defensive tackle position, making me think they'll target that position a little later in the draft).
Other(s) - Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss; Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M
12. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama
I know Cowboy fans, everyone and their mother wants to see Dallas take the Frisco native (Ashton Jeanty) here with the 12th overall pick in the draft. Though that would undoubtably be the dream, that unfortunate fact is that in this mock draft Jeanty gets taken by the Chicago Bears with the 10th pick. That being said, there is part of me that believes Dallas may pass on him all together if he were even available here for selection. The reason for that being because of the recent retirement of seven time first team All-Pro selection Zack Martin, who hung up his cleats after undergoing season ending ankle surgery back in December. As much as Jerry Jones loves his stars, in recent years what position has he mostly targeted early on in the draft? I could be reaching a little bit but that would be the offensive line, as the likes of Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, and Cooper Beebe were all taken with first round or day two picks. Even in Zack Martin's case, when everyone was clamoring for Jones to select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, he instead took Martin in a move that I would say worked out pretty well for Dallas. Obviously not every year is the same, but the Cowboys have been trying to rebuild their offensive line with somewhat premium draft picks, and I think that trend continues here as they select Alabama's Tyler Booker here with the 12th overall pick. At 6'5" 325 lbs. Booker allowed zero sacks in 13-starts for the Crimson Tide this past offseason. Dominant in pass protection using his strength and movement to hold off opponents while also using good speed and quickness given his size to get to the second level in the run game, Booker would be someone who could be an instant upgrade in Dallas. An absolute physical specimen who loves to flatten people, if the Cowboys want to continue to build their offensive line while replacing a legend, they could do a lot worse than selecting Booker here at 12.
Other(s) - Kelvin Banks Jr., iOL/OT, Texas; Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr., iOL/OT, Texas
Same pick as mock draft 1.0, as the Dolphins take Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. here with the 13th pick in the draft. Long story short the Dolphins need to keep Tua healthy, who has managed to start and/or make an appearance in 17-games once, coming last year as the Dolphins finished with a 11-6 record and losing four of their final six games (including the Playoffs). With Terron Armstead thinking about retirement, Miami should definitely focus on getting Tua an extra blocker up front, which is where Banks comes in. Considered by some to be the best tackle in the draft, Banks is explosive and plays with a lot of athleticism. Though he made 42-starts at left tackle while playing in Austin, some out there anticipate Banks to kick inside to guard, as his power and aforementioned athleticism make him a difficult player to go up against. I think would be a very natural fit as the Longhorns run a lot of similar looks to that of the Dolphins, as they run a lot of wide zones and screens that should bode well for Banks in this offense. Whether he lines up at tackle or guard I think Banks can make a difference in this Miami offense.
Other(s) - Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri; Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
14. Indianapolis Colts - Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri
Like I said in the last mock draft, the main goal for the Colts next season is simple, make sure whether or not Anthony Richardson is going to be your answer at the quarterback position for the foreseeable future. He's raw, that's obvious, so you have to make sure to surround him with the proper tools so you can hopefully get the best out of him moving forward. In a dream world the Colts would get their hands on Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, as there's no better safety net for a young quarterback than a big pass catching tight end. Sure Michigan's Colston Loveland could be a viable option, but I feel like it may just be a little too early to select the former Wolverines, despite how good he is. With tight end seemingly off the board I think it may be wise for Indianapolis to try and build along the offensive line, especially since they could be losing some starters in free agency this offseason. With Will Fries, Mark Glowinski, and Danny Pinter all entering free agency, the Colts don't really have an option at the right guard spot, which leads me to believe Missouri's Armand Membou could be a very good selection for Indianapolis here at 14. Though a right tackle in college, Membou's 6'3" 325 lbs. frame leads some out there to believe that he'll make the transition inside to guard, which is again what I would say the Colts are in the most need for especially with question marks surrounding their depth at right guard. Despite him not possessing the 'prototypical' size most teams look for in an offensive tackle Membou's arm length mixed with an explosive get off and power make him a dominating presence along the offensive line. I think Membou would be a perfect fit for what the Colts want to do on offense. Again, powerful in the run and explosive when dropping back into pass protection, Membou has all the traits you'd look for in a guard or a tackle, regardless of his size. Turning 21 a month before the draft, the dude's ceiling is arguably the highest out of the draft's top offensive linemen. Young, athletic, powerful, and versatile, for a team with needs along the offensive line, you could do a lot worse than selecting Membou here with the 14th overall pick.
Other(s) - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan; Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
15. Atlanta Falcons - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
It seems like we ask the same question every single year when it comes to the Falcons, will they actually use a high value draft pick on an edge rusher? With Terry Fontenot as the GM, Lord knows. Since he's come in as GM, Atlanta has used all of their 'premium' draft picks on skill position players on the offensive side of the ball, selecting the likes of Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and most recently Michael Penix Jr., the latter coming after signing Kirk Cousins to a four year $180-million contract that same offseason. Damn near every year, getting after the quarterback has been an issue, yet they continue to avoid fixing the problem every single draft, so what makes this year any different? Well, I don't know. I guess the main reason could be because they've seemingly locked up all of their skill positions on offense, allowing the defense to have a turn in the first round. They are as unpredictable as they come, but if he's available, I can't see them passing on Georgia's Mykel Williams here at pick 15. At 6'5" 265 lbs., Williams is extremely explosive and uses his speed and power to get around the edge to get after the quarterback. For being as big as he is, Williams also shows a lot of bend in his play, rarely seeing him get beat at the line of scrimmage. Out of all the players in the draft Williams may have one of the highest upsides, which should excite people despite only putting up five sacks this past season (with two coming against Texas in the SEC Championship game). Again, as we say every single year, the Falcons are in need of more talent coming off the edges, especially with Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter both entering free agency. Though they may going in a completely rouge direction, I think this is the year Atlanta finally addresses their need at edge rusher and takes Mykel Williams here with the 15th pick in the draft. He may not have the production yet, but Williams' aforementioned upside could provide a much needed spark to the organization (the dude turns 21 in June and played most of last season hurt after suffering a grade two ankle sprain in week one).
Other(s) - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Arizona Cardinals are in need of some more help along the defensive line. Despite ranking around the middle of the pack in regards to total defense and sack numbers, the Cardinals lacked those true playmakers at those positions this past season, areas where head coach Jonathan Gannon has really coveted throughout his coaching career. Starting off with the edge rusher positions, as starters Zaven Collins and LJ Collier (two former first round picks) finished this past season with five and three and half sacks each this past season, career highs for each player, which is far from ideal. They did also have the aforementioned Darius Robinson, but the rookie injured his calf in preseason which kept him out until his debut on December 1st. Appearing in six games and playing just 184-snaps, Robinson totaled 10-tackles and one sack, the Cardinals will definitely be looking for more this coming season, especially with Collier potentially leaving in free agency. In mock draft 1.0 I had them taking Marshall's Mike Green, which is exactly what I'm going to do here in mock draft 2.0. Though he put forth a dominant season for the Thunder Herd last time out (registering a national leading 17-sacks), Green didn't really start making top-20 noise until this past week at the Senior Bowl, notably blowing up potential first round selection Josh Conerly Jr. in one-on-one drills. Along with his impressive production, Green is insanely explosive coming off the line, converting speed to power once he gets out of his stance. He's able to blow past tackles in the pass game while also holding his own against the run, showing excellent effort, showing off his work rate as he just refuses to stay blocked. Though he isn't coming from a monster program, and though he's not the biggest, Green is one of the top edge rushers in this draft and could give the Cardinals and head coach Jonathan Gannon a real threat along the defensive line (would be the first Marshall player taken in the first round since Chad Pennington in 2000).
Other(s) - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon; Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
The defensive side of the ball was the Bengals biggest achilles heal this past season. Despite quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase putting up insane numbers on the offensive side of the ball, Cincinnati still finished with a 9-8 record while also missing the Playoffs for the second year in a row. The defense was just a mess, even with Trey Hendrickson leading the entire NFL in sacks with 17.5 (3.5 more than Myles Garrett in second). Though I'm sure some people would like to see them go after a wide receiver as Tee Higgins' future is in question, but the defense has to be addressed here, especially with Sam Hubbard, BJ Hill, and the aforementioned Hendrickson's futures all in question. With that being said, if he's available, I don't see the Bengals passing on Ole Miss' Walter Nolen here with the 17th pick in the draft. Now, there's a real chance that Nolen goes much higher than this (had him going 11th to San Francisco last time out) but if he falls in their laps they have to take him. After putting forth an excellent showing at the Senior Bowl, Nolen is a name that's going to continue to keep rising up draft boards leading up to the draft. An explosive defensive tackle, Nolen is an absolute game wrecker from the interior, generating 6.5-sacks and 12.5-tackles for loss this past season at Ole Miss. Nolen's burst off the line when the ball is snapped is really impressive, allowing him to get past opposing offensive linemen and make a play on the ball. Nolen has a very high ceiling, though one of his main issues is sometimes over-commit, but that again comes with this explosiveness. Overall Nolen is just a problem along the line, and for a team like the Bengals who could use a little jolt along the line, he would be an excellent player to draft here at 17 (pretty crazy value if you ask me).
Other(s) - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan; Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
18. Seattle Seahawks - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The first thing that pops into people's minds when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks in the draft is that they need to address the offensive line. With Laken Tomlinson possibly leaving in free agency and with Abraham Lucas only appearing in 13-games across the past two seasons it would definitely make sense, especially with head coach Mike Macdonald wanting their offense to be more physical than it was last year. Being a defensive minded coach, Macdonald is going to want to establish the run more than anything, which is something Seattle struggled doing throughout last season (ranking in the bottom five in rush offense). Though again the offensive line may be their biggest need I just don't know if there will be someone available for them to take here at 18, as in this scenario three tackles and a guard have already gone off the board. So instead, I'm going to have the Seahawks look to improve the defensive side of the ball. Coming from Baltimore, Macdonald was able to get the absolute most out of safety Kyle Hamilton, and I think the may want to find someone who could fill a similar role in his defensive in Seattle. Though Coby Bryant and Julian Love are fine safeties, I wouldn't be shocked if they took South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori here with the 18th pick in the draft. An absolute athletic freak Emmanwori tore up the NFL Combine, scoring a perfect 10.00 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) at strong safety, free safety, corner, and even wide receiver, while also scoring a 9.87 at linebacker. Registering a 4.38-40 and a 43" vertical, at 6'3" 220 lbs. Emmanwori is someone that can wear multiple hats on the defensive side of the ball. The dude is a really effective tackler in the open field, making him a tough presence to block in the run game. In the pass game he shows excellent instincts and ball skills, bringing in six interceptions across the past two seasons with two pick sixes coming coming against Kentucky and Oklahoma last season. Overall the dude is just an insane playmaker from the safety position, able to cause disruptions in both the pass and run game. Coached by the same man who coached Kam Chancellor while he was at Virginia Tech, many signs point to Emmanwori becoming a future Seahawk. If Macdonald wants someone in that Hamilton role, you couldn't ask for someone much better than Emmanwori.
Other(s) - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama; Grey Zabel, iOL/OT, North Dakota State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
I know I know, this may seem a little shocking but I think this may be a little more plausible than either you or I initially thought. Look, this is by no means an indictment of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, I think he is one of the top players in this class and should be the first (or second, depending on how you view Travis Hunter) receiver taken in the draft. The problem is how many teams picking before 19 really need a wide receiver? Sure you could point to teams like the Patriots, Jaguars, Raiders, Panthers, and Saints inside the top-10, but I could make a case that receiver isn't high enough on their priority list for them to select him at those spots. Again, not an indictment on McMillan, I just think those teams may lean in other directions despite how talented the Arizona product is. Now, their loss is the Buccaneers gain, who would and should be thrilled to select him here with the 19th pick in the draft. With both Chris Godwin and Sterling Shepard entering free agency this offseason and Mike Evans turning 32 in August while also entering the final year of his contract, receiver is a position Tampa could afford to address here at 19. Compared a lot to the likes of Evans and Falcons receiver Drake London, at 6'5" 212 lbs., McMillan is a match-up nightmare for most corners who try to guard him. His size mixed with his body control and great hands allow him to high point balls while out muscling the smaller corners. He may not be an absolute burner, but he still can create some late separation from defenders with his long strides. He's a physical receiver who finished third in the nation in receiving yards despite playing for a rough Arizona team (though I like Noah Fifita). Again, he's a big bodied and physical receiver who just makes going up and getting it look effortless. Next to Evans and last year's third round draft pick Jalen McMillan, I think Tetairoa McMillan would be a very nice addition to the Buccaneers receiving core and give Baker Mayfield another reliable target on the outside.
Other(s) - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama; James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
20. Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
In all honesty, I had a really hard time deciding where to go with this pick for the Denver Broncos. Though in recent interviews head coach Sean Payton has stated that they're looking to find someone to fill their 'joker' role (running back or tight end), I don't know which position he covets the most. On one hand I know Payton and co. would love to get more production out of their tight ends, as this past season the Broncos got little to no use out of that position, with starter Adam Trautman totaling just 188-yards receiving and two touchdowns. Not only that, but Trautman only registered 13-catches on 22-targets, with Lucas Kroll actually leading the tight ends in catches and targets with 19 and 23. That mixed with Payton's affinity for tight ends left me to believe that Michigan's Colston Loveland would be the pick here. Though it could still happen, there's a lot of smoke coming from the running back position following the Combine, with North Carolina's Omarion Hampton seemingly being where the smoke is coming from, which is why I have him going to Denver here at pick number 20. Standing at 6'0" and weighing 221 lbs., Hampton posted a pretty remarkable 4.46 in the 40-yard dash along with a 38" vertical and a 10'10" broad jump. Though impressive, apart from his Combine performance Hampton put up consistently great numbers while in college, posting back-to-back 1,500+ yard seasons (1,504 and 1,660) while also registering 15-touchdowns in each of those seasons. For as big as he is, Hampton can hit the edge and burst up field with great speed, making oncoming defenders miss while in open space. Along with his speed Hampton possesses a good amount of power, hitting the hole without really a second thought. He also shows skills as a pass catcher, being very effective out of the backfield, averaging 9.8-yards per reception last season. All in all I feel like Hampton checks most of the boxes for what Sean Payton is looking for in a running back. Though again Colston Loveland could be an option here, I think Hampton's Combine performance all but secured his spot in the first round. If he makes it to this pick, I don't know if I see the Broncos passing on him.
Other(s) - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas; Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
If you remember back to mock draft 1.0 I had the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka here with the 21st pick. Though I still think he'd be a great pick here at 21 I've started toying with the idea of Pittsburgh going in a different direction. Despite their need for another wide receiver, I feel like Pittsburgh may end up moving in a different direction here in the first round. On one hand there was part of me that thought up giving the Steelers a defensive player, someone to either help bolster the defensive line or someone to potentially replace Donte Jackson at the cornerback position. Ultimately though, I think the position the Steelers will end up addressing here in the first round is still wide receiver. With George Pickens the only receiver to surpass 600-yards this past season, and with his future even in question I think it'd be wise for Pittsburgh to bolster the receiving room. Though again Egbuka is an option, I don't know if they could pass on Texas' Matthew Golden here with the 21st pick in the draft. After posting a pretty ridiculous 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, Golden has been a name that has started to rise up draft boards. Though not the most physically demanding receiver at 5'11" 191 lbs., Golden is one of the most technical receivers in the draft, constantly showing off great instincts and toughness from the position. Lining up a decent amount in the slot while at Texas, Golden wracked up 987-yards receiving and nine touchdowns en-route to the College Football Playoff semi-final. He has a nice combination of quickness mixed with his aforementioned toughness/strength that allows him to not only create separation but also allows him to break through tackles as well. A very confident receiver (shown by his nonchalant one handed catch against Ohio State), Golden would given whoever Pittsburgh's quarterback is a fantastic weapon on the outside to throw to. With his aforementioned 40-time being talked about quite a bit, I wouldn't be too surprised if he went even sooner than this. Compared to former Steeler wide out Santonio Holmes, Golden would be an excellent addition to the receiving room here in the first round.
Other(s) - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
I really went back and forth with this pick for the Chargers, as I struggled choosing between two former Michigan Wolverines with this pick. On one hand I want to re-gift Kenneth Grant to the Chargers. A player who Jim Harbaugh once described as a 'gift from the football gods,' Grant would fill an immediate hole along their defensive line as Los Angeles looks to continue building along the trenches, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Though I think Grant is an excellent player, I think most people would agree that the Chargers need to try and get more weapons around quarterback Justin Herbert. Now, the trenches strategy worked very well last year as they passed on the likes of Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze for Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, while selecting Georgia's Ladd McConkey in the second round. In his first year in the league, the aforementioned receiver totaled 1,149-yards receiving while also breaking the NFL rookie record for yards in a playoff game (197). As impressive as that is, he can't be the only reliable weapon for Herbert to throw to, which leads me to thinking that (if available) they'd select another Wolverine in the form of Colston Loveland. Though he may not be as massive as Penn State's Tyler Warren, Loveland possesses great awareness and quickness at the position, working well in space and is able to make plays with the ball after the catch. Able to line up in-line or in the slot, Loveland is a match-up problem for most defenses from a receiver stand point. He may not be the most impactful blocker, but he can get the job done when asked to. I think he'd be an excellent addition to the Chargers who again would receive a massive boost of production from the tight end spot. For a team with such a historic tradition of tight ends, Loveland could very well be next in line as the next great at the position. Adding Loveland with McConkey would give Herbert two very nice and reliable pass catchers on the outside. If he's available, he'd make a great pick for Los Angeles.
Other(s) - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan; Grey Zabel, iOL/OT, North Dakota State
23. Green Bay Packers - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Seemingly every offseason, the Green Bay Packers are linked with moving former first round pick and two time All-Pro corner Jaire Alexander. Though this feels like the second or third year in a row they've talked about moving him, this year feels the most likely, at least to me. Despite being insanely talented, Alexander has constantly struggled to stay on the field, appearing in just 34-games in a 68-game stretch (appearing in 16-games in 2022). His inability to stay on the field mixed with them potentially moving on from him makes me believe Green Bay will target a corner here with the 23rd pick in the draft, regardless if he's ultimately on the team come the fall. If he's available, I find it hard to believe the Packers would pass on Texas corner Jahdae Barron. The reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner, Barron was the main cog in one of the nation's top defenses in regards to total and passing yards allowed per game that also led the nation in interceptions (as a team they had a nine to 22 touchdown to interception ratio). Able to line up anywhere in the secondary, Barron's mixture of athleticism/quickness and reaction time made him one of the best corners in the country. He's so anticipatory using his eyes to know exactly where the quarterback is going with the ball. He may not be the biggest defender out there (5'11" 200 lbs.) but he's an excellent playmaker who would make a massive difference wherever you line him up on defense. With corner arguably being the team's biggest need, they could do a lot worse than drafting Barron here.
Other(s) - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky; Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
24. Minnesota Vikings - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
There was part of me that wanted to give the Vikings a corner or North Dakota State's Grey Zabel, but if he's available I just think Minnesota would select Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon here at 24. That being said, much like mock draft 1.0 I did really toy with the idea of giving the Vikings one of the draft's top corners or safeties, as they could be losing the likes of Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau to free agency this offseason. Obviously they won't lose all of them, but the fact that there's that may key players available does make you rub your eyes to make sure you're seeing things right. That being said, the Vikings could also lose Jonathan Bullard and/or Jerry Tillery to free agency as well, but I feel like they'd be far likely to re-sign either of them rather than some of those aforementioned secondary pieces. Them mixed with Harrison Phillips made for a solid defensive line, but it's still an area that could definitely be improved upon. Again, if available, I think Michigan's Kenneth Grant would add a real disrupter to the middle of Brian Flores' defense. Hailing from Michigan, Grant is a massive presence in the middle that possesses great quickness and power. A player who Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh once described as a 'gift from the football gods,' Grant is best against the run and the short passing game, as he shows a nice willingness to not give up on the play as his effort is one of his better traits. He may not be as evolved as a pass rusher as he is a run stopper, but Grant has a very high ceiling that should see that side of his game develop in time (that being said, he did register 6.5-sacks across the last two seasons). Though most, if not all of the national attention was on his line mate Mason Graham, Grant can definitely hold his own as one of the draft's top tackle prospects. His power, quickness, and effort are traits that Flores covets along the defensive line, giving the Vikings a nice presence in the middle of their defense.
Other(s) - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon; Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
25. Houston Texans - Grey Zabel, iOL/OT, North Dakota State
In mock draft 1.0 I had the Texans selecting Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III here with the 25th pick, as they could use a mini revamp at the wide receiver position. It's no secret that second year quarterback CJ Stroud regressed slightly from year one to year two, which was partially due to the fact that Houston lost a lot of key players on the outside throughout the course of the season. With Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs going down with significant knee injuries, the bulk of the targets went to Nico Collins, who is an absolute stud but I'm sure would have liked someone to take some of the attention off of him on the outside. With Dell potentially missing all of next season and Diggs not likely to re-sign, wide receiver would be a very viable option for Houston here at pick 25. That being said, the offensive line struggled immensely throughout the course of the season, which all came to a head in their 23-14 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which saw Stroud get sacked a whopping eight times. Combined, regular and postseason, Stroud was sacked 63-times (52-times in the regular season, second most in the league) and I'm sure the Texans would like to keep him upright to continue to get the best out of him. So instead of Burden, I'm going to have them selecting North Dakota State's Grey Zabel with their first round pick. Though a tackle in college, Zabel took reps at both guard and center while at the Senior Bowl, dominating in one-on-one drills and being named the overall practice player of the week in a poll from all-32 NFL teams. Obviously playing for the Bison Zabel is going to be one of the better run blockers in this class, but in pass protection he shows quick feet while absorbing oncoming pressure from pass rushers (allowing one sack on 453-passing blocking snaps last season, per PFF). Great at using his hands and finishing blocks, I think Zabel would be a very nice addition to the Texans offensive line.His length may raise some concerns about his future at tackle but again he's more than capable at kicking inside to guard or center, giving Houston a nice option at any position across the offensive line.
Other(s) - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State; Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State
26. Los Angeles Rams - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Rams have been one of the busier teams so far this offseason. Whether it be trade rumors or re-signing or re-structuring player contracts, the Rams have made sure that they are one of the main teams to pay attention to at this point in time. It all started with Cooper Kupp announcing on Twitter (or X) that the organization had informed him of their plans to trade him. Then came the controversy surrounding quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was given permission by the Rams to speak with other teams around the league, having discussions with the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants (Stafford apparently just 'ran into' Tom Brady at a ski resort in Montana). Despite links to teams outside of Los Angeles, Stafford and the Rams agreed to a re-structured contract last Friday. The most recent move the organization made was re-signing left tackle Alaric Jackson to a new three year $57-million deal, meaning that the Rams draft plans may have been altered, at least in my mind. With the uncertainty surrounding Jackson's future, I had Los Angeles select Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. here with the 26th pick. This time around I'm going to have them turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball and take Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston. This is pretty on brand for the Rams who have built a pretty solid defense around a nucleus of young talent, Hairston could be the latest addition to that. At 5'11" 183 lbs., Hairston put forth a very solid showing at the Combine, posting a 4.28 in the 40 while also registering a 39.5" vertical and a 10'9" broad jump. That being said, this pick isn't solely based on him Combine performance though, the dude can play. Obviously playing with a lot of speed, Hairston is very fluid and very smooth in coverage, able to turn with vertical routes with ease as well as sit and react to the receiver's break while in off coverage. Though his production wasn't insane this past season due to injury (only appeared in seven games) the dude did register five interceptions with two pick sixes in 2023, making him a real threat to house it with the ball in his hands. Along with his coverage skills Hairston is effective in the run game as well while also being used in getting after the quarterback. With Ahkello Witherspoon entering free agency, Hairston could slot in and take hold of one of the corner spots. He would be a very nice pick for the Rams here at 26.
Other(s) - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
27. Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Despite their impressive season, the Ravens have a couple different areas to address here in the draft, with the offensive line arguably being their biggest need on paper. With Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari both entering free agency, the Ravens have a couple decent sized holes along the left side of the offensive line. Even with them entering free agency I believe some people would still suggest Baltimore move for one of the top offensive linemen, as their unit as a whole was pretty bang average last season. That being said, I feel like the Ravens will look to strengthen their secondary. Sure it improved throughout the second half of last season, but compared to where they were a season ago to where they are now, I don't think that area can go unnoticed. Obviously it didn't help that Mike Macdonald left to become the head coach of the Seahawks, going from the sixth best pass defense to bottom two pass defense is far from ideal, regardless of the circumstances. Though corner is definitely an option, the Ravens have suggested that they would like to utilize safety Kyle Hamilton in a more free role, which leads me to believe they could be looking for another safety to free him up more this season. Though it may be pretty surprising to see he fall this far, I think Baltimore would be thrilled to select Georgia safety Malaki Starks here with the 27th pick in the draft. Though he may not have had the production many were expecting from him this past season, Starks can give you a little bit of everything on the defensive side of the ball. One of the more versatile players in the draft, Starks has rotated between both safety and nickel in his time at Georgia. As a player who can make tackles in space and cover both the underneath routes and follow the deep ball, Starks would give any defensive coordinator a nice little weapon in the secondary. With the Ravens struggling against the pass as much as they did this past season, getting someone like Starks would help gear them towards the right direction. A safety tandem of Hamilton and Starks, mixed with Nate Wiggins would give Baltimore one of the best young secondaries in the league.
Other(s) - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon; Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
28. Detroit Lions - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Linebacker may not seem like the biggest need for the Detroit Lions heading into the draft, but much like I mentioned before with the Atlanta Falcons, when have the Lions been predictable when it comes to the draft since Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have been at their respective positions? Apart from Penei Sewell back in 2021 who just fell into their laps at seven, the Lions have made some initially head scratching picks that have almost all worked out. Whether it be trading up from 32 to 12 to select wide receiver Jameson Williams, or taking the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs at 12 and Jack Campbell at 18, the Lions unapologetically go to the beat of their own drum, which has seen them become one of the best teams in the league. Though they ended up crashing out in the divisional round against Washington, Detroit finished the regular season with a pretty insane 15-2 record, the best mark in franchise history. It doesn't matter what fans or the media think, the Lions will draft the top player on their board and to me, this year that could be Alabama's Jihaad Campbell. I've brought this up in previous years, but one thing to look out for in the draft is GM's drafting players from colleges they trust, and in this case the aforementioned Brad Holmes has loved drafting from Alabama. Whether that be Williams, Gibbs, Brian Branch, or most recently Terrion Arnold, it's clear to see which college Holmes likes drafting from, and Campbell could be the next. Self proclaimed 'Mr. Can-do-it-al'l and 'Swiss Army Knife,' Campbell would add another element to the Lions defense. Though recruited as an edge rusher, Campbell has turned himself into one of the best off-ball linebackers in the country. Widely praised for his leadership and versatility, made 112-tackles while also totaling five sacks this past season at Alabama. He is a tough tackler who explodes in the run game while also having the wherewithal to drop back into coverage in the pass game. He does absolutely everything you want from the linebacker position, with his speed, explosiveness, and range making him one of the hardest players to game plan for (also registered a 4.52-40 and a 10'7" broad jump). Praised for his leadership, I think Campbell would be the perfect addition to the Lions on the defensive side of the ball.
Other(s) - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College; Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State
29. Washington Commanders - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
For as mobile as he is, last year's Rookie of the Year winner was sacked 47-times, the second most out of any Playoff quarterback, behind only CJ Stroud (52). Obviously some of those sacks could have stemmed from him scrambling around too much in the backfield, but the simple fact is that as an organization you want him taking as little hits as possible, as he'll get hit enough carrying the ball down the field. That being said, Daniels was absolutely electric during his rookie season, throwing for over 3,500-yards with 25-touchdowns and nine interceptions while also registering 891-yards on the ground with a further six touchdowns there as well. Not only were his stats impressive, they were record breaking, finishing the regular season with the most rushing yards (again, 891), highest points per game (28.5), and highest completion percentage by a rookie quarterback in NFL history (69%). He also registered a rookie record 12-passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter or overtime, with five of them coming with less than 30-seconds left or overtime, the most by any player since 1970. With that, for the Commanders to remain as one of the top dogs in the league they're going to have to continue building around Daniels. Though again addressing the offensive line here would make a lot of sense, I just feel Washington may look to add another weapon around Daniels. With the Commanders recently trading for disgruntled former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, there will be some people out there who think Washington's need at the position has been diminished. To a certain extent, sure, but with Samuel not putting up anywhere near the numbers he did back in 2021 recently, there are some question marks around what he'll bring to their offense. For a fifth round pick it's worth it, but it doesn't mean that Washington shouldn't still look to add more weapons on the outside for Jayden Daniels as Samuel is only one of now three receivers on the active roster, with the other two being Terry McLauren and last year's third round pick Luke McCaffrey (who totaled just 168-receiving yards last season). With that, I think the Commanders may look to add Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka with the 29th pick in the draft. A physical and strong receiver, Egbuka is arguably the best blocking receiver in this class. Standing at 6'1" and weighing 202 lbs., you can line him up either on the inside or outside, being able to out physical most defenders covering him while also being able to work over the middle of the field on crossing routes or deep routes. He may not be an absolute burner, but his toughness and will power help him make nice plays after the catch. Again, I think he'd be a good fit for what the Commanders want to do on offense, giving Daniels a reliable target on the outside to pair with McLauren and Samuel.
Other(s) - Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri; Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State
30. Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
The Bills are going to be one of the teams to watch when it comes to the Myles Garrett sweepstakes but for right now I'm going to keep them here at 30, selecting someone to continue building the defense. Despite the Bills not using a single first round pick on an offensive player since they drafted Josh Allen back in 2018, the fact of the matter is that the Bills offense will continue to fire on all cylinders as long as Allen is under center. Though receiver could be an option here, I again think Buffalo should address the defensive side of the ball with this pick. With that the Bills could go in a couple different directions, with their two biggest areas of concern lying along the defensive line and in the secondary. Starting with the latter, the only returning starters are Christian Benford at corner and Taylor Rapp at safety. Though Cole Bishop is set fill the hole at safety potentially left by Damar Hamlin, the Bills don't have a real option opposite of Benford at corner. Even if they re-sign Rasul Douglas, the dude turns 32 in August, meaning that they'll have to find someone regardless of if he returns or not (I think he will). Though Sean McDermott values the secondary, I feel like the defensive line may be their first target in the draft (depending on who's available of course). With that being said I feel like the Bills could target Oregon's Derrick Harmon here with the 30th pick in the draft. At 6'4" 313 lbs., Harmon has a very strong upper body while being quick and disruptive from the interior. Against the pass, Harmon uses quick hands to penetrate the line and apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, totaling five sacks with 39-hurries and 10.5-tackles for loss. Though he put up good numbers against the pass, Harmon is a better run defender, as he handles double teams well and is able to shoot the gaps with his aforementioned quickness to disrupt teams in the run game. A big bodied lineman who absorbs blocks and can make plays in the backfield utilizing his quickness Harmon's skill set would be a nice fit for the Bills. He has some things to work on (mainly his pad level) but overall for a team that needs help along the defensive line, he would be an ideal player to insert in the middle of the defense next to Ed Oliver.
Other(s) - Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri; Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
It was clear as day after their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that the Kansas City Chiefs need to address the offensive line, most notably at the tackle position. Long story short, the Chiefs offensive line got absolutely lit up by the Eagles relentless pass rush, with Patrick Mahomes getting sack six times, the most he had been hit all season. Though that game really brought the issue to the forefront, the Chiefs offensive line struggled throughout the course of the season, so much so that they had to move All-Pro guard Joe Thuney out to tackle to hopefully paper over some of the cracks. As great as Thuney is, he's just not a tackle, and that again showed in the Super Bowl. Now, the Chiefs had this same issue last year, which is why they selected BYU's Kingsley Suamataia with the 63rd pick in the draft. The rookie struggled with consistency and only started two games this past season. Now, there's obviously every chance he still comes good, but that doesn't mean Kansas City still shouldn't target a tackle here at 31, especially if Ohio State's Josh Simmons is still available. If it weren't for a season ending injury against Oregon back in October, Simmons may very well be considered as the draft's top tackle prospect. An athletic tackle that shows excellent footwork, Simmons is very consistent from the tackle spot. Formerly a right tackle at San Diego State, Simmons made the transition to the left side look effortless prior to his aforementioned injury. He's great in pass protection and is able to use his athleticism to get to the second level and drive defenders back in the run game. There's no doubt in my mind that he could go much much higher than this, but for now I'm going to have the Chiefs taking him here at 31, which I'm sure they'd be more than fine with.
Other(s) - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon; Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State
32. Philadelphia Eagles - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
I'll keep it real with you, James Pearce Jr. should go sooner than pick 32 in the draft. But, with reports coming out about possible character concerns (Lord knows how true those are) there is a chance that he sees himself fall a little or a lot further than expected. Plus, it would only make sense for a team like the Eagles to get him all the way down here at 32 as it always seems like they get someone who should have gone a lot sooner a lot later in the draft (i.e. Nolan Smith at 30 in 2022). As the current Super Bowl champs it's going to be harder than most to pin point an exact need, I think Philadelphia could use with some reinforcements along the edges of the defensive line, especially with leading sack getter Josh Sweat and franchise legend Brandon Graham both entering free agency this offseason. Even if they re-sign one or both of them, GM Howie Roseman is never afraid to add depth to either line, which leads me to think they may move for the aforementioned Pearce here with their first pick in the draft. Though he's on the leaner side of things (6'5" 245 lbs.) Pearce does not get pushed around too much by bigger offensive linemen. Able to beat linemen either on the outside or even the inside, Pearce uses his athleticism to blow past the opposition, creating a ton of pressure for opposing quarterbacks. Against the run Pearce may have some room to grow, though he does set a nice edge despite his aforementioned lean frame. At 21-years old Pearce has a ton of room to go and like the aforementioned Nolan Smith before him, I would expect Pearce to add strength and learn in his first season before taking full control of the position his next time out. He's got a very high ceiling and showed some of his skills at the Combine, registering 4.47-40 (leading all d-ends) and a 10'3" broad jump. Again, Pearce could go much higher than this, which makes him the ideal pick for the Eagles here with the 32nd pick in the draft, right?
Other(s) - Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo; Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Positions Drafted
Quarterbacks - 2
Running Backs - 2
Wide Receivers - 4 (including Travis Hunter)
Tight Ends - 2
Offensive Tackles - 4
Interior Offensive Line - 2
Interior Defensive Line - 4
EDGE Rushers - 6
Linebackers - 1
Cornerbacks - 4 (including Travis Hunter)
Safeties - 2
Just Missed Out (20)
*alphabetical order by position
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State
Jonah Savaiinaea, iOL, Arizona
Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon
Alfred Collins, DL, Texas
T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina
Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
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