The Draft "Expert" - 2025 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

Hello everyone and welcome to the FINAL mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft season! I'm not going to lie to you, out of all the recent NFL Draft's I have covered, I think I know the least and feel the most uncertain about this one. It just feels like there's so many different directions team can go, and I'm having a hard time myself figuring out which direction I'm going to go with each pick.

That being said, as stressful as this was, I still really enjoyed filling this mock draft out. I think the main issue I have is the fact that there are so many players with 'medical red flags,' and we really have no idea what's true and what isn't. Like, one team could view those reports as gospel, while another could just flat out ignore it.

Players like Jihaad Campbell, Will Johnson, and Josh Simmons could really go anywhere, from middle of the first round to out of it entirely, which is scary for me. Oh well, no sense getting too worked up over it, right?

In this mock draft there are two quarterbacks, one running backs, four receivers (including Travis Hunter), two tight ends, four offensive tackles, three interior offensive linemen, four interior defensive linemen, seven edge rushers, four corners (including Travis Hunter), and one safety. For positions like quarterback, make sure you stay on your toes as there may be a surprise waiting for you.

Without any further delay I Logan Blackman, the self proclaimed Draft "Expert," am proud to present to you my FINAL mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft season! Enjoy!

Podcast Links

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlbs-the-draft-experts-draft-spectacular/id1514011056?i=1000704585260

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iAGb9BNrfCF0qXtcQYHK5

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ccjPdu85dw

Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State; Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL); Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

• Starting things off in mock draft 4.0 is probably the most straight forward pick out of the lot. Despite there being some early reports surrounding the Titans selecting either Penn State's Abdul Carter or Colorado's Travis Hunter here with this selection, everything is seemingly pointing to Tennessee selecting Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward here with the first overall pick in the draft. It's no secret the Titans are in desperate need of quarterback help, as former second round pick Will Levis has turned more into a meme than a potential long term option at the position. That combined with his seemingly mixed relationship with now second year head coach Brian Callahan makes this pick seem all that much more likely. Not to mention Ward went on Twitch the other day and was waxing lyrically about anything and everything involving the Titan organization. To me, Ward has been the top quarterback in this class for some time now, as I moved him to the top of my quarterback prospect rankings after a 437-yard three (total) touchdown performance in a come from behind win against Cal in week six. Since then I believe Ward has continued to separate himself from the rest of the quarterbacks in this class, a combination of arm talent and play making ability, Ward has an innate ability to make something out of nothing, regularly throwing receivers open with pressure barreling down upon him. I think if the Titans are to get back to challenging for division titles they have to find their answer at the quarterback position. Though Ward may not have been the number one overall pick in most drafts, I think his aforementioned skillset makes him the best option for Tennessee here in the first round. A zero star triple option quarterback coming out of high school, Ward's ascension up to the top of the class is truly remarkable. To go from that to being a Heisman finalist and first team All-American is really something we haven't seen before, and if he winds up going first overall (like is expected) he could be the Titans true heir to McNair.

• Other(s) - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State; Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

2. Cleveland Browns - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

• I don't know if I'm crazy for saying this or not but to me, as of right now, the Cleveland Browns have the worst quarterback room in the league. Yes I know everyone out there loves the recently re-signed Joe Flacco but the dude turned 40 in January. Not to mention Cleveland still has Deshaun Watson under contract (who owner Jimmy Haslam said was a 'big swing and miss') and they traded for former first round draft pick Kenny Pickett for a 2025 fifth round pick and former 2023 fifth round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Now, I don't know about you, but that looks incredibly bleak. That being said the Browns will reportedly not be looking in the direction of a quarterback here with the second overall pick in the draft, turning their attention to the other areas of the field to try and build a stronger overall team for whichever quarterback they end up drafting (my gut says Louisville's Tyler Shough, though I could be very wrong). With that, that means Cleveland will likely move for one of Penn State's Abdul Carter or Colorado's Travis Hunter. For the longest time, if it wasn't a quarterback, Carter seemed like the most obvious fit, especially with Myles Garrett handing in a trade request earlier this offseason. Even with Garrett eventually re-signing Carter seemed like a logical pick, but as we edge closer to the draft it seems like they are more likely to move for the aforementioned Travis Hunter here with the second pick in the draft. Though he wants to play both sides of the ball as he did in college, many out there believe that Hunter will have to major in one position while minoring in the other, with receiver being the major and corner being the minor. With the Browns lacking any real difference makers on the outside apart from Jerry Jeudy, lining Hunter up at receiver would make a lot of sense for whoever they ultimately bring in at quarterback. While at receiver this past season Hunter registered 1,258-yards with 15-touchdowns, ranking fifth in yards and second in touchdowns across all of college football, ultimately coming away with the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver. His explosiveness from the position really separates him from the other receivers in this class, as his speed and pure athleticism make him an absolute match-up nightmare on both sides of the ball. Speaking of, at corner Hunter registered four interceptions and a forced fumble, which saw him come away with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defender in college football. He is truly one of the most gifted players in recent draft history, giving the Browns (or whoever drafts him) a truly special player on both sides of the ball (if they let him). He would just give them the difference maker that they are so incredibly desperate for (what if Jacksonville trades to two for Travis Hunter?).

• Other(s) - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State; Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

3. New York Giants - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

• If I was a New York Giants fan I don't know how I'd be feeling right about now. The need for a franchise quarterback is evident, and with both head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen on their last legs, they need to ace that position in some capacity this offseason. To many fans, in a perfect world one of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders would fall into their lap here with the third overall pick, but based on recent reports (if you believe them) it's looking less and less likely that the Giants would take one here at three as Sanders' future is looking a whole lot murkier than it seemingly was back at the start of the year. Unless they strike a trade with Tennessee to take Ward at one, it doesn't seem like the Giants will take a quarterback here at three, but that shouldn't rule them out completely of taking a quarterback here in round one (i.e. trading back in for Jalen Milroe). Though they may not take Sanders here (not closing that door completely), or even his Colorado teammate Travis Hunter, they do get an opportunity to take the draft's top edge rusher in the form of Penn State's Abdul Carter. 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 current rival 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 quarterback is the biggest area of concern on the Giants roster, I think they'd be more than happy with Carter falling to them at three. Despite a foot injury that was brought up a few weeks ago, Carter would give New York an even bigger boost in the pass rushing department (especially with rumors circulating about former first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux's future).

• Other(s) - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado; Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

4. New England Patriots - Will Campbell, iOL/OT, LSU

• I don't know if I'm alone in this or not, but doesn't LSU's Will Campbell just feel like a future New England Patriot? Obviously this could end up looking really stupid if the Patriots don't end up drafting this year's top tackle, but for now I just don't see a player that looks more destined to play in Foxborough than Campbell. Though I'm sure New England would love to get a dominant edge rusher like Penn State's Abdul Carter, or a two-way player in Colorado's Travis Hunter to help out on both offense and defense, the offensive line is by far the Patriots biggest need going into next season as they are striving to get the best out of soon to be second year quarterback Drake Maye. Now, the Patriots have made some decent moves up until this point in the offseason, bringing in Stefon Diggs from Houston as well as signing tackle Morgan Moses to help sure up the right side of the offensive line. With Moses on one side, adding Campbell would give New England a very solid tackle tandem going into this season. With new head coach Mike Vrabel being a Bill Belichick disciple, someone who usually prioritized the offensive line more than anything in the draft, I think New England may end up taking LSU's Will Campbell here at four. Though his arm length may be in question, I think Campbell is the draft's top tackle prospect. At 6'6" and weighing 323 lbs., Campbell has started at tackle for the Tigers since 2022 and since that first season, the dude has given up just 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 Patriots offensive line. Protecting Drake Maye should be priority number one, and Campbell would more than provide that in New England for the next decade or so.

• Other(s) - Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri; Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

• I have no idea what to believe at this point. At the end of the day the reports coming out surrounding the Jaguars taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could prove to be utter hog wash, but at the same time they could be 100% true. Like, the entire offseason we heard that they loved Michigan's Mason Graham, now Graham isn't even considered a top five pick and the Jaguars now love Jeanty? This is the thing with the NFL Draft that makes it so fun yet so annoying at the exact same time, as the closer you get to the commissioner coming on stage the more reports about who teams are targeting start coming out. Like going back to the 2018 draft as an example, the Cleveland Browns held the top pick and the draft and were expected to select one of either USC's Sam Darnold or Wyoming's Josh Allen. Then all of a sudden, sometime between 12 and 24-hours of the draft the news broke that they were instead going to select Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield with the first pick in the draft. Obviously every single draft is different and the Jaguars aren't run by the same people who ran the Browns back in 2018, but this news surrounding Jeanty has really got me thinking, is this legit or are they trying to get a team like the Bears to trade up with them? The thing is that Jacksonville currently holds 10-picks in the draft, good for joint second most in the league, so it's not like they're in desperate need of a bunch of picks, but it also wouldn't hurt to have those extra picks either. To be honest I'm struggling to buy this rumor, but as we get closer and closer to the draft the more I see much more connected people talking about how this likely pick really is, which is why I ultimately folded and gave Jacksonville Jeanty here at number five. As I discussed in my last mock draft, new general manager James Gladstone stated, 'now, beyond it in terms of personnel, we are going to start with the front. That is going to make a lot of things easier on the offensive operations as a whole and we are going to make sure we address that not only in free agency but in the draft and beyond. And then help to continuing get weapons that he (Trevor Lawrence) will feel comfortable with and tossing it up to.' The Jaguars main goal this offseason has been clear, try and get the best out of Trevor Lawrence, and one way to do that is by giving him a reliable option in the run game. Though I like Travis Etienne, the dude is coming off his worst season to date, rushing for 558-yards through 15-games while practically getting benched for Tank Bigsby. That mixed with the fact that he is in the final year of his contract makes this pick seem that much more likely than originally thought. With Jeanty, the Jaguars would be getting a player who 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. Running back may not be the first position you think of when it comes for Jacksonville's needs, but if they again want to get the best out of Lawrence, you could do a lot worse than selecting the best player available here at five (not to mention Jeanty was born in Jacksonville).

• Other(s) - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona; Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri

6. Las Vegas Raiders - Kelvin Banks Jr., iOL/OT, Texas

• For the longest time, this pick looked to be an absolute shoo-in, with Vegas taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty here with the sixth pick in the draft. With new head coach Pete Carroll prioritizing the run game on the offensive side of the ball in both college and the NFL, picking Jeanty here at six made all the sense in the world, especially since he is considered by some to be a generational prospect. I mean, last season the Raiders ranked dead last in rushing offense, not even registering 80-yards per game (79.8) while also averaging just 3.6-yards per carry and leading the league in fumbles lost with six. Alexander Mattison was the team's leading rusher last year and he only registered 420-yards on the ground, which is beyond sad. Though the signed former Dolphins touchdown machine Raheem Mostert, the running back position will still needed addressed in some capacity in the earlier rounds of the draft. With Chip Kelly coming in as the offensive coordinator, it would also make sense for them to go after either TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins, two players who had great success with Kelly while at Ohio State. All that being said it doesn't really matter whether or not the Raiders want Jeanty if he ends up going off the board at five to Jacksonville, they wouldn't be able to select him anyway, right? With Jeanty seemingly off the board the Raiders can turn their attention to another area to help fix the run game, the offensive line. With LSU's Will Campbell going off the board at four to New England, attention will mostly be turned to Missouri's Armand Membou, someone who many teams inside the top 10 have been linked with for the past however many weeks. That being said as of late, it seems like the Raiders may have had their eye on a different offensive tackle here at pick number six. With former 2018 first round pick Kolton Miller looking for a new contract, the Raiders could turn their attention to Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. here with the sixth pick in the draft. Someone who's draft stock has kind of been all over the place across the past couple months, Banks can offer the Raiders some explosiveness and athleticism from the tackle position. An ever-present at left tackle while at Texas, since 2023 Banks has played 1,043-pass blocking snaps while allowing just two sacks and three total quarterback hits. 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. A team captain, Banks would add a lot to Vegas' offensive line that is still in desperate need of help, especially with the aforementioned Miller looking for a new contract. Whether he lines up at guard or tackle, Banks would be a very nice addition to the Raiders offensive line. A high character guy, he would fit the mold that Tom Brady and co. are looking for in the Raiders organization (very hard not to pick Missouri's Armand Membou here).

• Other(s) - Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri; Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

7. New York Jets - Armand Membou, iOL/OT, Missouri

• The New York Jets are one of the more interesting teams in the draft this year. After two seasons of 'Aaron Rodgers ball' (more like a season and four plays) the Jets decided to cut ties with the former league MVP, along with the people who ultimately brought him in, firing both general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh. All things considered, the Aaron Rodgers era in New Jersey was a complete and utter failure, with some in the national media crowning them as Super Bowl contenders before last season started. Ultimately the Jets finished with a 5-12 record, and they are hoping that Detroit Lions defensive coordinator and former player Aaron Glenn along with general manager Darren Mougey can come in and get the best out of this team. Despite getting rid of Rodgers, the Jets haven't been all too busy so far this offseason, though they did bring in the likes of Andre Cisco (Jacksonville), Chukwuma Okorafor (New England), Josh Reynolds (Jaguars), Brandon Stephens (Baltimore), and Justin Fields (Pittsburgh), who signed a two year $40-million contract and who will presumably be the team's starting quarterback going into camp (unless they wind up with Shedeur Sanders). Glenn and Mougey still have some holes to fill, and though Okorafor could fill an immediate need at right tackle, that's still an area that'll need to be addressed at some point during the draft. To me, if he's available, Missouri's Armand Membou would be the perfect fit for the Jets here with the seventh pick in the draft. A right tackle in college, Membou would be an ideal selection to fill the need at either tackle spot. Despite him not possessing the 'prototypical' size most teams look for in an offensive tackle at 6'3" 325 lbs. (which leads some to think he could kick inside to guard) Membou's arm length mixed with an explosive get off and power make him a dominating presence along the offensive line. 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. Recently turning 21, 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 seventh overall pick. His showing at the Combine really put some people on notice, and I think he could very well be the first tackle off the board. Back in 2021 the Detroit Lions selected Penei Sewell with the seventh pick in the draft, who was the catalyst for the Lions eventual turnaround. Like his former team, why can't Glenn's current team do the same thing here with Membou? (this pick will probably come down to between him and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren)

• Other(s) - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia; Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

8. Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

• I don't know about you guys, but this pick feels pretty safe at this point, doesn't it? I know there's going to be some people out there suggesting that the Panthers take someone like Tetairoa McMillan here, or take one of the other edge rushers, but Georgia's Jalon Walker is too talented of a player to think about passing up here with the eighth pick in the draft. Though a Salisbury, North Carolina native, this isn't just a 'welcome home' pick by any means as the Panthers desperately need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Sure Derrick Brown will be coming back from injury and Jaycee Horn just signed a nice four year $100-million contract but they still need more, and Walker is a player that can wear multiple different hats on the defensive side of the ball. As I brought up in mock draft 2.0, 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) - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan; Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9. New Orleans Saints - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

• Despite seemingly being the most ideal landing spot for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the New Orleans Saints move in a completely different direction here with their first pick in the draft. Having not drafted a quarterback in the first round since drafting Archie Manning second overall back in 1971, I think the Saints continue the trend and address one of the lines here with the ninth pick in the draft. With longtime starter and former first round pick Ryan Ramczyk retiring this offseason, offensive tackle could be one of the team's top priorities heading into Thursday. Sure they drafted Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga with the 14th pick last year, and still have former 2022 first round pick Trevor Penning on the roster, the latter's future seems to be in constant question, making me believe that tackle could still be an option. That being said my gut tells me they'll only go that direction if the right target comes available, to me that would be either LSU's Will Campbell or Missouri's Armand Membou, who are expected to be long gone by the time the commissioner announces the Saints pick. Though Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. is a solid player in his own right, I feel like New Orleans may look to address the defensive side of the ball should their 'main' targets (in my opinion) already be off the board. With Cameron Jordan turning 36 in July, and the Saints boasting a bottom two defense I think it would be wise to draft someone to help improve that side of the ball, though I'm sure new head coach Kellen Moore would love an offensive weapon (or even a new quarterback). With that, I'm going to have the Saints select a player with one of the highest ceilings in the draft in the form of Georgia's Mykel Williams. 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). That being said, Williams did play most of last season injured, as he sprained his ankle week one against Clemson. But with Jordan still there, Williams would be afforded time to develop, hopefully giving the Saints an absolute stud along the defensive line (New Orleans sent a big scouting group to Georgia's Pro Day, just for your information).

• Other(s) - Kelvin Banks Jr., iOL/OT, Texas; Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

10. Chicago Bears - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

• This would be a pretty crazy scenario for the Bears to find themselves in should the draft actually play out like this. What I mean by that is the Bears seemingly have their pick of some of the draft's top prospects all the way down at the 10th pick. If you would have told a fan in Chicago that when the draft rolls around that their team will have the chance to select one of Mason Graham or Tyler Warren, they would have called you crazy. Sure the Bears 'dream' pick is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, but barring a crazy trade up the draft board Jeanty landing in Chicago seems rather unlikely. With both Graham and Warren (and Colston Loveland) all available, many fans may be shitting their britches about which former Big Ten product their team is going to take. Starting with Graham, most people consider him to be the draft's top defensive tackle prospect. Formerly seen as a perennial lock to go to Jacksonville with the fifth overall pick, Graham's measureables have seen him fall down the draft board, with his spot in the top 10 no longer guaranteed as it seemingly once was. Though he could very well end up being the pick here I just keep coming back to the Bears main offseason objective: make sure to get the best out of last year's first overall pick, Caleb Williams. So far this offseason the Bears have done a good job at building around him, signing or trading for three new starters along the offensive line as well as bringing in the most sought after coaching candidate on the market in the form of Ben Johnson. Though I think a left tackle or Ashton Jeanty (trade up, obviously) would be great, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could provide so much to this new look Bears offense, making him the selection here with the 10th overall pick. 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 Bears who are again trying build around the talents of Caleb Williams, Warren would give him a reliable target and give the Bears some different looks with Cole Kmet. Ben Johnson said Warren is 'the definition of a football player,' I'd love to see him in Chicago.

• Other(s) - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan; Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

11. San Francisco 49ers - Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

• I know, I know, many of you out there expected to see a certain Michigan defensive tackle taken here with the 11th pick in the draft, and I completely understand why. For the longest time it seemed like Mason Graham was a lock to go fifth overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but as we get closer and closer to the draft the more unlikely that looks, and the more likely it seems that Graham stumbles a lot further down the draft board than maybe his talent suggests. That being said for a team like the 49ers who are in need of some help along the defensive line, why would they pass on Graham for Ole Miss' Walter Nolen? Well, based on the 49ers recent draft history they tend to bet more on traits (not an exact science obviously), and unfortunately for Graham that's one of the main reasons why we're seeing him fall down the board. At the Combine, Graham came in weighing 296 lbs., which apparently was 24 lbs. below what most teams were expecting, while his 32" arms place him in the 12th percentile for the position (per PFF). For San Francisco, I think they bet on the player that arguably has the higher ceiling in Nolen, taking him here with the 11th pick in the draft. Nolen's draft stock has been all over the place this offseason. Like, I had him going to San Francisco in my first mock draft back on February 10th, since then he's gone from a potential top 10 pick, to a mid-round pick, to potentially out of the first round, to back to being a potential top 10 pick again. I can't keep up with all this madness, but I guess that's just how the world works, right? 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 49ers who could use a little jolt along the line, he would be an excellent player to draft here at 11.

• Other(s) - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan; Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M

12. Dallas Cowboys - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

• Once again, the Dallas Cowboys have had a pretty interesting offseason. From not allowing the Chicago Bears to speak to Mike McCarthy before firing him and promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, to then making no real 'signings of intent' so far this offseason, all things seem to be in order down in Dallas. The only real big move they've made so far is signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuma to a new four year $80-million contract. Other than that sure they've re-signed a couple players to two/three year deals, but their new signings they've made have been underwhelming as usual, with only one of the seven new additions signing on for more than a season (Solomon Thomas, two years $6-million). Like, the last time Dallas signed a free agent from another team for over $6-million annually was Greg Hardy, all the way back in 2015. Again, it's just been a typical offseason for the Cowboys. That being said, for what Dallas lacks in free agency they seem to make up for in the draft, as most of their top players were drafted by the organization. Prior to free agency many out there would have liked to see Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty go to Dallas here at 12, but after signing the likes of Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams (plus him not being available) makes me think they'll address another area of need on offense. With wide receiver Brandin Cooks signing for the Saints this offseason, the only true option opposite of CeeDee Lamb would probably be Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys need more weapons on the outside, and though I assume some (if not most) out there would have him going higher than this, I'm going to have Dallas select Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan here with the 12th pick in the draft. Compared a lot to the likes of Mike Evans and 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. I think McMillan would be the perfect compliment to Lamb, giving Dak a nice big bodied target to give the Cowboys one of the better wide receiver duos in the league.

• Other(s) - Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

13. Miami Dolphins - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

• As I've brought up before in previous mock drafts, the Miami Dolphins will be one of the more interesting teams to watch when the draft rolls around. With needs in multiple spots on both sides of the ball, the Dolphins could really go any direction here with their first pick (even trade back). At face value I'm sure many people out there would suggest that Miami should look at one of the top corner or safety options, as they lost both starting safeties from last year in free agency and have allowed Jalen Ramsey to seek a trade. As big as their secondary needs are, I think the Dolphins may end up looking to beef up the trenches a little bit. Starting with the offensive side of the ball, many out there will say the Dolphins should look to target one of the draft's top tackles, especially after the retirement of Terron Armstead. With Tua constantly in concussion protocol, strengthening that area would make a lot of sense, but with the top tackles off the board, and their supposed belief in last year's second round pick Patrick Paul, offensive line may not be atop the Dolphins priority list. If I had to bet I would say they'd love to take someone like Georgia's Malaki Starks, but if Michigan's Mason Graham falls right into their laps here at 13 I would imagine it would be pretty hard to pass him up. Like we talked about with the 49ers pick, Graham's stumble down the draft board has been fairly interesting to watch in recent weeks. Once a lock to go fifth overall to Jacksonville, Graham's measureables seem to have out weighed his tape to most talent evaluators out there, which in this situation is the Dolphins gain. Though Miami boasted a fairly solid defense overall last season (fourth in total defense), the defensive line is pretty baron going into this upcoming season, especially after losing Calais Campbell to Arizona this offseason. As of right now, Miami only has four players listed on their defensive line depth chart, so though defensive tackle hasn't been talked about a ton when it comes to the Dolphins, it's definitely a need, and Graham could help fill that. At 6'3" 320 lbs., Graham causes so many 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. Again, despite not having the most eye popping measureables, Graham is someone that could make so many plays for the Dolphins along the defensive line. Wouldn't it be crazy to see the Dolphins take Christian Wilkins' eventual replacement with the same pick they used on him back in 2019?

• Other(s) - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas; Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

14. Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

• Like I've brought up before in previous mock drafts, the Colts main offseason priority is rather simple, try your hardest to get the absolute best out of quarterback Anthony Richardson. Sure Indianapolis may have some holes on the defensive side of the ball, but again the main focus for the organization for at least this upcoming season is to get the best out of former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson. As a fan of the player, this past season was wildly frustrating, and I hope the Colts do continue to try and develop him to be their longterm quarterback. I'm not done with Anthony Richardson, and I think this draft will be important for his longterm development. Though Penn State's Tyler Warren would be the ideal pick here for the Colts in the first round I still think they can go ahead and draft a tight end with this pick, which is why I have them taking Michigan's Colston Loveland with the 14th pick in the draft. 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 Colts who again would receive a massive boost of production from the tight end spot by adding him to a pretty depleted tight end room. General manager Chris Ballard has talked about wanting/needing more productivity from the position and I believe Loveland would give the Colts exactly that. I know I sound like a broken record but I want to keep reiterating it, Indianapolis needs to continue to try and get the best out of their young quarterback, no matter how frustrating things may be at this point in time. Though again Loveland is not Tyler Warren, you could do a whole lot worse than selecting him here with the 14th pick in the draft.

• Other(s) - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

15. Atlanta Falcons - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

• Will this be the year the Atlanta Falcons finally select an edge rusher in the first round? I guess only time will tell, but unlike previous years what other position(s) could the Falcons really target here at 15 other than an edge rusher (or defensive lineman)? Like, I guess you could say in previous years that the Falcons did in fact have other needs other than that of taking someone who can get after the quarterback. Players like Kyle Pitts (2021), Drake London (2022), and Bijan Robinson (2023) all played in positions where Atlanta could improve upon, but again, edge rusher has been the team's biggest need pretty much ever since the 28-3 Super Bowl. Literally, since then the Falcons have ranked 31st (2024), 21st (2023), 31st (2022), 32nd (2021), 23rd (2020), 29th (2019), and 22nd (2018) in sack production, last ranking in the top half of the league in 2017. Much like this year to a certain extent, Atlanta was poised to take an edge rusher with their first pick in the draft. Despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four year $180-million contract, the Falcons still drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. Though it seems to have worked out due to Cousins' decline, it still has been viewed negatively by both fans and neutrals alike. With quarterback, running back, receiver, and tight end hopefully all sorted going into, edge rusher or defensive tackle have to be the pick here, right? Though I think this may be a little too early, all the recent reports suggest that Atlanta may be targeting Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. here with the15th 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 grow, 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. I don't know if there's any real substance to this smoke or not, but if Atlanta takes Pearce here at 15 they would finally have someone to help improve their woeful pass rush.

• Other(s) - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall; Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M

16. Arizona Cardinals - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

• The Arizona Cardinals are one of the more interesting teams when it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft, because no one really knows which direction they're going to end up going here with the 16th pick in the draft. On one hand I'm sure head coach Jonathan Gannon would love to continue to sure up the defense, especially after signing edge rusher Josh Sweat in free agency. The Cardinals were pretty bang average as a team in regards to getting after the quarterback, despite not having a real disrupter as linebacker Zaven Collins led the team with five sacks last season. Obviously they're hoping last year's 27th overall pick, Darius Robinson, comes good after a pretty chaotic rookie season, but the Cardinals could still take one of the draft's top edge rushers or defensive tackles here with their first round selection. Though that could very well wind up being the case, a bunch of recent reports have come out to suggest that Arizona may actually be looking to strengthen the offensive side of the ball, either along the offensive line or in the receiving room. With needs at guard, I'm sure there will be some Cardinals fans who suggest they make a move for someone like North Dakota State's Grey Zabel, who could line up anywhere across the offensive line. That being said, looking at Arizona's receiving room they could definitely do with some upgrades there as well. Despite drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick a year ago, the Cardinals receiving room as a whole ranks as one of the worst in the league, with Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch each never eclipsing the 600-yard mark during their career(s). With that being said I feel Arizona may move for one of the draft's top receivers, and though Texas' Matthew Golden may be held in higher regard, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka reportedly has a ton of fans around the league and may very well wind up being the pick here at 16. Teammates with the aforementioned Harrison while at Ohio State, the pair each eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving back in 2022 before Egbuka's production dipped during Harrison's final season in Columbus. Despite that, Egbuka put forth a fantastic season this past time out as the Buckeyes won the National Championship, registering over 1,000-yards and 10-touchdowns while leading the team in receptions. 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. Though this may seem a little early for some out there, I believe his familiarity with Harrison mixed with rave reviews from around the league could very well see him wind up in Arizona here at pick 16. I think this would make all the sense in the world for the Cardinals.

• Other(s) - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

• The Cincinnati Bengals made a couple of interesting moves this offseason, all involving some of their star players. They kicked off this offseason by telling reigning sack champion Trey Hendrickson that he could speak to other teams from around the league about potential trade opportunities. Shortly after that announcement, his edge rushing partner Sam Hubbard announced his retirement, leaving Cincinnati in a very precarious situation in regards to their defensive line. Now there could still be hope in regards to keeping Hendrickson, as both Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett both signed extensions this offseason after reportedly being involved in trade talks. That being said I don't know how realistic re-signing or extending Hendrickson would be as they gave massive extensions to both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, with the former now being the highest paid non-quarterback in league history. I don't know about you, but extending Higgins kind of surprised me. I'm not doubting his importance or how good of a player he is, but wouldn't it have been smarter to trade Higgins for a boat load of picks then re-sign Hendrickson? Time will tell of course, but it looks like Hendrickson will be the odd one out this offseason, meaning Cincinnati has two holes to fill at the edge rusher position. At 17 Cincinnati are pretty sport for choice, and though I thought about Georgia's Mykel Williams, I ended up going with Marshall's Mike Green as the Bengals first round selection. 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 Bengals and new defensive coordinator Al Golden 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) - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College; Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M

18. Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, iOL/OT, North Dakota State

• I know this may seem a little straight forward at this point in time, but the Seattle Seahawks could be one of the more interesting teams to watch during this year's draft. Yes, the most obvious and most glaring hole on the roster comes along the offensive line, even more so after free agency as they didn't necessarily improve upon an already struggling unit. That being said there are some other needs they could address here with this pick, as wide receiver is one that could really stand out like a sore thumb. After cutting franchise legend Tyler Lockett and trading DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh, Seattle has a little hole at wide receiver. Sure signing Cooper Kupp was a nice move, but his injury history and his position (which is the same as Jaxon Smith-Njigba) make me think the need for a big bodied wide receiver could be the move here should someone like Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan be available. Though I think there's a scenario where he is available, at this point in time I think he'll be off the board a few picks before Seattle's name gets announced by the commissioner. With that, I think the Seahawks do ultimately turn their attention back to the offensive line, especially after Laken Tomlinson signed with Houston this offseason. With head coach Mike Macdonald being a defensive minded guy, he'll want to put more of an emphasis on establishing the run game. I mean hell, they fired first year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, as the offense became pretty one dimensional with the passing attack really carried the rushing attack, with the latter ranking in the bottom five. To help improve the rush attack Seattle has to establish more of a presence along the offensive line, which leads me to think that North Dakota State's Grey Zabel could be the perfect fit for them here at pick 18. 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 Seahawks 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 Seattle a nice option at any position across the offensive line.

• Other(s) - Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

• I don't know about you, but I am actually very intrigued to see who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers target with their first round selection this year. I say that because the most obvious pick for them would be Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, as legendary linebacker Lavonte David is only on a one year deal and turns 36 next January. Though that would again be the most obvious pick, based off recent reports it seems like Campbell may drastically fall down draft boards due to potentially starting the season on the PUP list. This is why again I say that this pick will be interesting as Tampa could really go in a couple different directions here (even Campbell), as there aren't really any glaring needs going into the draft. At face value edge rusher would probably be their most pressing need, as though they did sign Haason Reddick from the Jets this offseason, the dude only started two games while totaling one sack following four straight seasons of 11-or more sacks. He's an absolute monster when he's on the field, but how will he fair after basically sitting out all of last season? Time will of course tell, so it wouldn't shock me if they moved for someone like Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku with this pick. Though I think that's a likely option, I think Tampa may look to address another area of their defense here, mainly in the secondary as they could use some help at safety following Jordan Whitehead's departure and at corner, as Zyon McCollum will be entering free agency next offseason. Though players like Michigan's Will Johnson and Texas' Jahdae Barron will be conversation starters, I think the Bucs may go a little rouge and select Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston here with the 19th pick in the draft. 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. An electric and aggressive corner, Hairston would make a lot of sense for Tampa Bay here at pick 19.

20. Denver Broncos - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

• For the past however many weeks the Denver Broncos have been linked with North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, as many people suspected head coach Sean Payton would continue to look for his 'joker' player on the offensive side of the ball. The more I thought about it though, how many times did Payton reference the 'joker' position throughout the offseason? Did he say it multiple times or did he really just say it once on Kay Adams' show and everyone (including myself) just took it and ran with it? Now, I'm not saying Denver still couldn't go out there and draft a running back like Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson, but the reasoning behind it may be a little different then what most of us originally assumed, right? I know it's draft week and everything starts getting more and more insane the closer you get to draft day but man, the Broncos are somewhat a tough nut to crack. I mean, running back has been the main target for again the past however many weeks, and now they're looking in a different direction? Throughout the past week or so numerous reports have come out and suggested that Denver has been spending a lot of time scouting wide receivers, as they look to add more weapons to the outside for last year's 12th overall pick, Bo Nix. Despite making the Playoffs last year, the Broncos do lack in the talent department on the outside, especially with Courtland Sutton always involved in trade rumors. Though there is a reality in which they trade up for someone like tight end Colston Loveland (even after signing Evan Engram), I think they may end up moving for someone like Texas' Matthew Golden here with the 20th 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 give quarterback Bo Nix a fantastic young speedy weapon on the outside. Compared to former Steeler wide out Santonio Holmes, Golden would be an excellent addition to the Broncos receiving room here in the first round (though he could be long gone by this point, Dallas could pick him at 12).

• Other(s) - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina; TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

• This is the spot where a lot of people will expect to see Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. I'm going to be honest, I've flipped back and forth a thousand different times about what to do with this pick, and I'm still not confident in it going into the draft. On face value the Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. As things stand right now, the only quarterbacks on the Steelers active roster are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, neither one of them fill me with the most confidence going into the season. After Miami's Cam Ward, Sanders is widely considered to be the second best quarterback in the draft, possesses good accuracy and excellent toughness that I'm sure a team like the Steelers can appreciate. But the closer we get to the draft the more unlikely it feels like Sanders will be the pick here, especially after Pittsburgh reporter Gerry Dulac adamantly said the Steelers will not select a quarterback in the first round, and that anchoring the defense is the teams top priority. Looking back throughout the entire offseason I would tend to agree. One thing that you can always bet on in the draft is that head coach Mike Tomlin will tip his hand ever so slightly early on in the process, as players such as Najee Harris and Kenny Pickett were constantly linked with the Steelers throughout their respective offseasons. This time around it seems like Tomlin has taken a liking to some of the draft's top interior defensive linemen, spending a good amount of time with them throughout the offseason. After losing Larry Ogunjobi to Buffalo in free agency, and with Cameron Heyward turning 36 in May, it would make all the sense in the world for the Steelers to select one of the top tackles in this year's class. With both Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon available, I'm going to lean with the latter and take Harmon here with the 21st pick in the draft. A player built for the AFC North, 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 Steelers. 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 and would be a great option to eventually replace Heyward.

• Other(s) - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan; Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

• The same pick as I had in mock draft 1.0, Kenneth Grant to the Chargers, reuniting with former head coach Jim Harbaugh just makes all the sense in the world, doesn't it? Now, I'm sure there will be a contingent of Charger fans who would like to see them give quarterback Justin Herbert some more weapons, there's no doubt that the defensive line is an area of concern going into next season. Though they re-signed Teair Tart to a one year extension, the Chargers lost the likes of Morgan Fox (Atlanta) and Poona Ford (Los Angeles Rams) to free agency this offseason. Sure they signed Da'Shawn Hand from Miami but as of right now Scott Matlock, someone who played more snaps at fullback (362) then defensive end (137) is currently holding down one of the starting positions along the Chargers defensive line. No offense to Matlock or anything, but I think a team coached by the likes of Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter are going to want to add to a defensive line that is in need of some more depth. With Michigan's Kenneth Grant available, someone who both Harbaugh and Minter coached in college, it just makes all the sense in the world to have him go 22nd here to the Chargers. Someone Harbaugh said was 'a gift from the football gods,' Grant is a massive presence in the middle that possesses great quickness and power. Best against the run and the short passing game, Grant 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 Harbaugh covets on either the offensive or defensive line, giving the Chargers a nice presence in the middle of their defense.

• Other(s) - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

23. Green Bay Packers - Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M

• I am really torn about what to do here for the Green Bay Packers. For the first two mock drafts I had the Green Bay Packers selecting Texas corner Jahdae Barron with the 23rd pick in the draft. Though I think corner is still a big time need for the Packers going into the draft, I just don't know if they'd actually target Barron at this point in time (barring a trade up the board). With Jaire Alexander's future seemingly always in question, I'm sure corner will be a position they address more than once throughout the draft, just doesn't seem likely at this point in time to be in the first round. Another position of need for Green Bay could come at the receiver position, as even running back Josh Jacobs said, 'I love our receivers, but we need a proven number one guy.' Whether that means draft one in the first round remains to be seen, as again we hear every single year that the Packers haven't draft a receiver in the first round since they took Javon Walker back in 2002. As much of a need as that may seem, history suggests that they will probably go in a different direction. If we're basing this pick on recent draft history, Green Bay has seemed to target toolsy and athletic players on the defensive side of the ball. Players like Lukas Van Ness (13, 2023), Quay Walker (22, 2022), Devonte Wyatt (28, 2022), Eric Stokes (29, 2021), and Rashan Gary (12, 2019) all seem to fit that mold. With general manager Brian Gutekunst using three first round picks on SEC players since 2021, I think the player that checks all those boxes would be Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart. Though there's a very solid chance he's long gone by this pick, I think he fits what the Packers tend to look for in early round prospects. After posting rather 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, which is why he's perfect for the Packers. 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 Packers defensive front as his speed and power would make him a real threat and an ideal pick for Green Bay here at pick 23 (again, he could be long gone by this point).

• Other(s) - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

24. Minnesota Vikings - Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama

• The Minnesota Vikings are going to be one of the teams to watch come draft night, and it's not really about who they end up selecting, it's more about whether they actually stay and pick here or not. With four draft picks in total, the Vikings have by far the least amount of capital going into the draft as they are the only team to possess less than five picks. Like, obviously the Vikings currently hold he 24th pick, but they don't end up picking again until pick 97 in the third round. Though there is a very solid chance Minnesota ends up trading this pick, I still think there's a reality where they stay and take the highest rated player on their board. I know every draft is different but looking back to 2005 the New York Giants possessed only four draft picks as well, only their first pick didn't come until pick 43 in the second round. Despite not having the most capital the Giants aced at least three of those four picks, taking Corey Webster (43), Justin Tuck (74), and Brandon Jacobs (110), three players who were very important in their eventual Super Bowl championship a few years later. Again, I'm not saying that's what's going to happen here, but just because you have a limited number of picks doesn't mean you can't maximize them to the fullest. With that being said, I'm sure a lot of people out there will be expecting to see the Vikings take one of the top defenders on their board, preferably a defensive lineman or a secondary piece (corner or safety). Though those are realistic options, part of me thinks that they'll continue to try and beef up the offensive line. So far this offseason Minnesota has brought in the likes of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly to fill up one of the guard and center spot(s). As nice of a pick up as those two are, there is still a decent sized hole at the other guard position, and with soon to be starter JJ McCarthy coming off a fully torn meniscus, I think it may be in the Vikings best interest to continue to bolster the offensive line. If he's available, I think Alabama's Tyler Booker would make a lot of sense for Minnesota here at 24. A teammate of McCarthy's in high school, Booker is one of the best interior offensive lineman in this class. At 6'5" 325 lbs. Booker allowed zero sacks in 13-starts for the Crimson Tide this past season. 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 make an instant impact in Minnesota. An absolute physical specimen who loves to flatten people, if the Vikings want to continue to re-build their offensive line, they could do a lot worse than selecting Booker here at 24. Booker stated that he makes, 'guys not love football anymore,' you love to have that on the offensive line.

• Other(s) - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas; Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State

25. Houston Texans - Donovan Jackson, iOL/OT, Ohio State

• Long story short, the Houston Texans need to protect quarterback CJ Stroud much better than they did this past season. The second most sacked quarterback in the league, Stroud took somewhat of a step back in his second season with the team. Obviously there are a lot of different factors that go into said step back, but to me the main reason for that comes along the offensive line. Sure losing the likes of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to major knee injuries didn't help anything, but when you're getting sacked eight times in a singular playoff game, something has got to change up front which is something Houston has done a lot of so far this offseason. So far they've traded the likes of Laremy Tunsil to Washington and Kenyon Green to Philadelphia, while replacing them with the likes of Trent Brown (Cincinnati), Ed Ingram (Minnesota), Cam Robinson (Minnesota), and Laken Tomlinson (Seattle). Though they traded for Ingram, the other three were signed to just one year deals, meaning that they should be far from done addressing the offensive line this offseason. Though this may not be the player you were expecting to see, I'm going to have Houston pick the Houston born Ohio State Buckeye Donovan Jackson here with the 25th pick in the draft. A versatile lineman who can line up at both tackle and guard, Jackson was shifted out to left tackle following the injury to starter Josh Simmons and filled in rather nicely as the Buckeyes went on to win the National Championship. Possessing really good bench and strength, Jackson is probably best suited to lining up at guard at the next level, which works fine for Houston. Playing for Ohio State you have to be equally adept in the run as you are in the pass, and Jackson does well in both areas. In pass protection Jackson uses his aforementioned strength and stays firm at the point of attack, while also bending with the pass rush and not getting thrown off by different pass rush moves. In the run he possesses a good amount of athleticism to make it to the second level, excellent when used in pulling situations and really good at sealing the edge. That mixed with good hand placement makes him a hard lineman to get by in both the pass and run game. Like I mentioned before, Houston's main goal is to keep CJ Stroud upright for the foreseeable future, and by adding Jackson the Texans would be doing just that. A natural guard who can shift out to tackle in a pinch, Jackson would be a very nice addition for Houston here at 25.

• Other(s) - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon; Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

26. Los Angeles Rams - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

• If we're looking at potential first round landing spots for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, this would be one of the places I could see him winding up. Though quarterback Matthew Stafford agreed to re-structure his contract this past offseason, the former Super Bowl champ turned 37 back in February, and he's not looking to get younger any time soon. Dart, a USC product before transferring to Ole Miss, would be a very nice longterm option for McVay and co. at the quarterback position. That being said, taking a peek at the Rams recent draft strategy I think they'd rather focus their attention on the defensive side of the ball, at least that's how I'm seeing it now. Players like Byron Young, Kobbie Turner, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske have all made pretty significant impacts since coming into the league, accelerating the Rams apparent 'rebuild' a lot sooner than most expected. Much like the Kansas City Chiefs, I could really see the Rams continuing to invest in young talent on the defensive side of the ball, as they still have a some needs on that side despite their successful drafting in recent years. Last season, Los Angeles ranked in the bottom 10 in regards to total defense while ranking in the bottom half in regards to passing and rushing defense. Despite re-signing corner Ahkello Witherspoon to a one year deal, corner is still a pretty big need for the Rams going into this season, which is why I have them selecting Texas' Jahdae Barron here with the 26th pick in the draft. 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. Whether you play him inside or outside, Barron will make plays for you on the defensive side of the ball.

• Other(s) - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan; Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

27. Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

• The Baltimore Ravens could really go any direction with their first pick in the draft, as offensive line, cornerback, safety, and defensive tackle could all go down as the team's 'top' need going into the draft. At face value the offensive line would seem to be their biggest need, as though they re-signed Ronnie Stanley to a new three year $60-million deal, this past season was the first time he had ever started every single game in a season. Mind you, he was drafted in 2016. As great of a tackle as he is, can you fully count on him to stay healthy for an entire season? I guess we'll have to wait and see if last year was a fluke or not in regards to his health. Apart from him though Baltimore did lose Patrick Mekari to Jacksonville this offseason, leaving a hole open at the guard spot. As important as those positions as, I feel like the Ravens may look to strengthen their defense here in a first round, as they should look to re-tool a defense that was massively inconsistent throughout all of last season. Even though Kyle Van Noy led the team with 12.5-sacks this past season, he turned 34 in January and will entering free agency next offseason, as will Odafe Oweh who finished second on the team in sacks with 10, meaning I could see Baltimore target someone like Shemar Stewart with this pick. Though that could be the case, I just have a hard time envisioning them passing on Georgia's Malaki Starks with this pick. Though it would be pretty surprising if he fell 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. Described as a 'culture driver' by Albert Beer, Starks would be an excellent addition to Baltimore's defense, giving them a true leader in the secondary.

• Other(s) - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina; Shemar Stewart, DL/EDGE, Texas A&M

28. New York Giants (via Detroit) - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

• The first (and only trade) in my final mock draft involves the New York Giants trading back into the first round to select Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart. The Giants are really creatures of habit, aren't they? I mean, they selected Duke's Daniel Jones because he was coached by the same guy that coached Eli Manning in college, and now they could very well be taking a guy that went to Eli's college as well. I guess they're not really creatures of habit, they just love themselves some Eli Manning. As the greatest quarterback in team history, it's really not that hard to see why. But this pick, if it were to happen would stir up a bunch of controversy, as this would mean that the New York Giants traded back into the first round to select a quarterback not named Shedeur Sanders, someone the Giants have seemingly been flirting with throughout this past college football season. Not only that, but for as long as I can remember the national consensus was that Sanders was the second best quarterback in the draft behind Miami's Cam Ward, so what gives? Well for starters I guess Sanders didn't have the greatest meeting with the Giants brass, including head coach Brian Daboll. Secondly, would it be fair to say that Jaxson Dart would fit more of what the aforementioned Daboll wants to do on offense rather than Sanders? As good as Sanders is, I'm sure Daboll wants his quarterback to play a little bit more off script, being able to extend plays with his legs while also being able to make throws from the pocket. Not saying Sanders isn't a good athlete or anything, I just think Dart fits within the system better than Sanders does. On Dart, the dude can make damn near every single throw on the field. A production machine while at Ole Miss, Dart ran a lot of RPOs in Lane Kiffin's offense, able to get the ball out quick to the receivers on both crossing routes and the deep ball. On the latter Dart puts very nice touch on the ball, hardly putting his receivers in precarious situations. A good athlete, Dart can make numerous plays with his feet, and though he has the ability to make plays off script he can be a little reckless at times, sometimes trying to run over a defender ran than stepping out of bounds or sliding. Coming from an RPO based offense, questions will be raised about his overall ability to see the field, but the dude has all the makings of a solid NFL quarterback. Good arm, athletic, and not afraid to take a hit in the pocket (hopefully he starts sliding a little more), Dart makes a lot of sense for the Giants who move back into the first round to snag their hopeful quarterback of the future.

• Other(s) - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (Detroit); Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

29. Washington Commanders - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

• The Washington Commanders had two pretty big needs going into this offseason, both coming on the offensive side of the ball. This past season rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels put up some ridiculous numbers as the team made it all the way to the NFC Championship game, where they ultimately got shit stomped by the eventual Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the main thing for Washington is to make sure last seasons impressive 12-5 record and post season run were not a fluke. As of right now, at face value they've done a good job at filling some of those aforementioned needs, trading for 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel for a 2025 fifth round selection (147) and Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil (plus a 2025 fourth round pick) for 2025 third and seventh round picks along with 2026 second and fourth round picks. Both players fill immediate needs for the team but as for Samuel, I wouldn't be shocked if Washington indeed moved for more receivers in the draft. That being said I don't know if they'll go that direction here in the first round, as I'm sure head coach Dan Quinn will want to fill some holes on the defensive side of the ball, whether that be at corner or edge rusher. Though some may argue corner is a bigger need, I think Marshon Lattimore can keep them at bay in the first round, at least in the first round. As for edge rusher the Commanders lost Dante Fowler Jr., who ended up signing with the division rival Cowboys fresh off of a 10.5-sack season, which led the team. As of right now their starting edge rushers are Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong, who in fairness did finish third on the team in sacks with five. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be too confident if I had to start Ferrell every week, which is why I'm going to have them move for Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku. Despite putting up some pretty ridiculous numbers this past season for the Golden Eagles, Ezeiruaku stock really started to trend upwards after his week at the Senior Bowl, impressing teams in one-on-one drills with his use of speed and ridiculous bend to get around offensive tackles. Though not the biggest at 6'2" 247 lbs., Ezeiruaku totaled 16.5-sacks (second only to Marshall's Mike Green) and three forced fumbles as he was named a Consensus All-American. The Senior Bowl brought him to a more to a national stage, but Ezeiruaku's aforementioned speed and bend were on display a bunch while in college, possessing great length and an excellent burst off the line of scrimmage, meeting blockers as they get back to depth. His defending against the run may need some more fine tuning, but his athleticism, bend, and length would give Washington a dangerous defender off the edge.

• Other(s) - Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss; Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

30. Buffalo Bills - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

• Will Johnson's draft stock has seemingly been all over the place since last offseason. Widely considered to be the draft's top corner before the start of last season, kicking things off with an 86-yard pick six against Fresno State in week one. After that though things started to go down for Johnson as he only appeared in four games following their 30-10 win against the Bulldogs, missing most of the season due to a mixture of a shoulder contusion and a bout with turf toe which sustained in a 27-17 road loss against Washington. Despite only appearing in five games, Johnson was still selected as a second team All American and second team All Big Ten. Johnson's talent has never been the question, but the injuries he battled this past season and a knee issue that could affect his longterm health have raised some red flags. causing him to slide a little bit further than his talent ultimately suggests. If teams are able to look past that then there'd be no reason to why he couldn't go much sooner than this, but that's the Buffalo Bills gain as he falls to them at 30. As the draft approaches the Bills needs are becoming more clear, with them lying along the defensive line and in the secondary. Though they signed the likes of Joey Bosa (Los Angeles Chargers), Michael Hoecht (Los Angeles Rams), and Larry Ogunjobi (Pittsburgh), the Bills are still in need of a boost along the defensive line, especially with the latter two serving six game suspensions to start the season. Someone like Arkansas' Landon Jackson would make a lot of sense to me if they chose to stay and pick at 30, but if Johnson falls far enough I could see them striking a deal with someone like the Vikings (who only have four picks, the least in the league) to snatch him at 24. Though the Bills have a top-10 corner in the form of Christian Benford locked down to a four year $76-million contract, the corner opposite of him is still up in the air. Sure they signed former players such as Dane Jackson and Tre'Davious White (which I love) but neither of them are the longterm answer at the position opposite of the aforementioned Benford. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 202 lbs., Johnson boasts the ideal size that the Bills tend to look for in their corners. 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. Again, the injuries could see him slide a lot further than his talent suggests, but his size and skillset would make for a perfect fit in Buffalo, giving the Bills one of the best young corner tandems in the league. The Bills have 10-picks, if Johnson falls they should could definitely strike a trade to take him in the first round.

• Other(s) - Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss; Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

31. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

• If you were fortunate enough to watch this past year's Super Bowl, the Chiefs offensive line was absolutely dismantled by the Eagles relentless pass rush, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes getting sacked six times throughout the course of the game. Now, the Chiefs have made some moves so far this offseason to address the woes along the offensive line, signing Jaylon Moore from San Francisco while also placing a non-exclusive franchise tag on Trey Smith. Sure they traded Joe Thuney to the Bears for a fourth round pick (which surprised me), but he'll be 33 in November and was shunted out to tackle for a decent amount of time last season. Though I can get behind the signing of Jaylon Moore, that fact is that he's only started 12-games throughout his four year career. That mixed with Jawaan Taylor being a walking penalty makes me think that offensive tackle is still very much an option here at 31. With all that being said this pick is probably going to end up pissing me off, because the Chiefs are more than likely to chose between one of Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. or Ohio State's Josh Simmons. Throughout the entire process I've had the Chiefs taking the latter, but for whatever reason today I've really toyed with the idea of sending Conerly to Kansas City. I'm good for at least one of these a year, as there's a specific team/player match up that I have the entire time then decide to change it at the last second. Not this year though, as I'm going to stick to my guns and give the Chiefs Josh Simmons here with the 31st pick in the draft. Like I mentioned before, if Josh Simmons is available the Chiefs have to take him. As I've stated in previous mock drafts, 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 have gone much higher than this had it not been for the injury, but for now (once again) 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; Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State

32. Philadelphia Eagles - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

• This would be a very typical Philadelphia Eagles first round pick, wouldn't it? I mean, they have absolute no right to be able to select a player as good as Alabama's Jihaad Campbell all the way down at 32 and yet, it's not unrealistic. If he weren't recovering from shoulder surgery, barring some ridiculous trade up the draft board there'd be absolutely zero chance the Eagles would be able to take Campbell in the first. A self proclaimed 'Mr. Can-do-it-al'l and 'Swiss Army Knife,' Campbell would add another element to an Eagles defense that can boast some serious talent. Though he was 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). Again praised for his leadership, I think Campbell would be the perfect addition to the Eagles on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker may not be their most pressing need on paper going into the draft, but with the amount of plays Campbell can make on the defensive side of the ball (and just the fact that he's available) you could really do a whole lot worse. I think Campbell would be an excellent addition to the Eagles defense, offering them a fantastic 'do everything' player here with the last pick in the first round.

• Other(s) - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina; Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

Positions Drafted

• Quarterbacks - 2

• Running Backs - 1

• Wide Receivers - 4 (including Travis Hunter)

• Tight Ends - 2

• Offensive Tackles - 4

• Interior Offensive Line - 3

• Interior Defensive Line - 4

• EDGE Rushers - 7

• Linebackers - 1

• Cornerbacks - 4 (including Travis Hunter)

• Safeties - 1

Just Missed Out (20)

*alphabetical order by position

• Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

• Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

• Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

• Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

• Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

• Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo

• Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State

• Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

• Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA

• Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

• Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

• 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

• Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

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