The Draft "Expert" - 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Logan Blackman
9 hours ago
51 min read

YouTube: coming soon...

Hello everyone and welcome to MOCK DRAFT 1.0! This is truly an exciting time ladies and gentlemen, as this is the first officially official mock draft of the draft season! Sure I did a pre-postseason mock draft, but that one pales in comparison to the might and beauty of this one!

All jokes aside I am as always truly excited to be presenting this to you, especially since I think I've changed my mind upwards of a thousand times for damn near each and every team! Obviously some picks were easier than others, but if you're an over thinker like me, even the most simple task can prove to be stressful.

Who am I kidding? I mean, this mock draft is going to be completely irrelevant by the time the actually draft rolls around. Like, we haven't even reaching the NFL Combine yet, so a player who I have on the outside looking in could wind up being a top-10 pick! We may never know!

Regardless, in this mock draft there will feature two quarterbacks, one running back, six wide receivers, one tight end, six offensive tackles, one interior offensive lineman, two interior defensive linemen, five edge rushers (depending on who you ask), three linebackers (again, depending on who you ask), four corners, and two safeties!

I think that's a long enough intro, don't you? So without any further delay, I, Logan Blackman, host of the Logan Blackman Show and self proclaimed Draft "Expert" am proud to present to you MOCK DRAFT 1.0! Enjoy!

Podcast Links

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State; Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame; Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Out of all the picks in the draft, this is the one everyone should feel the most confident in happening, right? Long story short the Las Vegas Raiders were just not a good team last year, and though there were a multitude of different reasons for why they were as bad as they were, most of any teams problems will get thrown at the feet of one position, quarterback. Despite having a career resurgence in Seattle, the newly acquired Geno Smith seemingly reverted back to his time in New Jersey, throwing for less yards and registering less touchdowns while also totaling more interceptions in any season since arriving with the Seahawks. It was bad, and with Klint Kubiak coming in as the team's new head coach, one would expect the Raiders to gift him an exciting young quarterback to work with on offense to pair with the likes of Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Though he may not be the most hyped prospect of all time, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the clear choice here for the Raiders at first overall. A National Champion as well as a Heisman Trophy winner, Mendoza possesses a lot of traits teams look for in potential franchise quarterbacks. At 6'5" Mendoza possesses the ideal size for the position. Not only that but he is mobile, tough as hell, and an absolute student of the game, with his post game interviews earning him the dork label, which I don't think is a bad thing. All in all I feel like minority owner Tom Brady will fall in love with Mendoza as a prospect. Though there's going to be some questions raised about the type of offense he ran in college, overall I think Mendoza would be an excellent pick by the Raiders, giving them a potential franchise quarterback in the process.

2. New York Jets - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

In a perfect world the New York Jets would follow the Raiders lead by selecting a potential franchise quarterback here with the second overall pick, right? Well, a few months ago that seemed to be the reality as Oregon's Dante Moore and Alabama's Ty Simpson were definitely in the conversation to be selected with one of the top picks in the draft. But with Moore going back to school and Simpson struggling with injuries and consistent play the back half of the season, the likelihood of them selecting a quarterback here at two is incredibly slim (what if they strike a trade with the Raiders?). With quarterback essentially off the board it would make the most sense (to me, anyways) that the Jets look to add a potential difference marker to the defensive side of the ball. After trading away with the likes of Ahmad Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the Jets don't really have any players of note on a unit that ranked in the bottom-10 in total and scoring defense this past season. Though they have their pick of the litter, the Jets will have a tough time deciding between Miami's Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State's Arvell Reese, and Texas Tech's David Bailey. Now, conventional wisdom suggests that the Jets go for Reese here, as he is widely considered to be one of the top two players in this draft. Possessing excellent vision and natural instincts while also showing off excellent burst, Reese would make a lot of sense for the Jets here at two. The only issue is that what position does he play? Despite spending most of his time at linebacker, many out there project him to make the move to the outside as an edge rusher, much like Micah Parsons. Though he may be the most talented player in the draft, "gadget" or "position-less" tend to slide a little further than their talent may suggest. With that I could see the Jets moving for a more "natural" edge rusher, taking Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. here with the second pick in the draft. Given that Aaron Glenn prefers his edge rushers to have their hand in the dirt, Bain would be the best fit for his system out of the other top edge rushing prospects. He is ultra disruptive, using his hands to jolt offensive linemen back before using his combination of bend, power, and speed to make plays. Excellent motor, the only thing really hurting Bain's stock is his size (6'3" 275 lbs.) and perceived lack of length. Though there will be some concerns in those departments, the dude is a great football player and I feel would be an excellent addition to the Jets defensive line (Jermaine Johnson's future is in question).

3. Arizona Cardinals - Francis Mauigoa, iOL/OT, Miami (FL)

In my pre-postseason mock draft I had the Cardinals selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, and though the team will be in need of a quarterback as it looks incredibly likely that Kyler Murray will be playing elsewhere next season, I do think they'll look in a different direction than quarterback this time around. Now you'd be well within your rights to question why I had Simpson going as high as three in my last mock draft, that being said I can (and will) try to explain myself. On one hand quarterbacks can sometimes go way earlier than their player ranking suggests (i.e. Daniel Jones in 2019), and given Arizona's potential need at the position it felt like a natural fit. On the other hand given how stacked next year's class looks (at this point in time) it would also make sense to just right this year off and look to add one in 2027, which is essentially what I'm doing here. Instead of taking a quarterback I'm going to have them select someone to protect said position, taking Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa here with the third pick in the draft. With Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams both entering free agency this offseason, the need for a bookend right tackle is evident. An absolute mauler, Mauigoa is arguably the most consistent tackle in this year's class, taking the fight to on coming pass rushers. At 6'6" 315 lbs., Mauigoa is a natural right tackle (could play guard at the next level) who gave up only one sack for Miami as they made it to the National Championship game this past season. He's a standout blocker and would the Cardinals some nastiness along their offensive line.

4. Tennessee Titans - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

I'm not going to lie, I struggled a decent amount with this pick. On one hand I wanted to give last year's first overall pick Cam Ward some help on the offensive side of the ball, either out wide or along the offensive line. To everybody watching, Ward was really the lone bright spot on a Tennessee Titans team that won only three games this past season. Despite lacking a true "go-to" weapon on the outside, Ward finished the season with 3,100+ passing yards with 15-touchdowns and seven interceptions, and though that wasn't enough to get him on the ballot for offensive rookie of the year, his efforts have not gone un-noticed (at least by me). Again, I would love to gift him another weapon on the outside to pair with the likes of Chamere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, but feel new head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi (who came from Kansas City) would rather address the defensive side of the ball with the fourth pick in the draft. Though Jeffery Simmons is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL, he could definitely use some help in getting after the quarterback, especially with the likes of Sebastian Joseph-Day, Arden Key, and Jihad Ward are all entering free agency. With that I feel like they may move for someone like Texas Tech's David Bailey here with the fourth overall selection. Much like I brought up before with Rueben Bain fitting in Aaron Glenn's system, Bailey is the type of end that would work well in the aforementioned Saleh's, who likes his rushers standing up over the tackle. Though there will be some comments about them not taking Ohio State's Arvell Reese, Bailey is a natural edge rusher who I could really see Saleh falling in love with. Bailey played a massive part in Texas Tech's run to the College Football Playoff this past season. Throughout said season Bailey showed his worth, registering a national leading 14.5-sacks and a 20.1% pressure win rate. Possessing excellent first step quickness, Bailey has numerous moves he can beat you with while also boasting some powerful hands. He's got so much speed and breezes past opposing offensive linemen with ease, giving the Titans a legit pass rusher to get after the quarterback, helping improve their defensive side of the ball.

5. New York Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Much like the Titans pick before, the New York Giants are another team who I desperately wanted to gift another weapon for their young up and coming quarterback. Despite having a receiver as insanely talented as Malik Nabers already on the roster, he will be coming off of a torn ACL after appearing in just four games this past season. With last season's leading receiver Wan'Dale Robinson entering free agency this offseason, the weapons department (barring Nabers) is looking pretty thin for the Giants as things stand right now. Apart from getting Jaxson Dart another weapon, right tackle is another position of need as well, as last season's starter Jermaine Eluemunor is also entering free agency this offseason. With top options at both positions available here at pick number five, it would make a lot of sense for the Giants to move in either one of those directions, right? Though it could still happen, with the Giants hiring longtime Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh this offseason, I feel like they may look to actually address the defensive side of the ball with their first pick, most notably in the secondary as Harbaugh is a former defensive backs coach and defensive back himself from his time in college. Along with that, given that he found a lot of success with the like of Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton at the safety position (who wouldn't?) I feel like they may look to draft Ohio State's Caleb Downs here with the fifth pick in the draft. Though I'm sure that there will be some people who hate this pick due to the positional value, Downs is anything but your typical safety prospect. Talked about in the same breath as Eric Berry in regards to a prospect, Downs is somebody who can potentially change the course of your franchise on defense. Arguably the best overall player in the class, Downs is as versatile as they come, as well as being a sure tackler who possesses excellent instincts, being able to diagnose plays without a second of hesitation. The Giants, who ranked in the bottom five in total defense last season, who love to have someone like Downs. Able to again line up anywhere in the secondary, able to match-up well in coverage and able to make big hits in the run game, Downs is a true leader and do everything player that should take away the fear of drafting a safety "too high."

6. Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

This pick is as straight forward as they come. Long story short, the Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of bodies along the offensive line. I'm not exaggerating when I say this, but as of right now the Browns literally have no returning starters along the offensive line as the likes of Joel Bitonio (LG), Jack Conklin (RT), Ethan Pocic (C), Cam Robinson (LT), and Wyatt Teller (RG) are all entering free agency this offseason. I don't know about you, but in my time watching the National Football League I don't think I've ever seen something like this. I mean, all five starters along the offensive line are entering free agency? Really? All that being said the Browns do possess two first round picks (pick 24 via Jacksonville) so there could be a reality where they go receiver here and offensive line at 24, but with the need for the latter being as great as it is, I have a hard time believing they'd pass on one of the top tackles here with the sixth overall pick. With that being said, with Miami's Francis Mauigoa going third overall to Arizona, I feel like Cleveland will wind up selecting Utah's Spencer Fano with their first of two first round selections. Formally a left tackle, Fano started 24-games at right tackle across the past two seasons. At 6'6" 302 lbs., Fano possesses really light feet while also being technically sound, giving up zero sacks in 12-starts last season. Now, questions may be brought up due to his frame and perceived "lack" of length, but there's no denying that the reigning Outland Trophy winner would provide a solid piece at tackle for the Browns moving forward.

7. Washington Commanders - Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

From everything that I've gathered so far this offseason, the main goal for Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders is to get younger on the defensive side of the ball. Despite there not being a ton of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, it's hard not to understand why their main goal would be to strengthen a unit that ranked dead last in total defense this past season. With that being said you could really go in a multitude of different directions with this pick, whether that be along the defensive line (primarily along the edge), linebacker, and defensive back. Though I think someone like Ohio State's Sonny Styles would make a ton of sense here given the fact that Bobby Wagner is a free agent this offseason and turns 36 in June, but based on recent comments from the aforementioned Quinn, edge rusher and corner seem more likely at this point in time. Though LSU corner Mansoor Delane would be very tempting here, I feel like (should he be available) that Ohio State's Arvell Reese would be the ultimate difference maker for the Commanders on the defensive side of the ball. I know I know, conventional wisdom says that there's no chance in hell that Ohio State's Arvell Reese falls down to the Commanders here with the seventh pick, as he is widely considered to be one of, if not the top prospect in this year's draft. Though I completely get that, there are a few factors that weigh in here that may cause Reese to fall slightly further than what his talent would suggest. First off, with three quarterbacks going with the first three picks, position players on both sides of the ball will naturally slide. Secondly, "gadget players" who don't necessarily have a locked in position tend to slide as well, I mean just look at Jalon Walker (15) last year and Micah Parsons (12) in 2021, two players who's talent suggested that they both get taken with top-10 picks. With that, I think this is the exact scenario that head coach Dan Quinn would love, as he was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys when Parsons was drafted 12th overall and throughout the most productive time of his career (so far). Reese is someone I think Dan Quinn would dream of. Listed as a linebacker but more than capable to line up as an edge rusher at the next level, Reese is the most talented defender (maybe even overall player) in this draft class. Possessing excellent vision and natural instincts, while also showing off excellent burst Reese is someone who could cause a lot of problems for opposing defense. Again, though "gadget" type players tend to drop a little further in the draft, I don't think he'd fall past Dan Quinn and the Commanders here at pick number seven.

8. New Orleans Saints - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

I think most New Orleans Saints fans would agree, the main goal this offseason is surround your up and coming quarterback with some weapons along the offensive side of the ball. I know this isn't the way general manager Mickie Loomis traditionally operates as he tends to move towards offensive and defensive linemen with these "premium" picks (and though he still could here), but I feel like the need for some playmakers in either the backfield or out wide should be the move here for the Saints. Though they're not in line to lose any key players in free agency, guys like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave have their futures with the organization seemingly always in question, especially as the former turns 31 in July and the latter is recovering from a blood clot in his leg, not to mention the amount of other injuries he's battled throughout his time in New Orleans. With that, I think the prime candidates for this pick would be either Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Though both have a fair shot at being selected here, I do feel Loomis may lean wide receiver earlier and select the Ohio State product here with the eighth pick in the draft. Another product of WR-U, Tate was one of the best big play threats in all of college football. Averaging a whopping 17.5-yards per catch, Tate would give Ward and the Titans a true big play number option along the outside. Though he missed some time this past season due to injury, Tate's size (6'3" 195 lbs.), route running, body control, hands, and willingness to block will make him hard to pass on for a receiver needy team like the Saints, giving them another Ohio State product on the outside (Tyler Shough approves).

9. Kansas City Chiefs - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

In my honest opinion, this would be an absolute dream scenario here for the Kansas City Chiefs, as the two players that I feel like they'd be targeting are both available here with the ninth pick in the draft. For those wondering, the two players in question are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.. Though the need for a wide receiver is there as well, I feel like the Chiefs may prioritize the run game or the pass rusher with their first pick, pretty much just depending on who's all available. With that being said, conventional wisdom may suggest that the Chiefs move towards the Miami product with this pick, as general manager Brett Veach has seemingly prioritized the defense in the earlier round in recent years. I mean, looking at their defense as a whole, six of their 11-starters were taken in each of the first three rounds, with a further nine of those starters being drafted by the Chiefs in general. The thought process is seemingly that they need to strengthen the defense more as the offense already possesses Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid (they can figure it out, right?). With that being said, if both of their top players are available, I feel like that they should look to add Love here with the ninth pick in the draft. This past season the Chiefs ranked in the bottom-10 in rushing offense, and with Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco both entering free agency, running back is definitely an area of concern for the offense moving forward. The thing is though, Love is anything but your traditional running back prospect. ne of the best backs in Notre Dame history, Love finished up this past season with 1,300+ yards rushing with 18-touchdowns to go along with 280-yards receiving and three more touchdowns there. One of the most dangerous players in the open field, Love possesses excellent size (6'0" 214 lbs.) and explosiveness that see's him break tackles with ease (60-forced missed tackles) while also being able to beat defenders for speed once he gets to the outside. He could add so much to this offense as both a runner and a pass catcher, giving the Chiefs a nice option out of the backfield.

10. Cincinnati Bengals - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

It's no secret to anyone out there that the Cincinnati Bengals possess some of the most electrifying talent in the NFL, on the offensive side of the ball that is. As for the defense the Bengals are in need of a major makeover, as they are the unit mostly responsible for the Bengals recent failures in trying to make the Playoffs. I mean, this team was in the Super Bowl not that long ago, and yet have missed the Playoffs each of the last three seasons. Sure the health and fitness of quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Tee Higgins has been inconsistent to say the least, but even with the likes of Joe Flacco under center the offense was still able to put up a good amount of points, it's just that the defense gave up so many points that any offensive effort proved futile. This past season the Bengals ranked in the bottom two in total and in the bottom three in scoring defense, all while giving up 7.8 yards per pass (bottom five) and 5.2 yards per run (bottom two), ranking dead last in the league in regards to rush yards allowed per game. Like I said before, this team needs a major makeover on defense, and with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson potentially leaving this offseason, edge rusher may be the position to target here at pick number 10. Given the fact that they took Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart in last year's draft, I feel like the Bengals may go after a more "traitsy" guy here as well and select Auburn's Keldric Faulk with the 10th pick in the draft. One of the youngest players in the draft, Faulk is someone who definitely looks the part of a legit 4-3 defensive end at the next level. At 6'6" 285 lbs. Faulk compares to Mykel Williams and Greg Rousseau, but what could scare teams away is the lack of production. That being said, despite only registering two sacks this past season Faulk possesses a good amount of positional versatility, good pass rushing moves, and the ability to make plays in the run game by setting a strong edge. He's this year's high potential yet insanely raw prospect who will divide opinions all the way up until draft time. Faulk could really go anywhere in the first round, but I feel like a team like the Bengals would be more than happy to select him here with a top-10 pick.

11. Miami Dolphins - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Miami Dolphins decided to head in a new direction this offseason, firing perceived offensive genius Mike McDaniel while bringing in former Green Bay Packer defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to serve as the team's new head coach. I can't lie, I was a little surprised to see them move on from McDaniel. Not because I thought he was this amazing coach or anything, but it felt like everything was pointing in the direction of them keeping him on for at least one more season. That being said along with McDaniel, the Dolphins also fired long time general manager Chris Grier midway through the season, bringing in another former Packer in the form of Jon-Eric Sullivan, who had served as the team's vice president of player personal since 2022. With a seemingly unified direction for the team, I would imagine Miami would look to try and strengthen the defensive side of the ball with their opening pick in the draft. Though they could go in a couple different directions, I would guess that they would look to target a defensive back here, as only one player (Rasul Douglas, two) tallied more than one interception all last season. With the likes of Douglas, Jack Jones, and Kader Kohou all entering free agency this offseason, someone like LSU's Mansoor Delane would make a ton of sense for Miami here at pick 11. One of the quicker corners in the draft, Delane is a long and fast player who can play well in both zone and man coverage. He also possesses excellent ball skills with quick and fluid hips, picking off eight passes and breaking up a further 27 throughout his four year career (per ESPN). He's got a good amount of upside and would make a lot of sense for the Dolphins here at number 11.

12. Dallas Cowboys - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Much like the Cincinnati Bengals before, most if not all of the Dallas Cowboys' problems lie on the defensive side of the ball. This past season the Cowboys ranked second in both total and passing offense (only behind the Rams) while averaging an impressive 27.7-points per game (good for seventh). With an offense like that, lead by a healthy Dak Prescott, you would think that they would have been a surefire Playoff team, right? Wrong, as their defense did literally everything in their power to make sure that didn't happen. Trading away Micah Parsons prior to the season starting was rough, but it shouldn't have seen the Cowboys rank in the bottom three for total defense while ranking dead last in passing and scoring defense, which saw them finish with a 7-9-1 record. Though I like the idea of trading for Quinnen Williams from the Jets, they still need to add some difference makers on that side of the ball, whether it be at corner, edge rusher, or even linebacker or safety. The Cowboys literally have all options on the table, which can be both a good thing and a scary thing, depending on who you have running your draft. With Jerry Jones still kicking it and very much running the Cowboys draft, there is of course room for nervousness, though I must say I have liked some of the picks he's made in recent years. That being said I feel like either corner or linebacker will ultimately wind up being the pick here, and though I think Ohio State's Sonny Styles may be the overall better player, corner is such a big need for Dallas that I have them taking Tennessee's Jermod McCoy here with the 12th pick in the draft. Though he didn't appear in a single game this past season due to tearing his ACL in January, McCoy's body type (length) and athleticism will see him taken as one of the first corners off the board. Picking off four balls in 2024, McCoy is comfortable hand fighting with receivers and possesses the speed to keep up with the best of them, as well as being able to track them down should they get past him. Though there will be some questions regarding his physicals, there's no doubting his natural talent. I think he'd make a lot of sense for the Cowboys here at 12.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Shout out to the Atlanta Falcons for this one, as the 12-5 Los Angeles Rams, who came up one game shy of appearing in Super Bowl LX are the proud holders of the 13th pick in the draft. This pick is pretty funny because did the Falcons get a fantastic young pass rusher in the back half of this past year's draft? Why yes, as Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. went on to post the first double digit sack season for a rookie since Micah Parsons back in the 2021 season. The problem isn't the player, it's more about what they gave up, as a future first seemed pretty steep to get back into the first round, leaving the eight win Falcons without a first round pick, head coach, or general manager for this upcoming season. I'm sure the Rams won't be doing too much complaining, as they now have two first round picks to bolster a very good roster in the chances of getting past the NFC Championship game next year. To most out there cornerback should be the team's top priority, but with two first round picks I could see them getting a little greedy, which is why I have them taking USC wide receiver Makai Lemon here with the 13th pick in the draft. Now it's not like the Rams are in desperate need for another wide receiver, but with Matthew Stafford coming back for another season and Davonte Adams turning 33 in December, I could very much see a reality where they move for the USC product here. Though he may not be the biggest (5'11" 195 lbs.) Lemon possesses the best hands in the draft, catching damn near everything thrown in his area code. I mean, the dude only had one drop in 110-targets this past season (79-catches), which is ridiculous. Forcing 21-missed tackles, Lemon is not an easy person to bring down after the catch. Though primarily a slot, Lemon can line up anywhere on the outside. He'd be an excellent addition next to the likes of Puka Nacua and the aforementioned Adams, giving Stafford another fantastic target to work with on the outside.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Baltimore Ravens could go a couple different directions with this pick, with most people (I would imagine) believing that they should look to strengthen the defensive side of the ball. For those who believe that I cannot blame you, especially since they could use a boost in pass defense as they ranked second to last in yards per game allowed while also ranking third to last in sack production. Edge rusher or someone on the interior of the defensive line would make a ton of sense here, but for some reason I feel like Baltimore may actually look to address the offensive side of the ball here with this pick, coming in the form of an offensive lineman or wide receiver. With new head coach Jesse Minter coming from Los Angeles with Jim Harbaugh, conventional wisdom may suggest that Baltimore select an offensive lineman here with this pick. Though Penn State's interior lineman Olaivavega Ioane would be a very solid pick here, and with Daniel Faalele and Tyler Linderbaum both entering free agency this offseason would make a lot of sense here. That being said, the Ravens could also use some help at wide receiver, especially given that fact that no one other than Zay Flowers registered more than 400-yards this past season. If someone like Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson were to be available, I have a hard time believing that Baltimore would pass on him here with the 14th pick in the draft. Based on everything on the field, Tyson could go much higher than this. The problem is that he has had some decent injury problems across the past couple seasons, which could see him fall a little bit further than his overall talent suggests. At 6'2" 200 lbs., Tyson possesses the prototypical size teams look for in potential number one receivers at the next level. A very explosive and fluid receiver, Tyson is an absolute pain to lock onto in coverage, and can also make people miss in the open field. Able to make some insane circus like catches to come down with 50/50 balls, Tyson is someone you can throw to a spot and he'll make a play, especially in the red zone. Overall, Tyson would be an excellent addition to the Ravens receiving core, giving them a nice one-two punch on the outside with the aforementioned Flowers.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a very interesting team this past season. Despite starting the season off hot with a 6-2 record (with Baker Mayfield in dark horse MVP conversations) they would go on to lose seven of their last nine games to finish the season with a disappointing 8-9 record which saw them finish second in the division behind the Carolina Panthers. Inconsistencies on both sides of the ball really hurt the Bucs throughout the back half of the season, and with Todd Bowles being a defensive minded head coach, it would make sense for the Bucs to address that side of the ball here with this pick. Though they could do to address multiple areas on the defensive side of the ball, the two main areas in my mind that they should address come at linebacker and at edge rusher. Though they ranked in the middle of the road in regards to sack production as a team this past season (37) the Bucs haven't had a pass rusher register more than eight sacks in a season since Shaquil Barrett did it back in 2021. With the likes of Clemson's T.J. Parker, Miami's Akheem Mesidor, and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell (amongst others) all available, it wouldn't shock me if they wound up going in that direction, but with Lavonte David being an impending free agent (and 36-years old) I would have a hard time imaging them passing on Ohio State's Sonny Styles should he be available here with the 15th pick in the draft. A former safety, Styles possesses excellent speed and play recognition for the position. He is a more than willing tackler, using his speed to close in on rushers before they have a second to think about it. He creates so many negative plays for the opposing offense, making him an ideal target for the Buccaneers here at 15 (positional value may see him fall to here).

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) - Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

I could be wrong, but I feel like most Jet fans out there would love to see their team draft a wide receiver here with their second of two first round selections. I mean, who could blame them? Looking at the receiving room from this past season, not a single one of them registered more than 400-yards, with Garrett Wilson coming the closest with 395. It gets even worse when you dig deeper and find out that Wilson appeared in only eight games this past season, not catching a single pass since their week six loss to the Denver Broncos in London. That being said though I do think there is a pretty solid chance that the Jets do wind up taking a receiver here once the draft officially rolls around, but at this point in time I feel like one of Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and/or USC's Makai Lemon may just be outside of their reach, especially with a few receiver needy teams picking in front of them. Obviously that's subject to change, but the Jets also have so many problems on the defensive side of the ball that they may just wind up taking a corner or defensive tackle here anyways. Like I alluded to before, the Jets are in desperate need for playmakers on that side of the ball, especially after trading away Ahmad Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. With that being said, based on the positions available, I could see them trying to find a potential replacement for the aforementioned Williams. Though they could go a couple of directions, I think they may wind up selecting Clemson's Peter Woods here with the 16th pick in the draft. A powerful defensive lineman at 6'3" 315, Woods mixes power and speed well to cause problems for opposing offenses, showing good leverage in the passing game and great burst in the run game. For his size Woods possesses quick and violent hands, using them to his advantage when making plays in the run game. He moves side-to-side well and shows great effort when chasing down opposing ball carriers. He may not be the most lengthy prospect out there, but he is quick and powerful that would be an excellent addition to the Jets defensive line. Him and Miami's Rueben Bain would definitely help improve things on that side of the ball.

17. Detroit Lions - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Detroit Lions are in need of a tune up this offseason. Coming off of a season where they finished with a 15-2 record, the Lions crashed down to Earth this past season, finishing dead last in the division while posting a 9-8 record. Obviously it did not help that they lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators in the same offseason, but I don't know if people were expecting them to not to make the Playoffs. To get back to that spot, the Lions really should look to sure up the outside of the line(s), both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Starting with the latter, they could really use another edge rusher to partner up with Aidan Hutchinson. Sure the former second overall pick finished with an impressive 14.5-sacks, but the Lions next leading sack getter (Al-Quadin Muhammad) is entering free agency this offseason while also turning 31 in March. Though I feel like drafting someone like Miami's Akheem Mesidor could be a very real option here, I feel like Dan Campbell would love to instead find a potential replacement for longtime tackle Taylor Decker, who has been reported to be contemplating retirement this upcoming offseason. With that being said, I feel like selecting someone like Georgia's Monroe Freeling could very much be the move for the Lions here at pick 17. Someone who is expected to a riser all the way up until draft time, Freeling possesses all the traits teams tend to look for in franchise left tackles. Despite starting just 18-games across his collegiate career, Freeling stands at 6'7" and weighing 315 lbs. with 35" arms, giving him a very intriguing ceiling. He's quick out of his stance while possessing great bend and agility for the position, allowing just two sacks all of last season for the Bulldogs. Though he battled some injuries last season, his aforementioned ceiling makes him an ideal target to replace Decker for the Lions here at 17.

18. Minnesota Vikings - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

This past season was essentially the season from hell for all of those associated with the Minnesota Vikings organization. Whether you're a coach, executive, player, or even fan, everything that could have gone wrong for the purple and gold, went wrong. Now I am exaggerating just a tad here, as the Vikings did actually wind up with the exact record I thought they would preseason (9-8), but I would say that the "pain" of this seasons goes so much further along than just overall record. The main source of the aforementioned pain comes from the quarterback position, as it's no secret that second year rookie (essentially) JJ McCarthy struggled immensely throughout the course of the season, being soft benched at times while registering just 11-touchdowns and 12-interceptions. Though he had some moments, I'm sure it will be hard for Viking fans to have patience with him after watching last season's starting quarterback (Sam Darnold) lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Hindsight is a bitch, ain't it? I mean, at this time last year some fans and media outlets suggested that the Vikings should move on from Darnold, as his last few games of the season (including the Playoffs) left much to be desired. They took a chance, and it blew up in their face (for at least the time being). That chance saw the organization move on from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that and his overall draft record. Though they don't have a general manager for the time being, the Vikings needs this offseason are pretty clear, as they could use some reinforcements in the secondary and along the defensive line. Though they signed the likes of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave last offseason, the pair are both on the wrong side of 30 with the latter entering free agency in 2027. Though someone like Florida's Caleb Banks or Ohio State's Kayden McDonald could be the pick here, I feel like Minnesota should address the secondary with their first pick in the draft. I understand if there was hesitancy around drafting a corner or safety given Kwesi's history, but with him again being gone I feel like some confidence could be re-stored. With franchise legend Harrison Smith potentially retiring this offseason, I feel like Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may be the ideal pick for the Vikings here at 18. Despite playing at a smaller school, McNeil-Warren is an explosive player at the safety position. The dude just makes plays all over the field, totaling two interceptions and three forced fumbles while finishing second on the Rockets in tackles this past season. At 6'2" 202 lbs., McNeil-Warren is a lengthy athlete who is extremely smooth with his movements, able to change direction with ease against both the run and the pass. An aggressive player who again explodes on the ball and ball carriers, McNeil-Warren has the makings of someone who Brian Flores would love to have with him on the defensive side of the ball.

19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

I'm not going to lie, this is one of the picks I struggled with the most throughout this entire mock draft. I'm not exaggerating, I think I change the Carolina Panthers pick more than anyone else's in the process of making this. Now that may come as a surprise to almost everyone out there, as was the fact that not only did the Carolina Panthers make the Playoffs this past season, but also came away with their first NFC South title since 2015. Like, the Panthers were coming off of a 5-12 season that saw then second year quarterback Bryce Young benched for five weeks of the season. Along with that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also coming off of their fourth consecutive division title, and started off this season with an impressive 6-2 record, as I alluded to before. With that this division has been anything but stable throughout it's existence, with damn near every team having even the slightest chance of winning it each year. The Panthers were that team this year, and gave the Los Angeles Rams all they could in the opening round of the Playoffs, despite falling by a score of 34-31. So, how do they replicate or maybe even improve upon what they did this season? Though there's a few different things they could do, one of the top priorities should be improving upon a pass rush that ranked in the bottom five in production last season (30; tied with Arizona and Baltimore). Another way to strengthen could be to add more weapons around the aforementioned Bryce Young, who seemed to have taken some steps in the right direction this past season as he posted career highs in every single major statistical category. Last year's eighth overall pick Tetairoa McMillan proved to be a hit during his rookie season, but apart from him no one on Carolina finished with more than 400-yards receiving. With that I believe the Panthers may again look to add more around Young, which is why I have them selecting Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq here with the 19th pick in the draft. The clear TE1 in this class, Sadiq possesses outstanding speed and athleticism for the position. Explosive out of his break(s), Sadiq is able to make defenders miss with excellent speed after the catch. Able to line up anywhere Sadiq does most of his work on quick screens and wheel routes, with his aforementioned speed making him a match-up nightmare wherever he lines up. Though he may not be the most physically imposing tight end (6'3" 245 lbs.), Sadiq is a fierce and competitive blocker in the run game, which should bode well for the Panthers offense. Overall the dude is just a game changer for an offense, with his athleticism, versatility, and competitive nature setting him apart. He could really go anywhere here in the first round, but I feel like Carolina may be one of the perfect spots for him (NOTE: Ja'Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble registered 439-yards combined last season).

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay) - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The second of two first round picks for the Dallas Cowboys, this pick comes courtesy of the Green Bay Packers thanks to the preseason Micah Parsons trade. Much like I alluded to with their first selection, the Cowboys only priority in this draft should be to strengthen the defensive side of the ball, regardless of position. After taking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with their first pick, the Cowboys can turn their attention to either the defensive line or the secondary. Though corner will definitely be a massive talking point for them going into the draft, especially after cutting Trevon Diggs. But with last year's third round selection Shavon Revel Jr. proving to be a viable starter, and with DaRon Bland signing a big time extension last offseason, I feel like they may look to address the cornerback position later on in the draft. To me, the Cowboys need to find someone to get after the quarterback, especially with Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler entering free agency this offseason. This past season Dallas finished the regular season with 35-sacks (bottom-10), so drafting someone like Clemson's T.J. Parker may be the move here with the 20th pick in the draft. Despite a decent drop in sack production from two seasons ago to this past one (11 sacks to five), Parker proved at the Senior Bowl why he should still be taken with a top selection in this year's draft. A consensus preseason top-10 selection, Parker possesses decent size (6'3" 265 lbs.) and versatility to line up both on the inside and the outside. He may not possess the most elite burst when initially coming off the line, but he more than makes up for it with natural speed and power once he gets going. More of a power guy than a speed guy, Parker he is a problem both on the inside and the outside, giving the Cowboys a versatile player along the defensive line. The production may have been down this past season, but he has the talent to warrant being taken in the first round.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

In one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin decided to part ways. From an outsiders perspective, it felt like Tomlin time in the Steel City was never going to end, with the organization seemingly fine with finishing around .500 every season before getting absolutely blasted in the opening round of the Playoffs. Good enough to make the dance, not good enough to actually make any noise, football purgatory at it's finest. That being said I do respect Tomlin's ability to make the most out of a pretty average roster, going 19-consecutive seasons without a losing record. Regardless of what you think about Tomlin overall, that's damn impressive. Now, with Tomlin gone, the Steelers went out and hired Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy to serve as the team's new head coach. Though a good coach, McCarthy doesn't really fit the mold of what the Steelers tend to look for in a head coach, as he is 62-years old and an offensive minded head coach, far from the Steelers young defensive minded head coaches that you saw them hire the likes of Tomlin, Bill Cowher, and Chuck Noll, all of who were hired before the age of 40. That being said, with McCarthy coming in, that could mean that Aaron Rodgers could come back for at least another season. Regardless of if Rodgers comes back or not, the Steelers are still in need of a quarterback of the future. With McCarthy working with young quarterbacks in the past, it wouldn't surprise me if Pittsburgh went out and selected Alabama's Ty Simpson here with the 21st pick in the draft. If you have been following my weekly quarterback prospect rankings throughout this past season, you'd know that I have held Simpson in pretty high regard, with him taking home the top spot in each weeks rankings from week seven all the way until week 14 following back-to-back rough performances against Eastern Illinois and Auburn. Though he ultimately fell down to number three, Simpson is someone who I think could have been the top pick in the draft if not for some niggling injuries (most notably his back). Arguably the most fearless quarterback in this draft class, Simpson has never been afraid to push the ball down the middle of the field. Possessing excellent pocket mobility and great pre-snap recognition Simpson plays the game with great poise, which is something we don't normally see from a quarterback with his few of starts. There will be questions about his deep ball accuracy (and rightfully so) but when Simpson is in rhythm he's arguably the best quarterback in the country. No one made more "NFL level throws" this past season than Simpson, which is why I could easily see him going here to Pittsburgh.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State

If you watched the Los Angeles Chargers this past season one thing was evidently clear, this team needs major upgrades along both the offensive and defensive lines. Sure the team did well against the run overall, ranking inside the top-10 in regards to rushing defense, but they could definitely do with some more reinforcements, especially since Da'Shawn Hand is entering free agency this offseason (they did re-sign Teair Tart). With all of the top interior defensive line prospects still available, there is a very strong chance that the Chargers look to add one of Clemson's Peter Woods, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald, or Texas Tech's Lee Hunter, I feel like addressing the offensive line here may be the best move for them (given who's available). It's no secret the Chargers struggled immensely with injuries this past season, with the likes of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater starting a combined six games (all Alt). Mixed with that, players like Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman struggled with inconsistent play, both ranking near the bottom in their respective positions in the league. So again, if he's available, Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane should very much be the pick here at 22. A thick and powerful presence, Ioane may hold the title of being the most physical offensive lineman in this class (overall). Not allowing a sack across the past two seasons while at Penn State, Ioane handles power rushers well while bending and anchoring down to stay in front of oncoming defenders. Though great in the pass game the run game is really where Ioane makes his name, which is perfect for Jim Harbaugh and Los Angeles. His aforementioned physicality and raw power allow him to drive through defenders, looking to finish each and every block he engages in. He is a real problem along the interior offensive line, giving the Chargers a true grater and people mover up front.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Philadelphia Eagles are a very weird organization. A singular season following their dominant Super Bowl LIX victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, winning the game by the score 40-22. With most of their championship roster returning, mixed with another solid draft, many out there assumed that the Eagles would be amongst the NFC's best teams once again. Despite finishing with a decent 11-6 record, on and off the field drama ultimately distracted them from reaching their ultimate goal, seeing them dumped out of the first round of the Playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. Both the offenses and the defenses regressed this year, and it's going to be intriguing to see how both units could improve going into this offseason. Based on everything I've been seeing the main areas of concern for the Eagles could come at tight end, the offensive line, and in the secondary. With players potentially leaving in free agency (or retirement) at all three spots, but based off the the Eagles draft history my gut tells me that they may look to address the offensive line here with this pick, especially with Landon Dickerson and longtime tackle Lane Johnson both contemplating retirement this offseason. One thing that I've always found intriguing about the Eagles is that they always like to have a contingency plan in place, trying their best to have a good amount of depth along the offensive and defensive lines. With Johnson being an ever present player for Philadelphia since getting drafted in 2013, his loss would be felt the greatest, which is why I have them taking Clemson's Blake Miller here at pick 23. Called "Lane Johnson light" by some talent evaluators out there, Miller is a natural right tackle who possesses the ideal size, length, and strength for the position. At 6'6" 315 lbs., Miller uses his length well in pass protection, keeping defenders at a distance while also possessing nice quickness to control them around the edge. In the run game (obviously Philly's bread and butter) he is great at moving down the field while always looking to finish his blocks. Overall I feel like Miller would be a very natural fit at right tackle for the Eagles, whether that means replacing the tenured Johnson right away or learning under him for a year before making the position his own in time. He's super talented and would be a very solid pick by the Eagles here at 23.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Much like a couple of other teams picking in the first round, the Cleveland Browns are holders of the 24th selection thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who traded them a future first (amongst other things) to move up three spots in last year's draft to select Colorado's Travis Hunter. In a move that was kind of surprising at the time, the Browns wound up with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who would go onto be named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team along with current Defensive Rookie of the Year and teammate Carson Schwesinger. Given that Hunter tore his LCL midway through the season, I'm sure the Browns can sit back and feel pretty good about the trade at this point in time, especially if they ace their selection this year as well. Like I mentioned before the Browns really have two glaring needs on their roster, both seemingly coming on the offensive side of the ball. After selecting Utah's Spencer Fano to fill one of the many holes along their offensive line, the Browns can now turn their attention to the outside as they are in desperate need of wide receivers for Pro Bowl quarterback Shedeur Sanders. As things stand right now the Browns have just four receivers on their active roster, with only one of them registering more than 600-yards this past season (Jerry Jeudy; 602). In a class loaded with receiver talent, the Browns can still get a very good weapon in the back half of the first round, selecting Washington's Denzel Boston here with the 24th pick in the draft. An imposing presence on the outside, it would not shock me at all if Boston wound up going much higher than this. At 6'4" 202 lbs. Boston possesses excellent ball skills to go along with strong hands and a massive catch radius, making some ridiculous fully extended catches throughout his time in college. Able to line up both on the outside and in the slot, Boston out muscles defenders on the outside while being able to stride past defenders on the inside, making him a real headache for opposing defensive coordinators. A physical runner with the ball in his hands, Boston fights for extra yards through contact rather than making a defender miss via a juke or finesse move. Overall he'd be an excellent player to add to Cleveland's receiving room, with him and the aforementioned Fano adding some much needed stability to the offensive side of the ball.

25. Chicago Bears - Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

I obviously can't speak for everyone out there, but I absolutely loved watching the Chicago Bears play this past season. Was it the most consistent brand of football out there? Not necessarily, but that's what made it so much fun. I mean, it didn't matter what the score was at any point in the game, you could just never really count the Bears out, and that showed in their come from behind win against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. In total the Bears tallied seven come from behind wins (NFL record) which were speared headed by second year quarterback Caleb Williams. Though he still needs to grow as a "traditional" pocket passer, Williams' ability to make something out of nothing (putting on the "cape" as they say) was truly remarkable to see. Some of the throws and/or plays he was making were out of this world, with none better than his fourth down completion to Rome Odunze against the Packers in that aforementioned Wild Card game. With Ben Johnson as his head coach, the sky is truly the limit for him as a quarterback. As a somewhat surprise team this past season, Chicago now has to re-tool in order for this season not to be a one off. Last offseason they re-tooled the offense, now I would say it's time to strengthen the defense, with most of the attention going to the defensive line or at the safety position. Though the likes of Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are all entering free agency this offseason, my gut tells me Chicago may look to target a defensive lineman earlier than a safety (though Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an option). With that being said edge rusher and interior linemen both have an equal shot of going here, but with Grady Jarrett turning 33 in April and Gervon Dexter entering free agency next offseason the Bears may look to go with the latter here, especially when you see they ranked in the bottom four in regards to rushing defense this past season (worst in franchise history since 2013). With that, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald would make a lot of sense for them here at 25. Arguably the best run stopper in this draft class, McDonald (at 6'3" 326 lbs.) possesses great size and strength for the position. He is ultra violent out the blocks, being able to toss oncoming run blockers aside with ease. Though not known for his pass rush ability, McDonald still totaled a career high three sacks this past season. Turning 21 in March, McDonald has a very high ceiling as a run stopping defensive tackle, which is something the Bears need in order to capitalize on this season's success.

26. Buffalo Bills - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

At long last we get to my team, the Buffalo Bills. I can't lie, this past season was one of the more frustrating seasons that I've had as a fan since the start of the Josh Allen era. Don't get me wrong the team was still good as they finished with a 12-5 record, but for the first time since 2019 they failed to come out on top in the division, with the New England Patriots re-taking the crown after a short hiatus. Despite this, the Bills were still considered to be one of the favorites for the Super Bowl, pretty much because of the fact that Josh Allen was at quarterback. Upsettingly they would fall in the Divisional Round to the top seeded Denver Broncos in overtime by the score 33-30, with that loss officially marking the end of Sean McDermott's time in Buffalo. With McDermott out Bills owner Terry Pegula stated that they were in need of a fresh face with new ideas to get over the proverbial Playoff hump, only to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach in the process. Don't get me wrong I don't hate the Brady hire, but for anyone who watched that postseason press conference with Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane, it felt pretty anticlimactic, especially since inconsistencies on offense were some of the Bills' biggest downfalls this past season. That being said what's done is done, and with that enters in a new direction for the organization. Though there are numerous needs on the roster, the most glaring one comes out wide at the receiver position, as the Bills boasted a bottom five core that possessed no real threats at any level. I love Khalil Shakir, but the dude has pretty much turned into an extension of the run game, with damn near 50% of his catches coming from behind the line of scrimmage. With that being said, I think it's clear to me that the Bills want to utilize their receivers that way, making the more efficient play and having them make defenders miss after the catch. If that's the case, I believe Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. could very much be in play for the Bills here at 26. Averaging 2.55-yards per route and forcing a whopping 27-missed tackles last season, he would be perfect for what the Bills want to do on offense. Positionally versatile, Cooper is a very patient route runner who is a threat in each and every direction. He also possesses great hands, dropping just 4.2% of catchable balls thrown his way while making the catch of the season against Penn State. Mixed with that the dude is as tough as they come, again being one of the hardest players to bring down in the open field while also being a more than willing blocker in the run game. Overall I think Cooper would bring the toughness, versatility, and willingness to win that the Bills could definitely use at wide receiver.

27. San Francisco 49ers - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

I went back and forth with this pick a couple of times as I struggled on settling on an offensive lineman or wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers with this pick. Starting with the former, it's no secret that the 49ers have been in need of offensive line re-enforcements for some time, especially now with Trent Williams turning 38 in July. Besides that though their offensive line has more or less been viewed as a bottom half unit, with the aforementioned Williams really being one of the only bright spot amongst the front five. That being said guard is probably where they'd need to address more than anything, as starting right tackle Colton McKivitz signed a new three year extension in September. Both Spencer Buford and Dominick Puni have struggled and the former is entering free agency this offseason, so guard could be on the cards here at 27. That being said the Niners had little to no consistency on the outside, with injuries taking a massive toll on their receiving core this past season. With Brandon Aiyuk's time with the organization all but done, and with last season's leading receiver (for wide receivers) Jauan Jennings entering free agency, the need for another pass catcher for Brock Purdy is pretty essential to their long term success. With that being said, should he be available I feel like Texas A&M's KC Concepcion would be the perfect receiver for Kyle Shanahan's offense, making him a likely pick here at 27. Though not the biggest receiver prospect out there (5'11" 190 lbs.), Concepcion has elite burst and speed that you flat out just can't teach. Explosive right as the ball is snapped, Concepcion absolutely flies down the field, creating massive amounts of separation in the process (good luck when in man). Excellent at taking those "quick hitters" the extra mile, Concepcion is great in the screen and slant department. One of the issues with him though is that he has pretty inconsistent hands, with about 10% of his targets resulting in drops. If he can get that side of his game sorted, Concepcion would be an excellent addition to Shanahan's offense.

28. Houston Texans - Caleb Lomu, iOL/OT, Utah

There was a night and day difference between the Houston Texans offense and defense this past season, at least in the back half. Like, I'm old enough to remember when quarterback CJ Stroud was seen as one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, coming in straight away and helping Houston make it to the Divisional Round of the Playoffs, all while taking home a near unanimous offensive rookie of the year award. These past two seasons though have seen his stock go further and further down, with some even questioning whether or not he should have been benched in the Texans 28-16 loss against the New England Patriots in this year's Divisional Round. I mean if we're being honest with ourselves, the only thing that kept that game close was the overall play of the defense, who totaled three takeaways in the loss. The offense needs to improve drastically if they want to get back to the top of the AFC South, with the main area of concern coming along the offensive line. Along with their overall problems along the front line, both Trent Brown and Ed Ingram are free agents this offseason, leaving their right side more open that what it already was. I've flipped back and forth a couple times with this pick, stuck between Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and Utah tackle Caleb Lomu, but with the Texans more likely to re-sign Ingram than Brown, I wound up going with Lomu here at pick 28. Though he spent most of his time at left tackle while at Utah, I have no doubt that he would be able to make the transition over to the right side should they keep last year's second round pick Aireontae Ersery at that spot. Regardless of where he ends up lining up at, Lomu has a very high ceiling that should intrigue many teams out there. At 6'6" 304 lbs., Lomu is very consistent in pass protection, giving up zero sacks in 12-games this past season and just three throughout his entire collegiate career. He possesses excellent agility and quickness for the position, mixing that with good awareness against oncoming pass rushers. That being said he could do to improve in the run game, needing to put on more weight as he doesn't necessarily possess the same amount of power as some of the other top tackles, but he does use his aforementioned athleticism to get to the second level. Again overall Lomu boasts a very high ceiling, and a frame that suggests he could put on more weight and strength with ease. He could go much sooner than this, but for now the Texans can enjoy taking him here at 28.

29. Los Angeles Rams - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Once again we come into contact with another team that possesses two first round picks. That being said unlike the other teams we have mentioned up to this point, the Los Angeles Rams are the first team to have their own pick be the later one, which should make them an even scarier team come next season that what they already were. I mean, the Rams were a few plays away from moving on to the Super Bowl, where they once again saw the team they ultimately fell to come out on top. It must be said though they did move on one round further than the previous year, so does that mean next year they'll lose in the Super Bowl? Thus meaning they'll win their third one in franchise history come 2028? Time will tell I suppose, but there's plenty of reason for optimism given the amount of top tier picks they have at their disposal. With their first pick in the draft I had them selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, giving Matthew Stafford another top tier weapon to work with on the outside. To me that was more of a luxury pick, here I feel like they will address one of their two biggest needs, offensive tackle and corner. With longtime tackle Rob Havenstein recently announcing his retirement, tackle would definitely make a lot of sense here. But with Warren McClendon Jr. stepping up nicely at right tackle during the back half of the season, maybe they could afford to address that position later. As for cornerback, players like Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Roger McCreary, and Ahkello Witherspoon are all set to hit free agency this offseason, leaving a massive hole in the secondary. With that being said, Tennessee's Colton Hood may wind up being a very solid pick here at 29. Though there will be plenty of conversations about which corner should go next after Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy, to me Hood would be the next best option and fit what the Rams do on the defensive side of the ball. Despite not being the most physically imposing cornerback prospect out there (6'0" 195 lbs.) Hood plays with excellent speed and toughness that make up for many perceived lack of size. Not only does Hood possess good patience when working the underneath routes, he has plenty of speed to follow vertical routes with ease. With that he's not afraid to put his hands on opposing receivers, which though that can hurt him, he's usually in good position to make plays on the ball. He's also a solid and reliable tackler in the run game, making him a pretty complete player that would work well in the Rams secondary. If the Rams are able to come away with the likes of Makai Lemon and Colton Hood in the first round, Super Bowl shouts are definitely not out of the question.

30. Denver Broncos - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

With the way this past season ended, I'm sure there are plenty of Denver Bronco fans that sit back and think what could have been, After beating the Buffalo Bills in overtime of the AFC Divisional Round by the score 33-30, the Broncos found out that they would be losing starting quarterback Bo Nix for the remainder of the Playoffs due to a broken ankle. An absolutely freak situation, Nix's ankle just decided to give up on him on the Broncos final drive in overtime, meaning Jarrett Stidham, who had not thrown a singular pass since in the league 2023, would be starting in the AFC Championship game against the 14-3 New England Patriots. To the surprise of pretty much no one, the Broncos would wind up falling short against the Patriots by the score of 10-7, with the aforementioned Stidham unsurprisingly struggling against one of the top defenses in the league. Obviously we don't know for sure what would have happened, but my gut tells me that Denver would have had a much better chance at coming out on top in this game had Nix not gotten hurt against Buffalo. Just my opinion. With the season now over, the Broncos must now look to re-tool a team that won their first AFC West title since 2015. Thankfully for Denver they don't have a ton of glaring needs, though they could look to strengthen either line, linebacker, or the tight end position here with this pick. Though I think Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq would be an awesome fit here, I do find it slightly unlikely that he'd be available for selection at this point in time. With that, I could see the Broncos strengthening their already elite defense, and with players like Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad entering free agency, Georgia linebacker CJ Allen may be the perfect pick for Denver here at number 30. A steady and reliable player at the linebacker position, Allen is coming off a season where he registering 88-tackles (47-solo) and 3.5-sacks while leading one of the best defenses in the country. An intelligent player, Allen flashes excellent instincts while also being physical in the run game with opposing offensive linemen, along with possessing excellent recovery speed to chase down the ball carrier (he's also an effective blitzer). Overall, Allen has all the tools you look for in a three down linebacker at the next level. His skillset and leadership would serve the Broncos well, making an already elite defense even better.

31. New England Patriots - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

To the dismay of everyone out there, the New England Patriots found their way back to the Super Bowl. That being said, to the joy of everyone out there, they got absolutely pummeled by the Seattle Seahawks by the score 29-13. As a Buffalo Bills fan, I may have enjoyed that Super Bowl more than the average Joe out there, as no team has caused me more pain and suffering than the Patriots throughout my life (though the Chiefs are trying). As much as I enjoyed the game, I will also say that the overall view of the Patriots pre and post Super Bowl are pretty crazy, not going to lie. I mean, people on social media went from crowning Drake Maye as the "clear" MVP prior to the Playoffs starting to now stating that he may not even be a top-10 quarterback in the league. I know we live in a "what have you done for me lately" society, but I do think there has to be some sort of middle ground with this whole thing, right? Do I think he was good in the Playoffs? No, not at all (he was seeing ghosts in the Super Bowl), but I don't think we need to completely flip the narrative in the process either. I get he's the quarterback so naturally he's going to get all the praise when they win and all the stick when they lose, but I think we should all be able to agree that the Patriots overall were just completely outmatched in this one. So with that being said, how do they make sure they're not completely played off the field should they find themselves in this spot again? To me they would need to strengthen two areas in particular, the offensive and defensive lines. The only player (arguably) to get more stick for their Super Bowl performance than Drake Maye was his rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who gave up a whopping 14-pressures throughout the course of the game, which is the most pressures allowed by any player this season. Though he struggled, head coach Mike Vrabel backed up last year's fourth overall pick, stating that he's their left tackle moving forward. With that they could still do with some reinforcements, and with Morgan Moses reportedly having "one foot out the door" I think it's be smart to invest in a new right tackle early on in the draft, which is why I have them selecting Arizona State's Max Iheanachor here with the 31st pick in the draft. One of the rawest players in the entire draft, Iheanachor didn't officially start playing football until he got to junior college, as his family moved to Los Angeles from Nigeria when he was 13-years old. Though he's from the finished product, he could very well wind up being the best tackle in this class when everything is all said and done. Explosive out of his stance, Iheanachor possesses a lot of raw strength that absorbs a lot of pressure from opposing pass rushers, using his athleticism to redirect them as well. In the run he uses his natural strength to drive back defenders (powerful), using his aforementioned athleticism to get to the second level. Again, though he is insanely raw, Iheanachor has the tools to develop into a very good tackle at the next level. If they're able to get the aforementioned Moses to come back, Iheanachor would be afforded time to develop behind a veteran presence. I think he'd be a solid pick for the Patriots here at 31.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Your Super Bowl LX champions ladies and gentlemen, not something I thought I would wind up saying prior to this past season starting. It's not like I thought the Seattle Seahawks would be an atrocious team or anything like that, I just had a hard time seeing them navigate arguably the toughest division in football while also battling through a decently loaded NFC. I mean I can't be the only one who thought that way, right? All that aside, this Seahawks team was a damn good one, with journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold officially removing the "bust" label from his name after posting some insanely impressive Playoff performances. Though he lead the league in total turnovers, he would go on to register zero turnovers (fumbles and/or interceptions) throughout the course of their run to the Super Bowl, all while putting up 672-passing yards and five touchdowns. I mean, he went toe-to-toe with the league MVP (Matthew Stafford) in the Divisional Round and came out on top, which is again something I did not see happening prior to the season starting. Overall this team was fantastic, with the defense putting up one of the best Super Bowl performance I've seen in my lifetime, making Drake Maye's night an ever living Hell in the process. So, how do you possibly improve upon a team that was so incredibly dominant in the biggest game of the season? Well to me, there are a couple areas you could look at, most notably along the offensive line and at corner. Though they could do with an upgrade at guard, I feel like head coach Mike Macdonald will want to strengthen his elite defense, especially with the likes of Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen entering free agency this offseason. They do have a couple options here, but I feel like they may ultimately side with Clemson's Avieon Terrell here with the 32nd pick in the draft. Though not the biggest prospect at the position (5'11" 180 lbs.), Terrell plays with excellent quickness and shows great ball instincts. Along with that Terrell is feisty and very aggressive. Though he didn't register an interception this past season, Terrell still tallied three sacks and five forced fumbles, providing versatility and that aforementioned aggressiveness that is something defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves from his corners. Able to line up either inside or outside, Terrell would provide an energy that Macdonald loves in the secondary, regardless of where he ultimately lines up. Effective in more ways than one (blitzing and in coverage), Terrell would be an ideal fit in the Seahawks defensive backfield.