The Draft "Expert" - 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- Logan Blackman
- 3 hours ago
- 61 min read
Hello everyone and welcome the Draft "Expert's" officially official mock draft 2.0! It has been a long time coming ladies and gentlemen, and I do apologize for taking my sweet time on this one, but if I'm being honest I really struggled coming up with a mock draft that I actually liked, and I'm not even sure I like this one all that much!
I don't know if you guys know this about me or not but I am a pretty solid over thinker, and will struggle at times to get things out for that exact reason. I mean hell, you don't want to know how many times I chopped and changed my March Madness bracket this year, especially since I've had a rough go of it in recent years!
March Madness aside, the real madness comes from the NFL Draft, as it is damn near impossible to try and predict what each and every team will do within the first 32-picks. What makes it even harder is when you don't have any sources, like yours truly, and have to study like a madman (or woman) to come up with something that even looks remotely (in your head at least) realistic.
All that being said we are exactly one month away from the 2026 NFL Draft, which absolutely insane to think about! In this mock draft there are two quarterbacks, one running back, five wide receivers, one tight end, seven offensive tackles, one interior offensive lineman, eight edge rushers (including Arvell Reese), two linebackers (again, if you include Arvell Reese), three corners, and three safeties.
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 2.0! Enjoy!
Podcast Links

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
To the shock of everyone out there, I have the Las Vegas Raiders taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza here with the first pick in the draft. As a man of the people I'm willing to give you all a little peak behind the curtain, unless something drastically changes, this will probably be my prediction all the way up until draft time. Again, shocking, I know. Though he didn't participate in any drills at the recent NFL Combine, Mendoza has the traits and had the season to more than justify being the top pick in the draft. At 6'5" Mendoza possesses the ideal size for the position. A National Champion as well as a Heisman Trophy winner, Mendoza possesses the ideal size for the position, measuring at 6'5" and 236 lbs. in Indianapolis. 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 - Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Like I alluded to in mock draft 1.0, the New York Jets are in desperate need of some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. This past season, the Jets made a couple of trades that saw them send away two former top five picks in the form of Ahmad Gardner (Colts) and Quinnen Williams (Cowboys), the two biggest names on their defense. Not only that, but earlier in the offseason they also traded away another former first round pick in Jermaine Johnson, sending him to the Titans for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat in what was a pretty rare one-for-one swap. It's no secret that head coach Aaron Glenn is coaching for his job this coming season, and I'm sure as a defensive guy he'd like to see that unit improve after ranking in the bottom-10 in total, rushing, and scoring defense this past season. Now, with that being said the Jets have the pick of the litter in regards to the draft's top defenders, with Miami's Rueben Bain, Texas Tech's David Bailey, and the Ohio State trio of Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles all being realistic options for them here at pick number two. Though I had them selecting the former in Bain in my last mock draft, this time around I'm leaning more towards one of Bailey or Reese, both who could bring something different to the Jets' defense. Starting with Bailey, he comes into the draft as a much more natural pass rusher, leading the nation in sacks this past season with 14.5 as Texas Tech boasted one of the best defenses in the country. To me Bailey would pair very nicely across from former first round pick Will McDonald, but I feel like Reese's ceiling and versatility may see the Jets swing in his direction with the second pick in the draft. Depending on who you ask, Reese could either be described as an off the ball linebacker or someone who can come off of the edge and get after the quarterback. He's a very instinctual player, as he's able to fly all across the field and make plays that most out there could only dream of. Along with great instincts Reese is very fluid and possesses excellent bend and burst, which is why so many see him developing into an edge rusher at the next level. Compared by some to the likes of Jalon Walker and Micah Parsons, Reese's lack of a "true" position could see some people back off of him with this early of a selection. Regardless of what position he ultimately winds up playing, we can bet on that he's going to make plays on the defensive side of the ball. Reese would be an excellent addition to Aaron Glenn's new look Jets defense.
3. Washington Commanders (via Arizona) - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
We have a trade ladies and gentlemen! The Washington Commanders could really be one of the teams to watch once the draft ultimately rolls around. This is a team that is coming off of a rather disappointing season, following their run to the NFC Championship game during Jayden Daniels' rookie year by finishing 5-12 with Daniels ending the season on IR while also possessing the worst statistical defense in the league. Now it's not like they had some elite unit the season before, but they were much better than dead last. To counteract that the Commanders have spent heavily in free agency, bringing in the likes of K'Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal, Nick Cross, Charles Omenihu, Odafe Oweh, and Tim Settle via free agency. They saw a problem and addressed it to the best of their abilities, but that shouldn't completely rule them out of selecting a defensive player with their first pick in the draft as well, with the likes of Miami's Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech's David Bailey, and Ohio State duo Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles all filling needs on the roster. That being said, though I'm sure Quinn would love to continue strengthening his defense, the offense is in desperate need of a boost as well, especially with the aforementioned Daniels coming off of a season ending elbow injury. Looking at their roster, apart from receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders are really lacking in offensive playmakers. Now, they were able to bring in the likes of Chig Okonkwo and Rachaad White, but they should still look to add around Daniels. Though Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate would make a lot of sense at pick number seven, I feel like Washington may look to add a "do everything" weapon out of the backfield for Daniels. There's going to be some people out there that hate this due to "positional value," but I think Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love would be the perfect player to add to the Commanders offense, even if it means trading up to three to get him. Based on recent rumors, the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants have been heavily linked to Love. Lord knows if there's any real truth behind those links or not, regardless the Commanders don't take any chances here and make a move to get their guy. Again, I'm sure there's going to be some out there that say you don't draft running backs this high, but the thing is though, Love is anything but your traditional running back prospect. One of the best backs in Irish 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 Daniels and the Commanders a fantastic option out of the backfield (respectfully, Bill Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White are not enough to keep me from sending Love to Washington).
4. Tennessee Titans - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Ever since the NFL Combine ended, a lot of people out there (including myself) had the Tennessee Titans selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love here with the fourth pick in the draft, and it truly made all the sense in the world. Sure the Titans still have Tony Pollard on the roster, someone who has posted back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons, but Love would absolutely transform what the Titans could do on the offensive side of the ball. More than useful in both the pass and run game, Love would provide the Titans and second year quarterback Cam Ward an insane weapon coming out of the backfield. For a team that should look to surround their young quarterback with as much talent as possible, drafting someone like Love would again make all the sense in the world. All that being said, though he is also already off the board, I do feel it's also important to note who the Titans just hired to serve as their new head coach. Back in January the Titans went out and brought in former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, a defensive minded coach who prioritizes getting after the quarterback. Though they struck a trade with the aforementioned Jets to send them former first round pick Jermaine Johnson (with T'Vondre Sweat going the other way) I feel like Saleh will still want to add more pieces to their pass rush, which is why I have a hard time believing that they would pass on Texas Tech's David Bailey here with the fourth pick in the draft. Now, if the Cardinals were to stay at three and take Bailey with that selection, then I would expect the Titans to take Love, but with the draft's top edge rushing prospect still available I think they would move for him here. A natural pass rusher who possesses a good amount of length, 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 (posted a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash), 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, partnering with the aforementioned Johnson and Jeffery Simmons, helping improve them on the defensive side of the ball.
5. New York Giants - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Much like I mentioned in mock draft 1.0, there is a big part of me that wants to give the New York Giants a weapon, or an offensive tackle here to give quarterback Jaxson Dart some more help on the offensive side of the ball. With receiver Wan'Dale Robinson and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor both entering free agency this offseason (with the former seemingly as good as gone) it would make a lot of sense for the G-Men to target one of those two positions. Again though, like I mentioned in mock draft 1.0, with John Harbaugh coming over from Baltimore to serve as the team's new head coach, it seems more likely (at this point in time) that they target a defensive player here with the fifth overall pick in the draft. Prior to Harbaugh's arrival, the Giants finished in the bottom five in total and rushing defense as well as ranking in the bottom-10 in regards to scoring defense. At this point in time it seems like the Giants may be targeting one of the available Ohio State products, in the form(s) of linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs. Though Downs would make a lot of sense here, given how the recent NFL Combine went down I feel like Styles could very much wind up being the pick for the Giants here at number five. One of the big winners of an overall impressive Combine, Styles put all of his athletic gifts on display, leading all linebackers in 40-time, broad jump, and vertical, registering a rather insane 43.5" in the latter (best ever for the position). Looking back at Harbaugh's tenure in Baltimore, linebackers such as Ray Lewis and CJ Mosley anchored the middle of the defense, Styles could very well do the same for him in New Jersey. A former safety, Styles's aforementioned athleticism is always on display, as he 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. Though they did go out and sign Tremaine Edmonds, standing at 6'5" and weighing 244 lbs., Styles creates so many negative plays for opposing offenses, making him an ideal target for the Giants here at five.
6. Cleveland Browns - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Let's have a little fun here, shall we? Well, I guess this scenario would be more fun for me and all the other neutrals out there, as I have a sneaking suspicion that most Cleveland Browns fans out there would lose their ever loving minds if their team drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here with the sixth pick in the draft. Do I have the upmost confidence that this will wind up being the pick? No, not necessarily, but I also don't think we can completely rule this out as a possibility. Look, crazier things have been done throughout the history of the NFL draft, especially when it comes to the quarterback position, otherwise known as the most important position in all of sports. Teams like the Chicago Bears and New York Giants have drafted hopeful franchise quarterbacks well above their expected draft stock, with the Bears even trading up one spot to two to draft North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky. I know those two examples didn't pan out the greatest but the point still stands, if you feel like one of the top quarterback prospects has a chance to become your franchise's savior, you take them before someone else does. You cannot simply bet on and hope that they will be available by the time your next pick rolls around (which in Cleveland's case is 24). So again, if you feel they can be "the guy," take them sooner rather than later, because if they do end up working out no one will say that they were "over drafted." Now, I know there will be a ton of people out there shouting from the rooftops stating that the Browns need to continue strengthening their offensive line. Despite adding the likes of Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson via free agency and Tytus Howard via a trade with the Houston Texans, they still have a glaring hole at left tackle that has yet to be filled. To me, the most logical pick of the available tackles would be Georgia's Monroe Freeling, as his performance at the NFL Combine has seen his stock raise exponentially since the start of the offseason. Not only that, but Freeling also played his college ball at Georgia, where new head coach Todd Monken served as the offensive coordinator from 2020-2022, winning two National Championships in the process. Despite that being the most "logical" pick for the Browns, I do think there's some underrated connections between Monken and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, as he recruited Simpson out of high school as well as being close friends with Simpson's dad Jason. I mean, the aforementioned Giants drafted Daniel Jones sixth overall due to his connection to the Manning's through his college coach David Cucliffe, who coached both Peyton and Eli while at Tennessee (OC) and Ole Miss (HC). Connections are important, especially when it comes to the quarterback position, which is why I think this could very much happen. Not only that though, but people have seemed to forget how good Simpson was through the first nine to 10 games of the season, making numerous NFL level throughs while showing off great pocket awareness/mobility as well as processing the game at a much higher level than other quarterbacks who have made as little starts as him. If it weren't for a lower back injury and elbow bursitis that had hindered his play since the middle of October, this spot may not seem as crazy as it may right now. Overall I think Simpson is a damn good quarterback, one who sat atop of my prospect rankings from week seven to week 14, and I think he'd be a nice addition to the Browns quarterback room. With Shedeur Sanders in place and coming off of a Pro Bowl season (along with Deshaun Watson) Simpson could be afford time to sit on the bench before eventually taking over as the starter. This may seem a little crazy, but I think the connection(s) and the need for a franchise quarterback may push Simpson much higher up the boards than you may have initially expected.
7. Arizona Cardinals (via Washington) - Spencer Fano, iOL/OT, Utah
After striking a trade with the Washington Commanders, the Arizona Cardinals move back a few spots and select the prospect that I honestly feel they'd have no problem taking at three. One of the harder teams to predict throughout the entirety of the first round, the Cardinals can really go in a multitude of different directions with their first pick in the draft. I think everyone and their mom are aware that the Cardinals biggest need lies along the offensive line, as they have a glaring hole at right tackle after letting both Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams walk in free agency. The thing is though, and I think most people would agree that it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense value wise. Like I completely understand that that's their biggest need, but could you really justify taking one of the top tackles rather than one of the top edge rushers? Or even someone like Ohio State's Sonny Styles, who very much fits general manager Monti Ossenfort's RAS score/Ohio State prospect approach? Again, could you justify doing that? I'm sure that some out there could, as if you struggle up front your chances of winning many football games are pretty much null and void. If the Cardinals were to stand pat at three, my gut tells me that they would go after one of Texas Tech's David Bailey or the aforementioned Sonny Styles, as they both could be true difference makers on the defensive side of the ball. With Josh Sweat's future with the team seemingly in question, adding someone like Bailey would not be the worst idea. The thing is though they need help at right tackle, and with damn near every team inside the top-10 seemingly viewing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love as the draft's top overall prospect, I feel like a move down the draft board could be their best approach. After moving down, they can feel better about selecting whichever tackle they have atop of their draft board. Though I'm sure most out there would suggest that Miami's Francis Mauigoa is the best of the top tackles, I feel like Utah's Spencer Fano would be a better scheme fit, making him the selection here at seventh overall. Despite there being some question marks surrounding Fano's future position in the NFL (mostly due to his arm length), no one can deny that he may be the most athletically gifted tackle in this year's class. Considered by some to have put on one of the best performances at this year's NFL Combine, Fano posted an impressive 4.91 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.72 10-yard split while also posting the fast time in the three cone drill (7.34). That athleticism should make him a seamless fit in Arizona, as LaFluer is sure to implement an outside zone running scheme. Formally a left tackle, Fano started 24-games at right tackle across the past two seasons. At 6'5" 311 lbs., Fano possesses really light feet while also being technically sound, giving up zero sacks in 12-starts last season. Those this may seem like a slight reach, but I feel like Fano would be a very natural fit along Arizona's offensive line.
8. New Orleans Saints - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
I struggled more with this pick a whole lot more than I initially thought I would. Though I ultimately wound up giving the New Orleans Saints the same player that I did in mock draft 1.0, there was a good part of me that thought of giving the Saints a defender with this pick, especially given all the moves that they've made on the offensive side of the ball in free agency. Though there's still work to do overall, the Saints were able to bring in the likes of David Edwards from Buffalo, Noah Fant from Cincinnati, and Travis Etienne from Jacksonville, with the latter being born and raised in Jennings, Louisiana. The addition of Etienne is the one that excites me the most, as the Louisiana native will be a massive help in both the run and pass game for the Saints moving forward, though it does seemingly rule them out of the race for Jermeiyah Love. With those signings, part of me thinks that they may look to address the defensive side of the ball with this pick, as longtime edge Cameron Jordan is entering free agency and turns 37 in July. Though Carl Granderson and Chase Young are solid options, reinforcements along the outside are much needed for the Saints, so someone like Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. would make a ton of sense here. Another area that they could address could be the cornerback position, as LSU's Mansoor Delane would add some much needed depth at the position. Not only that, but it's also pretty convenient for all parties involved, as the former Tiger would only need to travel an hour and a half east to play for his new team. That being said I just can't fully bring myself to have the Saints pass on an offensive weapon for Shough with this pick, especially with Chris Olave's injury history. With all of the top receiver prospects still all available, the Saints will have their pick of the bunch. Out of the top options I would fully expect them to take Ohio State's Carnell Tate here with the eighth pick in the draft. Despite posting a somewhat disappointing 40-time (4.53) the dude was one of the best deep threats in all of college football this past season, averaging 17.5-yards per reception, giving the aforementioned Jayden Daniels a true deep threat that would be a great option opposite of another former Buckeye in the form of McLaurin. Though he missed some time this past season due to injury, Tate's size (6'2" 192 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. Like I alluded to before, defense could still be the move here, but I feel like New Orleans may find it hard to pass on Tate here at pick number eight.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Rueben Bain Jr., DL/EDGE, Miami (FL)
Much like some of the other selections up to this point, it should come as no surprise to anyone that I struggled coming up with who to give the Kansas City Chiefs here at pick number nine. In mock draft 1.0, I had the Chiefs taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, in hopes to improve their rush attack as well as taking some much needed pressure off of Patrick Mahomes. The thing is though once the NFL Combine wrapped up, it started to seem increasingly unlikely that Love would be available for selection at pick nine, with teams like the Cardinals, Titans, and Giants all showing an interest in the running back. With that it seems that the Chiefs fully understand how unlikely it is that Love should become available as they went out and signed Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker to a three year $45-million contract just last week. Another part of me wanted to give the Chiefs one of the draft's top wide receivers or one of the top tackles, especially after cutting right tackle Jawaan Taylor back in early March. Though I very much wanted to give them Miami's Francis Mauigoa, Chiefs fans on Twitter have been incredibly adamant that they are going to roll with either Jaylon Moore or Esa Pole at right tackle for at least the time being, and who am I to argue with fans over who their team should draft? Based off of everything I've been seeing defense seems to be the name of the game when it comes to the Chiefs 2026 Draft, with needs in both the secondary and along the defensive line. After trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, and after losing Bryan Cook and Jaylen Watson in free agency, corner and safety are two big needs for the Chiefs. That being said listening to general manager Brett Veach, the defensive line may be the teams top priority going into the draft, as they lack depth and true difference makers coming off of the edge. With that, I feel like Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. may be the perfect pick for the Chiefs here at number nine. Now, I am aware that there will probably be some people against drafting Bain with a top-10 pick, as his official arm length is the third shortest in Combine history (30 7/8"). The thing is, everyone and their mom knew of Bain's shorter arms coming into the Combine, so the measurement being what it is/was shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise to anyone out there (at least in my opinion). Since the official measurements were released, there have been some out there suggesting that Bain could fall completely out of the top-10, but again, the number should not have been a surprise. Regardless of his arm length, Bain is an absolute terror when it comes to getting after the quarterback. This past season, Bain totaled a whopping 83-quarterback pressures while averaging 6.3-pressures per game, with the former being the joint highest in recent history. On of the biggest reasons Miami made it all the way to the National Championship game, Bain registered 9.5-sacks, with three of those coming on the road against Texas A&M, a team which boasted one of the best offensive lines in the country. Ultra disruptive with an excellent motor, Bain uses his hands to jolt offensive linemen back before using his combination of bend, power, and speed to make plays. The biggest mark against Bain is again his arm length and overall size (6'2" 263 lbs.), but the dude is the ultimate game changer and would be a natural fit along the edge in the Saints defense. The dude is a great football player and I feel would be an excellent addition to Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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, especially after losing edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Now, I will say I do think that the Bengals have done a good job so far in free agency at improving said defense, bringing in the likes of Jonathan Allen (DT), Bryan Cook (S), and Boye Mafe (DE). Despite those signings there is still plenty of room to improve, and though I think players like Auburn's Keldric Faulk and Clemson's Peter Woods could be options here (dream(s) would be Rueben Bain Jr. or Sonny Styles), I just have a hard time believing that the Bengals would pass on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 10th pick in the draft. Downs is anything but your typical safety prospect. Talked about in the same breath as Eric Berry, Downs is somebody who could potentially change the course of your franchise on the defensive side of the ball. 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 Bengals, who ranked in the bottom three in total and scoring defense last season, would 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 would instantly help improve the Bengals on defense. I don't think the addition of Bryan Cook keeps them from adding a player like Downs here at 10, he's just too damn good.
11. Miami Dolphins - Francis Mauigoa, iOL/OT, Miami (FL)
I don't know if any of you have looked at the Miami Dolphins roster recently, but let's just say it's not in the greatest shape that it's ever been. Now I'm not saying that the Dolphins had this absolutely loaded roster this past season or anything, but I highly doubt there's a ton of optimism for next season down in south beach. That being said it's clear that the organization is heading in a completely new direction, as they fired GM Chris Grier as well as head coach Mike McDaniel before releasing former first round pick and $53.1-million man Tua Tagovailoa. To replace their once triumphant trio, owner Stephen Ross brought in another trio, all of who came from the Green Bay Packers in the form of Jon-Eric Sullivan (GM), Jeff Hafley (HC), and quarterback Malik Willis, who was signed to a three year $67.5-million deal last week. It's a new era in south beach and like I alluded to before, there are needs littered all over the roster. That being said the main once worth pointing out come at offensive line and wide receiver. Sure they have some needs at corner and edge rusher, but I feel like the offensive side of the ball needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, even more so considering they just traded receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. Though the need for a receiver is great, I feel like the depth at the position may cause the Dolphins to lean towards improving upon their offensive line, that and the fact that the Packers haven't usually targeted receivers with "premium" picks across the past 20-ish years (minus Matthew Golden). With that the right side of the offensive line is in desperate need of attention, so with this pick I have the Dolphins taking Miami's Francis Mauigoa with the 11th pick in the draft. An absolute mauler, Mauigoa is arguably the most consistent tackle in this year's class, taking the fight to on coming pass rushers. At 6'5" 329 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. Whether he starts off at right guard, or takes over for the often inconsistent Austin Jackson at right tackle, Mauigoa is a standout blocker who would the Dolphins some much needed nastiness to their offensive line.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Much like I alluded to in my previous mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys main goal throughout the entirety of the 2026 draft should be focused on one thing, improving the defensive side of the ball. Despite ranking second in both total and passing offense this past season, the Cowboys finished with a disappointing 7-9-1 record, with their defense in turn ranking in the bottom three in total and dead last in scoring defense. I mean hell, the Cowboys gave up a rather astonishing 30.1-points per game. To put that in perspective, the 2017 Cleveland Browns, you know, the second ever team to finish with an 0-16 record in NFL history, gave up 25.6-points per game. The fact Dallas won seven games this past season is nothing short of a miracle, and unless they want to continue to waste an elite offense, they better start improving the other side of the ball. Now, I will say efforts have been made, as they traded for Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline last season before signing Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson in free agency as well as trading for Rashan Gary just last week. Though the signings of Durant and Thompson do help in aiding the secondary, there is still room for improvement, as the Cowboys also ranked dead last in passing defense this past season. The Cowboys need a true number one guy on the outside, and with all of the top corners still available Dallas will have their pick of the bunch. Though the likes of Clemson's Avieon Terrell and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy are good players, LSU's Mansoor Delane is widely considered to be this year's top corner prospect, making him the pick here at number 12. One of the quicker corners in the draft, Delane (who did not partake in the 40-yard dash at the Combine) 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 Cowboys here at number 12.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Same exact pick as last time, as I am sending USC wide receiver Makai Lemon to the Los Angeles Rams here with the 13th pick in the draft. At this point the Rams are just playing with house money. I mean, so far this offseason the Rams have made a couple of "win now" moves to help strengthen the defensive side of the ball, as they traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie before signing his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Jaylen Watson to a three year $51-million contract. Going into the offseason cornerback was seen as arguably the biggest weakness on an already talented roster, now they can kind of sit back and rely on the "best player available" approach with their first (and now only) first round draft pick. With corner now out of the way, the two areas I would guess that the Rams would like to target would be either along the offensive line or out wide at receiver. With longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein announcing his retirement after 11-seasons with the organization, right tackle is a position many may look at as an area of concern. But after scrolling social media for a while though, there seems to be a decent amount of confidence in 2023 fifth round pick Warren McClendon, who started 10-games at the position this past season. Sure if Miami's Francis Mauigoa was available then maybe we'd have a conversation, but in this scenario I have a hard time believing that they'd take one of the remaining tackles over the aforementioned Lemon with the 13th pick in the draft. Though he may not be the biggest (5'11" 192 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. With Matthew Stafford coming back for "one last ride," and with Davonte Adams turning 33 in December, Lemon would add some juice to an already fantastic receiving room. Even after Adams and Stafford are gone, Lemon and Puka Nacua would surely make for one of the more terrifying receiving duos in the league. God bless the Atlanta Falcons, am I right?
14. Baltimore Ravens - Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State
Much like I said with the Rams pick, I have the exact same player going to the Baltimore Ravens here with the 14th pick in the draft. The only difference is that a couple weeks ago I did not expect to be making this pick for the Ravens, but rather for the Las Vegas Raiders. In one of the more bizarre moves I can remember, the Ravens made a massive statement by trading for one of the premier pass rushers in the league, sending two first round picks to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby. That wasn't the weird part though, the weird part came three days later as the Ravens completely backed out of the deal, sending Crosby back to Vegas after some "red flags" were raised about his medicals. Overall this whole thing was just shady from the Ravens, as they wound up signing former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four year $112-million contract just a few days after the whole Crosby fiasco. Again, this whole situation was/is very weird, but now we can go back to focusing on who the Ravens should take here with the 14th pick in the draft. Though Hendrickson has been officially signed, I do feel that they could still take an edge rusher with this pick. That being said I do feel it is more likely that they look to strengthen the offensive side of the ball, most notably at wide receiver and along the offensive line, especially after center Tyler Linderbaum signed with the aforementioned Raiders. The signing of John Simpson from the New York Jets fills one of the holes at guard, but I would say that they're interior offensive line should still be one of their top priorities here with this pick. Though I'm sure a lot of Ravens fans would love for them to draft Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson, I feel like Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane is too much of a Ravens pick to be passed up on here with pick 14. 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 Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the Ravens offense as a whole. 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 Ravens a true grater and people mover up front.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
I'm sorry Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans, the chances of you drafting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles seem all but gone at this point in time. It was fun while it lasted though, right? I mean I could be looking at this all wrong, but it feels like linebacker has been a position of need down in Tampa for quite some time now, with mock drafts constantly linking them to the position in the first round. Though I do think they could take Georgia's CJ Allen, I do feel like it's more likely that they look elsewhere with this pick. When I was first writing this up, I kept coming back to the idea that the Buccaneers could draft Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, as his electric Combine performance got people all excited on how he could be used at the next level. With Mike Evans leaving in free agency, the Buccaneers could definitely use a bigger body for Baker Mayfield to throw to, even after re-signing tight end Cade Otton on a three year deal. If not Sadiq, my attention turned back to the defensive side of the ball, most notably in the pass rushing department as Tampa Bay was widely inconsistent when it came to getting after the quarterback this past season. As a unit, not one player registered more than seven sacks, with Yaya Diaby registering seven and the next closest being nose guard Vita Vea with 4.5. Todd Bowles will definitely want to improve upon that area of his defense, and though he's going to be one of the older prospects possibly taken in the first round, I feel like Miami's Akheem Mesidor would be a very natural fit for the Buccaneers here at pick 15. Turning 25 in April, there will be people out there that are completely put off by Mesidor's aforementioned age, and could very well have him completely off their board as a result. If it weren't for that, I'm sure most would view him as a potential top-10 pick, as his traits and production more than justify that viewpoint. This past season, as Miami made a run to the National Championship game, Mesidor was one of the most productive edge rushers in all of college football. Playing opposite of another first round talent in Rueben Bain Jr., Mesidor racked up 12.5-sacks and four forced fumbles, ranking top five nationally in both categories. A powerful and relentless pass rusher Mesidor over powers opposing offensive tackles, knocking them back to create separation before working back upfield to get to the quarterback. That power also assists him in the run game, as tight ends are typically no match for him with his decent length causing them problems as well. Overall I think Mesidor would be a great addition to the Buccaneers defense. Though some may view this selection a little rich due to his age, Tampa Bay usually hasn't shown an issue at drafting "older" prospects, making the Mesidor selection all that more likely. He would definitely help improve their pass rush.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The first of many teams in the first round to boast multiple picks, the New York Jets pick here at 16 thanks to the Indianapolis Colts trading for former All-Pro corner Ahmad Gardner. Now, I think it's safe to assume that the Colts did not anticipate a second half collapse that saw them lose each of their last seven games of the season, so this trade looks a little more dire than it maybe did at the time. What a weird season it was for the Colts, but I'm sure most Jets fans out there would bite your hand off for an 8-9 season, as they haven't registered more than seven wins in a season since 2015, where they finished 10-6 and still missed the Playoffs. Alright that's enough making fun of the Jets, now lets try and help them out a little. It's no secret that head coach Aaron Glenn's coaching future is hanging on by a thread, and it seems unlikely at this point that he'll be here past this season given how the Jets' roster currently looks. They need difference makers, which is why I had them taking Ohio State's Arvell Reese with the second pick in the draft. To me their first pick is pretty straight forward, as they just take whichever defender they have atop their draft board, here is a little different, as the Jets could look to continue strengthening their defense or try to improve upon their offense. With a quarterback room featuring the likes of Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook, the Jets unsurprisingly finished dead last in passing offense this past season, with Garrett Wilson leading the team in receiving yards with a whopping 395 (he only played eight games). After acquiring former second round pick Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders via trade, the quarterback position got a decent amount better (even with how bad Geno was last season, he's still an upgrade on what the Jets had last season). If Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was available, maybe they could talk themselves into drafting him to sit behind Geno for a year or two before taking over. Unfortunately for them that's not the case, which leads me to believe that receiver could ultimately wind up being the pick here. With Ohio State's Carnell Tate and USC's Makai Lemon already off the board, the Jets turn to another one of the top options by selecting Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson here with the 16th pick. Far from a consolation prize, 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" 203 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 Jets receiving core, giving them a nice one-two punch on the outside with the aforementioned Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Same pick as the last mock draft, I feel like the Detroit Lions and Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling are a match made in football heaven. Now, this match is very much dependent on whether or not the Cleveland Browns wind up selecting him with the sixth pick in the draft, as they are in desperate need for a left tackle. In the last mock draft, I spoke about how Freeling may very well wind up being one of the biggest risers come draft time, as his athletic traits and ceiling made him an intriguing target for teams in need of a left tackle. That being said, I'm not sure if I was expecting to see him being talked about as a potential top-10 pick in the draft after his insanely impressive Combine performance. Not saying that it's not deserved, but it did surprise me a little bit on how fast the hype grew (if that makes sense). Much like Utah's Spencer Fano beforehand, Freeling really put on a show at the Combine as he posted a 4.93 in the 40-yard dash (1.71 10-yard split) along with a 33.5" vertical and a 9'7" broad jump, all top five for offensive linemen. With longtime starter Taylor Decker putting in a request to be released from the team, Freeling could be the guy to slot right in opposite of Penei Sewell. Despite starting just 18-games across his collegiate career, Freeling possesses all the traits teams tend to look for in franchise left tackles, standing at 6'7" and weighing 315 lbs. with 34 3/4" 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. Again, with the aforementioned Decker requesting his release left tackle is a massive area of concern for the Lions going into next season. Though there is a solid chance that Freeling could be long gone by the time the Lions are ready to make their selection, in this scenario they sprint to the podium before anyone else realizes that he's still available. Though he battled some injuries this past season, Freeling's aforementioned ceiling makes him an ideal target for the Lions here at pick 17. He just makes too much sense.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
You know how sometimes you can look at a prospect and think to yourself man, you are just destined to play for this team. Well, that's kind of how I feel when I look at Oregon's Dillon Thieneman, as he just feels destined to play for the Minnesota Vikings. I know that may seem a little crazy to hear (or read) given that I had a different safety going to Minnesota in my last mock draft, but after the recent Combine it just feels that the safety needy Vikings are going to fall in love with idea of drafting Thieneman here with the 18th pick in the draft. The Combine really does some weird things man, as I would be willing to wager that most people out there would have considered Thieneman to be a second round prospect, with pick 18 being a little too rich for the former Boilermaker. Since then though, 18 feels like the absolute lowest spot he can go, with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys, and maybe the New York Jets all being potential landing spots as well. At 6'0" 201 lbs., Thieneman again put on a show at the Combine, registering a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.52-split with a 41" vertical. The dude also put up 18-reps in the bench press, ranking top amongst safeties at the Combine. That athleticism has been fully on display throughout his college career. Able to line up in multiple positions in the secondary, Thieneman possesses excellent closing speed with fluid/smooth hips and footwork that allow him to track receivers down the field with ease. He also possesses excellent anticipation and range, which further allows him to make plays on the ball that most other safeties can't. Along with his skills in coverage he is also a reliable tackler, as he can be a force against the run. Overall Thieneman is a complete safety prospect that would instantly fill a big whole in the Vikings secondary. Maybe it's because of how long Harrison Smith was there but again, it just feels like Thieneman is destined to be a Minnesota Viking. Obviously I could wind up being very wrong, but the dude is way too talented to fall much further than the 18th pick in the draft. Just feels like a match made in football heaven. Brian Flores would love him.
19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Much like a few other picks beforehand, I have the Carolina Panthers selecting the same player that I had them taking in my previous mock draft. To me, this pick should be dedicated solely to the offensive side of the ball. Not saying someone like Clemson's Peter Woods, Florida's Caleb Banks, or any of the top remaining defensive backs wouldn't fill an immediate need for the Panthers, but I feel like priority number one in Carolina should be to figure out whether or not former number one overall pick Bryce Young is truly your answer at quarterback. Throughout all of last season, Young would show flashes of being the guy that Panthers fans hoped he would be, before then turning into somewhat of a pumpkin as he battled through some inconsistencies. Drafting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at eight overall last year worked out better than even the most hopeful fan could have thought, as McMillan lead all rookies in receiving yards and touchdowns before coming away with the Rookie of the Year award. With McMillan, Young was able to once again flash the talent that got him drafted first overall, just a shame that it happened in spurts and not more consistently. The thing is though that apart from McMillan, the Panthers don't necessarily have the most loaded group of weapons for Young to work with. Sure Jalen Coker is a solid option, but they could really use another weapon on the outside. Though receiver could be an option here, I feel like tight end could wind up being the answer here, as tight ends J'Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble registered 439-yards combined last season, which is far from ideal. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq would add so much to this Panthers offense, which is why I have them selecting him here with the 19th pick in the draft. After absolutely blowing up the NFL Combine, Sadiq's stock has risen through the roof. I mean, the dude was either first or second in every drill he participated in at the Combine, posting a rather ridiculous 4.39 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.54 10-yard split. That speed translates on the field, as Sadiq is extremely explosive out of his break(s), and 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" 241 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.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay) - Keldric Faulk, DL/EDGE, Auburn
After taking LSU corner Mansoor Delane with the 12th pick in the draft, the Dallas Cowboys should look to continue strengthening the defensive side of the ball. Like I alluded to before, it's not like the Cowboys haven't made an effort to try and improve their situation on that side of the ball, but when you were as bad as they were last season you just got to keep digging and hope that you strike gold. Apart from corner, edge rusher, linebacker, and safety are the next areas to really focus in on. Though I'm sure most Cowboys fans would love to see them take Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, I find it incredibly unlikely that they'll be able to select him here at pick 20. So unless they want to take him at 12 (which I wouldn't completely rule out) I would say they're shit out of luck (I don't want to rule out Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren either). As for linebacker, Georgia's CJ Allen would make a lot of sense here, as he is a "green dot" guy who would fill an immediate hole in the middle of Dallas' defense. The thing is though I feel that this spot may be a little too rich for Allen, as his lack of true physical traits may see him slide a little further than his overall talent suggests. That mixed with the fact that there are some good edge rushers still available leads me to believe Dallas may look in that direction here at pick 20. Despite trading for former Pro Bowl edge rusher Rashan Gary, I don't feel as if the Cowboys are done strengthening their pass rush, especially since Gary has never totaled more than 10-sacks throughout his seven year career. Clemson's T.J. Parker (who I had Dallas selecting in my last mock draft) would make a lot of sense here, but I feel like the versatility and physical frame of Auburn's Keldric Faulk would make him more of an ideal target for the Cowboys with their second first round selection. Though Faulk is far from the finished product, I feel his age and his freakish size could cause teams to turn the other cheek in regards to his "lack" of production this past season (totaling just two sacks). At 6'6" 276 lbs., Faulk possesses excellent fluidity positional versatility that sees him line up anywhere along the defensive line. Though he's not the finished product in regards to being a pass rusher, but he sets a firm edge in the run game, using his length and balance to generate pushback and keep blockers at bay. Like I said before, I'm sure there's going to be some that are turned off by his lack of production this past season, but his age, size, and work ethic should get you excited about what he can become at the next level. Faulk turns 22 in September, and I feel like Dallas would be one of the best places for him to land in order to get the best out of him.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
In my last mock draft I had the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with this pick, as new head coach Mike McCarthy has worked with and developed a lot of young quarterbacks throughout his time in the NFL. Regardless of how "moronic" YouTube user @davidparker5071 thinks it is, I do think there is a very solid chance that the Steelers could move for Simpson here should he be available. With questions surrounding Aaron Rodgers' immediate future, quarterback is definitely a position the Steelers will need to address at some point throughout the draft, with Penn State's Drew Allar being the guy I would potentially look at in the later rounds. All that being said with Simpson already off the board, Pittsburgh will have to pivot to another area of need. Though there's going to be some questions raised on the defensive side of the ball, my gut tells me that the aforementioned McCarthy will want to improve things on the offensive side of the ball. Based off of everything I've been seeing, the two main areas of concern for the Steelers on offense coming along the offensive line and at wide receiver. After losing guard Isaac Seumalo to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, guard definitely stands out, but with Olaivavega Ioane already off the board they may need to pivot in another direction. Though there are some reports that suggest Pittsburgh is worried about Brockderick Jones at left tackle (Clemson's Blake Miller has been linked) I feel like receiver may ultimately wind up being the pick here, even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts. Outside of DK Metcalf, not one receiver on the Steelers registered more than 400-yards this past season, with Calvin Austin III finishing with 372-yards. With him signing with the New York Giants this offseason, a slot receiver could be a priority with this pick. If you look at who the Steelers added this offseason in regards to coaching staff, you would see that they brought in former Buffalo Bills wide receiver coach Adam Henry, who spent the 2022 season serving as the co-offensive coordinator and receiver coach for the Indiana Hoosiers, where he coached and recruited Omar Cooper Jr., who I think may very well wind up being the pick here at 21 for the Steelers. As you've probably figured out by now, connections are important to me when it comes to the draft. That being said, Cooper's connection to Henry isn't the only reason I have him going here, as the former Hoosier has cemented himself as one of the top receiver prospects in this draft. One of my favorite players in the draft, Cooper averaged 2.55-yards per route while also forcing a whopping 27-missed tackles last season. 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 Steelers could definitely use at wide receiver. He'd go nicely next to the aforementioned Metcalf and Pittman on the outside.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
In a perfect world, the Los Angeles Chargers would be able to select one of the top interior offensive line prospects here with the 22nd pick in the draft, with Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane surely being the apple of their eye. Now sure, the Chargers have made some efforts to improve upon their interior offensive line. Despite losing Bradley Bozeman to retirement and Zion Johnson in free agency to the Cleveland Browns, they did go out and sign the likes of Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange to three and two year deals. With that being said those signings definitely don't calm the worries of Chargers fans out there, as quarterback Justin Herbert played behind one of the worst offensive lines in football this past season. Though it will be nice to have the tackle tandem of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injury, the interior will still need addressed. With Ioane going off the board to the Baltimore Ravens at pick 14, the next best interior prospects would be one of either Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon or Texas A&M's Chase Bisontis. Though they are both solid prospects, the 22nd pick may be a little too rich to select them at this point in time, no matter how big of a need it is. With that being said the Chargers may have to look in another direction with this pick, with edge rusher probably being the team's next biggest need going into the draft. Now, I am aware that the Chargers re-signed Khalil Mack to a one year deal, but the pass rush will still need addressed early on in the draft, especially with Mack recently turning 35 while also coming off his lowest sack season since his rookie year. Not only that, but they also lost Odafe Oweh to the Washington Commanders in free agency, who ranked second on the team in sacks despite only appearing in 12-games after getting traded from Baltimore. To me, if Ioane is off the board, edge rusher should be addressed, which is why I have them taking Clemson's T.J. Parker here with the 22nd 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 (6'4" 263 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 Chargers 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.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Same exact player that I had going to the Philadelphia Eagles in my first mock draft, Clemson's Blake Miller just makes all the sense in the world (to me) to eventually replace longtime starter Lane Johnson at right tackle. That being said, there have been a lot of differing reports suggesting who the Eagles should select with this pick, especially with all the rumors swirling around them potentially trading wide receiver AJ Brown this offseason. Players like Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. and Washington's Denzel Boston have been linked, as has Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, but given Howie Roseman's draft history I feel like he'd be more inclined to strengthen the offensive line rather than look for another weapon on the outside. Though I could very well wind up being wrong, I again just think either one of Miller or Arizona State's Max Iheanachor make the most sense for the Eagles here at pick 23. Though Iheanachor may have the higher ceiling, I feel like Miller is someone who has been steadily rising up draft boards in recent weeks. One of the more experienced tackle prospects in this year's draft, Miller started a whopping 54-games while at Clemson, with almost all of those starts coming at the right tackle position. Along with again being one of the more experienced prospects in this draft, Miller also possesses a good amount of athleticism that would mix very well with what the Eagles do on offense. At 6'7" 317 lbs., Miller put on a show at the recent NFL Combine, posting an impressive 5.04 in the 40-yard dash with a 9'5" broad jump, possessing the ideal size, length, and athleticism that teams look for along the offensive line. With that all being said 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) - Kadyn Proctor, iOL/OT, Alabama
After shocking the entire draft by selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the sixth overall selection, the Cleveland Browns can turn to a couple of other needs on the offensive side of the ball. Starting with the aforementioned offensive line, the Browns have again done a good job at re-strengthening a unit that saw all five starters enter free agency this offseason. So far this offseason they have added the likes of Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson via free agency, while also adding Tytus Howard via a trade with the Houston Texans. With center, left guard, and right tackle seemingly sured up for the time being, the Browns attention should now be turned to the left tackle position, as former fourth round pick Dawand Jones is slated to start the season off at that position. Another area of concern comes out wide at receiver, as last seasons leading receiver (Jerry Jeudy) is constantly being linked with trades away from Cleveland this offseason. Players like Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr., Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II, Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, and Washington's Denzel Boston (among others) would all make sense for the Browns with this pick, and though that could very well wind up being the case, I do feel that the need for a left tackle to protect Ty Simpson's blind side may be the more likely move given the real lack of depth at the position. Along with that I do believe connections could prove important again, and though I feel like there will be some shouts for Utah's Caleb Lomu, as his college offensive coordinator (Mike Bajakian) was added to Monken's staff this offseason, I feel like there's another connection that could prove more "powerful" as Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor is best friends with the aforementioned Simpson, making him an ideal target for the Browns here at pick 24. Apart from that, pound-for-pound Proctor is one of the more athletic offensive line prospects in this year's class. An absolute behemoth at either guard or tackle, Proctor measured in at 6'7" 352 lbs. at the recent NFL Combine. A three year starter with 40-career starts at left tackle for the Crimson Tide, Proctor possesses excellent feet and agility for someone at his size. Possessing an explosive first step in the passing game, Proctor handles both speed and bull rushers well, using his athleticism, size, and length to keep opposing pass rushers at bay. In the run game he is able to get to the second level while driving back smaller defenders with ease. An intriguing prospect for sure, there will be some who suggest kicking him inside due to his sheer size. If he's able to fully control his weight, there's no reason why he couldn't be a great tackle at the next level. After drafting Simpson it would make sense for general manager Andrew Berry to dip his hand back into the Alabama cookie jar, with Proctor hopefully serving as their longterm answer at left tackle (or tight end, right?).
25. Chicago Bears - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After spending almost all of last offseason strengthening the offensive side of the ball for then second year quarterback Caleb Williams, I'm sure most people would suspect the Chicago Bears to address the defensive side of the ball with their first pick in this year's draft. That being said, I'm sure there will be some Bears fans out there that suggest the team look for a longterm answer at left tackle, as current starter Braxton Jones was only brought back on a one year deal worth $5-million. But again, I do feel that this pick will ultimately be used on a defensive player, especially given some of the players that they lost this offseason in free agency. At first glance, edge rusher or interior defensive line may be the two biggest needs on the roster, as the Bears finished near the bottom in regards to rushing defense this past season, giving up 134.5-yards per game and a whopping five yards per carry. Along with that the team has been linked with a move for former Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Maxx Crosby, as he has been made available thanks to some dodgy "medicals." Though all of that is true, the Bears are really lacking in playmakers and depth in the secondary. So far this offseason, the Bears have lost three key contributors at the safety position, with the likes of Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson all leaving on one year deals. As things stand right now, the Bears starting safety tandem is Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant, and though I feel comfortable with the latter as a longterm solution, I don't necessarily feel the same about Lewis, as I don't really consider him a natural safety. He's a solid player don't get me wrong, but I feel his best role is as a versatile player off the bench. With that, I feel like Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be the perfect addition at strong safety in Dennis Allen's defense. 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 6'3" 201 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 the aforementioned Allen would love to have on the defensive side of the ball. I would definitely take him if he were available for the Bears here at pick 25.
26. Buffalo Bills - R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
This is arguably the most important offseason in recent Buffalo Bills history. I know to some out there that may sound a little crazy, but given how last season ended and how the Bills have gone about their business so far this offseason, I think it's fair to say that. After firing longtime head coach Sean McDermott, who left the organization as the winningest regular season coach in franchise history, the Bills went out and not only promoted general manager Brandon Beane, but also hired offensive coordinator Joe Brady to serve as the team's new head coach. In moves that are designed to get the organization over the proverbial playoff "hump," these moves felt pretty uninspiring when they were first made, with a majority of fans being more pessimistic than optimistic all things considered. Though I'm sure there are some out there who still feel that way, I would say that the Bills have actually had themselves a pretty solid offseason given who they've gone after in free agency and in the trade market. Now I'm not sitting here saying that they've been perfect, but the trade for wide receiver DJ Moore gives Josh Allen and the offense a true number one receiver, whereas signings such as Dee Alford, Bradley Chubb, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, and Geno Stone have definitely improved things along the defensive side of the ball. Along with players, I feel like the staff that Brady has put together so far has been really solid, with the experienced Pete Carmichael coming in as the offensive coordinator and the young and exciting Jim Leonhard coming in as the defensive coordinator. The team is starting to fill out, both on and off the field, which does fill me with more optimism as the draft approaches. Speaking of the draft, I feel like the Bills could really go in a bunch of different directions with this pick, especially since it doesn't seem that receiver will be addressed with this pick (given the comments from Beane and Brady). To me this pick screams defense, as if the Bills want to get over the aforementioned "hump" they have to improve their efforts on that side of the ball. Though I feel like linebacker and safety could be addressed here, after watching the lose the way they did against the Denver Broncos, I feel they desperately need to improve things along the edges, as they really presented no threat to Bo Nix the entire game. With Leonhard coming in, the Bills will be switching to a 3-4 defense, and will be more aggressive (and not reckless) when it comes to getting after the quarterback. When building his defensive staff, Leonhard brought in Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai. As I've brought up before connections are insanely important, which is why I have the Bills selecting Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas here with the 26th pick in the draft. Though he may not be the biggest prospect out there, Thomas is an extremely explosive and physical pass rusher that would fit perfectly in Leonhard's defense. At 6'2" 241 lbs., Thomas explodes out of the blocks, covering a lot of ground within the first few steps while also possessing a fantastic motor and natural willingness to make plays happen. He drew a lot of double teams while at Oklahoma, and despite this was still able to make plays in both the run and pass play, mostly due to his aforementioned motor and heavy hands. He never gives up on a play, and though he missed time due to injury last season he still managed to come away with 6.5-sacks and two forced fumbles. Overall I feel that Thomas fits what Leonhard will want to do on defense, reuniting with Valai to add some much need skill and depth to the edge rushing position.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Lomu, iOL/OT, Utah
I'm not going to lie, I struggled a good amount with this pick, as the San Francisco 49ers could really go a couple of different directions with their opening pick in the draft. If you were to poll most Niner fans out there, I'm sure most of them would say their main needs come out wide at receiver, along the offensive line (most notably tackle), and on the edges on the defensive side of the ball. Starting with the latter, I do feel that this need gets talked about the least compared to the other two, despite them ranking dead last in the league last year in sacks. I mean, San Francisco racked up just 20-sacks last season, which was six behind the 31st ranked New York Jets who finished the season with an abysmal 3-14 record. Sure they drafted Georgia's Mykel Williams last year with the 11th pick in the draft, but the dude finished with one sack to his name, which came in week six in a 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Nick Bosa coming back from injury the pass rush should improve by default, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't think about addressing it here for the second consecutive first round. All that being said I'm sure head coach Kyle Shanahan will want to strengthen his offense, as receiver and tackle again both need addressed at some point in time. After signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk this offseason, the Niners receiving room has been improved upon, but it'll still need work. That being said with the depth at the position I could see them passing on one here and taking one of the draft's top available tackles, especially with Trent Williams' longterm future constantly in question. I mean the dude turns 38 in July, and for as great as he is father time is undefeated, so I feel it may be best to find his eventual successor with this pick. With there being a run on tackles San Francisco swoops in to get the one they want, selecting Utah's Caleb Lomu here with the 27th pick in the draft. Once upon a time considered to be the best left tackle prospect in the draft, Lomu is someone who could really fall anywhere after the Detroit Lions pick at 17. At 6'6" 313 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 (posted solid numbers at the Combine), 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. Overall Lomu boasts a very high ceiling, and a frame that suggests he could put on more weight and strength with ease. He could again go earlier than this, but for now the tackle needy Niners will gladly select him here with the 27th selection, giving Brock Purdy a potential longterm solution at tackle.
28. Houston Texans - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
It's no secret that the Houston Texans need to address the trenches on both sides of the ball. The question is which side will they ultimately wind up addressing first? What's kind of crazy to think about is that you wouldn't think the defense would need to be addressed in any capacity, as the Texans boast one of the top units in the league, as they ranked first in total and second in scoring defense this past season. I guess you could say it's one of those situations where you're strengthening a strength, and adding a big body inside to help free up the likes of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter sounds like an intriguing option if you're the Texans. Though they have their pick of all the top interior defensive line prospects, I just have a hard time believing that they'd continue to leave CJ Stroud out to dry. Once considered one of the top-10 quarterbacks in the NFL following an all time rookie campaign, Stroud's reputation has been taking a massive hit throughout these past two seasons, with some out there even questioning if he's even a top-20 quarterback at this point in time. I mean, following his abysmal performance against the New England Patriots in the Playoffs, it's hard not to see why people are looking at him sideways. The Texans have to get Stroud back to hit best, and in order to do that they have to strengthen the offensive line, especially after trading former first round pick Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns back in mid-March. As I alluded to with the San Francisco 49ers, with a run on tackles taking place the Texans better move in order to get their guy. Though he may be one of the rawer prospects out there, Arizona State's Max Iheanachor would be an excellent addition along the Texans offensive line here with the 28th pick in the draft. Picking up football much later than most prospects, 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 far 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, at 6'6" 321 lbs. 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. I think he'd be a very solid pick for the Texans here at 28.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles) - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
This would be incredibly annoying, wouldn't it? I mean, it's bad enough that the Kansas City Chiefs off all teams possess two first round draft picks, but it's even worse that one of the draft's top players falls right into their laps with the 29th pick in the draft. Now, how did the Chiefs come into having two first round picks? Well, we can thank the Los Angeles Rams for that, as they sent their second of two first round picks (along with some other picks) to the Chiefs for All Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, who immediately became the highest paid defensive back in NFL history after signing a four year $124-million contract with his new team. The thing is though, not only did the Chiefs trade McDuffie to the Rams, the cornerback playing opposite of him (Jaylen Watson) also signed with the Rams this offseason, who signed a three year contract with the team. Then to cap it all off, they also lost safety Bryan Cook to the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning that have to replace three starters in the back half of their defense. After selecting Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. with their first selection, they can now turn to the secondary with this pick, where they wind up taking Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy here with the 29th pick in the draft. As I alluded to before, talent wise there is no good reason why McCoy should be falling this far down the draft board, but unfortunately for him there's a couple of things going against him. First off he has not played a down of football since the 2024 season, as he tore his ACL while training during the offseason in January of 2025. Due to that McCoy also did not participate in any drills at the recent NFL Combine, and is still a question mark going into Tennessee's upcoming pro day. If it weren't for the injury McCoy would be a surefire top-10 pick, and would definitely be within a shot to be selected by the Chiefs with their first pick rather than their second one. In his final season of college football, McCoy picked off four passes, being extremely effective while playing in press coverage. He mirrors opposing receiver's really well and is always under control, possessing excellent ball skills and the speed to keep up with the best of them. He may not be the most physically imposing tackler, but he's more than capable at making plays in the open field. Again, if it weren't for the question marks surrounding his injury he'd be a top-10 pick. That mixed with some apart annoyances surrounding his agent, and a real lack of need for corners here in the first round, may see McCoy fall much further than his talent suggests. His loss is the Chiefs gain I guess, as he can play opposite of another Whitehouse High School alum in Patrick Mahomes (may need to trade up to get him).
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver) - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The final team to possess more than one first round pick, the Miami Dolphins received this one from the Denver Broncos in exchange for former top-10 selection Jaylen Waddle. A full blown rebuild is going on down in south beach, with the Dolphins getting rid of a lot of key contributors from the past few seasons. Whether it be coaches, players, or those in the front office, the Dolphins are going to be a completely new look team when they take the field next season. Obviously the biggest difference on the field for Miami will come at the quarterback position, as former third round pick Malik Willis signed with the Dolphins this offseason to the tune of a three year $67.5-million contract, replacing the quarterback once considered good enough to tank for in the form of Tua Tagovailoa. Isn't that crazy? I mean, we went from "Tank for Tua" to cutting Tua in the span of five seasons, crazy how fast things move in the NFL. It's very much a "what have you done for me lately" type of league, and I'm intrigued to see how Willis does with his new team. With him, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, and new head coach Jeff Hafley all coming from Green Bay, I would imagine that their main goal would be to give Willis the best chance to succeed (however likely or unlikely that may be). With their first pick I had them selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, as right tackle has been a problem area for the organization for the past however many seasons. With this pick I'm going to give them Jaylen Waddle's replacement, having them select Texas A&M's KC Concepcion here with the 30th pick in the draft. Now, I understand that those associated with Packers don't usually target receivers in the first round, but again I feel like adding someone like Concepcion would be a smart move in order to get the best out of Willis. Though not the biggest receiver prospect out there (6'0" 196 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. As Willis is an excellent deep ball thrower, adding someone like Concepcion would give the Dolphins a true threat for their new quarterback to work with on the outside. Now, 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 the Dolphins offense (there may be some concerns regarding his knee).
31. New England Patriots - Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
I know I brought it up in my last mock draft, but watching the New England Patriots get absolutely dominated the way they did by the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX will always bring a smile to my face, despite the fact that Drake Maye made a Super Bowl before Josh Allen did. That last part will always sting, but I still went to bed that night with a smile on my face. With that performance it seems as if a lot of people are looking at Maye and the rest of the Patriots much differently. Sure the schedule jokes were made throughout the course of the season, but it seems like they hit a fever pitch after the Super Bowl was done and dusted. Hey, I'm not complaining, let's all make fun of the Patriots. But in all seriousness this is/was a good football team, they just happen to have run into a much better football team in the final game of the season. Though I again believe they're a good team, they still have some holes that they need to fill in order to repeat their successes from this year, especially since they'll have a much harder schedule (not like that's hard to do). Looking at their roster there are probably three needs that stand out more than others, with two coming on the offensive side of the ball, with those being receiver and right tackle. For receiver, though they went out and signed Romeo Doubs to a relatively massive four year $68-million contract, they don't have anyone on the roster who finished with more than 600-yards receiving last season (just talking receivers), which is why they're constantly linked with a move for Eagles receiver AJ Brown. For the other spot as of right now starting right tackle Morgan Moses is still a Patriot, but with rumors circulating about his longterm future it may be smart to find his replacement early on in the draft. All that being said, with most of the top receivers and tackles already off the board, New England may have to pivot to another problem area, with this one coming on the defensive side of the ball. This past season the Patriots finished in the bottom-10 in regards to sack production. With that, they also lost second leading pass rusher K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency to the Washington Commanders, leading to edge rusher arguably being the teams top need going into the draft, which is why I have them selecting UCF's Malachi Lawrence here with the 31st pick in the draft. Someone who's draft stock has been shooting up like a rocket in recent weeks, Lawrence possesses excellent size, length, and twitch to be an excellent pass rusher at the next level. At 6'4" 253 lbs., Lawrence has put on some great performances at the Senior Bowl and the recent NFL Combine. At the Combine Lawrence posted a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash with 1.59 10-yard split, while also registering a 40" vertical and a 10'10" broad jump, with every number ranking in the top three for edge rushers. That athleticism pops up on the field, as he is extremely explosive coming out the blocks and is able to rip passed opposing offensive tackles with ease while also possessing powerful hands. Now, I would not say that he is the finished product as of right now, but his ceiling is very high, and his athleticism will cause opponents problems at the next level. I feel like he'd be an excellent addition for the Patriots here at 31.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Your reigning and defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are looking to re-tool for another run at the big dance. No matter how many times I say it, it's still weird knowing that a Sam Darnold lead team won the friggin Super Bowl. I'm not trying to shade Darnold or anything like that, but like I brought up with the New England Patriots and Drake Maye it just doesn't sit right with me that he got to (and won) a Super Bowl before Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills did. Like, if you would have told me back in 2021, when Darnold was in Carolina and the Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the infamous 13-seconds game, that he would have made (and again, won) a Super Bowl before the Bills and Josh Allen I'm sorry, I would have called you crazy. Jokes and sadness aside, I cannot sit here and act like the Seahawks are not deserving Super Bowl champions, as they played damn near perfect football throughout the entirety of the Playoffs. Darnold was lights out and the defense brought back shades of some of the elite defenses that came before it. They were just a dominant unit, and I'm intrigued to see how they attack the draft to again, try and make another run. Looking at their roster there's a few areas that kind of stand out to me, and those areas are running back, edge rusher, and in the secondary. Starting with running back, with Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker signing with Kansas City this offseason, and with Zach Charbonnet coming off of a late season ACL tear, running back is definitely a position worth addressing early on in the draft, with Notre Dame's Jadarian Price being a very realistic target for Seattle here at 32. Edge rusher could be an option here as well, as Boye Mofe also left in free agency this offseason, as he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. All that being said the area I feel the head coach Mike Macdonald will want to address first is corner, as the secondary is a massive cog in what they do on defense. Mixed with that, Tariq Woolen was another one who left in free agency, but even with him here I feel like Seattle may have still looked to add another corner to their ranks. Re-signing Josh Jobe was good, but I feel like adding someone like Clemson's Avieon Terrell would be another good move for the organization here at pick 32. Though not the biggest prospect at the position (5'11" 186 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 Macdonald again 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.
Positions Drafted
Quarterbacks - 2
Running Backs - 1
Wide Receivers - 5
Tight Ends - 1
Offensive Tackles - 7
Interior Offensive Line - 1
Interior Defensive Line - 0
EDGE Rushers - 8 (including Arvell Reese)
Linebackers - 2 (including Arvell Reese)
Cornerbacks - 3
Safeties - 3
Just Missed Out (20)
*alphabetical order by position
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
Chase Bisontis, iOL, Texas A&M
Emmanuel Pregnon, iOL, Oregon
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
D'angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
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