Since the Scouting Combine has come and gone, pro days are underway, and free agency has begun, a new NFL Mock Draft is in order, with the rumor mill starting to pick up at full speed.
1) Tennessee Titans | Cam Ward | Miami (FL) | QB
Veteran quarterback Brandon Allen signed with the Titans on Friday, hinting at the possibility of Tennessee wanting a young quarterback to sit behind Allen. Cam Ward is the best quarterback in the class.
2) Cleveland Browns | Abdul Carter | Penn State | EDGE
After requesting a trade, former Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett inked a four-year, $160 million extension on March 9. Pairing Garrett with Abdul Carter, arguably the best player in the draft, would wreak havoc in offensive backfields.
3) New York Giants | Shedeur Sanders | Colorado | QB
The Giants struck out on Matthew Stafford and have been in the market for Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson, and now Jameis Winston. It’s clear they want a veteran quarterback that can help them win now, but it was reported that New York won’t pass on Shedeur Sanders if he’s available at No. 3.
4) New England Patriots | Travis Hunter | Colorado |WR/CB
The Patriots offered free agent wide receiver Chris Godwin $20 million more than Tampa Bay did, but he chose to stay with the Buccaneers. New England has been in play for wide receivers all offseason, so getting the best one in the draft at No. 4 in Travis Hunter would give Drake Maye a brand-new toy.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars | Mason Graham | Michigan | IDL
Jacksonville has needs all over their defense, but shoring up the interior defensive line is a good place to start, considering games are decided in the trenches. Mason Graham is the best interior defensive lineman in the class.
6) Las Vegas Raiders | Jaxson Dart | Ole Miss | QB
Geno Smith is entering the final year of his three-year, $75 million contract, and he hasn’t been the type of quarterback to guarantee you playoff success. Pete Carroll, the new head coach of the Raiders, is reunited with his last quarterback from Seattle, but this pick, especially a team that isn’t ready to win right now, shocks the NFL world and sees Jaxson Dart go in the first round.
7) New York Jets | Tyler Warren | Penn State | TE
Justin Fields is the new quarterback of the New York Jets, and in order to succeed, he’ll need more weapons outside of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Tyler Warren is the best tight end in his class, offering a reliable security blanket for Fields and an option in the red zone.
8) Carolina Panthers | Tetairoa McMillan | Arizona | WR
The Panthers have a solid wide receiver room, but they’re lacking a bonafide No. 1. Tetairoa McMillan, arguably the second-best pass catcher in the class, would help out third-year quarterback Bryce Young tremendously.
9) New Orleans Saints | Matthew Golden | Texas | WR
Matthew Golden, out of Texas, earned himself some money at the NFL Scouting Combine by running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, which led all receivers. The Saints are desperate for a wide receiver, especially with Chris Olave’s injury concerns.
10) Chicago Bears | Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | RB
Ben Johnson’s offense in Detroit highlighted two elite running backs – Jamhyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Ryan Poles, Chicago’s general manager, has revamped the team’s offensive line, acquiring Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams. They’re gearing up to run the football to take some pressure off of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, and who better to headline their backfield than Ashton Jeanty?
11) San Francisco 49ers | Will Campbell | LSU | OT
With the edge rushers and defensive lineman on the board at No. 11, Will Campbell is staring San Francisco in the face – he’s too good of a prospect to pass up, and they need to protect Brock Purdy, who is likely to receive a contract extension either before next season starts, or next offseason.
12) Dallas Cowboys | James Pearce Jr. | Tennessee | EDGE
There are always rumors flying around the NFL Draft about players with “character issues.” Sometimes, they turn out to be legit, but most of the time, they’re false, and it hurts a young player’s draft stock and how they’re portrayed. James Pearce Jr. is still one of the more elite-level prospects, and since DeMarcus Lawrence signed with the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas will be in the market for another edge rusher to play opposite Micah Parsons.
13) Miami Dolphins | Armand Membou | Missouri | OL
The Dolphins need to find a way to keep franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as healthy as possible. Armand Membou, who had a great Combine, would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins, who need help in the trenches.
14) Indianapolis Colts | Colston Loveland | Michigan | TE
The Colts need to add weapons on offense, and their tight end room is arguably one of the weakest in the NFL. Adding Colston Loveland, a receiving-first tight end, would offer a safety blanket option for either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, whoever wins the quarterback battle.
15) Atlanta Falcons | Luther Burden III | Missouri | WR
Outside of Drake London and Bijan Robinson, the Falcons lack playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Luther Burden III would be a solid option out of the slot for second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
16) Arizona Cardinals | Jahdae Barron | Texas | DB
Jahdae Barron offers the Cardinals the flexibility to play both on the outside, in the slot, in the box, deep as a safety, or even rushing the passer from the edge. He’ll be a Swiss army knife for whoever drafts him.
17) Cincinnati Bengals | Will Johnson | Michigan | CB
The Bengals haven’t addressed their defense thus far during the offseason, yet their inability to play any sort of defense is why they weren’t a playoff team. Will Johnson gives Cincinnati the ability to limit an opposing No. 1 wide receiver in a loaded pass-catcher conference like the AFC.
18) Seattle Seahawks | Kelvin Banks Jr. | Texas | OT
The Seahawks will need to protect Sam Darnold and Kelvin Banks Jr. is too juicy of a prospect to pass up on at 18. Banks has the upside of being the best offensive lineman in the draft.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jihaad Campbell | Alabama | LB
Lavonta David, 35, isn’t getting any younger, and Jihaad Campbell can learn from one of the best linebackers of his generation. It would be a clean transition from David to Campbell if Tampa goes in this direction come April.
20) Denver Broncos | Emeka Egbuka | Ohio State | WR
Second-year quarterback Bo Nix needs some extra weapons – Courtland Sutton is a solid No. 1 wide receiver, and adding tight end Evan Engram is a major improvement to the team’s tight end room. Emeka Egbuka would fit perfectly in this Broncos offense, potentially bringing them to the next level.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers | Omarion Hampton | UNC | RB
With Najee Harris signing with the Chargers, that leaves just Jaylen Warren and newly signed Kenneth Gainwell in Pittsburgh’s backfield. Omarion Hampton is the definition of a Steelers’ running back, weighing in at 220 pounds. Hampton can also catch passes out of the backfield.
22) Los Angeles Chargers | Mike Green | Marshall | EDGE
With the departure of Joey Bosa, the Chargers will be in the market for an edge rusher. Mike Green led all of College Football in sacks, with 17, making him a steal at No. 22.
23) Green Bay Packers | Donovan Ezeiruaku | Boston College | EDGE
The Packers haven’t done much this offseason besides losing Jaire Alexander, who is injury prone, but still one of the league’s top corners. The cornerbacks available at selection 23 aren’t too attractive, so adding one of the better edge rushers in Donovan Ezeiruaku, is their best option. He was third in all of College Football in sacks, at 15.5.
24) Minnesota Vikings | Malaki Starks | Georgia | DB
Future Hall of Fame safety Harrison Smith will return for his 14th season, but the Vikings will need to replace him sooner rather than later. Malaki Starks, arguably a top-10 pick, would not only be a great replacement for Smith, but he’s someone who will make an immediate impact on this defense on day one.
25) Houston Texans | Josh Simmons | Ohio State | OT
The Houston Texans traded former All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders to free up some cap space. At pick 25, the best tackle left on the board is Josh Simmons. If he didn’t miss most of 2024 with a torn patellar tendon, he’d be one of the first tackles taken off the board. He’s reportedly “way ahead of schedule” in his recovery time, which should help his draft stock.
26) Los Angeles Rams | Jalon Walker | Georgia | LB
The Rams are in need of a gamechanger on defense and Jalon Walker can provide that need either in the middle of their defense, or by coming off the edge along with 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse.
27) Baltimore Ravens | Shemar Stewart | Texas A&M | EDGE
Something the Philadelphia Eagles have done to take their Super Bowl chances to the next level is dominating the trenches on both sides of the ball. Baltimore has an above-average offensive line, so adding an edge rusher to wreck a game would inch them closer to their hopeful Super Bowl appearance.
28) Detroit Lions | Mykel Williams | Georgia | EDGE
With Mykel Williams’ talent, this pick at No. 28 for the Lions is a no-brainer, especially in a position of need. Pairing him up with Aidan Hutchinson would take this team’s front seven to an elite level.
29) Washington Commanders | Nic Scourton | Texas A&M | EDGE
The Commanders could use an elite pass rusher and Nic Scourton ranked fourth in the SEC in tackles for a loss (14) and led the team with five sacks. He’s just 20-years-old and is a freak athlete with elite bend and athleticism. If the right coach gets their hands on him, Scourton could be a premier edge rusher for the next decade.
30) Buffalo Bills | Trey Amos | Ole Miss | CB
The Buffalo Bills traded Kaiir Elam, and while he was disappointing, they already addressed their defensive line, so their next crucial need is for their secondary. The Bills play a lot of man coverage, and Trey Amos is very good in man-to-man, making this a match made in heaven for both parties.
31) Kansas City Chiefs | Grey Zabel | North Dakota State | OL
The Chiefs traded Joe Thuney to the Bears, and Patrick Mahomes was under duress in the Super Bowl, making the offensive line their most important position of need. Grey Zabel is one of the better offensive linemen remaining at this spot, and he has the ability to play inside at either guard or center, as well as kick out and play tackle.
32) Philadelphia Eagles | Kenneth Grant | Michigan | IOL
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has made a living off of drafting elite talents that fall in the draft. Kenneth Grant, one of the better interior defensive linemen, is left here at the last pick in the first round, making this a no-brainer. Milton Williams left Philadelphia for New England, so an interior defensive lineman is a position of need for the defending Super Bowl champions.
