NFL Mock Draft
Who do I have your team taking?
Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana
Geno Smith played the worst football of his career last year, making this pick a no brainer. Mendoza is the best QB in this class and has the potential to be a reliable franchise guy for years to come. Look for the Raiders to jump start their rebuild in April.
New York Jets - David Bailey, DE Texas Tech
There were probably some expletives shouted in the Meadowlands when Dante Moore decided to stay in college, so I expect the Jets to pivot to the best player available. Bailey is a monster getting after the QB, and he has climbed up draft boards since his CFP performance.
Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano, OT Utah
Even if Kyler moves on this is too early to take another QB. Ossenfort has drafted well since being hired in 2023, so I expect him to go back to the trenches and fill the desperate need at right tackle. Fano is my favorite run blocker in this class, and will be a staple on the line for years to come.
Tennessee Titans - Averell Reese, DE Ohio State
It is pretty much just best player available for Tennessee, as they need help everywhere. Simmons has been alone on that defensive line for a while, and look for them to change that here. With impressive speed to power and the ability to play off ball, Reese is exactly the type of defensive piece that the Titans want and need.
New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami
The Giants have neglected their offensive line for years now, being distracted by shiny objects in the draft. Hopefully Harbaugh sets things right, drafting a partner for Andrew Thomas. Francis has one of the strongest anchors in this class, and many scouts have him as the OL1.
Cleveland Browns - Monroe Freeling, OT Georgia
I am a bit lower than most on Freeling, but the hype is sky high on him right now and given the importance of the left tackle position I think the Browns are willing to reach a bit. Cleveland needs help everywhere on offense, and Freeling is a good place to start.
Washington Commanders - Rueben Bain Jr, DE Miami
Edge rusher is Washington’s biggest weakness, and Bain is the best available at that position. Bain has great hip bend and strong hands, making him an ideal fit for this team.
New Orleans Saints - Keldric Faulk, DE Auburn
A lot of people have New Orleans going offense given their head coach, but I think the need for a young defensive player is more important. The best run-stopping edge in this class, Keldric is tough to move off of his spot.
Kansas City Chiefs - Jeremiah Love, RB Notre Dame
Mahomes is hurt, Kelce is nearing retirement, Rashee Rice can’t stay out of jail, and their running backs stink. The Chiefs badly need an offensive weapon that they can trust, and Love is just that as the top RB that I have ever scouted.
Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S Ohio State
In all my years of draft coverage, I am not sure that I have encountered a more perfect player to team fit than this one. The Bengals just need someone who can make a tackle in space, and Downs is the man for the job.
Miami Dolphins - Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State
Bobby Slowik needs some weapons if he is going to last longer than he did in Houston, so I think WR makes sense here. Tate is a big body with a smooth running gait, and he would be a great piece to pair with Waddle.
Dallas Cowboys - Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State
The Cowboys’ defense let them down once again this year, and their linebacker core, which was once a strength, has become a huge weakness. Styles gives me Fred Warner vibes, which is the highest praise that a linebacker can get.
Los Angeles Rams - Caleb Lomu, OT Utah
The best way to make sure that Stafford never retires is to make sure that he stays upright and safe in the pocket. Lomu fills a need at right tackle and is a very high-floor player.
Baltimore Ravens - Peter Woods, DT Clemson
Baltimore’s defense was completely useless for most of the season last year, as they need help against the run and the pass. Woods can provide that, as a well rounded 3-technique guy that will solidify the middle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE Oregon
Cade Otton is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so rather than giving him an extension Tampa may elect to draft a better replacement. Sadiq is so fun to watch, especially after the catch where he eats up yards with ease.
New York Jets - Mansoor Delane, CB LSU
The Jets have lots of draft capital the next few years, but it is fitting that the pick acquired for Sauce is used to replace him! Delane is an experienced guy with long arms who is like Velcro in man coverage. Sound familiar?
Detroit Lions - R Mason Thomas, DE Oklahoma
Everyone has been mocking offensive line here, but I think that defense remains the biggest need. Hutchinson needs some help on the line, and Thomas is a great speed rusher off the edge who I comped to Nik Bonitto.
Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee
Minnesota hasn’t had a lock down corner in a very long time, and it’s the main thing that their defense needs. McCoy sat out last year to fully recover from his ACL, but he is one of the most instinctual players that I have seen at the position. I swear that he has eyes in the back of his head!
Carolina Panthers - Anthony Hill Jr, LB Texas
The Panthers’ defense just needs some depth, as they need to be better able to withstand injuries and potential departures. Hill has some gaudy numbers that will likely put him in contention for the most tackles in the NFL year in and year out.
Dallas Cowboys - Avieon Terrell, CB Clemson
Look for Dallas to stick with defense again, this time improving the secondary. Terrell is undersized but plays with ferocity and swagger, hopefully appealing to the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State
I think that Pitt sticks with Rodgers for another year, and he will likely demand more weapons to go with DK Metcalf. Tyson has been falling down boards due to his medicals and positional value, but he’d be a good fit with the black and yellow.
Los Angeles Chargers - Emmanuel Pregnon, OG Oregon
The offensive line has been a staple of Harbaugh’s identity for years, yet this unit is not up to snuff. Look for Jim to improve the situation with Pregnon, who moves incredibly well for his size.
Philadelphia Eagles - Kadyn Proctor, OT Alabama
There is no chance that Howie lets this draft go by without addressing O-Line. With Lane Johnson on his way out, Proctor can be a potential replacement. I know that there is skepticism with his size, but I still love his tape.
Cleveland Browns - Ty Simpson, QB Alabama
The Browns use their extra first to take another stab at the QB position here. Simpson has some nice arm talent, but struggles with accuracy. Hopefully, he can finally be the guy that Cleveland has been searching for.
Chicago Bears - TJ Parker, DE Clemson
Montez Sweat has not had much help in the pass rush of late, so look for Ben Johnson to keep investing in the trenches. Parker is a great speed rusher off the edge.
Buffalo Bills - Malaki Lemon, WR USC
Josh Allen had nobody to throw to last year, and it really hurt the team down the stretch. Lemon has the potential to finally be the go to guy that the Bills have been missing since Diggs.
San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Banks, DT Florida
Alfred Collins needs some help in the interior, and Banks has an impressively deep pass rush bag for a man of his size. He does have some injury history, but that has never stopped the Niners before!
Houston Texans - Olaivavega Ioane, OG Penn State
The Texans need to support Stroud to prevent a repeat of their season finale, and Ioane is the man for the job with maybe the best anchor in this class.
Los Angeles Rams - Brandon Cisse, CB South Carolina
The Rams secondary was a serious weak spot last year, and they haven’t invested in that unit in far too long. Cisse is an elite man cover prospect, with fluid hips.
Denver Broncos - Eli Stowers, TE Vanderbilt
We all know that Sean Payton is obsessed with his “Joker” on offense, and Stowers can be that for Bo Nix. A great route runner from the TE spot, he can win in all areas of the field.
New England Patriots - Cashius Howell, DE Texas A&M
New England’s best edge rusher is a free agent, and even if they bring him back they could use some help, finishing in the bottom 10 in the league in sacks. Luckily, Howell led the SEC in that category last year.
Seattle Seahawks - CJ Allen, LB Georgia
It makes sense for Seattle to keep investing in their defense, Mike McDonald’s specialty. Allen reminds me of an old school Mike LB, who can really lower the boom.