We are still awaiting decisions from Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson to close the quarterback carousel for free agency, but the past week has provided a much clearer picture of the NFL landscape ahead of the draft. For the purposes of this mock, I’m assuming Rodgers will sign with the Steelers and Wilson will land in New York.
1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
There is certainly a chance the Titans take Abdul Carter or end up trading down if they don’t want a signal-caller, but their moves in free agency—bolstering the offensive line and signing only Brandon Allen at quarterback—suggests Ward is their target. It’s also interesting that any smoke about a trade down cooled off after Ward visited Tennessee.
2. CLE: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Cleveland needs hope at the most important position in sports to overcome a historical misstep by acquiring Deshaun Watson, and Sanders has brought up his success in turning programs around at Jackson State and Colorado. Already trading for Kenny Pickett and bringing in another veteran wouldn’t prevent the Browns from taking Sanders to make sure they are set at quarterback.
3. NYG: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
The nightmare scenario for Giants fans—especially if they miss out on Aaron Rodgers—appears more and more likely by the day, so the organization could instead pivot by further bolstering a defense that was already improved via free agency. In this scenario, Carter might play linebacker on early downs while giving New York a modern-day NASCAR package in passing situations.
4. NE: Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado
New England being unable to acquire any of their top targets at wide receiver last week puts them in a tough spot, but it could be a blessing in disguise to get Hunter—primarily as a wideout—rather than reaching for an offensive lineman. It’s safe to assume Mike Vrabel is a big fan of Hunter’s ironman mindset.
5. JAX: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Jacksonville is the most difficult team to peg under new general manager James Gladstone, and I would bet he wants to trade back to accumulate more picks. If there are no suitors, the Jaguars might either take Graham to slide in between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker or help Trevor Lawrence with a pass-catcher (Tetairoa McMillan?) or offensive lineman.
6. LV: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders could decide to double dip at running back later and attack elsewhere with the No. 6 pick (it’d be awesome to keep Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson together in Chip Kelly’s offense), but Jeanty will be one of the most impactful players in the draft because of his big-play ability. I’ll be interested in if/when Las Vegas takes a signal-caller after trading for Geno Smith.
7. NYJ: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Membou has some things to clean up as a run blocker to be worth taking this high, but he’s a ready-made pass protector at right tackle—which is a glaring hole for the Jets after losing Morgan Moses to New England. While another weapon for Justin Fields would also make sense, I get the sense his legs will be a huge part of what New York does offensively.
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
Carolina badly needed to upgrade the defense this offseason, and adding Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to join Derrick Brown on the defensive line was a solid start. Now, boosting the edge needs to be the priority, and Walker is my favorite prospect in the class with a rare combination of instincts and natural ability as a rusher.
9. NO: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Most have the Saints targeting the trenches because Kellen Moore comes from Philadelphia (and obviously got his start in Dallas), but wide receiver was completely depleted for them last season when Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed went down. Considering there have been no new additions in free agency, New Orleans might have their sights set on McMillan as a big-bodied complement to pair with the speedsters.
10. CHI: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Chicago is a team to keep an eye on for a possible trade up to get Ashton Jeanty, and left tackle remains a strong possibility as well. However, the uber-athletic Stewart fits the archetype that Ryan Poles has wanted at defensive end, and he’d get a chance to develop—with inside-outside versatility—behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
11. SF: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
I had Grant here in my initial mock, and defensive tackle has only become an even bigger need for the 49ers since then. Based on how the league has collectively invested on the interior in recent years, we should start seeing Grant mocked this high—or perhaps even higher—more and more as we get closer to the draft.
12. DAL: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
A lineman is always an option for Dallas, and Texas speedster Matthew Golden wouldn’t surprise me to give Dak Prescott a vertical element on the perimeter. The loss of Jourdan Lewis creates a hole in the slot, though, and Barron would be another instinctive playmaker between Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
13. MIA: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
I believe Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.—who I compared to Terron Armstead—is the perfect fit for Miami, but 2024 second-rounder Patrick Paul could lead to them looking elsewhere. The size and athletic makeup of Emmanwori will likely get him drafted high, and the Dolphins have a clear need at safety.
14. IND: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Indy needs a bigger presence in the middle of the field to make things easier on Anthony Richardson and/or better fit what Daniel Jones does well, and Warren profiles as an impact player for a regime that needs one. Tyler Booker is the other name commonly connected to the Colts, but this might be too early for him.
15. NYG (mock trade w/ ATL): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Atlanta moving down makes a ton of sense with just four selections, and the dots are there to connect between Dart and the Giants: approval from Eli Manning (fellow Ole Miss alum), high praise from Joe Judge (quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss), and Dart being the third quarterback to meet with New York at the Combine (along with Ward and Sanders). If the Giants were to hit on a quarterback outside the top three, it’d turn a nightmare into the best-case scenario.
16. ARI: Will Campbell, G, LSU
Campbell is mocked as high as No. 4 overall, but I’m not quite as high on him—and shorter measurements at offensive tackle could cause him to fall outside the top 15. That said, the Cardinals will probably love his demeanor, and he could start at left guard until eventually taking over for Jonah Williams (who also has short arms) at right tackle.
17. GB (mock trade w/ CIN): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class with his stock perhaps not as high as many media evaluators originally believed, but the Packers—set to move on from Jaire Alexander—could move up ahead of the Seahawks (and former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald) to get him. Depending on how they view the class, I wonder if an out-of-nowhere trade for a wide receiver could be a consideration.
18. SEA: Kelvin Banks Jr., G, Texas
Aside from left tackle Charles Cross, the Seahawks are expected to have competition all along the offensive line—and Banks has the ability to play either guard or right tackle despite manning the blindside for the Longhorns. Based on how last season ended for Sam Darnold in Minnesota, keeping him upright is key.
19. TB: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Tampa Bay handled the need for a pass rusher on the edge with Haason Reddick, but Campbell—as a versatile off-ball linebacker—is another defender that can pressure the quarterback in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme. Cornerback is the other position I would imagine is a consideration for the Bucs in Round 1.
20. DEN: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
I’m torn between Judkins and teammate TreVeyon Henderson for Denver, as both are extremely well-rounded backs that can catch the ball and protect Bo Nix at a high level. Because the Broncos already have run-after-catch weapons in Marvin Mims Jr. and new “joker” Evan Engram, the power provided by Judkins could give him the edge.
21. PIT: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Steelers not ending up with Aaron Rodgers could change everything for them, but running back needs a boost following the departure of Najee Harris—and Hampton is the style of runner that Arthur Smith wants with power and speed. Whoever ends up in Pittsburgh will benefit significantly from DK Metcalf and George Pickens forcing the safeties back.
22. LAC: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Los Angeles pushing for Evan Engram clearly shows they want to upgrade at tight end, and I don’t think it would have taken them out of the running for Loveland with the heavy personnel groupings Jim Harbaugh has leaned on throughout his career. A skill-position core of Najee Harris, Ladd McConkey, Mike Williams, and Loveland would be very strong for Justin Herbert.
23. CIN (mock trade w/ GB): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Cincinnati will need to hit on more young contributors after signing Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals (with Trey Hendrickson perhaps still to come)—and Starks is a top-10 prospect who would bring major playmaking ability to the secondary. Depth for the class on the defensive line will allow the Bengals to target options on Day 2 and Day 3.
24. MIN: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Vikings re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. and bringing in Isaiah Rodgers makes cornerback less of a priority than it otherwise would have been, but Hairston’s speed and ball skills could still be appealing to Minnesota. If the defensive front—revamped with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave—creates consistent pressure, Hairston might be able to jump a few throws as a rookie.
25. HOU: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Matthew Golden could still be the pick here like he was in Mock 1.0 despite the acquisition of Christian Kirk, but Houston has remade the offensive line this offseason—headlined by the trade of Laremy Tunsil that opens a hole at left tackle. I believe Simmons is the best offensive lineman in the class and will be a home-run value when healthy coming off a torn patellar tendon.
26. LAR: Grey Zabel, C, North Dakota State
Beaux Limmer was a nice find for Los Angeles in the sixth round last year, but I don’t think the Rams are fully content with the current state of the offensive line protecting 37-year-old Matthew Stafford. Whether it’s at center or guard, Zabel is a smooth technician and an ideal fit for Sean McVay’s offense.
27. BAL: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Jackson could easily be a top-15 pick based on his performance at Ohio State (including moving to left tackle during last season’s championship run), and he would seamlessly slide in at left guard for Baltimore. I’d like to see what T.J. Tampa can do in Year 2, but cornerback is another position the Ravens will target behind Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins.
28. DET: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Pearce is a volatile prospect with reported character concerns potentially causing him to slip into Day 2—but Detroit has the foundation in place to take a swing on a player with major upside. On the field, Pearce would be an extremely athletic and rangy complement to Aidan Hutchinson as the Lions gear up for a Super Bowl run in 2025.
29. WAS: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
I didn’t see a top-tier athlete when watching Williams at Georgia, and a less-than-spectacular Pro Day performance has others reassessing. What you do get out of Williams is an extremely tough and strong player that plays with tremendous effort on the edge, which sounds like the type of guy Dan Quinn wants in Washington.
30. BUF: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Buffalo swooping in to sign Joey Bosa last week was huge, but they still need to get better on defense to finally get past Kansas City in January. The selection of Morrison would allow the Bills to be more confident playing man coverage while maintaining the skillset and size on the perimeter to match the zone looks that have become a staple under Sean McDermott.
31. KC: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
A talented player with off-field concerns landing in Kansas City has become a familiar story, and Green is a pure speed rusher that would benefit from one-on-one opportunities alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. I would be surprised if the Chiefs didn’t go defense with Rashee Rice returning and Hollywood Brown re-signed.
32. PHI: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Based on recent years, the most realistic scenario might be the Eagles having Malaki Starks or James Pearce Jr. fall to them. But staying in the SEC, Nolen can replace Milton Williams as the third defensive lineman in a rotating group behind Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.