It's the NFL Draft. Again. Every year, Ned Ryerson, I mean Roger Goodell, pops up from out of nowhere, asks for a hug, and tries to sell these poor prospects life insurance. At least, that's what I assume they're talking about. Bing!
This mock will not project trades
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, (QB - Indiana)
I like this player. There. I said it. Some people think he's going to bust, I think he's a winner. But what do I know? They pay me for offensive line talk, not QB talk.
2. New York Jets - David Bailey (ED - Texas Tech)
The Jets' staff don't have time to develop anyone, whoever they draft has to help right away.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Arvell Reese, (ED - Ohio State)
It feels like either Bailey at 2 or Reese at 3, or vice versa. The Cards will take whoever the Jets don't. Recent Love rumors aside.
4. Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love (RB - Notre Dame)
This is extremely chalk, but hey, it also makes sense from the perspective that they need to help Cam Ward, and Love is the best offensive player in the draft.
5. New York Giants - Sonny Styles (LB - Ohio State)
The Giants' recent trade (see the 1.10 pick below) has the rumor mill in a frenzy. I don't believe they will go offensive line or even wide out at this point, so it's defense all the way.
6. Cleveland Browns - Monroe Freeling (T - Georgia)
This pick might be wildly out of line, but he's got a 9.99 RAS and the endorsement of HOF LT legend Joe Thomas.
7. Washington Commanders - Jordyn Tyson (WR - Arizona State)
Tyson, as the first wide out off the board, is a somewhat spicy take. But his medicals are clear, and he's got more upside than Tate.
8. New Orleans Saints - Carnell Tate (WR - Ohio State)
The Saints have no problem scooping up the more reliable player, injury-wise, than Tyson, but it could very easily go the other way, with Tate ahead of Tyson.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Rueben Bain Jr. (ED - Miami)
Arm length concerns aside, KC will end up with the best pass rusher in the draft. It just feels inevitable somehow.
10. New York Giants (VIA CIN)- Caleb Downs (S - Ohio State)
Downs falling to ten was always the plan for the Bengals, so the Giants take that blueprint. Big Blue Print? I don't know. They can't all be winners, you guys.
11. Miami Dolphins - Francis Mauigoa (T - Miami)
No offense to Mauigoa, who has all the makings of a terrific pro, but if he can't play left tackle, he may fall out of the top-ten picks. But only barely.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Mansoor Delane (CB - LSU)
Truly, this is the best-case scenario for the Cowboys. The position has not historically been valued as a top-ten pick, no matter how good the prospect. Delane probably deserves to go higher.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Spencer Fano (T - Utah)
The Rams rarely draft the offensive line high, but this year, they might have to break that streak. Fano can contribute at 4 positions, and the Rams need help at all of them.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Makai Lemon (WR - USC)
Even though the Ravens can go in many different directions here, they need to help Lamar Jackson on offense. Lemon's somewhat odd combine interview aside, he's a player who does that.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Keldric Faulk (ED - Auburn)
Faulk to the Bucs is another very chalky pick, and I know scouting reports are all over the place on this player, but mid-rd1 feels about where he goes.
16. New York Jets (VIA IND) - Oliavavega Ioane (IOL - Penn State)
The Jets are run by former Lions coaches, and those guys love to load up on the offensive line. Dylan Parham is not a reason to pass on anyone.
17. Detroit Lions - Blake Miller (OT - Clemson)
I'm going to repeat my comment from the last mock: Brad Holmes has a history of drafting former wrestlers. Miller went 127-19 at Clyde High School in Ohio, then started 54 games at Clemson.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Kenyon Sadiq (TE - Oregon)
Sadiq is the only round 1 prospect the Vikings have hosted for a top-30. And again, if not Minny, this is about where Sadiq's going to go in the round.
19. Carolina Panthers - Dillon Thieneman (S - Oregon)
The Panthers could very easily go next best lineman in Lomu or Iheanachor. But the defensive backfield is also a huge need.
20. Dallas Cowboys (VIA GB) - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S - Toledo)
The Cowboys could go edge here, but they also need to overhaul their entire defensive backfield, so a CB and S double dip isn't as unlikely as it seems.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kadyn Proctor (T - Alabama)
This team needs a power left guard to replace Isaac Seumalo in year one and beyond that, who knows? Proctor has been invited to the draft live and isn't getting out of the round.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Chase Bisontis (G - Texas A&M)
Bisontis carries a 9.85 RAS and becomes an instant starter for a Chargers line that needs stability.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Max Iheanachor (T - Arizona State)
The Eagles need to plan for life beyond Lane Johnson. Iheanachor has a 9.87 RAS, and if you are still reading, you'll notice those elite scores mean something to NFL GMs and me.
24. Cleveland Browns (VIA JAX) - Omar Cooper Jr. (WR - Indiana)
The Browns hosted Cooper for a top-30 visit, and his experience in Todd Monken's RPO system makes this an easy fit between the program and the prospect.
25. Chicago Bears - Akheem Mesidor (ED - Miami)
The Bears have no problem taking on Mesidor as a "seasoned rookie" at the age of 24. Their window is open right now.
26. Buffalo Bills - KC Concepcion (WR - Texas A&M)
Concepcion is a Rochester native. Perhaps this is just lazy mock drafting, but the Bills must know him really well, right?
27. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Lomu (T - Utah)
Lomu's 9.88 RAS and LT flexibility could have him going ten slots higher, to a place like Carolina at 19 easily. We're at the point where playoff teams get lucky.
28. Houston Texans - Kayden McDonald (DL - Ohio State)
The Texans lost Tim Settle Jr. and need a new double-team absorber for the middle of their defense. McDonald fits the high-motor tendencies Demeco Ryans values.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (VIA LAR) - Jermod McCoy (CB - Tennessee)
Speaking of teams getting lucky, McCoy worked out well and could go much higher than this in the round, NYJ at 16, for example. But sometimes teams get locked in on other guys.
30. Miami Dolphins (VIA DEN) - Denzel Boston (WR - Washington)
The Dolphins traded Jalen Waddle and are good bets to replace him in the first round. Boston has visited the Dolphins with a top-30 pick and should be a good red zone target in the league.
31. New England Patriots - Malachi Lawrence (ED - UCF)
This end-of-round-one edge bumper crop is a real thing. Lawrence had insane jumps at Pro-Day and has become a late riser, along with players like Zion Young and T.J. Parker.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Cashius Howell (ED - Texas A&M)
Howell has short arms but can also drop into coverage, which the Seahawks defense values.
The Next Quarterback
This mock assumes the Arizona Cardinals will draft QB Ty Simpson, Alabama, at 34.
Picks for those without First-Rounders
2.41 - Cincinnati Bengals take DT Peter Woods, Clemson
2.47 - Indianapolis Colts take LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
2.48 - Atlanta Falcons take DT Christen Miller, Georgia
2.52 - Green Bay Packers take OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
2.62 - Denver Broncos take DT Caleb Banks, Florida
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