The NFL Draft is inching closer and closer. The first round starts Thursday at 8 p.m. The Green Bay Packers host this year.
The draft is an opportunity for a team to turn their fortunes around with one single pick. The Baltimore Ravens went from missing the playoffs three years in a row, to being a serious contender every season after trading into the first round of the 2018 draft and selecting Lamar Jackson at pick #32, one of, if not THE best final first-round pick ever.
So you see, the draft is filled with chaos, as players and picks get traded between teams every single year. I chose to do a mock draft based on what I would do as each team’s general manager, while not including any trades.
#1: Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward (Miami) QB
Cam Ward is a Senior with lots of experience. This past season, he broke the all time record for Division I touchdowns (178). Ward has gotten better each year in college. Starting out at Incarnate Word, transferring to Washington State, then ultimately coming to Miami for his last year. The Titans can’t trot Will Levis out for another season, after a very disappointing season last year, where he was ultimately benched for QB Mason Rudolph.
#2: Cleveland Browns – Abdul Carter (Penn State) EDGE
The Browns have a major question mark at the QB position, but I feel they could gain an identity drafting Abdul Carter. Having Myles Garrett and Abdul Carter off each edge is a nightmare for any opposing QB in the league. Carter is easily the best Edge in this year’s class, and many analysts have high praise for him. Matt Miller has stated “Abdul Carter is the best player in this draft. This is Micah Parsons, but he’s 260 pounds. So he can play that stack linebacker.”
#3: New York Giants – Travis Hunter (Colorado) WR/CB
Some Giants fans are clamoring for Giants GM Joe Schoen to draft Shedeur Sanders here, and I just don’t think you can pass on a true generational talent like Travis Hunter. We’re seeing a player that could genuinely be a top five corner and wide receiver in the NFL. Hunter is coming off a 2024 college season where he won the Biletnikoff award, Chuck Bednarik award, as well as the Heisman Trophy winner. He is the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL: a great who excels at both offense and defense. Giants fans should be more than excited about getting a prospect like Travis Hunter at #3 overall.
#4: New England Patriots – Will Campbell (LSU) OT
The Patriots need to do whatever they can to protect franchise Quarterback Drake Maye. Drafting Will Campbell to protect Maye’s blindside is a major upgrade to the O-line. Last season, Maye was sacked 34 times last season while only starting 12 games. Campbell did more than hold his own against top talent, such as Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart. The arm length doesn’t concern me for a talent like Will Campbell.
#5: Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham (Michigan) DL
At 6’3” 290 lbs, Mason Graham is an absolute freak rushing out the defensive tackle spot. Graham has been arguably the best defensive player for Michigan over the last couple seasons, helping them win a national championship in 2023. The Jaguars need help in the interior, after giving up 25.6 points per game in 2024, which ranked 27th out of 32 teams. Graham is a day one starter, and winning in the trenches is a must for any team.
#6: Las Vegas Raiders – Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona State) WR
McMillan is a big body receiver who wins vertically and contested balls in the air. He’s been top five in receiving yards each season the past two years. I think the Raiders need a real X receiver for Geno Smith to throw to, and McMillan is exactly that.
#7: New York Jets – Tyler Warren (Penn State) TE
Tyler Warren is one of my favorite players in this class. Listed at 6’6” 260 lbs, he’s another rare athlete. A guy his size has no business running as good of routes as he does. Not only can he win at the catch point, but he’s lethal with the ball in his hands in space. Warren had 218 RUSHING YARDS, on only 26 carries. That’s an average of 8.4 YPC with four touchdowns to go with it. People will call a tight end this early a reach, but think of the impact Brock Bowers had on that raiders offense last season. Tyler Warren is a special athlete.
#8: Carolina Panthers – Mike Green (Marshall) EDGE
Mike Green is someone I’m higher on than most. I really value production for college edge rushers, and Mike Green was able to tally 17 sacks this past season. That’s an absurd number, and he backed it up at the Senior Bowl too. I think Green has really good bend, and great at setting edge’s against the run too.
#9: New Orleans Saints – Armand Membou (Missouri) OT
Membou can step in for Penning (who’s struggled at tackle) and be an instant upgrade from day one. The Saints saw what an impact not having star Right Tackle Ryan Ramczyk last season did to them, and I don’t think they can afford to not improve on that area.
#10: Chicago Bears – Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) RB
It’s pretty simple here for the Bears, draft the best player available and get someone that can help take some pressure off of Caleb Williams. Jeanty is electric and a top three player talent wise in this year’s draft.
#11: San Francisco 49ers – Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) LB
The loss of Dre Greenlaw could be detrimental to the 49ers. Luckily, Jihaad Campbell falls to them and can be a 1-for-1 replacement for the former Pro Bowl linebacker.
#12: Dallas Cowboys – Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) OT
I think Dallas needs to get back to their roots and build up the trenches. They have Dak Prescott coming off a serious injury and need to do whatever they can to keep him healthy for a full season. Banks was able to hold up against premier SEC talent this season. He also has guard flexibility if the Cowboys wanted to kick him inside and leave Guyton at the Left Tackle spot.
#13: Miami Dolphins – Josh Simmons (Ohio State) OT
Simmons is a guy I’d probably have as my OL1 or 2 if it wasn’t for a devastating leg injury earlier this season. He has extremely high upside, but coming off an injury like that could hinder him the rest of his career. Miami needs to replace Terron Armstead who recently retired.
#14: Indianapolis Colts – Will Johnson (Michigan) CB
Very similarly to Josh Simmons, if it wasn’t for injury, Will Johnson could be a top 5-10 pick. If anyone questions how much potential Johnson has, just know he had more career pick 6’s than touchdowns given up through three years at Michigan.
#15: Atlanta Falcons – Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) EDGE
Another high production guy. Ezeiruaku amassed 16.5 sacks his past senior year. He’s great against the run too, gathering 21 tackles for loss last season. Atlanta should be desperate to improve their D-line, who finished next to last in sacks last season with only 31.
#16: Arizona Cardinals – Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) OL
Zabel is a guy who can play all five offensive line spots. He profiles best as an interior guard, which is big for the Cardinals who will need to keep Kyler upright this season.
#17: Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) EDGE
Shemar Stewart might have the highest ceiling of any pass rusher in this year’s draft class. He has crazy explosiveness and burst. The stats won’t show it, but if the Bengals are able to coach him up, he could be a serious problem coming off the edge.
#18: Seattle Seahawks – Jalon Walker (Georgia) OLB
Walker is a guy who could go anywhere from pick no. 5, to falling out of the first round. He has a Frankie Luvu type of playstyle, where he can rush the passer from out wide, but he can also drop and play off ball linebacker. Walker falling into a Mike Macdonold defense could be a perfect fit for his game.
#19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jahdae Barron (Texas) CB
One of my favorite players in this year’s draft class is nickelback Jahdae Barron. He’s a ball hawk, tallying up five interceptions this past season. I think he profiles similarly to Christian Gonzalez, who also can play both the nickel corner as well as boundary corner. Barron is a strong tackler and could thrive in a zone-heavy scheme like Todd Bowles has his defense run.
#20: Denver Broncos – Derrick Harmon (Oregon) DL
After transferring from Michigan State, Harmon unlocked a new level to his game. “According to Pro Football Focus, Harmon had 55 pressures last season, the most of any defensive tackle in the FBS.”
#21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) QB
Sanders is a guy who in the right system, I think we could see be an above average QB. The Steelers need to do something at the position, and Sanders falls in their lap at 21. Taking Sanders top five is rich for me, but I think it’s a good pick for Pittsburgh at this spot.
#22: LA Chargers – Malaki Starks (Georgia) Safety
Starks’ 2024 tape wasn’t as good as his 2023, but that’s more of a compliment than a diss. His 2023 tape was elite. I think he’s a day one starter and improvement for the Chargers secondary, and allowing him to learn from Derwin James could be huge for his game.
#23: Green Bay Packers – James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) EDGE
Pearce went into the 2024 season hoping to be a top five pick. Although that seems out of the cards, he still had a decent season and has that high ceiling. He has a really good get off, off of the edge. Green Bay needs a guy to compliment Rashan Gary off the other edge.
#24: Minnesota Vikings – Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) DL
Nolen was the second highest recruit coming out of high school, only to Travis Hunter. I think Nolen in a Brian Flores defense could set the world on fire, as Nolen is really versatile and gives great effort against the run and pass.
#25: Houston Texans – Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) WR
This pick feels a little too easy. Pairing Stroud back up with Egbuka from their college days could be really beneficial to the Texans, who need another pass catcher not named Nico Collins. Egbuka plays like an NFL receiver already, and I’d expect his game to translate really smoothly linking back up with Stroud in Houston.
#26: LA Rams – Kenneth Grant (Michigan) DL
The Rams hit on their past couple defensive line picks over the years (Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske), so why not add to that young core? Kenneth Grant could be the nose tackle and fill gaps while you let the other guys go get the quarterback. I think Chris Shula (Rams defensive coordinator) would love to add Grant to the centerfold of his defense.
#27: Baltimore Ravens – Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) Safety
Ravens have a glaring hole at the second safety spot. Why not go get a guy who’s snatched 13 interceptions over the last two seasons and is a two-time All-American. Pairing him up with Kyle Hamilton sets up the Notre Dame Safety duo perfectly.
#28: Detroit Lions – Mykel Williams (Georgia) EDGE/OLB
The production may not be there for Mykel, but he has really good traits and Georgia has pumped out good talent over the last couple years.
#29: Washington Commanders – J.T Tuimoloau (Ohio State) EDGE
I’m bullish on J.T, as he’s been productive every year, and been a really bright spot on the national championship winning defense this past season, totaling 12.5 sacks. The commanders need help with the pass rush, and I think J.T is the best one that was available.
#30: Buffalo Bills – Shavon Revel (East Carolina) CB
Revel is a long lanky cornerback, who wins at the line of scrimmage. The rare times he can’t get his hands on receivers, his recovery speed is otherworldly. Revel reminds me a lot of Quinyon Mitchell last season.
#31: Kansas City Chiefs – Luther Burden III (Missouri) WR
From looking like a top 10 pick to falling into the Chiefs lap, Burden had a ridiculous 2023 season, where he put up over 1,200 receiving yards. His 2024 wasn’t nearly as productive, only putting up 676 yards. It wasn’t close to being fully his fault, as quarterback play was a major issue with Missouri this past season. Mahomes should be happy about getting this type of talent.
#32: Philadelphia Eagles – Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) Safety
Emmanwori put up one of the best RAS (relative athletic score) ever seen at the combine. His combination of heigh, weight and speed is something special. He has the ability to impact games at the line of scrimmage, in coverage, and ball hawking.
