Round 1

1.01 - Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB

This pick requires little to no explanation. Mendoza is the best QB in this draft, and the Raiders need a restart as a franchise. This is the only player on the table at this pick in their situation.

1.02 - New York Jets - Reuben Bain Jr., Miami DE

The Jets obviously have a need at QB, but should not address it here (if at all in Round 1). Looking at the happy medium between blue chip talent and position value, I think the Jets go with Bain here. I understand that Reese is a popular pick here, but I don’t think he fits on the defensive line in the Jet’s base-4 front.

1.03 - Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano, Utah OT

The Cardinals have a hole at right tackle with Jonah Williams not expected to be retained. Fano is my only tackle prospect with a true RD 1 grade, and ironically, is a prospect that I compared to Jonah Williams in my own scouting. Funny coincidence. I really like the floor of Fano as a player where even if he doesn’t work out as a high end starter, in the worst case I think he can be a plus starter on the interior.

1.04 - Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate, Ohio State WR

The Titans have a roster with a lot of holes, and in my mind they lean BPA. I know Saleh is a defensive minded guy, and the whole draft process will be full of leaning on Arvell Reese or Reuben Bain Jr. as the pick here (if available), but Tate is the highest graded prospect on my board. Again, very ironically, Calvin Ridley was my pro style comp for Tate.

1.05 - New York Giants - Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

Frankly, this is the range where I think a lot of teams will be looking to trade down. You have blue chip talent here in traditionally low-value positions (Downs, Styles, Love for some) and run into this range of RD1 guys, but nobody you get ecstatic about this high in the draft. Not doing trades yet, so the Giants are in a bit of a pickle. The offensive line is certainly in consideration, but that unit played well enough, and should be able to retain Eleumenor and Van Roten in FA. To me it comes down to some mix of Arvell Reese, Mansoor Delane or Caleb Downs here. I think Downs is a more transformational piece for that defense, and so that is my leaning here. There will be a lot of talk of the “Harbaugh likes Downs because of Kyle Hamilton” but they are two very different players. This is just taking a blue-chip difference maker on the defense.

1.06 - Cleveland Browns - Francis Mauigoa, Miami OT

The Browns offensive line was awful, and while I do not see him as a RD 1 tackle, I’ll lean consensus here. Worst case, Mauigoa moves to guard, which is also a high level of need for Cleveland. Mauigoa should represent a startable asset on the offensive line.

1.07 - Washington Commanders - Arvell Reese, OLB

The Commanders have a lot of holes on the roster, and the outlook of the team is very different than it was this time last year. Do you take an offensive weapon (Love/Lemon/Tyson) to help out your younger QB and first time OC David Blough, or do you try and fill the gaps on an aging defense that is lacking star power? We saw Mariota do decent things with this offense last year, so for this mock I will be leaning on the defensive side of the ball. While he is not the highest ranked defensive player on my board, he is easily the highest on the consensus board right now, so Reese is the selection here. I see Reese as more of a true LB than this OLB/DE hybrid, but he represents a unique skill set that could make him a high end player if the consistency issues are taken care of.

1.08 - New Orleans Saints - Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

Loomis is traditionally a player that loves drafting in the trenches (10/13 RD 1 picks since 2015), but I don’t see the line up between archetype and draft value on either side at this position. That likely opens them up for an offensive playmaker. WR would be the first up, and Tate would be the dream here (regardless of the Olave-OSU connection), but he didn’t fall. Jordyn Tyson would be great from a player perspective, but taking an injury prone WR to pair with a concussion prone Olave is a PTSD nightmare. I love Malaki Lemon, but I doubt the NFL takes a slot guy this high…which brings us to Love. Kamara is still on this offense, but clearly did not look himself. I doubt he is going anywhere, but this gives that backfield a nice 1-2 punch, and the Saints can use the rest of the draft to throw assets at the interior OL and WR.

1.09 - Kansas City Chiefs - Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR

Love is usually the popular pick here, but doesn’t fall. The defensive line is probably the biggest area of need for the Chiefs. However, there are no DEs that make sense from a value/team fit standpoint (Bailey would be next, but I think he’ll be a touch undersized for them), and I don’t personally like any of the DTs this high. My last remaining blue chip prospect is not at a position they need at all. I really am not sure where the Chiefs land in this scenario, so I will default to WR to bolster that room. Yes, Rashee Rice is the top guy in that room, but also carries a lot of off-the-field concerns where the Chiefs would probably like some insulation. Kelce is a question mark to retire at any point, and Worthy hasn’t developed the way they probably wanted, so this is my leaning here.

1.10 - Cincinnati Bengals - Sonny Styles, Ohio State LB

The Bengals defense was awful last year, highlighted by one of the worst LB cores seen in a while. This is a run-the-card-in scenario to me. Styles is a blue-chip LB that can bring stability to that room in all phases.

1.11 - Miami Dolphins - Kadyn Proctor, Alabama OT

If Sullivan drafts similarly to how Green Bay did, which would make sense considering how long he has been a part of that organization, the board really gets a lot narrower for the Dolphins. Popular picks like Delane and McCoy are likely off the board due to athletic testing not being elite. Bailey would be my next player up, but I think the Dolphins will likely start moving towards a 4-front which would be inline with Jeff Haffley and Sean Duggan’s background (as stated earlier, I think he is on the smaller side for that). Peter Woods was also in consideration here, as I think he’ll hit the testing, but I don’t think the position value holds. All of that preamble now done, I’m going with Proctor here. There will be some transitionary steps moving from the left to right side, but that shouldn’t stop them here. Tackle or Guard (if they want to give Austin Jackson another run in the final year of his deal), Proctor should find a starting home here.

1.12 - Dallas Cowboys - Mansoor Delane, LSU CB

With the first of two picks in RD1, I think they look CB here and come back to DE at 20. Delane is the top CB on my board, and is the selection here. A nice CB prospect for a long-time DB coach first-time DC in Christian Parker.

1.13 - Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Jermond McCoy, Tennessee CB

Another team with their first of two picks in RD1, the Rams are likely a bit peeved that they just lost Proctor (my last fringe RD1 tackle) and Delane (CB 1) in back-to-back picks. Still, Jermond McCoy is still here and is arguably the “joint” CB1 with Delane in this draft. Yes, he is coming off the ACL tear, but that shouldn’t sway a team like LA from taking good talent in high value positions.

1.14 - Baltimore Ravens - David Bailey, Texas Tech DE/OLB

Bailey is a top tier pass rusher with room to grow in run defense, and sures up a position of need for this team while also being the best player on the board. A defense minded Jesse Minter gets a great defensive prospect.

1.15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Keldric Faulk, Auburn DE

LB is probably the biggest need for this team, and there are no ILBs that I like in this spot. Bailey would have been a home run pick, but he just went. Cashius Howell is a name that comes up for them at OLB, but he is so one note I have a hard time justifying pick 15 for him. I think Faulk is likely BPA on their board, so I’ll take him here. This is an elite run defender, and has shown pass rush upside (in 2024). Frankly, I think he is a better fit as an odd front DE, so this also feels like a nice home for him. High character, team captain, and will be 20 on draft night. Enjoy.

1.16 - New York Jets (via IND) - Malaki Lemon, USC WR

A consensus pick, but one that I love for the Jets. They clearly need another weapon in the passing game, and Lemon is my personal WR1 of the class.

1.17 - Detroit Lions - Peter Woods, Clemson DT

As a Lions fan, this will probably be a lengthier explanation, and I apologize for that.

In my eyes, the biggest needs for this team are tackle (higher need if Taylor Decker retires) and DE. After that, I would look at BPA in the secondary or maybe DT, as I suspect we will take care of the interior offensive line in free agency. There are no tackles worth this level of pick so that is off the table. For DE Mesidor is absolutely not the pick this high, and TJ Parker seems like a great guy in the mid 20s. There are no CBs here that are our style of play and worth the pick (I love Keith Abney, but this would be a good reach for him based on consensus). DT might make sense, but playing time is going to be interesting with McNeil, Williams, and likely one of Reader or Lopez. All of that to say, with how this board fell, I would think Detroit is doing anything and everything to try and get out of this pick, but it’s a no trade mock, so I digress.

Looking at BPA and correlation to how Detroit usually drafts in RD 1, I think Peter Woods is likely the best bet here. Should test well, is a multi-year starter that shows a good floor and high end flashes.

1.18 - Minnesota Vikings - Kayden McDonald, Ohio State DT

Aveion Terrell is one of the more common picks here, but I really think he’ll be a faller come draft day due to a smaller frame and lack of real high end talent (sorry you had to catch that stray Aveion). With Kwesi gone and Rob Brzezinski taking over draft duties, it is really hard to tell what will happen here from a historical trend standpoint. I’ll look to the trenches and go with McDonald. Fantastic run defender and offers some upside in pass rush.

1.19 - Carolina Panthers - CJ Allen, Georgia LB

Pass rusher or LB is probably the most pressing need for Carolina, and a small part of me wanted to go with Sadiq, but Allen ended up being the pick here. Carolina needs an upgrade in their LB room, and Allen is a nice all around prospect that should be a plus starter for them in the position.

1.20 - Dallas Cowboys (via GB) - TJ Parker, Clemson

Dallas is back for the second pick of the first round and lands on Parker. Still a touch early for my taste, but brings a solid floor to the position with room to grow (or return to form) in the pass rush. I don’t know if he is ever going to be one of the elite players, but I think he can be a consistent year-over-year starter.

1.21 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

If you are not a Ty Simpson fan, I totally understand why you want to kill this pick, and I get it. For me, based purely on tape, I think he is in the same tier of prospect as Mendoza. It is the extra details about Simpson, most notable his one year as a starter, that really is what tanks his draft capital. Pittsburgh needs a QB of the future, and I believe Simpson can be that, which is why he is the pick here. We’ll see how the new coach (in coordination with ownership) feels about it.

1.22 - Los Angeles Chargers - Cashius Howell, Texas A&M OLB/DE

While Olaivavega Ioane is the consensus pick here, I don’t think he holds the movement skills for McDaniels running scheme, or the run blocking proficiency for how much Harbaugh wants to pound the rock. Instead, I’ll pivot to the absolute demon of a pass rusher in Cashius Howell. Should fit well into LA’s scheme, and adds some extra juice on the outside.

1.23 - Philadelphia Eagles - Avieon Terrell, Clemson CB

Sadiq is usually the fun pick here for the Eagles, and while Goedert might be gone in the offseason, I don’t think you have to approach that need at this pick. The trenches are also usually somewhere they go, but I’m going to stick with CB here. Terrell profiles best as a solid CB2 in my opinion, and some of his deficiencies are complemented by Quinyon Mitchell’s skill set to make for a well rounded starting room.

1.24 - Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - Denzel Boston, Washington WR

While I really liked the idea of Cleveland doubling up at OL in the first round, I like some of the potential options they have at 39 to fill another OL hole. In that case, I went to BPA at WR in Boston. I doubt he is ever a high end WR1, but I think he can be a rock solid WR2.

1.25 - Chicago Bears - Colton Hood, Tennessee CB

Chicago’s offense is humming, and they have a lot of core pieces, so I went to BPA on the defensive side of the ball. Hood has a solid man coverage ability to fit in with Chicago’s scheme, and should be a quality starter in time.

1.26 - Buffalo Bills - Caleb Banks, Florida DT

Not a great shakeout for Buffalo. KC Concepcion is sometimes the pick here, but he is a slot only player, and Shakir has that wrapped up in my opinion. Buffalo needs help in run defense, particularly on the interior, and Banks should be a great fit for them in that role.

1.27 - San Francisco 49ers - Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon TE

With Aiyuk gone, and Kittle injured for most (all?) of the next year, this receiving room is barren. Between KC Concepcion and Sadiq, I have a much higher grade on the latter. He can fill the hole for Kittle while he works back up to speed, and can take a role in this offense.

1.28 - Houston Texans - Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State OG

Pretty easy pick here. The Texans OL is bad, and Ioane is a good player and scheme fit.

1.29 - Los Angeles Rams - Max Iheanachor, Arizona State OT

After addressing CB at 13, I think they stow away an offensive lineman for the future. While he is not the most pro-ready, Iheanachor represents a gem in the future if he can continue to be developed. With only 5 years of football under his belt (all college), this is a coaching staff that you trust can get him ready for when his time comes.

1.30 - Denver Broncos - Lee Hunter, Texas Tech DT

LB is more of a clear need for this team compared to DL, but I don’t think Anthony Hill goes this high. Hunter might be a stretch too, in fairness, but he absolutely has week one starting ability for this team at nose tackle. A giant that can take on double teams, take up space to disrupt in the run game, and has a decent pass rush motor.

1.31 - New England Patriots - R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma DE/OLB

Thomas has some great juice in pass rush and has a pretty decent ability in the run game as well. Fits into a position of need on an already great defense.

1.32 - Seattle Seahawks - Keith Abney II, Arizona State CB

The DE and WR board aren’t great from a valuation standpoint in my eyes, so I went to my BPA in Abney. I think he is underrated, and should be a solid starting CB in the league. He has that run game physicality that this team loves and I think will fit right in from a culture/scheme standpoint.

Round 2

2.47 - Indianapolis Colts - Jake Golday, Cincinnati LB

LB is a decent position of need for the Colts, and there are not a lot of other players on the board that seem to match with value and needs.

2.48 - Atlanta Falcons - Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana WR

Falcons need another option in the receiving room apart from Drake London, and Cooper provides a uniquely separate skill set to add some diversity.

2.50 - Detroit Lions - Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern OT

As a Lions fan I am compelled to make this pick since I am already going this far. Tiernan needs some time and reps to be a more consistent pass protector, but he is a reliable run blocker and would be a great long-term replacement option for Taylor Decker.

2.52 - Green Bay Packers - Malik Muhammad, Texas CB

Very underrated at this point in the draft process, Muhammad is a startable CB2 in my opinion. Good overall skill set, with high athleticism as well.

2.56 - Jacksonville Jaguars - AJ Haulcy, LSU S

Haulcy is a hybrid type of safety that really can be used where the defense needs. A common archetype for a 4-2-5 base, as well as being rangy enough to live in coverage as needed. I don’t know if he gets here, he is 100% my type of player, but if he does it seems like a great fit.