First - lets remember I am NO expert. However, I have done some decent research on what each team seems to need.
The focus of this mock is to apply best talent available to key needs of that team. Unlike most mocks, I am going to add some commentary where applicable to give some idea why I did the voodoo I do here.
Off we go.....
1) Tennessee Titans(QB, Edge rush, WR, LB,S) - Cam Ward QB Miami - Now, I think this is a slam dunk and I don't see anyone coughing up the cost to get to this slot. That being said, I will go on record here that NONE of the QBs in this draft should be taken before the latter half of rd one IMO. None are really top flight choices. But once again NFL teams will reach due to need instead of talent.
2) Cleveland Browns(QB, OL, Edge rush, RB, S) - Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado - again, this is IMO a terrible reach. That being said Cleveland is monumentally screwed by their Watson move. They have to get the QB position stabilized for the long term until they get Watson's cap hit off their books. This is the cheapest way to do this. I will add I simply can't see Browns making the trade for Kirk Cousins, and possibly once again screw the pooch with a veteran that won't stay healthy.
3) New York Giants(QB, OL, LB, CB, DL) - Abdul Carter Edge rush Penn State - Giants should go kiss Browns for taking Sanders, as they would have been a huge fan drop had he been here. That being said, they might not make this pick, as I see a couple teams may trade up to get Carter or Hunter. So it could be two fold better for Giants here.
4) New England Patriots(OL, DL, WR, RB, TE) - Travis Hunter WR/CB Colorado - I could see Patriots maybe moving up to get Carter here. OL is the real need for Patriots, but they need desperately a real Offensive threat to support young QB Drake Maye. CB depth also a plus here.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars(DL, CB, S, OL, WR) - Mason Graham DT Michigan - need a big DT to stop the run, and give pressure up the middle. That being said they also could use WR, but I simply don't like any of the WRs this year this high. Talent over takes need here.
6) Las Vegas Raiders(RB, WR, CB, OL, LB ) - Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State - I HATE taking a first round RB. Not that he doesn't have the talent, but there are sooooo many really solid RBs in this draft that you can wait and get value elsewhere. Unfortunately, the other real key need is WR and again IMO the value isn't there. OL or Edge rush is a chance, but I think they want to make a splash and get a key tool for Geno to work with to turn the offense around.
7) New York Jets(OL, WR, TE, S, DL) - Tyler Warren TE Penn State - Yes they need OL. Yes they have holes. But they have decided to go young at QB with Justin Fields, and look what real TEs did to help the QB in KC, LV, DET and other areas. This is a confidence move for Fields to get him some tools to catch the ball. Now that being said the SMART thing to do is trade back and try and get Warren later. Let someone else move up to get the top OT.
8) Carolina Panthers(Edge rush, S, CB, WR, DL) - Jalon Walker Edge rush/LB Georgia - Lets get some pass rush going for the Panthers.
9) New Orleans Saints(CB, OL, WR, DL, QB) - Armand Membou OT Missouri - Time to rebuild this offense and team, and best way to develop a team is fix the OL and DL. This draft is loaded with talent for both DL and OL, but this is one of the top OTs and Saints need to keep Carr on his feet. Not fancy, but its a solid fix and ta
lent is excellent.
10) Chicago Bears(OL, Edge rush, RB, S, TE) - Will Campbell OT/OG LSU - They made some huge moves to address OL in FA, but need at OT is still there, and this kid can fill in at OG or OT as he learns. Giving protection for young QB and help with the running game.
11) San Francisco 49ers(DL, Edge rush, OL, RB, CB) - Kelvin Banks Jr OT Texas - The offense was lost when Trent Williams went down, and he can't keep going all the much longer. To me it looks like Niners are starting to look long term.
12) Dallas Cowboys(WR, RB, CB, LB, DL) - Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona - Desperately need help on offense. Seriously considered RB and TE here, just to get Dak some tools to work with. This kid isn't a speed demon, but they have CeeDee for that, this kid can cover the middle and be that WR depth they need. WR isn't that deep in this draft so this fits a key need with best talent.
13) Miami Dolphins(OL, DL, S, CB, TE) - Jahdae Barron CB/S Texas - they need OL and DL, but talent not really there. They have a whole at #2 CB and S Holland is gone and this kid could play either position.
14) Indianapolis Colts(TE, OL, LB, Edge rush, RB) - Mike Green Edge rush Marshall - need some help with pass rush and run control on a pretty solid defense. Thought about TE here as well.
15) Atlanta Falcons(Edge rush, DL, CB, OL, S) - James Pearce Jr Edge rush Tennessee - Falcons have to address lack of pass rush, and they also need to control the run better.
16) Arizona Cardinals(OL, WR, Edge rush, DL, CB) - Josh Simmons OT Ohio State - need to get some OL solidity here.
17) Cincinnati Bengals(Edge rush, S, LB, OL, CB) - Mykel Williams Edge rush Georgia - lost one DE to retirement, and could lose another to FA or trade. Need to fix the defense or all the scoring won't be enough for the Bengals
18) Seattle Seahawks(OL, WR, CB, S, DL) - Matthew Golden WR Texas - Need to get some help for Sam Darnold. JSN needs some help to catch the balls.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers(LB, CB, Edge rush, S, OL) - Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama - lets get the best LB out there to fix their main need, well at least one of them. CB was a real thought here as well.
20) Denver Broncos(RB, WR, CB, TE, DL) - Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina - Need some support for Bo, and WR talent isn't that good here IMO. Hate taking RBs this early, but he really fits what Denver likes to do.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers(QB, RB, DL, WR, OL) - Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss - Yes they need a QB. I simply can't see them making a reach here like they did with Kenny Pickett. Jaxson Dart is a possibility. Maybe even a trade back to get extra picks and then take Dart later. But since I am not doing trades.... I have to address the D Line that needs help.
22) Los Angeles Chargers(TE, WR, DL, RB, Edge rush) - Colston Loveland TE Michigan - to me they need WR and TE to help the offense. Had they not signed Najee Harris RB also could have been the pick. This kid will help free up the WRs by covering the middle and giving them some solid catching skills. He can block also which Harbaugh loves.
23) Green Bay Packers(CB, WR, Edge rush, DL, OL) - Will Johnson CB Michigan - need some back field help on the defense and this kid has real talent.
24) Minnesota Vikings(CB, OL, S, LB, DL) - Tyler Booker OG Alabama - need some OL help at Guard, to protect Sam, and help the running game.
25) Houston Texans(OL, WR, DL, S, CB) - Jayden Higgins WR Iowa State - need to get some pass catchers since Dell won't start the season
26) Los Angeles Rams(LB, CB, OL, TE, WR) - Luther Burden III WR Missouri - Need to replace Cooper Kupp, and this kid is great after catch
27) Baltimore Ravens(OL, CB, S, DL, Edge rush) - Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky - need some back of Defense help
28) Detroit Lions(Edge rush, OL, S, DL, WR) - Jordan Birch Edge rush Oregon - Need some pass pressure to help the other side
29) Washington Commanders(Edge rush, CB, WR, S, OL) - Donovan Ezeiruaku Edge rush Boston College - need to get more defense in DC
30) Buffalo Bills(CB, DL, WR, Edge rush, S) - Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame - need to back fill some losses in the secondary, and edge talent is disapearing.
31) Kansas City Chiefs(DL, OL, Edge rush, S, WR) - Grey Zabel IOL North Dakota State - after seeing 4 continuing to get in and pressure the OL, they need some help there and this is a top OG play.
32) Philadelphia(S, DL, CB, Edge rush, OL) - Kenneth Grant DT Michigan - big dude to plug the middle and stop the run. This is where Philly lives!!
Now this all being said, I won't be shocked to see Philly and KC trade back for more picks in 2nd rd or later rds as some QB needy teams move up to snag Jaxson Dart. Or some other player. I just looked this over and I don't see any true safeties taken, so there is talent there some might go for.
The focus of this mock is to apply best talent available to key needs of that team. Unlike most mocks, I am going to add some commentary where applicable to give some idea why I did the voodoo I do here.
Off we go.....
1) Tennessee Titans(QB, Edge rush, WR, LB,S) - Cam Ward QB Miami - Now, I think this is a slam dunk and I don't see anyone coughing up the cost to get to this slot. That being said, I will go on record here that NONE of the QBs in this draft should be taken before the latter half of rd one IMO. None are really top flight choices. But once again NFL teams will reach due to need instead of talent.
2) Cleveland Browns(QB, OL, Edge rush, RB, S) - Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado - again, this is IMO a terrible reach. That being said Cleveland is monumentally screwed by their Watson move. They have to get the QB position stabilized for the long term until they get Watson's cap hit off their books. This is the cheapest way to do this. I will add I simply can't see Browns making the trade for Kirk Cousins, and possibly once again screw the pooch with a veteran that won't stay healthy.
3) New York Giants(QB, OL, LB, CB, DL) - Abdul Carter Edge rush Penn State - Giants should go kiss Browns for taking Sanders, as they would have been a huge fan drop had he been here. That being said, they might not make this pick, as I see a couple teams may trade up to get Carter or Hunter. So it could be two fold better for Giants here.
4) New England Patriots(OL, DL, WR, RB, TE) - Travis Hunter WR/CB Colorado - I could see Patriots maybe moving up to get Carter here. OL is the real need for Patriots, but they need desperately a real Offensive threat to support young QB Drake Maye. CB depth also a plus here.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars(DL, CB, S, OL, WR) - Mason Graham DT Michigan - need a big DT to stop the run, and give pressure up the middle. That being said they also could use WR, but I simply don't like any of the WRs this year this high. Talent over takes need here.
6) Las Vegas Raiders(RB, WR, CB, OL, LB ) - Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State - I HATE taking a first round RB. Not that he doesn't have the talent, but there are sooooo many really solid RBs in this draft that you can wait and get value elsewhere. Unfortunately, the other real key need is WR and again IMO the value isn't there. OL or Edge rush is a chance, but I think they want to make a splash and get a key tool for Geno to work with to turn the offense around.
7) New York Jets(OL, WR, TE, S, DL) - Tyler Warren TE Penn State - Yes they need OL. Yes they have holes. But they have decided to go young at QB with Justin Fields, and look what real TEs did to help the QB in KC, LV, DET and other areas. This is a confidence move for Fields to get him some tools to catch the ball. Now that being said the SMART thing to do is trade back and try and get Warren later. Let someone else move up to get the top OT.
8) Carolina Panthers(Edge rush, S, CB, WR, DL) - Jalon Walker Edge rush/LB Georgia - Lets get some pass rush going for the Panthers.
9) New Orleans Saints(CB, OL, WR, DL, QB) - Armand Membou OT Missouri - Time to rebuild this offense and team, and best way to develop a team is fix the OL and DL. This draft is loaded with talent for both DL and OL, but this is one of the top OTs and Saints need to keep Carr on his feet. Not fancy, but its a solid fix and ta
lent is excellent.
10) Chicago Bears(OL, Edge rush, RB, S, TE) - Will Campbell OT/OG LSU - They made some huge moves to address OL in FA, but need at OT is still there, and this kid can fill in at OG or OT as he learns. Giving protection for young QB and help with the running game.
11) San Francisco 49ers(DL, Edge rush, OL, RB, CB) - Kelvin Banks Jr OT Texas - The offense was lost when Trent Williams went down, and he can't keep going all the much longer. To me it looks like Niners are starting to look long term.
12) Dallas Cowboys(WR, RB, CB, LB, DL) - Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona - Desperately need help on offense. Seriously considered RB and TE here, just to get Dak some tools to work with. This kid isn't a speed demon, but they have CeeDee for that, this kid can cover the middle and be that WR depth they need. WR isn't that deep in this draft so this fits a key need with best talent.
13) Miami Dolphins(OL, DL, S, CB, TE) - Jahdae Barron CB/S Texas - they need OL and DL, but talent not really there. They have a whole at #2 CB and S Holland is gone and this kid could play either position.
14) Indianapolis Colts(TE, OL, LB, Edge rush, RB) - Mike Green Edge rush Marshall - need some help with pass rush and run control on a pretty solid defense. Thought about TE here as well.
15) Atlanta Falcons(Edge rush, DL, CB, OL, S) - James Pearce Jr Edge rush Tennessee - Falcons have to address lack of pass rush, and they also need to control the run better.
16) Arizona Cardinals(OL, WR, Edge rush, DL, CB) - Josh Simmons OT Ohio State - need to get some OL solidity here.
17) Cincinnati Bengals(Edge rush, S, LB, OL, CB) - Mykel Williams Edge rush Georgia - lost one DE to retirement, and could lose another to FA or trade. Need to fix the defense or all the scoring won't be enough for the Bengals
18) Seattle Seahawks(OL, WR, CB, S, DL) - Matthew Golden WR Texas - Need to get some help for Sam Darnold. JSN needs some help to catch the balls.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers(LB, CB, Edge rush, S, OL) - Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama - lets get the best LB out there to fix their main need, well at least one of them. CB was a real thought here as well.
20) Denver Broncos(RB, WR, CB, TE, DL) - Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina - Need some support for Bo, and WR talent isn't that good here IMO. Hate taking RBs this early, but he really fits what Denver likes to do.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers(QB, RB, DL, WR, OL) - Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss - Yes they need a QB. I simply can't see them making a reach here like they did with Kenny Pickett. Jaxson Dart is a possibility. Maybe even a trade back to get extra picks and then take Dart later. But since I am not doing trades.... I have to address the D Line that needs help.
22) Los Angeles Chargers(TE, WR, DL, RB, Edge rush) - Colston Loveland TE Michigan - to me they need WR and TE to help the offense. Had they not signed Najee Harris RB also could have been the pick. This kid will help free up the WRs by covering the middle and giving them some solid catching skills. He can block also which Harbaugh loves.
23) Green Bay Packers(CB, WR, Edge rush, DL, OL) - Will Johnson CB Michigan - need some back field help on the defense and this kid has real talent.
24) Minnesota Vikings(CB, OL, S, LB, DL) - Tyler Booker OG Alabama - need some OL help at Guard, to protect Sam, and help the running game.
25) Houston Texans(OL, WR, DL, S, CB) - Jayden Higgins WR Iowa State - need to get some pass catchers since Dell won't start the season
26) Los Angeles Rams(LB, CB, OL, TE, WR) - Luther Burden III WR Missouri - Need to replace Cooper Kupp, and this kid is great after catch
27) Baltimore Ravens(OL, CB, S, DL, Edge rush) - Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky - need some back of Defense help
28) Detroit Lions(Edge rush, OL, S, DL, WR) - Jordan Birch Edge rush Oregon - Need some pass pressure to help the other side
29) Washington Commanders(Edge rush, CB, WR, S, OL) - Donovan Ezeiruaku Edge rush Boston College - need to get more defense in DC
30) Buffalo Bills(CB, DL, WR, Edge rush, S) - Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame - need to back fill some losses in the secondary, and edge talent is disapearing.
31) Kansas City Chiefs(DL, OL, Edge rush, S, WR) - Grey Zabel IOL North Dakota State - after seeing 4 continuing to get in and pressure the OL, they need some help there and this is a top OG play.
32) Philadelphia(S, DL, CB, Edge rush, OL) - Kenneth Grant DT Michigan - big dude to plug the middle and stop the run. This is where Philly lives!!
Now this all being said, I won't be shocked to see Philly and KC trade back for more picks in 2nd rd or later rds as some QB needy teams move up to snag Jaxson Dart. Or some other player. I just looked this over and I don't see any true safeties taken, so there is talent there some might go for.
