This projection was published on the 13th April
Round one
#1 Tennessee — Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
Although this is now viewed as a lock, I don’t understand why. Ward is not a legit #1 overall pick, the Titans’ roster is still massively flawed and they keep drafting young quarterbacks. Why aren’t they drafting a blue-chipper instead or trading down?
#2 Cleveland — Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
Will the Browns use Joe Flacco as their bridge and then make a move to reunite Hunter with Shedeur Sanders later in round one? That would generate some excitement in Cleveland.
#3 NY Giants — Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
The Giants are the perfect example as to why drafting a franchise quarterback is difficult. However much you need one — even if you pick very early, it’s still hard to find them.
#4 New England — Will Campbell (T, LSU)
I wouldn’t like this move but it’s trending to be New England’s pick. Campbell didn’t play well in 2024 and the short arms bother me. I don’t think he’s an easy slot into guard either if he fails defending the edge.
#5 Jacksonville — Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
I really like his tape but the lack of testing paired with an unorthodox body type could push the Jaguars to go in a different direction.
#6 Las Vegas — Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
Part of me still thinks there’s a very realistic chance the Raiders don’t take Jeanty here and go with Membou or Walker.
#7 NY Jets — Armand Membou (T/G, Missouri)
When you’re one of the most explosive offensive linemen to enter the league in recent history and you run as well as he did, you go early in the draft.
#8 Carolina — Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
Some people, such as Mike Mayock, have him rated higher than Abdul Carter.
#9 New Orleans — Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
The injury to Derek Carr puts the Saints in a difficult spot. Do they go quarterback here or run the risk of waiting until later? I suppose it depends on their view of Spencer Rattler’s ability to start.
TRADE #10 Seattle (v/CHI) — Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
The Seahawks, armed with 10 picks, make their move. The idea is they want one of the few blue-chippers from this draft. This article recently looked at potential Bears trades so we’ll go with their suggestion — Seattle gives up #82, #137 and a 2026 fourth rounder.
#11 San Francisco — Kelvin Banks Jr (T, Texas)
Although defensive tackle is their biggest need, the 49ers face a future without Trent Williams and Colt McKivitz is replaceable. They invest in a tackle.
#12 Dallas — Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
I’m not a big fan of McMillan but I was told by my main source two weeks ago that he’d be the first receiver taken so I’m sticking with it.
#13 Miami — Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
With needs in the secondary, D-line and O-line, the Dolphins have a few options here.
#14 Indianapolis — Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
If the Seahawks don’t move up for Warren, they might move up for Loveland. This feels like his floor and Mike Macdonald will have good intel on him.
#15 Atlanta — Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
He’s just a clean prospect, unlike some of the other pass-rushers. He had major production in 2024, he ran a great short-shuttle, he has ideal length and A+ character.
#16 Arizona — Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
This isn’t Arizona’s biggest need but they’ve just got to keep adding talent at this point.
#17 Cincinnati — Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
The character allegations will put off some teams but the Bengals have tended to turn a blind eye to these things in the past.
#18 Chicago (v/SEA) — Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
The Bears move down eight spots and land a player they would’ve been comfortable taking at #10. He can be Ben Johnson’s plus version of David Montgomery.
#19 Tampa Bay — Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
A brilliant player, a legit top-20 pick and someone the Seahawks could easily take if they stay at #18. Big on talent and character.
#20 Denver — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Another player with major character positives while being talented and reliable. He could also be Seattle’s pick if they stick at #18.
#21 Pittsburgh — Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
Some slight character issues have been reported but the chances are he’ll still go in the top-25. The Steelers opt not to take Shedeur Sanders.
#22 LA Chargers — Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
Williams has promised a lot and delivered very little over the last 12 months. An interesting player but will he ever put it together?
#23 Green Bay — Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
The character concerns are legit but there’s a ‘love him or hate him’ vibe to Nolen and some people in the league definitely do love him.
TRADE #24 Cleveland (v/MIN) — Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
Minnesota need picks so are willing traders. The Browns, fearing the Rams at #26, move up to reunite Shedeur with Travis Hunter.
#25 Houston — Josh Conerly (T, Oregon)
There’s a lot of love for Conerly. In this spot he wouldn’t be rushed in to start — but he’d still compete in year one.
#26 LA Rams — Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
I’m a big fan of Barron’s but there’s a general feeling he might fall a bit. I’m not sure why but wanted to reflect it in this mock.
#27 Baltimore — Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
He could go in the top-15 or fall out of round one altogether due to the labrum surgery.
#28 Detroit — Grey Zabel (G, North Dakota State)
I really like Zabel but there’s at least a feeling this might be his more realistic range compared to the top-20.
#29 Washington — Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
The lack of production and lousy tape (at times) balances out the intriguing physical tools.
#30 Buffalo — Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
It’s hard to work out where Grant could go but the Bills need someone to play one-technique.
#31 Kansas City — Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
The Chiefs need a partner for Chris Jones to wreak havoc from the interior.
#32 Philadelphia — Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
Even after drafting two DB’s a year ago, so much change at cornerback leads the Eagles to bring in the talented Hairston.
Round two
#33 Minnesota (v/CLE) — Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
It feels like his stock is rebounding so perhaps the injury concerns are easing?
#34 NY Giants — Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
There has to be a reason why he was invited to the NFL draft.
#35 Tennessee — Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
If Cam Ward is going to work in Tennessee he needs weapons.
#36 Jacksonville — Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
I think there’s a chance Arroyo sneaks into round one.
#37 Las Vegas — Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
The kind of plucky, dependable player who’d work well for Pete Carroll.
#38 New England — Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
After getting a left tackle in round one, they further bolster their O-line here.
#39 Chicago (v/CAR) — Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
They passed up the chance to get a tight end in round one, knowing they could get one of Arroyo or Taylor here.
#40 New Orleans — Jordan Burch (DE, Oregon)
I can well imagine the Saints seeing Burch as the heir-apparent to Cam Jordan.
#41 Chicago — Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
The Bears chuck another pass-rusher into the mix.
#42 NY Jets — Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
I know there’s a growing feeling Howard will go in round two and teams without an obvious future at quarterback should be willing to roll the dice on him.
#43 San Francisco — Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
The 49ers badly need to add an interior defender.
#44 Dallas — TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
Henderson lasts due to a lack of need so the Cowboys snap him up.
#45 Indianapolis — Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)
There’s a view the Colts want to invest in a tackle and Simmons is the best available — the reason he lasts is due to injury recovery and character.
#46 Atlanta — Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
In interviews he’s very detailed when talking about scheme and he has a fire about him. Gritty backstory. If he lasts to #50 he could be someone Seattle goes for.
#47 Arizona — Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
The Cardinals fill a hole in the interior of their line and get good value with Jackson here.
#48 Miami — Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
It’s vital the Dolphins add an interior defender in the early rounds.
#49 Cincinnati — Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
I’m not a big fan of Savaiinaea — he doesn’t finish or play with enough aggression. I know people who do like him, though.
#50 Seattle — Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
The Seahawks showed a lot of interest in Will Fries. Ratledge had identical explosive testing results, ran a great 10-yard split and a good three-cone. He could be seen as the value alternative to Fries.
#51 Denver — Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
The Broncos tap into the D-line depth, knowing they can get a running back in round three.
#52 Seattle (v/PIT) — Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
Klint Kubiak said his blocking scheme requires an elite center. Wilson’s testing profile is almost identical to Erik McCoy’s, the excellent center Kubiak worked with in New Orleans.
#53 Tampa Bay — Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
The Buccs add a cornerback and a safety in the top two rounds to bolster their secondary.
#54 Green Bay — Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
He reminds me a lot of Jordy Nelson.
#55 LA Chargers — Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
Higgins would be a good complement to the other targets on their roster.
#56 Buffalo (v/MIN) — Saivion Williams (WR, TCU)
He’s a bit of a gadget player but there’s every chance a creative offense will have a lot of fun with Williams.
#57 Carolina (v/LAR) — Bradyn Swinson (EDGE, LSU)
If you’re getting Swinson in this range I think it’s an absolute steal.
#58 Houston — TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
Teams are going to attack the defensive tackle options in round two.
#59 Baltimore — Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
This is the kind of lineman the Ravens take. They could play him inside early with a view to him becoming Ronnie Stanley’s long-term replacement.
#60 Detroit — JT Tuimoloau (EDGE, Ohio State)
I thought JTT had quite a disappointing final two seasons for Ohio State but his playing style fits the Lions.
#61 Washington — Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
He’ll give you absolutely everything and he feels like a Dan Quinn player.
#62 Buffalo — Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
I’m not sure about his upside and while he did produce turnovers — some were quite flukey.
#63 Kansas City — James Pearce Jr (EDGE, Tennessee)
The character concerns are legit. So much so I think many teams will not entertain having him in their building.
#64 Philadelphia — Harold Fannin Jr (TE, Bowling Green)
This feels like a good fit for the Eagles given they’re trying to move off Dallas Goedert.
