This two-round projection was published on 17th April
#1 Las Vegas — Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
Klint Kubiak is an excellent appointment by the Raiders and he will give Mendoza every chance to succeed. They need to keep surrounding him with weapons and protection though.
#2 NY Jets — Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
All the talk at the moment is about David Bailey to the Jets but Reese is the better player and arguably a better fit in the defense the Jets are now running.
#3 Arizona — David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
I’m a little bit surprised he’s emerged as a top-five lock. Yet the feeling is he will go in the first three picks and if it’s not the Jets it’ll be the Cardinals.
#4 Tennessee — Rueben Bain (DE, Miami)
For all the talk of what happened in 2024 and his short arms, there are people in the league who just think Bain is a big-time arse-kicker — and the Titans don’t have enough of those.
#5 NY Giants — Francis Mauigoa (T/G, Miami)
John Harbaugh called his offensive line a “work in progress” and they do have players already at safety and linebacker. They need to build around Jaxson Dart.
#6 Cleveland — Spencer Fano (T/G, Utah)
It feels like this could be a trade-down spot with the Cowboys coming up for Sonny Styles but if Dallas sits tight they’ll need to make a pick. I do think Fano can play left tackle.
#7 Washington — Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
According to Tony Pauline, the Commanders are smitten with Love. Adam Schefter has also said this is his floor in the top-10.
#8 New Orleans — Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
Rather than go with a cornerack like Mansoor Delane, the Saints opt to build around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
#9 Kansas City — Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
There’s going to be a shock or two in round one and this is my pitch. Miller’s testing profile is through the roof and the Chiefs love traits.
#10 Cincinnati — Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
The Bengals scoop up the value on offer, with Downs — arguably the best player in the draft — lasting to #10 due to needs elsewhere for the other top-10 teams.
#11 Miami — Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Delane is smart, healthy and could provide really good value for the Dolphins as they kick-start their rebuild.
#12 Dallas — Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
I’ve long thought Styles’ combine has been counted twice. He was a *possible* round one pick because we knew he tested well. Then he was a top-five pick merely for confirming what we already knew — he can run and jump. His tape is fine but not special.
#13 LA Rams (v/ATL) — Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
There’s been a lot of buzz about Tyson going in the top-10 and he’s a good player — but I’m not sold he goes as early as some are saying.
#14 Baltimore — Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
A classic Ravens pick — a big, brutish guard who can start immediately. You only had to watch a half of Penn State football last season to know this guy was legit.
#15 Tampa Bay — Akheem Mesidor (DE, Miami)
They might try to trade down before tapping into the pass-rushers — or they might want to make sure they get their guy to address this huge need.
#16 New York Jets (v/IND) — Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
There’s a ton of smoke connecting the Jets to interest in Boston. I believe it. And Geno Smith will need someone who can catch some 50-50 balls.
#17 Detroit — Kadyn Proctor (T/G, Alabama)
I’ve spoken to people who are concerned about Proctor’s ability to manage his weight but increasingly it feels like this might be his floor.
#18 Minnesota — Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
The perfect match. Thieneman is one of my favourite players in the class and if he lasts to #18 the Vikings should be doing cartwheels.
#19 Carolina — Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
It’s hard to place Sadiq. I understand why people think he could go as high as #9 but it’s also not so unrealistic that he lasts into the 20’s.
#20 Dallas (v/GB) — Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
He’s a terrific player who can really mix it up in close coverage. He might not be a star corner but he’ll do a job and have every chance to earn a big second contract.
#21 Pittsburgh — Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
He’s not strong enough and needs time and development. That could keep him on the board even if the traits are impressive.
#22 LA Chargers — Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
There’s just so much buzz around Johnson, it’s easy to imagine him going a bit earlier than people think. Could he end up staying in California with the Chargers?
#23 Philadelphia — Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
With his light feet and explosive traits, Iheanachor would be a strong investment in the future at right tackle for the Eagles.
#24 Cleveland (v/JAX) — Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
I like Lemon — but it’s hard to shake the weirdness around his combine interviews. I’m not sure it’ll help him that it’s such a deep receiver class too.
#25 Chicago — Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
They signed Dayo Odeyingbo but sadly he suffered a torn achilles. Faulk is the same kind of player and they might need to consider alternatives.
#26 Buffalo — CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
They need more at linebacker and while Allen is hardly Luke Kuechly, his hard-nosed, downhill style will go down a storm with Bills Mafia.
#27 San Francisco — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
The 49ers have a relatively rounded roster so can probably let the draft come to them. Will they try and mimic the Seahawks with a long, versatile safety?
#28 Houston — Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
The Texans have bolstered their line but could do with investing for the long-term. They need to get CJ Stroud right if they’re sticking by him and that starts with pass-protection — Lomu’s speciality.
#29 Kansas City (v/LAR) — Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
McCoy’s knee has apparently been flagged during medical checks and it makes you wonder if he’ll last well into round one — possibly even into round two.
#30 Miami (v/DEN) — Zion Young (DE, Missouri)
The Dolphins have very little working the edge. Adding someone who can also bring alpha energy also helps as they start to build.
#31 Arizona (v/NE) — Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
The Cardinals decide to take a chance on Simpson, moving up three spots. New England gets pick #143, while Arizona also gets #212 in the deal.
#32 NY Giants (v/SEA) — Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
The Giants badly need a cornerback and after addressing their offensive line with their top pick, they move back into round one for a player one source described as a player with #1 corner potential. The Giants give the Seahawks #105.
Round two
