#1 Las Vegas — Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
The Raiders will take their quarterback. They have a great offensive-minded coach to help him, a top weapon in Brock Bowers and a highly drafted running back. The key is going to be continuing to build their offensive line to protect Mendoza.
#2 NY Jets — David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
It’s been made pretty clear over the last few days that nobody really knows what the Jets are going to do. For that reason, would anyone be shocked if they pull of a surprise here and don’t take Bailey or Reese?
#3 Arizona — Jeremiyah Love (RB, Tennessee)
If the plan is to come away with Love and Ty Simpson, it seems to be what a lot of Cardinals fans are hoping for online. This is a team that needs to generate at least some excitement.
#4 Tennessee — Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
There’s a growing buzz that the Titans might prefer Styles over Reese, with the idea he could be a Fred Warner type for Robert Saleh. I’ll say this though — Styles doesn’t play with anywhere near the ferocity of Warner.
#5 NY Giants — Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
I’m choosing to believe the late smoke over Tyson. I’ve spoken to someone very respectable who said he thought Tyson was clearly the top receiver in this class. Some think he could be a Justin Jefferson type. We’ll see.
#6 TRADE Dallas (v/CLE) — Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)
With Reese falling, teams will start calling. The Cowboys give the Browns a third rounder this year and a second rounder in 2027. The future pick seals the deal for the Browns, who move down six spots.
#7 Washington — Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
The Commanders can get a weapon later. They won’t be able to add an impact defender like Downs in round three though (they don’t own a second round pick after trading for Laremy Tunsil a year ago).
#8 New Orleans — Rueben Bain (DE, Miami)
Bain is one of the great mysteries of this class. His short arms and 2024 incident will probably mean differing opinions on where you’d be comfortable taking him — so he could last. The Saints haven’t brought back Cam Jordan and might be ready to move on.
#9 Kansas City — Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
Apparently the Chiefs brought Sadiq into their facility on the same day Travis Kelce was in the building to sign his new deal. I don’t think that’s a coincidence and it might be a tell about their thinking.
#10 NY Giants (v/CIN) — Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Cornerback is a big need for the Giants. They let the board come to them at #10. In this instance it works out well and they get the top corner in the draft.
#11 Miami — Francis Mauigoa (T/G, Miami)
The reports about a herniated disc are concerning for his 2026 status. The Dolphins need to bolster their lines. That has to be the priority with their top pick.
#12 Cleveland (v/DAL) — Spencer Fano (T/G, Utah)
There’s been a lot of chatter about the Browns and Kaydn Proctor and he has experience playing at left tackle. Yet Fano is a far cleaner prospect, with no weight question marks, with the athleticism to handle switching over to left tackle.
#13 LA Rams (v/ATL) — Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
When I spoke to a great source about Tate a few weeks ago, they mentioned that he was a good not great player. Not the quickest, not a big difference maker. I wouldn’t be surprised if he lasts beyond the top-10 or so.
#14 Baltimore — Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
The Ravens badly need an injection of talent at left guard and Ioane looks and plays like a typical Baltimore lineman. It feels like a great fit, I just wonder whether the Rams take him first.
#15 TRADE Philadelphia (v/TB) — Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
With linemen coming off the board the Eagles make their move. Miller’s explosive testing results are very similar to Lane Johnson’s. I think they’ll be eyeing him up as an heir-apparent at right tackle. The Eagles give up #68 to move up. The Buccs are happy to move down, knowing their targets will be available at #23.
#16 New York Jets (v/IND) — Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
One of the best players in the draft, Thieneman produced an all-time performance at the combine this year. Every mock has him going to Minnesota but I’m sceptical he reaches that far. Would the Jets snap up the value here? They should.
#17 Detroit — Kaydn Proctor (T/G, Alabama)
Proctor is commonly linked to the Lions and it makes some sense, because they won’t have to move Penei Sewell to left tackle. I worry about Proctor managing his weight. He’s been up around 380lbs at times.
#18 Minnesota — Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
Weeks ago there was talk of Minnesota bypassing defensive backs to go D-line. Then Thieneman-mania took over. When you look at their defensive tackle depth chart right now, it’s absolutely awful. That feels like a tell, even though Woods’ underwhelming 2025 season makes this feel unpleasantly high.
#19 Carolina — Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
I’ve been saying for a while, based on an educated guess that the Panthers will go O-line here. Rasheed Walker’s contract is a pittance, it’s basically a draft hedge. I think they go left tackle unless Thieneman or Sadiq fall into this spot.
#20 Dallas (v/GB) — Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
If the Cowboys can move up for a pass rusher or linebacker without giving up #20, this could be a good spot for a cornerback or safety. Hood is a good player — who can mix it up in tight man-coverage situations.
#21 Pittsburgh — Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
The Steelers need to rebuild their O-line and Freeling can be worked on for the left tackle spot. He needs to get stronger though — based on his Georgia tape he will get bullied by aggressive NFL defenders.
#22 LA Chargers — Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
It very much feels like a trenches pick for Jim Harbaugh and co. and they need to add to their defensive line. Faulk could play some inside/out for a defense that needs more. They can get a guard in round two.
#23 Tampa Bay (v/PHI) — Akheem Mesidor (DE, Miami)
The 15th pick might be too early for Mesidor but if they can trade back eight spots and get him here instead, it’s more palatable. He is the kind of rusher Todd Bowles has typically had success with.
#24 Cleveland (v/JAX) — Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
Increasingly it feels like Lemon might last deeper into round one than many expected. The combine interviews, plus a little bit of a disciplinary issue at USC that cost him half a game, could come back to haunt him.
#25 Chicago — TJ Parker (DE, Clemson)
The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo a year ago but he suffered an achilles injury. It stands to reason they’ll look for a bigger, solid edge defender. Faulk would be ideal, TJ Parker and Zion Young are the alternatives.
#26 Buffalo — Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
The Bills need to reinforce the interior of their defense. That could mean a pick at defensive tackle or linebacker. With depth at linebacker, they take the excellent McDonald here.
#27 TRADE Arizona (v/SF) — Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
I think any of the final six picks in round one could be dealt — but if the 49ers are willing to accept the same offer the Seahawks would take at #32, you’re not waiting until the very end of round one. I do think Simpson is a good fit for the offense they’ll run. The Cardinals give up a fourth round pick.
#28 Houston — Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
I’m not a big fan of Bisontis but appreciate that others like him more than I do. Nick Caserio once drafted Kenyon Green 15th overall and I thought he was bloody awful. Maybe he repeats the act here?
#29 Kansas City (v/LAR) — Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
The Chiefs could go cornerback but they have such a glaring hole at tackle, I can’t help but wonder if they go with Iheanachor here, then pass rush at #40 and just let the depth at cornerback come to them later on.
#30 Miami (v/DEN) — Zion Young (DE, Missouri)
The Dolphins addressed one hole in the trenches early on. Now, they sort another one out with Young. He seems a little bit weird to me and he lacks great burst and speed off the edge. But the Dolphins need some passion and aggression and that’s what he brings.
#31 New England — C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
With the defensive linemen off the board here, the Patriots have to pivot. Iheanachor would be an option if he gets by the Chiefs. Allen is another option — just a really solid, forceful, old-school linebacker who might appeal to Mike Vrabel.
#32 Seattle — Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
It’s clear the Seahawks are very open to moving down. Do they get an offer to make it worthwhile? In this scenario I am looking at two names — Johnson and Treydan Stukes. Two very intelligent, high-character individuals who had offers to leave their schools but stuck it out and didn’t transfer. They are both Seahawk types.
Seahawks seven-rounder
I have the Seahawks trading Olu Oluwatimi to the Ravens for a fifth round pick (#154)
#32 — Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
#64 — Keyron Crawford (EDGE, Auburn)
#96 — Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington)
#154 — Dalton Johnson (S, Arizona)
#188 — Carver Willis (G, Washington)
