My one and only Mock Draft

This is not a hedge! I just want to make it clear (for the one or two people who may think otherwise) that I am not a NFL Draft Insider. The 29 of the 32 picks below are based on what general managers, coaches and team reporters have been saying about how the team may handle their first pick, not on intel from inside teams.

Getting ten matches would be incredible, I am hoping to get seven. Let’s see if it happens…

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Before getting to quick explanations on each pick, I want to share a couple notes:

• I did this live on air this morning, you can watch the video here for explanations and reactions.

• Warren (11), Hampton (29) and Henderson (31) are three “reaches” where I went off script/between the lines for a scheme fit more than quote based pick.

• In the live stream I pointed out Barron (CB) and Banks (OT) being obvious omissions that if I were to do this over I would probably find a way to include between 20-32.

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB

Easy call here. The Titans are locked in on Ward as their new franchise quarterback.

2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/CB

Another no-brainer. Hunter, the dynamic two-way Heisman winner, brings star power and versatility to Cleveland.

3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE

“If common sense prevails, they’ll take Abdul Carter at #3.” Daboll’s job is on the line—he’s not spending a top pick on Shedeur Sanders if he’s not sold on him.

4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT

Vrabel loves him, and the Patriots need him. Campbell fills a major need at left tackle and has been on their radar for months.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT

Despite late buzz on Jeanty, I’m sticking with Graham. GM James Gladstone has preached trench building, and DL is too big of a need.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB

Pete Carroll wants to win now and loves running the ball. Jeanty gives them a high-impact back to complement Geno Smith.

7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT

Jets need a right tackle, and Membou is a day-one starter. If Graham somehow falls, I think they’d pivot, but Membou fits.

8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB

Not much clarity here, but defense feels right. Walker is a difference-maker at LB and a future leader for Carolina.

9. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, EDGE

Derek Carr’s future is murky, but they strengthen the defense with Williams, a natural successor to Cam Jordan.

10. Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT

OL depth has been their offseason theme. Banks gives them long-term stability at tackle.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Warren, TE

Shanahan wants more 12 personnel and answers vs man coverage—Warren solves both. They reach here (edge rusher makes most sense), but it fits the vision.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Matthew Golden, WR

He visited, he’s been linked, and he fills a need. Golden gives them another weapon outside.

13. Miami Dolphins – Will Johnson, CB

Ramsey rumors and Armstead’s exit point to corner or tackle with this pick. Johnson shores up the secondary and should be rated higher than available OL’s here.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland, TE

Steichen can’t hide how badly he wants a pass-catching TE. Loveland fits perfectly with their offensive plans.

15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green, EDGE

High certainty they go edge, low certainty on who. Green is a strong fit for their pass rush focus.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolen, DT

They still need defensive line help despite Sweat’s signing. Nolen boosts the DL immediately.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart, EDGE

Al Golden wants young defensive talent. Stewart continues the youth movement on defense and could fill a need if Hendrickson departs.

18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL

QB talk exists, but OL is the pressing need. Zabel helps protect whoever is under center.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jihaad Campbell, LB

Fits Bowles’ scheme well. Despite an injury, he’s fills a key need.

20. Denver Broncos – Tetairoa McMillan, WR

Best offensive player on the board. Payton adds a weapon for Bo Nix. Lots of RB talk here, but Tet likely grades higher than Hampton or Henderson.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders, QB

Commentary on going into camp with four QB’s, they currently have only two. Tomlin likes Sanders, and Pitt needs QB depth. Sanders may be the future face.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT

Harbaugh-Michigan connection feels real. They fill the DL need, waiting on skill positions for later rounds.

23. Green Bay Packers – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE

DC Hafley knows him from Boston College. Combine interviews and familiarity point to this pick.

24. Minnesota Vikings – Nick Emmanwori, S

They need a free safety boost. Emmanwori’s stock is rising, making him the choice over Starks.

25. Houston Texans – Emeka Egbuka, WR

Stroud needs weapons. OL can wait; Egbuka fills the hole left by Diggs and Dell’s uncertainty.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Trey Amos, CB

They need corner help, and Amos has first-round buzz. Better fit than Barron here.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Malaki Starks, S

Perfect Raven by character and skill. Defense remains the identity.

28. Detroit Lions – James Pearce Jr., EDGE

Goes opposite Hutchinson. Edge rush depth wins out over WR as the choice here.

29. Washington Commanders – Omarion Hampton, RB

Despite Henderson buzz, Hampton gives them a true every-down back.

30. Buffalo Bills – Derrick Harmon, DT

DL suspensions force their hand. Harmon helps vs the run and shores up depth.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – TreVeyon Henderson, RB

Reach? Maybe. But Andy Reid loves versatile weapons, and Henderson had a virtual visit with them today.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Mason Taylor, TE

Goedert’s future is cloudy, and Taylor is a rising name tied to the Eagles. TE makes sense as they plan long-term.