It’s that time of year to speculate about how billion-dollar organizations are going to gamble hundreds of millions of dollars on 21 year-old kids. On that happy note, let’s get mock drafting.
I’ve got 3 trades:
Minnesota 1:24 -> Baltimore 1:27 + 3:91
Kansas City 1:31 -> New Orleans 2:40+ 4:112 + future
Los Angeles Rams 1:26 -> New England 2:38 + 3:77
1-1
Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward | QB (#9)
No brainer pick. With -20000 or so odds to go first, I don’t expect any drama here.
1-2
Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter | CB | WR (#1)
Browns take a WR or CB (or both) who happens to be the top rated consensus player in the draft.
1-3
New York Giants
Abdul Carter | EDGE (#2)
I spent 30 minutes trying to game out how the Giants could trade this pick to an EDGE needy team (Carolina? da Bears?). Every time I can’t square the compensation so I just stuck the Giants with him.
1-4
New England Patriots
Will Campbell | OT (#5)
Pats need a tackle. Check.
1-5
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ashton Jeanty | RB (#4)
I struggled mightily with this pick, since the Jags could use any number of players so I just went chalk.
1-6
Las Vegas Raiders
Armand Membou | OT (#6)
Vegas bolsters their O-line to give Geno some more time.
1-7
New York Jets
Tyler Warren | TE (#7)
I’m saving my contrarianism for this pick, and since OT feels like the safe play, I’m going to give Fields another weapon instead.
1-8
Carolina Panthers
Jalon Walker | EDGE (#11)
Panthers need an EDGE and Walker is a fast riser as the second one taken.
1-9
New Orleans Saints
Mason Graham | DT (#3)
The Saints have a bunch of needs, but if Graham falls to them, I can’t imagine they would pass.
1-10
Chicago Bears
Kelvin Banks Jr. | OT (#13)
Even though the Bears threw a lot of money towards their O-Line this offseason, I don’t think it precludes them from putting the finishing touches on it in the draft.
1-11
San Francisco 49ers
Walter Nolen | DT (#21)
I’m not sure about the ‘9ers, but they have a huge need in the interior of their D-line.
1-12
Dallas Cowboys
Tetairoa McMillan | WR (#10)
I will die on this hill. The Cowboys cannot go into another season with Lamb as the only receiving option.
1-13
Miami Dolphins
Will Johnson | CB (#8)
Peace out Ramsey.
1-14
Indianapolis Colts
Colston Loveland | TE (#12)
As much as I want to take Campbell here, the Colts need to at least try to help out Richardson or Jones and this would go a long way.
1-15
Atlanta Falcons
Mykel Williams | EDGE (#19)
A huge position of need filled by a local kid.
1-16
Arizona Cardinals
Jahdae Barron | CB (#15)
I guess teams are split on Barron, but Arizona could use all the help they can get in the secondary.
1-17
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Green | EDGE (#17)
The Bengals are no stranger to taking players with character concerns and this is a huge need.
1-18
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Booker | IOL (#30)
For the love of God, the Seahawks need to upgrade their o-line, right?
1-19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jihaad Campbell | LB (#17)
This is the floor for Campbell.
1-20
Denver Broncos
Omarion Hampton | RB (#29)
Time to get Bo Nix some more weapons.
1-21
Pittsburgh Steelers
Shedeur Sanders | QB (#19)
This kinda feels inevitable at this point.
1-22
Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Grant | DT (#26)
Michigan man gets another Michigan man.
1-23
Green Bay Packers
Matthew Golden | WR (#22)
The Packers never take skill positions in the first round, but since they are hosting the draft this year, I’m going rogue.
1-24
Baltimore Ravens (TRADE FROM MIN)
Malaki Starks | S (#14)
The Vikings are a little short on picks, so I’m pretty sure they trade back. I’m also pretty sure the Ravens would be willing to pay a small premium to ensure they get a bona fide free safety.
1-25
Houston Texans
Josh Simmons | OT (#24)
I don’t know which offensive lineman they draft, but pretty sure they want to protect Stroud a little better than last year.
1-26
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (TRADE FROM LA RAMS)
Emeka Egbuka | WR (#28)
New England could use another top-flight WR and waiting until 38 might be too late.
1-27
Minnesota Vikings (TRADE FROM BALTIMORE)
Nick Emmanwori | S (#26)
The Vikings are picking for luxury, but Emmanwori is a solid consolation prize.
1-28
Detroit Lions
Shemar Stewart | EDGE (#18)
The Lions only have a few needs, but they take a shot on a very raw player to pair with Hutchinson.
1-29
Washington Commanders
James Pearce Jr. | EDGE (#25)
The Commanders are a little short on EDGE rushers.
1-30
Buffalo Bills
Maxwell Hairston | CB (#38)
Bills are a little short on secondary.
1-31
New Orleans Saints (TRADE FROM KANSAS CITY CHIEFS)
Jaxson Dart | QB (#50)
There’s too much uncertainty surrounding Carr and new head coach Kellen Moore wants to get his own guy.
1-32
Philadelphia Eagles
Grey Zabel | IOL (#33)
Roseman loves building his team through the trenches.
Ice Analytics 