Hello, friends. The NFL Draft is just around the corner on Thursday, April 24th and it’s time to dust off the ol’ thinking cap and put together a mock draft. I’ll do as much research as I can, find some fun nuggets on these college kids, and make iron clad predictions. It’s a fun time. Last year we got 7 of 32 correct… which is a very high mark to beat, but let’s rip it. (I am putting hyperlinks to highlight tape or other fun videos on each name)
- Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Consensus first overall pick. Probably wouldn’t go #1 in a lot of years but this is not a QB rich draft and the Titans are desperate. Mahomesian scramble ability, strong arm, pretty good creativity. Played in the ACC so not the greatest competition; makes it hard to tell. Pretty cool story as he started his college career at Incarnate Word as a zero-star recruit. Overall, he’s not knocking my socks off and I feel comfortable projecting the Titans to stink for another few years.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The reigning Heisman of college football. If you are unfamiliar with Travis Hunter please pay attention. He is simultaneously the best wide receiver AND the best cornerback in this draft. He played both sides of the ball in college last year… playing 114 snaps per game. For reference, the next best receiver in this draft averaged 40. Travis says he wants to keep playing that way in the NFL, even saying he would quit football if he wasn’t allowed to play both offense and defense. For obvious reasons NFL folks are dubious about that… It will be up to the team that takes him to figure out how to deploy him, but regardless, they have a shot at a top 5 WR and a top 5 CB. Some call him the Shohei Ohtani of football…
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The best defensive player in this draft. Shades of Micah Parsons. A total killer. Do the Giants need more defensive linemen? Not really. But what’re you gonna do? I’m not going to project trades in this mock but the Giants could sneakily shop this pick, drop back in the first round, and take a QB. Or take Carter here, then trade back into the first for Sanders later.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Big fella! 6’6″ 320 lbs. The Pats desperately need offensive lineman. And Campbell eats defensive ends for breakfast – without any milk.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
One more piece on that defensive line would do wonders for the Jags. Graham is a hoss with a motor and stands to be a pro for many years.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is the dude. If you were watching or betting on college ball this fall you are already familiar with Ashton Jeanty’s game. He averaged 185 yards and 2 TDs. If you watch his highlights you’ll notice the color commentator doesn’t even speak – he laughs. By all accounts as humble and as good of a guy as you could ever want. He easily could have transferred out of Boise St. and made a ton of NIL money, but he stayed loyal to the coaches and community that believed in him. Rare in college athletics these days. Lately, running backs have been devalued in the NFL. But every team in the league just watched the Eagles break the mold with Saquon and win the Super Bowl. And they all want a piece. Not to mention the Raiders had the worst rushing attack in the NFL last season.
7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Jets need to keep swinging on offensive linemen. Membou is the most athletic linemen in this class. Standing 6’4″ 332 lbs and running a 4.91 40 yd dash, 34″ vert, 9’7″ broad jump. He could stand to be a bit more violent. I bet he gives the world’s best hugs.
8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
The Georgia Bullet. He has a sick slow step, toe drag move into a pop that makes him look like an assassin. Can’t go wrong with a UGA defensemen.
9. New Orleans Saints – Tetairoa “T-Mac” McMillan, WR, Arizona
Look – I know the Saints need a QB. Derek Carr is basically refusing to play for them and their only other option is Spencer Rattler (woof). So you’ll see a lot of mocks having the Saints take Shedeur Sanders. I, however, do not give the Saints that much credit. I see them taking a wide receiver who is arguably not even the best wide out in this class. Nothing against Tet, he actually reminds me a little of Nico Collins, but I am programmed to believe the Saints will screw this up.
10. Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Bears continue to load up on the offensive line after the disaster we saw last year. New head coach Ben Johnson knows the importance of an elite OL from his time with the Lions. Let’s give Caleb Williams a fighting chance. If the Bears take Tyler Warren here I will never forgive them.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
This guy is the best CB in the class: the Niners need a CB. Mr. Johnson, come on down.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Lots of experts actually rate Golden as the #1 WR in this class. Jerry Jones has been quiet lately and I think a splashy pick like this is in the cards. Finally giving CeeDee Lamb a solid #2 receiver behind him could be lethal.
13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
With Jalen Ramsey on the trading block, the Dolphins are in desperate need of secondary pieces. Barron is versatile and should plug in as a starter on day one.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
As soon as Penn State realized what they had in Tyler Warren, they built the entire ship out of Tyler Warren. They did everything they could to get the ball in his hands as often as possible, including putting him in at running back and wildcat QB. The Colts have had the worst TE room in the league for years now and desperately need another outlet for Anthony Richardson. Shane Steichen has to be dreaming of what he could do with Warren. The only first round TE the Colts have ever drafted is the one and only Dallas Clark back in 2003. Poetically, Tyler Warren also wears #44.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
As usual, the Falcons need pass rushers. And holy smokes does Stewart look like the real deal. He’s an athletic freak at 6’5″ 270+ pounds. He ran a 4.59, with a 40″ vert and 11′ broad jump. This dude has no business missing as many tackles as he does, but a defensive coach like Raheem Morris has to be salivating over a talent like this and convincing himself that he could turn Shemar into a world class player.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
“I make guys not love football anymore.” – Tyler Booker
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Bengals absolutely have to beef up their defense and give Joe Burrow some support on the other side of the ball. Well, if you want beef, enter Derrick Harmon. Kid grew up on Seven Mile Road in Detroit and was always forced to play up a couple grade levels because he was so big.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Super high floor as Grey is a 6’6″ 312 pounder who can play all 5 positions on the offensive line. This is my type of dude. Said one scout: “Football, farming and his family — not sure he cares about much else.” He turned down a ton of NIL money (and risk his draft position by continuing to only play against FCS competition) to stay at North Dakota State and finish his agribusiness degree, get land, and plant corn.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Bucs love their do-it-all defenders, and Campbell fits the bill perfectly. One of the most athletic dudes in this class, his biggest concern is a couple medical issues that the Bucs will need to feel comfortable with.
20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
People are saying he could be better than Ashton Jeanty…
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Son of the legendary Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s whole life has been leading to this moment. Playing under his dad at Jackson St., then at Colorado where he and Travis Hunter carried an otherwise mediocre team, Shedeur has been on a path to the NFL. Now the only question is which team is willing to take a chance on him… because the truth is he’s not a slam dunk prospect. But Pittsburgh needs an answer at QB and even if they sign Aaron Rodgers it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have Shedeur sit for a year anyway. Fun fact: we all know Shedeur’s dad’s name is Deion. But did you know his half-brother and half-sister are named Deion Jr. and Deiondra?
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
There’s an argument to be had that Loveland is a better true TE than Tyler Warren, and a real good chance he isn’t still sitting here at pick 22. But if he is, there is no way Harbaugh is passing over his guy. Herbert + Loveland = Herbie the Love Bug.
23. Green Bay Packers – Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Packers have hinted they want to take an alpha wide receiver this year… but who the hell would that be? There’s also a couple edge rushers with higher draft grades than Ezeiruaku. BUT, the Packer’s defensive coordinator was his coach at Boston College. It’s not what you know…
24. Minnesota Vikings – Walter Nolan, DT, Ole Miss
There’s a few decision points here… realistically I think the Vikings could trade back. They could also take Kenneth Grant, another DT. But at the end of the day I think Brian Flores pounds the table for the flashy upside of Walter Nolan and gets his guy.
25. Houston Texans – Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
An injury derailed his senior year, but he was tracking to be one of the best OL in this class. A blindside protector for CJ Stroud would be invaluable for the Texans.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon
From Seattle. I’d bet my life he could down a case of Rainier in record time.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Green’s talent should have seen him go earlier in round 1, but character concerns force him down the board. Lucky for him, the Ravens have a history of rehabilitating (covering for) guys like Mike. Just sayin’.
28. Detroit Lions – Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
The Lions are stunned Mykel fell to them here, and jump on the chance to get one of the highest upside defenders in the class.
29. Washington Commanders – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Another trade down candidate, as the Commies don’t have many picks in this year’s draft. But if they stay put, a guy like Egbuka makes a ton of sense. The dude seems awesome. Tough as nails, smart as shit. Recently picked up golf and is already a 6 handicap. His dad is Nigerian and served in the US military. They don’t come cleaner than Egbuka.
30. Buffalo Bills – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Little Kenneth weighed 300 pounds in middle school. Sounds like a Buffalo guy to me.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
He was a pescatarian his first two years at Tennessee, then his production and usage suddenly jumped in his third year. Get ready to learn Kansas City barbecue, buddy,
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
You really think the Eagles are getting out of here without a Georgia defensive player?
Leave a Reply