South Carolina

The Bengals' defense outside of Trey Hendrickson is just lacking in personnel. Their secondary is particularly weak, though, with veteran stop-gaps and replacements for exiting players underwhelming. It may be shocking to some to see Malaki Starks not go as the first safety off the board, but Emmanwori has projected himself to such standing in this mock. A huge safety with tremendous coverage ability and ball skills, Emmanwori feels like a top candidate to explode during the pre-draft process.

Alabama

The Seahawks need to upgrade their IOL, so could consider a G/OT flex such as Josh Simmons/Cam Williams. However, their linebacking corps has been a game of musical chairs since Bobby Wagner's first exit a few years ago, and they desperately need their franchise blue-dot player. Campbell is amongst the top-rising talents in this class. A true sideline to sideline linebacker with pass rushing upside, good coverage ability and the physical statue to oppress the run, Campbell could be a top-20 pick in this coming draft.

Ohio State

Outside of Laremy Tunsil, no offensive line starters job can be safe after what was an atrocious display in 2024. The Texans need to prioritise offensive line talent in this draft. Josh Simmons would be a potential candidate for OT1 and as a top-12 pick had he not torn his ACL mid-season. That’s actually still not impossible, as he was playing extremely good football prior to this injury, however, not allowing a single sack and just one pressure in almost 200 pass rushing snaps. He could start at guard or right tackle as a rookie.

Michigan

This will probably be a popular team-to-prospect fit in many mocks. Bo Nix has far superceded any reasonable expectations for him as a rookie, and has really done so with middling offensive talent. This feels like an offensive weapon spot, be it a Kaleb Johnson/Omarian Hampton at running back, a falling Luther Burden III, or - as mocked - a Tight End. Colston Loveland's production dropped with inferior quarterback play, and isn't a demonic blocker by any means, but figures to be a dangerous receiving tight end at the next level.

Georgia

Antoine Winfield is amongst the best safeties in the NFL, but when out last season the Buccaneers' back end really struggled. Pairing Winfield with another top-safety prospect could really make their secondary hard to throw against. Malaki Starks wasn't quite as dominant in 2024 but still has a clear-cut 1st round skill set of tackling ability, disruptive coverage and solid ball skills.

Ohio State

This could easily be a cornerback such as Shavon Revel, Trey Amos or Benjamin Morrison, as historically Pittsburgh do not draft receivers in Round 1. However, this is a paper thin receiver class with poor top-end options and weak depth. Egbuka is not the same calibre of elite OSU prospects as the draft community has become accustomed too, but he is an extremely solid WR2 type player who could be a stellar fit for the Steelers as a high floor player and another option to improve their receiving potency.

East Carolina

The Rams have done an incredible job this season given their defensive personnel, but outside cornerback is still a clear weakness. Shavon Revel (pronounced as say-von, apparently) is good value here as a cornerback who'd be off the board much sooner had he not torn his ACL this season as an athletic cornerback with stellar size and natural coverage ability.

Ole Miss

The Packers missed out on cornerback help last year, and even with Jaire Alexanders is probably their biggest defensive weakness. Trey Amos transferred to Ole Miss from Alabama and had a terrific season, squarely putting him in the 1st round picture. He is quick and has good ball skills, notching 3 interceptions in his final season. He could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Marshall

The Chargers could go in various directions, but could do with some more youth at pass rusher. Khalil Mack is 33 and Joey Bosa seems to be affected by his array of injuries. Mike Green was a monster for Marshall this season, accumulating a whopping 17 sacks and dozens of pressures. He has upside to improve and is amongst the younger prospects in this draft class.

Texas A&M

The Commanders went from having one of the deepest EDGE groups in the NFL to having one of the thinnest, padding their current group with veterans. Nic Scourton was a potential top-10 pick entering the season, but mildly disappointed at Texas A&M with a solid but unspectacular display. Scourton feels more like a 25-40 range pick than top of the first round, but would be a decent fit in Washington.

Alabama

The Ravens could really use a 3-4 OLB to pad their disappointing group, but there aren't a plethora of options available that would make sense in R1 in this mock. Instead, I have them making a plug and plug upgrade at guard. Tyler Booker is a supremely strong guard and a true people mover, who is very hard to move with power moves. He is presently being underrated, and believe the early portions of Round 2 is his floor.

Ole Miss

The Vikings defense has played phenomenally given the personnel under Brian Flores; however, they need talent in their secondary and defensive interior. Walter Nolen has had an up and down college career, but is finishing on a high with his best year at Ole Miss. He shown his ability to rush the passer and was a terrific run defender this past season.

Texas

This was a tough pick to make, but the Bills secondary feels like it could use a versatile piece. Jadhae Barron has sky rocketed up boards this season and can play nickel corner, outside corner or box safety. He saw 80% of his snaps as a boundary corner in a 5-interception year.

Texas A&M

Pick: Shemar Stewart (EDGE - Texas A&M)

The Eagles' pass rush is solid but has lost a bit of talent in recent years, so could go back to the 1st round for another interior defensive lineman. Shemar Stewart was not productive enough at Texas A&M but is such a toolsy defensive lineman that he'll still likely be on the 1st round bubble.

Pick: Cameron Williams (G/OT, Texas)

Not only do the Chiefs need to improve their play along the offensive line, but they are also likely to lose Trey Smith in Free Agency at guard. Cameron Williams is a raw and based purely off tape is more of a 2nd round pick. However, supremely gifted blocker who can profile as a guard or right tackle, potentially being a long-term upgrade over Jawaan Taylor with the right development.

Ohio State

The Lions are so good that it is hard to pick holes in their roster; however, a relative weakness is a long-term defensive end to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. JT Tuimoloau would not have been on my top-50 radar as of two months ago, but has rocketed in the mid-to-late portion of his final season at Ohio State. Charlie Campbell has reported him as a potential suprise late-1st rounder, and he fills the sort of profile Detroit often look for in their defensive linemen.