South Carolina

Big Board Rank: 13 (S 1)

The Bengals' defense outside of Trey Hendrickson is lacking in personnel. Their secondary is particularly weak, though, with veteran stop-gaps and replacements for existing 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 and is amongst my favourite defenders in the entire class.

V1 Pick: Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)

Texas

Big Board Rank: 18 (OT 2)

The Seahawks arguably had the worst offensive line in the NFL. Their interior offensive line is appalling, and whilst Abe Lucas is a decent starting right tackle, he has a litany of injuries (also a free agent in 2026). Kelvin Banks Jr., like Will Campbell, projects best as a guard in the NFL but has the ability to play tackle as well, which could prove valuable versatility for the Dolphins. He was amongst the best offensive linemen in the country in 2024 with a good athletic profile. Banks is a solid prospect but seems more of a mid-to-late 1st round than a true top-12 candidate.

V1 Pick: Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)

Alabama

Big Board Rank: 19 (LB 1)

Lavonte David is close to retirement, and Devin White did not pan out in Tampa Bay. Since then, their linebacking group (really, their front seven in general outside of Vita Vea) has been lacking. The Bucs continue to need better off-ball and on-ball linebacking play. Campbell specialises in the former, possessing true sideline to sideline linebacker with pass rushing upside, good coverage ability and the physical stature to oppress the run Campbell is a bit raw, and some may prefer Walker’s upside, but Campbell is my LB1 who I believe could be a top-20 pick in this coming draft. He feels like a hand-in-glove fit for Todd Bowles.

V1 Pick: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)

Michigan

Big Board Rank: 21 (TE 2)

Bo Nix has far exceeded any reasonable expectations for him as a rookie, and has 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.

V1 Pick: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)

Missouri

Big Board Rank: 26 (WR 2)

The Steelers desperately need help in their secondary, but in a decent Day 2 class at the position, they take a receiver from a thin top-end group to pair with George Pickens (who himself is involved in trade speculation). Burden does not profile to be an elite X WR 1 type for the NFL, but he is a home-run hitting after the catch receiver who is explosive and dangerous with the ball in his hand. Burden is a good receiving prospect who suffered from inferior quarterbacking at Mizzou.

V1 Pick: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)

Marshall

Big Board Rank: 16 (EDGE 4)

Jim Harbaugh and co. did a terrific job turning around this roster so quickly; however, what is clear is that they need more front-seven and offensive talent. Based purely on-tape, Mike Green has a case to be the 2nd or 3rd edge rusher taken. He was a monster for Marshall this season, accumulating a whopping 17 sacks and dozens of pressures. For his build, he’s also quite an efficient run defender. He has upside to improve and is amongst the younger prospects in this draft class. However, Green is a player being flagged with character issues and amongst any source I trust is being given more late 1st round grades. If Green’s off-field character is clean and he interviews well, he’ll probably go top-20; however, there is a capacity for him to fall. It’ll be interesting to see how his stock develops. For the Chargers, Green could be a long-term successor to Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

V1 Pick: Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)

Ole Miss

Big Board Rank: 22 (DT 3)

The Packers could easily justify a cornerback here (Revel Jr., Thomas, Barron) but their defensive front failed to meet expectations in 2024. Walter Nolen has had an up and down college career, but is finishing on a high with his best year at Ole Miss. He showed his ability to rush the passer and was a terrific run defender this past season. Teams are reportedly mixed on him, with some being quite high on him and some being concerned at this lethargic start to his college career.

V1 Pick: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)

Texas

Big Board Rank: 24 (CB 3)

The Vikings defense has played phenomenally given the personnel under Brian Flores; however, they need talent in their secondary and defensive interior. Barron has skyrocketed 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, although I think he’s best in a slot/safety role for the NFL. He could be a quality day 1 successor for Byron Murphy Jr., who is an impending free agent coming off his best season.

V1 Pick: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)

Missouri

Big Board Rank: 25 (OT 3)

Outside of Laremy Tunsil, no offensive line starter’s job can be safe after what was an atrocious display in 2024. The Texans need to prioritise offensive line talent in this draft. Membou is a sharply rising prospect, with Jeremiah and Brugler both very high on him. Charlie Campbell says he’s hearing Day 2 projections from teams, but I remember a similar arc with Taliese Fuaga at this stage of the draft process. Membou has short arms which may move him to guard, but his right tackle play in 2024 was extremely robust, showcasing stellar agility, lateral movement and hand placement.

V1 Pick: Josh Simmons (OT/G, Ohio State)

Florida State

Big Board Rank: 26 (CB 4)

The Rams have done an incredible job this season given their defensive personnel, but outside cornerback is still a clear weakness. There are a few cornerbacks in the 25-40 range who make sense -Barron, Revel Jr., Hairston, Morrison - but Thomas is rising quickly thanks to a brilliant 2024 season. Thomas’ tape, size and coverage ability is superb, but his testing will be important as teams apparently have concerns about his speed and sticking with quicker receivers in the NFL.

V1 Pick: Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)

Texas A&M

Big Board Rank: 30 (EDGE 5)

Stewart is an enigma and the biggest boom/bust prospect in this class. It wouldn’t shock me if a team in the top-20 took a bet on his freakish skill-set; it equally wouldn’t shock me if he fell to mid Day 2 because of how raw he is as a pass rusher. Stewart’s athletic profile is video-game-esque; his agility for his size is incredible. He’s also a solid run defender. However, Stewart has shown an alarming lack of progression in his ability to close; he has just 1.5 sacks in each of his last 3 seasons. Stewart could be the next Travon Walker or Danielle Hunter who thrives in the NFL after an unproductive college career.

V1 Pick: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)

Oregon

Big Board Rank: 31 (EDGE 6)

The Detroit Lions’ roster is immensely talented, but their various injuries and lack of a true EDGE 2 outside of Aidan Hutchinson was the hamartia of their 2024 campaign. Just like they focused on DB early in 2024, I suspect they’ll look to improve their DL early in 2025. Every time I review my top-100, I raise Burch. Although his team-mate Derrick Harmon gets more love, I think Burch is comfortably the more talented prospect. Similar to Walter Nolen at Ole Miss, it took Burch a while to put it all together but finally did so in 2024 with some truly brilliant wins and 8.5 sacks. Burch is also a prototypical 4-3 base end with oppressive size and athletic traits. Burch feels like the type of prospect who could explode at the combine and enter firm 1st round status thereafter.

V1 Pick: JT Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)

Ohio State

Big Board Rank: 29 (WR 3)

Jayden Daniels is so good. He’s elevated what in this writer’s opinion is still a bottom-half of the NFL roster to NFC Championship status because of his elite play Day 1. It’s all the more impressive considering outside of scary Terry, the Commanders’ offensive talent is really quite lacking. Be it through a trade for Deebo Samuel Jr. or the draft, I suspect the Commanders will take a receiver in the early rounds of this draft. Emeka Egbuka is not the same caliber 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.

V1 Pick: Nic Scourton (EDGE, Texas A&M)

Georgia

Big Board Rank: 23 (S 2)

The Bills used to have an elite safety tandem in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, but since then, they’ve had underwhelming play at the position (and really, their secondary in general). Starks is the clear top talent remaining on the board. I think Starks is a bit overrated and view him in the same sort of draft range as Xavier McKinney; a prospect who should go in the 20-32 range but could slip to Round 2 due to his position. 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.

V1 Pick: Jahdae Barron (CB/S, Texas)

Ohio State

Big Board Rank: 27 (G 3)

So the Chiefs are human after all. Like the 2020 Super Bowl, the Chiefs’ fatal flaw was their offensive line. The Chiefs’ interior offensive line in 2024 was exceptional, but Trey Smith is very likely to depart in free agency; additionally, their tackle options are amongst the worst in the NFL (so much so All-Pro guard Joe Thuney had to play out of position at LT at times). The Chiefs just need to take the best OL available here. In this mock, that’s Donovan Jackson, who has put himself firmly in the R1 conversation after an exceptional final season at Ohio State. His tape in relief of Josh Simmons was so good that teams will likely have a conversation as to whether Jackson can hang at Left Tackle; otherwise, he could be a Pro Bowl calibre player at his presumed NFL position of guard.

V1 Pick: Cameron Williams (OT, Texas)

South Carolina

Big Board Rank: 32 (DT 4)

The Eagles barely have a weakness on their roster. It’s absolutely stacked everywhere. The two most logical picks in relation to their modus operandi and potential free agency vacancies is a 3rd defensive lineman on their 3-4 front to replace Milton Williams, and right guard to replace Mekhi Becton (this of course presumes neither are re-signed, which is possible). I have bubble R1/R2 grades on a few defensive tackles (Sanders, Collins, Williams) and also have Omarr-Lott, Farmer and Harmon as potential early-to-mid R2 options. Of all of them, Sanders is the one rising the quickest, which makes sense. He’s very quick off the line and is balanced defensive tackle with upside.

V1 Pick: Shemar Stewart (EDGE/DT, Texas A&M)