Colorado

Oh no, Shedeur Sanders is "only an accurate passer who compensates for a below average offensive line". I don't read that as a set of flaws. I read that as "oh, so he'll work fine with Giants possession receivers and a subpar O-line".

Penn State

The Patriots SPRINT to the podium. Yes, they need offensive line help. But the Senior Bowl buzz is that they would love Carter here - and I'm not convinced Carter doesn't go #1 overall when it's all said and done.

Colorado

A note about Cousins: He's linked to the Jets and Browns... but both teams have way less cap space than Tennessee... and Cousins has a no-trade clause. I don't think a "Kevin Stefanski link" is enough to make a 36 y/o QB willingly go to Cleveland. Anyway, the best player in the draft goes #1. Justice.

Miami

Word on the street is that Myles Garrett may stay put if Cleveland commits to drafting a new QB. Here's that good faith draft pick. Yes, trading Garrett offers a bit more of a reset - but wouldn't you rather not reset and keep a future Hall of Fame rusher?

Michigan

TRADE! CAR gets #5 & #184 picks, 2025 draft
JAX gets #8 & #57 picks, 2025 draft
Don't tell me Mason Graham isn't a "premium pick" worth trading up for. Jacksonville's going to get phone calls if he's available at #5. And Carolina would love a game-wrecking DT to vastly upgrade the front seven.

Michigan

(from CAR in trade for #5 pick)
The Jags trade back and win out at a position of need. This feels like a good slot for Johnson, who could easily go anywhere from #5 to #12 in the draft. Instant secondary upgrade for JAX.

Boise State

I keep thinking about Ashton Jeanty, and I keep saying "if he wasn't an RB, he'd go top 5". Well, I'm not using that caveat anymore. Jeanty is a killer add to the Raiders' offense and the kind of RB that Pete Carroll dreams of. So the pick is in.

LSU

I've gone defense in virtually every Jets mock prior to this one. But the revolving door at one OT tackle spot has to stop sometime if ANY QB is going to succeed for Gang Green. Will Campbell is as sure a shot as I see at OL in this draft.

Georgia

The Saints go pass rush at #9 with Cameron Jordan about to be 36 years old. Williams is a bit raw but the upside on him is higher than similar players at this spot.

Texas

"Will Banks be a guard or tackle in the NFL?" The Bears need both, so the question's irrelevant. Caleb Williams was under fire far too much in the latter half of 2024, and Banks will be a Week 1 starter wherever he lines up.

Arizona

TRADE! TB gets #11 pick, 2025 draft
SF gets #19 & #53 picks, 2025 draft
The Buccaneers spend the cash to acquire a huge need and the heir apparent to Mike Evans. The 49ers, meanwhile, end up with 6 picks in the top 100 of this draft. That's scary stuff. This is a winning trade for both teams, in my opinion (even though it means TB will have to hit free agency intelligently).

Michigan

With Jeanty gone, many mocks would put another skill position player here. But damn if Kenneth Grant isn't impressive. The problem for Dallas in division wasn't scoring points, it was stopping guys like Saquon Barkley. This helps that cause.

Georgia

I don't think I've drafted anyone BUT Malaki Starks to Miami for weeks now. The best blend of player and fit to team need in the top half of the draft, except for...

Georgia

(from TB in trade for #11 pick)
I could see the 49ers taking a guy like Walker at #11, frankly. The ability to drop back 8 spots and still get an edge rusher while picking up their 6th top 100 pick? It's looking like a one offseason "mini-rebuild" for SF - and that's worrisome for the NFC West.