Penn State

I don't think I've drafted anyone BUT Tyler Warren to Indianapolis... yeah, rinse and repeat explanation from #13. Take a second and think about the skill position players on the Colts roster if this pick happens. Taylor, Warren, Pittman, Mitchell, Pierce, Downs... if Richardson's a bust, it's not THEIR fault.

Marshall

It's very quietly becoming an offseason of flux for Atlanta. Kirk Cousins is gone, they might trade Kyle Pitts... but it still HAS to be pass rush here, doesn't it? I'm getting a little spicy putting Green here, but he's a freak athlete and I think Atlanta would rather have a rusher from DE than the second level.

Tennessee

Unlike Atlanta, Arizona would love a rangy edge rusher from the linebacker spot. Pearce is that guy -- what he lacks in run stopping skill right now, he makes up for in pure QB havoc.

Alabama

For the love of **** Seattle, please take an interior O-lineman in the first round. It's been needed for several years. You're going to make Geno Smith keep open-mic cursing on national TV like on the Aaron Donald play. Booker's a good one.

Missouri

TRADE! LAC gets #17 pick, 2025 draft
CIN gets #22 & #86 picks, 2025 draft
Justin Herbert gets his complementary WR to Ladd McConkey, and the Chargers offense starts to look a bit more multi-dimensional again. Amazing to think that we're ONE season removed from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Notre Dame

(from LAC in trade for #17 pick)
I don't get all the draft panic for CIN with offensive skill players. They'll figure out Higgins & Chase -- what they need is ANYONE who can play defense worth a damn. A trade down, another top 100 draft pick, and a starting corner? I'll take it if I'm Cincy.

Michigan

*sigh* I hate making the conventional pick, especially when I'm doing it with TWO tight ends in the same round. But Loveland to Denver makes a ton of sense -- I could also see him linking up with his former coach Jim Harbaugh on the Chargers.

Ohio State

Another mock, another Emeka Egbuka-to-Pittsburgh connection. He's a smart, productive receiver, and the Steelers could certainly use him.

Texas

I just like this pick the more I look at it. Is Barron a hybrid DB that can play safety too? Yes. But a big, physical corner in Green Bay that can play against guys like Jefferson and St. Brown? Sure, that works.

Ole Miss

TRADE! BUF gets #24 pick, 2025 draft
MIN gets #30, #108 & #171 picks, 2025 draft; 2026 6th rd
The Bills have 10 draft picks this year. The Vikings have FOUR. I'd be shocked if MIN doesn't trade back for capital - especially if the top CBs are gone (as they are here). The Bills need DT help, and they'll trade past teams like Houston to get Walter Nolen.

East Carolina

(from BUF in trade for #24 pick)
It'd be a better value to wait until the 2nd round for a CB at this point for Minnesota... but they don't have a 2nd rounder. I'm torn between a few prospects here - but Revel has the length others don't, despite the lack of extended college production.

Texas

Golden can get deep in a hurry for Houston, which makes him a rather scary pairing with Nico Collins (especially while Tank Dell recovers). Houston moves on from the aging Stefon Diggs here.

Missouri

It's been quite awhile between O-linemen in the first round, but I honestly think there's a gap between the top 3 and here. Membou and Simmons are the next tier, and I'll take Membou's cleaner injury history.

South Carolina

I still like Emmanwori to the Ravens here, even if others feel it's a little early. He's more of a box safety than a pure cover guy, but the Ravens can scheme him into some unique situations. They'll be getting a hitter in the secondary.

Texas A&M

The Lions found out how thin they were on the edge at the worst possible time. Reloading for pass rush depth here is crucial, and Stewart's the pick with Mike Green going earlier in the round.

Texas A&M

Interesting choice here for Washington with Josh Simmons still available - add to pass protection or the pass rush? Dan Quinn's in town, so pass rush it is. A unique situation with back-to-back pass rushers from Texas A&M going #28 and #29.

Ohio State

I think the Chiefs would be fortunate to see Simmons fall to #31, but that's how this draft shook out with teams pursuing other needs. A bit of an injury concern here, but not worth passing on a player with his talent late in the 1st round.

Alabama

The Eagles spend the last pick of the 1st round on a rangy, versatile LB who can blitz and play zone. Campbell doesn't have elite measurables, but he's got a motor and doesn't miss tackles.