North Carolina

Nick Chubb is a free agent and will probably never be the same due to the devastating knee injury he suffered in 2023, and it wasn't even his first knee injury. New blood is needed at RB, and Hampton could very well go in the 1st Round.

Alabama

TRADE! (See #1 for details.)

Because of the trade at #1 overall, the Titans now have back-to-back picks to address some holes. They have building blocks in place on the left side of the OL (LT JC Latham and LG Peter Skoronski, and a solid C in Lloyd Cushenberry. Now, it's time to address the right side, and because of the poor athletic testing, perhaps Booker slips to the 2nd Round now.

Missouri

Calvin Ridley is in the last year of his deal, while Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd are free agents. Treylon Burks is also going into the de facto final year of his rookie deal because his 5th year option will not be picked up, and he hasn't panned out as hoped. This is all to say that an infusion of WR talent is a huge need. Burden can make things happen with the ball in his hands and ran a nice 4.41 time in Indy.

Kentucky

There's very little talent in the CB room behind Tyson Campbell, and Hairston is in the 1st Round mix because of the 4.28 40 time at the Combine.

East Carolina

With major holes in the secondary, Revel could appeal to Pete Carroll because he's a long, feisty, and potentially speedy corner. His ACL recovery is a big factor in where he'll be taken, but he has 1st Round talent.

Oregon

While I expect some free agent signings at OL, the current depth chart is a joke. I'd expect at least one early pick to be spent on this position group, and Conerly would seem to be a nice value early in the 2nd Round.

Ohio State

Here's Ben Johnson's version of Jahmyr Gibbs for the Bears.

Florida State

In the wake of the Lattimore trade, the CB room is devoid of talent, and Thomas, still only 20, has room to grow and improve.

Ohio State

The defense is in pretty good shape overall, but there's a lack of pass rushing talent behind Montez Sweat. Sawyer plays better than his measurables, and as I think he would appeal to a team like the Lions, and as I think Ben Johnson's voice will hold significant sway, perhaps Sawyer makes sense. One of the mocks on here noted that new DC Dennis Allen prefers length with his rushers, so perhaps someone like Landon Jackson could be in play if the Bears go with a pass rusher at 39 or 41.

Minnesota

My prior mock for the Jets' first two picks had Membou and Harmon. Now I'll go with Graham and Ersery here. Same position groups, just with different players.

Georgia

After going for Stewart in the 1st, now the 49ers turn their attention to the OL, as LG Aaron Banks is a free agent. This unit, once dominant, has sprung some leaks.

Iowa State

***DYLAN SAMPSON, RB, TENNESSEE***

Sampson is not in the queue for some reason, but I suspect that this oversight will be corrected soon enough. Dallas is in need of a feature back, so there's a good shot that they spend a pick before the end of Day 2 on a running back.

Ohio State

Both Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner are entering the final year of their deals, and Williams could be a dominant run defender in the mold of an Alim McNeill.

Notre Dame

Mike Hughes is a free agent, and there would be nothing wrong with adding another potential starting outside CB opposite AJ Terrell.

Texas A&M

After going OL in Round 1, here's a defensive addition for Jonathan Gannon's crew. Scourton is a full-effort player who had a lot more college production than teammate Shemar Stewart did.

West Virginia

Both starting guards are free agents, and though Milum was a tackle in college, his 32 1/8-inch arm length most likely makes him a guard in the pros.

Texas

Another DL addition for the Bengals, who need help desperately upfront on defense.

Arizona

Savaiinaea (buy a vowel!) could kick inside to guard in the NFL, and he's a power-based player who could help Seattle's run game. The iOL was a particular problem area in 2024.

South Carolina

With Loveland in tow already, and with Cody Barton and Justin Strnad hitting free agency, perhaps Denver will turn its attention to LB.

Arkansas

Seattle, of course, now has this pick from the DK Metcalf trade to the Steelers.

Jackson blew up the Combine, and though the 1st Round might be a stretch, he could probably go anywhere off the board in Round 2, or certainly on Day 2, at the very least.

Iowa State

This pick would hinge on whether or not Chris Godwin were re-signed, likely to a pricey deal. If so, it probably takes an early WR pick off the table. But if not, then Higgins could be Mike Evans' heir apparent as a big size/speed combination out on the perimeter.

Texas

Since Bond said he was going to break former Texas teammate Xavier Worthy's Combine record in the 40, his 4.39 was a relative disappointment. Still...the guy is fast, and with Christian Watson coming off a serious injury (again), the Packers need to get some speed and big-play ability on the field.

Ohio State

The Chargers get a preferred power back with some juice here with Judkins, who probably helped himself with a 4.48 in Indy. I have to say, I was really tempted to slot Cam Skattebo here; I feel like Jim Harbaugh would absolutely love him.

Notre Dame

Damar Hamlin is a truly inspirational story who would have received my vote as Comeback Player of the Year. But he graded as a slightly below-average starter at the position in 2024, and he's a free agent. Watts would likely be an upgrade.

Iowa State

The Panthers have this pick from their trade with a Rams during the 2024 Draft, where LA moved up to take Braden Fiske, a move that LA would certainly do all over again. But since the Panthers knew that their own pick was heading to the Bears, you can't really fault them for putting themselves in position to have a pick in this round this year. I had the team going for pass rush help in Round 1, but with beat writers expecting heavy free agent spending on defense, I could see most of the draft devoted to offensive players. Though slot man Adam Thielen still got it done in 2024, he's very close to the end of the line, and the Panthers need to get more game-breaking speed on the field for Bryce Young. Noel operates best out of the slot, but he also has the toughness to also run routes on the outside. As a bonus, he's also a dynamic kick returner.

Miami

Dalton Schultz is a plodding TE, and he could easily be moved on from after the season, only carrying a $2.5MM dead cap hit in 2026. Arroyo is anything but plodding.

Texas

Baltimore seems to value height and arm length in its OL prospects, and Williams, at 6'6 with 34 1/2-inch arms, fits the bill. LT Ronnie Stanley was re-signed, but LG Patrick Mekari is a free agent, and Williams could remind the club of RG Daniel Faalele, a huge man who was once a tackle prospect but has moved inside to guard.

Ohio State

Tuimoloau had a dream CFP, racking up 6.5 sacks in 4 games. He wins with power and toughness, so I could see his skill set appealing to Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.

UCLA

Schwesinger had a fabulous 2024 season for UCLA, and I'll keep this selection even though Bobby Wagner was re-signed to a 1-year deal.

Ole Miss

Harris isn't a burner, but at his size, he doesn't necessarily have to be. Buffalo needs more talent and depth at wideout, especially on the perimeter, even after taking Keon Coleman early in Round 2 last year.

LSU

This is likely Travis Kelce's final year, so perhaps Jason Taylor's son is an option with this pick.

Bowling Green

Dallas Goedert is heading into the final year of his deal, and there are reports that the team might be willing to trade him for a 4th Round pick. Fannin Jr. is another size/speed modern move TE type who will go on Day 2.