psteezie
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Post-Day 2 of the 2025 Combine. Challenging some of my early assumptions about QB needs vs. free agency, and taking into account recent news about Myles Garrett (won't sign extension), Trey Smith (franchise tag) and Abdul Carter (foot injury). We're going 2 rounds with a NEW trade concept into the top 5 -- strap in. NOTE ON GARRETT: The Browns would have to significantly restructure his deal to avoid a $30M+ dead cap hit for a pre-June 1st trade. But if they wait until after the draft, they're not going to get any benefits until 2026... really tough position. I'm not going to factor a trade for him into a new mock until more info comes out.
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Round 1
Titans:
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado 
Abdul Carter's questionable foot injury (surgery? no surgery?) crystallizes my choice at #1 -- for now. I don't think any QB is worth mortgaging a trade up to #1 for, so the Titans stick and pick a player that's the "generational talent" their GM wants here.
Browns:
Cam Ward, QB, Miami 
Myles Garrett refused a contract extension, citing the team isn't trying to win now. That all but signals a rookie QB pick at #2 -- and perhaps I'll mock a Garrett trade later in the first round. Cam Ward goes to Cleveland.
Giants:
Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State 
The Giants are suddenly linked to Matthew Stafford. Whether or not a 37 year old QB is a good idea is less important to Daboll and Schoen than winning NOW, and I'll go with that logic. Abdul Carter has a foot issue, but he's still a top 2 overall player.
Saints:
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
TRADE! NO gets #4 pick, 2025 draft
NE gets #9 & #71 picks, 2025 draft; 2026 3rd rd pick
Interest between the Saints and Sanders picked up Day 1 of the Combine, and NO makes its move to #4 to grab him ahead of the Raiders or Jets. The Patriots get an extra 3rd in '25 AND '26, which is a pick better than the Raiders would offer here.
Jaguars:
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan 
The Jaguars could go OT here, but I still love the marriage between this defense's needs and the absolute disruption Graham provides on the interior D-line. I wouldn't be at all shocked if he wins DROY.
Raiders:
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State 
With Ward and Sanders off the board, Pete Carroll gets his bell cow running back. Could the Raiders go Will Johnson here? Sure. But the opportunity to go from the 32nd best rushing team to the most exciting rookie RB since Saquon Barkley -- yeah.
Jets:
Will Campbell, OT, LSU 
If the QBs are gone, I think the choice for Gang Green is between Will Johnson and Will Campbell here. RT and CB2 are wide open on this roster next year. Ultimately, the chance to create bookend tackles for a decade (Fashanu and Campbell) is too rich to pass up for the Jets.
Panthers:
Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia 
I expect Jalon Walker to show out during the pre-draft process. He's the most versatile defender in this year's draft class, and the ability to scheme him throughout the defense is a wonderful asset for Carolina to pick up.
Patriots:
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona 
(from NO in trade for #4 pick)
The Patriots slide back 5 spots and, while they don't get the OT1 in this draft, they get a premium 6'5" weapon for Drake Maye in the passing game. They'll address the trenches in Rounds 2 and 3 (and potentially CB).
Bears:
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri 
It's Membou by a hair over Kelvin Banks here for me. Membou's ability to develop into a starting OT sets him apart from Banks, who projects to be an outstanding guard. Chicago can start Membou on the inside and slowly progress him to tackle.
49ers:
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson shouldn't slide out of the top 10. But if he makes it past the Jets, he probably will. And that's a big score for the 49ers, who may lose Charvarius Ward to free agency. The best pure cover corner in the draft is a win at #11.
Cowboys:
Kelvin Banks, OT/G, Texas 
Cowboys fans might fret over losing out on Jeanty and McMillan, but they shouldn't. Zack Martin's retirement leaves a huge hole at OG, and Kelvin Banks stays in-state after leaving UT to fill that void for Dallas.
Dolphins:
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
I'm going back to pairing Starks with the Dolphins here -- I think it's a great fit. I'm not sure if they'll pay Jevon Holland in free agency, and Jordan Poyer is a free agent as well. Resetting the position on a rookie deal allows Miami to retain some cap space for other needs.
Colts:
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
I wouldn't be shocked to see Indianapolis try and trade up to get Will Johnson if he slides past #8. But adding another huge weapon to the offensive arsenal in Tyler Warren is a great fit for this team. If Anthony Richardson can't win with Pittman, Mitchell, Downs, Price, Warren and Jonathan Taylor, then he can't win.
Falcons:
James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee 
Shemar Stewart is getting his flowers for his Day 1 Combine performance, but James Pearce showed out as well. His pure edge rushing ability is something Atlanta's lacked for awhile now, and I think that wins out here.
Cardinals:
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M 
Why not buy into some Combine hype and push Shemar Stewart up the ranks? He's raw, but man does he have some exciting measurables and surprising speed. A burst of aggression and pace would certainly help the Cardinals' front seven.