Penn State

The Titans are still a bit of a mystery post-combine. The Titans need a franchise QB. Badly. However, in a far from elite QB draft, they can be forgiven for passing on a limited QB prospect for a blue-chip edge rusher. I have Travis Hunter (slightly) ahead of Abdul Carter on my big board, but Carter plays the most valuable position of the two. Carter is an absolute demon off the edge with scary production for his first full-season as a rush linebacker. He is slightly undersized as a full-time pass rusher, but has such impressive football acumen and athleticism that he should be able to fulfil his All-Pro potential in the NFL, especially in Tennessee’s 3-4 defense.

V2 Pick - Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
V1 Pick - Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)

Miami

The Browns seem destined to take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders at No. 2. Deshaun Watson’s career has been ruined by scandal, low effort and injury, and he appears done in the NFL. Financial hell aside, they must move on. Strong consensus puts Cam Ward as the league's top QB option in this draft class. Ward is coming off an outstanding 2024 season with some tremendous big-time plays and encouragingly improved every season at Washington State/Miami. Ward still has a lot to clean up in his game, though, as he seems to also want to play “hero ball” and makes some downright reckless decisions with the ball. Teams reportedly compare him to a “poor man’s Russell Wilson” (Charlie Campbell).

V2 Pick - Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
V1 Pick - Cam Ward (QB, Miami)

Colorado

From Charlie Campbell's reporting, it sounds like the Giants aren't enthused with either of the top-2 QB's and would be open to taking Abdul Carter if the draft starts QB-QB. In the scenario where either/or of Ward or Sanders is available, though, one has to believe they would still take a signal caller. Despite not having elite athletic traits, Sanders is this writer's clear-cut QB1, despite the hype behind Cam Ward Sanders is a unique personality but has stellar accuracy, processing ability and very clean short to intermediate play. He is a nice high-floor prospect with more of a ceiling than many give him credit for.

V2 Pick - Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
V1 Pick - Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)

Colorado

The Patriots reportedly love Abdul Carter but he seems destined to go top-3 at this moment in time. With Carter gone, I have them drafting the reigning Heisman winner who remains my top prospect in this draft class and I'm becoming quite confident that Hunter will be a Patriot next month. Hunter is a unicorn elite two-way player whose freakish athleticism and intelligence allows him to not only play two positions, but play them either side of the ball with legitimate Pro Bowl calibre. One could argue this almost doubles his ability to stick in the NFL. I would probably start at CB full-time and then allow Hunter to play impact snaps at receiver, but according to many sources, teams are legitimately split on his optimal position. Either way, the Patriots just need talent, and Hunter could be a franchise cornerstone for them for the next decade.

V2 Pick: Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
V1 Pick: Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)

Texas

Charlie Campbell has done some extensive reporting on Jacksonville, stating that (a) they don't view DT as a likely option at No. 5, (b) they don't love Will Johnson, and (c) they like Kelvin Banks Jr. and Will Campbell a lot. With Walker Little extended and Anton Harrison starting at RT, I could expect this pick to start at guard. Of the two, I prefer Kelvin Banks Jr. Both projects best as a guard in the NFL but has the ability to play tackle as well, which could prove valuable versatility for the Jaguars. He was amongst the best offensive linemen in the country in 2024 with a good athletic profile.

V2 Pick - Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
V1 Pick - Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)

Boise State

This is the third time in a row I've mocked Jeanty to the Raiders, but I love the fit; Charlie Campbell is now also reporting the Raiders do indeed really like Jeanty, as well as T-Mac from Arizona. The Raiders need to add more explosion on offense. Although running backs in the top-10 is a perennially venomous debate within the draft community, the immense success of recent highly drafted RB's has shifted the discourse back to it being a viable option. Moreover, Ashton Jeanty isn't just any running back. Jeanty is a truly elite running back in the running for top prospect in the entire class. An oppressively dominant runner with elite field vision, catching ability and missed tackle machine, Jeanty could be an animal at the next level.

V2 Pick: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
V1 Pick: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)

Arizona

The Jets-Rodgers split is official, and Davante Adams is soon to be cut or traded. Garrett Wilson is also reportedly disgruntled. The Jets are in a BPA spot in such a weak quarterback class, and Tetairoa McMillan would qualify as such. McMillan has a Drake London/Mike Evans-esque quality to his game, and would be a beautiful compliment to Garrett Wilson. He feels like one of the safer prospects in this class whilst also having a high ceiling, being the only wide receiver (excluding Travis Hunter) in this class who has true WR1 potential.

V2 Pick: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
V1 Pick: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)

Georgia

This seems highly likely to be an edge rusher, based of Charlie's combine reporting. I love the fit of James Pearce Jr. here, but his significant character concerns have been reported by many people now, and I think he'll slide. With Mykel Williams having a good pre-draft process, he is next man up in this mock. Mykel Williams is the latest “toolsy” Georgia edge rusher who may not have the production of an elite top of the draft edge rusher, but has a lot of upside to develop with a good physical skill-set. Williams is a plus run defender who has the upside to be a better pro than college player. He also played hurt for most of 2024 and still notched 5 sacks.

V2 Pick: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
V1 Pick: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)

Michigan

Bryan Bresee has come along nicely as a pass rushing interior threat, but he isn't the most rounded player, and the Saints' remaining DL is lacking. An interior stalwart to pair with Bresee could really help this defense. Kenneth Grant is amongst my favourite prospects in the entire class and is being dangerously undervalued amongst the draft community. Charlie Campbell - the best reporter in the business - has reported that teams really like Kenneth Grant and view him in higher esteem than Mason Graham, who is overrated (albeit mildly) by the media. Grant is an uber talented defensive tackle who is as strong as a bull, more athletically gifted than Mason Graham, and diverse between 4-3/3-4 fronts. Grant won't be a sack monster at the next level but could be a space eater with an immeasurable impact beyond the stat sheet. It would be surprising to see Grant fall out of the top-16 in this writer’s opinion.

V2 Pick: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
V1 Pick: Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)

Missouri

OL seems like a logical spot for Chicago to go with the 10th pick, as there are more 3-4 edge rushers in the 1st round range, and most 4-3 edge rushers in the 2nd round range. This also seems to be the sweet spot for prospects like Banks Jr., Membou, Campbell, Simmons and Booker. Chicago likely losing Teven Jenkins to free agency, and Braxton Jones (oft-injured) is entering a contract year at LT. Membou is slightly small to play tackle in the NFL, but is close enough where a team may still view him as an exterior blocker and not "just a guard". Membou also has arguably the best tape of any OL in the 2024 season and had Trent Williams-level testing at the NFL combine. Membou looks a likely top-16 pick as a result.

V2 Pick: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
V1 Pick: Will Campbell (G, LSU)

Michigan

San Francisco's defense was absolutely atrocious this season. Although OT/IOL would be welcomed with open arms, the 49ers have next to no talent post the expected June 1 release of Javon Hargrave at DT. There is potential for a moderate slide with Mason Graham. He isn't the flawless prospect many suggest; Charlie Campbell has reported teams have some work ethic and body issues tagged to his report. Non-elite defensive tackles don’t typically go in the top-10, more the 11-20 range, and I’d definitely argue Graham is not elite. However, I still like him a lot, as he is good to excellent at every facet of his position. A stout run defender and dangerous interior pass rusher with a high floor, Graham would be a “run the card to the podium” pick at 11.

V2 Pick: Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
V1 Pick: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)

LSU

Zack Martin's retirement is now official, and the Cowboys' rookies from last season (Guyton, Beebe) struggled. The Cowboys seem destined to take another offensive lineman quite earlier in the draft, and with their defensive line options (Grant, Graham) off the board, it would be better value to take a DT in Round 2. Campbell is a bit like Mason Graham insofar that he has more question marks than consensus opinion cares to comment on. He is definitely more likely to move inside to guard at the next level, especially post-combine with sub-33 inch arms, and had some inconsistencies in 2024. However, he's just a really solid player with quite a high floor for the NFL.

V2 Pick: Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)
V1 Pick: Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)

Alabama

The Dolphins have needs on both sides of the trenches, but their interior offensive line is a huge weakness year-in, year-out. With several free agents and underwhelming veterans, the Dolphins could do with a no-BS, best big guy available sort of pick here. Booker is amongst my favourite players in this class and my OL1. He didn't test well (at all) in the combine, but Booker has All-Pro potential at guard and really good tape across two years at Alabama. He's also seen as a team-captain calibre individual. Protecting Tua with his concussion history has to be a huge priority, and Booker is the BPA to do that.

V2 Pick: Will Campbell (G, LSU)
V1 Pick: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT/G, Texas)

South Carolina

The Colts could go in a variety of directions here, and in this scenario, a Will Johnson BPA pick could be ideal. However, the Colts have some talented cornerbacks on their roster in Kenny Moore, Sam Womack and JuJu Brents, so I don't think this is neccesarily a R1 priority. Meanwhile, their deep secondary is highly problematic. With Lou Aramno their DC, I think the Colts could prioritise safety play more and Emmanwori is amongst the best talents in this class. 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 exploded at the combine and could be a top-20 player.

V2 Pick: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
V1 Pick: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)

Georgia

Whilst it was suspected by general management to sign a $40M per year and use the 8th overall pick on a QB in the same 2-month span, the Falcons appear to have a viable shot at their next QB in Michael Penix Jr. from the small sample size we’ve seen. Doubling up at QB limited their ability to address their perennially pitiful pass rush, though, and they’ll need to use a deep 2025 draft class to add talent at the position. Although I personally have Marshall’s Mike Green as my EDGE 4, the Falcons reportedly like both Georgia defenders - Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker. Walker is an interesting evaluation; he’s a 1st round caliber athlete, no question, but he’s a positionless player who to me is more of a tweener than genuinely versatile player, and as such am considerably lower on him than consensus. I do not believe Walker can play pass rush full time in the NFL, and think he’s more an effective sub-package pass rusher. Equally, he’s somewhat green as an inside linebacker, but that’s where this writer believes his physical ability may be best full-time and in that regard - with time - he has the makeup to become one of the leagues best. Walker needs a 3-4 defense to thrive if he does become a pass rusher, but if he succeeds anywhere, I could see it being somewhere like Atlanta with Raheem Morris.

V2 Pick: Jalon Walker (EDGE/LB, Georgia)
V1 Pick: Jalon Walker (EDGE/LB, Georgia)

Michigan

The Cardinals take pure BPA here and get a CB1 calibre player in Will Johnson. To this writer, he is still squarely in contention to go in the 6-10 range, but feels likely to fall based on reports that teams are concerned with his play speed. Will Johnson would immediately be the best cornerback on the roster and a Christian Gonazalez type pick where several teams ahead of them lament overthinking on a very solid starting prospect.

V2 Pick: Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
V1 Pick: Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)