Miami

The Titans are now a big favorite to make the #1 pick in betting markets, whereas earlier in March, it was close to a coin flip between the Titans and Giants. This is looking like a done deal already.

Colorado

I've been steadfast that the Browns are going to take a QB at #2 overall. And I still believe that to be the case. I don't buy the Sanders narrative that he's falling, I think the Browns are comfortable with him, and he's the anti-Anthony Richardson in that he completes passes and gets rid of the ball quickly. And this was behind an awful Colorado OL for 2 years. And it's not like he has a popgun arm. I just think it happens, in large part because they've boxed themselves into a corner and I feel that there's a massive drop-off after Ward and Sanders. This all said, betting markets have Abdul Carter as the very slight favorite for this pick, just ahead of Sanders, and the Giants are also listed as the team that is the very slight favorite to draft Sanders, ahead of the Browns.

Penn State

In something I predicted in the first half of February (look it up on Walt's mock in the comments!), the Giants have signed Jameis Winston, which seemingly is an indication that they aren't expecting Aaron Rodgers or perhaps even Russell Wilson to sign with them. If the Titans go with a QB at #1, then the G-Men could be SOL when it comes to drafting one of the top 2 guys. Instead, they bolster an already-strong pass rush group with Carter, which could make life difficult on opposing OL's. This could also leave the door open to look at dealing Kayvon Thibodeaux away, who is entering his 4th year; they may not want to pay a large 5th year option and then an extension.

To be clear, I believe this is Sanders' floor. I don't think the Giants would pass on him, as Winston would be seen as the bridge guy with a likely competition during training camp. Another thought is that if Wilson signs with either the Browns or Giants before the draft, it might be a strong indication that the other team is the one that will draft Sanders.

UPDATE: with the Giants signing Russell Wilson (and giving him low-end starter's money) in addition to having Winston on the roster, it may be an indication that the Giants are expecting Sanders to be gone. Sure, they could pick him if he's there, as it's not like Wilson/Winston are long-term solutions. Still, I am of the opinion that signing both veteran QB's could be an indication that the team is not expecting Sanders to make it to their pick. On the other hand, it's also possible that the attempt to get Stafford and Rodgers and then turning around and signing two veterans is an indication that the team just isn't that into Sanders. So, which is it: they don't expect Sanders to be there, or they never liked him in the first place? Choose your fighter!

Colorado

New England went on a spending spree in free agency with a ton of cap space, with major defensive additions, and they just came away with Stefon Diggs to give Drake Maye a viable WR1, health permitting. They added veteran RT Morgan Moses as another offensive addition, but of course the OL still needs an awful lot of work. If Carter or Hunter are available, however, I just think that you'd be crazy not to pick one of them. (Yes, YOU!)

Michigan

After the signings of Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey, new GM James Gladstone has moved to fill iOL holes. So I'll go away from the possible OL1 of this draft and move to a sensible addition to fortify the DL instead. Gladstone has spoken about both trenches being important to his football-building philosophy.

Boise State

I have no reason to think that Jeanty isn't a fit for the Raiders, and I don't think he gets out of the top 10. Do the Bears covet him enough to try to present the Jaguars with an offer they can't refuse to move up to #5, to jump the Raiders?

Missouri

Membou is added as a bookend to last year's #1 pick for the Jets, Fashanu. He gets the OL1 nod over Will Campbell. I think this is a bit early for McMillan and certainly for Golden, but maybe Tyler Warren could be a fit here. That said, the Jets passed on Brock Bowers last year, and while Warren is a better blocker than Bowers is, he is not in the same class as Bowers overall as a prospect. While this is a different regime in charge this year, still, it's just hard for me to imagine Warren in this spot, but I could be wrong.

Georgia

After having McMillan here, I'm going to drop him because of his 4.53-ish 40 time at his Pro Day. The last receiver with a 4.5 or above that was picked in the top 15 was Mike Evans. Instead, Walker and his 99th-percentile athleticism get the call.

Michigan

For the first time in a while, I'll go away from Will Campbell and go for another Will instead...Johnson. It's true that the CB depth chart is probably in even worse shape than the OL is, with Marshon Lattimore dealt away and Paulson Adebo signing with the Giants in free agency. And no, signing Isaac Yiadom doesn't change that. So yes, let's get Johnson into this spot, and the Saints are the betting favorite at +250 to draft him.

Penn State

I'm sticking with Warren as another addition to Ben Johnson's new offense, after the team has aggressively attacked its iOL weakness through trades and in free agency. I think this is Jeanty's floor, by the way. I also wouldn't rule out any of the top pass rushers here.

LSU

Probably because they are about to give Brock Purdy the bag, the 49ers have suffered an exodus of talent between trades, free agency defections, and releases. They have a slew of holes now, so you can make an argument for DL, OL, DB, or maybe even WR here. I had Shemar Stewart here before, believing that he fits the profile of the type of lengthy edge player that the 49ers would go for. However, with Will Johnson going 9th to the Saints, it's left Campbell there for the taking, and I simply think that he will have a higher grade than Stewart will. Perhaps significantly so.

Arizona

Dallas needs a playmaker on the outside to take some pressure off CeeDee Lamb. Will McMillan's 4.53 time be enough to keep him in the top 15? We'll see, but since I think Dallas could go WR here, and since McMillan is still a big favorite to go ahead of Golden, I'll opt for the Arizona man.

Texas

I had Nick Emmanwori here before, as both Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer were free agents. However, the club has signed Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis to replace them. While Emmanwori could still be seen as a future starter, at least the need is no longer dire. Since this regime may be on the hot seat, perhaps an OL pick makes more sense. James Daniels was signed to fill one of the guard openings, but there's still one more (unless you believe that the team is planning on starting Liam Eichenberg instead of merely having him around for depth), and LT Terron Armstead is on his last legs and may even retire. As a result, I'm opting for Banks here, who would figure to start at guard as a rookie, with the possibility of switching out to tackle at some point.

Michigan

The Colts made some nice DB additions in free agency, adding Charvarious Ward and Cam Bynum. However, they lost both Ryan Kelly and Will Fries (both to the Vikings), leaving a gaping iOL hole. Furthermore, I'm shocked that Chris Ballard is essentially staking his job on Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. I expect Jones to win the job, which is pretty sad. If I gave you one guess as to which two QB's are the lowest-rated by QB rating over the past 2 years, I'm sure you know where I'm going with this. And Ballard now has them both!

In any case, I'm going away from a DB after their free agency moves, and with the iOL situation appearing dire, you could certainly argue for Kelvin Banks here if available, though he's just gone one pick earlier in this mock. Other potential iOL targets could include Grey Zabel, Tyler Booker, and Donovan Jackson, perhaps in a trade down. However, Denver's signing of Evan Engram in free agency tells me that the Broncos didn't think that Loveland will be there at 20, and this is a spot where Loveland absolutely makes sense, given the Colts' depth chart at the position. So I'll opt for the Michigan man, and it's entirely possible that the Colts fill at least one of the iOL openings with a solid free agent. We'll see.

Texas

TRADE! Atlanta trades #15 to the Rams for #26, #90, and a 2026 2nd Round pick.

I'm borrowing this from my previous mock because I like it now even more than when I thought it up a week ago. I knew that Atlanta didn't have a 3rd rounder at the time. But in looking further, they don't have 5th or 6th Round picks either, which means that they only have 5 picks total in this draft (with two 7th rounders). If they are looking to bolster their pass rush or DL with this pick, it's likely that the players that the team could be looking at (Mykel Williams, Walter Nolen, Mike Green, and James Pearce Jr.?) are rated similarly, and it's quite likely that at least one of them will still be there at #26. So I think that it's worth taking the offer from the Rams, a team that Raheem Morris is obviously familiar with.

As for the Rams, they see that Barron is on the board, and their affinity for Texas players is well-documented. Barron is neck-and-neck with Johnson to go as the first DB off the board, not counting Hunter, with both having +115 odds on FanDuel at the moment. Perhaps the Rams would see Barron as an immediate upgrade on current slot corner Quentin Lake, and they did just re-sign Ahkello Witherspoon for another year on the outside. The Rams would still have a 3rd Round comp pick on Day 2, at #101 overall, after this deal.

Texas A&M

I had Will Johnson here in my last update, but obviously he's long gone in this one. With Barron gone as well, perhaps Monti Ossenfort would be looking at OL or DL. Josh Simmons could be a real possibility here, but for now I will guess that Stewart could be the choice instead.