Marshall

The Bengals may just go coast-to-coast defense in this draft. They start here with Mike Green, who should be a top 20-25 pick in the draft based on talent and Combine performance.

Green gives Trey Hendrickson some backup in the edge rush department. Getting deals for Hendrickson, Chase and Higgins done this offseason was big for Cincy - but it means they must find inexpensive rookie solutions on all 3 levels of the D.

Alabama

If Tyler Booker is available at #18, Seattle should stiff-arm their own mother to get to the podium. IOL (and guard in particular) have been a need in Seattle for what seems like a decade. Booker solves that problem instantly, and for the long haul.

No freakish Combine, no raw athleticism. Just a strong, high quality IOL who shows up with his lunch pail and doesn't make mistakes.

Alabama

Much like the 49ers, the Bucs defense is at its best when it features excellent LB play. Jihaad Campbell's "do it all style" allows for a ton of scheme versatility -- he had a nearly 50/50 run vs coverage split last season at Alabama, and added serviceable pass rush capabilities when asked.

Tennessee

(from DEN in trade for #15 pick)
I would have selected Pearce for Atlanta at #15 overall. This move down works out just fine for the Falcons, and they snag a crucial extra 3rd round pick in the process. Pearce is less effective vs. the run, but he may be the 2nd-best pure pass rusher in this entire class behind Abdul Carter.

North Carolina

I'm so torn on this pick. Jaxson Dart and Omarion Hampton just feel a tad too "reachy" here -- but are there 2 bigger needs for Pittsburgh right now? The fact that they're waiting on a 41-year old coming off 2 bad years with the Jets says a LOT.

That said, I think Rodgers ends up with Pittsburgh in the end. And they'll cater to him, for better or for worse. So QB won't be the pick here. They can upgrade DL in the 3rd round, but Hampton is a vast improvement to the RB corps and a good new weapon to have.

Michigan

I thought about Emeka Egbuka. But he's a Buckeye, and Harbaugh sticks with his Michigan man. He's already schemed for Loveland in the past, and you don't get a 6'6", 250 lb tight end who can kill you from the slot every day.

If the Chargers decide to go defense, I'd expect Kenneth Grant here.

Texas

Green Bay is a candidate to trade up for CB -- they've done so in the recent past. Jahdae Barron falls to them at #23 here (not sure he will IRL), and provides some reprieve for the impending departure of Jaire Alexander.

Ohio State

TRADE! NE gets #24 pick, 2025 draft
MIN gets #38 & #77 picks, 2025 draft; 2026 5th rd pick
Here's the conundrum for Minnesota - like Atlanta, they have no draft capital and should really trade down. I think they can get a CB at a better value with an early 2nd round pick, plus pick up a 3rd to bolster their assets.

New England gives up a 2nd and 3rd. It's a price to pay, sure, but they leave Round 1 with a starting LT and WR1 option for Drake Maye. And they still have two 3rd round picks left thanks to the LV trade earlier in the round.

Ohio State

The Egbuka trade throws a wrench in Houston's plans, for sure. But there are other needs to address, and other WRs to consider. They have four top 100 picks to work with, which is a plus.

I'm not sure Tytus Howard is more than a swing tackle for Houston, so they draft Josh Simmons to fortify the O-line with Laremy Tunsil's departure. Skill position players will be selected on Day 2 - possibly two of them.

Ole Miss

TRADE! CLE gets #26 pick, 2025 draft
LAR gets #33 & #94 picks, 2025 draft
Rams GM Les Snead loves draft trades. He's called this range of the draft a dead zone, so dropping back for more mid-round capital wouldn't shock me at all. Plus, the Rams key positions of need (off-ball LB and CB) aren't in range here.

The Browns make their move on a QB of the future here. There might not be a massive risk of another team taking him, but the Rams are a willing draft partner and Cleveland has the extra 3rd round compensatory pick to burn.

Michigan

Big, nasty interior DL going to Baltimore? Sounds about right. The Ravens bolster the trenches with Kenneth Grant, an imposing DT who can play nose tackle -- suitable to Baltimore's scheme.

IOL and corner are also options here, but I think Grant provides the biggest immediate dividends for a team still very much in contention for a Super Bowl run.

Texas A&M

Stewart shot up mock draft boards after a killer Combine. But let's not forget there's limited on-field production, and so many franchises still value tape and in-game production.

Stewart ends up in a prime situation with the Lions, learning under Aidan Hutchinson and providing depth to a talented-but-thin EDGE corps.

Ole Miss

TRADE! KC gets #29 pick, 2025 draft
WAS gets #31 & #133 picks, 2025 draft
KC trades up 2 spots, exclusively to ensure they get Walter Nolen and Buffalo doesn't. The Chiefs need an upgrade in the trenches in a big way, and Nolen provides a high motor and equal abilities to stop the run and rush the passer from the interior.

Georgia

The Bills pivot off D-line and go in a direction that may surprise some, but not all. The secondary was lackluster in 2025 - here, Buffalo chooses a premium safety over a CB with a second round grade.

Starks immediately improves the overall pass coverage of the Buffalo secondary and adds good speed and awareness.

Boston College

(from KC in trade for #29 pick)
I'm going to tangent a bit here and ask the site to please update Washington's team name away from the racially-insensitive one that was ditched years ago. Thanks!

Washington drops back and stays ahead of Philly, which is crucial in selecting the last EDGE rusher I have with a borderline 1st round grade.

Oregon

The Eagles draft in the trenches. IOL is an option, but value rules the day here. Derrick Harmon has the best grade left on my board of remaining line players, and the Eagles could use some youth on the interior D-line.

Yes, Philly does need to replenish the pass rushing corps. But a good rush can come from interior pressure and stout run support - both of which Harmon provides.