The Champ's Final Week Mock, Version 5.0
OK, this is what I have here on draft day. OL's go early. McMillan is back up. Egbuka rises. Will Johnson falls. Dart is QB2, and Sanders falls out of the 1st Round entirely. So does Emmanwori. Though I have the 2nd Round here, at some point today, as I may make changes to the 1st Round, you may see things that don't make sense in the 2nd Round. I may not have enough time to keep tinkering with the 2nd Round, so please forgive me for anything that looks off there.
Round 2
TRADE! (See #26 for details.)
After the move to the top of Round 1, the Rams begin their draft with the confident, athletic SEC corner who was the fastest man at the Combine. Even if the Rams end up trading for Jalen Ramsey, they don't have a long-term starter on the roster (Emmanuel Forbes is a project and nothing more).
After the move to the top of Round 1, the Rams begin their draft with the confident, athletic SEC corner who was the fastest man at the Combine. Even if the Rams end up trading for Jalen Ramsey, they don't have a long-term starter on the roster (Emmanuel Forbes is a project and nothing more).
The Giants pass on QB at 3 but take the plunge here. And we have the Daboll/Alabama connection again at play here, though there has to be a strong chance that Milroe will have a new head coach next season.
News broke late Wednesday night that Tyler Lockett was signed, which helps Cam Ward out. Of course, he's not a long-term solution, but at least Ward now has 2 quality NFL receivers to throw to. As Carter was talked about as a possible #1 overall pick before Ward became the guy, and with DE/Edge a need, let's slot them the in-state sack artist here.
No, not Mason Graham, but the Jags get a DT here in Round 2 with the elite run-stuffer out of Ohio St.
If the Raiders don't come away with Jeanty with their first pick, it stands to reason that Judkins, if available, would be a strong consideration for Chip Kelly's offense. Reunited!
Protect. Drake. Maye. Here the Pats double down, which would be a wise course of action, given their abysmal hit rate on early round WR's lately. They go for the tackle here instead of Donovan Jackson, going for more long-term upside.
Perhaps Ben Johnson would see Johnson as his new hammer, a la David Montgomery.
OL in the 1st, and now DL in the 2nd with the edge rusher out of A&M.
LCB Tyrique Stevenson might be the weak point of the defense, so I could see a CB pick coming before the end of Day 2.
As the Jets need more talent at the skill positions and could be considering Tyler Warren at #7, perhaps the son of an NFL Hall of Famer would appeal to them here in Round 2. Jeremiah thinks that Taylor could be a 1st rounder.
There's a clear LG opening, and this would be a fabulous pick at this juncture for the 49ers.
Dallas is left with a hole at a guard spot, so here's a plug and play option.
Emmanwori is probably on the short list of Ballard's options at #14 overall due to his freakish athleticism, and he's fallen in this mock.
Both starting tackles are in the final year of their deals. Here's a succession plan.
DL is the favorite for Arizona's first pick, and although I had them opting for Golden at #16, let's slot them the athletic pass rusher out of Arkansas here, who tested really well.
Burden fits the speed wideout desire for this team, and it would be a huge surprise if Tyreek Hill is on the team next year. Maybe not even this year, the way it's trending.
Though the team signed Cooper Kupp and Marques Valdes-Scantling, neither of those guys are long-term solutions. Higgins could pair well with JSN into the future.
Here's another position that Seattle could be looking to add a possible long-term solution.
The Bengals get some help for the defense again, this time on the back end. The club still feels the loss of Jessie Bates, and new DC Al Golden just coached Watts at Notre Dame. Perfect match.
As teams often shy away from throwing Pat Surtain's way, perhaps Morrison can make some big plays if he works his way onto the field. He's slated to hold a workout for teams just before the draft, and though he's recovering from an injury, he's still thought to be a 2nd rounder.
Another talented defender with some injury questions for Jason Licht.
Bond has met with the Packers on a top 30 visit and has the speed that Gutekunst typically likes for his receiver prospects...is what I wrote in mocking Bond here before news broke that he's turned himself into Frisco (TX) police on an outstanding warrant relating to a possible sexual assault matter. I'm just going to guess that this tanks his draft stock, at least to where he doesn't go in the first 2 rounds now, and if the pick is a WR in the 1st, that would seem to eliminate a 2nd Round WR anyway. Instead, I'll switch to the CB need and guess that Parrish's 4.35 speed would have appeal to Packers brass.
Williams helped himself with a nice 4.40 time at the Combine and could go as high as #35 to the Titans, given that he played with Cam Ward in 2023 at Washington St.
The Ravens have a guard opening, so enter the Arizona man who tested really well.
Schwesinger could go much higher, and this would be a nice get for the Bills since Matt Milano struggles to stay healthy.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the Texans drafted an early round WR, on the heels of Tank Dell's injury, even after acquiring Christian Kirk.
Brad Holmes hits on the DL need again, this time with the Ohio St. DE who had a great CFP.
A long-term talent at receiver is added here, with Deebo Samuel's health a constant question mark. (Not to mention that Deebo is in the last year of his deal.)
If Thomas is available late in Round 2, it's because of a rather slow 40 time at his Pro Day. That said, he offers good size, the possibility of sticky coverage on the outside, and improvement since he's still only 20 years old.
Sawyer reminds me of some of the effort edge players that Beane has drafted in the past, such as AJ Epenesa.
Though Mike Pennel was re-signed to another 1-year deal, there's a need for long-term help in the DT room.
TRADE! (See #22 for details.)
I had Fannin here before but decided to change it up for Ozzy Trapilo. Well, no more. I noticed that in Hayden Winks' latest 2-Round mock, he noted that Fannin's head coach at Bowling Green is now the QB's coach for Philly. These things don't always happen, but that's enough to get me to change this pick back to the TE here.
I had Fannin here before but decided to change it up for Ozzy Trapilo. Well, no more. I noticed that in Hayden Winks' latest 2-Round mock, he noted that Fannin's head coach at Bowling Green is now the QB's coach for Philly. These things don't always happen, but that's enough to get me to change this pick back to the TE here.