Alabama

The Bengals could address various needs, including edge rusher, defensive tackle, or defensive back, but their offensive line remains a glaring weakness with no reliable starting interior linemen. With strong Day 2 depth available for 4-3 defensive fronts, Cincinnati might prioritize a no-nonsense best player available (BPA) approach here. Tyler Booker, a powerful guard, may not offer the flashiness of other picks, but he is one of the safest prospects in this draft class, with the potential to become a multi-time Pro Bowl interior lineman. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 325 pounds, Booker perfectly fits the Bengals' "mammoth OL" prototype. His immediate "plug-and-play" capability makes him exactly the kind of player Cincinnati needs to strengthen their offensive line

Michigan

The Seahawks' pressing need for interior blocking might be addressed on Day 2, given the depth of prospects (e.g. Mbow, Grant, Savaiinaea, Milum, Wilson). Instead, they could opt to fill the void left by their exodus of receiving talent with a dynamic pass-catching threat. Whilst a decent TE, Noah Fant is not a dominating force and is a free agent after 2026. Meanwhile, Colston Loveland, despite a dip in production due to subpar quarterback play, projects as a dangerous receiving tight end at the next level with competent blocking ability. Loveland's versatility and ability to create mismatches could make him a valuable addition to Seattle's offense and gives Sam Darnold another reliable target.

Alabama

Tampa Bay’s linebacking group has been in decline, with Lavonte David nearing retirement and Devin White falling short of expectations. Outside of Vita Vea ad YaYa Diaby, their front seven has lacked consistency, highlighting a clear need for improved off-ball and on-ball linebacking talent. Enter Campbell, a prototypical off-ball linebacker who excels with sideline-to-sideline range, pass-rushing potential, strong coverage skills, and a physical presence in the run game. While still somewhat raw, his overall profile makes him my LB1 and a potential top-20 pick in the upcoming draft. Though some may favor Walker’s higher ceiling, Campbell’s all-around abilities feel like a seamless match for Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme, offering the Bucs a much-needed boost in their linebacker corps.

North Carolina

The Broncos are at a pivotal moment in building around Bo Nix, who had an impressive rookie season. Adding an offensive weapons at running back, tight end and receiver are all valid options, as is defensive tackle given their impending free agents after 2025. Highest ranked in these positional groups on this writer's big board is Omarion Hampton could elevate their offense significantly. Hampton, with his blend of power and agility, would be a strong addition, especially given his ability to contribute in both the run and pass game. Defensive tackle is also a critical area to address, considering the impending free agency of their interior defenders

Ole Miss

The Steelers face a tough decision with this pick. While selecting a boundary cornerback is a viable option, their aging interior defensive line makes a true starting 3-4 defensive end a pressing need. Walter Nolen, an exceptionally talented defensive tackle, presents a fascinating prospect with a wide range of draft outcomes. At his best, Nolen is a top-16 talent with the potential to become a future Pro Bowler. However, his college career at Texas A&M has been marred by inconsistent tape over three seasons and concerns about maturity and character, which could make him a risky selection.

Tennessee

"The Chargers retained Khalil Mack for another season, but with his prime behind him, the need for a new edge rusher has become pressing. Pearce’s combination of athleticism and skill set makes him a seamless fit for the Chargers’ 3-4 defensive scheme. While his 2024 stat line of 7.5 sacks may not be eye-popping, his growth as a run defender and ability to generate consistent pressures highlight his immense potential. Concerns over Pearce’s character evaluations have caused some teams to lower his draft stock, but as an on-field talent, he remains a top-10 caliber player. For the Chargers, Pearce could be an outstanding addition to reinforce their defense.

Boston College

The Packers' defensive front features big names but continues to underperform. Rashan Gary has yet to deliver a double-digit sack season, Lukas Van Ness has struggled to make an impact, and Kingsley Enagbare remains a rotational player. Ezeiruaku, despite size limitations that place him on the cusp between R1 and R2, emerges as a prolific sack artist, amassing an impressive 16.5 sacks during his senior year at Boston College. His relentless motor and consistent production make him an intriguing option for Jeff Hafley's system. Notably, Ezeiruaku spent three years playing under Hafley at Boston College, adding familiarity and potential synergy to the fit.

Colorado

Trade! While rarely featured in my mock drafts, this scenario makes perfect sense. Minnesota, holding just four picks in this draft class, is very likely to trade down. Under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's regime, there’s a strong precedent for moving around in Round 1, with 1st Round trades executed in every draft of his to date. On the other side, the Browns seem poised to secure a quarterback within the top 50 picks. Deshaun Watson's NFL career, overshadowed by off-field controversies, injuries, and underwhelming performances, appears to be at its end. Though Sanders may project as a mid-tier NFL starter, his polished passing skills offer the potential to stabilize a franchise in need of a turnaround. Adding to the intrigue, his premium college wide receiver Travis Hunter would be his WR1 in this eventuality —a pairing that could fast-track his development and provide Cleveland with hope for a brighter future.

Ohio State

"The Texans' stop-gap additions of Cam Robinson and Trent Brown isn't a permanent fix for an offensive line that has perennially failed to protect CJ Stroud. Josh Simmons, whose exceptional 2024 tape rivals that of Membou, would typically be a locked-in top-16if not for his patellar injury. As the cleanest LT prospect in this draft class, Simmons boasts immense talent and potential. However, his severe patellar injury is amongst the most difficult injuries to recover from and could push him to Day 2. Despite this, Simmons’ skill as a blocker makes him an ideal fit for Houston, where he could take a redshirt year to fully recover before stepping in as a starter in 2026.

Texas

The Rams have needs in their secondary, but this feels like the right time for them to go all-in and add another high-caliber weapon to pair with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. I have Emeka Egbuka ranked slightly ahead of Matthew Golden, but the latter is the better fit as a field-stretching receiver who is very fast, a good route runner and explosive playmaker. Try stopping a Rams offense with Adams, Nukua and Golden firing on all cylinders

Georgia

The Baltimore Ravens are masters of uncovering Round 1 steals; here is another one. While no longer viewed as the consensus top safety prospect, Starks remains an exceptionally skilled free-roaming defender with impressive nickel versatility. Praised for his leadership and work ethic during his time at Georgia, he offers a rare combination of talent and character that any team would covet in their secondary. Pairing Starks with All-Pro strong safety Kyle Hamilton could create a dynamic safety duo, and his selection here could easily be justified several spots higher

Ohio State

The Lions' need for pass-rushing talent to complement Aidan Hutchinson is well-established. Detroit is unlikely to gamble on character risks like James Pearce or Mike Green who I have ranked higher, so at this stage, there is a potential drop-off in value on suitable fitting edge rushers. However, Ohio State's JT Tuimoloau stands out both in terms of scheme and character. After an underwhelming start to his collegiate career, Tuimoloau had a breakout 2024 season, showcasing his ability as a strong run defender while accumulating an impressive 12.5 sacks. With his high floor and upward trajectory as a 4-3 defensive end, Tuimoloau is a solid top-40 prospect who could seamlessly slot into the Lions' defensive front

Texas

ahdae Barron is a polarizing prospect, with opinions ranging from top-10 consideration to a late first-round projection. Ranked 22nd on my big board, I don’t see him transitioning to an NFL boundary cornerback as he was at Texas, which could lead to a slide in his draft stock. Despite acquiring Marshon Lattimore and the emergence of standout rookie Mike Sainristil, the Commanders still need to bolster their defensive backfield. Barron’s excellent tape at Texas highlights his strong ball skills, versatile skill set, and impressive combine performance, making him a high-floor addition to their secondary.

Marshall

Despite re-signing Christian Burford to a multi-year extension, the Bills still face a pressing need at boundary corner. However, this writer struggled to let Mike Green fall out of the 1st round entirely, as the Bills still have a really pressing needs outside of Greg Rousseau to address their pass rush. Based purely on his tape, Mike Green stands out as a high-impact edge rusher. Dominating for Marshall, he racked up an impressive 17 sacks and numerous pressures this season. Despite his size, he’s also an effective run defender and one of the younger, more promising prospects in this draft class. However, concerns about Green’s off-field character could impact his draft stock. If these concerns are alleviated through clean background checks and strong interviews, he’s likely to go in the top 20. Still, there remains the possibility of a fall, which could make him a high-value pick for a team like Buffalo.

Oregon

The Chiefs have signed Jaylon Moore to a 2-year deal as the presumptive starter, but their offensive line still requires additional help. Kingsley Suamataia's concerning rookie performance raises doubts about his viability as an NFL starter, while Jawaan Taylor remains a replaceable option. Moore himself - whilst good in limited action as a backup for my 49ers - is risky as your Plan A. Enter Josh Conerly Jr., a flawed but promising prospect. Although anchoring issues persist in his game, Conerly's athleticism and skill as a zone blocker present significant upside for improvement. In a relatively weak offensive tackle class, Conerly has the potential to crack Round 1 and could provide the Chiefs with a versatile starting option at either left tackle or guard in the near future

Texas

With the departure of Milton Williams in free agency, the Eagles find themselves in need of a long-term 3-4 defensive end. While Moro Ojomo serves as a reliable rotational piece, the team could target a prospect with starter potential in the draft. Alfred Collins emerges as a compelling option, despite modest collegiate sack production. His athleticism, strong run defense, and consistently solid tape over multiple seasons showcase his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Collins’ skill set and upside make him a sneaky candidate to break into the late first round, offering the Eagles a high-upside addition to their defensive front