Ole Miss

I’m not sure who the Cardinals will draft here, but Walter Nolan is one of the top players available, and betting markets have this team favored to take a defensive lineman with their first pick. I fear Nolen will be picked earlier than this, but there’s also a chance that he goes late first round. Regardless, this is good value and a BPA pick that makes sense.

Marshall

The Bengals have been connected to a lot of edge rushers, but one name that comes up consistently at No. 17 is Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. Green is an athletic edge who was dominant in college, and he would likely go earlier than this if not for off-the-field concerns due to multiple sexual assault allegations. Green carries a lot of risk, but the reward could be outstanding.

North Dakota State

I’ve heard that the Seahawks are interested in both Tetairoa McMillan and Grey Zabel. I’ve also seen offensive linemen (mainly Zabel) mocked here more than any other position. With McMillan off the board, Zabel is an obvious fit, and he seems like the best bet to be a Seahawk. I really like his profile and think he could help the Seahawks’ offensive line a lot.

Texas

With Daniel Jeremiah and Peter Schrager mocking wide receivers to the Buccaneers, I’ve decided to follow their lead and have the Bucs take Matthew Golden, one of the biggest risers of the pre-draft process. This pick makes sense considering their wide receiver room is getting up there in age, and Chris Godwin suffered a major injury just last season.

North Carolina

The Broncos have been connected to a number of different offensive players, but I have seen Omarion Hampton mocked to them more than any other player. Hampton is an explosive runner who breaks tackles at an elite level and provides some value as a receiver. He would be a nice addition to the Broncos’ running back room.

Ole Miss

I’ve had the Steelers pegged as a quarterback spot for a long, long time. The question has been, which one will they take? Daniel Jeremiah and Peter Schrager paired Shedeur Sanders with the Steelers, but I’m not convinced. I’ve heard that Jaxson Dart is the Steeler’s QB1, and I think his arm strength and mobility might make him more enticing for Arthur Smith’s offense and the Pittsburgh weather than Sanders.

Michigan

Interior defensive line is a huge need for the Chargers, and Kenneth Grant is mocked to the Chargers more than any other player. I like Grant’s profile and think Jim Harbaugh would love to add a Wolverine to the roster to strengthen the defensive line.

Kentucky

Let’s sort the remaining players by RAS and give the top guy to the Packers. I’m kidding, but that seems like something the Packers would do. I think Shemar Stewart fits what they usually look for in prospects, but cornerback is a huge need for them, and I see corners mocked to them more than other positions. The one player I constantly see mocked to the Packers is Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who is an excellent athlete with decent size.

Oregon

Daniel Jeremiah says the Vikings are expected to take an offensive or defensive lineman, and I think Harmon finds his way into the first round. Harmon is a great pass rusher, and some team in the back half of the first round will want someone like him to generate pressure from the interior.

Alabama

The Texans are expected to target an offensive lineman here, and most insider mocks I’ve seen have them going with an interior offensive lineman over an offensive tackle. This would be a surprising decision, but that would be on-brand for the Texans, considering what they did to their offensive line this offseason. Tyler Booker seems likely to sneak into the first round, and the Texans are one of a few teams that may take him.

Michigan

At this spot, I think the Rams would be choosing between Jihaad Campbell and Will Johnson to fill one of their biggest needs and improve their defense. With Campbell’s injury concerns, I could see the Rams pivoting to Johnson to fill one of their starting cornerback spots. Johnson could fall out of the first round, but I’ll say his slide stops here. If the Rams go with an offensive player, I think they may target Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

Georgia

Malaki Starks seems like the kind of player that smart teams like the Ravens would scoop up at the end of the first round with zero hesitation. I’ve seen Starks go to the Ravens in many insider mock drafts, and he could be a fun sidekick playing alongside Kyle Hamilton.

Texas A&M

I struggled to find a good spot for Shemar Stewart, but I'm confident he’ll go in the first round. Where will he go exactly? I have no clue, but he’s going within the first 32 picks. The Lions need an edge rusher, and Stewart is the kind of edge rusher you take a flyer on at the end of the first round. Even if he never develops into a quality pass rusher, the hope is that he has a long career as a run-stopping defensive end.

Boston College

I wanted to put Emeka Egbuka here, but insiders consistently have defenders mocked at this spot, and EDGE is one of the Commanders’ biggest needs. Also, Donovan Ezeiruaka is connected to the Commanders a lot, and this is a range that makes sense for him.

Ole Miss

A lot of mock drafts have the Bills focusing on defensive backs at No. 30. On top of this, I’ve seen a little buzz that Trey Amos may slip into the back half of the first round, and I think his talent would warrant that.

Ohio State

The Chiefs desperately need a tackle, and they get one in Josh Simmons, who is a draft Twitter darling. Some people absolutely love his game and view him as a clear first-round talent. If Simmons isn’t the pick, I expect the Chiefs to target

Ohio State

The Eagles prioritize premium positions and productive players. Because of that, I think they will pick either Emeka Egbuka or Oregon tackle Josh Connelly Jr. I’m pretty confident that Egbuka will go in the first round, so let’s give Jalen Hurts another weapon who will help this offense perform at a high level consistently.