Combine Mock, Version 3.0

The Kubiak-Mendoza marriage is going to happen. He wouldn't have taken the job otherwise, folks.

The Jets will have their pick of the highest-rated defensive player on their board. Bailey and Bain Jr. are probably the most pro-ready pass rushers available. Reese could be a hybrid off-ball LB/edge rush type, and he might need some time to fully develop. Downs would be the highest-drafted safety in over 30 years, yet he might have the highest floor of any player. It will likely come down to one of these players, and for now I will continue to give the nod to Bailey. It's very much worth noting that after trading pass rusher Jermaine Johnson away (for T'Vondre Sweat), it likely increases the odds that Downs won't go this high.

If Arizona goes defense here, the same guys that I mentioned above for the Jets should be in play. Downs might be a sneaky call here, given that Arizona can move on from Budda Baker after '26 with a minimal dead cap hit, if they wanted to. Still, I'd bet on one of the pass rushers (including Reese) if the team chose to go defense. The OL, especially the right side, needs a makeover, though, so perhaps this could come down to the top-rated OL. Since I believe the top defenders will be graded higher than Fano or Mauigoa, and since it's not like Arizona is a RT away from winning a Super Bowl next season, I am going to switch from my prior mock and guess that Reese wins the day.

The same defenders I've discussed in the Jets and Cardinals blurbs are in play here. The team could also look at the WR1 of the draft, likely between Tate and Lemon, it appears. Bain's decision not to work out at the Combine suggests to me that he thinks he's going to be picked very high. His motor and production are on full display when you turn on the tape, and I'm guessing that Robert Saleh would be very happy to add him to a DL that also features Jeffery Simmons. With the trade for Johnson, this would give Saleh yet another edge talent to go along with Simmons.

Fano might be a safer evaluation as a RT prospect than Mauigoa is, since the latter does not have ideal arm length for a tackle. Peter Skoronski ended up as a guard, and some think that the same could happen with Mauigoa. So if the G-Men go OL, I'm giving the edge to Fano here if both are available. Downs could be a consideration, and so could one of Tate/Lemon, considered to be in their own tier for WR1 at this point. I think a possible course of action for this team is to draft Fano and sign Tyler Linderbaum (Harbaugh's center with the Ravens, who is now a free agent), thus drastically improving the OL in one offseason, similar to what the Bears did last year.

Mauigoa is there, and we know about this team's OL crisis, so that could be a logical pick. However, Andrew Berry is a value-based drafter, and he may simply have Tate graded higher. That's what I'm going to guess happens here, and the in-state product is the guy.

TRADE! The Rams trade #13 and #61 to Washington for #7.

I saw this idea from Hayden Winks and I'm going to borrow it. Washington doesn't have 2nd or 4th Round picks, so it is a logical candidate to move back. Meanwhile, we know that Les Snead and Sean McVay are usually trying to work the board, either to come up for a big fish or even to move back for value, as we saw last year. Knowing that it still has a pick at #29, here the Rams give up their 2nd rounder to take Downs, the star safety. Yes, the CB need seems more dire, but Kam Curl is a free agent, and the team could address the CB room in free agency and even, quite possibly, at #29.

Lemon could be really tempting here to pair with Chris Olave. However, Alvin Kamara looked so washed last season, and the team has nothing at the position behind his tired legs. Love is the highest-rated RB prospect since Bijan Robinson, and he makes sense here or to the Chiefs with the next pick. Sorry, KC.

You could make the case for a WR here, as Rashee Rice is in possible legal trouble (again) and Xavier Worthy is more gadgety than a full route tree guy. If Trent McDuffie is signed to a long-term deal before free agency then I would change this pick, but I'm thinking that he might get dealt. If so, a replacement with this pick makes sense. That could mean we are in Delane or McCoy territory here.

Cincy could be in play for McCoy or another top pass rusher like Faulk here. Perhaps even Styles, if he tests well enough. Since Mauigoa is there I guess one could make an argument for him, but this defense is so terrible that I still think Duke Tobin's hand is forced a bit. (Largely because of his own draft misses on defensive players, but I digress.) In the end, with Styles expected to test through the roof, perhaps he gets the call and lands in the top 10. Note that Styles will not run the 40 at the Combine but, rather, at his Pro Day.

The Miami man could go from a Hurricane to a Dolphin if he falls out of the top 10.

If McCoy tests well enough, he may not even last this long. But for a team that needs defensive reinforcements at every level, I'd expect them to be in on the likes of Faulk, one of the top 2 CB's if available, and Styles if available.

TRADE! (See #7 for details.)

Yeah, the defense needs work. However, after the move down, the value of Lemon as a potential Amon-Ra St. Brown clone could be too difficult to pass up. It gives Jayden Daniels another much-needed weapon; keep in mind that there's virtually nothing in the WR room behind Terry McLaurin.

The Ravens have tried to patch the X receiver position lately, what with veteran Deandre Hopkins on the outside last year. Zay Flowers is probably miscast as a go-to receiver and best suited for slot duties. Rashod Bateman has delivered some production at times but should be a rotational guy. Maybe Tyson has the chops to be a go-to guy on the outside.

Jamel Dean is a free agent, so this could be a Delane or McCoy team if one of them slipped to this spot. Perhaps the next group of CB's could be in play here as well, and Styles would have to be a strong consideration if available. But Jason Licht has spent a lot of early picks on the DL, and the team could use pass rush help for sure. So I'll slot them Faulk in this mock, whose measurements at the Combine were ideal; he's expected to run well and test through the roof, too.

After helping the DL at #2 overall, now Gang Green turns to the secondary with Terrell.