Combine Mock, Version 3.0

The Kubiak-Mendoza marriage is going to happen. He wouldn't have taken the job otherwise, folks. Of note from Indianapolis is that Mendoza was measured to be about the same size as Josh Allen and Andrew Luck. Pretty, pretty, pretty good. And if anyone was thinking that the Raiders might trade the #1 pick, well, the release of Geno Smith should put any such consideration to bed.

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 although I had Bailey here for about a week, I'm switching back to Reese because there seem to be rumblings coming from Jets sources that he could be the guy. 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. Both Reese and Bailey's workouts were excellent, as well.

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. The guess for now? Bailey.

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. 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. It's very much worth noting that multiple sharps in the mock industry are connecting Jeremiyah Love here, which to me is crazy. Nonetheless, if the rumblings grow louder, I will have no choice but to consider mocking him here.

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 the top WR. 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. However, with news that the team is releasing linebacker Bobby Okereke, perhaps Styles' stock is so high that the stars are aligning for Styles with this pick. I will go with that for the moment.

Mauigoa and Fano are there, and we know about this team's OL crisis, so either guy could make sense. However, Andrew Berry is a value-based drafter, and Styles absolutely obliterated the combine, with a 4.46 40 and a 43.5 inch vertical jump. This is otherworldly stuff, especially since he's tall so that means a lengthy wingspan as well. I had Carnell Tate here before, but he ran a 4.54 40 and that usually drops you out of the top 10. So the other Buckeye could get the call instead. Note that although the Browns already have a strong defense, Devin Bush is a free agent, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah may never play again.

EDIT: This is what I wrote before I switched my Giants' pick to Styles. Despite some saying that Tate's 40 time won't hurt him, I simply disagree based on the recent history of the draft. If Styles is unavailable, I think I'm back on OL for this pick. Mauigoa is here, but the buzz on Monroe Freeling is so strong that I have to consider him as well. Unlike Fano and Mauigoa, Freeling is a pure LT. His size and athleticism and upside could see him in consideration as the OL1. And with the trade for Tytus Howard -- a RT -- maybe Freeling is a bigger riser than I thought. Let's go with it.

Styles would be a great fit if available, replacing free agent Bobby Wagner. A WR is possible, as the team has very little behind Terry McLaurin. But with the defense in obvious need of help, this could be a good spot for Downs.

A WR 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. The Trent McDuffie trade could mean we are in Delane or McCoy territory here, if available, but it's also possible that KC could address that need with the pick at #29 that they acquired. And if Downs is available, you can't rule him out, either. For now, this is a guess that the Chiefs address the WR need in a big way in free agency (Tyreek Hill?) or the trade market, and if so, maybe it frees the team up to take the CB1 of the draft.

Cincy could be in play for Delane or McCoy at CB or another top pass rusher like Faulk here. Given Duke Tobin's obsession with RAS, Styles would be logical if available. Since Mauigoa is there I guess one could make an argument for him, but this defense is so terrible that I still think Tobin's hand might be forced a bit. (Largely because of his own draft misses on defensive players, but I digress.) Due to the lack of elite measurables, I don't see Tobin going for Downs if he were available, even though he probably should. Verdict: the organization attempts to throw Joe Burrow a bone with more protection upfront, as this could be a make-or-break year for Cincy. I could see Burrow trying to pull a Carson Palmer and asking out or threatening to retire if next year goes badly.

Tate falls out of the top 10 after all, but he still goes as the WR1. He should slot in with Jaylen Waddle to fill the target vacuum left by Hill's release.

To me, Dallas has a huge need to add pass rushers and for talent in the secondary. Faulk has a lot of momentum and may not be behind the top tier that have gone ahead of him. Yes, McCoy is here, and he could be an obvious consideration here as well. But coming off the ACL injury, maybe it tips the scales ever-so-slightly in favor of Faulk. And with another pick coming up at #20, Dallas will still be in the range of other quality corners, and maybe even McCoy, who knows.

I had Lemon here before, but I'm swayed by thoughts that the Rams were trying to trade up for Tet McMillan last year, a bigger X type. That is similar to what Tyson does, and maybe they would see him as a better complement to Puka Nacua into the future. With as much as the Rams like to get both Nacua and Davante Adams off the field for brief rests when they go to 12 or even 13 personnel, Tyson can still get plenty of snaps not only in 3-wide but even 2-wide sets as a rookie.

Note that with the trade for Trent McDuffie, it's much less likely that the team uses #13 on a CB, though I suppose you can't rule it out completely. However, I expect the team to make a meaningful CB signing in free agency, thus freeing up the good chance of a WR pick or even Kenyon Sadiq here.

The Raiders have acquired this pick in the Maxx Crosby deal, and they appear to have done quite well to get this pick and a '27 1st rounder as well. If Crosby can stay healthy, it could be worth it for the Ravens, but I think that's a big if. Obviously, there's no question that he's a premier player. In any case, yes, you can argue for a whole slew of players here since the Raiders have holes in a lot of places. But with Fano's versatility and given that he could reasonably be in play as high as #3 overall, this would be a nice haul to start the draft for Raider Nation.

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, or an edge rusher, since Jason Licht has used several early picks on the DL. But I'm going to get Sadiq back into the top 15 because his performance in Indy was scintillating. The dude ran a sub-4.40 and is comparable in physique to Vernon Davis. With Cade Otton a free agent, it's not like this couldn't make sense.

The Jets get a potential CB1 to replace Sauce Gardner, if his health checks out. His Pro Day will be key. He could go higher than this, or he could drop out of the 1st entirely if the medical concerns are simply too great.