Free Agency Frenzy Mock Draft
Round 1
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32
Unless Fernando Mendoza is arrested for a serious crime, suffers a career ending injury or suddenly passes away between now and draft time, he'll be a Raider here with the #1 pick
Aaron Glenn likely needs to show some signs of progress in 2026 or risk being two and out as a head coach for the Jets. For that reason, I have the Jets going with David Bailey, who may be a bit more polished as an EDGE rusher than Arvell Reese, who has split time between the EDGE and off-ball linebacker spots.
Right tackle may be a bit of a bigger need, but the Cardinals go best defensive player available at a premium position here with Reese.
Changed from Sonny Styles to Jeremiyah Love here. Why? Because the middle linebacker position is a bit deeper beyond Sonny Styles than the running back position is beyond Love. Plus, this helps out soon-to-be sophomore QB Cam Ward.
Not a big drop for Styles, as he goes 5th to the Giants instead of 4th to Tennessee. Tremaine Edmunds was signed as a free agent, but he struggles in coverage and is more of an enforcer. Styles is a do-everything linebacker who excels in every facet of the game. The Giants could also be tempted by Love if the TItans pass and also Styles' college teammate, Caleb Downs.
Tate didn't run the fastest 40 time at the combine, but everything he does is so smooth. He's the latest outstanding WR to come out of the Brian Hartline factory at Ohio State, which has now been disbanded with Hartline's move to become the new head coach at South Florida.
Washington spent big money on Odafe Oweh and then signed K'Lavon Chaisson to a one-year deal to upgrade the pass rush. With that in mind, Caleb Downs is the selection here over Miami EDGE rusher Rueben Bain.
Like Will Campbell a year ago, arm length will be a never-ending topic of discussion when it comes to Rueben Bain between now and draft time. That said, his tape speaks for itself, so I think he'll still get drafted pretty highly in spite of his short arms. New Orleans could lose Cam Jordan if he wants to try and chase a Super Bowl with a contender
Although Travis Kelce will return for another season, that likely won't deter the Chiefs from considering a tight end at some point in the draft. Perhaps even here with Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon product could contribute and learn under Kelce for a year before becoming the new favorite target of Patrick Mahomes in 2027 and beyond.
From the Bayou Bengals to the Cincinnati Bengals, Mansoor Delane put himself on the map with a nice 2024 at Virginia Tech before an outstanding 2025 at LSU really shot him up draft boards.
With all the high-priced veterans the Dolphins let go of, they're more or less a blank slate at the moment. Francis Mauigoa would be a nice get for them at 11. The former Hurricane wouldn't have to change addresses and would give the Dolphins an immediate starter who could plug in at either right tackle or inside at guard if they so choose.
One of my draft crushes this year is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. I think no matter where he ends up, he's going to be outstanding. His combine performance backed up the excellent skill set he showed all throughout his tape. The versatility will be a plus for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker who is tasked with turning around a defense that struggled mightily in 2025.
Despite his interviews reportedly not going well at the combine, I'm still on the Makai Lemon train. After the Rams added Trent McDuffie via trade and Jaylen Watson as a free agent, they're more or less free to do what they want with this selection. Taking Lemon would be an excellent move, and quite frankly, might be unfair to NFL defenses tasked with stopping him and Puka Nacua.
Controversially, this 14th pick is still with the Baltimore Ravens after they backed out on a trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby which would've send this pick as well as a 2027 1st round pick back to Las Vegas. Baltimore decides to focus on the offensive line with Penn State's Vaga Ioane, who would be a great fit in their offensive attack that loves to pound and ground with Derrick Henry, who's still going strong at 32 years of age.
Steelers get: Pick 15
Buccaneers get: Picks 21, 76 (R3) and 135 (R4)
Tampa Bay doesn't like how the draft played out in front of them, and the Steelers feel a need to get ahead of the Jets for Ty Simpson, who could offer them a long-term solution at the QB position that they've been seeking since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
Buccaneers get: Picks 21, 76 (R3) and 135 (R4)
Tampa Bay doesn't like how the draft played out in front of them, and the Steelers feel a need to get ahead of the Jets for Ty Simpson, who could offer them a long-term solution at the QB position that they've been seeking since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
Tyson is no doubt worthy of this selection from a talent perspective. And being coached by former NFL standout WR Hines Ward has only helped him. Injuries are a question mark, as he missed a lot of the 2025 season at ASU after missing their CFP loss to Texas the season prior. Needing receiver help, the Jets take the swing here.
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32