2nd to last Mock Draft

Long-time left tackle Taylor Decker is gone, so a long-term replacement is needed. He feels like a natural fit with the Lions, especially after they drafted his former teammate (Tate Ratledge) in the 2nd round of last year's draft.

One more rumor I've seen is pairing Omar Cooper and the New York Jets. He might be better served as the 33rd pick, but I'm not sold he'll make it that far come draft time with the number of teams between here and the end of the first round that could well pick a receiver. With that in mind, the receiver needy Jets just snag him here and don't worry about their guy not getting to them at 33 nor about needing to possibly trade up for him.

Operation give Bryce Young a big-time weapon worked out extremely well in the first round last season with the selection of Tetairoa McMillan at 8th overall. The Panthers go back to that formula by adding the draft's top tight end in Kenyon Sadiq.

Injury worries seem to be pushing Jordyn Tyson down draft boards some. At some point, the talent will win out. Cleveland is one team the talent could win out with given their major need for a competent WR. Tyson has also been extremely well coached the last couple of years by former NFL great Hines Ward at Arizona State.

Do the Steelers take the plunge on Ty Simpson here, or do they wait on a QB (or perhaps not draft one at all) and go with a different position? I'm going the latter route as reports I'm seeing don't have me thinking the Steelers are enamored with Simpson. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren feels like a Steeler sort of player to me with his hard-hitting, physical style.

49ers get: Pick 22
Chargers get: Pick 27 and a 2027 3rd round pick

Philadelphia would be an excellent landing spot for Max Iheanachor. Sensing the same thing, and knowing a long-term answer at left tackle is needed with Trent Williams getting up there in age (but still playing VERY well), the Niners decide to move ahead of the Eagles to snag the big, athletic tackle. He's extremely raw, but in San Francisco, he could learn for a year behind Williams and Colton McKivitz while serving as the swing tackle.

Mocking for the Eagles feels like a total guess at this point. Defensive back, EDGE rusher, wide receiver (when/if A.J. Brown is eventually traded), tackle or even Kenyon Sadiq (if he lasted this long) all feel like realistic possibilities. For now, I'll go with Utah's Caleb Lomu as the eventual successor for Lane Johnson at right tackle.

Having a second first round pick at their disposal, as well as the 34th pick in their back pocket, the Cardinals decide to roll the dice on Ty Simpson here. The Alabama product could give them a long-term answer under center, and they wouldn't necessarily have to throw him right into the fire with Jacoby Brissett on the roster.

Barring a stunning value at left tackle falling to 25 or a trade up, defense feels like the most likely scenario for the Bears. McDonald reminds me a bit of former college teammate Tyleik Williams, who went 28th to the Lions last year.

Dolphins get: Picks 26 and 91 (R3)
Bills get: Picks 30 and 75 (R3)

Miami continues its assault on the trenches. This time, they keep local product Ahkeem Mesidor in the building to help strengthen the pass rush

Titans get: Picks 27 and 86 (R3)
Chargers get: Picks 35 (R2) and 66 (R3)

For better or worse, Faulk reminds me some of Mykel Williams, who was selected 11th overall last year by the 49ers. Robert Saleh was the Niners defensive coordinator last season and is now the Titans head coach. So I could see Faulk being of interest for him.

Houston did a lot of work in free agency on the offensive line, so I have them adding to their already strong defense with C.J. Allen.

Whether one wants to view this as a potential precursor to a rumored Myles Garrett trade or just view it as getting help across from him at the other D-End spot, Zion Young makes some sense here either way.

The Keon Coleman selection hasn’t worked out to this point. Denzel Boston is another swing at a big-bodied wideout.

Chance for the Patriots to get a long-term answer at right tackle as Morgan Moses only has two years left on his deal and would be cheap to move off of in 2027 if the Patriots go that route.

Chiefs get: Picks 32 and 188 (R6)
Seahawks get: Picks 39 (R2), 109 (R4) and 176 (R5)

Like the Bills trying again with a bigger-bodied wideout, the Chiefs go back to the Xavier Worthy type with another smaller, faster receiver in Concepcion. The Texas A&M product is not as fast as Worthy, but same general idea.