2026 NFL DRAFT DAY 2 ROUND MOCK DRAFT With Trades & Player Comparisons - 4/23/26

THE DRAFT IS UPON US!  So there will be much joy ,and alternately much weeping & gnashing of teeth over the next few days. This draft turned out to be better than I expected once I could just focus on the prospects to the exclusion of most of the rest of the world , as I initially feared this class would be as poor as the 2013 draft . Yet my confidence in this group grew with as I watched more games , and the athletic testing at the combine was spectacular as a whole , which means the potential is much higher than I thought in the beginning. Although it's still a draft more about finding starters instead of stars early in their careers from what I have seen , but 4 years from now some of these toolsy guys could be superstars. So don't fear because every draft has guys rise up once they get to play Football full time , and this ones potential is higher than average in the long run. Yet plenty more will fail once the regular big paychecks start rolling in. The 2013 draft looked really bad while I was watching the tape, but Travis Kelce , Lane Jhonson, The Honey Badger, Keenan Allen , and D-Hop will probably all get in the HOFame from that class. Not to mention guys like offensive lineman Travis Frederick , Terron Armstead ,and David Bakhtiari probably would have gotten in if they could have stayed healthy. So you never really know until years later how a draft class ends up. I see Fernando Mendoza as a legit franchise QB , and that trumps all so he is at the top of my board, Yet , I just finished my tie breaker games, and If I was going by grade Mendoza would be 5th overall , but I have the same grade on Fernando that I did with Trevor Lawrence when He left Clemson . Maybe I was a little lower on Lawrence than some , but pretty much everybody saw him as a lock coming out. My highest graded player ended up being RB Jeremiyah Love , and while I am generally against taking RB's in the top 10 he is special, and this draft is thin on top tier talent at the premium positions. I expect him to go TOP 5, but if he doesn't someone might trade up for him because there is even less certainty than usual in the first round of this draft. A lot of teams will want to trade down this year , and that may make prices cheaper than usual , but after my top 5 there is no player I am in love with so it's doable. In fact my top 5 includes 3 players that play positions ( a RB , A safety , and an off the ball linebacker )  that the NFL has deemed the least valuable from a salary cap perspective.  So positional value probably won't hold as much sway in this draft as it usually does. However , my guess is that some team will trade up between picks 6 and 8 if a top 5 guy falls , and I think at least one will. I could easily see Downs , Love , or even Styles falling out of the top 5 because of positional value. Throw in Bain and Ioane and its possible that 2 guys in my top 10 could slip out the top 10 in the draft.  Personally " if "  I traded up this year I wouldn't want to give picks from the 2027 draft , because next years draft looks possibly elite . Whether that potential high up trade is because a team falls in love with one particular player,  is desperate to fill a need , or just an ALL IN situation remains to be seen. I ended up with more than the 12 first round grades that I expected 6 weeks ago . Although I have just 17 this time  , but that's grading for every team systems , and most just draft for their own.  WR , edge , and weirdly enough off the ball linebacker & safety are the positions I currently like most in my potential top 100. Instead I expect a lot of drafting for need after the top 10. Despite WR and EDGE being good this year their is no slam dunk # 1 WR in this draft like a Jamar Chase or Marvin Harrison JR . In fact I had a higher grade on Rome Odunze 2 years ago than I do on my #1 WR this year, and Rome was the 3rd WR taken in that draft. Same thing with edge rushers . There is obviously no Myles Garret type, but there is isn't even the equivalent to a Will Anderson or Abdul Carter who looked like for sure every year top 5 prospects to me during their drafts, although there are a few guys with that type of upside. Even without that definitive top tier guy I expect a dozen edge rushers to go in the first 2 rounds. Also don't be surprised if a lot of O-Lineman are over drafted in the first round because their is a lot of shaky O-Line play in the NFL right now , but I only have 3 with a true first round grade , and the highest graded one is a guard so tough cookies. I have broken down a minimum of 5 games on every player who is in this mock. I ALSO added NFL player comparisons for the first few rounds so you have an idea of what you are getting , and the higher I have them ranked the more likely I believe that the player will reach said comp. I put a lot of trades in here in the 2nd half of the first round, and I wonder if I should have put more in the top 15 , but it's too late now.                                                                                                     I have been having internet connectivity issues at the new house recently so this is late , and so when I went to publish right before the draft and found out that my last 14 hours of work hadn't been saved I panicked, pulled down the mock, and had to retype my thoughts on every player in the first round after pick #2, but I was also exhausted and fell asleep all night when I was trying to get a nap so I could focus. I'm a senior citizen now so my stamina isn't what it once was.  So I started again this morning when I woke up , and I didn't change a thing , because as you can see I was wrong in so many predictions of who would go where anyway , but I still wanted to put this out because I spent 5 days working on it , and typing my notes ( which in some cases have been complied over 4 years for some guys ) on prospects into comprehensible easy to understand profiles isn't easy. It's not like I make money doing this , because if I wanted to make cash I would have a fancy website & Youtube channel . I just love Football , and I am retired from any coaching these days , but breaking down film still makes me happy. But my profiles after pick 2 that aren't part of team write up ( the teams that don't have a 1rst rounder  ,  because I have a separate draft for all of those, and I can just cut & paste) will be briefer this time around. Plus I don't have time for the 2nd round , but NFL.com has some decent ones if you want to read about the prospects I didn't write up.  i won't even be doing a day too mock i don't have time before that drafts but I will do a day one after the draft is over today . So sorry if you are one of the people who reads this regularly , and I hate frontier now. Anyway next year I won't be going through a move, or a health issue where I need pain meds to sleep unless I am exhausted, and my stuff will be done earlier. Agreeing or disagreeing is welcome, but please do it intelligently & respectfully or I just won't post it. So here it is. Enjoy.

# Is for a player for with reported character or maturity concerns.

** Is for a player with reported injury concerns.

1.RAIDERS - FERNANDO MENDOZA - QB - INDIANA - 6"5" , 236

NFL PLAYER COMP - MATT RYAN - retired

The Raiders are in complete overhaul right now. I admit I thought the Geno Smith trade would work out in the short term , and that the Chip Kelly's offense that exploits the seem in the middle of the field so well would be spectacular for Brock Bowers. I was wrong , The Raiders only had 2 , maybe 3 O-lineman I liked coming into the season , and the two I definitely liked got hurt. Geno was getting pressured a ton , Bowers got hurt , the patchwork O-Line couldn't get any push for 1rst rounder Ashton Jeanty , Jakobi Myers was traded , and then once the Raiders folded on the season they put stud edge rusher Maxx Crosby on IR. Crosby is still pissed about it , and their were plenty of reports that he wanted out. Since they are rebuilding getting 2 first rounders for Crosby might be a decent idea because they are at least 3 seasons away from seriously contending , and Crosby will be 32 by then. DONE DEAL! The Raiders traded him to the Ravens for 2 first rounders. NOT! Apparently Crosby "failed " his physical , and while word has gotten around that its probably legit many suspect that The Ravens were bitter about Vegas signing away their studly agile center TYLER LINDERBAUM ! Right now I believe Tyler is the 2nd best center in the league ,and he's only turning 26 this year. That means he is just entering his prime to me , and who knows ? It's possible that he could surpass Creed Humphrey to become the top pivot in the NFL someday.  Geno was traded away as well. Now to the good stuff. They have the #1 pick , and their is a legit good franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza that I believe is definitely worth the pick available to fill their biggest need. Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers - Johnson should be healthy , and RT Dylan Glaze is still young and could possibly return to their previous upwards trajectory. Center Alex Cappa looked done to me last year ,  but who cares anymore because the Raiders signed center Linderbaum away from the Ravens. Yes I think it warrants repeating. New head coach Klint Kubiak is the son of a Superbowl winning head coach out of the Shanahan tree , and could bring a lot more efficiency to the team. Maybe a lot more 2 TE sets with Bowers and Mayer would help kick start that running game and short passing game with plenty of room for YAC yard potential. They have 3 young talented WR's but only Tre Tucker has really contributed so far , and he looks like a #3 to me. Yet Mendoza's Indiana running mate WR Omar Cooper could theoretically be available at the top of the 2nd round , and his ability to pile up the yards after the catch fits this west coast offense. Although last years 2nd rounder Jack Beck should be better if he was moved back to the slot like he was in college, but that's where Omar Cooper fits best as well if they draft him. So they need a ton of players , and they need to make these picks count. I wish Tom Brady was here full time, but he is a great analyst in my opinion. The Raiders have over 80 million in cap space, and if they invest in young up and coming players the way New England is last year they could have a quicker turn around. The signed Jaken Nailor away from the Vikings , but he has only proven to be a #3 WR right now too. Edge Kwity Paye plays the run well and has great tools, but he's just not been a finisher as pass rusher so far. Kirk Cousins is more interesting to me as a short term mentor for Mendoza , but they gave him the kind of contract that makes him very tradeable to a QB needy team. So when the first big injury happens to a signal caller the Raiders will be getting calls , and it also means they don't have to rush Mendoza onto the field if he takes a bit to adjust. Plus Mendoza and Cousins are both super nice team first guys , and I can't imagine a better big brother type to shepherd Mendoza through his first training camp.  I like the 2 young talented LB signings of Nakobe Dean & Quay Walker , and believe they should work well together if healthy. CB Eric stokes is coming off his best season and is only 27 so I see the reason for it. On a side note every single one of the Raiders free Agent signings , except Linderbaum was overpaid based on what they have done so far. Yet when your team sucks it takes extra convincing to get guys to want to come to your team. Maybe in 2 or 3 years the Raiders will be a more desirable destination for players in the open market if Mendoza is cooking by then. Other than obviously drafting Mendoza #1 overall I think the Raiders have so many needs that they should just go best player available in the first 2 days of the draft. So let's talk about their obvious selection. Mendoza wisely transferred away from Cals dead program to Indiana in the Big 10, and promptly won a National Championship where he played his best games down the stretch with Brady like poise in the biggest moments in the playoffs. In fact I haven't seen a QB ball out in their last 3 games at the end of the season since Joe Burrow led LSU to a Championship. He also won the Heisman just as a bonus. Mendoza has a good strong frame that looked a little more solid at the combine so it seems clear he bulking up a little more to endure the NFL hits that are sure to come his way. On top of that big frame Fernando also has consistent polished mechanics , a strong enough arm to make all the throws when he is set , quick reads , throws guys open , is very accurate , and he even throws a nice deep ball. He even has decent speed if he's running , but he's not an elusive scrambler type. He's a straight laced leader football junkie that I expect to keep moving forward as he gets exposed to more pro concepts , and you will never get a call from the cops about him. Mendoza is also one of those rare guys who comes back quick from a screw up , and tends to make a big play on the next drive, and he is tough as nails after a big hit too.  The Indiana offense has a lot of RPO's and quick hitters in it , but enough Pro concepts that the transition shouldn't take too long in the NFL. Plus the NFL has had to adopt spread & RPO stuff more and more every year to make QB's coming out of college more comfortable when they are thrown on the field early in their careers. Its definitely not a precise scheme contrast , but the best comparison I can come up with for Indiana's system would be the Alabama offense when Brian Daboll ran it. In many ways Mendoza reminds me of a bigger , tougher , more durable , right handed version of Tua when he came into the the league after playing in that offense. I just think long term that he will be more like Matt Ryan , who won a MVP , and Ryan would have a ring if Kyle Shanahan had just kept slowly running the ball in that Superbowl. Mendoza has the authority and football IQ to make checks & changes pre-snap , and executes them well. I love his poise and confidence most of all , because he isn't scared to throw into tight windows expecting his receiver to make the catch , and he's a straight killer in the red zone. Too many QB's , even in the NFL are afraid to make those tight window throws , or they lack the ability to lead the receiver and throw guys open in stride. His biggest flaw is rushing away when you move him off his spot , and his pinpoint accuracy suffers then. Since he is going to be a Raider ,  and Tom Brady is in the building ,  I expect Fernando's pocket presence and decision making in this scenario will improve . The reason is simple -  Brady had the best feet , pocket presence , and pocket movement of any QB in history! - Not to mention Brady's poise is unmatched. Its the equivalent of having Tony Gwynn as your batting coach, and you could have fired a cannon from the pitchers mound with a BB in it every time Gwynn came to bat and he would have still hit at least .300.  By the way , R.I.P. Tony. You were the kindest most generous player with kids in the stands that I have ever seen when I was a kid. I still hear your infectious laugh in my head occasionally from the time I spent at The San Diego school of baseball back in the day , and it made me feel like a King when you recognized me at games from the few hours we spent together while you taught me to stop pulling my head and trying kill the ball. Back to Mendoza. This kid is clutch , a leader on and off the field , and from all reports he is absolutely dedicated to football  It's hard to imagine a QB that Brady would bond with better. Having a steady calm good guy veteran presence like Cousins in the QB room should help as well. Having a west coast offense guru Brian Griese already teaching him the playbook should speed things up too. Guys who can make the big throws in the biggest moments are hard to bet against , and I am betting on Mendoza being a franchise QB for a long time. 

2.JETS - ARVELL REESE - LB/EDGE  - OHIO ST.

NFL PLAYER COMP - ABDUL  CARTER - GIANTS

The Jets were a disaster last season , especially on defense , and trading away the best 2 players on that defense in Sauce Gardner & Quinnen Williams made it worse. The Good part is that they have a O-Line with 3 young talented high draft picks in Fashanu , Membou, and Tippman. A #1 WR Garrett Wilson , a talented young TE in 2025 2nd rounder Mason Taylor , RB Breece Hall on the franchise tag , edge rusher Will Mcdonald, and recently acquired Nose Tackle T'vondre Sweat. Actually trading away a former 1rst rounder in Jermaine Johnson made sense to me for Sweat. Johnson is a decent starter, but nothing special. Sweat isn't a every down player , but he can clog upon the middle well, is younger, and he doesn't want a new contract like Jermaine.  This organization has been a also ran for a long time, and I believe it starts at the top with Owner Woody Johnson interference , but finding a reliable long term QB would surely help. 2nd year head coach Aaron Glenn can't get too much of the blame in this scenario, and I think he deserves another year to see what he can do I with more players that buy into his leadership, but there needs to be definitive improvement for him to get a 3rd year. They have a ton of picks due to the quality trades last season where they got full value for Williams & Gardner. So if they hit on those picks , and most importantly get a more steady stopgap QB they could be moving in the right direction this year. Plus next year could potentially be QB nirvana in the 2027 draft and The Jets have THREE #1's in that draft , but unless they get a quality bridge QB ( Geno Smith is suspect after last year ) I wouldn't be surprised if Ty Simpson or Garret Nussmeier got drafted by the Jets on day 2 this season.  Also this team could easily end up with the #1 pick in 2027 anyway so its probably  not a priority. All these picks and new regime make some believe they are  building for the long haul with a god plan in mind , which has not been common in the Woody Johnson era. So I expect they just keep building the roster this season , and then take a QB next year with a team that is ready to support a young signal caller early in his career. On offense WR is their only big need , besides the aforementioned QB , but a young center prospect late on day 2 or early day 3 should be a consideration.  They brought in ace MLB Demario Davis from the Saints , but he is 37 , and even though his last 10 years have somehow been his best he can't keep this up for ever. Unless he's a Highlander , or this is Dorian Gray type situation , which I almost believe is true considering how well he played last year at age 36. Either way Sonny Styles should be considered with that #2 pick , but I doubt they go that way. The jets need at least another edge , DT , maybe 2 CB's, and maybe a safety . I would just go Best Play Available if I was them this year, except for RB. Al-l the buzz is that hey are retaking an edge at #2 . So its either Arvell Reese and his huge ceiling , and even a decent floor if he just ends up better as off the ball LB, or the more current polished pass rusher in David Bailey . Bailey weighs more right now , but he struggles holding his ground against the run. I would take Reese just based on his violent play style & greater upside since they are rebuilding. Plus the Jets are behind a lot , and you are defending the run when you are behind , which is David Bailey's weakness. 

3.ARIZONA - DAVID BAILEY - OLB/DE - TEXAS TECH- 6"4" , 251

NFL PLAYER COMP - NICK BONITTO - BRONCOS

The Cardinals. Yet another team with ownership and hectic front office woes that have left fans wanting. They finally realized that Murray wasn't going to work here and moved on , but their regular misses on high draft picks have left the franchise always looking up at more successful teams. The only positions that this team is solidified at is TE , LT their top 2 WR's and RB . Plus if Kyler Murray threw the ball on time Marvin Harrison Jr, would already be kicking ass on the regular. Speaking of RB the Cards definitely want out of the 3rd pick, but aren't finding any takers that will pay their price so they are claiming that they will take RB Jeremiah Love at #3. Love is definitely worth that pick in this draft , but you have 3 good RB's already in Conner , Allgeier, and Benson if he can stay healthy. So I think that's a smoke screen trying to get someone to trade up because it's not logical for this team right now. It's not like Arizona  is in a championship window , and he's the missing piece.  Taking Love at #3 would mean they have guaranteed close to 60 million to RB's. That's just stupid , especially in the modern NFL. Don't forget that steady veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is also holding out , and he kept them in a lot of games last year when he was in there. All the buzz is that they want to take RT Francis Mauigoa who is 12th on my board , so #3 seems really high to me for him ,  and he is multiple tiers below Reese , Styles , and Love . So yes Love would be a better value , but this team is rebuilding , AGAIN , and solidifying their right tackle spot for a young QB of the future makes sense to me too , bu only "if" they trade back. However Styles & Reese aren't that far behind Love in grade ,and both play positions of need. Plus CB Mansoor Delane is # 6 , and corner joins edge rusher trumping RB & off the ball LB from a positional value standpoint. So even its Bailey or Delane ( and both in a tier behind Love , Styles, and Reese ) I want the edge rusher or CB who might still be on the way up in his career starting his 2nd contract , instead of The RB who has usually already had his most productive seasons in the first contract. It's just a serious overdraft for ANY Offensive tackle in this draft to be taken in the top 5 of this draft. None of these guys are a Penei Sewell or Joe Alt slam dunk blue chip prospect. For a team that has a lot of needs RB is a luxury pick , especially when you already have crowded RB room , and on a team that may not be competitive for 3 years, and by then you have to pay him again.  So I am staying at pick three I am taking the best player available at a premium position. That means either Reese or Baliey , and they had both in for one of their 30 team visits.  So take whichever edge the Jets don't , or the corner Mansoor Delane. I'm betting on the edge rusher , but if they took Styles at least he would be worthy of the pick and fill a need. Not to mention that's not even bringing Caleb Downs into it who is actually 3rd player on my board , but they haven't shown any interest in him , although he would be a great pick.  Bailey is a twitchy speed rusher with a great get off that puts blockers in jeopardy quickly . He also has fast hands , long arms , and is is strong finisher in the backfield. Bailey lacks the physicality and bend to be a top 10 pick in most drafts , but in this one he will go very high he because has a high floor as a pass rusher , and was very productive against good OT's in college. He needs to get stronger, especially in his legs so he can set the edge better and hold his ground against the run, but right now there is still a small chance he ends up a sub package situational rusher if he doesn't hit the squat rack and pack on some more muscle. Right now he is the most accomplished pass rusher in the draft , but the ceiling isn't as high as lot edge guys in the top 100, and Reese has a ceiling that dwarfs his own.  Reese is hybrid off the ball LB / edge rusher right now on tape with a near equal distribution of snaps on the line of scrimmage and at the 2nd level,. Arvell does struggle in coverage more than you want for an off the ball guy , and I didn't like his limited number of snaps in the slot nearly as much as Styles in that role. However, if I wanted a guy to play more off the ball LB than the edge I would take Styles. If Reese spent 70% of his time primarily as pass rusher and 30% playing off the ball it would make the most sense to me. He is at his best coming forward and attacking , but he also can be to aggressive so his Football IQ is just solid for a MIKE backer right now.   Arvell is the type of guy you can use to spy on running QB's and can expect him to corral and contain guys like Lamar Jackson , Josh Allen , Jayden Daniels etc. He's still very young , and won't turn 21 until the 3rd week of the preseason , but his natural violent style of play will play well in the pros  , and he uses his hands as weapons. Whether he is coming forward to take on a guard in the hole or stacking the OT off the edge he's low and uses good strong inside hand placement ( arms only just over 32 ) to strike and get under the blocker to shock & control him  , and then he sheds well. He needs to gain another 10 pounds to hang better on the edge , and improve his anchor after contact , but he is already better at holding his ground off the edge than Bailey is, and he can bend and run the arc , or shoot the gap inside. When I was a freshman in in high school we had a position called rover that could roam the field sideline to sideline making plays, and a guy with a predatory hunters instinct like Reese would be ideal in that attackers role like an enormous Troy Polamalu . Off the edge he fires off the ball and hunts QB's and ball carriers. People that combine this kind of violence and hard charging mindset tend to do succeed in the NFL. 

4.TITANS - SONNY STYLES - LB - OHIO ST. - 6"5" , 244

NFL PLAYER COMP -  BRIAN URLACHER - retired

The Titans are starting over at head coach again , but their new owner never should have fired Mike Vrabel in the first place. On the bright side new OC Brian Daboll should do a much better job of getting Cam Ward going in the right direction , and new head coach Robert Saleh always gets the defense to play hard for him.  I understand they needed a edge rusher , but I don't like trading away the younger NT T'vondre Sweat for Jermain Johnson. Another bad thing to me is that for the 2nd straight off season the Titans seem to be using their cap space to seriously overpay every single player in free agency , and some of these guys are mediocre at best. I still haven't gotten over that Dan Moore overpay last year , and I think that guy is just straight below average.  I personally like little Wandale Robinson in the slot. The guys get sopejn , but he has small catch radius , and paying him 18.5 million a year with 38 million guaranteed seems excessive. CB Alontae Taylor is 27 and coming off his best season , but he was just average to me , so your betting on the come. Giving him 3 years at 60 million with 42 guaranteed seems a little too far for my taste. CB Cordale Floot is only 24 and coming of solid season so giving his 3 year at 45 million , with 32 guaranteed seem okay . Adding stalwart vet Kevin Zeitler to play right guard looks good at 9 million for one year.  but other than Flott & Zeitler every other singing looks either bad, or they overpaid. RT J.C. Latham played a little better in year 2 , and LG Peter Skoronsku was very good last season so the making off a better O-Line to help Ward develop is moving forward. center Austin Schlottman was alright last season in limited snaps, but both he and LT Moore could use an upgrade. RB Tony Pollard is a solid starter , and Tajae Spears a capable backup when healthy , but Jeremiah Love would be huge upgrade as both a runner and receiver to get this offense going. Other than Robinson no WR on the current roster seems stable to me. Ridley has been the same since he returned from his gambling suspension . Last year's rookie WR's Duke & Ayomanor showed some flashes , but nothing to count on yet so a WR in round 2 or 3 looks very doable. Helm and Bellinger at TE looks more about blocking to me, but both can be reliable safety valves . So this offense needs pass catchers. On defense DT Jeffrey Simons is one of if th e not the best in the league, and Young LB Cedrick Gray took steps forward last season , but everyone else is suspect , Even the once reliable L'Jarius Sneed has stumbled since he joined the Titans and got his big pay day. Plus trading away T'vondre Sweat leaves a void at Nose Tackle . Basically the Titans have a lot of needs , and so I see why some would see Love as luxury pick because I do , but I get it. You already have a QB, and bringing in Love to improve the running game will help take some pressure off of him , and Love could also become a reliable target . Yet Sonny Styles could be the rangy QB of the defense that Selah had in Frisco with Fred Warner. This team has a lot of needs , but I'm still reading & hearing that Love is the guy. After Love just take the best player on the board , and maybe trade up with some of your day 3 picks if you can to secure guys that can help you both this year and in the future. Yet I am going with Styles because the versatility , and amount of ground that he can cover will allow Selah to run his defense the same way he did in Frisco with Fred Warner. Styles is a unicorn as far as potential versatility , body type , and athleticism. I never thought I would see another off the ball LB who reminded me of Brian Urlacher , but here we are. LB's have been getting smaller and quicker over the last decade , but this guy looks more like a defensive end or TE than a LB. And the former safety runs & moves like a much smaller man. This guy just has a rare skill set. He can smother TE's in coverage , run with RB's coming out of the backfield, and his length and ability to get up ( 43.5 inch vertical ) and get the ball just erases passing lanes. That Tampa 2 hole in the middle of the field that great QB's target is missing when this guy is dropped back in it. Watching Styles and Reese ruin Arch Manning day against Texas was eye opening. I honestly would try him more off the edge because he has the frame for it. He is a team captain and leader as well. Plus this was his first year as a true LB , and I bet he speeds up reading his keys over time , because you saw him getting faster off the snap as the season went along. Yet right now he can be a tick late early in the play. He was already a 3 year starter in a true NFL defensive type scheme with a lot of variables in it. A real Alpha type with true sideline to side line range that could maybe challenge Fred Warner for the title of current best off the ball LB in the game in a few years , or at least be the heir apparent to the throne quickly. Plus he will stack & shed blocks like a throwback LB  , arrives at the ball carrier with force, and is a sure tackler.  I absolutely love this guy and believe it is worth trading up into the top 10 to get him. There aren't  many real unicorn type of Football players with rare traits and the will that actually fulfill their promise , but I believe he can be one of those guys . Like a Von Miller , Urlacher, Derek Henry , JJ Watt, Patrick Mahomes, Gronk , Aaron Donald , and Patrick Peterson. Uniquely rare tools combined with work ethic, and ability make franchise cornerstone players when they live up to their potential. I believe he can be one of those few and far between players , and I would select him as high as # 2 overall in this draft and sleep well. 

5.GIANTS - JEREMIYAH LOVE - RB - N.DAME- 6 ft. , 212

NFL PLAYER COMP -  JAMAAL CHARLES - retired

The Giants fired Daboll , and I love that guy. I get it , but I don't think he was the primary reason they went backwards last season , but on the bright side John Harbaugh is an upgrade for over almost every coach still in the league this year. Heading into the 2025 season I would have called Dexter Lawrence the best DT in the league. A true 3 down Nose tackle , who could 2 gap, and still make plays against the run , while also giving some good pass rush.  His play & production fell of some lat season , but he was still a above average player, especially getting pressure in the QB. Now him wanting a new contract , and wanting to be payed among the top DT's with years left on his current deal is another matter. I can see both sides of this , but I think getting the tenth Pickford a 28 year old guy who has taken a lot of wear and tear after 7 years in the league absorbing blocks is pretty good , especially because you don't have to pay him again. Even if he returns to his 2023 or 2024 form how long will that last ? The man plays the second most punishing position in the game behind running back. There is decent chance that the Giants could get both Sonny Styles at pick #5 and Caleb Downs at #10. That completely TRANSFORMS your defense for years to come. What those 2 guys do in coverage combined with the Giants slew of edge rushers getting pressure could immediately make this team playoff bound. On offense they need a reliable # 2 WR , and maybe one more O-lineman on at either the RG or RT spot depending on whichever one Jermain Eluemunor ends up playing this year. FS Javpn Hollands play has fallen off the last 2 season after a great start to his career in Miami , but he's only 26 , and maybe a change of scenery will help him return to form. Strong safety Tyler Nubin is till young and talented enough to hope he will improve , but Caleb Downs would be an upgrade over either. New Giant safety Dennard Wilson was a safety himself back in the day, and I'm sure he knows this.Plus you could run plenty of big nickle ( 3 safeties ) looks with 3 talented guys and Harbaugh ran plenty of those in Baltimore. I love the Isaiah Likely signing and think he could be A prolific pass catching TE in this offense. I am not a big fan of large off the ball LB Tremaine Edmunds. He is talented, and generally good against the run , but inconsistent in coverage despite his 3rd big contact in the league. The Giants just gave Edmunds 3 years and 36 million with about 24 million guaranteed. its not really a big overpay , but I'm just not a big fan of his. Having Styles next to him would make him a lot better. DT , WR , and off the ball linebacker. Former stalwart LB Bobby Okereke was released and he was the brains of that defense so adding a Styles or Downs to fill that role would be great , but getting both would be a windfall. If Styles is gone take Jeremiah Love at #5 , and just keep hoping Downs falls to pick 10. If Downs is gone take the best WR or O-Lineman available at # 10, because their is no DT in this draft with a 1rst round grade let alone one worth a top 10 pick. I am betting Styles or Love is their at #5 , and in my worst case scenario for them is Downs at #5 and either WR's Makai Lemon or Jordan Tyson at #10. That's still cause for celebration & optimism. Tyrone Tracy hasn't shown he can be a every down guy , and Cam Skatteboo is coming off major injury so Love would be a great fit. I don't think it;s a coincidence that the Giants offense cratered after Saquon left , and while Love is a different type of runner he has the same value & versatility to an offense. Plus Harbaugh has always wanted to run the ball , and he had many years in Baltimore where injuries decimated their RB room . Also don't forget If you are just going by grade Love is the best player on my board, but he is RB and they have less legitimacy from a long term roster building & salary cap perspective because paying a RB big dollars. In the short term and the first contact they can be a game changer, especially a special one like Love.  My biggest fear with him heading into the season was pass protection , but he really stepped up as a blocker this season which is huge because I want him on the field on 3rd down. Love runs good routes and you could line up as a WR , particularly from the slot , Yet you can better disguise your playbook , exploit mismatches, and catch teams in the wrong sub package easier when the RB catches balls out of the backfield. This guy can take it to the house from anywhere on the field running or as a receiver, and he only fumbled once in college. Jeremiah has both Great top end speed and short area quickness, and he makes lots of guys miss. Great jump cut , balance & body control , and he can stop & start really well. He has good vision as too , and while the power is nothing to write home about he does try to finish all of his runs when he sees it coming. He's lean and needs to get  stronger, but he also has longer frame than moist current NFL RB's and could easily add the weight.  Also don't forget that until the Ravens got Derek Henry their running game was unsettled for years , and I know Harbaugh remembers. 

***TRADE*** The COWBOYS TRADE their 1rst ( #12)  AND the 1rst rounder they have from the PACKERS (#98)  To The BROWNS for the 1rst (#6) AND 2nd (#39) rounders ***TRADE***

6.DALLAS-(clev)- MANSOOR DELANE - CB - LSU

NFL PLAYER COMP - TRENT MCDUFFIE - RAMS

My brother is a cowboys fan , and I am told I am too hard on them, but I think I'm fair with it. Jerry Jones is going to keep pushing cash into the future until he dies, and I personally believe they don't have chance to win a Superbowl again until Jerry dies, they take all their cap hits to rebuild, and Dak and his blotted salary are gone. So Dak , CD Lamb , and Tyler Smith all have already had their contracts re-worked to get them under the cap. Don't be surprised if more financial trickery follows if they need it. I actually liked the Parsons trade for them because he wanted more money than he was worth. Parsons has the most burst off the line of anyone in the league , but he can be pushed around against the run at times , and his rushes are almost all about that speed. He needs more power rushes , and a more varied attack in his rush plans to break into that elite tier of edges. To me Parsons is a great player , but he is not a top 5 edge player in my book. When I watch Parsons he is more like the 8th best edge rusher at most , but 10th at worst. I love that they got Kenny Clark in the deal too. Between Clark and the Quinnen Williams trade the Cowboys run defense really improved, but their overall defense against the pass took a big hit. Yes Parsons would have helped that out a lot , but they did put significant resources into replacing his production. Dallas brought in Ezeiruaku in the draft , brought back veteran Dante Fowler, signed Jadaveon Clowney & James Houston, were expecting more from Sam Williams coming back from knee surgery , and I don't see how they could have predicted the death of Marshawn Kneeland. Plus you can't pay everybody top dollar, and Parson wanted that almost 41 million a year deal ( over 9 million more per year than the vastly superior Myles Garrett  ) ,  even if he didn't deserve it. Weaknesses at LB and in the secondary were more to blame for the bad Cowboys 2025 defense in my opinion. Heck , if they can get someone to give them a first rounder in the top 15 for George Pickens they should take that too. He has never been consistently reliable , and 30 million or more for a guy who has taken too many plays off during his career seems risky to me, but to be fair he was great last season. They tagged him so we will see what happens with Pickens , and maybe he plays one year on the tag for 27 million and moves on, or maybe they resign him before or after this year.  Edge , CB, off the ball LB, and safety are their biggest needs. OT and maybe a #2 WR if Pickens isn't here are their only big needs on offense. Maybe a 2nd RB to pair with the rejuvenated Javonte Williams on day 3 as well. Since the Cowboys have 2 first rounders , and no choices in 2nd or 3rd I expect they will try to trade back and acquire at least one day 2 pick , UNLESS they go up to get Styles , Downs, or Delane. Styles would fill a huge need in their defense, but he's off the board . Downs is the highest rated on my board, but Dallas has ignored safety in the first round for over 20 years, even when it was the teams biggest need. Delane is my clear cut unquestioned #1 CB in this draft , and he is worth the trade up , and coincidentally the #6 overall player on my board. Very few CB's are above average in both man & zone , but Delane is one of them. He is mostly an outside corner, and all though he does play inside some , it's not quite as much as the player he reminds me of in Trent Mcduffie. He's only about average size & strength for the position , but also ripped and in shape.  Yet Mansoor  plays bigger with his smart's and aggressive play style. This guy knows how to spot route combo's and he reads the QB pretty well too. I think he's a little better in press right now, and he has multiple jams at the line of scrimmage to slow down the WR , but also has the skill to play in off coverage well. I think a lack of length & better hands are the only things keeping him from being a blue chip player in this draft , a and the hands are fixable.  Despite these little foibles he's still #6 overall on my board , and definitely worth a top 10 pick.  He also uses his hands well on receivers , and he times his attack on the ball in the air well to disrupt the catch point. Delaney is also a straight man against the run as a tackler. He may not always make the tackle , but it's not for a lack of trying because he will stick his face in the scrum , but he does duck his head at times. Delaney attacks receivers as well and it looks like it's with all he's got , but he is more secure tackler if a catch has already been made. Mansoor is an experienced 4 year starter for 2 different school's , but this last year was his best , and it was a step up to in competition in the SEC. Delane is very smart , tough , aggressive , productive , has a great motor , and he is versatile enough to play well in any scheme. I think he is a plug and play starter as a rookie , and I expect many Pro Bowls in his future. 

7.WASHINGTON - CALEB DOWNS - S - OHIO ST.- 6 ft. , 206

NFL PLAYER COMP - ED REED - retired

Washington looked like a contender for the Superbowl heading into the 2025 season , and they just missed out making the big game the year before in Jayden Daniels spectacular rookie year. 2025 was all about injuries though , especially from Daniels. He only played in 7 games , and he desperately needs to gain muscle. He's 6"4 , 210  ,  and could easily carry 230 pounds of muscle and still be agile. Its not that hard . I used to be a personal trainer back in the day , and I know body types. Even if Jayden is a pure ectomorph with a fast metabolism he can gain 2 pounds of muscle a month if he works out steadily and eats some meat . a fruit , and a vegetable every 2 and half hours , and just stops eating 3 hours before bed time. It doesn't even need to be large portions. That's not even counting any other foods he eats , or protein shakes, because fast metabolism guys have been blessed by GOD and its hard for them to put on bad weight if they workout consistently. I have coached a lot of kids through this  , and it has worked every time if they follow my instructions. SO EAT AND LIFT JAYDEN! Millions of fans want to see you healthy and playing well. The commanders have wisely been investing in the O-Line over the last year.  Penalties aside Laremy Tunsil is still one of the NFL's better blind side protectors. Right guard Sam Cosmi returned to form coming off a ACL tear , and rookie RT Josh Connerly had his moments last season. Plus on offense WR Terry Mclaurin is the most underrated wide out in the league. A true #1 WR who can get it done outside or inside. On defense they are still some young potential building blocks in Jer'Zhan Newton & Mike Sanristil. Maybe last years 2nd rounder CB Trey Amos takes a step forward , and All time great LB Bobby Wagner is still really good 15 years in if they decide to being him back after the draft. NT Duron Payne looks past it though , and I still don't get why they paid injury prone DT Javon Kinlaw so much money last year. Incoming free agent edge Odafe Oweh getting 100 million over 4 year seems a bit steep considering he has only had one 10 sack season in his career, but he did play really well last season after he went to the Chargers. Former 1rst round bust Edge rusher K'lavon Chaisson has never lived up to his promise, but he did have 7.5 sacks for The Patriots last year , can rush the passer some , and its only a 1 year deal.  I do like the signing of big off the ball LB/Edge Leo Chenal from the Chiefs , but I would like him to play more off the edge if it's me making the call. TE Chig Okwonko has big play potential , but I thought the same thing of him in Tennessee and it rarely happened. RB's Jerome Ford and Rachad White both have their uses , but I don't see either them as a workhorse RB type at this stage of their careers. I doubt Jeremiah Love makes it to them , but he should definitely be a consideration if he makes it pick #7. Edge , WR , CB , safety , and interior O-Line are probably their biggest needs in the draft unless they are letting Wagner go for good. I would take Caleb Downs if he's there , but when Dan Quinn had a lot of sway in the draft room in Dallas they regularly passed upon good safety prospects in the draft.  So they go edge to appease Quinn who's entire defensive philosophy is based on pressuring the QB, or a WR to give Daniels another reliable target. I would take Vega Ioane to help insure the health of Daniels if Styles or Downs aren't available, but I doubt they consider that unless Styles, Downs , Tate, and Reese and Bailey , and Bain are all gone when its their turn. Rueben Bain is the kind of relentless pass rusher than Quinn will appreciate , but I am going with Downs because his genius football IQ , instincts , and range cover a lot of sins for the hyper aggressive Quinn's scheme.  This is based on the fact that there was a ton of big mistakes in coverage on this defense last year , and because Downs is the highest rated guy on the board. Downs has the kind of football brain and versatility you only see every few years. He even had a elite true freshman season at Bama in 2023 , and then transferred to Ohio ST. after Nick Saban retired. So a Genius football IQ and he has been great at 2 different elite programs that run Pro Style defensive schemes. He can play high low , and cover the slot ,and even some nickel backer in a pinch. He is almost always the first guy moving in the right direction on tape , is rarely fooled, and he's fearless & nasty to ball carriers. I like him more in the box , but I am still comfortable with him as the last line of defense for my team. This guy will wear the green dot on defense as king of player/coach, can get everyone lined up right , and will be calling out the offenses plays more than they know how to deal with. I expect he will be captain pretty quickly , and he is leader both on and off the field. Also just to throw icing on the cake Downs is also a great punt returner . This is stealth pick #7 , and the only reason I don't have him as a straight blue chipper on draft day ( he was the # 1 overall player on my board 2 months ago )  is that he refused to run , and there are legit questions about his speed & ability to turn and run with faster guys. Ed Reed had the same questions. 

8.SAINTS - CARNELL TATE - WR - OHIO ST. - 6"2' , 192

NFL PLAYER COMP - STEFON DIGGS - FA

For years I have been wanting the Saints to take their cap hits ALL at once , get younger , and then fully rebuild , but they never did. Now it looks like they FINALLY are , but the problem is that the 2 most reliable players on their defense are the 2 guys ( Cam Jordan & Demario Davis ) that they needed to trade , and they never did . Now they are letting both go in free agency , but they got nothing for either. Last year when Carr & Ramcxyk retired would have been a better idea to do it all at once, and they could have gotten draft picks for Davis & Jordan then. Taysom Hill too, Yeah he's a great athlete who is very exciting , but he's so injury prone that he just can't be counted on when you need him. On offense they should have traded Alvin Kamara last year, because he looked kind of past it to me, and he wasn't even decent in the passing game anymore. Now they want to trade him, but there are rumors that he will retire if they do. If it recoups their salary cap space then they should hope Kamara hangs it up. This team isn't going to make the playoffs anyway so a 30 year old past his prime injury prone RB on the last year of his deal is unlikely to swing the  needle in any sense. Plus they signed Travis Etienne , and still have Kendre Miller to team with him if he can stay healthy .  At least they have invested heavily in their O-Line which gives Tyler Slough a chance to succeed , but if he doesn't keep moving forward the same way he did in the 2nd half of 2025 they can get a QB in the 2027 DRAFT because I believe they are going to lose a lot of games this season because the Saints could have close to 90 million of dead money on their cap this year.  That O-Line already had 4 first rounders on it including last years stud 1rst round rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks, and now they signed veteran guard David Edwards away from the Bills to give them potentially one of the better groups of blockers in the league. The also brought back former Saint Kaden Ellis from the Falcons when free agency opened to help fill that huge Demario Davis shaped void. They let CB Alontae Taylor leave to the Titans, and while I would prefer that they kept a guy that young & talented because he is coming off his best season so it logical to assume that he may just be hitting his prime at 27 , but Tennessee did pay too much for him in my book. Sadly that's just free agency. Right now the only 2 plus pass catchers on the Saints are Chris Olave & Juwan Johnson, but Olave is injury prone so If I could get a 2nd rounder for him in next years draft I would take it because that draft looks bonkers right now.  Edge rusher , CB , and WR look like their biggest needs to me , but you could probably throw a dart on defense and hit a position that needs a upgrade. Tate is Polished like all Ohio ST. WR's during the Brian Hartline era , but he currently looks more like a good #2 than a number one WR to me. Good route runner, and times his jumps well to high point the ball. Great hands and surprisingly good at contested catches for a sub 200 pound guy , but he's got the frame to easily add another 10 pounds of muscle if he wants to be seen more as a full time X receiver. He even gives solid effort as a blocker. Tate has high floor , but his ceiling is just solid and he wouldn't be a top 10 pick in most drafts , but in this one certainty is in rare supply. . He plays all 3 WR positions some at Ohio ST. , but right now he is mostly a Z and slot guy for me at the NFL level . 

 

9.CHIEFS - FRANCIS MAUIGOA - ** - T/G - MIAMI- 6"6" , 329

NFL PLAYER COMP - DARNELL WRIGHT - BEARS

Its' very hard to remain consistently on top in any sport , but especially in the NFL because injuries & career lengths are generally much shorter at most positions compared to baseball , basketball, and even hockey. Then take into account that success breeds envy , and everyone wants your players , coaches, and front office staff for their franchise. The Patriots dealt with this for decades and only Brady hanging around and making it a destination for veteran free agents to come and get a ring later in their career helped make it viable. Brady took less money so his guys could hang around , and that inspired a spirit of team first unity that led to a lot of victory's. Yet as soon as Brady left the rest of them wouldn't put up with Bill's somewhat maniacal treatment and huge ego. That's how the dynasty fell. Mahomes does take less money than he could demand , but he's still not cheap, and some other guys on the roster ( past & present ) seem to want their money more than anything else now that they have rings. It doesn't seem to matter that they are past their prime ( Chris Jones & Travis Kelce) they just want that big check or they want out. Jones & Kelce are both still above average players at their positions, but Kelce isn't even a top 5 guy at his position any more as a whole. Jones age struggles against the run last season worry me , but he still gets lot of pressure as a pass rusher. Meanwhile at 45 million average Mahomes is only the 12th highest paid QB in the league even though he is clearly the best QB in the league and has been for a while. Now if Mahomes wanted to he could force them to pay him something ridiculous like 70-75 million a year ,and they would have to pay it because he still is that good. So to stay in that competitive window the franchise has had to keep pushing the bill into the future with re-worked contracts & void years.  That's how they ended up trading a young current top 5 corner like Mcduffie to the the Rams because you are up  against the cap , and then the Rams also pilfered another of their once trio of good young corners in Jaylen Watson in free agency , because you just don't have the money to pay everybody. Now their CB room is led by a Nohl Williams , who played very well as a rookie last year , and their big free agent CB addition is Kair Elam ?  A former 1rst round bust of the bills who is about join his 3rd team entering his 5th season in the NFL? Yep, but that's what happens when your cash is already spent and you are re-loading. You are stuck with the older guys and let the young guys in their prime go . The Bengals also took a good safety from them in free agent Bryan Cook, but at least the Chiefs replaced him with someone capable in Alohi Gilman.  I specify that KC is re-loading instead of rebuilding because there is still a decent core here , and as long as you have Mahomes & Reid you are in the mix. The Chiefs will still be competitive if Mahomes is healthy , but he is coming off a knee injury and who knows when he will be 100% again.  Even if he is ready for week one it may take awhile for him to trust that knee, and feel fully confident in it. Or they night choose to keep him on the sidelines why to ensure he is fully healthy before he gets back on the field , and the 30 million guaranteed they paid to Justin Fields points to the latter scenario. If the Chiefs wanted to move on from some veterans, or maybe ask for a reduced cap number, than Travis Kelce and Chris Jones would have been my choices. Especially in the case of the latter. I already mentioned that Jones still produced at a high level as a pass rusher last season, but he got pushed around against the run a lot too, and he is the highest paid DT in the league by almost 4 million per year.  Kelce is still a good starting TE , but he is no longer even a top 5 guy at the position , but he is new 12 mullion a year deal is at least somewhat reasonable , and outside the top 10 for TE's. I actually thought he was going to retire ,  marry Taylor Swift , and maybe do movies from now on. Instead he is back for 12 million on a one year deal.  Yes that's not top 10 pay , but it's still too much comparatively to what he brings at this stage in his career , and maybe Jones & Kelce should have plenty of money already.  Jones has a 44 million cap hit this season , and I doubt he would agree to a salary reduction . I HATE the trade of Trent Mcduffie. At the very least I would have let him play out his 5th year option at under 14 million, and then paid him or traded him. At least they have the draft capital to partially re-load now. With Mahomes coming off a knee injury I could see why this might be the year to re-load, but I believe he will still be the best in the game again very soon. Disappointing false start penalty prone RT Jawaan Taylor was released as well. Speaking of questionable choices for the normally efficient Chiefs , Kenny Walker ? Yes , he's a great runner when healthy , but he is also banged up a lot , and bad in pass pro. I would have preferred Travis Etienne or Rico Dowdle , and that's before pointing out that both cost less for their new teams. Plus the Chiefs offense is very complicated , and Mahomes is coming off that major knee injury , and you want Walker protecting him from blitzes on 3rd down? You could have signed both Kenneth Gainwell  and Rico Dowdle for close to the same money  for a lot less guaranteed , and Mahomes would be safer. So I doubt the Chiefs even make the playoffs this season in a very tough AFC West , and even if they did their chances of going far are minimal. KC has a lot of needs . 2 corners, and at least one needs to be a high draft pick if you expect much production from him this season. Their rookie left tackle was coming off a major knee injury himself last year , but then he also missed another 4 games for some undisclosed family issue so its reasonable to wonder just how much he can be counted on this year. Right tackle Jaylon Moore's 6 starts last season were a career high for him in 5 seasons in the NFL , and the results were mixed at best. WR Rashee Rice is a constant off the field worry, and Xavier Worthy is #3 at because his frame means he is limited if you want to keep him healthy. So you need a WR that can contribute right away. George Karlaftis is your only edge rusher who gets any kind of consistent pressure, and your DT room doesn't have anybody who contributed much against the run. Now if anyone can perform this Herculean effort in a short amount of time its the Chiefs. Not long ago they completely retooled their O-Line and won 2 Superbowl's in a row , and even went to the next one in 2024, but last season everything just went wrong , but now they have the 9th pick in the draft. OT , CB , Edge rusher, and WR are all in play for that selection and they also have pick #29 in the first , and #40 near the top of the second . They need 3 starters from those picks that can contribute right away. I am ruling out WR or edge with the 9th pick if its me , because you have a better chance of getting a playable WR or edge at pick 40 than you do a OT or CB . Especially a OT because I doubt one of those guys will even be available at pick #29. Now if Mansoor Delane falls to pick nine I take him immediately because he looks like a plug & play guy and I have much higher grade on him than any of the OT's in this draft. Plus he literally reminds me of Mcduffie. Maybe then you use your third rounder to move up and secure a right tackle  , draft a WR at #40 and maybe sign Jadaveon Clowney to fill out your edge rusher gap and draft a project type edge in the 4th or 5th round , and see if you can coach him up enough to give you some decent rotational snaps this year. If you want that OT at pick nine I get it because protecting Mahomes should be your priority , and Delane may not make it that far anyway. One of Francis Mauigoa or Spencer Fano should be their at # 9 and either would be an upgrade over Moore, and then Moore is a good swing tackle. Barring a Tunsil gas mask type scenario Arvell Reese and David Bailey will be gone at # 9 , and while I like Rueben Bain , and think he is worth that pick there is lot more edge depth in this draft than OT or CB. My plan would be to re-tool this roster and open another Superbowl run window in 2027. If the Cards & Browns pass on Mauigoa and Delane is gone this is an easy pick for me. He is big bruising RT that will immediately help your running game , which also protects Mahomes. He is also a solid pass blocker , but his issues are fixable, and he's till an upgrade over Moore in pass pro. Even if they go Fano I would still be happy with that pick. I am going Mauigoa because he is higher on my board , and he is just nasty. Chiefs RG Trey Smith has a  similar play style , and parking Mauigua next to him at Right Tackle could make the right side of their line the definitive place to run behind. Just go foot to foot splits , hike and then maul in a 4 yards and cloud of dust type horror movie for defenses. This dude is very strong , but still agile enough to combo , and get up the field and terrorize the 2nd & 3rd levels of the field. He has strong hands , and if he latches on inside its over.  He's solid in pass pro , and his hands are heavy , but he lunges at times and gets off balance more than I like. Yet he is still an upgrade over half the starting RT's in the league ,and if you want to play him at guard as a rookie while he cleans up some stuff he will kick ass inside too. 

10.GIANTS-(cinc) - JORDAN TYSON - **  - WR - AZ ST. - 6"2" , 203

NFL PLAYER COMP - AMARI COOPER - retired

Tyson is Polished , crafty , and would be my #1 WR if not for the ridiculously consistent amount of injuries in his career year after year. Normally I would say this guy has great floor , but the best ability to is availability , and his is in question. He is so mart , and I love his releases against press, but he also knows how to see and sit down in the holes in zone.  He never fully worked out because ya know " HURT AGAIN " , and I absolutely would NOT take him with a top 10 pick in this draft or any other, but a team will watch the tape and fall in love because they know he will be able to do whatever they ask inside or out on the field as a rookie- if healthy. He was coached by Hines Ward so he blocks , and he looks tough enough now , but what happens when he is rich and the injuries are nagging him again?  His hands improved this year after a lot of drops previously . Also he is not a YAC guy because he rarely breaks tackles , and he lacks the speed to run away from people. In a normal draft I would recommend him to an ALL in team in the bottom 3rd in the 1rst round , but this year he may be the first WR drafted even though he is 3rd on my board.

11.MIAMI - RUEBEN BAIN - # - DE/DT - MIAMI - 6"2" , 263

NFL PLAYER COMP - BRANDON GRAHAM - EAGLES

The Dolphins now have the least talented roster in the NFL , and new head coach Jeff Halfey should just make sure those checks cash because there is nothing he can do to make this a winning team. Sometimes a team rebuilds half way, but the only players the Dolphins still have on their roster that probably won't be there in 3 years when they might be viable again are LB Jordyn Brooks &  RB Devin Achane , but you could probably only get a lot for Achane.  If the Dolphins could get the Seahawks ( which at #32 is the lowest first rounder possible ) 1rst rounder, and maybe a 4th they should make that trade now because he will be in his 6th year next time they might be contending , and very few RB's are still top tier at that point , and since Achane weighs about 190 pounds its far less likely he will make it as feature back that long. Also if I could get a 3rd for Brooks I would do it, and maybe a 4th would do if I was on the clock and I player I really liked fell to that pick. In fact other than newly signed QB Malik Willis no one is untouchable on their roster this year.  I wouldn't be surprised if only young OT's Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson are the only players left from their current roster before this years draft who are still there in 2028. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Jalen Ramsey , Jaelan Phillips , Matthew Judon ,  Terron Armstead, Calais Campbell , Minkah Fitzpatrick , Bradley Chubb , and Jevon Holland have all moved on from this team in the last 2 years. That's a lot of really good players to say goodbye to in such a short amount of time. On the bright side the Dolphins are my favorite bet to have the 1rst pick in the draft next years potentially great draft , and they have 11 draft picks this year , with 7 coming in the first 3 rounds. They will need most of them to field a competitive team , but I would trade up late in the first round if someone who shouldn't have falls down the board. Guys like Kenyon Sadiq or Jermod Mccoy could be potential franchise building blocks that can speed up their window of contention, and the Dolphins should be on the lookout for values that make it past pick #20. If they even win just 4 games this year than Haffley has done a great job , but this draft could really make that possibility if they play it right. If Willis somehow makes it long term they are golden , and might be able to get a historic draft haul from a QB needy team in 2027 , and if not they just take Arch Manning , Dante Moore , or whoever ends up being the top guy. This team should just go Best Player available for the first 2 days regardless of position except QB or RB. If Vega Ioane is here when they are on the clock that's who I would take , but I have no idea who their going to take because their new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has never been the guy in charge before. Vega is likely to be the player with the highest grade on their board when they pick, and big strong O-Lineman like Vega tend to have low bust rates, and long productive careers into their 30's. I doubt that happens though, and since they are in desperate need of a WR for Willis to throw to , especially one who can play on the outside I could see them snatching up Tate or Tyson if they fall here. Although Rueben Bain at this pick is a great outcome , and its not like he will need to learn a new city. Bain is a bad ass high motor tough guy who plays every snap hard whether its a run or pass. Bain can also kick inside and give you some high level snaps as a 3 technique. These days too many edge rushers only play the run on the way to the QB , and are often out of position because of it , and then they don't set the edge well allowing big gaps for a RB to run through. Plus his pass rush array is wide, varied, and staggered to keep the blockers off balance , and he can kick inside and blow by guards ans centers on passing downs. Not Bain . He's strong and sets a mean edge , and can stack and shed like a pro , and unlike most guys who are considered power players Bain can bend & run the arc outside to stress the OT. He gets off the ball like a bat out of hell , and GOD forbid it's a obvious passing down because then you are a NO LEAF CLOVER ,  and there's a freight train coming your waaaaayaaayy , YEAH . 

12.BROWNS-(dall) - SPENCER FANO - T/G - UTAH- 6"6" , 311

NFL PLAYER COMP - CONNOR WILLIAMS - retired

Ahh The Browns. Yet another in a long line of teams picking at the top of the draft who have been dysfunctional from ownership on down for years. Like The Jets I expect their fortunes would head upward if they could ever draft , and stick with a good QB. They almost ruined Baker Mayfield , and the post perv version of Deshaun Watson has exemplified the worst trade & contract in the history of sports so far. Don't even get me started on Sanders and his myopic dad , and I just feel sorry for Gabriel being stuck in that QB room. It's a real shame because in my entire life I have never let a Browns fan that I didn't like. These people are dedicated Diehards , and they deserve a winner . On the bright side last years rookie class balled out. Not that long ago the Browns had the best O-Line in the league. Not anymore . The retirement of LT Joe Thomas, the injuries of RT Jack Conklin that led to him being released, and eventually the age & injuries of road grading RG Wyatt Teller , and LG Joel Bitonio possible retirement have led to a new re-vamped O-Line that doesn't look too promising so far. Even former ALL PTO Bitonio is past his prime anyway , but still soild , although he's a free agent as well as I write this . Plus even if Bitonio plays this year if he wants a ring he should go play somewhere else. Teller is on the Texans. Center Ethan Pocic will have to return from the dreaded Achilles injury  and that's not something you want to count on , but bringing in Elgton Jenkins to replace him is the one upgrade up front this off season in my opinion , and he may end up at guard. Former first rounders Zion Johnson will man one guard spot , but while he has been solid for the Chargers he has not lived up to his first round billing. Why the Browns traded with the Texans to acquire first round bust Tytus Howard ( and pay him 63 million over 3 years )  is beyond me, but he will probably be their RT . RG Tevin Jenkins is nasty and can run block, but he's also injury prone. Plus ENORMOUS( listed at 6"8" , 375 , but he looks bigger than that now )  LT Dawand Jones is coming off his 3rd straight year where he ended the season on IR with a lower body injury. I really wish that guy got down to about 340 and could stay healthy because he is hard to get around now, and it would be much harder at that weight. The Browns defense can still be pretty good if they aren't exhausted from being on the field all the time. Myles Garret is still the best edge in the game , and last years rookie's DT Mason Graham and LB Carson Schwesinger look like potential building blocks. They even have a couple of capable CB's in Ward and Campbell. Yet on offense rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. is they only guy I would say is a guaranteed part of the future right now. Slot WR Jerry Jeudy is capable from the slot only, but he seemed to be playing outside almost every time I watched him last season. So I expect they go offense at #6 , but whether its O-line or WR is debatable. My highest rated O-Lineman is Olaivaveage Ioane at # 7 but he is definitely a guard , and I doubt they will take him. Their is NO surefire LT in this draft, and definitely isn't one worth the 6th pick so unless the trade back I expect the pick to be WR , and Carnell Tate is the most versatile , reliable, and has the highest floor of any WR in this draft. However, I have them trading out at # 6 with Dallas, and taking Spencer Fano who can probably play all 5 positions , but I am not sure where they would most value him up front. Fano has been starting at OT at Utah since he was true freshman , but he was better the last 2 seasons when they flipped him over to the right side. That  doesn't  mean that he can't play left tackle because he was a true freshman when he was on the blind side , but I prefer him on the right if you're going to keep him outside. This guy can move , and he could also be one of the great pulling guards in the league if you run a Zone scheme , but I think his best position would be center.  Yes his arms are just over 32 inches long , but he keeps them inside more than most and that makes them longer, and he knows how to punch.  Also , his skill at combo blocks in the run game would play best at the pivot. I love the way he feints his hands to get the D-lineman to declare first , and then throws them like a counter puncher. Fano played in a run heavy scheme with a lot of extra TE's and even O-Lineman in the mix so real isolated pass pro reps are limited on his film. With Spencer's quickness , nimble feet , lateral agility , and flexibility combined with a rare ability to recover well if he's a little out of position I think he would be a good starting OT in the NFL anyway. It's just that he reminds me of Connor Williams who was a steady guard in Dallas but once he went to Miami he became a legitimate Pro Bowl Center. This guy could cover Jason Kelce / Tyler Linderbaum type ground from the center position. They ran behind him all the time so he can displace or turn defenders off the line of scrimmage well, and he plays mean , but lacks the power to maul bigger defenders. His balance anywhere on the field is elite, and that combined with his well placed and timed hands is why I can see so many teams would want to keep him outside , but he needs more strength to improve his anchor , and the NFL is full of stronger guys who play lower to test that anchor on the regular. When you watch the Texas Tech game and David Bailey and Romelo Height are getting under him you see that anchor being tested , and him losing enough that he gave up the inside more than he should have, and that spin move was deadly. Yet he still flashed that ability to recover multiple times. I gave him a 1rst round grade, and he is the 13th player on my board, but man would I LOVE to see him play center where his skill at combo blocks , and then climbing to the 2nd level could be special . 

13.RAMS-(atl)- MAKAI LEMON - WR - USC - 5"11" , 192

NFL PLAYER COMP - AMON RA ST. BROWN  

The Rams are ALL IN again , and trading for ace CB Trent Mcduffie shows that the " F them picks " strategy is still in play in LA. In fact the Rams decimated the Chiefs corner back room because in addition to trading for Mcduffie they also signed away another of KC's good CB's as Jaylon Watson came over in free agency. The Rams also resigned hard charging safety Kam Curl. So the defense looks ready to go. The Rams look like the favorite in the NFC if the not the entire league right now , but Puka Nacua's rehab , and serious assault allegations hang over the franchise. I get that they need a WR , but they have decent shot of getting a big west coast offense briuiser WR at #61, and very little chance of finding a RT there. Germie Bernard might be gone by the, but Malachi Fields , De'Zhaun Stribling , or at least Elijah Sarratt should be still be available at pick. One of them could even fall tot their 3rd round (#93) selection. I love Makia Lemon , and I  think he would kill it in this offense, but there probably won't be a startable rookie OT available at their 2nd selection. Plus the Rams O-Line is full of potential free agents . So is the D-Line too. If Spencer Fano makes it to #13 that's who I would take , but this is MOCK draft where I am predicting who I think they actually will take. He has great hands , although because of his size his catch radius can be a little limited. Lemon catches the ball in stride with strong hands and runs with some power , but he's not the consistent take it the house threat I expected from a guy who returns kicks & punts like he does. He is also much stronger than his size and can win the contested catch much more than your average size guy usually does. Makai has good , but not great speed , but he is very quick in the short area. Lemon is also a smart savvy route runner who knows how to manipulate and set up defenders ,  pays attention to his QB's needs , and will get in his eye line when there is a scramble drill. Their will be some adjustment because of the RPO heavy offense he is coming out of , but the guy is so smart that I don't think it will take long for him to acclimate to the NFL. He's a true competitor and every team would want a guy who plays this hard. I am not saying it will happen but if they could move back  little and still get Lemon , Omar Cooper , Denzel Boston, or even Kenyon Sadiq who could play WR it could help their teams depth , and chances of winning it all this season . Just to be clear - No I can;t see them drafting Ty Simpson unless he miraculously falls into the 50's and then they trade up. This team is  ALL IN now, and I think Stafford & Mcvay are just staying for one last ride. 

14.RAVENS -  OLAIVAVEGA IOANE - G - PENN ST.- 6"4" , 320

NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID DECASTRO - retired

The Ravens have a lot more needs than I expected after free agency shook out. I don't agree with letting John Harbaugh go , but since the Ravens are one of the very few consistently well run franchises in the NFL I won't say any more about that because I am sure there is a lot I don't know about the situation. I will say that when Lamar Jackson is healthy this team is dangerous , but since he only weighs about 205 now that's a big risk. New head coach Jesse Minter is a Defensive guy , and I don't think its's a coincidence that he is another of Jim Harbaugh's former Michigan and Chargers DC's as their former Ravens DC Mike Mcdonald was also a Jim Harbaugh Michigan DC who left them to take the Seahawks job and just won the Superbowl.  Since the Raiders are rebuilding getting 2 first rounders from the Ravens for Maxx Crosby seemed like a decent idea because they are at least 3 seasons away from seriously contending , and Crosby will be 32 by then. I am not sure it was the right thing for a team with as many needs as the Ravens had, especially along the O-Line.  Fear not Ravens fans. Apparently Crosby "failed " his physical , and while word has gotten around that its probably legit many suspect that The Ravens were bitter about Vegas signing away their studly agile center TYLER LINDERBAUM ! Right now I believe Tyler is the 2nd best center in the league ,and he's only turning 26 this year. That means he is just entering his prime to me , and who knows ? It's possible that he could surpass Creed Humphrey to become the top pivot in the NFL someday. I can't believe the Ravens let a true premium player leave without anything more than late 3rd round comp pick as compensation , and at the 2nd most important position on the O-Line. They did sign Trey Hendrickson away from the division rival Bengals, and he just cost them money so its better for their franchise in the short term . The Ravens also lost TE Isiah Likely , who has been waiting to breakout , to Harbaugh's new team. Undervalued blocking TE Charlie Kolar is gone as well, but Durham Smythe can at least do a passable immitation of Kolar. Nope this team had NO free agent signings of note , and they need another TE who can block better than Mark Andrews who is primarily a big slot . New OC Declan Doyle will run a lot of RPO's in the run game , but this team needs more pass catchers and its better if they are bigger guys. Slot receiver Zay Flowers has a small catch radius and he is their primary WR  ,and RaShod Bateman has never lived up to his 1rst round draft status. Plus when Lamar misses its usually high . So a bigger outside WR like Jordan Tyson , or maybe Denzel Boston if they trade back could be a fit. Or TE Kenyon Sadiq fits , but I think they need to shore up their interior O-line first. Spencer Fano looks like he would make a great transition to center to upgrade over Danny Pinter, but he could also be a great pulling guard to replace Andrew Vorhees with his movement skills. Or he could maybe kick over to the LT spot and replace Ronnie Stanley in a few years. Not to mention Olaivavge Ioane would slot right into Vorhees spot at LG , and upgrade that position on day one. On defense they have an Ace in ALL WORLD safety Kyle Hamilton and some interesting young players in CB Nate Wiggins , safety Malaki Starks , edge Mike Green , and vets NT Travis Jones and LB Roquan Smith. Yet DT Nnamdi Madubuike is a question mark after surgery. Another edge rusher or maybe for a replacement for Nnmadi are their only possible big needs on defense, but unless they really love and edge rusher that ( Rueben Bain ? ) falls to them I expect their first pick to be on offense.  As an old Offensive Lineman I can tell you that our main job is to move another man against his will. Vega is the best at this all important skill in this draft, and he just displaces defender a the line of scrimmage. Once he latches on and explodes his hips you are going wherever he wants you to go. He's a big strong thickly built  dude , but he moves well enough to get to the 2nd level on combo blocks. Left guard is where he usually played , and if it's not broke don't fix it , but if you an entrenched vet at LG he has played on the right side some. In pass pro this guy hasn't given up a sack in 2 years, and you will pass reps where he barely moves and everyone else on his line is being pushed back or just getting beaten through a shoulder or gap. So if you are old enough to know what cup blocking is the cup is destroyed because he is still near the line of scrimmage by himself, and everybody else is losing depth. I can count on one hand the snaps where he gave up pressure during the 8 games I broke down on him. He just grabs guys and manhandles them run or pass, and his punch is fierce and jarring. As for weaknesses his feet are a tad heavy , and his quickness is just average, but good enough in a phone booth so just don't make the splits too wide. To sum him up Vega's means streak is deep and wide, and he fits the Ravens to a tee. Derek Henry and Lamar Jackson should jointly pick him up at the airport , and make a new best friend of their incoming protector. 

15.TAMPA BAY -  AKHEEM MESIDOR - DL - MIAMI- 6"3" , 260

NFL PLAYER COMP - LAIATU LATU - COLTS

It's a bummer when a franchise ICON like Mike Evans can't finish his career in Tampa Bay , but without the salary cap half the teams in the league wouldn't have chance every year just like in Baseball. I wonder if they regret giving Chris Godwin that extension because he is injury prone , and he's usually only effective from the slot. Criminally underrated off the ball LB Lavonte David also retired, and they replaced his consistency with Alex Anzolone ? DT Axhawn Robinson for 10 million this year seems excessive for a guy past his prime heading into he his 11th season , especially because this DT class has a lot of cheaper guys that you can get in the late 2nd early 3rd who can fill that role. The only off season moves I have liked for the Bics so far is re-signing bog Y Tight End Cade Otton to a reasonable contract extension , and getting versatile veteran RB Kenny Gainwell to spell Bucky Irving. The Bucs biggest need are edge , off the bal LB, and maybe another WR or DT. Edge is my biggest worry, but of Vega Ioane falls to them they should snag him. The Bucs haven't had a double digit sack edge rusher since Shaq Barrett in 2021 , and they have drafted edge's high that haven't worked out like Joe Tryon ( 1rst in 2021 )  and Logan Hall  ( top of the 2nd in 2022).  Their 2023 third rounder Yaya Diaby , and his 7 sacks last year , is the best they have right now. I gave them Mesidor because despite being 3 years older than your average 1rst rounder he is polished , has a great motor , has a high floor, and is ready to play now. He's a 6th year senior who will be a 25 year old rookie , but he should be able to hit the ground running right out of the gate in the NFL. Despite his old school size and strength as a edge setter he also rushes standing up from the outside at 280 pounds , although he showed up a the combine at 260 probably to run the 40 faster . It's very possible he can give early production similar to Braden Fiske of the Rams with his level of experience and polish , but more on the outside .  Freaking love the motor and wide array of pass rush moves too. In fact he is a better pure pass rusher than Bain is right now. He can also kick inside and rush the passer well. He is solid against the run , and makes his fair share of plays there , but he needs to be more disciplined and responsible setting the edge , and his ability to shed isn't consistent. He's a day one plug and play starter disruptive & productive starter , but he is also probably near his ceiling already. Age & some past injuries would normally keep him out of the first round , but he could come off the board as high has pick #11 this year , and I can't see him falling to the 2nd in this draft because he gives teams a measure of certainty in a draft long on potential , and short in sure things to help today. 

16.JETS-(colts)-  OMAR COOPER JR. - WR - INDIANA - 6 ft.  , 199

NFL PLAYER COMP - PERCY HARVIN - retired

Cooper has great hands , although because of his size his catch radius can be a little limited, but he's great after the catch and has low 4.4 speed. He is also much stronger than his size , and can win the contested catch much more than your average size guy usually does. While Cooper has good top speed , and good initial quickness ,  he still needs to sink better to improve his ability to explode out of the break. Omar is also a smart savvy route runner who knows how to manipulate and set up defenders ,  pays attention to his QB's needs , and will get in his eye line when there is a scramble drill. Plus he knows how to run the hole in the zone. He plays inside & out about equally this season on tape , but the slot is where he excels. He is a willing blocker , and gives consistent effort there, but he isn't the killer that Lemon is from the slot. There will be some adjustment because of the RPO heavy offense he is coming out of , but the guy is so smart that I don't think it won't take long for him to acclimate to the NFL. He's a true competitor and every team would want a guy who plays this hard.

17.LIONS -  KADYN PROCTOR - T/G - ALABAMA - 6"7" , 352

NFL PLAYER COMP - MEKHI BECTON - CHARGERS 

The Lions had been a legit Superbowl contender , but they had a lot of injuries in 2025, their new play caller didn't work out , and their O-Line that was previously one of the leagues best also really missed the retired Frank Ragnow at center. So a 9-8 season where they missed the playoffs was the result. I am somebody who believes that the Lions can win with Jared Goff, but he lacks mobility so he has to be protected, and that means a OT is a must. Solid long term starting LT Taylor Decker's play took a dip as well last season , but I didn't expect a team that still believes they are in a championship window to let him go when he said he was coming back for another year. Detroit is up against the cap , but I didn't see that coming because he has been a reliable protector for that team for over a decade. Whether they flip Penei Sewell over to the left side & draft a RT , or if they decide to draft or sign a guy to play LT is up to them, but if they want to win replacing Decker is their biggest need. Getting a center and edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson are also big needs. Trading for C/G Juice Scruggs just looks like an interior depth guy up front at best.  I would take Monroe Freeling here, and leave Sewell at RT , but all the buzz is that they want the huge Proctor. He started at Left tackle for 3 years at a premier program, but his feet , hand placement on just decent arm length for an OT,  and quickness don't match what I want in a blindside protector. I really didn't like his tape in pass pro this season because he gave up the inside so much , and that he could get a QB killed , but if you move him guard he might be a much better player. Plus usually big guys struggle with their feet getting to wide, but his base is too narrow right now , and that affects his balance and ability to recover.  Yet he's not a natural knee bender who consistently plays low so it might take some time for him to adjust in the run game where DT's are usually shorter and play with better leverage . I heard that he is working with Duke Merriweather, and his issues with pass sets are fixable so hopefully he gets it right. However , he played at Alabama so he was getting good coaching already. He's Godzilla strong on tape in the run game at times. Any human being this big is just hard to get around to get around and his pass blocking should improve exponentially in a phone booth. Yet his weight could be an issue as it has been unstable from year to year , and guys that struggle keeping their weight in check tend to need constant monitoring . Plus even though he played better this season his film just didn't improve enough from 2024 to 2025 for me to see him as a 1rst rounder. He isn't in my top 32 as a tackle , and that's where I see a team playing him for at least a year or 2, but if I was confident he could play lower in the run game on the inside I would have him in my top 20. Yet I still wouldn't give him a 1rst round grade. 

***TRADE*** The EAGLES TRADE their 1rst ( #23)  AND 3rd rounders (#98)  To The VIKINGS for the 1rst (#18) rounder ***TRADE***

18.EAGLES-(minn) -MONROE FREELING - OT - GEORGIA- 6"7" , 315 

NFL PLAYER COMP - NATE SOLDER - retired

The Eagles are one of , if not the absolute most well run organizations in the NFL. They planned well for the future drafting to ward off the free agent exodus following their most recent Superbowl win , but their roster was still raided of proven veteran players and coaches. Turnover takes time to adjust to and even the best GM's don;t hit above 50 to 60 percent in the first 3 rounds. Not to mention that Jalen Hurts has a new OC every year , and last years made their offense boring & predictable, and with Saquon coming off a ZILLION touches the previous year he wasn't full himself , except in spurts. Couple all that with the injuries and turnover on the once best O-Line in the league and you can see the problem. Also lets not forget AJ Brown clearly wants out , and while I usually think players are too whiny in these situations it might be best for all concerned to trade him if you can get a late first . Moving on from there new Eagles OC Sean Mannion was a NFL QB himself not that long ago , and hopefully he can get this offense running tailored to Hurts strengths . This off season the birds upgraded at backup QB with Andy Dalton . Then they brought in a couple of talented undersized WR's in Hollywood Brown & Elijah Moore. Super long , fast , and toolsy CB Tariq Woolen is a lottery ticket. His inconsistency is legendary for such a short career, and the fact that the Champs let a 6"4' , 210 pound corner who runs a sub 4.3 forty leave is telling , but I have also seen him shut down big name WR's at times earlier in his career in Seattle. A 12 million one year guarantee on a guy that talented coming off a down season who is betting on himself to see if he can get a big long term deal next off season is a gamble I can get behind. The eagles biggest need is a long teh O-Line where age or injuries has limited RT Lane Johnson & guard Landon Dickerson recently , but a safety , another CB , edge , and WR are also in the mix. Plus if the trade AJ that need goes to #2 with a bullet.   i have never before watched an offensive tackle Prospect that had so many bad snaps on tape that I expected to go in the first round , but that's Freeling . He has the tools ,  traits and length that you want in a blind side protector but he's still learning how to put it all together. On the bright side he got better is the year went on any with absolutely spectacular in the athletic testing at the combine.  Monroe still needs to get stronger , and he gained a lot of weight since he got to college , but his biggest issue right now is that his hands are too wide too often.  He's still an inexperienced and his technique needs more polish,  but of all the offensive tackles in this draft he's the one I think has the best chance to become a good starting left tackle.  When things are going well his best reps make things look easy on tape and he has enough aggression to get it done but he's not a natural mauler.  A guy with his feet , quickness , athleticism , and flexibility should be a bigger threat at the second level than he is right now , and in the future I expect he will get there. Monroe is ideally suited for a zone heavy run scheme down the road he should be a good blind side protector if given the time to fully develop ,  but he only has 18 starts right now , and he still settling into his new bigger body . 

19.CAROLINA - BLAKE MILLER - OT - CLEMSON- 6"7" , 317

NFL PLATER COMP - COLTON MCKIVITZ - 49ers

The Panthers actually won their division and made the playoffs last season ,and that's With Bryce Young;s limitations holding them back some. Their running ame was the key with the duo of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard leading the way. With Ekim Ekwonu trying to come back from knee surgery the Panthers needed a new blindside protector , and they signed former Packers LT Rasheed Walker to a one year bargain deal that floored me because it was so comparatively cheap compared to other starting OT's. Tye also brought in a good young off the ball LB in Devin Lloyd who might be the first above average starter they have had in the middle since future HOFer Luke Kuechly retired. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips joined him on a pricey 4 year 120 million deal too. Even super talented former top 10 bust Isaiah Simmons LB/S is in town ,and maybe they can learn to use him better than the Cardinals did. Former 1rst round QB Kenny Pickett is on his 4th team in 5 years , and should backup Bryce. I still think this team needs a true # 1 TE receiving target that separates better , but it needs to be a guy with height because short QB's like Young need someone they can see behind the O-Line that dwarfs them. I am not sure if that rules out Sadiq because of his lack of typical TE height, but he could always play him in the slot. SO a OT, a pass catcher TE , a safety , and maybe an interior O-Lineman are their primary needs. Yet another CB or edge rusher is always needed. I don't like Miller as much as the rest of the world. That doesn't mean he can't be a starting RT in the NFL , but just that I see him as solid instead of as a plus player. He catches too many blocks instead of striking , and while he plays with the mean streak it only works well against smaller weaker defenders. I have been watching him for 4 years , and expecting him to get stronger than he did over that time, and I expected Miller to become better at imposing his will across the board, but in the run game he looks more like a bully who picks on the weaker kids when gets exposed when the bigger stringer kids stand up to him. He was a 4 year starter at RT , and he has the 34 plus inch arms you want , but his improvement from year to year was more incremental instead of the big jump I was hoping for in his final year. Although you could say that every Clemson player in this draft either played worse , the same , or just only improved slightly in 2025. He's more of a steady blocker in pass pro who just loses slowly than a guy who controls the rusher. Blake is quick out of his stance initially but he also struggles with speed outside because his hands lack accuracy on the punch , and consequently he doesn't consistently throw them with enough force.  His anchor is solid when he bends his knees , but he plays upright more than you would expect for such a smart experienced player. He competes and he's durable , but he should be better than he is right now considering his extensive body of work in college. He's 39th on my board, with a solid 2nd round grade, and I think he will play a long time in the NFL . However,  right now he's not a guy I would project to be a OT I would want to fork out a big second contract to when he hits free agency . When guys as bad as Dan Moore are getting the big bucks in free agency , and a player like this could command big money from a desperate team 5 years from now , but if I give a O-Lineman a first round grade it's because I am projecting him to be a plus player by then.  I just dont see that with Miller. 

20.BROWNS-(dall,gb)-DENZEL BOSTON- WR -WASHINGTON- 6"4" , 212

NFL PLAYER COMP - COURTLAND SUTTON - BRONCOS

Boston is a big , physical , and surprisingly a pretty nimble route runner for such a big guy . He has prototypical outside X wideout size, with a wide catch radius , and a strong handed my ball mentality. Some guys you watch , and instantly like , and Boston is one of those guys for me, but then he didn't run ( at either the combine or at his Pro Day )  and that pissed me off enough to push him back down my board. I don't like it if ANYONE decides to skip any parts of the combine. Even Crystal clear players like Marvin Harrison JR, or Caleb Downs who's game film loudly proclaims their awesomeness irk me by nit running. Boston is a big long strider , and even if he ran in the high 4.5's or in the low 4.6's like I was expecting I might have given him a first round grade , BUT NOT RUNNING AT ALL MAKES ME BELIEVE IT'S HIGHER.  This guy only has 2 years as a starter , has easily seen weaknesses, and it's not like his stats are spectacular. Denzel didn't even have a 1,000 yard season in either year he started at Washington. However, after I watched 40 WR's I had to admit that he ended up my 6th WR overall, 26th on my overall board, and I gave him a solid 2nd round grade. But if he had the guts to run , and it was say a 4.55 or under I might have put him in the 1rst , because his potential is sky high. Yes I am pretty sure he was just listening to his agent , but that guys a lawyer , and I don't trust lawyers as mater of common sense. These are people ( and I use the term loosely ) that don't tend to believe in pesky little things like facts, but instead whatever B.S, the can convince you to believe so that they can get leverage over you. This guy is fierce beating the jam off the line of scrimmage , good at hand fighting down the field & at the catch point , can light guys up as a blocker when he wants to, was a captain last year , is a powerful tackle breaking runner after the catch , can play well as a power slot well, can go up and get it winning jump balls and contested catches.Yet Boston is not a big separator , takes while to transition out of his breaks ( hence why so many contested catches ) , and he doesn't always track the ball well down the field. Boston is an ideal fit in west coast offense, and he has the ability to end up as #1 WR in the right offense.

21.STEELERS - JERMOD MCCOY - ** - CB - TENNESEE - 6"1" , 188

NFL PLAYER COMP - STEPHON GILMORE - retired

The Steekrs moved on from Mike Tomlin , which is monumentally stupid in my opinion, but at Mike Mccarthy is a proven winner with a ring working with Aaron Rodgers. Plus he's a Pittsburgh guy , and he had three 12-5 seasons in a row for Dallas very recently. The main problem is that most of the Steelers best players are older than you like for franchise cornerstones. Immortal Cam Heyward is still at the top of his game, but father time is undefeated .TJ Watt is past his prime , and injury prone , was NOT worth his 40 plus million price tag last season , and will turn 32 this year.  Safety Jalen Ramsey is well past his prime, and his near 20 million salary is also bloated for his current production .  Even this late career jittery " DON'T HIT ME " version of Aaron Rodgers ( who still hasn't publicly said he's coming back on the eve of the draft) is REALLY OLD , and who is apparently fragile now based on him getting rid of the ball too early when he sniffs even a whiff of pressure. DJ  is their only semi worrisome receiving threat too , but bringing in Michael Pittman works great  to alleviate that problem. Big CB Jamel Dean helps too , and they didn't overpay for him. I love the Rico Dowdle signing for only 2 yeast at just over 12 million , and Mccarthy knows him well from their joint time in Dallas. This team needs a safety , maybe an edge , a OT because of LR Broderick Jones neck injury,  a guard to replace Issac Seumalo, another CB , probably another DT / 5 technique , and definitely a future QB. I don't know if they would stealth take Ty Simpson considering the failed Kenny Pickett experiment , and they have put it out there that they like former Ohio St. QB Will Howard who they took in the 6th last year. I am not in that building , but I take the narrative that last years 6th round QB , who has never taken a snap in the NFL is a deterrent to drafting ANYONE as ludicrous. Plus they had 4 QB's in for a team visit , and Simpson isn't one of them.  I would take Dillon Thieneman here, but they didn't bring him in for a visit , but they did have Emmanel Mcneil Warren in for a visit , but I think this is too high for him. I am giving them Mccoy because he fell farther than he should ,  every team needs more corners , and if he is fully healthy in 2026 this is a steal.  Mccoy's 2024 tape is great , and he looked like the potentially best man cover CB to be available in the 2025 draft that could even go top 5, but then he got a torn ACL. He never played this year , and even though he returned to practice late in the season at some point he never returned to game action in 2025. Since Tennessee was out of the playoff picture by that point this is one of those times that I don't feel the need  what amount to a  business decision .  Yet he didn't workout at the combine , which is a red flag. Yes he ran later at his Pro Day , and he was still somewhere between a low to high 4.3 depending on the individual stop watch of the scout , but he didn't look fluid in the drills. Now it could be mental because it takes time for most people to trust in their injured body part coming back from a major injury. I have had a LOT of physical therapy over the last 10 years so I get it. Or it could be that he isn't fully healed despite the protestations of Mccoy & his agent , and the rumors making the rounds over the last few years of the pre-draft process is that it could be a degenerative thing that might limit his long term availability. That's why he won't go top 10 , but I expect he won't last much longer unless the doctors tell you no. In coverage he is very physical , and he also gets grabby at time when the receiver his coming out of his break, but he also makes a lot of plays on the ball. He mans up against the run too , and I love CB's who can tackle. Jermod also has good size and length as well. He is pretty solid in zone too , and you can see his football IQ is good enough there, but it's still better in man. This will be a team by team thing on where he will be on the board, but Will Johnson feel to he 2nd round last year , and he had more starts & tape than Mccoy. Shavon Revel fell to the 3rd. Although I'm still betting that Mccoy goes in the first because he is just one of 2 CB's that has first round tape in this draft. 

22.CHARGERS - KELDRICK FAULK - DE/DT - AUBURN - 6"6" , 277

NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID IRVING - retired

The biggest free agent addition for the Chargers was center Tyler Biadasz , but he's just a steady guy so far . He's an average type center that I would be looking to upgrade ,but with all the Chargers injuries up front I get wanting someone sturdy & durable , but there is a reason both Dallas & Washington let him leave in free agency. Blocking TE Charlie Koalrwas brought in from Baltimore as well and he fits this offense. His best trait to me is that he will defend his QB if anybody takes liberties. I see the Chargers as being in a Championship window if they can protect Justin Herbert. Other than re-signjng Khalil " The Badass " Mack to a one year deal there were no there were no there moves that can be seen as positive. They lost former 1rst round guard Zion Johnson to the browns in free agency , but he was just steady , and hasn't lived up to his talent yet. Losing edge Odaye Oweh to Washington hurt s, and edge is need considering both of their starting edges are free agent after the year. A better swing tackle considering that both of their great OT's are coming off injuries should be a priority so I wouldn't be surprised if they doubled up along the O-Line. Plus steady versatile guard/tackle Jamaree Salyer was allowed to leave on the cheap. Safety of the future should be a priority well because stud Derwin James is a free agent after the year , and he will be 30. I would trade up for Vega Ioane , but the Charger don't have a lot of picks  and he is gone in this situation. The Chargers run a 3-4 base defense , and Keldrick Faulk could help them a 3-4 end and as a strong side 4-3 end. He is incredibly toolsy. Faulk has a prototype long powerful frame that could easily carry 290-300 pounds of muscle,ad a pretty deep toolbox of pass rush moves  and he has a good motor. I can't see a guy like this falling out of the first, and while he needs a lot of work on the nuances of rushing the passer Faulk is a powerful force against the run now. I would like to see him bulked up and try him more as a 3 technique . He also has to learn to consistently go through the shoulder off the edge instead of trying to go around so much because he is too big and doesn't have the quickness to corner like that.  I am convinced that on the advice of agents he got lighter to run at the combine . That's normal enough these days , but trying to make a guy that doesn't have the burst for it into a speed rusher is dumb. He should lean into his size , and realize that he is a interior player. Add more violence to your game lad , and reserve the gentle giant stuff for off the field. DT or 5 technique is where his best work will get done in the NFL. This guys potential is amazing , and I just can't see him getting out of the first round despite a lack of stat sheet production , because I know many teams will see it the same way as me. This guy isn't even old enough to legally drink yet, 

23.VIKINGS-(Phil)-  DILLION THIENEMAN - S - OREGON- 6 ft. , 201

NFL PLAYER COMP - JESSIE BATES - FALCONS

Vikings center Ryan Kelly was having a good season last year before concussions again interrupted his career, and he is now retiring this off season. Even with his lack of height , love of video games, and injuries Kyler Murray is big step up from JJ Mccarthy at QB. Plus they got him for the league minimum . So since Kyler is playing for them on the Cardinals dime this season QB isn't the immediate need you might need , but O'connel is great with QB's . DT is also a big need because both of their high salaries veteran DT's Allen & Hargrave are also gone. Safety too because Harrison Smith can't keep this up forever , and he is well past his prime. I am giving them Thienemen because he is the highest rated player left on my board by a lot,  and he fills a need.  Dillon has smooth fluid hips like a good corner , and he has sideline to sideline range. He can play high or low ,  cover well one on one out of the slot , and he as the explosive speed and range to allow you to play him anywhere. When you have an innovative DC like Flores giving him this kind of versatile chess piece can have great result, especially because this scheme is so changeable game to game , and even play to play. He needs some more work staying in phase down the field , but he is young and has been a very productive starter for 3 years at a premium college program . He's also a little undersized , but the NFL has gone away from big hitting a safety's over the last decade , but he is still physical enough to do the job. 

***TRADE*** The DOLPHINS TRADE the 1rst (#30) and 3rd (#94) ROUNDERS they have from the BRONCOS (#30) to the BROWNS for the 1rst (#24) they have from the JAGUARS *** TRADE

24.MIAMI-(clev,Jax) - KENYON SADIQ - TE - OREGON- 6"3" , 241

NFL PLAYER COMP - ERNON DAVIS - retired

Sadiq is a explosive athlete that I would want to get the ball to far more often than he got it at Oregon especially in space. He is undersized fir a inline Y tight end , but he played there about a 3rd of the time this year , and gives good effort even tas a run blocker even though his technique needs work there. He is short for a TE but strong and I am in the minority who believe he can hang when he is lined up attached there if he just keep his hands more inside and stopped lunging forward before he has his hands right. With his strength & effort he puts into it if his hands were consistently inside and he's low he could move guys regularly if he explodes his hips and then starts driving his feet . I'm not as sure about his ability to pass block , but he as the agility to mirror and he needs to punch better. His blocking on the move , whether as a fullback down the field is much more impressive right now. As a receiver he is a mismatch weapon everywhere in the field, but especially against man, and he has the speed to take it to the house every play. Watching his tape, and being frustrated with how little they used him to exploit the seam in the middle of the field was very frustrating. He shows string hands and a wide catch radius , but also the occasional  tendency to start to run before he secures the catch at time which led to some drops. You se gum make some good decisions in zone , but he isn't as experienced at getting open there , The versatility of this guy and the super chess piece you could use him as if you take the time is impressive. In addition to the obvious Y &  move TE snaps , he can be split out wide , and play out of the backfield like a traditional fullback. 

25.BEARS-EMMANUEL MCNEIL-WARREN - S - TOLEDO - 6"4" , 201

NFL PLAYER COMP - DERWIN JAMES - CHARGERS

27 year old Drew Dalman just up and retired after a good season and is walking away from a lot of money left on his contract for unspecified health reasons. They then made a trade to get veteran pivot Garrett Bradbury as a result. Bradbury is about 4 years older and not near as good as Dalman , but he has started a lot of games in the NFL. He mostly struggles with the bigger stronger Nose Tackles. Still a bummer though because  the Bears have just entered a Championship window ,and Dalman was a plus starter. They lost 2 safeties in Kevin Byard  & Jaquan Brisker, but they did bring in the steady Coby Bryanmt at 3 yeast 40 million. They didn't;t have any other big additions, but letting big & talented Tremaine LB Edmunds go didn't phase me because he is laps inconsistent and not worth the 12 million a year the Giants payed him. I thought getting a 2nd for DJ Moore is a good deal for both teams because they didn't fully appreciate him , and Josh Allen surely will. DT , edge, safety , CB , and maybe an extra OT or WR seem like the best choices here. I would take Kayden Mcdonald, but I doubt they do. Warren is small school, toolsy height , weight , speed prospect that has limitless potential . His level of consistent competition is a legitimate worry , but he looked pretty good against Kentucky. Warren can be the kind of big rangy safety that can erase TE's ,  punish ball carriers , and commence forcing the ball out. He needs to learn to temper his aggression because he will take the cheese more than he should , and overruns some tackles, but if he takes to NFL coaching this guy could be intimidating force in the box like Derwin James . Guys who separate the ball from the ball carrier are always in demand and he goes for it. He's not a free a safety type right now, and he doesn't have the hip flexibility to currently stick with shiftier guys for long , but I am comfortable with putting him on TE's and bigger box out receivers right now. 

***TRADE*** The CARDINALS TRADE their 2nd  (#34) and 3rd (#65) ROUNDERS to the BILLS for their 1rst (#26) and 3rd (#91) rounders  ***TRADE***

26.ARIZONA-(buff)- TY SIMPSON - QB - ALABAMA 6"1" , 211

NFL PLAYER COMP - BROCK PURDY - 49ers

In the opening week of the season in 2025 I was worried about Simpson because Florida ST. was confusing him pretty well, but he didn't play badly , and at least he didn't have any picks. He seemed to learn from it , and for the rest of the first two thirds of the season Simpson had better tape than Fernando Mendoza , but I then Ty got hurt & then sick , and his play declined. He was reportedly offered 6.5 million to stay in school and transfer to Miami for one more year.  Simpson obviously turned it down , but he should have taken the money and went back to school because he only has 15 starts in college and no one with 15 starts in college as ever become an elite quarterback. I get that he waited 3 years at Alabama for his time tocome . I also get that he'll probably go in the first round this year , and that next year's quarterback Class is loaded , and that he could gr lost in the weeds of 2027 draft. But I think he's stunting his own long term development. On the bright side he's the son of a coach with a great football brain. He's a fast processor who understands levels of the defense , touch , and throwing guys open. All that is true ,  and if you makes it in the NFL it'll be because of his football IQ & leadership , and intangibles instead of  his physical tools . However he's also an undersized quarterback with substandard measurables and physical gifts.  Ty is  barely over 6"1" , and he only weighs about 211 lb. Simpson also has a below average arm for the NFL. He could have pocketed that 6.5 million , spent a million and half, and lived off the interest from that 5 million for the rest of his life no matter what happens later.  He could have worked on his deficiencies , and  trying to strengthen his arm , and maybe at draft time he looks more stout with a Russell Wilson or Baker Mayfield physique heading into the NFL. Then maybe he puts out better tape at the end of the year compared to how he finished of the 2025 campaign. Not to mention he could have challenged for a national championship with a team that was the runner-up this year.  The team's interested in him are going to be the Shanahan /McVay West Coast offense types , and they're still going to be interested in him next year. 

27.S.F. 49ers -  CALEB LOMU - OT - UTAH- 6"6" ,  313

NFL PLAYER COMP - ROGER ROSENGARTEN - RAVENS

The 49ers missed their Championship window recently , but it appears that they might have started a new one next season , but so many questions came to mind omc e I did a deep dive on their team for this write up? Will this defense hold up without Robert Selah running it? How much will the massive amount of touches affect Mccaffrey in 2026. How much does Mike Evans have left , or Kittle, or Trent Williams? Will Fred Warner still be so fluid coming off a serious ankle injury in the his age 30 season. Is Nick Bosa going to be the same superstar at age 29 coming off his 2nd ACL tear in 6 years? Will tough guy possession WR , and beast of a blocker Jauan Jennings be brought back after the draft ? Do they have the pass rush to get it done ? Will their 2025 first rounder Mykell Wililams have more than one sack this season ? Or maybe you hope that Bryce Huff returns to his 2023 form back in the day with the Jets ?  Will this team be be better at stopping the run in 2026 ? That's a lot of questions for a team coming off a 12 game winning season , and that team actually won a playoff game before losing a close one at Philly in the Divisional round. Now that Purdy is being paid like legit starter their margin for error is smaller. Other than bringing in Evans , a crafty trade for 3 technique Odigihizuwa , and bringing back Dre Greenlaw after a year away in Denver they didn't have any significant signings. Those are all quality moves though, but they have late picks in the 1rst & 2nd rounds, and no 3rd , but four in the 4th round. No more picks after that , and all these picks need to count if they really are heading back into legit Superbowl contention. I gave them Lomu because Trent Williams is old. Yes he will turn 38 this season , and while he was still a top 5 OT last year his once vaunted ability to recover showed some cracks last season , and he had a legit hammy injury. Lomu is smart & smooth on the outside , and his hands improved last season . Yet he is also under powered ,and plays too high too often.  So he needs to hit the weight's , especially the squat rack , and bend his knees better. Plus even though he has quick feet his pass sets are inconsistent. Luckily for him the 49ers are great at coaching O-Lineman. 

28.TEXANS - MAX IHEANACHOR - OT - AZ. ST.- 6"6" , 321

NFL  PLAYER COMP - ERIC WINSTON - retired

The Texans O-Line was straight terrible last year. CJ Stroud started to get happy feet under the pressure , Joe Mixon never even played and was released early in the off season. The defense was great though , and I expect it will continue to be top tier. T/G Tyrus Howard was average at best , even when playing guard , but trading away O-Lineman when the cupboard is already bare makes little sense to me. They also traded G/C Juice Scruggs to the Lions early this off season. Not that either of those guys is a good starter , but at the very least they are ditching their veteran depth up front on a already crappy O-Line. On the bright side they have spent the off season trying focus on just that , but the results are still more of a quantity over quality scenario in my mind right now . Safety Jimmie ward being released was a given. He didn't play last year , and he needs to worry more about potential jail time instead of Football right now. I like the David Montgomery trade because at least they have a quality veteran to team with rookie Woody Marks. Nick Chubb was the best pure runner in the league a few years back , but at his age , and after his 2nd knee reconstruction he looked past it in 2025. Resigning reliable TE Dalton Schultz and Stud edge rusher Danielle Hunter were great moves in my book. re-signing mammoth OT Trent Brown is a wildcard. He can play well at times, but his age & injury history are a stopgap at best in my opinion. Veteran Braden Smith will probably man the RT or RG spot , and he is still solid, if past his past his prime, has missed a lot of games over the last 3 seasons , and looks to be on the decline at 30.  Joining the vets Brown & Smith are last years two 2nd rounders Aireontae Ersery & Blake Fisher . The rookies are both young & talented so there is hope , and they actually have a decent mix of young project-able talent and veterans up front now , but I just really would have preferred that they had never traded away Laremy Tunsil. They need guys up front that will give the RB's some room , AND still allow Stroud to calm down . Both , not one or the other.  Incoming free agent guard Ed Ingram should help in the run game some , but I don't like him in pass protection. Same thing with new guard Wyatt Teller. In his prime he was a road grading drive blocker in Cleveland , but he has been in the decline over the last couple of years , and his pass protection isn't anything to write home about.  DT , of the ball LB , and maybe move TE are also needs , but O-line should STILL be the priority this off season. Iheanachor is an ultra athletic raw OT prospect who did not distract playing football until he got to college. He's still learning and he grabs not just when beat , but sometimes because he looks confused . This former basketball player has ingrained means streak , physicality , and the aggression you need to succeed in the NFL. I don't like finesse and/or under-powered O-Lineman. You often can tell on tape without knowing before hand that guy is former TE , and with the exception of Lane Johnson at Oklahoma most of those guys reveal themselves because they are tentative. Some learn it once they get more confident in what they are doing , but most don't and rarely become much of a help in the run game even if they become a decentt enough pass blocker to stick. Max is far moire aggressive , and when I was watching hi at first aid didn't know about his limited experience, and thought maybe he was defensive convert ( instead of TE )  based on his aggressive play style when he knows what he's doing. He definitely,ly held hi down at the Senior Bowl , and his potential is sky high . This guy has great feet and movement skills, and serious power when he is comfortable,  but his hands are a work in progress . Once he gets more reps , and if he get this hands more inside and improves his timing he could be a serious stud. After going through the tape on all these guys I really like his potential compared to under powered guys like Blake Miller & Caleb Lomu. Since the Texans already have bodies in the building I would take this guy and just have him focus on his step progression , hands, keeping his head up , and repeating his pass sets over and over and over. I'm talking like Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 hours here. It works , and I have coached so many kids on repetition until it becomes a part of you and you react without thinking .   i have a high second round grade on and I would love if he had went back to school for another year he might have been the first offensive tackle taken and even a top five pic if he had all reps . With enough reps in practice he could help you some this year , especially as a pass blocker, but by year 2 or 3 he could be a franchise fixture on the outside. 

29.CHIEFS-(rams)- TJ PARKER - EDGE - CLEMSON - 6"4" , 263

NFL PLAYER COMP - TRENT COLE - retired

Just Like every other Clemson guy in this draft Parker's tape didn't go where I thought ir was going .  heading into the season Parker with the guy I thought would be the first Edge rusher drafted about his tape didn't really take a step backwards this year it did not take a step forward either. It seemed more like he was trying some new things and it takes a while to do new things faster. He's still a power playerAnd his bigness weakness is that he usually tries to go through his man like he's the Kool-Aid mascot instead of going around or through a shoulder which is the most common way to do it if you're not super Twitchy.  He has good on length and knows how to use it the  in the Run game and he's probably the best stacking shed 4-3 Edge defender in this draft not named Ruben Bane . The hings he does best as a pass rusher are bull rush and Push- Pull to shed,. and along arm  ,but hr he still is slow to counter when he stalls.  It looks like he lost weight at the combine and he ran faster than I expected , and 1.61 split was not something I thought I would see so maybe he should stay at this weight but I would have guessed he was closer to 280 on tape. He's still a guy with a big long frame I need some power player it doesn't have the quick twitch muscle fibers to beat everybody around the corner.  can you fill up the stat sheet a lot more in 2024 but he also had guys around him who were playing better what you mean tomorrow one-on-one's and more opportunity. To me he looks like a guy who's a good 4-3 strong side end he's got a great motor he'll give you everything he has.  Parker's big weakness is that he doesn't finish well needs to be better wrapping up as a tackler, and that he doesn't use his hands to protect his chest well enough .  Yet I like this guy . TJ has got a good motor , he plays hard , he can start now on the strongside with some minor tweaks, and he'll play in the NFL for a long time as a good starter. He just missed the first round on my board, but I believe in his long term success. 

30.BROWNS-(denv,mia)-KAYDEN MCDONALD- DT -OHIO ST.- 6"2" , 326

NFL PLAYER COMP - KENNY CLARK - DALLAS

Big Mac  and he is called it's the heart of a great Ohio State defense. The reason why Sonny Styles , Arvell Reese , and Caleb Downs and everybody behind him can run around is cuz this guy is absorbing blocks in front of them.  Mcdonald plays low against the run , and strikes blockers hard to shock them or even knock them back at times off the snap , and then uses that to control them especially against the run.  this was his first year as a full-time starter he did a very good job helping other people make plays but he also makes his fair share between the tackles.  he can stack and shed one-on-one but he doesn't see the guys coming from the side on Double teams . To become a true 2 gapper you have to have better situational awareness , and that has always got to be on a swivel when you're in the trenches.  he's quick to locate the ball carrier and I think sometimes that's why he doesn't see the down blocks coming at him from the side.  as a pass rusher he just given you a bull rush and not myself right now but if you could learn to use his hands more he'd be able to do more than push the pocket as a pass rusher. He's my number one defensive tackle in this class ,  I gave him a high second round grade, and he's the 25th player overall on my board. I think you can start right now in the NFL as a one technique i'm not sure he's ready to play the zero just yet. 

***TRADE*** The EAGLESS TRADE AJ BROWN TO THE PATRIOTS for their 1rst ROUNDER (#31)  ***TRADE***

31.EAGLES-(pats) - COLTON HOOD - CB - TENNESSEE 6 ft.  , 193

NFL PLAYER COMP - CARLTON DAVIS - PATRIOTS

Hood  is a pressman corner who plays very physical he knows how to use his hands to combat receivers. He's stronger than his lien frame would suggest ,  as good feet and he'll fight just stay in phase with the receiver family field.  he improved in zone coverage as the year went along but he's too focused on the QB at times instead of his man. This is a criticism you tend to here more for guys who play in the trenches, but he is late off the ball too often. Hood needs to get into his jam quicker on a more consistent basis , and he gets caught peeking and loses track of the ball , and even the receiver at times.  Hood was only a one-year starter at Tennessee and he was a past victim of Deion Sanders purges at Colorado , but he already looked like his football IQ was trending upward at the Senior Bowl.  i love the way he fights for the ball to catch point and have we even try to rip it out of a ball carrier have they already have it on them.  he's got the speed quickness and hops to be a really good Pro Corner but until his football IQ is more pumped up and he can better recognize more out combinations without having to peek into the backfield so much he may have some struggles early in the NFL. He ended up the fourth corner on my board at #28 with a high second round grade,  just need more time in practice to fulfill his potential. 

***TRADE*** The TITANS TRADE their 2nd  (#35) 4th (#101) AND 5th (#144) rounders  To The SEAHWKS for the 1rst (#32) rounder  ***TRADE***

32.TITANS- (sea) - K.C. CONCEPCION - WR - TEXAS A&M - 6 ft. , 196

NFL PLAYER COMP - WILL FULLER - retired 

KC Is a highlight real waiting to happen. This guy can stop and start like something out of a video game and he's open by a lot so often but he drops so many balls. I don't just mean alligator arm i'm going to get hit oh no stuff ,although there appears to be some of that on the tape. He's just not a natural hands catcher, but his hands  are big enough his focus drifts . This guy runs routes full speed it's like watching a running back run routes but he already has the ball in his hands.  he's a slot and a z and you can line him up in the backfield and hand it to him on occasion and this guy's going forward making things happen. Putting him in motion is like a cheat code with the way he breaks it will leave some corners thinking about getting an ankle x-ray.  you not going to win a bunch of contested catch contest but if you get him the ball in space he's going to get down the field make something happen, maybe take it to the house and off and make other guys on defense look silly.  he's a deep threat two but it's a heartbreaker whenever a guy is wide open and drops a pass when you could see them take it up to the house.  He's going to go in the first round, because he just so dynamic & exciting,  but he's number 38 on my board the solid second round grade.

33.JETS - PETER WOODS - DT - CLEMSON - 6"3" , 298

NFL PLAYER COMP - KAWAAN SHORT - retired

34.BILLS-(az) - MALACHI LAWRENCE - EDGE - UCF - 6"4" , 253

NFL PLAYER COMP - KAMERION WIMBLEY - retired

I was  hoping that the Bills would trade for either AJ Brown , DJ Moore, or George Pickens this off season. Moore was the cheapest , and they got him for a 2nd rounder and change. With the Bills having a new head coach in former OC Joe Brady , and a lot of needs on defense they need picks, but as long as Moore is healthy is was worth it to me. Although I expect the Bills are one of the teams that might be eager enough to trade out of the bottom of the first at a discount , unless someone they love surprisingly falls in their laps. This whole situation in Buffalo is weird to me. While I don't agree with the Ravens & Steelers moving on from their coaches in what they think of as championship window , but I actually don't think The Steelers really are , and as for the Ravens everything hinges on the health of the injury prone Lamar.  The Billls are definitely in that window , but they keep making poor personnel decisions by over paying players that are past their prime  ,and then looking befuddled when they their ALL IN moves don't work . So I blame GM Brandon Beane and ownership more than former coach Sean Mcdermott , but I do agree that Mcdermott needs to alter his scheme , and mix it up more on defense as well. Since new head coach Joe Brady was in the building there shouldn't be too much instability in the franchise , but it was a shocker.  The Bills brought in edge Bradley Chubb which I like , and signed or re-signed a bunch of older O-Lineman , buy I think they at least need a guard upgrade and Austin Corbett doesn't do it for me. That and another outside WR that can actually separate to join DJ Moore are their primary offensive needs. There are a lot more on defense and they need almost everything . DT , another edge, off the ball LB,  and multiple CB's . This team needs an infusion of youth everywhere on defense with the exception of the safety position .  i had never broke down any film on Malachi Lawrence until 4 months before the draft and he's one of those guys the more you watch him the more you like him. He has the potential to be a really good edge rusher in the NFL ,  especially if you run a 3-4.  He can cover and he can rush the pass  right now , but he's kind of of a work in progress against the Run ,  especially as a tackler , but he will keep battling despite a lack of sand in his pants. He comes in hot and overruns too many plays he should make right now , but that can easily be fixed just by keeping his head up and his eyes on the waist of the ball carrier.  If he can improve his focus and clean up the easily fixable mistakes he could start as a rookie in the right scheme. At the very least he's going to be in there on third downs rushing the passer or dropping into coverage , and he has the hips & flexibility to turn and run.  Lawrence has the length , burst , and motor you want to harass quarterbacks and make the splash plays a defensive coordinator loves. Malachi needs more of a plan instead of the kamikaze attacks he goes on now but I can see his future very very bright he takes the NFL coaching. 

35.SEATTLE-(tenn) - JADARIAN PRICE - RB - N. DAME - 5"11" , 203

NFL PLAYER COMP - TONY POLLARD - TITANS

Congratulations to THE SEAHAWKS AND ALL THEIR FANS. I will honestly tell you I though they were going to lose, that I don;t trait Sam Darnold, and feel that they won it in spite of him. If it weren't for some great work tipping the Patriots plays I think the game would have at least been a lot closer. To me Darnold is more like the Trent Dilfer's and Brad Johnson of the world where all they had to do was NOT LOSE the game while their stud defense and running game brought it home. He did it though. So he is a champ and no one can ever take it from him, and since he is a male ginger he needs something to keep him getting out of bed every morning 😇. Lady ginger's rule though ! This defense is still stacked, and other than an extra CB to replace Riq Woolen , a 3rd safety to replace Bryant , or maybe a better coverage LB's this team has little to worry about in that side of the ball. They just didn't lose anyone critical despite winning it all. That's rare, but since they tend to run waves of guys up front hey shouldn't pass on any values at DT or DE if they can get it. On offense ( Besides a QB upgrade) they need multiple O-Lineman. Probably multiple RB's to fill in for departed Superbowl MVP Kenny Walker & the injured Zack Charbonnet  , and one needs to be day one or day 2 pick. Plus another WR , and he needs to be able to block . GM Jon Schneider is a guy who draft based off tools & traits over tape , but he is also a dude who has hit so often on big time players on day 3. This year they only have 4 picks total  , and only one on day 3 ( a 6th ) pick combined with the fact that they just spent a lot of money re-signing their own guys to try to repeat they need picks. So I am have them trading back , still getting the #2 RB in the draft , and they only only RBI have a 2nd round grade on. Yes they lose the 5th year option , but get the same guy they might have taken anyway , and now they have a 4th & 5th for Schneider to work his magic with. Price excels with his vision in outside zone , and that fits Seattle well. 

36.RAIDERS - CHRISTEN MILLER - DT - GEORGIA - 6"4" , 321

NFL PLAYER COMP - DOMATO PEKO - retired

37.GIANTS - CJ ALLEN - LB - GEORGIA - 6"1' , 230

NFL PLAYER COMP - DEMECO RYANS- retired

38.TEXANS-(wash)- JACOB RODRIGUEZ - LB - TEXAS TECH- 6'1' , 231

NFL PLAYER COMP - FOYESADE OLUOKUN - jaguars

39.DALLAS-(clev)- ZION YOUNG - DE - MISSOURI - 6"6' , 267

NFL PLAYER COMP - ZA'DARIUS SMITH - retired

40.CHIEFS - CHRIS BRAZZELL - # - WR - TENNESEE - 6"4" , 198

NFL PLAYER COMP - DJ CHARK - RETIRED

41.BENGALS - GABE JACAS - EDGE - ILLINOIS- 6"4" , 260

NFL PLAYER COMP - JARED VERSE - RAMS

The Bengals are always a wild card in the draft because unlike the other NFL owners this ownership is usually looking for bargains , and they will try to squeeze a guy for any little detail they can win. This has led them to repeatedly overdraftng guys, but their willingness to take character and injury guys ( especially later in the draft )  has worked out more than I thought it would . They are also known for sticking to their guns instead of trading a guy , or paying him more than they think he deserves , even when it's to their own detriment like Carson Palmer & Trey Hendrickson . This year they needed a DT more than anything , and instead of reaching for a guy at #10 and trying to get him to take less ( even with a rookie wage scale in place ) they instead  traded away that pick for Dexter Lawrence. Heading into the 2025 season I would have called Dexter Lawrence the best DT in the league. A true 3 down Nose tackle , who could 2 gap, and still make plays against the run , while also giving some great pass rush.  His play & production fell of some last season , but he was still a above average player, especially getting pressure on the QB. Now him wanting a new contract , and wanting to be payed among the top DT's with years left on his current deal is another matter. I can see both sides of this , but I think getting the tenth Pick for a 28 year old guy who has taken a lot of wear and tear after 7 years in the league absorbing blocks is pretty good , especially because you don't have to pay him again. Even if he returns to his 2023 or 2024 form how long will that last ? The man plays the second most punishing position in the game behind running back. However the new deal wasn't too onerous. Just some more guaranteed money and it basically amounts to a 3 year 70 million dollar deal which is a lot less than I expected since so many players are myopic greedy psychos who want to be the highest paid at their position regardless of real worth & damage to their teams chance's of winning . Now if Caleb Downs falls to #10 then I will think they made a mistake ,but right now I get it . Owner Mike Brown is 90 , and I am sure he wants a ring before he shuffles off this mortal coil , which is why I believe he has opened the purse strings over the last few years. He still should have paid Trey Hendrickosn who is now going to be terrorizing Burrow for the division rival Ravens , but I blame that on Joe Burrow. You can't pay everybody , and he forced ownership to pay Tee Higgins after already paying Burrow and Jamar Chase top dollar.  I get ponying up for top tier guys like Joe & Jamar , and while Higgins can be considered anywhere from a high level # 2 WR to a low level #1 WR the salary cap makes players choose potential rings or money . Burrow had Mike Brown over a barrel and unless he wants to get pounded prison style by every Bengals fan alive or dead he has to keep the homegrown Burrow happy .  Congratulations Joe . Yep you are a great QB , and I would go so far to say you are top 5 in the league - WHEN HEALTHY ! Yet health hasn't been your calling card in your career has it fragile little China doll Joey. Hopefully he keeps his bougie ass out of personnel decisions from now on. So now instead of " The Bungles " paying Hendrickson 28 million a year after back to back 17.5 sack seasons you are paying Boye Mafe 20 million a year after a 2 sack season where he was just a rotational guy. The only bright side here is that Mafe is 4 years younger. THAT'S LITERALLY THE ONLY UPSIDE HERE. I tell you something I do like besides Lawrence, and that is safety Bryan Cook coming in from the Chiefs. As soon as The Bengals let former free safety Jessie Bates go to Atlanta instead of paying him 3 years ago is when this defense started to go downhill . Cook has a  similar range and play style and he wont even turn 27 until September. That's money well spent . Now I still think the Bengal O-Line needs an upgrade, especially but on the interior , but unless they want to start the season with Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy ( who between them have a combined 28 .5 sacks in 7 years despite both being top 40 picks ) starting AT the edge's they need a edge rusher stat.  I love Gabe Jacas . He's a smart , strong physical , heavy handed edge with a great motor who just needs some refinement as a pass rusher . although eh will forklift a guy who is in his way on occasion. He plays low and can hold his ground in the run game , but he needs to shed quicker. If he learns to stop going through everybody , and polishes up his hands & counters he might even be a force similar to the dearly departed Hendrickson. 

42.SAINTS - CHRIS JOHNSON - CB - SAN DIEGO ST. - 6 ft. , 198

NFL PLAYER COMP - DARON BLAND - DALLAS

43.DOLPHINS - KEYLAND RUTLEDGE - G - GEORGIA TECH - 6"4" , 316

NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS SNEE - retired

44.JETS-(dall)- BRANDON CISSE - CB - S. CAROLINA - 6 ft. , 189

NFL PLAYER COMP - ALONTAE TAYLOR - TITANS

45.RAVENS -  GERMIE BERNARD - WR - ALABAMA - 6"1" , 206

NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS GODWIN - TAMPA BAY

46.TAMPA BAY - EMMANUEL PREGNON - G - OREGON - 6"4" , 314

NFL PLAYER COMP - TREY SMITH - CHIEFS

47.COLTS - CASHIUS HOWELL - DE/OLB - TEXAS A&M - 6"3" , 253

NFL PLAYER COMP - HAROLD LANDRY - PATRIOTS

Watching old man Rivers actually look effective after coming off the coach at age 44 5 years after his retirement was one of the coolest things I saw in the NFL last year , and that should tell you enough about the state of the Indy QB room. Yes I still think the Colts need a QB because both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are both injury prone, but it would surprise if Ty Simpson made it this far , and I am not sure if Shane Steichen would want him for his system anyway. Now if H-Back turned QB Cole Payton is there in the 3rd round I could see that happening . A twitchy edge rusher , a off the ball linebacker, a new slot corner some youth along the interior D-Line , and a WR to replace the departed Michael Pittman in what was basically a salary dump so they could keep the younger Alec Pierce after a breakout season. Also last years 4th rounder Jalen Travis is penciled in at RT , but he has only started 4 games, but he did play all right when he got his shot last year.  Howell is a bullet of the snap , with the flexibility to run the arc outside like Sonic the Hedgehog, high level production harassing QB's , a wide array of speedy moves , and a nifty spin move. Yes he has short arms for the edge , and no he can't hold his ground consistently against the run right now , but if he kept his hands inside better against the run while getting a little stronger he could be more than a situational pass rusher down the line. The Colts placed The Franchise tag on QB Daniel Jones , and traded away LB Zaire Franklin to the Packers in the beginning of March too.  Cashius Howell may have the best burst off the snap in this draft even better than David Bailey or Arvell Reese.  he literally causes panic and blockers off the snap on a pretty regular basis he's so quick and bendy it's hard to hit the strikes on to get your hands on him.  crosses the face really quickly with it almost jump cut move like a running back and then move is so quick and deadly.  Howl's array of past Rush moves a second to none in the draft and even with the short arms he gets home a lot. He looks like a situational pass rusher right now , and he cannot hold this ground against the Run in the NFL have you had trouble with it in college. I have been watching this guy for 3 years and it's like watching a karate master the way he used his hands ,quickness ,agility , feet , and brain to defeat blockers  with a deep Arsenal of pass rush moves. My guess is he goes in the second rounds but I want them on my team and you have to account for him on third down every single time.  I have a pretty high second round grade on him , and I can see a 3-4 team taking him at the bottom of the 1st just to make sure they get him.

48.ATLANTA -  KEYRON  CRAWFORD - EDGE - AUBURN - 6"4" , 253

NFL PLAYER COMP - KAMERION WIMBLEY - retired

The Falcons took a risk drafting edge rusher James Pierce trading up into the bottom of the first round last year , and he already had some serious character questions heading in , and now he is facing some serious charges. Luckily he was their 2nd edge drafted in the first round , but now they don't have a first round pick in this draft and they need another edge player. On the bright side Kyle Pitts returned to form last season , and they were able to throw the franchise tag on him. Then they made what could be a crucial low risk-high reward move by signing often insured , but brilliant at times , QB Tua Tagvailoa for the league minimum because the Dolphins are paying him a lot of dead money to play for the Birds. This is almost  a dream scenario for both he player and the team. Tua just needs time to work his play action RPO magic , and he fits Kevin Stefanski's offense very well, and the Falcons have one of the more consistently good veteran O-lines in the league. Although all of those blockers , but LT Jake Matthews are better at run blocking than they are in pass pro they are still a solid unit protecting the QB , and they are much better than what the Dolphins had. Sadly RT Kaleb Mcgary retired at 31 , and former Chief and false start enthusiast Jawaan Taylor will be taking his spot. Taylor os decent in pass pro if there isn't a penalty , but he plays  to high in the run game si far. Another way that this matches up for Tua is the Falcons run the ball so well that play action will work much better, and he should take way less hits on this team. If Tua is healthy I can't imagine Michael Penix outplaying him at this juncture in both of their careers. They need more size up front on defense , and this might be little high for Crawford , but I love his upside. He's still kind of raw, but he's got great first step, he's bendy , can cover , and he's tough . He needs to get stronger, and his pass rush moves are still a work in progress, but even though he's relatively still new to the sport he has good instincts ,and he improved against the run last year on tape. 

49.VIKINGS - DOMINIQUE ORANGE - DT - IOWA ST. - 6"2" , 322

NFL PLAYER COMP - ISAAC SOPOAGA - retured

50.LIONS - DERRICK MOORE - DE/OLB - MICHIGAN - 6"4" , 255

NFL PLAYER COMP - BOYE MAFE - BENGALS

51.PANTHERS - TREYDAN  STUKES - ** -  S/CB - ARIZONA - 6"1" , 190

NFL PLAYER COMP - JEVON HOLLAND - GIANTS

52.PACKERS - CHASE BISONTIS - G - TEXAS A&M - 6"5" , 315

NFL PLAYER COMP - MATT BERGERON - FALCONS

53.STEELERS- R. MASON THOMAS - EDGE - OKLAHOMA - 6"2" , 241

NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH UCHE - DOLPHINS

54.EAGLES - AJ  HAULCY - S- LSU - 6 ft. , 215

NFL PLAYER COMP - JUSTIN SIMMONS - FA

55.CHARGERS - GENNINGS DUNKER - G/T - IOWA - 6"5" , 319

NFL PLAYER COMP - DOMINICK PUNI - 49ers

56.JAGUARS - ANTHONY HILL JR. - LB - TEXAS - 6"2" , 238

NFL PLAYER COMP - DEVIN LLOYD - PANTHERS 

In the 2nd half of last season Trevor Lawrence started to click in The New offense, although WTH hell happened to Bryan Thomas ? If Thomas returns to form ,  and Hunter is healthy ,combined with the reliably open Jakobi Myers this team could be a contender this season.  Between the speed of Bayshul Tuten & power of Chris Rodriguez their running game night be serviceable , but it doesn't inspire. They don't have a first due to the Travis Hunter trade , but they do have 3 third rounders , and 7 picks on day 3. The Jags also lost stud LB Devin Lloyd to the Panthers, and RB Travis Etienne to the Saints, and they didn't sign anyone of note. Other than those 2 positions DT & and another corner are needs , maybe a safety , and possibly an upgrade at guard & center. That's actually more needs than I was expecting when I started writing this.  I gave them Hill because of his athleticism , big play ability , and he can also help out rushing the passer, and he can cover pretty well. Hills football IQ isn't up to par with Lloyds right now , and he takes the cheese too often , so maybe a trade up to get a CJ Allen or Jacob Rodriguez could happen . Yet he reminds me a lot of Lloyd on tape so I'm sticking with him. 

57.BEARS - CALEB BANKS - # - DT - FLORIDA

NFL PLAYER COMP - ALBERT HAYNESWORTH - retired

58.S.F. 49ers - DE'ZHAUN STRIBLING - WR - 6"2" , 207

NFL PLAYER COMP - A.D. MITCHELL - JETS

59.HOUSTON -  JAKE GOLDAY - LB -  CINCINNATI - 6"5" , 239

NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTHONY BARR - retired

60.BEARS-(buff)- KEIONTE SCOTT - CB/S - MIAMI - 5"11' , 193

NFL PLAYER COMP - KYLER GORDON - BEARS

61.RAMS - KYLE LOUIS - LB - PITT - 6 ft. , 220

NFL PLAYER COMP - MATT MILANO - BILLS

62.DENVER - ELI STOWERS - TE - VANDERBILT - 6"4" , 240

NFL PLAYER COMP - HAROLD FANNIN JR. - BROWNS

63.PATRIOTS - SAM ROUSH - TE - STANFORD - 6"6" , 270

NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH OLIVER - VIKINGS

They Pats almost won it all again in HC Mike Vrable's first year back in New England, and maybe if they were a little better at self scouting they would have noticed that some plays were being tipped. However Vrable has bigger problems at home right now so I will lay off him , but in the words of Chili Chileono if he did do it - " THAT'S WHAT YOU GET !"  The also traded veteran pivot Garrett Bradbury to the Bears early in the off season which , even though I am not a huge Bradbury fan is kind of a surprise to me. Yes Bradbury has some struggles with the bigger stronger Nose Tackles, but he started every game last year for a Superbowl team. I like the Romeo Doubs signing even if they did overpay a bit because he is steady and he can be a reliable #2 WR . Alijah Vera-Ticker is good paler when healthy , and he can even play OT in a pinch , but that's too much money for a guy who gets hurt so often.  Dremont Jones can give you some snaps off the edge as 3-4 end , or a play inside or out a little in a 4-3  , but again they overpaid. What this team needs most of all is a big reliable #1 WR , and that's why the trade for AJ Brown makes sense. Other than that consistent O-line play would help the most, and more pash rush inside & out too. And blocking TE would be appreciated. If the Pats want to get the most out of Drake Maye's rookie contract they need to make big moves now.   Roush is a big strong blocking TE with surprisingly deceptive athleticism , and while he is not a big separator he has soft hands. He can contribute in both phases of the game , but his potential contribution to the run game cannot be overstated. 

64.SEATTLE - AVIEON TERRELL - CB - CLEMSON - 5"11" , 186

NFL PLAYER COMP - JOURDAN LEWIS - JAGUARS