After a Football Season in both College and the NFL that was full of unpredictability, we finally arrive at the start of the NFL Draft process. 

Yes people, the circle has started again as the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl have passed.  With the NFL Combine on the horizon at the end of the month, we’re breaking tradition.  For the first time in years, I’m dropping a pre-Combine Mock Draft.  This year’s draft originally looked to be with the makings of a generational QB class; however its crashed and burned with only Fernando Mendoza rising to the top.

This draft’s strength lies at the top of the EDGE, OT, and WR positions.  With multiple intriguing elite talents at these positions, you’re going to see these positions dominate the 1st Round.  The questions arise with who owns some picks in the Top 5, unlike most years, 3 of the Top 5 have no questions at QB.  Throw in the Raiders holding #1, and it leaves only the Jets with a major QB question and no option to use it.  It’s going to leave intrigue with who might rise to QB2 and who will fight for their services.

With all that said, let’s jump into Mock 1.0.

Mock 1.0

  1. Las Vegas Raiders- QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana– This is a no-brainer and a lock for the next few months.  Mendoza is QB1 in basically a 1 QB draft.  The Raiders need a QB with a ton of cap space to build around a rookie QB.  This really isn’t that hard to explain.
  2. New York Jets- EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State– The Jets sit with #2 and #16 and could do plenty of things here.  They could target OLine, Defense, or dare to reach on Ty Simpson.  In the end, they play it safe and take Reese.  Reese is the explosive playmaking pass rusher they haven’t had in years.  However, I think in time this pick could be almost anyone.
  3. Arizona Cardinals- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami– The Cardinals are an unpredictable team.  It seems that with Mike LaFleur, they’ll be focused on fixing the offense.  Kyler Murray is probably getting another year at QB.  So the question is, how do you help him?  It’s between Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love or Mauigoa.  With his dominance in the CFP, I give the edge at the start to Mauigoa.  He’s an athletic freak who can easily hold up at LT and will protect the blindside of Murray in a strong NFC West.
  4. Tennessee Titans- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State- The Titans will probably consider OT or WR, considering who is on the board.  I think they’ll lean towards Mauigoa if he’s on the board; if not, they’ll target a WR for Cam Ward.  Tyson is a big, physical target that Cam Ward doesn’t have.  His biggest concern is staying healthy, but when he is, he’s a dominant target that’s going to help Cam Ward improve on his solid rookie campaign.
  5. New York Giants- OT Spencer Fano, Utah- The Giants, much like the Titans, have their young QB, and with John Harbaugh, are going to target more offense and toughness to build them up.  While the Giants have Andrew Thomas on the left side, Harbaugh understands the importance of a strong OLine so he grabs Fano to hold down the right side.  While Fano can play left or right, his ability in pass protection is going to be what sets him apart, so they can protect Jaxson Dart.
  6. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)- TRADE: Dallas acquires the #6 overall pick from Cleveland in exchange for the #12 overall pick and a 2027 1st Round pick (from Dallas)- EDGE Reuben Bain Miami- If the board falls with Jeremiah Love, David Bailey, and Reuben Bain on the board, Jerry Jones will be calling.  With 2 of the top OTs off the board, the Browns become more open to a trade-down scenario.  As long as Jerry is willing to part with one of his 2027 1sts, he’ll get the deal done.  After watching his putrid defense without Micah Parsons, Jerry and co. won’t hesitate to move up to get Bain, who dominated in the College Football Playoff.  He’ll fit right in and make an immediate impact defensively to right the ship for the Cowboys.
  7. Washington Commanders- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State– The Commanders are a year removed from the NFC Title game, and this past season wasn’t just a letdown offensively; their defense was even worse.  They need a difference maker to get back to where they were.  Caleb Downs might be the safest pick and a difference-making pick.  If he makes it to #7, it shouldn’t be a tough call.
  8. New Orleans Saints- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State– The Saints will probably have rumors surrounding possibly moving Chris Olive, but with Tyler Shough’s strong rookie campaign, they shouldn’t move Olave; they should add another weapon.  The Saints have success with the OSU pipeline so they go back down the well with Tate, who gives them a big-playmaking WR who can stretch the field.  A duo of Olive and Tate next year would be dangerous.
  9. Kansas City Chiefs- RB Jeremiah Love Notre Dame- The Chiefs’ biggest issue on the Offensive side, the past few years, has been the lack of any semblance of a running game.  Yes, they have Kareem Hunt at the goalie, but Isaiah Pacheco isn’t getting the job done.  Love gives the Chiefs an immediate threat in the backfield that opens up the playbook for Patrick Mahomes.  If the Chiefs can land Love, they’ll be back in contention next year.
  10. Cincinnati Bengals- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech- The Bengals just need defensive help.  It doesn’t matter the position.  At this point, David Bailey is a steal here.  He’s explosive off the snap and while undersized, his production speaks for itself.  It’d give the Bengals an intriguing duo of rushing in Stewart and Bailey going forward.
  11. Miami Dolphins- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU– Unless somehow Malik Willis goes somewhere else, which I doubt, the Dolphins won’t be taking Ty Simpson here.  Instead, they get a strong, feisty press corner that Jeff Hafley will have thrive in his defense.  I lean towards Delane because he’s been healthy all season long, and McCoy is coming off an ACL tear.  But I can see it either way.
  12. Cleveland Browns (from Dallas)- WR Makai Lemon, USC– Depending on Devin Bush’s situation, Sonny Styles was considered with Caleb Lomu.  However, if the Browns move down and still can get one of the Top 3 WRs, they can’t pass up on it.  Lemon is one of the best route runners in the class with great hands and ability after the catch.  He’s comparable to a Jarvis Landry, who was essential for the Browns when they had success.  Add to that his profile fits the new Head Coach, Todd Monken, to a tee.  If Shedeur Sanders is to have any success, he needs weapons.  The Browns start by getting him a WR1.
  13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)- CB Jerome McCoy, Tennessee- The million-dollar question for the Rams is whether they would consider drafting Matthew Stafford’s successor, Ty Simpson, here?  With 2 1sts, they can afford to; I think they instead go for the top talent available in McCoy.  He may be coming off an ACL tear, but he’d be a Top 5 pick if he were healthy and played this season.  The QB can wait if you can get a lockdown corner in a division with San Francisco and Seattle’s dynamic passing attacks.
  14. Baltimore Ravens- OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State- The Ravens could be in line to lose a big piece of their interior line in Tyler Linderbaum, so I’d expect the Ravens to be aggressive to improve there.  Jesse Minter, working under Jim Harbaugh, understands the importance of the line, and Declan Doyle saw how an improved O-Line helped Chicago make the jump.  Ioane îs a dominant interior presence who will be an immediate starter for the next decade.  He’d solve this problem for the Ravens.
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon- The Bucs sputtered at the end of last season and cost them the NFC South.  The question is, should they add more weapons and ignore some of the defensive options, like Sonny Styles on the board?  Or should they get the uber-talented Sadiq?  Sadiq would give Baker Mayfield a weapon he hasn’t had since David Nook.  Put him with Emeka Egbuka, Mike Evans, and Bucky Irving?  It might be the most explosive offense in the NFL.
  16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama- I think everything is in play here at 16 if Simpson is on the board.  The Jets can’t go into 2026 with their QB room, so even if it’s Ty Simpson on a risk, it’s worth it.  Worst case, with their plethora of picks in 2027, they can reset and go for a QB next year too.
  17. Detroit Lions- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State– The Lions make out like bandits getting Styles here.  To be honest, they need all the defensive help they can get.  I do think a pass rusher would be in play here, but Styles’ versatility and athleticism are going to be too good for Brad Holmes and John Dorsey to pass.  Pair him with Jack Campbell, and it’s by far the best LB duo in the NFL.
  18. Minnesota Vikings- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo– With Harrison Smith possibly retiring, this is going to be an easy connection.  The 6’3’’ Safety has the athletic gifts and backs it up with his play on the field.  Given the MAC’s recent success with players, the stigma of being a lower conference doesn’t scare teams anymore.  The Vikings find their Harrison Smith replacement.
  19. Carolina Panthers- DT Peter Woods, Clemson- The Panthers are a wild-card team at this point.  They could look at one of the EDGEs, or they could add more in the interior.  At this point, they take the best player available, and Peter Woods has no business being here.  The Panthers quietly start building one of the best D-lines in the NFC.
  20. Houston Texans (from Dallas)- TRADE: Houston acquires the #20 overall pick and a 2026 4th Round pick in exchange for the #28 overall pick and a 2027 2nd Round pick- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah- The Cowboys, after trading their first next year to get up to 6, maneuver back with Sonny Styles off the board.  The Texans got picked apart against the Patriots, and their O-Line continues to be an issue with CJ Stroud.  They attempt to fix that with Lomu, a proven LT at Utah who can protect Stroud’s blind side.  The Texans need to figure out this season if it’s worth paying going forward.  Getting Lomu helps evaluate that even at the price of a future 2nd Round pick.
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers- WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M– If Ty Simpson slips here, I think he’d be in play.  If not, the Steelers could target another WR in their offense.  Concepcion is explosive and shifty that would complement DK Metcalf well.  If the Steelers can lure Aaron Rodgers for one more season, it could be the other weapon they need to keep the offense explosive enough for Rodgers.  The question will be, does Rodgers have anything left?
  22. Los Angeles Chargers- EDGE Cassius Howell, Texas A&M– The Chargers are going to be looking for a successor for Khalil Mack, and it’ll come down to who the best available is.  Howell was a huge part of the Aggies’ tough defense, getting 12 sacks.  He’s gotten at least 24 hurries in each of the last 3 seasons.  Howell gives the Chargers’ defense a young pass rusher to help them bounce back and take another step forward next year.
  23. Las Vegas Raiders (from Philadelphia)- TRADE: The Raiders acquire the #23 overall pick, a 2027 1st Round pick, and a 2026 3rd Round pick from Philadelphia in exchange for EDGE Maxx Crosby- WR Denzel Boston, Washington– With the news of Maxx Crosby is nearing the end of his time in Vegas will be a strong topic over the next month.  I expect the Lions, Bears, and Eagles as prime teams targeting him.  I think Crosby prefers Detroit, but I don’t know if Detroit will pay the multiple 1sts plus for him.  Philadelphia was willing to part with 3 1sts for Myles Garrett, so 2 1sts and a 3, they’d be willing to do.  The Raiders use the 23rd pick to get Fernando Mendoza, a big physical target.  Boston isn’t a blazer, but he’s a big, physical WR who wins the contested catch.  The Raiders don’t have that and will be perfect to pair with Mendoza, Jeanty, and Bowers.
  24. Cleveland Browns- OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia– The Browns after getting a WR1 for Shedeur, get a LT for him.  Freeling is an athletic LT who, while raw, projects extremely well at the next level.  Add to that, Todd Monken was at Georgia while he was being recruited, so he’ll have some familiarity with him.  Freeling also fits the Guardrails that Andrew Berry looks for.  With their first two picks, the Browns fill their two biggest needs and get a 2027 1st in the event they need a QB next year.
  25. Chicago Bears- EDGE Kaldrick Faulk, Auburn– The Bears can go numerous ways, but decide to take the athletically gifted Faulk.  He’s got the size to be a difference maker, but his lack of production this past year leaves some questions.  For the Bears, this gives them a versatile defender on the Line who can be a player who helps improve their pass rush as they take the next step.
  26. Buffalo Bills- LB CJ Allen, Georgia- The Bills would eye to trade this pick for a WR who might become available in the future via trade.  For now, they really could use another LB as Matt Milano isn’t going to be around forever.  Allen gives them a talented leader of the future for their defense who can easily replace Milano in time.
  27. San Francisco 49ers- OT Kayden Proctor, Alabama- The 49ers will have to prepare for life without Trent Williams soon.  Getting a physical specimen like Proctor will be fascinating and too good to pass up.  For Proctor, he goes to a great environment that’ll push him to stay at a playing weight and learn from a future HOFer in Williams.  It’s almost a perfect marriage.
  28. Dallas Cowboys (from Houston)- S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon- The Cowboys probably would love to target an LB or RB, but Thieneman is a great get at this point.  A great cover safety who has the ability in the running game.  The Cowboys’ most notable Safety is Malik Hooker; they absolutely need an upgrade there.  Bain and Thieneman give the Cowboys 2 great pieces to rebuild their defense.
  29. New York Jets (from LA Rams)- TRADE: New York Jets acquire the #29 overall pick and a 2027 4th Round pick in exchange for the #33 overall pick, a 2026 4th Round pick and a 2027 3rd Round pick- CB Avieon Terrell Clemson- In this scenario, once Proctor and Freeling are gone, the Rams trade out to get a few extra picks.  The Jets pounce to grab Terrell and fill the void left after trading Sauce Gardner.  Terrell won’t be Sauce Gardner, but he’s a proven, consistent corner who will be a plug-and-play corner for them.  If the Jets walk out with Reese, Simpson, and Terrell, you can’t help but feel optimistic as a Jets fan.
  30. Denver Broncos- LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas- Denver doesn’t have a ton of big needs, so they can do whatever they want here.  Hill was a leader on the Texas defense, and while a bit of a reach here, it’s not a total stretch, especially if he tests well, that he’s going to jump into the first round.  The Broncos further improve their defense.
  31. New England Patriots- EDGE Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami (FL)- The Patriots definitely could look at getting another pass rusher.  Mesidor has some injury concerns; however, this past season, he returned to form and was explosive as ever.  If he tests well, he’s going to jump for a Day 2 pick to a 1st Round lock.
  32. Seattle Seahawks- OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon- The Seahawks have been hitting in draft after draft and don’t stop here.  Pregnon will be a plug and play Guard for them that further solidifies their line.  They could look at running back as well like a Jonah Coleman if Kenneth Walker leaves in Free Agency.

Ideal Browns Draft

With the Browns, I chose a path of collecting a few extra picks to fill in some of the holes on the roster. At 39, the Browns target the top TE in the draft in Eli Stowers. Todd Monken, coming from Baltimore with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, would probably look to find something similar to pair for Harold Fannin, as I don’t believe David Njoku will return next year. Stowers is a big, athletic playmaking TE who was proven as a top target at Vanderbilt, who I believe is a plug-and-play player with upside. After trading down a few spots and acquiring an extra fourth from Indianapolis, I get Jake Slaughter, an intriguing Center prospect who had a solid season at Florida. While this isn’t a great Center class, Slaughter shows upside and talent where George Warhop might be able to get something out of him. Genesis Smith is one of my favorite mid-round targets who was a leader at Arizona, and is a strong coverage safety, which the Browns could use another one on the roster. I personally love Kaytron Allen; he’s a downhill runner who can be a bellcow back for the Browns. I personally wasn’t too impressed with Quinshon Judkins towards the end of the season, so get more competition. Igbinosun and Lawrence were steals in the 5th Round that I couldn’t say no to. Montgomery had a stellar Senior Bowl, burning much higher-level talent. I’m curious to see how he tests. Casey would add OLine depth. Robertson is probably one of the safest late-round QBs in the draft. Think Case Keenum type, nothing special, but efficient and smart.


Over the next few weeks, as we get more data on players through the Combine, we will see players make their moves into the 1st Round and push others out.  When medical checks come in, we’ll see players fall out of consideration in the first round, and most importantly, we will see the first dialogues with teams regarding Draft plans take place.  Rumors will become clearer on who the big movers may be.  Until then, the road to Pittsburgh and the NFL Draft has begun.  Please make sure to follow me @TheCLESportsGuy and The Dawgland as we go through this Draft Season!