A lot has changed over the last few weeks since the Combine and Free Agency has started. Teams positional needs are taking shape and trades are affecting teams at the team for what they may need. For the first time in the Draft Cycle, the board is taking shape for what we’re going to see less than a month from now.

Due to last-minute trades, we’ve delayed the release of Mock 2.0 to make the necessary adjustments. While I could write a novel breaking down this time of year, let’s be honest, you’re not here to read all of that, let’s jump into Mock Draft 2.0!

  1. Las Vegas Raiders- QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana- If the Raiders don’t pick Mendoza here, I’ll be more concerned that Tom Brady had a Ketamine overdose.  Somewhere Dan Orlovsky proclaims this pick a bust that set the Raiders back to the Mike Mayock era.
  2. New York Jets- EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State- I feel this will be between Reese, Bailey, and Downs all the way until draft night.  I think the Jets would love someone to come up to get one of them, but they won’t get the offer.  They go with the higher upside of Reese over Bailey to be their EDGE rusher going forward.
  3. Arizona Cardinals- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech- Personally, the Cardinals would probably look to trade out here and acquire more picks, but teams clearly are withholding future picks.  It’s going to force teams to accept less and at #3 the Cardinals blink.  Bailey gives them an explosive EDGE rusher that their defense desperately needs.  Francis Mauigoa here makes a ton of sense here too.
  4. Tennessee Titans- EDGE Reuben Bain, Miami (FL)- Todd McShay has said the best argument for the Titans with Bain over Bailey if Bailey slips here.  You have Jermaine Johnson, so why take a similar player in David Bailey?  Bain is just a guy who will wreak havoc in Robert Saleh’s defense.  He’ll have him play all over.  One could think Jeremiyah Love is the pick instead, but I think it’s a smokescreen.
  5. New York Giants- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State- The Giants are staring at Jeremiyah Love here.  Even with Cam Skattebo returning from injury, it’d give them the new Sonic and Knuckles duo.  However, Jim Harbaugh’s defenses have always had a freakish multi-positional athlete.  Sonny Styles is his new man after dominating the combine and putting up record numbers.  His ability to attack the ball and cover will be valued by Harbaugh, and more importantly, his team will know how to utilize him and make him an All-Pro player early.
  6. Cleveland Browns- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State- Cleveland would get a lot of calls here for Jeremiyah Love.  One team I’m eyeing is the Minnesota Vikings at #18, who desperately need a star RB with Kyler Murray.  The Browns, however, don’t get their 2027 1st and take a WR1.  Tate would be the Browns’ first big physical deep threat WR since Josh Gordon.  He glides downfield with ease and is great at the point of attack.  The Browns’ moves in FA and presence at OSU’s Pro Day scream there’s a real fit here.
  7. Washington Commanders- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame- Wouldn’t shock me if Love fell to #6, the Browns and Commanders do a small pick swap, the fit here is too good.  Love’s explosive running ability and talent to be a receiving threat that’ll remind Commanders fans of a former great in Clinton Portis.  Pairing Love with Jayden Daniels will create headaches for defenses and a new element to the offense that hasn’t been a threat in recent years.
  8. Miami Dolphins (from New Orleans)- TRADE: Miami acquires the #8 overall pick and a 2026 5th Round pick (#136) in exchange for the #11 overall pick and 2 2026 3rd Round picks (#75 and #94)- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU- The Saints really don’t have the board there at this pick and trade with Miami moving down three spots.  Miami had 7 Top 100 picks and used that to get Delane, who after his Pro Day, solidified his floor in this draft is #9 with KC.  Miami jumps them to get him.  After running a 4.35 at his 6’0’’ 190lbs frame and being a lockdown CB at LSU, this pick needs no other explanation.  Delane should thank Jermod McCoy for not working on this Draft process for inflating his stock further.
  9. Kansas City Chiefs- OT Spencer Mauigoa, Miami (FL)- The Chiefs have been clear with their intentions; they want to build through the trenches again.  After locking up the Left side with Josh Simmons last year, they lock down the right with Mauigoa.  The Chiefs adding Kenneth Walker and Mauigoa will reinforce the importance of a strong running game that they’ve lacked.  While I think the Delane would be the pick if he falls here, he’s gone.  Mauigoa and his mauling blocking style will bring violence to the line that they desperately need.
  10. Cincinnati Bengals- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State- The Bengals would’ve probably loved a pass rusher here, but they went early.  Instead, they pivot happily to Caleb Downs.  This defense needs a leader, and Downs can be that from the moment he arrives.  His all-around style as a defender is something the Bengals haven’t had since Jessie Bates.  Injury concerns aside, he’s by far one of the safest and most talented players in the draft.  The Bengals go all in on an improved defense for a Super Bowl run.
  11. New Orleans Saints (from Miami)- WR Makai Lemon, USC- After moving down, the Saints after missing on Carnell Tate, add picks and select Lemon here.  Lemon checked off the boxes with his size at the Combine, but his interviews seemed to be lackluster.  However, I think it’s more so his alpha mentality than anything else; it won’t scare teams off.  The Saints pair Lemon’s route running and explosiveness opposite Chris Olave.  Opposing defenses, beware if this happens.
  12. Dallas Cowboys- S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon- The Cowboys sit with #12 and #20 and plenty of defensive needs.  With the EDGE rushers gone now, they focus on the secondary and take the uber athletic Thieneman, who dominated the combine.  He’s a centerfield FS who can roam all over the field and something the Cowboys lacked.  As long as the Cowboys address the EDGE at 20, this 1st Round could be special for them.
  13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)- WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana- Call it a reach, but before you do, ask yourself with Lemon off the board…is there a more Rams WR than Omar Cooper?  A smooth, explosive route runner with sure hands and ability after the catch?  Can you imagine pairing Cooper opposite Puka?  The Rams are in it to win it this season.  Kenyon Sadiq would be an option here, but Cooper is a Rams WR if there ever was one.
  14. Baltimore Ravens- OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State- After losing Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens will need to improve their Interior Line.  While Ioane isn’t a Center, he’s going to be a lock to hold down the interior of the line for years to come.  They could look at a Dillon Thienemann here, but Ioane fills the immediate need.
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- OG Spencer Fano, Utah- The Bucs have to address the interior line if they want to not repeat last year’s failures.  While I think trade down is in play, the price would be too steep as the Bucs might value future picks with Baker Mayfield’s future uncertain.  They take Fano, while he has been RT and tested extremely well at the Combine, he has been projected by many to move inside.  The Bucs do that, betting his athletic upside makes him a star interior lineman.
  16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)- WR Denzel Boston, Washington- The slide for Jordyn Tyson is on now.  Boston and Cooper jump him in the Top 20 as the Jets take Boston here.  The Jets have their route-running, explosive WR in Garrett Wilson; now, they get their big physical WR that’ll remind fans of Brandon Marshall in Denzel Boston.  Boston won’t be a burner, but he will be physical and a menace for teams to defend opposite Wilson, who will make him better.  Now they just need a QB…
  17. Detroit Lions- OT Morgan Freeling, Georgia- After Taylor Decker got his release, the Lions need a LT desperately.  They take the swing on Freeling, who, after his Pro Day, has an elite RAS score for a LT.  He’s raw and will need development, compared to other situations, he’s walking into a solid O-Line to begin with and a place where he can develop.  He’ll have growing pains, but the upside is that of an All-Pro LT.
  18. Minnesota Vikings- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo- The Vikings are a team with the resources to move up for the right player.  If Jeremiyah Love falls and they offer a 2027 1st, they can move up with the Browns.  Instead, they balk in this scenario and take EMW, who replaces team legend, Harrison Smith.  EMW is an athletic, thumping Safety that’ll bruise anyone who comes in his path.  The coverage is okay, but he’s just a presence that’ll scare teams to come across if he’s there.
  19. Carolina Panthers- TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon- The Panthers sit here with a dream scenario.  They don’t really have a TE who can change the game, but now they can add Sadiq, who adds another weapon for Bryce Young, who is so close to breaking out into one of the better QBs in the league.  With McMillan and Sadiq leading the receiving core, the Panthers may have one of the best passing attacks next season.
  20. Dallas Cowboys- EDGE Akeem Mesidor, Miami (FL)- The Cowboys luck out with the 2nd tier of pass rushers being available.  The Cowboys take Bain’s partner in crime in Mesidor.  If it wasn’t for injuries in his past, one could argue Mesidor is a Top 5 talent.  The production and tape is there.  He’s a menace who lives in the backfield and chases down the QB.  For the Cowboys its a dream scenario to walk away with Thieneman and Mesidor.
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama- Pittsburgh has to at least consider the idea of Ty Simpson here.  However, with Will Howard and most likely Aaron Rodgers returning, I doubt they will seriously consider it.  The Steelers could look to improve the line for Rodgers next year, and getting the big mauler in Proctor could fit what they need.  The question mark is whether he will be able to handle faster defenders at his size.  He has the athletic ability to do so, but the tape at times doesn’t match.  Pittsburgh could be a good spot for him to learn discipline.
  22. Los Angeles Chargers- EDGE Kendrick Faulk, Auburn- The Chargers have multiple needs, but really haven’t found a young pass rusher to develop.  Faulk while the production doesn’t quite match, the size and athleticism make him an intriguing piece.  What teams will love about him is he can play multiple positions to give you different looks and defense.  He’s explosive and disruptive, but the production hasn’t matched.  LA will be a great fit as Jim Harbaugh has worked with similar talents in his career and thrived in his defense.
  23. Arizona Cardinals (from Philadelphia)- TRADE: Arizona acquires the #23 overall pick and a 2026 6th Round pick (#196) from Philadelphia in exchange for the #34 overall pick, a 2026 4th Round pick (#104) and a 2027 3rd Round pick-  QB Ty Simpson, Alabama- The Cardinals buy the Browns smokescreen and move in front of them to get Simpson.  The price is similar to what the Giants paid to move up for Jaxson Dart, and the Cardinals offer a low-pressure situation with Jacoby Brissett as the starter.  Simpson, being a guy the Rams once targeted and a coach’s son who reads pre-snap well…this screams a Mike LaFleur type fit.  The Cardinals take the swing.
  24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville)- OT Blake Miller, Clemson- The Browns circle back to the line and take the Strongsville native who idolized Joe Thomas.  Miller played primarily on the right side, but his athletic testing and scores scream that he is more than able to move to the left side.  He’s a tough, gritty blocker who just gets the job done no matter what.  It’s not going to be elite, but he’s just steady.  The Browns bet George Warhop develops him into a stabilizing presence on the left side.
  25. Chicago Bears- EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma- The Bears continue to look to improve their pass rush and take one of the most intriguing talents in the draft.  It seems his stock has risen above fellow undersized pass rusher Cassius Howell.  Thomas has a non-stop motor, and he’s just explosive that teams love off the snap.  He’s had as good a draft process to help himself out as anyone.  He’s not going past the early 2nd round, so seeing him go here makes sense.
  26. Buffalo Bills- LB CJ Allen, Georgia- The Bills are elated at this point to get Allen who fills a massive void at the LB position.  It’s not just his talent, but his leadership on defense that stands out.  Allen can come in and add a leadership presence that they’re lacking on that side of the ball.  It’s one of those picks that he shouldn’t be here, but he just slipped here.
  27. San Francisco 49ers- EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson- The 49ers could move out here to get some picks as they have some O-Line needs, but getting TJ Parker here is a steal.  Parker’s draft process has been what I’d say as “meeting expectations”; he’s just consistent.  He’s not going to be a 15 sack guy, but getting 8-10 sacks every year is something I see out of him.  Think Emmanuel Ogbah type.
  28. Houston Texans- OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon- The Texans have multiple needs on the O-Line and have to address them to properly evaluate the contract CJ Stroud may demand.  This isn’t an overly talented Guard draft, but Pregnon was just a solid player who can hold down the inside.  It’s not sexy, but you’re drafting a starter at this point.  Pregnon fills the role and 
  29. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF- After getting Mauigoa at #9 and sitting with an early 2nd and picks to maneuver for the leftover CBs on Day 2, we target an EDGE.  Lawrence may have played at a smaller school at UCF, but he was productive there.  What stands out is the elite testing he had at the Combine.  He ran a 4.52, had a 40’’ vert, and a 130’’ broad jump at 6’4’’ 253.  People…he’s going to go Round 1 whether you have him as that or not.  Kansas City bets it on the freak athlete who will thrive with Chris Jones.
  30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver)- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State- Full disclosure…I almost had Chris Bazzell go here instead.  However, I think seeing the Dolphins Front Office in a quasi-rebuild, they take the best talent regardless of injury concerns.  Tyson’s draft process has been a nightmare, leaving real concerns about his health and durability.  When he’s healthy, he’s a beast and a Top 5 talent.  But it goes to show how important your health is in the draft process.  However, he instantly becomes WR1 for the Dolphins and Malik Willis.  If he’s healthy, a Delane/Tyson 1st round could be game-changing.
  31. New England Patriots- EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M- The Pats need a pass rusher and take one of the most productive ones last year.  The truth is, on production, Howell is a Top 15 pick, but his size and testing left a bit to be desired.  However, that doesn’t matter in Vrabel’s defense; all that matters is if he can get to the QB, and the tape shows that he can.
  32. Seattle Seahawks- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson- The Seahawks have gotten raided all over the secondary, so they add a piece back.  Terrell could do better if he runs a strong 40 at his Pro Day, but he’s been a consistently productive corner for Clemson.  Wouldn’t shock me if he’s past Jermod McCoy on boards now, but Terrell’s size compared to other top CBs without injury concerns makes him the pick here.