1. Shedeur Sanders Tennessee Titans
QB Colorado Big Board Rank: 9
There has been a lot of debate over who should be the #1 pick and whether that player will even be a Quarterback. Shedeur is the most Pro-ready QB right now and Tennessee's best chance to build a team that can compete. The team's defense is already above average but their offense has no direction. Sanders will bring a toughness and accuracy to the position the Titans haven't had since Steve McNair. Whether that will translate to success is anyone's guess, (Sanders may need to sit for half a season before he's pro ready.)
Pro Comp: Andy Dalton, CIN
2. Abdul Carter Cleveland Browns
Edge Penn State Big Board Rank: 3
The Browns are truly in a terrible spot. They have a major Quarterback problem and their star player Myles Garrett has requested a trade. On top of that, they have the second least cap space in the league with a projected $-20 million. Whether Garrett is getting traded or not, drafting Abdul Carter is the move here. Carter is a beast and can blend power or speed moves to rush the passer and can also drop back into coverage. Whether he is taking over for Garrett or making the best Edge pair in the league, this pick will be eerily similar to the Browns starting their rebuild in 2017 with the initial Myles Garrett pick.
Pro Comp: Micah Parsons, DAL
3. Travis Hunter New York Giants
CB/WR Colorado Big Board Rank: 1
The #1 player on my prospect Big Board, Hunter is a very unique case because of the questions surrounding his position and usage in the NFL. Most people including myself do not see him as a two-way player like he was in college but the great thing for the Giants is that they need both! I believe Hunter will be a Cornerback for the Giants and will instantly be their CB1. His unbelievable athleticism and stamina coupled with a dawg-like mentality to get to the ball makes his potential as high as a Top-5 corner in the league some day. He has the ability to play 100% of defensive snaps while also playing enough offense every game to receive 2 or 3 catches a game alongside Malik Nabers. At pick #3, Hunter should still be considered a steal.
Pro Comp: WR- Ladd McConkey, LAC
CB- Jaire Alexander, GB
4. Mason Graham New England Patriots
DT Michigan Big Board Rank: 2
The Patriots rebuild is thoroughly on the way and what better way to start then in the trenches. Mason Graham may be the least-talked about "Blue Chip" prospect I've seen in a long time and I'm not sure why. With several years of starting on Michigan's championship D-line as experience, an ability to rush the passer with power or a ferocious rip move and a brick-wall like run stuff, there's nothing Graham can't do from all 3 DT positions. A WR or OL would also be a good pick here but the value is strongest for Graham and should turn an already-good Patriots defense even better under the new Vrabel-regime.
Pro Comp: Quinnen Williams, NYJ
5. Will Johnson Jacksonville Jaguars
CB Michigan Big Board Rank: 6
The Jaguars have a weird team on their hands... A really good young core with a Franchise QB, 2 prominent edge rushers and a Top-3 rookie Brian Thomas Jr. So let's go with BPA and take Will Johnson from Michigan. So many CBs in this class had an injury-plagued 2024 after a great 2023 and Will Johnson is the embodiment of that. 51 catches in 33 games of starting in the Big 10 is beyond remarkable and that number gets even better without last season. If a championship 2023 season is any glimpse into Johnson's potential, Jacksonville may be getting the steal of the draft here.
Pro Comp: AJ Terrell, ATL
6. Tetairoa McMillan Las Vegas Raiders
WR Arizona Big Board Rank: 5
The Raiders may have the worst roster in the NFL right now and a serious rebuild under new HC Pete Carroll is under way. Carroll's success in Seattle was contingent on a hard hitting, physical defense and large over powering offensive weapons, and no player embodies that more than 6'5" Tetairoa McMillan. A tall and physical receiver with above averaging agility and routes means McMillan will immediately take over where Davante Adams left and alongside Brick Bowers, should carry this team's offensive workload on his way to a probable OROY award next year.
Pro Comp: Keenan Allen, CHI
7. Cameron Ward New York Jets
QB Miami Big Board Rank: 16
The Jets have gotten unbelievable luck to get Ward at 7 in this mock draft and they would race to the podium in the first 10 seconds to draft him. Ward is a bit more of project than Sanders and should sit for his freshman season, but the arm talent and experience is there in spades. The Jets are likely to be done with Rodgers but even if the 41-year old trots out for one more season with Ward backing him up, this pick is the absolute best case scenario for the Jets.
Pro Comp: Jordan Love, GB
8. Walter Nolen Carolina Panthers
DT Ole Miss Big Board Rank: 13
The former #1 High School player in the 2022 ESPN 300, Nolen is the best athlete in an incredibly stacked-DT class. At 6'3" and 305 lbs, Nolen's twitch and agility are off the charts. The Panthers have a lot of needs including some receiving help for Bryce Young, but Nolen slots so perfectly into this defense I had to make the pick. Alongside Derrick Brown as a 3-4 DE, Nolen should make up for the Brian Burns loss on a team that ranked T-29th in sacks last year. I almost took Malaki Starks for a similar fit but Nolen's pass rush would be too valuable to this team to pass on him.
Pro Comp: Ed Oliver, BUF
9. Will Campbell New Orleans Saints
OT LSU Big Board Rank: 7
I recently stated that the Raiders have the worst roster in the NFL... Well the Saints have the worst direction in the NFL seeing as they STILL DONT HAVE A COACHING STAFF. The ball dropping from a management position shouldn't make this pick any more difficult; they need to get BPA and work in the trenches and Will Campbell is quite literally the best of both worlds. Campbell has questions on whether his arm size will translate to the NFL but I have no such quandaries that he will be an immediate starting RT on this team. Even if he does have to kick in, the Saints need an OG and Campbell has All-Pro-like potential inside as well.
Pro Comp: Peter Skornoski, TEN
10. Tyler Booker Chicago Bears
OG Alabama Big Board Rank: 15
Chicago is seriously pissed that Campbell just went because Chicago's biggest need may be one of their only needs and that's OL and particularly IOL. Tyler Booker has risen up draft boards significantly over the last 2 months as Alabama's best lineman on the season. He was always IOL1 in this class but never projected as an OT which hurt his stock. His ability was never in question as a 6'5", 325 lb mauler of a Guard with SEC experience. The Bears may be upset they didn't get Campbell, but Booker should be a 10-year starter for them so they won't be too upset.
Pro Comp: Tyler Smith, KC
11. Mike Green San Francisco 49ers
Edge Marshall Big Board Rank: 10
There may have been no bigger "Draft rider" from the Senior Bowl than Mike Green. A relatively unknown prospect before the season, Green led the FBS in sacks with 17 this season and followed it up with an overwhelming display of dominance in the Senior Bowl. The 49ers have a couple of needs after a disappointing 2024 season but an edge rusher may be the biggest. Nick Bosa is elite but he can't be the only weapon this defense has if they want to make it back to Super Bowls. Green will make every team's OL coach lose sleep the night before a game and could help San Francisco's defense get back on top.
Pro Comp: Jaelen Phillips, MIA
12. Ashton Jeanty Dallas Cowboys
RB Boise State Big Board Rank: 4
This pick has been mocked and talked about more than any other pick in this class which is unprecedented at the #12 spot. However, it's a pick that just makes too much sense not to make here. Dallas has historically built dynasties around highly-drafted RBs, (Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith and even Ezekiel Elliot helped this team to 5-years of dominance in the mid 2010's.) Jeanty just had the best RB season since Barry Sanders in the 80's and is the best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley. The Cowboys need A LOT more than just a RB and that was the biggest struggle for this pick as they should go after a player like Mykel Williams, Derrick Harmon or even a tackle like Armand Membou. But Jeanty is the pick and a player I'm sure Jerry Jones has been salivating over.
Pro Comp: Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
13. Malaki Starks Miami Dolphins
SAF Georgia Big Board Rank: 8
Starks has been one of those prospects that I've struggled with declaring the "Blue Chip" marking or not. A high-floor and high-potential safety in the NFL, Starks is a do it all Safety who does his best work out of the Nickel position. Similar to Marlon Humphrey's role on the Ravens but better against the run like Kyle Hamilton, Starks is an ideal player for the Dolphins whose secondary are mostly Free Agents after this season. Starks will immediately be a starter for the team and likely will be a DROY candidate due to his versatility and eventual importance to this team as earlya s his rookie year.
Pro Comp: Marlon Humphrey, BAL
14. Tyler Warren Indianapolis Colts
TE Penn State Big Board Rank: 11
As a Colts fan I am a fan of the player but not of this pick. Tyler Warren will be a great fit in Indianapolis and will give Anthony Richardson another weapon in his definitive "prove-it" year but in truth, the Colts need a DB much more than a TE. I truly believe this will be the pick as it's more important to get help for AR now, but a player like Jahdae Barron I believe would be much better for the team now and in the future. The Colts have already conducted interviews with Warren and a marriage between the two seem imminent, however I can't help feeling like Warren will be a casualty of another Colts-failed project.
Pro Comp: Pat Freiermuth, PIT
15. Nic Scourton Atlanta Falcons
Edge Texas A&M Big Board Rank: 17
The Falcons have had the same need for an Edge rusher for years now and it's finally time to address it here. Scourton may not be this high on a lot of boards at the moment but I project him to really separate himself with his athleticism and strength at the combine which is exactly the type of edge rusher Raheem Morris wants. While Bralen Trice still has potential to be a starting Edge, for now it will be Scourton and Judon on the edge and the 31st team in sacks this season will be a lot better for next year.
Pro Comp: Rashon Gary, GB
16. Jalon Walker Arizona Cardinals
LB Georgia Big Board Rank: 22
Walker is a very interesting prospect in this draft, one of the most versatile at any position without being particularly elite in any area. Walker is a very safe prospect with a very high floor but could possibly cap out at a certain level. The thing is a player like Walker who can do everything at the W or even M Linebacker is exactly what the Cardinals need at the position. A proven winner in Georgia's last championship, Walker will bring some much needed stability to the center of this defense.
Pro Comp: Matt Milano, BUF
17. Jahdae Barron Cincinnati Bengals
DB Texas Big Board Rank: 23
Texas' defense was so good they made it to the CFP semi-finals this year mostly from that side of the ball and Jahdae Barron was maybe the most important reason for that. Barron is a position-less DB with ball hawking ability and a ferocious competitiveness that will make him an instant Locker Room leader. The Bengals have been missing a leader in the DB room for a long time and Barron would slot into the NB role Mike Hilton will be leaving to test Free Agency. Barron's ability to create turnovers while also being fearless against the run will create a playmaker the Bengals haven't had since... maybe ever? No seriously look at the Bengals' all-time DBs and get back to me.
Pro Comp: Tyrann Mathieu, NO
18. James Pearce Jr. Seattle Seahawks
Edge Tennessee Big Board Rank: 12
A prospect I am much higher on than most, Pearce Jr. was the consensus #1 pick before the season started and had an underwhelming Junior season compared to a great Sophomore campaign. The reason he's being undervalued is because of his high status leading to double blocks and schemes centered around him all season and even with that, still got 10TFLs and 7.5 sacks this year in the SEC. Pearce Jr. is able to rush the edge from a 3-point or standing position and can fit in Seattle's defense as an OLB alongside other high-potential young rushers like Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu. Pearce has the potential to easily be the best of the bunch an even a Top-10 rusher in the NFL in not too long of time.
Pro Comp: Brian Burns, NYG
19. Mykel Williams Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Edge Georgia Big Board Rank: 24
Williams is another very interesting prospect from Georgia who's intangibles are incredible but his play style makes him a weird fit for teams. Williams is an elite run defender from the edge position but his pass rush skills are only average. His physical traits are incredible too standing at 6'5" and 245 lbs with an estimated wingspan of 6'10". The coaching ability of Todd Bowles in Tampa would be the best way for Mykel to reach his true potential and would give Tampa's Front-7 an extra threat they haven't had in a while.
Pro Comp: Carl Granderson, NO
20. Luther Burden III Denver Broncos
WR Missouri Big Board Rank: 14
A slight fall for Luther Burden and Sean Payton 's Broncos are running to the podium to make this pick. After an astonishingly over-achieving 10-7 record this year, the Broncos have great potential in the next year or two and that starts with giving Bo Nix some more help. A good lineman here, a wide receiver and a tight end there and they should become a real contender.
Pro Comp: Julian Edelman, NE
21. Derrick Harmon Pittsburgh Steelers
DT Oregon Big Board Rank: 28
A replacement for Cam Heyward has been a popular mocked pick for several years now and they may have waited until just the right time for a player like Derrick Harmon. A tall and strong D-tackle with great hands and a mean streak, Harmon is a perfect blend of two DTs in Pittsburgh already, Heyward and Keeanu Benton. Harmon is a more polished run stuffer but has shown flashes to become a pass rusher as well. His athleticism and size would make him a mean threat in the heart of Pittsburgh's defense and will pick right up after Cam Heyward has his long-deserved retirement.
Pro Comp: Keeanu Benton
22. Colston Loveland Los Angeles Chargers
TE Michigan Big Board Rank: 26
Another easy selection and perfect fit pass catcher to a team on the rise, the Chargers made a great pick last year for Ladd McConkey and adding Colston Loveland would only optimize both players potential. The Michigan connection between Loveland and Harbaugh is obvious and assures Harbaugh will use the TE right. A similar style to Brock Bowers in Las Vegas, Loveland will never be the bulking run blocker the Chargers need for their scheme, but he is an absurd route runner for his position and the team's best red zone threat almost immediately.
Pro Comp: Evan Engram, JAX
23. Kelvin Banks Jr. Green Bay Packers
OT/OG Texas Big Board Rank: 18
A nasty, mauling lineman capable of playing in or outside of the line, Banks would slot into the right guard position where he should be as dominant in the pros as he was at Texas. Banks was one of the best tackles in the nation last year but arm length limitations have projected him as a Guard at the next level and he could be the final piece of a Packers O-line that is starting to look like the Cowboys' from the 90's. Banks will have to learn pass blocking from the interior but all other aspects of his game already have a very high floor.
Pro Comp: Tytus Howard, HOU
24. Grey Zabel Minnesota Vikings
OL N. Dakota State Big Board Rank: 32
Huge fan of this dude. I didn't know much about Zabel before the Senior Bowl but he stood out as the single best player at the event. Not only was he physically impressive in 1-on-1 blocks but he tallied the most reps of the day, showing his incredible strength technique and stamina at once. Part of a long line of O-linemen from North Dakota State, the Vikings would swoop Zabel up in a heartbeat with Dalton Risner set to hit free agency this summer.
Pro Comp: Ali Marpet, TB
25. Armand Membou Houston Texans
OT/OG Missouri Big Board Rank: 27
Here's a controversial take: I'm not as high on Membou as most others. A solid and true OT prospect, Membou has good technique, size and athleticism but has struggled with his power against top ranked competition. Nonetheless he is definitely a First-Round prospect and a player Houston will love to add to their weak O-line. While the Texans will surely look for an interior lineman more, the Texans couldn't and shouldn't pass on his talent.
Pro Comp: Alijah Vera-Tucker, NYJ
26. Dillon Gabriel Los Angeles Rams
QB Oregon Big Board Rank: 60
A shocking pick for most, the player may not be who the Rams were gunning for but the Quarterback position needs to be addressed this offseason especially with reports surfacing of Stafford's unhappiness. Dillon Gabriel is my QB 4 below Jaxson Dart but Gabriel is the better fit for Los Angeles, (or at least has a closer style to Stafford than Dart does.) Gabriel impressed a lot of people with his run at Oregon this year and then further solidified his status at the Senior Bowl. Gabriel has an above average arm with tremendous accuracy, great experience against good levels of opponents and will be heading to one of the best offenses and coached by one of the best young minds in the game. I really love this pick.
Pro Comp: Baker Mayfield
27. Benjamin Morrison Baltimore Ravens
CB Notre Dame Big Board Rank: 20
A hip injury kept him out for most of the 2024 CFB season and has seriously pushed his stock down but Morrison is no ordinary 27th pick. Before this last CFB season, Morrison was CB1 to a lot of people for his man cover ability and freaky athleticism for his size. At 6'1" and 185 lbs, Morrison consistently shadowed and locked down receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr to statlines like "3 targets, 1 catch for 4 yards." The injury will be all the difference in the world for Morrison. If a clean bill of health can be given to him before the draft Morrison is legitimately a Top-15 player or higher. If the injury is still lingering he could be a Day 2 pick.
Pro Comp: Kendall Fuller ???????
28. Shavon Revel Jr. Detroit Lions
CB E. Carolina Big Board Rank: 30
Very similar to Ben Morrison, Revel Jr happened to tear his ACL and miss most of the 2024 season after being a Top CB prospect before the season. Whereas Morrison is a sticky-man corner, Revel Jr. is more of a downhill in your face athlete. Even if Revel's potential doesn't unfold in the NFL as a corner, a career at Safety is easy to see. The Lions have shown they're willing to draft DBs lately with Brian Branch and Terrion Arnold, now drafting a Revel Jr who would make a perfect compliment from an inside-outside corner basis would be a really fun trio I want to see.
Pro Comp: Juju Brents
29. Emeka Egbuka Washington Commanders
WR Ohio State Big Board Rank: 21
The Commanders are laughing all the way to the podium for this pick. The Commanders' biggest need happens to be a WR and after Egbuka has fallen 10 spots below his value in this mock, the marriage seems like destiny. Egbuka's cut from the same cloth as Terry MacLaurin with maybe not as much vertical upside. Steady hands and elite route running will make him the Commanders' WR2 and an awesome safety outlet for Jayden Daniels to get even better with.
Pro Comp: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
30. Shemar Stewart Buffalo Bills
DT Texas A&M Big Board Rank: 31
Another Senior Bowl standout, Stewart's brand of nasty trench work will be immediately loved in Buffalo. Standing 6'6" and 290 pounds, Stewart's a freak athlete with a strong run defense and pass rush potential. Another changing of the guard move here as Daquan Jones and Von Miller aren't getting any younger, a DL of Ed Oliver and Shemar Stewart would be the best of both worlds in stopping the run adn rushing the passer.
Pro Comp: (Current) Jadeveon Clowney
31. Jayden Higgins Kansas City Chiefs
WR Iowa State Big Board Rank: 41
This may be overkill at the receiver position but the Chiefs still need another option with Hopkins, Brown and Smith-Schuster all being UFA and Rashee Rice's legal battles upcoming. Jayden Higgins is a big bodied athlete with good hands and impressive route running for his size. He's not your prototypical speed WR the Chiefs have targeted but he will be an immediate red zone threat and sideline threat. A young core of Xavier Worthy and Jayden Higgins could bring this team's offense back to what it was in Patrick Mahomes' younger years.
Pro Comp: "Poor Man's" Mike Evans
32. Jack Sawyer Philadelphia Eagles
Edge Ohio State Big Board Rank: 36
The Eagles not only are Super Bowl Champions but also have the best roster in Football. With Free Agency looming, the Eagles have some problems upcoming with Edges and OTs. A player like Jack Sawyer will be in the rotation at first behind Nolan Smith and Zack Baun but the Eagles love to draft a year early. Sawyer is experienced, has great pass moves and a great size at 6'5" and 260 pounds. The Eagles will have a year of Sawyer on the bench to coach him up and use him if needed. The rich get richer...
Pro Comp: Jonathan Greenard
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-Z.D. (@Drapeau_Zak)
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