The National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine, the week-long event where the NFL draft prospects run drills and meet with teams, has just ended. At the combine, players show off their athleticism while running drills, such as the 40-yard dash, that can help or hurt their draft stock if they aren’t locked to go in the first round. Players get to meet with the teams one-on-one, giving them a chance to leave good impressions on the coaches and general managers.
The combine also puts all 32 general managers in the same room, which leads to trade talks heating up as we approach free agency and the NFL Draft. In this mock draft, I will be exploring these possibilities by including trades.
1. TRADE: New York Giants (via Tennessee Titans) select Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami
New York sends the Titans no. 3, no. 34 and a 2026 first round pick for no. 1.
The Giants are heavily rumored to be interested in moving up two spots for the number one pick. The Titans are also rumored to be looking into all options, including trading down. In this mock draft, New York pulls the trigger and drafts Cam Ward as the first pick.
2. Cleveland Browns select Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado
Once again, I have the Browns taking Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland desperately needs to find their answer for the quarterback position, and they don’t have the luxury of waiting for a better option. Sanders is very accurate, despite not having amazing arm strength. Browns take a shot with Sanders at no. 2.
3. Tennessee Titans (via New York Giants) select Abdul Carter, Edge Rusher, Penn State
The Titans have stated they wouldn’t pass on a generational talent in this draft. While Carter may not necessarily be generational, he’s the best player in this class and Tennessee manages to draft him after trading down two spots.
4. New England Patriots select Travis Hunter, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado
The Patriots reportedly love Hunter, and he manages to fill two positions of need for them. This is a deep offensive line class; New England can address that position in the second round.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars select Will Campbell, Offensive Linemen, LSU
Jacksonville’s new head coach Liam Coen was the offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay last year, and he has seen the importance of having good players on the offensive line. Will Campbell is arguably the best offensive linemen in the class; the Jaguars see the value at no. 5.
6. Las Vegas Raiders select Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
The Raiders, who have plenty of holes on their roster, decide to go with the best player available with Mason Graham. Graham would get to team up with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby in Vegas.
7. New York Jets select Shemar Stewart, Edge Rusher, Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart is an incredible player who had a great week at the combine, putting up one of the most athletic performances of all time for someone in his position. The Jets are able to grab a top 10 player and would likely do so with little hesitation.
8. TRADE: Indianapolis Colts (via Caroline Panthers) select Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State
The Colts exchange no. 14, no. 80, and a 2026 third for no. 8 and no. 141 from the Panthers.
Tyler Warren for the Colts has been one of my favorite fits this entire draft cycle. In this scenario, I have them moving up six spots to ensure that they are able to get him. Warren would provide their developing quarterback Anthony Richardson with a reliable and dynamic pass catcher.
9. New Orleans Saints select Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State
The Saints add to their offense by drafting the Heisman runner-up. Jeanty provides a nice complement and eventual replacement to New Orleans’ dynamic running back Alvin Kamara, who is already 29 years old.
10. Chicago Bears select Armand Membou, Offensive Linemen, Missouri
The Bears desperately need to address their offensive line. Membou had a great showing at the combine and has flexibility to move around the offensive line.
11. San Francisco 49ers select Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
The 49ers add to their secondary with Michigan star Will Johnson. There are some concerns about Johnson’s game speed, but he still remains my top cornerback at this moment.
12. Dallas Cowboys select Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
Jalon Walker provides Dallas with a versatile pass rusher to help their defense. Walker will either be a good complement to the Cowboys’ star player Micah Parsons, or he will be a good replacement as there have been recent rumors of Parsons getting traded.
13. Miami Dolphins select Kelvin Banks Jr, Offensive Linemen, Texas
Once again, the Dolphins top priority should be protecting Tua Tagovailoa. Banks offers versatility on the offensive line.
14. Carolina Panthers (via Indianapolis Colts) select Mykel Williams, Edge Rusher, Georgia
I think the Panthers would be thrilled if they were able to trade down from eight, collect assets from the Colts and still be able to select Mykel Williams. Williams is a fantastic player and reportedly a great locker room guy as well.
15. Atlanta Falcons select Jahdae Baron, Cornerback, Texas
The Falcons have spent the last four years addressing their offense in the first round. This year, they decide to add to their defense and upgrade their secondary.
16. TRADE: Kansas City Chiefs (via Arizona Cardinals) select Josh Simmons, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
The Chiefs send no. 31, no. 95, and a 2026 second for no. 16 and no. 169
The Chiefs don’t pick until the end of the first round and they desperately need an offensive tackle. Not only is Simmons one of the few linemen in this class that is definitely a tackle, but there are several teams between no. 16 and no. 31 who would be happy to draft him. The Chiefs make a big move up to secure Simmons.
17. Cincinnati Bengals select Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona
McMillan is a big body receiver with great hands. The Bengals add to their already dynamic offense and give Joe Burrow another weapon to throw to.
18. Seattle Seahawks select Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
The Seahawks need to add to their passing game, and Loveland is a fantastic option at tight end. Noah Fant doesn’t appear to be the future in Seattle; Loveland will fit in well.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama
Campbell is a fantastic player who would fit in with the Tampa Bay defense like a glove. Lavonte David is getting older and is likely soon to retire, Jihaad Campbell would be an easy replacement.
20. Denver Broncos select Malakai Starks, Safety, Georgia
Like I said in my last mock draft, Starks is a top 10 player who will likely fall due to positional value. His 2024 tape wasn’t as strong as it was in 2023, but the talent is undeniable. The Broncos upgrade their secondary with a dynamic player in Starks.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers select Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas
Golden had a standout performance at the combine, running a 4.29 forty-yard dash. The Steelers need another weapon on offense and Golden would be a great addition to a weak receiver room.
22. TRADE: Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Chargers) select Mike Green, Edge Rusher, Marshall
The Lions send no. 28 and a 2026 third for no. 22 from the Chargers.
The Lions make a move up to add a dynamic pass rusher to line up across from Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line. Mike Green led college football in sacks with 17 in 2024.
23. Green Bay Packers select James Pearce Jr., Edge Rusher, Tennessee
The Packers love to use their first round pick on high upside pass rushers that need to develop. Pearce fits directly into the category. After testing great at the combine, Pearce goes at no. 23 to Green Bay.
24. Minnesota Vikings select Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Caroline
Nick Emmanwori is one of the standout players from the combine, testing as one of the most athletic players at his position. He also tested as one of the most athletic players as a cornerback, a wide receiver, or a middle linebacker. Needless to say, Emmanwori is an amazing athlete. The Vikings improve their secondary with the dynamic safety from South Carolina.
25. Houston Texans select Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
The Texans desperately need a receiver and what better match-up than pairing third-year quarterback CJ Stroud with his former college teammate Emeka Egbuke.
26. Los Angeles Rams select Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon
Josh Conerly, who I incorrectly called Tyler in my first mock draft, would fit in nicely on the Rams’ offensive line. LA just got a deal done with quarterback Matthew Stafford, and now they draft some protection for him.
27. Baltimore Ravens select Donovan Jackson, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State
Donovan Jackson impressed this year at Ohio State when Josh Simmons went down with a leg injury. Originally a guard, he has shown the ability to hold his own at tackle. Baltimore improves their offensive line with this pick.
28. Los Angeles Chargers (via Detroit Lions) select Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina
Rumors around the league say that teams don’t see that large of a gap between Hampton and Ashton Jeanty, with some teams reportedly having Hampton as the top running back on the board. The Chargers under Jim Harbaugh love to run the ball, and Omarion Hampton provides them with a true number one option at the position.
29. Washington Commanders select Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi
Nolen is a great player that I have struggled to mock higher than this, though I do think there’s a chance he goes much higher on draft night (perhaps to the Cowboys or the Cardinals). Washington adds to their offensive line in a big way with Nolen.
30. Buffalo Bills select Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Kenneth Grant has wonderful upsides, though he needs time to develop. The Bills are in a great situation where they can afford to take a shot on the best player available.
31. Arizona Cardinals (via Kansas City Chiefs) select Tyler Booker, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
The Cardinals have a need at offensive line and use this pick to address that need and protect Kyler Murray. Booker is a very solid player who will stick at guard.
32. Philadelphia Eagles select Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri
Burden is a really good player who had an off-year in production in 2024. In this mock he fell to the reigning Super Bowl champions who add a new dynamic layer to their already strong offense.
