NFL free agency officially started on Wednesday, March 12, allowing teams to sign players who are no longer under contract with a team. Free agency, alongside the NFL draft, is the way teams build their rosters in the offseason. Free agency also clues us on the direction teams might look when it comes to the NFL draft.
In this mock draft I won’t be doing trades, but rather focusing on players-to-team fits and positions that teams might address. I will also be taking a look into the second round of the draft to help get familiar with the prospects who I hadn’t mocked in the first round.
1. Tennessee Titans select Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami
I still feel like the Titans might trade down from this pick. However, with all the work they have put into beefing up their offensive line during free agency, the signs point to Tennessee adding a quarterback to their roster. Cam Ward has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this class and will likely be the first one off the board in April.
2. Cleveland Browns select Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado
I’ve had the Browns selecting Shedeur Sanders in my last two mock drafts and the more I think about it, the more likely I think it is to happen. The Browns are reportedly high on Sanders and I don’t think they’ll have an issue with taking their shot on their potential franchise quarterback at no. 2.
3. New York Giants select Travis Hunter, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado
Travis Hunter is a dynamic two-way player who could fill a need on both sides of the ball for the Giants. As of right now, I think when all is said and done, Hunter will likely focus on being a receiver first who moonlights on defense.
4. New England Patriots select Abdul Carter, Edge Rusher, Penn State
The Patriots go best player available, and Abdul Carter is by far the best player available. There is a chance he falls a little bit due to injury concerns, but I would be surprised if he falls out of the top five.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars select Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
The Jaguars have made plenty of moves in free agency, though they haven’t touched on their defensive line. I believe Jacksonville’s new general manager James Gladstone is leaving a spot open for a rookie to start, and that rookie is Mason Graham.
6. Las Vegas Raiders select Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State
The Raiders need a lot of help. In this mock draft, I have them selecting the best player left on the board: Ashton Jeanty.
7. New York Jets select Armand Membou, Offensive Tackle, Missouri
The Jets are taking a shot with quarterback Justin Fields. The best thing they could do with the way the board has fallen is provide him with some extra protection. Armand Membou is one of the best offensive linemen in this class.
8. Carolina Panthers select Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
Jalon Walker would be a great fit in Carolina, and the Panthers desperately need help on their defense.
9. New Orleans Saints select Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona
The Saints could use an upgrade to their receiving corps. Former first round pick Chris Olave is injury-prone and I don’t think there’s anyone to get too excited about outside of him. McMillan is a big-bodied receiver with great hands and athleticism.
10. Chicago Bears select Will Campbell, Offensive Lineman, LSU
The Bears have made major improvements to their offensive line this free agency. They traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signed Drew Dalman. That being said, Campbell is one of the better prospects in this draft class and injuries are always a possibility. Campbell is a great depth piece and future starter.
11. San Francisco 49ers select Shemar Stewart, Edge Rusher, Texas A&M
The 49ers reportedly released Leonard Floyd after they thought they had secured free agency edge rusher Joey Bosa, but Bosa changed his mind and signed with Buffalo instead. With this new hole wide open on their defensive line, I have the 49ers taking a shot on the explosively athletic Shemar Stewart.
12. Dallas Cowboys select Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas
Golden had a great day at the NFL combine, and the Cowboys could use a dynamic weapon on their offense.
13. Miami Dolphins select Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
Malaki Starks is a top-10 player in this class and the Dolphins will likely look to upgrade their secondary this year in the draft. Starks could fill the hole created when Jevon Holland left in free agency.
14. Indianapolis Colts select Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State
If you’ve read any of my mock drafts before this, this pick shouldn’t surprise you at all. Warren is a great weapon to help in the development of Anthony Richardson.
15. Atlanta Falcons select Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama
The Falcons spent their last four first-round picks on offensive skill players. I think this year they will start looking on the other side of the ball. Campbell has the flexibility to play both on and off the ball at linebacker.
16. Arizona Cardinals select Grey Zabel, Offensive Linemen, North Dakota State
Zabel is one of the biggest risers in the draft so far this offseason. The Cardinals use this pick to address their offensive line and Zabel has the ability to start day-one at guard.
17. Cincinnati Bengals select Mykel Williams, Edge Rusher, Georgia
The Bengals just dumped an incredibly large amount of money into their offense with over 500 million dollars between Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. All signs point to them focusing on building their offense for cheap through the draft. Williams is the best edge rusher on the board and is reportedly a great locker room guy.
18. Seattle Seahawks select Jahdae Barron, Cornerback, Texas
The Seahawks should look to upgrade their cornerback room after a lackluster sophomore season from Tariq Woolen. Barron offers incredible speed and athleticism to a Seattle defense who could certainly use it.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
Will Johnson is falling down the board a little bit in this mock draft and Tampa Bay takes advantage of it. Johnson’s size and ball skills give him great potential as a prospect.
20. Denver Broncos select Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
Loveland at no. 20 is tremendous value. I don’t think signing Evan Engram stops the Broncos from grabbing a dynamic player for their second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers select Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
While I don’t believe there is another quarterback good enough to be drafted in the first round, I seriously considered mocking one at this pick to the Steelers, especially due to their lack of a second round pick from the DK Metcalf trade. However, Pittsburgh is aggressively pursuing Aaron Rodgers, and while I don’t view Rodgers as a long-term (or even short-term) solution, I think he’ll be enough for the Steelers to look in a different direction. Here, I have them selecting Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who has impressive upside if he can be developed.
22. Los Angeles Chargers select Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi
There are a few character and maturity concerns with Nolen, but his talent and ability warrant taking a shot. The Chargers look to upgrade their interior defensive line with this pick.
23. Green Bay Packers select Shavon Revel, Cornerback, East Carolina
With the future of Jaire Alexander in question at the moment, the Packers will likely look to address their secondary early this year.
24. Minnesota Vikings select Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina
Emmanwori made a statement with his impressive performance at the combine. The Vikings try and find their eventual Harrison Smith replacement with this pick.
25. Houston Texans select Kelvin Banks Jr., Offensive Tackle, Texas
Houston could look to address their depleted receiver room here, but their offensive line looks horrible headed into next season. Banks will step in day one to try and fill the void left after tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to Washington.
26. Los Angeles Rams select Maxwell Hairston, Cornerback, Kentucky
The Rams’ cornerback room leaves a lot to be desired. Hairston, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine this year, offers explosive athleticism at the position.
27. Baltimore Ravens select Mike Green, Edge Rusher, Marshall
Mike Green was the most productive pass rusher in college football this past season. Baltimore hopes that production carries over to the league and adds him to their defensive unit.
28. Detroit Lions select Tyler Booker, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
Detroit looks to add to their already impressive offensive line by beefing up their interior with guard Tyler Booker.
29. Washington Commanders select Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge Rusher, Boston College
The Commanders went from having an impressive defensive line to an underwhelming unit in a matter of a few seasons. Ezeiruaku adds a lot of talent and potential to the Washington defense.
30. Buffalo Bills select Trey Amos, Cornerback, Mississippi
Amos has excellent speed, size, instincts and ball skills at his position. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called during the first round.
31. Kansas City Chiefs select Josh Simmons, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
The biggest concern with Simmons is whether or not he can remain healthy. If he can stay on the field, then I believe he’s the left tackle of the future for the Chiefs.
32. Philadelphia Eagles select James Pearce Jr., Edge Rusher, Tennessee
Pearce Jr. has a lot of burst and athleticism for his position, running a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine. The Eagles love to draft linemen in the first round and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that trend continue this year.
Round 2
33. Cleveland Browns select Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina
34. New York Giants select Jalen Milroe, Quarterback, Alabama
35. Tennessee Titans select Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
36. Jacksonville Jaguars select Luther Burder III, Wide Receiver, Missouri
37. Las Vegas Raiders select Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon
38. New England Patriots select Donovan Jackson, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State
39. Chicago Bears select TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State
40. New Orleans Saints select Kaleb Johnson, Running Back, Iowa
41. Chicago Bears select Nic Scourton, Edge Rusher, Texas A&M
42. New York Jets select Jaxson Dart, Quarterback, Mississippi
43. San Francisco 49ers select Azareye’h Thomas, Cornerback, Florida State
44. Dallas Cowboys select Princely Umanmielen, Edge Rusher, Mississippi
45. Indianapolis Colts select Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback, Notre Dame
46. Atlanta Falcons select Darius Alexander, Defensive Tackle, Toledo
47. Arizona Cardinals select Jaylin Noel, Wide Receiver, Iowa State
48. Miami Dolphins select Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon
49. Cincinnati Bengals select Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame
50. Seattle Seahawks select Jonah Savaiinaea, Offensive Lineman, Arizona
51. Denver Broncos select Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Ohio State
52. Seattle Seahawks select Mason Taylor, Tight End, LSU
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tyleik Williams, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
54. Green Bay Packers select Landon Jackson, Edge Rusher, Arkansas
55. Los Angeles Chargers select Elijah Arroyo, Tight End, Miami
56. Buffalo Bills select Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver, Stanford
57. Carolina Panthers select Denzel Burke, Cornerback, Ohio State
58. Houston Texans select Tre Harris, Wide Receiver, Mississippi
59. Baltimore Ravens select Carson Schwesinger, Linebacker, UCLA
60. Detroit Lions select Bradyn Swinson, Edge Rusher, LSU
61. Washington Commanders select Wyatt Milum, Offensive Lineman, West Virginia
62. Buffalo Bills select T.J. Sanders, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
63. Kansas City Chiefs select Harold Fannin Jr., Tight End, Bowling Green
64. Philadelphia Eagles select Aireontae Ersery, Offensive Lineman, Minnesota
