2026 NFL Mock Draft

We made it. Finally, the best day of the year. The theme of this draft is to expect the unexpected. I’ve poured over mock drafts and scouting reports and the one thing almost everybody agrees on is this year is filled with uncertainty. What makes it so unpredictable is the top prospects this year are all at lower value positions. Jeremiah Smith at running back, Sonny Styles at linebacker, and Caleb Downs at safety have the chance to be generational players. But will teams want to spend high draft capital on them when the market value at those positions is so low? It’s a question many front offices have surely been grappling with. Not to mention the fact that this class doesn’t have a strong group of offensive tackles, has a steep drop off in talent at pass rusher after the top 2, and is filled with a sea of questionable QBs. All of that leads to some pretty interesting debates about roster construction in 2026. How lucky are we to get to sit and watch!? 

As a reminder, I don’t make trades in my mocks. It gets too messy and I have truly no idea what is happening behind the scenes. I make each pick based on what I think each GM will do in their own slot. If the board looks different on draft night, they are wrong, not me!

With that being said, let’s take a stab at predicting the unpredictable…

1. Las Vegas Raiders

The Pick: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Some drafts come with intrigue and mystery at the top of the board. This is not one of those drafts. Mendoza catapulted himself to the top of the board through a mix of some elite, consistent play on the field. He’s a winner, a great leader, and a fantastic decision-maker. I don’t see him as a game-changing 1st overall pick QB, but I see his poise and game IQ taking him far. He reminds me a lot of Jared Goff. You’ll never sit there in awe of his athleticism, but you will remark on how impressive his entire body of work is. He’ll have the additional perk of sitting behind 14-year NFL vet Kirk Cousins, who will be tasked with playing mentor to the young buck. This pick could’ve been handed in back in January.

2. New York Jets

The Pick: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Here is where the draft truly starts. The defense last year was abysmal as the Jets became the first team in NFL history to not record a single interception in a season. Yikes. And while it is easy to criticize the defensive backs, at least some of the blame should be put on the non-existent pass rush. The Jets finished 31st in sacks with just 26 on the year. That lack of pressure gave opposing quarterbacks too much time to find an open man. Head Coach Aaron Glenn has a defensive background and enjoyed the early years of Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit, so I imagine he’ll want to replicate that success with Bailey. While Arvell Reese could certainly get a look here, Bailey is a bit more polished as an edge defender. He had 14.5 sacks last year at Texas Tech and his tape is extremely flashy. He’s quick enough to catch NFL tackles off guard and fly into the backfield. Bailey is your plug and play, while Reese may take more time to learn how to be a pure pass rusher. The deciding factor between both players is the Jets just can’t roll the dice anymore. They need production now. 

3. Arizona Cardinals

The Pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

If I’m the Cardinals, I look for a trade here. There are too many holes to fill on this roster, and acquiring as much draft capital as possible will benefit them in the long run. Projected Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett, a 33 year old journeyman, is not a long term solution. Next year’s draft class is going to have a plethora of elite quarterback talent, so getting a good return for next year would set them up well to land an elite QB. If Arizona can leave Round 1 with a trade back for an offensive lineman and a 2027 1st round pick, that would be a success. But I don’t do trades, so here we are. 

New HC Mike LaFleur is the latest branch from the Sean McVay tree, and while he was the offensive coordinator in LA, he’s seen the value of an elite defense firsthand. Reese draws comparisons to Micah Parsons due to his flexibility in playing both outside linebacker and pure pass rusher. He has great size, strength, and plays with elite speed filling gaps in run coverage. Reese has some serious pop coming downhill and will be able to stand up any NFL offensive lineman. Drafting him is a commitment to setting him up to succeed in your scheme, so as long as LaFleur can make that happen, I love the pick.

4. Tennessee Titans

The Pick: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

If you’ve been reading these every year, you know my one rule of roster construction: If you have a young quarterback it is your responsibility to protect him. The Titans took Cam Ward with the 1st overall pick last year and he promptly became the most sacked quarterback in the league. You cannot let your future of the franchise get sacked 55 times. Fano is far and away the best tackle in the draft despite some size concerns. He started as a true freshman at left tackle before switching to right for 2 seasons. He has small arms which will likely turn some teams off, but he makes up for it with impressive athleticism and quickness in getting to his blocks. He is also solid in run blocking and beating defenders to the second level with speed and power. I love this kid. Tennessee will be tempted by some elite defenders and Jeremiyah Love, but developing in the trenches is most important.

5. New York Giants

The Pick: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Enter the Harbaugh era. The Giants have only made the playoffs once since 2017, and while that first season from Brian Daboll was a success, the rest of his tenure left a lot to be desired. John Harbaugh brings toughness and discipline to a talented young core that is in need of strong leadership. I am fully confident that with young stars like Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, and Brian Burns this team is capable of more than 4 wins. That being said, there is still a lot of work to do on this roster. 

While Jeremiyah Love or a top receiver will be tempting here, the talent defensively drops off after Styles and Caleb Downs, so this pick needs to be one of the two. One of the keys to a Harbaugh team is a dedication to a smothering, hard-hitting defense that closes gaps and rushes the ball. He centers this defense around a strong middle linebacker, whether it be the great Ray Lewis, or more recently, Roquan Smith. Caleb Downs is probably the better overall prospect, but Sonny Styles possesses the mobility, strength, size, and instincts that shine in a Harbaugh defense. I think this pick is more about fit than anything else, and Styles is poised to shine in New York.

6. Cleveland Browns

The Pick: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Same old Browns. Man, this franchise needs a boost. And, while I realize this is not the sexiest pick for a team that seemingly needs everything, a left tackle could be the kickstart they need. The Browns finished 26th in sacks allowed and 31st in passing yards last season, so the air game could use some work. There aren’t a lot of true left tackles in this draft, so while receiver is also an issue, this is where the Browns need to hone in on the offensive line. Freeling has all the traits you want in your left tackle. He’s a 6’7”, 315 LB monster with long arms, athleticism, and a robust presence against outside rushers. He doesn’t have a ton of experience, as he has only been the full-time starter for a little over a season, but that time was spent in the formidable SEC. He has seen more than enough action to be ready to go against top NFL talent. The Browns need to bolster the trenches, and this is the start. 

7. Washington Commanders

The Pick: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

The Commanders are in a tricky spot here, as they could use a bump at just about every position. The offensive skill room is abysmal, but the defensive side of the ball doesn’t do much to inspire either. This pick will come down to who is higher on the Commanders board: Jeremiah Love or Caleb Downs. Ultimately, I think Washington follows the majority of the league in having Love a touch higher. A lot of pundits have Love going earlier than this, some even say his window opens with the Cardinals at 3. Personally, with the value of all those edge rushers and tackles, I just don’t see it. All drafts are different of course, but I have him somewhere between Bijan Robinson (8th overall, 2023) and Ashton Jeanty (6th overall, 2025) in terms of a prospect, so this feels like a realistic spot.

Love was a star at Notre Dame, and for good reason. He has an unbelievable mix of speed, balance, power, and vision that gives him lightning quick feet with remarkable agility. He is also a fantastic receiver, which will be a huge boost to this Washington offense that is lacking in playmakers. That’s truly what this pick is about. The Commanders need to surround Jayden Daniels with as many weapons as possible, and this is a strong start.

8. New Orleans Saints

The Pick: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

This is yet another pick that could go a couple different directions. It was the hardest pick by far for me to anticipate. In the end, I just can’t see a world where the Saints don’t prioritize top receivers for 2nd year QB Tyler Shough. This kid is the real deal, but too often we see good, young QBs flame out when not provided adequate threats on offense. Tate is as solid a receiver as you will find in the draft. He has great hands, can block well, and runs perfect routes. He got lost a bit in Ohio State’s offense with so many great receivers, but he is the real deal. OSU Wide Receivers Coach Brian Hartline is easily one of the best assistants in the country, and his guys come out pro-ready. The Saints know exactly how good Ohio State receivers are, as they will pair Tate with fellow Buckeye Chris Olave to form a formidable 1-2 punch. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.: Miami

What a brutal year for the Chiefs. Mahomes had never finished below 10 wins before this season, and the Chiefs folded down the stretch as they lost their last six games. Granted, Mahomes was injured for a bit, but still, this wasn’t a highly competitive roster. One of the biggest issues was a lack of a threatening defense. While the offense has gotten all the accolades, the Chiefs have held a surprising amount of defensive talent in the past few years. Chris Jones is still a force in the middle of the line, but the Chiefs were still just 24th in sacks last season. Even worse, opposing offenses converted 43.5% of 3rd downs against them. This is a unit that has to generate more pressure, and Bain could be the answer.

A year ago, many would’ve had Bain as the #1 overall pick, but his stock has cooled as a result of both surges from other prospects and a concern over small arms. While length is certainly important in pass rushing, Bain compensates for this with a low point of attack and burst into the offensive line, consistently winning with his strength. This kid is a tank, and the Chiefs will get a steal here if he is still on the board. 

The New York Giants have traded DT Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick

10. New York Giants

The Pick: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Great trade. The Giants offload a far too expensive defensive tackle for a top 10 pick with a new regime. This is the situation you dream of if you are John Harbaugh. Get a huge contract off the books for a hungry young rookie on a cheap deal. Easy! Now the hard part is who will that rookie be? WR Jordyn Tyson has been mocked to the Giants, but he has some injury concerns, and with Nabers coming off an ACL injury of his own, I’m not sure the Giants will want to roll the dice on two banged up receivers.

At this point, Caleb Downs is far and away the best player in this draft. He flourished at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he became easily the top safety in the country. This isn’t a position you typically see this high in the draft, which is a testament to how impressive he is. He plays with an exceptionally high IQ and is somehow always where he needs to be. He isn’t an extraordinary athlete, he isn’t physically imposing, but he has a perfect understanding of the position and can line up all over the secondary. This is a franchise-changing safety. Between Styles and Downs, the Giants will go into 2026 with one of the top defensive units in the league. It’s up to Harbaugh now to translate it to the field.

11. Miami Dolphins

The Pick: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Miami always feels like they are just a couple pieces away from at least being contenders. Injuries have plagued them a ton over the past few years, and after failing expectations once again, the Dolphins find themselves floundering (sometimes I just crack myself up!). They need help across the board, with receiver, cornerback, and offensive line being the biggest areas of concern. When facing so many areas of need, I am always of the mindset to start in the trenches. Even more so in a draft that is so light on offensive linemen. Mauigoa is a former 5-star recruit and has started at right tackle for Miami for the past 3 years. He has a quick step that allows him to get in position quickly, but may struggle early against the speed and power of NFL edge rushers. He has an extremely high ceiling, but will need to learn the ropes before becoming a star. I think he falls outside the top 10, but a team that commits to him could reap the rewards.

12. Dallas Cowboys

The Pick: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Dallas is always near impossible to predict. You just never know who Jerry Jones will fall in love with. Jones loves elite, flashy defensive players, so I could see them packaging both their 1st round picks and moving up for one of the top prospects in the draft, but why do that when you can have a lockdown corner fall into your lap? The Cowboys released Trevon Diggs last season, leaving a hole in their secondary. They surrendered the most passing yards in the league last year, so a strong presence over the top would be welcome. Delane could slot in immediately and be better than Diggs ever was. He started 3 years at safety at Virginia Tech before moving to cornerback for LSU last season. Delane is incredible in press coverage, consistently sticking to his man like glue. He has incredible awareness, closes fast on the ball, and can cover anybody in the league. If he falls to the Cowboys, it truly is Jerry’s World.

13. Los Angeles Rams

The Pick: WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Rams finished 2nd in the league in passing yards last season, but is the future of the passing game really safe? Davante Adams is 32 and in the last year of his deal, and Puka Nacua, currently mired in off the field issues, also sees his contract expire next year. This is a team that loves to push the ball downfield, and if they are to maximize the remaining years of Matthew Stafford, they need to keep the cupboard full at receiver. Jordyn Tyson is still on the board, but he has a long injury history, and the Rams can’t afford to take a risk on someone who may get hurt again. Lemon does not have ideal size, but he has incredible ball skills, elite body control, and always seems to get open. He reminds me a lot of Amon-Ra St Brown. If that comparison comes true, what a steal for the Rams.

14. Baltimore Ravens

The Pick: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Time for a regime change. John Harbaugh will go down as a Baltimore great, but disappointing finishes lead to an inevitable parting of ways. Enter Jesse Minter, who returns to the team as one of the most sought after coaches in football. This is an elite hire that significantly raises the ceiling of the team. However, there are some gaps that need to be addressed. The interior offensive line definitely needs improvement, but with Ronnie Stanley turning 32, it’s time to also think about tackle. A lot of mock drafts have Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane here, but is he the right pick? Proctor is a monster 6’7” 350 LB lineman who was a true freshman left tackle starter at Alabama, a school the Ravens have an extensive history with. He is powerful, has great technique, and is very versatile. Many believe some teams would kick him inside at guard, which is perfect for the Ravens. Play him inside immediately while also backing up Ronnie Stanely at tackle. With Lamar not running as much as he used to, pocket protection is going to be key if this team wants to stay relevant. A flashy TE like Kenyon Sadiq would be nice, but those can be found elsewhere.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Pick: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

The resurgence of Baker Mayfield has been fun to watch, and it has kept the Bucs competitive after the Tom Brady retirement. The offense is in good hands with Chris Godwin and rising star Emeka Egbuka, but the defense is concerning. They finished 19th in sacks last year and failed to have a real commanding presence on the edge. Rumors are they are looking for talent across their entire defensive line, and nobody fills in better than Mesidor. You don’t see a lot of 25 year olds get drafted, and his age may turn some teams off, but the Bucs are only a few pieces away from really making a run and can take the risk. This kid is relentless in pass rush and has a full bag of moves that allow him to win with power and finesse. He can slot in immediately. Great pick.

16. New York Jets

The Pick: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Jets will likely stagger their picks between offense and defense. Geno Smith is back under center after revitalizing his career with the Seahawks and a stint in Las Vegas. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are strong skill players, but outside of them there isn’t much pop to this offense. Adonai Mitchell was a solid return in the Sauce Gardner trade, but he was underwhelming after making the switch. Tyson has the talent to go top 10, but he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in 2022, broke his collarbone in 2024, and dealt with hamstring injuries last season. In total, he missed 17 games over four years. That will scare a lot of teams. To Tyson’s credit, he’s been working extremely hard to convince teams he is in good health, including holding a private workout last week. When healthy, he has a great first step off the snap to separate from his defender. He’s fluid, a great route-runner, and a reliable, strong receiver. The injuries are scary, but this kid is gifted if he can stay healthy.

17. Detroit Lions

The Pick: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The Lions could use some help in their front seven, but nobody is really available here for a good value. That certainly hasn’t stopped them before, as they picked Jack Campbell 18th overall in the 2023 Draft, a shock to many. Here, though, I think the Lions go big on a tackle. Penei Sewell is a 3x 1st Team All-Pro at right tackle, but recently Dan Campbell has expressed interest in moving him to the left side. Typically this isn’t an easy move, but Sewell exclusively played left tackle at Oregon, so hopefully it would come naturally. This would make room for Blake Miller, a career right tackle at Clemson. Miller played 54 career games and recorded 0 holding penalties in 2024 and 2025. That is truly remarkable. He is also often praised for his relentless work ethic, leadership, and drive. In an era of bowl opt-outs, Miller didn’t even consider it. This is a Dan Campbell football player.

18. Minnesota Vikings

The Pick: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

The Vikings are known for their staunch defense, led for the past 13 years by 6x Pro Bowl Safety Harrison Smith. Unfortunately, Smith appears to be retiring this offseason. That leaves a big gap in Brian Flores’ secondary. Flores defenses are known for their swarming secondaries, so filling that hole will be the one of the biggest needs for Minnesota. Luckily, Thieneman falls right into their lap. A true freshman starter at Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon and immediately became an impact player. He has great ball skills with 9 career picks, but he is also stout against the run. Thieneman is best when he can roam and control the field, so pairing him with Flores is the perfect landing spot. Most people have this one in their mock, and I couldn’t help myself from sticking to the norm.

19. Carolina Panthers

The Pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The Panthers went 8-9 last year, but they somehow still won the NFC South. Great feeling in January, but brutal in April when you have a sub .500 roster and have to pick at 19. Rookie Tet McMillan won OROY after putting up 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns, but the rest of the receivers lacked some spark. In fact, after McMillan, the next highest receiver had 394 yards. The Panthers need a playmaker to take pressure off McMillan and give Bryce another reliable throwing option. Sadiq could easily go as early as 14 to the Ravens, but here, he falls to the Panthers in a dream scenario. This kid is different. He ran a 4.39 40, has great hands, and is a great blocker. Picking him raises the bar in Carolina, it’s a no brainer if he is here.

20. Dallas Cowboys

The Pick: LB James Rodriguez, Texas Tech

Remember when I said Jerry Jones is unpredictable? Well, this is my counter. I’m going a bit outside the box here to try to nail down the Cowboys draft. They got their lockdown corner early, but edge rusher and linebacker are still big needs. There isn’t really an edge that is worth taking here, so I’m going with a guy who has a fringe 1st/2nd round grade. Rodriguez won the Butkus award last year as the nation’s top linebacker, as well as the Chuck Bednarik award for best defensive player. He also finished 5th in Heisman voting as a linebacker! Check the Jerry Jones box for accolades. He’s best at forcing fumbles, as he finished last season with 7, tied for a single-season NCAA record. That is the kind of disruption the Cowboys love to have. This kid is a great leader, and the Cowboys have been tied to him throughout the draft process. Jones would love the chance to keep a Red Raider in state, and I think at the very least, Rodriguez is being considered at 20. We’ll see.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Well, we still have no idea if Aaron Rodgers will be back in Pittsburgh. I’m not even going to touch that storyline. What we do know is someone will play quarterback for the Steelers, and he’ll need proper protection. Starting left tackle Broderick Jones had spinal fusion surgery in his neck last year, and reports are he had a setback in his recovery. I’ll be honest, I have no idea what a spinal fusion is, but it doesn’t sound good. The Steelers need to address this immediately, and reports are they will in the draft. Lomu is the best option on the board here. He’s a bit of a work in progress, but he has started at left tackle for the past 2 seasons and continued to impress with every rep. The Steelers will squeeze the most out of him.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

The Pick: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

The Chargers will likely go the best available route here. They don’t have a serious glaring need anywhere, but Ioane falling here is perfect as guard is likely where they could use the most help. Honestly, I thought about Ioane for a bunch of other teams earlier in the draft. I’d say his floor is to the Ravens at 14, so to get him here would really be a steal. This guy is an elite pass protector. Across 311 dropbacks, Ioane only allowed 4 QB hurries. That’s as consistent and impressive as you can get. He would be an immediate plug and play to provide protection for Justin Herbert and the Chargers passing offense. Harbaugh would get a big win here.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

The Pick: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

The rumors of an AJ Brown trade had me leaning receiver here, but not enough is made about how lucky the Eagles got last year. Both Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata pondered retirement and Johnson will turn 36 before the season starts. At some point, the Eagles need to invest in a succession plan. Iheanachor only started playing football in 2021, but he has quickly become one of the best players in the country. He has incredible size and strength, but is still extremely raw and needs to work on his technique. I can think of no team better poised to give him time to develop than the Eagles. He has a limitless ceiling, let's see if Philly can get the most out of him.

24. Cleveland Browns

The Pick: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Browns bolstered their offensive line with Monroe Freeling early on, but now they need to set their sights on a receiver. The Browns finished 31st in passing yards and 30th in passing TDs last season. Some of that was a result of poor quarterback play, but this is not a receiving room that excels at getting open and making plays. Harold Fannin Jr, a tight end, led the team with 731 yards. There are a lot of receivers available at this spot, but I like Boston for Cleveland. At 6’4” he has great size but is able to move fluidly. He has great hand strength and a knack for making big plays. He could be exactly what Cleveland needs to spark their passing offense.

25. Chicago Bears

The Pick: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

The Bears are back! This is a team looking to set up a foundation as a perennial playoff presence, but they have to play their future right. Chicago would love to get an edge rusher or tackle here, but none stand out. I expect them to field trade calls, especially from a team looking for a receiver that they love. But, if they don’t find a dance partner, McNeil-Warren is their guy. Both Kevin Byard and Jaquon Brisker left in the offseason, leaving the safety unit barren. With 2 meetings on the calendar against Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the Packers aerial assault, this is not a division where you can be cheap in your secondary. McNeil-Warren is a massive, violent safety that plays with aggression on every snap. He has a knack for forcing turnovers and excels in coverage while also closing down on runners with ease. This is one of my favorite players in the draft. I love this kid.

26. Buffalo Bills

The Pick: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Will the heartbreak ever end for Bills fans? Every year this team loses by some miracle play or a blown call. The best they can do is just continue to learn every year and retool in some of the areas that beat them. For example, the Bills defense was 30th in run defense last year, allowing 5.1 yards per carry. That is not a recipe for success, especially considering the Seahawks just won the Super Bowl on the back of RB Kenneth Walker (now a Chief). I could see the Bills going receiver here (KC Concepcion is apparently on their radar), but run defense is a massive hole for a team that doesn’t really have many other needs. McDonald is far and away the best run stopper in the draft, earning a 99th percentile grade in run-stop rate from PFF. He isn’t much of a pass rusher, but that isn’t what Buffalo will need him to do. He is a plug and play defender in rushing situations, easy as that. 

27. San Francisco 49ers

The Pick: EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF

The 49ers came so close last year even with a roster decimated with injuries. Two of those injuries were ACL tears to pass rushers Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. As a result, San Francisco finished 32nd in the NFL with just 20 sacks on the year. Both will be back this season, presumably healthy, but some depth and support would still be welcome. Lawrence has the ideal size that GM John Lynch looks for in his edge rushers. He has great speed off the snap and wins with an impressive bag of moves. He needs a bit of polish, but there is no better place to get that than with the 9ers. He should be a solid rotational piece early and could develop to even more given time.

28. Houston Texans

The Pick: G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

The Texans are in a pretty good spot, especially on defense. They could use some offensive line help, particularly at tackle, but with none available they turn here to guard. Current RG Wyatt Teller is already 31, and will turn 32 this season. The Texans need to continue to build protection for CJ Stroud, and while guard is not typically a position you find in the 1st round, Bisontis is worthy of this spot. He has been flying up draft boards recently after a pretty solid combine. Many in league circles project him as a solid interior starter in the future. He has great footwork, strong hands, and great balance. He doesn’t have ideal length and can be pushed around a bit as a result, but the Texans will get the most out of him. Not the sexiest pick, but a solid one.

29. Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

Double defense for the Chiefs! After addressing their pass rush with the first pick, the Chiefs turn their sights on a replacement for star cornerback Trent McDuffie. Typically, when a team trades a player of McDuffie’s caliber a month before the draft, they find his replacement somewhere in the first couple rounds. That’s exactly what Kansas City does here. There is some debate between two Teneessee cornerbacks, the other being Jermond McCoy, but McCoy missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear and I’ve seen some teams don’t even have him on their board. The Chiefs, I’m guessing, are one of those teams. They need a replacement in their secondary now, and they can’t wait on McCoy. Instead, they go with Hood, a sticky, aggressive press corner. He fits the scheme in Kansas City perfectly. He plays the ball well and is fantastic at crashing on the run. He’s got to clean up his game a bit as he’s a bit grabby and I can see him getting burned by top talent in some cases, but he has all the tools to be a solid starter.

30. Miami Dolphins

The Pick: KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

The Dolphins addressed their offensive line early, but now they need to focus on arguably their biggest need at receiver. What used to be a strength with an elite 1-2 punch of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle has now turned to a weakness, with both receivers leaving the cupboard bare. Miami simply can’t enter the season with this group of receivers if they want to be at all competitive. Concepcion can jump in and start at receiver and as a special teams returner, as he has insane quickness and acceleration. Teams love this kid, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was gone by here. He has an elite ability to find space and separation, and once he gets the ball he is gone. Concepcion is the real deal, and will bring elite game speed back to the Dolphins.

31. New England Patriots

The Pick: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

The Patriots went to the Super Bowl in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. A remarkable run for sure, but they now find themselves picking in the late 1st round in an already weak draft. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went receiver here, but there are a lot of rumors swirling of the Pats trading for both AJ Brown and TE Kyle Pitts at some point this offseason. Whether those come true remains to be seen, but I expect them to use other assets to address the receiver position. That leaves pass rushing. The Pats had 35 sacks last year, good for 26th in the league. To make matters worse, they lost 7.5 of those sacks when K’Lavon Chaisson left in free agency. New England needs to generate pressure, and Howell makes sense here. He isn’t great at setting the edge against the run, so he likely won’t start as a 3 down player, but he has great burst off the snap and is explosive at the point of attack. This is a pure rush the QB edge defender, and he’s exactly the kind of prospect the Patriots love.

32. Seattle Seahawks

The Pick: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

And finally, the Super Bowl Champs. What a year from the Seahawks. They were far and away the best team in the league, and they dominated their way to a ring in the playoffs. Now comes the hardest part, retaining and adding enough talent to make another deep run. Seattle lost their starting safety in Coby Bryant as well as one of their starting cornerbacks in Riq Woolen. Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe are solid corners already, but some added depth in Johnson would take pressure off them. Johnson scored more touchdowns than he allowed last season in coverage. He is a ballhawk with incredible length who plays with great discipline and footwork. I think he definitely sneaks into the 1st round, even if the Seahawks trade out of this pick.