It’s only February and the Super Bowl champions haven’t even been crowned yet, but why not start thinking about the NFL Draft that is coming up at the end of April?
In my first mock of the off-season I am relying more toward team needs today, rather than where I think free agents will land first. There will be some big time free agent acquisitions on March 12th starting at 4pm (ET). As we get closer to the actual NFL Draft – which takes place in Green Bay from Thursday April 24th through April 26th – these mock drafts will become more realistic to the team needs based on free agent acquisitions.
I don’t believe there is the “generational” talent at the quarterback position in this draft, but teams needing to make a change will. Sanders has been cryptic about the Raiders over the last few weeks and months, and it leads me to think Tom Brady will work his way to making the trade up to the top spot to draft Sanders with the first overall pick.
With the news about Myles Garrett wanting out of Cleveland, this pick could easily change to Abdul Carter and banking on another gap year at QB. But the Browns will strike for yet another QB in the draft adding to the long list of names on a jersey.
The Giants need a lot to happen this off-season. They missed on both QBs in the first round and will have to strike later in the draft to get their guy. Travis Hunter is one of the best prospects in this draft and could potentially play on both sides of the ball. However, it is likely that Hunter will play more in the secondary than at receiver.
Jets are just another team that could use a quarterback and missed in the first round, but that doesn’t mean they won’t trade up to beef up their interior defensive line. New England could take a chance at trading back and still getting the same player, so they take the extra draft capital.
The Jaguars need a few pieces to make an impact in the AFC South. Why not get one of the better secondary members in the draft?
A pick that could easily go first overall to the Titans if they choose to stay there or even second overall if the Browns choose to pass on a QB. The Titans land a new EDGE to pair with Jeffrey Simmons on that defensive line.
Drake Maye still gets his weapon after trading back out of the third overall pick. Tetairoa McMillan is regarded as the top receiver in this draft so far. He could be a lethal weapon for fantasy managers in the Patriots offense this year.
The Panthers still have a lot to build on, but it appears that they might actually have their QB with Bryce Young. Now, time to bolster the defensive side of the ball some more with an EDGE rusher.
Emeka Egbuka could be one of the top receivers coming out of this draft. We know how Ohio State receivers do in the NFL. After sitting behind so many greats, he is paired up with former Ohio State receiver Chris Olave. Now if they can figure out the QB and head coaching positions.
This seems like a fever dream to me. Ashton Jeanty on the Bears offense with Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen (yes, he is resigning), Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet just seems lethal. Make that a Ben Johnson offense and the Bears might actually be good this year!
The 49ers need help and it might not be the prettiest pick of the draft, but the offensive line could use some work. Add in a tackle that could very easily go third overall to the Patriots and we got ourselves a building block.
Whether Burden III was used correctly or not last year, he is a stud. Wildly considered one of the top receivers in this year’s draft just a year ago, he can make an impact in the passing game. The Falcons see that and trade up for him to pair him with Michael Penix, Jr., Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
The Dolphins need help. They go with one of the best safeties in the draft to protect the secondary.
The Colts tight end room is awful. Between players not staying healthy and just not producing, they need a reset. Why not get the player who performed well in the Big Ten and knows Midwestern football?
The Cowboys could have used Burden III earlier in the draft, but they elected to take some draft capital and build up that once-great offensive line instead.
Protection is key and the Cardinals felt they didn’t want to keep missing out on the offensive line picks and select the third tackle in this draft.
What killed the Bengals playoff chances? Was it coaching or the defense? The Bengal’s offense put up historic numbers thanks to always needing to outgun their own defense. Morrison is one of the best corners in the draft and lands with a team that needs his help.
Many likely don’t know who Mike Green is but the Seahawks are familiar. One of the better-rated EDGE rushers in the draft coming from a small conference, Green gets taken in the first round here.
Buccaneers were hoping for Green but aren’t going to be upset taking Mykel Williams instead. They get a big body on that defensive line to help that pass rush.
The second-best running back in this draft was too good to pass on. The Vikings trade up to select Hampton to bring youth to the position and help JJ2 and co.
Down the stretch, the Steelers needed more pass catchers. Adding one of the only first-round grades that primarily played on the outside will pair nicely with George Pickens.
The Chargers can’t believe they landed a leader and National Champion this late in the round. Jim Harbaugh is really familiar with Sawyer from his college days and takes him to lead the defense on the opposite side of Joey Bosa.
The Packers take the young EDGE rusher in the first-round to continue building on the trenches.
The Broncos struggled on defense last year. Allowing top 5 numbers against the pass and rush. One of the worst units in football altogether. They land a strong interior defensive lineman to make a wave.
The Texans could have used some more weapons on the offense. As the season progressed, they lost more receivers and there is no real timeline on Tank Dell returning from his injury. An already strong defense is going to get even stronger by adding Kenneth Grant to the mix, though.
With the Rams shopping Cooper Kupp, this pick could lean toward the offense, but they can afford to wait in the draft now that Puka Nacua will be their feature WR. This means they focus on the trenches in the first round.
The Ravens offense is very, very good. The defense needs to match that same intensity. They have a strong secondary but could use some additional help in the trenches.
The Lions clearly had an elite offense last season, but the defensive injuries really hurt them the most. Adding Knight Jr in the draft adds to a great team and allows the team to gain more depth at the same time.
Adding someone on the offensive line allows the Commanders to continue building on the team’s historic run. Jayden Daniels gets some more protection with this pick.
The worst part about the Bills team was the ability to just not be able to cover teams down the stretch. Luckily, they had an offense so it mostly didn’t matter. However, the defense didn’t help them when the offense couldn’t get things moving enough.
This is a very strong team that is in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. Adding yet another strong talent on the defensive line to pair up with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis makes this a solid pick. Who needs a blitz package when you can rush three people every time.
With Travis Kelce on the brink of retirement, it’s time for the Chiefs to find his successor at the position. Insert Colston Loveland.
