(SS) 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

When Bri and I started this mock I was hoping one of three players would make it to number 19: Barron, Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. I was a bit worried about what I’d do if two of those prospects were still on the board. Little did I expect I would end up choosing between all three. So, yes, I was torn. I felt comfortable with what the Bucs could get at linebacker on Day Two and I also don’t see the need as being quite as pressing as some do. There’s good cornerback depth for Day Two, too, but I’m very high on the versatile and productive Barron, so it was between him and Ezeiruaku. Honestly, if we repeated this process tomorrow, I might go with Ezeiruaku. All of that said, Barron is an exciting prospect who plays a position at which I consider quality depth to be critical. Barron excelled both inside and in the slot at Texas and could probably even hold his own at safety if needed. Todd Bowles wants cornerbacks who are willing and able to tackle, and Barron eagerly throws his facemask into the mix. He is probably best in zone coverage, where he diagnosis plays quickly, and the Bucs had one of the highest zone-coverage percentages in the NFL last season.

(BD) 20. Denver Broncos: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

The Broncos take the former Tar Heel to add another dimension to Sean Payton’s offense. Even without Drake Maye in 2024, Omarion Hampton led the ACC in rushing, setting a UNC single-season record with 2,033 all-purpose yards. Hampton rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 of 12 games in 2024 and quickly accelerates through congestion. The bruising back taps the gas pedal once he gets north-south, punishing second-level defenders. Hampton plays with a blend of power and speed, barreling downhill. He presents an upside in pass protection for three-down duties and finished number-four in program history in rushing yards with 3,565 and number-two in 100-yard rushing games with 19.

(SS) 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Here’s where Sanders’ slide stops. I don’t think Pittsburgh would have traded up to get him, but when he falls right their lap it becomes worth the swing. The Steelers’ current depth chart reads Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson…and that’s it. Yeah, it might eventually have an “Aaron Rodgers” in there, as well, but that’s no sure thing, and even if it does happen it’s likely a very short-lived marriage. There certainly would be no harm in letting Sanders develop for year while a pretty decent Pittsburgh roster aims for the Super Bowl with a veteran passer in 2025. Sanders has good accuracy, decent movement skills and a pro-ready game.

(BD) 22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan

After the departure of Poona Ford, the Chargers add to the interior of the defensive line. Kenneth Grant is familiar with Jim Harbaugh’s style and scheme and would make a smooth transition to the pros. Grant lined up as both a three-technique and nose tackle for the Wolverines and can do it all. He can handle two-gap duties by holding the line or penetrate with quickness as a one-gapper. Grant can chase down ball carriers by closing the gap and finishes tackles. He is a challenge to move off his spot and Grant has the lateral range to work up-and-down the line.

(SS) 23. Green Bay Packers: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

At one point considered a potential top-10 pick, Johnson slips a bit here due to injury concern but that’s to the Packers’ liking. Their future with Jaire Alexander is uncertain and Johnson is a polish and well-rounded long-term prospect at a premium position. He can excel in any defensive scheme and mixes strong coverage skills with willing and sure tackling.

(BD) 24. Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

The Vikings address the defensive line, which would help out the club’s secondary. Donovan Ezeiruaku has substantiative evidence of getting to the quarterback. He lined up primarily as a stand-up defender and became the 13th consensus All-American in program history as a senior and finished top-three in the FBS in sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5). Ezeiruaku pairs acceleration around the arc with active arms to impose his will in the trenches. He joined Mathias Kiwanuaku as the only players in school history to reach 30 career sacks. Ezeiruaku has an effective arm-over move to bypass blockers and has lateral range to maneuver around traffic.

(SS) 25. Houston Texans: T Josh Simmons, Ohio State

After trading Laremy Tunsil away, the Texans have Cam Robinson to play left tackle but would surely like to find a long-term situation at that position after their line struggled mightily in 2024. Had Simmons not suffered a season-ending knee injury five weeks into his last season at Ohio State, he would probably be going a bit higher in this draft, so if the Texans get a fully healthy version this could end up being a steal. He is a loose and fluid mover who changes directions easily and is excellent at getting the right angles to prevent edge rushers from getting a quick advantage on him.

(BD) 26. Los Angeles Rams: T Josh Conerly, Oregon

The Rams invest in the offensive line to help out Matthew Stafford. Josh Conerly Jr. could be a starter at tackle or move inside to guard if needed. He served as a two-year starter at left tackle in Oregon’s multiple run scheme and his range shows up in both the ground attack and in pass protection. Conerly has outstanding recovery skills and is effective at diagnosing blitzes/stunts. He plays light on his feet to seal off the frontside end on outside zone runs and thrives out in space.

(SS) 27. Baltimore Ravens: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

The Ravens are well known for seemingly doing the same thing on an annual basis: Staying put at their (usually late) draft spot and having a universally well-regarded prospect at a position of need fall to them. That happens again here with Hairston, the fastest-rising player at his position in the draft process, who they can pair with their 2024 first-rounder, Nate Wiggins, to hold down that part of the depth chart for years to come.

(BD) 28. Detroit Lions: IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

The Detroit Lions bolster the interior of the line with North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel. Zabel was an All-America left tackle but projects inside at center or guard. He seals lanes as a run blocker and maintains control through contact. Zabel plays with good tempo on combo blocks and has the range to excel on pulls or screens. The durable player finished his collegiate tenure with 36 straight starts and was voted a 2024 team captain. His strong hands give defensive linemen fits and he provides flexibility for Dan Campbell.

(SS) 29. Washington Commanders: EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee

The Commanders could use some help on defense to match with their suddenly dynamic offense led by Jayden Daniels, and their edge rush rotation is awfully thin right now. Pearce already has a good size and wide wingspan and has the room to add 10 to 15 pounds to his frame. His sack total dipped a bit from 10 in 2023 to 7.5 last year but he was still getting pressure on the quarterback at the same right. He ran a 4.47 40 at the Combine. There are some persistent if vague rumors of character concerns, which is probably why he’s available here to the Commanders.

(BD) 30. Buffalo Bills: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

The Bills have Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp but they add to the room by adding another playmaker for the last line of defense. Malaki Starks served as the stereotypical chess piece for the Bulldogs, lining up in the post at free safety, in the box and in the slot in their man/zone system. Starks garnered All-America honors in each of his three seasons and his ability to diagnose jumps off the tape. He has the hip fluidity to cover tight ends/receivers underneath and reacts quickly post-snap to drive on throws from zone. Starks has the catch radius to excel in high-point situations, finishing on the ball.

(SS) 31. Kansas City Chiefs: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

This is a bit of a surprise pick, and more one of opportunity than necessarily something the Chiefs planned going in. You don’t see Campbell fall this far in my mock drafts, and when he surprisingly did in ours I thought Kansas City could be interested. Their starting linebacker duo of Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill is fine but not so loaded that they would ignore a prospect like Campbell. And they could also use some edge rush help, which Campbell could potentially provide. Yes, my original plan for the Chiefs was to get an offensive tackle, but I didn’t like the remaining value at this spot and think they can try to find one in Round Two.

(BD) 32. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

The Super Bowl Champions bet on the explosion and tools of Shemar Stewart. He dominated the Senior Bowl and led A&M with pressures in 2024 with 39. Stewart fits the “traits over production” mold and may not have a large sample size, but explodes out of his stance and knocks tackles back. He will have to develop his finishing skills and rush repertoire, but Stewart has the ability to impact games. He pairs long arms with power to generate separation and is rarely moved out of his gap. Stewart has the quickness and closing speed to mitigate backside runs and has the versatility to play multiple spots including the three-technique, the four-technique, the five-technique, or the seven-technique.