15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

This was a tough decision. There is decent depth in this year’s linebacker class, so the Buccaneers could use this pick on an edge rusher and then address off-ball linebacker on Day Two. It would probably be harder to do that in reverse order, so a player like Keldric Faulk is definitely tempting here. That said, while the Bucs could get a good starter for the middle of their defense in Round Two, I have them swinging for greatness in Round One instead. The Bucs know how important a linebacker with top-notch coverage skills can be after nearly three decades of Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David. It’s time to look for the next player to carry that torch in Tampa. Styles has been compared to Fred Warner, and even if that is an awfully high bar to clear, a player with that sort of skillset is exactly what the Bucs’ defense needs, particularly if David chooses to conclude his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Jets got a much-needed quarterback hunter for their defense with the second pick and now they provide some help for whoever ends up throwing passes for their offense. Tyson is explosive off the line and can stress defenses at all three levels like the Bucs’ Emeka Egbuka. He is extremely adept at getting open but also wins a majority of his contested-catch situations, and he has the flexibility to play in any of the three receiver spots for the Jets.

17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Lions still need a bookend for superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson; Marcus Davenport, who is a pending free agent and has only played 14 games in the last three seasons combined, is not the answer. The 6-6, 285-pound Faulk offers great size and strength and would make an immediate impact against the run. If the Lions can help him refine his pass-rushing technique and get a bit more explosive off the ball, he could develop into a three-down star at the NFL level.

18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Brian Flores is staying put with the Vikings, so that’s a huge plus for the defense, but the secondary needs a little help. A safety would be tempting with the potential retirement of Harrison Smith, but I think the value at cornerback is better at this point in the draft. Terrell may not have the size to play on the outside but he could start right away in the slot, where his quick feet, awareness and change-of-direction skills would serve him well. He’s also a strong blitzer, of which Flores would surely take advantage.

19. Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

I did not enjoy making this pick. The Panthers already have the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan plus a good one-two punch with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle in the backfield (if Dowdle re-signs with the team). The offensive line is solid, as well, and Jalen Coker is a good number-two option out of the slot. I would prefer the Panthers not add another explosive playmaker to that bunch, particularly with the Bucs’ occasional struggles against athletic tight ends. Sadiq excels after the catch on short passes but can also get open deep. This is, unfortunately, a great way to help Bryce Young continue his ascent.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

The Cowboys need an edge rusher because…well, you know why. Clemson’s T.J. Parker could be an option here, but some of his best pass-rush work comes when he slides inside and the Cowboys don’t really need that after adding Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams last year. Mesidor’s pass rush is more about power than speed but he does have a quick first step and he uses his hands well to shed blockers.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers really need a second receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, and given Boston’s size and physical style of play those two could form a pretty scary duo for smaller secondaries. He beats press coverage easy and has deceptive speed due to his long strides.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Peter Woods, Clemson

The offensive line was the Chargers’ bigger problem in 2025 but with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt returning from their season-ending injuries that unit should be in much better shape in 2026. Here the Chargers get some help on the other side of the trenches instead, landing the thick and powerful run-stopper with some pass-rush potential.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Eagles don’t just luck into one of the NFL’s best offensive lines year after year; they plan ahead. That’s what they’re doing here with the addition of Proctor, who played outside at Alabama but could potentially move inside in the NFL. That means the Eagles could groom him to be Lane Johnson’s eventual replacement but also have him ready to step in if there are injury issues at either guard spot.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Even after taking a tackle at pick number six the Browns could still double-up on blockers given their potential free agency losses. However, they definitely need a talent infusion at receiver and in particular could use a dynamic slot weapon, which is exactly how the undersized Concepcion profiles. He has instant acceleration off the snap and extremely quick cuts that leaves defenders in his wake.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Grady Jarrett is getting up there and the Bears need more beef in their interior line after ranking 27th against the run last year. With his thick frame and massive strength, Lee can hold up against double teams and throw off blockers to get quickly into the runner’s lane. He may or may not develop into much of a pass rusher in the NFL but he’s valuable to the Bears here on his run defense alone.

26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

The Bills likely will have their eyes on a receiver early in this draft but my mock didn’t fall out well for them in that regard. So they pivot and add a pass rusher with Joey Bosa’s one-year contract expiring. Parker has some flexibility to slide inside and rush the passer well from that spot.

27. San Francisco 49ers: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

Same issue here for the 49ers, who are moving on from Brandon Aiyuk and could also see Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne depart in free agency. But given the way the draft board has fallen out, that now looks like a Day Two issue. Instead, the 49ers begin reloading on defense and get a running mate for Fred Warner in Georgia’s Allen, who is a smart and instinctive player with good range and reliable tackling skills.

28. Houston Texans: T Caleb Lomu, Utah

Houston once again heads into the offseason needing to rework its blocking in front of C.J. Stroud, an issue compounded by the pending free agency status of right tackle Trent Brown. Lomu is very athletic for a 6-6, 304-pound man and may actually be able to add weight to his frame at the next level. He’s better in pass protection than run blocking at the moment but does move well on pulling plays.

29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

I may have miscalculated when I made the Rams wait on receiver to take an offensive tackle with the pick they got from Atlanta, but it’s too late to go back now. Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick are all potential free agents, so I’ll pivot here and go with a cornerback. Cisse is a fast and fluid cornerback who would line up on the outside, which is wear the Rams could need help.

30. Denver Broncos: DL Caleb Banks, Florida

John Franklin-Myers could cash in in free agency after recording 7.0 and 7.5 sacks for the Broncos in the last two seasons, respectively. If he gets a good deal with a different team, Denver would have a hole to fill on their defensive front and Banks offers some definite interior pass-rush potential.

31. New England Patriots: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia

The Patriots used the fourth-overall pick on Will Campbell last year to protect Drake Maye’s blind side, but the prevailing wisdom after a difficult playoff showing is that New England may consider moving Campbell inside to guard next season. Mike Vrabel recently pushed back against that idea, but you never know. If they do end up needing a new left tackle, they could look to Freeling, who played that spot for the Bulldogs. Freeling doesn’t have the same arm-length limitations that cloud Campbell’s future at tackle; quite the opposite as he possesses an 84-inch wingspan. Freeling was very good in pass protection for Georgia against top-level SEC edge rush talent.

32. Seattle Seahawks: WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

As we usually say about the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks have a loaded roster without many holes on either side of the ball. They might seek an upgrade over right guard Anthony Bradford, but I don’t think that’s the best value at this spot. Williams is likely a slot receiver in the NFL, which makes him a little redundant with Cooper Kupp, but Kupp turns 33 in June and speed merchant Rashid Shaheed is a pending free agent. Williams has good speed and short-area quickness with the ability to turn short passes into big gains. Sam Darnold needs another high-volume pass-catcher to target when opposing teams sell out to stop Jaxon Smith-Njigba, like the Patriots did in the Super Bowl.