{"id":817137,"date":"2026-03-17T13:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/817137\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T13:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:48:38","slug":"nfl-mock-draft-tom-bradys-raiders-wont-pass-on-quarterback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/817137\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL mock draft: Tom Brady’s Raiders won’t pass on quarterback"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NFL teams are living on the edge.<\/p>\n

Sure, it\u2019s a quarterback\u2019s league, but a major focus of the upcoming NFL draft<\/a> will be about getting to the quarterback. This class is loaded with talented pass rushers, and teams figure to take advantage of that early and often. This mock draft has edge rushers off the board with the second, third and fourth selections.<\/p>\n

How appropriate that the April 23-25 draft will be held for the first time in Pittsburgh, birthplace of the Steel Curtain.<\/p>\n

The Steelers, incidentally, take a receiver in this mock \u2014 and there are lots of talented prospects at that spot, too. This contemplates the Rams<\/a> selecting USC<\/a> receiver Makai Lemon<\/a>, although it\u2019s entirely possible that the sure-handed Trojans star will already be gone by the time the 13th pick rolls around.<\/p>\n

The Chargers<\/a>, meanwhile, take an offensive lineman to address the need that haunted them all last season after they were ravaged by injuries up front.<\/p>\n

One look at how the draft could unfold:<\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) \u2014 Tom Brady loves him. The Raiders are trying to build something, and this Heisman winner figures to be a cornerstone.<\/p>\n

2. New York Jets: Edge Arvell Reese (Ohio State) \u2014 Jets had zero interceptions and four takeaways last season, both NFL records, and think Reese has some Micah Parsons qualities.<\/p>\n

3. Arizona Cardinals: Edge David Bailey (Texas Tech) \u2014 As pass rushers go, the Cardinals have Josh Sweat, who isn\u2019t particularly happy, and a bunch of young guys who have struggled to stay healthy.<\/p>\n

4. Tennessee Titans: Edge Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) \u2014 Although they have been collecting defensive linemen, the Titans still need help at the edge. Also could use a supporting cast for Cam Ward.<\/p>\n

\"Notre <\/p>\n

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against Pittsburgh in November.<\/p>\n

(Gene J. Puskar \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

5. New York Giants: RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) \u2014 John Harbaugh doesn\u2019t always draft for need, and he loves to pound defenses with a running game. Love is the best in this class.<\/p>\n

6. Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia) \u2014 The Browns are completely rebooting their offensive line and had hoped to sign Packers free agent tackle Rasheed Walker, instead nabbed by Carolina.<\/p>\n

7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs (Ohio State) \u2014 The Commanders could use help at virtually every position \u2014 everything but QB \u2014 and a game-changing defensive back would get a warm welcome.<\/p>\n

8. New Orleans Saints: LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State) \u2014 Saints might go receiver here, but Saints need a defensive stalwart too. If Love and Downs are gone \u2014 as they are in this mock \u2014 Styles would be a fit.<\/p>\n

9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State) \u2014 The cupboard is bare at receiver with just Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals, so the Chiefs are desperate for some help there. Not the first time.<\/p>\n

10. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane (Louisiana State) \u2014 The Bengals are bringing back virtually their entire offense and have spent the offseason coming up with ways to improve their historically bad defense.<\/p>\n

11. Miami Dolphins: Edge Keldric Faulk (Auburn) \u2014 Dolphins need a pass rusher in the worst way. Best edge on the roster is Chop Robinson, and that\u2019s not enough for this franchise.<\/p>\n

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) \u2014 The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary, which addressed their need at edge. Here\u2019s a chance to upgrade at corner.<\/p>\n

\"Wide <\/p>\n

Wide receiver Makai Lemon runs with the ball during USC\u2019s pro day on March 12.<\/p>\n

(Kyusung Gong \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

13. Rams: WR Makai Lemon (USC) \u2014 Having raided Kansas City\u2019s defensive backfield, the Rams can stay put and take a receiver, or maybe trade up for a long-term bookend to Puka Nacua.<\/p>\n

14. Baltimore Ravens: G Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State) \u2014 The Ravens have an opening at both guard and center, so they turn their attention to the interior of their offensive line.<\/p>\n

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen (Georgia) \u2014 The Buccaneers had just 37 sacks last season, fewest under Todd Bowles, and if all the best edge rushers are gone, linebacker would help too.<\/p>\n

16. New York Jets: WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) \u2014 The Jets need a No. 2 receiver to line up opposite Garrett Wilson and command some attention on the outside.<\/p>\n

17. Detroit Lions: Edge Akheem Mesidor (Miami) \u2014 The Lions need someone they can pair with Aidan Hutchinson to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and Mesidor has a lot of potential.<\/p>\n

18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) \u2014 Harrison Smith is 37 and the Vikings need to start planning for the future at that position; they need another defensive back.<\/p>\n

19. Carolina Panthers: OL Spencer Fano (Utah) \u2014 Fano can play all five positions on the offensive line, and that\u2019s awfully enticing for a franchise with an injured left tackle and in need of a center.<\/p>\n

20. Dallas Cowboys: LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) \u2014 Micah Parsons is gone, and the Cowboys allowed 6.1 yards per play last season, second worst in the league. They need help all over.<\/p>\n

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) \u2014 The Steelers have DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, both of whom will be 29 in the upcoming season and will command a lot of money.<\/p>\n

\"Miami <\/p>\n

Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa prepares for a snap against Louisville in October.<\/p>\n

(Doug Murray \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

22. Chargers: OL Francis Mauigoa (Miami) \u2014 With all the problems the Chargers have had cobbling together an offensive line, they need to focus on protecting Justin Herbert.<\/p>\n

23. Philadelphia Eagles: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) \u2014 Reed Blankenship, a fixture in Philadelphia\u2019s defense and a QB in the secondary, signed with Houston as a free agent.<\/p>\n

24. Cleveland Browns: CB Avieon Terrell (Clemson) \u2014 The Browns addressed their offense with the sixth pick and now can focus on a defensive position of need. Corner is key.<\/p>\n

25. Chicago Bears: CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State) \u2014 Tyrique Stevenson is the fourth-most-targeted corner in the league. The Bears need to upgrade at that spot opposite Jaylon Johnson.<\/p>\n

26. Buffalo Bills OL Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) \u2014 Buffalo wants to run the ball, and Proctor is an outstanding downhill run blocker. He can also move inside and benefit a team that needs interior help.<\/p>\n

27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Blake Miller (Clemson) \u2014 The 49ers have to plan for their future at both tackle spots. Miller is durable and a particularly adept pass blocker.<\/p>\n

28. Houston Texans: OT Caleb Lomu (Utah) \u2014 Houston\u2019s offensive line has been a problem for years and that\u2019s not going away. Lomu is young but terrific in pass protection. Good news for C.J. Stroud.<\/p>\n

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Edge Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) \u2014 Kansas City\u2019s pass rush has declined two years in a row. The Chiefs need help in a lot of areas, but getting to passer is vital.<\/p>\n

30. Denver Broncos: DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) \u2014 Broncos have an outstanding defense but it takes work to keep that up. The departure of John Franklin-Myers warrants DL attention.<\/p>\n

31. New England Patriots: TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) \u2014 Mike Vrabel has already tipped his hand about his interest in this class of tight ends. Give Drake Maye another weapon at the position.<\/p>\n

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood (Tennessee) \u2014 The Seahawks need help \u2014 and depth \u2014 at this spot, especially with the departure of Riq Woolen to Philadelphia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NFL teams are living on the edge. Sure, it\u2019s a quarterback\u2019s league, but a major focus of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":817138,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2079],"tags":[54,257,846,7,9339,221,110,3478,1014,58,2444,2611,9454,216,186,6,1482,1446,3675,1257,424,2636],"class_list":["post-817137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles-rams","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-edge","tag-football","tag-help","tag-houston","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-last-season","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-losangeles","tag-losangelesrams","tag-lot","tag-miami","tag-need","tag-nfl","tag-offensive-line","tag-ohio-state","tag-position","tag-quarterback","tag-rams","tag-receiver"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116244836393456116","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/817137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=817137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/817137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/817138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=817137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=817137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=817137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}