This mock will project how teams might select players based on needs and current roster ahead of the actual draft.<\/p>\n
Pick 1 – Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first overall pick should be former Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion from Indiana University, Mendoza. Mendoza led the NCAA in touchdown passes with 41. He also had the best quarterback rating (QBR) in the nation as well. Mendoza is the perfect leader to start for Las Vegas and could be the game changer that the Raiders have needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 2 – New York Jets: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.<\/p>\n
After the Jets traded defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a first and second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith, Miami University’s Bain Jr. is a dominant force on the defensive line that averaged 9.5 sacks last season and even got an interception!<\/p>\n
Pick 3 – Arizona Cardinals: T Francis Mauigoa<\/p>\n
The Cardinals are not in a great position, they released their franchise quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason as he signed with the Vikings. All they have brought in is Gardner Minshew from the Kansas City Chiefs to fill that void. Signaling that they are running it back with quarterback Jacoby Brissett or drafting a quarterback. In a year where it looks like they won\u2019t compete, Arizona needs to bulk up its offensive line with a beast like 6 \u20186, 315 pound Mauigoa from the Miami Hurricanes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 4 – Tennessee Titans: EDGE David Bailey\u00a0<\/p>\n
Texas Tech edge rusher \u00a0Bailey is a dream pick for head coach Robert Saleh and the Titans. Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo would be one of the strongest defensive lines alongside the Red Raider, who totaled 14.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 5 – New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate<\/p>\n
The Giants have had a great offseason so far bringing in tight end Isaiah Likely as well as wide receiver Calvin Austin III that just had a great season, and showed promise for next season if quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo come back healthy from their injuries. Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Tate is a great option to fill\u200c wide receiver Wandale Robinson’s spot, who was traded to the Titans. Tate brings something completely different from Robinson, his size. Tate is listed at 6\u2019 2\u201d, 192 pounds, and tallied nine receiving touchdowns and 875 receiving yards.<\/p>\n
Pick 6 – Cleveland Browns: EDGE Arvell Reese<\/p>\n
Two Buckeyes back to back, as Reese has made an impact from the edge. Yet the edges above him ultimately had more impact with turnovers, while Reese tallied zero forced fumbles or interceptions, yet totaled 34 tackles and 35 assisted tackles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 7 – Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs \u00a0<\/p>\n
Making it three Buckeyes in a row, Downs is the best all-around defensive back in the draft, averaging two interceptions per season and an insane 70 solo tackles in his first season with Alabama.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 8 – New Orleans Saints: LB Sonny Styles<\/p>\n
Yes, four Buckeyes drafted in a row. The Saints drafting Styles, who tallied 46 solo tackles and 37 assists, could change their defense entirely, especially with acquiring new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 9 – Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane<\/p>\n
LSU\u2019s Delane is a great option for Kansas City after trading some key defensive backs like Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Delane totaled 45 tackles on the season with 11 pass deflections.<\/p>\n
Pick 10 – Cincinnati Bengals: G Olaivavega Ioana<\/p>\n
The Cincinnati Bengals have struggled the last couple of seasons with giving star quarterback Joe Burrow some protection, as he has come up with injuries in five of his six seasons. The 6′ 4, 330 pound offensive guard from Penn State, Ioana, can provide protection for the Bengals that they have needed.<\/p>\n
Pick 11 – Miami Dolphins: WR Makai Lemon<\/p>\n
The Dolphins made a change at quarterback, signing Malik Willis from the Green Bay Packers. With that, Lemon from USC is the perfect fit especially after the Dolphins traded their star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Lemon\u2019s speed and his ability with the ball in his hands could take some attention off of De\u2019Von Achane.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 12 – Dallas Cowboys: S Dillon Thieneman<\/p>\n
Oregon Ducks safety Thieneman has stood out because of his ability to locate the ball and deliver a big hit. After the Cowboys lost cornerback Trevon Diggs, it\u2019s time to start building up again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 13 – Los Angeles Rams: T Spencer Fano<\/p>\n
The 6′ 6 302 pounds offensive tackle from the Utah Utes is a great pick for the Los Angeles Rams. Even though they could go wide receiver, building up the offensive line and protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford is always a safe pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 14 – Baltimore Ravens: T Monroe Freeling<\/p>\n
With quarterback Lamar Jackson receiving a lot of pressure last season, the tackle from the Georgia Bulldogs, Freeling, could be the player that relieves some pressure for the Ravens.<\/p>\n
Pick 15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq<\/p>\n
Sadiq is a 6\u2019 3, 245 pound tight end that is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Sadiq proved it at the University of Oregon, scoring eight receiving touchdowns with 51 total receptions last season and breaking the 40-yard-dash record for a tight end at 4.39 seconds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 16 – New York Jets: WR Jordyn Tyson\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Tyson could pair perfectly with Garrett Wilson, he\u2019s a 6 \u20182 200 pound deep-threat that pairs perfectly with Wilson\u2019s archetype that is great with the ball in his hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 17 – Detroit Lions: CB Jermod McCoy<\/p>\n
The Tennessee Volunteers McCoy was injured for the full 2025 season. His 2024 season, however, totaled 44 total tackles and 4 interceptions, showing what he can provide for a team when healthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 18 – Minnesota Vikings: RB Jeremiyah Love\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Notre Dame Heisman Trophy candidate Love may catch you by surprise this late, yet not many teams are in much need of a running back. Love is a versatile player that totaled 21 overall touchdowns and 1652 all-purpose yards on offense last season.<\/p>\n
Pick 19 – Carolina Panthers: CB Avieon Terrell<\/p>\n
\u00a0Terrell, a cornerback from the Clemson Tigers, forced five fumbles and tallied 30 solo tackles last season and would pair great with Panthers’ current cornerback one, Jaycee Horn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 20 – Dallas Cowboys: LB CJ Allen<\/p>\n
Allen comes from the Georgia Bulldogs, achieving 3.5 sacks and 88 total tackles last season, on top of forcing two fumbles. He will try to fill a hole on a Cowboys defense that ranked last in yards per game allowed last season.<\/p>\n
Pick 21 – Pittsburgh Steelers: T Blake Miller<\/p>\n
The 6\u2019 6, 315 pound offensive tackle from Clemson, Miller, can solve some of the Steelers offensive line issues from last season as they still have questions at quarterback as last season’s starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is yet to re-sign.<\/p>\n
Pick 22 – Los Angeles Chargers: T Kadyn Proctor<\/p>\n
Kadyn Proctor, offensive tackle from Alabama, is a humongous lineman at 6 \u20187, 366 pounds. He would be a great fit to relieve some pressure off \u200cJustin Herbert.<\/p>\n
Pick 23 – Philadelphia Eagles trade pick to the Arizona Cardinals: QB Ty Simpson<\/p>\n
Cardinals trade back into the first round to get a quarterback and draft Simpson, who tallied 28 passing touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 24 – Cleveland Browns: WR Omar Cooper Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Browns look like they\u2019re giving quarterback Shedeur Sanders another chance, and bringing in Mendoza\u2019s right-hand man from Indiana would be a huge addition to the offense.<\/p>\n
Pick 25 – Chicago Bears: EDGE Akheem Mesidor\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mesidor has six seasons of college experience and had his best season with the Miami Hurricanes, soloing 38 tackles and forcing four fumbles.<\/p>\n
Pick 26 – Buffalo Bills: EDGE Keldric Faulk<\/p>\n
Auburn Tigers, Faulk is a 6\u2019 6 285 pound edge rusher that is excellent at run stopping, an area the Buffalo defense ranked 31st in last season<\/p>\n
Pick 27 – San Francisco 49ers: T Max Iheanachor\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arizona State Sun Devils offensive tackle Iheanachor is a 6 \u20186 330 pound unit that has specialized on the outside and can replace former 49ers tackle Trent Williams<\/p>\n
Pick 28 – Houston Texans: DT Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ McDonald tallied three sacks and two forced fumbles, as well as a recovery in his last season with the Buckeyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 29 – Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Cashius Howell<\/p>\n
The Chiefs acquiring Howell would be the finishing piece to rebuilding and filling holes from their transactions \u200clast season. Howell finished the season with 11.5 sacks for Texas A&M.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pick 30 – Miami Dolphins: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren<\/p>\n
The safety from Toledo University, McNeil-Warren, could bring up the turnover rates for the Dolphins, totaling eight forced fumbles and five interceptions in his college career.<\/p>\n
Pick 31 – New England Patriots: LB Jacob Rodriguez<\/p>\n
The Patriots take Rodriguez from Texas Tech, who finished 5th in Heisman Trophy race and was top 10 in the NCAA in tackles<\/p>\n
Pick 32 – Seattle Seahawks: EDGE T.J. Parker<\/p>\n
Parker, the edge rusher for the Clemson Tigers last season, totaled five sacks and three fumble recoveries last season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This mock will project how teams might select players based on needs and current roster ahead of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":864290,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2078],"tags":[375,390,2604,1327,7,6,9],"class_list":{"0":"post-864289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arizona-cardinals","8":"tag-arizona","9":"tag-arizona-cardinals","10":"tag-arizonacardinals","11":"tag-cardinals","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-nfl","14":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116388436628603064","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/864289","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=864289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/864289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/864290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=864289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=864289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=864289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}