Our pre-free agency mock draft earlier this week had the Las Vegas Raiders using the No. 14 pick they were set to acquire from the Baltimore Ravens on Auburn edge Keldric Faulk. Then, of course, that trade fell through — the Ravens backed out of their deal to acquire Maxx Crosby, keeping that 14th selection with its original owners.
How will that unexpected flip impact Round 1?
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
The only changes in our top 13 come from a swap at Nos. 7 and 8, with Love now ticketed for Washington and Bain connected to the Saints. The Commanders have several needs and could be in best-player-available mode; the Saints, who signed RB Travis Etienne, can now address another pressing need by selecting the third edge off the board.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
With Maxx Crosby back in Las Vegas (for now?) and Trey Hendrickson on his way to Baltimore, the Ravens can focus on a pressing need other than edge. They do so in this mock by taking the draft’s top interior offensive lineman, in the wake of losing Tyler Linderbaum.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
Faulk was originally slotted to the Raiders at No. 14 in our pre-free agency mock. One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk is among the 10 best talents in the country, based on talent alone.
16. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Jets can pretty much do anything they want at No. 16, as they still need basically everything. The defense is probably a faster fix than the offense right now, and adding two elite talents — Reese and Terrell — would expedite that.
17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Lions signed veteran swing tackle Larry Borom in free agency, but they still need a long-term replacement for Taylor Decker at left tackle. Detroit also could choose to invest in a right tackle and flip Penei Sewell to the left side.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This remains one of my favorite player-team fits in the first round — the Vikings need a lot in the secondary, and Thieneman is arguably a top-15 talent in this class.
19. Carolina Panthers: Ahkeem Mesidor, edge, Miami
The Panthers made a big splash with the signing of Jaelen Phillips, but Mesidor is more than an edge prospect. He’s also a potential interior presence who could be a big help versus the run.
20. Dallas Cowboys: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary earlier this week. Edge could still be an option, but the Cowboys will have a chance to add either a top-end safety or top-end linebacker with this pick.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
This feels like a steal — and a potentially perfect fit for the Steelers, who are in pretty serious need of receiver help, even after making a move for Michael Pittman earlier in the week.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Chargers addressed their offensive interior in free agency when Jim Harbaugh drove newly signed Tyler Biadasz to his first day of work. McCoy is a top-15 talent, but medicals might cause a slide here.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Iheanachor is definitely still a bit of a project, but his long-term potential at either right or left tackle is tantalizing. Taking a chance on him over Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor feels possible.
24. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The range on this year’s wide receiver group feels pretty wide, as a fair amount of top-end talent could get pushed down the board this year. Tyson’s medicals are a concern, but his talent and tape are not.
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Bears have been very active on both sides of the ball in free agency so far, but both edge and DT could still be a first-round option for a new-look Chicago defense that’ll have new faces (LB Devin Bush, S Coby Bryant) up the middle.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Bills made a big trade for WR DJ Moore, but I’m not sure we can close the door on receiver being a need — especially if guys such as Boston or Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. are on the board.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The 49ers still have to figure out what to do with Trent Williams’ contract at left tackle, but they signed swing OT Vederian Lowe earlier this week. That move means receiver, another area of need, could be on the board in Round 1.
28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
This could be a landing spot for Kadyn Proctor, as the big man from Alabama is a tantalizing talent. But his lack of consistency is concerning. Meanwhile, Miller is tough as nails and another terrific athlete.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
I’m not ruling out a slide for Proctor — he has a long way to go and, at this point, I’m not sure if he’d be better off starting out at tackle or guard in the NFL. His physical upside is insane and impossible to ignore, though.
30. Denver Broncos: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Denver addressed linebacker, one of its biggest needs, by re-upping veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in free agency. However, this defense still needs more help up the middle, and McDonald has true three-down potential inside.
31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
One of my favorite players in the class, McNeil-Warren doesn’t have game-changing speed, but his twitch, agility and nose for the ball (at 6-3, 201 pounds) make him a tantalizing hybrid prospect.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
The Seahawks could still go corner here, as they re-upped Josh Jobe but lost Riq Woolen during free agency. Another pass rusher could also be on the table for the world champs.