Mock Draft 1.0: Titans swerve QB for two-way talent
It’s that time of year again. With the Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, it’s full steam ahead to the Combine. That will give us a better idea of the athletic testing numbers, but in the meantime, we can use some of the info gleaned from the all-star games to give us a rough first attempt at a Mock Draft. Without further ado, let’s see who Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans select with the first pick…
1. Tennessee TItans
Travis Hunter, Colorado, CB/WR
It feels like Brian Callahan will be given time as head coach in Tennessee and therefore I don’t think there will be pressure to go for a QB with this pick. The focus should be on acquiring blue-chip talent, something this class is low on. However, an athletic two-way player like Hunter is deserving of the first pick. I see Hunter as a full-time corner, but the lack of depth at receiver should mean he gets some time on offense in this landing spot.
2. Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The bombshell news that Myles Garrett wants out of Cleveland should cause a reset in attitude for this front office, or is it an indicator that a shift has already been made? Of course, the Browns need to address QB, but why rush? Carter is the top pass-rusher in this class and if they can’t trade back to acquire ammo for future years, drafting the Penn State edge defender gives them a young replacement for Garrett and long-term foundational piece.
3. New York Giants
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
One team that will be in a hurry to find a new quarterback is the New York Giants. GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are on the hottest of seats. The only thing that can realistically save them is a swing-for-fences move to select Ward. If Ward can galvanize something out of this group in 2025, then Daboll may get a shot at continuing to develop the young signal-caller. Ward has a high ceiling, but in a bad situation, you fear there is also plenty of bust potential.
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
You have to think that hiring Mike Vrabel will lead to an emphasis on the fortification of the trenches in New England. It’s time to go back to traditional principles and build strong foundations. While draft experts may have cooled on Campbell, I still think the league will admire his sheer size and reliability. Both tackle spots are for the taking in New England so Campbell should be an immediate starter.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
I have the Jags returning to the defensive line with this selection. They took Maason Smith in the second round last year but Mason Graham is the final elite player I have on my personal board. Perhaps they would trade back in this situation but taking a player that had 34 pressures in 2024 for Michigan would add key depth to the defensive front.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The obvious link here is Tom Brady. The GOAT is invested in the Raiders and has a tight relationship with Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado QB has limitations but if Brady and Pete Carroll are convinced he can lead an NFL franchise and has the mental makeup to succeed, they may overlook the fact he doesn’t have the biggest arm. Sanders’s success will be dictated by his ability to move an offense with touch and timing.
7. New York Jets
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Jets’ biggest question will be at the quarterback position, but the new regime doesn’t need to panic. This needs to be a complete rebuild, and key to that will be finding elite players at the most important positions. The make-do-and-mend approach at tackle with Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses failed, so now they can add another Big-10 tackle in Josh Simmons to pair with Olu Fashanu. Simmons suffered an injury that derailed last year, but his prototypical build and power should mean he’s highly coveted.
8. Carolina Panthers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Michigan’s Will Johnson is another player whose final season at the collegiate level was hampered by injury. Johnson is one of the top corners in this draft cycle when healthy. As long as the teams are happy with the medical issues, he should be selected in the top-10. By pairing him with Jaycee Horn, the Panthers passing defense should take a step forward.
9. New Orleans Saints
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Saints need to add playmakers alongside Chris Olave and the best receiver on my big board at this point is a tight end. Tyler Warren had a spectacular year for the Nittany Lions with over 1,230 receiving yards and 8 TDs. He’s a dynamic threat and the type of player the Saints need to get the best out of Derek Carr.
10. Chicago Bears
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
It’s time to find a running mate for Montez Sweat in Chicago. Adding a speed rusher to the defensive front would immediately upgrade this unit, which should be pushing for a decent improvement under new DC Dennis Allen. At the moment, Pearce projects as a designated pass-rusher, but his run grade improved in 2024, and 21 sacks in two seasons shows the impact he can have.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Williams was many draft analysts’ favourite for the overall number one selection in pre-season, but the edge rusher missed games early in the year and then played through those problems, ultimately limiting his production. NFL teams will still salivate at the potential of the 6’5, 265lbs edge rusher, and the 49ers, in particular, have a history of selecting players in this mould.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
I have my reservations about Arizona wideout Tetiroa McMillan. Despite his size, I don’t see the physicality associated with that, and other prospects in his mould have struggled to separate in the NFL. However, the Cowboys have their WR1, Ceedee Lamb, who can operate on the outside or in the slot; McMillan could thrive purely as an outside receiver who will get plenty of one-on-one action.
13.Miami Dolphins
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With Jevon Holland set to test free agency, the Dolphins are crying out for a playmaker in the defensive backfield. Starks has a lot of similar traits. He’s ultra-athletic, versatile and a ball-hawk. While 2024 was a small step back for Starks as well as Georgia, he still has the range and coverage ability to be a top-10 safety in the league.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Eagles demonstrated the importance of having a stocked defensive line, so even though the Colts took Laiatu Latu in the first round last year, they could take advantage of one of the strongest position groups in the draft. Stewart is an imposing 6’6, 290lbs, and as a pure pass rusher he lacks production (only two sacks in 2024). However, he is a powerful defender with plenty of scope to improve.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The run on pass rushers continues here, and it’s no surprise. The Falcons have failed to address the spot for too long now, and Marshall’s Mike Green is a player on the rise. A dominant showing at the Senior Bowl has boosted his stock. Green is a bendy, relentless speed rusher who has added extra weight ready for the next level. He reminds me of Denver’s Nik Bonitto. The Falcons will hope for a similar return on investment with this pick.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Cardinals need to continue building up their offensive line if they are to compete in the NFC West. Jonah Williams was serviceable at right tackle, but moving him inside or drafting Membou to play at guard would bolster the group. Membou’s 34-inch arms give him a chance to survive on the outside. His SEC background and the fact he conceded no sacks and only 4 pressures in 2024 are proof he is an excellent pass protector.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Bengals never recovered from losing DJ Reader in the middle of their defense last offseason. The Sheldon Rankins signing was a big miss, and BJ Hill is another year older; Kris Jenkins has the potential to emerge as a solid 3-tech, but pairing him with a nose tackle like Grant really fortifies the centre of the defense.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Kelvin Banks Jr, OL, Texas
Both Seahawks tackles had time on the sidelines in 2024, so despite Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross being young, further depth on the o-line is needed. Texas’ Kelvin Banks may also be better suited on the inside in the long-term. Wherever he lines up, Banks had a stellar career at Texas, manning the left tackle spot, earning an elite 89.8 pass-blocking grade from PFF in 2024.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
A hip injury shortened Benjamin Morrison’s 2024 season and will likely dent his draft stock to some degree. Without that, I would have had him in my top-10 players and the best man coverage corner in this draft class. If the medicals check out, drafting Morrison would allow the Bucs to move Zyon McCollum back inside to the slot.
20. Denver Broncos
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is arguably a top-5 player in this class. Unfortunately, once I got past the Raiders, I found it difficult to slot him. However, landing with the Broncos feels like a perfect fit. The physical, every-down back can lessen the load on sophomore signal-caller Bo Nix and add a new dimension to Denver’s offensive gameplan.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
When George Pickens is locked in, he is one of the NFL’s top receivers. However, it’s never guaranteed that version of Pickens will show up. With that in mind, adding further options for whatever quarterback is in situ next season is a must. Burden would certainly add a different dimension. He can be used in a similar way to Deebo Samuel, a true offensive weapon.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Ok, yes, this one is a bit obvious, but with the top two receivers off the board, the Chargers could turn to tight end in order to give Justin Herbert more options in the passing game. Loveland is more of a big slot, and his familiarity with Harbaugh means this could be a pick you see mocked with regularity. He’s super athletic and a dynamic upgrade on Will Dissly.
23. Green Bay Packers
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Packers are set to end the Eric Stokes era at the cornerback position. Keisean Nixon has been forced to play on the outside, but drafting a player of Barron’s calibre could push him back inside. Barron emerged on a strong Texas defense, snagging five picks and becoming a sure tackler in his fifth year. He could be a real gamechanger on the back end.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Minnesota Vikings defense flourished under Brian Flores, and giving him another physical specimen on the defensive front should help maintain that high level of play. Nolen didn’t quite live up to his 5-star billing in college. He transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss and took a leap in 2024. With 32 stops and 6 sacks, Nolen is a regular in the opponent’s backfield, and Flores would surely love scheming up blitz packages with him at DT.
25. Houston Texans
Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
Nobody left a better impression at the Senior Bowl in Mobile than North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel. The 6’6, 305lbs offensive lineman was a tackle for the Bison, but impressed on the interior throughout the week. He held his own repeatedly in 1-on-1’s against a star-studded defensive tackle group. It proved that the step up in competition shouldn’t be of great concern to NFL teams. The Texans would fortify their line with a player who could become a truly elite center.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Cooper Kupp trade chatter has heated up recently and it looks like the veteran’s days in LA are numbered, unless Jim Harbaugh picks up the phone. It means that the Rams will likely be hunting for a receiver to pair with Puka Nacua. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka played over 80% of his snaps in the slot so would be a sure-handed replacement for Kupp.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
A tale as old as time, the Ravens scoop up an excellent talent at a discount due to injury. Once you get to the back end of the draft, teams are more willing to take chances as their rosters don’t need the immediate boost of a starter. Revel Jr. only started three games in 2024, but the year before, he had 10 pass breakups and one interception, posting a coverage grade of 84.7.
28. Detroit Lions
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
How about some edge help opposite of Aiden Hutchinson? The Lions suffered terrible injury luck along the defensive line last year but managed to make it work with a bevvy of replacements. Ezeiruaku is undersized at 6’2, 247lbs, but he knows how to get in the backfield. He totalled 60 pressures, including 14 sacks, in his last season for Boston College.
29. Washington Commanders
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The mis-pick of Emmanuel Forbes in 2023, forced rookie Mike Sainristil to play on the outside this year. I would like to see him in his college position of nickel corner, where his playmaking ability can shine. Therefore taking a true outside corner here makes sense. Amos’ career took him from Louisiana to Ole Miss via Alabama, he shone for the Rebels in 2024 recording 10 pass breakups.
30. Buffalo Bills
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Scourton’s draft stock has taken somewhat of a hit this season after an underwhelming year at Texas A&M. However, his tape from 2023 should not be forgotten. He thrived for Purdue, getting 8 sacks, even though he was quite obviously the main danger on the defense. The Bills can restock their pass rush here and tease out the best in Scourton once more.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The Eagles dip back into the secondary market once more. After their success in drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, they add a player who was integral in Notre Dame’s run to the National Championship game. Xavier Watts had six interceptions from the safety spot and would add competition for Reed Blankenship in Philly.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
This Chiefs defense needs to continue to add young, dynamic pieces. Jalon Walker fits that bill perfectly. The linebacker was utilised as a hybrid pass rusher and actually looked more effective at the edge position than a true off-ball linebacker. He had seven sacks for the Bulldogs in 2024, and although he may need to add bulk to survive as a pass rusher, his speed will cause immediate problems.
Rory-Joe Daniels
CFB Contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.