Every year I do a mock BEFORE the NFL Combine. The Combine is a pivotal point of the NFL offseason and is more meaningful than you may think. This is where the collective mind of the NFL gathers and discusses everything, in person, for the first time. Everyone from NFL front offices, agents, reporters, prospects, etc. Agents of multiple players meet with everyone to discuss contracts for players that are becoming free agents and gauging markets. This is where trade nuggets are dropped, whether it is in the draft or for players like Matthew Stafford. The players’ testing is big but more or less a sideshow to what is really going on. Due to this, leaks will start to come out as the media catches up to how the NFL really feels about players, be it prospects or current. We will see “risers” in the draft, when in reality it is just the media catching up to the NFL. We will see rumors become actual conversations in trade negotiations. This is where the fun begins!!
Notes:
– I think the Titans are ultimately stuck at 1. The only team that would make sense is the Giants at 3 and if they acquire Stafford, they’re off the board.
– It is becoming more real by the day that the Rams might not want to pay Stafford his market value and give him another year guaranteed. They’re apparently several teams interested. In this exercise I assume Stafford has been dealt to the Giants.
– If the Rams move on from Stafford, focus on guys like Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins. Kirk Cousins would come at the vet min, which would be very appealing to the Rams. I wouldn’t rule out them bringing back Jimmy G and taking a stab at a failed high end pick like Trey Lance, Mac Jones or Zach Wilson to try and strike gold like the Vikings did with Sam Darnold. Coaching matters A LOT more than everyone thinks.
– We’ve all pegged Kirk Cousins as a shoe-in to the Cleveland Browns due to their cap situation and his roots with Head Coach, Kevin Stefanski but I’d pump those brakes as a 100% done deal. If the Rams QB spot comes out, LA is A LOT more attractive than the Browns.
– I have the Jets landing a QB but I’m not convinced they are in that market. I truly think they want to reset and I definitely don’t think a new regime is going to want to flag plant right off the cuff by giving up a ton of assets to go get a rookie QB. Don’t be shocked if they give Justin Fields a 1/$10M “prove it” type of contract that Sam Darnold got last year with the Vikings.
– I’d be shocked if Derek Carr is the New Orleans Saints QB in 2025.
– Russell Wilson may be without a starting job in 2025.
– Don’t expect Tee Higgins to play for anyone other than the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025.
– They’re a lot of rumblings that the Bucs will re-sign Chris Godwin, which is right up their wheelhouse of how they operate.
– Sam Darnold is 100% not going back to the Vikings. Raiders are heavy favorites to land him. Maybe the Giants take a run if they miss out on Stafford.
– There is no world in which the Vikings sign Aaron Rodgers, either.
– Davante Adams will likely want to play on the west coast putting LAR, SF, and LAC atop his list. Rodgers and Adams pairing with the Rams?
– The Commanders and Rams make a ton of sense for Myles Garrett, if the Browns move off of him.
– Aaron Jones is likely gone from the Vikings. Keep an eye on the AFC West with him. All four teams could use him, Chiefs would be my favorite landing spot.
Potential QB Landing Spots Thoughts:
- TEN: Derek Carr
- CLE: Rookie (Shedeur or Ward) and/or Kirk Cousins
- NYG: Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers/Rookie
- LV: Sam Darnold
- NYJ: Tyrod Taylor/Justin Fields, maybe Jacoby Brissett/Rookie if one falls
- NO: Spencer Rattler
- PIT: Aaron Rodgers or Justin Fields. Maybe Daniel Jones
- LAR: If not Stafford, Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers
Mock Draft 1.0
- Tennessee Titans – Abdul Carter, Edge – Penn State
I’ve never quite understood the “You don’t have a QB so you HAVE to pick one” thought process. What if you don’t like either QBs, which seems to be the case in this scenario? The Titans new GM, Mike Borgonzi, has expressed wanting to trade down, I just don’t think there is going to be a suitor, maybe the Giants. He comes from an organization that flipped the Chiefs from the 1st overall pick. That year the Chiefs traded for Alex Smith and took Eric Fisher 1st overall. Also, Borgonzi has expressed that building a roster from the bones like the Titans have, is done through the trenches. At the end of the day I think they sign Derek Carr and draft Carter, building through the trenches like Borgonzi wants.
- Cleveland Browns – Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
The consensus amongst NFL circles is this QB class is polarizing and you either are a Shedeur team or a Ward team, but consensus also says these QBs have 2nd round grades and would be AT BEST the 4th or 5th QB in last year’s class but both likely falling in as QB7 and QB8 behind Bo Nix and Michael Penix. I just think Shedeur is a better fit in the Stefanski offense and brings stability to his run first core offense. I think the Browns try and build back through the trenches and run the ball, which was the last time they were uber successful, thus enter Shedeur Sanders who is comparable to a guy like Brock Purdy.
- New York Giants- Travis Hunter, CB/WR – Colorado
In this run down I am acting as if the Giants traded for Matthew Stafford. If the Giants land Stafford they can pivot from QB (or trading up to 1) and take Hunter, who some have as the best player in this draft due to his versatility. I think the Giants would use him a lot more at WR than other teams would.
- New England Patriots – Mason Graham, IDL – Michigan
The Patriots are a tough one. I go with Graham here but I could absolutely see Will Campbell or a high upside player like Mykel Williams.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Will Campbell, OL – LSU
When some Coordinators take over Head Coaching gigs, they focus on building talent on the opposite side of the ball and use their coaching prowess to elevate their side of the ball (see Arizona) but Coen doesn’t strike me as that dude. With QB and WR in place, I think the Jags focus on the trenches and build that up for the run game.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State
This may be eye popping but I’m acting as if the Raiders secure Sam Darnold in Free Agency here. Chip Kelly is a great fit for Darnold and he is going to bring a great ground game to the Raiders, enter the best option at RB in this offseason.
- New York Jets – Cam Ward, QB – Miami
The Jets may get antsy on Ward and move up to 4 to get him but without trades in this mock, he “falls” to them at 7. I don’t think the Jets are interested in giving up the farm to get a QB if Ward and Shedeur are gone by 7, they would likely go with DT or CB.
- Carolina Panthers – Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State
Dave Cannales has been vocal since taking over as Head Coach that a versatile and playmaking TE is vital to his offense. An elite TE prospect is the easy choice here in my opinion.
- New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, Edge – Georgia
If a QB falls to them at 9, which the Saints think one could, they may jump. However, league circles think there may be something in Spencer Rattler. The Saints best path very well could be riding Rattler this year and taking a QB in 2026 (much better class). With both QBs gone, they take a versatile high upside edge rusher as Cam Jordan is probably on his way out.
- Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OL – Texas
Ben Johnson could be intrigued by Hampton here but I think with how deep this RB class is, they load up on OL.
- San Francisco 49ers – Josh Simmons, OL – Ohio State
Simmons is an athletic Offensive Lineman that would fit the Shanahan scheme. Injuries prevent him from being in conversation at the 1st overall pick. If they come back clean, he could turn into a Top 10 pick.
- Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Arizona
While Brian Schottenheimer has a reputation for being a run heavy play caller, I don’t think that is the case. Everyone he has put in place has a pass centric history and I honestly don’t think Jerry Jones cares about a Super Bowl, he just wants to be exciting. They kicked Kellen Moore to the curb because he ran it too much, I expect Schotty to air it out and what better than to pair the projected WR1 in this class with Lamb and Dak.
- Miami Dolphins – Armand Membou, OL – Missouri
The Dolphins need OL help BAD.
- Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland, TE – Michigan
Another coach who has been vocal about a versatile and productive TE. They tried to move up for Bowers last year and this year a similar prospect falls into their laps.
- Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green, Edge – Marshall
The Mike Green fuel is lit bright after a great Senior Bowl. The Falcons need edge help and the productive edge out of Marshall could be the guy.
- Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolen, IDL – Ole Miss
The Cardinals are slowly building what the Eagles have, ever so slowly. They add to their DL here. Some have Nolen as a potential Top 10 pick.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Will Johnson, CB – Michigan
The Bengals pass defense was brutal last year, they need all the help they can get.
- Seattle Seahawks – Tyler Booker, OG – Alabama
The only team with a worse interior OL than the Seahawks was the Dolphins. They have been vocal about that being their main priority this offseason. I would be shocked if they don’t go OL here.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenneth Grant, IDL – Michigan
I think Grant could go in the top 10 but in this exercise he just fell. Don’t be shocked if he even goes as high as 5 to the Jaguars.
- Denver Broncos – TreVeyon Henderson, RB – Ohio State
I’ve heard rumblings of Henderson having a 1st round grade due to his superb pass blocking abilities and his explosiveness. I’ve heard that his medicals may drop him to round 2. Payton gets his next Alvin Kamara here at pick 20.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Emeka Egbuka, WR – Ohio State
Egbuka is a tough WR with inside and outside versatility but I think would play mainly inside for the Steelers. He can block which would make him very attractive to the Steelers.
- Las Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB – North Carolina
Hampton seems like a match made in heaven for the Chargers.
- Green Bay Packers – Jalon Walker, Edge/LB – Georgia
Packers add to their defense with Walker who can be developed into either a full time edge or a LOS centric LB. I’d venture to say the latter.
- Minnesota Vikings – Grey Zabel, OL – North Dakota State
The Vikings are desperate for interior OL help. They’re my favorites to land Trey Smith in free agency and they continue to rebuild that OL in one preseason by taking Zabel, a Senior Bowl standout, here at 24.
- Houston Texans – Donovan Jackson, OG – Ohio State
The Texans are another team that needs help on the interior OL. Hopefully a schematic change can fix their issues but their OL was atrocious last year.
- Las Angeles Rams – Jaxson Dart, QB – Ole Miss
I don’t like this pick at all but it is fun to put Dart here in a scenario where they trade Stafford. I think it is likely Dart falls to Round 2. Maybe the Saints jump up and take him?
- Baltimore Ravens – James Pearce Jr., Edge – Tennessee
Ravens just take the best player, per usual. I’ve seen some serious mixed rankings on Pearce with some having him as a top 10 player and insiders like Daniel Jeremiah leaving them off his 1st round mock all together. The Ravens just watched the Eagles decimate the Chiefs offense with an elite pass rush so I expect them to invest here this offseason.
- Detroit Lions – Shemar Stewart, Edge – Texas A&M
Same as the Ravens. I suspect the Lions have already reached out to the Browns for Myles Garrett and I think they would be aggressive on that front. If they strike out across the board, I think they go aggressive for an edge at pick 28.
- Washington Commanders – Jihaad Campbell, LB – Alabama
The Commanders are likely to lose Bobby Wagner and Campbell would be a nice upgrade over Wagner anyway. Campbell may not last until here but if he does, Washington should jump at the chance to take him.
- Buffalo Bills – Malaki Starks (), S – Georgia
I had a hard time finding a landing spot for Starks but many have him as a top 15 player. He may not land until now but the Bills need defensive back help and this could be a nice match of a highly touted player falling into their lap.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Conerly Jr., OL – Oregon
The Chiefs OL was the reason they lost in the Super Bowl and they are losing Trey Smith to Free Agency. I’d be shocked if they passed on OL here, even if it is an overdraft.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Nic Scourton, Edge – Texas A&M
Rinse and repeat. The Eagles likely take OL or DL here. They’re also a prime candidate to trade back to Round 2 with a team wanting to jump up and take the QB3.
