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This is mock draft 1.0.

Do not hold me to it.

With free agency now mostly behind us, it’s a lot easier to do these mock drafts. One thing is for certain: We will all get pick No. 1 right.

That’s Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders. They can talk all they want about the process going on now, but he will be the pick. Guaranteed.

The rest of the mock is tough to do because there aren’t a lot of slam-dunk players. This is a draft that features a small group of elite players, but a giant group of good players. That means it will be rounds 2-4 where a lot of top talent is taken.

Prediction: When we look back at this draft in three years, there will be just as many top players taken in rounds 2-4 than there will be in the first round.

As for this mock, dive in, eat it up, complain about it, but just don’t hold me to it. I have two more to come and, of course, my favorite one of all: The Who-They-Should-Take Mock. That’s not predictive like this, but rather me telling teams what they need to do.

This mock might look different than many of those out there now, but that’s based on my assessments of players and talking with league scouts and personnel people. It isn’t a cookie-cutter mock. 

My next mock comes in two weeks — and then the others the week of the draft. For now, this is mock 1.0. Rip it to shreds. 

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 – Pick 1

Fernando Mendoza


QB

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3535

RUYDS

276

INTS

6

TDS

48

This is a slam dunk. All mock drafters will get this one right. He is the guy to turn that franchise around.

Round 1 – Pick 2

Arvell Reese


EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

I think they will consider David Bailey here as well, but in the end Reese plays the run better and will give them more position versatility.

Round 1 – Pick 3

David Bailey


EDGE

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Adding Bailey to a front with Josh Sweat would give the Cardinals a nice 1-2 punch on the edge. They could also consider tackle here, but Bailey is a better prospect.

Round 1 – Pick 4

Rueben Bain Jr.


EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

They added some nice pieces to the defense in free agency, so this will give them a nice edge player to finalize their front four.

Round 1 – Pick 5

Sonny Styles


LB

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

He is the type of player John Harbaugh loves in the middle of his defense. He has the speed to chase down plays behind a good defensive line. It fits.

Round 1 – Pick 6

Carnell Tate


WR

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

51

REYDS

875

YDS/REC

17.2

TDS

9

They need to get a premier receiver, even if the quarterback situation is muddied. Tate would be that guy. He is a polished player who fits a major need.

Round 1 – Pick 7

Jeremiyah Love


RB

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

21

They would consider edge Reuben Bain in this spot if he were there, but they signed guys in free agency. They opt for the star runner who can be their go-to guy in the run game.

Round 1 – Pick 8

Caleb Downs


S

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

In Brandon Staley’s scheme, he could play the “star” role in their defense. That’s a hybrid player who can do a lot of things in coverage and in the run game and as a blitzer.

Round 1 – Pick 9

Francis Mauigoa


OT

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 329 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

They have a need at right tackle — although Jaylon Moore can play there — and Mauigoa can be a starter right away. Down the line, he could also be a guard, which is what some scouts think he will be.

Round 1 – Pick 10

Jermod McCoy


CB

Tennessee

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 188 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

He missed last season with a torn ACL, but the word is he’s made a nice recovery and he’s the best cover player in this class when healthy. The Bengals could use another corner.

Round 1 – Pick 11

Mansoor Delane


CB

LSU

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

3rd

He is a good man cover player who would fit a major need in the Dolphins corner room. They have a lot of bodies there, but is there a true quality starter in the group?

Round 1 – Pick 12

R Mason Thomas


DL

Oklahoma

• Sr

• 6’2″

/ 241 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

41st

POSITION RNK

6th

The Cowboys have to get some twitchy help on the edge. Thomas can do that. He isn’t big at 6-2, 240, but he would fit the new defense. This would seem high for him, but watch his tape.

  From

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 – Pick 13

Makai Lemon


WR

USC

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

79

REYDS

1156

YDS/REC

14.6

TDS

13

They add to their receiver room, giving them a little more juice. We know that Davante Adams isn’t a kid anymore, so why not get a young receiver to develop for the future?

Round 1 – Pick 14

Olaivavega Ioane


IOL

Penn State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

He is the cleanest offensive lineman in this class. He is a power player who will step in and start right away to bolster a line that needs it.

Round 1 – Pick 15

Keldric Faulk


EDGE

Auburn

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 276 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

5th

They need more help for their pass rush. Faulk seems to fit the type of player general manager Jason Licht likes to draft. His best football is in front of him.

  From

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 – Pick 16

Jordyn Tyson


WR

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

61

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

11.7

TDS

9

The Jets need to get receiver help to go with Garrett Wilson. Tyson might be the most talented in this class, but he has missed a lot of time with injuries.

Round 1 – Pick 17

Spencer Fano


OT

Utah

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 311 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

This is a team in need of young offensive line help. Fano played tackle in college, but he could also move inside to guard.

Round 1 – Pick 18

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren


S

Toledo

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 202 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

2nd

They need a young playmaking safety who has a lot of tools in the box. McNeil-Warren is that type of player. He might end up as the best safety in this class.

Round 1 – Pick 19

Kenyon Sadiq


TE

Oregon

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 241 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

51

REYDS

560

YDS/REC

11

TDS

8

They need to give Bryce Young a playmaking tight end, which Sadiq can become. He is also a willing blocker, which is big in the run game.

  From

Green Bay Packers

Round 1 – Pick 20

Jacob Rodriguez


LB

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6’1″

/ 231 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

83rd

POSITION RNK

9th

They can use some linebacker help and this kid can do it all. He is good against the run and the pass.

Round 1 – Pick 21

Emmanuel Pregnon


IOL

Oregon

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 314 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

51st

POSITION RNK

5th

He is the perfect Steelers player. He is nasty in the run game and is good in pass protection. He’s just scratching what he can become as a left guard, which is a position of need for the Steelers.

Round 1 – Pick 22

Malachi Lawrence


LB

UCF

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

58th

POSITION RNK

7th

They have to get some young blood for their edge group. Lawrence is one of those guys who would fit what they want in their scheme. He plays hard all the time, which shows up on tape.

Round 1 – Pick 23

Kaleb Proctor


DL

Southeastern Louisiana

• Sr

• 6’2″

/ 291 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

113th

POSITION RNK

15th

They have to get some younger offensive linemen with Lane Johnson always talking retirement. Proctor played left tackle in college, but he could easily move to the right side.

  From

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1 – Pick 24

Ty Simpson


QB

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 211 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3567

RUYDS

93

INTS

5

TDS

30

Are they sold on the guys they have? That’s debatable, especially with a new coach. Simpson would be an interesting pick for the Browns.

Round 1 – Pick 25

Peter Woods


DL

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 298 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

1st

He played heavy last year, and didn’t play as well. That’s why he’s down this far in the draft. But Woods was once considered a top 10 talent and his weight is down.

Round 1 – Pick 26

Cashius Howell


EDGE

Texas A&M

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

4th

The Bills have to get more edge-rush help and Howell can do that. He has shorter arms, but he can impact the game off the edge.

Round 1 – Pick 27

Monroe Freeling


OT

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

7th

Trent Williams is getting up in the years and he wants a new contract. It’s time to start looking for a replacement.

Round 1 – Pick 28

Caleb Banks


DL

Florida

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 327 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

46th

POSITION RNK

7th

They need to get some young talent inside on defense. It might seem strange to do that here with other needs, but Banks has the talent — if he can stay on the field — to become a nice power player inside.

  From

Los Angeles Rams

Round 1 – Pick 29

Avieon Terrell


CB

Clemson

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 180 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

They have to get corner help with both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson now with the Rams. Terrell reported he modeled his game after McDuffie, so it would fit.

  From

Denver Broncos

Round 1 – Pick 30

Akheem Mesidor


DL

Miami (Fla.)

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 259 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

4th

The Dolphins need pass-rush help, so they can take the local product to liven up their pressure. He’s older at 25, but he would be a nice addition to their defense.

Round 1 – Pick 31

T.J. Parker


EDGE

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

49th

POSITION RNK

6th

Edge help is needed and Parker has some juice off the edge. Parker didn’t play as well last year as he did in 2024, but the talent is there.

Round 1 – Pick 32

Dillon Thieneman


S

Oregon

• Soph

• 6’0″

/ 201 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

3rd

They lost Coby Bryant to free agency, so Thieneman would compete right away. He is a playmaker who has the range to fit in this scheme.