Dane Brugler first mock

[RunKC]

Love this guys work

Spoiler!

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The incoming general manager in Tennessee will inherit a great opportunity — either invest in a quarterback at No. 1 or trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team. Any other outcome would be surprising.

If the Titans opt not to take a QB, the ideal scenario would be to trade back two spots with the Giants. The Titans wouldn’t receive close to what the Bears scored in compensation from the Panthers for the No. 1 pick two years ago, but they would gain additional draft capital and still be in position to take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at No. 3.

However, in this mock, the Titans decide Ward is an upgrade over their current quarterback situation. His loose play style won’t be for everyone, but his ability to create explosive plays and the gradual improvements he has shown each year are promising aspects of his profile. Some scouts have compared Ward’s upside to that of Steve McNair, which would be music to the ears of fans in Nashville.

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

It’s likely that Deshaun Watson has played his final snap for the Cleveland Browns, so a quarterback certainly will be on the table here. But I don’t expect Cleveland to force the pick if the right fit isn’t there. Carter playing opposite Myles Garrett would be a scary thought for opposing offenses.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

If the Giants are unable to move up for Ward, would they like Shedeur Sanders enough to draft him at No. 3? In this scenario, they don’t and instead opt for arguably the best player in the draft. Hunter would give New York an upgrade at corner — and he’d be a fun weapon for Brian Daboll to mix into the offense for the Giants’ TBD quarterback.

4. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

How we view the Patriots’ needs at the moment compared to three months from now could vary wildly, based on the cap space this organization has to address key positions in free agency. With his tracking skills and fluid catch radius, McMillan has a skill set similar to that of Tee Higgins (who shouldn’t see a minute of free agency, if the Bengals are smart).

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Personally, I think this is too early for Johnson — but that will be the case for several prospects in this year’s first round. I do really like Johnson’s eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the ball. He has a starter-caliber skill set and would upgrade one of the Jaguars’ outside corner spots as a rookie.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

There are a ton of mixed opinions in the league about Sanders, and it will be interesting to see how (or if) that changes throughout the draft process once coaches get involved. But with Mark Davis and Tom Brady heavily influencing this pick, I’m not sure the Raiders could pass on Sanders — although, hopefully the new head coach and general manager will have a say in that decision.

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7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Jets are another team that feels in limbo because of question marks at quarterback. But the roster has plenty of other needs, as well, including on the defensive line. Graham isn’t super long, but he’ll have a high floor in the NFL because he knows how to deconstruct blocks and be a factor against the run or pass.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

Walker played an off-ball linebacker role in Athens and spent most of his time dropping in coverage or defending the run. But with his length, power and explosive movements, he is at his best rushing the passer. A native of North Carolina, Walker has the talent and mentality that fit what the Panthers are trying to build.

9. New Orleans Saints: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Safety might feel like a luxury option for a Saints team that needs help at quarterback, pass catcher and on the defensive line. But Starks can play across the secondary and be a playmaker in different ways. With his athleticism, football IQ and makeup, he will be an easy sell in NFL war rooms.

10. Chicago Bears: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Simmons was trending towards being OT1 in this draft class until he suffered a knee injury in mid-October, which required season-ending surgery. His draft stock will be in limbo until the combine, when teams receive medical feedback from their doctors. But if he’s healthy, Simmons is a natural left tackle with a high ceiling.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

Based on the players expected to be available in this range, there is a decent chance the 49ers use this pick to address the trenches, either on the offensive or defensive line. Membou is incredibly underrated, but he plays with exceptional control, athleticism and finish. He would give San Francisco an ascending player with guard-tackle versatility.

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12. Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

The Cowboys have to find more answers in the passing game, outside of CeeDee Lamb. Burden is an explosive threat at all three levels but does his best work with the ball in his hands, becoming a running back after the catch.

13. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU

Campbell earned the starting left tackle job in Baton Rouge shortly after he arrived as an 18-year-old freshman, then allowed only two sacks in his 38 career starts. Some scouts see him at tackle, while others believe he is a guard. But with potential shuffling to come on Miami’s offensive line this offseason, Campbell could help in multiple spots.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

This pairing is going to be popular throughout the process — and it is easy to see why. Warren will have the testing numbers that general manager Chris Ballard covets, and he is NFL-ready and quarterback-friendly, exactly the combo the Colts should be targeting to help Anthony Richardson develop.

Let’s be real: This regime must draft players who will help win games immediately.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

It will be fascinating to see how early Stewart goes on draft night. His production this season (5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in 12 games ) was underwhelming, but NFL teams don’t draft stats — they draft traits. And Stewart has exceptional length and athletic tools for a player who’s 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Cardinals will continue to build up in the trenches this draft. No interior lineman in the FBS created more pressures than Harmon did this season. He has the strength, quickness and play violence to win in different ways, and from different alignments.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Last year, the Bengals drafted a toolsy offensive lineman from Georgia in the first round (Amarius Mims). They flip to the other side of the ball and do it again in this mock. Williams looked like a future top-10 pick as a freshman, but he didn’t quite reach dominant status over his three seasons in Athens. The talent, however, is there for him to grow into a game-wrecker off the edge.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

There are plenty of differing opinions around the league on Banks. Some see him as a tackle; others as a guard. Some think he could sneak into the top 15; others see more of a late first-rounder. The Seahawks’ issues on the offensive line extend beyond their personnel, but Banks has “quality starter” written all over him and would help stabilize things.

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19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

The main reason the Buccaneers fell short in their playoff loss to the Commanders was that their defense couldn’t get off the field. Like most prospects, Pearce isn’t a finished product, but he brings juice to be disruptive as a pass rusher. He finished top three in the SEC in pressures each of the last two seasons.

20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Should Jeanty fall this far? Of course not. But if Dallas decides to pass, there aren’t many obvious landing spots for him in the top 18. From the Boise State Broncos to the Denver Broncos, Jeanty would add another level to Sean Payton’s offense and continue to help Bo Nix ascend as one of the league’s bright young quarterbacks.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Steelers have had mixed results betting on talented-yet-undisciplined receivers in the early rounds. It’s time to invest in a pass catcher such as Egbuka, who might not have a sky-high ceiling but already plays with a pro-level skill set and would be a dependable target for the next decade.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Like Warren to Indianapolis, this is another potential pairing that should be popular in mock drafts. A big, fast and reliable pass catcher, Loveland would help fix several of the Chargers’ offensive woes. And, obviously, no other head coach will be more familiar with how to use his skill set than Jim Harbaugh.

23. Green Bay Packers: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

The Packers’ defensive line was disappointing this season, and the front office must balance the possibility of players already on the roster getting better against adding premium talent. If general manager Brian Gutekunst looks for an upgrade in the first round, Williams — and his disruptive nature — would make sense.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Anyone who watched the Vikings’ playoff collapse to the Rams knows Minnesota needs to address its offensive line in a major way this offseason. But assuming those upgrades come in free agency, the Vikings could look for help at running back here.

Jeanty deservedly will command all of the Round 1 running back talk, but Johnson is worthy of landing in the top 32 picks, as well. The Iowa back would be a great fit for Minnesota’s outside-zone scheme, and his impact would help open the passing game.

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25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Even with one of the best passing connections in the league, the Texans want an offense that can shift to bully ball on the ground throughout the course of a game. And that has more to do with the offensive line than the running back. With his power and finishing demeanor, Booker should check a lot of boxes.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

It’s hard to say how many more years Matthew Stafford will play, But investing in the offensive line, helping to keep him healthy and maximizing his final years with the organization would be a logical plan. After becoming a starter in 2023, Conerly took a big jump as a junior — he didn’t allow a pressure in 10 of Oregon’s final 12 games.

27. Washington Commanders: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Dan Quinn has done a great job getting functional pass-rush production out of Cowboys castoffs, such as Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong. But it would make sense for this front office to invest in young, promising players on the edges. Green could be part of a rotation before taking over the full-time starting role.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Jackson, OT/G, Ohio State

Jackson has been the unsung MVP of Ohio State’s run to the national championship game. After starting at left guard as a sophomore, junior and for the first five games of 2024, Jackson kicked out to left tackle — a position he hadn’t played since high school — and helped save the Buckeyes’ season after they’d suffered a key injury up front. Jackson struggled in his first start at his new position against Carter, but he’s gone the last seven games without allowing a sack.

29. Buffalo Bills: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Revel suffered a torn ACL in September, so his upgraded medical information at the combine will be key to his draft stock. But if fully healthy, he would be a lock as a top-15 pick. The Bills are getting a discount on him at No. 29 in this mock.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

With Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham possibly moving on, the Eagles will be looking for reinforcements on the edges this offseason. Tuimoloau (6-4, 270) is a smart, alert player who plays the run well and also can get after the quarterback. In three College Football Playoff games this year, he has combined for 17 total pressures.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

At 6-3, 340, Grant is a rangy big man who can take up space or make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Adding his talent to the mix would help free up Chris Jones and strengthen the Chiefs’ defensive line.

32. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

There should be a few options for the Lions to add key depth at edge rusher late in Round 1. Scourton has mostly Day 2 draft grades around the league, but he projects as a starter because of his ability to wear down blockers with a motor that doesn’t quit — something Dan Campbell (a former Aggie himself) would appreciate.

Round 2

33. Cleveland Browns: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

34. New York Giants: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

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35. Tennessee Titans: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona

37. Las Vegas Raiders: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

38. New England Patriots: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

39. Chicago (from CAR): Wyatt Milum, G/C, West Virginia

40. New Orleans Saints: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

41. Chicago Bears: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas

42. New York Jets: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

43. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

44. Dallas Cowboys: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

45. Indianapolis Colts: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

46. Atlanta Falcons: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas


47. Arizona Cardinals: Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss

48. Miami Dolphins: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Mbow, OT/G, Purdue

50. Seattle Seahawks: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

51. Denver Broncos: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

54. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan

56. Buffalo Bills (from MIN): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

57. Carolina (from LAR): Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

58. Houston Texans: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

59. Baltimore Ravens: Jihaad Campbell, LB/Edge, Alabama

60. Washington Commanders: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

61. Buffalo Bills: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

62. Philadelphia Eagles: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

64. Detroit Lions: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

[RunKC]

Early thoughts:

-if Conerly falls that far Veach is 100% trading up to grab him
-Wyatt Millum is what I expected: probably not a LT
-Benjamin Morrison would be so ****ing nice here
-Jayden Higgins is good but doesn’t seem to fit here

[DJ's left nut]

Membou won't go that high.

Missouri players always end up falling like a round spots from their rosier projections.

I don't say this at all based on the player -- it's the school. If he's being projected in the mid-high 1st round, he'll go mid-late 2nd somehow.

[ThrobProng]

I really hope the Raiders make the mistake of drafting Sanders. It would be a very Raider thing to do.

[smithandrew051]

Crow is going to shit himself if Millum is there at 32 and we pass

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

Crow is going to shit himself if Millum is there at 32 and we pass

Not necessarily. There are legitimate concerns his arms are shorter than 33 inches. If that's the case, teams may view him as an OG/OC even if he looks like one of the top pass blockers at LT in the draft.

My favorite for LT is actually Conerly but, like I figured, he's rocketing up boards much like Darrisaw did. I've seen Milum as "more likely" to be around when we pick.

If Conerly makes it to 16, I'd already be on the phone. But I'm a sucker for wanting to trade up just about every single year.

[Couch-Potato]

I like our picks! Interested in both those guys, both would be exciting. I don’t understand why Higgins isn’t higher on people’s boards.

Regarding the rest of the draft, there were some attractive names still on the board for us outside of DL. The combine will eventually clear up the big board a little, but feels like people are still all over the place on these guys.

[O.city]

I'd be interested in going up for Connerly

[RunKC]

The Vikings have only 3 draft picks and only 1 pick in the first 140 picks. They’ve got a 1 and two 5’s.

Prime trade up candidate if we see a LT we like and want to go get him

[DJ's left nut]

I'm gonna be honest -- if that were the board (And it's not a bad board at all, just not a perfect one) I might....MIGHT....go Henderson with our 1st.

{ducks}

I just ****ing love what he could bring to this offense.

He could easily be Shady McCoy 2.0, IMO. Probably even a bit more explosive in a straight line. People see his speed and think he's undersized but he's really not. Henderson's a stout guy. Not a power back, but not a scat back either.

Someone like Sawyer is going to be a good player, but I don't know that I see him as a needle mover (or as the right complement to Karlaftis/Jones). And Fannin is a fascinating prospect but I just don't ride for the 'smaller' TEs that are really just bigger WRs.

I don't see an obvious OT pick and am not eager to look at IOL there. I don't see a WR left that's a ton better than who we'd be looking at at the back of the 2nd.

I'd be looking at Henderson and Landon Jackson there and I think I might just go with Henderson.

Afterall, if the 1st round of the draft is a 50/50 proposition, well we busted on our last 1st round RB so the math says this one hits...right?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I'm gonna be honest -- if that were the board (And it's not a bad board at all, just not a perfect one) I might....MIGHT....go Henderson with our 1st.

{ducks}

I just ****ing love what he could bring to this offense.

He could easily be Shady McCoy 2.0, IMO. Probably even a bit more explosive in a straight line. People see his speed and think he's undersized but he's really not. Henderson's a stout guy. Not a power back, but not a scat back either.

Someone like Sawyer is going to be a good player, but I don't know that I see him as a needle mover (or as the right complement to Karlaftis/Jones). And Fannin is a fascinating prospect but I just don't ride for the 'smaller' TEs that are really just bigger WRs.

I don't see an obvious OT pick and am not eager to look at IOL there. I don't see a WR left that's a ton better than who we'd be looking at at the back of the 2nd.

I'd be looking at Henderson and Landon Jackson there and I think I might just go with Henderson.

Afterall, if the 1st round of the draft is a 50/50 proposition, well we busted on our last 1st round RB so the math says this one hits...right?

I will purposefully commit a felony, have you represent me, tank the whole case in court so we lose and you look bad if we draft another RB in the first round.

[Palangi]

Just say "NO” to RBs in the first round!!

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

I will purposefully commit a felony, have you represent me, tank the whole case in court so we lose and you look bad if we draft another RB in the first round.

If you draft a RB at 1.1 and he's actually GOOD, it's not a problem.

I know we don't like 1st round RBs, but had we taken Jonathan Taylor and not MEH, that pick would've been a good pick.

Meanwhile we take FAU and nobody says "NO DE'S IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!"

The issue isn't that we took a RB. It's that we took a bad one.

I just feel like Hunt's presence this year has very loudly shown the difference than a quality RB makes vs. Pacheco, who's just a one-note banger. And Hunt's nothing special at all -- he's just a competent RB.

Henderson very easily could be special.

I bagged on Crow the same as anyone else for taking Gibbs for KC in the CP Mock but man fellas, can you imagine this offense with Gibbs in it?

There isn't a player that can be added to this offense in the draft (apart from a turnkey LT and those don't exist on that board by the time we're up) that will impact this offense like Henderson would. Unless you prefer ANOTHER RB like Singleton.

So if you're looking to juice the defense instead, I understand being dogmatic. But if you're looking at a goose to the offense, find me ANYONE on that board that's going to do more for this offense than Henderson would.

I don't see a benefit to being dogmatic here.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

If you draft a RB at 1.1 and he's actually GOOD, it's not a problem.

I know we don't like 1st round RBs, but had we taken Jonathan Taylor and not MEH, that pick would've been a good pick.

Meanwhile we take FAU and nobody says "NO DE'S IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!"

The issue isn't that we took a RB. It's that we took a bad one.

I just feel like Hunt's presence this year has very loudly shown the difference than a quality RB makes vs. Pacheco, who's just a one-note banger. And Hunt's nothing special at all -- he's just a competent RB.

Henderson very easily could be special.

I bagged on Crow the same as anyone else for taking Gibbs for KC in the CP Mock but man fellas, can you imagine this offense with Gibbs in it?

There isn't a player that can be added to this offense in the draft (apart from a turnkey LT and those don't exist on that board by the time we're up) that will impact this offense like Henderson would. Unless you prefer ANOTHER RB like Singleton.

So if you're looking to juice the defense instead, I understand being dogmatic. But if you're looking at a goose to the offense, find me ANYONE on that board that's going to do more for this offense than Henderson would.

I don't see a benefit to being dogmatic here.

I was a Gibbs guy, so I actually wouldn't hate it.

In an ideal world, Egbuka falls right into our lap and I happily take him and let Hollywood walk, but that's alot of cap at the WR spot early in the past few.

[O.city]

But, that's also a little near sighted IMO.

The issue with CEH was he wasn't good, but also what holes it created due to opportunity cost and such there.

Higgins, Pittman, McKinney and Taylor come off the board right after. That woulda been nice.