One of the difficult parts in writing mock drafts is recognizing that each NFL crew has some extent the place they are going to break free from apparent must take the “finest participant accessible.”
A helpful analogy is how many people method shopping for a automobile. We’d head to the automobile lot looking for a particular make or mannequin. Maybe we’re in search of a family-friendly four-door with loads of seating. Possibly it must be a cost-effective trip for the every day commute or a dependable used mannequin on your inexperienced pupil driver. For some, the objective is a burly 4×4 with a towing package deal or a slick sports activities automobile.
A few of us are dedicated to getting that excellent match. Others, for no matter motive, discover a completely different answer.
The aim of this text is to look past BPA and picture a world through which each crew prioritized filling their largest remaining want post-free company with their first-round choose. Who could be the most effective match?
As famous, this train shouldn’t be one other mock draft. To additional separate it from them, the NFL groups are listed alphabetically.
First-round draft place: No. 16
Greatest Want: Offensive line
Finest Match: Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas: The Cardinals devoted a lot of free company to protection, retaining linebackers Baron Browning and Akeem Davis-Gaither and spending huge to usher in edge rusher Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson. Banks has the lateral agility and grit to supply a direct improve at left guard and his expertise at sort out would give the Cardinals flexibility ought to starters Paris Johnson and Jonah Williams once more battle with sturdiness.
First-round draft place: No. 15
Greatest Want: Defensive finish
Finest Match: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: Final season was the third since 2020 through which the Falcons completed both thirty first or thirty second within the NFL in sacks. The addition of veterans Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox add size and toughness, however neither is a game-wrecker at this stage of their careers. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Stewart is not but a completed product, however his upside is seemingly limitless. Raheem Morris is likely one of the recreation’s higher lecturers with the motivational expertise to unlock Stewart’s potential.
First-round draft place: No. 27
Greatest Want: Offensive line
Finest Match: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State: The seventh-round funding made two years in the past in injured former Morris Trophy winner Andrew Vorhees makes changing free-agent defection Patrick Mekhari much less of a necessity than a want. Nevertheless, with little confirmed depth behind beginning tackles Ronnie Stanley, Jr. and Roger Rosengarten, as effectively, the Ravens might use a flexible, reliable and battle-tested blocker like Jackson to fill in wherever he could be wanted.
First-round draft place: No. 30
Greatest Want: Cornerback
Finest Match: Shavon Revel, Jr., East Carolina: Even after extending younger star Christian Benford, the Payments shall be wanting so as to add playmakers to a secondary needing to punish rival quarterbacks hoping to match league MVP Josh Allen level for level. Revel is coming off a torn ACL however his mixture of size, physicality and hand-eye coordination make him an intriguing slot in Sean McDermott’s protection.
First-round draft place: No. 8
Greatest Want: Edge
Finest Match: Mykel Williams, Georgia: The Panthers’ prime pass-rushers final yr had been Jadeveon Clowney and A’Shawn Robinson, two veterans getting into their twelfth and tenth NFL seasons, respectively. These veterans might function coaches on the sphere for an uber-talented 6-foot-5, 260-pound Williams, who seemingly simply wants a bit seasoning to turn out to be an all-around game-wrecker.
First-round draft place: No. 10
Greatest Want: Free security
Finest Match: Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina: With all due respect to veteran Kevin Byard and toolsy (however injury-prone) former second-round choose Jaquan Brisker, the Bears at the moment have extra “guys” than “dudes” on the security place and just about all of them are getting into the ultimate yr of their contracts. Emmanwori’s dimension and vary might make him a moveable chess piece in Dennis Allen’s protection, offering the Bears with a formidable weapon within the center to fight the high-octane passing assaults all through the NFC North.
First-round draft place: No. 17
Greatest Want: Edge
Finest Match: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State: Celebrity Trey Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks a yr in the past (and had the identical quantity in 2023), however he is no assure to be on the roster after submitting a commerce request within the offseason. Additional, the Bengals have little in depth behind him. A professional-ready edge rusher to both complement or substitute Hendrickson could be smart, and the Bengals might fall in love with Tuimoloau’s body, physicality (together with towards the run) and, after all, his manufacturing, which features a Huge Ten-leading 12.5 sacks for the nationwide champion Buckeyes.
First-round draft place: No. 2
Greatest Want: Quarterback
Finest Match: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: It stays to be seen what the Browns can do with Deshaun Watson’s bloated contract, however with Kenny Pickett at the moment the one quarterback on the roster wholesome sufficient to area snaps in coaching camp, clearly the membership wants to usher in somebody on the place. Sanders is polarizing, however he’s essentially the most correct quarterback on this class with a monitor document of success in chilly climate, in addition to from a pro-style offense.
First-round draft place: No. 12
Greatest Want: Playmaker
Finest Match: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: New head coach Brian Schottenheimer and first-year offensive coordinator Klayton Adams are recognized proponents of a bodily operating recreation, and it will be simple to plug in a star again right here. The Texas native Ashton Jeanty would look awfully good with a star on his helmet, for instance. However including a RAC-monster like Burden would possibly influence Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb even faster, whereas complementing the free-agent signings of veteran runners Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
First-round draft place: No. 20
Greatest Want: Operating again
Finest Match: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: There is no such thing as a cheap situation through which Jeanty — one of many few true blue-chippers of this class — would nonetheless be accessible to Denver at No. 20 general, however given his Alvin Kamara-like talent set, it could be price pairing him with Sean Payton. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or both of the Ohio State duo of Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson could be more cost effective however high quality alternate options.
First-round draft place: No. 28
Greatest Want: Edge
Finest Match: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M: Everyone seems to be hoping for a whole restoration from Aiden Hutchinson, however even when he returns to All-Professional type subsequent season, the Lions needs to be in search of a high quality complement to him. Scourton solely registered 5 sacks a yr in the past, however he was extra disruptive than his statistics counsel, possessing energy, consciousness and fairly a cross rush repertoire, rating as one of many extra pro-ready edge defenders of this class.
First-round draft place: No. 23
Greatest Want: Extensive receiver
Finest Match: Matthew Golden, Texas: The Packers had been reportedly in on the DK Metcalf commerce talks and will use reinforcements to a receiver room that has Christian Watson recovering from harm and getting into the ultimate yr of his contract, as is Romeo Doubs. Golden’s 4.29 velocity may very well be the right alternative on the skin, profiting from Jordan Love’s expertise as a deep ball passer.
First-round draft place: No. 25
Greatest Want: Offensive line
Finest Match: Josh Simmons, Ohio State: An offensive line that struggled to guard CJ Stroud a yr in the past was additional depleted with the commerce of gifted left sort out Laremy Tunsil, however with at least 5 veterans added to the unit over the offseason, it’d not be considered as a essential want by GM Nick Caserio. Nonetheless, any crew with a gifted younger QB ought to take into account Simmons, essentially the most gifted blocker of this class. The San Diego State switch regarded effectively on his method to top-10 consideration prior to ripping his patellar tendon and lacking the ultimate 10 video games of the yr. The 6-5, 315-pounder is a straightforward, balanced mover with expertise at each sort out positions, projecting as a long-time NFL starter.
First-round draft place: No. 14
Greatest Want: Tight finish
Finest Match: Tyler Warren, Penn State: Much like the Broncos/Ashton Jeanty pairing listed earlier, Warren will nearly definitely be off the board when the Colts are at the moment scheduled to choose (No. 14 general), however surrounding Anthony Richardson (or Daniel Jones) with playmakers needs to be the highest precedence, justifying a attainable commerce up. Whereas not as efficient within the blocking recreation because the blue-chipper Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland or maybe LSU’s Mason Taylor, each sure-handed receivers, could be high quality early-round matches, as effectively.
First-round draft place: No. 5
Greatest Want: Defensive sort out
Finest Match: Mason Graham, Michigan: Pardon the pun, however the Jaguars might use a bit extra tooth up the center. In a category stuffed with gifted defensive tackles, Graham affords a position-best mixture of consciousness and agility inside, constantly re-setting the road of scrimmage along with his skill to penetrate. Graham’s disruptive expertise — to not point out his motor — may very well be a catalyst sparking Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to huge seasons.
First-round draft place: No. 31
Greatest Want: Defensive sort out
Finest Match: Alfred Collins, Texas: Chris Jones stays one of many league’s easiest gamers, however he is getting into his tenth season within the NFL and Kansas Metropolis’s depth behind him might use reinforcing. I would prefer to see Jones paired with a large and highly effective nostril guard from this class. Collins is a behemoth at 6-foot-6 and 332 kilos with a uncommon mixture of energy and agility. He’s removed from a completed product however is polished sufficient to play instantly whereas providing the identical type of home-run upside GM Brett Veach and Andy Reid have prioritized on draft day.
First-round draft place: No. 6
Greatest Want: Extensive receiver
Finest Match: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: Raiders followers needs to be excited by Pete Carroll buying and selling for Geno Smith — however provided that they supply him the type of downfield weapons each loved in Seattle. McMillan isn’t any DK Metcalf by way of straight-line velocity, however he is a remarkably clean athlete given his 6-foot-4, 219-pound body with ball expertise honed from enjoying basketball and volleyball as a prep.
First-round draft place: No. 22
Greatest Want: Edge
Finest Match: Mike Inexperienced, Marshall: Khalil Mack stays one of many NFL’s finest and 2023 first-round choose Tuli Tuipulotu made spectacular strides a yr in the past, however the latter is the one edge rusher on the Chargers’ roster signed previous subsequent season. Inexperienced performs with the physicality and fireplace Harbaugh needs from his gamers, main the nation with 17 sacks and rating second with 22.5 tackles for loss.
First-round draft place: No. 26
Greatest Want: Cornerback
Finest Match: Jahdae Barron, Texas: A disruptive defensive position has allowed the Rams to get away with marginal expertise within the secondary, having solely invested one top-100 choice since 2019 on a defensive again — and that got here this previous season with security Kamren Kinchens at No. 99 general. With all due respect to the phenom that’s Travis Hunter, Barron tasks fairly effectively to the Rams’ zone-heavy ideas, displaying a terrific mix of instincts, closing velocity and dependable tackling.
First-round draft place: No. 13
Greatest Want: Offensive line
Finest Match: Will Campbell, LSU: No matter whether or not left sort out Terron Armstead decides to return for his thirteenth NFL season, the Dolphins should be involved about restocking the expertise alongside their offensive line. Campbell starred at left sort out the previous three years at LSU, however his brief arms (32 5/8″) mission higher inside at guard within the NFL. His agility, sturdiness and feisty play could be welcome additions to a Dolphins blocking corps needing extra of all three.
First-round draft place: No. 24
Greatest Want: Linebacker
Finest Match: Jalon Walker, Georgia: Daring strikes in free company have the Vikings with few apparent holes within the roster, and I would argue that their present LB core of Andrew Van Ginkel, Ivan Tempo and Blake Cashman is definitely one of many league’s underrated items. With each the previous and latter getting into the ultimate yr of their respective contracts, nevertheless, the Vikings might look to the draft for attainable upgrades. Walker excelled wherever the Bulldogs requested him to play, providing Professional Bowl potential in an aggressive scheme just like the one Brian Flores has dropped at Minnesota. Walker will not be accessible at No. 31, and with simply 4 draft picks (the least within the NFL), GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is extra prone to commerce down than up, with Alabama’s Jihaad Carter and UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger high quality matches, as effectively.
First-round draft place: No. 4
Greatest Want: Extensive receiver
Finest Match: Travis Hunter, Colorado: Hunter entered the 2024 season because the top-rated general prospect on my board and nothing has modified since. I consider he’s the distinctive participant who might play either side within the NFL, as he pairs terrific agility with distinctive instincts and ball expertise. With all due respect to not too long ago signed free-agent wideout Stefon Diggs, Hunter is the No. 1 goal Drake Maye wants.
First-round draft place: No. 9
Greatest Want: Defensive position
Finest Match: Walter Nolen, Mississippi: The Saints had only one participant register greater than 5.5 sacks a yr in the past, and that participant — defensive sort out Bryan Bresee — was PFF’s lowest-rated inside defender (amongst 78 qualifiers) in 2024. Nolen is at his finest within the three-technique position that has helped Bresee increase his numbers, providing terrific agility as a penetrator up the center.
First-round draft place: No. 3
Greatest Want: Quarterback
Finest Match: Cam Ward, Miami: The signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston counsel that the Giants are able to pivot at No. 3 if one of many top-rated quarterbacks is not accessible, however I do not consider they remove the possibility of New York addressing its largest, most evident want ought to both Ward or Shedeur Sanders be accessible. Every possesses the expertise and mettle to mission as future franchise quarterbacks, with Ward’s splashier upside and enjoying type maybe a greater match given the expertise and personalities already on the roster.
First-round draft place: No. 7
Greatest Want: Cross-catcher
Finest Match: Tyler Warren, Penn State: Whether or not it’s at large receiver or tight finish or each, the Jets are extensively anticipated to dedicate a minimum of one early-round choice on a pass-catcher, as Justin Fields goes to want some assist. Warren would seemingly be an ideal match if accessible at No. 7 general, because the blue-chip expertise possesses the dimensions, velocity and ball expertise to be a authentic focus of an NFL passing assault. Fields flashed as a starter in Pittsburgh and Chicago and was aided in each spots by their high quality tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Cole Kmet, respectively.
First-round draft place: 32
Greatest Want: Defensive position (depth)
Finest Match: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: The Tremendous Bowl champs have the league’s most gifted roster, with sustaining depth arguably Howie Roseman’s largest problem within the draft. Jalen Carter is already one of many recreation’s most impactful gamers, and each he and Jordan Davis are nonetheless on low-cost rookie contracts with edge rushers galore by way of the draft and free company. With such star energy already on the roster, the Eagles can afford taking a threat on a boom-or-bust prospect like Stewart, who affords arguably this yr’s most fun mix of dimension, velocity and energy.
First-round draft place: No. 21
Greatest Want: Quarterback
Finest Match: Tyler Shough, Louisville: No matter what Aaron Rodgers opts to do, I count on the Steelers to take a position an early-round choose on a quarterback, though not essentially at No. 21 general. I toyed with the thought of Jalen Milroe right here, however Shough is a way more polished passer, whose inventory has been hovering since spectacular performances on the Senior Bowl and Mix.
First-round draft place: No. 11
Greatest Want: Defensive sort out
Finest Match: Derrick Harmon, Oregon: San Francisco’s wage cap purge created vital holes at numerous positions however none greater, each actually and figuratively, than at defensive sort out, the place Jordan Elliott (who has a complete of 5 sacks in 5 NFL seasons) is now the headliner. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Harmon is arguably essentially the most gifted defensive lineman on this class, overwhelming opponents along with his energy and depth. GM John Lynch noticed it firsthand whereas scouting Harmon in individual at Oregon’s professional day.
First-round draft place: No. 18
Greatest Want: Offensive line
Finest Match: Gray Zabel, North Dakota State: Once you’ve struggled up entrance for so long as the Seahawks have, maybe the only option for a blocker is essentially the most versatile one. Zabel turned heads on the Senior Bowl by profitable no matter the place he lined up, zipping out of his stance in run blocking and displaying spectacular agility, stability and knee bend in cross safety. The Seahawks have positioned loads of emphasis on the Senior Bowl throughout John Schneider’s time as normal supervisor, and Zabel was the most effective blocker there.
First-round draft place: No. 19
Greatest Want: Linebacker
Finest Match: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama: Lavonte David is a legend, however the Bucs needs to be in search of his long-term alternative moderately than constructing across the star linebacker, who shall be getting into his 14th season within the NFL. Campbell is a uncommon athlete at linebacker, displaying the type of agility and acceleration in protection each crew is trying to develop. His consciousness and block-shedding method might use some work, nevertheless.
First-round draft place: No. 1
Greatest Want: Quarterback
Finest Match: Cam Ward, Miami: Provided that Shedeur Sanders, and never Ward, ranks larger on my huge board, I might make an argument for the Colorado signal-caller touchdown in Tennessee. He’s essentially the most polished and correct passer on this draft. The Titans shall be selecting between the 2 and are deservedly choosing first as a result of they’ve the league’s least-talented roster. In addition they want a quarterback whose best flash is on the sphere, not on his wrist. Ward is not the assured franchise quarterback his highlights counsel, however he’s undeniably gifted with the improvisational expertise and rags-to-riches story that may resurrect a franchise.
First-round draft place: No. 29
Greatest Want: Edge
Finest Match: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston Faculty: Defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn goes to need extra cross rushers to battle opponents looking for to maintain up along with his personal explosive offense. The Commanders have work to do on that entrance, returning only one participant (linebacker Frankie Luvu) who had greater than 5 sacks a yr in the past. Ezeiruaku registered 16.5 of them for Boston Faculty a yr in the past, profitable with an thrilling mix of burst, size and energy.
Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports activities. He has been protecting the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports activities Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Right this moment, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Soccer League. Observe him on X @RobRang.
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