With pro days and pre-draft interviews underway, NFL teams are finally starting to reveal a glimpse behind the curtain. Insider reports, early draft boards, and shifting player rankings have already caused seismic movement across the mock draft landscape, and the reality is that no one is going to predict exactly how things unfold in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. That will not stop us from trying.
This mock draft will offer a balanced mix of fit analysis and scouting insight. For more in-depth scouting reports and positional rankings, check out Tyler Hedmann’s prospect deep dive series.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana
Mendoza remains the safest quarterback in this draft, and his pro day offered a new look at his athleticism. Pro days are not always reliable indicators, but his game tape and performance from last season speak for themselves.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese | LB/EDGE | Ohio State
The Buckeye linebacker has expressed interest in making a Micah Parsons or Abdul Carter–type transition to a full-time edge role at the next level. While that move is possible, Reese’s skill set is better suited to playing off-ball as a true linebacker. His talent level is high enough to project success in either role.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigao | OT | Miami
With no quarterbacks remaining worthy of a top-five selection, the Cardinals turn to protecting their future franchise passer with Mauigoa. He does not carry the same size concerns as Will Campbell, and his pass protection already grades out above a number of current NFL tackles.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey | EDGE/LB | Texas Tech
The best pass rusher in the class, Bailey moves with rare fluidity and natural bend. He is a disruptive presence against the pass and has the versatility to contribute in coverage. Robert Saleh will need to work with him on consistently playing to his size.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State
No prospect boosted his stock more at the combine than Sonny Styles, who delivered one of the most impressive testing profiles ever recorded at the linebacker position. His pass coverage ability stands well above that of his peers, and his athleticism makes him a threat to any ball carrier.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano | OT | Utah
This is Cleveland’s most pressing need. While Mauigoa offers better prototypical size for the position, Fano is the better run blocker and may carry the higher upside of the two. That said, given the size concerns, Fano could be better suited as a long-term guard.
7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame
The stigma surrounding highly drafted running backs only grew after Ashton Jeanty’s disappointing rookie season. However, many evaluators rank Love ahead of Jeanty, and he will benefit from playing alongside a dynamic, young quarterback in Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints: Ruben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami
New Orleans simply cannot pass on Bain at No. 8. His defining trait is the violence he plays with, paired with high-end athleticism and burst. The primary question is whether he can overcome his shorter-than-average arm length.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State
Tate embodies the modern wide receiver, a polished route runner with great hands who wins with technique more than pure speed. His 4.53 in the 40-yard dash should not raise concerns, especially considering Jaxon Smith-Njigba ran a 4.48.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State
Modern defenses are built around versatile safeties, and Downs fits that mold. He processes quickly, plays downhill, and gives Cincinnati a dynamic presence on the back end.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU
With significant turnover looming in the secondary, Miami adds an instinctive corner who can play both man and zone, and who did not allow a touchdown last season.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee
The Cowboys need help in the secondary, and McCoy brings physicality and pro-ready awareness. He returns healthy from an ACL tear and should provide an immediate upgrade in coverage.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia
Freeling is a prototypical tackle who passes the eye test. The Rams can afford to bring him along early and invest in his long-term upside.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State
The Ravens bolster their pass rush with the most powerful interior lineman in the class. Baltimore will look for Ioane to develop into a similar-caliber run defender.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn
Tampa Bay needs a run defender on the edge. Faulk’s size, strength, and flexibility give them a reliable early-down presence with upside as a pass rusher.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon
Sadiq brings blazing speed and could fill a Travis Kelce-type role as an oversized slot target. He also brings a blocker’s mentality that is not always present in high-end receiving tight ends.
17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah
With Taylor Decker nearing the end of his career, Detroit secures a plug-and-play replacement who can anchor the line from day one while learning alongside veteran talent.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon
Being the heir apparent to Harrison Smith will not be easy, but the hard-hitting safety brings plenty of versatility to the Minnesota secondary.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama
Proctor’s rare blend of size and movement skills gives Carolina a high-ceiling protector for Bryce Young.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): CJ Allen | LB | Georgia
Dallas addresses its run defense by selecting Allen. He may be the best downhill linebacker in the draft, but there are some concerns in coverage.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State
Tyson is a natural separator with strong hands and excellent ball tracking. He gives Pittsburgh a true playmaking threat on the outside, though there are notable injury concerns.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods | DT | Clemson
The Chargers reload their defensive line with a powerful interior disruptor. Woods is a run-stopping force with the traits to develop into an elite pass rusher.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor | OT | Arizona State
A high-ceiling tackle, Iheanachor has the potential to become a long-term cornerstone with the right progression in Philadelphia.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Makai Lemon | WR | USC
A precise slot receiver with reliable hands, Lemon projects as a day-one chain mover, though he may lack big-play upside.
25. Chicago Bears: Aveion Terrell | CB | Clemson
A ball hawk with fluid hips, Terrell projects as a premium man coverage corner. However, he needs to add strength to become a more reliable tackler.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston | WR | Washington
Boston is a physical boundary target with elite hands and gives Josh Allen a needed upgrade at receiver.
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M
.A perfect Shanahan piece, Concepcion thrives with speed, route nuance, and big-play ability in space.
28. Houston Texans: Emmanuel Pregnon | OG | Oregon
Houston protects C.J. Stroud with a physical interior lineman who can anchor both pass protection and the run game.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo
Warren is a physical specimen with strong instincts. He will benefit mightily from Steve Spagnuolo’s tutelage.
30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN): Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee
Another addition to the secondary, Hood brings press-coverage ability and toughness to round out the unit.
31. New England Patriots: Zion Young | EDGE | Missouri
Young boosted his stock tremendously in recent months. He is an all-purpose edge who stifles the run and rushes the passer with similar levels of violence.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M
Howell is raw but explosive. With Seattle’s defensive system, he fits seamlessly as a high-ceiling pass rusher.
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