This is a tough draft to get excited about. There will always be gems to be found, but this class is short on impact talent. This may be one of those drafts similar to 2022, where a Travon Walker level talent is taken first overall.

Draft order courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.

---

The Titans are once again the most miserable franchise in the NFL. With Mike Vrabel leading the Patriots to the best record in the NFL, perhaps this team should not have fired him? Moving on, Tennessee hopes that quarterbacks like Fernandon Mendoza ball out to finish out the season, so they can get a haul for this pick from a quarterback needy team. I do not predict trades in my mock drafts, however, so this could be a Travon Walker situation, where Tennessee takes the best available talent in a position of need. Rueben Bain Jr. does not have the sack numbers you would want from a top overall pick, but he has continuously disrupted opposing quarterbacks, and is a plus run defender as well. The Titans pass rush, and defense as a whole, has been a huge weak spot. Bain Jr. may not be a future All Pro, but I think the bust potential is pretty low.

---

The Giants are another terrible team that is at least set at quarterback. Like the Titans, they are hoping a couple of quarterbacks move to the top of the board, so they can trade down and add additional ammunition. It would also be nice if a Giants top ten pick decided to act like it. It is not too late for Abdul Carter to not become another Evan Neal, but early returns have not been promising. If you are drafting a receiver in the top five, you probably want someone bigger, stronger and more athletic than Jordyn Tyson, but you can only draft who is available. That is not to dump on Tyson, who is a very good route runner and has eliminated the drop issues that plagued him in 2024. Even with a healthy Malik Nabers, New York needs to surround Jaxson Dart with as much talent as possible.

---

Neither Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders are good enough to put up with all of the drama surrounding the position. That is not fair to either one of those players, who would be perfectly fine backups, but ESPN and sports media has turned the whole thing into a circus. Cleveland can move on with that distraction by selecting Fernando Mendoza here. Mendoza may be closer to a Jared Goff than a Joe Burrow, but I think he has what it takes to become a solid starting quarterback. He has hardly been tested all year. He has completed 73 of his passes and leads the nation in touchdown passes. He sold me as the QB 1 with a masterful game winning drive against Penn State on November 8.

---

Tyler Shough will probably not be a long term option for the Saints, but they spent a second round pick on him in 2025 and have needs at basically every position on the field. This will be a long term rebuild, so taking another quarterback here without the support around him would not be the best use of resources. Arvell Reese may be the best all around football player in this class. He has played some MIKE and some EDGE, showing true three down ability as both a run defender and pass rusher. It will be up to the coaching staff to figure out how to get the best out of a player of this archetype, something that NFL coaches often struggle with.

---

The Jets have seemingly struggled to develop a quarterback since Joe Namath, but they have to keep trying. With five first round picks the next two years, they could opt to wait until 2027, but with Ty Simpson available here, they should pounce. Even though Simpson is a fourth year junior, he only has a handful of starts on his resume. That is always a concern, as scouts like to see at least two years worth of tape, but he is worth a gamble here. He has been in complete control of the Alabama offense, making tight throws and avoiding turnovers. There are too many teams with serious question marks at quarterbacks for Simpson to fall too far if he declares, which is far from a sure thing.

---

Pete Carroll may not have the patience for a rookie quarterback at this point in his career, but the Geno Smith experiment has been a monster failure. Las Vegas cannot ignore the position any longer. I am always wary of redshirt sophomore quarterbacks, but Dante Moore looks the part. Oregon is a very well coached team that pumps out NFL prospects like few others in the nation. Moore showed grit by bouncing back from his worst performance of the season against Indiana, with a 290 yard, 4 touchdown game against Rutgers, and is recently coming off a win against Minnesota where he was nearly perfect. It is worth noting that non-ESPN guy Todd McShay reported that Moore is definitely returning to Oregon in 2026, but I will believe it when I see it.

---

Coming off of an NFC Championship game appearance and with a quarterback on a rookie deal, the Washington front office went all in with high priced additions. Well, Jayden Daniels got hurt and a lot of those additions have been flops, and the Commanders are back at the bottom of the NFL standings. Contrary to popular belief, running backs are still taken in the top ten. Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Ashton Jeanty were all recent top picks, and Jeremiyah Love could follow suit. He has been as good as advertised as a junior, showcasing strength, speed and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. A true three down threat, he could be the centerpiece of the Washington offense.

---

The Falcons traded what will probably become a top ten pick for the right to draft a player (James Pearce Jr.) who has registered 2.5 sacks on the season. The Super Bowl caliber Rams are more than okay with that. Clemson has really struggled in 2025, and Peter Woods has gotten a bit lost in the shuffle, but he remains one of the top talents in this class. He is strong enough to play tackle, but could kick to end in the Rams 3-4 alignment. He will help improve what is already an imposing defense.

---

The Bengals are dangerously close to wasting Joe Burrow’s prime. They absolutely have to do everything they can to keep him upright. Spencer Fano could be a solid right tackle or an All Pro inside at guard. Either way, his athleticism and pass blocking chops would make the much maligned Bengals offensive line better as a whole.

---

Kyler Murray has probably played his last game for Arizona. The Cardinals could try to tank the rest of the way, but there is too much competition to fully bank on that proposition. Addressing the offensive line would be priority number two. Paris Johnson is a keeper at left tackle, but the rest of the line could use an upgrade. Francis Mauigoa is one of the best right tackles in college, who blocked for 2024 Heisman trophy winner Cam Ward.

---

Miami might have played itself out of drafting a quarterback, but that is fine. This Dolphins roster is so shallow that it would be foolish to draft a quarterback in the first round. I struggle to name five non-skill position players on this roster that would be a starter on a championship contending team, especially on defense. Caleb Downs would be a steal here. He is a top five talent in this class, but even Kyle Hamilton, the best safety prospect I can remember, fell out of the top ten. Downs, who excels in a cover role can bail the rest of the Miami secondary out, would be a fantastic get here.

---

Cornerback depth has been an issue in Minnesota for years, and eventually they will have to invest draft picks in shoring up the position. The LSU defense has not been the dominating unit of years past, but Mansoor Delane has not been the problem. The Virginia Tech transfer has shown toughness, the ability to cover and stick his nose in and tackle.

---

Thanks to the Micah Parsons trade and the extremely unfortunate Marshawn Kneeland situation, Dallas has struggled to generate a consistent pass rush, or play defense of any kind. While guys like Keldric Faulk and T.J. Parker have struggled, David Bailey has continued to develop, and leads the nation in sacks. He has upped his sack total every year, and has continued to develop his game in other areas. He may not be big and strong enough to play every snap, but could be a double digit sack artist at the next level.

---

Lamar Jackson has continued to show why he is probably the most important player in the NFL. The Ravens are back at .500 after starting the season 1-5, and should take over their division soon. The team was 1-5 for a reason, however, as the roster needs young upgrades at several positions, most importantly at pass rush. T.J. Parker has failed to build off a fantastic sophomore season, but I am not ready to move him down too far. While he is not an extreme athlete, he is talented and a solid all around defender.

---

The Chiefs are top ten in the NFL in both offense and defense, have a +73 point differential, yet sit at 5-5. Sometimes, things like that just happen. I expect Kansas City to make the playoffs and not be an easy out, but they are not the undefeated juggernaut that they were in recent seasons. Kansas City has a decent collection of secondary pass catchers, but lacks that true number one option. Carnell Tate is not far off from Jordyn Tyson as a receiver prospect, and is only available here because of team needs. He has had to fight for scraps opposite target hogs like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, but has shown extreme big play ability, with four games with over 100 receiving yards.

---

Houston has a playoff caliber defense, but the offense has struggled to generate points all season long. In particular, trading Laremy Tunsil continues to be one of the most head-scratching moves of the off season.. Kadyn Proctor was my preseason top offensive tackle, but has struggled with consistency as a junior. He also may be forced to kick inside, but Houston’s offensive line is so poor that they would be justified by gambling on Proctor’s talent here.

---

Carolina is the anti-Kansas City Chiefs. They do not look particularly great in any area, but at the end of the day the record is all that matters, and they are sitting over .500 and a half game out of first place in the NFC South. This is a roster that needs a bit of everything, making the best player available a smart move here. Off the ball linebackers are still highly valued during the draft if they can do a bit of everything at a very high level. CJ Allen has been a monster as a junior. The latest stud Georgia Bulldog linebacker, Allen can chase down ball carriers, get after the quarterback and cause general havoc all over the field.

---

Aidan Hutchinson has been his usual fantastic self,, but no other edge rusher has more than 1.5 sacks. This team needs more beef up front. Keldric Faulk has struggled to generate consistent pressure as a junior, but has great size and solid all around ability. If he balls out during the combine as expected, he should go higher than this.

---

With two first round picks and one of the better defenses in the NFL, Cleveland should continue to add to its young offense. Here, they give new quarterback Francisco Mendoza a shifty deep threat in Makai Lemon. Lemon is amongst the nations leaders in receptions, yards and touchdown receptions. He is not the biggest, but can make all of the catches.

---

The Buccaneers have been pretty good at getting after the quarterback as a whole, but lack that one guy to really put fear into the hearts of the opposition. Almost half of Cashius Howell’s tackles have been of the sack variety. He may be a bit of a one trick pony, but that trick is perhaps the most valued non-QB trait in the NFL draft.

---

A quarterback of the future remains the biggest need for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I have trouble mocking LaNorris Sellers in the first round right now. The secondary is another area of need. Jalen Ramsey has made the move to safety, opening up a spot across Joey Porter Jr. Avieon Terrell may be a bit undersized, but hits ant tackles like a safety, and is an improving cover guy as well. He has more sacks on the year than Clemson teammate T.J. Parker.

---

The Chargers have struggled to put together a solid defensive line in recent years. Kayden McDonald has quietly put together one of the more impressive seasons amongst draft eligible defensive tackles. He waited his turn on a loaded Ohio State defense, but has shown that he can stop the run and get after the quarterback. He is better than Kenneth Grant, a similar prospect who went in the top fifteen in 2025.

---

Anthony Hill Jr. has picked up where he left off as a sophomore, filling up the stat sheet for a Texas defense that has carried the team for most of the year. He is a bit undersized, and lacks an elite trait that would make him a top ten pick, but should be a strong asset for a team that employs a traditional 4-3 defensive alignment like the 49ers.

---

The Dallas defense has been in shambles, ,in part because injuries in the secondary have resulted in a patchwork group of players. Speaking of injuries, Jermod McCoy looks like he will sit out the entire season for Tennessee. He could still be a fringe first rounder, thanks to a fantastic start to his career, but will have to show he has not lost a step during the pre-draft workouts to retain his first round grade.

---

The Bears have spent multiple picks on its offense in recent years, and could go defense here. Pass rush could be the biggest need. Matayo Uiagalalei has not taken a step forward as a junior, especially as a run defender, but he remains a solid pass rushing option. Like I have mentioned dozens of times, guys who can get after the quarterback usually fly up draft boards.

---

Buffalo has spent more than a couple of day two and three picks on the receiver position in hopes of replacing Stephon Diggs, but the results have mostly been negative. Chris Bell has been one of the most productive receivers in this class. He is built like a linebacker, and has routinely made contested catches and picked up tough yards. Josh Allen is trying to do it all, but he could use the extra help.

---

Other than a 4 interception stinker against the Rams, Sam Darnold has been been mostly good for the Seahaawks,, but he is the type of quarterback that needs others around him to elevate his game, not the other way around. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an absolute stud, but he could use a young counterpart to take some pressure off of him. Chris Brazzell II has the look of an elite complementary receiver. He is a big play threat waiting to happen, as evidenced by his 16.8 yards per reception average.

---

The perpetually rebuilding Jets are basically a blank slate roster wise, making the best player available approach the way to go. LT Overton is one of up to a dozen edge rushers who could go in the first round. He may never be a double digit sack guy in the NFL, but can get after the quarterback and is big and strong enough to kick inside on running downs.

---

The Rams have built a Super Bowl roster despite hardly having a first round pick the past ten years. Imagine how good they could be with two first round picks in 2026. The decision by KC Concepcion to transfer from NC State to Texas A&M has been a huge success. He has doubled his yards per reception as a junior, showing the ability to get down the field in 2025 after mostly being a slot option for a bad offense as a sophomore. He would be an overqualified WR3 for the Rams behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

---

I am always a proponent of surrounding your young MVP candidate quarterback with as many weapons as possible. Drake Maye has been fantastic throwing to veterans like Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry, imagine if he had a young talent like Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq may lack elite tight end height, but he is very strong, can make the tough catches and find the end zone.

---

For an 8-2 team coming off of an NFL championship, the Eagles are dealing with a lot offensively. Saquan Barkley is suffering through a Madden cover hangover, and AJ Brown cannot stop complaining. The Eagles are not a pass heavy team, but if they move on from Brown, they will still need a replacement. Denzel Boston has great size and is a touchdown machine, hauling in 17 scores during the past two seasons.

---

The Broncos are sitting at the top of a large list of 2 loss teams. Call the schedule easy or the comebacks miraculous, 9-2 is 9-2. While Penn State has been a mess in 2025, it is easy to forget how dominant the rushing attack was a year ago. Olaivavega Ioane successfully opened up holes for the Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen duo. If Denver hopes to utilize RJ Harvey as a three down back in the future, finding run blockers will help.

---