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

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The Titans are once again the most miserable franchise in the NFL. With Mike Vrabel leading the Patriots to the best record in the league, perhaps this team should not have fired him? Moving on, Tennessee hopes that quarterbacks like Fernando 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.

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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.

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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. Quarterback is not an automatic slam dunk here, but I am a huge Fernando Mendoza fan. I think he is more in the Jared Goff than Caleb Williams tier as far as an NFL prospect goes, but he is the one quarterback in this class I feel great about. He is big, has a strong arm, can make all the throws, and has strong leadership ability. I was sold after he led his team down the field to beat Penn State a few weeks ago.

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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.

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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.

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The Shedeur Sanders hype machine is in ridiculous overdrive, completely dominating social media and all conversations. Whether he is the long term option under center or not, the Browns need to add offensive weapons to supplement one of the best defenses in the NFL. I could absolutely see Carnell Tate overtaking Jordyn Tyson as the top receiver in this class. He is the most overqualified WR2 in the nation, routinely putting up huge 100 yard games. Tate would be a fantastic deep threat to pair opposite Jerry Jeudy for whoever the Browns quarterback is in 2026.

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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. Washington has struggled to find a pass rushing stud since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young a few seasons ago. Arvell Reese may not be a true EDGE rusher, but he may be the best pound for pound prospect in this class. Micah Parsons is a lazy comparison, but I see a lot of similarities between Reese and Penn State-era Parsons. Reese can play any linebacker spot, and has bulked up enough to hold his own off the edge on passing downs. A true all around threat, he would elevate the Commanders defense as a whole.

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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.

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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. Contrary to popular belief, running backs are still drafted in the top ten, especially if they are true three down threats like Jeremiyah Love. Love can run between the tackles, hit it from outside (7.1 yards per carry) and is a threat out of the backfield (26 receptions). This Arizona offense really needs more juice at the skill positions.

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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.

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The Falcons traded what could become a top ten pick for the right to draft a player (James Pearce Jr.) who has registered 4 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.

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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.

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The Panthers are sitting at 6-6, and are in great position to win its division, but this is still a roster that is very light on pure talent. David Bailey may not be an all around threat as a defender, but he leads the country in sacks and has improved as an all around defender every year of his college career. The Panthers have lacked a true pass rush threat since trading Brian Burns a few seasons ago.

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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. The Cowboys defense has lacked an all around talent at the linebacker position since Leighton Vander Esch was forced to retire.

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Andy Reid and the Chiefs love to draft offensive and defensive line players in the first round of the draft, and I do not expect that to change this year. Especially if a talent like Francis Mauigoa is still available here. Mauigoa may lack the athleticism to play on the left side of the line, but as far as right tackle or even inside at guard, he has Pro Bowl potential. The Chiefs are set with Josh Simmons protecting Patrick Mahomes blind side. Mauigoa would be an upgrade over Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.

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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.

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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.

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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, even with less than stellar statistical production.

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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. I had T.J. Parker in my top five to start the season, but it just has not been that productive of a junior season for the former top recruit. He only has 2 sacks on the season, after registering 11 as a sophomore. He is not a top notch athlete, which could give scouts pause, but I still think he is too talented to fall out of the first round all together.

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Lamar Jackson has continued to show why he is probably the most important player in the NFL. The Ravens are back over.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. Cashius Howell will never be confused for a run stopping pro, but he can really get after the quarterback, as he is amongst the nations leaders in sacks.

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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. Makai Lemon is amongst the nations leaders in receptions, yards and touchdown receptions. He is not the biggest, but can make all of the catches. Josh Allen is trying to do it all, but he could use the extra help.

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It is looking more likely that Jermod McCoy will sit out the entire season and prepare for the NFL Draft. Even with only two seasons worth of tape, scouts remain excited about this prospect. He was a true playmaker the first two years of his career, especially as a junior, where he picked off four passes. The Browns have one of the very best defenses in the NFL, and the thought of potentially adding a legitimate cornerback to play across Denzel Ward could be icing on the cake.

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For as good as the 49ers have been, they always seem to have some kind of beef with their receivers. Brandon Aiyuk could be on the move during the off-season. Even if not, Ricky Pearsall and Juwan Jennings look like more of third and fourth options. Chris Bell may not be a burner, but he is big, tough, and a solid route runner who can make all of the catches.

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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 for that matter. LT Overton may be more of a solid, all around end than a true pass rushing terror, which is why he is still available here. Still, he has good size, can stop the run and could flirt with double digit sacks during his prime at the next level.

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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.

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Chicago just finds ways to keep winning games. 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. He may be coming off of his best game of 2025, with 7 tackles and a sack against USC. Like I have mentioned dozens of times, guys who can get after the quarterback usually fly up draft boards.

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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. Kenyon Sadiq is a fantastic athlete for a tight end, and has a real knack for finding the end zone, including twice against USC this past weekend.

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The perpetually rebuilding Jets are basically a blank slate roster wise, making the best player available approach the way to go. Anthony Hill Jr. continues to stuff the stat sheet as a Texas junior. He had 113 tackles, 8 sacks and four forced fumbles as a sophomore, and is not far off that pace as a junior. He is an 4-3 linebacker, who can do a little bit of everything on the football field. He needs to get stronger, but has great potential.

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For an 8-3 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.

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As you would expect from a team sitting at 9-2, the Denver roster is deep and without many holes. If Denver wants RJ Harvey to develop into a true three down back, continuing to add to the offensive line could be the way to go.. 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.

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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 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.

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Who would have thought that the New England Patriots would be the first ten win team in the NFL? I started this mock off with some Mike Vrabel praise. Why not end it with some more? He knows what he is doing. I am always a proponent of surrounding your young, MVP caliber quarterback with as many weapons as possible. Drake Maye throws a great deep ball, and Chris Brazzell II is adept at hauling in those types of passes. The 6’5 target has averaged over 16 yards per reception as a junior.

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