With it being around a quarter into the NFL season and almost halfway through the college football season, I think it’s time to have some fun and post a “somewhat early” NFL Mock draft.
1. New England Patriots — Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Patriots selected their franchise Quarterback in Drake Maye second overall last April and need to do their best to protect him. Getting Ersery who’s my top rated OT prospect in the class allows you to plug in a toolsy, athletic, but somewhat raw Left Tackle into that offensive line that is far from being the leagues best.
2. Cincinnati Bengals — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Bengals defensive line took a hit with the loss of DJ Reader in the offseason. Along with this their pass rush has been less than impressive and with Trey Hendrickson hinting at wanting a trade, you would think Cincinnati is between IDL and EDGE if they are picking this early. Luckily Graham is here to give pass rush upside and be an early down run stopper.
3. Cleveland Browns — Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
The Browns appear to be in QB purgatory yet again, the Deshuan Watson contract was bad already but after his play this season you can’t justify another year of him under center. Browns select Milroe here who gets to join a relatively good situation with a nice offensive line and good defense, along with joining a QB friendly coach in Kevin Stefanski.
4. Los Angeles Rams — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Rams look like a shell of the team they were last season, riddled by the injury bug the team finds them self at this point in time picking top 5, they select the borderline generational CB prospect in Will Johnson. Johnson fits this quarters heavy defensive scheme like a glove, offering day 1 starter potential along with Pro Bowl and All-Pro potential as well.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado
The Jaguars are in need of some juice in that DB room, Tyson Campbell is a great piece but you need to add on to that, and with Hunter being on the board here he offers you starter level play at DB, and at if he chooses to go that route WR.
6. Carolina Panthers — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Panthers are barley fielding a defense, killed with injuries and talent depleted, Carolina needs to add a defensive weapon and starter immediately, Carolina adding the toolsy and explosive Carter helps that EDGE room and would be a good pairing with Jadeveon Clowney.
7. Tennessee Titans — Emery Jones, OT, LSU
The Titans attack offensive line once again and with how they have done and handled the development of 7th overall pick JC Latham, they will have no issue doing the same for the natural athlete in Emery Jones. Similar to Latham the nasty, strong, and big OT will be a great and necessary addition to the right side of the Tennessee line.
8. Miami Dolphins — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
The Dolphins have an interior offensive line problem, assuming Tua is going to be healthy and coming back next season, they need to fix the interior. Tyler Booker comes in as a good athlete and someone they can plug into as a starter. Big and athletic he will fit with the Dolphins run game system with ease.
9. New York Jets — Tet McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Jets need to add offensive talent besides Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, if Rodger’s decides to run it back 1 more year, McMillan should be an obvious option for New York, as he can fill in the slot role but also playing the X. The tall and nimble WR will fill in and play a role similar to Allen Lazard and easily upgrade that spot.
10. Arizona Cardinals — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Cardinals need all the help they can get on defense. With Jonathan Gannon being a young defensive mind, they pick the traitsy and young EDGE player to pair up with BJ Ojulari and Darius Robinson. Stewart has all the tools to become a dominant force In the NFL and while I’m higher on him then consensus he would be an amazing grab for Arizona here at 10.
11. Las Vegas Raiders — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Raiders have a QB problem and are going to be the one team I believe will for certain be taking a QB if they can’t land one in FA. Ward is a great talent and demonstrates everything Antonio Pierce wants in his players. Ward fits not only into the locker room culture but is a great player with a big arm who can propel the Raiders into higher expectations.
12. New Orleans Saints — Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Saints have an aging DL and with Scourton being able to play 4i to wide 9 he comes in as a versatile player and with Cameron Jordan aging and slightly regressing you need to attack the position, and Scourton allows you to do that.
13. Indianapolis Colts — Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
The Colts need safety help but also corner help and the rangy Starks would be a great selection for Indianapolis. Starks offers day 1 starter potential and in a heavy cover 3 scheme the athletic ability of Starks will benefit Gus Bradley a ton.
14. San Francisco 49ers — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
San Francisco needs some help to partner a good player with Nick Bosa on the EDGE, the traits of Williams can’t go unnoticed and he offers a good piece to develop in SF to become a good player for them.
15. New York Giants — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Generational prospect finally is selected off the board here. Jeanty offers another dimension to this offense that is playing well with Daniel Jones at the helm. Malik Nabers and Ashton Jeanty would be cause for concern from NFL defenses. Unfortunately many teams in the top 15 don’t need a RB so Jeanty slips.
16. Philadelphia Eagles — Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
Walker is a seamless fit and fills a huge need for Philly. The hybrid LB fits the Fangio defense so well that this pick would be a home run on draft night. Walker is talented and athletic and can play off the ball and on the EDGE.
17. Chicago Bears — Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The Bears need major help on the interior help. Campbell fills a huge need and offers a bunch of potential due to how technically sound he is as a player. I have no doubt that Campbell will pair and protect Caleb Williams for years on end.
18. Green Bay Packers — Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Green Bay has a few holes on defense, mainly on the DL and at Corner. Pairing Davis with Jaire Alexander and placing rookie Javon Bullard in the slot would be a scary room for Offenses. Davis is a size speed athlete and would be good in all types of coverages. He tracks the ball super well and adds that dimension to the Green Bay defense.
19. Los Angeles Chargers — Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Chargers have placed out a relatively good statistical defense with new DC Jesse Minter. Each year Minter was at Michigan he had a great boundary Corner. Morrison is a solid athlete and offers great press man ability and can become that CB1 for LA. If they choose to extend Asante Samuel Jr. him and Morrison would be a solid duo to build on for that defense.
20. Seattle Seahawks — Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas
Seattle has a glaring hole in the interior of their OL. Banks offers good mobility skills and strength to kick into guard and slot in as a starter day 1. Along with this he can also switch over the right side and become a starting tackle there opposite of 2022 1st round pick Charles Cross.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The Steelers need help in their WR room. Burden compliments George Pickens well and can become a focal point to that offense in the slot and at the Z on underneath routes. This is the easiest pick of the mock so far.
22. Denver Broncos — James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
Denver has a glaring hole on the EDGE, while the room is solid filled with good number 2 edges, Pearce can come in and develop into a monster on the EDGE along side Jonah Ellis, Baron Browning, and Nic Bonnito.
23. Dallas Cowboys — Dontay Corleone, DL, Cincinnati
Dallas has been ripped apart in the run game, Mazi Smith has flashed but not looked like the player many expected when he was selected in the first round in 2023. Corleone is an athletic and strong player who can anchor the interior of that defensive line.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — LT Overton, EDGE/DL, Alabama
Tampa Bay is in need of some EDGE help. Overton gives you that. Quick and violent off the ball, Overton flashes everything a Todd Bowles defense would want. Pairing him with Yaya Diaby, Tampa would help fill a hole and have a better pass rush in the long run.
25. Buffalo Bills — Kevin Winston Jr, Safety, Penn State
Buffalo seems to have made a good pick with Cole Bishop in the 2nd round of 2024, but with that they still have a need at Safety. Winston is a talented hard working player. He loves to shit down the run and in coverage he’s solid. Winston also can play down in the box and at nickel if needed so he offer the Bills lots of range to move him around.
26. Baltimore Ravens — Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
Baltimore needs interior help much like other teams. With Donovan Jackson being the best available at this point it’s an easy selection, being able to plug Jackson into either guard spot day 1.
27. Atlanta Falcons — Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Atlanta needs EDGE help. While a little early for my liking Kennard is a great toolsy player and athlete, who can develop and play meaningful snaps alongside Matt Judon. His potential is very high and with Raheem Morris as the coach Kennard can develop and become a nice player for Atlanta.
28. Detroit Lions — Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
While Detroit needs some EDGE help to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, there isn’t one that I believe is worth taking here. Nolen can develop in the interior behind DJ Reader but can also play some reps at defensive end early for Detroit. While not a perfect fit, Nolens hurt everyone attitude paired with Dan Campbell would be solid choice for Detroit.
29. Washington Commanders — Blake Miller, OT, Tackle
With the Washington Offense rolling behind Jayden Daniels, it would be smart to take a technically sound pro ready tackle in Blake Miller. Miller can slot right in next to Sam Cosmi on the right side and protect Jayden Daniels right away.
30. Houston Texans — Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Houston needs some IDL help and Grant offers some juice on an already killer DL. Grant is an explosive pass rusher from the Defensive Tackle position and pairing that with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the EDGE is a great option for Houston.
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Kansas City won’t have a lot of needs with Mahomes at the helm. But adding another dynamic playmaker in the Run Game isn’t a bad idea. Judkins offers electric rushing ability and the ability to catch out of the backfield.
32. Minnesota Vikings — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Vikings defense has been great this year but with Byron Murphy on an expiring contract and the CB room being think Hairston offers a great fit for the Flores scheme. The physical and technically sound corner can slot in on the boundary but also at Nickel for the Vikings.
