Here is my second mock draft of the season, after just passing week 11 the draft order is starting to take shape and teams at the top are looking towards the future rather than trying to win games this season. Remember to follow me on X, @jvertDraft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Jaguars have one of the worst defenses in the entire NFL and a severe lack of playmaking ability on offense. If only one player could help fill both those needs with the #1 overall pick. Well in this draft class there is, Travis Hunter may not be the best WR or CB but his talent and versatility on both sides of the ball will help improve the Jaguars drastically.
2. Tennessee Titans: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Titans have a variety of needs and a few weeks ago most people thought that QB would be the selection this at a spot this high. However, Will Levis has played better in recent weeks and with this QB class not being as talented as prior years there could be an argument for the Titans taking another position and that’s what they do here by taking Will Campbell. This gives the Titans flexibility to play Will Campbell at RT or keep him as a LT and move last years 1st round pick, JC Latham back to his natural position which is RT. This picks keeps the Titans youth movement across the offensive line going and creates a really scary young core up front. Check out my scouting report on Will Campbell!
3. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
It is not a secret that the Browns invested an insane amount of assets and money into Deshaun Watson and the fact that it has been a disaster is a hard pill to swallow but with Watson performing like one of the worst QBs in the NFL and now tearing his Achilles, his days as a starting QB in the NFL are over. The Browns need to bite the bullet and move in a new direction and they do that here by selecting their new franchise QB in Cam Ward.
4. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
There is a chance that the Giants are left at this spot without a QB to take if Ward and Sanders are off the board but in this scenario they are able to land one of the only two QBs that are worth a first round pick in my opinion. Shedeur gives the Giants consistent accuracy and decision making that should help their offense flourish and stay consistent and most importantly, maximize the play making ability of last years #6 overall pick, Malik Nabers.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Raiders might be the most QB needy team in the entire NFL but at 5 they are too low to select Sanders or Ward. In a mock draft with trades they would probably move back but if they did decide to stay at 5, taking the best player available in Will Johnson would help fill a need and give their defense another star young piece alongside Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins.
6. New England Patriots: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Patriots have finally turned to Drake Maye as their starting QB and as I expected, my 2024 QB1 has looked great and shown the Patriots that they have probably found their franchise QB. The next order of business is to help Drake Maye by bettering the offense and landing an elite tackle at 6 does just that. Ersery has elite size and athleticism and should develop into a great blindside protector for the Patriots young gunslinger.
7. New York Jets: Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
The Jets 2024 season has been an absolute disaster and they have now fired both their GM and HC and are headed for a complete reset. It is unclear if Aaron Rodgers will be back or if the Jets even want him back but there’s no clear QB pick here at #7 so the Jets opt to keep bolstering their defense with an elite safety prospect like Makaki Starks.
8. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Panthers have a large list of needs and none more important than a player who can upgrade their ability to get after the QB. They need an influx of young talent in their defensive line room and even though I don’t think Abdul Carter is the best edge in the draft at this moment, I do think he ends up being the first one off the board in April because of his top of the line traits and athleticism.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
The popular pick for Dallas at this spot is likely going to be Ashton Jeanty but in a very deep running back class I could see them passing on Jeanty if a top tier player at a position need falls to this spot. One of those players would be Mason Graham. Dallas has been comically bad against the run this season and weren’t much better last year so if Mason Graham were to fall to 9 I think he would be to good to pass up.
10. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The Saints are heading for a total rebuild and this roster could look very different come 2025 and one of their biggest issues is the offensive line. The Saints have some good, young pieces in the offensive line room but they still need to upgrade so landing a great tackle prospect like Kelvin Banks at 10 would be huge. Check out my scouting report on Kelvin Banks!
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
The Bengals defense has been a failure this year and aside from Trey Hendrickson they have had zero production on the defensive front. The Bengals dream pick if they’re selecting this high in the draft will be Mason Graham but with him gone they pivot and select Nic Scourton who is a versatile edge who will help bolster both the run and pass defense.
12. Miami Dolphins: Emery Jones, OL, LSU
The Dolphins offensive line is depleted and aging so picking any position across the offensive line would be a good move. Emery Jones is a versatile piece that can play tackle and potentially guard at the NFL level and he would give them a lot of flexibility to build the best unit possible in 2025.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
The Buccaneers are a much better roster than their current draft position says but due to injuries they could end up picking this high in April. Aside from Yaya Daiby the Bucs don’t have much young talent or potential at edge rusher and Jalon Walker would fit perfectly in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Walker would provide a lot of juice off the edge along with some pass coverage upside and help their defense take another step.
14. Chicago Bears: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
The Bears offense has looked terrible down the stretch and it doesn’t look like Matt Eberflus will be back as the head coach in 2025 and improving the offensive line will be a big goal for whoever takes over the team. The Bears recently released Nate Davis who they gave good money to as a free agent so they created another hole at a guard spot. Tyler Booker would be a great replacement and immediately start for the Bears as a rookie.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Colts are yet again sitting in limbo as a team and at 15 they are poised to take another solid player to try and get over the hump. The Colts have a big need at CB and with his stock slightly slipping they are able to select Benjamin Morrison here at 15 despite the fact that he’s a top 10 player in my opinion.
16. Seattle Seahawks: James Pearce Jr, ED, Tennessee
The Seahawks have taken a lot of stabs at drafting an elite edge rusher the past few seasons but have yet to land anyone that really moves the needle in their edge rushing group. At 16 they have the opportunity to select a really promising player in James Pearce Jr. Pearce may need more time to develop than we thought preseason but he still has a chance to be an exceptional NFL player.
17. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Rams have two tackles that could be replaced due to age or on field play. At 17 they are able to select one of the bigger risers of the OT group in Ohio State’s, Josh Simmons. Simmons has played great at Ohio State the last 2 years before sadly losing the remainder of his 2024 season due to an injury. Simmons has great athleticism and movement skills for the position and should fit well with the Rams.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The 49ers are in a very weird place right now and it feels like they could catch fire any week and run the table and be in contention for another Super Bowl but if they keep playing like they have they’ll end up picking in this range in April. One of the biggest issues for the Niners has been the inconsistent play of their offensive line and here at 18 they are able to select one of the most interesting players in the draft. Cameron Williams is a very young player who’s dripping with potential but has played really well as a first year starter for Texas and San Francisco could fall in love with his size and movement skills and view him as their tackle of the future.
19. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Bo Nix looks like he was well worth the 12th overall selection last year and in order to make this offense take another step they need another playmaker and they land that here by selecting Luther Burden. Burden is more talented than the 19th overall pick but slips here in this scenario and the Broncos benefit and land a dynamic receiver in the late teens.
20. Atlanta Falcons: Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan
The Falcons need help off the edge desperately and they should be able to land one here at 20. Josaiah Stewart provides a lot of speed and burst while rushing the QB and would bring new youth to a pass rush unit that has been trying to land a real difference maker at that spot for years.
21. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
The Cardinals have been playing better than expected this season but still need more difference makers on defense, especially in the front seven. Bolstering their run support will be key this offseason and landing a player like Kenneth Grant who has great run stuffing ability and athleticism will give them a difference maker from day 1 will upside to develop into a true 3 down player.
22. Washington Commanders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With no clear pick at CB or OT which are the Commanders top needs, I could see them pivoting and selecting another playmaker for Jayden Daniels. Tetairoa McMillan would be a steal at #23 overall and would give the Commanders another aspect to their offense that makes it even scarier for teams to have to defend.
23. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
The Texans need help on the offensive line and getting a big, athletic, versatile lineman to fill a hole on their line would be a great move to push them close to a Super Bowl. Jonah Savaiinaea currently plays tackle for Arizona but projects to be an extremely good guard at the NFL level and if needed the Texans could hav him play tackle in a pinch.
24. Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Ravens have a good pass rush rotation but the fact is Kyle Van Noy isn’t going to play forever and getting another extremely good and versatile player in that room would help boost the teams ceiling and future pass rush units. Shemar Stewart brings a different type of skill set that the Ravens don’t have on the roster and he could develop into a true inside out defensive lineman.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Chargers need more playmaking on offense and a player like Ashton Jeanty would have Jim Harbaugh very intrigued. Jeanty has an elite, well-rounded skill set for a running back and should go higher than 25. Harbaugh would love Jeanty’s game as a complement to JK Dobbins and would eventually hand him the keys to the backfield.
26. Green Bay Packers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Packers are a very complete team and with not many holes to fill they can afford to make a luxury pick. The Packers linebacking core hasn’t been all that great so taking a player who fits their mold like Jihaad Campbell could be of interest to them. Campbell would be a great versatile piece for their defense with his edge rushing ability.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Steelers offense has looked pretty good despite their lack of playmakers and adding another weapon would help make their offense even better. Isaiah Bond has elite speed and separation ability and will fit well next to George Pickens and give the Steelers a new dynamic to their offense.
28. Minnesota Vikings: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Vikings need more playmakers at corner and despite the injury, Shavon Revel is the best one available. Revel has all the tools and traits to be an extremely good NFL corner and it’s hard to see a scenario in which a team doesn’t take the risk and take him in the back end of round 1.
29. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Eagles defensive line hasn’t lived up to expectations this season and with Josh Sweat set to be a free agent, Brandon Graham retiring after the season and the Bryce Huff deal not looking too great early on they need to get more bodies on the edge. Donovan Ezeirauku gives Philly a technically sound and talented edge rusher who could play immediately and help them get back to the Super Bowl.
30. Buffalo Bills: Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss
The Bills don’t need a lot to make their roster even better so at 30 they have the opportunity to get deeper and younger on the interior of the D line by taking Walter Nolen. Walter Nolen is still a developing player but his ability to eat up blocks and blow up plays with his size and power could be coveted by the Bills staff.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chiefs have always been a big 21 personnel team and liked to use other TEs besides Travis Kelce, but Kelce is coming to the end of his career and will need to be replaced so why not figure out his successor sooner rather than later. Colston Loveland will tear the league up as a TE2 behind Kelce and should slide right into his role when Kelce decides its time to hang up the cleats.
32. Detroit Lions: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
The Lions are desperate to find consistent edge play opposite of Aidan Hutchinson and once Hutchinson went down it became very clear how thin they were at the position. At the end of round 1 the Lions could take a swing on an extremely talented young player like Marshall’s Mike Green. Green might not end up declaring this season but if he does look for him to start flying up draft boards.
