Believe it or not, I do think about your team when conducting mock draft exercises. Quite deeply, actually.
I think about their immediate needs and their long-term ones. I think about who they have and don't have on the roster. What scheme they run. Which position groups feature older and costlier players. Which position groups they drafted prospects at last year, and the year before that. Which picks the team has coming up next ...
As much as I think about all that stuff and more, it's incredibly difficult to truly put yourself in a team's shoes and do the draft the way they might. Still, as daunting a task as it might be, it's the best and, really, only way to do a mock.
This one is a little different: It's projecting every team's ideal first two selections. This should make fans of the teams without a first-round pick (Falcons, Packers, Colts, Jaguars and Broncos) happier. It also gives the projections a two-dimensionality that one-round mocks often fail to achieve. I even dipped as far as Day 3 of the draft, which is lightly reconnoitered turf in some media circles.
I essentially did a four-round mock (or as much of one as I could handle) to get all the way through Denver's second selection at Pick No. 108, collapsing shortly thereafter. The goal was to draft as the team might draft but also to maximize each team's returns as best as possible (without, obviously, allowing any prospect to be drafted more than once).
And remember: If you don't like your team's first projected pick, there's another one just below it to hate even more.
AFC TEAMS
Round 1: No. 14 overall: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Round 2: No. 45 overall: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Ravens fans might be sick of seeing the same name here, but Ioane would be an immediate upgrade at right guard and give them more talent and depth up front. Guards might not be high on the positional-value scale, but this could be a synergistic addition for an incomplete offensive line. The Banks pick might be a bit too on the nose, given the Ravens’ willingness to take calculated draft risks, but if he checks out medically (supply your own punchline), Banks could give the front another pressure source. And yes, I considered an edge rusher, but the value and fit weren't there.
Round 1: No. 26 overall: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Round 3: No. 91 overall: Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan
Buffalo won’t necessarily be locked into a receiver at No. 26, and I was open to other ideas, but the pick just made sense. The Bills can’t patch every single hole in this draft, and they shouldn’t try to. It’s about getting dynamic players, and Concepcion can contribute as a receiver, runner and returner. Plus, there’s little pressure on him, with DJ Moore in the fold. It was a long wait to Buffalo's next selection -- making me think trading down in Round 1 is possible -- and by the time I got there, the premium pass-rush talent had been picked through, but the intriguing Barham could be weaponized by new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard eventually.
Round 1: No. 10 overall: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Round 2: No. 41 overall: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
This would pretty much be a dream scenario. Who knows if Downs is even available for the Bengals at 10, or if Woods could somehow make it all the way to 41? But there were good defensive options beyond those two for Cincinnati in both slots. Pairing Downs with free agent Bryan Cook would give the Bengals the most upgraded safety room in the league, and landing Woods would prevent them from having to sign a veteran inside. I was ready to take a linebacker at No. 41, but I’m glad I passed, as there were quality LB options when Cincinnati's Round 3 pick (No. 72) came up.
Round 1: No. 6 overall: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Round 1: No. 24 overall: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
This feels fairly realistic, although the Browns might need to trade up slightly from No. 24 to ensure they get the receiver of their choosing with their second first-rounder, and I am not 100 percent convinced that Mauigoa is their first choice at tackle. I like Cooper for the Browns because he has great body control, is good with contested catches and can play inside or out. With these picks, you can start to see Cleveland's offense taking shape, even with the QB position remaining a mystery. Mauigoa brings the toughness for a ground-heavy game, and Cooper adds big-catch flair.
Round 2: No. 62 overall: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Round 4: No. 108 overall: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
I thought this was a pretty respectable haul, considering where Denver is picking. There’s only so much one team can do with so few picks, but Golday can push aside the disappointing Drew Sanders for a job and challenge for a starting role, in time. The underrated Endries was a very reliable target for Fernando Mendoza and Arch Manning the past two years and could develop into that type of player at the NFL level for Bo Nix.
Round 1: No. 28 overall: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Round 2: No. 38 overall: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
I didn’t come into this exercise thinking I’d be beefing up Houston’s defense so thoroughly, but that’s just the way the board fell. The Texans really could use another big-bodied run stuffer up front, and McDonald excels in that area. Allen was too good to pass on at 38, and he also fills a need, albeit a lower-priority one. I could see DeMeco Ryans wanting to add more talent to the linebacker group, and Allen really could thrive under the watch of the former Pro Bowl LB.
Round 2: No. 47 overall: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Round 3: No. 78 overall: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Considering the Colts lack a first-rounder, this would be a pretty solid duo to land. You just know GM Chris Ballard would have the hots for Rodriguez’s football instincts and character, as well as his playmaking ability, in Indianapolis. An edge rusher would have been nice, but the offerings weren’t enticing enough there. Grabbing Williams in Round 3 felt like respectable value. He’s a smaller-framed receiver and not a true burner, but Williams is a consistent producer who can make defenders miss.
Round 2: No. 56 overall: Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan
Round 3: No. 81 overall: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
I thought upgrading the defensive front should take priority, and that it did. Moore fell right into the Jags' lap late in Round 2, giving them a third rush option alongside Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Although Moore isn’t an elite athlete, his power rush would play in Jacksonville. McClellan also addresses the need inside, giving the Jaguars some reinforcements after three free agents on the defensive line left. He can play over the center or guard and is a sneaky-good interior rusher.
Round 1: No. 9 overall: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Round 1: No. 29 overall: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
Chiefs fans weren’t crazy about the Delane-Lawrence pairing in my last mock, but they’d be getting the top corner in the draft and a rush project who fits their mold well. My thinking was that it would be harder finding a corner of Delane’s caliber at the end of Round 1, and I suspect they’ll draft multiple players at the position. With picks coming at Nos. 40 and 74, the Chiefs can afford to gamble on Lawrence’s upside and swing back later for help at tackle, receiver and possibly tight end.
Round 1: No. 1 overall: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Round 2: No. 36 overall: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
I love the idea of pairing Mendoza with a QB-friendly receiver such as Bernard. He’s an inside-outside threat who can be a security blanket for the next several years. Bernard also is a quality blocker whose value to an offense isn’t always measured in stats. Mendoza will need help on the offensive line, and the defense still needs work, but this would be a very solid 1-2 punch of a draft to kick off the franchise's new era.
Round 1: No. 22 overall: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Round 2: No. 55 overall: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
It would be prudent to find pass-rush help early on. The edge depth in this class dropped off faster than I thought it would, so getting Howell 22nd overall appeared to be the smart tactic. His short arms (30 1/4 inches) are hotly debated, but Howell’s ferocious rush skill will make him an impact player, one way or another. Landing a gritty guard like Rutledge late in Round 2 works out well, giving the Chargers an added layer of insurance following the loss of Zion Johnson. They can find WR help farther down the line.
Round 1: No. 11 overall: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Round 1: No. 30 overall: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
There’s a legitimate value question about taking Lemon 11th overall, as he’s somewhat limited in terms of size (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) and raw athletic traits. But giving Malik Willis a high-volume, high-floor target would be a smart call, considering the dearth of weaponry in the pass game. Miami has needs in plenty of other spots, too, but landing a longer corner like Hood just made too much sense to me as Jeff Hafley continues to remake his defense.
Round 1: No. 31 overall: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Round 2: No. 63 overall: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
The Patriots can’t assume Morgan Moses will make it through another season at age 35, even as durable as he’s been. Iheanachor might not be ready for Week 1 starting duty, but he’s a fascinating project who could be an anchor for Mike Vrabel eventually. The Patriots still must remind themselves they’re in Year 2 of a franchise rebuild, even after making a Super Bowl appearance. Front seven help is needed, and DDS appeared to be one of the stronger fits late in Round 2. He’s not an elite rusher, but Dennis-Sutton brings urgency and force to the front.
Round 1: No. 2 overall: Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State
Round 1: No. 16 overall: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Make no mistake, this would be a high-risk duo, but the returns could be franchise-changing. Reese remains an unpolished gem as a potential disruptor up front, and Tyson carries significant injury risk. Is taking a chance like this the right way to approach this draft? I say yes, because the Jets have ample picks and can use some on higher-floor prospects to buttress the risk and continue filling holes. Reese and Tyson would add terrific juice to the talent pool, even if neither are close to sure things. The Jets aren’t playing it safe this offseason, and you can’t blame them for that.
Round 1: No. 21 overall: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Round 2: No. 53 overall: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
Proctor feels like an ideal pick for the Steelers because he has three years of experience at left tackle, a position that's the subject of some consternation in Pittsburgh now. He can also be tried at guard if needed, with a spot potentially open there, too. If the goal is to find the best starting five up front, Proctor could factor in at four different spots, potentially. Lance also fits a need and possesses what both Mike McCarthy and the Steelers traditionally have looked for in receivers: length and explosiveness.
Round 1: No. 4 overall: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Round 2: No. 35 overall: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
I’d be OK with the Titans taking Love at fourth overall, because they’ve been hyper-busy in free agency addressing needs on both sides of the ball and because the next-best back shouldn’t be taken for possibly another round or more. If they want to upgrade early, Love is the guy. Surrounding Cam Ward with as much help as possible should be the aim, and Love would absolutely elevate this offense. That thinking also applies to the offensive line, where the fast-rising Bisontis could become a rookie starter inside. There are voids at receiver and on Robert Saleh’s defense, but the Titans have seven more picks after this.
NFC TEAMS
Round 1: No. 3 overall: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Round 2: No. 34 overall: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The depth at offensive tackle in this prospect class isn’t as strong as at edge rusher, but I still managed to land two top-35 players on my value board and also address two areas the Cardinals could upgrade. Bailey gives them the makings of a very good defensive front, and Lomu can vie for one of the OT spots, depending on where they want to play Paris Johnson Jr. They can take a provisional QB choice later and still circle back on other areas readily. This feels like an infrastructure draft for new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Round 2: No. 48 overall: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Round 2: No. 79 overall: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
This would be a pretty darned good duo if the Falcons' draft worked out like this, all things considered. They really could use more bulk up front, along with a true nose tackle, and that’s what Hunter gives you. Atlanta had a few miserable games trying to stop the run last season. There’s also a void at wide receiver, and the fascinating Hurst wouldn’t just be a “local pick.” It's less than a mile walk from GSU's campus to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but this is about giving Atlanta another vertical threat opposite Drake London.
Round 1: No. 19 overall: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Round 2: No. 51 overall: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Carolina has never drafted a player out of Clemson. That streak would end here with Miller, who can replace Taylor Moton after this season and, at the very least, step in as a quality option if needed in the meantime. Moton has been an iron man for years, but the Panthers could add more athleticism up front. Their second pick, Cisse, also would be local, but that was strictly a coincidence. Carolina could stand to add more depth and speed to its defensive back end, as well.
Round 1: No. 25 overall: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Round 2: No. 57 overall: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
I know there has been a lot of Zion Young buzz in this spot, and that’s who I gave Chicago in my last mock, but I am starting to think Parker is a bit of a better fit. He has slightly more power and athletic juice than Young and is a more naturally gifted pass rusher. The Bears really could use another safety, and Haulcy gives them the type of takeaway specialist they’re seeking. He’d eventually be an upgrade over what departed free agent Jaquan Brisker was giving them.
Round 1: No. 12 overall: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Round 1: No. 20 overall: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
After keeping McCoy in this spot from my most recent mock draft, I switched it up a bit with the second pick. Mesidor might not make it to No. 20, depending on when the run on edge rushers starts, but he’d provide an excellent burst of energy, violence and quickness for a defense that could use big doses of each. I do think a trade down is in play for Dallas, given how long the wait is until its next pick in Round 3 (No. 92 overall), but it was not hard to turn in this pick for the simulation.
Round 1: No. 17 overall: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Round 2: No. 50 overall: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
I keep hearing that Freeling could go as high as the top 10, but this is how the table was set, and the Lions might gobble him up if he’s there. The release of Taylor Decker leaves a big hole that’s currently set to be filled by Larry Borom, which is not enough. Jacas is a high-energy tone-setter who’s regarded as a great leader and locker-room presence. Both are traits the Lions look for, and they’re always hunting quality edge help.
Round 2: No. 52 overall: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Round 3: No. 84 overall: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
I’d project Tiernan to tackle, assuming the Packers aren't concerned about his arm length (32 1/4/ inches). Either way, they tend to draft college tackles and move them inside anyway, so it felt like a fit to me. Cornerback felt like a pretty vulnerable position when I got to Green Bay’s third-round slot, and Igbinosun fits the mold of big, athletic, long-armed corner the Packers seek.
Round 1: No. 13 overall: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Round 2: No. 61 overall: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
I’ve had some pushback on my "Fano at 13" suggestion, and I get why, to a certain degree. The Rams don’t need to sacrifice everything to come out with a right tackle, and there has been a lot of receiver buzz there lately. But Fano is a quality athlete and blocker who some teams believe can play all five positions -- and the Rams are thin up front. Branch could be a dynamic option if he’s there, especially with Los Angeles losing Tutu Atwell in free agency and lacking big-play options lower on the depth chart.
Round 1: No. 18 overall: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Round 2: No. 49 overall: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Brian Flores had one of the better defenses in football last season, but losses on both ends prompted these two picks. Thieneman could be a replacement for Harrison Smith if he retires. The Oregon safety has the instincts, skill and athleticism to be a factor deep or in the box. Miller has lined up at multiple techniques inside and is the kind of versatile contributor Minnesota could use after multiple defections up front.
Round 1: No. 8 overall: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Round 2: No. 42 overall: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Bain can help juice up the Saints’ pass rush, short arms (30 7/8 inches) and all. He carries a street-brawler mentality to his rushing yet also can carve up the corner with great balance, which could enable him to wreak some real havoc on the Superdome turf. Brazzell is a straight-line burner with outstanding length who could be a big gift for Tyler Shough. The Saints must keep adding weapons, but this would be a good start.
Round 1: No. 5 overall: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Round 2: No. 37 overall: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
If Jeremiyah Love is off the board, I think the Giants' first pick comes down to Styles vs. Caleb Downs. I went with Styles because he's the more impressive physical specimen and could be unleashed as a future star behind a good front. Pregnon fits the Giants' need for more OL help and fits the physical tone John Harbaugh wants to set, as evidenced by the team's free-agency moves to this point. Two picks, two possible immediate starters -- not too shabby.
Round 1: No. 23 overall: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Round 2: No. 54 overall: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Faulk feels like a classic Eagles pick, marrying need, value and traits the team seeks. He's young, long, twitchy and brimming with upside, which is exactly what Philly tends to look for in the draft in general, especially on the edge. Sarratt might not be the most dynamic receiver in this draft class, but he's well-built and highly reliable and would be a good stand-in if the Eagles opt to move A.J. Brown.
Round 1: No. 27 overall: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Round 2: No. 58 overall: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
Boston might not be the next Mike Evans, but there's overlap in their games, and the rookie can follow around one of the best vets ever to do it before taking Evans' spot in San Francisco in a year or two. Is receiver the most glaring need? That's debatable, but the fit felt right -- and like something the 49ers would do. They also could use an influx of athleticism on the O-line, and Farmer brings that as a quality run blocker and interesting project.
Round 1: No. 32 overall: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Round 2: No. 64 overall: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
For the team that has no screaming needs, I earmarked a smaller but highly competitive corner who could help the depth chart inside and, possibly, outside. I thought about Price in Round 1 as the current version of Seattle's first-round selection of RB Rashaad Penny (No. 27 overall) in 2018. In the end, Price ended up being there in Round 2, which is where John Schneider found Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet and Christine Michael previously. Price is a good fit to complement Charbonnet, but there would be other solid offerings at the position if Price doesn't last that long. Trading down remains a highly plausible scenario, given that Seattle has only one pick outside the top 100.
Round 1: No. 15 overall: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Round 2: No. 46 overall: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
I've had some pushback on Sadiq landing in Tampa, with the argument being that the Bucs need more defensive help. Fair point, but this would provide another big-bodied target for a passing attack that lost a pretty important one in Mike Evans. Sadiq's athletic profile is just too alluring, even if he might not be a huge contributor from Day 1. I was surprised Young fell all the way to 46th in this exercise, but if that happened in the actual draft, the Bucs would be getting a long, tenacious rusher who can play right away.
Round 1: No. 7 overall: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Round 2: No. 71 overall: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
Had one of the top two pass rushers still been on the board, I'd have had a tough call here. As it was, Tate made the most sense as a complement to Terry McLaurin at No. 7. Jayden Daniels could use more reliable targets, and the smooth-moving Tate would give the Commanders a very solid No. 2 option in time. Abney intrigues me; getting him this late would be a strong value. He's a highly competitive customer who belies his average size with strong tackling and feistiness at the catch point. Washington needs more quality corners by the handful.
