Post Free Agency Edition (2 Full Rounds)

First, some quick thoughts on free agency:

• Baltimore Ravens- Baltimore didn’t break any rules in backing out of the trade for Maxx Crosby, and there might be legitimate medical concerns, but it all smells fishy. I think the Ravens saw a chance to get a comparable player at a much cheaper price and they used any excuse they could find to get out of the deal and screw the Raiders. All things considered, I’d rather have Crosby but Trey Hendrickson isn’t costing them two first round picks.
• Las Vegas Raiders- Vegas got screwed, plain and simple, they can put on the happy face about being reunited with Crosby, but the fact is that those two first rounders would help them more. As great as Crosby is, he’s not a part of the Raiders future. The Raiders are in full rebuild mode, Crosby is 29, by the time Vegas is ready to contend, Crosby will be past his prime.
• Quarterbacks- The QB market was interesting. Malik Willis landing in Miami was a mild surprise, I thought Arizona would make a bigger push. The fact the Cardinals are going into 2026 with Jacoby Brissett & Gardner Minshew is very surprising. Minnesota landing Kyler Murray was expected, and it’s also expected that he’ll be the week one starter over JJ McCarthy. Tua Tagovailoa landing in Atlanta makes sense, and I’ll be honest, I think he ends up being the starter over Michael Penix Jr. The Jets going with Geno Smith is mildly surprising, but it makes sense. The Jets are loaded with draft capital in 2027, when the QB class is much, much better. They’re just riding out 2026, waiting to take their shot next year. Indianapolis re-signing Daniel Jones was expected, but I can’t help thinking this is the kind of deal that gets the head coach and general manager fired. Jones has parlayed one and a half decent seasons into two big paydays. I’m convinced this one will turn out just like it did in New York. Pittsburgh and possibly Cleveland are the only two starting jobs open. The Steelers are possibly waiting on Aaron Rodgers, but I still think he might retire. I have to think that Kirk Cousins has to be on their radar. The Browns might be considering him, too. I’m not sure Cousins signs anywhere to be a backup, maybe he’ll sit out until some team needs an injury replacement.
• Running Backs- Kansas City signed Kenneth Walker III & New Orleans signed Travis Etienne, those were two possible landing spots for Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. What that tells me is that the Chiefs and Saints knew Love wasn’t going to make it to them at 8 or 9 in the first round, furthermore he wasn’t going to even slip into a range where they could reasonably trade up for him. I’m convinced, now, that Love is going top five. My guess is it’s between Arizona and Tennessee. I love the fit of Rico Dowdle in Pittsburgh and I think that Isaiah Pacheco is cheap replacement for David Montgomery in Detroit.
• Mike Evans- Man, it’s going to be weird seeing Evans in a Niners uniform. I thought he’d be a Buccaneer lifer.
• Jaelan Phillips- Phillips’ deal with Carolina is the reason why you shouldn’t go shopping in the free agent edge rusher market. Phillips is good, but $30 million per is a hefty price to pay for a guy with his injury history.

Now on to the mock draft:

Round One

#1 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Everything the Raiders did in free agency points to them making Mendoza their new franchise quarterback.

#2 NEW YORK JETS

Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

I think Reese’s versatility will be the deciding factor for the Jets.

#3 ARIZONA CARDINALS

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami-Fl

I think the Cardinals will go offensive line and right now Mauigoa is the top offensive lineman.

#4 TENNESSEE TITANS

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The free agency running back market tells me that Love won’t make it out of the top five & Tennessee is a natural landing spot.

#5 NEW YORK GIANTS

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, so I don’t think they’ll go linebacker here. Receiver makes the most sense and Tate is the top guy.

#6 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Browns have to use one of their first round picks on the offensive line. Fano is in the mix for top tackle in the class.

#7 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Bailey might be the top edge in the class and fills a need for Washington.

#8 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami-Fl

New Orleans could go receiver, but I think they’ll opt for Bain, who might be a top five talent.

#9 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Chiefs have been trying to fix their offensive line for years, Freeling is one of the fastest risers in the class.

#10 CINCINNATI BENGALS

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Bengals should be taking the best defensive player available, regardless of position. That’s Styles, the star of the Combine.

#11 MIAMI DOLPHINS

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Miami has cleaned house, going full rebuild. They need talent everywhere. Downs is, arguably, the best player in the class.

#12 DALLAS COWBOYS

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

I’ve thought Dallas might go edge here, but with Delane on the board, I think they’ll pivot.

#13 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Rams addressed their biggest need, cornerback, in free agency, so now I think they’ll go offensive line. Lomu could stick at tackle or kick inside to guard.

#14 BALTIMORE RAVENS

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Ravens have needed a better second receiver for years. Tyson will more than fill that void.

#15 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Tampa needs pass rush help. Faulk has all the tools to be a great one.

#16 NEW YORK JETS

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon will be a nice complement to Garrett Wilson for the Jets. Some consider him the best receiver in the draft.

#17 DETROIT LIONS

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Lions replace Taylor Decker with the massive tackle from Alabama.

#18 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

No matter how many mock drafts I do, I keep putting Thieneman in Minnesota, it makes too much sense.

#19 CAROLINA PANTHERS

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy would be the top cornerback and a top ten pick had he not missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury. The Panthers could have a formidable cornerback tandem.

#20 DALLAS COWBOYS

Akeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami-Fl

After passing on an edge earlier, Dallas lands what might be the best pass rusher in the class, only his age (25+) pushes him down the board.

#21 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

After acquiring Michael Pittman, I don’t see the Steelers going receiver. I’m tempted to go quarterback, but I’m not really feeling that. Instead, I’m going with the best pure guard in the class.

#22 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Chargers go with a true, run stuffing nose tackle for their defensive line.

#23 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Lane Johnson’s Hall of Fame career is winding down, Philly drafts his replacement.

#24 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana

After landing an offensive lineman earlier, Cleveland gets another weapon for the passing game.

#25 CHICAGO BEARS

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Best case scenario for Chicago. Woods is a perfect fit for the Bears defensive line.

#26 BUFFALO BILLS

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

After acquiring DJ Moore, I think Buffalo will go defense with their first pick. Allen is the best defensive player on the board.

#28 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

George Kittle will likely miss most of the season. Sadiq has drawn comparisons to Kittle, it seems a perfect fit.

#29 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Kansas City lost most of their secondary, Terrell is the first rebuilding block.

#30 MIAMI DOLPHINS

KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Miami uses the pick they got for Jaylen Waddle to draft his replacement.

#31 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

New England gets a stout run defender to free up Milton Williams to rush the quarterback.

#32 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The champs add another pass rusher to their already formidable defense.

Round Two

#33 NEW YORK JETS

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

#34 ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals take a shot at landing their future franchise quarterback.

#35 TENNESSEE TITANS

Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, Central Florida

#36 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

#37 NEW YORK GIANTS

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

#38 HOUSTON TEXANS

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

#39 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

#40 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

#41 CINCINNATI BENGALS

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

#42 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

#43 MIAMI DOLPHINS

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

#44 NEW YORK JETS

Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

#45 BALTIMORE RAVENS

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Banks is a first round talent, but the broken foot he suffered at the Combine pushes him into the mid second round.

#46 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas

#47 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Colts use their first pick on a prototype defensive end.

#48 ATLANTA FALCONS

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Atlanta’s first pick is a receiver to pair with Drake London.

#49 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

#50 DETROIT LIONS

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

#51 CAROLINA PANTHERS

Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

#52 GREEN BAY PACKERS

Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona

Green Bay uses their first pick on a corner.

#53 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Keionte Scott, CB, Miami-Fl

Steelers get a dynamic slot cornerback.

#54 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

AJ Haulcy, S, LSU

Philly lost Reed Blankenship in free agency, Haulcy is an upgrade.

#55 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Genesis Smith, S, Arizona

#56 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M

The Jaguars first pick is a massive offensive tackle.

#57 CHICAGO BEARS

Sam Hecht, OC, Kansas State

Bears get their long term center.

#58 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

#59 HOUSTON TEXANS

Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

#60 CHICAGO BEARS

Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

Even after signing Coby Bryant, the Bears need a starting safety. Ramsey fills that void.

#61 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut

#62 DENVER BRONCOS

Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

After trading for Jaylen Waddle, Denver doesn’t have a first round pick. They use their first pick on an athletic defensive tackle.

#63 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

#64 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Seahawks draft a replacement for Kenneth Walker III.