By Angelo Restivo — Production Director
The NFL draft, one of the most coveted sports events is here and with that will come speculation regarding everyone’s favorite team. Whether they have 3 first round picks or don’t pick until the third round. The following is a 32-team mock draft for the first round of the NFL draft with trades. If teams do not have a first round pick their highest available pick will be included.
- Las Vegas Raiders-QB Fernando Mendoza Indiana
Consensus number one pick. Has the ability to lead the new look Raiders into potential playoff contention.
2. New York Jets-LB Arvell Reese Ohio State
The Jets are trying to create a new identity for their defense. Arvell Reese will be an instant play maker following the departure of Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner.
3. Dallas Cowboys (via Arizona)- EDGE David Bailey Texas Tech
Dallas needs to make a playoff push with Dak Prescott before he ages. Bailey can become a day one starter and take advantage of a regressing NFC East.
4. Tennessee Titans- RB Jeremiyah Love Notre Dame
It has been well established that the Titans will take the best player available. Not only is Love that player he would become the highest drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018
5. New York Giants- OT Francis Mauigoa Miami (FL)
Jaxson Dart was one of the most injured quarterbacks in the league his rookie year. Protecting their franchise quarterback will allow the Giants to make a serious playoff push.
6. Cleveland Browns- WR Carnell Tate Ohio State
The Browns quarterback room is questionable at best. Getting whoever starts a receiving threat will permit them to possibly redirect the team to its early 2020’s state.
7. Washington Commanders- S Caleb Downs Ohio State
Despite the record this Commander’s team is good. Injuries derailed the season last year but that allowed them to have the pick that will redefine their defense and help make a return to the playoffs.
8. New Orleans Saints- LB Sonny Styles Ohio State
Demario Davis is gone. The Saints need to re establish the hard nose football they had during the Brees era. Styles will bring a menacing force that can play as a more athletic, off-ball linebacker
9. Kansas City Chiefs- CB Mansoor Delane LSU
The once up and coming dynasty of the Chiefs is over and now is time to rebuild. Starting with the secondary is crucial after the Trent Mcduffie trade.
10. New York Giants- WR Jordyn Tyson Arizona State
Tyson is the perfect one two punch combo for Malik Nabers and a Giants team that will be a powerhouse this season.
11. Los Angeles Rams (Via Miami)- TE Kenyon Sadiq Oregon
Sadiq is one of the best playmakers in this draft. Adding him to an offense where he can sit for a year and still be a threat in the receiving game could turn him to a top 5 TE early.
12. Arizona Cardinals (Via Dallas)- EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Miami (FL)
If the cardinals play this draft right they could end up having an above .500 team next year and Bain is a very pro ready player.
13. Miami Dolphins (Via Rams)- WR Makai Lemon USC
The Dolphins cleaned house this offseason. Getting anyone that can sell jerseys will help.
14. Baltimore Ravens- DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
The Ravens are going to take a step back this season. Establishing a young defensive front could establish a fearsome culture that could learn from Hendrickson will allow them to earn leeway with future free agents.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (Via Tampa Bay)- OG Olaivavega Loane Penn State
Justin Herbert was one of the most pressured QBs in the league last year. Providing line support will allow him to grow into an elite starter we all know he can be.
16. Minnesota Vikings (Via Jets)- S Dillon Thieneman Oregon
Harrison Smith has unfortunately left as a Viking legend. Nabbing a powerful safety to replace him in the first round will help keep that Minnesota culture they’ve worked so hard to establish.
17. Detroit Lions- OT Kadyn Proctor Alabama
Jared Goff is getting up there in age, it’s time to start thinking about his longevity. Keeping Goff’s blindside protected will allow Detroit to focus on other areas of need.
18. New York Jets (Via Minnesota)- EDGE Akheem Mesidor Miami (FL)
It’s time to establish a real culture in East Rutherford. A pro ready edge can lower the QB’s time to throw tremendously creating a “no fly zone”
19. Carolina Panthers- OT Spencer Fano Utah
Right now, it is time for Carolina to establish a winning culture. Coming off a playoff appearance now is the time to surround Bryce Young with talent and attempt a deep playoff push.
20. Arizona Cardinals (Via Dallas)- OT Monroe Freeling Georgia
Jacoby Brisset has proven he can sling the rock. It’s time to build that offense.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers- OT Caleb Lomu Utah
Assuming the Steelers start Will Howard, this season protecting the second-year man will be crucial for development.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Via Chargers)-CB Jermod McCoy Tennessee
Tampa needs defensive help. Adding an SEC corner will be that help.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- EDGE Keldrick Faulk Auburn
The eagles defense will not be the same as in past seasons. Faulk will add another wrecking ball to an already young core.
24. San Francisco 49ers (Via Cleveland)- WR Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana
Mendoza’s number one has shown flashes of greatness in college. San Francisco will allow a phenomenal place to develop on an already great team.
25. Chicago Bears- DT Peter Woods Clemson
The Bears had a chance this season to defeat the Rams but due to lack of pressure Los Angeles moved on. Adding a solid tackle will fix one of the few holes this team has.
26. Tennessee Titans (Via Buffalo)- CB Avieon Terrell Clemson
With CJ Allen and KC Concepcion still on the board Buffalo can safely trade down. A bold move to bolster the secondary is just the type of move this new look Titans team is looking for.
27. Cleveland Brown (Via San Francisco)- OG Emmanuel Pregnon Oregon
A QB battle will be in Cleveland. Establishing a good offensive line will allow them to get more consistent data on potential starting QBs.
28. Houston Texans- DT Caleb Banks Florida
It’s now or never for this Texans team. Bolstering the already amazing defense could help them blow past teams like New England.
29. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Cashius Howell Texas A&M
Mahomes and Kelce are getting old, but they can still put up points, the problem is that the defense keeps allowing points. Allowing Howell to learn from Chris Jones will help establish a leadership role on a young defense.
30. Miami Dolphins- CB Colton Hood Tennessee
Simple best player available pick. The Dolphins need every position.
31. New England Patriots- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo
Despite coming from a small school McNeil-Warren has all of the intangibles of a starting NFL safety.
32. Seattle Seahawks- EDGE Zion Young Missouri
The Super Bowl champions got gutted in free agency this year. Establishing pressure on opposing QBs will allow a semblance of last years team.
2nd Round
35. Buffalo Bills (Via Tennessee)- WR KC Concepcion Texas A&M
The Rochester N.Y. native grew up as a Bills fan and along with this learning from newly acquired target DJ Moore will help KC establish himself as a young WR1 in short time. This also allows Buffalo to pressure WR Keon Coleman.
41. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Brandon Cisse South Carolina
It’s no secret the point of interest for the Bengals this offseason has been defense. With the addition of Dexter Lawrence, the only remaining group is corner, and Cisse will make an immediate impact.
47. Indianapolis Colts- LB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech
After trading for Sauce Gardner this season, it has became clear the colts are a defensive minded team. Rodriguez can sit the first year and become a solid starter later in his career.
48 Atlanta Falcons- OT Blake Miller Clemson
The Falcons are looking for a new identity and that starts with protecting Michael Penix.
52. Green Bay Packers- OG Gennings Dunker Iowa
Simple best player available pick. Green Bay needs to protect Love
56. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Jadarian Price Notre Dame
The Jaguars need to replace Travis Etienne. Price could become the steal of day 2.
62. Denver Broncos- DT Zxavian Harris Ole Miss
The Broncos are now one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. Adding depth to their DT room will be a huge service.
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