Post-Free Agency First Round Mock Draft
There is no time period that shifts the NFL Draft quite like the few weeks after the Combine and into Free Agency. Teams needs have changed, rosters are now mostly settled with all eyes to the draft.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward - QB - Miami (FL)
The general consensus out of the NFL Combine was the Titans were looking to trade back from #1, preferably staying inside the Top-3, to secure one of the “generational” prospects in this class. However with the additions they have made in Free Agency, adding Dan Moore at LT, shifting J.C. Latham to RT and bringing in Kevin Zeitler to play RG, it looks like they are gearing up to take a quarterback. The only signal caller worthy of the top pick in this class is Cam Ward, who’s playmaking and instincts give him franchise QB upside.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter - CB/WR - Colorado
The Browns stand in one of the worst spots in football, no QB and no money to improve their team. Myles Garrett is remaining with the team only a 40 million AAV contract and seems optimistic about their QB plan, a plan that likely doesn’t rely on a rookie to make their star happy. Hunter or Abdul Carter are the top two players in this class and neither would be a bad pick, but with some depth additions at EDGE and departures at WR Hunter, the better prospect, also fits a need.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders - QB - Colorado
Few teams seem more pigeon holed into a specific player with their first round pick than the New York Giants. At the time of this article, while they are chasing Aaron Rodgers and Russel Wilson, they still do not have a starting QB. Regardless of what veteran they add the Giants still need a long term answer, and for a GM/HC combo with a red hot seat it’s hard to see them not forcing a QB at #3.
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter - EDGE - Penn State
The ideal scenario for the Patriots is to have one of Carter or Hunter drop to them as two QBs go off the board. While they still have a massive hole at LT to protect Drake Maye’s blindside, there is more than one round in a draft and it’s very hard to pass up a player of Carter’s talent, especially without having a true EDGE1 (no Harold Landry does not count).
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham - IDL - Michigan
A team-player combo I keep coming back to is Graham to the Jaguars. GM James Gladstone has all but said they will look to add help up front for the defense in this coming draft. For a team with two excellent EDGE rushers and very little help in the interior, Graham is the perfect fit to man the 3T role in Jacksonville.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Campbell - OG - LSU
The Raiders first round pick is one of the hardest spots to pin down. Once a popular spot for a QB seems far less likely with the trade for veteran Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks. Ashton Jeanty is receiving all the smoke at the moment, but at what seems to be a likely trade down spot there’s a good chance it’s just all noise. Will Campbell is very likely one of if not the top players left on the board for most teams. He will allow the Raiders to get their best 5 OL on the field from Day-1, and can slide out to LT for Kolton Miller who is in the last year of his deal.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou - OT - Missouri
The New York Jets have one of the better offensive line units in football with one glaring exception, right tackle. With veteran RT Morgan Moses heading up the coast to New England there is a major need. In this case need meets talent with Armand Membou, one of the fastest risers in this class after a stellar combine. He should be able to step in immediately on the right side for an offense that looks poised to lean heavily on its ground game.
8. Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart - EDGE - Texas A&M
The Panthers made a pointed effort to revamp a defensive line unit that was among the worst in football last year this offseason with the additions of Bobby Brown, Tershawn Warton, and Patrick Jones. However they are still missing a true game changer after Milton Williams’ last minute change of heart. Shemar Stewart lacks typical Top-10 production but has the disruption and athletic ability to be star. A team like Carolina with a longer timeline can afford to swing on upside at this spot.
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren - TE - Penn State
The Saints once again refuse to dive into a full rebuild, signing veterans free agents and pushing off contract payments into future years. A team with a lot of solid players but no a lack of difference makers, they have the opportunity to go best player available at #9. Tyler Warren is a perfect fit along side a more receiving oriented TE in Juwan Johnson and creates a dangerous 12 personnel lineup with Olave and Shaheed on the outside.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty - RB - Boise State
Ashton Jeanty to the Bears has been a popular pairing ever since the Ben Johnson hiring, due to the Lions history of valuing RBs very highly. A fit that only looks more likely after Free Agency, with the Bears trading for two veteran guards and signing C Drew Dalman to short up their offensive line weaknesses. Jeanty, the best player left on the board, would be the final piece in a young and exciting Bears offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams - EDGE - Georgia
The 49ers have experienced a mass exodus of well known names over the past couple of months as they begin a retool necessary to return to Super Bowl contention. No room took a bigger hit than the defensive line unit, where it is now Nick Bosa and a bunch of UDFA rotational players. Williams is a long explosive EDGE who is excellent against the run - an area San Francisco struggled in last year - and has the pass rush upside to be a powerful complement to Bosa.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan - WR - Arizona
Dallas has major holes to fill on both sides of the line of scrimmage as long time starters have either retired or moved on in Free Agency. Their interest in Cooper Kupp also indicates they feel they have a need for another playmaker, particularly at WR. T-Mac, as he would like to be known as, is the big long X-WR who can win on the outside, and allow CeeDee Lamb to be moved around the formation seeking mismatches.
13. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori - SAF - South Carolina
Offensive line seems like a major need for the Dolphins, but like most Shanahan tree offenses they are very selective at who they like and with the top options off the board it would not be surprising to see them bypass the position at #13. Safety is another major need, as long time starter Jevon Holland has moved on in Free Agency. Emmanwori lit up the testing at the combine with a rare 10.00 Relative Athletic Score. His size and athleticism would give Miami a versatile secondary piece on the backend.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland - TE - Michigan
Colts fans have had their eyes locked on upgrading the TE position all offseason, with Penn State TE Tyler Warren as the main target. While Loveland is not Warren, he is far from just a consolation prize. Similar to top TEs like Sam LaPorta and Trey McBride, Loveland is pass first TE with easy movement skills and capable blocking to live in-line in 3-WR sets.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker - EDGE/LB - Georgia
For the better part of the past decade the Atlanta Falcons have been searching for defensive talent to no avail. Walker is one of the most interesting prospects in this class with special movement skills but no true home. For a Falcons team that needs help at both EDGE and LB, taking a swing on the tools and figuring out what he does best is much more palatable plan than it would be for most teams.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson - CB - Michigan
Will Johnson began the draft cycle as one of the top players in the class, but has seen a steady decline in stock after a midseason injury and lack of testing numbers. This slide is music to Arizona’s ears. A team desperately in need of a true CB1 scoops up the scheme versatile DB from Michigan with excellent ball skills and movement ability.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenneth Grant - IDL - Michigan
The 2024 Cincinnati defense was one of the worst in the league, especially versus the run. With a front office that refuses to pay anyone that Burrow cannot force them to give a contract too, hitting on draft picks is essential. The return of BJ Hill and addition of TJ Slayton will help beef up the interior, but Grants brings an upside on all three downs that neither veteran can provide.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel - IOL - North Dakota State
The play of the interior offensive line for the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 was a sight to behold and not a positive one. An offensive unit undergoing a major overhaul at QB and WR with new OC Klint Kubiak coming in, has to fix the trenches to realize its goals. With no new names brought in through Free Agency (yet) they will have to invest early and often in the draft. Zabel, a former tackle, has the athletic ability to play any of the three interior spots in Kubiaks zone heavy scheme.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Green - EDGE - Marshall
The two biggest needs on Tampa’s roster coming into the offseason were LB and EDGE. While the addition of Haason Reddick is nice, it is far from a long term solution. Green, the FBS leader in sacks in 2024 with 17, is an explosive bendy pass rusher who can provide a long term answer on the outside. His small frame and short arms that limit his run defense become less of an issue when next to the mountain that is Vita Vea.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton - RB - North Carolina
Heading into the draft Denver has one of the most complete rosters in football. A team that kept most of its players from last year was able to address its three biggest needs, TE, LB and SAF, through Free Agency. The only thing left? RB, and while Hampton is not Jeanty, he is a powerful explosive back in his own right with the three down versatility to be an instant difference maker.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jahdae Barron - CB - Minnesota
For what feels like the 5th straight offseason the Steelers entered Free Agency with needs at WR and CB. A massive trade and extension for DK Metcalf removes the former from the board. Once again Pittsburg turned to the veteran market in Darius Slay to fill the spot opposite Joey Porter, but a one year deal for an aging veteran is not a long term solution. Barron is an instinctive and athletic zone corner who can play inside or out to fit the Steelers needs both now and down the line.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Tyler Booker - OG - Alabama
Los Angeles was one of a handful of teams looking to improve its interior offensive line coming into the season. With the addition of Mekhi Becton in Free Agency and now Tyler Booker they create one of the biggest strongest units in football. A downhill gap running scheme is the ideal spot for Booker who’s power and strength is some of the best in this class.
23. Green Bay Packers: Emeka Egbuka - WR - Ohio State
The Packers went with a WR by committee approach in 2024, an effective plan for the most part, but one that fizzled out when the games became important and they saw more man coverage. They were heavy players for DK Metcalf this spring in an effort to upgrade the position. While Egbuka isn’t Metcalf, he is a ready to go product with the IQ and route running to bring the separation skills this offense needs.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks - SAF - Georgia
For a team with only 4 draft picks drafting a safety in the first round isn’t the most efficient process, but the allure of Starks might be too tough to pass up. With 2024 starter Cam Bynum departing to the Colts, the Vikings complicated defense is in need of a new FS. Starks a multi-year starter who has the instincts and versatility to be a weapon in Flores secondary.
25. Houston Texas: Josh Simmons - OT - Ohio State
If the Texans weren’t already set on taking an offensive lineman early in the draft, trading away three of their starters (even if two mightily struggled last year) all but put it on a billboard for all to see. Simmons missed the second half of the year with a knee injury, but when on the field he looked the part of a Top-10 pick. As long as the medicals check out, Houston has the opportunity to scoop up a starting caliber tackle at a discount.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jihaad Campbell - LB - Alabama
A big part of the Rams return to playoff relevance in 2024 was the emergence of a dynamic and talented defensive line. However, there is only so much a Front-4 can do and their lack of talent behind it was evident. Campbell has all the tools to be a tremendous modern day linebacker. While he still needs some polish he would instantly be the best option on a roster that never truly replaced Ernest Jones.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Azareye’h Thomas - CB - Florida State
As they do every offseason the Ravens played the comp pick game, letting B level players walk and signing low level veteran replacements. A talented roster with very few needs they can search out the best talent. Former starting CB Brandon Stephens was one of those departures moving onto the New York Jets. While they have former 4th Round Pick TJ Tampa waiting in the wings, pairing 2024 First Rounder Nate Wiggins with Azareye’h Thomas would give them a long athletic duo for years to come.
28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton - EDGE - Texas A&M
Like most teams picking in the later half of the first round the Lions did very little to add to their team outside of CB D.J. Reed. EDGE2 opposite Aidan Hutchinson continues to be a spot that could be upgraded. Scourton had a down year at Texas A&M after adding weight and moving inside, but in 2023 with Purdue he was an explosive rusher from the Wide-9 and can add some juice next to Detroit’s star rusher.
29. Washington Commanders: Walter Nolen - IDL - Ole Miss
A majority of Washington’s additions this spring came via trade with Free Agency being used to keep veterans who helped turned the culture around in the building. The one position group that didn’t retain its players was DL, with Johnathan Allen getting cut and Dante Fowler leaving for the Cowboys. Nolen is an explosive and twitchy interior rusher who would pair well with 2024 pick Johnny Newton on the inside and help replenish some of that lost talent.
30. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon - IDL - Oregon
Buffalo had one of the biggest dampening effects for a free agency class of any team when it was announced that not one but two of their defensive line signings would miss the first 6 weeks for PED usage. A unit that already needed help through the draft, became an even bigger need. Harmon, who led all IDL in pressures in 2024, is a capable three down starter with alignment versatility.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Kelvin Banks - OT/OG - Texas
The Chiefs are one of the handful of teams looking to revamp their offensive line this offseason. They moved on from long time LG Joe Thuney and signed 49ers swing tackle Jaylon Moore to play LT. While they have options at LT with Moore and LG with 2024 2nd Rounder Kingsley Suamataia, adding another versatile option in Kelvin Banks, a college LT, will allow them to get their best 5 OL in front of Mahomes.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku - EDGE - Boston College
The defending Super Bowl champions experienced the typical talent drain from a team as stacked as theirs was, particularly along the defensive line with Milton Williams and Josh Sweat leaving for lucrative deals elsewhere. While they have done a good job adding talent behind those players over the years, it never hurts to have one more pass rusher. Ezeiruaku is a long explosive rusher who should be a quality rotation piece from the jump.