During Draft Season, we are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of Mock Drafts. The goal in these drafts is usually the same – predict Round 1 (or more) of the NFL Draft as accurately as possible. Last week, we followed this pattern with a couple of Mock Drafts to kick off our own draft coverage. Now, it’s time to get weird.
With this Chaos Mock Draft, we’re removing all the chalk that’s presumably been written for Draft Night. The rules of this exercise are simple:
- We can’t use the odds-on favorite for any pick
- Each pick must still make sense for the team selecting them – a kicker isn’t going 1st overall
- No trades in this mock draft
Every single year, we are blessed with some chaotic and surprising draft selections. Hopefully, by going outside of the box, we’ll be able to nail a few of those surprises in this exercise. Let’s get into it:
1. Tennessee Titans – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Titans are taking a quarterback with the first pick, there’s no way around it. Here, Sanders is the choice as the Titans feel good enough about their offensive additions this offseason. With Sanders, Brian Callahan gets his quarterback that can stand tall in the pocket and distribute to his receivers.
2. Cleveland Browns – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
With Shedeur Sanders off of the board, the Browns select their quarterback of the future. Cam Ward should be able to come in and galvanize a team that lacks inspiring play on offense.
3. New York Giants – Will Campbell, OT, Louisiana State
Quarterback is usually a topic for discussion for teams with a top-three pick, but the Giants got ahead of that in free agency. Now, with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in tow, the G-men focus on rebuilding the trenches with Will Campbell. Star left tackle Andrew Thomas missed a chunk of last season with a Lisfranc injury and subsequent surgery. The early selection of Evan Neal a few years ago also hasn’t returned any dividends. Campbell can be a solid starter or good insurance in Year 1 for a team that still has a lot of needs.
4. New England Patriots – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Most of Mike Vrabel’s best years in Tennessee line up with when Derrick Henry had his best years. Here, Vrabel gets his bell cow back in Jeanty, a true superstar who can be an offensive floor-raiser for the Pats. Jeanty can step in and be a Rookie of the Year candidate while also taking some of the pressure off of ascending quarterback Drake Maye.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Hunter, DB, Colorado
With all the unorthodox selections before them, Jacksonville lucks into the best player in the draft. Here, they select Hunter – but as a defensive back first, wide receiver second. With Hunter’s skills, athleticism, and football intelligence, the Jaguars gain a strong corner to pair with Tyson Campbell, giving them a formidable tandem in the secondary.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
One of the best talents in this class falls into Pete Carroll’s lap with Abdul Carter. The Raiders have needs all throughout the back seven, but here choose to help the defensive front with the class’s best edge rusher. Carter can provide the juice the Raiders have been trying to add from the signing of Christian Wilkins to the draft selection of Tyree Wilson a couple of years ago.
7. New York Jets – Will Johnson, DB, Michigan
The Jets are somewhat in limbo – they have places across their roster that are fine starters, but only a few elite pieces to build around. One of those pieces is Sauce Gardner, who receives a new running mate in the corner room with Will Johnson. New Head Coach Aaron Glenn knows the value of having a strong secondary, he was part of one during his playing days with the Jets. Locking down the back end is a good step in the right direction in making Glenn’s defense annoying to play against.
8. Carolina Panthers – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
In my last mock, the Panthers continued to address the woeful defense they made the world witnessed last season. Here, they go in the complete opposite direction, aiming to win high-scoring affairs. Despite spending a first-round pick on a receiver last year, the Panthers elect to do so again with McMillan. McMillan can serve as a red zone weapon for Bryce Young, and can help Head Coach Dave Canales (whose background is in coaching receivers) continue to build a strong receiving corps that keeps defenses up at night.
9. New Orleans Saints – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
The Saints have a number of different needs to address in this draft. Instead of focusing on the trenches, GM Mickey Loomis elects to try and find the next franchise quarterback in Jalen Milroe. The Saints have been eager to have meetings with quarterbacks this offseason, and Milroe is now rumored to be a lock for the first round. While he has a wide range of outcomes, Milroe can immediately inject big play potential and athleticism into an offense that reeked of stagnation toward the end of last season.
10. Chicago Bears – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
While the Bears have done a good job addressing the trenches this offseason, they still don’t have THE guy on the defensive front. Adding Jalon Walker can remedy this issue. Although he’s a bit of a projection, Walker possesses high-end athleticism and explosion. He could be the perfect luxury player for the Bears’ defense, doing a bit of everything and bringing havoc to the opposing quarterback.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
All of the cuts, trades, and failure to re-sign key players might signal the Niners saving up to pay Brock Purdy. What if these moves were signaling something else? What if the Niners understand it’s time to start over? Enter Jaxson Dart, the next best quarterback on the board, who has experience in southern California (he started his college career at USC). With Dart, Kyle Shanahan gets a player with a bit more athletic ability and a slightly stronger arm, allowing him to expand upon his play calls. Dart can be the future of the quarterback position for the Niners, allowing them to save the money they would’ve given Purdy and use it to go all in on next year’s free-agency group.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The messaging in Jerryland has been clear this offseason: help Dak by adding playmakers in the draft. However, adding a strong starter to the offensive line might be even more beneficial to an offense that regressed last season. Membou can immediately start on the right side, adding more youth and potential to a unit that is undergoing a transition from the old guard. It may not be the Smith-Frederick-Martin offensive line of the 2010s, but continuing to add good, young talent is a good start.
13. Miami Dolphins – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
“Please just one more speedster, it’ll fix everything” is the case Mike McDaniel makes for the Golden selection here. It may be too on the nose for the Dolphins, but adding Golden to a receiving corps that already uniquely utilizes speed and spacing can help the offense continue to improve. Having another weapon in the room if Tyreek Hill ends up being traded doesn’t hurt either.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
With the madness going on ahead of them, the Colts luck into a Top 5 talent in this class. After doing some patchwork along the secondary in free agency, the Colts help the defensive front with Graham. A stout defense gives Indianapolis the chance to be competitive in games, no matter who the starting quarterback will be.
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15. Atlanta Falcons – Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
For the first time since 2011, the Falcons select a player from the University of Georgia before Day 3. While it may not be at the position fans want or expect, Starks brings excellent value as a versatile player for the defense. A secondary consisting of Starks, Jessie Bates, and AJ Terrell gives the Falcons a fighting chance against the growing number of high-end receivers in the NFC.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
If the Cardinals hadn’t just extended Trey McBride, tight end might be worth a look here. Instead, the Cardinals add to the passing game with Egbuka, a high-floor receiver who can immediately be a plus starter in the slot. Between Egbuka, McBride, and last year’s first-round selection Marvin Harrison Jr, the Cardinals pass-catchers will be set up for years to come.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
The Bengals have tried to draft two/three years ahead on their secondary, and haven’t had inspiring results. Adding the versatile Barron to their back end should take some of the pressure off of the other young members of the secondary. Barron’s addition can help lift a defense that needs help in the most desperate of ways.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Mike Macdonald’s defense in Baltimore took off once they traded for Roquan Smith. Now in Seattle, Macdonald gets his defensive captain in Campbell. Campbell’s versatility and athleticism should make him a strong chess piece for a defense that continues to build out its spine in the post-Pete Carroll era.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Chris Godwin is 29 years old, and coming off of a season-ending injury. Mike Evans is on the other side of 30, and the team had to manufacture looks for him to continue his 1000-yard streak. The team needs some youth in the pass-catching department. Enter Tyler Warren – one of the most versatile players in the draft who can take some of the heat off of the old guys. Warren can also be a useful blocker for a run game which was a strength for the team last season.
20. Denver Broncos – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Instead of looking at a group that needs some help (running back), the Broncos elect to keep a strength strong. Adding Green helps fortify an edge rusher group that got after the quarterback last season. Green’s high motor and explosive ability are a luxury for the Broncos, who continue to lean on defense and narrow the gap between them and the AFC’s elite.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Quarterback is a position the Steelers have yet to adequately address this offseason. Unfortunately for them, the top group of QBs all went within the top eleven selections. The pivot here is to Hampton, a very talented back who can be a true bellcow for an offense that likes to run the ball. The addition of Hampton and the trade for receiver DK Metcalf will be able to give whoever the quarterback is a fighting chance.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
This selection isn’t as chaotic as I would like, but the Chargers defer helping the defense to later in the draft, choosing to reunite Jim Harbaugh with his star tight end from Michigan. Loveland gives Justin Herbert a secondary receiving option, something that was badly needed in the Charger’s horrific playoff loss.
23. Green Bay Packers – Walter Nolen, DL, Mississippi
The Packers find themselves in a division that might be up for grabs this season. Adding more pass-rush juice from the interior can help achieve that goal. While corner may be a more pressing issue now and in the future, the Packers stick with keeping their front seven strong, adding Nolen to ensure consistent defensive pressure throughout games.
24. Minnesota Vikings – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Minnesota has hit the fronts hard in free agency, ensuring stability for this season. Now, it’s time to give JJ McCarthy even more weapons on offense. The selection of Henderson gives the Vikings potent options across the offensive side of the ball. Between the offensive line additions, strong weapons, and steady coaching, McCarthy couldn’t wish for a better-supporting cast in his first season as a starter.
25. Houston Texans – Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Anything other than an offensive lineman at this selection could be considered shocking at this point. With that said, the Texans chose to continue to strengthen their defense with the selection of Harmon. Adding Harmon’s ability to be a menace along the interior brings the Texans one step closer to what appears to be their goal: winning every game with the final score being 7-6.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama
Hitting on draft picks the past two seasons has allowed LA to not miss a beat while transitioning from some of the franchise’s pillars to new leadership. Investing in the trenches with these picks has been a focus, and here that focus continues. Booker can start from Day 1 along the interior, creating a stout line that can help keep Stafford safe in his twilight years. The Rams have also been very active in searching for their next franchise quarterback. Having a strong offensive line in place will help that transition happen smoothly once it happens.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Corner or interior offensive line could be a focus for the Ravens on Draft Night, but here it’s time to stop a trend the Ravens love to follow. The annual 30+ year-old camp signing stops here with the selection of Mykel Williams. Surprising picks let Williams slip through the cracks and end up on a team that needs pass-rushing juice. Williams can be a strong run defender from Day 1 while rounding out his game and becoming a strong pass rusher for a team that needs it.
28. Detroit Lions – Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
The driving force of the successful Lions offense the past few seasons has been the offensive line. Here, Detroit forgoes adding pass rush help to keep the offensive line stable. Zabel has experience playing multiple positions and can be a good backup in Year 1 while eventually becoming the starter anywhere along the line when needed.
29. Washington Commanders – Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Trading for Laremy Tunsil has already helped address an offensive line that didn’t inspire confidence last season. Selecting Kelvin Banks continues to follow this plan. Banks can kick inside and start at left guard, or can be moved to the right tackle spot. Having someone who can start and also be a contingency plan for the aging Tunsil isn’t a bad choice for a late first-round pick.
30. Buffalo Bills – Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
During the Bills competitive era, the team has been lucky to have stalwart captain Matt Milano on the defense. This past season, Milano dealt with injuries and was not his Pro Bowl caliber self when on the field. Here, the Bills add Schwesinger, a player who can play alongside Milano and learn from him. Once Milano leaves, he’ll be able to pass the torch to a strong replacement in Schwesinger.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Shavon Revel Jr, DB, East Carolina
An underrated storyline from the Super Bowl was how easily AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith were able to beat the Chief’s defensive backs. Kansas City has since added Kristian Fulton to help with this, but will need a long-term upside swing at the position. Revel offers NFL size, speed, and play recognition, everything you want out of the position. Having a lockdown secondary is a good step in staying in the Super Bowl window.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Picking last on Day 1 is never a bad thing. Usually, it means you’ve just won the Super Bowl, and usually, a top talent will slip to your spot. Here, that talent is Shemar Stewart, a freak athlete at the edge position that needs some refinement. Stewart can take a spot in the Eagle’s deep defensive rotation, and continue to refine his game without immediate expectations. The rich get richer, and after a night of chaotic picks, the Eagles walk away happy.
