It’s officially NFL draft day – and we’re excited to see who all is going to get selected today. The NFL Draft is a celebration of talent and hope, and it’s all going to start when the Titans are on the clock tonight.
The Two-Point Conversion will be LIVE during the draft tonight around the 25th overall pick to recap tonight’s selections. We’ll also be live tomorrow night during day two, at the start of the event. This is our first draft as a site and we’ve put a ton of work in – all culminating into tonight’s draft.
Without further ado, let’s get into the Mock Draft.
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Lock it in, this has been the pick for at least a month now. The Titans are getting their franchise quarterback in Cam Ward, who has gotten better in every season of college football he’s played. Ward isn’t as good of a prospect as some other #1 overall QB picks, but he projects as Tennessee’s day one starter at the position.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado
The Cleveland Browns seem absolutely infatuated with two-way player Travis Hunter – who is the best overall player in this draft class, and the rare case where “generational talent” is undeniably true. Hunter should provide immediate relief in both the WR and CB rooms in Cleveland, though he’s likely to be used mainly as a receiver. Get him the ball, he’ll make plays.
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter is an electric edge rusher that will give the Giants one of the most talented defensive fronts in recent memory, between him, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence. While not necessarily the best fit, Carter is not someone you can pass on for a lesser QB prospect – and should be a ten sack per season threat as soon as his rookie year.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots have been constantly linked to Will Campbell throughout this year’s draft cycle. It’s a logical fit, even if it isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. Drake Maye needs a blindside protector more than anything right now – and the Stefon Diggs signing allows them to take the top player on their board at the OL position. Even if Campbell doesn’t work out at tackle, he would make an elite guard.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty seems like the player the Jaguars will take, although I wouldn’t be too shocked to see someone like Arizona WR Tet McMillan picked here. It makes sense that Head Coach Liam Coen and General Manager James Gladstone want to make a splash, and Jeanty is one of the few elite players in this draft class. He should immediately be a Pro Bowl type of player for Jacksonville – who has taken Leonard Fournette and Travis Etienne in the first round in the past decade.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
While Ashton Jeanty was consistently mocked to the Raiders over the past few months – Texas OT Kelvin Banks was a late riser throughout the process – only getting top-10 love this past week. Banks should give the Raiders a solid presence at tackle, while the team figures out the future of Kolton Miller. Regardless, the Raiders have to protect Geno Smith – this is similar to when the Seahawks took Charles Cross in the top-10 in 2022.
7. New York Jets – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This pick could go a variety of ways – the Jets have been linked to players such as Armand Membou, Jalon Walker, Mason Graham – but I’m going with Tyler Warren here – who has probably been linked the most to the team. Warren immediately becomes the second-best pass game weapon for the Jets – who gives Justin Fields a great receiving threat at tight end – he loved going to Cole Kmet during his final year in Chicago.
8. Carolina Panthers – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Panthers luck into Mason Graham falling right into their lap. While the links to Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams have been known for months, the Jaguars passing on Graham could leave him available at #8 overall – and that’s just not something general manager Dan Morgan is likely to pass on. Walter Nolen has been gaining steam as of late, but that seems more likely in the scenario that Carolina trades down.
9. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Mickey Loomis and long, physical edge rushers. He simply can’t help himself. Williams is a great player that was largely miscast at Georgia – he makes a lot of sense for a defense that is in a transition period with a lot of older players. I fully expect the Saints to stick with a trenches player here – while taking a quarterback with their other top-40 selection. Jaxson Dart, maybe?
10. Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chicago Bears are a team that could go in a variety of different directions on Thursday night – with three main names sticking out in this scenario: Shemar Stewart, Armand Membou, and Colston Loveland. But I tend to lean Loveland – the league seems to like him more than we think, and Ben Johnson feels like the type of coach that could utilize a pass-catching tight end on day one.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The San Francisco 49ers have been linked to edge rushers with this pick, despite their desperate need at three different spots along the offensive line. I firmly believe a team is going to take a shot on Stewart early in this draft, and the 49ers are no strangers to taking raw players (hello Trey Lance!).
12. Dallas Cowboys – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Dallas Cowboys are likely to take a wide receiver going into Thursday night – with two names ahead of the others: Texas WR Matthew Golden and Arizona WR Tet McMillan. One thing that really stands out to me is the Cowboys tend to select players that live, breathe, and die football. And not that McMillan can’t fit that mold, but Golden has been praised for his football character, and seems more likely to me to be the Cowboys selection.
13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
The Miami Dolphins could go in a variety of ways – they have an old, expensive, and injury-riddled roster. A trade back could be likely here, but Barron makes sense as a win-now defensive back that gives the Dolphins some flexibility on the back end. Barron is an older prospect, but more ready to affect winning football from day one.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
While I have the Colts selecting Missouri OT Armand Membou with this pick, I think it’s more likely to be in a trade up, rather than the 14th overall pick. Membou is someone that has tackle/guard versatility, and matches the athleticism thresholds that Colts general manager Chris Ballard typically seeks out. Many expect them to move up for a tight end such as Colston Loveland, but Indianapolis already has a plethora of weapons, and Membou makes sense in an offense that has to make Anthony Richardson work.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Jalon Walker is likely to go much higher than this pick on draft night – and he’s the best talent available here. He’s fallen due to not quite fitting the teams selecting in the 9-14 range, and should be someone that the Falcons fall in love with due to his juice off the edge and multi-positional impact. Some other names that wouldn’t surprise me here: James Pearce, Emeka Egbuka.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Tet McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals added Marvin Harrison to their WR room last year, but they still need help in the weapons department. Adding Arizona product Tet McMillan would allow the Cardinals to move Marvin Harrison all throughout different alignments – unlocking what he can do – better than his usage last year. McMillan gives Kyler Murray a collection of exciting, young WRs.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Walter Nolen, DL, Mississippi
Walter Nolen could go as high as #8 to the Carolina Panthers, or he could fall into the second round. He’s a talented interior defensive lineman that the Bengals should covet with a pick in the late teens, and could easily outperform this draft slot. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Cincinnati go with Alabama guard Tyler Booker here, either.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Gray Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has been adamant in the past that the interior offensive line is one of the most overvalued positions in football. He reportedly offered then-Colts free agent guard Will Fries a massive deal, and could prove that his mindset has changed by taking Zabel with this pick. Another option if available: Tet McMillan.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Maxwell Hairston, DB, Kentucky
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team that could do a lot of different things that wouldn’t shock me – but they need help on the back end. Hairston is someone that the NFL seems to love, and former DBs coach Todd Bowles could find usage for. Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku and Texas WR Matthew Golden are two more names to watch.
20. Denver Broncos – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
While I personally believe North Carolina back Omarion Hampton should be the second RB off the board, signs point towards the Broncos favoring Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson. Sean Payton lands his joker, though I wouldn’t mind seeing the Broncos trade back from this spot.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The Steelers have been linked to Shedeur Sanders all offseason, but I just can’t see them making the pick here. Kenneth Grant fills a need and feels like more of a Steelers type of pick. I’ll throw out another prediction though: I think the Bills could move up for a corner in this draft, with the Steelers being a likely trade partner.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton just fits the Chargers philosophy so well. He’s a powerful, athletic RB that can give Jim Harbaugh 20-25 touches per game. While some point to his lack of a final-gear, I think Hampton projects to be an outstanding back for a long time. The Chargers have to nail this draft, and Hampton would be a promising start.
23. Green Bay Packers – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Packers have two major needs, a WR1, and a EDGE1. Egbuka is someone that the league seems to be high on – and fits into nearly any wide receiver room. Two other names to consider here: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku and Tennessee EDGE James Pearce. Ezeiruaku played under current Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley at Boston College.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
The Minnesota Vikings, despite investments up front between Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, still need a run stuffing presence at the center of their defense. Harmon is a powerful force that could fall due to injury. More than anything with this pick, I expect the Vikings to at least attempt to trade back – they only have four selections as of right now.
25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
The Houston Texans are active in trying to trade up – and I’m not sure whether Alabama guard Tyler Booker makes it to the 25th overall pick. But whether it’s a trade up or Booker falling here, I do think he ends up being the pick for Houston – who needs to invest serious resources in their offensive line.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
The Los Angeles Rams are a team that has been searching for a tight end for years now – and Mason Taylor is someone that the NFL values. While he might be considered a “reach” at pick 26, Taylor could immediately become a starter in a Sean McVay offense. It could also be a situation where the Rams move back and end up taking Taylor, just at a slightly later pick.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Donovan Ezeiruaku is a productive force off the edge, even if he doesn’t have the explosiveness or size of a traditional first round draft pick. The Ravens need to continue to invest in their pass rushing unit, and Ezeiruaku makes sense late in the first round. Another name I’ll throw out there: Malaki Starks makes sense if the Ravens want to free up Kyle Hamilton on more looks.
28. Detroit Lions – Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions could use an investment or two in their offensive line – and Donovan Jackson is a player that has experience at both guard and tackle. This pick could represent an interesting pivot point, though, for a team that lost both of his coordinators. I could see Jayden Higgins in this spot, as well, as the Lions haven’t had a true outside, boundary wide receiver in some time – and the offense could look different next year.
29. Washington Commanders – Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
The Washington Commanders, similar to the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, present an obvious trade down candidate. If they stay put, though, Georgia safety Malaki Starks and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori present solid options. The Commanders, though, need to continue to invest in the back end after hitting on Mike Sainristil in last year’s draft.
30. Buffalo Bills – Trey Amos, DB, Mississippi
Trey Amos is a player that the NFL clearly loves, it’s just about finding a landing spot that makes sense for him. Amos is a long, older corner that should be able to play immediately for a Bills team that took Kaiir Elam just a few years ago. I could also see a speedy wide receiver here, or another edge rusher.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
The Chiefs are going to continue to add to both of their trenches, and Conerly is a toolsy tackle that grew as Oregon’s season went along. Conerly could also go much higher than this, with multiple possible landing spots in the top-15. In this scenario, the Chiefs may have to jump up a few spots to snag Conerly. Another name to watch: TreVeyon Henderson.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Eagles just love grabbing the players that fall down the board. In this case, they have their choice of Jihaad Campbell, Mike Green, James Pearce, and Will Johnson. The Eagles snag Green, who is an electric edge rusher that adds to a team that loves to have several players that can get after the quarterback.
