Every year, I do one 7-round mock draft. Projecting every single one of the 257 picks is arduous and often crazy, especially in a draft season where the gap between players available at 12 and 50 is no greater than the gap between players available at 4 and 6.
This is what I think could happen when the draft kicks off on Thursday night in Green Bay, running through Mr. Irrelevant on Saturday evening. As longtime followers of my draft work know, beyond about the 50th pick, I’m much more interested in matching the player to the slot than the team listed to the player. This might result in some weirdness, like a team tripling up at one spot. I’ll gently remind folks that Hall of Famer Bill Polian once drafted three centers in the same draft while already having All-Pro Jeff Saturday on his Colts roster; anything can happen.
Enjoy the draft weekend, the most wonderful time of the year for those of us here at Draft Wire!
Round 1
1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami. While not technically official, Ward to the Titans has been the pick for several weeks now.
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2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado. Everyone close to the Browns insists it’s Hunter or Abdul Carter here, and the vast majority have been on Hunter for some time. Who am I to argue?
3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State. Feels like this player/team marriage has been set for some time, too.
4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU. Another pairing that emanated from the NFL Scouting Combine that hasn’t been compellingly changed.
Projected trade: Chicago trades No. 10, RB D’Andre Swift and No. 41 overall to Jacksonville for No. 5 and a 2026 third-round pick
5) *Chicago Bears (via trade): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State. New head coach Ben Johnson lands his ultimate offensive weapon, using the ammunition of an extra second-round pick to get his guy.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri. In the absence of Jeanty, the Raiders do the next-best thing to bolster the offense and add an instant starting lineman with grit and upside. Mason Graham was in pencil here before I changed it.
7) New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State. A player/team pairing that has deep roots throughout the beat writer mock drafts for a few weeks now. I do think CB Jahdae Barron is a perfect fit for new head coach Aaron Glenn and can’t rule out the team throwing him a bone.
8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia. This player/team pairing gained a lot of steam coming out of the combine and still makes sense.
Projected trade: The Colts trade No. 14 and No. 80 overall to the Saints for No. 9 and a 2026 4th-round pick
9) Indianapolis Colts (via trade): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan. Trading up for a tight end might seem crazy, but there’s perceived to be a massive gulf between Loveland and the next-best tight end, and the Colts have not hidden their desire to get better at the position.
10) *Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona. After falling back, new Jaguars coach Liam Coen lands his new Mike Evans for a young QB in Trevor Lawrence who needs more help.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia. Could very well be Mason Graham or Walter Nolen here, but Williams and his high-floor pass rush are tough to look past for a 49ers team that needs long-term solutions at EDGE.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas. Golden makes a lot of sense here, as does Emeka Egbuka or one of the remaining OTs, notably Josh Simmons.
13) Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas. Lots of late momentum for Barron, who can play all over the secondary. Grey Zabel figures to be in play here too.
14) New Orleans Saints (via trade): Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas. Could very well be Mason Graham here, but Banks and his potential ability to play tackle or guard both short-term and long-term are notable.
15) Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall. Immediate pass rush help for a team that hasn’t had anyone bag more than seven sacks in a season this decade.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan. The perceived slide for Graham stops in Arizona, a very nice fit, especially with the CB board where it’s at here.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss. Nolen would be a high-energy option to boost the interior pass rush with Mike Green gone. Had James Pearce penciled in here for some time too.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State. Been plenty of smoke on this pairing for some time, and it certainly makes a lot of sense for both parties, too.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama. The recent surgery could make him fall from here, but Campbell appears to be the only viable top-50 LB in the NFL’s eyes and that’s something the Buccaneers know they need.
20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina. With the top TEs gone the focus goes back to RB, where Hampton has been more strongly linked to Denver than TreVeyon Henderson.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado. Lots of late energy flowing with this pick; I’ll ride that lightning
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan. Just because it seems too convenient for Jim Harbaugh to grab a Michigan man in the middle of the defense doesn’t mean it’s wrong…
23) Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan. Impossible player to slot due to his injuries, but the talent is there and the size fits what the Packers covet at outside CB.
Projected trade: Buffalo trades No. 30, No. 56 (Minnesota’s own pick) and No. 177 to Minnesota for No. 24 and a 2026 3rd-round pick
24) *Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia. The Bills move up to land the versatile safety in Starks, who can help right away in a number of facets. Moving up secures the pick ahead of potential Starks suitors between here and 30.
25) Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State. Another pairing I’ve consistently heard since the Senior Bowl week, and no reason to change it even with the Texans’ OL needs. Trade up for OL is certainly in play here too.
26) Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky. The fastest defensive player at the combine speeds to a great schematic fit in Los Angeles, where his ball skills figure to come in handy.
27) Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M. Stewart is impossible to slot. He could go 10 just as easily as he could go 35. Hard to see the Ravens passing on his superhuman athletic upside.
28) Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College. The Lions get quicker pass-rush reinforcement, opting to wait on needed depth help at OL and WR.
29) Washington Commanders: James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee. Washington goes after the enigmatic but talented pass rusher, though a running back like Omarion Hampton sure feels like a possibility here too.
30) *Minnesota Vikings (via trade with BUF): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina. The Vikings fall back a few spots and land the same player I’d project to them at 24 in Emmanwori.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State. Injury issue probably keeps Simmons out of the top 20, but it’s hard to see the Chiefs passing on a very talented tackle falling into their lap.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU. Son of HOFer Jason Taylor, Mason offers upside and long-term insurance at the position.
Round 2
33) Cleveland Browns: Jalen Milroe, QB, Ohio State
34) New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
35) Tennessee Titans: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
36) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
37) Las Vegas Raiders: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
38) New England Patriots: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
39) Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
40) New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
41) *Jacksonville Jaguars (from earlier projected trade): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
42) New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
43) San Francisco 49ers: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
44) Dallas Cowboys: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
45) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Projected trade: Houston trades No. 58 and No. 89 to Atlanta for No. 46 and a 2026 4th-round pick
46) *Houston Texans (via trade): Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
47) Arizona Cardinals: Tre Amos, CB, Ole Miss
48) Miami Dolphins: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami FL
49) Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
50) Seattle Seahawks: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Reminder from above: At this point in the mock, I’m much more interested in projecting the player to the slot than the team to the player. That becomes more the case the deeper we delve into the draft.
51) Denver Broncos: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
52) Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers): Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
54) Green Bay Packers: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
55) Los Angeles Chargers: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
56) *Minnesota Vikings (from earlier trade with BUF): T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
57) Carolina Panthers (from Rams): Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
58) *Atlanta Falcons (from earlier trade with HOU): Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
59) Baltimore Ravens: Femi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
60) Detroit Lions: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
61) Washington Commanders: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
62) Buffalo Bills: Ozzy Trapilo, OL, Boston College
63) Kansas City Chiefs: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
64) Philadelphia Eagles: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Round 3
65) New York Giants: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
66) Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
67) Cleveland Browns: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
68) Las Vegas Raiders: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
69) New England Patriots: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
70) Jacksonville Jaguars: Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State
71) New Orleans Saints: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
72) Chicago Bears: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
73) New York Jets: Charles Grant, OL, William & Mary
74) Carolina Panthers: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
75) San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
76) Dallas Cowboys: Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
77) New England Patriots (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
78) Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon
79) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Eagles and Commanders): Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
80) *New Orleans Saints (via earlier projected trade): Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
81) Cincinnati Bengals: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
82) Seattle Seahawks: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
83) Pittsburgh Steelers: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
84) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green
85) Denver Broncos: Kevin Winston, S, Penn State
86) Los Angeles Chargers: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
87) Green Bay Packers: Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia
88) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Savion Williams, WR, TCU
89) *Atlanta Falcons (from earlier projected trade with HOU): Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
90) Los Angeles Rams: Dylan Fairchild, IOL, Georgia
91) Baltimore Ravens: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
92) Seattle Seahawks (from Lions through Jets and Raiders): CJ West, DT, Indiana
93) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): R.J. Harvey, RB, UCF
94) Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
95) Kansas City Chiefs: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
96) Philadelphia Eagles: Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
97) Minnesota Vikings: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
98) Miami Dolphins: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
99) New York Giants: Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
100) San Francisco 49ers: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
101) Los Angeles Rams: Nohl Williams, CB, California
102) Detroit Lions: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
Round 4
103) Tennessee Titans: Emery Jones, OT, LSU
104) Cleveland Browns: David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas
105) New York Giants: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
106) New England Patriots: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
107) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
108) Las Vegas Raiders: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
109) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
110) New York Jets: Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
111) Carolina Panthers: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
112) New Orleans Saints: Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
113) San Francisco 49ers: Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas
114) Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys): Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia
115) Arizona Cardinals: Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma
116) Miami Dolphins: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
117) Indianapolis Colts: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
118) Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Rivers, OT, Miami FL
119) Cincinnati Bengals: Damien Martinez, RB, Miami FL
120) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
121) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
122) Denver Broncos: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
123) Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
124) Green Bay Packers: Donte Thornton, WR, Tennessee
125) Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Paul, LB, Ole Miss
126) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU
127) Los Angeles Rams: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
128) Washington Commanders (from Texans): Miles Frazier, IOL, LSU
129) Baltimore Ravens: Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
130) Detroit Lions: Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
131) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Oronde Gadsden, TE, Syracuse
132) Buffalo Bills: D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
133) Kansas City Chiefs: Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
134) Philadelphia Eagles (reacquired through Lions): Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
135) Miami Dolphins: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
136) Baltimore Ravens: Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
137) Seattle Seahawks: Sai’vion Jones, EDGE, LSU
138) San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
Round 5
139) Minnesota Vikings (from Browns): Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
140) Carolina Panthers (from Giants): Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
141) Tennessee Titans: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
142) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
143) Las Vegas Raiders: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
144) New England Patriots: Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
145) New York Jets: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
146) Carolina Panthers: Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
147) San Francisco 49ers (from Saints through Commanders): Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss
148) Chicago Bears: Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
149) Dallas Cowboys: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
150) Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
151) Indianapolis Colts: Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
152) Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech
153) Cincinnati Bengals: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
154) New York Giants (from Seahawks): Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane
155) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
156) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
157) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
158) Los Angeles Chargers: Jackson Slater, IOL, Sacramento State
159) Green Bay Packers: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
160) San Francisco 49ers (from Vikings): Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
161) Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama
162) New York Jets (from Rams through Steelers): Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
163) Carolina Panthers (from Ravens): Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
164) Philadelphia Eagles (from Lions through Browns): Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
165) Philadelphia Eagles (from Commanders): Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
166) Houston Texans (from Bills): Luke Kandra, IOL, Cincinnati
167) Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jordan Hancock, S, Ohio State
168) Philadelphia Eagles: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech
169) Buffalo Bills: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami FL
170) Buffalo Bills (from Cowboys)L Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
171) New England Patriots (from Cowboys): Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
172) Seattle Seahawks: JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
173) Buffalo Bills: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
174) Dallas Cowboys: Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa
175) Seattle Seahawks: Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
176) Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State
Round 6
177) *Minnesota Vikings (from earlier trade with BUF): Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
178) Tennessee Titans: Jake Majors, IOL, Texas
179) Cleveland Browns: Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
180) Las Vegas Raiders: Jah Joyner, EDGE, Minnesota
181) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Kobe King, LB, Penn State
182) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Monheim, IOL, USC
183) Baltimore Ravens (from Panthers): R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
184) New Orleans Saints (reacquired through Commanders): Ricky White, WR, UNLV
185) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Bears through Seahawks): Craig Woodson, S, California
186) New York Jets: Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
187) Minnesota Vikings (from 49ers): Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
188) Tennessee Titans (from Cowboys): Jadon Blue, RB, Texas
189) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami FL
190) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Carson Vinson, OL, Alabama A&M
191) Denver Broncos (from Cardinals): LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
192) Cleveland Browns (from Dolphins through Bears): Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
193) Cincinnati Bengals: Joshua Gray, OG, Oregon State
194) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seahawks): DaQuan Felton, WR, Virginia Tech
195) Los Angeles Rams (from Steelers): Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
196) Detroit Lions (from Buccaneers): Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
197) Denver Broncos: Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson
198) Green Bay Packers: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
199) Los Angeles Chargers: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
200) Cleveland Browns (from Vikings): CJ Dippre, TE, Alabama
201) Los Angeles Rams: Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
202) Los Angeles Rams (from Texans through Steelers and Bears): Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
203) Baltimore Ravens: Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska
204) Dallas Cowboys (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Clay Webb, IOL, Jacksonville State
205) Washington Commanders: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia
206) Buffalo Bills: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
207) New York Jets (from Chiefs): Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
208) Denver Broncos (from Eagles): Drew Kendall, IOL, Boston College
209) Los Angeles Chargers: Isas Waxter, CB, Villanova
210) Baltimore Ravens: Addison West, IOL, Western Michigan
211) Dallas Cowboys: Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
212) Baltimore Ravens: Fadil Diggs, EDGE, Syracuse
213) Las Vegas Raiders: Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas
214) Los Angeles Chargers: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
215) Las Vegas Raiders: Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
216) Cleveland Browns: Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
Round 7
217) Dallas Cowboys (from Titans through Patriots): Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
218) Atlanta Falcons (from Browns through Chargers): Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada
219) New York Giants: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
220) New England Patriots, Bryce Cabeldue, IOL, Kansas
221) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
222) Las Vegas Raiders: Ben Yurosek, TE, Georgia
223) Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Eagles and Steelers): Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee
224) Miami Dolphins (from Bears): Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
225) Arizona Cardinals (from Jets through Chiefs): Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
226) Kansas City Chiefs (from Panthers): Karene Reid, LB, Utah
227) San Francisco 49ers: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky
228) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Marcus Sigle, S, Kansas State
229) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Falcons through Eagles): Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
230) Carolina Panthers (from Cardinals): Andre Borregales, K, Miami FL
231) Miami Dolphins: Willie Lampkin, OL, North Carolina
232) Indianapolis Colts: Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
233) Chicago Bears (from Bengals): Luke Newman, IOL, Michigan State
234) Seattle Seahawks: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan
235) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina
236) Houston Texans (from Broncos through Eagles and Commanders): Joey Hobert, WR, Texas State
237) Green Bay Packers (from Steelers): Tyler Batty, EDGE, BYU
238) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Ahmed Hassanein, DL, Boise State
239) Dallas Cowboys (from Packers through Titans): Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
240) Chicago Bears (from Vikings through Browns): Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh
241) Houston Texans: Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech
242) Atlanta Falcons (from Rams): Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV
243) Baltimore Ravens: Aiden Williams, OL, Minnesota-Duluth
244) Detroit Lions: Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
245) Washington Commanders: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
246) New York Giants (from Bills): Thomas Perry, OL, Middlebury
247) Dallas Cowboys (from Chiefs through Panthers): Woody Marks, RB, USC
248) New Orleans Saints (from Eagles through Commanders): Jacob Gideon, IOL, Western Michigan
249) San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
250) Green Bay Packers: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
251) Kansas City Chiefs: Tim Smith, DL, Alabama
252) San Francisco 49ers: Drew Moss, IOL, Colorado State
253) Miami Dolphins: Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA
254) New Orleans Saints: Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis
255) Cleveland Browns: Dante Trader, S, Maryland
256) Los Angeles Chargers: Noah Martin, LB, Samford
257) Kansas City Chiefs: AJ Henning, WR, Northwestern
