* Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/24)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)
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Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami |
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The Titans have kept things quiet, but they have not signed a veteran quarterback or made a move to trade this pick. Thus, Tennessee’s actions suggest they targeting a quarterback with the first pick. I personally am not high on Cam Ward, but my mock drafts are a projection of what I think teams WILL do and not what they SHOULD do. Hence, I think Tennessee will take Ward at No. 1 overall.
In 2024, Ward completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,313 yards with 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had four rushing touchdowns as well. Ward (6-2, 223) is considered to be a good leader and he has an adequate arm to distribute the ball throughout the field. He is at his best when plays break down, and he makes something happen off-script. Ward holds the ball too long, needs to improve his internal clock, and has some athletic limitations for the NFL. Multiple team sources feel that Ward could be a poor man’s Russell Wilson as a pro quarterback.
Ward was a point machine over the previous three seasons at Washington State, generating a prolific number of touchdowns. He broke out in 2021, completing 65 percent of his passes for 4,638 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In 2022, Ward completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,231 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Ward then completed 67 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also notched eight rushing touchdowns during 2023, which matched the total of his ground scores from the previous three seasons. Ward flirted with transferring to Miami or Florida State before deciding to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, backing out, and completing the transfer to the Hurricanes.
Click links to see the Titans' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Titans' second-round pick. | Rd: 4 Pk: 1 | Rd: 4 Pk: 17 | Rd: 5 Pk: 2 | Rd: 5 Pk: 29 | Rd: 6 Pk: 2 | Rd: 6 Pk: 12| 2. |
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Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado |
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It sounds like Cleveland is leaning towards Hunter with the second pick, and he might be a receiver for them. I think the Browns are enamored with the idea of adding Hunter and then maybe trading back into the first round for Shedeur Sanders.
In 2024, Hunter had 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns receiving and one rushing. He has 35 tackles with four interceptions, 11 passes broken up, and a forced fumble on defense. Hunter flashed dominant cover ability in 2023 with 31 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended before getting injured and missing some time. As a receiver, he provided some big plays to the Buffs’ offense, catching 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns.
As we reported in the Hot Press, teams were divided on whether Hunter should be a wide receiver or a cornerback in the NFL. The consensus was for Hunter to be an every-down cornerback and a rotational gadget receiver. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses other-worldly ball skills with elite athleticism alongside superb instincts and feel. Hunter is not the biggest of players, and teams have some durability concerns with him. However, he projects as a potential No. 1 corner in the NFL. With the Browns, Hunter could be their No. 1 receiver.
Click links to see the Browns' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Browns' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 3 | Rd: 3 Pk: 30 | Rd: 4 Pk: 2 | Rd: 6 Pk: 3 | Rd: 6 Pk: 16 | Rd: 6 Pk: 24 | Rd: 6 Pk: 40 | Rd: 7 Pk: 35| 3. |
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New York Giants: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State |
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The Giants take the best player on their board and add an impact player. Carter could form a dynamic pass-rushing trio with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
In 2024, Carter had 68 tackles with 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes broken up. Carter notched 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five passes defended, and one interception in 2023. In 2022, he made his presence felt as a freshman with 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended. Carter is extremely fast off the ball, and his rare explosiveness is even more dynamic with his ability to bend off the edge. While Carter (6-3 250) is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge, and he has the versatility to play Sam linebacker as well. Penn State lined him up inside the linebacker and rushed off the edge, so he already had experience moving around the defensive front.
Click links to see the Giants' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Giants' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 1 | Rd: 3 Pk: 35 | Rd: 4 Pk: 3 | Rd: 5 Pk: 16 | Rd: 7 Pk: 3 | Rd: 7 Pk: 26| 4. |
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New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU |
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After signing Carlton Davis to a big contract, it doesn’t make sense for New England to take a third cornerback, even if Travis Hunter were available. They also signed edge rusher Harold Landry, so even if Carter gets here, they might not take him. They have a much bigger hole at left tackle and need to help second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Here’s a long-term blindside protector for Maye.
Campbell earned the starting left tackle job in training camp as a true freshman in 2022 and started 13 games there. He then held onto the spot as a sophomore in 2023, protecting the blind side of Jayden Daniels. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Campbell is big and enters the NFL with a lot of experience. Team sources say that Campbell plays well with his hands, has good technique, is big, and strong. However, in 2024 he has had some issues with playing over his toes too often and getting off balance. Campbell is a safe prospect to be a solid starter at tackle or guard.
Click links to see the Patriots' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Patriots' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 5 | Rd: 3 Pk: 13 | Rd: 4 Pk: 4 | Rd: 5 Pk: 5 | Rd: 5 Pk: 33 | Rd: 7 Pk: 4 | Rd: 7 Pk: 20| 5. |
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State |
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Jacksonville is keeping things hush-hush, but I think this pick is coming down to Jeanty, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant. The Jaguars know that Trevor Lawrence has been trending in the wrong direction. They can go with the best player available and grab Lawrence a difference maker to improve their rushing offense while providing Lawrence with better down-and-distance situations.
In 2024, Jeanty averaged 7.0 yards per carry for 2,601 yards with 29 touchdowns and 23 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown. Jeanty (5-8, 217) has a strong build with explosive speed, athleticism, and incredible instincts as a runner. In 2023, Jeanty averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 1,347 yards with 14 touchdowns. He was also a tremendous receiving back with 43 receptions for 569 yards and five scores. Jeanty could be a dangerous weapon to lead an NFL rushing attack in the mold of Marshall Faulk or Josh Jacobs.
Click links to see the Jaguars' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Jaguars' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 6 | Rd: 3 Pk: 24 | Rd: 4 Pk: 5 | Rd: 4 Pk: 23 | Rd: 5 Pk: 3 | Rd: 6 Pk: 6 | Rd: 6 Pk: 18 | Rd: 7 Pk: 5| 6. |
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Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri |
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If Ashton Jeanty gets to the sixth pick, I believe the Raiders will take him. However, with Jeanty off the board, I think Membou could be their plan B. Las Vegas could use an upgrade at right tackle, and D.J. Glaze could kick inside to guard. Membou could form an excellent offensive line with left tackle Kolton Miller and center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Membou (6-3 325) is talented with rare quickness, athleticism, and some strength. Membou was a multi-year starter for the Tigers, and he has an interesting body type for the NFL. Membou could compete to be an undersized tackle, like Dion Dawkins, or he might need to move inside to guard because of his lack of length. Some team sources say that Membou has a good skill set, but his lack of finish was one of the reasons why some had him graded on day two. However, Membou’s electric combine workout pushes him into first-round consideration.
Click links to see the Raiders' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Raiders' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 4 | Rd: 3 Pk: 9 | Rd: 4 Pk: 6 | Rd: 5 Pk: 4 | Rd: 6 Pk: 4 | Rd: 6 Pk: 37 | Rd: 6 Pk: 39| 7. |
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New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State |
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The Jets need more receiving weapons for Justin Fields and Warren gives them a big target that can line up at a variety of places. Warren fits the toughness, mentality, and culture that Aaron Glenn is looking to institute in New York.
I could see Ben Johnson loving Tyler Warren with his versatile skill set and the mismatches he can produce out of the tight end position. I could see Johnson wanting to get Caleb Williams another weapon, and Johnson ran a lot of 12 personnel in Detroit. He could use Warren and Cole Kmet together to produce a lot of mismatches for Williams to take advantage of. If linebackers cover Warren and Kmet, that is a coverage mismatch that Williams can exploit. If they cover the tight ends with defensive backs, Chicago has a great look to run downhill.
Warren is a big-bodied tight end who has shown some receiving ability in the past two seasons. In 2024, he had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. The previous season he had 34 receptions for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-6, 257-pounder has the size to be Y tight end and the receiving ability to be an F tight end. Warren was also used as a running back and quarterback in some gadget plays.
Click links to see the Jets' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Jets' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 28 | Rd: 4 Pk: 8 | Rd: 5 Pk: 6 | Rd: 5 Pk: 24 | Rd: 6 Pk: 10 | Rd: 6 Pk: 31| 8. |
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Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia |
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I have gotten the Panthers first pick correct in my final mock draft for six straight years (Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn, Icky Ekwonu, Bryce Young, and Xavier Legette) and I feel optimistic about making it seven in a row. The Panthers need a true replacement for Brian Burns and more talent at linebacker. Walker helps address both issues for Carolina and is a great culture fit.
Walker is a dangerous edge rusher for the Bulldogs, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. In 2024, he had 61 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Walker had five sacks as a rotational player in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is too undersized to be a base edge rusher in the NFL, so he will have to be a linebacker who rotates to rush off the edge in the subpackage.
Click links to see the Panthers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Panthers' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 10 | Rd: 4 Pk: 9 | Rd: 5 Pk: 1 | Rd: 5 Pk: 7 | Rd: 5 Pk: 25 | Rd: 7 Pk: 13| 9. |
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New Orleans Saints: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan |
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The Saints are one of the mysteries in the first round. Sources at other teams are unsure who New Orleans wants, as Jeff Ireland and Mickey Loomis have kept things very quiet. One of the reasons they are so difficult to project is that they have needs all over their roster. Among them is more defensive line talent. Here is a tackle to go with Bryan Bresee.
In 2024, Graham had 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one pass batted. A former star recruit, Graham flashed as a freshman in 2022, collecting 28 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and a pass batted. He recorded 35 tackles, three sacks, one pass batted, and one forced fumble in 2023. Graham (6-3, 318) has good size and is a disruptive presence. He has serious power to shed blocks, bull into the backfield, and stuff runs at the point of attack. Graham also has the quickness and athleticism to create some interior pass rush. Team sources say Graham has a bad body and looks like “the marshmallow man,” so that is something he is going to need to work on in a pro strength and conditioning program.
Click links to see the Saints' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Saints' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 7 | Rd: 3 Pk: 29 | Rd: 4 Pk: 10 | Rd: 4 Pk: 28 | Rd: 6 Pk: 8 | Rd: 7 Pk: 28 | Rd: 7 Pk: 34| 10. |
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Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks, OT/G, Texas |
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With Ashton Jeanty and Tyler Warren off the board, I think this pick would come down to Mason Graham and Kelvin Banks. Chicago wants competition for Braxton Jones, and Banks can do that immediately. Even if Jones wins the job and earns a contract extension, Banks is a potential starting left tackle who also has the ability to play guard. Joe Thuney is in the last year of his contract, and Jonah Jackson has been incapable of staying healthy. Ben Johnson obviously knows that durability issue well. Banks gives the Bears some competition, depth, and insurance, and they continue to build the supporting cast for Caleb Williams.
Banks played well as the starting left tackle for the Longhorns over the past few seasons. At 6-foot-4, 324 pounds, Banks has adequate size and is a versatile athlete. Banks moves well for his size with quickness and athleticism. Team sources also raved about Banks’s technique and gave him good marks for the character. He could start out at tackle or guard.
Click links to see the Bears' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Bears' first second-round pick. | Rd: 2 Pk: 9 | Rd: 3 Pk: 8 | Rd: 4 Pk: 12 | Rd: 5 Pk: 9 | Rd: 7 Pk: 15 | Rd: 7 Pk: 22| 11. |
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San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss |
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The 49ers could use more young talent on the defensive and offensive lines. Nolen is similar to other players this regime has drafted for San Francisco, and Nolen has an excellent skill set to be an interior rusher next to Nick Bosa.
In 2024, Nolen had 48 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two passes batted. Nolen was a highly recruited player who was considered to have star potential. In 2023, he flashed at times with four sacks and 37 tackles with Texas A&M, but Nolen also had a lot of bad tape with plays of him getting destroyed. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has a good skill set with a ton of upside. However, Nolen is a love/hate prospect with team sources, as he has a good skill set but character concerns to go along with the bad tape from his time with the Aggies.
Click links to see the 49ers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the 49ers' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 11 | Rd: 3 Pk: 36 | Rd: 4 Pk: 11 | Rd: 4 Pk: 35 | Rd: 5 Pk: 8 | Rd: 7 Pk: 10 | Rd: 7 Pk: 29 | Rd: 7 Pk: 32| 12. |
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Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona |
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The Cowboys let Brandin Cooks go, and Dallas needs a playmaking receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb.
In 2024, McMillan had 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. To open the season, McMillan had an amazing performance with 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns taking on New Mexico. Arizona had an impressive 2023 season while featuring a dangerous passing attack. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was a known factor for 2023, but McMillan emerged as a playmaker that season. The sophomore caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan notched 39 catches for 702 yards and eight scores as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder McMillan has mismatch size for the NFL.
Click links to see the Cowboys' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Cowboys' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 12 | Rd: 5 Pk: 10 | Rd: 5 Pk: 36 | Rd: 6 Pk: 28 | Rd: 6 Pk: 35 | Rd: 7 Pk: 1 | Rd: 7 Pk: 21 | Rd: 7 Pk: 27| 13. |
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Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia |
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Miami grabs a replacement for Jevon Holland.
In 2024, Starks had 77 tackles, three passes defended, and an interception. In 2023, Starks racked up 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended. He recorded 69 tackles, two picks, and seven breakups in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder’s size gives him versatility. Starks is a good coverage safety deep down the field and also has some flexibility to cover slot receivers.
Click links to see the Dolphins' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Dolphins' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 34 | Rd: 4 Pk: 32 | Rd: 5 Pk: 11 | Rd: 5 Pk: 17 | Rd: 7 Pk: 7 | Rd: 7 Pk: 14 | Rd: 7 Pk: 33| 14. |
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Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan |
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I think Indianapolis will take Penn State tight end Tyler Warren if he gets to their pick, and with Warren off the board, the Colts could grab a receiving weapon in Loveland. He will be a plug-and-play weapon to help Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones.
In 2024, Loveland had 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns. He had a fumble and drop in the loss Texas. Michigan had more experienced tight ends, but Loveland was so good that he forced his way onto the field. In 2023, he caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder would be capable of producing more if he played in a passing offense. Loveland has the potential to be a riser.
Click links to see the Colts' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Colts' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 16 | Rd: 4 Pk: 14 | Rd: 5 Pk: 12 | Rd: 6 Pk: 13| 15. |
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Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee |
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Clearly, the Falcons could use some edge rush help. I think Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart are also in play, but if all three get there, I think Atlanta will take Pearce. Of the trio, Pearce is the best pass rusher and the most proven commodity. Pearce could hit the ground running and immediately upgrade the Atlanta rush attack.
Pearce had 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted and produced a lot of pressures in 2024. Pearce was a big-time presence for the Volunteers in 2023, making a lot of splash plays and producing a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 28 tackles with 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two passes batted, and an interception. Pearce is a fast edge rusher with good length, and his run defense was improved in 2024. Pearce has serious character concerns that have some teams dropping him off their board.
Click links to see the Falcons' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Falcons' second-round pick. | Rd: 4 Pk: 15 | Rd: 5 Pk: 13 | Rd: 7 Pk: 2| 16. |
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Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia |
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The Cardinals want more edge talent, and Williams is a great scheme fit for Arizona.
In 2024, Williams had 21 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles thus far. He missed the month of September with an injury. Williams totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two passes batted in 2023. As a freshman backup in 2022, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has a lot of upside and an excellent skill set.
