* Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/7)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/3): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/30)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)
| 17. |
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Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia |
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The Bengals have really missed Jesse Bates since he left for Atlanta. Here is a true replacement and a difference-maker on the back end.
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 Bengals' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Bengals' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 17 | Rd: 4 Pk: 22 | Rd: 5 Pk: 26| 18. |
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Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State |
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The Seahawks could use multiple blocking upgrades.
Zabel (6-6, 305) has started at guard and tackle for the Bison over the past couple of seasons, and he has versatile size for the NFL, where he could compete at either spot as a pro. Zabel had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing quality size, quickness, athleticism, and strength. He was effective as a run blocker and excellent in the pass-rushing one-on-ones. In Mobile, Zabel looked like a potential starting tackle or center in the NFL. Zabel might be a solid tackle, but could be an excellent center as a pro.
Click links to see the Seahawks' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Seahawks' first second-round pick. | Rd: 2 Pk: 20 | Rd: 3 Pk: 18 | Rd: 5 Pk: 9 | Rd: 5 Pk: 45 | Rd: 5 Pk: 48| 19. |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama |
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The Bucs could use help at linebacker and also more pass rush. Here’s a player that helps them with both issues.
The 6-foot-3, 244-pound Campbell is a big linebacker with speed and athleticism to go with his size. Campbell showed versatility by dropping into coverage, defending the run well, and rushing the passer off the edge. In 2024, he had 108 tackles with five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and two passes broken up. Campbell looks like a top-20 talent for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Click links to see the Buccaneers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Buccaneers' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 20 | Rd: 4 Pk: 24 | Rd: 5 Pk: 30| 20. |
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Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina |
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Denver could use an upgrade in the backfield, and Hampton would be a huge asset to help Bo Nix in year two.
In 2024, Hampton averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns with 38 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns. The big back Hampton ran well for North Carolina in 2023, averaging 5.9 yards per carry for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot, 220-pound Hampton is built well for the NFL, and he is a physical load that breaks a lot of tackles while ripping off a lot of yards after contact.
Click links to see the Broncos' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Broncos' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 21 | Rd: 4 Pk: 25| 21. |
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss |
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It remains to be seen if the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers come to an agreement. I think they will, perhaps after the draft, and in the mean time I think Pittsburgh will target defensive line help. They should have lots of good options at pick 21.
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 Steelers' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 3 Pk: 19 | Rd: 4 Pk: 26 | Rd: 5 Pk: 29| 22. |
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Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan |
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The Chargers could use a mismatch weapon at tight end to help Justin Herbert.
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 Chargers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Chargers' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 22 | Rd: 4 Pk: 28 | Rd: 5 Pk: 31| 23. |
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Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame |
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Given the uncertain future status of Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, the Packers could use more youth at cornerback.
In 2024, Morrison had 20 tackles and three passes broken up in six games before a hip injury ended his season. In 2023, Morrison totaled 31 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He performed well against Ohio State, helping limit Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Morrison was a freshman sensation in 2022, recording 33 tackles, six interceptions, and five passes defended. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has talent and upside.
Click links to see the Packers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Packers' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 23 | Rd: 4 Pk: 27 | Rd: 5 Pk: 32| 24. |
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Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas |
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The Vikings could use more young talent at cornerback.
Barron is an instinctive corner who is a willing tackler and showed improved ball skills as a senior. In 2024, Barron had 67 tackles with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. He had 59 tackles with an interception and five breakups the previous season. Barron (5-11, 200) could fit as a slot or outside corner in the NFL.
Click links to see the Vikings' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 4 Pk: 1 | Rd: 5 Pk: 11 | Rd: 5 Pk: 33| 25. |
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Houston Texans: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon |
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The Texans grab their replacement for Laremy Tunsil.
Conerly was an excellent pass protector at left tackle for the Ducks in 2023, allowing only one sack all season. Conerly showed quickness and athleticism on the edge to keep a clean pocket. It was only his first season as a starter, and it will be interesting to see if Conerly gets stronger and more forceful as a run blocker. Conerly has upside, and could get stronger as he matures while gaining more experience. Some team sources think Conerly should move inside to guard.
Click links to see the Texans' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Texans' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 25 | Rd: 3 Pk: 32 | Rd: 4 Pk: 31 | Rd: 5 Pk: 39| 26. |
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Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri |
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Davante Adams is not a long-term starter and the Rams have an expensive extension looming for Puka Nacua. Here is a cheap third receiver who is very talented, a great scheme fit, and an ideal replacement for Cooper Kupp.
In 2024, Burden had 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Burden played really well as a sophomore in 2023, putting up 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. As a freshman, he flashed with 45 catches for 375 yards and six scores. He also ran the ball somewhat that season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden is an explosive playmaker and could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Click links to see the Rams' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 3 Pk: 26 | Rd: 4 Pk: 5 | Rd: 4 Pk: 30| 27. |
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Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee |
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Baltimore could use more young defensive line talent. Here’s a young edge rusher with upside.
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 Ravens' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Ravens' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 27 | Rd: 5 Pk: 1 | Rd: 5 Pk: 8 | Rd: 5 Pk: 49| 28. |
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Detroit Lions: J.T. Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State |
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The Lions could use more rotational edge rush talent and defensive line depth. Plus, Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal will be in the last year of their contracts in 2025 and both have durability issues. Here’s a rusher to go with Aidan Hutchinson in the long-term. The Lions like edge rushers that are strong and have size. Tuimoloau has the can rush with power or speed and he fits what the Lions like in defensive linemen.
In 2024, Tuimoloau had 12.5 sacks, 61 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three passes batted. He is a solid college player but is not a game-wrecker. Some team sources think Tuimoloau (6-4, 270) could become a pro starter, and others think he is more of a backup. Tuimoloau got red hot in the college football playoff, and that has seen his stock rise into being an early-rounder. Tuimoloau totaled 38 tackles, five sacks and two passes broken in 2023. He did not provide a big edge presence for the Buckeyes. He recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and two passes broken up in 2022.
Click links to see the Lions' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Lions' second-round pick. | Rd: 4 Pk: 6 | Rd: 5 Pk: 2| 29. |
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Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State |
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Deebo Samuel is nearing the end of his contract, and the Commanders could use more weapons for Jayden Daniels.
In 2023, Egbuka had 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder turned in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. He emerged as a potential No. 1 receiver or really good No. 2 wideout. At other schools, Egbuka would have had an even bigger year, but he was the No. 2 receiver for Ohio State across from Marvin Harrison Jr. While injuries were a factor in 2023, Egbuka needs a bounce-back season in 2024 as he looked much faster in 2022 compared to his 2023 performance. Thus far in 2024, Egbuka has 70 catches for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Click links to see the Commanders' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Commanders' second-round pick.| 30. |
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Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky |
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Buffalo could use more cornerback talent and Hairston is a good scheme fit for Buffalo.
Hairston was excellent for Kentucky in 2023, recording 66 tackles with six passes broken up and five interceptions. The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder has a good skill set and is instinctive. In 2024, Hairston had 19 tackles with an interception, one sack, and one forced fumble while playing in five games. He was phenomenal at the NFL Scouting Combine showing great speed and athleticism. Hairston has ability but could stand to add some strength for the NFL.
Click links to see the Bills' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Bills' first second-round pick. | Rd: 2 Pk: 30 | Rd: 4 Pk: 13 | Rd: 5 Pk: 4 | Rd: 5 Pk: 42 | Rd: 5 Pk: 43 | Rd: 5 Pk: 46| 31. |
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Kansas City Chiefs: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami |
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The Chiefs take the best player available and grab an understudy for Travis Kelce.
In 2024, Arroyo had 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns showing the talent that he flashed early in his college career. Arroyo had an ACL tear on September 22, 2022, and suffered a setback in the 2023 preseason. He didn’t play until late November and had one catch for 11 yards. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is a fluid athlete with superb route-running and natural receiving ability. He could be a real weapon in the NFL.
Click links to see the Chiefs' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Chiefs' second-round pick. | Rd: 3 Pk: 2 | Rd: 3 Pk: 31 | Rd: 5 Pk: 5| 32. |
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Philadelphia Eagles: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M |
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The Eagles also need a replacement for Brandon Graham, and Stewart is a good fit for their scheme.
Stewart (6-5, 267) is a big, fast, and strong defensive lineman. In 2024, he had 31 tackles with 1.5 sacks and two passes batted. Stewart had 1.5 sacks in each of the 2023 and 2022 seasons. Stewart has a great skill set with a lot of upside but lacks instincts and is very raw.
