Final Predictive Mock

Indiana

The consensus No. 1 overall pick. Besides, what could be more Alpha Bro than selecting a Natty and Heisman-winning quaterback to be the face of your franchise? Tom Brady approves.

Ohio State

Perception matters and the phase most associated with Reese during draft season has been “violent hands.” This gives him the edge (no pun intended) over Bailey and locks up his selection at No. 2 here for the J-E-T-S.

Miami

With the Cardinals set on taking their franchise quarterback in ’27, grabbing an elite right tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr. makes sense. Those book end tackles will be charged with protecting whoever ‘Zona selects next year.

Texas Tech

Some have Bailey going at No. 2 because of his quickness off the edge. He fills the spot opposite Jermaine Johnson in Robert Salah’s 3-4 scheme. With Polland and Spears around, taking Love here would be a luxury Tennessee can’t afford.

Ohio State

After drafting Edge Abdul Carter last year, the G-Men need to solidify their linebacking corps. They do so here with Styles – a high-energy ‘backer who has been rocketing up boards due to his impressive Combine performance.

Ohio State

Andrew Berry grabs a receiver for the Brownies at No. 6. Tate has great hands with only one drop last season. Plus, playing for the hometown favorite Ohio State Buckeyes doesn’t hurt his case to be selected here either.

Notre Dame

This is the pick everyone (outside of the NFC East) wanted to see happen. Love would take some of the pressure off Jayden Daniels and create a two-headed rushing attack that would be difficult for opposing defenses to contain.

Arizona State

Psychology lesson: What happens when you take a risk and succeed? You try again. Saints coach Kellen Moore lucked out with Tyler Shough, Chris Olave … even Kamara staying healthy last season. They go back to the well here and select this draft’s top receiver despite his lengthy history of nagging injuries.

Miami

Short arms be damned, Chiefs fans would be estatic with this pick. Felix Anudize-Ozuma has been a bust and sack monster Bain Jr. takes his spot on the KC defensive line opposite George Karlaftis.

Ohio State

Even with their signing of Bryan Cook, Cincinnati could still use a dynamic playmaker at the safety position. With edge rushers Bailey and Bain Jr off the board, Downs is the pick here as Cincy continues to shore up their defense.

LSU

Everyone knows the ‘Fins need secondary needs help. Full stop. Delane represents the first step to fixing a unit that somehow featured Storm Duck as their No. 1 cornerback and then followed that up by trading Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Miami

Jerry might not have been at the Playoff Semifinal that was Mesidor’s national coming out party … but I’ll bet he was watching somewhere. With a Top 10 offense and Bottom 5 defense, Dallas needs reinforcements. They disregard concerns about Mesidor’s age (25) and select him as their newest star edge rusher.

Alabama

Hear me out: Les Snead is nothing if not an independent thinker. Maybe he would pass for the WR Tyson…but he’s gone. Instead, Snead takes the chance to be legendary and transition Stafford’s final year into another Franchise QB.

Penn State

Very chalky pick to replace the shaky guard play of Andrew Vorhees. Don’t think Eric DeCosta isn’t snickering at the thought of taking Vega away from Vegas.

Georgia

With Lavonte David’s retirement, the Bucs find another long-term solution at linebacker. General Manager Jason Licht has never sheid away from using first-rounders to get help in the trenches and that’s essentially what this pick represents with Allen’s elite level run stopping ability.

USC

Has there ever been a more ‘Jets’ selection? The Big Apple welcomes the showstopper Lemon – who makes both positive and negative headlines. He plays opposite Garrett Wilson in an offense still looking for their quarterback.

Utah

Given the Lions struggles staying healthy on the O-Line last season, they could use a player who can fill in at multiple spots. Enter Spencer Fano. The former Ute is this year’s most versatile lineman who should replace LT Taylor Decker.

Oregon

Skol! Regardless of whether Harrison Smith hangs it up, the Vikes now have his replacement in another rangy, instinctive safety. This will be the pick Vikings fans are hoping for and Theineman falls to them here at No. 18.

Oregon

Back-to-back Ducks to here as Sadiq joins the Pounders at No. 19. Carolina hasn’t had elite Tight End play since Greg Olson left for the broadcast booth. This allows the team a chance to run it back with another weapon for Bryce.

Texas Tech

Jerry Jones’ loves his Big 12 guys and he gets another one here. The fan-favorite Rodriguez – his wife is a Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army – will step in as a pro-ready linebacker with great wrap up tackling ability.

Washington

Although they did sign Michael Pittman, the Steelers could use another receiver. Roman Wilson has been disappointing and is better suited as a No. 4 option. Being perpetually stuck in Rodgers’ draft year of 2005, Pittsburgh selects large X receiver Boston to play alongside the large X they already have in DK Metcalf.

Toledo

Opposite Derwin James, the Bolts could use an upgrade at safety. Tony Jefferson is getting older and not quite the player he used to be. McNeil-Warren reminds most draftniks of another Toledo Rocket DB who made a splash as a rookie.

Georgia

Future gold jacket owner Lane Johnson will be returning for another season. However, Philly cannot count on him to play many snaps. They select the impressive athlete Freeling as his long-term replacement on the left side.

Alabama

If you’ve followed Cleveland’s numerous O Line moves in free agency, you’ve likely noticed a pattern. Tough and nasty over finesse (see: Jenkins, Teven and Howard, Tytus). They follow that trend here with the selecting of Proctor – a left tackle in college who will at least be given a chance to start there in the pros.

Clemson

Da Bears need more help up front and signing Neville Gallimore doesn’t preclude them from taking a run-stopper with their first pick. McDonald fits the bill here as he gives Chicago a disruptive under tackle who fits their physcial defensive scheme.

Texas A&M

Things could change but it doesn’t look like A.J. Brown will be headed to Buffalo anytime soon. With Boston gone, the Bills grab another speedy wideout to play alongside D.J. Moore and Kalil Shakir in three wide receiver sets. Besides, the Bills already have a couple of Red Zone Threats in Kincaid and Knox.

Utah

Similar to the Eagles, San Francisco cannot expect Trent Williams to play a significant number of productive snaps at his age. They start preparing for the future with Lomu – a prototypical right tackle who could move over to left.

Ohio State

Which line do you prefer? That’s the question for this pick – as H-Town needs help on the interior of both lines. They pass on Pregnon at 28 to select former Buckeye McDonald, who gets the nod here over Banks by dint of the latter’s recent injury.

Tennessee

Speaking of injuries, they push McCoy all the way down the board to No. 29, where the Chiefs happily oblige by making him their replacement for departed All Pro corner Trent McDuffie. When healthy, McCoy is this draft’s top cornerback prospect.

Indiana

Possessing a tremendous blend of speed and after-the-catch fluidity, Cooper Jr. fits in seamlessly as a replacement for Tyreek Hill / Jaylen Waddle. Miami begins to restock their offense as their team-wide rebuilding process continues.

Arizona State

Still raw and learning the positional ropes, Iheananchor will be helped greatly by the 36-year old Morgan Moses. He can study under him for a year and then take Moses’ spot opposite last year’s first rounder Will Campbell at either tackle spot.

Tennessee

Lose Riq Woolen in free agency. Gain another physical, starting-caliber cornerback in Colton Hood. The former Volunteer goes only a few picks after his teammate – Jermod McCoy – as he lacks the former’s extensive injury questions.