Free Agency Frenzy Mock Draft

Indiana

Unless Fernando Mendoza is arrested for a serious crime, suffers a career ending injury or suddenly passes away between now and draft time, he'll be a Raider here with the #1 pick

Texas Tech

Aaron Glenn likely needs to show some signs of progress in 2026 or risk being two and out as a head coach for the Jets. For that reason, I have the Jets going with David Bailey, who may be a bit more polished as an EDGE rusher than Arvell Reese, who has split time between the EDGE and off-ball linebacker spots.

Ohio State

Right tackle may be a bit of a bigger need, but the Cardinals go best defensive player available at a premium position here with Reese.

Notre Dame

Changed from Sonny Styles to Jeremiyah Love here. Why? Because the middle linebacker position is a bit deeper beyond Sonny Styles than the running back position is beyond Love. Plus, this helps out soon-to-be sophomore QB Cam Ward.

Ohio State

Not a big drop for Styles, as he goes 5th to the Giants instead of 4th to Tennessee. Tremaine Edmunds was signed as a free agent, but he struggles in coverage and is more of an enforcer. Styles is a do-everything linebacker who excels in every facet of the game. The Giants could also be tempted by Love if the TItans pass and also Styles' college teammate, Caleb Downs.

Ohio State

Tate didn't run the fastest 40 time at the combine, but everything he does is so smooth. He's the latest outstanding WR to come out of the Brian Hartline factory at Ohio State, which has now been disbanded with Hartline's move to become the new head coach at South Florida.

Ohio State

Washington spent big money on Odafe Oweh and then signed K'Lavon Chaisson to a one-year deal to upgrade the pass rush. With that in mind, Caleb Downs is the selection here over Miami EDGE rusher Rueben Bain.

Miami

Like Will Campbell a year ago, arm length will be a never-ending topic of discussion when it comes to Rueben Bain between now and draft time. That said, his tape speaks for itself, so I think he'll still get drafted pretty highly in spite of his short arms. New Orleans could lose Cam Jordan if he wants to try and chase a Super Bowl with a contender

Oregon

Although Travis Kelce will return for another season, that likely won't deter the Chiefs from considering a tight end at some point in the draft. Perhaps even here with Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon product could contribute and learn under Kelce for a year before becoming the new favorite target of Patrick Mahomes in 2027 and beyond.

LSU

From the Bayou Bengals to the Cincinnati Bengals, Mansoor Delane put himself on the map with a nice 2024 at Virginia Tech before an outstanding 2025 at LSU really shot him up draft boards.

Miami

With all the high-priced veterans the Dolphins let go of, they're more or less a blank slate at the moment. Francis Mauigoa would be a nice get for them at 11. The former Hurricane wouldn't have to change addresses and would give the Dolphins an immediate starter who could plug in at either right tackle or inside at guard if they so choose.

Oregon

One of my draft crushes this year is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. I think no matter where he ends up, he's going to be outstanding. His combine performance backed up the excellent skill set he showed all throughout his tape. The versatility will be a plus for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker who is tasked with turning around a defense that struggled mightily in 2025.

USC

Despite his interviews reportedly not going well at the combine, I'm still on the Makai Lemon train. After the Rams added Trent McDuffie via trade and Jaylen Watson as a free agent, they're more or less free to do what they want with this selection. Taking Lemon would be an excellent move, and quite frankly, might be unfair to NFL defenses tasked with stopping him and Puka Nacua.

Penn State

Controversially, this 14th pick is still with the Baltimore Ravens after they backed out on a trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby which would've send this pick as well as a 2027 1st round pick back to Las Vegas. Baltimore decides to focus on the offensive line with Penn State's Vaga Ioane, who would be a great fit in their offensive attack that loves to pound and ground with Derrick Henry, who's still going strong at 32 years of age.

Alabama

Steelers get: Pick 15
Buccaneers get: Picks 21, 76 (R3) and 135 (R4)

Tampa Bay doesn't like how the draft played out in front of them, and the Steelers feel a need to get ahead of the Jets for Ty Simpson, who could offer them a long-term solution at the QB position that they've been seeking since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.

Arizona State

Tyson is no doubt worthy of this selection from a talent perspective. And being coached by former NFL standout WR Hines Ward has only helped him. Injuries are a question mark, as he missed a lot of the 2025 season at ASU after missing their CFP loss to Texas the season prior. Needing receiver help, the Jets take the swing here.

Georgia

It wouldn't be at all shocking to see Monroe Freeling go higher than this on draft night. Having just released Taylor Decker, the Lions do need to think about the long-term plan on the blind side.

Tennessee

Just going off 2024 tape, Jermod McCoy is easily worth this high a draft pick. He's also reportedly good to go for Tennessee's pro day in a couple of weeks. How he performs there and the type of impact he makes on teams will likely determine his draft slotting. If he does well, I think a first round selection is likely. If not, he could see a fall similar to the one Will Johnson experienced a year ago. If everything checks out, I think he could shine under Brian Flores.

Utah

Chargers get: Pick 19
Panthers get: Picks 22, 123 (R4) and a 2027 4th round pick

LA can't count on Trevor Penning and Cole Strange as its starting guards. I think (hope) they know that. Spencer Fano's 32.125 inch arm length could make him a candidate to kick inside to guard, which is what the Chargers would have in mind with him here. It is nice knowing he could certainly give them an option at tackle in the event that Joe Alt and/or Rashawn Slater go down with injury (again)…

Alabama

Eagles get: Picks 20 and 112 (R4)
Cowboys get: Picks 23, 98 (R3) and 122 (R4)

Just how much longer will right tackle Lane Johnson play? Left guard Landon Dickerson, for that matter? I'm not sure, and I doubt the Eagles know. Kadyn Proctor and his big 350 pound frame could be a possible four-position backup in 2026 before transitioning into the starting lineup somewhere for the 2027 season for the Birds.

Utah

Browns get: Picks 21 and 116 (R4)
Buccaneers get: Picks 24, 107 (R4), 146 (R5) and 206 (R6)

Cleveland has made some moves on the O-Line. They've brought in Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins in free agency and traded for Tytus Howard. Still, more work needs to be done. Caleb Lomu would give them a possible Day 1 starter at left tackle, which is still very much a need on the roster.

Ohio State

After trading back three spots, the Panthers add to their defensive line with Kayden McDonald. The Buckeye defensive tackle should make an immediate impact in slowing down opposing team's rushing attacks.

Clemson

Dallas sticks with the secondary, as Avieon Terrell is selected after a slight trade back with their divisional rivals. The younger brother of A.J. Terrell, Avieon is a smooth mover with solid ball skills and should offer inside/outside versatility.

Missouri

Two trades down and four added draft picks later, the Buccaneers decide the time is now to add Missouri EDGE rusher Zion Young to bolster its anemic pass rush. He's done everything right on the field to help himself this draft season. There are off-field concerns that teams will need to be comfortable with here, though.

Clemson

T.J. Parker was darn near unstoppable for Clemson in 2024, posting 11 sacks and 19.5 TFL. His 2025 stats weren't nearly as impressive, which is why he's going at this point of the mock draft instead of a good bit higher. He could be a great value selection for the Bears if he can get back to his 2024 level of performance.

Clemson

Cardinals get: Picks 26, 91 (R3) and 168 (R5)
Bills get: Picks 33, 65 (R3) and 143 (R5)

Sensing that they may be shut out of the offensive tackle market, the Cardinals make a move up with non-conference/non-rival Buffalo to get ahead of both division rival San Francisco as well as Houston believing both could also be in the tackle market. Clemson's Blake Miller might not come with the high-end upside of local product Max Iheanachor, but he is much more polished, and in theory, more pro ready.

Arizona State

Speaking of Heanachor, he goes here to the 49ers with this selection. He's a bit raw having only played football for five years, but the upside is enormous. That could make him a perfect understudy to Trent Williams, assuming Williams is still around for the Niners in 2026.

Clemson

As great as the Texans defense is, they're still a little bit thin at defensive tackle. Peter Woods could be a nice rotational piece early on and become a starter down the line for them. Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has the talent to be selected here and for other needy teams in Round 1, but he missed most of 2025 with a foot injury and then broke his foot at the combine. His stock might be falling back to Round 2 as a result…

Auburn

I've seen a few comparisons to Travon Walker with Faulk. I see a little more Mykel Williams. Either way, there's not much doubting the talent and traits here. But why was his production in 2025 so underwhelming after a very strong statistical 2024 season? It's a question teams will have to answer as they evaluate him. Still, he feels like a Steve Spagnuolo type of EDGE. Dennis Allen (Bears) as well, so I have him going here after not sending him to the Bears four picks earlier.

Miami

Bills get: Pick 30
Broncos get: Picks 34 (R2) and 126 (R4)

Buffalo traded out of the first round and decides to move back in for Akheem Mesidor. Because of him, Miami opponents couldn't just solely focus on Rueben Bain. Still needing some EDGE rush help even after acquiring Bradley Chubb, the Bills take the plunge.

Indiana

Reading this site, I did see that NFL teams in general may see Omar Cooper as more of a second round pick. However, I also keep in mind that it's not likely there are 32 players with a first round grade on team draft boards. That means guys with second round grades can find their way into Round 1. The Patriots could also be in the market for offensive tackle help, but they missed the boat there, so they circle back to the pass catching wagon. I'm not convinced Romeo Doubs is the #1 target they need for Drake Maye, so Cooper is the selection here.

Texas A&M

Raiders get: Picks 32 and 188 (R6)
Seahawks get: Picks 36 (R2), 117 (R4) and 208 (R6)

Seattle only has four picks in this draft, so they trade back with the team that hired their 2025 offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from them here. Las Vegas adds some speed to its receiving core with K.C. Concepcion, who was also a dynamic punt returner for the Aggies in 2025 in addition to his explosive work at wide receiver. Fernando Mendoza is happy to have another dynamic weapon to help him out.