Post Super Bowl Mock Draft 1.0

by Jeff Kirby

Now that the Super Bowl is officially over, NFL fans will dive into the nitty-gritty of draft season. We are just a few weeks away from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, with prospects from far and wide working out for scouts and coaches.

Here is my projection of what I believe will happen as we are just past the Super Bowl:

Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State.

Titans President Chad Brinker said that the team would not pass up a generational talent with this pick. Now, I do not believe there is a generational player in this draft. However, I think Abdul Carter can come in on day 1 and have an immediate impact on this team. I don’t see them taking a QB here, especially with the 2026 QB class having more talent.

Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado.

Both teams with the top two picks are quarterback needy. However, when you have the caliber of player and athlete fall into your lap like this in a class where the QB class is suspect at the top, you must take it. Hunter goes to Cleveland here, but I do believe that the best-case scenario for the Browns is to trade down and acquire additional picks.

New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami.

Here goes the first QB off the board. With the Giants letting go of Daniel Jones last year, they get their new starter and hope he can turn things around for the franchise. They hope to launch the next QB/WR dynamic duo with Ward and Malik Nabers.

New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU.

Campbell becomes the first OL to come off the board, and for good reason. They need to help protect the blindside of their franchise QB Drake Maye.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan.

The Jags were bad all over the board on defense last year. 28th in points allowed, 25th against the run, dead last against the pass, and 31st in total defense. They can go with whoever is the highest-rated defensive player on their board, but I could also see a scenario where his Michigan teammate Mason Graham heads to Duvall County instead. But secondary help should be the priority.

Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado.

Vegas desperately needs a QB and with new Head Coach Pete Carrol there, he will get to have his new QB contributing early. And I am sure new Raiders minority owner Tom Brady would like to land their new franchise QB as well.

New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan.

With new Head Coach Aaron Glenn first pick, I would not be surprised to see it be a defensive player. Graham is stout in the run game and has upside as a pass rusher. I believe adding him to this DL will help this team even more.

Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona.

McMillan is one of my favorite players in this draft. QB Bryce Young played well down the stretch for the Panthers, so they choose to build on that momentum by giving him a 6’5 receiver where the area code is his catch radius.

New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia.

The Saints were 20th in sacks in 2024, and veteran Cameron Jordan will be 36 years old next season. He will fit perfectly for this team and adds positional versatility on the DL.

Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas.

Tyler Booker from Alabama or Josh Conerly from Oregon are options here as well. However, Banks can be versatile with the ability to play tackle or guard. Braxton Jones will be a free agent at the end of the year, so for 2025, the Bears can kick Banks inside and play guard as well to help protect Caleb Williams and assist in the run game.

San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss.

The 49ers let go of veteran DL Javon Hargrave, and while yes, their GM did say he wanted him back, the Niners should go after Nolen, who is a major threat in the run game and brings upside as a pass rusher. With Robert Salah returning as the team’s defensive coordinator, this would be a perfect fit.

Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State.

There are certain picks that any mock draft can feel confident in, and this is one of them. Jeanty is a fun player to watch, and after seeing Ezekiel Elliott early in his career, I think Jerry Jones would love to have that kind of asset again. This pick feels like the Steelers in 2021, where everyone knew Najee Harris would be a Steeler.

Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri.

Once again, Tyler Booker is an option here. Membou can play tackle or guard, and with the Fins needing an RG (and the potential of RT Austin Jackson leaving in two years), Miami will have a backup plan for down the road. However, in 2025, the team will need to protect Tua at all costs and that is accomplished with this pick.

Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State.

The upside that Tyler Warren has is unlimited as he brings a top-three to top-five TE potential to the position. But don’t sleep on the Colts bolstering their defensive backfield here with the likes of Jahdae Barron. However, Warren’s talent is too much to pass up here.

Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M.

The Falcons were 31st at getting to the QB last year, and that smells like a hole that needs to be filled. They get someone in Stewart who can get to the QB, even with some scouts worried about his limited production in college.

Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas.

Having the caliber of player that Barron can be—and having him fall into your lap with a demonstrable need at the position—is a match made in heaven for Arizona.

Cincinnati Bengals: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M.

Cincinnati’s defense was awful last year which led to their defensive coordinator getting fired. With Trey Hendrickson requesting a trade due to his contract, they may want to add another edge rusher to help get to the QB.

Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama.

Here goes another one of my favorite players in this draft. The Seahawks have a big need on the offensive line, and they get the best interior offensive lineman in this draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama.

Lavante David and K.J. Britt are scheduled to be free agents this March, so that leaves a glaring hole in the middle of that defense. Campbell is a rangy and instinctual linebacker who is exactly what teams want from today’s middle linebacker.

Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan.

The Broncos need to add another pass catcher to help Bo Nix, and in Loveland they get exactly that. Loveland can lineup all over the place as a flex tight end and reminds scouts of a poor man’s Travis Kelce. And Denver has felt Kelce’s wrath for many years, so why not try and get your version of that here?

Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State.

The Steelers haven’t drafted a WR in the first round in 19 years and that ends this year. There is a glaring need for a pass catcher for whoever will be throwing that ball in Pittsburgh (outside of George Pickens, and his future with the team is also in question). Egbuka is in my opinion, “bust proof” because of his ability to get open and do the dirty work.

Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan.

The fourth member of the Wolverines comes off the board, and this was a tough pick. The Chargers need a pass catcher, but sticking Grant right in the middle of this defensive line was also a need, and there is a Michigan connection with Grant and Harbaugh.

Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina.

The first East Carolina Raider to be drafted since 2021 and the first, first-round pick from there since 2008 when Chris Johnson entered the selection process. The Packers have a major hole at corner, and they get the best corner available here.

Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia.

The Vikings were 28th against the pass, which is something that needs to be addressed. They understand what having an impact safety means to a defense, and hopefully, they get their next impact safety in Starks.

Houston Texans: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri.

Tank Dell won’t be the same in 2025 and Stefon Diggs is going into free agency this year. This leads the Texans to drafting a weapon for C.J. Stroud, opposite of Nico Collins.

Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon.

There are question marks around the future of Matthew Stafford and his return, but one thing that shouldn’t be a question mark is getting a tackle to protect whoever will be the QB now (and post Stafford).

Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State.

Ronnie Stanley is a pending free agent, and he has had durability issues in his career. Now, it’s ironic to point this out as they draft someone coming off of their own injury last year. However, Simmons is an athletic and physical tackle who can help protect Lamar Jackson’s blindside and help in the run game.

Detroit Lions: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall.

Once they lost Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions did not get to the QB enough, especially down the stretch. Green can make an immediate impact and gives the Lions two bookend edge rushers to get after the QB in a division filled with all young QBs.

Washington Commanders: Donovan Jackson, OG/OT, Ohio State.

The Commanders really could consider going with an edge rusher here. But why not invest high capital in protecting your rookie of the year QB to help protect him at all costs? Jackson has versatility, as he can play guard and tackle.

Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon.

The Bills have three defensive tackles pending free agency and all three are over 30. Clearly that is a position of need, and with Harmon, they get their guy to anchor the interior of their line.

Kansas City Chiefs: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State.

Thomas fits exactly what Steve Spagnolo wants in his corners with his ability to play press man. KC was middle of the road against the pass so this can help immediately on a team still full of talent elsewhere.

Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee.

Edge rusher Josh Sweat is a pending free agent, and Philly always seems to invest heavily in their defensive line. Pearce will feast on this defensive line.