Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) stands in the pocket against Wisconsin in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. (Photo Credit / UA Athletics)
After an exciting NFL Championship weekend, all but two teams’ seasons have concluded. The attention now turns to the offseason and the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in late April.
This series of mock drafts will include predictions for both pick selections and potential trades.
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Geno Smith and Pete Carroll era in Seattle is over. The Raiders organization moved off of Carroll already at the end of the season with a chance at a total reset.
Tom Brady and Raiders General Manager John Spytek are tasked with leading the organization through this period. Their first big decision this offseason is selecting the next head coach (HC) of the team. However, the decision of what to do at the top of the draft is less of a discussion.
The Raiders select Mendoza to be the franchise QB moving forward. Mendoza, who won the Heisman and National Title this past season, gets to work with a litany of weapons such as tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and second-year running back Ashton Jeanty.
2) New York Jets: Reuben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (FL)
The Jets have entered a full rebuild (again). Reportedly, the league views Bain significantly different from team to team. However, all it takes is one to draft him, and that is exactly what the Jets do.
Bain’s play in the college football playoffs was nothing short of dominant, which reassures the talent everyone saw previously. With the futures of both Jets pass rushers Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in question, second-year HC Aaron Glenn adds a building block for the future.
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
In a draft devoid of blue-chip talent, the Cardinals land one of the only blue-chip talents on the offensive side of the ball in Love.
Whomever is the Cardinals coach next season will be tasked with finding ways to score more points than last season. While there is no QB the organization feels comfortable drafting at this spot, there is a game breaking RB.
4) Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
The Titans have chosen Bob Saleh to lead the franchise going forward. In addition, Saleh has announced that unlike his last go around, he plans to call plays for the defense. In his first selection as Titans HC, Saleh drafts the best pure pass rusher remaining on the board.
Bailey had a whopping 14.5 sacks this season for Texas Tech and instantly adds some flavour to a Titans defense that labored through the 2025-26 season. A tandem of Bailey and superstar defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is something Titans fans can get excited about.
5) New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Harbaugh era in New York begins with a Harbaugh-like draft selection in his first draft with the team. The safety position is usually pushed off in the name of positional value; however, Downs is an exception to the rule.
Downs is arguably one of the best prospects in the draft. His versatility will allow him to play all over the field in Harbaugh’s defense.
Another interesting thing to note is the effect that Kyle Hamilton had on the Ravens defense. Harbaugh selected Hamilton 14th overall in 2022, and now that selection is viewed as a steal. Downs has the ability to surpass the success of Hamilton in New York.
6) Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Andrew Berry’s first draft without Kevin Stefanski begins with the first receiver coming off the board. Tate is a big-bodied, power slot receiver with great hands. Tate is still developing as a downfield route runner, however nothing indicates he will not take that next step.
Tate becomes the number one option in a new Browns offense. Who will be passing the ball to Tate week one is a question mark going into the offseason.
7) Washington Commanders: Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
Dan Quinn’s defense is in desperate need of an infusion of youth. Aging veterans have handicapped this team’s ability to progress, and this selection is a step in the right direction.
Reese’s versatility to play both a LB and DE helps two areas of need for the Commanders defense. Reese would be the heir apparent to one of Quinn’s favorite players in Frankie Luvu.
8) New Orleans Saints: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Yes, that says Ohio State for the fourth straight draft selection. This time, it is Styles, who was the best LB in all of college football this season. The Saints go with the safe selection and get younger at the LB position, finally moving off of veteran LB Demario Davis.
The Saints made major strides throughout Kellen Moore’s first year. While WR is on the table at this pick, they decide to bolster the defense instead.
9) Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Chiefs seem to have found their franchise left tackle during last year’s draft in Josh Simmons. This time around, they find their franchise right tackle. This selection allows the Chiefs to move off Jawaan Taylor and save $20 million against the cap next season.
Fano is one of the best offensive lineman in this draft. He played all 12 games for Utah this season and did not allow a single sack. Kansas City continues to build up protection for Patrick Mahomes when he returns.
10) Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Bengals are in desperate need of defensive help. Last year’s selection of Shemar Stewart has yet to make an impact. Now the Bengals get another bite at the apple at adding an impactful defender, this time in the top ten.
Woods is an elite interior defender that played on an underperforming Clemson team. If Clemson played as well as they were projected at the beginning of the season, Woods would be in consideration closer to the top of the draft.
Woods is a prototypical 3T with shades of Chris Jones. This is exactly the type of player the Bengals have needed for many seasons.
11) Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
12) (Projected Trade): Las Vegas Raiders (From DAL): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
13) Los Angeles Rams (From ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
14) Baltimore Ravens: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
16) New York Jets (From IND): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
17) Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
18) Minnesota Vikings: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
19) Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)
20) Dallas Cowboys: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
23) Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
24) Cleveland Browns (From JAX): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
25) Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
26) Buffalo Bills: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
27) San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
28) Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
29) Los Angeles Rams: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
30) Denver Broncos: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
31) New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
32) Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
