Let’s expand our mock draft and look at two full rounds
Now that the NFL Combine has passed, it’s time to start looking a lot closer at this year’s NFL Draft. This time around, we’re expanding our predictions to include the second round of the Draft! Just like the last mock draft, we will also have trades. Let’s get this sucker started:
First Round
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Cam Ward, QB, Miami **TRADE**
The Titans are not sold on taking a quarterback, but the Raiders are desperate for a signal caller. New part owner Tom Brady decides to have his team make a splash and trade for the top pick, jumping the Browns and Giants who could also take a QB. The Raiders pay a hefty price of the 6th and 68th (third round) picks in this draft and next year’s first rounder to entice the Titans.
2. Cleveland Browns – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
With Cam Ward off the board, the Browns decide to get Myles Garrett’s heir apparent. With Garrett wanting a trade, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a younger version of him.
3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Giants are all but guaranteed to take whichever quarterback falls to number three. In this scenario, it’s Sanders.
4. New England Patriots – Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Mike Vrabel is a “win in the trenches” kind of guy, and Membou has shot up draft boards since his incredible showing at the Combine. Protecting Drake Maye will be important for this team to succeed moving forward.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Jaguars defense was awful, and they fired their coach. They sprint to the podium to take the best player in the draft (in my opinion) at a position of need.
6. Tennessee Titans – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Titans haven’t had a big play receiver since trading AJ Brown to the Eagles. Here, they draft a player often compared to Brown.
7. New York Jets – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Jets need a quarterback, but Aaron Glenn saw how important a dominant defensive line is during his time with the Detroit Lions. He sets the tone for his head coaching tenure with this pick.
8. San Francisco 49ers – Will Campbell, OT, LSU **TRADE**
The 49ers need to get ahead of the Bears to get the next offensive lineman on their big board. They give up 11 and 43 for 8 and 74, a modest price for their pick of the litter aside from Membou.
9. New Orleans Saints – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Aside from Membou, no one upped their draft stock more at the combine than Shemar Stewart. The lack of production in college is the only thing holding him back from being a top three pick. Here, the Saints bank on upside to improve their pass rush.
10. Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The Bears have a ton of offensive talent around Caleb Williams, but he was under a lot of pressure his first season. Banks could stick at tackle or move inside, where the Bears desperately need help.
11. Carolina Panthers – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Panthers moved down just three spots in the first round and moved up 31 spots from the third round to the second. They use the 11th pick on a player that has skyrocketed up draft boards lately and had an incredibly impressive showing at the combine. Emmanwori’s athleticism and skill show up on tape as well, and, with most of their safeties currently free agents, the Panthers would love to add a player of his caliber.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10) – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise St
The Cowboys need a running back. Jeanty is the best in the class. Everyone and their mother is going to mock Jeanty here, and I’m on board as well. A good run game could help the entire offense.
13. Miami Dolphins – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Dolphins are trying to keep their window open with Tua under center. The best way to do that would be to protect him as much as possible. Simmons might have to move inside, but the Dolphins need a ton of line help.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Colts are lucky that Will Johnson happens to fall to them here. Johnson takes a hit in draft stock because of recency bias. His injury has made it so that some teams kind of forgot just how good he was when healthy.
15. Atlanta Falcons – James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
The Falcons missed the playoffs once again this season, in part thanks to the Carolina Reaper. Pearce was being talked about as a potential first overall pick before last season, so the potential is there to be a game breaker.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Just like half the teams in the league, the Cardinals need pass rush help. Green was the most productive edge rusher in college football last season.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Bengals had a horrendous defense, and their stars like Trey Hendrickson are not getting any younger. Nolen can provide incredible interior disruption against the run and the pass.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Seahawks need some pass rush help in Mike MacDonald’s defense. Williams is an incredibly toolsy player who could thrive in this situation.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
The Bucs also need edge rushing help, and the run on defensive lineman continues.
20. Denver Broncos Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Sean Payton wrecked havoc on the league with a prime Jimmy Graham. Here, he tries to replicate that and give Bo Nix another target to work with. With no Jerry Jeudy, the Broncos definitely need more pass catchers.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jahdae Barron, CB/S, Texas
The Steelers need some help on defense, and I think Mike Tomlin would love Barron’s versatility on the back end. Adding another weapon similar to Minkah Fitzpatrick will do wonders for the Steelers’ defense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Chargers showed some promise in their first year under Jim Harbaugh. They definitely need pass rush but are counting on the depth of this class to help there. Here, they decide to pair Derwin James with another versatile safety.
23. Green Bay Packers – Luther Burden III, WR, Mizzou
Christian Watson needs help, so the Packers add a nice security blanket YAC monster for Jordan Love and company.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Vikes have a lot of secondary players entering free agency, but they can’t pass on the disruptive interior lineman out of Michigan.
25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
The Texans desperately need offensive line (still). Here they decide to help out with the interior pressure.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
With Cooper Kupp on the trade block, the Rams need someone opposite Puka Nakua. Stafford is back for another year, so Egbuka being a pro ready guy is important.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
The entire left side of the Ravens offensive line is hitting free agency. Even if they bring Ronnie Stanley back, he’s definitely no spring chicken.
28. Detroit Lions – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Based on his answers at the combine, Campbell is exactly the type of player head coach Dan Campbell would love to have on his defense. Jihaad’s versatility would give the Lions a lot of options even if injuries hit them just as hard next season as they did this past season.
29. Washington Commanders – Matthew Golden, WR, Miami
Jayden Daniels could only really rely on Terry McLaurin. With this pick, the Commanders get an offensive deep threat that even Daniels couldn’t overthrow despite his immense arm talent.
30. Buffalo Bills – Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
This feels like a bit of a reach, but Collins is almost guaranteed to be gone by the time the Bills pick again. They go ahead and secure possibly the best run stuffing tackle in the draft to pair with Ed Oliver inside.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chiefs’ weak point was their offense, largely their offensive line. Travis Kelce, however, is nowhere near the dominant presence he used to be. He’ll be back for one more season, but he can’t carry the offense anymore. This could be the tight end version of Patrick Mahomes playing behind Alex Smith for a year.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Fresh off a Super Bowl win, the Eagles have quite a few players in their front seven hitting free agency. Since all the Georgia Bulldog defenders have already been drafted, they grab another uber athletic SEC defender.
Second Round
33. Cleveland Browns – Jalen Milroe
The Browns took the generational defender in the first round and a high upside QB project first thing on Day 2. Jalen Milroe’s hands grew by about half an inch between the Senior Bowl and the combine, so the Browns take the chance on the immensely talented signal caller.
34. New York Giants – Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
The Giants have a new quarterback and now have to protect him. Keeping pressure out of Shedeur’s face will help him find Malik Nabers more easily.
35. Tennessee Titans – Shavon Revel Jr, CB, ECU
Revel is a talented corner who falls a bit due to suffering a major knee injury. The Titans need help on the back end of the defense, and Revel should be ready to go before the season starts.
36. New Orleans Saints – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon **TRADE**
New Orleans trades up here, giving up picks 40 and 130 (fourth rounder) to jump the Raiders and take a very good interior defensive lineman. After adding Shemar Stewart in the first, the Saints defensive line is miles better than it was before the draft.
37. Las Vegas Raiders – Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
With Harmon off the board, the Raiders decide to get rookie QB Cam Ward a running mate in the backfield. Josh Jacobs is in Green Bay now, so the Raiders need a bell cow.
38. New England Patriots – Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Mike Vrabel already addressed the trenches on offense. Now he addresses the trenches on defense.
39. Chicago Bears – Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
The Bears have to get Caleb Williams some protection. They got their potential left tackle in round one, and Zabel could step in at right guard to upgrade that spot as well.
40. Jacksonville Jaguars – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
After taking Travis Hunter in the first and trading back in the second, the Jags double dip at corner, just like the Super Bowl champion Eagles did in last year’s draft.
41. Chicago Bears – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Bears continue to build up the trenches, hoping iron can sharpen iron between Kelvin Banks and Ezeiruaku.
42. New York Jets – Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Jets couldn’t land one of the top two Qbs in the first round, so they settle for using a second on Dart. Aaron Rodgers is gone, so they need someone under center.
43. Carolina Panthers – Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Panthers continue their defensive makeover with another SEC defender. Umanmielen showed a ton of improvement over the course of the season and has the tools to become a premier pass rusher. Most of his best work came from wide alignments, so Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 alignment could help.
44. Dallas Cowboys – Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
With the retirement of Zach Martin, the Cowboys needs on the offensive line just increased tenfold. Ersery may be more of a tackle, but the ‘Boys need all the help they can get up front.
45. Indianapolis Colts – Marcus Mbow, IOL, Purdue
Will Johnson fell into their laps in the first round, but they have to help Anthony Richardson out on offense.
46. Atlanta Falcons – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Falcons got an uber athletic edge in the first round and pick up the fastest corner at the combine in the second round.
47. Los Angeles Chargers – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M **TRADE**
The Chargers jump up to 47 to take the best remaining edge rusher in their eyes. They give up picks 55, 124 (fourth round), and 201 (sixth round) to move up eight spots.
48. Miami Dolphins – Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Dolphins needs some help in the interior of the defensive line after not being able to replace Christian Wilkins.
49. Cincinnati Bengals – Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Bengals continue their defensive makeover by helping out their abysmal secondary.
50. Seattle Seahawks – Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Seahawks are one of many teams that need help in a few spots on the offensive line, so they take the other tackle from Texas here.
51. Denver Broncos – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Payton got his Jimmy Graham/Taysom Hill guy in the first round, and gets his Alvin Kamara guy here in the second.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Ayomanor had a major injury a couple years ago and just started getting back that champion track speed he had in high school. The Steelers need a deep threat for whomever ends up playing quarterback.
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The Bucs continue their defensive overhaul, getting Antoine Winfield Jr a running mate in the safety room.
54. Green Bay Packers – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
With Jair Alexander potentially being traded, the Packers need to invest in their secondary even more.
55. Arizona Cardinals – Trey Harris, WR, Ole Miss
The Cardinals have their WR1 and a good receiving TE. Now they add to Kylar Murray’s weaponry with another skill position player.
56. Buffalo Bills – Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Bills added Keon Coleman in last year’s draft. This time around they add a speedier receiver to the mix.
57. Carolina Panthers – TJ Sanders, DT, South Carolina
The Panthers continue to invest heavily in defense, adding another lineman. This would also be the second South Carolina defender taken in this draft after taking Xavier Legette on the other side of the ball last year. On top of that fun fact, the Panthers would now have JT Sanders on offense and TJ Sanders on defense. Fun! TJ Sanders would fit in well with Derrick Brown and A’shawn Robinson up front for the Panthers.
58. Houston Texans – Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
The Texans need to beef up the middle of their defense, so they take the next best big man after Sanders is off the board.
59. Baltimore Ravens – Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
A surprise pick by the Ravens here. Mark Andrews isn’t getting any younger, and Arroyo has insane speed at the tight end position. His first 11 targets of the season averaged just under 25 yards gained. That’s his first 11 TARGETS.
60. Detroit Lions – JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
The rash of injuries to the defensive side of the ball really killed the Lions last year, so they are trying to load up on depth this year.
61. Washington Commanders – Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
The Commanders’ defense is what really let them down in the playoffs, so they need to add talent on that side of the ball.
62. Buffalo Bills – Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
The Bills still have Von Miller (at least for now). Whether they keep him or not, they have to get more pressure off the edge.
63. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona
The Chiefs’ offensive line is what held them back in the Super Bowl. They absolutely have to improve there, and Trey Smith is a free agent after this season.
64. Philadelphia Eagles – Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
Again, so many defensive free agents this offseason for the Eagles. They could go linebacker here to help replace Zach Baun, but instead I have them going interior defensive line to rotate with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.
Summary
The Panthers traded down from 8th overall to 11th overall and moved from the third round back into the second. With three picks in the top 60, they netted Nick Emmanwori, Princely Umanmielen, and TJ Sanders, greatly improving the talent on the defensive side of the ball. What do you think, Panthers fans? Sound off in the comments!