Draftman Rick's Mock Draft
2026 NFL Mock Draft – First Round – Final Version 4/23/26 5:10pm (And Grading The Mock Draft Experts Including Me in Previous Years)
Hi Draft Fans,
Here is how I see the 2026 NFL draft shaping up. When it comes to blue chip prospects, this draft has fewer than in normal years. Experts say most years have about 20 or so blue chippers that are solidly first rounders with the rest of the 32 players having more of a second round grade. This year, I’m hearing only about 12 to 15 blue chippers exist. That tells me a lot of teams will be trying to move up or down to get the player they want at the best value which will make it really hard to pick players to the right team. It’s a good draft for wide receivers. You might get a really good one in the third round.
We'll see how many of my first rounders actually go in the first round. I’ll be satisfied with 25 or 26, but my record is 29 out of 32. So, here goes!
1) Las Vegas – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – At least I’m starting out 1 for 1. Ha!
2) NY Jets – David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech – It’s between Bailey and Arvell Reese.
3) Arizona - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame – Cardinals could trade down. Owner wants Love. Scouts want Reese.
4) Tennessee - Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State – Titans might hope Bailey or Love fall to them.
5) NY Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State – Giants have picks 5 and 10. They likely look for one offensive and one defensive player.
6) Cleveland - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah – Browns lost every starter of their offensive line.
7) Washington - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State – Commanders need defensive help and help at receiver.
8) New Orleans - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State – I keep hearing the Saints want to move up for a guy like Arvell Reese. We shall see.
9) Kansas City - Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami – Chiefs hope to get a pass rusher, a cornerback and a wide receiver early in this draft.
10) NY Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State – Downs is about as close to a can’t miss player as it gets.
11) Miami - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami – Dolphins new GM came from the Packers who prioritize linemen.
12) Dallas - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU – A lot of talk exists about the Cowboys moving way up. If they move at all, I think it’s only three or four notches up.
13) LA Rams – Makai Lemon, WR, USC – Lemon came across as weird and arrogant during his pro day, but the Rams have a solid organization to keep him on track.
14) Baltimore - Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane, G, Penn State – Tight end Kenyon Sadiq is also possible.
15) Tampa Bay - Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami – Buccaneers need a pass rusher and like to have seen production in college which Mesidor has.
16) NY Jets – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana – Jets need a receiver to take the load of off Malik Nabors.
17) Detroit – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama – Lions want either Proctor or Monroe Freeling.
18) Minnesota - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon – Vikings safety Harrison Smith is 37 years old.
19) Carolina - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon – Tight end, safety and offensive line are all high on the list.
20) Dallas - Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF – Cowboys want a cornerback and pass rusher in first round.
21) Pittsburgh – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia – Steelers have issues at OT and WR besides DK Metcalf.
22) LA Chargers – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson – It’s probably too high for the next guard, so go with defensive line.
23) Philadelphia – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson – The Eagles would like a right tackle and have shown in the past they will move up.
24) Cleveland – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington – Browns got their OT earlier. Now, they get a WR.
25) Chicago - T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson – Bears need help for Montez Sweat along the defensive line.
26) Buffalo – Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn – WR is possible, but Bills defense has to make more stops.
27) San Francisco - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah – Lomu can play guard then take over at LT when Trent Williams retires.
28) Houston – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State – Iheanachor is the only OT left who deserves to be picked in the first round.
29) Kansas City – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee – Chiefs starting CBs are both gone to the Rams.
30) Miami – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State – Miami needs help in their defensive secondary.
31) New England - Zion Young, Edge, Missouri – With no worthy OTs left, pass rush is the next priority.
32) Arizona (trade from Seattle) – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama – Seahawks only have four picks, so they might trade down. If they stay, they need CB or RB.
Other first round possibilities…
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame; Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama; KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M; Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M; R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma; Caleb Banks, DT, Florida; Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State; Christen Miller, DT, Georgia; CJ Allen, LB, Georgia; Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech; Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee; Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson; Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo.
Anyone else would be somewhat of a reach.
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick
Previous Years - Mock Drafts and Grading the Mock Draft Experts
2025...
Hi Draft Fans,
Here is how I see the 2025 NFL draft shaping up. Only three superstars are in the draft in my opinion. They are Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Ashton Jeanty. I think Tyler Warren is close to a superstar. After that, we have about 25 very solid players. Because of that, a lot of teams will want to trade down to pick up extra draft picks, but it might be hard to find teams who want to trade up, so I don’t think we will see quite as many trades as we have in other years. We should see a few but not too many. It’s a good draft for defensive tackles and running backs, but not too many running backs will go in the first round.
We'll see how many of my first rounders actually go in the first round. I’ll be satisfied with 25 or 26, but my record is 29 out of 32. So, here goes!
1) Tennessee - Cam Ward, QB, Miami(Fla) – Ward is clearly the pick for the Titans.
2) Cleveland - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado – It’s between Hunter and Abdul Carter.
3) NY Giants - Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State – Ward, Hunter and Carter are the top 3 prospects.
4) New England - Will Campbell, OT, LSU – Patriots need to protect QB Drake Maye.
5) Jacksonville - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State – I had Mason Graham here, but Jags head coach is an offensive guy who wants to run the ball.
6) Las Vegas - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri – Pete Carroll loves to run the ball. Gotta have good linemen to do it.
7) NY Jets - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – Jets might take Membou if there, but Warren’s great.
8) Carolina - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia – Panthers need solid defensive players. Walker checks the box.
9) New Orleans - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – Why not Shedeur Sanders? Well, the Saints aren’t in love with him, plus GM Mickey Loomis likes to draft linemen in the first round.
10) Chicago - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas – Ben Johnson needs one more offensive lineman to fill out those positions. Banks would do that.
11) San Francisco - Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia – 49ers need a pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa.
12) Dallas - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – Cowboys must have another WR opposite CeeDee Lamb.
13) Miami – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas – Dolphins need trench help, but with Jalen Ramsey likely out, I think they desperately need a cornerback.
14) Indianapolis - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan – Colts really need a tight end. If Loveland is there, it’s a no brainer.
15) Atlanta - Mike Green, OLB, Marshall – I feel the Falcons must pick a defensive player.
16) Arizona – Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss – WR, CB, DL… Take your pick. Tough call to make.
17) Cincinnati – Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M – The Bengals must have Sam Hubbard’s replacement.
18) Seattle - Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State – Pete Carroll loves to run the ball.
19) Tampa Bay - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – I’ve heard the Bucs love Campbell.
20) Denver - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – Denver wants a weapon… RB, WR or TE.
21) Pittsburgh – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon – Will Steelers reach for another QB after missing with Kenny Pickett so recently? They sure might, but I’m guessing not. Close call!
22) LA Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Texas – Chargers biggest need is defensive interior then WR.
23) Green Bay – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – Don’t let McMillan’s lack of blazing speed fool you.
24) NY Giants from Minnesota – Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss – Vikings only have four picks, so they trade out to get more picks with a team who must have a QB.
25) Houston - Donavon Jackson, G/OT, Ohio State – Jackson’s versatility should land him in Round 1.
26) LA Rams – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – The Rams could trade out or go in many directions. They could use a good defensive back.
27) Baltimore - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – This solid ball player just screams Ravens to me.
28) Detroit – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama – The Lions also need a pass rusher, so watch for that here.
29) Washington – Donavon Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College – Ezeiruaku has a high motor while James Pearce Jr. does not always.
30) Buffalo – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky – Hairston has blazing speed which the Bills need badly.
31) Kansas City - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State – Simmons has injury issues, but when healthy, he deserves to be drafted a lot higher. Another OT, like Josh Conerly Jr., or a DT could go here.
32) Philadelphia – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina – Eagles love to draft linemen in Round 1, but they need a starting safety.
Other first round possibilities…
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama, Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado, Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville, TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri, Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State, Mason Taylor, TE, LSU, Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon, Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M, James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee, Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA, Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss, Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Anyone else would be somewhat of a reach.
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick
Grading the Mock Draft Experts (2025)
Here are the results, including where I fit in if scoring one point for going in the first round and one point for the correct team. I tied for 1st out of 24 mock drafters. Here are the scores. The date of the mock drafts is assumed to be the day of the draft unless otherwise known and listed. (Note: Also, check out https://www.thehuddlereport.com/mock.scores.shtml which grades mock drafts for the last five years from some of the best experts in the field and others who are just getting started. You have to have a well-established website to be considered. Maybe I'll get there some day. They score players going in the first round as one point (fair enough) and players to the correct team as two points (seems too heavy considering trades can royally mess that up). Anyway, my 5-year mock draft record would rank tied for 2nd of the 80 experts who have 5-year records using their scoring method and tied for 1st out of 170 experts for this year.)
Jason Boris Times News Lehighton, PA www.tnonline.com 29 + 11 = 40
***Draftman Rick www.jesuschristfootballanddraftmanrick.com 28 + 12 = 40***
Walter Cherepinsky Walter Football 29 + 9 = 38
Brendan Donahue Sharp Football Analysis 28 + 9 = 37
Kevin Hanson Eat Drink & Sleep Football (4/23/25) 28 + 9 = 37
Mel Kiper ESPN Draft Analyst (4/8/25) 27 + 10 = 37
Todd McShay The Ringer (4/23/25) 27 + 10 = 37
Peter Schrager NFL Network and www.nfl.com 29 + 7 = 36
Daniel Jeremiah NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/23/25) 28 + 7 = 35
Albert Breer Sports Illustrated 27 + 8 = 35
Forrest N. Long The Huddle Report 27 + 8 = 35
Lance Zierlein NFL Network and www.nfl.com 29 + 5 = 34
Dane Brugler The Athletic 28 + 6 = 34
Lou Pickney mockdraftnfl.com (4/23/25) 27 + 6 = 33
Field Yates ESPN Draft Analyst 26 + 7 = 33
Walt Deptula The ROAR radio 26 + 7 = 33
Sam Farmer LA Times (4/23/25) 27 + 5 = 32
Charles Davis NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/23/25) 27 + 4 = 31
Jason La Confora Published in Washington Post (4/23/25) 25 + 6 = 31
Rob Rang www.FOXSports.com (4/21/25) 27 + 3 = 30
Robby Esch The Huddle Report 26 + 4 = 30
Bucky Brooks NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/22/25) 25 + 5 = 30
Nate Davis USA Today 25 + 5 = 30
Brian Bosarge draftcountdown.com 25 + 3 = 28
2024...
Hi Draft Fans,
Here is how I see the 2024 NFL draft shaping up. It’s quarterback city this year. I expect quarterbacks to do the Lawrence Welk… a 1 and a 2 and a 3! Yes, I think the top three picks in the draft will be quarterbacks and the fourth one won’t be far behind. As many as six could go in the first round. Even more teams than that need a quarterback. That will lead to some craziness with trades. Expect a lot of wide receivers and offensive linemen, too. Teams will be fighting for a good offensive lineman. Mel Kiper said that he thinks this is the most interesting draft he has seen in the 46 years he has covered the draft. That means it will be hard on people like me who try to predict players to go in the first round, especially to the right team. I like predictability. This draft will likely have very little of it. So, I’ve put on my thinking cap… and blew a hole through the top of it trying to figure it out!
We'll see how many of my first rounders actually go in the first round. I’ll be satisfied with 25 or 26, but my record is 29 out of 32. So, here goes!
1) Chicago – Caleb Williams, QB, Southern Cal – I think Williams will be fantastic and the best QB in this draft.
2) Washington – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU – Daniels has great touch on his throws and is extremely fast when he runs. He has a thin frame, so will he stay healthy?
3) New England – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina – Maye runs hot and cold, but when he’s on, he has Josh Allen type skills.
4) Arizona – Marvin Harrison Jr., - Harrison just doesn’t have any significant flaws. He should be a great one.
5) LA Chargers – JC Latham, OT, Alabama – I think the Chargers will end up with Latham whether they take him here or trade down with the Vikings.
6) NY Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU – QB Daniel Jones is not too good, but I don’t think they will trade up to get a QB. They have not had an excellent receiver since Odell Beckham Jr.
7) Tennessee – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame – Alt is the best left tackle in the draft, and the Titans must have one.
8) Atlanta – Dallas Turner, LB, Alabama - Falcons need a pass rusher, period!
9) Chicago – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington – Odunze is the last of the three awesome WRs. If the Bears draft him, Caleb Williams will have D. J. Moore, Keenan Allen and him to throw to.
10) NY Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State – Jets strongly consider Brock Bowers, but I think they might take an OT, like Fuaga or Olu Fashanu. They like Odunze if he falls.
11) Minnesota – J. J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan – There’s a good chance the Vikings will trade up to get McCarthy, but I think they will end up with him.
12) Denver – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo – Broncos are another QB needy team but don’t have a second round pick to help them move up to get one. I’m not sure if they like Bo Nix enough to draft him here. They could trade down and take him or stay put for a CB or pass rusher.
13) Las Vegas – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington – The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew, but he is not the long-term answer. Raiders could wind up late in the first round and take Penix.
14) New Orleans – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State – Fashanu is a very solid prospect. Most any team would be happy with him.
15) Indianapolis – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia – I think the Colts might have to move up to get Bowers who could be the next Travis Kelce.
16) Seattle – Troy Fautanu, G/OT, Washington – Many forecast Fautanu to play guard in the NFL, and Seahawks need an interior offensive lineman.
17) Jacksonville – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama – Alabama is known for great CBs. Arnold is the next in line.
18) Cincinnati – Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas – Bengals lost DT D. J. Reeder and must have a replacement.
19) LA Rams – Jared Verse, DE, Florida State – Rams top need is a pass rusher. Laiatu Latu is also a strong possibility.
20) Pittsburgh – Graham Barton, C/G, Duke – Pittsburgh needs a center and a wide receiver.
21) Miami – Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois – Dolphins need a DT to replace Christian Wilkins who left in free agency.
22) Philadelphia – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia – Eagles really need a CB, but they like to take big men in the first round and love guys from Georgia.
23) Minnesota – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas – I’m not sure the Vikings will still have this pick if they trade up, but if they keep it, they need a WR or a CB.
24) Dallas – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma – Cowboys have to replace the offensive linemen that they lost in free agency.
25) Green Bay – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa – Packers need a complement to CB Jaire Alexander, and DeJean can also play safety. If an offensive lineman they like falls to here, they would probably take him.
26) Tampa Bay – Chop Robinson, LB, Penn State – Robinson has tremendous athletic ability. While not bad, his production was a bit below his measurements, but someone will take a chance on getting the most out of him.
27) Arizona – Laiatu Latu, LB, UCLA – If Latu did not have a neck issue, he would likely be in the top 10. He might be anyway if a team like Atlanta or Chicago thinks his neck is not high risk.
28) Buffalo – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU – If you trade away your number 1 WR in Stephon Diggs, you better bring in someone to help pick up the slack.
29) Detroit – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama – Oh yeah! Kool-Aid’s here bringing you fun. Kool-Aid’s got receivers on the run. Get a big wide happy ear-to-ear Kool-Aid smile! I couldn’t help myself.
30) Baltimore – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson – Ravens want a CB or offensive lineman with CB being slightly more needed.
31) San Francisco – Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona – The 49ers need offensive line help, and Morgan can potentially play all three of those positions.
32) Kansas City – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas – Chiefs must have a wide receiver in this draft. Also, they need a left tackle, so I think they take one or the other here.
Other first round possibilities…
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon, Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State, Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina, Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia, Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington, Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU, Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon, Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri, Edgerrin Cooper, ILB, Texas A&M, Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri, T. J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State.
Anyone else would be somewhat of a reach.
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick
Grading the Mock Draft Experts (2024)
Here are the results, including where I fit in if scoring one point for going in the first round and one point for the correct team. I tied for 3rd out of 23 mock drafters. Here are the scores. The date of the mock drafts is assumed to be the day of the draft unless otherwise known and listed. (Note: Also, check out https://www.thehuddlereport.com/mock.scores.shtml which grades mock drafts for the last five years from some of the best experts in the field and others who are just getting started. You have to have a well-established website to be considered. Maybe I'll get there some day. They score players going in the first round as one point (fair enough) and players to the correct team as two points (seems too heavy considering trades can royally mess that up). Anyway, my 5-year mock draft record would rank tied for 3th of the 75 experts who have 5-year records using their scoring method and tied for 5th out of 171 experts for this year.)
Jason Boris Times News Lehighton, PA www.tnonline.com 29 + 15 = 44
Peter Schrager NFL Network and www.nfl.com 29 + 12 = 41
***Draftman Rick www.jesuschristfootballanddraftmanrick.com 28 + 11 = 39***
Nate Davis USA Today 28 + 11 = 39
Albert Breer Sports Illustrated 29 + 9 = 38
Field Yates ESPN Draft Analyst 29 + 9 = 38
Kevin Hanson Eat Drink & Sleep Football (4/24/24) 28 + 10 = 38
Lance Zierlein NFL Network and www.nfl.com 29 + 8 = 37
Mel Kiper ESPN Draft Analyst (4/10/24) 28 + 9 = 37
Brendan Donahue Sharp Football Analysis 28 + 8 = 36
Sam Farmer LA Times (4/24/24) 28 + 8 = 36
Daniel Jeremiah NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/24/24) 28 + 8 = 36
Bucky Brooks NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/23/24) 27 + 9 = 36
Robby Esch The Huddle Report 27 + 9 = 36
Jason La Confora Published in Washington Post (4/24/24) 27 + 9 = 36
Lou Pickney www.DraftKing.com (4/24/24) 27 + 9 = 36
Dane Brugler The Athletic 28 + 7 = 35
Forrest N. Long The Huddle Report 28 + 7 = 35
Walter Cherepinsky Walter Football 27 + 7 = 34
Charles Davis NFL Network and www.nfl.com 26 + 8 = 34
Shane Hallam www.draftcountdown.com 27 + 6 = 33
Jason McIntyre FOX Sports 28 + 4 = 32
Rob Rang www.FOXSports.com (4/23/24) 26 + 3 = 29
2023...
Hi Draft Fans,
Here is how I see the 2023 NFL draft shaping up. Many of the picks at the top of the draft will be determined by what the Houston Texans do at pick number 2. They are not telling anyone. Even their own people are thinking in two different directions. Some say it will be a quarterback. Some say it will be a defensive player. We mock drafters are left to guess, and if we are wrong, the penalty will be severe! The other big guessing game involves where Bijan Robinson will be drafted.
We'll see how many of my first rounders actually go in the first round. Since Miami forfeited their pick for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, the first round only has 31 picks this year. I’ll be satisfied with 25, but my record is 29 out of 32. so here goes!
1) Carolina - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Panthers likely have chosen Young over other QBs.
2) Houston - Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama - If the Texans take a defensive player over quarterback C. J. Stroud, they are an even nuttier franchise than I thought, but it looks like they will.
3) Arizona - Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech - Cardinals would like to trade down and still get Wilson.
4) Indianapolis - C. J. Stroud - Colts will pick a QB. I think he will be either Stroud or Will Levis.
5) Seattle - Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia - Carter was falling but not out of the top 10. No way.
6) Detroit – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois – Lions have brought in a few cornerbacks, but they need a shutdown corner to lead the group.
7) Las Vegas – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon - Currently, Raiders can't cover anybody.
8) Atlanta - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas - Falcons need help on defense, but Arthur Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Titans with Derrick Henry and knows what a great RB can do.
9) Chicago - Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State - Bears need to protect Justin Fields, period.
10) Philadelphia - Nolan Smith, DE/OLB, Georgia - Eagles have a long history of drafting linemen in the first round.
11) Tennessee - Peter Skoronski, OT/G/C, Northwestern - Titans and Skoronski are both “meat and potatoes” kind of people.
12) Houston - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky - If the Texans don’t get a QB high in this draft, you can put a big red X by their 2023 season.
13) Green Bay - Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah - Packers lost TE Robert Tonyan to free agency.
14) New England - Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee - I think he is the best right tackle in the draft.
15) NY Jets - Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia - Aaron Rodgers is here and HATES to be rushed.
16) Washington - Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State – Forbes is so thin that he makes Twiggy look like an elephant, but he is a ball hawk who can score when he intercepts the ball.
17) Pittsburgh - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State – LB and OT are needs, also.
18) Detroit - Lukas Van Ness, DE/DT, Iowa - Lions were thinking about Bijan Robinson, but if he’s gone, a defensive lineman to pair with Aidan Hutchinson would be a good idea.
19) Tampa Bay - Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson - Bucs need pass rushers and an OT.
20) Seattle - Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida - Richardson could be long gone by now. He could even go to the Seahawks with the fifth overall pick.
21) LA Chargers - Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College – Should be defense but seem WR crazy!
22) Baltimore - Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland - I think CB is the Ravens biggest need, and Banks played at nearby Maryland.
23) Minnesota - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State - The Vikings need someone to take the pressure off of Justin Jefferson. I’m sure Smith-Njigba goes higher, but I couldn’t find a slot.
24) Jacksonville - Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma – Jags lost OT Jawaan Taylor to free agency, and OT Cam Robinson faces a performance enhancing drug suspension at the start of this year.
25) NY Giants - Jordan Addison, WR, Southern Cal - If a good WR falls, Giants badly need one.
26) Dallas - Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame - If Cowboys can figure out how to get Bijan Robinson, I think they will.
27) Buffalo – Brian Branch, CB/S, Alabama – Bills could also use an offensive lineman or WR.
28) Cincinnati - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama - Bengals need to shore up the RB position.
29) New Orleans - Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU – Saints need defensive linemen and receivers.
30) Philadelphia - Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh - Super quick. Perfect for Eagles 4-3 defense.
31) Kansas City - Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State - Edge rusher, OT, WR and CB are options.
Other first round possibilities…
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee, Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State, Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia, Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State, O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida, John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State, Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech, Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern, Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson, Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan, Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas, Trenton Simpson, ILB, Clemson, Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia, Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina, DJ Turner II, CB, Michigan.
Anyone else would be somewhat of a reach.
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick
Grading the Mock Draft Experts (2023)
Here are the results, including where I fit in if scoring one point for going in the first round and one point for the correct team. For the first time, I tied for 1st out of 23 mock drafters. Here are the scores. The date of the mock drafts is assumed to be the day of the draft unless otherwise known and listed.
Note: Only 31 picks were in the first round this year due to the Dolphins forfeiting their pick for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
***Draftman Rick www.jesuschristfootballanddraftmanrick.com 27 + 7 = 34***
Brendan Donahue Sharp Football Analysis 26 + 8 = 34
Daniel Jeremiah NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/26/23) 25 + 9 = 34
Lou Pickney www.DraftKing.com 25 + 9 = 34
Forrest N. Long The Huddle Report 27 + 6 = 33
Jason Boris Times News Lehighton,PA www.tnonline.com 26 + 7 = 33
Shane Hallam www.draftcountdown.com 26 + 6 = 32
Lance Zierlein NFL Network and www.nfl.com 25 + 7 = 32
Albert Breer Sports Illustrated 28 + 3 = 31
Todd McShay ESPN Draft Analyst 26 + 5 = 31
Mel Kiper ESPN Draft Analyst 27 + 3 = 30
Robby Esch The Huddle Report 26 + 4 = 30
Dane Brugler The Athletic 25 + 5 = 30
Jason McIntyre FOX Sports 25 + 5 = 30
Kevin Hanson Sports Illustrated 26 + 3 = 29
Rob Rang www.FOXSports.com 24 + 5 = 29
Peter Schrager NFL Network and www.nfl.com 25 + 3 = 28
Jason La Confora Ran in Washington Post (4/26/23) 24 + 4 = 28
Michael Renner Last day at Pro Football Focus (4/21/23) 24 + 4 = 28
Nate Davis USA Today 24 + 3 = 27
Sam Farmer LA Times 23 + 4 = 27
Peter King https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/ (4/24/23) 23 + 3 = 26
Bucky Brooks NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/25/23) 24 + 1 = 25
2022...
Hi Draft Fans,
Here is how I see the 2022 NFL draft shaping up. Just when things start settling down, Jacksonville is considering taking a surprise at the first pick of the draft. Aidan Hutchinson has been the player at the top of nearly all draft boards, but Travon Walker is now being considered along with Ikem Ekwonu. Also, if the Panthers or Falcons don’t take a QB, it might be a while before one is chosen.
We'll see how many of my first rounders actually go in the first round. I’ll be satisfied with 25, but my record is 29 out of 32, so here goes!
1) Jacksonville-Travon Walker,Edge,Georgia - GM Trent Baalke has always liked to take big swings. Walker has a high ceiling but not a ton of production. If Baalke misses on this pick, he might have to pack his bags… again.
2) Detroit-Aidan Hutchinson,Edge,Michigan - If the Jags don’t take Hutchinson, the Lions will do cartwheels taking the card up to pick the hometown boy.
3) Houston-Ikem Ekwonu,OT,NC State - Ekwonu is a great athlete with a mean streak.
4) New York Jets-Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner,CB,Cincinnati - The Jets like Kayvon Thibodeaux and will consider him, too.
5) New York Giants-Charles Cross,OT,Mississippi State - The Giants want a good offensive tackle. I hear they like Cross, but that would mean they have to swap Andrew Thomas to right tackle. Do you risk moving the only offensive lineman that was playing well? Evan Neal makes more sense, but I’m going to bow to the information I keep hearing. I’ll be hitting my head with a hammer if Neal is the pick here.
6) Carolina-Evan Neal,OT,Alabama - I think the Panthers will take whichever tackle the Giants do not take. A lot of people have the Panthers taking a QB here. I’m not sure if the Panthers are blowing smoke, but they have me convinced they are not taking a QB in this spot.
7) New York Giants-Kayvon Thibodeaux,Edge,Oregon - Thibodeaux is a polarizing player. He has the quickest first step to rush the QB of anyone in this draft, but his motor does not always run as hot as it should. Derek Stingley Jr. and Jermaine Johnson II are possibilities.
8) Atlanta-Jermaine Johnson II,Edge,Florida State - The Falcons need a WR, so Garrett Wilson or Drake London could go here, but I like a pass rusher with the Falcons having the worst pass rush in the NFL.
9) Seattle-Derek Stingley Jr.,CB,LSU - As a freshman, Stingley showed he was one of the very best.
10) New York Jets-Garrett Wilson,WR,Ohio State - Once London or Wilson are picked, you will see a lot of WRs taken in the next dozen or so picks.
11) Washington-Drake London,WR,Southern Cal - Commanders could go WR or safety here.
12) Minnesota- Kyle Hamilton,S,Notre Dame - If you had asked me about a month ago, I would have said Hamilton would be a top 5 pick. He’s too good to last much longer.
13) Houston-Trent McDuffie,CB,Washington - With Ekwonu and McDuffie, the Texans would have two nice players to build on.
14) Baltimore-Jordan Davis,DT,Georgia - Davis blots out the sun. He’s just the kind of player the Ravens love.
15) Philadelphia-Jameson Williams,WR,Alabama -Williams could be long gone by now, but if his torn ACL causes him to still be available, the Eagles would be happy to take him.
16) New Orleans-Trevor Penning,OT,Northern Iowa - The Saints must replace left tackle Terron Armstead who left in free agency.
17) Los Angeles Chargers-Chris Olave,WR,Ohio State - The Chargers would like to have taken Penning, but if Olave is there, their wide receiver corps could be tops in the NFL.
18) Philadelphia-Devin Lloyd,LB,Utah It almost broke the internet when a 7 year old Eagles fan told GM Howie Roseman “for the love of God” take a WR or LB! Eagles might just oblige by taking both.
19) New Orleans-Kenny Pickett,QB,Pittsburgh - I just don’t know where the QBs will go, but we might be about to see how much the Saints like Jameis Winston.
20) Pittsburgh-Malik Willis,QB,Liberty - The Steelers almost have to add a QB at some point in this draft. I don’t see them just handing the job to Mitchell Trubisky with no questions asked.
21) New England-Zion Johnson,OG,Boston College - The Patriots need to add a linebacker, also.
22) Green Bay-Jahan Dotson,WR,Penn State - For the first time in 20 years, the Packers have to add a WR in the first round, don’t they?!
23) Arizona-George Karlaftis,Edge,Purdue - The Cardinals need a WR, so they might take one here, but they need a replacement for Chandler Jones who left in free agency.
24) Dallas-Kenyon Green,OG,Texas A&M - The Cowboys must keep Dak Prescott upright, and Green is very solid. Center Tyler Linderbaum is a possibility as is a trade up for an edge rusher or WR.
25) Buffalo-Kaiir Elam,CB,Florida - The one weak spot on the Bills team is at CB. They could take one here or go with RB Breece Hall as a luxury pick.
26) Tennessee-Treylon Burks,WR,Arkansas - Burks fits the type of receiver the Titans like, especially with thoughts of trading A.J. Brown who is of similar size. They need offensive linemen, too.
27) Tampa Bay-Devonte Wyatt,DT,Georgia – Due to character concerns, some teams have taken Wyatt off of their draft board. Maybe I should do the same, but he’s very talented.
28) Green Bay-Arnold Ebeketie,Edge,Penn State - The Packers need someone to replace the pass rush of Za’Darius Smith who left in free agency.
29) Kansas City-Christian Watson,WR,North Dakota State - With Tyreek Hill leaving, the Chiefs need an athletic WR. They also need an edge rusher and a cornerback.
30) Kansas City-Daxton Hill,DB,Michigan - The Chiefs are said to be looking to trade up, so they might not have this pick. If they stay put, they need defensive back help, assuming they’ve already taken a WR.
31) Cincinnati-Tyler Smith,OT,Tulsa - It’s time for the Bengals to finish fixing their offensive line. A cornerback is also needed, like Kyler Gordon or Andrew Booth Jr.
32) Detroit-Lewis Cine,S,Georgia - The Lions have a lot of holes to fill, and Cine hits like a ton of bricks.
These players could go in the first round… Matt Corral,QB,Mississippi, Desmond Ridder,QB,Cincinnati, Breece Hall,RB,Iowa State, Kenneth Walker III,RB,Michigan State, Skyy Moore,WR,Western Michigan, George Pickens,WR,Georgia, Bernhard Raimann,OT,Central Michigan, Tyler Linderbaum,C,Iowa, Nik Bonitto,Edge,Oklahoma, David Ojabo,Edge,Michigan, Travis Jones,DT,Connecticut, Logan Hall,DT,Houston, Nakobe Dean,LB,Georgia, Quay Walker,LB,Georgia, Andrew Booth Jr.,CB,Clemson, Kyler Gordon,CB,Washington, Jalen Pitre,S,Baylor
Anyone else would be somewhat of a reach.
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick
Grading the Mock Draft Experts (2022)
Here are the results, including where I fit in if scoring one point for going in the first round and one point for the correct team. I tied for 2nd out of 23 mock drafters. Here are the scores. The date of the mock drafts is assumed to be the day of the draft unless otherwise known and listed.
Forrest N. Long The Huddle Report 28 + 10 = 38
***Draftman Rick www.jesuschristfootballanddraftmanrick.com 29 + 8 = 37***
Dane Brugler The Athletic 27 + 10 = 37
Shane Hallam www.draftcountdown.com 30 + 6 = 36
Albert Breer Sports Illustrated (4/26/22) 27 + 9 = 36
Peter Schrager NFL Network and www.nfl.com 29 + 6 = 35
Sam Farmer LA Times (4/27/22) 29 + 6 = 35
Lance Zierlein NFL Network and www.nfl.com 28 + 7 = 35
Todd McShay ESPN Draft Analyst 29 + 5 = 34
Mel Kiper ESPN Draft Analyst 28 + 6 = 34
Lou Pickney www.DraftKing.com (4/27/22) 27 + 7 = 34
Robby Esch The Huddle Report 27 + 7 = 34
Jason McIntyre FOX Sports (4/27/22) 26 + 8 = 34
Michael Renner Pro Football Focus (4/27/22) 27 + 6 = 33
Daniel Jeremiah NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/27/22) 26 + 7 = 33
Jason Boris Times News Lehighton,PA www.tnonline.com 26 + 7 = 33
Nate Davis USA Today 26 + 6 = 32
Peter King https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/ (4/25/22) 26 + 6 = 32
Mark Maske Washington Post (4/26/22) 25 + 7 = 32
Kevin Hanson Sports Illustrated 28 + 3 = 31
Greg DePalma www.ourlads.com (4/27/22) 26 + 5 = 31
Rob Rang www.FOXSports.com (4/27/22) 26 + 4 = 30
Bucky Brooks NFL Network and www.nfl.com (4/26/22) 25 + 4 = 29
May God always be your number 1 draft pick!
Draftman Rick