The NFL Draft is just around the corner, igniting the excitement of mock draft season across the league. While fans love to engage in discussions about the top 32 picks, it’s crucial to remember that effective teams are built throughout all seven rounds of the draft. Last year, for instance, the Los Angeles Rams uncovered gem prospects like defensive tackle Braden Fiske at No. 39 overall and safety Kamren Kinchens at No. 99 overall. Similarly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a promising young running back, Bucky Irving, with the No. 125 pick, and the New York Giants found an exciting rusher in Tyrone Tracy Jr. at No. 166. Maximizing the value of selections beyond the first night can significantly enhance a team's chances of competing for a championship.
Our NFL Draft analysts on the "With the First Pick" podcast have been diligently crafting their seven-round team mock drafts. We've gathered insights from their comprehensive analyses for the first ten teams in the draft order, showcasing what experts Ryan Wilson, Emory Hunt, and Josh Edwards envision for each franchise.
In a surprising twist, Emory Hunt selected Shedeur Sanders as the No. 1 overall pick for the Tennessee Titans, opting for him over Cam Ward. Hunt believes Sanders is the top quarterback in this class, and he sees a strong fit with Titans head coach Brian Callahan, who previously coached Joe Burrow. The Titans then added a substantial pass-catching threat in TCU's Jack Bech, MVP of the Senior Bowl. On Day 3, they addressed their interior defensive line with Jamaree Caldwell and complemented their offense by selecting Texas' Gunnar Helm and UCF's Kobe Hudson. To wrap up their draft, Tennessee bolstered their secondary with Kitan Crawford and fortified their trenches with Kansas' Logan Brown and Alabama's Tim Smith.
Should Shedeur Sanders fall to No. 2, Emory Hunt predicts he'll replace Deshaun Watson as the Cleveland Browns' quarterback. Hunt emphasizes Sanders' experience in cold weather, making him a ready-to-contribute prospect. With their second pick, Hunt chose Missouri's Luther Burden III, a top-tier wide receiver. In the third round, he opted for South Carolina pass rusher Kyle Kennard to pair with Myles Garrett, followed by running back Damien Martinez from Miami. The Browns also added pass catcher Savion Williams from TCU, offensive linemen Connor Colby and Hollin Pierce, and safety R.J. Mickens from Clemson. They concluded their draft with tight end Oronde Gadsen II and another running back, Raheim Sanders, at No. 257.
The New York Giants kicked off their draft by selecting quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 overall, a move that Emory Hunt believes will help him thrive in the pressure cooker of New York City. The Giants continued their defensive overhaul in the second round with Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. They addressed their offensive line by picking Boston College's Ozzy Trapilo, followed by defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. At No. 105, they drafted Tennessee's Dont'e Thornton Jr., a sleeper in this class. They rounded out their draft by selecting Georgia running back Trevor Etienne and bolstering their line with Jackson Slater and linebacker Aaron Smith.
The New England Patriots struck gold at No. 4 by selecting the best defensive player in the draft, Abdul Carter. His addition alongside players like Milton Williams and Christian Gonzalez sets a strong foundation for the Patriots' defense. They fortified their offensive line in the second round with Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. and found a solid running back in Cam Skattebo from Arizona State. Further selections included wide receiver Tez Johnson and defensive linemen Tyler Batty and Cam'Ron Jackson, culminating the draft with tight end Oronde Gadsen II and offensive lineman Marcus Wehr.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Edwards began their draft by selecting Michigan's Mason Graham to enhance their defensive line. In the second round, they picked ECU cornerback Shavon Revel, who is recovering from a torn ACL but is expected to be cleared soon. They also found a potential replacement for Evan Engram in LSU's Mason Taylor. The Jaguars continued addressing their needs by drafting Texas safety Andrew Mukuba, Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, and linebacker Kobe King from Penn State, finishing with defensive back Caleb Ransaw and offensive guard Clay Webb.
Starting their draft, the Las Vegas Raiders opted for wide receiver Tet McMillan instead of running back Ashton Jeanty. In the second round, they secured Ole Miss corner Trey Amos, followed by explosive interior defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee. The Raiders finally addressed their running back position with Miami's Damien Martinez. In the fifth round, they selected quarterback Quinn Ewers as a potential future replacement for Geno Smith, while also adding depth with Jonah Monheim and picks including safety Craig Woodson and wide receiver Jackson Meeks.
The New York Jets commenced their draft by bolstering their offensive line with LSU tackle Will Campbell. They then picked defensive tackle Alfred Collins, followed by Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson to provide Justin Fields with another target. A surprising pick in the fourth round saw them choosing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, further adding to their offensive arsenal with wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley. They rounded out their draft with running back Bhayshul Tuten and versatile offensive lineman Marcus Wehr.
The Carolina Panthers entered the draft with a focus on defense, beginning with pass rusher Mike Green from Marshall. In their second round, they selected cornerback Benjamin Morrison, a top 40 talent according to Wilson. They provided quarterback Bryce Young with a weapon in Utah State's Jalen Royals and followed that with Indiana defensive tackle CJ West and Virginia safety Jonas Sanker. They found value in running back Brashard Smith and local cornerback Alijah Huzzie, finishing with tight end Jackson Hawes and Alabama safety Malachi Moore.
At No. 9, the New Orleans Saints chose wide receiver Tet McMillan, a decision that aligns with the strategy of new head coach Kellen Moore. They solidified their secondary with Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos and later added offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker. The Saints continued to build their offense with Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond and took advantage of depth in the running back class with Texas Tech's Tahj Brooks. They concluded their draft by selecting quarterback Tyler Shough and offensive guard Joshua Gray.
The Chicago Bears opened their draft with a standout pick in Mike Green from Marshall, a player compared to Texans star Will Anderson Jr. They addressed their secondary with Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, setting the stage for a stronger defense. With a focus on enhancing their roster, the Bears made strategic choices to position themselves for future success.
