5th Quarter Mock Draft Volume II

For volume II of my mock draft, I still wasn’t able to complete any trades without forcing one just for the sake of making a trade. However, there are a few big slides in this mock, one that I could see happening.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – my first three picks of this mock draft, I kept them the same as last draft. It can definitely not go this way, but if I was one of the three general managers in their position, I wouldn’t be able to pass up on any of these guys, especially the two Buckeyes.
2. New York Jets: Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese – Jets could really go anywhere with this pick, I think Reese is the choice. He’s maybe the best athlete in the draft, only rivaled by his teammate Sonny Styles. It’ll be interesting to see if where he ends up full time, but you have to assume coach Aaron Glenn has a plan for him.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles – Speaking of Styles, him to Arizona makes a lot of sense in my mind. Even with a new head coach, Arizona retained their defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. He’s had a “positionless” mentality the past few years there, using guys like Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Styles gives you the ability to line him up almost anywhere but boundary corner.
4. Tennessee Titans: Texas Tech edge David Bailey – We finally switch things up with the Titans selecting Bailey, an athletic freak who exploded with 15 sacks this season. He has questions regarding his ability to play every down, but his passrushing upside alone is enough to take him this high. Working on a defensive front with Jeffery Simmons as well will allow him to operate in one-on-one situations, where he usually wins.
5. New York Giants: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate – There isn’t a true consensus wide receiver one in this draft, but from what we’ve seen in the NFL in recent years, when in doubt, take the Ohio State wideout. Jaxson Dart looks to be the guy in New York, adding Tate to a room with Malik Nabers is a great way to build around a yard quarterback. Taking Tate also takes pressure off Nabers who is coming back from his torn ACL, allowing him to ease back into his form, which looked like a top-five wideout in the sport.
6. Cleveland Browns: Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa – Cleveland could really go anywhere here and I would be able to see where they were coming from, but the best tackle in the draft seems like a safe bet at six. Mauigoa is a guy that can be placed at right tackle and play at a high level for the next ten years.
7. Washington Commanders: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs – Rounding out the top seven as the fourth Buckeye taken, the Commanders should be running to the podium to make this pick. I think Downs is a top four player in this draft and will immediately be a contender for the All-Pro team his first year in the league.
8. New Orleans Saints: Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. – The Saints go with defense in this mock, taking Bain Jr. I do still like them to go with a wideout here, particularly Makai Lemon, but Bain Jr. might be too good of a talent to pass up in this spot.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane – A spoiler for pick 12, but the Cowboys and Chiefs swap defensive backs in this draft. For the same reasons they took McCoy in my first mock, the Chiefs have to replace Trent McDuffie. Delane is that replacement with the ceiling to be a true shutdown corner on the perimeter.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane – Defense is indeed still a problem in Cinci, but so is offensive line and protecting Joe Burrow. Ioane was great at Penn State and should be a day one starter for the Bengals. Defense could very well be the pick here, but you can’t keep allowing Burrow to get hurt, Ioane hopefuly helps him stay healthy.
11. Miami Dolphins – USC wide receiver Makai Lemon- The Dolphins stay at receiver, but this time take Lemon, a quick wideout who exceeds in short and intermediate routes. The team signed Malik Willis, but currently has no one to throw to. (seriously go look at their depth chart you might have to run some routes in Miami this season) Lemon adds something to a team that is entering what seems to be a full rebuild.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy – As I mentioned, Dallas and Kansas City swap cornerbacks here, with Dallas taking McCoy this time around. They were bottom three in just about every defensive category, McCoy should at least start to patch some holes in the secondary.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): Utah tackle Spencer Fano – The Rams may have to start preparing for life after Matthew Stafford, Fano could be a franchise cornerstone as they move to get younger. He won’t start year one as Warren McClendon Jr. was very solid this season, but LA may not want to pay him, as he’s due after this season.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen – The Ravens have tried a few options to play alongside Roquan Smith, but maybe the answer all along was someone from his alma mater. Allen could start out as just a two-down backer, but can definitely evolve into a solid coverage guy. With Smith approaching 30-years old, Allen could take over for him in a few years as well after working together.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq – I said in my first mock that the Bucs are in a best players available situation. This works out as Sadiq is a top three player available, and is also a need on the team. Cade Otton has been a serviceable tight end for the past couple years, but Sadiq would add to a group of pass catchers that just lost Mike Evans.
16. New York Jets (via Colts): Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell – This is a repeat from the first mock, but I think it makes too much sense to not do again. Terrell is a great talent that will come in a start day one in New York. Going with two defensive players in the first round might upset some Jets fans, but I think he’s the best pick here.
17. Detroit Lions: Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling – The Lions go tackle again here, this time it’s Freeling. He plays left tackle, which is a position of need after the departure of Taylor Decker. Freeling should be a day one starter who will help to continue the run-heavy ideology of Dan Campbell and the Lions.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love – The biggest slide of the first round ends at pick 18 with Love going to the Vikings. I think Love is a great prospect, one of the best running back prospects of this decade. With that being said, there have only been five halfbacks taken in the top 10 in the last 10 years. With the Chiefs getting Kenneth Walker and not many other teams outside of Tennessee really needing a running back, I could definitely see this slide taking place. As for the Vikings, this would be a great pick. Adding Love allows you to run play-action efficiently, where J.J. McCarthy succeeds.
19. Carolina Panthers – Miami edge Akheem Mesidor – I was a huge fan of Carolina’s free agency class, adding both Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. They add another pass rusher in Mesidor who should be able to contribute right away. He plays well as a 3-4 linebacker, which is what the Panthers run. I really like what Carolina has going on, and this pick adds to it in a good way.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Auburn edge Keldric Faulk – Using the pick they got for Micah Parsons they Cowboys once again add to their defense, taking a guy who they hope can try to replace what Parsons did. Faulk is an interesting prospect, at just 20-years old, he’s a massive human with ridiculous testing numbers. However, the production isn’t really there yet. If he can continue to develop and reach his ceiling, he could be a double-digit sack player while also being a great run defender.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson – Even with a new head coach, this feels like a very “Pittsburgh Steelers” pick. Even if Aaron Rodgers comes back for another season, the team will need a signal caller by this time next year. Simpson could be solid, but also could very well slide into the second or third round. With that being said, this seems like a pick the Steelers would make.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman – Thieneman would be the top safety in a lot of drafts, making for a steal at 22 for the Chargers. Derwin James can still hold his own and by adding Thieneman it’d make for one of the best safety pairings in the league. He offers versitlity with his ability to play both near the ball and as a deep coverage safety. Los Angeles should be estatic if this is their pick.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – It’s back to back safeties in the early 20s, with the Eagles taking McNeil-Warren. He thrives near the line of scrimmage, which would pair well with Andrew Makuba who can play coverage safety. This one won’t be as good right away as James and Thieneman, but in 2-3 years it could be the best pairing in the league.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jax): Arizona State wide receiver Jordan Tyson – When it comes to Tyson, the skill is there with Lemon and Tate, but the injury concerns are real. It should come as no surprise if he happens to slide in the draft like he did here. With that being said, if he can stay healthy, the sky is truly the limit for him. Cleveland once again needs to figure out quarterback, but having a guy that is usually open should help whoever is under center.
25. Chicago Bears: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods – Woods is a huge tackle that would come in and help a weak interior defensive line group in Chicago. His pass rush consistency needs work, but he is already a good run defender who should make an impact instantly.
26. Buffalo Bills: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald – Buffalo has been searching for a guy to pair with Ed Oliver since they took him in 2019. Deone Walker looks to be that guy, at least to some extent, but McDoland would be assurence to add to the rotation. He won’t fill up the stat sheet, but as a nose tackle, he can fill gaps and take away the spot between the guards. He is almost immovable which would allow for Oliver and company to crash down on runs before double teams get to them.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell – With Nick Bosa coming back from a torn ACL, Howell can add to the rotation to allow Bosa to ease back into play. Even when Bosa returns, Howell can play opposite of him, creating a nice duo on the edges for the 49ers.
28. Houston Texans: Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon – The Texans have to start actually building up their offensive line at somepoint right? Right?
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. – After passing on the likes of Makai Lemon and Jordan Tyson, the Chiefs take Cooper Jr., a solid player who should be able to suceed at the next level. Rashee Rice is still playing football, whether he should be is s story for another day, but he will be on the field. Adding Cooper Jr. makes for a nice duo on the perimeter.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver): Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood – I had this pick in my first mock draft, and I like it in this one as well. Corner is a position of need, and you get the best one on the board with Hood.
31. New England Patriots: Clemson tackle Blake Miller – For the same reasons they took Kayden Proctor in my first mock, the team takes a guy who they hope can line up opposite of Will Campbell for the next ten years. He may not start year one, but he should be a reliable right tackle in the future.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Clemson edge T.J. Parker – Rounding out the first round with back-to-back Tigers, Parker once again goes to the defending champs. Their defense is already a strength and it just got stronger with Parker.