Happy New Year to all our amazing readers! We’ve been blessed to continue seeing growth in 2025 for our college football content brand and hope to see all our you (and more!) in 2026. As for a gift, I’d like to give you all a little mock draft in case you need something to read in a moment of solitude. The chaos of Christmas comes for us all.
1 – New York Jets (via New York Giants) select Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
A trade at the top! I rarely do trades in my mock drafts because it’s hard to gauge prices, picks, etc but a New York super trade just makes sense. The Jets have a mass of trade assets after the trade deadline, with five first round selections over the next two years while the Giants don’t have a need for QB. Jets move some of those picks (including picks #4 and #18 this year) to jump the line and get their quarterback of the future in Mendoza.
2 – Las Vegas Raiders select Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
The Raiders could be a landing spot for a quarterback or a trade down, but with them giving Geno Smith a contract extension in the offseason after acquiring him from Seattle, I’m not sure that’s the right move at the moment. This roster is capital B Bad and they should look to either move down for more selections or take best available, which is what they do with Downs. In a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, it’s never a bad idea to invest in high level secondary players. Downs can also excel near the line of scrimmage and is as sure a tackler as they come.
3 – Cleveland Browns select Dante Moore (QB, Oregon)
What we know about the Browns quarterback situation: The Deshaun Watson deal is inarguably the worst trade/contract of all-time and they don’t seem excited for his return. They also don’t have much they can do with it until after 2026. Dillon Gabriel got some run earlier this season and is confirmed not and NFL starter. Shedeur Sanders has had a few splashy plays and has a good enough arm that he could stick around in the league, but certainly hasn’t shown enough to pass on a talent like Dante Moore.
4 – New York Giants (via New York Jets) select Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)
Realistically with Joe Schoen still employed they wouldn’t do this, but if the Giants remained at one I think a Josh Rosen/Kyler Murray situation should be on the table. I don’t think Dart is that bad, but I do believe Mendoza is a better talent. Instead, they trade down and grab a few extra picks while taking one of the best defensive prospects in the class. Reese is a freak athlete at the linebacker position who excels in whatever situation is presented to him.
5 – Tennessee Titans select Rueben Bain Jr (EDGE, Miami FL)
Back-to-back years of looking to south Florida for the Titans first round selection. Cam Ward has come along nicely as the season has gone on, but the clear lack of talent across the roster is evident. A number one wide receiver is a must, but so is finding a premier pass rusher off the edge. Jeffery Simmons continues to be one of the best defensive lineman in the league, but the Titans second leading sack getter is 31-year old Jihad Ward with 5. There is already talk about Bains arm length and such, but I’m a believer that ass kickers are ass kickers and few do it in this class like Bain, both against the pass and rush.
6 – Arizona Cardinals select Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami FL)
Cardinals are a team at an impasse. It feels like the Kyler Murray era is about over, but how or if they make the move is still to be determined. Until they make a move, I’m going to believe he’ll still be there and so I’m passing over quarterback in favor of adding to their offensive line. Arizona has given up 49 sacks (6th in NFL) while also averaging just 97.5 yards rushing per game (6th in NFL). Mauigoa has been the pillar of one of the nations best offensive lines and has been a starter since arriving on campus three years ago.
7 – Washington Commanders select David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
The good news for Washington is that they have a young franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels. The bad news is that an over investment in aging veterans and a disastrous season have stalled out the full rebuild a bit and left them with limited draft resources. 36-year old Von Miller is the teams leading sack getter with 7 and the team doesn’t have a true three down pass rusher, so I’m taking David Bailey here. The Red Raiders edge defender is currently second in the nation for sacks with 13.5 and has seen steady growth every year he’s been in college.
8 – New Orleans Saints select Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
Tyler Shough has continued to develop in a lost season for the Saints and after spending a 2nd round selection on him in the last draft, I can’t imagine the Saints look at a quarterback here. Offensive line should be an option, but they’ve invested plenty of draft capital at the position over the past five years. Instead, similarly to the Commanders, they go edge defender here because the best they’ve got is 36-year old Cameron Jordan. Faulk is a big man, and while he may never be the league leader in sacks, he doubles as a reliable run defender.
9 – Cincinnati Bengals select Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
The 2025 Bengals defense may go in the record books as a historically awful unit and have a need at every position. Delane is an excellent pass defender with 8 career interceptions and 27 passes defended. Joe Burrow has made some worrisome comments in recent weeks, and it’s imperative the Bengals fix this defense if they want to become contenders in a crowded AFC field once again.
10 – Miami Dolphins select Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
With the benching of Tua Tagovailoa, that chapter of Miami Dolphins football is seemingly over. With a new General Manager set to take over and the potential return of Mike McDaniel, quarterback becomes the immediate number one need. Simpson has had to carry a lot of the load for the Crimson Tide this season with the teams lack of a run game and would get placed in an ideal situation with weapons like Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane to work with as well as an offensive guru in McDaniel
11 – Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) select Spencer Fano (OT, Utah)
What do you get a team with a high draft pick that seemingly has everything? How about an offensive lineman. Ty Simpson would be an interesting selection here because we don’t know how long Stafford will keep playing (or playing at this MVP level) and a cornerback could be of interest, but instead they grab Fano who has prototypical size with elite footwork. One of the key cogs of one of the nations leading rushing attacks, Fano could slot in at right tackle immediately or be pushed inside as a guard if needed.
12 – Kansas City Chiefs select Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
After one of the more legendary postseason runs over the past half decade, the Chiefs will miss the playoffs while Patrick Mahomes heals a torn ACL. This squad has plenty of holes, but one glaring one is the running game. Isiah Pacheco has been a serviceable runner in his career but a player the caliber of Love isn’t often available where the Chiefs draft. It’s time the Chiefs take some weight off Mahomes shoulders and find a running back who can be a true game changer and create a multi-dimensional offense again.
13 – Dallas Cowboys select Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
The Cowboys defense still needs plenty of work even after acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. Styles is a unique linebacker prospect because he was previously a safety for the Buckeyes before transitioning to linebacker in 2024 and having a breakout season. A multi-tool defender who can play the run and pass would be a nice get as the Cowboys continue to retool this unit in the aftermath of the Micah Parsons trade.
14 – Baltimore Ravens select Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
Pass rusher remains the Ravens biggest need but there isn’t one available here that doesn’t feel like a bit of a reach. Instead, the Ravens go best player available and take the interior menace Peter Woods from Clemson. Woods won’t provide much in the way of sack production, but he helps create it with his play from the inside (ask TJ Parker) and is a great run defender.
15 – Minnesota Vikings select Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
McCoy missed all of 2025 with an injury but his tape in two seasons of play is enough to make scouts rave. With 6 interceptions and 14 passes defended, the corner took a big leap moving from Oregon State to Tennessee and his play in the SEC in 2024 earned high praise. He should be good to go for draft prep and the combine and will have a chance to re-cement himself in the minds of front offices.
16 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
The Buccaneers have had a disappointing 2025 campaign and are on the outside looking in as it pertains to the playoffs. I’m not sure adding another pass catcher is an immediate need, but Sadiq would be a massive upgrade in the tight end room and give Baker Mayfield a much more athletic option at the position.
17 – Detroit Lions select Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Brother of former first rounder AJ Terrell, also from Clemson, Avieon has similar attributes and the Lions need to continue investing in the pass defense. Terrion Arnold has had his ups and downs and the unit has shown plenty of vulnerability against high level passing attacks.
18 – New York Giants (via New York Jets) select Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)
After using their first pick on the defensive side of the ball, the Giants use the second pick they got in the trade down on the other offensive tackle from Utah. The Giants offensive line has been a persistent problem during these bleak years and continuing to invest in it is the logical move, especially when one falls in their lap like Lomu.
19 – Carolina Panthers select TJ Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
Parker entered the 2025 season as an expected top ten pick but a disappointing season with just 5 sacks has had him fall down some boards. I still believe in the player I saw in 2024 who racked up 11 sacks, and the Panthers have gotten just 25 all year (tied for second worst in NFL).
20 – Pittsburgh Steelers select Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
The Steelers are allergic to drafting first round wide receivers but Lemon falling all the way down to 20 feels like a must have. The quarterback position is in flux going forward with Aaron Rodgers hinting towards retirement, but a likely playoff berth might have him thinking of coming back one more time. In either case, the Steelers offense would benefit from a pass catcher like Lemon who has a knack for getting open and playing bigger than his size.
21 – Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) select Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
You won’t find many folks who like Tyson more than me, but injuries slowed his 2025 campaign a bit and a crowded wide receiver class could see him go anywhere from late top ten to mid-20’s. George Pickens is set to become a free agent, and while it feels like a franchise tag will be used on him, we are going to pretend he does leave the Cowboys after this season. Tyson is a logical replacement, a 6’1″ receiver who can make acrobatic catches and possesses solid speed for his size.
22 – Philadelphia Eagles select Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
It feels like the AJ Brown era in Philadelphia will be coming to a close at the end of this season, and with it opens a need for the Eagles in the passing game. Its hard to replace a physical passing game threat like Brown but the best option on the board is a sliding Tate, who’s production and talent is a tad overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith in the Buckeyes offense. Ohio State has produced nothing but excellent receivers during the Brian Hartline era, and Tate certainly could be the next one to join that class.
23 – Houston Texans select Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
You likely won’t find a more polarizing prospect at the top end of this draft cycle than Proctor. The former five-star recruit is an elite athlete at the tackle position, so much so that the Tide have drawn up several plays for him as a skill position weapon. On the flip side, he has had plenty of bad reps (see: Florida State game) and is certainly a worry for NFL front offices. Houston needs to continue rebuilding their offensive line and taking a risk with Proctor late in the first round could prove fruitful with proper development.
24 – Buffalo Bills select Chris Bell (WR, Louisville)
There are times watching the Buffalo Bills this year where you wonder if Josh Allen can just throw the ball to himself. Former first rounder Keon Coleman has been a healthy scratch multiple times this season and while Khalil Shakir has emerged as a trusted target, he’s not a true number one receiving threat. Chris Bell brings a good size and speed mixture and his performance against a stout Miami Hurricanes defense was enough to solidify himself in the first round receiver discussion.
25 – Los Angeles Chargers select Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State)
The offensive line has been the story of the season for the Chargers. Every pass rep features Justin Herbert firing a ball 50-yards down field while getting blasted immediately by defenders. Both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt have dealt with season ending injuries, so their return next year will be a major plus but they must replace the interior of the line as well and Ioane is the best interior lineman in the class.
26 – San Francisco 49ers select Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
The run on first round receivers continues with Denzel Boston. After dealing Deebo Samuel last offseason and the expected departure of Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, the 49ers will need to find options in the passing game for Brock Purdy. Pass rusher could be another option here for the 49ers as they rank dead last in the league in sacks, but that’s also partially due to a swath of injuries on that side of the ball.
27 – Cleveland Browns select KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
After snagging their quarterback in Dante Moore at the third pick, the Browns circle back to get a speedy wide receiver for him to throw to here. A one-two of Concepcion and Harold Fannin with Quinshon Judkins out of the backfield would be a great start for a new quarterback and a rebuilt offense for Kevin Stefanski.
28 – Los Angeles Rams select Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
After taking a tackle with their earlier pick, the Rams come back to add to their secondary. Hood has stepped up in the absence of Jermod McCoy for the Volunteers defense and looks to be a fringe Day One prospect in this class.
29 – Chicago Bears select Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
The Bears have become one of the best stories in the NFL this season under first year head coach Ben Johnson, but while the team is serious contenders in the NFC they still have some spots they could sure up. Howell is a true pass rush specialist, registering double digit sacks for one of the nations elite defenses with the Aggies and would be a great pairing with Montez Sweat along the Bears front seven.
30 – New England Patriots select R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
You could pretty much copy and paste what I said about the Bears here. In Mike Vrabels first season as head coach, the Patriots have become serious contenders in the AFC but still have some roster revamps they could make to get better. One of which is finding pass rushers and R Mason Thomas is among the nations best. In his last two seasons, Thomas has accrued 15.5 sacks. Injuries could deter teams away from him, but the talent is special.
31 – Denver Broncos select CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
The Broncos roster doesn’t have many holes on either side of the ball so I’m going best player available here with Allen. This years Georgia defense doesn’t have the name recognition of those prior National Championship units, but Allen is the headliner in the middle of it and leads the Bulldogs in tackles.
32 – Seattle Seahawks select Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
The Seahawks have a few cornerbacks set to hit the open market in free agency so filling one of those spots seems to be the biggest need. Cisse is one of the better run fit defenders from the secondary in this class and is sticky as they come in man coverage. Placing him opposite Devon Witherspoon in Mike Macdonalds defense could be magic in a division that features two of the best offensive minds in the sport.
