The Holiday season is upon us. It’s Thanksgiving weekend and whether you’re spending it with friends or family, everyone needs a little break from the chaos. That’s where the first edition of the Walk-On Redshirts Mock Draft comes in and I’m here to give your team the gifts your fan base is asking for. Enjoy, and to all our readers: Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the long weekend of football!
1 – Tennessee Titans select Rueben Bain Jr (EDGE, Miami FL)
With Cam Ward in place as the franchise quarterback, the Titans take one of the top defensive players on the board here. Bain is a constant pressure maker off the edge and outside of Jeffery Simmons, lack anybody who can heat up opposing signal callers on an every down basis.
2 – New York Giants select Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)
Similar to the Titans, the Giants select at the top of the draft with a quarterback already in the fold. They’ll also opt for a top defensive player in Arvell Reese, a unicorn of a linebacker who possesses rare athleticism that allows him to attack the quarterback and also drop into coverage effectively. The Giants are allowing a third-worst 27.8 points per game this season.
3 – New Orleans Saints select Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
The Saints spent a second round selection last season on Tyler Shough but I’m simply not buying him as a franchise quarterback. With the array of options at their disposal, I’m sticking with Mendoza here. More of a pocket passer (though he can scoot if needed), the junior has shined since arriving in Bloomington with a 73% completion percentage and 30/5 TD/INT ratio.
4 – New York Jets select Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
Next up of the QB needy teams, the Jets take the breakout signal caller for the Crimson Tide. After three years on the bench, Simpson won the job this preseason and has impressed many across the sport with his command of the offense, especially with the lack of run game. His numbers aren’t as impressive as Mendoza, but he’s shown the ability to make big time plays in big time moments against SEC competition.
5 – Las Vegas Raiders select Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
The Raiders are in the mix of quarterback needy teams, but this roster is plenty bad in so many areas. Instead of going quarterback, I’m taking the best player on the board and a difference maker on defense. Playing six games a year against the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs, the Raiders need to find defenders who can make a difference in the pass game and Downs is the best of the class.
6 – Cleveland Browns select Dante Moore (QB, Oregon)
The Browns took two quarterbacks in last years draft, and I am not a believer in either. Moore hasn’t been on highlight reels this season, but has flashed the talent (end of the Iowa game, for example) that made him a five-star prospect coming out of Michigan a few years back.
7 – Washington Commanders select Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
With limited draft selections after a slew of bad trades last offseason, it’s imperative the Commanders make the most out of what will likely be a high selection. Faulk is a massive pass rusher (listed at 6’6″ 285 lbs), he’s both a capable pass rusher and stout run defender on the edge. This defense ranks near the bottom of the league in most defensive metrics, so adding young talent here is the biggest need.
8 – Cincinnati Bengals select Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Delane could be an option for the Commanders, but the Virginia Tech transfer falls to the Bengals. Cincinnati has been awful on defense this season, giving up 32.7 points per game (4.2 more than the second worst!) and are dead last in both total yards and passing yards allowed per game. Delane has been a lock down defender at both collegiate stops and has a knack for finding the ball with eight career interceptions.
9 – Arizona Cardinals select Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami FL)
The Cardinals offense has been stymied at times because of two things: sacks (giving up the third most in the league) and a poor rushing attack. Mauigoa is an athletic tackle prospect with a people mover mentality who’s started since day one of arriving at Miami.
10 – Miami Dolphins select Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
Assuming the Dolphins run it back with the McDaniel-Tua duo in 2026, this pick could be used in a few key areas. Miami has speed for days on offense with the Hill/Waddle/Achane trio, but they’ve lacked a big receiver over the years who can be lethal in the red zone. Enter Carnell Tate, a 6’3″ former five star prospect who’s feasted this season opposite a future top five pick in Jeremiah Smith.
11 – Los Angeles Rams select Spencer Fano (OT, Utah)
After a move back trade last year with Atlanta, the Rams are on the cusp of picking in the top ten while also being a Super Bowl favorite. Alaric Jackson has become a steady pass protector on the left side of the line, but with right tackle Rob Havenstein both well over 30 and an impending free agent they’ll take the right tackle from Utah.
12 – Minnesota Vikings select Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
When looking for teams who could take the potential Heisman winner, the Vikings stick out the most. Minnesota has one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, splitting carries between 30-year old Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Love would add a threat out of the backfield that the Vikings simply haven’t had, and could really help JJ McCarthy as he (likely) enters year two as the starting quarterback.
13 – Carolina Panthers select Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)
Panthers would love to make a move for a quarterback but there just isn’t one available worth going this high, instead they choose to continue bolstering their offensive live with the other half of the Utah tackle tandem.
14 – Dallas Cowboys select Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
The Cowboys continue to revamp the defense after trading away Micah Parsons in the preseason. After acquiring Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson at the trade deadline, they opt to take the converted safety from Ohio State. A bigger linebacker at 6’4″, Styles transitioned to linebacker and has thrived for the Buckeyes. With Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn impending free agents, Styles slots in as a unique chess piece in the middle of the defense.
15 – Kansas City Chiefs select Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
Travis Kelce is 36 and his future continues to be a major question mark for the Chiefs as he regresses and prepares to marry a pop star. Sadiq is averaging a touchdown on a little over every 4 receptions for the Ducks and will enter the draft process the clear cut number one prospect at his position and likely first round selection.
16 – Pittsburgh Steelers select Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
Another team that will have plenty of quarterback question marks in the offseason with none available, I’m opting to continue adding weapons for whomever is under center next year. Pairing Tyson with DK Metcalf would create matchup problems for most defenses and be a massive help for *insert quarterback here*
17 – Houston Texans select Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
The Texans have a clear need along the offensive line and Proctor falling to them would be a dream. A massive (listed at 366 lbs) offensive tackle with unique athleticism, to the point the Tide have drawn up offensive plays for him, Proctor would be a great security guard for the often hounded CJ Stroud.
18 – Detroit Lions select Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
The Lions have a bunch of cornerbacks set to hit free agency, so plugging that hole with a skilled defender like Hood. The sophomore corner has stepped into the starting role in Jermod McCoys absence this season and has excelled for Tennessee, seeing himself become a potential first round selection in the upcoming draft.
19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
Vita Vea has crossed the age 30 marker this season and both Logan Hall and Greg Gaines are set to hit free agency. The Buccaneers never shy away from taking the best player available, and Woods fits that criteria while also setting up the team up for any potential future moves. Woods won’t fill the stat sheet, but he’s been an excellent trench defender since arriving at Clemson.
20 – Baltimore Ravens select David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
Baltimore has lacked the traditional pass rush we’ve come to expect from them, sacking opposing quarterbacks just 18 times this season which ranks 4th worst in the league. Meanwhile down in Lubbock, Bailey has registered 12.5 sacks for the Red Raiders and has solidified himself as a first round prospect. Feels like a match made in heaven.
21 – Buffalo Bills select Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
The Bills don’t have many needs but finding another pass catcher for Josh Allen is at the very top. Keon Coleman has been a disappointment to the point of becoming a healthy scratch at times this season and while Khalil Shakir has been a nice find, he’s still just an above average receiver with limited ceiling. Lemon has been the lead man for an excellent Trojans passing game and ranks near the top of the country in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
22 – Cleveland Browns select Chris Bell (WR, Louisville)
Bell has faltered a bit during the Cardinals recent losing skid but just ask the Miami Hurricanes how impressive the senior receiver has looked. Bell possesses a good size and speed combination and the Browns are in desperate need of finding a number one receiver for new quarterback Dante Moore.
23 – San Francisco 49ers select Isaiah World (OT, Oregon)
The Trent Williams era is coming to a close as he continues to age and regress, so securing a new blind side blocker for Brock Purdy is a high listed need for the 49ers this draft cycle. Aptly named, World is a 6’8″ mass of a man who transferred to Oregon from Nevada this past offseason. With Williams on the books for 2026 still, this might not be an immediate impact move but sets them up for the future at one of the most important positions.
24 – Dallas Cowboys select Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
The Cowboys leader in sacks this season has just 4.5 (James Houston), so filling the void left behind by Micah Parsons might take multiple swings and a Moneyball maneuver. Howell has racked up 11.5 sacks this season and 27 career sacks across four seasons between Bowling Green and Texas A&M.
25 – Los Angeles Chargers select Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State)
The story of the Chargers this season has been the atrocious offensive line play. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater have shown to be franchise pillars on the ends, but both have been injured and the interior of the line has ranked near the bottom of the league according to PFF. Ioane is a Big Ten offensive lineman, so I imagine Harbaugh would be doing heart eyes with this selection.
26 – Chicago Bears select Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
The Bears have come alive during the middle portion of the 2025 season, sitting at 8-3 and leading the NFC North. There are still some holes to fill though, as they’ve been one of the worst run defenses in the league. Continuing to invest in the defensive line will be a key offseason effort. McDonald is the nose tackle on a Buckeyes defensive line that’s allowed the second lowest rush yards per game. Great match.
27 – Seattle Seahawks select Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
The Seahawks defense has been among the best in the NFL, but they will need to fill the CB2 void if Tariq Woolen leaves in free agency. Terrell hasn’t registered an interception for the Tigers this season, but has had nine passes defended and been a solid blitzer from the secondary with three sacks.
28 – New York Jets select KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
With a new starting quarterback acquired earlier in the draft, the Jets add to their receiver core with a pass catcher with dynamic speed. Garrett Wilson is already a high end target, but the Jets lack a true number two option in the passing game which will be desperately needed with a rookie quarterback. In three seasons between NC State and Texas A&M, Concepcion has accumulated over 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns.
29 – Philadelphia Eagles select Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
It feels like the AJ Brown era in Philadelphia will be coming to a close this offseason. Replacing such a receiver is not an easy task, but Boston provides a similar style as a 6’4″ physical pass catcher. The junior has 17 touchdowns between 2024 and 2025 and should be the next highly touted Huskies receiver to enter the NFL.
30 – Denver Broncos select CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both impending free agents for a Broncos team that’s well constructed and lacks true needs. Allen is the Bulldogs leading tackler this season and provides adequate pass rush when needed. He should slot right into this defense as a day one starter.
31 – Los Angeles Rams select Keith Abney II (CB, Arizona State)
After taking an offensive tackle with their first pick, the Rams get to patch a hole on defense with several defensive backs set to be free agents after the season. Abney has prototypical size for the position and is great in coverage, registering 20 passes defended and forcing 8 turnovers in his three seasons with the Sun Devils.
32 – New England Patriots select Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)
As good as the Patriots season has been, the roster still has a bit of fine tuning needed this offseason. After moving several players who were drafted during the previous regime, Vrabel and company will continue to put their stamp on this unit with a first round selection. Ramsey is a key player in the secondary for the Trojans defense, and his presence was clearly missed in the Oregon game this past weekend.
