The NFL Combine is where rumors run rampant. Coaches, Executives, Personnel, Agents, and Reporters are all in the same place, sharing the latest buzz. This, combined with prospects showcasing their ability on a national stage, really starts shaping up the draft, at least until free agency concludes. Though it’s becoming more clear the general area of where prospects will go, the destinations are still largely unpredictable. In a draft that is thin with true top prospects, and with several teams that may or may not be pursuing a quarterback, it’s especially hard to piece together the top of the draft at this point in time. With that being said, I’m going to do my best to try.

1. Tennessee Titans – Cameron Ward, QB, Miami

Most years, there’s an undisputed top prospect or a clear direction that the team picking first overall will go. That’s not the case this year. In my first mock, I had the Titans going with Abdul Carter. However, I’m going in a different direction here. The Titans and several other teams finally got to meet with Ward for the first time. It appears he’s impressing teams, including the Titans, so they roll with him as the quarterback of their future here.

2. Cleveland Browns – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

There’s a lot of buzz about Sanders no longer being the firm QB2 in this class. I’m not totally buying that, however. It could be true for some teams, but these quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft might still value him. The Browns desperately need starting-caliber quarterback play, and they’re just about out of money to spend. Along with Myles Garrett adamantly wanting out of Cleveland, this might signify a youth movement at quarterback with an affordable contract rather than an established veteran on the market. In that case, I think they convince themselves that Shedeur Sanders is their guy who can step in immediately.

3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, ED, Penn State

The Giants have put themselves in a terrible position. They brought back GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll for one more year, essentially forcing them to try to make a playoff push to save their jobs. They don’t have a quality quarterback on the roster and already missed out on their top target, Matthew Stafford. If the Titans are shopping the first overall pick, I believe the Giants might trade up in desperation. With that not on the table here, they’ll likely pursue one of the veteran free agent quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson to be their starter for the season. They could very well sign one of these quarterbacks and still trade up for a quarterback, or draft a quarterback at three. Though in a make or break season for Schoen and Daboll, spending valuable draft capital on a quarterback that won’t see the field doesn’t do them much good, especially if they have to trade picks to get their guy. They don’t have a chance to make that decision in this scenario, but I’m skeptical of them picking a quarterback here if they go the established veteran starter direction. Now to the actual draft pick analysis… Here I have them going Abdul Carter. To me, Travis Hunter makes the most sense here as he can plug in cornerback where they really struggled last season, and also contribute to a wide receiver group that lacks depth. The Giants also traded for Brian Burns last offseason and gave him a top of market contract along with having former top five pick Kayvon Thibodeaux under contract. However, some reports indicate that Carter is the Giants’ preference over Hunter, and I will trust them.

4. New England Patriots – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Patriots have a bit of an easy choice here as the board falls in their favor with two quarterbacks off the board in the top three. They go with the clear best player on the board in two-way player Travis Hunter. The Patriots desperately need more talent at wide receiver, but also need a cornerback to pair with Christian Gonzalez. Hunter will try to play both ways, but even if he plays only corner or only receiver, the Patriots would either have arguably the best young cornerback duo in the NFL, or a new number one receiver for Drake Maye.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

The Jaguars drafted an offensive tackle, Anton Harrison, in the first round in 2023 and recently extended Walker Little. So, on the surface, it doesn’t appear they need an offensive tackle. The new HC, Liam Coen, and GM, James Gladstone, have emphasized the importance of building up the offensive line to protect Trevor Lawrence and establish a better run game. Banks can step in and fill in at one of the spots on the offensive line and better the unit regardless of who plays where.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Raiders miss out on the top quarterbacks in the draft if that’s the direction they wanted to go. They’re already strong along the defensive line and have young pieces on the offensive line, so they likely go in a different direction here. Regardless of who is playing quarterback for them, they’re going to need more weapons outside of Brock Bowers. Ashton Jeanty and Tetairoa McMillan stand out as the top options. HC Pete Carroll has always valued the run game, OC Chip Kelly just won a national championship largely on the backs of an elite runningback duo, and GM John Spytek just saw a rookie runningback help transform his team’s run game in Tampa Bay. That makes me lean Ashton Jeanty here.

7. New York Jets – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

New regimes love to start their rebuild by building up the trenches. HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey did that at their previous destinations. The Jets have good pieces along both the offensive and defensive lines, but they need more help on their interior defensive line to go along with Quinnen Williams. In Aaron Glenn’s defense, Kenneth Grant can fill that void by being a bigger-bodied Nose Tackle.

8. Carolina Panthers – Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia

The Panthers created a big void at Edge Rusher when they traded Brian Burns last offseason. Mykel Williams would hopefully develop into the caliber of pass rusher they traded away in Burns.

9. New Orleans Saints – Shemar Stewart, ED, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart is due for a Travon Walker-type surge in draft stock after showcasing his elite athletic ability. He could very well end up going even higher than this. The Saints need more help on the edge with an aging Cameron Jordan and Chase Young due to hit free agency.

10. Chicago Bears – Will Campbell, OL, LSU

This is a very similar deal to the Jaguars. The Bears have a tackle duo in place but want to build up their offensive line to protect Caleb Williams and improve their run game. Will Campbell can come in and add more talent to the offensive line, improving it regardless of who plays where.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan

Mason Graham falls into the 49ers’ lap here. The 49ers struggled along the defensive line outside of Nick Bosa this past season and adding Graham should solve that problem.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Cowboys need more playmakers on offense. CeeDee Lamb is a very good player, but outside of him, they don’t have anyone too threatening. That changes by adding McMillan. It would be very difficult to cover both Lamb and McMillan and it’ll make Dak Prescott’s life a lot easier.

13. Miami Dolphins – Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

With Terron Armstead contemplating retirement, the Dolphins need help along the offensive line to keep Tua Tagovailoa healthy. Membou is a natural Right Tackle with possible Guard flexibility and a very good athlete who can step in at one of the spots on the right side.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Nick Emmanwori, DB, South Carolina

If there’s one thing Chris Ballard is known for, it’s drafting athletic outliers. Emmanwori embodies this in every way with elite size, speed, strength, and athleticism, on top of being a talented football player. The Colts defensive backfield struggles contributed to their disappointing season. Emmanwori gives new DC Lou Anarumo a chess piece in the defensive backfield to alleviate the struggles.

15. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, ED/LB, Georgia

The Falcons passed on addressing their pass rush last offseason in favor of doubling down at the quarterback position in free agency and the draft. While drafting Penix is proving to be a good decision for their future, they fell short last season in large part due to their pass rush. Whether Jalon Walker plays as a true edge or as a linebacker, he betters the pass rush.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Cardinals likely want to build up their trenches here, but Will Johnson falls into their lap and completes a young, talented, cornerback room.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

There are a lot of directions the Bengals can go here. Just about every position on defense needs more talent, or they can add another offensive playmaker, like a tight end or runningback. Their defense was a big enough issue that they might be forced to address defense early in the draft yet again. Malaki Starks gives new DC Al Golden a talented, versatile safety.

18. Seattle Seahawks – Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

The Seahawks need help along the offensive line, mainly on the interior. Tyler Booker can step in at Guard and immediately upgrade the offensive line.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Buccaneers have several linebackers and edge rushers set to hit the open market. Jihaad Campbell has the versatility to play both linebacker and edge and adds much-needed young talent to the front seven.

20. Denver Broncos – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Tyler Warren could easily go much higher than this, but he falls a bit right into Sean Payton’s lap. He’s looking for a versatile playmaker in this offense, and Warren can be that guy. He’ll have the versatility to play inline, play in the slot, or flex out wide, and give Bo Nix another viable receiving weapon.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Steelers need more receiving help. Golden surprised a lot of people by running a 4.29 40-yard dash, assuring that he can be a lethal deep threat in the NFL.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

The Chargers need more playmakers on offense. They’ve built up their offensive line, and now they need to add the runningback to establish a strong run game and make the offense more threatening. Hampton is very good at being patient and chipping away at the defense with physical, efficient runs. Something HC Jim Harbaugh will surely value a lot

23. Green Bay Packers – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jahdae Barron silenced any doubts that he could play outside cornerback with his athletic performance at the combine. The Packers need help at cornerback, and they value drafting impressive athletes on defense early.

24. Minnesota Vikings – Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

The Vikings have several cornerbacks set to hit free agency and have yet to figure out the position in their current regime despite multiple attempts to address it. Shavon Revel is currently recovering from a Torn ACL, but he’s a very talented cornerback who offers a unique blend of size, length, athleticism, and coverage ability. There’s a risk with him coming off a big injury, and possibly not being ready by the start of the season, but if he returns to form, this could be a home run pick for the Vikings.

25. Houston Texans – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Texans had bad injury luck at the receiver position this past season. They have a number-one receiver in Nico Collins, but with Stefon Diggs hitting free agency and Tank Dell’s availability up in the air, they need another weapon. C.J. Stroud and Emeka Egbuka formed a great quarterback-receiver duo in 2022 for Ohio State, and having a chance to re-unite this duo in the NFL would be a hard opportunity to pass up.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

With Cooper Kupp soon out the door, the Rams need to add another receiving threat. They were apparently aggressive in attempting to trade up for TE Brock Bowers in the last draft, so they could look to add another talented pass-catching tight end once again.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

There’s a good chance Josh Simmons goes a lot higher than this if his medicals check out. He missed most of the season with a knee injury. The Ravens have a need at Left Tackle, with Ronnie Stanley set to hit Free Agency. Even if they bring him back, they’ll need a long-term answer at the cornerstone position.

28. Detroit Lions – Mike Green, ED, Marshall

Mike Green has the talent to go higher than this, but his stock could be up in the air, depending on how teams evaluate his character. The Lions really struggled to find consistent edge play after superstar Aidan Hutchinson went down with an injury. Green would give the Lions another talented pass rusher to pair with Hutchinson.

29. Washington Commanders – Luther Burden, WR, Missouri

I contemplated going edge rusher here but didn’t find someone that would quite fit the bill of what the Commanders are likely looking for. They just traded for Deebo Samuel, but they still need to add to the receiver position with both him and McLaurin in the last year of their deals. Luther Burden has gotten Deebo Samuel comparisons for his renowned yards-after-catch ability, and can fill that role beyond this season. In the short term he’d finish off a much more talented receiver room for rookie phenom quarterback, Jayden Daniels, to work with.

30. Buffalo Bills – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Hairston was on the first-round bubble going into the combine, then had a phenomenal performance, making it even more likely he gets into the first round. Hairston has the speed to match up with the fast receivers the Bills often face, hopefully mitigating the difference those type of receivers can make.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss

The Chiefs just saw firsthand in the Super Bowl what an elite pass rush can do to a team. Chris Jones is elite but aging, and George Karlaftis is a good player off the edge, but they don’t have another game-changer outside of them. Walter Nolen has a lot of potential to be a dominant pass rusher on the interior, especially learning from Chris Jones.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Pearce Jr., ED, Tennessee

The Eagles value drafting the trenches early, even when it’s not necessarily a need. However, the Super Bowl proved just how valuable having a plethora of pass rushers can be. Another thing the Eagles like to do is take a chance on some players who might get docked for injuries or character. This makes James Pearce the perfect candidate here. He adds another pass rusher to the rotation that could be losing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, who otherwise might not be on the board here if it weren’t for character question marks.