Back
We made it through a chaotic NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, so why not make a mock draft after the dust has settled on all the movement? We saw a lot of quality players and picks being swapped at the deadline, at a near-record pace.
And to make sure most of the picks traded and moved were included, we went three rounds in this mock draft.
Now, draft order is set based on records and tie-breakers through Week 9 of the NFL season. Also, we are organizing picks by team in alphabetical order and will include any trades that take place before we lay out those picks. No more drawing this out; let’s kick things off with a major shift that includes the first overall pick being traded away.
Round 1: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Round 2: Devan Thompkins, Edge, Alabama
Round 3: Desmeal Leigh, OL, Youngstown State
The Cardinals get aggressive here and land a franchise quarterback in Drew Mestemaker. He will be able to distribute the ball to players like Michael Wilson and Trey McBride efficiently, and the help of having Jeremiyah Love won’t hurt.
Adding Austin Simmons to a quarterback room that has Michael Penix Jr. is a bit odd, but Simmons' upside can't be ignored. I think he could contend for QB1 with his arm talent alone, but when you add the accuracy and decision-making he shows, it gets interesting.
Round 1: Greg Johnson, G, Minnesota
Round 2: Andrew Marshall, CB, Nebraska
Round 3: Emmanuel Oyebadejo, DL, Florida
Johnson is a mauler in the middle and will be a welcome addition to the Ravens’ offensive line. He can play guard or center for them and help solidify their group up front.
Round 1: Deuce Alexander, WR, Ole Miss
Round 3: Ansel Din-Mbuh, DL, TCU
Josh Allen loves to push the ball down the field, and Deuce Alexander could help him and the Bills accomplish that. Adding him to the offense would allow for them to have a more dynamic passing attack to work with the likes of DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir.
Round 1: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Round 2: Bear Alexander, DL, Oregon
Round 3: Jide Abasiri, Edge, USC
It may seem like a spoiling of riches, but think about having to worry about Robinson and Jaycee Horn. The Georgia defender can replace an older Mike Jackson who is on an expiring contract. The better pass coverage they have will allow their highly paid pass-rushers to get after the quarterback better.
Round 2: Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
Round 3: Qua Moss, CB, Tennessee
The Bears were in on Khalil Mack, so they know they need some pass-rush help. Uiagalelei can help with that and be in the rotation for them as they build one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.
Round 1: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Round 2: Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
Round 3: Dejuan Lane, S, Tennessee
Round 3: Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
Chase Brown is on an expiring contract, and the Bengals are in a tough spot financially, and the running back is getting up there. Lacy could come in, fill that role nicely, and help the Bengals offense stay efficient in the absence of Brown.
Round 1: KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Round 1: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Round 2: Clev Lubin, Edge, Louisville
Round 3: Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
The play of the Browns’ secondary is vital to the success of their defense as a whole. Ronnie Hickman is going to be a free agent, and while they have Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Bolden is just in another tier. They use three safeties right now with success, and that can continue with Bolden.
Round 1: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Round 2: Marquise Lightfoot, Edge, Miami (FL)
The Cowboys’ offensive line isn’t what it could be, and while questions remain about Seaton’s run blocking, he will help out Dak Prescott and company. His upside is too much for the Cowboys to pass up, and he gets to be the star of their draft class.
Round 1: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Round 2: Jacarrius Peak, OT, South Carolina
Round 3: Tyree Weathersby, Edge, Tennessee
I believe he can really help Bo Nix turn dump-offs and his short-yardage passing and turn it into bigger gains. Johnson is an athletic player who can be a tight end or even a wide receiver, and that versatility is something Sean Payton will value.
Round 1: Boubacar Traore, Edge, Notre Dame
Round 2: Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
Round 3: Zach Lutmer, CB, Iowa
Traore is one of my favorite pass-rushers in the class, and for some reason I think he is going to keep being overlooked. Giving him to the Lions here allows for Aidan Hutchinson to get a much-needed pass-rush partner.
Round 2: Samson Okunlola, OT, Miami (FL)
Round 3: Evan Tengesdahl, G, Cincinnati
Round 3: Ty Benefield, S, LSU
The Packers need someone who can make plays on the back end of their defense. Benefield can help in both their pass and run defense, and his physical style will fit in nicely overall as well.
Round 1: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Round 3: Anthony Boswell, C, Houston
Despite a knee injury that ended his season, I remain high on Goosby. He can be either a long-term play at either left or right tackle depending on who they decide to do with their offensive line moving forward.
Round 2: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Round 3: Mike Matthews, WR, Tennessee
Round 3: Bryant Wesco, WR, Clemson
The Colts take advantage of a discounted Dante Moore and take him at the top of round two. Daniel Jones clearly is not the long-term answer, and they have no faith in Anthony Richardson. Have Moore come in, let Richardson be the bridge, and see what happens with the value the Duck could be.
Round 3: TJ Dottery, LB, LSU
Dottery can come in and help fix the hole left behind by Devin Lloyd leaving last offseason. Dottery is a rangy, athletic linebacker and could become someone they develop into a piece they can rely on in their defense.
Round 1: Kingston Lopa, S, California
Round 2: Malvin Siani, OT, Texas
Round 3: DJ Vonnahme, TE, Iowa
Round 3: Junior Sherrill, WR, Vanderbilt
The Chiefs’ secondary was picked over in free agency, and they have bounced back well in 2026. Adding Lopa, however, is a fun, entertaining piece to add to their unit, and the turnovers he can force put the ball back into the hands of Patrick Mahomes.
Round 1: Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Round 2: Jalen Mayo, CB, Houston
Round 3: Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State
Round 3: Tavion Gadson, DL, Kentucky
Fernando Mendoza needs a new WR1 in the worst way. They are making the two tight ends approach work, and it works well, but they need a playmaker on the outside. Marsh fits that billing while also helping improve their run game with his blocking.
Round 1: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Round 2: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Round 2: Ahmad Moten Sr., DL, Miami (FL)
Round 3: LJ Martin, RB, BYU
Traded for: Josh Sweat, Edge, from the Arizona Cardinals
The Chargers’ defense needed some help, and with all the edge rushers going ahead of them, a trade back adding Sweat to the package made sense. The Cardinals are not close, but I would argue the Chargers are closer. Sweat can come in and help lead this defense into better days.
Round 2: Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky
Shocking we chose Heard, I know; the Kentucky blocker is a mauler and a really fun watch on film. He can be inside if they decide it, but I like him outside for the Rams and becoming a key piece of their front.
Round 1: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Round 1: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Round 3: PJ Williams, OT, SMU
This class may be my favorite of the ones I chose for teams. PJ Williams is a really underrated prospect that I am not sure gets beyond day two, but the talent is there to justify a round one selection. Williams can come in for the Dolphins and replace Alaric Jackson and help protect the combination of Malik Willis and Trinidad Chambliss.
Round 1: Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Round 2: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Round 3: Luke Reynolds, TE, Virginia Tech
After the trade for Kirk Cousins, I think they work out a restructure and bring him back for another year in 2027. If they do, he can be the bridge once again for Mensah, who helps quiet arm strength questions by being inside an enclosed stadium. Add in that he has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison around him, and he may be okay.
Round 1: Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
Round 2: Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State
Round 3: Reed Harris, WR, Arizona State
Christian Gonzalez getting help opposite him from the pick of Hampton would make this whole defense find another level. He has the size to handle bigger receivers, and his ball instincts should guide him to being a playmaker opposite Gonzalez.
Round 1: Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
Round 2: Carter Smith, iOL, Indiana
Round 3: Kenyatta Jackson, Edge, Ohio State
The team needs to start looking beyond Cam Jordan, and that starts with the Jackson pick here. He has not been as good as some had hoped in 2026, but the tools are still there. Put him opposite Chase Young, who has really found his footing in New Orleans, and wait for Jackson to develop.
Round 1: A’Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
Round 2: David Stone, DL, Oklahoma
Round 3: Isaiah Sategna III, WR, Oklahoma
I know we doubled up on defensive linemen, but Washington and Stone complement each other. John Harbaugh likes having a rotation up front, and Stone can be the more run-blocking type while Washington can pin his ears back a bit more.
Round 1: Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Round 1: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Round 1: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Round 2: KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers
Round 3: Sammy Omosigho, LB, UCLA
The Jets pairing Dylan Stewart with David Bailey could give them arguably the best young pass-rushing duo in the NFL. They would be able to help each other avoid double teams while making opposing offenses account for both edges in their game plans.
Round 1: Zereoue Williams, OT, Utah
Round 1: Trevor Lauck, G, Iowa
Round 2: Justin Scott, DL, Miami (FL)
Round 3: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon
This is a pick that is going to be made in a lot of mocks between now and April. With the retirement of Lane Johnson, they need someone to take over at right tackle, and Williams can be that for them. He has started for just one year, but you can tell he has been developing behind the likes of Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano.
Round 1: Jackson Harris, WR, LSU
Round 2: Jaylen McClain, S, Ohio State
Round 3: Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan
Round 3: DJ McKinney, CB, Notre Dame
The Steelers’ secondary needs some new legs in as they have leaned on veterans for several seasons. After the trade of Joey Porter Jr., there is a hole, and someone like Hill could be a fun piece. He can help in coverage and be physical in it and the run game.
Round 1: Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
Round 2: John Henry Daley, Edge, Michigan
Round 3: Guerby Lambert, OT, Notre Dame
Kyle Shanahan likes a physical run game and front to help his offense. Adding Pieper to that group gives them a mauler and someone who moves well to handle whatever assignments he is tasked with.
Round 1: Yhonzae Pierre, Edge, Alabama
Round 2: Amare Thomas, WR, Houston
Round 3: CJ Heard, S, Vanderbilt
The Seahawks have enjoyed having DeMarcus Lawrence, but they need a long-term plan. Pierre is a bit of a reach with where they are picking, but John Schneider has shown he isn’t afraid to overdraft a guy he likes. Pierre just makes sense for what they want out of their edges, and the timing with an aging Lawrence all makes this a perfect pairing.
Round 1: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
Round 2: Anthonie Knapp, G, Notre Dame
Round 3: Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State
The team has Josiah Trotter, who they enjoy and who has been a good pick, as well as free agent Alex Anzalone. Cole can help in the middle of their defense and even play some edge, so I think his versatility is something this defense needs.
Round 1: Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
Round 1: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Round 2: Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
Round 2: Niki Prongos, OT, Stanford
Round 3: A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech
After the trades of Amani Hooker and Jeffrey Simmons, this defense needs a face. Colin Simmons can be that for them. He may be the best player in college football this season and could even be the top pick if this class didn’t have Jeremiah Smith.
Round 1: Xavier Gilliam, DL, Tennessee
Round 2: Mario Craver, WR, Texas A&M
Round 3: Sahir West, Edge, UCLA
No other defender has come onto the scene this year and made an impact like Xavier Gilliam. I think his replacing Daron Payne on this defensive front makes sense, and the team needs a presence in the middle.
Back
Top
| Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact |
Refresh
|
All the best breaking news stories from Apex Football Lite. Optimised for feature phones and low end Android devices, Apex Football Lite helps users with legacy devices and poor network connectivity access the latest football news and live scores. Particularly relevant for breaking football news in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.