Even if we were doing trades in this mock draft, I couldn't in good conscience have the Chargers pass up on Smith. He's that special of a talent. No need to stockpile other picks, Smith moves the needle that much.

You'd love to upgrade the pass-protection for Cam Ward, but there's not a can't-miss left tackle staring them in the face here. After trading away their Jeffery Simmons, there's no pass-rusher in Tennessee that opposing defenses fear anymore. Stewart could change that…in time. I don't know if he's the immediate impact rusher you'd hope to get with a pick like this, but he's such a freaky athlete that it's very easy to see him developing into one on his rookie deal.

With Malik Willis going to IR Tuesday, the chances the Dolphins are the de facto landing spot for QB1 only go up. Mestemaker is that QB1 with special throws that litter his tape on a weekly basis. Now, he has a penchant for putting the ball in harm's way that I think evaluators will forgive because 1.) He makes up for it with explosives, and 2.) He didn't start in high school, but it's worth noting.

Carr feels like a perfect fit for a Jets offense that is currently overflowing with pass-catchers. The Notre Dame quarterback is very much a facilitator, but that's all New York needs with all the weapons they have offensively. What I love about Carr is that he doesn't take sacks (two all season) or throw picks (one all season).

Oh, this would be fun! It's games like Saturday against Missouri that make me unable to quit Manning's sky-high potential. Those 43 dropbacks looked like an NFL quarterback. He's shown more than enough to be worth taking the chance on, even if Jalen Hurts is back healthy in 2027 for a rebuilding Eagles franchise.

What a dream scenario for the Jets, ticking off their two biggest needs in the top-10. Moore is a blue-chip cornerback prospect who would fit in Aaron Glenn's scheme or whoever's scheme, for that matter.

The Commanders would finally have a feared pass-rusher for the first time since they traded away Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the same deadline in 2023. Simmons is a very skilled speed-rusher with six more career sacks than anyone else in college football.

Becker is the perfect replacement for what the Bucs offense has been missing without Mike Evans. The outside deep threat that creates space for everyone else. His ball skills are second-to-none in the class as he's never dropped a pass in college.

Mike LaFleur may not have much time at the helm, given how this season has gone, so I have him opting for the most NFL-ready quarterback at this spot. Chambliss is an outstanding athlete with a cannon for an arm who can attack downfield in the NFL. He could very easily have a Russell Wilson-esque career arc.

Gilliam would be a darn-near clone of Grady Jarrett for the Falcons. His ability to get into the backfield consistently would make the Falcons' front four one of the most feared in the NFL once they're back at full strength.

Aireontae Ersery has been adequate at left tackle, but ideally you'd set your sights a little higher when trying to protect your franchise in C.J. Stroud. Seaton is an elite athlete for the position who just needs his play strength to catch up.

Cole has nothing short of elite range for an off-ball linebacker. He can close to the flats faster than most defensive backs. It's a sight to behold. With his body type, he more than has the potential to become a hybrid rusher in time, as well. Harold Fannin isn't scoring in overtime if Cole is in that game.

Fitting that the Jets would use this pick to take Echoles as he's a very similar style of player to Quinnen Williams. While the Ole Miss defensive tackle isn't near Williams's level as a pass-rusher, he's already a high-end playmaker against the run.

Declan Doyle has shown his creativity as a schemer in year one and adding a talent like Green would only give him more flexibility. That's because Green looks like an NBA small forward with one of the biggest catch radii you'll ever seen. Unlike his sophomore season, Green has a power element to his game this fall and can hold his own as a blocker.

Harris has been one of college football's biggest risers. He went from balling out at Hawaii in 2025 to balling out at LSU this season as he's taking to task college football's best corners. He's a fluid-mover with exceptional body control as both a route-runner and ball-carrier.

Moore's draft stock took a hit with a concussion-shortened 2026 season, but the Browns are more than desperate enough to still take a chance on him. His gorgeous deep ball would pair perfectly with the burgeoning young Browns receiving corps.

This would be a dream scenario for the Seahawks. Cornerback Josh Jobe has been the obvious weak link in the secondary, leading the team in yards and touchdowns allowed. Hampton would be larger, more physical presence that would fit the ethos of the Seahawks defense.

Heldt is a massive nearly 6-foot-7 edge-rusher who's only gotten better every single season of his career. He has shorter arms which could cause him to slip in the draft, but he makes up for it with tremendous body control for a man that size.

The Panthers continue to try to stockpile defensive linemen. This time they get a defender with inside-outside versatility although Thompkins has flourished with the move to more edge this year at Alabama. His power shines with a head of steam and is difficult to stop when paired with his agility.

Johnson has three-position inside versatility, which will come in handy given how banged up the Patriots offensive line has been this season. Yes, that's three straight first-round offensive linemen for New England, but they have to protect their franchise quarterback better.

Heard fits what the Cowboys want to be up front too well for them to pass up on him. He's a flat-out bully in the run game who'd move people with ease on deuce blocks with Tyler Booker. It's taken the former five-star a while to get going in his college career, but he's flourishing in Kentucky.

Coleman's 2026 season hasn't gone as expected, but he's still such a talented athlete that I can't see him falling too far. For a downfield passing team like the Giants, he'd be perfect. With Malik Nabers drawing a lot of attention, Coleman can consistently get behind corners one-on-one.

Robinson is a supreme athlete at corner who would be perfect for Al Golden's defense. He'd also fill a massive need across from DJ Turner in the defense.

We've been thinking for half a decade about whether the Chiefs will finally find their Travis Kelce replacement, and I buy in every season. Johnson could make sense here for his blocking prowess as much as his receiving. With the Chiefs becoming more run-heavy than ever, Johnson would be a value add, even as a TE2.

Pieper is the logical next step to keep the Jason Kelce-Cam Jurgens style of center going. He's undersized, but absurdly athletic. Even though he's well under 300 pounds, he consistently generates movement with his ability to out-leverage larger defensive tackles.

Cheeks is a decidedly Steelers kind of edge-rusher. And not just because he went to Wisconsin. Cheeks is a edge-bending speed rusher who already has the refined rush plans of an NFL veteran. With TJ Watt slowing down, it couldn't hurt to have another infusion of talent off the edge.

Collins has been college football's stingiest cornerback this season, with under 100 yards allowed all year. His makeup speed is a sight to behold as he plays with no fear of getting beaten deep.

With Jordan Addison hitting free agency, the Vikings will be in need of a WR2. Duff looks perfect for that role - especially if they retain Kirk Cousins next year. Duff may be a big body, but he can get downfield and haul in passes over smaller corners.

The tackle position at Utah hasn't seen a dip despite losing two first-rounders, in large part due to the play of Williams. He's a tall, long-levered tackle with light feet to mirror speed. With an aging tackle duo, the Broncos would be wise to plan for the future.

Robert Saleh gets his new version of Sauce Gardner in his defense. While Jones isn't quite as fluid, he's bigger and longer than the former Jets cornerback. He gives the Titans at least one trustworthy option at the position.

Goosby's stock is in freefall after suffering a serious knee injury that ended his season. Like Josh Simmons before him, though, Goosby is too talented to let fall out of the first round if his recovery is on track.

Traore is a box-ticker athlete with pretty much everything you could want at the position. He's still a work in progress as a technician, but his addition would give Buffalo a healthy rotation at the position.