Author: alaskaadmin

You know that Fernando Mendoza is going first overall. You know that at No. 2, the New York Jets are deciding between Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Ohio State edge Arvell Reese. And you know that the bona fide superstars in this draft — running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles — do not play premium positions. That’s what we’re seeing and hearing at the surface level. But this is “Sound Smart,” where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. 1. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY The Bengals won their trade for DT Dexter Lawrence. Period. At first glance, no one seemed to like the Dexter Lawrence trade for the Cincinnati Bengals. (I did, to be clear. But basically no one else liked it.) It was “a steal” for New York — supposedly. A Top 10 pick! For Dexter Lawrence? A 28-year-old DT? Why? How?! It’s actually really simple. Lawrence was a better player than whatever rookie the Bengals were going to get at 10th overall, even taking into account the financials, the age and the long-term planning. Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson? Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or LSU corner Mansoor Delane? Lawrence or Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa? A top 10 pick sounds great. The reality of this year’s No. 10 is … not so great — unless maybe Ohio State safety Caleb Downs dropped that far. In this era of information, there are rare moments where we overthink a single transaction. But there are outliers that buck the greater trends, and I see clearly why the Bengals thought this was a win for their organization. Cincinnati is a team that needs to get better in a hurry. The job security for coach Zac Taylor isn’t so much my concern. It’s all about the Bengals’ relationship with veteran QB Joe Burrow. Listen to the way he sounded disenchanted with the game last year. He sounded like he could retire — or like he’d consider pulling a Matthew Stafford and demanding a trade. Cincy could lose Burrow as early as 2027. In December, I called this the most important offseason ever for the Bengals. This is not a drill, folks. This is one of the biggest issues an organization can face. The Bengals needed to address the issue. They’re starting to act like it, adding Lawrence to such offseason additions as edge Boye Mafe, safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. I can see why — to some — that might make this move sound desperate. Or illogical. It’s neither. This 2026 draft isn’t very impressive at the top. There will be places on Day 2 when teams will get a third-round-graded player in the third round. Otherwise, I bet most teams will feel like they’re reaching, especially in Round 1. Some teams have fewer than 10 players with a first-round grade. It’s possible the Bengals are one of those teams. Which would lend more credibility to the idea that Lawrence was worth it. It’s a part of a bigger trend: an offseason where premium players have been especially scarce. Because the draft was so weak, teams didn’t let their free agents get to the open market. (There were, for example, virtually no good defensive tackles on the open market with the best free agent option being 39-year-old Calais Campbell, who is actually still available, though not especially enticing). Because the draft is so weak and free agency looked thin, teams got more aggressive in acquiring veterans in the trade market — like cornerback Trent McDuffie, edge Maxx Crosby and receiver DJ Moore. (And I know that the Crosby deal with Baltimore fell apart, but that happened, in part, because Trey Hendrickson presented a rare value that the Ravens didn’t seem to initially anticipate. They probably didn’t anticipate his availability because of the trends I’m mentioning.) When it comes to the Lawrence deal, the Bengals managed to secure him through 2028 — and without breaking the bank. It’s basically a three-year, $70-million contract after Cincinnati gave him a $28-million, one-year extension. That puts Lawrence on par with Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons and DeForest Buckner in terms of average annual value. I suspect that’s a deal the Giants would gladly accept — but were not given the option to, because of a relationship that deteriorated. They’re now looking at a defense which, this season, will have to defend running backs such as Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs, among others. It’s suddenly a ground-game league. And the Giants’ defense looks like it’s in danger of turning into ground meat next season without Lawrence. New York will probably draft inside linebacker Sonny Styles at fifth overall to help offset Lawrence’s departure. (At No. 10, it looks like maybe the Giants will take an offensive player, like ASU receiver Tyson.) But as terrific as Styles is, he’d be a whole lot better if he was playing behind Lawrence. The Bengals are a team in dire need of impact players. They didn’t see one falling into their lap on defense at 10th overall. So they moved that pick for a proven entity. If it works out, they might cure Burrow’s melancholia and keep him with the organization. Finally, it feels like the Bengals are taking action. 2. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW It’s OK to be thinking ahead to Arch Manning and the 2027 NFL Draft. Everyone else is. At the NFL Combine in February, a pair of NFL agents sat discussing the 2026 draft at a Starbucks near the convention center in Indianapolis. But the more they discussed this year’s class, the more they talked about next year’s class. Texas QB Arch Manning. Oregon QB Dante Moore. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. LSU QB Sam Leavitt. That’s what 2027 might have to offer. There’s a lot of talent to get excited about — next year. There are enthusiasts who love this year’s presumed No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, including — of course — the folks in Las Vegas. He is a very good prospect. After him, however, the quarterback class looks starkly undertalented and/or underdeveloped. After Mendoza, there’s a real lack of star potential at the top of the first round at just about every premium position. Quarterbacks Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are compelling players, and they’re almost definitely going to be the QB2 and QB3 of this year’s class. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) figures to present strong value as a mid-round developmental prospect. But it’s a good thing these QBs came out this year, because they almost certainly wouldn’t rank as favorably in next year’s class. Arch Manning, for example, would’ve probably been the No. 1 overall pick this year. Dante Moore might’ve also pushed Mendoza for QB1, if the Oregon prospect had entered the draft. It seems highly likely that Simpson will land in Round 1 — but in a place where he won’t have to see the field in 2026. Even his father, Jason Simpson, told me that Ty wasn’t like Mendoza, who was interviewing for jobs in 2026. Simpson was interviewing for a starting job in 2027. Around the league, we have seen a few teams treading water at quarterback, most notably the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. It’s not paradise in the quarterback rooms for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Jets. Yet there is less urgency around the quarterback position this year than normal. And I think that’s because everyone is thinking about next year’s prizes. There’s an obvious risk, because this draft class was supposed to be better than it turned out to be. The highly-anticipated quarterbacks might return to the safety of NIL paychecks, which are — in some cases — higher than what a player might make in the NFL. Even considering all that, it’s almost a total certainty that next year’s group will be better than this year’s group. And so the 2027 draft class is looming — and to some degree lording — over the 2026 draft. 3. SHARING A NOT-SO-DIRTY DRAFT SECRET Is there a pattern around prospects who turn into busts? Chiefs GM Brett Veach thinks he’s found one. Why do some great prospects fail to pan out? If only NFL general managers knew for sure. And for executives who only get a few years in their decision-making chair, it’s even harder to get a sense of whether there’s even a pattern. That’s why Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s answer to a question at his pre-draft press conference last week struck me as so interesting. This is Veach’s 10th year in his role. During that time, the Chiefs have hit on guys all over the roster, from QB Patrick Mahomes to center Creed Humphrey to defensive tackle Chris Jones to cornerback Trent McDuffie. They’ve also missed on some players, from running back Clyde Helaire-Edwards to receiver Skyy Moore to defensive end Breeland Speaks. But more often than not, the Chiefs have hit in the top three rounds, which is a major reason why they have made so many Super Bowls. But last season, we saw that while Mahomes can do a whole lot — he can’t do it all. “If you miss on a player, it’s probably the character and the love for football,” Veach said. “We all get enamored by what a player can do, and I think everyone has an element of, ‘Well, if he’s in our environment, it’ll be different.’ We do have a great environment here. If anyone’s going to get the best out of any player, it’s going to be here. But even [with] some of those players, it’s hard.” It’s one of the biggest clichés of the draft process — these discussions of character and love for the game. But that’s in part because it’s not quantifiable and in part because it comes off as coachspeak. There’s no easy measurement for either — or for how things might change once a player arrives in the NFL. But the more you speak with evaluators, the more you know that every prospect requires development. And you can’t help a guy who can’t help himself. “No one’s going to be perfect, and you’re not always going to get Pat Mahomes and Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith in regards to mental makeup,” Veach said. “The guys that you do roll the dice for, [you] plan the approach … and just work on that over the years. Again, I go back to the mistakes you make are guys that at the end of the day, they just don’t love football. Even though you thought you were going to change them, you didn’t. “We’ve tried to do better with that process, identifying those things and making sure that we’re looking for the right traits and characteristics that do lend itself to future change.” 4. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID TO SAY Hey Cowboys, stay the course. Dallas is putting together a solid defense. Maybe it’s not a spectacular one, but it’s a really good one. The Cowboys have taken the patient approach of spreading money around the defense — rather than investing in one unit with an unnecessary sense of urgency. This is the Micah Parsons effect, where they’ve sacrificed one elite pass-rusher in the name of having elite offensive playmakers and a well-rounded defense. Don’t lose sight of the plan, Dallas. “I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” owner Jerry Jones said in a press conference at the owners meetings in March. “And absolutely, we’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. … With the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations.” There’s a growing sentiment that Dallas wants to trade up for Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese. Maybe into the top five picks. I can’t get behind either concept. It would derail what appeared to be the Cowboys’ strategy around the Parsons trade. From this draft, Reese is most like Parsons — but given how little playing time Reese got in his edge role at Ohio State, he’s a legitimately risky play for an investment that would likely require two first-round picks. The film is excellent, but there’s not that much of it. It’s an easier sell for Styles, who is (in my opinion) one of two clear-cut instant Pro Bowlers alongside Jeremiyah Love. But trading up for Styles is comparable to the plot of Draft Day — giving up multiple first-round picks to get a linebacker. It’s the most ridiculous plot point of the movie and that’s saying something. I don’t like the Cowboys doing it in real life. So here’s hoping if the Cowboys do move up, they don’t worry about getting into the top five picks. They jump up a few spots, if necessary, to snag Miami edge Rueben Bain or Caleb Downs … or even Styles, if he slips to seventh or eighth. But the whole idea was to use the Parsons trade as an opportunity to bring depth and balance to the defense. Don’t abandon that whole idea. Make sure you come away from the 2026 draft with two first-round picks. Make sure you preserve your first-rounders in the 2027 draft. For the love of all things good in the world, don’t write “Sonny Styles No Matter What” on a Post-it. 5. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN The draft process has been complicated for Rueben Bain. The draft process is long, invasive and comprehensive. Just a month ago, Caleb Downs told me that he didn’t feel like the months leading up to the draft were one big interview because NFL teams are “doing background checks on your childhood stuff, so at this point, your whole life is sort of a job interview.” That’s why NFL teams knew about Rueben Bain’s car accident long before the public did. In March 2024, Bain rear-ended another vehicle, per a police report published on The Read Optional. Three of the four passengers were not wearing seat belts and 22-year-old Destiny Betts sustained injuries severe enough to put her in a coma. She died in June 2024. “We’ve known about it since last summer,” one scout told me regarding the accident. “I still think he goes in the top 10. Again, everyone has known about this in the NFL.” I sat down with Bain last month in Portland at the Adidas “Pro Day” — just after the NFL Combine — to talk about the pre-draft process. At the time, I didn’t know about the accident, which is important context for the interview. I asked him how his meetings with teams went. And he told me what it was like speaking with the Jets, who were his first interview at the combine and are picking at Nos. 2 and 16 in the draft on Thursday night. “It definitely was nerve-wracking,” Bain told me. “That first meeting, walking up to my first meeting, my heart was pounding — like literally beating on my chest. But once I sat down and got in the swing of things, I was actually just being myself, talking, being confident in my knowledge of the game.” One NFL scout confirmed that his team — and likely every team — checked in about the accident. So in all likelihood, Bain answered some hard questions from the Jets. Chiefs GM Brett Veach said his scouting staff spoke with Bain about it. The strange reality, in hindsight, was that Bain was one of the combine’s biggest talking points for different reasons. The discussion centered around his arm length (30⅞ inches), tied for the fourth-shortest for a defensive end since 1999. “I don’t really think about it,” he told me. “I don’t give no energy to it.” Bain looked back on his time at the combine with fondness. “I could’ve stayed in Indianapolis forever if we kept doing what we was doing,” he told me. “Everybody there was kind of complaining about it, dragging about it. But for me, my first two days was super fun, just talking football, interviewing with teams, stuff like that. Then the next three, four days, just watching guys compete, getting out there, seeing the whole experience of the combine.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Finally, we have made it to draft week. We’ve already had some drama — with the New York Giants trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick on Saturday night — and you should expect much more drama in the days ahead. Will Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love get drafted earlier than some think he will? My latest intel suggests that might be the case. Can the Dallas Cowboys execute a trade to land a defensive player that I hear they really like? Potentially. Will Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson get selected in the first round? I think so, but someone might have to make a move to get him. Oh, and what will the Giants now do with their two top-10 picks? There’s one player I hear they’re targeting ahead of Thursday’s first round. Let’s dive into the answers to those questions in my final mock draft. Remember, I’ll be a part of NFL Network’s live coverage for the first two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana This is the pick no one’s questioning. We know the Raiders are going to take Fernando Mendoza at No. 1. We’ve known this for the entire process. I’ve really loved what they’ve done around Mendoza. They’ve got running back Ashton Jeanty. They signed All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, and I love that. Left tackle Kolton Miller should be back after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury. So, now they’ve got some juice, and they aren’t in dire straits. 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State This is where things get interesting. This should be a three-player discussion at No. 2, with Arvell Reese, edge rusher David Bailey and linebacker Sonny Styles in the mix. I don’t think anybody — including those in the Jets’ organization — thinks this team will be a top-end competitor this year. When you look at the draft capital they have this year and next, you’re building for the future. So, bet and bank on potential here with Reese. He’s got the highest upside of anyone in the draft. I think he has the potential to be a Defensive Player of the Year, and he’s got Micah Parsons-esque versatility. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Cardinals are a really interesting selection. Most people believe they’re looking to shore up the edge. They probably could and maybe they will, but I can’t get out of my head a little thought — and it comes with some intel — of the Cardinals loving Jeremiyah Love. We know they also like Ty Simpson, but this is too rich a spot to draft him. With the thought of potentially making a move for Simpson later in mind, why don’t the Cardinals draft Love? A lot of people believe Love is the best non-quarterback in the draft. Arizona would get a running back who can move between the tackles, hit home runs on the outside and catch passes as a slot receiver. 4. Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) I’ve heard rumblings that there could be some movement along Tennessee’s offensive line. I think quarterback Cam Ward’s former Miami teammate, Francis Mauigoa, should be the pick if that’s the case. Mauigoa was dominant and was huge in Miami’s College Football Playoff run. Don’t be surprised if this is the fourth overall pick. 5. New York Giants: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Are the Giants trying to package their two top-10 picks to move further up? I don’t know about that. But I do know they love one of these offensive players in this draft. I think they’re moving around and trying to position themselves into a place where they can target and draft Jordyn Tyson. I don’t think they’ll need to draft him at No. 5, though. I know pass rusher isn’t a specific need for the Giants, but if you can get the best pure pass rusher in the draft, you go and do that. I’ve also been told the Giants aren’t in on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. 6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah The Browns have left tackle questions. The problem? There isn’t a pure left tackle good enough to use the No. 6 pick on. Fano, who played right tackle the last two seasons, does have some left tackle experience, at least. Fano’s a great player and was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year this past season. The Browns could move him over and fill that hole on the left side. 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Washington needs defense. In this scenario, there are some excellent defensive players on the board. The Commanders would have to be happy that they could get at least one of Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. They really can’t go wrong picking either one, but they can say to themselves, “You mean we can get a Fred Warner-type?” Styles just blew everyone out of the water at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s the perfect combination of height, weight and athleticism. He also has versatility in his background, starting out as a safety before moving down to linebacker. [2026 NFL Draft: Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] 8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State In one of the recent episodes of my digital show, “The Joel Klatt Show,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Carnell Tate to Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who is also an Ohio State alum. I like the idea of pairing those two together. I also wonder if the Saints would pick Downs. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley knows how impactful an elite safety can be, as he coached Derwin James during his years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. But New Orleans needs to give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough some weapons. Giving Shough a steady, downfield threat in Tate would be good. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU The Chiefs have got to shore up their secondary. I think there’s a belief out there that the Chiefs might go for offensive help, which is why the Giants might have to pick Jordyn Tyson at No. 5. So, don’t be surprised if the Giants take Tyson at No. 5. But I think If that’s the case, maybe Kansas City really needs help on defense — particularly in the secondary. Delane is the top corner in the draft, making this a perfect fit and value for the Chiefs at No. 9. 10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Truth be told, I had a previous edition of a mock draft ready to go — until the Giants opted to trade defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick. That mock draft will never see the light of day, though, and I now know that they’re targeting Tyson, like I said before. Tyson’s had some injury history, but he’s got great athletic bloodlines and teams have really fallen in love with him. He’s rising up draft boards as we get closer to the draft. 11. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State First-year head coach Jeff Hafley isn’t in a great position. The Dolphins need to build up their roster while carrying a lot of dead salary. One way to overcome that is by drafting the best player available. Remember, Hafley was once Ryan Day’s defensive coordinator at Ohio State, meaning I don’t think there’s any NFL head coach who’ll have better intel on Downs than Hafley. Miami has needs everywhere, and Downs can be a tone-setter for the rebuild. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) The Cowboys have big-time needs at edge and the secondary. Rueben Bain has slipped here in my mock draft, and it’s not at all tied to the recent report about his alleged reckless driving incident. Teams have known about that for quite a bit. His fall here is more related to his arm length. Some might think that’s not a big deal, but Bain isn’t a pure speed rusher. If you’re a power rusher, like Bain is, you’ve got to get into the offensive lineman and extend off it. That’s why his arm length matters to some extent. Still, Bain’s too good for the Cowboys to pass up. Dallas has to take Bain at No. 12, as long as he’s available. Bain plays his butt off on every play and still produced when teams focused on stopping him. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC I do think there’s a chance the Rams really love Carnell Tate and try to move up to get him. Don’t be surprised if that happens. I also think they’d like Makai Lemon. He’s perfect for the Rams’ offense, and I think I want to see him in Sean McVay’s offense more than anything else in this year’s draft. Lemon’s spatial awareness is off the charts. He’s so good in the middle of the field. He understands coverage and how to create space. He’s also an absolute dog at making contested catches. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State This, of course, is going to happen. It might not feel like the most Ravens pick of all-time, but it feels like it. The Ravens always sit there and get the biggest no-brainer or best value pick in the draft. Vega Ioane is the best offensive lineman in this draft. He does play on the interior, so that’s why he slides a bit, but the Ravens get the toughest and nastiest offensive lineman available at No. 14, running to the commissioner to get the pick in. Baltimore also has to replace Tyler Linderbaum in the interior of that offensive line. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) I thought about a wide receiver here, with Mike Evans leaving for the 49ers. However, Tampa Bay also has a big need at edge rusher. Akheem Mesidor is relatively old for a top prospect (he’ll be 25 when the 2026 season begins). He did produce at a high level, though. That maturity can also pay off for whoever drafts Mesidor. 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Jermod McCoy would have been a top-10 pick in last year’s draft had he been eligible and not hurt his knee in January.. McCoy worked out at Tennessee’s pro day and ran a sub-4.4 in the 40. He’s showing in workouts that he’s back from the ACL tear he suffered last offseason. [2026 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt’s Top 50 Prospects Show Changing of the Guard in CFB] 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama Former Lions left tackle Taylor Decker was released earlier this offseason, and we know that this is a team that has heavily relied on their offensive line for success in the past. I’ve been told that Kadyn Proctor won’t make it past the Lions at No. 17. The belief has been that right tackle Penei Sewell will move to left tackle in 2026. However, drafting Proctor means the Lions can keep Sewell at the position he has earned three All-Pro nods at, while having Proctor play left tackle. 18. Dallas Cowboys (trade with Minnesota Vikings): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon I love doing trades in mock drafts, but it’s hard to work one out that makes sense for both teams. Dallas jumps up a couple of picks because it’ll be valuing Dillon Thieneman at safety. Minnesota also has a safety need, but the Vikings might be fine with drafting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The Vikings would also only move back two picks in this scenario. Thieneman had great tape in his first two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Oregon, where he played a bit more of a different safety position. He played closer to the line of scrimmage this past season and was asked to react and play more instinctively. He didn’t do a poor job at that, but he’s better served playing free safety. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon I think the Panthers should continue to surround quarterback Bryce Young with talent. I know they just drafted Tetairoa McMillan at wide receiver this past season, but the Panthers can also help ease some of the issues with their offensive line and running game by taking Sadiq. He’s a great blocker and can be a real red-zone threat. 20. Minnesota Vikings (trade with Dallas Cowboys): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo As I mentioned earlier, the Vikings would probably roll with McNeil-Warren here and get a couple of later-round picks in the process. He’s actually excellent at punching the ball out, forcing nine fumbles in his college career. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana I have no inside information on this, but don’t you think we’ll get Aaron Rodgers news before the draft takes place in Pittsburgh? If you get that, then you give Rodgers something he has always wanted with the Packers: a first-round wide receiver. I love Omar Cooper, especially after calling the game where he made the incredible game-winning touchdown grab against Penn State. He fits what the Steelers want to do, and he’s great with the ball in his hands. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, edge rusher, Clemson The Chargers need help along the edge. We know coach Jim Harbaugh wants to build a run well and have his defense work from the inside and out. T.J. Parker was widely considered to be a surefire top-10 pick entering the 2025 season. He didn’t have the season that many had hoped for him, though. I don’t know what happened at Clemson this past season, but the talent is still there with Parker. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Maybe the Eagles go with an edge rusher or a wide receiver with the A.J. Brown trade rumors still lingering. They can also grab Lane Johnson’s heir apparent at right tackle with this selection. Miller is a really experienced and good player. We know the Eagles are at their best when their offensive line is leading the way for them. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The Browns have a big need at wide receiver, and Denzel Boston can help them in a big way. He’s a big-bodied receiver who’s terrific down the field and in the red zone. He has had a lot of production in his career, and he’ll compete for the ball in 50-50 situations. It’s a specific area of need for the Browns, and they can get a quality player late in the first round. 25. Chicago Bears: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia I think the Bears would’ve loved to have drafted one of those safeties involved with the trade I had earlier in this mock draft, but Chicago can still grab a left tackle with a lot of potential. Monroe Freeling is a prototypical left tackle, and you could ideally have him protecting quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside for years to come. 26. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Buffalo Bills): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The Bills don’t have a second-round pick, and someone is going to be itching to get back into the first round to get Ty Simpson. I think this pick is tailor-made to get traded. The Cardinals have the opportunity to not only get Simpson, but also get him on a first-round rookie contract, meaning they would have an extra year of team control. Simpson has been a bit polarizing. I’m high on him, though, and think he’s an excellent player. Even though he’s a touch undersized, he can make all the throws, especially outside the numbers and down the field. Simpson also knows what it takes to be a leader, showing that when he led Alabama to a comeback victory over Oklahoma in the CFP. My one area of concern for him is that he only started for one season. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Trent Williams isn’t going to play at left tackle forever. Lomu would be a good pick here. While he struggled against Texas Tech, Caleb Lomu was mostly excellent at left tackle for Utah this past season. 28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State The Texans could look to bolster their offensive line here, but I think they can look at their defense and say, “How can we get even better?” Defensive tackle is one area they can improve. Kayden McDonald was terrific in his one year as Ohio State’s starting defensive tackle. His ability to get off and get into the backfield is enticing. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn When Faulk walks into a room, you know that’s what an edge rusher is supposed to look like. The only problem is that his production in college doesn’t line up with how he looks. Faulk is 6-foot-6 and weighs 270; he looks like an Adonis. He’s got all the athleticism and potential in the world. However, he never led Auburn in sacks or tackles for loss in a season during his time there. That’s shocking to me. Maybe it was the turmoil within the program that caused his lack of production, and if there’s an organization that might feel confident enough to turn that around for Faulk, it’d be the Chiefs. That organization continues to develop defensive players in a quality way. 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State Again, the Dolphins need talent. Chris Johnson is a really talented player with lots of ball production and has been a late riser in this draft. Teams like his length as well, and while I’m not sure about the fit here, Johnson should be a first-round pick. 31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M Many believe that Eagles wideout A.J. Brown might wind up in New England later this offseason. It also signed Romeo Doubs, so I’m not sure if there’s much of a need at wide receiver. I think the Patriots roll with Cashius Howell, who fits what coach Mike Vrabel wants to do on defense. Howell was a stand-up edge rusher with lots of production at Texas A&M. He was electric and unblockable for most of the year. He has short arms, but he doesn’t rely on power. 32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame I’m leaning on what Jeremiah told me on “The Joel Klatt Show” last week, which was that Jadarian Price’s draft floor and ceiling is pick No. 32. Seattle desperately needs help at running back with Kenneth Walker leaving and Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from his ACL tear. I know Price was Love’s backup, but he’s clearly the second-best running back in this draft. There really isn’t another starting running back in the draft, either. So, they’re stuck here. Love can also return kicks, and I think Mike Macdonald will love his mentality.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports