The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and to get into the spirit of draft season, the sports staff held a mock draft.
Each writer was assigned a team or two and given time to research their team(s), the prospects and what other teams might do. Our draft went as follows:
** These picks were made on the night of April 8, and reflect the state of the league at that time **
1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The most important position in all of team sports is the quarterback. Last season, Will Levis and his erratic play cost the Titans multiple wins. With key offensive line additions, a second-year coaching staff and a new General Manager, the pick for Tennessee is clear.
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Cam Ward’s calm demeanor and ability to be the general of an offense make him the clear pick here. In his senior year with the Hurricanes, Ward put up staggering numbers. He amassed 4,313 yards, recorded 39 touchdowns against just seven interceptions and boasted an 88.7 quarterback rating.
If it wasn’t apparent from Titans brass laughing and joking with Ward at his pro day, the team canceling their private workout with other top-quarterback-prospect Shedeur Sanders all but confirms this pick.
2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
For the Browns, this is a best-player-available type of pick. Travis Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado, has done things never before seen in terms of playing both offense and defense. Cleveland doesnʼt seem too intrigued by the top quarterback prospects and is more likely to wait until a later round to pick one.
The team also has both former first-round pick Kenny Pickett and veteran Joe Flacco under center, making a quarterback an unlikely pick here. The Browns need a lot of help, and adding a proven game-changer like Hunter would go a long way toward that.
3. New York Giants — Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
If Hunter does indeed go to the Browns, then the Giants will likely turn to Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. Illinois took on Penn State twice during Carter’s time in the white and blue. Carter’s performance against the Illini this past season was one of the best of his collegiate career.
The defensive end sacked junior quarterback Luke Altmyer twice, collected a season-high of seven tackles and forced a fumble in Penn State’s 21-7 victory. The All-American laid waste to quarterbacks across the country this past year, totaling 12 sacks for 89 yards. He also led the FBS in tackles-for-loss (24).
The Giants already have talented edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. They don’t necessarily need Carter, but it would be hard to pass up a talent of his caliber if he’s available.
4. New England Patriots — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
After grabbing their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, the Patriots need to get him some weapons. The best way to do that would be by acquiring the best pure-offensive player (excluding Travis Hunter) in the draft, Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona.
At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, McMillan moves with the kind of fluidity that one could only dream of. The wide receiver has an elite catch radius combined with plus-YAC ability. It’s a rare combination and one that should result in a superstar wide receiver.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Jaguars had a disappointing 2024-25 season. Jacksonville had one of the worst defenses in the NFL, allowing over 6,600 yards. They also surrendered the most passing yards (4,375) and had a bottom-ten run defense last season.
This offseason, the Jaguars attended to the offensive needs but still have not addressed the problem of the defensive line. The Jaguars are in a prime position to get a top young talent, and that talent is Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.
Graham ended his season with the Wolverines with 46 tackles and three-and-a-half sacks. He was one reason why the Wolverines won the 2024 national championship and kept them as one of the top defenses in college football this season.
Graham’s ability to disrupt runs up the middle is what makes this a perfect match for Jacksonville. This will solve the Jaguarsʼ defensive problems since Graham can make a massive impact right away.
6. Las Vegas Raiders — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders have gone from completely hopeless to more hopeful after the addition of veteran quarterback Geno Smith. However, the offense is still lacking, especially in the running back room. Meanwhile, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty more than fills out the talent in the room. He is easily the best running back in the draft and one of the top prospects overall.
Paired with new head coach Pete Carrollʼs tendency to run the ball, Jeanty is a great fit for Las Vegas. His vision and his remarkable skill in breaking tackles give the Raiders a player who will make the offensiveʼs lives easier. His pass-catching ability is also remarkable, which will come in handy if the offensive line breaks down on Smith.
7. New York Jets — Armand Membou, T, Missouri
The Jets had a rather disappointing season, and their reworking begins with the offense. First, they acquired quarterback Justin Fields to lead the charge, but Fields cannot get the job done alone. Enter 6-foot-3, 314-pound tackle Armand Membou from Missouri. Membou is the massive source of protection and physicality the Jets desperately need.
Additionally, New York needs to fulfill its right tackle spot, and Membou would fit in perfectly. He’s big, strong, has long arms, performed well at the combine, and moves his feet well against his opponents. With his size and strength, he’ll be able to protect Fields during crucial plays until the very end. If the Jets want a force on the offensive line, they’d be smart to choose Membou at the No. 7 spot.
8. Carolina Panthers — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The Panthers are in desperate need of defensive help. They finished the season with the league’s worst defense and were statistically one of the worst defenses in NFL history. They set the NFL record for points allowed (534) and allowed the second-most total yards (6,877) of all time.
Jalon Walker will seamlessly slide into a starting defensive position as either an inside or outside linebacker. He racked up six-and-a-half sacks and 61 total tackles during his junior season at Georgia, which earned him the Butkus Award for best linebacker.
His versatility coupled with his elite athleticism will make him an essential piece for a young Panthers team that is looking to reinvent its identity.
9. New Orleans Saints — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
New Orleans definitely needs an upgrade at the quarterback position. The Saints attempted starting three players at the position last season, and the results were not great.
Derek Carr had a decent, albeit injury-shortened season, but New Orleans’ other quarterbacks failed to win a game upon Carr’s absence. Carr currently has a shoulder injury that may require surgery, jeopardizing the veteranʼs next season.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is regarded as the second-best quarterback in the draft. His precise decision-making ability makes him the ideal future quarterback to fill a wide-open hole for New Orleans.
10. Chicago Bears — Will Campbell, T, Louisiana State
The Bears fixed their interior offensive line by trading for two guards and signing Drew Dalman. Realistically, Will Campbell from Louisiana State could be selected higher than ten. But if Campbell slides, then it would be a no-brainer for Chicago to take him to fix their tackle issue.
Campbell is one of the best run-blocking tackles in this draft, and new Bears head coach Ben Johnson thrived in Detroit with the run. Johnson would certainly find success on run plays for the Bears if he had Campbell at tackle.
Likewise, picking Campbell gives the Bears the flexibility to target some offensive weapons in the later rounds.
