With the NFL draft a month away, I’m shifting my focus to my annual mock drafts. I’ve ranked in the Top 10 for NFL draft accuracy on FantasyPros over the last three years so I hope these articles will help you get to know some of the big fantasy rookies you’ll be drafting this year.
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1. Shadeur Sanders (COL) to Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ Will Levis experiment has unsurprisingly failed spectacularly. While Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are superior talents, I can’t imagine Tennessee giving up the opportunity for a franchise quarterback. The question is, who? Shadeur Sanders isn’t universally loved, but he is accurate, smart and comes from a reliable NFL bloodline. Cam Ward is the primary alternative, but he’s a riskier prospect. While he’s done an amazing job, he doesn’t as clearly project to the NFL.
2. Cam Ward (MIA) to Cleveland Browns
The Browns have used seven different quarterbacks in the last two years, and none have been effective. While Travis Hunter will be tempting, I think with Deshaun Watson out for 2025 at least, Cleveland must go with a quarterback here. There are two top QB prospects in this draft
class so I’d be taking whichever is available at this pick. While Sanders fits Kevin Stefanski’s scheme better than Ward, either would be a massive step up and set the franchise back on the correct path.
3. Travis Hunter (COL) to New York Giants
The Giants badly need a quarterback, but I think the odds of Shadeur Sanders or Cam Ward falling to them is low. This feels far too early for Jalen Milroe which leaves two fantastic options. For me, Travis Hunter is the perfect fit. The Giants have gaping holes at outside cornerback and wide receiver and Hunter can help at both spots, though I expect the defense will be his primary home. Abdul Carter wouldn’t be a crazy pick here, but he doesn’t fill a need to the same extent.
4. Tetairoa McMillan (ARI) to New England Patriots
The Patriots have needs across the board and could go in a number of directions: Arguably their greatest need is the O-line which could lead them to select Will Campbell. But for me, this is too early for a player with his limitations. Abdul Carter is the best player available but doesn’t fulfil a major need. That leaves us with Tetairoa McMillan. He’s a big-bodied playmaker who can fill the vacant WR1 in New England. In a generally weak offensive class, he stands out as the clear best option.
5. Mason Graham (MICH) to Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have a surprising range of needs along the O-line and on the defensive side of the ball. While safeties and interior linemen belong later in the draft, with this pick I expect the Jaguars to attack the premier positions. While Will Johnson would be a suitable fit at cornerback across from Tyson Campbell, I expect Jacksonville attacks the defensive line with one of Johnson’s teammates. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both viable options, but Graham seems to have the lead of the two, despite concerns about his body composition.
6. Will Johnson (MICH) to Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders would love to find their franchise quarterback, but some unnecessary late-season wins have taken them out of contention for the top two QBs. At this stage, I think Jalen Milroe is more likely to be an option with their second pick (maybe in a trade up). That leaves cornerback and defensive lineman as the best options. I expect them to lean Will Johnson if he’s available, though the two Michigan D-linemen are also viable alternatives. Johnson is long and fast but takes too many risks, often giving up big plays or penalties.
7. Abdul Carter (PSU) to New York Jets
The Jets have an array of needs for their new head coach. Given his history as a DC, I anticipate building a strong defense will be the priority. While finding an elite defensive tackle to place beside Quinnen Williams would be tempting, I think if Abdul Carter falls to here, and that’s a big if, they won’t be able to pass on him. Some experts have Carter going as early as 1.01 so this feels like a real bargain. He’s an elite prospect team scouts have as a favorite next to Travis Hunter, as a speed rusher in the Micah Parsons mould.
8. James Pearce Jr (TEN) to Carolina Panthers
With Bryce Young finally starting to look like the franchise quarterback the Panthers drafted him to be, they can turn to rebuilding their defense. Fortunately for Carolina’s brass, edge, DT and CB are the three positions of strength at this point in the draft. While the two Michigan tackles would be good options to pair with Derrick Brown, the Panthers are badly lacking in edge pressure since the departure of Brian Burns. Abdul Carter would be the ideal pick, but James Pearce Jr is a fine replacement. He’s a natural fit in the Brian Burns mould though his run D needs work.
9. Kenneth Grant (MICH) to New Orleans Saints
While the Saints have many holes, I think defense is a logical place to start based on the positions of strength at the top-end of this draft. While they’d love a Will Johnson, Abdul Carter or Tetairoa McMillan to fall, I think it’s most likely the ultimately attack the defensive line.
There’s a good chance at least one of Mason Graham, James Pearce and Kenneth Grant falls to this spot and they’ll likely be prefenced in that order. Grant is more of a run defender but his pass rush needs a little more work at the NFL level.
10. Will Campbell (LSU) to Chicago Bears
The Bears attempted to ease Caleb Williams’ transition into the NFL by providing him an array of elite targets. Unfortunately, his O-line and play-calling consistently let him down. The play-calling aspect will undoubtedly improve under Ben Johnson, so they can fix the remaining hole in the draft. Will Campbell is the top O-lineman available this year, in what is a weak class for the position. His lack of length may see him shift inside, but that still fills a need for Chicago. Even if Campbell is gone, I imagine they’ll still select another OL like Kelvin Banks.
You can find the full mock draft at ffdfantasyfootball.com and my full rundown of the whole first
round on my Youtube channel.
