The NFL scouting combine has a way of elevating standout prospects. What those eye-popping performances actually mean for a player’s draft stock, however, can vary greatly.
The annual event in Indianapolis often merely provides confirmation of what was already well-known to scouts, such as Xavier Worthy’s singular speed in the 40-yard dash or Anthony Richardson’s rare package of physical tools for a passer. But for every first-rounder who wows, other standouts can take hits with parts of their evaluation that remain behind closed doors.
With plenty of moving parts ahead of the combine, the franchise tag deadline and the start of free agency, here’s our latest NFL mock draft first-round projection:
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)
Is it time to start buying into the line of thinking that Tennessee could bypass a quarterback with this pick? General manager Mike Borgonzi Tuesday went only so far as to say that the Titans plan to ‘solidify’ the position, and he noted that the team has ‘had some phone calls’ about trading the No. 1 selection. If Tennessee stays put, it will be hard for it to look past Ward, a multitalented passer who would allow Brian Callahan to launch his offense in earnest in Year 2.
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2. Cleveland Browns – Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
Ward might make an enticing option if Tennessee passes at No. 1. With him off the board, however, Cleveland shouldn’t force a quarterback decision as it continues to play out the Deshaun Watson saga. Carter won’t work out at the combine, but he’s established himself as a premier pass rusher worthy of working in tandem with Myles Garrett, so long as the team remains firm in its stance not to deal its star defender.
3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Big Blue won’t wait until it’s on the clock to bring aboard a quarterback, with general manager Joe Schoen asserting at the combine that the team would add a veteran passer somewhere along the way. But even that might not be sufficient to stave off using a premium pick on a passer. Sanders and the Giants have been strongly linked throughout the early portion of the pre-draft process, and that’s likely to remain the case unless the team adds a marquee signal-caller with an established track record.
4. New England Patriots – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
So much for an emerging consensus on the two-way star’s future position. While the Titans said Tuesday that they envision Hunter operating primarily at cornerback, the Browns countered by saying they would favor installing him at receiver. The Patriots would have lots of motivation to be in the latter camp, as Hunter’s speed and ball skills would give New England the explosive option in the passing game that has been absent for some time.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
After moving over from the Los Angeles Rams to accept the Jaguars’ GM job, James Gladstone won’t simply stumble upon the next Aaron Donald – and almost certainly not in his first draft. But Graham can still leave a substantial imprint up front for Jacksonville, which needs someone capable of creating consistent disruption.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is likely not the expectation many have for how the Silver and Black would address their backfield through the draft. But the Raiders have the financial flexibility to outspend the market on the free-agent quarterback of their choosing – Sam Darnold? – and then pivot their focus to overhauling a rushing attack that ranked a distant last in both total yards (79.8 per game) and yards per carry (3.6).
7. New York Jets – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
If you have a blank slate like new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey do, Warren is the kind of player you want to start off with. The hard-charging yet dynamic pass-catcher not only can help steady what likely will be a shaky outlook at quarterback in the short term, but he can help establish the culture that Glenn knows is essential to a rebuild after his time with the Detroit Lions.
8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
General manager Dan Morgan said the priority for this offseason would be rebuilding the defensive line in a manner comparable to the approach the team took in overhauling its offensive front last spring. Yet a group that ranked 31st in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric might need to generate pressure in whatever form that’s within reach. That might mean rolling the dice on Walker, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound disruptor who might need to be deployed creatively but should keep blockers on their toes as both an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker.
9. New Orleans Saints – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Unless the team is prepared to swallow a dead cap hit in excess of $50 million in order to move on from Derek Carr, Kellen Moore might not get to start from scratch with the Saints’ passing attack in Year 1. But he can elevate the aerial game by importing McMillan, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound target who thrives on contested catches and would pair well with Chris Olave.
10. Chicago Bears – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Ryan Poles doesn’t seem prone to wait until the draft to resolve Chicago’s woes up front, as the Bears have the fourth-most cap space of any team, per OverTheCap.com, and are poised to be big spenders in free agency as they reinvent themselves under Ben Johnson. But rebuilding the unit will be a multi-step effort, and Campbell could be a critical finishing touch to the effort as a reliable presence at either tackle or guard.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
If Johnson slides out of the top 10 amid an uneven 2024 season that included a toe injury, San Francisco should be ready to pounce. Top cornerback Charvarius Ward could be headed elsewhere in free agency, and having a 6-foot-1, 203-pounder to match up against the likes of Puka Nacua and DK Metcalf in the NFC West would no doubt help Robert Saleh settle in to start his return as defensive coordinator.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Negotiations with Osa Odighizuwa have begun in Dallas, but will Jerry Jones be willing to pay up for a player who could be poised to strike it rich elsewhere in a booming defensive tackle market? Losing him would leave the Cowboys perilously thin at a position that has already proven problematic for the defense in recent years, but Nolen would have ample appeal as an interior hammer who should become even more disruptive as he fills out his arsenal of pass-rush moves.
13. Miami Dolphins – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
The Dolphins’ revelation at the combine that they’re not expecting left tackle Terron Armstead to return next season adds a bit of urgency to their expected offensive line reconfiguration. A three-year starter and Outland Trophy winner last season, Banks would provide flexibility along the front, though his best bet is likely smoothing out an uneven landscape at guard.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The shift from ousted defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to the incoming Lou Anarumo should be a seismic one for Indianapolis, which will be emphasizing much more varied coverages than it did under the previously static scheme. With his versatility on the back end, Starks can help Anarumo unlock a number of different looks from the get-go.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall
Tabbing the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks (17) seems like a natural solution for a franchise that has been haunted for too long by its dormant pass rush. Green’s 6-foot-3, 251-pound build could be a concern for some 4-3 teams, but new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was able to tap into the substantial potential of another undersized edge rusher in Will McDonald IV during his time with the Jets.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Jonathan Gannon cobbled together a pass rush to keep Arizona’s defense afloat, but the coach hasn’t had a threat off the edge close to Williams’ talent level at any point during his time in the desert. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Georgia product should reinforce his unrealized potential during testing, with all the physical traits in place to become a prolific sack artist.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
While Duke Tobin said Cincinnati hoped to retain NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson for the long term, he didn’t offer up much in the way of a firm commitment after the All-Pro’s apparent ultimatum for either a new deal or trade entering the final year of his contract. Regardless of how things shake out there, a defensive front hurting for playmakers would no doubt benefit from the arrival of Stewart, who could turn heads at the combine with his impressive speed for a 6-foot-5, 281-pounder.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri
One year after saying that guards too often are overdrafted and overpaid, general manager John Schneider might be setting the table to use his top pick to address his team’s glaring deficiency on the interior. Membou’s 6-foot-3, 332-pound frame portends a move inside, and he has the right disposition and skill set as a run blocker to help accelerate head coach Mike Macdonald’s effort to transform the offense into a punishing, ground-centric attack.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
General manager Jason Licht said at the combine he was ‘hopeful’ that the Buccaneers could hammer out an extension with Chris Godwin, but cap-strapped Tampa Bay could have trouble keeping up with free agency’s top spenders if the slot receiver hits the open market. Should the Bucs need to bring in someone else, Egbuka could be a high-volume safety valve for Baker Mayfield.
20. Denver Broncos – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Sean Payton has made no secret of his team’s offseason mission to boost the skill-position talent surrounding Bo Nix. No matter whether the coach sees Loveland as his coveted ‘joker’ who can exploit mismatches in the passing game, the tight end can help Nix continue to develop as a deep and intermediate passer after the team afforded the quarterback more and more responsibility throughout his promising rookie campaign.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
While the Steelers’ plans behind center and at receiver have commanded much of the offseason spotlight, Mike Tomlin is no doubt perturbed by a leaky defense that had a leading role in the team’s late-season downfall. Barron can be a steadying presence for whatever secondary he joins, and his coverage versatility and knack for finding the ball should endear him to Tomlin.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
If there’s one thing that outsiders should expect from Jim Harbaugh, it’s a proclivity for leaning into his team’s identity. While the Chargers could – and should – find ways to aid Justin Herbert by rounding out the receiving corps, it’s a good bet that Harbaugh wants to supercharge a rushing attack that ran out of gas in the playoffs. Hampton’s punishing style makes him an immediate fit.
23. Green Bay Packers – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
With two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaire Alexander widely seen as a likely candidate to be cut amid his struggles to stay healthy, Green Bay seems due for a premium investment at the position. A Senior Bowl standout, Thomas clears the physical benchmarks GM Brian Gutekunst seeks from his rangy cornerbacks and would provide an in-your-face counter to the NFC North’s array of talented receivers.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Projected to only have four draft picks – including one expected compensatory selection for losing Kirk Cousins – the Vikings seem like a strong candidate to trade back if they could find a willing partner. If they stand pat, the massively powerful Booker would be a sensible option to address the team’s longstanding issues up front.
25. Houston Texans – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Maybe the 6-foot-3, 342-pounder positions himself for a push into the teens with a combine performance that showcases his outstanding athleticism for a big man. If he’s available here, however, Grant would be a natural solution for a Texans defense due to add a formidable threat between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
This might be the last exercise that features this pairing, as a clean bill of health after his season-ending knee injury in October could rocket Simmons up teams’ draft boards. But so long as the Rams don’t pursue a wider reset by trading Matthew Stafford, the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder would make plenty of sense as impending free agent Alaric Jackson’s replacement at left tackle.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
With Ravens brass expressing confidence in their ability to retain left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore might end up looking to the other side of the ball with its first-round pick. Picking the hyperathletic Crimson Tide playmaker would make Ozzie Newsome proud, as Campbell could elevate the pass rush in the short term while he hones his instincts at the second level.
28. Detroit Lions – Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
As a one-note power rusher, Sawyer doesn’t scream first-rounder. But the hero of the Buckeyes’ title run does give off plenty of Dan Campbell vibes, as he doesn’t let up against any blocker and should be a force against the run when he’s not pushing the pocket.
29. Washington Commanders – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Unless Washington wants to make a serious push to sign Tee Higgins, it might need to look to the draft to provide a substantial upgrade to Jayden Daniels’ receiving corps. Golden’s crisp route running and upside as an intermediate target should help him become an immediate asset as a complement to Terry McLaurin.
30. Buffalo Bills – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
A class deep with defensive tackle options should serve Buffalo well. In Harmon, the Bills land a versatile and disruptive interior force who can allow Sean McDermott to keep his front fresh while optimizing matchups.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
While the allure of shoring up Patrick Mahomes’ protection is understandable after he was undone by the Eagles’ relentless rush, Kansas City might simply have to endure the growing pains with the young blockers it has. If the Chiefs end up needing to find someone to take over for Justin Reid, they might be drawn to Emmanwori, a 6-foot-3, 227-pound playmaker on the back end who might emerge as the buzziest performer of the combine.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Howie Roseman made his feelings clear at the combine about investing in the trenches, saying he believes you can ‘never have enough’ offensive or defensive linemen. With Milton Williams and Josh Sweat poised for big paydays in free agency, Roseman could replenish the pass rush that powered his team’s Super Bowl victory by scooping up Pearce, a blur off the edge who might be the latest boom-or-bust defender to flourish in Philly.
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
