NFL Mock Draft 3.0 | Shedeur’s Tumble, Bears’ Curveball

We’ve entered NFL Draft month, and the annual event is just a few weeks away.

Shockingly, there still hasn’t been any first-rounder involved in a trade, but that makes it easier to determine the draft order.

NFL Mock Draft 3.0 | Shedeur’s Tumble, Bears’ Curveball

The mock draft includes a combination of the “What would we do?” and “What do we expect the teams to do?” approaches. Let’s mock.

1. Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward (QB) | Miami

This Titans regime needs to get the QB position right to lift the team from embarrassing to respectable. Ward has a chance to be a franchise-changer.

2. Cleveland Browns

Abdul Carter (EDGE) | Penn State

The Browns don’t reach for a quarterback, but instead, they pair Myles Garrett with another excellent pass rusher, grabbing Penn State’s Abdul Carter.

3. New York Giants

Travis Hunter (CB) | Colorado

The Giants do the same, skipping this QB class and finding the best talent on the board. Travis Hunter will be an immediate game-changer on defense and will also get some snaps on offense, forming an electric duo with Malik Nabers.

4. New England Patriots

Will Campbell (OT) | LSU

The Patriots need two things: Pass-catchers for Drake Maye and protection for Drake Maye. They get the latter by selecting Will Campbell. Don’t overthink the arm length; the man can block.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mason Graham (DT) | Michigan

The Jaguars already have some talented defensive players and they add another one. Mason Graham will fit nicely next to Travon Walker and Josh Allen-Hines.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Ashton Jeanty (RB) | Boise State

7. New York Jets

Armand Membou (OT) | Missouri

The Jets hired head coach Aaron Glenn, and he knows how important the offensive line is from his days with the Lions. Insert Armand Membou, who had a fantastic final season at Mizzou.

8. Carolina Panthers

Jalon Walker (EDGE) | Georgia

A receiver would’ve been nice, but the Panthers had an all-time bad defense last season. Jalon Walker can help upgrade that.

9. New Orleans Saints

Tetairoa McMillan (WR) | Arizona

The Saints have various needs, but they pair elusive wideout Chris Olave with a true outside threat in Tetairoa McMillan.

10. Chicago Bears

Omarion Hampton (RB) | North Carolina

The Bears have invested in the offensive line, and now Ben Johnson is taking another step in rebuilding his Lions offense by adding Omarion Hampton. This might be perceived as a reach, but just wait a few months.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Kelvin Banks (OT) | Texas

San Francisco’s offensive line has been a little overrated in the last couple of years, primarily because Trent Williams is that good. Kelvin Banks could be his successor and play guard until he is needed outside.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Shemar Stewart (EDGE) | Texas A&M

Because there’s neither a running back nor a wide receiver available worthy of a 12th pick, the Cowboys go defense. Shemar Stewart gives the Cowboys another disruptor on their defensive front.

13. Miami Dolphins

Josh Simmons (OT) | Ohio State

Terron Armstead retired, and a new left tackle is needed. Josh Simmons fills that void to protect Tua.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Boise State Broncos during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 31, 2024. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Tyler Warren (TE) | Penn State

Everyone loves Tyler Warren here, and so do I. He is one of the best players in this draft.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Jihaad Campbell (ILB) | Alabama

The Falcons need both an inside linebacker and an edge rusher, so why not draft someone who can do both?

16. Arizona Cardinals

Will Johnson (CB) | Michigan

A player who’s way too good to be available at 16 gets snatched by Jonathan Gannon. Will Johnson will be fun to watch in training camp against Marvin Harrison Jr.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Green (EDGE) | Marshall

The Bengals continue to strangely disregard one of their very few good defenders. Trey Hendrickson’s replacement arrives via the draft, and Mike Green is the pick, hoping to continue his hunt for quarterbacks at the next level.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Grey Zabel (iOL) | North Dakota State

The Seahawks should protect Sam Darnold to prevent him from seeing ghosts. Grey Zabel can play all over the lin,e and the Seahawks will find a nice spot.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE) | Boston College

The Buccs need more pass rush, and they find their man at Boston College. Donovan Ezeiruaku is a smaller rusher, but Tampa Bay hopes his quickness prevails.

20. Denver Broncos

Luther Burden III (WR) | Missouri

The Broncos have Courtland Sutton on the outside. Pairing him with an explosive slot guy makes sense. Luther Burden will be a fun chess piece for Sean Payton.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Shedeur Sanders (QB) | Colorado

The Steelers got lucky here, seeing Shedeur Sanders tumble down the board. If Aaron Rodgers joins the club, Sanders can sit and learn. If he doesn’t, Sanders will compete with Mason Rudolph and likely beat him at some point.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Kenneth Grant (DT) | Michigan

Jim Harbaugh reunites with one of the elite players he coached at Michigan. A defensive line is needed, and adding the large human makes sense.

23. Green Bay Packers

Emeka Egbuka (WR) | Ohio State

Green Bay never drafts receivers in the first round. But they do now because Egbuka is better than any of the remaining pass rushers. Jordan Love finally gets his potential WR1.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates an interception in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images

Jahdae Barron (CB) | Texas

A versatile defender for Brian Flores is a match made in heaven. Barron is good enough to go way higher, so the Vikings gladly take him to further bolster their secondary.

25. Houston Texans

Tyler Booker (iOL) | Alabama

Although wideout is tempting, the Texans need offensive line help. C.J. Stroud can’t run for his life all year, and Tyler Booker is the guy to call.

26. Los Angeles Rams

Colston Loveland (TE) | Michigan

We have never seen Sean McVay with a top-notch tight end, but he’s getting the chance now if Colston Loveland lives up to the first-round pedigree.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Mykel Williams (EDGE) | Georgia

The Ravens do what they always do; they just select someone who could’ve gone way higher, especially in the trenches. Williams also fills a need.

28. Detroit Lions

James Pearce Jr. (EDGE) | Tennessee

The Lions need a pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. James Pearce was productive at Tennessee and earned a first-round call.

29. Washington Commanders

Shavon Revel Jr. (CB) | East Carolina

Revel feels like a Dan Quinn corner with his length and athleticism.

30. Buffalo Bills

Trey Amos (CB) | Mississippi

The Bills need cornerback help, and Trey Amos is an instant contributor.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Josh Conerly Jr. (OT) | Oregon

Patrick Mahomes was under constant duress in the Super Bowl, and giving him more help is logical.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Matthew Golden (WR) | Texas

This choice feels unfair. The Eagles could’ve added another piece to the defensive line or the secondary, but instead, they grab another explosive receiver. Good luck defending Saquon when there are three scary wideouts on the outside.