My first and only mock draft of this year is out now. The audio version of this mock draft is available in the KCM Sports show. This is a unique draft as the top offensive position group are the tight ends and offensive lineman. The defense boasts an extraordinary cornerback that also plays receiver, along with an edge rusher that doesn’t know when to stop. Enjoy my mock draft below.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward – QB (Miami)

Needs: QB, Edge, WR

Last season was filled with moments where it looked like Will Levis was the franchise QB for the Titans. Not sure if the presence of Mason Rudolph (and his injuries) got to him but his shining moments were far and few between this year. This offense blossomed when Rudolph (a traditional passing QB) was under center. Cam Ward has the arm strength, accuracy and decision making to take this offense further. 

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter – Edge (Penn State)

Needs: QB, OL, Edge

The Browns traded for QB Kenny Pickett, letting them shift their focus to improving the defense with this pick. The extension of DE Myles Garrett should motivate the front office to give him a great counter partner, and they found a gem in Carter. Opposing offenses are going to have a hard time game planning for this pairing.  

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders – QB (Colorado)

Needs: QB, OT, LB

The Giants turned the page from Daniel Jones and finished the season with a combo of Drew Lock and Tommy Devito. Somehow, WR Malik Nabers ended his rookie year with 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns. Imagine his production when he has Sanders delivering him the ball. Sanders has enough mobility to create time for the receivers to get open and pinpoint accuracy to elevate the receiving room.

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter – CB/WR (Colorado) 

Needs: OL, WR, DL

The Patriots did a massive overhaul on defense through free agency. Hunter joining the Patriots would favor the offense more than the defense. His amazing catch radius and body control will give QB Drake Maye a true number one receiver. Second WR Ja’Lynn Polk still needs to take his production to another step, but Hunter’s presence could help progress that growth. Hunter should also get some plays on defense covering the third receiver.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham – DT (Michigan)

Needs: DL, CB, S

The Jags complete the defensive line rebuild with the addition of Mason Graham. Graham was a force for the Wolverines last season amassing 24 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks. Adding Graham into the defensive line mix, with the other first round talents along that line, has to make new Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile should be jumping through the roof.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan – WR (Arizona) 

Needs: RB, WR, CB

The new look Raiders front office brought in QB Geno Smith to be their trigger man. Second year TE Brock Bowser was a revelation for the Raiders last year, but he needs help. McMillan is a tall   wideout with a great catch radius and can jump through the roof. Geno is a bridge QB at this point of his career but adding McMillan will create a new layer to the offense and keep his window open just a little longer. 

7. New York Jets: Will Johnson – CB (Michigan)

Needs: OL, WR, TE

The Jets lose CB D.J. Reed through free agency. Adding Johnson to lock down the other side of the field (opposite of CB Sauce Gardner) will make opposing offenses struggle. Johnson missed most of 2024 with a turf toe injury. He should be ready to show off his impressive play recognition and speed immediately. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams – Edge (Georgia)

Needs: Edge, S, CB

The Panthers lost DE Derrick Brown early in the 2024 season, The pass rush failed to find footing for the rest of the year. Brown is set to return this year and what better way than to have a defensive force is Mykel Williams to help attack opposing offenses. Williams ended the year with five sacks, matching the other top two sack leaders  in A’Shawn Robinson and Jadeveon Clowny. 

9. New Orleans Saints: Armand Membou – OG (Missouri)

Needs: CB, WR, OL

The first item on the list for new HC Kellen Moore should be to fix the offensive line. Drafting Membou fits the mold of a successful lineman in Moore’s system – fast, athletic and a great slide technique. Membou would be able to slide at guard and give the Saints one of the best offensive lines in the league. 

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell – OT (LSU) 

Needs: OL, RB, Edge

The Bears have made a strong push to rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They can finalize the rebuild by selecting the best tackle here. Campbell is a great run blocker and he will make massive holes for RB D’Andre Swift. He is also battle tested playing at LSU by competing against NFL caliber edge rushes throughout his time at LSU. 

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jalon Walker – Edge (Georgia) 

Needs: DL, Edge, OL

49er fans will see a lot of new faces when the 2025 year begins. Fans should be excited about Walker coming in to play opposite of DE Nick Bosa. Walker will bring flexibility as he can also switch between edge and linebacker. He’s a natural pass rusher but fluid enough to drop back into coverage if needed. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden – WR (Texas)

Needs: WR, RB, CB

He did not break the 40 yard dash like he said he would at the Combine, but he still has blazing speed. WR Ceedee Lamb needs another receiver to take pressure off him and he gets that in Golden. Golden can attack defenses at all three receiver positions and is a big play making machine. This will be a deadly 1-2 punch for years to come. 

13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks – S (Georgia) 

Needs: OL, DL, S

The Dolphins lost their stud S Jevon Holland in free agency. With only CB Jalen Ramsey patrolling the backfield, the Dolphins need to reload at that position. Starks has the length and speed to attack any deep ball. Even when the play is in the short to intermediate, his pursuit is top tier and loves contact. Having Starks work with Ramsey is going to make opposing offenses tough to operate. 

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren – TE (Penn State)

Needs: TE, OL, LB

Second year QB Anthony Richardson found chemistry with WR Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce but has not found any traction with the tight ends. Add the top tight end to this offense and Richardson has a safety net in case the plays break down. Warren displayed his versatility all season long. OC Jim Bob Cooter will have another big piece to create his offense around. 

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green – Edge (Marshall)

Needs: Edge, DL, CB

Mike Green opened eyes when he went one-on-one with OT Josh Conerly Jr and flattened him. Green’s explosion is all over his film and his athleticism helps blow up gaps disrupting plays. He has a big tool box of pass rushing tools to help him get past the offensive line. Pairing him with newly acquired Edge Morgan Fox is going to set the Falcons up for success for years to come. 

16. Arizona Cardinals: Emeka Egbuka – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: OL, WR, Edge

The Cardinals bring in WR Marvin Harrison Jr’s college teammate with this pick. Harrison Jr had an up and down rookie season and bringing in Egbuka will propel Harrison Jr to another level. Egbuka can attack the ball and has a great catch radius. He is going to be a great outlet for QB Kyler Murray when the play breaks down. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart – Edge (Texas A&M)

Needs: Edge, S, LB

The Bengals lost DE Sam Hubbard to retirement this offseason. Stewart can physically help fill the gap (both 6”5’ and 267 lbs) and has the explosion to cause havoc on opposing offensive lines. He has a great set of tools and traits but can be better with the right coaching. It helps that he will have the league’s top sack leader in DE Trey Hendrickson to show him the ropes.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr – OT (Texas) 

Needs: OL, WR, CB

New franchise QB Sam Darnold should be excited for this pick. The Seahawks front office gave him a reliable top receiver in Cooper Kupp but now they need to add work on the offensive line. Banks has proven his ability to stop pro caliber players throughout his time at Texas. Banks is a sturdy and power tackle that can thwart all pass rush moves. He will be their day one starter. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell – LB (Alabama)

Needs: LB, CB, Edge

The Bucs brought back LB Lavonte David in what could be his last year in the NFL. The Bucs did sign LB Anthony Walker Jr from the Dolphins but Campbell is the best LB in this year’s class and they can’t pass him up. Campbell is an amazing open field tackler and has a great blend of speed and athleticism to get by blockers. Campbell will make great strides under David as he becomes the Bucs next best MLB. 

20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty – RB (Boise State)

Needs: RB, WR, CB

There is a massive hole in the backfield after RB Javonte Williams left through free agency. HC Sean Peyton will be jumping out of his chair with this pick as it adds such a dynamic weapon to his offense. Jeanty’s 2024 season was filled with him taking the football to the end zone from any point on the field. He has a dynamic versatility that Sean Peyton will enjoy utilizing. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omarion Hampton – RB (North Carolina) 

Needs: QB, RB, DL

The Steelers are currently sitting without a week 1 starter at QB. While it is enticing to select a QB here, I think they opt to reload the backfield. Hampton is a downhill runner that has a great mix of balance and power to keep a play alive. A backfield with both Hampton and Jaylen Warren is going to keep defenses guessing. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland – TE (Michigan)

Needs: TE, WR, DL

The Chargers leading tight end in 2024 was Will Dissly and he did not get in rhythm with QB Justin Herbet until midway through the year. The Chargers should invest in giving Herbert as many weapons as they can and bringing in Loveland to be the week 1 starter is key. Loveland is a wideout playing tight end. He knows how to get open from all routes and has a wide catch radius. 

23. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Barron – CB (Texas)

Needs: CB, WR, Edge

The Packers seem to be destined for a breakup with their top corner Jaire Alexander. Barron is the perfect player to replace Alexander. His mechanics are spectacular and his route recognition is top notch. Barron can either lock down a side of the field or shut down the slot receiver as one of the top nickel corners. 

24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori – S (South Carolina)

Needs: CB, OL, S

The Vikings extended S Harrision Smith to a one year deal for his potential last season. Emmanwori and Smith share the traits of a lengthy player that can love to tackle. For at least the rookie season, having Emmanwori and Smith patrolling the backfield is going give the Vikings two rangy safeties that can lock down tight ends, close the throwing windows and end running plays quickly. 

25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker – OG (Alabama)

Needs: OL, WR, DL

QB CJ Stroud had a major sophomore regression, in major part due to an offensive line that struggled to protect him. The Texans brought in new tackles through free agency and now they address the interior offensive line with Booker. Booker also knows how to get a defender out of the way with his size and upper body power. 

26. Los Angeles Rams: Donovan Jackson – OG (Ohio State)

Needs: LB, CB, OL

Jackson has experience at both the guard and tackle spot. The Rams were able to hold onto LT Alaric Jackson so Jackson could land himself in the guard spot for this rookie season. T Rob Havemstein has one year left on his deal so I expect Jackson to spend his rookie year at guard then move over to tackle in year 2. This pick will give the offensive line group flexibility for the next two years. 

27. Baltimore Ravens: Grey Zabel – OG (North Dakota State)

Needs: OL, CB, S

Plug in Zabel to the left guard position and the Ravens will be entering 2025 with one of their best groups in recent years. Zabel is still raw as a player, but his physical traits and ability to seal blocks makes him a great addition. He is also an excellent blocker when it comes to the second level, making large run lanes for Jackson and RB Derrick Henry.

28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton – Edge (Texas A&M)

Needs: Edge, OL, S

The Lions should focus on bringing in a running mate to DE Aidan Hutchinson. The pass rush fell off when Hutchinson went down for the year. Even when the 2025 season starts, Hutchinson is going to need someone to take the pressure off as he gets up to speed. Scourton is a three down edge rusher with an everlasting motor. He has a deep tool box of pass rushing tools that will make opposing offensive lines guessing.  

29. Washington Commanders: James Pearce Jr – Edge (Tennessee)

Needs: Edge, CB, WR

The Commanders defense took a hit through free agency when Edge Dante fowler and DT Jonathan Allen left. Pearce had the fastest 40 yard dash among edges at the combine. He is undersized as an edge but he could spend some time at the outside linebacker spot. The Commanders need help at both those positions so this checks both of those items on the list. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Azareye’h Thomas – CB (Florida State)

Needs: CB, DL, WR

The Bills find themselves in the corner market after they moved on from CB Rashul Douglas. Thomas can’t replace Douglas but he can definitely cover most of the hole left behind. Thomas is a lengthy corner that knows how to break up passes at the opportune time. He has a strong punch to disrupt receivers at the start of the play. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons – OT (Ohio State) 

Needs: DT, OL, Edge

The Chiefs sent their all-pro OG Joe Thuney to the Bears this offseason, so they are needing a new protector for QB Patrick Mahomes. Simmons is still coming off his season ending injury but once he is ready, he is a space filler with a great slide technique. He also has great hands to stay in front of defenders. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku – Edge (Boston College)

Needs: S, DL, CB

The addition of Ezeiruaku will help lessen the loss of their pass rush specialist through free agency. Ezeiruaku is a lengthy rusher that knows how to get under the shoulder pads while also using his hands to find weaknesses in offensive lines. Ezeiruaku is a three down rusher with the potential to be a pro bowler for years to come.