Tennessee Titans Look to Defense in Latest Mock Draft

No. 1: Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State 

It would be a big mistake for Tennessee to pass on the best prospects in this year’s draft. Not only would this pick be used as a chance to build around on defense, but the Titans also lost their best edge rusher this offseason when Harold Landry signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots.

No. 2: Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam stated, “Cleveland took a swing and a miss” on Deshaun Watson . Cleveland will most likely move on from Watson at some point this offseason and take the best quarterback available in Ward. Yet another young quarterback will be developed in Cleveland.

No. 3: New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll know that their jobs are on the line after owner John Mara made it clear this offseason that he’s “losing his patience." With the signing of both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston , the Giants have their mentors in line for Sanders. Between Sanders and Ward, Sanders has the most “upside.” Ward is probably the better quarterback right now, but under the right coaching it makes sense to go with Sanders at three.

No. 4: New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado

It’s not often a generational talent like Hunter comes around. There are speculations as to whether or not he’ll be granted the chance to play both sides of the ball. Hunter and Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez have the potential to be the best cornerback duo next season.

No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

The Jaguars are once again trying to rebuild their defense and what better way than one of the cornerstone positions? That’s a question the Jaguars will be asking themselves with the No. 5 pick. There are a lot of needs on this defense, but if you want to select the best defensive player available you’d be foolish not to take Graham.

No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona 

Not many wide receivers stand at 6-foot-5 in the NFL, but McMillan does. Not only is he revered for his height, but McMillan can also run after the catch, which will make him a dangerous target for Geno Smith next season.

No. 7: New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

It’s wash, rinse and repeat once again for Jets fans. While a tight end is not one of the major positions of need, the Jets would be passing on one of the greatest tight ends ever to play college football.

No. 8: Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia 

The Panthers need to continue building their defense around interior defensive lineman Derrick Brown who missed last season with a meniscus injury. Walker fits well.

No. 9: Arizona Cardinals (Via New Orleans Saints): Will Johnson, DB, Michigan

There are teams ahead of the Cardinals at No. 16 who could be interested in a cornerback. Johnson can play and has the tools to excel in zone and man coverage. He is a ball hawk who can close on the ball and create turnovers with the breakaway speed to take it the distance. Arizona will also get some great Michigan-Ohio State battles in practice with Marvin Harrison Jr.

No. 10: Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

It would make sense for the Bears to draft an edge rusher with the 10th pick. Last year, no Chicago pass rusher had more than 5.5 sacks. If the Bears are expecting to contend for a playoff spot, they need to improve this aspect of their defense.

No. 11: San Francisco 49ers: Will Campbell, OT, LSU 

Trent Williams contemplated retirement this past offseason, so finding his replacement should be among the top of general manager John Lynch ’s to-do list in this draft. Taking Campbell would be the ideal selection here for the 49ers. Campbell can be dominant as both a run and pass blocker.

No. 12: Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State 

It’s no secret that the Cowboys have lacked in their run game over the last couple of years. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is probably embarrassed enough that he passed up the opportunity to sign Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry last free-agency period. In not doing so, Jones became a laughing stock for any media personnel with a laptop and a microphone. Jones can right a wrong here with this pick in Jeanty, a load at running back that explodes going downhill.

No. 13: Miami Dolphins: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama 

Campbell comes off the board as the first on-ball linebacker in this draft. It might come as a surprise, but the Dolphins defense ranked in the top 10 last year. One spot that could be improved upon is an elite on-ball linebacker, and Campbell has the potential to become just that.

No. 14: Indianapolis Colts: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas 

Banks lands in the Colts' lap here at No. 14. They need a left tackle and Banks fills that void. He's athletic enough to blend into the style of offense that head coach Shane Steichen runs.

No. 15: Cincinnati Bengals (Via Atlanta Falcons): Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

In a trade that sends Trey Hendrickson to the Atlanta Falcons, the Bengals land Stewart and potentially keep their No. 17 pick in the draft. Stewart’s speed is “lightning fast.” He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash for a guy that stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 267 pounds. There is no doubt that if he is in a “vertical set” Stewart could become one of the game’s best edge rushers. In this trade, the Bengals keep their No. 17 pick by giving up Hendrickson and probably a day two pick.

No. 16: New Orleans Saints (Via Arizona Cardinals): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Dart might be a reach at No. 9, so trading back to No. 16 is a smart move for New Orleans. Trading back is an effective way to acquire more draft picks for a rebuilding Saints team. Dart can learn behind Derek Carr, and under the tutelage of new head coach Kellen Moore will be in good hands.

No. 17: Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Emmanwori, DB, South Carolina

 Emmanwori is the sure-fire pick for teams looking for secondary help. At 6-foot- 3, 220 pounds, he covers a ton of ground. He reminds me of a Bob Sanders-esque player who can cover the deep middle, race up and make plays in the backfield.

No. 18: Seattle Seahawks: Armand Membou, OT Missouri

Membou impressed teams at the NFL Combine last month and his tape reflects that he has the tools to be a top offensive tackle in the NFL. Due to the needs of the 49ers and Colts, it makes sense for Membou to fall to 18 and be selected by the Seahawks. 

No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Head coach Todd Bowles should expect the Buccaneers to add edge rushers in this year’s draft. They already have in free agency with the signing of Hassan Reddick, however, it’s only for one season. That’s where Pearce comes in. This signing will improve the Buccaneers' production off the edge where they were pretty average last year.

No. 20: Denver Broncos: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

In last year’s draft the Broncos made a splash selection with quarterback Bo Nix and this year they’ll do the same thing with their defense with the selection of Harmon. Now from a pure production standpoint, this pick won’t show up on the stat sheet. Harmon can plug up rushing lanes and disrupt quarterbacks with how he sheds interior offensive linemen. 

No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas

The Steelers have their shutdown corner in Joey Porter Jr. and now they need someone to take away the deep ball threats on the other side of the field. That’s where Barron comes in as a solid zone corner in college, Barron will serve mainly as someone to take away fast wide receivers who are “home-run hitters” like the Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill. With head coach Mike Tomlin’s defensive prowess as one of the top coaches in the league in molding talent, so Barron should be no challenge.

No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall  

Green shone last season against Power Four-opponent Virginia Tech. His tape from that game speaks for itself. He was a one-man wrecking crew disrupting the Hokies offense. The Chargers need to get younger at edge rusher so Green can learn from a perennial Hall of Famer in Khalil Mack.

No. 23: Atlanta Falcons (via Green Bay Packers): Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Atlanta should look at the age of Jake Mathews and trade back into the first round here and select Conerly. Atlanta needs to invest in an offensive line for Michael Pennix Jr., and the two offensive tackles left who are worthy of being selected in the first are Conerly and Josh Simmons. Conerly is the more NFL-ready player and could slide over to right tackle for next season, or for however long Mathews is still playing for Atlanta. 

No. 24: Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, DB, Kentucky 

Even though Minnesota just signed Isiah Rodgers in free agency that doesn’t mean they don’t need a solid nickel cornerback who could turn into an outside starter. That’s where Hairston will excel most to start in this Minnesota defense.

No. 25: Philadelphia Eagles (via Houston Texans): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The worst-kept secret this off-season is that the Eagles are interested in moving Dallas Goedert. A trade to the Texans would open up cap space for the Eagles and Loveland.

No. 26: Los Angeles Rams: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

The Rams need help in their interior defensive front. Nolen would fit well into the Rams’ defensive scheme With an already talented edge rusher in Jared Verse, the Rams will display a possible dominant defensive line.

No. 27 Baltimore Ravens: Dionavan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Go figure, the Ravens have the opportunity to draft two Boston College players in the first round in the last three years. They did so with Zay Flowers in 2023 and could do so here with Ezeiruaku. This would be a rarity for BC because the NFL talent pool has worn thin throughout the last 15 years in Chestnut Hill, Mass., but with the Ravens needing a young edge rusher this move fits all too well. 

No. 28: Detroit Lions: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

The Lions had one of the best offensive lines last year, but they need a guard. Booker would fill that need and excel in an offense at Alabama that resembles what the Lions run.

No. 29: Washington Commanders: Azareye’h Thomas, DB, Florida State

The last time the Commanders drafted a lanky cornerback in the first round it was Emmanuel Forbes, and they regretted it a season later. Now they’ll select another one here in Thomas. Unlike Forbes however, Thomas is more prone to be able to go out and compete at the NFL level. 

No. 30: New York Giants (via Buffalo Bills): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Bills need help at linebacker and none are worthy of being selected in the first round so the smart move will be to trade back. With already selecting the quarterback of the future the Giants select a wide receiver to pair with Malik Nabers. Both receivers are good route runners and Golden has the slight edge when it comes to taking the top off. Golden and Nabers could become the first great Giants wide receiver duo in more than 10 years.

No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs: Grey Zabel, OL, South Dakota State

Much like Hunter in this draft Zabel can play multiple positions while not at wide receiver and cornerback. Zabel played at both left and right tackle, and both left and right guard. The Chiefs' offensive line was exposed in the Super Bowl against the Eagles, and drafting an athletic lineman here will help keep Patrick Mahomes upright and not running for his life again.

No. 32: Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

CJ Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, so the Texans signed offensive tackle Cam Robinson to a one-year deal. However, after one year, there is no guarantee they will bring Robinson back. It is time to get younger, and Houston might want to get younger as well if they need to replace a veteran tackle. Simmons and Stroud never crossed paths at Ohio State and have an opportunity with Houston.