By Patrick Weider
The NFL season has wrapped up and we are now moving to the off-season portion of the calendar. We are starting with the mock draft of all the non-playoff teams.
1)Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Tennessee Titans have many holes on their roster, but the most glaring spot is the quarterback position. Will Levis struggled this season and is more likely a backup than a starting quarterback in the NFL. Cam Ward is not a perfect prospect, but he had a good year at the University of Miami after transferring from Washington State. He is a good athlete who does a nice job making plays with his feet. He has a solid arm but needs to clean up his decision-making. For the Titans, a long-term answer at quarterback would make a ton of sense.
2) Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Cleveland Browns just started their 40th starting quarterback since 1999 on Saturday when Bailey Zappe got the start. The Deshaun Watson trade has been an adject failure, so the Browns must find a new starting quarterback. Now, the Browns could draft Travis Hunter, trade back, or take Sanders. Sanders is also not a great quarterback prospect, but has the tools to possibly be successful in the future. The other side story is that his dad, Deion Sanders, might not want Cleveland to take him and could force the Browns to come up with other plans.
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3) New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The New York Giants desperately need a quarterback, but with the first two quarterbacks already selected, they have no choice but to take the best player and that is Travis Hunter. Hunter is a homerun pick, though. The Giant’s roster is lacking impact players, so Hunter would immediately be one of their best players.
4) New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The New England Patriots need offensive line help, but none is worth the fourth overall pick, so they draft the best available player. The Patriots could use an edge player and Abdul Carter is the best edge player in the draft.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
It is hard to tell where the Jaguars go, but they need a remake of the defense and Will Johnson is an elite cornerback. He has the skills to be a starter and to develop into a Pro Bowl cornerback.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Raiders are a prime candidate to trade up and take a quarterback, possibly with Cleveland at No. 2. They do need a ton of pieces and improving the defense is not a terrible idea. Graham is an elite defensive tackle who is an immediate upgrade at the position.
7) New York Jets: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Jets are tough to tell with because they have several needs on the team. Getting another edge to rush the passer is always a good idea. Williams has good pass-rushing skills and has the potential to be a steady NFL player.
8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Quarterback Bryce Young came back from being benched earlier in the year and played at a much higher level, so Carolina should go get him some weapons. Picking McMillan checks off a ton of boxes because he is an elite wide receiver who can do it all at the wide receiver position.
9) New Orleand Saints: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
New Orleans could be a trade-up option for a quarterback as well, but for this mock I am picking an edge player. Scourton has the skills to be an elite-edge player. He is a good athlete who just needs to put it together and the Saints could get a great player.
10) Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Bears need to do a better job of protecting Caleb Williams, so picking an offensive tackle here makes a ton of sense. Campbell projects as an offensive tackle, who could slide into guard as well.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Malaki Starks, SAFETY, Georgia
The 49ers were decimated by injuries last year, so they could go in a lot of directions with this pick. Starks would be a perfect pick. He has the skills to be a difference-maker at safety.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The Cowboys could look at many different options, but getting Dak Prescott another weapon would be enticing. Luther Burden is a legit wide receiver who has the size, speed, and athleticism. Pairing him with CeeDee Lamb would make a great 1-2 punch.
13) Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Dolphins need to do a better job protecting injury-prone quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Banks missed a few games because of injuries, but has the talent to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Next year is a make-or-break year for quarterback Anthony Richardson. Egbuka has the skill set to be a good wide receiver for a long time. He would be another good weapon for Richardson.
15) Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Atlanta needs to improve a leaky defense, so the best way to start is to take an edge player. Pearce has special athleticism and has a real chance of developing into a good player.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Brown, DB, Texas
Arizona could look at a lot of options, but getting a defensive back like Brown would be a perfect fit. He immediately starts and is a good defensive back for the Cardinals defense.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Bengals need defensive help, but a chance to pick a running back like Jeanty is too hard to pass up. Last year the Bengals lost Joe Mixon and they never replaced him. Jeanty would clearly help fill the void.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Seattle needs to fix their offensive line, so picking Simmons would make a lot of sense. The only issue is that Simmons got hurt earlier in the year and missed the rest of the regular season. If his medicals check out, he should be a first-round pick.
