Wild year! As usual, no trades are projected. Be sure to check out Walter Football for more mock drafts.
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams) – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
If the Lions only had their own pick this year, I imagine getting into QB range would be pricey. The timing/slot/prospect all align here with Detroit betting on Richardson’s insane upside.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Devon Witherspoon, DB, Illinois
8. Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) – Christian Gonzalez, DB, Oregon
11. Tennessee Titans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
13. Green Bay Packers (from N.Y Jets) – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
14. New England Patriots – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
15. New York Jets (from Green Bay) – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
16. Washington Commanders – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Deonte Banks, DB, Maryland
18. Detroit Lions – Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia
The athletic profile combined with the leadership and intangibles seems like a perfect fit. Smith would likely play a bit of a hybrid role, but his gap soundness and ability to create pressure will benefit Hutchinson, Houston, and crew.