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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — I don't know if you remember or not, but a few mock drafts ago I made the comment that I couldn't figure out how to realistically get Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker to the Falcons at pick No. 15. Heck, I draft Walker to the Panthers three times in a row because I didn't see reasonable scenario where they bypassed him.
Well, if the cover photo isn't spoiler enough, I figured out how to get Walker to the Falcons without a trade.
Here's how...
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, WR, EDGE, LB, S
Analysis: This is a matter of when, not if.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, OL, EDGE, RB, S
Analysis: I still believe the Browns will figure out their quarterback problem outside the confines of the draft. So, here's another Carter-to-Cleveland pick.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, LB, CB, DL, long-term QB
Analysis: OK ladies and gentlemen. This is where things get interesting.
The Giants signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal, yes. But there's a reason "long-term QB" is a need for this organization. Perhaps they see Sanders as being the person who fits that need. It's not a bad idea, this thought of double-dipping in the quarterback market in both free agency and the draft. Almost like it's happened before. Recently even.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, RB, TE, S
Analysis: After the Sanders pick at No. 3, I thought it best not to overwhelm you with too much newness. That's why I had the Patriots going with a safe and trusted option.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, CB, S, OL, WR
Analysis: I think the Jaguars would be a little over the moon about Hunter falling to them here. He alone knocks out two birds with one stone. The Jaguars need a corner and receiver. Hunter is a corner and receiver.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, OL, LB
Analysis: The closer we get to the draft, the more this pick seems to have legs. Jeanty was electric at his pro day last week, further solidifying in my mind that he is a top-10 talent.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, TE, S, DL
Analysis: The Jets solved their quarterback conundrum for the time being with Justin Fields. But he doesn't have very many weapons around him, particularly weapons with the talent and versatility Warren possesses. Like Jeanty, Warren is a talent that many think is worthy of a top-10 pick. So, here he is.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, CB, WR, DL
Analysis: I think this is the first time I have drafted a non-edge rusher to the Panthers this year (and a non-Georgia player, too). I did so fully knowing the work the Panthers have already put in to fortify it's defensive front, particularly in the interior. However, if they go the best-player-available approach, the argument could be made that because of how this draft fell that that player at pick No. 8 is Graham. Who together with Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton could be one of the best defensive fronts in the league.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, WR, DL, QB
Analysis: Another quarterback shock!
Do I think the Saints will actually do this? No. However, it's been whispered about enough in the last two weeks for me to try this pick out to see how it fits. It's been mocked a few times by others, too. So, I thought: Why not? I have to get Jalon Walker to the Falcons anyways. Might as well have the Saints do something a bit off-the-wall to get him there.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, RB, EDGE, WR, TE
Analysis: Another example of me trying to right the ship a little bit back to what will probably be reality.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, EDGE, OL, RB, CB
Analysis: Could the 49ers go edge rusher or defensive tackle here considering how many are on the board? Absolutely. But I keep thinking about how ESPN's Jordan Reid said in a media conference call at the beginning of March that Johnson could be "a dream" fit for the 49ers and what they ask their corners to do. Maybe the 49ers agree.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, RB, CB, LB, DL
Analysis: With Jeanty off the board I think I am going to continue to just switch out McMillan and Matthew Golden at the No. 12 pick until we get to draft weekend.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, S, CB, TE
Analysis: I know I rocked the boat a little bit last week by drafting a safety for Miami. While I still stand by that decision (and will probably make it again at some point), I went back to an obvious need-to-fill for the Dolphins.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, OL, LB, EDGE, RB
Analysis: Another mock draft, another Loveland-to-Indy pick.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DL, CB, OL, S
Analysis: What can I say except, "You're welcome."
I told you I would find a way to get Walker to the Falcons, and I am happy to report I did. Now, did I do it in a realistic way? TBD. But I did it nonetheless. And I think I would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't think Walker can help this defense immediately. Someone that versatile in this defensive unit? Yep. Book it.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, EDGE, DL, CB
Analysis: Y'all already know how I feel about Golden. One of my favorites in the class, regardless of position. Big get for the Cardinals.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, LB, OL, CB
Analysis: Chris Trapasso had Starks heading to Cincinnati in his March 26 mock draft, and the more I thought about that selection, the more I liked it for the Bengals. Trapasso said the selection was because the Bengals went best player available with the pick. But considering where this Bengals secondary finds itself in 2025, I think someone like Starks would fit quite nicely.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, CB, S, DL
Analysis: A lot of the decisions I made in this mock draft had to do with teams actually going against what many analyst say about this draft class. The prevailing theory is that its very defense-heavy. Which it is. But what if teams have higher grades on offensive skill players than what people think? That's why the Seahawks take Egbuka.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, EDGE, S, OL
Analysis: In keeping with the spirit of doing things a little different in this mock draft, I have the Buccaneers taking an edge rusher instead of someone I have notoriously linked to them (i.e. Jihaad Campbell). One could argue the Bucs need an edge rusher as much as they need a linebacker. So, here's one of the best edge rushers in the class for ya.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, TE, DL
Analysis: Since so many offensive weapons have come off the board in this draft, the Broncos are left weighing their options. They could reach for a receiver or take the second-best running back. But what if they graded someone like Barron out extremely well. What if he's their No. 1 cornerback option and he's still on the board? You take him.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, RB, DL, WR, OL
Analysis: Whereas the Broncos had a higher value on a defender, the same cannot be said about the Steelers. This is an Arthur Smith-approved pick through and through. From Hampton's talent as an individual to how he can open up a playbook for an offense as a whole, this seems like a match made in heaven, regardless of what ultimately happens at the quarterback position.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, WR, DL, RB, EDGE
Analysis: In last week's mock draft I made mention that I would find it hard to believe the Chargers look past a much-needed offensive weapon. Well, I eat my own words this week as they shake it up and take a top-ranked defensive tackle. The front seven on the defense is also a need for the Chargers so this isn't a bad idea.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, WR, EDGE, DL, OL
Analysis: This is a best-player-available type pick which actually serves the Packers (and their needs) well.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, S, LB, DL
Analysis: There are some reading this mock draft thinking, "How did Emmanwori fall so far?" And its a fair question. I just tend to think teams are either high on Starks or they're high on Emmanwori. It's all about who falls where when it comes to these two, and it could be a toss up until the night of the draft.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, DL, S, CB
Analysis: Hey, would you look at that! A new name makes its way into the first round. Burden is an athletic option in the slot with speed that can stretch the field when needed. And his player comp according to Daniel Jeremiah? Stefon Diggs. Just because things didn't ultimately pan out for Diggs in Houston because of a season-ending knee injury doesn't mean it can't work out for another receiver of similar archetype.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, OL, TE, WR
Analysis: The Rams traded away Jonah Jackson this offseason so they are in need of some more bodies along the interior of their offensive line. Zabel could be an important addition to the unit seeing as he has the traits to play whatever the Rams deem necessary in 2025.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, CB, S, DL, EDGE
Analysis: The upside of Booker has always been the way he fits into a power running game. What better match than that of Baltimore with Lamar Jackson... well... running the ball.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, OL, S, DL, WR
Analysis: Despite linebacker not being a particular need for this Detroit team right now, the talent Campbell possesses across multiple layers of a defense cannot be missed. The fact he was overlooked and passed up to this point has Dan Campbell more than pleased to insert him into this Detroit defense.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, CB, WR, S, OL
Analysis: Yet another instance of a top defensive player falling a bit lower down the draft board than what people may expect. Like (Dan) Campbell's excitement to get (Jihaad) Campbell, I would imagine Dan Quinn would like this opportunity to bring in someone with the traits of Stewart.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, DL, WR, EDGE, S
Analysis: These next two picks are going defensive tackle, defensive tackle.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DT, OL, EDGE, S, WR
Analysis: Told you so.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: S, DL, CB, EDGE, OL
Analysis: And just like that, the Pearce-to-Philly pick wraps up a first round that was a bit different than ones I have done to this point. Honestly, though? I think that makes it my favorite.
