Will NFL teams pass on the passers?
In five of the last seven drafts, clubs have selected at least three quarterbacks in the top 10. This year the class isn’t as deep at the position, and other needs could mean quarterbacks need to wait a while to hear their names called.
But this mock draft, which comes on the eve of the NFL’s annual owners meeting, contemplates three quarterbacks in the top seven picks. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders go quickly, unsurprisingly, but also Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart, who’s garnering increasing interest.
Down. Set. Mock!
1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami — First-year Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi was in Kansas City when Patrick Mahomes flipped the fortunes of that franchise. Can Ward be a difference maker?
2. Cleveland Browns: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State — Big Ten defensive player of the year would be a devastating bookend to Myles Garrett.
3. New York Giants: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado — This two-way phenom could help the Giants on either side of the ball. Now, if they only had a quarterback on the rise.
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4. New England Patriots: Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia — The Patriots love those versatile defenders they can move all over. Just the way new coach Mike Vrabel used to play.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Mason Graham, Michigan — New GM James Gladstone, who came from the Rams, knows well how building a rock-solid defensive line can reverberate throughout the team.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado — The acquisition of veteran Geno Smith gives coach Pete Carroll’s Raiders the luxury of patience in bringing along a young quarterback.
7. New York Jets: QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi — Dart impressed a lot of people at the combine, and while many might say this is too early for him, the Jets have a pressing need.
8. Carolina Panthers: DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi — The NFL’s worst defense against the run gets a boost with an immovable object in the middle.
9. New Orleans Saints: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State — Alvin Kamara will turn 30 in July, and although he’s still productive, it won’t be long before he’s passing the torch.
10. Chicago: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State — Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times last season, and while those aren’t all attributable to his blockers, the Bears' line is in need of help.
