PICK #1
TENNESSEE TITANS
This now appears as locked-in as Caleb Williams was for the Bears last season, with the Titans coming around to the idea of adding a playmaker with a great arm and outside the pocket playmaking.
Biggest Needs: QB, WR, LB, EDGE, CB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CAM WARD, QB, Miami

 

 

PICK #2
CLEVELAND BROWNS
There are quarterbacks on the board, and an outstanding edge rusher to complement Myles Garrett, but the Browns opt for the class unicorn instead. The big question now is where do they play him — and can they rein him in?
Biggest Needs: QB, WR, OL, CB, EDGE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: TRAVIS HUNTER, WR/CB, Colorado

 

 

PICK #3
NEW YORK GIANTS
With their need for a QB lessened by the free agency acquisitions of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants are delighted to see the best pass rusher in the draft fall to three as they add to a defense that needs to put the pressure on NFC East rivals.
Biggest Needs: QB, OG, EDGE, DT, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ABDUL CARTER, EDGE, Penn State

 

 

PICK #4
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
So far, so chalk — and the Patriots do little to upset the expected opening to this year’s draft by selecting some much-needed protection for second-year QB Drake Maye.
Biggest Needs: OT, WR, EDGE, OG, RB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: WILL CAMPBELL, OT, LSU

 

 

PICK #5 TRADE WITH JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
CHICAGO BEARS
Wary of the reported interest in Las Vegas, Bears GM Ryan Poles lives up to his pre-draft hint that there could be trades aplenty and pulls the trigger on the best backfield asset in the entire field.
Biggest Needs: RB, EDGE, S, OT, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ASHTON JEANTY, RB, Boise State

 

 

PICK #6
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
With their supposed target snatched from under their noses, the Raiders could look to get out of the sixth pick but, without a dance partner, opt to bolster a position of need in the secondary. It might be a reach to take this high, but they’re counting on upside.
Biggest Needs: CB, LB, WR, RB, OG
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: WILL JOHNSON, CB, Michigan

 

 

PICK #7
NEW YORK JETS
Gang Green might be tempted to go playmaker here, especially with all the receivers and both standout TEs still available, but do the sensible thing and add protection for latest franchise QB Justin Fields. They may even have landed the best at the position, as two games a year against New England could prove.
Biggest Needs: OT, WR, TE, CB, DT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ARMAND MEMBOU, OT, Missouri

 

 

PICK #8 TRADE WITH CAROLINA PANTHERS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
More commonly considered a team likely to trade back in this draft, the 49ers pounce when they see a potential plug-and-play solution to their offseason losses tumbling towards them. Holding 11 picks before opening night is helpful.
Biggest Needs: EDGE, DT, OG, LB, OT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MASON GRAHAM, DT, Michigan

 

 

PICK #9
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Given the late-in-the-day news that Derek Carr could miss a large part of the season, Shedeur Sanders could be on the Saints’ minds here, but new head coach Kellen Moore is persuaded to shore up the defensive line instead.
Biggest Needs: DT, CB, OT, LB, QB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: WALTER NOLEN, DT, Ole Miss

 

 

PICK #10 TRADE WITH CHICAGO BEARS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Despite DTs starting to come off the board ahead of them, the overhauled Jaguars front office makes a splash by taking a replacement for Evan Engram and a new do-everything weapon for QB Trevor Lawrence.
Biggest Needs: DT, TE, CB, S, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: TYLER WARREN, TE, Penn State

 

 

PICK #11 TRADE WITH SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Panthers’ gamble in trading back works out as an instant upgrade to their woeful defense — as either an on/off ball linebacker or pure pass rusher — is still on the board.
Biggest Needs: EDGE, S, LB, WR, OT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JALON WALKER, LB, Georgia

 

 

PICK #12 TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Despite much-needed help at receiver staring them in the face, the Cowboys opt to move back and add to their later round options. Seattle, meanwhile, is after one of the players regularly mocked to Dallas…
Biggest Needs: OG, WR, OT, CB, DT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: TETAIROA McMILLAN, WR, Arizona

 

 

PICK #13
MIAMI DOLPHINS
With the mercurial Jalen Ramsey entering draft weekend on the trade block, the Dolphins move to secure his eventual replacement who, while lacking elite speed, has excellent anticipation, good hands and the ability to contribute on run defense.
Biggest Needs: CB, OT, DT, S, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JAHDAE BARRON, CB, Texas

 

 

PICK #14
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Despite fears that they may be leap-frogged by another team with the same player in mind, the Colts sweat it out land one of the impact skill players they have been linked with throughout the pre-draft process.
Biggest Needs: TE, LB, EDGE, OG, OC
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: COLSTON LOVELAND, TE, Michigan

 

 

PICK #15
ATLANTA FALCONS
Dire might not be a strong enough description of Atlanta’s ability to take down opposing quarterbacks in recent years, but they start addressing the issue by adding an explosive, powerful and resilient pass rusher, albeit one some consider unproven at a higher level.
Biggest Needs: EDGE, OC, S, DT, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MIKE GREEN, EDGE, Marshall

 

 

PICK #16
ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals could also go edge here, but opt instead for an athletic sideline-to-sideline playmaker who appears equally happy against run or pass. With lingering injury concerns likely suppressing interest, this could be a big value pick for GM Monte Ossenfort.
Biggest Needs: CB, LB, EDGE, DT, OT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JIHAAD CAMPBELL, LB, Alabama

 

 

PICK #17
CINCINNATI BENGALS
With their offensive skill positions addressed, the Bengals need to get jiggy on defense, beginning with a foil for DE Trey Hendrickson (should he re-sign). The edge market is beginning to thin already, so Cincy overlook recent injury to snag a physical tone-setter.
Biggest Needs: EDGE, OG, S, DT, CB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MYKEL WILLIAMS, EDGE, Georgia

 

 

PICK #18 TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DALLAS COWBOYS
The thinking behind Dallas trading back is finally revealed — and it’s still not a receiver! Instead, and clearly with an eye on a particular player, the Cowboys opt to address their lacklustre run game, reaching slightly having landed ahead of potential RB-needy rivals.
Biggest Needs: WR, DT, RB, EDGE, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: OMARION HAMPTON, RB, North Carolina

 

 

PICK #19
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
With the lazily-mocked LBs off the board, Tampa pivots to address another defensive need, picking up an accomplished edge capable of getting to opposing quarterbacks with a variety of moves.
Biggest Needs: LB, EDGE, CB, S, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, EDGE, Boston College

 

 

PICK #20
DENVER BRONCOS
A contender to potentially move up in search of a tight end or, at a push, one of the leading RBs, Denver sticks-and-picks instead — and is rewarded with an instinctive playmaker at another position, adding a dependable weapon for second-year QB Bo Nix.
Biggest Needs: RB, WR, LB, DT, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MATTHEW GOLDEN, WR, Texas

 

 

PICK #21
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Hampered by the lack of a second-round pick, Pittsburgh appears somewhat marooned at 21, unable to make a play for the QB it desperately needs. With Cleveland, the Giants and even New Orleans passing on passers, however, it somehow still has the pick of the bunch — and plumps for….
Biggest Needs: QB, DT, RB, CB, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JAXSON DART, QB, Ole Miss

 

 

PICK #22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Justin Herbert could always use help in the passing game but, with Jim Harbaugh’s former Michigan TE Loveland off the board, the Chargers dip into the other side of the Wolverine well and find a much-needed run-stuffer. Couldn’t quite bring themselves to go Buckeye for their QB…
Biggest Needs: DT, EDGE, CB, TE, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KENNETH GRANT, DT, Michigan

 

 

PICK #23 TRADE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS
BUFFALO BILLS
Seeing Grant go off the board at 22, Brandon Beane greenlights a swap with Green Bay, using Buffalo’s plethora of picks to land a disruptive interior D-lineman with height and a huge wingspan in the latest bid to get over the Super Bowl hump. 
Biggest Needs: CB, DT, LB, RB, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DERRICK HARMON, DT, Oregon

 

 

PICK #24
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Another candidate to trade out of the first round entirely given their dearth of selections beyond day one, Minnesota instead opts to pave the way for incoming QB J.J. McCarthy by providing him with an all-rounder on the O-line — and a potential steal at this spot.
Biggest Needs: CB, S, DT, OG, OT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: TYLER BOOKER, OL, Alabama

 

 

PICK #25
HOUSTON TEXANS
Houston’s run to the 2024-25 postseason came against the odds and with QB C.J. Stroud running for his life more than he did as a rookie. While a Tank Dell (and Stefon Diggs) replacement may be considered here, the Texans consider the preservation of their biggest asset slightly more important.
Biggest Needs: OT, OG, DT, WR, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JOSH SIMMONS, OT, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #26
LOS ANGELES RAMS
With the majority of their seven picks lodged in the back end of the draft, the Rams could be looking to exit opening night but, in this exercise, don’t find a willing trade partner and instead pick the best safety in the class over possible CB options.
Biggest Needs: CB, LB, OT, S, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: NICK EMMANWORI, S, South Carolina

 

 

PICK #27
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Somehow, the Ravens continue their run of picking up premium talent in the lower reaches of round one, with a high-character, high-motor and versatile addition to the secondary that could free up the ballistic Kyle Hamilton to do more damage closer to the line of scrimmage.
Biggest Needs: OG, CB, DT, EDGE, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MALAKI STARKS, S, Georgia

 

 

PICK #28
DETROIT LIONS
GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will want to erase memories of their defense being gutted last season and, despite the temptation to add another offensive weapon or shore up the interior D-line, take a chance on a dynamic pass rusher with little to show for his athleticism to pair with the returning Aidan Hutchinson.
Biggest Needs: EDGE, OG, WR, S, DT
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SHEMAR STEWART, EDGE, Texas A&M

 

 

PICK #29 TRADE WITH WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Eschewing the QB option with pick 9 left the Saints open to missing out entirely given the needs at the top of round two, so they pull the pin and jump back in themselves to get their man. Washington knows it can hit on its own needs on day two, and the compensation certainly won’t go amiss.
Biggest Needs: DT, CB, OT, LB, QB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SHEDEUR SANDERS, QB, Colorado

 

 

PICK #30 TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
The home crowd is made to wait a little longer than anticipated for the Packers’ pick, but the delay is worth it as GM Brian Gutekunst breaks the habit of a lifetime and hands in a card bearing the name of a wide receiver to further add to Jordan Love’s offensive arsenal.
Biggest Needs: CB, DT, LB, RB, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: EMEKA EGBUKA, WR, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #31
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Much like the Texans, the Chiefs going anywhere but seeking protection for their QB could be deemed gross negligence. In a deja vu moment reminiscent of the 2021 draft, GM Brett Veach opts for an early assault on the O-line, snapping up a guardian for Patrick Mahomes’ left flank
Biggest Needs: DT, OG, OT, TE, CB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KELVIN BANKS Jr, OT, Texas

 

 

PICK #32
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
With similar needs on both sides of the line of scrimmage to their Super Bowl LIX opponent following free agency departures, the Eagles could look to find replacements for Josh Sweat, Milton Williams or Mekhi Becton — while the secondary is looking a little bare too. In this instance, they opt for versatility on the offensive side.
Biggest Needs: S, DT, EDGE, CB, OG
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: GREY ZABEL, OL, North Dakota State