The NFL Draft is several months away but teams will have another opportunity to address roster issues over the next few weeks. With several teams already fading from the playoff race, trade talks could be particularly active across the league leading up to the deadline (Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET).
There may not be any deals that impact the first-round draft order, but plenty will redistribute assets and inevitably lead to other moves down the road. For instance, Cleveland and Las Vegas acquired third-round picks this week in exchange for Amari Cooper, Davante Adams. Last week, I predicted that Adams would become a Jet and settled on Dallas rather than Buffalo for Cooper. Before predicting how the first round of next April's draft plays out, let's play matchmaker with some of those rumored trade candidates.
Panthers WR Diontae Johnson traded to the Chiefs
Kansas City's options to address the wide receiver room are dwindling after Cooper, Adams have found new homes this week. They have suffered unfortunate injuries to Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, but still have Super Bowl aspirations.
Jets EDGE Haason Reddick traded to the Lions
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Detroit has had similar misfortune with its pass rushers. Aidan Hutchinson is the latest dealt a serious injury that will cost him the rest of the season. John Cominsky and Marcus Davenport had already been added to injured reserve. The Lions are a contender and waiting until next year would simply be a waste of their title window.
The draft order below was determined by current win-loss records, with ties broken by strength of schedule.
Without further ado, let's kick this off!
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For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Travis Hunter
ATH
Colorado
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 185 lbs
The Drake Maye era has officially begun in Foxborough. The Patriots have a bevy of resources available to supplement the offensive supporting cast this offseason. With the No. 1 overall selection, the team selects two-way standout Travis Hunter Jr. with the No. 1 overall selection.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Colorado
• Sr
• 6'2"
/ 215 lbs
Cleveland has overcommitted resources to a team going nowhere with Deshaun Watson as its quarterback. Shedeur Sanders is a potential way out for the franchise, but it loses the benefits of a quarterback on a rookie contract as they push Watson's dead money forward.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Will Johnson
CB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 202 lbs
Jacksonville is not going to move on from Trevor Lawrence after giving him a lucrative contract extension last offseason. However, something has to give on offense as the unit has regressed in a calendar year. Cornerback Tyson Campbell has missed time with an injury but that has been a point of weakness. Will Johnson Jr. may be the best player in the draft when healthy.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Cam Ward
QB
Miami (FL)
• Sr
• 6'2"
/ 223 lbs
Perhaps Bryce Young is able to resurrect his career, but it seems Carolina is ready to move on from him. If that is the case, then the Panthers could return to the draft well and purchase another lottery ticket with Cam Ward.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
LSU
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 323 lbs
Los Angeles has a few offensive tackles slated to hit free agency next offseason. The Rams can clean the deck and start fresh with rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell. They used significant resources to upgrade the interior offensive line last year.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 212 lbs
If the Titans move on from Will Levis, and I think that is likely at this point, then they strike me as a team more inclined to sign Sam Darnold in free agency than one to draft another quarterback. As it stands, they draft a ball winner in Tetairoa McMillan to complement Calvin Ridley.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Mason Graham
DL
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 320 lbs
The Jets have as many or more missed tackles on rush attempts than any other team in the league. Quinnen Williams is an All-Pro-caliber talent, so they draft Mason Graham to form one of the stoutest batteries in the league.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
James Pearce Jr.
EDGE
Tennessee
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 243 lbs
Cincinnati has a below-average pressure rate this season and Trey Hendrickson's desire for a new contract remains true. What is the plan forward? The Bengals do not seem anxious to give out anymore guaranteed money more than a year in advance after signing Joe Burrow and preparing to sign Ja'Marr Chase.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Missouri
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 205 lbs
Rashid Shaheed could be playing his way into a longer contract extension with New Orleans. His current deal runs through 2025. New Orlean's third wide receiver is Mason Tipton, a rookie out of Yale. Whether it is Derek Carr or Spencer Rattler, it would be wise to invest in the pass-catching group.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Mykel Williams
EDGE
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
A year after drafting Darius Robinson, Arizona adds Mykel Williams to build depth but also upgrade the run defense and pass-rush floor. Jonathan Gannon has a defensive background and will want that unit to take a step forward in Year 3.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Carson Beck
QB
Georgia
• Sr
• 6'4"
/ 220 lbs
A competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell gives way to the selection of Carson Beck. Beck's potential receiving core took a hit this week with the trade of veteran Davante Adams.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Quinn Ewers
QB
Texas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 210 lbs
The ebb and flow of Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback continues. Does New York have its answer yet? Quinn Ewers to Malik Nabers could be an exciting connection for years to come.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Texas
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Terron Armstead has two more years on his deal, but there is an opportunity to save a lot of money after the 2025 season. Kelvin Banks would theoretically be the eventual replacement for Armstead, but also provides insurance in the event of injury, similar to Olu Fashanu in New York.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Abdul Carter
EDGE
Penn State
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 252 lbs
Coach Mike Macdonald wants to be able to apply waves of pressure from all over the field. Abdul Carter gives them an opportunity to create stability at a position that has lacked it for more than a decade.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 336 lbs
Sean Payton invested in the offensive line as much or more than any franchise in the league during his tenure with New Orleans. The tradition continues now that he has taken residence in the Rocky Mountains.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Boise State
• Jr
• 5'9"
/ 215 lbs
Ezekiel Elliott is pleading for more opportunities, but the offensive line and running backs have not inspired much confidence in Arlington. Ashton Jeanty gives Dallas a dual-threat skill set that gives Dak Prescott another outlet in the pass game.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Nic Scourton
EDGE
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 285 lbs
Philadelphia went from having the deepest collection of pass rushers to an entirely new look unit -- except Brandon Graham, of course -- in the span of two years. Nic Scourton is a powerful player who allows the Eagles to maintain competent depth at a critical position.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Deone Walker
DL
Kentucky
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 345 lbs
Chicago's offense may finally be turning the corner with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the defense has held the fort down in the meantime. The Bears continue building for the future with a massive, pocket-crushing interior defender.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
The selection of a defensive back is probably beating a dead horse right now. While it may not fix the team's immediate issues, it does represent a problem area on the current roster. Benjamin Morrison suffered a season-ending injury but still projects as one of the best cornerback prospects.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Texas
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 335 lbs
Dominick Puni looks like a home run as a Top 100 overall selection, but the offensive line remains a work in progress. Cameron Williams has stepped into the right tackle role this season and could do the same next year in the Bay Area.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 245 lbs
Jim Harbaugh brings a piece of home to Los Angeles. The tight end position is a key role within the structure of that offense. Colston Loveland knows what Harbaugh expects of his players and represents an immediate upgrade at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Jalon Walker
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 245 lbs
Lavonte David is still in the building, but Devin White is gone. The once feared tandem has been split, but Jalon Walker gives the position a face for the future. He is relatively inexperienced in the off-ball role, but is an accomplished pass rusher.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Tyler Booker
IOL
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 325 lbs
Alabama's offensive line has been incredibly volatile this season, but Tyler Booker has been a consistent force. A 6-foot-8-inch lineman does not seem like a long-term solution at offensive guard, so Baltimore moves on from Daniel Faalele in favor of Booker.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 339 lbs
Kenneth Grant is more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, but Green Bay continues building out depth and contingencies at a critical position.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Walter Nolen
DT
Ole Miss
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
An inability to stop the run has hamstrung Buffalo for many years. Walter Nolen is not a finished product, but he is progressing. Buffalo is gambling on the idea that he reaches that potential in Orchard Park.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
LSU
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 315 lbs
Jayden Daniels is the future at quarterback in Washington. The Commanders have eased rookie Brandon Coleman into the starting left tackle role, but Emery Jones would replace Andrew Wylie as the starting right tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
Malaki Starks is great value at this stage of the first round. Pittsburgh would likely have the best safety tandem in the league with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Starks in tow. The quarterback competition will likely play out a while longer and that leaves the future unknown.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Veteran Kevin Zeitler is playing out a one-year deal in Detroit, but that leaves Detroit searching for answers at offensive guard once the season concludes. Donovan Jackson is that potential solution in this instance.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Emeka Egbuka
WR
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
Envision Drake London playing inside and out with Darnell Mooney stretching the field and Emeka Egbuka settling down into the soft spots of zone coverage. Kirk Cousins may be the present and Michael Penix Jr. is the future, but both need help and Atlanta's receiver room is thin.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'3"
/ 327 lbs
Coach DeMeco Ryans essentially allowed C.J. Stroud to be the improvement on offense outside of trade acquisitions of Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs. The defense has made improvements at all three levels, but the interior defensive line is one area that remains relatively untouched.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 190 lbs
Kansas City allowed L'Jarius Sneed to walk because giving him a new contract was not a part of the business model. However, the Chiefs would still benefit from adding a lengthy boundary cornerback to round out a unit consisting of Trent McDuffie and Chamarri Conner.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Denzel Burke
CB
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 193 lbs
Consecutive cornerback selections round out the first round as Denzel Burke heads to Minneapolis. Unfortunate circumstances and draft busts have riddled the franchise's efforts to identify key players on the boundary, but the hope is that Burke gives the Vikings long-term stability.
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