There’s a reason the NFL Draft still grabs people every year — even the ones who swear they’re over it by April. Once it starts, it speeds up in a hurry, and every pick comes with its own story. Some feel like hope. Some feel like pressure. And some are teams betting on traits and trusting they’ll sort out the rest later.

It’s the one night where every fan base is allowed to be a little delusional — convincing themselves they just found a future Hall of Famer. That’s part of the fun. But once the Commissioner steps to the podium, that optimism has to meet reality. Picks turn into roles and projections turn into expectations.

That’s what this live tracker is for. As the picks roll in tonight, this will be updated in real time with instant thoughts on every selection, what makes sense, what doesn’t, and which moves could end up shaping the rest of the round.

No. 1 — Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Raiders made the pick everyone expected, and honestly, they'd have been foolish not to. Mendoza gives them their best shot at finally stabilizing the position — a big, accurate quarterback with a real arm and the kind of command you can build around.

The arm jumps out right away. You see it on tape — especially rolling to his right, where he looks comfortable letting it rip and trusting what he sees. There’s real juice on those off-platform throws, and he’s quick enough mentally to keep things on schedule without forcing it.

That’s really what this comes down to. His arm and his mind translate. He processes fast, he’s good on money downs, and he fits what this offense should want to do. With Kirk Cousins there, he also doesn’t have to be rushed into anything right away.

It’s not perfect, though. He’s not a true mover, and his pocket feel still needs work. When pressure shows up unexpectedly, his footwork can get rushed and things can speed up on him. That’s the piece that has to improve.

The Raiders have been spinning at quarterback for years — patches, short-term fixes, never finding an answer. This is them finally taking a real swing and building the room the right way, with a veteran in place and a clear long-term plan behind him.

You’re not just plugging in a starter for this season like you were with Geno Smith — you’re building around a guy who can grow with the offense. If they’re patient and let it develop, this is the kind of pick that can stabilize everything from play-calling to how the roster is built over the next few years.

No. 2 — New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Jets desperately needed a real edge presence, and Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in this class. This isn't a complicated pick — it’s the right one.

What stands out on tape is how natural it looks for him. He wins with burst first, then layers in counters — that spin shows up a lot — and there’s enough strength there to keep tackles honest. It’s not a fully polished rush plan yet, but the tools are obvious and he's got a great motor. You’re getting pressure early, with room to sharpen the details over time.

This front needed someone offenses actually have to account for. Bailey changes protections, speeds up quarterbacks, and gives them a go-to rusher on passing downs right away. In a defense that wants to be multiple, he’s the guy you can line up wide and let go to work.

He’s not perfect. He’s not the biggest edge, and his feel in the run game still comes and goes. He’ll flash chasing plays down the line, but holding up consistently and beating doubles is the next step. That’s where the development has to come.

Still, this is a pretty straightforward bet: take the best pass rusher on the board and let the rest come along. If the details catch up to the talent, the Jets finally have the kind of edge presence they’ve been missing.

No. 3 — Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

And the draft takes it's first turn!

Running back at No. 3 is always going to raise eyebrows, and it should — teams just don’t make this kind of investment at the position anymore. But when you’re talking about a player like Jeremiyah Love, it’s at least understandable why Arizona went this direction.

Love is one of those rare backs where the traits all hit at once. The elusiveness and instincts jump off the screen. He can make linebackers miss in tight spaces, then immediately get north and erase angles. The short-area burst is real, and once he gets going, he’s at top speed in a hurry. On top of that, the contact balance is ridiculous — defenders bounce off him more often than they should, and he’s constantly falling forward for extra yards.

It’s not just as a runner, either. He’s got the vision to let things develop, the explosiveness to punish it when it does, and he can actually run routes and catch the ball. That’s what separates him. You’re not drafting a situational piece — you’re drafting someone who can be on the field every snap and stress a defense in multiple ways.

For the Cardinals, this is more about identity than need. They’re still figuring out the quarterback situation and building up the roster; they're not one player away from anything. Instead of forcing a QB or reaching for a different position, they took the player they believe can give the offense something to build around right now. With a room built around bridge options in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, having a back like Love takes pressure off everything — it gives them a real run game and an outlet in the pass game.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t risk. Taking a running back this high means the bar is sky high. He has to be more than productive — he has to be a difference-maker that the offense runs through. That’s why this pick will get questioned.

But if you truly believe you’re getting a special, do-it-all back, this is the kind of swing you take. And based on the traits, it’s not hard to see why Arizona believes Love can be that guy.

No. 4 — Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

This is exactly the kind of pick Tennessee needed to make for Cam Ward. If you take a young quarterback No. 1 overall, you can’t just ask him to figure everything out on his own. You have to build the offense around him, give him answers, and make his job easier. Tate does that.

He’s not the flashiest receiver in the class, but he might be one of the easiest ones for a quarterback to trust. Tate wins with detail. His footwork through breaks is clean, he creates steady separation, and his hands are the right mix of strong and soft. He’s also impressive when the throw is a little off, adjusting his route and giving his quarterback a chance to be right.

That's going to be huge for Ward. The Titans needed a true weapon who can grow with him, not just a stopgap or another body in the room. Calvin Ridley can still help, but this gives Tennessee a real long-term outside target with the polish to play early and the ball skills to be useful right away.

The one question is what happens after the catch. Tate isn't a devastating YAC guy, and that does cap some of the ceiling. But he can separate down the field, win at the catch point, and create explosives in a more traditional receiver way. For a long-strider, the footwork is rare, and that’s part of why people are so high on him.

This pick says the Titans are serious about supporting Ward instead of just hoping he can carry the rebuild.

No. 5 — New York Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

This feels like a tone-setting pick for the new era in New York. With John Harbaugh in and a clear push to reshape the defense, Reese fits exactly what they’re trying to build — speed, range, violence, and versatility across the front seven.

Reese is one of the most interesting defenders in this class because he doesn’t fit nicely into one box. Everyone will label him as an edge, but when you watch him, he plays like a linebacker even when he’s on the line of scrimmage. The athleticism jumps out immediately — he can run, he can cover, and his footwork in space is high-level for a player his size.

That’s where the Giants get real value here. This defense needed range and flexibility, not just another static pass rusher. Reese can rush, drop, spy, and chase plays sideline to sideline. He gives them a piece they can move around and build packages with, which fits a defense that’s trying to become more multiple.

There’s still some projection here. He’s got the strength to win reps against bigger tackles, but that’s not where he’s most natural right now. If you just stick him on the edge full-time, you’re probably not getting the best version of him early. He’s going to have to learn how to rush with more of a plan and adjust to playing the position a little differently at this level.

But if the Giants use him the right way, this can be a big-time hit. You’re betting on a rare athlete with real defensive feel, not just a one-dimensional rusher.

No. 6 — Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

TRADE: Chiefs traded up from No. 9 to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns

Chiefs receive:

• Pick No. 6

Browns receive: 

• Pick No. 9

• Pick No. 74

• Pick No. 148

This is a fascinating one. The Chiefs absolutely needed corner help after losing major pieces in the secondary, so the position makes sense. But Kansas City taking a corner this high still feels surprising when this is an organization that has been so good at finding and developing defensive backs later in the draft.

Delane is a really good player, though, and that’s where the pick starts to make more sense. He’s polished, competitive, and comfortable playing in different coverage looks. That matters in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, where corners have to do more than just line up and survive on the outside. They have to tackle, communicate, match routes, handle pressure looks, and think through a lot after the snap.

That’s probably the biggest selling point here. Delane feels like a corner Spagnuolo can trust early. He’s not the biggest or longest defensive back in the class, but he plays with discipline, stays sticky in coverage, and has the kind of toughness Kansas City usually values in the secondary. For a team trying to keep competing while replacing some real talent on the back end, that early reliability matters.

Still, with Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles sitting there, this is an interesting choice. The Chiefs could have gone with a bigger defensive chess piece or a safety with more obvious star power. Instead, they went with the cleaner corner fit and trusted the need.

No. 7 — Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

This feels like a steal for Washington. Coming off the step-back season after that playoff push two years ago, they needed a defensive piece they could build around — and Styles gives them exactly that.

There’s a clear vision here, too. Bobby Wagner gave this defense stability and leadership, but he’s not the long-term answer anymore. Styles steps into that lane as the next version of it — bigger, faster, more explosive, and a lot more versatile in today’s game.

What stands out is how much ground he covers and how many different ways he can impact a play. He can trigger downhill and make plays behind the line, then turn around and clean up everything that leaks through. That size-speed combo shows up immediately, and it lets him play fast without guessing.

The versatility is what really makes this work. He’s comfortable in space, can match up, can blitz, and can function as a true second-level defender. For a defense that needs more answers against modern offenses, that's going to make an immediate impact.

He’s still growing into the position, and there'll be moments where that shows up. But the athletic traits are rare, he put up one of the most mind-blowing combine performances of all-time.

And honestly, it’s a little surprising he even made it here. This feels like the kind of player teams talk themselves into earlier. The Commanders didn’t overthink it — they took the best defensive piece left and gave their front seven a real centerpiece moving forward.

No. 8 — New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This one caught me off guard a bit. I always saw Tyson as more of a developmental type — especially with the route-running still coming along — but it’s pretty clear the Saints saw something they believe can translate sooner than later.

When you watch him, you understand the appeal. There’s real size there, real body control, and real big-play ability. He’s not just going out there trying the same thing every snap — he has a real feel for the moment, adjusting to bad throws and finding ways to still make the play down the field. That’s valuable, especially for a team trying to figure things out at quarterback.

For where New Orleans is right now, this is about taking a swing on upside while still trying to support Tyler Shough. This roster isn’t close — there are holes everywhere, and no single pick is fixing that. But if you believe in your young quarterback at all, you can’t just leave him out there without help. Tyson gives them a bigger outside target who can stretch the field and make plays down it.

It’s a bet on what he can become more than what he is right now — and for a team in this spot, that’s not the worst way to go about it.

No. 9 — Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

This is a really good piece of business from Cleveland. They moved back, picked up extra capital, and still landed one of the top offensive linemen in the class — which feels like it was the plan all along.

Fano fits what they need. He’s an easy mover, comfortable in space, and one of the better second-level blockers you’ll see in this group. That shows up in how cleanly he climbs, finds linebackers, and keeps plays on track. For an offense that’s been searching for consistency up front, that matters.

There’s some projection here with where he ultimately settles — right tackle, left tackle, maybe even inside depending on how things shake out — but the traits are easy to buy. He’s athletic, competitive, and plays with good balance, which gives them options.

That’s really the point of this pick. The Browns needed offensive line help, and instead of forcing it earlier, they let the board come to them, added picks, and still got their guy. Hard to argue with that approach.

No. 10 — New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

This already feels like a classic Harbaugh draft. Reese at No. 5, now Mauigoa here — you can see the fingerprints all over it. Get tougher, get more athletic up front, and build from the line of scrimmage out.

Mauigoa fits that vision. He’s big, powerful, and plays with the kind of edge you want setting the tone up front. The run blocking stands out first — he can move people, create space, and keep plays on schedule — but there’s enough athleticism there to believe he holds up in a more modern, movement-based offense too.

For the Giants, this is about more than just filling a spot. The offensive line has been a problem for years, and instead of patching it again, they’re adding real talent to it. Whether he sticks at tackle or eventually kicks inside, he gives them another piece they can build around.

That’s the theme here. Two top-10 picks, both in the trenches, both with high-end traits. It’s not flashy, but it’s intentional — and it’s exactly how Harbaugh teams tend to operate.

That’s the theme here. Two top-10 picks, both in the trenches, both with high-end traits. It’s not flashy, but it’s intentional — and it’s exactly how Harbaugh teams tend to operate.

No. 11 — Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

TRADE: Cowboys traded up from No. 12 to No. 11 in a deal with the New York Giants

Cowboys receive:

• Pick No. 11

Giants receive:

• Pick No. 12

• Pick No. 177

• Pick No. 180

This is one of those picks where you almost don’t overthink it. I was honestly blown away he even made it this far, and as soon as it came across that the Cowboys were the team trading up, it felt pretty obvious what this was about.

Dallas needed help everywhere on defense, and Downs is one of the few players in this class who can realistically impact multiple spots right away. He’s not just a safety you park deep and forget about. He can play high, drop down, cover, tackle, clean things up — whatever you need. That versatility matters for a unit that had way too many breakdowns last year.

And that’s really the point here. This defense wasn’t just bad — it was disorganized. Giving up 30 a game and getting carved up through the air is not a “tweak one thing and fix it” situation. Downs gives them a stabilizer on the back end, someone who can actually tie everything together.

The positional value conversation is real. Safety this high — and trading up for one — is not something you see often. But Downs isn’t a typical safety prospect. He’s one of the best overall players in this class, and sometimes that outweighs all of that.

No. 12 — Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

For a Dolphins team with this much turnover, this is a pretty reasonable place to start. New staff, new front office, a roster that needs help just about everywhere — you can do a lot worse than adding a massive, powerful offensive lineman with real upside.

Proctor is a fascinating player because the traits are obvious. He’s huge, he can move better than most guys his size, and when he gets his hands on people in the run game, you feel it. Miami has needed more stability and more physicality up front for a while, and this gives the new regime a pretty clear building block.

It’s not a pick without questions, though. Bill Cowher didn't seem all that impressed with it on Pat McAfee’s Draft Spectacular, and he even implied that Proctor probably shouldn’t have been the third offensive lineman off the board. I get that side of it. There’s still technical cleanup needed, and there may be some questions about his discipline, particularly in the offseason.

But for where Miami is, the logic is still pretty easy to see. This roster needs a lot, and the offensive line has to be part of the fix. Proctor gives them rare size and real power. It may not be the trendiest pick on the board, but it’s a good start for a team trying to rebuild its foundation.

No. 13 — Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Wow. This one’s surprising.

The plan makes sense — the Rams clearly aren’t waiting around on the end of the Matthew Stafford era. They’re trying to get ahead of it, get their next quarterback in the building, and let him learn behind one of the best to do it. That part is smart.

It’s the player that catches you off guard.

Simpson just didn't feel like he was anywhere near a sure thing. There are things to like — the processing, the timing, the way he throws with anticipation when he’s comfortable — but this is a guy a lot of people didn’t even have locked into Round 1. Myself included.

That’s what makes this such a bold swing. You’re betting on the brain and the system fit more than overwhelming traits. He’s not the biggest, not the most physically gifted, and he hasn’t had a ton of high-level reps compared to other top quarterbacks. When things get messy around him, that’s where the questions start to show up.

But if there’s a place for this to work, it’s here. He gets to sit. He gets Sean McVay. He gets to learn from Stafford. You’re not asking him to save anything right away — you’re asking him to develop.

Still… taking him here is a statement. The Rams clearly believe they can turn him into their guy.

No. 14 — Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

This feels like the start of a new era in Baltimore — and somehow, it still feels familiar.

After a disappointing season and a surprising coaching change, the Ravens are now in the Jesse Minter era. But if you’ve followed his path through Michigan and with the Chargers, you can already see some of that Harbaugh influence carrying over. Build it up front. Keep it physical. Don’t get cute when the answer is right in front of you.

Ioane fits that perfectly.

He’s just a really solid player. Strong, powerful, and technically sound with his footwork. He’s not the flashiest name in this range, but he’s the kind of guy who quietly makes everything easier for the guys around him. You’re not worrying about him holding up — you’re expecting him to stabilize things.

And that's important for Baltimore, especially after losing Linderbaum. This offensive line needed help, especially inside, and protecting Lamar is always going to be priority No. 1. Ioane gives them someone who can step in and play right away, anchor in pass protection, and bring some consistency back to the interior.

No. 15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

I love this one for Tampa.

They started last season hot, then the injuries piled up and the whole thing lost its shape. Now you’re looking at a roster that’s turning over — Lavonte David gone, Mike Evans gone — and there are real questions about identity, especially on defense.

Bain helps fix that right away.

This is a true three-down edge. He’s not just a pass-rush specialist you rotate in — he can stay on the field. He’s strong enough to hold up against the run, disciplined enough to set edges, and still brings real juice as a rusher. He wins with power and leverage more than flash, and that tends to translate.

That’s exactly what this defense needs. Without David cleaning everything up behind it, the front has to be better. And the timing of it all works. Offensively, they’re not scrambling the same way. Emeka Egbuka is ready to step into a bigger role, so they didn’t have to force a skill pick here. They could go get a defensive piece that actually stabilizes things.

Everything about this one makes sense.

No. 16 — New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Last year’s offense was a mess for the Jets — no rhythm, no answers, no one you could consistently lean on when things broke down. This doesn’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Sadiq is just a different kind of athlete for the position. He can run, he can separate, and he’s got real burst once the ball’s in his hands. You can line him up all over the place and actually create mismatches instead of hoping something opens up. That alone helps an offense that struggled to find anything easy.

And that’s the key here. He gives them something they didn’t have — a middle-of-the-field option who can make life easier on the quarterback. He’s also the kind of player who's going to keep getting better the more he plays.

If they can ever figure out the quarterback situation — and yeah, that’s still a big if — this could end up being a really steady, reliable target who also has the ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays.

No. 17 — Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

This one doesn’t shock me at all with Dan Campbell.

I did think they might lean defense here, just to make sure they don’t get caught thin again after injuries have wrecked that side of the ball the last couple years. But at the same time, building up the offensive line is never a bad call for this team.

That’s who they are at their best. When Detroit is right, it starts up front — controlling games, running the ball, and letting everything else work off of that. That slipped last year, and you could feel it.

Miller fits that identity. He’s a big, experienced tackle with really solid technique, especially with his hands. He does a great job striking, getting control early in reps, and staying balanced through contact. That kind of detail matters, especially against better pass rushers.

He’s not some flashy, highlight-reel type of pick, but he’s steady. You know what you’re getting — a guy who can come in, compete early, and help stabilize a unit that needs to get back to being a strength.

I get wanting defense here, I really do. But if the goal is getting back to who the Lions were when they were rolling, this is a pretty good way to do it.

No. 18 — Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

I understand what Minnesota is going for here. This defense has been good on paper, but a lot of that has come from scheme — pressure, movement, chaos. When that doesn’t hit, especially against the run, you can feel the cracks. They needed more real presence up front.

Banks gives them that… at least in theory.

The ceiling is obvious. He’s big, long, and can move in ways guys his size just shouldn’t be able to. When everything is right, he can collapse the pocket and look like one of the most disruptive interior players in the class.

But there are stretches where he disappears a bit, whether the technique slips or he just doesn’t play to the tools. You’ll see some boneheaded plays mixed in there too.

That’s why this feels a little surprising. A lot of analysts had him more in that Day 2 range, more of a traits bet than a sure first-rounder. So seeing him go here tells you the Vikings are betting hard on what he can become, not just what he is right now.

No. 19 — Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Carolina’s one of the few teams in this range that actually has some decent pieces up front already, and with how last season went, I thought they might lean more into adding to the skill position to keep that momentum going. That said, you can never go wrong investing in protection for a young quarterback.

Freeling is another traits bet. He looks the part — long, athletic, and smooth enough in his movement to become a steady bookend down the line. You see the flashes where he mirrors well and keeps rushers from getting clean angles, and that’s what teams are buying into.

It’s not a finished product, though. The technique still needs work, and there are reps where the balance and leverage get away from him. That’s why this feels more like a long-term play than an immediate fix.

For Carolina, that’s probably fine. They made the playoffs a little ahead of schedule, but this roster still has holes.

No. 20 — Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

TRADE: Eagles traded up from No. 23 to No. 20 in a deal with the Dallas Cowboys

Eagles receive:

• Pick No. 20

• 2027 fourth-round pick

Cowboys receive:

• Pick No. 23

• Pick No. 114

• Pick No. 137

Well, this feels pretty clear now.

The Eagles can say whatever they want publicly about A.J. Brown, but after trading for Dontayvion Wicks and now using a first-round pick on Makai Lemon, it sure looks like they’re preparing to move on. Maybe it doesn’t happen tomorrow, but this isn't just about depth. This feels like a plan.

Lemon isn’t a one-for-one Brown replacement, because almost nobody is. He’s a very different kind of receiver. He’s probably living in the slot at the NFL level, where his quickness, feel, and ability to separate can actually make him a really useful piece for Jalen Hurts.

That’s the fit. Philadelphia has had the big-body alpha with Brown and the smooth outside separator with DeVonta Smith. Lemon gives them something different — a true inside option who can win quickly, work the middle of the field, and keep the offense on schedule instead of forcing everything to come outside the numbers.

The question is value. Taking a slot-heavy receiver this high is always going to make people pause, and I still don’t love the idea of spending a premium pick on a guy who may not give you much outside flexibility. But if the Eagles already know their receiver room is about to change, and they needed to do something about it.

No. 21 — Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

This feels like a pretty Steelers pick.

It’s not the one that gets everyone jumping out of their seat, but it makes sense. Pittsburgh is still waiting on an answer from Aaron Rodgers, and whether he comes back or not, the offensive line was always going to matter. If Rodgers plays, you need to protect an older quarterback. If he doesn’t, you still need a better foundation for whoever ends up taking snaps.

Iheanachor is the definition of a traits-and-development tackle in a class full of them, but there’s a lot to work with. He’s big, athletic, and still relatively new to the sport as a whole. You can see the upside, even if the technique still needs time.

Nothing about it really shocks me. I like it for them. There’s not much to get overly excited about, but there’s also not much to be mad at either.

No. 22 — Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

With Odafe Oweh gone and Khalil Mack getting older, the Chargers needed another real edge presence. Tuli Tuipulotu is already a good piece, but this defense needed more than one answer up front. Mesidor gives them someone who can step into the rotation right away and help keep that pass rush from getting too thin.

He’s not just a pure speed rusher, either. Mesidor wins with power and a pretty developed rush plan. He can work through contact, use his hands, and keep fighting through reps instead of relying on one move and hoping it lands.

There are some fair questions. He’s older for a rookie, and the injury history is part of the conversation. But that also means this isn’t some long-term mystery box. The Chargers are taking him because he can help now.

Even with Jesse Minter gone, this still feels like it fits their identity. Keep adding to the line of scrimmage, keep the front fresh, and don’t let the defense lose its edge. Mesidor gives them a tough, polished rusher who fits that plan pretty well.

No. 23 — Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

Dallas clearly saw what everyone else did when it comes to their defense.

They already went up and got Caleb Downs to help fix the back end, and now they come back with Lawrence to add more juice up front. For a defense that had problems at pretty much every level last year, that’s exactly the kind of double-up that makes sense.

Lawrence is an interesting bet because the tools are easy to see. He’s explosive off the edge, plays with good energy, and has enough speed-to-power ability to make tackles work.

Downs gives them a stabilizer in the secondary, but that only goes so far if quarterbacks have all day to throw the ball. Lawrence gives them another athlete who can stress the pocket and help this defense actually connect the front to the back.

No. 24 — Cleveland Browns: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

I’m not gonna lie — I didn’t have him as a first-round guy.

You see it right away. He’s not big, not physically imposing, and because of that he does go down a little too easy when there’s real contact. That’s where the concern starts for me, especially projecting to the next level.

But there’s also no denying what he does well.

He can separate. That burst shows up immediately, and he’s legitimately dangerous against press because of how quick his feet are. You can get him the ball early in routes, get him into space, and let him work. That’s something Cleveland’s offense needed more of.

I like the mindset too — everything you hear about him checks out — but I do worry about durability and how he’s going to handle NFL physicality over time. And when you stack that with the fact that he’s probably living in the slot, it just feels like a lot to buy into this high.

That said, the fit itself makes sense. They handled the offensive line earlier, and now they’re trying to add some life to the offense. Concepcion gives them a quick separator and someone who can actually create something after the catch instead of everything feeling like a grind.

I just think there’s more projection here than you usually want in this range, and I’m not sure the upside is big enough to offset that.

No. 25 — Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I really like the player. I’m just not sure I love the use of capital for Chicago.

Thieneman is a really good safety prospect. He’s athletic, productive, and versatile enough to move around the secondary. You can play him deep, rotate him down, use him in the slot, and trust him to cover ground. That kind of flexibility is valuable, especially in a defense that wants to disguise looks and make quarterbacks think after the snap.

The fit makes sense on paper. Dennis Allen can do a lot with defensive backs like this, and Thieneman gives the Bears another piece who can communicate, cover, and clean things up on the back end.

But that’s also where the question comes in. Chicago’s secondary was already one of the better parts of the roster, and they added Coby Bryant in free agency. So while Thieneman is a strong player, this doesn’t feel like the most urgent spot to spend a first-round pick.

No. 26 — Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech

TRADE: Texans traded up from No. 28 to No. 26 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills

Texans receive:

• Pick No. 26

• Pick No. 91

Bills receive:

• Pick No. 28

• Pick No. 69

• Pick No. 167

This is Houston being aggressive about the one thing they absolutely have to get right: protecting C.J. Stroud.

The Texans didn’t move up a ton, but they clearly felt like Rutledge was worth the extra effort. And honestly, after watching offensive linemen come off the board earlier, it makes sense. If this was the last guy on their preferred interior line list, sliding up two spots is pretty easy to justify.

Rutledge gives them something they’ve needed badly inside — power, toughness, and a little bit of nasty. He’s a mauler type, the kind of guard who wants to move people in the run game and bring some attitude to the interior.

There are some pass-pro questions, especially when he gets isolated and has to handle quicker interior rushers. But the appeal is pretty clear. He can help set a tone, give them more force up front, and potentially offer some center flexibility if they need it.

No. 27 — Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

TRADE: Dolphins traded with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Pick No. 27

Dolphins receive:

• Pick No. 27

49ers receive:

• Pick No. 30

• Pick No. 90

I’m not super fired up about this one, but I get it. This roster is clearly being reshaped in a pretty big way. After already adding Kadyn Proctor earlier, they come back here and add a corner with size, speed, and some versatility. That’s not a bad way to keep rebuilding the foundation.

Johnson is a solid player. He can line up in different spots, has enough athletic ability to compete early, and gives the Dolphins another option in a secondary that needed more long-term answers. He’s not the cleanest prospect in the class, and there are still some technique questions, but the tools are easy to see.

No. 28 — New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

TRADE: Patriots traded up from No. 31 to No. 28 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills

Patriots receive:

• Pick No. 28

Bills receive:

• Pick No. 31

• Pick No. 125

The Patriots just came off a Super Bowl run with Drake Maye looking like the guy in Year 2, and now Mike Vrabel’s first draft is about making sure that doesn’t turn into a one-year spike. If you have the quarterback, protecting him becomes the whole point.

Lomu is a solid tackle prospect. He’s not the flashiest player on the board, but he gives them another real option up front and fits the bigger idea here. New England watched Maye take too many hits in the playoffs, and trading up for a tackle says they’re trying to clean that up before it becomes the thing that slows everything down.

There’s still development needed, but not nearly as much as some of the other guys in this class. He just may not as high of a ceiling as some of the others.

Again, not a pick I’m losing my mind over. But it’s solid.

No. 29 — Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods came into Clemson with a ton of hype, and the flashes are still easy to see. He’s explosive, powerful, and has the kind of interior quickness that makes teams believe they can unlock something special. When he’s right, he can shoot gaps, create movement, and give you real disruption inside.

The question is why the tape didn’t always match the reputation. Some people didn’t even see him as a first-round guy, and it’s fair to wonder whether the situation around him slowed his development or whether he just never quite became what everyone expected. The tape got a little harder to buy into each year, not easier.

Kansas City clearly thinks the talent is still in there. And honestly, if there’s a place for that bet to work, learning next to Chris Jones in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is about as good as it gets. Woods doesn’t have to be the whole answer right away. He can rotate in, develop, and hopefully become part of the next version of that front.

It’s a projection, no doubt. But the Chiefs are betting the talent didn’t disappear — it just needs the right room to bring it back out.

No. 30 — New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

TRADE: Jets traded up from No. 33 to No. 30 in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers

Jets receive:

• Pick No. 30

49ers receive:

• Pick No. 33

• Pick No. 179

I think this is a great player. And honestly, I think he’s going to be one for a long time.

It is a little weird with Garrett Wilson already there, I won’t lie. But Cooper is that good where I don’t really care. You don’t pass on players like this just because of fit concerns, especially when your offense was as bad as theirs last year.

Cooper just feels like a pro. He’s got a really good mix of strength and speed, he’s tough, and he’s one of the better YAC guys in this class. He’s creative with the ball in his hands, keeps his balance through contact, and he’s shown he can take a hit and still pop right back up. That stuff translates.

The versatility is a big part of it too. You can use him inside, outside, move him around, and not feel like you’re forcing anything. That makes life easier on the offense as a whole, especially when you’re still trying to figure out the quarterback situation.

I do think the hand strength could get a little better, but overall this is one of the more complete and NFL-ready wideouts in the class. It’s not just traits — it’s a full game that fits in a lot of different systems.

And zooming out for a second… the Jets have now made three first-round picks in this draft. And they have three more first-rounders in 2027.

That’s kind of insane.

No. 31 — Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

I love this one for Tennessee.

They got Cam Ward his weapon early with Carnell Tate, and now they come back and add one of the more intriguing defensive front players in this class. That’s exactly how you balance a draft when you’re building something new.

Faulk just has so much to work with. He’s big, long, and you feel that length right away on tape. He does a really good job getting his hands on guys early and not letting tackles get comfortable. And it’s not just random movement either — there’s a plan to how he rushes. He’s not just out there hoping the athleticism wins.

That’s why I’m so high on him. The run defense is already there. He can set edges, hold up, and play with real strength. But you also see the flashes as a pass rusher where everything starts to come together — the hands, the leverage, the timing. If that keeps developing, you’re talking about a really impactful player.

No. 32 — Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Fresh off a Super Bowl win, this was a need — and a pretty obvious one. The offense just rode a running back to a Super Bowl MVP and a title, and now he’s gone.

Now they replace him with the second Notre Dame running back to be taken in the first round. This is basically an early second-round value, but with the fifth-year option baked in if he hits. That’s smart roster building, especially from John Schneider, who’s been one of the better GMs in the league at stacking value like this.

Price has good burst, he's a decisive runner, he sees it well, and he keeps you on schedule. You’re not getting a ton of wasted carries or negative plays, and that’s exactly what this system needs to keep humming.

He’s not some home-run-every-touch guy, but he’s efficient and reliable. Can run inside, bounce it when it’s there, and give you just enough in the pass game to stay on the field.