The combine is a great event for three reasons: team interviews, medical checks on all players, and athletic drills where it’s easy to compare players rep to rep.
As free agency unfolds, and more evaluation details leak out, the mock drafts will start to shift accordingly. This one doesn’t have a ton of changes since team needs haven’t shifted and most first-rounders test relatively well already. So, this mock draft is Combine specific, focusing on how these guys did over the last few days in Indy.
Here's our second stab at the first round.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
While he didn’t test at the Combine, he showed up looking lean at 6-foot-7 and 337 pounds. He’ll formally test at the Alabama pro-day, and I expect him to be impressive. The Tide strength staff called Neal “the most impressive lower body power athlete we’ve ever seen. His jumping power is in the top 1 percent we have ever measured.” That’s important because it ignites his power.
2. Detroit Lions: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Fully tested at the combine and reportedly interviewed well. He didn’t have the fastest 40 time (4.74), but the 10-yard split is a much better indicator of rushing success because it measures quickness off the line and speed to the quarterback. That was elite.
3. Houston Texans: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Hamilton officially measured at 6-4, 220 pounds and he had a 38-inch vertical jump. Some sites may be disappointed with his 4.59 40 time, but I’m not overly concerned. He plays fast and he’s a really smart prospect that puts himself into the right situations.
4. New York Jets: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Thibodeaux showed up for interviews and some drills. He compared himself to former top pick, Jadeveon Clowney. He led the position group with 27 reps on the bench press (that’s pretty good at that position) and ran a good 40 (4.58) and an elite 10-yard split. There’s some smoke around him not doing all the on-field drills like he told teams he would, but I think it’s overblown.
5. New York Giants (VIA CHI): OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
He reportedly had good interviews, he tested very well, and he wasn’t too small (6-4, 310 pounds) for those teams that see him as a tackle. Good week for “Ickey”.
6. Carolina Panthers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
I still have the Panthers going QB in this draft unless they make a move in free agency. Pickett had the smallest hand size, 8.5 inches, of any recent top QB prospect which created some buzz. I think it’s partially overrated, especially if he’s not playing up here dealing with elements every week. Pickett will have aced the interviews.
7. New York Giants: DE Travon Walker, Georgia
Walker had one of the best combines in recent memory. He measured at 6-5, 272 with really long arms to help set the edge. Physically he was good at everything; speed (4.51), agility, explosiveness. He made himself some money last week.
8. Atlanta Falcons: QB Malik Willis, Liberty
The combine is made for prospects like Willis. He didn’t do the athletic testing but did elect to throw which showed off his easy release and cannon for an arm. While he’s not ready to play right away, quarterbacks will always go higher in the draft because if their foundational importance.
9. Seattle Seahawks (VIA DEN): CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
He measured in at 6-3, 190 pounds and ran a blazing 4.41 in the 40. His testing and size numbers, in combination with his on-field performance, put him a position to be the top corner off the board. Seattle could also go QB Matt Corral to replace Russell Wilson. Their offensive line also needs help.
10. New York Jets (VIA SEA): CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
He’s going to be a difficult player to project because so much of his evaluation comes down to the medicals and interviews. He did not test at the combine and shared that he is recovering from Lisfranc surgery. He should be recovered by training camp, but a potentially chronic foot injury will scare some teams.
11. Washington Commanders: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Corral didn’t test as he’s still recovering from an ankle injury in the Sugar Bowl. However, there’s been some questions on his size, and he did measure at serviceable 6-1, 212 pounds.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Edge Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
He did nothing to slow his climb up draft boards. Ran well 4.58 and he’ll have done well in the interviews. The Vikes go with Johnson over David Ojabo because he’s ready to contribute on all downs.
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
He’s the best WR in the draft and he ran a 4.38 in the 40, showed good agility, caught the ball well, etc.
14. Baltimore Ravens: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Penning is a physical player who excels at run-blocking. Perfect for Baltimore, right? He answered any questions about his athleticism and officially measured a shade under 6-7 and 325 pounds.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (VIA MIA): CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
McDuffie has good tape, he’s a good interview and ran 4.44 in the 40. He’s more of a fit for a zone team, the Huskies were largely zone scheme, and his size (5-11, 193 pounds and short arms).
16. Philadelphia Eagles (VIA IND): DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
I’ve been outspoken that I like Davis, but I question his “value” given his position and usage. Well, his Combine performance changes that. Simply put he showed rare athleticism which should transcend the “value” conversation and he may go even higher than this. He ran a 4.78 at 6-6, 341 pounds and his 10-3 broad jump (explosiveness) was the best of any defensive tackle in over 10 years.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Travis Jones, UConn
Chargers desperately need help in the middle of their defense and with Jordan Davis gone they go to the next best option, Travis Jones. He also had a great Combine, but it was overshadowed by Davis’ incredible performance. He ran a 4.92 40 and 7.33 in the 3-cone at 6-4, 326 pounds.
18. New Orleans Saints: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
The Saints need WR help, even if Michael Thomas returns, they go back to their Ohio State pipeline. Olave showed up at 6-0, 187 and ran a 4.39. He’s not very strong but he’s smooth and fast.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: C/G Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Linderbaum didn’t test this week because of an injury at the bowl game but he’ll fully recover. He has really good tape, but some teams will not have him high on their board because he’s only 6-2, 292 with shorter arms.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
Wyatt was another star of the combine. He led all defensive lineman with a 4.77 40 at 6-3, 307. That’s faster than some tight ends. Steelers couldn’t stop the run and they need help along the defensive line. Their defense is heavily reliant on their front seven getting to the quarterback and stopping the run.
21. New England Patriots: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
Candidly, I am not sure Lloyd falls to the Patriots. But as a Patriots fan, his combine was perfect. He was good but not great which may make it difficult for a team to justify a top-10 selection on him. His 4.66 40 is average but he plays much faster on tape. If Lloyd isn’t there, I’d be inclined to pick CB Florida’s Kalir Elam over Auburn CB Roger McCreary. Both can play good man coverage, but Elam has their desired size (6-1, 190) and speed (4.39) for the outside.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
Cross didn’t help or hurt himself at the Combine. He measured in at his playing weight (6-5, 307) and he was athletic in his testing (which is expected). His interviews, ability to learn and adjust to run schemes (and generally a more complex offense) is the most important part of his evaluation.
23. Arizona Cardinals: WR Drake London, USC
London is still recovering from an injury and didn’t test. He measured at 6-4, 219 and his 40 at USC’s pro-day will be important. He’s a possession receiver so he’s not going to be really fast but there isn’t a great recent track record of receivers that size being productive if they don’t break 4.55.
If he breaks a 4.5, he’ll go further up the board. If he runs above a 4.6 he drops even further.
24. Dallas Cowboys: DE David Ojabo, Michigan
Ojabo’s slide stops with Dallas. While the Cowboys need help along the offensive line, they also need an edge rusher. He won’t be ready to play all three downs right away, but his upside is significant. He clocked in at 6-4, 250 and ran a 4.55 (with a great 10-yard split).
25. Buffalo Bills: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
The Bills need some interior line help, and they get lucky with Green dropping to them. He didn’t test particularly well last week but his greatest asset is positional versality and experience. For guys like that the Combine is overrated.
26. Tennessee Titans: OG Zion Johnson, Boston College
For the Titans, the running game predicates their passing offense and so a commitment to the line of scrimmage is good business. They’ve had an issue at right guard for some time and Zion can play right away. He had a good combine and led all offensive linemen with 32 reps in the bench press.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
The Bucs need help in the secondary. Booth did not test at the Combine, but he measured in at 6-0, 194. Good size and he’ll put good speed numbers at his pro-day.
28. Green Bay Packers: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State
With Aaron Rodgers back, the Packers invest in his last few seasons by giving him a deep threat on the outside and opposite of Davante Adams. Watson was one of the stars of the Combine. He ran a 4.36 40 at 6-4, 208 pounds.
29. Miami Dolphins: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
The Dolphins select a difference-maker in the middle of their defense with similar size and smarts as franchise great and future Hall of Famer, Zach Thomas. Dean will test at his pro day, but he was expected to be great in interviews with teams.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Williams couldn’t test as he recovers from his ACL injury. The most important part of his week was interviews with teams and the medical check.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Bengals stay with a lineman, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they move up to get a guy they like. Raimann tested above the 85th percentile on agility drills and measured at 6-6, 303 pounds.
32. Detroit Lions (VIA LAR): QB Sam Howell, UNC
While I don’t think Howell is an upgrade over Jared Goff right now, the Lions take a shot at a developmental quarterback. I think Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder is the type of culture carrier Dan Campbell likes but I leaned towards Howell because the Lions elected to coach him at the Senior Bowl. By picking Howell in the first round, they would have an extra year on his contract. Athletic player that can spin it and throws a very good deep ball. Hopefully he gets some time to develop, he really needs to focus on marrying his footwork with the arm mechanics.