NFL Mock Draft: Massive trade for number one, Arch Manning goes at top spot

USA Today

2 days ago

While some teams have started their training camps already, others will be kicking off the start of their chase of a Lombardi Trophy in the coming days. In April, they made the picks they had hoped would lead to them being in the best place possible for such a path, and now they get to see the fruits of their labor on the field.
Looking ahead, though, we wanted to project out some team needs, depth, and potential holes that will need to be filled on rosters. The best way to do that? A mock draft, of course.
This will be the second to last one we do this offseason, as we have one more in us after the preseason and ahead of Week 1. Let's see what chaos we have in store for now, though, starting with a projected trade for the number one overall pick.
Note: Draft order was determined by PFF's Projected Win Totals for each team.
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (via NYG) - Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The NFL Draft will be in Pittsburgh this coming year, and the team and city are desperate for a new chapter in their quarterback history. While they have gone through a handful of attempts since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, they need an actual high-potential replacement, and that is Arch Manning. They have the draft capital to be aggressive, and even with this trade, they would still have a total of nine picks in next year's draft.
2) Cleveland Browns - Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
The Browns have four quarterbacks on the roster in 2025, and none of them have the talent or potential of Cade Klubnik. The team as a whole has a lot of needs, one of which will be addressed later with the extra pick they gained from Jacksonville. For now, though, they take one more chance at the quarterback solution with a higher profile selection.
3) New Orleans Saints - Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The connection between New Orleans and the Nussmeier family is going to be hard to ignore this season, even with the contract that the Saints just gave Tyler Shough. The Saints' offense aims to be more dynamic and electric in the passing game, as Moore's offenses have demonstrated in the past.
4) New York Jets - Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Jets will be rolling with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor in 2025, and that will most likely result in another tough year for the franchise. Allar has all the physical traits and tools you hope for in a quarterback prospect, and he could even sit for a year behind Justin Fields if need be. I like Allar's long-term chances under Aaron Glenn and his staff, even if it is in the New York market, where the going gets tough if the results don't come quickly.
5) Tennessee Titans - Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Titans have done a good job of building up the offense in recent drafts, headlined by this year's top pick, Cam Ward. In this mock draft, they potentially land the best player overall in the draft in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. He has a chance to be a bona fide playmaker and leader on their defense, and someone who can be the rising tide that lifts all ships on that side of the ball.
6) Carolina Panthers - T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Panthers' defense has some pieces to work with, but they need a consistent presence on the edge. They signed Pat Jones II this offseason, but they need something more, and T.J. Pakrer is that something. He is explosive off the edge, gets in the backfield to be disruptive, and he would be a welcome addition to the Panthers' defense.
7) Indianapolis Colts - Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Colts' defense has started to add some pieces in free agency and the draft, and decent years, but they could use one more piece in the middle. Peter Woods is a space eater with interior pass rush potential, on top of his run-stopping prowess.
8) Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Browns need to protect their new franchise quarterback, and Kadyn Proctor can do that. He has been going through the rigors of the SEC since he arrived on campus in Tuscaloosa. He is tested and ready for the NFL and would be a fun tag team partner opposite Dawand Jones for the Browns.
9) Las Vegas Raiders - Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Raiders were mocked to get some cornerback help in the top of the NFL draft in April, but they rolled with Ashton Jeanty instead. Now, we are fixing that by giving them one of the top cornerbacks in the class in the brother of A.J. Terrell. The Clemson cornerback has good man coverage ability and can help the Raiders' pass rushing unit have more time to get to the quarterback.
10) Chicago Bears - Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)
The Bears have Montez Sweat, who has shown brilliance for the team since they acquired him in 2023. Adding Rueben Bain Jr. to give him a tag partner on the opposite edge is needed in the NFC North, where quarterback talent is plentiful.
11) New England Patriots - Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)
The team just tapped into the offensive line well with the top pick of Will Campbell in April. Ironically, the selection of Francis Mauigoa comes with the same types of questions that Campbell did, but it would allow for the team to be able to solidfy one side of their offensive line and protect Drake Maye.
12) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Chandler Rivers is one of my favorite players I have watched this Summer, and he is someone who can eventually become a number one cornerback in the NFL. The Rams were in the market for Jalen Ramsey, but ultimately missed out, this rectifies that situation. Rivers is a physical cornerback in coverage but also has goof ball skills to be a playmaker on top of it.
13) Seattle Seahawks - Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Seahawks defense has always been their identity as a team, and with head coach Mike MacDonald, they are working on getting back to that. Longhorn linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is perfect to patrol the middle of the field while making plays and stopping the run. The Ravens' defense played its best football with MacDonald, who had a dominant presence in the middle; he gets that with Hill Jr.
14) Dallas Cowboys - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Daron Bland is set to be a free agent in 2026, and his contract situation is expected to be unique for the team and Bland himself. McCoy will not be on the field for 2025 after tearing his ACL in January, but he should be back for testing if he declares. His film has enough on it to show that he is worthy of the discussion here, and had he not torn his ACL, McCoy could easily be in the discussion to be a top ten pick.
15) New York Giants (via PIT) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Giants trade back and get some extra draft capital to build around Jaxson Dart, or whoever they eventually go with at quarterback if he doesn't work out. They get a bookend tackle opposite Andrew Thomas here in Spencer Fano and do the most important thing to help a young quarterback: give him time.
16) Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon
The Vikings are likely to lose Harrison Smith to retirement in 2025 after the season, so they need to find a viable replacement for him. Thieneman is a near clone, playstyle-wise, of Smith in that they are physical, run downhill, and have a knack for finding the ball. Vikings fans would be very happy to see Thieneman return to Big Ten country after leaving it for Oregon.
17) Miami Dolphins - Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Dolphins drafted Chop Robinson, who proved to be a home run pick in 2024, and they have Jaelen Phillips. The latter has had a rough go of it in terms of his injury luck so adding Faulk to the pass rush rotation and as a depth piece isn't the worst idea. Not to be overshadowed, I really appreciate the work that Faulk does in the run game so that is an added benefit here as well.
18) Arizona Cardinals - Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
The Cardinals have done a solid job in recent years of building up their offensive line for Kyler Murray, but let's add one more piece in the middle. All-American center Jake Slaughter helps out not just Murray but also their running game as they look to develop their offense across the board. They were most consistent as a unit when they could run the ball efficiently. Slaughter helps them get back to that.
19) Denver Broncos - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson has some questions regarding his hands and health, but I can't help but get sucked into the potential of him when I watch his splash plays. Being around Courtland Sutton will be good for him, and he would be a good complement with Marvin Mims and others on offense. Bo Nix and Sean Payton will get some use out of him as this Broncos offense looks to match the defense in terms of scaring opponents.
20) Houston Texans - Jermiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Joe Mixon is set to enter a void year in his contract in 2026, and the team understands the importance of establishing the run to their offense. Love gives them a youthful shot in the arm and someone with a lot more tred on the tires at the position. The home run ability of Love, paired with the vertical passing attack of the team, makes them must-watch, as long as someone can block up front for longer than two seconds, of course.
21) Los Angeles Chargers - LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
The team moved on from Joey Bosa, and they still have Khalil Mack, but he needs help. LT Overton is projected to be a better pro than he has been a college player in terms of production, and being in Jesse Minter's defense should do the trick. At the very worst, Overton takes some time to fully develop, but he learns on the job alongside Mack.
22) Washington Commanders - A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
A.J. Harris is a fun cornerback prospect in the Penn State defense as he finds the ball time and again, as well as providing decent man coverage. The team has Marshon Lattimore, who has shown he isn't his usual All-Pro self anymore, so they need someone to pair with the 2025 NFL Draft pick, Trey Amos. Harris, paired with the Ole Miss defender they selected in April, will give the team a one-two punch at the position.
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Bucs took a chance on Haason Reddick in 2025, and if he pans out, great, but they won't be able to afford him in 2026. If he is a miss, they need to find a replacement, which is where the selection of David Bailey comes in. You want someone with all the physical traits in the world, with an athletic style, but no pass rush plan? That's Bailey; he relies on simply overwhelming blockers, and right now it works. Todd Bowles can give him a pass rush plan opposite Yaya Diaby, and I think that will be a perfect scenario for both parties involved.
24) Cincinnati Bengals - Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
The Trey Hendrickson is a mess for the Bengals with no end in sight, so we are operating here on the idea that it will end horribly. Dani Dennis-Sutton is a high motor pass rusher who can play the run as well as get after the quarterback. While he is no Trey Hendrickson, he would help the Bengals begin to rebuild their pass rush.
25) Green Bay Packers - D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Get to know the name D'Angelo Ponds, folks. The James Madison cornerback followed his coach, Curt Cignetti, to Indiana, where he has been just as efficient in the Big Ten as he was in the Sun Belt. He plays like a linebacker playing cornerback with the ball skills that any team will love, especially a team that just moved on from someone like Jaire Alexander.
26) Los Angeles Rams - Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
Matthew Stafford isn't getting any younger, and Sean McVay is smart enough to plan for the future. Leavitt has a big arm, like Stafford, but can use a year to marinate in the NL. This would be the perfect situation for both of them, as it enables them to reach their potential both in the short term and the long term.
27) San Francisco 49ers - Michael Taaffe, SAF, Texas
In this mock draft, Taaffe goes from walk-on to first-round pick as someone the 49ers could use to roam the back of their defense. He has the size to play up with the linebackers as well, so in Robert Saleh's defense, he could be a fun chess piece for him to mess around with and see how he fits best.
28) Detroit Lions - Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
The Lions' linebacking unit is loaded and led by Jack Campbell, but the injury bug seems always to bite them one way or another. York is a rangy player with an ability to get in the backfield, so he serves a dual purpose. I like him in their defense and is someone that they can have as a rotational piece before using him in more meaningful snaps down the road after Alex Anzalone if they extend him one more year.
29) Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
The Chiefs' passing attack seems to always make chicken salad with chicken bones at a Michelin star level. Eric Singleton Jr. gives them size, but also someone with a skillset they are used to utilizing, as he can be used in gadget plays as well. He has good route running, quick footwork, and an ability to be a home run hitter with every touch makes him a no brainer for the Chiefs.
30) Philadelphia Eagles - Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida
The Eagles lost some of their pass rush depth in free agency, so they will likely do what they always do: draft more. The team has won Super Bowls when they have a deep pool of pass rushers, and adding Tyreak Sapp to the mix would get them back on track for that. At this point, Sapp cannot be a dominant every-down edge rusher, but he is someone with a big motor who can come in on plays and make a difference late in drives.
31) Baltimore Ravens - Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Nate Wiggins looked the part in 2024 after being the team's top draft pick in 2024. They added to the secondary with Malki Starks in April, but acquiring Malik Muhammad would provide them with a physical presence and size, which would be a nice complement opposite Wiggins.
32) Buffalo Bills - Zane Durant, DL, Penn State
Zane Durant, working alongside Ed Oliver, is the stuff of nightmares for NFL offensive lines. Durant has a similar playstyle where he can be a dominant run stopper, but he has some developing pass rushing chops that will make things interesting as he gets older in the NFL. The Bills' offense is at a Super Bowl-level, time to get the defense to match, and this pick helps them get there.