NFL Mock Draft: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter and a Lot of Trades

I recently looked at some “What Ifs” in this year's NFL draft and how teams might react to the draft unfolding in certain ways. Rather than looking at just a few spots in multiple scenarios, though, it can be more helpful to look at the bigger picture and how the dominos might fall for all teams.

Below, I put together a fun mock draft. This isn't a guess as to what will happen, but it's more of a series of plausible things that could happen if teams choose to be aggressive making moves and targeting specific players. I have included eight trades in the mock below; tell me that's not fun!

This is more of an idea of what teams could be thinking, what types of trades could come to fruition, and what compensation those trades could include using the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart (which I will reference for draft pick value).

1. Tennessee Titans – QB Cameron Ward, Miami

Tennessee has been tied to Ward more and more over the past few weeks, and it makes sense they will try to kick-start their rebuild with a new man under center.

2. Cleveland Browns – QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Let's go with a scenario in which the top two quarterbacks go with the first two picks. Cleveland has a lot of options, and this one has the highest risk and highest reward.

TRADE – Falcons move up to No. 3 for their long-needed pass rusher

The Falcons have needed pass rushing help for several years and famously eschewed a first-round talent last year in favor of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. With the Giants missing out on the top passers here, they take advantage of the chance to add extra assets.

To complete the trade, Atlanta sends their first-round pick in 2026 and their second rounder this year, No. 46. Valuing the next-year first in the middle of the round, this trade gives the Giants 290 points of surplus draft value, a number that could be offset with a mid- or late-round pick going back to the Falcons.

3. Atlanta Falcons – Pass Rusher Abdul Carter, Penn State

Carter seems like the consensus top prospect, so getting him at No. 3 presents great value. Atlanta paid up for the privilege in this case, though.

4. New England Patriots – WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

This would be the easiest pick of the draft; just take whichever top talent falls to you. Hunter would fit as New England's immediate WR1.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Graham to the Jaguars has been one of the most mocked connections I've seen. It seems like a foregone conclusion, meaning it's probably way too obvious to actually happen…

TRADE – Chicago gets Ben Johnson his new favorite toy

Apparently, Johnson was lobbying hard for Detroit to draft Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023. The Bears already upgraded the offensive line during the free agency period, and here, they would make a move to grab one of the best weapons in the draft.

Las Vegas, who is a candidate to draft Jeanty themselves, gains Chicago's two second-round picks, 39 and 41, while sending their third rounder (68) and tight end Michael Mayer back to the Bears. This would value Mayer as something like the 45th pick in the draft (he was the 35th pick in 2023).

6. Chicago Bears – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty could team up with D'Andre Swift to create a form of the one-two punch Johnson had in Detroit. This would be a fun pick for Chicago, even if the value might not match up. Mayer is an interesting addition who could be a major future piece.

7. New York Jets – OT Armand Membou, Missouri

The Jets took left tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round last year, and this would create a bookend with Membou stepping in on the right side. Things would look pretty solid up front for Justin Fields, with this scenario putting three first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick on his starting line.

TRADE – 49ers try to replace Deebo Samuel Sr.

They took Ricky Pearsall in the first round last year, but Kyle Shanahan would surely always love another piece, and their target in this case is a dynamic player who can be used in many different ways, like Samuel.

To move up, San Francisco sends their third-round pick No. 75 to the Panthers, giving Carolina a surplus of 65 points of draft value.

8. San Francisco 49ers – WR Luther Burden III

Burden is one of several players considered for the WR1 spot in this class outside of Hunter. It comes down to team preference in the type of player they are looking for as to who will end up going first.

9. New Orleans Saints – OL Will Campbell, LSU

The Saints have drafted six offensive linemen in the first or second round over the past 10 drafts. That unit is now short on talent, though, and ranked 29th in pass blocking and 19th in run blocking last year, according to ESPN.

Campbell played left tackle in college but is seen by some as more of a guard in the pros. Last year's first rounder, Taliese Fuaga, is likely to slot in on the left side, but Campbell could play right tackle or one of the guard spots as a rookie for New Orleans.

10. Las Vegas Raiders – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Trading down picks up a lot of value for the Raiders, and while losing Mayer hurts, he became redundant when the team lucked into Brock Bowers last year. Vegas doesn't get their new top running back, but they get a potential WR1 in McMillan who can fit in around the other guys while he gets comfortable.

11. Carolina Panthers – Pass Rusher Jalon Walker, Georgia

Carolina needs tons of defensive help. Trading down to grab extra value is a great idea, and going best player available with every pick is the best strategy. Here, they grab an impact player in Walker who can get after the quarterback and play off the ball at times. The Panthers were 31st in pass rushing and 32nd in run stop in 2024 by ESPN's metrics.

12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Will Johnson, Michigan

The first corner off the board other than Hunter, Johnson is widely seen as the best player at the position who is only a cornerback. Help could come in a lot of forms for Dallas, but cornerback is a need at a premium position.

13. Miami Dolphins – OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

ESPN had Miami 28th in pass blocking and 26th in run blocking last season. Left tackle Terron Armstead might retire. Banks is a left tackle who could play on the right side or at guard as a rookie and eventually step in for Armstead, or he could just take over the blind side as a rookie if needed (actually Tua Tagovailoa's front side, since he throws with his left hand).

14. Indianapolis Colts – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

This is great value according to draft rankings, which often peg Warren as a top-10 prospect. That's the same profile that the Raiders got with Bowers at No. 13 last year. Don't expect Warren to break records as a rookie like Bowers, but he would be an instant weapon for whoever wins the quarterback battle in Indianapolis.

15. New York Giants – QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

The Giants miss out on the top two guys in this scenario, but after trading pack and picking up two premium picks, New York jumps on the third quarterback off the board in Dart. Recent reports point toward Dart being near a first-round lock, so the Giants taking the plunge in the middle of the round is realistic.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Pass Rusher Mykel Williams, Georgia

Keep working the lines. Arizona took Darius Robinson with their second first-round pick last year, but they were 28th in pass rush win rate. Adding Williams is a value play here, as he's another guy often seen in or near the top 10.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Pass Rusher Mike Green, Marshall

Trey Hendrickson wants a trade, and even if he were to stay, the Bengals need more help rushing the passer. Green looks like the small-school star who breaks out as a rookie, filling the Quinyon Mitchell role from 2024.

TRADE – Rams jump a conference rival to fill a major need

Los Angeles upgraded their defensive line early in the draft last year, but now linebacker could use a major makeover. The five players currently listed at inside linebacker on their depth chart include four undrafted guys and one former fifth rounder.

In order to move up, LA gives up their two third-round picks (90 and 101) while receiving back a fifth rounder from Seattle (No. 175). The division rivals would make a pretty fair trade here that slightly favors Seattle.

18. Los Angeles Rams – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Campbell to the Bucs at No. 19 has been a hot rumor, so this scenario would see the Rams leapfrog Tampa Bay to grab the top linebacker in the class who can do a little bit of everything.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Needing to shift after missing out on Campbell, the Bucs instead attack a premium position of need with Hairston. Defense needs the most help in Tampa Bay, and the back seven are most in need.

20. Denver Broncos – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Another tight end with top-10 potential according to some, Loveland falls here to a Broncos team that needs more playmakers to support Bo Nix, who had a successful rookie year. A wide receiver could also be the play, but Loveland checks a lot of those same boxes.

TRADE – Minnesota adds to the secondary

The Vikings have been aggressive in building their team over the past year-plus, both in free agency and in moving up the draft board. They make a move again here to grab one of the best defensive backs in the class at a position of need.

With limited draft capital, the Vikings wouldn't have to lose a pick here, sending the Steelers No. 97 in the third round while receiving back No. 123 in the fourth round, making this a near perfect trade by draft value.

21. Minnesota Vikings – CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Barron has an argument as the top non-Hunter corner according to some, and by that measure, grabbing him outside the top 20 is a coup. Mitchell in Philadelphia last year is a perfect example of how a top-tier player at a premium position can affect the championship race.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Pass Rusher Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Joey Bosa is out the door and now in Buffalo, so with possible needs at receiver and on the offensive line, the Chargers instead look for a replacement here. Stewart is the big potential/no college stats guy this year; that was Chop Robinson in 2024, and he played very well with Miami as a rookie. Stewart looks the part.

23. Green Bay Packers – Pass Rusher James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

The Packers love defense in the first round, and the defensive line is often a target. Though they were a top-10 team in run stop win rate, Green Bay was just 26th in pass rushing, so a young player makes sense in that area.

Pearce was seen as a potential top pick before the season but slipped a little bit. Like Jared Verse last year, he could be a steal as a guy who still has that pass rushing upside even after a (relatively) mediocre final college season.

TRADE – Washington continues to be aggressive

The Commanders appear ready to go all-in around Jayden Daniels while he is on a cheap contract, signing free agents and trading for Samuel from San Francisco for a mid-round pick. Here, they target a position of need with a guy who is getting a ton of buzz heading into the draft.

This is the second trade back for Pittsburgh. With Washington short on 2025 draft picks, they instead send a 2026 third-round pick to the Steelers, which works out to a value win for Pittsburgh.

24. Washington Commanders – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Emmanwori has been a hot name rising up draft boards after a good season and then really good showings at postseason events, including the combine. He fits a position that could use top-tier talent and increases Washington's chances of winning right away.

25. Houston Texans – G/C Grey Zabel, North Dakota State University

Houston has gone on a purge of their 2024 offensive line players after ranking 22nd in pass blocking and 31st in run blocking. They have added new starters, but the work is far from finished. Zabel could play either guard or center right away and is a favorite of draftniks as a plug-and-play rookie.

26. Seattle Seahawks – G Tyler Booker, Alabama

Seattle moves back and picks up extra value and still ends up with the guy they might take at 18. Seattle ranked 21st in pass blocking and 28th in run blocking, making them another team who needs upgrades up front. Booker is limited to just guard, but the interior of the line is the biggest need in Seattle. He could step into a spot on Day 1.

TRADE – Eagles get another impact defensive lineman

Philadelphia has been active trading up for defensive tackles they wanted in the recent past, with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter as recent examples. Here, they would again move up for the guy who was the top recruit in his high school class and struggled for two years before transferring and breaking out in 2024.

To move up from the 32nd spot, Philly sends Baltimore a third rounder (No. 96) and receives back a fifth-round pick (No. 176) in return.

27. Philadelphia Eagles – DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Nolen is another massively talented guy who could step into the meat grinder that is the Eagles defensive line. His skills would only be enhanced playing in this rotation and would allow the team to continue keeping everyone fresh.

28. Detroit Lions – Pass Rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

The Lions needed help on the line even before Aidan Hutchinson got hurt. They ranked 25th in pass rush win rate last year, a disappointing number for a team that held the lead so often. Upping the pass-rushing talent is a clear need.

Ezeiruaku is a speed player who can get after both quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield and would be an instant rotation player on the defensive line, maybe even a starter as a rookie.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers – RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

In this scenario, the Steelers moved down twice, first gaining 26 spots from the fourth to the third round then adding a 2026 third-round pick in the second trade. After all that, they fill a clear need with a guy many think is being overlooked because of the star Jeanty.

Pittsburgh lost Najee Harris in free agency, and there is a hole that needs to be filled, especially with Jaylen Warren still a restricted free agent. They would be replacing one first-round running back with another here, and while the value might not be great, it would help them to compete in 2025.

TRADE – Browns look for a new top receiver

This would mirror Buffalo's first-round behavior from last year, when they traded down from 28 to 32 and then again to No. 33, moving up with three picks later in the draft for a combined 124 slots as compensation.

Buffalo would drop to the 33rd pick again but would jump from pick 132 to 104 in the fourth round.

30. Cleveland Browns – WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Golden is another among the players who could be drafted as the top non-Hunter receiver. He drops in this scenario (as do several other really talented players), and the Browns pounce with the intention of turning him into their WR1. And all it costs is 28 spots of draft position in the fourth round.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Kansas City has made moves to help the offensive line, but they shouldn't be done if they can add good players in the draft. Simmons missed most of the year after a knee injury, but he was being hyped as possibly the first offensive tackle off the board. Picking him up here gives KC a guy who might be able to start as a rookie or who can at least be a swing tackle and develop into the blind side.

32. Baltimore Ravens – S Malaki Starks, Georgia

After trading down with the Eagles and moving up 80 spots from the fifth to the third round, Baltimore gets maybe the top safety in the class. Starks had top-10 buzz before the season, but he fell off a bit to the late first round or early second.

When Baltimore got Kyle Hamilton in 2022, he was a top-10 talent who fell to the Ravens and has now turned into a star. This would be another case of a top safety falling into Baltimore's lap, helping solidify their defense.

33. Buffalo Bills – CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State

The Bills are the only team without a first-round pick in this scenario, but they do make the first pick of the second round. We'll fill a major need and go with a cornerback who has plenty of first-round buzz and could possibly step in as an immediate starter.

34. New York Giants – OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

46. New York Giants – LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Let's finish with two teams who added early-to-mid second-round picks with trades in the top 10.

The Giants own the 34th pick already and picked up No. 46 in the trade that moved the Falcons up to third overall for Carter. Conerly was playing left tackle for the Ducks, but he would slide over to the right side in New York with Andrew Thomas already locking down the blind side.

With the extra pick, the Giants grab the second-best linebacker on the board after Alabama's Campbell. Schwesinger is another guy with late-first-round chatter around his name.

37. Las Vegas Raiders – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

39. Las Vegas Raiders – OG Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona

41. Las Vegas Raiders – RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

The trade that moved the Raiders from No. 6 to No. 10 gave them two extra second-round picks (though they gave up a third and tight end Mayer). Those acquired picks could become instant starters in Savaiinaea and Henderson. The former is a plug-and-play guard, and the latter would fill one of the team's biggest needs in the backfield.

Grant is more of a value pick in this case rather than a player based on positional need. Grant is seen as a possible first-round pick who can play the run and should develop more pass-rush prowess. Adding him to a defensive line with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins can only make things more difficult for opponents.