1 Prospect Each Team Must Avoid in 2026 NFL Draft
Sometimes, success in the NFL draft is about simply avoiding mistakes. The teams that perform better than others tend to understand who they are and what kind of players are going to make sense for them.
That's why compiling a general big board for the entire draft class can pose a problem. It's why we see slight surprises in the first round of every draft.
While our scouting department has put together a big board that gives a sense of how the general talent lines up in a class, it's going to differ slightly for each franchise.
Here, we'll take a look at one prospect that each team should avoid. Because the first-round is the biggest driver of perception, we are sticking to first-round prospects where applicable and highlighting players that are at least plausible selections for each team.
As a final note, the usage of "avoid" doesn't mean the prospect isn't good. This is more about which prospects don't make sense based on a team's situation, scheme, roster or a combination of factors.
Arizona Cardinals: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
1 of 32
Sonny Styles has become a popular mock draft destination for the Cardinals at No. 3. He's the No. 6 overall player on our big board and will go down as one of the most impressive NFL combine athletes of all time.
But positional value still matters a lot when it comes to the draft. The bottomline is that taking an off-ball linebacker with the third overall pick is something that just doesn't happen for good reason.
Recent examples of off-ball linebackers who were taken early include Devin White (fifth in 2019) and Isaiah Simmons (eighth in 2020). That isn't to say that Styles will turn out to be like those prospects, but he would have to become one of the top linebackers in the league for him to maximize the value of the pick.
That's a lot to ask of any prospect and the Cardinals have too big of a need on the edge and at offensive tackle to make that happen.
Snagging Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey gives them a cleaner projection as a top three pick who could become a double-digit sack player across from Josh Sweat.
Atlanta Falcons: Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
2 of 32
The Falcons won't have a first-round pick because they traded it last year in the deal to get back in the first round and take James Pearce.
The decision to pair Pearce with fellow first-round pick raised eyebrows back then. Not only was trading back into the first round aggressive, but they drafted two sub-250-pound edge-rushers.
The pairing had a predictable impact on their run defense. The Falcons were 27th in EPA allowed per rush and they might have to find a replacement for Pearce, he faces three felonies in relation to a February incident.
Pearce's legal situation might put edge-rusher back on the menu of possibilities with the Falcons first pick at No. 48. R Mason Thomas should not be in consideration, though. He would pose similar on-field limitations to Pearce.
Thomas brings some real pass-rush juice, but at 6'2", 249 pounds, he doesn't have the length or size to hold up as an edge-setter in the run game. If the Falcons decide to address the edge it needs to be a bigger, more powerful prospect to pair with Walker.
Baltimore Ravens: DL Peter Woods, Clemson
3 of 32
Peter Woods started the college football season much higher on most big boards than he ended up. Still, his explosiveness and ceiling are likely to make him a first rounder.
However, the Ravens should be looking elsewhere when they get on the clock with the 14th pick. Woods' ideal fit in the league is as a gap-shooting 3-technique whose job is to wreak havoc.
With Jesse Minter taking over as the Ravens head coach we can expect a multiple-front defense with 3-4 DNA. That means, at some point, the defensive lineman on the roster are going to be expected to throw hands, get extension and control gaps.
When the Ravens are in a four-man front, it's likely going to be Nnamdi Madubuike that draws the job of 3-technique. That leaves Woods as a scheme mismatch as a prospect.
If the Ravens elect to draft an interior defender this early it's going to be one with more length and versatility. Woods has a fifth percentile arm length and will struggle to two-gap in the league.
Buffalo Bills: DT Caleb Banks, Florida
4 of 32
The Bills could use another interior defender. The switch to a 3-4 base under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard necessitates more bodies on the inside who can win with power and two-gap.
Caleb Banks appears to fit that bill on first glance. The 6'6", 327-pound defensive lineman has rare size and athleticism on film. Pairing him with Deone Walker would give the Bills one of the biggest defensive lines in the league.
However, Banks is too big of a risk for the Bills at this juncture. Paying Josh Allen, Dion Dawkins and other players who are in line for big paydays mean that the Bills have to hit on draft picks to keep their Super Bowl window open.
Banks has a lot of upside, but he also brings a risky profile. Banks missed nearly all of the 2025 season with a foot injury and broke his foot at the NFL Combine.
Banks's size is a big part of his allure as a prospect, but a big prospect with a history of foot injuries is concerning enough for the Bills to steer clear.
Carolina Panthers: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
5 of 32.jpg?w=684 "Toledo Pro Day Football")
The Panthers have a need at safety and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren received a first-round grade from B/R scout Daniel Harms. The Panthers just shouldn't be the team that adds the Toledo safety in the first round.
McNeil-Warren does his best work as a box safety. He's a physical, tone-setting safety who isn't afraid to stick his face in the fan and make tough plays. His ability to play as a single-high safety in the league requires a little more projection.
PFF alignment data shows that McNeil-Warren overwhelmingly played in the box for the Rockets.
There's a little too much overlap between McNeil-Warren and Tre'von Moehrig for the pick to make sense. If the Panthers are going to take a safety in the first round it should be Dillon Thieneman or they should look at different positions.
Chicago Bears: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
6 of 32
It's no secret that the Bears need help on the edge. They were speculative buyers in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes earlier this offseason and were in the bottom 10 in the league in sacks (35).
At the same time, Malachi Lawrence is a prospect trending into the first round as the draft draws near.
It's easy to pair the two at first glance, but the Bears' poor run defense from last season has to be factored in as well. Chicago was 29th in yards allowed per carry and gave up 2,287 yards on the ground.
Lawrence, a 6'4", 253-pound edge, has incredible athleticism, but he did some of his best work standing up. There's legitimate concern about his ability to hold up against bigger tackles on the perimeter in the run game.
That should have the Bears looking elsewhere despite the pass rush flashes from the fifth-year senior.
Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
7 of 32
The Bengals have taken an edge-rusher in the first round in two of the last three years. But they haven't exactly nailed those two picks so there are still mock drafts with the Bengals selecting an edge-rusher.
Specifically, Keldric Faulk has been linked to them as a trade down target or even a surprise selection at No. 10.
Regardless of where they pick him, there's reason to be dubious about his fit with the Bengals.
There's a lot of overlap between Faulk and 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy. Like Murphy, Faulk is a bigger edge prospect at 6'6", 275 pounds. It's part of the reason why the B/R scouting department isn't even classifying him as an edge-rusher.
"While some project the former Tiger as an edge defender, he's at his best as a 4i-technique in odd fronts and has a physical profile that fits better as a 'defensive lineman'," B/R scout Matt Holder wrote in his report on the Tiger.
Given the fact that the Bengals don't run many odd fronts and their need for more proven pass-rushing juice, Faulk would be a confusing pick for Cincinnati.
Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
8 of 32
The Browns have quarterback questions that probably won't be answered in this draft. Their biggest concern in the first round should be working to make sure that they set up the best ecosystem for a quarterback to thrive.
That likely means coming away with a top receiver and a blindside protector of the future.
That, combined with Monroe Freeling putting up one of the most impressive combines of all the tackles in the draft, has made him a popular pick for the Cleveland Browns at No. 6.
That's pretty high for a player who simply doesn't have that much experience. Freeling only had one full year of starting at Georgia and he's ranked just 48th on our big board as B/R scout Brandon Thorn gave him a 7.6 grade.
If this were a weak tackle class then reaching on Freeling would be more defensible, but Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa are both on the board and there are intriguing tackle options that could be on the board when the Browns are back on the clock at No. 24.
Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
9 of 32
The Cowboys were 31st in passer rating allowed last season. No one would argue that they don't need to address the cornerback position.
It's not hard to connect the dots, then, that Jermod McCoy could be on the Cowboys radar.
McCoy is the No. 2 cornerback on our big board. There's definitely a world where he is the answer for the Cowboys at outside cornerback, but the fact that McCoy missed the entire 2025 college football season with a torn ACL could be enough to take him off their board with the 12th pick.
Cowboys fans might feel a little apprehensive about taking a cornerback coming off a torn ACL. They drafted Shavon Revel coming off an ACL tear last season and he only ended up appearing in seven games as a rookie while giving up a 126.1 passer rating.
Ultimately, the Cowboys have other pressing needs that could be addressed if both Mansoor Delane and Caleb Downs are both off the board. They'd be better off taking an edge-rusher with a higher floor in that scenario.
Denver Broncos: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
10 of 32
The Broncos don't have a first-round pick after trading for Jaylen Waddle so it's important that they find a good fit in the second round.
Drafting a linebacker is certainly a possibility. It's one of the few positions on their defense that could use a long-term solution. However, Jacob Rodriguez isn't the kind of player they need in the middle of their defense.
Vance Joseph's defense calls for versatile inside linebackers who can both cover and be effective blitzers. Rodriguez has good coverage skills, but there are legitimate concerns about his size and arm length.
The Texas Tech 'backer has 11th percentile arm length and it shows up in his ability to take on blocks. Its a concern that B/R scout Matt Holder brought up in his scouting report:
"Combination of arm length and below-average strength limits his extension and leads to him getting stuck on blocks from offensive linemen."
Rodriguez was an incredibly productive collegiate linebacker, but his subpar size and play strength make him a questionable fit for a Denver team that doesn't have the capital to take risks on outliers.
Detroit Lions: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
11 of 32
Taylor Decker's request to be released in March has put the Detroit Lions in a tough spot with the draft.
They have the 17th pick in the draft and they are pretty much forced to find a starting tackle with that pick unless they are comfortable with starting Larry Borom in 2026.
That has led to a wide variety of tackles being mocked to the Lions with a few prognosticators going with edge prospects.
There are a lot of tackles who would make sense for the Lions at 17, but late riser Max Iheanachor shouldn't be one of them.
"Max Iheanachor is a relative newcomer to football and his lack of experience shows up in unrefined footwork, inconsistent positional leverage and lapses in spatial awareness," Brandon Thorn noted in his scouting report. "However, he has the frame and quickness to develop into a starter during his rookie contract inside a veteran-led NFL offensive line room."
The Lions don't need a prospect who can develop into a starter during his rookie contract. They need a prospect who can be a starter as a rookie. That might not be Iheanachor and the Lions have high expectations of bouncing back next season.
Green Bay Packers: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
12 of 32
Barring a trade up the Packers will have to wait until pick 52 to make their first selection in the draft. In all likelihood, they are looking at defensive reinforments who can either boost the pass rush or help in the secondary.
Lee Hunter is an interior defender that has been connected to them in mock drafts as a second-rounder. He's the 40th-ranked prospect on our big board so getting him at No. 52 would seem like a steal.
The problem is that Hunter's athleticism doesn't line up with the Packers philosophy of drafting. They tend to target defenders with high relative athletic scores and Hunter's testing was below average with a relative athletic score of 4.07.
Hunter is a nose tackle based on his size, but he has some habits that are going make it difficult to thrive as a run defender in the league.
"A little late off the ball with a habit of playing too high, preventing him from collapsing the pocket as a bull-rusher consistently," Matt Holder wrote in his scouting report. "Also, Hunter can cause him to concede some ground against double-teams and combo blocks."
Hunter makes some sense on paper, but just doesn't align with what the Packers should be looking for in a defensive line prospect.
Houston Texans: IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
13 of 32
Chase Bisontis is a classic example of how a prospect can go from under-the-radar to overvalued throughout the pre-draft process.
Throughout much of the last season and early in the process, the Aggie lineman was squarely in the Day 2 conversation. As the draft draws near, he is sneaking into more and more first-round mock drafts.
Most of those draft have him as a choice for the Texans at No. 28. That's just not a great use of resources for a club that's trying to break through in the AFC.
Bisontis has some limitations that made him the 59th-ranked prospect on our big board and should probably keep him out of the first round.
B/R scout Brandon Thorn noted in his scouting report that Bisontis can set a soft inside shoulder in pass protection and, "below average mass and square power can knock him on his heels against power down the middle of his frame."
Bisontis projects as a solid starting guard, but the Texans would be better off targeting that need later in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
14 of 32
The Colts gave up their first-round pick in the trade to acquire Sauce Gardner during the season. So they'll have to wait until Day 2 to make their first selection unless they trade up from No. 47.
It would be shocking if they don't use one of their few picks in this draft on a linebacker. They need new life at the position and they'll likely draft someone to compete for a starting spot after trading away Zaire Franklin.
So the No. 39 prospect on our board, Jake Golday, makes sense in that respect.
The problem is that Golday's draft stock is based a little too much on projection at this point. He doesn't have a ton of time on task and didn't move to off-ball linebacker until he transferred to Cincinnati in 2024 after starting his career as an edge-rusher at Central Arkansas.
"Instincts as a run-defender are subpar, as he's a tick slow to key and diagnose, making it difficult for him to beat offensive linemen to the spot," Matt Holder wrote in his scouting report.
Those instincts are something that might come with playing time. They are also hard to develop on the fly at the highest level. Some teams have a situation where they can draft Golday, develop him and unleash him in 2027.
The Colts are not one of those teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State
15 of 32
Domonique Orange is a fun prospect, but if he's the first name called for the Jaguars it's going to feel like a letdown.
"Big Citrus" is going to make some team in need of a pure nose tackle happy, but the Jags should be looking for a little more pass rush if they go defensive line with their first selection.
B/R scout Matt Holder compared the 6'2", 322-pound nose tackle to T.J. Slaton. Slaton has been a useful lineman in five NFL seasons, but he's only produced five career sacks and three of them were in the 2025 season.
The Jags were 12th in EPA allowed per rush last season, but Arik Armstead was the only interior defender with more than two sacks. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile needs more pass-rush juice on the interior and Orange doesn't fill that need.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
16 of 32
The Chiefs haven't picked in the top 10 of the draft since 2017. They took some guy named Patrick Mahomes.
If they play things right and get things back on track, this will be the last time they pick in the top 10 for a long time. That's why rolling the dice on Jordyn Tyson is not a risk worth taking for Kansas City at No. 9.
Tyson is the ninth-ranked prospect on our big board and our top receiver by a narrot margin over Carnell Tate. But the injury risk has to be acknowledged.
Tyson has a concerning history of injury that needs to be considered. He tore his ACL, MCL and PCL as a freshman at Colorado and only played in nine games last season as he dealt with a hamstring issue down the stretch of his final collegiate campaign.
His skills will make him a tempting selection for a team that needs young playmakers to step up. However, needs at offensive tackle and edge-rusher should leave Kansas City with better, higher-floor selections.
Las Vegas Raiders: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
17 of 32
Fernando Mendoza is all but wearing Silver and Black so we'll look to the 36th pick in the second round to identify a prospect they should avoid. It would make sense for that pick to be a wide receiver as they look to give Mendoza the weapons he needs to succeed.
Denzel Boston figures to be a name who could be in the mix. He's ranked 30th on our big board and seventh among receivers.
But the 6'4", 212-pounder is not a separator. B/R scout Dame Parson praised Boston for his contested catch ability, but would like to see more from him as a route runner.
"Boston must continue to display his ability to run a diverse route-tree. He is a physical route-runner, but adding more finesse can enhance his game," Parson wrote. "Lacks second-gear or top-end speed to optimize early separation. The further down the field he is, the more his separation declines."
The Raiders already have a downfield contested catch threat in Brock Bowers. That's also the calling card for Jack Bech if he turns the corner as a prospect. If the Raiders are going to target a receiver for Mendoza they would be better off targeting a more diverse receiver like Omar Cooper Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
18 of 32
ESPN's Peter Schrager is one of the more plugged-in insiders when it comes to the NFL draft. His mock drafts are based on what he's hearing around the league and the first edition of his mock at a bit of a surprising selection for the Los Angeles Chargers.
He slotted Clemson tackle Blake Miller in at No. 22 to the Bolts. He went on to explain how Miller started every possible game at Clemson and the Chargers could use a lineman with a clean bill of health to provide depth behind Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at tackle, adding that Miller could move to guard.
Taking a tackle prospect with the expectation that he might be able to kick inside is probably not the best use of resources. At 6'7", 317 pounds, Miller is definitely built like a tackle.
He is ranked No. 46 on our big board so taking him at 22 is a bit of a reach. That's an acceptable reach if it's a tackle who can be a starter, but that value is questionable if the plan is to immediately kick him to guard.
Los Angeles Rams: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
19 of 32
The Los Angeles Rams have made no secret about the timeline they are on. They have made several all-in moves this offseason that would indicate they are selling out to win a title while Matthew Stafford is still playing at an MVP level.
That would indicate that they are looking for an immediate contributor who can push them over the top this season. That could mean finding a starting right tackle, an impact defender or a dynamic receiver who could elevate the passing game now before taking over for Davante Adams eventually.
What it doesn't mean is that they can afford to take a tight end who might need an adjustment period in the league.
There's no doubt that Kenyon Sadiq is worthy of a first-round pick. There's not even much doubt that he's going to be a good pro. However, he had just one season of solid receiving production in college and he has work to do as a route runner.
The Rams already spent a second-round pick on Terrance Ferguson, who started over Sadiq at Oregon, last year. They should go another direction in the draft this year.
Miami Dolphins: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
20 of 32
Everybody loves a homecoming and seeing Miami Hurricanes edge-rusher Akheem Mesidor stay in South Beach would be a cool story. It just wouldn't be the best bit of roster-building for the Dolphins.
For one, the Dolphins are at the beginning of a full-on rebuild. They've ripped the roster down to the studs and will transition to Malik Willis at quarterback.
The problem is that Willis doesn't have what he needs to succeed on the roster. The Dolphins released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle. Neither tackle spot issecure in the long term.
So taking Mesidor, a 25-year-old prospect, just doesn't line up with the team's biggest needs or timeline.
The Dolphins would be better off taking at least one offensive prospect or addressing their needs in the secondary with younger prospects.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
21 of 32
The Vikings have not really used early picks on cornerbacks in the first two rounds during the Brian Flores era. You can argue they would be better off, but the defense has been pretty solid so the strategy is working.
Avieon Terrell isn't the prospect to change that pattern.
Terrell comes in at No. 22 on our big board so he wouldn't be a reach. However, there are size concerns as the Clemson product is 5'10 ¾", 186 pounds with 31" arms.
B/R scout Daniel Harms also has reservations about his press technique.
"Soft press technique can be slightly slow, leading to quicker receivers beating him quickly across his face," he wrote in Terrell's scouting report.
Terrell's competitiveness and potential will likely make him a first-round selection, but the Vikings would be better off look at safeties with their first selection.
New England Patriots: WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
22 of 32
There's a good argument to be made that the Patriots need a receiver capable of becoming the top target. The Pats signed Romeo Doubs for good money and they have solid young complementary pieces in Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas.
Kevin Concepcion is 16th on our latest big board. Overall, he's a solid prospect who figures to be a productive member of a team's passing attack. However, there's a lot of overlap between his build and skillset on the Patriots receiving corps as constructed.
B/R scout Dame Parson noted that some team's may pigeonhole Concepcion as a slot only option based on the fact that he's a lean receiver at 6'0", 196 pounds.
The Patriots already have those kind of receivers. They would almost certainly be better off using their first-round pick to add the right tackle of the future or a bigger-bodied outside receiver depending on how the board falls.
New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC
23 of 32
Makai Lemon has suddenly become a popular mock draft pick for the Saints over the last week.
Kellen Moore is going to want weapons for Tyler Shough and Lemon is a YAC monster. However, Lemon's size (5'11", 192) and lack of top-end speed might make him more of a chain-mover than a do-it-all weapon.
B/R scout Dame Parson noted that he, "struggles against physical and long press corners can be disrupted at the line. Needs a more reliable release package to avoid being rerouted."
Parson ultimately settled on "Parker Washington / Amon Ra-St. Brown-style impact player" as his pro comp for the Trojan.
There's still value in a slot-only weapon. If he's Amon-Ra St. Brown then a top-10 pick is justified, but that's far from a guarantee with his projection and the Saints should have safer defensive options on the board at No. 8.
New York Giants: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
24 of 32
There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the New York Giants offense moving into 2026. With John Harbaugh taking over in Jaxson Dart's sophomore season, the Giants seem to be headed in a good direction.
There's certainly a faction that would say the offense's development could be accelerated by taking Jeremiyah Love with the fifth pick. The Notre Dame product is the No. 2 player on our big board who could make Dart's life easier.
The reality is that the Giants running game was already a strength last season. They were fifth in EPA per rush and ran for nearly 2,200 yards as a team. Love would concentrate that production and make it more dangerous, but the Giants have bigger needs.
For instance, the defense was dead last in EPA allowed per rush and the pass coverage wasn't anything to write home about. A defensive playmaker or a receiver to replace Wan'Dale Robinson are more valuable selections for Harbaugh and Co.
New York Jets: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
25 of 32
The Jets desperately need hope at the quarterback position. They don't have a shot at the top quarterback in the class and Ty Simpson is the consensus No. 2 option in a weak class at the position.
The ingredients are there for a marriage that would hurt both parties.
Aaron Glenn will start the season on the hot seat. The Jets pretty much replaced his entire staff this offseason and he needs a spark to gain some job security.
Simpson needs more time on task after starting just one more season for the Crimson Tide. As B/R scout Dame Parson noted in his scouting report, Simpson "will stare down a receiver whenever he predetermines; veteran defenders will follow his eyes into the throwing lane, creating a turnover-worthy play."
It's a catch-22 in a place like New York. Simpson needs game-speed reps to improve. The intense scrutiny that comes with playing in the Big Apple paired with a coach who has to win now and a receiving room that is incomplete outside of Garrett Wilson is just not a good situation.
Philadelphia Eagles: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
26 of 32
Finding a successor for Lane Johnson has to be on the Eagles to-do list over the next two years. The 35-year-old is coming back for his 14th season, but the Eagles have to prepare for life without him.
Getting out ahead of that need by taking a right tackle with the 23rd pick isn't a bad idea. It will give them a one-year buffer to get Johnson's replacement ready while offering a high upside swing option in 2026.
Caleb Lomu is generally considered a first-round prospect, but he doesn't necessarily make sense for the Eagles. B/R's Brandon Thorn noted some deficiencies in his play strength in his scouting report:
"Below average play strength shows up primarily in the run game, leading to quick stalemates, soft edges and shaky sustain skills, especially on angle-drive blocks."
If the Eagles are planning on taking Johnson's successor then a more physical presence like Kadyn Proctor, Monroe Freeling or Blake Miller would make more sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
27 of 32
After three years in the league, it's still unclear whether Broderick Jones can be the Steelers long-term starter at left tackle. In addition to his inconsistencies as a pass protector, he had to have spinal fusion surgery at the end of this season.
That could force the Steelers to look for his replacement in the draft. Thus, Kadyn Proctor has been tabbed as a popular mock draft pick for Pittsburgh.
The problem is that it's not a sure thing that Proctor will be able to play tackle. He's a tremendous athlete for his size, but his 23rd percentile arm length raises questions about whether he's a tackle or guard.
Theoretically, guard is a need for the Steelers too. Proctor playing left guard this season while Jones proves whether he can play tackle or not is not the worst thing. But then the question becomes whether it's a good idea to go after guard this early in the draft.
The Steelers have had success identifying interior offensive linemen on Day 2 and 3 of the draft. Mason McCormick was a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Pittsburgh needs to go after a player who is going to fill a need at a premium position before taking a player who might get kicked inside to guard in the first round.
San Francisco 49ers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
28 of 32
After taking a big, powerful edge-rusher in Mykel Williams this year, it would be understandable that some would want the Niners to take a quick, twitchy pass-rusher in Cashius Howell this year.
Howell was a menace at Texas A&M this season racking up 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. After watching Williams get just one sack in nine games, the 49ers could be tempted to go back to the edge-rusher well.
The reality is that Howell has too many limitations to make sense in the 49ers defense. Right now, they have Williams, Nick Bosa and Keion White as their top three players on the edge. All three have the kind of size and play strength needed to hold up on the edge.
Howell, on the other hand, is undersized at 6'2", 253 pounds. He also has a zero percentile arm length for the position. That's really hard to overlook, regardless of athleticism.
The Niners are still a contending team. They have an older core that needs help from this draft pick to get over the hump in the NFC.
Trusting Howell, a size outlier who will struggle to hold up against the run, to be that kind of prospect is just not realistic.
Seattle Seahawks: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
29 of 32
The Seattle Seahawks still have some work to do to replace key departures from last year. The defending champions had to make some tough decisions and that meant letting Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen walk in free agency.
John Schneider only has four picks to work with in this draft. Spending the first one on a running back is simply a luxury they can't afford.
Losing Walker hurts, but the cupboard isn't bare. Zach Charbonnet is still on the roster and they signed Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Adding a running back later in the draft could give them a solid trio to work with, but taking the second back on our big board, Jadarian Price, is a bit rich.
Instead, the Seahawks should focus on taking whatever cornerback or edge prospect is at the top of their board when they get on the clock. They can find a decent back at the end of the second or third rounds much easier than those positions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
30 of 32
The Buccaneers have massive shoes to fill in the middle of their defense with Lavonte David calling it a career after 14 seasons.
David was the exception to the rule that off-ball linebackers bring back shaky value as first-round picks. He brought stability to the position and leadership to several good defenses in his time.
Given his success, the Bucs could be tempted to take CJ Allen at No. 15.
The problem is that they have too great a need at edge-rusher and the middle of the first round figures to be a good spot to find one. Our latest mock draft has the Bucs landing Keldric Faulk, a versatile defensive lineman who can help on the inside as well.
T.J. Parker and Akheem Mesidor are also ahead of Allen on our big board. Any of them would help bolster a pass rush that was lacking last season.
It will be easier to find a linebacker with starter upside on Day 2 than finding an edge-rusher as well-rounded as who will be on the board at 15.
Tennessee Titans: Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
31 of 32
The Jeremiyah Love to Tennessee hype continues to grow as we move closer to the draft, but there's a scenario where a team could actually trade ahead of them to draft the Notre Dame Back.
If that's the case, then the edge-rushing trio of David Bailey, Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr. will undoubtedly come into view.
Reese's traits are tantalizing. In a defense that could utilize Reese in a creative linebacker-defensive line hybrid, he could be a star in the league.
Robert Saleh's defense tends to have defined roles. Reese's best projection for Tennessee would be as his Wide-9 rusher, but at 241 pounds, Reese would have to change his body and deepen his pass rush moves to work out.
Bailey is a more clean projection in that role right now. Bain Jr. could be the kind of power-rusher who kicks inside on passing downs. Either would be a cleaner fit in Saleh's defense.
Washington Commanders: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
32 of 32
Surrounding Jayden Daniels with more firepower is a noble draft objective for the Commanders. Pairing former Ohio State receiver Terry McLaurin with fellow Buckeye Carnell Tate would even check that box.
But this is about utilizing the seventh pick to maximize the roster moving forward. That likely means spending the pick on a defensive player.
Washington gave up more yards than anyone in the league last season. Dan Quinn still doesn't have a marquee pass-rusher so Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey should all be higher than Tate on their board.
The secondary had its own issues so Caleb Downs should be a consideration and cornerback Mansoor Delane is higher on our board than Tate. That's five defensive options that should take precedence.
The Commanders picking at seven with all of those options off the board could be an indicator they just need to trade down and still walk away with a defensive upgrade.
.jpg?w=600 "Lawrence 'Jacked' About Trade")
.jpg?w=600 "Burrow's IG Story Before Trade 🧐")
.jpg?w=600 "🚨 Bengals Extending Lawrence")
.jpg?w=600 "Coached Stunned by Lawrence Trade")
.jpg?w=600 "Giants Picking 5th and 10th")