Carnell Tate is a really good receiver but at 4 — yikes. Taking a receiver that high, he better be a Julio Jones — AJ Green — Ja'Marr Chase level of player. The Chiefs trading up for Delane was puzzling to say the least. Teams passing on Downs (11th to the Cowboys) and Bain (15th to the Buccaneers) will sorely regret it in the near future. The end of the first round had multiple trades resulting in the 49ers picking first in the 2nd round and the Bills also moving out of the first.
In the division — the Browns had two picks and did well with both selecting Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion. The Ravens went as expected by taking Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane. Ioane is a good player but taking him over Bain is questionable. The Steelers were on the phone with Makai Lemon (my top ranked WR) when the Eagles jumped them to take the former Trojan. Certainly laughable — then the Pittsburgh brass made it even more enjoyable by selecting Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor. He has physical traits but is a project. The Steelers aren't your grandfather's Steelers.
The Bengals are in great shape at 41. They can get a really good player at that spot. The updated Bengals draft board will display options at each round. Onto the mock:
Big time rangy safety — surprisingly fell — should be a high-level player in short order.
Not the route I would go. I would stash talent — build for the QB draft in '27. The Cards take a shot at the position that is holding them back. Beck reminds me of Josh Rosen re mechanics and mental makeup — Jameis Winston re tantalizing talent that will fail you in the end.
The Bills could go Denzel Boston here which would make sense. I'm a big fan of Boston — but they go Bisontis who is a very good pass blocking guard.
The Silver & Black are back? Possibly. Cousins then Mendoza need better targets on the outside — Boston is a big time wideout.
The G-Men lucked into Reese at 4 — took Mauigoa at 10 (I would have gone Downs) — now they need to help Dart re targets. Brazzell is a project to a degree but huge upside.
Houston selected one of my favorite players in the 1st round — G Keylan Rutledge. Now they upgrade their interior on a defense that was simply dominant last season.
The Browns hit the offense in the first round — now they hit defense with the massive Young. He doesn't have a high ceiling but will be a solid option opposite Garrett.
I did not like the Chiefs' first round picks — I do like this one. Mason Thomas can bring it — undersized but explosive.
McCoy was and is my top-rated corner. Speculation about a bone plug in his knee potentially needing replaced — no matter — check out his pro day and most importantly his 2024 tape. Duke could select a corner at 41 that is as good (in my opinion better) than what the Chiefs traded up for in the top ten.