The NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and all 32 teams will look to improve their rosters and add impactful prospects.

NFL free agency, which begins in just over one week, will likely change many draft selections. However, here is The Dallas Express’ pre-free agency mock draft:

  1. Tennessee Titans
    • Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami
      • The Titans will likely explore trades to move out of the first overall selection, but a draft without trades means Tennessee will have to address the biggest need on the roster. Ward is the clear top prospect at the quarterback position and possesses many traits needed to succeed at the highest level.
  2. Cleveland Browns
    • Travis Hunter, Cornerback/ Wide Receiver, Colorado
      • The Browns have a significant hole at the quarterback position that could be immediately addressed in the draft, but this team also has holes across the roster, and both the general manager and head coach are seemingly in good standing with ownership. While it is unclear whether Hunter will play both sides of the ball in the NFL, he has all the necessary tools to be amongst the best in the league at either wide receiver or cornerback.
  3. New York Giants
    • Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado
      • In contrast to the Browns, Giants General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll appear to be on the hot seat and must win quickly to retain their roles. As a result, the Giants take Sanders with the third pick and look to win games quickly in a difficult division.
  4. New England Patriots
    • Will Campbell, Offensive Line, LSU
      • The Patriots need help at multiple positions on the offense, but the biggest priority for this franchise will be making sure franchise quarterback Drake Maye stays upright. Campbell tested as one of the most explosive offensive linemen in the draft, and the film proves these tests correct, making him the clear choice with the fourth overall pick.
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
      • Jacksonville somehow gets lucky and lands a player who could’ve gone first overall with the fifth pick in the draft. Carter has all the traits to be a dominant pass rusher in the league, though he drops slightly due to other teams needing certain positions and a stress reaction discovered in his foot. The Jaguars will have to figure out the best rotation due to a surplus of edge rushers with Josh Allen and Travon Walker, but Carter’s potential makes him too enticing to pass up.
  6. Las Vegas Raiders
    • Jahdae Barron, Cornerback, Texas
      • The Raiders would likely select Sanders if he is available with the sixth pick, but his disappearance from the board means this team will pivot and select the best cornerback in the draft. New Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll has always had the most success with a dominant cornerback anchoring the backside of his defense, with Barron now stepping into this role for Las Vegas.
  7. New York Jets
    • Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona
      • The Jets need a quarterback to throw the ball to McMillan, but replacing Davante Adams will be paramount for a team that needs an offensive spark next year. While New York could have opted to select a defensive player with this pick, drafting a high upside receiver will make the job of the quarterback much easier in the future.
  8. Carolina Panthers
    • Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
      • Carolina needs help along the defensive line, and Graham is a player who can step in and make an immediate impact. Although he will likely need to put on some weight to hang with heavier players in the run game, Graham possesses various finesse moves to get to the quarterback in the passing game.
  9. New Orleans Saints
    • Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
      • Stewart will have to add to his repertoire to beat NFL tackles, but he has all the physical attributes needed to be one of the most disruptive edges in the league. New Orleans is beginning a rebuild, meaning this team does not necessarily need a player who can take over games in his rookie season. After testing as one of the most athletic players in NFL Combine history, Stewart could also see his draft stock increase in the coming weeks.
  10. Chicago Bears
    • Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State
      • New Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson has continually discussed the need for a dominant rushing attack to set up other pieces of the offense, making Jeanty a perfect fit alongside Caleb Williams in the backfield. Jeanty has the perfect combination of vision, contact balance, and athleticism needed to be one of the best running backs in the NFL and should take over the running back room of whichever team selects him on his first day.
  11. San Francisco 49ers
    • Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
      • San Francisco desperately needs help along the defensive line, and Green should be a starter from day one. Green is one of the strongest players at the edge position in this draft and should be able to develop into a dominant pass rusher next to Nick Bosa.
  12. Dallas Cowboys
    • Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
      • Dallas needs another cornerback after the news that the franchise is expected to move on from Trevon Diggs this offseason. While Dallas could select an offensive skill position player, picking up a cornerback who many believe is the best at the position is too enticing to pass up. Johnson missed large portions of the 2024 season due to a toe injury but has been shown to fully shut down halves of the field when healthy.
  13. Miami Dolphins
    • Kelvin Banks Jr., Offensive Line, Texas
      • Miami desperately needs to secure protection for Tua Tagovailoa, and Banks is one of the best offensive linemen in this draft class. Although some had concerns about Banks’s athleticism leading into the combine, he tested well and should see his stock rise leading up to the draft. Banks spent his entire career playing left tackle but could shift into right tackle to guard Tagovailoa’s backside.
  14. Indianapolis Colts
    • Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State
      • Warren entered the 2024 season with many expecting him to be selected in the third or fourth round, but a spectacular season with Penn State has resulted in the tight end cementing himself as the best at his position. Securing a tight end will be incredibly important for Indianapolis, as quarterback Anthony Richardson frequently struggled to connect with his receivers. Giving Richardson a bigger receiving target will be paramount for his development as a passer next year.
  15. Atlanta Falcons
    • Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama
      • Atlanta needs to fill multiple spots on defense and opts for Campbell, one of the most versatile defensive players in this draft class. Although Campbell will likely end up rushing the passer on the edge, he has also shown the ability to play as an off-ball linebacker. Both of these will be needed for Atlanta next season, and Campbell should see significant snap counts as a rookie.
  16. Arizona Cardinals
    • Armand Membou, Offensive Line, Missouri
      • Arizona needs help along the offensive line, and Membou can play immediate snaps at right tackle. Although he is a little undersized at just 6-foot-3-inches, Membou is one of the draft’s strongest and most athletic offensive linemen.
  17. Cincinnati Bengals
    • Tyler Booker, Offensive Line, Alabama
      • Cincinnati has continually struggled to find meaningful contributors along the offensive line, but Booker is a safe pick who should play very early in his career for the Bengals. This team also recently cut guard Alex Cappa, leaving a hole at the position that Booker could quickly fill.
  18. Seattle Seahawks
    • Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
      • Seattle needs help along the offensive line but opts for an incredibly versatile player with the potential to play as either a pass rusher or an off-ball linebacker. This type of disruption will be important for a Seattle team that often struggled to force negative plays on defense. Adding a player who is arguably the most explosive in the entire class could be game-changing for this defense.
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Trey Amos, Cornerback, Ole Miss
      • Amos is one of the best press corners in the draft and should be an immediate starter on the majority of teams in the league, meaning he could be the best cornerback Tampa Bay has on the roster. Playing significant snaps at both Alabama and Ole Miss is generally a good sign for a player, and the tape of Amos backs these notions up as well.
  20. Denver Broncos 
    • Omarion Hampton, Running Back, UNC
      • Sean Payton has frequently discussed Denver’s need for a good running back after a season in which the Broncos averaged just 4.2 yards per carry. With Jeanty already off the board, Denver opts for Hampton and secures the second-best running back in the class. Hampton is incredibly explosive and difficult to take down, two of this league’s most important traits for successful running backs.
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri
      • Burden is one of the most electric players in the draft, with the ball already in his hand. If selected by the team, Burden should become a consistent part of the Steelers’ offense. He also fits the Steelers’ mold of deep threats while being difficult to tackle, meaning he will fit alongside George Pickens in an offense that needs more explosive creators.
  22. Los Angeles Chargers
    • Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
      • Los Angeles is preparing for the departure of both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack during the offseason and needs a pass rusher on the outside. Williams stands out as the best option remaining on the board. Williams said during the combine that he played the majority of the season injured, making his production even more impressive. The Chargers will look to continue adding to their physical brand of football by adding Williams through the draft.
  23. Green Bay Packers
    • Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
      • Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley previously recruited Ezeiruaku to play at Boston College and could rally for a reunion with the edge rusher. Ezeiruaku is an athletic freak with a frame similar to the current Packers’ edge, Rashan Gary, which means he will reach many franchise metrics when selecting players. While he still needs to develop more pass rush moves to reach the next level, the athletic tools are all there for Ezeiruaku to become a dominant edge rusher.
  24. Minnesota Vikings
    • Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina
      • Minnesota could choose to move on from safety Harrison Smith this offseason despite announcing that he plans to return to the NFL for another season, leaving a major hole at the safety position. As one of the most athletic players in NFL Combine history, Emmanwori could quickly develop into an impressive player in this position. The best option for the upcoming season for Minnesota could be to retain Smith and let him mentor Emmanwori for one season before he takes over.
  25. Houston Texans
    • Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
      • Grant is an imposing force at over 300 lbs and is still incredibly athletic as he chases down opposing running backs. Houston needs a player to anchor their defensive line, and Grant should be able to step right into a starting role on the inside of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. While his pass rush moves need some work to develop, Grant has the athletic abilities to be one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
  26. Los Angeles Rams
    • Josh Simmons, Offensive Line, Ohio State
      • Matthew Stafford continues to get older and less mobile, meaning a clean pocket will be necessary for Los Angeles to compete later in the season as games get colder. Josh Simmons missed a large part of the 2024 season but has experience playing against high-level defensive lines at both the left and right tackle positions, meaning he could likely play snaps early in his career for a team looking to compete for a Super Bowl.
  27. Baltimore Ravens
    • Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas
      • Baltimore has improved the wide receiver room over the past few seasons but must do more to keep up with the pace of the league. Golden ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and could see his stock improve as the draft gets closer. Baltimore will be able to utilize Golden’s speed to create space for Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in the short and intermediate portions of the field.
  28. Detroit Lions
    • Grey Zabel, Offensive Line, NDSU
      • Detroit has never focused on taking players from big schools and will add to this by selecting Zabel with their first pick, who saw a meteoric rise during the 2024 season. Zabel immediately stands out as the best player when watching NDSU and has experience at nearly every position along the offensive line. The Lions have become known for a dominant offensive line and look to continue adding to this group with another athletic addition who can play anywhere in the front five.
  29. Washington Commanders
    • Darius Alexander, Defensive Tackle, Toledo
      • Alexander tested as an incredibly athletic defensive tackle and should have played snaps early in his career with a Commanders team that was unable to stop the run. Alexander was a standout player at the Senior Bowl and has shown a solid combination of pass rush moves and explosion on his game tape from Toledo. Adding him to a defensive line that struggled against athletic players should add immediate juice to this team.
  30. Buffalo Bills
    • Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss
      • Buffalo needs a playmaker on the defensive line and selecting Nolen will give them exactly that. This unit needs more explosion to hang with more athletic offensive lines and Nolen was the anchor to a defensive line at Ole Miss that featured multiple future draft picks.
  31. Kansas City Chiefs
    • Donovan Jackson, Offensive Line, Ohio State
      • Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled throughout the season with a questionable offensive line, meaning the team will be searching for a lineman who can play multiple positions in case of an emergency. Jackson demonstrated this exact ability when he moved from guard to tackle halfway through the most recent season, proving to be dominant at both positions against top defensive linemen. With the potential that the Chiefs eventually move on from guard Trey Smith, Jackson will play an important role for this team moving forward.
  32. Philadelphia Eagles
    • James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
      • Pearce is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. He seemingly lacks many of the tools needed to be successful at the high level, but his tape is impressive, and he produced at a high level during his limited time on the field at Tennessee. While many other teams may be scared off due to possible character concerns that have arisen in recent weeks, the Eagles commit to a player who many expected to be drafted early in the first round when this process began.