ChatGPT says: Ross Jacobs is a football analyst and mock draft expert associated with Fantasy Football Metrics (FFMetrics). He has produced several NFL mock drafts over the years.
In addition to his mock drafts, Jacobs has contributed scouting reports and analyses on various football prospects. Jacobs is active on social media, sharing his analyses and engaging with the football community. His work is recognized for its depth and insight into player evaluations and draft projections.
Ross is part of our (FFM's) award-winning Mock Draft team.
1) New York Giants (TRADE from Tenn.) - QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Yes, I still think Sanders will ultimately be the #1 pick in the draft despite the mainstream media converging on Cam Ward. There are a number of different criticisms I’ve heard for why people think it won’t happen, namely “he’s not that good” (usually said because of his lack of physical traits) and “the Deion” factor.
To the first...I submit Baker Mayfield, Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, and Bo Nix. The NFL doesn’t always require every QB to have above average physical traits. If you are smart, tough, accurate, and meet the minimums that is often good enough. And second, I say the NFL generally likes the fact that Deion is Shedeur’s dad. It means Shedeur has been taught exactly what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Regardless of the truth or untruth of the matter, most teams consider it a positive.
Cam Ward is a decent prospect, but there are very real questions about his aggressiveness and gambling style. Let’s not forget that Patrick Mahomes was considered a 2nd round pick for exactly those reasons. The NFL will almost always side with a safe style of play from QBs. In addition, as good as Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are, as prospects they both have a few issues that hold them back from being considered true #1 overall pick caliber players, in both cases their lack of prototypical size.
The one change I have is I now believe it’s more likely the Giants trade up than the Titans stick and pick. The Giants are obviously hyper desperate for a QB, they have been outwardly obsessed with Shedeur even going back to last year, have no qualms about taking players labeled with questionable character by the media (Kayvon Thibodeaux and Malik Nabers), and the Titans are mired in a deep rebuild yet only have two top 100 picks. They can trade down, take a good player, and pick up extra capital to continue building the team.
I think this deal could get done a week or two after the combine which would give the huge media market of New York nearly two months of unabated coverage debating which of the two QBs they will take.
2) Cleveland Browns - QB Cam Ward, Miami
There is a very real chance the Browns could opt for Abdul Carter here or even trade the pick (to the Jets?), but when it comes down to brass tacks, this team needs a QB and if they think Cam Ward is a viable starter, even a low end one, they are going to take him. He isn’t necessarily the best stylistic fit (although his proficiency at play action is a plus), but the Browns are reportedly very aware of the recent success of athletic QBs and Ward’s running ability and strong arm are a good match for the weather conditions in the AFC North.
3) Tennessee Titans (TRADE from NYG) - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn St
I mentioned it before, but the Titans have so many holes and currently not much draft capital to work with. They could use extra picks and since they do still have Will Levis and his career is far from over, much to the irrational dismay of the media and fans, they have the luxury of trading down a couple of spots, adding more selections, and still walking away with the consensus best player in the draft. That’s a pretty good deal.
4) New England Patriots - OT Will Campbell, LSU
Many people will be aghast that I have the Patriots passing on Travis Hunter for an offensive tackle with short arms (gasp), but there are a number of reasons for it. Firstly, the Patriots line is abysmal, and they absolutely have to protect Drake Maye. Short arms are not necessarily a death sentence and Mike Vrabel doesn’t care about it much anyways based on his comments on Peter Skoronski when he was drafted. And as for Hunter, he’s skinny and there are some concerns about how he’ll hold up with a heavy workload on both sides of the ball.
Hunter is a good player, but NFL games are won in the trenches, and nobody knows that better than Vrabel.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
A dream scenario for the Jaguars as the combination of team needs ahead of them pushes a consensus top 2 prospect down to them at 5 similar to how Jalen Ramsey once fell to them at the exact same spot. Taking Hunter theoretically fills two big holes at once. Jacksonville would sprint to the podium if this happens.
6) Las Vegas Raiders - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise St
I’ve been pointing out some potential issues with Jeanty for a while, and I still believe they are legitimate, but one knock I had on him was, to me, he didn’t look all that fast on tape. However, I keep being told that he will run in the 4.4s at the combine and that would change the equation massively. I’m also curious about his weight because he’s routinely listed at 215 but he looks smaller to me. If he checks both those boxes I don’t see why he won’t go extremely high.
Pete Carroll is the real driver of this pick however. Pete wants to build a powerful run game and defense. He doesn’t care about QB (to the point that even if a QB was here I believe he’d pass on them). He traded for Marshawn Lynch, draft Rashaad Penny in the first round, and Christine Michael, Kenneth Walker, and Zach Charbonnet (while already having Walker) in the second. He loves his run game and there’s no chance he’s passing on a RB like Jeanty to take a receiver or QB.
7) New York Jets - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
I don’t have a good handle on what the Jets might be thinking, partly because they have a new group in power now, but McMillan seems like a good fit. He would give them a big-bodied receiver to compliment the smaller, shiftier Garrett Wilson. An offensive or defensive tackle like Banks or Grant would also be an option here.
8) Carolina Panthers - CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Everyone has tunnel–visioned onto two positions for the Panthers, edge rusher and wide receiver. I was guilty of that as well, but after some study I believe a cornerback, specifically Johnson, is far more in play here than most are currently thinking. The Panthers had the 32nd ranked defense last year and while they were only 23rd in pass yards given up, they were also 32nd in passing TDs allowed. Johnson would give them another big, athletic corner to pair with Jaycee Horn, ironically a guy I have seen Johnson compared to frequently.
9) New Orleans Saints - DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
One thing you can chisel in stone for the draft every year is that the Saints are going to take a freak athlete in the first round. Enter Kenneth Grant, or as he’s known in the media, the other defensive tackle from Michigan, the perfect complement for Bryan Bresee and an answer for the 31st ranked run defense of the Saints.
Grant is usually mocked in the teens or early 20s by most, but the NFL, in general, prefers him to his teammate Mason Graham, and after the combine everyone else will figure out why. Grant is a mountain at 6’4” 342 lbs and he can move. He’s going to blow up the combine with his athletic testing and start “rising up boards” (only for the media, the NFL already knows). He compares well to other athletic nose tackles like Vita Vea, Jordan Davis, and Dontari Poe, all guys that went in the top 12, and Grant will be joining that club soon.
10) Chicago Bears - OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
With Ben Johnson headed to Chicago you have to expect that building a good offensive line will be his primary goal even without factoring Caleb Williams into it. If this pick is anything other than an offensive lineman to protect his young QB, I’ll be shocked. Alabama’s Tyler Booker is another option if Johnson prefers more of a power run scheme to a zone one.
11) San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
If you think Kyle Shanahan is finally going to take a replacement tackle for Trent Williams, you’re dreaming. Williams will probably play another two years anyways. No, the 49ers love their edge rushers and haven’t had a good bookend for Nick Bosa for a few years now. I’ll bet they try to plug that hole with Williams, yet another Georgia player light on stats and production but with the size and frame you can dream on.
12) Dallas Cowboys - OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
You almost never see Booker this highly in most mocks, but the NFL considers him one of the safest and most ready to play prospects in the entire draft. If he doesn’t come off the board here, he is still likely to go somewhere in the teens.
The Cowboys have a lot of holes and while many fans will hate them for taking a guard so highly, they ought to remember how successful the team was the last time they did this. Ironically, Booker would be replacing that very same player, future Hall of Famer Zach Martin. Brian Schottenheimer has a long history of building a power run game, and Booker can help him put that dream into practice from day one. Good luck stopping Omarion Hampton coming up the middle behind the behemoths that are Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker (henceforth known as the Tyler Brothers).
13) Miami Dolphins - DT Mason Graham, Michigan
And here we finally have Graham coming off the board after a “surprising” fall according to the mainstream. Maybe Graham can alleviate some of the concerns with him before the draft (his work ethic and bad body), but based on the info I have now, I believe his likely range is between 10-15 give or take.
The Dolphins need defensive line help badly as they never found an adequate replacement for Christian Wilkins after losing him in free agency. Graham has a lot of similarities to Wilkins as a player (although maybe not as a person), and should fit in perfectly.
14) Indianapolis Colts - TE Tyler Warren, Penn St
Sadly, injuries wrecked Jelani Woods’ career before it could get started. Here the Colts can take another tight end that is hopefully large enough that even Anthony Richardson can hit him.
If a cornerback rises this high that would be another option, as would safety Nick Emmanwori, a freakazoid athlete straight up Chris Ballard’s alley.
15) Atlanta Falcons - EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee
Last year the Falcons were all ready to take Laiatu Latu with the 8th pick in the draft before the owner panicked and pushed them to take Michael Penix. This year they once again are looking for edge rushers (what team isn’t?) and Pearce could be on the board around this range. He profiles similar to other thinner but speedy pass rushers like Brian Burns and Dallas Turner.
Pearce apparently has some significant character concerns hounding him and will need to assuage those fears if he hopes to get drafted this highly. I don’t know the nature of those concerns just yet, but I have heard it’s bad enough that he could potentially be in danger of a Randy Gregory-esque fall.
16) Arizona Cardinals - S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
This pick will almost be on the defensive side of the ball be it an edge rusher, linebacker, or secondary player. The Cardinals don’t technically need a safety, but Emmanwori is an unbelievable athlete (and will get more attention after he tears up the combine) and they can find a home for him as a versatile big nickel defender in the mold of Kyle Hamilton or Derwin James.
17) Cincinnati Bengals - DL Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Every year there is some raw, athletic player with prototype size that ends up going in the first round based purely on potential when in reality they don’t belong anywhere near there given their lack of production and terrible technique. A couple of recent examples are Broderick Jones from the Steelers and Amarius Mims by the Bengals. Both players had obvious issues that were ignored by arrogant coaches that think they can “coach them up” and they have struggled mightily.
That player this year looks like it’s going to be Stewart, a player so unprepared for the NFL that I can hardly believe it. It’s baffling to me how anyone could even consider wasting a high pick on someone like this, but I have to follow the evidence and right now everything I’m hearing suggests it’s going to happen.
Of course, if the Bengals (one of the worst scouting departments in the entire league) were stupid enough to take Mims, they are stupid enough to take Stewart. He’s exactly the type of high upside, pure athlete, and big, power edge rusher that they covet. I can’t think of a more perfect match between team and player.
18) Seattle Seahawks - OT Armand Membou, Missouri
I haven’t studied Membou deeply yet, but he seems solid enough at first glance despite his lack of measureables. I do think the top 10-12 hype on him is overzealous, but he might be a fine pick a little bit farther down.
The Seahawks are another team in desperate need of offensive linemen at basically every spot. They can take Membou and start him out at tackle if Abraham Lucas isn’t ready or slide him inside if his lack of reach hurts him too much on the outside.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Tampa never adequately replaced Devin White and longtime stalwart (and personal favorite of mine) Lavonte David doesn’t have much time left. The Bucs need a future captain in the middle and Campbell fits the bill. He’s big, fast, smooth, can tackle and cover equally well, blitz, and even spot rush from the edge on third down. He’s a perfect fit for a Todd Bowles defense.
20) Denver Broncos - TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami
I’ve had a handful of very unconventional picks so far, but Arroyo is likely the first truly shocking pick for most people.
Yes, I absolutely believe he is going this highly assuming his medicals check out. He’s got great size at 6’4” 251 lbs and he’s an incredible mover, routinely burning even experienced corners on routes. In many ways he’s like Jimmy Graham but 2” shorter. You better believe Sean Payton is going to be interested to finally get his famed “Joker” and take his offense to another level.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
Revel is a player that is not a ‘household name’ just yet, but he’s going to draw some attention for sure. Players that are big and fast go highly and in those aspects Revel is rivaled only by corners named Sauce and Tariq.
Revel is every bit of 6’2” and can fly. The only trouble is he tore his ACL in September and that is keeping him somewhat under the radar, at least for the media. It’s a shame he isn’t ready to run at the combine yet because he would put on a show. So long as the medical checks go well, Revel is a very likely first round pick, and I could see him rising as high as the middle of the round. He’s a perfect fit for the Steelers defense across from Joey Porter.
22) Los Angeles Chargers - CB Benjamin Morrison, Michigan
I know everyone wants to put a receiver here, but Harbaugh just does not care about the passing game. If he did he would have taken Nabers over Alt last year. No, I firmly expect this pick to be a defensive player even though the team finished as the #1 scoring defense in 2024. A physical edge rusher or a pure cover corner are right up his alley.
23) Green Bay Packers - EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio St
The Packers love them some big, prototypical edge rushers (Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness), and Tuimoloau fits in that same mold at 6’5”/270. They will be looking at edge rushers and cornerbacks this off-season and if Morrison is off the board, Tuimoloau is exactly the kind of player they love on the defensive line. He’s a sturdy run defender and power player that gives you a little pass rush to boot. Think Jared Verse.
Tuimoloau isn’t often seen in many first round mocks, but he’s on the bubble between the first and second round and will absolutely go ahead of his teammate Jack Sawyer despite the latter’s increased attention in the media.
24) Minnesota Vikings - S Malaki Starks, Georgia
The Vikings once again need help in the secondary and while corner could very well be in the mix, they might also be looking for safeties if Camryn Bynum leaves in free agency and Harrison Smith retires. Starks is a quality player, but safeties rarely go very high in the draft these days, so the Vikings might get a bargain near the bottom of the first round.
25) Houston Texans - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio St
Houston will be looking for receivers after Tank Dell’s latest injury and with Stefon Diggs likely moving on, and Egbuka seems like their kind of receiver, just a solid, professional route runner with the versatility to line up all over the field.
26) Los Angeles Rams - TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Last year the Rams were trying very hard to trade up and draft Brock Bowers. They couldn’t get it done, but this year they might have a chance at getting a discounted version in Loveland (if they can’t trade ahead of the Broncos for Arroyo). He profiles similarly to Bowers and LaPorta and would be a weapon at tight end that McVay has been missing lately.
27) Baltimore Ravens - OT Josh Simmons, Ohio St
Baltimore is going to have work to do on their offensive line this off-season. It’s by far their biggest need with multiple spots needing help. A versatile tackle with guard experience is exactly what they need.
Simmons might have been drafted higher, but he tore his ACL in October and has to get cleared first. If his knee checks out he might even make it back into the top 20 selections.
28) Detroit Lions - EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
Yet another odd pick if you only look at mainstream mocks, Landon Jackson has the kind of prototype size and traits that teams love to gamble on late in the first round, particularly at edge rusher. Think of guys like Joe Tryon and Payton Turner. Jackson fits that same mold, a huge power rusher with a massive wingspan. He also happens to fit a big team need and he plays with the kind of gritty style that Dan Campbell will love.
29) Washington Commanders - WR Luther Burden, Missouri
A lot of people have Burden going in the top 15 picks, but I’m not sure he’ll be quite so high after a down year and some questions about his game. No doubt he’s explosive and a natural athlete, but his routes are sloppy and most of his production (something like 70% of his catches) came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. He’s also a bit shorter than ideal at 5’11”. He reminds me of DJ Moore as a player so the early to mid-20s feels about right. If he lands with Washington it would likely come after a small trade up, likely just ahead of the Texans.
Washington wants to keep surrounding Jayden Daniels with weapons this year. They need someone else to take the pressure off of Terry McLaurin and Burden is a great fit with his YAC skills complementing the downfield ability of McLaurin.
30) Buffalo Bills - DB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Buffalo’s defense, and particularly their pass defense, fell off a cliff this year. If they had been better they might have been playing for a Super Bowl instead of watching from home.
Barron is a small but tough and versatile defensive back with the ability to play multiple spots in the secondary.
31) Kansas City Chiefs - WR Savion Williams, TCU
Another pick you probably haven’t seen before, and another guy being underrated by the media. Savion Williams might not go in the first round, but he’ll be close at very least. Guys that are 6’5”/220 and run like he does don’t last long in the draft.
The Chiefs could obviously use more receiver help early next year since Rashee Rice will likely be serving a hefty suspension and Savion has the versatility to play some RB as well, another spot the Chiefs will be looking for help. Think of him like Cordarrelle Patterson or Laviska Shenault.
32) Philadelphia Eagles - DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi
I see a lot of people mocking edge rushers to the Eagles, and while that is definitely in play, defensive tackle is very likely as well and possibly a more urgent need for Howie Roseman. Jalen Carter is about to get a big contract so the team probably can’t keep Milton Williams this year and might lose Jordan Davis the following year. That means they need more bodies to keep their prized defensive line rotation fully functional.
Nolen is on the borderline between the first and second rounds. He’s a former #1 overall prospect out of high school with fantastic athleticism and some spectacular flashes of ability but a lot of inconsistency and some character concerns. Remind you of anyone?
