The following is all A.I. picks and commentary based on my notes and it's research...
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Alright, let’s get into the McGillicuddy 6.0 Mock Draft 1st-round...you're living A.I. expert mock drafter!!! We’ve got trades, we’ve got reach-picks, and we’ve got guys who might be future Hall of Famers or guys who might be selling insurance in three years. It’s a beautiful mystery.
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Vegas is desperate for a savior who can handle the bright lights, and they’re banking on the Heisman winner to bring that Bloomington magic to the desert. Mendoza is the ultimate "brainiac" prospect who just happens to have an elite arm; he’s the guy who probably spends his Friday nights studying game film while everyone else is out, but he also just led the Hoosiers to a national title. It’s a bold move for a franchise that’s been looking for a real identity since they left Oakland.
His processing speed is genuinely elite, reading defenses like he’s got the coach's headset on. However, his deep ball can occasionally have that "wounded duck" quality to it, fluttering a bit when he tries to push it 50+ yards. Still, for the Raiders, his ability to diagnose a blitz before it happens is exactly what they need to stop the bleeding.
2) New York Jets: David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Jets are addicted to edge rushers; it’s a sickness, really. Bailey led the FBS in sacks for the Red Raiders in 2025. He’s twitchy, he’s explosive, and he’s going to make life miserable for every left tackle in the AFC East. It’s like the Jets saw a Ferrari and decided they needed a fourth one in the garage just to feel something.
He possesses freakish bend, allowing him to basically touch his toes while turning the corner at full speed. On the downside, he sometimes plays with a "Stanford" level of politeness and needs to develop a more consistent "mean streak" to really dominate the more physical offensive linemen he'll see on Sundays.
3) Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, Utah
Protecting Jacoby Brissett is the only job that matters in the desert right now. You can’t have a veteran like Brissett out there running for his life. Fano is a technician from the Utah school of "we will move you against your will," and he’s the brick wall the Cardinals need to actually let a passing play develop for more than two seconds.
His mirroring ability is top-tier, leaving pass rushers stuck on him like gum on a theater floor. However, he’s still a bit "light in the pants" for the power-run game; he needs to discover the joy of a second helping of mashed potatoes if he wants to anchor effectively against the bull-rushers of the NFL.
4) Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese is a unique beast—a 6'4", 240-pound hybrid who plays with more finesse and technical skill than raw "hit you into next week" violence. Tennessee wants that modern, versatile defense, and Reese is the perfect piece to move around the chess board. He’s not going to be the guy who blows up a lead blocker with a head-on collision, but he’s the guy who will slip the block and make the tackle before the runner even sees him.
His closing burst is incredible, acting like a guided missile once he clears the line of scrimmage. The big question is his "hybrid" nature; he’s currently a bit of a master of none, and the Titans will have to figure out if he’s a true edge rusher or an off-ball linebacker who can actually cover an NFL tight end.
5) New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The Giants get an absolute steal in the draft because teams got spooked by a back issue that essentially doesn't exist. The Combine recheck was all clear, and now New York has a human eclipse at tackle. Mauigoa is a massive human being who moves with the fluidity of a guy 100 pounds lighter. It’s the kind of pick that makes the G-Men feel like they’re finally building a real, sustainable power offensive line.
He brings immense girth and point-of-attack power—when he moves people, they stay moved. However, his footwork can still get a little "heavy" in pass protection, meaning elite NFL speed rushers might occasionally give him the slip if he doesn't stay disciplined with his depth.
6) Cleveland Browns: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor is a mountain of a man who returned to Alabama and reminded everyone why he was a top-tier recruit. The Browns need to keep their quarterback upright, and Proctor is a "set it and forget it" tackle prospect. He’s got the kind of size that makes NFL scouts weep with joy during their morning coffee. He’s basically a walking gated community that keeps pass rushers on the sidewalk.
He possesses a massive frame with surprisingly long arms, making him a natural barrier for anyone trying to reach the pocket. The red flag has always been his consistency and motivation; the Browns' coaching staff will have to ensure his "engine" is actually running hot every single Sunday.
7) Washington Commanders: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy’s Pro Day was the stuff of legends—he turbocharged his stock and Dan Quinn probably had a heart attack of joy watching his 10-yard split. He’s a ballhawk who can mirror any "X" receiver in the league. It’s the kind of pick that screams "I’m tired of seeing our secondary on every highlight reel for the wrong reasons."
McCoy has elite recovery speed, so even when a receiver thinks they've beaten him, he’s suddenly there tipping the ball away. The downside is that he’s still a bit too "grabby," and NFL refs are going to throw more flags at him than a United Nations parade until he cleans up his hand placement.
8) New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints taking a wide receiver in the first round is as certain as Mardi Gras being loud. Tate is the latest in that long line of Buckeye receivers who arrive in the NFL already knowing how to run every route in the playbook. He’s polished, he’s smooth, and he’s going to be a 10-year starter who catches 80 balls a year and never says a word about it. He’s the professional's professional.
He has some of the most polished route running in the entire class, looking like a veteran in a 21-year-old body. He doesn't have that "blow-the-doors-off" top-end speed, though, making him more of a high-end "possession plus" guy than a true deep-threat burner.
9) Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, Virginia Tech
The Chiefs basically held an "everything must go" sale with their secondary this offseason, trading their top two corners to the Rams. They have to rebuild that island immediately. Delane is a high-IQ corner who doesn't get fooled by double moves or fancy play-action. He’s the boring, reliable pick that Spagnuolo loves because he actually stays in his lane and follows the script.
Delane is highly intelligent in zone coverage and anticipates throws like he’s got the offensive playbook in his back pocket. However, he can get bullied by the massive "X" receivers who eat 400 grams of protein a day, so he'll need to live in the weight room this summer.
10) Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Bengals are ignoring the "injury scare" because the talent is just too ridiculous to pass up. Downs is the best safety prospect we’ve seen in years—a guy who wins awards and changes games. He’s staying in Ohio to be the heartbeat of that Cincinnati defense. He’s the guy who tells everyone else where to stand and then makes the play himself anyway.
He is an absolute ball hawk with the instincts of a natural predator. The only real knock is that he occasionally takes some "wild" angles in run support; it’s spectacular when it works, but it can be embarrassing when he misses and gives up a 40-yard gain.
11) Chicago Bears (trade up with Dolphins): Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Chicago sees a game-breaker and they move up the board to get him. Love is the kind of back that makes defensive coordinators reach for the Tylenol. He’s a threat to score every time the ball touches his hands. It’s a "luxury" pick that feels like an absolute necessity when you’re trying to build a modern, explosive offense for the Windy City. And D’Andre Swift’s contract is very tradable...
He has genuine home-run speed; if he gets even a tiny crease, the defense is just watching the back of his jersey disappear. His pass protection is currently "theoretical" at best, however, and he’ll need to learn that blocking is a mandatory part of being an NFL starter.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Styles is the ultimate Jerry Jones pick. He’s a supreme athlete who looks like he was sculpted by Michelangelo, but the production hasn't always lived up to the massive hype. He’s the "high ceiling, low floor" guy who will either be a perennial All-Pro or he’ll be out of the league by the time his rookie contract is up because he’s still trying to find a permanent position.
His size-speed profile is enough to make any scout drool into their clipboard during the Combine. That said, there's a high "flop" potential here because he’s often caught out of position, seemingly thinking about his next celebration rather than the play happening right in front of him.
13) Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Rams need juice to replace Davante Adams by 2027 (possibly by 2026) and Tyson is pure electricity in a football uniform. They also need a Puka Nacua hedge.
Tyson is the kind of guy Sean McVay can use in a thousand different ways to drive linebackers and safeties absolutely insane. He’s smaller, sure, but he plays like he’s 6'4" and has a personal grudge against the defense. It’s a classic Rams pick—high skill and a lot of fun to watch.
Tyson has elite body control and makes "circus catches" look like routine warm-up drills. On the downside, he has a very small frame with an extensive injury history and is going to get treated like a ragdoll if a veteran NFL safety gets a clean shot on him across the middle of the field.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Faulk is a Raven; I don't know how else to describe him. He’s a big, violent, physical presence who loves the trench warfare. He’s going to fit right in with that "bully ball" mentality they have in Baltimore. He’s not going to win many beauty pageants with his pass-rush moves, but he’s going to move the man in front of him against his will until he reaches the QB.
He has incredibly violent hands, and his initial punch feels like being hit with a wet cinder block. He’s a bit of a "one-trick pony" right now with his reliance on power, so he’ll need to develop a Plan B for when NFL tackles actually anchor against him.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain, Miami
Bain is a motor that simply doesn't have an "off" switch. Tampa needs a guy who can just live in the backfield and make things messy for the rest of the NFC South. He’s a Miami kid through and through—flashy but incredibly hard-working. He’s the kind of player who gets a sack in the 4th quarter because the offensive tackle is literally too tired to breathe.
He possesses a non-stop engine and will chase a play 40 yards downfield just to prove a point. He is a bit "tweenish" in size, though—not quite big enough to be a full-time defensive tackle and not quite fast enough to be a pure, elite edge rusher.
16) New York Jets: Makai Lemon, USC
Double dipping in the first round! After getting their edge rusher, the Jets get a genuine weapon for the offense. Lemon is a shifty, reliable target who just knows how to get open in a phone booth. He’s the "safety valve" that every veteran QB wants in the slot. He’s the guy who picks up the 3rd-and-7 and keeps the drive alive while everyone else is covered up.
Lemon has incredible suddenness in and out of his breaks, making him harder to catch than a greased pig at a county fair. He does lack the length to win those 50/50 balls down the sideline, so he'll rely entirely on his route running to create space at the next level.
17) Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Freeling is a massive human being with a sky-high ceiling if he can put it all together. Dan Campbell wants "kneecap biters," and Freeling has the frame to be a dominant force once his technique catches up to his raw size. He’s a developmental pick for a team that has the luxury of letting him sit for a bit.
His massive wingspan is his greatest asset; he can almost touch both sidelines without moving his feet. However, his pad level is currently a mess; he plays too upright and can get under-driven by shorter, stockier NFL pass rushers who know how to use leverage.
18) Houston Texans (trade up with Vikings): Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Houston moves up because they want a road grader for their run game. Ioane is a "phone booth" fighter who loves to finish blocks and leave defenders on the ground. He’s the kind of guard who makes life easier for everyone around him because he just creates space where there wasn't any. He’s the guy you want pulling on a power run.
He brings pure, unadulterated strength to the interior—he's the guy you call when you need to move a refrigerator. His lateral agility, however, is lacking; let’s just say he’s not going to be winning any ballroom dancing competitions anytime soon.
19) Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Carolina needs playmakers and Sadiq is a matchup nightmare for anyone who tries to cover him. He’s a tight end who runs like a wide receiver and catches everything in his zip code. He’s the "modern" TE that creates headaches for defensive coordinators because you can’t put a linebacker on him, but he’s too big for most safeties.
His speed is incredible for the position, making him a mismatch nightmare for almost any linebacker he faces in the open field. Blocking, however, is essentially a suggestion to him; he’s much more of a "large receiver" than a traditional in-line tight end who's going to clear paths...but there are signs a much better blocker than he’s given credit for, and he can learn/improve on it all summer+.
20) Los Angeles Chargers (trade up with Cowboys): Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Harbaugh wants "tough guys," and Pregnon looks like he eats gravel for breakfast and asks for seconds. He’s a massive guard who thrives in a physical, run-heavy scheme that wears defenses down. He’s not going to wow you with his footwork in pass protection, but he’s going to make sure the guy across from him is sore for a week.
He offers brute force in the run game and clears paths like a professional snowplow in a blizzard. He does struggle with complex "stunts and twists" from the defensive line; his brain occasionally seems to short-circuit when things get a little too complicated on the interior.
21) San Francisco 49ers (trade up with Steelers): Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
The Niners move up to grab a high-ceiling tackle prospect. Iheanachor is a freak athlete who just needs a little bit of seasoning and professional coaching. In the Shanahan system, a guy with his movement skills is a gold mine for those outside zone runs. He’s a developmental piece that could turn into an All-Pro with the right environment.
For his size, his athleticism is elite; he moves with the fluidity of a guy who should be 50 pounds lighter. His technique is still very raw, though, making him a "project" who likely needs a full year in the lab before he's ready for meaningful Sunday action.
22) Dallas Cowboys (trade down with Chargers): Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
After picking up extra capital in the trade down, the Cowboys take a thumper at linebacker. Rodriguez is an old-school middle linebacker who loves to fill gaps and punish running backs who think they found a hole. He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s the "glue" guy that every defense needs to stay stout.
He has great instincts and a natural nose for the ball, ensuring he's always in the frame when you're looking at the replay. His range is limited, though; he’s great in the box, but you don't want to ask him to chase a fast running back all the way to the boundary.
23) Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, Utah
Howie Roseman taking a lineman? Groundbreaking stuff here. Lomu is the heir apparent to the aging veterans on the Philly line. He’s a smooth mover who fits the Eagles' zone-blocking scheme perfectly. He’s the kind of pick that doesn't make major headlines on draft night but wins games in December.
Lomu has exceptional balance and is almost impossible for a pass rusher to knock off his feet once he's set. He does lack "knockback" power in the run game; he’s a technician and a finesser rather than a pure bruiser who will blow people five yards off the ball.
24) Cleveland Browns: Blake Miller, Clemson
Cleveland doubles down on the offensive line because they're tired of seeing their quarterbacks get folded like lawn chairs. Miller is a rock—a four-year starter who broke records for career snaps at Clemson. He’s arguably the most "pro-ready" tackle in the back half of the first round.
The man is an "Iron Man" who has more career starts than most people have coherent thoughts in a day. His athletic ceiling is limited, however; he is what he is—a solid, unsexy right tackle who will give you a reliable B+ performance every single week.
25) Miami Dolphins (trade down with Bears): Chris Johnson, San Diego State
After trading back, Miami takes a burner for their secondary. Johnson has track-star speed and the IQ to match what they're trying to do on defense. In a division with high-powered passing attacks, the Dolphins need guys who can stick to receivers like glue, and Johnson has that "island" mentality they crave.
His speed allows him to recover even if he loses a step at the line of scrimmage against a quick release. He is very thin, though, and strong NFL receivers will try to literally run through his chest if he doesn't add some serious bulk during the offseason.
26) Buffalo Bills: Colton Hood, Tennessee
Buffalo needs physical corners to handle the AFC East, and Hood brings that SEC toughness they've been missing. He’s aggressive, he’s vocal, and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the run game. He’s the kind of corner who makes a wide receiver think twice about coming across the middle on a slant.
He is incredibly aggressive at the catch point and plays the ball like it owes him money and interest. That aggression can be a double-edged sword, however, as he can get burned on double moves because he’s too "hungry" for the highlight-reel interception.
27) Pittsburgh Steelers (trade down with 49ers): Ty Simpson, Alabama
The Steelers move down and still get a high-pedigree quarterback to develop for the future. Simpson is a former five-star who finally got his chance to shine and showed off a very live arm. He’s a bit of a gamble, but in Pittsburgh’s system, he’ll have the time to learn the ropes without being rushed into a starting role.
He has natural arm talent and can make all the "pro throws" without breaking a sweat or looking strained. His limited number of career starts is the main concern; he’s still learning how to navigate and manage a live, collapsing NFL pocket.
28) Minnesota Vikings (trade down with Texans): CJ Allen, Georgia
Minnesota picks up a leader for the defense after moving down. Allen was the "CEO" of that Georgia defense—a guy who knows exactly where everyone is supposed to be on every snap. He’s a tackling machine who brings a high level of professionalism and discipline to the Vikings' locker room.
His communication and gap discipline are elite; it's like having another coach on the field during the game. He is slightly undersized for a traditional middle linebacker, though, and can occasionally get swallowed up by large, pulling offensive guards.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
More secondary help for the Chiefs as they look to shore up the back end. Thieneman is a range safety who can play "center field" and effectively take away the deep ball. He’s incredibly productive and always seems to be around the ball on every single play. He’s a perfect fit for KC.
He has incredible ball skills and seems to catch everything that comes within a five-yard radius of him. He isn't much of a "force" player in the run game, though; he’s a tackler by necessity rather than by choice, and he won't be blowing up many pulling guards.
30) Miami Dolphins: Denzel Boston, Washington
The Dolphins add some much-needed size to their receiving corps to complement their speed. Boston is a massive target who can win in the red zone and provide a physical presence they’ve been missing. He’s a contested-catch specialist who makes the "impossible" grabs look like routine drills.
His catch radius is massive—he can high-point a ball over three defenders at once without breaking a sweat. He doesn't always use that size to his advantage, though, and has a tendency to play "smaller" than he actually is when faced with physical press coverage.
31) New England Patriots: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
New England wants a "nose" that can collapse the pocket from the inside and eat up blocks. McDonald is a literal mountain of a man who requires a double team on almost every play to stay upright. He’s not going to give you much as a pass rusher, but he’s going to make sure the linebackers stay clean.
He is pure density; you couldn't move this guy with an industrial-sized forklift if you tried. He has essentially zero pass-rush utility, however, making him a two-down specialist in an NFL that is increasingly becoming a three-down league for defenders.
32) Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Seattle is open to anything here and they take a gamble on an athletic safety who can possibly see time at CB. He’s a "traits" pick—a guy with a ridiculous athletic profile who the Seahawks think they can mold into a star. He’s the ultimate wild card to end the first round of this mock.
He’s a defensive Swiss Army knife who can blitz, cover, and hit with equal effectiveness and enthusiasm. The step up in competition from Toledo to the NFL is going to be massive, though, and he might get a "welcome to the league" reality check early in his career.
