Gaffney's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Jack Gaffney
- 9 minutes ago
- 18 min read
The 2025 NFL season is officially in the books after the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, and believe it or not, we're already less than a month away from the start of free agency and only two weeks away from the annual combine in Indianapolis. Things are going to be moving quickly this offseason, and it could be a fascinating one given how this last season ended; nevermind with several disgruntled star players around the league potentially on the way out of their respective teams, like Maxx Crosby, for example.
That said, what better time than now to hammer out our initial Mock Draft of the 2026 calendar year? The Raiders at Pick 1 feels like a sure thing at this point, but there's a decent level of intrigue beyond that with this not being a particularly top-heavy or even deep quarterback class, leaving a team like the Jets in limbo at No. 2. Enough of that, though. Let's get into things.
2026 NFL (Mock) Draft Round 1
Pick 1) Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana)
Team Needs: QB, OT, WR, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: Malcolm Koonce (EDGE), Dylan Parham (IOL), Jamal Adams (S/LB) [Maxx Crosby is more likely than not to be traded]
A no-brainer pick for the Raiders as they kick off the Klint Kubiak era in 2026. Mendoza is the big-body passer that most teams would kill to get as a prospect, with his intangibles (mainly toughness) and arm talent. Still a bit rough around the edges in some spots mechanically, but he's in a great spot on the whole coming into the NFL for the Raiders.
Pick 2) New York Jets - Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame)
Team Needs: Yes
Key Pending UFAs: Breece Hall (RB), John Simpson (IOL), Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL)
The Jets having no shortage of options here is both a good thing and also a negative indicator of how things have transpired the last few years, but it's options they have, nevertheless, including QB, which is probably a non-starter here since I don't believe Ty Simpson is anywhere near worth being selected this high. Regardless, while Jeremiyah Love would probably be a polarizing pick for this Jets squad, his upside as a home run hitter on the ground and his elite pass catching ability, both split out wide and out of the backfield, would give this Jets offense a badly needed extra element to go along with Garrett Wilson, and especially with Breece Hall on the way out.
Pick 3) Arizona Cardinals - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE/IDL (The U)
Team Needs: EDGE, RT, QB
Key Pending UFAs: Jonah Williams (OT), Calais Campbell (IDL), Jalen Thompson (SAF)
We saw Josh Sweat have a really nice year one for the Cardinals, and then rookie Walter Nolen showed some real-deal flashes in what turned out to be only a four-game sample due to injury. Why not add to the trenches with a guy like Rueben Bain, who demonstrated frequently in 2025 that he was one of the best players in the country for The U. His motor to me is Will Anderson Esque (the ultimate compliment), and even if you think he's an IDL as a pro, he's absolutely worth the pick here at third overall. A violent ass kicker who'd make any team better on day one, arm size concerns be dammed.
Pick 4) Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB (Ohio State)
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, IOL
Key Pending UFAs: Chig Okonkwo (TE), Arden Key (EDGE), Kevin Zeitler (IOL)
So far, so good for the Titans this offseason by bringing in Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll, and they would be well served getting themselves an impact defender in the form of Arvell Reese. As someone who's definitely a fan of some of these "positionless" defenders, I would worry about some teams not being interested because they may not know how to use him, but I could definitely see him as the kind of guy Saleh can sink his teeth into. He's only 21, is definitely undersized currently by EDGE standards, but a freak with insane closing speed who can be an impact player around the ball, both lined up on it or off. I'd like to think Saleh will find a role for him one way or another.
Pick 5) New York Giants - Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)
Team Needs: WR, OL, DB
Key Pending UFAs: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR), Cordale Flott (CB), Jermaine Eluemunor (OT)
It'd be hard to blame the Giants if they wanted to go receiver here, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson walks, but a better option would be to get notably younger at right tackle with Spencer. Being a natural right tackle helps his case a lot, and he's coming off a year where he let up zero sacks at Utah. He had some penalty woes, and arm size will be used to knock him, but you can do the same with Miami's Francis Mauigoa, who'll almost certainly be a top 10 pick as well. Speaking of which...
Pick 6) Cleveland Browns - Francis Mauigoa, OT (The U)
Team Needs: OL, WR, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: Joel Bitonio (IOL), Wyatt Teller (IOL), David Njoku (TE), Devin Bush (LB), Shelby Harris (IDL), Cam Robinson (OT), Ethan Pocic (IOL)
With their entire starting interior offensive line hitting free agency, plus injury questions going into this next season with Dawand Jones and Tyler Conklin, it wouldn't stun me if the Browns ended up burning both of their first-rounders this year on the offensive trenches. Mauigoa, who at 6'6" and north of 330 lbs, has a wealth of starting experience and can start realistically on either spot on the right side of the line on day one, would be one hell of a start to rebuilding things. Shorter arms, just like Fano, but the Browns aren't in a position to be picky.
Pick 7) Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State)
Team Needs: EDGE, LB, SAF
Key Pending UFAs: Deebo Samuel (WR), Bobby Wagner (LB), Von Miller (EDGE)
Excluding Isaiah Simmons in 2020, who was a bit of a tweener, Sonny Styles has by far the best chance to become the first linebacker drafted top 10 since the Steelers took Devin Bush at 10th on the dot in 2019, and Washington would be wise to bring him in to succeed Bobby Wagner. A converted safety at 6'5", Styles has freakish coverage range, and his tackle ability and consistency (at least in 2025) are absolutely top-notch. He'd be more than worth it at this spot for a Commanders team that should be prioritizing getting younger defensively as it is.
Pick 8) New Orleans Saints - Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State)
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
Key Pending UFAs: DeMario Davis (LB), Cam Jordan (EDGE), Alonte Taylor (CB)
Speaking of defenses that would be wise to add some youth, the New Orleans Saints. Styles would've been a great pick here as well, with DeMario Davis on an expiring deal at 37 years old. Instead, I could easily envision New Orleans getting some of the production they lost when they dealt Rashid Shaheed to Seattle at the deadline by bringing in Carnell Tate. Not the same kind of receiver as Emeka Egbuka, but he's another case of a guy who should have a very high floor coming into the league. Tate's size, catch radius, route running ability, and downfield ability all stand out, and the "Ohio State WR tax" doesn't hurt him any.
Pick 9) Kansas City Chiefs - Caleb Downs, SAF (Ohio State)
Team Needs: TE, WR, SAF
Key Pending UFAs: Bryan Cook (SAF), Travis Kelce ("TE"), Jaylen Watson (CB)
I hope we're all ready to live in a reality where the best player in this draft goes to Kansas City and becomes a centerpiece on the back-end for Steve Spagnuolo, because that's exactly what will happen if Caleb Downs goes here. He's another one of these safety prospects who can line up all over and has some real chops working against tight ends in pass coverage. Most teams have really overthought it with some of these slot defender hybrids over the last several years, but if there's one team that I could imagine seeing the value in adding a Swiss Army Knife like Downs, it's Kansas City.
Pick 10) Cincinnati Bengals - Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)
Team Needs: Defense
Key Pending UFAs: Trey Hendrickson (EDGE), Jospeh Ossai (EDGE), Cam Taylor-Britt (CB), Dalton Risner (IOL)
Downs would've been the dream get for a Bengals defense needing a sparkplug, but he isn't the only highly touted defensive back in this draft class. Mansoor Delane, this year's top corner by default with the Jermod McCoy injury lingering, has some good size metrics at 6'0 and 190 lbs with long arms, great movement skills, and was hyper productive around the ball for the LSU Tigers this year with 11 PBUs and a couple of picks—exactly the kind of impact defender the Bengals should desperately want to get.
Pick 11) Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy, CB (Tennessee)
Team Needs: CB, QB, OT, WR,
Key Pending UFAs: Darren Waller (TE), Jack Jones (CB), Rasul Douglas (CB)
Quarterback is a non-starter for the Dolphins, who may be better off getting a stopgap vet option on the open market, and if they want the best available CB or WR, both come with injury concerns. Even so, Jermod McCoy is worth the gamble with some vet options on expiring contracts. The Tennessee product missed all of the 2025 season with an ACL injury, but he was as good as any corner in the nation in 2024. Long arms, physical, and has real long speed that should be enticing for new HC Jeff Hafley.
Pick 12) Dallas Cowboys - David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, SAF
Key Pending UFAs: George Pickens (WR, Likely to be Franchise Tagged), Javonte Williams (RB), Donovan Wilson (SAF)
Either one of those CBs would've been home run picks for the Cowboys, who had the NFL's worst pass defense in 2025 (imagine that). A good pivot would be sticking in-state and bringing in David Bailey, who could be limited to being a pure pass rush specialist as a rookie, but there was no one more productive at that in college football this year. He has a deep bag of pass rush moves, explosiveness, and speed around the edge that got him to 14.5 sacks on a Texas Tech team that was the CFP No. 4 seed, after spending two prior years at Stanford. There's some talk about character concerns with Bailey as well, but when has that ever scared Jerry Jones away before?
Pick 13) Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) - Makai Lemon, WR (USC)
Team Needs: CB, LB, WR
Key Pending UFAs: Kam Curl (SAF), Tyler Higbee (TE) [RT Rob Havenstein Retired on Tuesday]
Never a bad thing to be a game shy of a Super Bowl birth and still managing to pick top 15 in a draft, especially with a team in place like the Rams have. They should be set on the offensive line, considering how good Warren McClendon looked at right tackle this year, and I think they could realistically wait on a corner until they pick again at 29. Adding in Makai Lemon, who's the No. 3 receiver on my board behind Jordyn Tyson, but an instant plug-and-play slot option/secondary boundary option without the injury concerns of Tyson. The 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner has some excellent hands, along with translatable YAC ability, and could potentially be in the mold of a JSN-type guy who could transition to a primary boundary target down the line.
Pick 14) Baltimore Ravens - Cashius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M)
Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, TE, SAF
Key Pending UFAs: Tyler Linderbaum (IOL), Daniel Faalele (IOL), Dre'Mont Jones (EDGE), Kyle Van Noy (EDGE), Isaiah Likley (TE), Alohi Gilman (SAF), Ar'Darius Washington (SAF)
Baltimore will be the most fascinating case of a team dealing with pending free agents in the league next month, and more so, who they decide to prioritize bringing back. Getting younger at EDGE should be something Jesse Minter should want to accomplish, and despite lacking in the arm length/size department, a guy like Cashius Howell would be the kind of high motor defender that would do the Ravens some good. At 250 lbs, Howell's first-step explosiveness makes him a handful off the edge, and he's actually a pretty solid run defender from the bits I have seen of him, despite the measurements.
Pick 15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Colton Hood, CB (Tennessee)
Team Needs: CB, LB, TE, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: Mike Evans (WR), Jamel Dean (CB), Lavonte David (LB), Cade Otton (TE), Logan Hall (IDL)
Mike Evans is clearly the biggest fish in the Bucs' free agent pool, but it certainly feels like the Bucs can move on without him, with Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Chris Godwin all in that receiver room still. Jamel Dean would be a pretty significant loss, and even if they don't lose him, adding a corner like Colton Hood would be a worthwhile venture for a defense that finished bottom-six against the pass.
Pick 16) New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) - Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona St.)
Now here's where the Jets get their dedicated pass catcher. Jordyn Tyson has the type of separation, route-running ability, and release you dream about, and his ability to work against press-man has been consistently touted, even if there are some concerns after the catch.
Here's the catch, though, the big reason why Tyson was still on the board here at 16 for me is the extensive injury history. Total knee ligament damage (ACL, MCL, and PCL) back in 2023, and then a collarbone break, which took him out of the Sun Devils' playoff run in 2024. If his medicals come back good, he'll almost certainly go higher than this, but it's hard to say as of this moment.
Pick 17) Detroit Lions - Keldric Faulk, EDGE (Auburn)
Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, CB, IDL
Key Pending UFAs: Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE), Alex Anzalone (LB), D.J. Reader (IDL), Roy Lopez (IDL)
Count Detroit in the pile of teams that could stand to lose some notable pieces this year, thanks to an upcoming cap crunch situation, which could potentially leave them without a great story from this 2025 season: EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad. A solid replacement option through the draft pipeline would be Auburn's Keldric Faulk, who admittedly lacks ideal bend and explosiveness, but is a high motor guy, very powerful with a gigantic frame at 6'6", north of 280 lbs, and could certainly line up on the inside as well, as he did at Auburn. He's also a very good run defender, which, given what's been said, shouldn't be a huge shock.
Pick 18) Minnesota Vikings - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF (Toledo)
Team Needs: SAF, CB, LB, QB
Key Pending UFAs: Jalen Nailor (WR), Eric Wilson (LB) [SAF Harrison Smith Retired]
Harrison Smith will be tough to replace for the Vikings, no matter what, but even as a MAC product, I can see Brian Flores loving the idea of adding a guy like Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to his defense. He stands 6'2' and around the 200 lb mark, but is super-duper physical, great around the ball with eight career picks to go along with 11 forced fumbles. It definitely couldn't hurt to add another tone setter on the back end to pair with Josh Metellus.
Pick 19) Carolina Panthers - C.J. Allen, LB (Georgia)
Team Needs: LB, EDGE, IDL, WR
Key Pending UFAs: Cade Mays (IOL), Rico Dowdle (RB), D.J. Wonnum (EDGE)
The Panthers should certainly try to add another pass rusher in this draft, even with the double dip last year, but they need better linebacker play badly, and this is a good draft to do just that. Georgia's C.J. Allen is a fascinating case of a kid who's only 20 years old, but has three years baked in Kirby Smart's defense, and is a very sound 'backer prospect all things considered. He could stand to be a tad better as a coverage guy, but his run defense tape is really good, and his range is a huge plus.
Pick 20) Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) - Dillon Thieneman, SAF (Oregon)
God knows the Cowboys could use some secondary help, and given that they just brought in Eagles' defensive pass-game coordinator Christian Parker to run their defense, I think a guy like Dillon Thieneman would be to their liking, who'd give just about any defense value as a guy playing deep or in a big nickel role. Daniel Jeremiah had it down in his top-50 big board that he's thought of highly in NFL circles, and given all the things (at a pretty high level) he can do, I'd believe it. He'd have instant usage in the box and as a single high defender at the very least, and he's hyper athletic. Keep an eye on his testing scores at the combine.
Pick 21) Pittsburgh Steelers - Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama)
Team Needs: QB, WR, CB, SAF
Key Pending UFAs: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Kyle Dugger (SAF), Issac Seumalo (IOL), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), Calvin Austin (WR)
For whatever reason, it certainly feels like the Steelers are going to run it back with Aaron Rodgers in 2026, and as much as it would make sense for them to try and add a pass catcher here, that's a DANGEROUS game to play (See Aaron Rodgers and Christain Watson in the latter's rookie year through the opening 2.5 months of his career), Issac Seumalo could be a sneaky big loss for the Steelers this year if they lose out on him in the opening market. Having scouted Kadyn Proctor already, he would probably be better served at left guard, but with a new coaching staff in Pittsburgh, he could realistically be a left tackle option as well, depending on how Mike McCarthy feels about Broderick Jones.
Pick 22) Los Angeles Chargers - Vega Ioane, IOL (Penn State)
Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, WR
Key Pending UFAs: Khalil Mack (EDGE), Odafe Oweh (EDGE), Zion Johnson (IOL), Keenan Allen (WR)
Off rip, the Chargers' offensive line stands to get much better in 2026 with a healthy Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, but their interior group absolutely needs some work after Mekhi Becton was underwhelming in year one, and with Zion Johnson on an expiring contract. As a left guard for Penn State, Vega Ioane would be an instant plug-and-play replacement for the latter if he does walk, and would have no problems going to the right side if need be. Both Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler have him as a top 15 prospect in this class as of their latest rankings, and it's not hard to see why with his level of experience, size, and ability out in space.
Pick 23) Philadelphia Eagles - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (The U)
Team Needs: EDGE, TE, SAF, LB
Key Pending UFAs: Jaelan Phillips (EDGE), Nakobe Dean (LB), Reed Blankenship (SAF), Dallas Goedert (TE), Jahan Dotson (WR)
I wouldn't hold my breath on the Eagles trading A.J. Brown just yet due to the cap implications (once we get into June, then we can talk), but I could easily see Howie Roseman going to the old reliable strategy of going with an EDGE guy to be a high-use rotation guy with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith. Akheem Mesidor would be a great option for just that. He's not his running mate, Rueben Bain, and he's going to be 25 by draft day. He had a foot injury that took him out of most of 2023, but he was very productive for the National runner-up Miami Hurricanes this year with 10 sacks. He has the level of explosiveness off the first step, and just from a brief glimpse, he absolutely destroys guards in the pass rush game if he's tasked with working towards the inside.
Pick 24) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) - Monroe Freeling, OT (Georgia)
Indeed, double-dipping at tackle, the Browns landing newly minted draft darling (justifably so) Monroe Freeling and setting themselves up with him and Francis Mauigoa on the bookends would be a fantastic haul in round one of this draft. 6'7" 315 lbs, with an insane level of athleticism for that size, and his frame is exactly what you'd expect. Hard to teach what he brings to the table, and any team should feel excited to help bring him along mechanically.
Pick 25) Chicago Bears - Avieon Terrell, CB (Clemson)
Team Needs: DB, EDGE, IDL
Key Pending UFAs: Kevin Byard (SAF), Nashon Wright (CB), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (SAF), Devin Duvernay (WR/Returner)
I wouldn't be shocked if the Bears try to make a push to get a top-tier EDGE like Maxx Crosby in the coming months, but here, I don't think there's a worthwhile pick for them on that front. Adding another DB should be on the docket with some notables potentially on the way out, and Aveion Terrell would be their best bet at this juncture. The size (180 lbs) concerns me a bit and will probably limit him to a slot/nickel role in the NFL, but that's where he'd be best anyway. Super productive around the ball with 25 career PBUs, 3 INTs, and 8 fumbles forced, and he's a more than willing participant against the run. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes lower than this due to his size, but you need good nickel/slot defenders in today's NFL, and Terrell would qualify.
Pick 26) Buffalo Bills - Lee Hunter, IDL (Texas Tech)
Team Needs: IOL, IDL, WR, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: David Edwards (IOL), Connor McGovern (IOL), Joey Bosa (EDGE), Matt Milano (LB)
With Brandon Beane on the otherside of a successful power play, getting Sean McDermott out of Buffalo, he absolutely has to nail this draft with all eyes on him. A good start would be getting better vs. the run, a clean 40 percent of the reason they've still not made a Super Bowl with Josh Allen at the bare minimum, by adding Lee Hunter. A wide boy if there ever was one, he was one of the nation's top 0-2 Tech defenders and is a good mover sitting north of 310 lbs. Much like with Clemson's Peter Woods, the sack production isn't really there, and he's a better run defender as of now, but that doesn't mean Hunter is a zero on pass downs. His 75 QB pressures (via PFF's metrics) are the second most by any IDL dating back to 2023. I imagine most of Buffalo is going to want a pass catcher here, but look at the two teams in the Super Bowl, and even the Broncos, who were only a game off. You categorically need a better defense than what you have right now, notably so.
Pick 27) San Francisco 49ers - Peter Woods, IDL (Clemson)
Team Needs: WR, IDL, TE, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: Jauan Jennings (WR), Kendrick Bourne (WR) [WR Brandon Aiyuk likely to be cut]
The 49ers keeping Jauan Jennings wouldn't be a stunning development, but even if they don't, John Lynch's approach of attacking the defensive trenches with a round one pick two years in a row feels like a good idea, given the injuries they sustained there in 2025. Peter Woods is an athletic freak of an IDL prospect (primarily a 3-Tech) who has a good amount of lineup versatility, even spending some time out on the EDGE for the Tigers, and has a high floor as a run defender right out of the gate. Like Hunter, he's not as prolific as a pass rusher, but some of the pass rush win rate metrics in college give you some hope for whenever he fully figures it out as a pro. A Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff, Mykell Williams, and Woods NASCAR package sounds fun to me.
Pick 28) Houston Texans - Blake Miller, OT (Clemson)
Team Needs: OL, IDL, RB
Key Pending UFAs: Ed Ingram (IOL), Christian Kirk (WR), Sheldon Rankins (IDL)
Houston has to dig itself out of a minor cap hole here very soon, but there's an easy enough path to it that Texans' fans shouldn't lose sleep over it. The offensive line, sans Aireontae Ersery and Ed Ingram, should they keep him; that's a different story. Drafting a tackle and kicking Tytus Howard in a guard is something I've seen some among Texans' Twitter bring up, and that's something that we do here with Blake Miller. Really good size at 6'6" and 315 lbs, and is very mechanically sound, especially when it comes to his hands. Really good value pick here if anything.
Pick 29) Los Angeles Rams - Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama)
Despite winning his first-ever MVP last weekend, Matt Stafford still just turned 38 years old on the 7th, and spent the bulk of the summer dealing with back issues. Ty Simpson isn't ready to be a year one starter and this would be a reach (spoiler; I have a late-second round grade on him), but if the Rams at least like what Simpson put out on tape in his lone starting season and feel good putting him behind Stafford for a few years, this would quite litterally be the perfect landing spot for him.
What I do like about Simpson is that his pocket presence was sharp on tape, he makes good decisions with the football, and can create out of structure, with some mobility that can translate to the NFL. The big reason I'd worry about him landing in most other situations and being thrust into a starting job right away is you did see things breakdown for him under pressure (mechanics and accuracy) and that will absolutely get worse vs. NFL defenders, but a team like the Rams can work him through that behind the scenes with a level of patience he wouldn't otherwise get; hence why they'd be the only team I'd feel good about taking him in the first round.
Pick 30) Denver Broncos - Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon)
Team Needs: LB, IDL, WR, TE
Key Pending UFAs: Alex Singleton (LB), Justin Strnad (LB), John Franklin-Myers (IDL), JK Dobbins (RB)
Tight end production wasn't exactly a strong suit for the Broncos this year, and if he's still here by this point, Kenyon Sadiq would be well worth the squeeze for a Broncos team that was a game removed from a Super Bowl berth. Built like Jonnu Smith, Sadiq brings a good balance of blocking ability (both in line and out) and pass-catching dynamism to the table with some elite athleticism while being a bit on the smaller side. There are some drop concerns, which, quite frankly, fit right in with the Broncos' current receiving group, but he's the type of dynamic pass-catching talent that I can see Sean Payton being a fan of.
Pick 31) New England Patriots - Max Iheanachor, OT (Arizona State)
Team Needs: EDGE, TE, WR, RT
Key Pending UFAs: K'Lavon Chaisson (EDGE), Khyiris Tonga (IDL), Jaylinn Hawkins (SAF), Austin Hooper (TE)
Much like the Bears, the Patriots using their first-round pick to make a trade splash wouldn't be super shocking; there's still some good R1 talent on the board here at 31. Someone whose stock has been on the rise after the Senior Bowl, and would be a good fit for a team potentially needing a new right tackle, is Arizona State's Max Iheanachor, who's a fascinating story. Born in Nigeria, he's only been playing football for five years total, but finished out his collegiate career making Second-Team All-Big XII. A big kid, listed at 6'6" and 330 lbs, he's crazy light on his feet with great movement skills, and while certainly a bit raw in certain aspects of his game, the fact that he's this far along given his journey is nuts. It would make a ton of sense to bring him in, depending on how New England views Morgan Moses moving forward.
Pick 32) Seattle Seahawks - D'Angelo Ponds, CB (Indiana)
Team Needs: CB, IOL, EDGE
Key Pending UFAs: Riq Woolen (CB), Coby Bryant (DB), Josh Jobe (CB), Kenneth Walker (RB), Rashid Shaheed (WR), Boye Mafe (EDGE)
With the new Super Bowl Champs looking at potentially having a very different-looking secondary come this upcoming season, why not bring in a guy like D'Angelo Ponds? Another one of these undersized DBs with crazy compete level, movement skills, and hyper competitiveness and physicality around the ball, he was a big reason why Indiana was as good as they were this year. It's easy to envision him having success in a Mike Macdonald-led defense; he's the kind of guy every team in this league should want to some degree.
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