The NFL's free agency period is now all but over with teams making their first round of moves to strengthen and move on from former players, with attentions quickly turning to the NFL Draft.
While free agency is always a hectic period in the NFL calendar with teams viewing it as a method in bolstering their roster, the draft is always the most effective way of strengthening a team. Over the last few years, we have seen single players join a team and make such a difference that they've gone from the worst in the league to Super Bowl hopefuls - the Houston Texans with C.J. Stroud and Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels being prime examples.
Meanwhile, rookies have made huge impacts in recent Super Bowl matchups, with Cooper DeJean scoring pick-six after intercepting Patrick Mahomes, while Quinyon Mitchell also played a huge role for the Philadelphia Eagles.
This year's draft may not have the star power that last year's had, but it boasts an incredible amount of depth, with some believing that players who could go in the first-round comparing similarly to some that could go in the third and fourth.
After compiling all of the information that we are aware of, as well as studying well over 200 prospects, Mirror U.S Sports has predicted how the NFL Draft will play out in our first edition of a mock draft ahead of the first-round next month.
1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB)
The Titans appear destined to draft Cam Ward with multiple reports suggesing their decision has been made, while also sending a huge team to his Miami pro day this past week. Ward will almost certainly be the starter ahead of Will Levis, who they could look to trade on draft night. Ward needs to play in rhythm of the offense, being overly reliant on playing off-script at times, but has all the tools to become a solid starting quarterback.
2) Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter (EDGE)
The Browns pair the best pass-rusher in the league in Myles Garrett with the best rusher in this draft, and perhaps even the best player. Carter had 66 pressures in his final season of college football, in what was his first year of playing as a pure pass-rusher after being an off-ball player. His get-off speed, bend and athleticism will translate immediately.
3) New York Giants: Travis Hunter (WR/CB)
The Giants land the most intriguing player to enter the NFL Draft in a very long time in Hunter - a talented athlete who legitimately can play both ways should the team ask him to. His upside is much higher as a wide receiver, having incredible hands and being able to get open quickly. He forms one of the most exciting receiver duo's in the league alongside Malik Nabers.
4) New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders (QB)
The Saints give the Patriots their second-round pick and a future third to move up to select their quarterback of the future in Sanders. New Orleans saves a whopping $50 million by cutting Derek Carr after this season, allowing Sanders to sit for the 2025 campaign before battling it out with Spencer Rattler to win the job moving forward. Sanders is the most accurate quarterback in the draft, but has limited upside due to a lack of athleticism and just average arm talent.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DT)
The Jaguars go best player available here and select a dominant interior lineman who has the capabilities of wrecking a game by himself. Graham is an incredible run-stuffer across the line of scrimmage and consistently gets pressure as a pass-rusher. Players of his abilities and athleticism almost exclusively dominate in the NFL, expect the same from him.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB)
One of the best running back prospects to ever enter the NFL Draft, Jeanty is a truly special talent who will start from day one and dominate should he fall to the right offense. He's quick, fast, has incredible vision, can catch the ball and can pass protect. Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly love to run the football, this pick makes too much sense.
7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (OT)
The Jets need a right tackle with Olu Fashanu moving to the left side this year, and they grab the best one in the draft in Armand Membou - who projects perfectly for the position. With his quick feet, hands and impressive mauling power, Membou could become one of the league's better tackles.
8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR)
The Panthers need another weapon for Bryce Young to throw to and add a player who has bene compared to Mike Evans, due to his ability to win at the catch point. McMillan is not just a contested catch guy though, he excels with the ball in his hands after the catch. With Xavier Legette as their deep-ball receiver and Adam Thielen in the slot, adding McMillan would see the Panthers' offense look extremely strong.
9) New England Patriots: Will Campbell (OG)
The draft falls perfectly for the Patriots who select the player that many have projected them to be selecting with the fourth overall pick. Campbell has been overrated throughout the draft process, and he's going to struggle if he plays at tackle (check out his game against South Carolina). But as a guard, he projects as a very, very good player. The Patriots add Campbell at left guard, perhaps moving Cole Strange to center.
10) Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren (TE)
Ben Johnson will look to deploy different formations with the Bears and adding Tyler Warren makes them so much more difficult to game plan against. A do-it-all in-line tight end who can line up as a H-back, F-back, slot receiver or a traditional tight end - Warren excels in every role. A player who will be able to pick up yards quickly for Caleb Williams.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr (OT)
The 49ers need a long-term replacement for Trent Williams while also looking for a new right tackle, with Banks Jr being the best available player for them. combines his incredible strength with speed to mirror pass-rushers while having the ability to stay low before showing power with his hands.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Will Johnson (CB)
One of the best defensive players in college football in 2023, Johnson's subpar campaign last year sees him drop a little, but the Cowboys won't mind that. They go best player available here, and lock up an exciting secondary alongside Trevon Diggs and Da'Ron Bland.
13) Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker (OG)
A power-gap offensive guard who will make life much easier for the Dolphins run game while providing much-needed protection for Tua Tagovailoa. The Alabama guard's tape is as impressive as a college interior lineman that you'll find. He'll finish plays and impose his will every snap.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland (TE)
The Colts have an underrated wide receiver room at present and they bolster this significantly with a player who could become the next Travis Kelce. Loveland is a tight end who will not be much of a blocker, but he's going to be an elite receiving threat from day one in the NFL.
15) Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (EDGE/LB)
The Falcons need to bolster their pass-rush and do so with a prospect as exciting as any defensive player in the draft. Walker is capable of playing both middle linebacker and defensive end, with his incredible speed, power and tackling ability. Players who move as well as him rarely fail in the NFL, he just needs to be deployed correctly.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Stewart (DE)
The Cardinals have shown that they love taking defensive players with versatility to play in multiple positions, and they grab another here in Shemar Stewart. He's a player who jumps off-the-screen whenever you watch him play, moving like a running back whilst playing on the defensive line with incredible get-off and explosion win off the snap. He has a lot of nearly plays on tape, if he would have finished them, he would be in contention to go first overall.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green (EDGE)
Arguably the most impressive pass-rusher in all of college football last year, Green led all rushers with 17 sacks while showing the rare ability to bend around the corner and use his speed to put offensive lineman in a blender.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori (S)
A chess piece safety who will able to move around the field, cover tight ends, blow up running gaps and break on the ball with his incredible speed. A physical specimen, Seahawks fans will be thinking they have their new Kam Chancellor with Emmanwori. Seattle has huge needs at offensive line, but they have four more picks in the top 100 which they can use to address this.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell (LB)
The Buccaneers have long-searched for someone to take over from Lavonte David - who still continues to play at a high level aged 35 - bringing in a perfect successor in Campbell. A raw prospect who has work to do as an off-ball linebacker, but Campbell's speed and athleticism combo makes him a prospect who could become one of the better players in the league.
20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton (RB)
The Broncos offense has been let down by a lack of talent at the running back position in recent years and while many will feel that this is a reach, Hampton is a player who can carry the load offensively and dominate as a power back. He gets north-to-south and runs through tackles with incredible balance.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jahdae Barron (CB)
The Steelers could go quarterback here, but instead they add their starting nickelback and long-term outside corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr - in a player who could be this year's Cooper DeJean. A movable defensive back, Barron can play anywhere across the back five - excelling in zone coverage while being an exceptional run defender.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Matthew Golden (WR)
The Chargers have Ladd McConkey in the slot, but must add another receiving threat for Justin Herbert alongside Quinten Johnston out wide. Golden surprisingly ran a 4.2 at the combine, while being solid in every aspect as a receiver with great hands and the ability to get open quickly.
23) Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden (WR)
The Packers have two or three reliable starting receivers on their roster, but none who have proven to be game-changers... Burden could be just that. Some knock him for being a slot receiver only, but that has worked out pretty well for the likes of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Adding Burden to Jayden Reed and Christian Watson would make for an excitingly unpredictable Packers offense.
24) Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks (S)
The Vikings replace Camryn Bynum with a versatile defensive back for Brian Flores' wacky scheme. A great tackler and solid athlete who plays with an aggressive nature, Starks has proven to be an extremely talented and dependable player. His understanding of the game will lead him to make plays he has no right making.
25) Houston Texans: Josh Simmons (OT)
The Texans need to replace Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, and whilst they've signed Cam Robinson and drafted Blake Fisher last year, Simmons would be a big upgrade - perhaps needing a sit a year. A young player who has struggled with injuries, Simmons has the ability to turn into an exceptional pass protecting tackle.
26) Los Angeles Rams: Jaxson Dart (QB)
The Rams find their long-term replacement for Matthew Stafford in a quarterback who analyst seem to either love or loathe. Dart has risen up draft boards since the end of the offseason, with his advanced date and metric's pointing towards the type of quarterback who regularly succeeds in the NFL. An impressive athlete with great arm talent, Dart throws with touch and velocity.
27) Baltimore Ravens: Grey Zabel (OG)
The Ravens are in need of a left guard and they grab a dominant option here to help out both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Zabel is a mauling guard who moves so well in space, perhaps suiting a zone-blocking team more so than the Ravens power-gap. However, the positional need and player available makes this too hard to pass up - Zabel would be an instant upgrade to their interior.
28) Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE)
The Lions long search for a pass-rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson is instantly over as they bring in a dynamic athlete who flies off the edge in Ezeiruaku. A little undersized, but the Boston College star makes up for it with his long arms and devastating speed and agility. He must improve on containing if he is to be trusted by Dan Campbell, though.
29) Washington Commanders: Mykel Williams (EDGE)
A player who some felt could be the first overall selected some time ago, Williams has fallen on boards due to his average testing to go with a lack of production at college. But his explosive traits and quick get-off could be moulded into an incredible pass-rusher.
30) Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant (DT)
The Bills strengthen their interior with an intriguing prospect at defensive and/or nose tackle, who fits in alongside Ed Oliver perfectly. Grant is a massive interior lineman who can two-gap as a nose tackle to free up Oliver, while also providing some pass-rush upside himself. Players as big and as quick as Grant are very tough to find.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: James Pearce Jr (EDGE)
The Chiefs finally find another pass-rusher to go with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, bringing a speed-rusher who explodes off the edge. While he set the edge well in college, questions will be asked about his abilities to play on early downs. But with the Chiefs likely to be ahead most games and forcing offenses to pass, Pearce Jr could rack up sack numbers.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Emeka Egbuka (WR)
The Eagles boast an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position, putting Egbuka in the slot to go with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith out wide. Egbuka is a true chain-mover, finding soft spots in zone coverage while having great hands while tracking the ball expertly.
