Dream selections for NFL teams with no 1st-round pick

Here are the dream selections for every NFL team without a first-round pick.

As NFL team-building philosophies evolve, the importance of first-round picks has diminished for some teams. There are eight clubs in this year’s draft that don’t hold first-round selections going into Day 1.

Clubs without first-round picks tend to get left out of mock drafts like the latest one the NFL Wire network put together. Instead of requiring a two-or-three-round mock to include all the teams, the sites for the Bears, Colts, Browns, 49ers, Broncos, Raiders, Dolphins and Rams all got together and threw their own kind of mock draft party.

While it’s nigh impossible to put together a fully-accurate one-round mock, deciphering which players will fall to certain spots on Day 2 is even harder. Our group of editors that weren’t included in the one-round mock took a look at some of the prospects that could fall into Rounds 2 and 3 and identified the dream scenario and pick for their teams.

7-Round mock draft 7.0: Vikings double dip in round one

In a trade-up scenario, who should the Vikings be looking to get in the first-round?

Over the course of this series, I have explored a myriad of situations. Some of them are likely and make complete sense, while others are relatively outlandish.

The only two things we know about the Vikings front office going into the draft are:

The Wilfs don’t want a rebuild and want to remain competitive
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah knows how to maximize the markets

In this mock, we explore trading back into the first round. While unlikely, if a top player at a position of need is available, don’t count that potential out.

2022 NFL draft: Coby Bryant scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant

The other member of the best cornerback duo in college football, Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant will look to have similar success at the next level as he enters the 2022 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Bearcats’ shutdown artist:

Ravens add numerous athletes in latest 7-round mock draft

The Ravens select numerous athletes in our latest 2022 seven-round mock draft

The 2022 NFL draft is less than one month away, meaning that the Baltimore Ravens will be able to add plenty of talented playmakers to their team. Baltimore currently has 10 draft picks in this month’s draft, including nine in the first four rounds.

The Ravens have plenty of needs to fill, even after signing players such as safety Marcus Williams, offensive lineman Morgan Moses and defensive lineman Michael Pierce. The draft will be key for the team round out the rest of their roster with rookies that can contribute at a high level both right away and in the future.

Below we look at a full seven-round mock draft for Baltimore.

7-Round mock draft 4.0: Vikings make pass rush central focus

The Vikings add even more firepower to their defensive front this week

These mock drafts have been a really fun exercise in trying to figure out what options the Vikings have in April. This one is going to focus on two elements: a realistic trade down in gaining a second-round pick and fortifying the edge group.

Fortifying edge is an interesting proposition. The Vikings just restructured Danielle Hunter and signed Za’Darius Smith, but from a long-term perspective, there are still question marks. Answering those questions in a deep edge class with two of the best to learn from should be considered a high and likely priority.

Previous mock draft versions:

Vikings 7-round mock draft: Will Minnesota take a different approach?

Vikings 7-round mock draft 2.0: Kirk Cousins’ extension changes things

Vikings 7-round mock draft 3.0: Za’Darius Smith signing changes things

Ravens post-free agency 7-round mock draft

We look at a post-free agency seven-round mock draft for the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens currently have 10 picks in the 2022 NFL draft, including nine in the first four rounds. They will have plenty of opportunities to add quality playmakers at multiple positions of need, as well as take some of the best players available on the board when they are on the clock.

During 2022 free agency, Baltimore has made a few splashes, including the signing of safety Marcus Williams. They’ve also brought in offensive tackle Morgan Moses and defensive lineman Michael Pierce to upgrade their roster in a few different areas, changing their draft priorities around in the process.

Below we look at a post-free agency seven-round mock draft for the Ravens.

Vikings 7-round mock draft: Will Minnesota take a different approach?

Tyler Forness’ full mock draft for the Vikings

Now that the combine has passed, the draft picture is becoming more and more clear. The combine itself provides a lot of crucial information to help us better understand these players. Whether it be physical measurements or athletic testing to help quantify what you see on film, the data is very important to parse out the entire class.

For the Minnesota Vikings, there is only one position that they don’t need to upgrade immediately and that is offensive tackle. Otherwise, they can truly go best player available to try and help improve their roster.

I’ve conducted a seven-round mock draft using The Draft Network’s draft simulator.

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Chargers post-2022 NFL Scouting Combine 4-round mock draft

The Chargers bolster the defensive side of the ball and add a dynamic receiver and return specialist.

The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books. So how will it affect the Chargers’ draft plans?

Below are my latest four-round projections.

Round 1, No. 17, EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan

The Chargers could go in various directions with their first-round pick, whether that be defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, or like they do here by addressing the edge defender room.

Uchenna Nwosu is a prime candidate to be re-signed when free agency begins next week, but this is a league where you can’t have too many pass rushers in today’s NFL.

Wreaking havoc opposite the potential No. 1 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo posted 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in his final season for the Wolverines.

While he needs to get stronger to hold up against the run consistently, Ojabo is long and flexible with explosiveness off the snap, lateral agility, and closing burst to get after the quarterback at a high level.

The 6-foot-4 and 250 pound Ojabo showed off his elite athletic traits in Indy, posting a 4.55 40, 35-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-2 broad jump, and 4.45-second shuttle.

Round 2, No. 48, DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

Georgia’s Jordan Davis should be high on the Chargers’ draft board after he tested out of this world, but the Ravens already took him in this simulation. So instead, the team lands another stud interior defender.

Mathis amassed 53 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked passes in 2021. He received second-team All-SEC and All-American honors.

With his length, violent hands, lower-body strength, lateral agility, and ability to anchor, Mathis can create interior pressure just as well as he can defend the run at the next level, drawing parallels to Akiem Hicks.

Mathis did not run the 40-yard dash but still finished fifth in the broad jump (9-foot-11) among defensive tackles. Mathis was also a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle (4.91 seconds).

Round 3, No. 79, CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

“Corner is definitely going to be something that we’re looking at. We’re always going to be looking at it as long as I’m the head coach,” Brandon Staley said at his presser at the Combine.

This is a position that the Chargers could address in Round 1 if Derek Stingley, Sauce Gardner, or Trent McDuffie are available. But if they’re not, they could still take one on Day 2, especially if they land a starting corner in free agency.

Overshadowed by the impressive resume of Gardner, Bryant ended a strong five-year career for the Bearcats on a high note, being named the Jim Thorpe Award winner.

Strong in both man and zone coverage, Bryant has the size and length coupled with the smooth footwork, physicality, and confidence at the catch point to be a solid contributor early on in this league.

Round 4, No. 121, WR Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee

The Chargers need speed in the wide receiver room and they finally fulfill that to kick off Day 3 with one of the workout warriors from this past week at the Combine.

At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, Jones ran a blazing 4.31 40, which marked the fourth-fastest among all participants at the event.

Jones was a 2019 All-Pac-12 performer at USC before becoming a 2021 All-SEC selection with the Vols, where he was a dynamic receiver and a return specialist at Tennessee.

In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He also finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards.

Not only would he give Los Angeles the speed on offense, but he would be a strong candidate to fill in as the kickoff returner if Andre Roberts is not re-signed.

Chargers Wire’s winners, risers from 2022 Senior Bowl: Defense

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez and Cole Topham break down the 2022 NFL draft prospects who made themselves money at the Senior Bowl.

Now that the 2022 Senior Bowl, the most premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects is over, it is time to reflect back on the meaning of the week.

Which players on the defensive side of the ball helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile?

Let’s dive in with our winners and risers.

Defensive tackle

Our winner(s): Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) and Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)

Winfrey entered this week with a mixed bag of reviews, as the tape showed immense flashes but it was on an inconsistent basis. That wasn’t the case down in Mobile. Winfrey consistently lived in the backfield with his get-off, remarkable power, and lengthy arms. His electric energy throughout the sessions really stood out, too. Winfrey was named the Senior Bowl MVP after pairing three tackles for a loss with two sacks in the game.

Jordan Davis drew nearly all the attention for the Bulldogs, but Wyatt was just as impactful and he showed that when the spotlight was on him. In one-on-ones, Wyatt won with first-step quickness, lateral agility, and power at the point of attack. Reminiscent of Kenny Clark coming out of UCLA, Wyatt could find himself as a first-round pick when all is said and done.

Our biggest riser: Travis Jones (UConn)

If the Chargers pass up on Davis, who many are projecting to them, Jones is a nose tackle that can provide excellent value on Day 2. A straight-up bulldozer in one-on-ones, Jones consistently walked offensive linemen back to the quarterback with pure power and burst. In team drills, Jones was collapsing the pocket and stopping ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Jones now.

Edge defender

Our winner(s): Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)

Entering the week, I had Johnson a fringe first-round pick, but he stamped himself as a top-20 selection. Offensive tackles had no rebuttal for his power and length, as well as some hand counters and agility when working either inside or outside of them. Further, Johnson looked good when defending the run. With the edge defender position set to be near the top of the Chargers’ priority list this offseason, Johnson is a strong candidate at pick No. 17.

Our biggest riser: Boye Mafe (Minnesota)

In a deep edge defender group, Mafe flew under the radar coming into the week. However, he made sure his presence was known coming out. All but unblockable, Mafe won with his wingspan to lockout and power to push blockers into the backfield, as well as great lateral agility and body flexibility to keep himself clean. He carried that over to the game, finishing with a strip-sack, a second sack, and a tackle for loss. An athletic specimen, Mafe’s stock is only going to continue to rise when he tests at the Combine.

Linebacker

Our winner(s): Damone Clark (LSU)

Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean are the consensus top linebackers and behind them are a few candidates vying for the spot. Clark made a strong case to be LB3. Leading the pack in run stops during practices, Clark was explosive when attacking downhill. He was just as effective blitzing, especially in a one-on-one rep against one of the top pass-protecting running backs in Alabama’s Brian Robinson, as Clark shrugged him off with ease. Another thing going for Clark is that he should test out well athletically at the Combine.

Our biggest riser: Troy Andersen (Montana State)

There were many eyes on the small-school standout who made the conversion from quarterback/running back/wide receiver to linebacker, and his play raised their eyebrows. With his impressive athleticism, Andersen looked comfortable dropping back and making plays in coverage. His speed and range enabled him to move freely from sideline to sideline and make stops on opposing ball carriers. Andersen also showed plenty of special teams upside, as he was consistently the first guy down the field on coverage units.

Cornerback

Our winners: Coby Bryant (Cincinnati) and Roger McCreary (Auburn)

The 2022 Thorpe Award winner was by far the highest-profile player in the National group of defensive backs. Bryant demonstrated why he earned that accolade by blanketing receivers in one-on-one matchups with patient press coverage and rising to the catch point to bat away passes using rare ball skills. A consistent performer across all three days of practices, Bryant’s small hiccups in the Senior Bowl game should not be what NFL scouts remember from watching him perform in Mobile.

Another player who surprised with his measurements was McCreary with his 29” arms, which is significantly below average the target threshold for outside cornerbacks. But McCreary looked like the same player on the practice field as he did on tape, staying in the hip pocket of the receiver and smothering the throwing window. McCreary posted six interceptions and 30 pass breakups in his college football career. The shorter reach obviously did not hamper his production much.

Our biggest riser: Damarri Mathis (Pittsburgh)

Mathis flew under the radar in the National team group, but the Pitt cornerback left an impression on many as a scrappy cover man in isolation reps. Mathis was diligent in combating receivers off the line and did not bite on any ornamental moves during the release. He kept receivers close down the stem and consistently put himself in position to contest for the ball.

Safety

Our winner(s): Jalen Pitre (Baylor) and Leon O’Neal (Texas A&M)

A hybrid defender that played the safety, linebacker, and slot cornerback positions at Baylor, Pitre was deployed in a similar “star” role at the Senior Bowl. Pitre struggled on the first day guarding some of the more physical tight ends like Colorado State’s Trey McBride, but showed growth over the rest of the week in coverage and as a box defender. In interviews, he expressed his belief that the NFL is transitioning toward positionless defense and is confident his variety of talents and versatility will benefit any team.

O’Neal played both free and strong safety positions and was a tough defender to slip past in the run game. An aggressive player that does not hesitate to lay the hammer on opponents, O’Neal also showed he had the quickness to stick with receivers in man coverage. His closing speed and physicality make him a desirable tone-setter.

Our biggest riser: Kerby Joseph (Illinois)

Joseph took all four years to grow into the player that competed in Mobile, and the case can be made that he has yet to reach his ceiling as a prospect. Joseph is instinctive and ball-hungry, zooming around the field with urgency to disrupt the play. His athleticism and raw potential were on full display at the Senior Bowl and just needs refinement to become a key cog in secondaries at the next level.

SKOL Search: What can Vikings learn from Mobile?

The 2022 Senior Bowl was jam-packed with talent. Who should the Vikings keep an eye on?

The Senior Bowl is a fantastic event for many reasons, but the biggest reason is how much you can learn from this class. Over 100 players attend the event in Mobile to show off their skills and speak with teams. Throughout the week, players are put through drills to showcase their skills and traits.

The Senior Bowl staff, led by director Jim Nagy, has done a fantastic job not only finding players from high profile programs, but also standouts from the lower levels. These lower level guys usually have dominant tape, but this platform gives teams the ability to see them compete on an even playing field.

Players like Ali Marpet, Kyle Dugger and Carson Wentz have massively benefitted from being invited to Mobile.

When down in Mobile, there are a lot of different things you can take away from the event. Along with learning about the players, it’s also a major outlet for scouts and media to converse and learn more about what other teams think of the class and to hear what rumors are swirling.

After having been in Mobile this past week, here are the five biggest takeaways for the Minnesota Vikings.

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