Day 1 of the NFL Draft is here. While we know what the Las Vegas Raiders will be doing at No. 1, what about the rest of the league? Check out our prediction for the opening round.
We’re all exhausted from NFL mock draft coverage now that it’s late April and the big weekend is here. However, we still have time to make some educated guesses and give a little bit of intelligent insight. Or, at the very least, some legible insight.
If you’re here as a Raiders fan, you already know what’s about to happen. It’s a different story for the rest of the league, with a handful of blue chip prospects at the top. Are we going to see any big moves on Day 1? Who knows.
Alright, let’s take a look because, well, why not?
NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Day 1
No. 1: Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Enough said, right?
No. 2: Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Jets need to address the lack of pass rush that’s cursed their defense. They’ll miss out on a franchise quarterback this year, but loading up on defense in preparation for Arch Manning in 2027 makes sense.
No. 3: Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
It’s an easy call for Arizona here. Love instantly transforms the Cardinals’ offense as one of the few franchise-altering prospects in this class. With Kyler Murray gone, Love instantly becomes the face of the franchise.
No. 4: Titans – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Ward needs protection. Mauigoa provides it. Simple as that—the Titans’ future starts up front.
No. 5: Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate heads East and gives Jaxson Dart exactly what he needs—a true No. 1 weapon capable of flipping the Giants’ offense overnight.
No. 6: Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Browns don’t miss a beat. Tyson fills the void and gives Shedeur Sanders a weapon to grow with—it could be the start of something special in Cleveland.
No. 7: Commanders – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Reese is a unique 6’4″ hybrid threat—precisely the front-seven weapon that Washington urgently requires.
No. 8: Saints – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq’s 4.39 speed and elite hands give Tyler Shough an instant, matchup-proof weapon.
No. 9: Chiefs – Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
As if the Chiefs needed more firepower. Downs arrives, and Kansas City unleashes a defense the AFC West isn’t ready for.
No. 10: Giants – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUÂ
New York lost Cor’Dale Flott; Delane, the draft’s top corner, fills that void perfectly.
Outside of the Top 10
No. 11: Dolphins – Dillon Thieneman, DB, OregonÂ
Miami lost Hill and Waddle; Thieneman’s range and blitz skills perfectly fit Flores’ defense.
No. 12: Cowboys – Olaivavega loane, OG, Penn State
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shocks the world by going with arguably the best interior offensive lineman in this class.
No. 13: Rams – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
A 6’5″ Fred Warner comp who quarterbacks a defense, Styles gives Sean McVay a sideline-to-sideline defensive star he’s never had.
No. 14: Ravens – Rueben Bain, DT, MiamiÂ
Madubuike’s health is a question mark. Bain is the answer. His relentless pass rush slots right in and sets Hendrickson free.
No. 15: Buccaneers – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Todd Bowles employs a strategy that isolates his cornerbacks; McCoy’s ability to play lockdown man coverage and his ball-hawking instincts align perfectly with the demands of that system.
No. 16: Jets – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona StateÂ
Iheanachor’s rare 6’6″ athleticism—zero sacks allowed in 2025—gives the Jets’ quarterback a blindside protector with elite upside.
No. 17: Lions – Spencer Fano, OG, UtahÂ
Decker’s gone, and Detroit’s pass protection is in crisis. Fano’s elite footwork and versatility arrive just in time to stabilize a Lions offensive line in desperate need of a jolt.
No. 18: Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, TennesseeÂ
With the secondary needing a shutdown outside corner, Hood’s speed, fire, and coverage instincts end Minnesota’s interminable search at the position.
No. 19: Panthers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Pairing Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan with Makai Lemon gives the Panthers a formidable offense that might take over the NFC South.
What will Jerry Jones do?
No. 20: Cowboys – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
With George Pickens’ long-term future uncertain, Boston’s 6’4″ frame, red-zone dominance, and boundary skill set give Dallas a premier receiver replacement.
No. 21: Steelers – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Heyward is aging and Watt needs a running mate—Faulk is the answer. His 6’6″ frame and SEC-tested pass rush inject fresh life into Pittsburgh’s edge rotation.
No. 22: Chargers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Jim Harbaugh loves massive linemen, and 6’7″ Proctor—willing to slide inside to guard—is a plug-and-play solution protecting Justin Herbert.
No. 23: Eagles – Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&MÂ
Bisontis—a zone-blocking brawler who has allowed only one sack all season—is the ideal replacement for Landon Dickerson that Philadelphia urgently requires.
No. 24: Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaÂ
Cleveland surrendered among the NFL’s most sacks; Freeling’s elite athleticism and natural left tackle instincts anchor the blindside for years.
No. 25: Bears – Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCFÂ
Chicago desperately needs pass-rush juice; Lawrence’s freakish athleticism and elite bend off the edge outweigh the run-defense concerns at No. 25 with this draft underway.
The Top 25 is done…
No. 26: Bills – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, ToledoÂ
The Bills love positionless enforcers; 6’3″ McNeil-Warren’s violent tackling and nine college forced fumbles make him Cole Bishop’s perfect partner.
No. 27: 49ers – CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaÂ
A Fred Warner-type leader who called plays at Georgia, Allen slots perfectly beside Warner as his heir apparent in San Francisco.
No. 28: Texans – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego StateÂ
Johnson’s 4.40 speed, four interceptions, and scheme versatility give the Texans’ defense a ballhawking corner it desperately lacks.
No. 29: Chiefs – Omar Cooper, WR, IndianaÂ
With Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL and the receiver room struggling, Cooper’s 13 touchdowns and Deebo Samuel-like toughness are exactly what Kansas City needs.
No. 30: Dolphins – T.J. Parker, EDGE, ClemsonÂ
Miami’s gutted roster needs edge-rush building blocks; Parker’s 21.5 career sacks and Clemson pedigree fit perfectly with this draft choice.
No. 31: Patriots – Keyland Rutledge, OG, Georgia TechÂ
After a disastrous Super Bowl outing, the Patriots load up on the interior of their offensive line. Of course, the real question is whether the draft coverage will talk about the Dianna Russini saga at any point. It’s the only thing that’s keeping New England relevant at the moment.
No. 32: Seahawks – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
With Klint Kubiak gone, it’d be shocking to see the Seahawks draft a receiver here, but Concepcion’s talent is too much to pass up.
*Top Photo: Sports Illustrated