The Owl's NFL Mock Draft 1.0

The time is here... the longest three-month stretch of the NFL every year - Mock Draft Season. This year, we are heading to sunny Lambeau to see if this place is truly the root of Aaron Rodgers' insanity. I am truly excited to see if all the draft picks ride bikes to the draft or pour milk over their heads like it is the Indy 500.

The Tennessee Titans are officially on the Clock.....

1.1 - Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB - Miami / Washington St. / Incarnate Word)

1.2 - Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter (Edge - Penn St.)

Whether or not Cleveland trades Myles Garrett, Carter projects to be an elite sack candidate who will wreck the AFC North's dreams.The direction of the Browns is in an odd spot and Abdul Carter might have to play a few seasons of losing football before the Browns can get rid of the Deshaun Watson stink.

1.3 - New York Giants: Shedaur Sanders (QB - Colorado / Jackson St.)

1.4 - New England Patriots: Will Campbell (LT - LSU)

1.5 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter (Athlete - Colorado / Jackson St.)

1.6 - Las Vegas Raiders: Tet McMillan (WR - Arizona)

1.7 - New York Jets: Mason Graham (DT - Michigan)

1.8 - Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams (Edge - Georgia)

1.9 - New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson (CB - Michigan)

1.10 - Chicago Bears: Josh Simmons (OT - Ohio State)

As we look back at the Chicago Bears' OL, there is a lot of hope that 2025 can be much better, just from an injury variance standpoint. The issue with the OL was health, not talent. Tevin Jenkins was the second healthiest OL and played a career high 65% of snaps and by the end of the season we were starting 3rd stringers at 3 spots on the OL.

So why Josh Simmons? I believe Simmons has the highest ceiling from a talent perspective among OL in this draft, but 2025 will be a rocky start because he tore his ACL on Oct 12th." Ben Johnson was on the Lions when the drafted Jameson Williams, who tore his ACL in the CFB National Championship.

1.11 - San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou (OT - Mizzou)

1.12 - Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty (RB - Boise State)

1.13 - Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks (S - Georgia)

1.14 - Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE - Penn St.)

1.15 - Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart (Edge - Texas A&M)

Not-so-Fun-Fact: The last time the Atlanta Falcons were TOP 10 in sacks was 2004. I'm not joking. Ben Roethlisberger won Rookie of the Year, Curtis Martin won the Rushing Title, and Shemar Stewart was a hearty 1-year-old. The Atlanta Falcons last finished in the top 20 in sacks in 2017. I spent way too much time researching this, so here are the Falcons leader in sacks year by year since 2004:

2024: Arnold Ebiketie - 6.0

2023: Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree - 6.5

2022: Grade Jarett - 6.0

2021: Dante Fowler Jr. – 4.5

2020: Deion Jones – 4.5

2019: Vic Beasley – 8.0

2018: Takkarist McKinley – 7.0

2017: Adrian Clayborn – 9.5

2016: Vic Beasley – 15.5

2015: Vic Beasley – 4.0

2014: Kroy Biermann – 4.5

2013: Osi Umenyiora – 7.5

2012: John Abraham – 10.0

2011: John Abraham – 9.5

2010: John Abraham – 13.0

2009: Jonathan Babineaux – 6.0

2008: John Abraham – 16.5

2007: John Abraham – 10.0

2006: Roderick Coleman - 6.0

2005: Roderick Coleman - 10.5

2004: Patrick Kerney – 13.0

1.16 - Arizona Cardinals: Jalon Walker (LB/Edge - Georgia)

1.17 - Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr. (Edge - Tennessee)

1.18 - Seattle Seahawks: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT - Oregon)

1.19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron (CB - Texas)

1.20 - Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland (TE - Michigan)

In 2024, Courtland Sutton had more than double the next leading receiver, Marvin Mims with 1053 yards to 503. The highest TE on the list was 7th, Adam Trautman with an electrifying 183 receiving yards.

Though Sean Payton has never drafted a tight end in the first round of the NFL Draft during his tenure as a head coach, Loveland brings a receiving threat that Sean Payton hasn't had since the glory days of Jimmy Graham.

1.21 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden (WR - Mizzou)

1.22 - Los Angelas Chargers: Mike Green (DE - Marshall)

1.23 - Green Bay Packers: Kenneth Grant (DT - Michigan)

1.24 - Minnesota Vikings: Shavon Revel Jr. (CB - East Carolina)

1.25 - Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka (WR - Ohio State)

A true "McVay-style" WR. With the Texans hiring the LA Rams former Passing Game Coordinator, Nick Caley, as their OC, you might as well draft like the Rams. Egbuka has been utilized as a condensed formation utility WR who can run after the catch and is a good blocker who can insert lead blocks like McVay likes

Robert Woods-esque in his role, it is to be determined whether Houston re-signs Woods. Either way, I don't think it will stop Houston from investing in a WR

1.26 - Los Angelas Rams: Benjamin Morrison (CB - Notre Dame)

1.27 - Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Banks (OT/OG - Texas)

1.28 - Detroit Lions: Walter Nolen (DT - Ole Miss / Texas A&M)

1.29 - Washington Commanders: Tyler Booker (IOL - Alabama)

With significant experience at Alabama, starting at left guard and earning All-SEC and All-American honors, Booker was a captain and would provide immediate upgrades to the Commanders' OL.

Trust me, I am still shocked that a team with the 22nd ranked Run Blocking and 28th highest Pass Blocking win rates made it this far.

You got the QB, now let's protect him.

1.30 - Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon (DT - Oregon)

1.31 - Kansas City Chiefs: Grey Zabel (IOL - North Dakota State)

1.32 - Philadelphia Eagles: Nic Scourton (Edge - Texas A&M / Purdue)

Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Milton Williams - all free agents. Philly proved that it takes a dominant DL to win the Super Bowl, and they continue to invest. It's a shame there's no Georgia player here.