NFL Mock Draft 5.0: 2-Rounds with 4 Trades
Mock 5.0 is here, and that signals we need the draft to be here already.
My goal for my Mock 4.0 was 2-rounds but it felt a little rushed so I only got to 1-round, so here’s a new 2-round mock! We gather information everyday in draft season naturally whether it’s meetings, rumored interest, or anything else of the sorts. Without further ado, let’s dive into Mock 5.0 featuring 4 trades in 2-rounds!
Pick 1: Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward · QB · Miami
Elite QB play is required to make it through the AFC gauntlet we've seen, Cam Ward has elite traits that appear regularly on tape which will ultimately make Tennessee buy in, and make Ward their franchise QB.
Pick 2: Cleveland Browns - Shedeur Sanders · QB · Colorado
The AFC North features Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. With that QB play the Browns here need to buy in, and get their franchise QB. Shedeur Sanders has the makings to work very well in a Kevin Stefanski offense.
Pick 3: New York Giants - Travis Hunter · WR/CB · Colorado
After missing out on the Top-2 QBs of the class, the Giants opt for the best overall player in the class that is Travis Hunter. Whether he plays WR or CB full-time in the Big Apple, the Giants get a superstar here.
Pick 4: New England Patriots - Abdul Carter · EDGE · Penn State
While the O-Line remains a glaring need, Mike Vrabel will be adamant to obtain the tools to build a dominant defense. Abdul Carter has legitimate DPOY upside and will instantly be the DROY favorite.
Pick 5: Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham · DT · Michigan
While some project Graham to fall lately, I just can't see it. Graham is productive, disruptive, and reliable, a big upgrade for a needy Jaguars interior D-Line.
Pick 6: Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty · RB · Boise State
After acquiring Geno Smith, Pete Carroll can get into his bag here. Carroll loves a strong rushing attack, and Vegas had one of the worst run games in the NFL in 2024. To upgrade that rushing attack, they get a generational RB prospect.
Pick 7: New York Jets - Armand Membou · OT · Missouri
Similar to last year and the Jets buzz around Brock Bowers, here and now that buzz is with Tyler Warren. They opted for Olu Fashanu then, they opt for Armand Membou now. Membou is my OL1 and allows the Jets to build around Fashanu and Membou hoping for a dominant O-Line.
TRADE: Panthers trade Pick 8, 111 to the Bears for Pick 10, 72
(from CAR) Pick 8: Chicago Bears - Will Campbell · OL · LSU
While the Bears have revamped their O-Line so far, Braxton Jones is a free agent after the season, Jonah Jackson isn't a total needle-mover in my opinion, and Joe Thuney is on the older side. All in all, Campbell provides versatility and a building block on the OL, here the Bears move up 2 spots to prevent the Saints from taking him.
Pick 9: New Orleans Saints - Jalon Walker · LB/EDGE · Georgia
Jalon Walker shined as a pass rusher for Georgia, and was also very good as an off-ball linebacker. With this type of skillset, he'd thrive in a creative defensive scheme like Brandon Staley's.
(from CHI) Pick 10: Carolina Panthers - Matthew Golden · WR · Texas
Like I said in my Mock 4.0, Matthew Golden is the exact WR Carolina needs. He's a fantastic route runner and separator, and pushes defenses vertically with ease. Bryce Young to Matthew Golden could be an elite duo.
Pick 11: San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson · CB · Michigan
After losing Charvarius Ward in Free Agency to the Colts, the 49ers need a CB1. Johnson's length, physical presence and instinctive skills would make him thrive in a Robert Saleh defense.
TRADE: Cowboys trade Pick 12, 171 to the Broncos for Pick 20, 121, 2026 R2
(from DAL) Pick 12: Denver Broncos - Tyler Warren · TE · Penn State
Sean Payton trades up for his guy, we've seen this before. Tyler Warren has the exact skillset to fit like a glove in a Sean Payton offense and provides instant value as the Y-TE with Evan Engram working in the slot. Adding Tyler Warren gets Bo Nix his #1 weapon for a very long time.
Pick 13: Miami Dolphins - Malaki Starks · SAF · Georgia
Starks has the floor to be a plug-and-play replacement for Jevon Holland, and the ceiling to potentially be one of the best Safeties in the NFL in just a few years. I'd see this as a home-run pick for the Dolphins as I'm very high on Starks.
Pick 14: Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland · TE · Michigan
After the Broncos jump the Colts for Tyler Warren, the Colts land Loveland who's combination of size, quickness, and savviness can potentially make him the Colts #1 weapon for years to come.
Pick 15: Atlanta Falcons - Jihaad Campbell · LB · Alabama
Initially an EDGE at Alabama, Campbell has developed an all-around game that'd improve the Falcons defense in a multitude of ways and his sideline-to-sideline ability will have the Falcons sprint to the podium to make this pick.
Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals - Shemar Stewart · EDGE · Texas A&M
Stewart posted one of the best combines ever RAS wise, showing off his true athletic upside. The Cardinals here take a swing and pair Stewart with new FA signing Josh Sweat.
Pick 17: Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Green · EDGE · Marshall
Following the Bengals paying both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins the big bucks, they have to hit on their draft picks and adding Mike Green next to Trey Hendrickson could be nasty, if the Bengals can find a way to retain Hendrickson long-term.
TRADE: Seahawks trade Pick 18 to the Giants for Pick 34, 65, 2026 R3
(from SEA) Pick 18: New York Giants - Jaxson Dart · QB · Ole Miss
While I've talked about how I don't love Jaxson Dart 1st round buzz, QB needy teams drag these guys up every year. Here, the Giants move up to jump the Steelers for Dart, and secure their QB of the future. Pairing Dart with Travis Hunter, who they selected at #3, could be a very fun duo looking ahead.
Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Donovan Ezeiruaku · EDGE · Boston College
This pick just makes too much sense to me. Based on history Bucs GM Jason Licht values production a ton, and Donovan Ezeiruaku is coming off of a 16.5 sack season at Boston College.
(from DEN) Pick 20: Dallas Cowboys - Omarion Hampton · RB · North Carolina
While they could go with Tetairoa McMillan here, who I’ve mocked very regularly to Dallas, they opt for the home-run hitting RB Hampton as long-term a Javonte Williams/Miles Sanders backfield won’t cut it.
Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers - Jahdae Barron · CB · Texas
Jaxson Dart would've been a fun possibility here, but the Giants moved all the way up for him. So instead the Steelers pivot and select Jahdae Barron, a versatile defensive playmaker who just won the Jim Thorpe award.
Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers - Tetairoa McMillan · WR · Arizona
The Chargers stop the slide on McMillan. Tet is a hard player to mock, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’s a Top-10 pick but here he slides to 22 and gets Herbert a 6’5, well coordinated X-WR.
Pick 23: Green Bay Packers - Derrick Harmon · DT · Oregon
Green Bay was one of the worst units in the NFL this past season in pressure rate, to try and kick-start the defense they bring in Derrick Harmon who is a natural disrupter and can get to the QB with ease.
Pick 24: Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori · SAF · South Carolina
While the Vikings are a big trade down candidate with few picks this year, Brian Flores would ensure they take Emmanwori who’s a perfect fit for the Vikings defense. After losing Cam Bynum they replace him with Emmanwori who impacts the game in a plethora of ways.
Pick 25: Houston Texans - Emeka Egbuka · WR · Ohio State
Upgrading the O-Line is the big need for Houston, but after signing Cam Robinson it seems like the Texans may look to add CJ Stroud's former running mate at Ohio State, Emeka Egbuka who is one of the safest picks in the draft.
Pick 26: Los Angeles Rams - Azareye’h Thomas · CB · Florida State
The Rams secondary needs work, Azareye'h Thomas is a long, rangy CB who I've been a big fan of since summer scouting, he'll be able to match up with the bigger receivers of the NFC which can elevate their defense from good to great.
Pick 27: Baltimore Ravens - Walter Nolen · DT · Ole Miss
Nolen has talent and upside to be off the board earlier than this, but some reported character concerns at the combine arose. Nonetheless, Baltimore would love his disruptive ability and playmaking production.
Pick 28: Detroit Lions - Grey Zabel · IOL · North Dakota State
Looking at the Lions roster, one of the few question marks is RG after Kevin Zietler left in free agency. Grey Zabel seems to be a 1st round lock after his Senior Bowl and combine, in this case finding a home in Detroit as a Day-1 starter.
Pick 29: Washington Commanders - Luther Burden III · WR · Missouri
While the Commanders just traded for Deebo Samuel, I don't think it'd stop them from taking Burden in this spot. He's a perfect fit in Washington with Kliff Kingsbury, he'd be used as a versatile weapon at the LOS who Jayden Daniels can capitalize upon.
Pick 30: Buffalo Bills - Kenneth Grant · DT · Michigan
IDL is a big need for the Bills, and they fill it by adding the huge, athletic Grant who has a lot of upside. His double-team eating ability would help Buffalo’s defensive playmakers a lot.
Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons · OT · Ohio State
One of the steals of the draft here, the Chiefs quite possibly get their franchise OT here. Simmons injury concern ultimately makes him drop but the tape warrants him going a lot higher than this.
Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles - Mykel Williams · EDGE · Georgia
The Eagles know the Dawgs well at this point. Mykel is a hard player to mock, a team could fall in love with his traits and upside in the Top-10, here he falls to #32 as his production has always trailed the traits.
Round 2:
Pick 33: Cleveland Browns - Kelvin Banks Jr. · OT · Texas
To open the 2nd round the Browns get their hopeful LT of the future, Banks athleticism and upside would fit well as the Browns look to build around Shedeur Sanders.
Pick 34: Seattle Seahawks - Tyler Booker · IOL · Alabama
After moving down to the 2nd, the Seahawks land Booker who’s an absolute rock at Guard, a good value here for an OL needy Hawks.
Pick 35: Tennessee Titans - James Pearce Jr. · EDGE · Tennessee
Pearce falls due to the infamous character concerns that've been circling over him for awhile now. Tennessee opts to keep Pearce home, replacing Harold Landry with Pearce which could turn out to be a big upgrade if the skill beats the concerns long-term.
Pick 36: Jacksonville Jaguars - Trey Amos · CB · Ole Miss
I wanted to pencil in Amos as a 1st rounder in this mock, but how the board played out he falls to 36 and the Jags sprint the card up with their CB need.
Pick 37: Las Vegas Raiders - Maxwell Hairston · CB · Kentucky
This just seems like a Raiders pick. One of the combine standouts due to his elite speed, Hairston is a very dynamic CB with some nice upside.
Pick 38: New England Patriots - Josh Conerly Jr. · OT · Oregon
New England opts to go for BPA in Round 1 with Abdul Carter, and gets their LT in Josh Conerly Jr. here in the 2nd, also a nice value pick.
Pick 39: Chicago Bears - TreVeyon Henderson · RB · Ohio State
After making another significant move to the O-Line in the 1st round, the Bears get Ben Johnson a RB who matches his offensive ideologies a ton in TreVeyon Henderson, who would be a fantastic fit in Chicago.
Pick 40: New Orleans Saints - Jayden Higgins · WR · Iowa State
The Saints need more firepower on the offense and a big way to add more would be selecting Higgins here, a reliable receiver with a very diverse route tree.
Pick 41: Chicago Bears - Nic Scourton · EDGE · Texas A&M
After successfully upgrading the offense in their first 2 selections, the Bears now add Scourton to their defensive front. After dropping weight at the combine, we should see the explosiveness we saw from him in his time at Purdue.
Pick 42: New York Jets - Alfred Collins · DT · Texas
New Jets GM Darren Mougey goes all-in on the trenches in the first 2-rounds, going with Alfred Collins here who's quite possibly the best run stopper in the entire draft.
Pick 43: San Francisco 49ers - Donovan Jackson · IOL · Ohio State
Jackson is not only good value at 43, but a huge upgrade looking at their current O-Line, this may be sprint up the pick territory after getting Will Johnson in the 1st round.
Pick 44: Dallas Cowboys - Tyleik Williams · DT · Ohio State
Williams is a compact and powerful interior D-Lineman who would be a very solid pickup for the Cowboys defensive front.
TRADE: Colts trade Pick 45, 2026 R5 to the Steelers for Pick 83, 156, 2026 R2
(from IND) Pick 45: Pittsburgh Steelers - Jalen Milroe · QB · Alabama
After missing out on Jaxson Dart in the 1st round, the Steelers move up and get Jalen Milroe to be their long-term, developmental piece at QB. Milroe is an athletic freak who if the Steelers develop properly, could be their franchise guy.
Pick 46: Atlanta Falcons - Shavon Revel Jr. · CB · East Carolina
Revel would've gone a lot higher than this had he not suffered an ACL injury, despite that his athletic and cover ability would intrigue Atlanta here.
Pick 47: Arizona Cardinals - Jonah Savaiinaea · IOL · Arizona
A career RT at Arizona, Savaiinaea projects to be a career IOL in the NFL, a big need for Arizona after addressing the defensive front in Round 1.
Pick 48: Miami Dolphins - Marcus Mbow · OL · Purdue
I've really liked Mbow's tape, and the Dolphins need a lot of help on their O-Line as a whole. Mbow will have a lot of versatility and give Miami a lot of options.
Pick 49: Cincinnati Bengals - Xavier Watts · SAF · Notre Dame
A steal at #49, Watts is a ball-hawking stud who has fantastic intelligence and versatility.
Pick 50: Seattle Seahawks - Elic Ayomanor · WR · Stanford
Despite adding Cooper Kupp to play alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks still need an X-WR. Ayomanor is a prototype X with talent to be a Day-1 impact player for Seattle.
Pick 51: Denver Broncos - Kaleb Johnson · RB · Iowa
Kaleb Johnson is the best RB option on the board here in my opinion and with his zone-running ability he'd be able to fit into the Denver offense and get starting level carries on Day 1.
Pick 52: Seattle Seahawks - Mason Taylor · TE · LSU
The Seahawks use the pick acquired in the DK Metcalf trade to get a different weapon, this time getting their TE of the future in Mason Taylor who could very well be their starting TE on Day 1.
Pick 53: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Carson Schwesinger · LB · UCLA
This would be a dream first 2 rounds for Tampa, getting Ezeiruaku and now Schwesinger to hopefully be the heir to Lavonte David in the future.
Pick 54: Green Bay Packers - Tre Harris · WR · Ole Miss
The Packers add to their young WR room with landing Harris here who recorded over 1,000 yards in 7 games this past season.
Pick 55: Los Angeles Chargers - Darius Alexander · DT · Toledo
Alexander is on the older side of prospects, but adds a potential Day-1 replacement to Poona Ford who left in free agency.
Pick 56: Buffalo Bills - Benjamin Morrison · CB · Notre Dame
If he hadn’t gotten injured, Morrison would’ve been off the board a lot earlier than this. He has the upside to be the CB2 Buffalo’s been looking for opposite Christian Benford.
Pick 57: Carolina Panthers - Demetrius Knight Jr. · LB · South Carolina
The Panthers have upgraded the defensive side through free agency, but still lack off-ball LB help. Going Matthew Golden in Round 1 puts them in a perfect spot to land Knight, an instant impact LB.
Pick 58: Houston Texans - Aireontae Ersery · OT · Minnesota
Gooe value pick here for the Texans who desperately need OL help, Ersery slots in as the LT of the future with Cam Robinson being the short-term option.
Pick 59: Baltimore Ravens - Bradyn Swinson · EDGE · LSU
Swinson has a lot of fun traits as a pass rusher, and the Ravens have completely revamped their future outlook of the front-7 with adding Walter Nolen and Bradyn Swinson.
Pick 60: Detroit Lions - Princely Umanmielen · EDGE · Ole Miss
The Lions perfectly address their 2 key needs in the first 2 rounds, here landing Princely Umanmielen to be EDGE opposite Hutchinson.
Pick 61: Washington Commanders - Darien Porter · CB · Iowa State
I considered going CB for the Commanders in Round 1, they instead go offense and in Round 2 Darien Porter falls into their lap. He ranks in the 95th percentile in length.
Pick 62: Buffalo Bills - Chris Paul Jr. · LB · Ole Miss
Matt Milano’s deal only has 1-year remaining, I think we see Buffalo go LB fairly early. Here, they land Chris “Pooh” Paul, who had some of the most consistent tape in the class.
Pick 63: Kansas City Chiefs - Quinshon Judkins · RB · Ohio State
With Isiah Pacheco coming off of a injury riddled and overall poor season, and Kareem Hunt not being a long-term option, the Chiefs bring in the Ohio State quick and explosive runner Judkins.
Pick 64: Philadelphia Eagles - Andrew Mukuba · SAF · Texas
Following trading CJ Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles look to replace him with Mukuba who was a 4-year, very productive starter at Texas.
That concludes Mock Draft 5.0!