It’s such an interesting dynamic tracking down information as it pertains to the NFL Draft. No team is willing to tell you how it personally feels. You rely on your sources from other teams and those close to players readying to be drafted to piece the puzzle together. Essentially, what does Team X think about Team Y?
Eventually, once you hear the same thing a few times from a few different sources, you feel confident in its validity.
This draft has been among the most volatile in terms of that gathering because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position. There isn’t one worth a top-5 or top-10 pick after Cam Ward. That sentiment is shared by just about every team SNY touched base with. That tells you Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) will fall.
But teams tend to act recklessly when it comes to quarterbacks because of how valuable getting one is. The reward mitigates the risk. Could that lead to a team taking Sanders before it should? Moving up for him?
We’re about to find out. In the meantime, here is our final mock draft …
No. 1: Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Titans were open to trading this selection at one point. The Giants, multiple sources told SNY, believed they had the package in place to get it at the NFL Combine. Then, Titans officials got their hands on Ward and decided they wanted him for themselves. Ward will likely take over as the Titans' quarterback from Day 1.
No. 2: Cleveland Browns - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Browns could go either way -- Hunter or Abdul Carter. Most of the talk as of late centers around the versatile corner/receiver. Where Hunter spends most of his time will be a talking point this season. He’ll get a chance to play both. It’s hard to imagine him as a full-time corner and receiver, though. Most coaches I touched base with didn’t believe any player was capable of that because of the mental strain of being in two places at once with meetings. Hunter could be an all-pro corner who plays 15-to-20 snaps on offense, though. That will help Cleveland, which needs to see Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, D.K. Metcalf, George Pickens, and Zay Flowers twice a year.
No. 3: Giants: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
There’s been so much talk centered around the Giants' need of a quarterback. That’s still there. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston aren’t options beyond 2025. It would be such an astronomical reach to grab one here, though. It makes much more sense for the Giants to go with Carter, who would be their most talented edge-rushing prospect in a decade, then try to trade back up for a quarterback late in the first round.
No. 4: New England Patriots - OT Will Campbell, LSU
A receiver made a lot of sense here for the Patriots, but the talk around the league now is their infatuation with Campbell. New England has its young quarterback in Drake Maye. Now they must get him protection and playmakers. Campbell goes a long way in completing New England’s offense line, although some around the NFL believe he projects better as a guard than tackle.
No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
This is where it feels like the draft gets weird. The Jaguars could go Mason Graham, the defensive tackle out of Michigan, but it seems like new head coach Liam Coen prefers offense. Keep an eye on Ashton Jeanty here. There’s a lot of talk about that at the moment. It’s just hard for me personally to see the Jaguars doing that with Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby on the roster. Warren is the most complete player in this draft not named Carter or Hunter. The Jaguars need a tight end after letting Evan Engram go.
No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Raiders have a 34-year-old quarterback (Geno Smith) and 73-year-old head coach (Pete Carroll). Neither has the luxury of waiting years and years to compete. Receiver or offensive line is an option here, but Jeanty’s talent is too good to pass up. He’s an every-down back who will steal some attention away from Brock Bowers.
