Prisco plays GM and selects two running backs in the first round
By Pete Prisco Apr 21, 2026 at 6:00 am ET • 1 min read 
Predictive mocks aren't fun.
Who-they-should take mocks are a lot of fun.
Why? It allows me to play general manager, and that's something I love to do all year long. In the draft process, it's even more enjoyable for me.
So this is my who-they-should mock. It will be different from a lot of mocks out there, taking into account my evaluations of players.
Some will be right. Some will be wrong. Just like the teams.
I've had my share of hits, but had my fair share of misses. Let's not forget how badly the teams miss too.
The draft process has become a game of following-the-herd in my book. How dare you buck the trends?
It's that way inside teams sometimes. I've heard from scouts who say general managers hated when they pushed back on players. Smart general managers love it.
So take this for what it's worth — which probably is very little since I am not a real general manager. But having worked with many in recent years — right Rick Spielman and Ran Carthon? — they can tell you I play one a lot. And this is a chance to do it again.
NFL Mock DraftRound 1 Round 1 - Pick 1
Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana • Jr • 6'5" / 236 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 3535 RUYDS 276 INTS 6 TDS 48 This is easy. He's the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback in this draft. If you don't have one, you take one. Is he John Elway or Peyton Manning in terms of a top-overall pick? No. But he's the best in this class. Round 1 - Pick 2 
David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 250 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 3rd He has the most twitch of any of the pass rushers. He will be ready to play on the edge quicker than Arvell Reese, which is why he should be the pick. Round 1 - Pick 3 
Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 2nd Getting a playmaker on their defense, a guy they can move around, would be a wise thing. They could also move back in trade with a team like the Cowboys, but I have them staying put. Round 1 - Pick 4 
Sonny Styles LB Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 243 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 1st Titans coach Robert Saleh had Fred Warner in San Francisco. This is the next Fred Warner. Don't overthink it to force another position. Take the best player. Round 1 - Pick 5 
Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 214 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st RUYDS 1372 YDS/ATT 6.9 REYDS 280 TDS 21 This goes against everything I believe in when it comes to team building. But this draft is different. John Harbaugh needs explosiveness from the running back position, so this works. Round 1 - Pick 6 
Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 352 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st They have an immediate need at tackle. If he can control his weight and his consistency, he's the best left tackle prospect in this class. It's worth taking a chance with that type of talent. Round 1 - Pick 7 
Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State • Jr • 6'2" / 203 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 5th REC 61 REYDS 711 YDS/REC 11.7 TDS 9 They need to get more help in the passing game for Jayden Daniels. Tyson would be a nice addition to Terry McLaurin, who turns 31 in September. Round 1 - Pick 8 
Carnell Tate WR Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 192 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 3rd REC 51 REYDS 875 YDS/REC 17.2 TDS 9 They are building around their young quarterback, so adding a receiver to go with Chris Olave would be a smart move. They could also go pass rush here, but I think Tate helps more now. Round 1 - Pick 9 
Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'2" / 263 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st Yes, he has short arms. Yes, he had some off-field concerns. But he is a playmaker. The Chiefs have to amp up that pass rush. From Cincinnati Bengals Round 1 - Pick 10 
Peter Woods DL Clemson • Jr • 6'3" / 298 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 1st This might seem strange, but when you consider their makeup inside now, it really isn't. This kid is being overlooked, but his 2024 tape was outstanding. The Dexter Lawrence trade made this a major priority and I won't take a safety here. Round 1 - Pick 11 
Spencer Fano OT Utah • Jr • 6'6" / 311 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 2nd You can never go wrong taking an offensive lineman who can play up and down the line. This team is in rebuilding mode and linemen are the safest way to fix things. Round 1 - Pick 12 
Caleb Downs S Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 1st They need a difference-maker on defense. Downs can be that. He's got the range and the ball skills you like. They could use him in many ways. From Atlanta Falcons Round 1 - Pick 13 
Makai Lemon WR USC • Jr • 5'11" / 192 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 2nd REC 79 REYDS 1156 YDS/REC 14.6 TDS 13 Taking a young receiver with Davante Adams in basically the last year with the team — based on contract — makes sense. Lemon will add some juice in the middle of the field. Round 1 - Pick 14 
Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 1st He plays guard, so position value isn't as good as other positions, but he might be the cleanest player in this draft. He's a plug-and-play starter. Round 1 - Pick 15 
Mansoor Delane CB LSU • Sr • 6'0" / 187 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 3rd The way this played out — and it won't — they end up with the best corner in the class. They had trouble outside at corner last year, so it helps fill a major need. From Indianapolis Colts Round 1 - Pick 16 
Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana • Jr • 6'0" / 199 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 4th REC 69 REYDS 937 YDS/REC 13.6 TDS 14 After taking defensive help with their first pick, they take a receiver to go with Garrett Wilson. Cooper is a player that teams like a lot more than the media. Round 1 - Pick 17 
Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'6" / 329 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 4th He will play right tackle as they move Penei Sewell to the left side. He does come with some back concerns and I think he will ultimately be a star guard. Round 1 - Pick 18 
Dillon Thieneman S Oregon • Soph • 6'0" / 201 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 47th POSITION RNK 3rd With Peter Woods off the board — the guy I think would be their perfect pick — the choice is to land a playmaking safety in Thieneman. He can take over the Harrison Smith role. May also consider Florida's Caleb Banks here, but that is too high for my liking. Round 1 - Pick 19 
KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M • Jr • 6'0" / 196 lbs Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 1st REC 61 REYDS 919 YDS/REC 15.1 TDS 12 I would consider tight end Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon here, but I think landing a speedy playmaker will help the offense more. He would be a nice complement to Tet McMillan. From Green Bay Packers Round 1 - Pick 20 
R Mason Thomas DL Oklahoma • Sr • 6'2" / 241 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 37th POSITION RNK 4th I just think he would be perfect for their scheme. He has the tools to be a lot like Nik Bonitto. That would really amp up their defense. Round 1 - Pick 21 
Keylan Rutledge IOL Georgia Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 316 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 36th POSITION RNK 2nd I think Aaron Rodgers will play this year, so they can wait until next year to get a quarterback. Landing a guard to take over on the left side fits. Round 1 - Pick 22 
Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M • Sr • 6'3" / 253 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 5th Look at their edge players. There is some age there, so taking a young one to develop makes sense. Seeing Howell learn from Khalil Mack works. Round 1 - Pick 23 
Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State • Sr • 6'6" / 321 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 31st POSITION RNK 7th They have to get a replacement for Lane Johnson down the road. This kid is raw, might need to sit, but watching Johnson for a year will help him. From Jacksonville Jaguars Round 1 - Pick 24 
Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'3" / 259 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 30th POSITION RNK 4th The way this board played out, getting Mesidor to go with Myles Garrett would really help make for a dynamic pass rush. Mesidor can also rush inside. Round 1 - Pick 25 
Caleb Lomu OT Utah • Soph • 6'6" / 308 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 3rd They need a left tackle and Lomu might have the best athletic ability of any of them. He needs to add more bulk, which he can do. I like him more than Monroe Freeling, which is why he's the pick. Round 1 - Pick 26 
Malachi Lawrence LB UCF • Sr • 6'4" / 253 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 52nd POSITION RNK 5th They seem to be in constant pursuit of edge players, so this works. Lawrence has a lot of juice off the corner and would help aid their pass rush. Round 1 - Pick 27 
Zion Young EDGE Missouri • Sr • 6'6" / 262 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 99th POSITION RNK 13th The 49ers had pass-rush issues last season and Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are coming off torn ACLs. Young has some pop off the edge and the 49ers need it. Round 1 - Pick 28 
Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 326 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 32nd POSITION RNK 3rd This just works. McDonald is a hard charger who can help a position group that suffered some losses in free agency. It's the one area — linebacker maybe — on defense that needs some young blood. From Los Angeles Rams Round 1 - Pick 29 
Treydan Stukes CB Arizona • Sr • 6'1" / 190 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 35th POSITION RNK 6th I would love to see Steve Spagnuolo's plan for a player like Stukes. He can line up outside and has played safety and in the slot. He's a big-time player. From Denver Broncos Round 1 - Pick 30 
D'Angelo Ponds CB Indiana • Jr • 5'9" / 182 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 4th Ponds is smallish corner, but he plays big. I love his tenacity and Miami needs corner help. Ponds is also a South Florida kid. Round 1 - Pick 31 
Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon • Jr • 6'3" / 241 lbs Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 1st REC 51 REYDS 560 YDS/REC 11 TDS 8 I know this is lower than where he will go, but I don't love him as much as others. For the Patriots, it would mean adding a playmaker to Drake Maye's arsenal. Round 1 - Pick 32 
Jadarian Price RB Notre Dame • Jr • 5'11" / 203 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 62nd POSITION RNK 2nd RUYDS 674 YDS/ATT 6 REYDS 87 TDS 15 This is an OK spot to take a back who I think can be special. The Seahawks need one in the worst way and the run game keys their offense. Join the Conversation comments 
