If you showed me a blank calendar and asked me what my favorite day of the year was going to be, it would be Christmas followed then by the NFL Draft. It is my favorite aspect of football. So, here is my final official mock draft with a day to go before the clock ticks for the Raiders. This is about 33% what I would do, 33% my favorite players, 34% what I have heard. *No trades because that is insane to predict, even if I think there will be loads*

1. Las Vegas raiders: Fernado Mendoza, QB, Indiana

There is no team happier heading into Thursday night. The Raiders get a legit franchise QB for the next ten years while also not having to worry about navigating the mess of this year’s draft. The best way to put it is if you asked the Jets or Cardinals if they would trade up for Mendoza, I don’t think there would be any hesitation.

2. New York Jets: David BaileY, Defensive End, Texas Tech

I am not the biggest David Bailey fan. On the stat sheet he pops but as an NFL prospect he does not move me enough to be worth the second overall pick. But, for a Jets staff and front office that needs a win, they might see Bailey as a safe play that can have some instance impact.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State

For having the third overall pick the Cardinals are in a horrible spot. If the Jets make the decision to take Bailey, the Cardinals get a much needed break because I do not know what else they would do. Reese projects as a hybrid in the NFL but at end or backer he has the tools to be a franchise player.

4. TENNESSEE Titans: Jeremiyah Love, Running bAck, Notre Dame

Love might be the best player in the draft and for the Titans taking a running back at four might be worth it in the long run. Ward looks to have the juice and he desperately needs help next year, wide receiver could do that but Love is a true blue chip player who can take a load off Ward.

5. New York giants: sonny styles, Line backer, ohio state

A rumor that was hot weeks ago has cold off heavily but I think for good reason. The Giants have been mocked everyone apart from Mendoza at pick five and it might just be a coverup to get Styles. Styles is a legit start in the middle of the field and just seems like a John Harbaugh guy.

6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

For the Browns they invested heavily across the offensive line this free agency but still have a hole at Left Tackle. Freeling is my favorite pure tackle in the draft and fits a massive need for Cleveland. It also allows them to go wide receiver later on in the draft while not worrying about a possible offensive lineman run later on.

7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, Wide RECEIVER, ohio state

The run of Buckeyes continues and Washington gets a wide receiver to complement Terry McClaurin. At the end of the day Washington has to help their franchise QB out more and Tate will do so, even if he isn’t my favorite WR in the draft. They could go defense but I am inclined to think the young QB gets prioritized.

8. New orleans saints: caleb downs, safety ohio state

This Ohio State team is pretty good. Although safety might not be their biggest concern, the talent of Downs might just be undeniable. If a Caleb Downs level player was at a position prioritized more by the NFL, he would be going first or second pick. Sadly he plays safety but fortunately for the Saints they get a steal.

9. Kansas city chiefs: Mansoor delane, corner back, LSU

The Chiefs find themselves in the top ten which is rare. They could trade up with the belief that they won’t be back here again but Delane might just fall to them and fill a massive hole in their secondary. He’s fluid, fast, and has unreal hips, put Delane on one side of the field and it will be shut down. A true CB1.

10. new york giants via Cin: jordan tyson, wide RECEIVER, arizona state

The smoke around Tyson to the Giants isn’t even smoke anymore, there is true fire there. Tyson is a beast plain and simple and I think the Giants would find themselves with the best young wide receiver duo in the league pairing him with Nabers. There would be nothing better for Dart and walking away with Styles x Tyson sounds unreal.

11. Miami dolphins: reuben bain jr, defensive end, miami

The Dolphins suck. They have more holes than Shia LeBeouf and any pick will work. Bain seems to be mocked in this area a lot and I’m not sure why. He is better than Bailey in my opinion so the Dolphins get a true steal here. On top of that Bain gets to stay in Miami and play in a stadium he competed for a National Championship.

12. dallas cowboys: makai lemon, wide receiver, usc

Fuck it, guard all three of these guys. If the board falls like this the Cowboys better get on the phones and trade out because I’m not sure someone fits what they need. Lemon would be the best player left on the board and this could also allow them to trade Pickens if they can’t find a resolution on his contract.

13. Los angeles rams via atl: Francis mauigoa, offensive t/G, miami

This is probably late for Mauigoa and in my podcast mock draft (point5talking on YouTube) I had him mocked all the way up at three to Arizona. The Rams could be a trade up team but in this instance I think Mauigoa could play guard this year then move to tackle down the line. Protect Stafford as much as possible.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega ioane, offensive guard, penn state

The Ravens lost Tyler Linderbaum this off-season and also moved on from the cone of a RG they had. They desperately need to rebuild the interior of their OL and Ioane, to me, is a plug and play guy. A massive, physical guard who should open lanes for Henry and Lamar while providing some stability to an OL who needs it.

15. Tampa bay buccaneers: Cashius howell, Defensive end, texas a&m

Howell to me is a gem in this class. The traits and upside he has is something I would bet on if I was a GM. The Bucs need edge help and they could go Messier here but the Bucs need juice to push them over the top and Howell with the right coaching and time could thrive in the NFL.

16. New York Jets Via Ind: Omar cooper jr, wide receiver, indiana

The Jets are severely untalented at WR behind Garret Wilson and Cooper gives them a legit WR2 who compliments Wilson. The Jets are setting themselves up for a future QB, having a young WR to grow with him will be perfect, especially considering how secure and polished Cooper is.

17. detroit lions: spencer fano, offensive lineman, utah

Fano feels like a Lion. Fano might not be available when the Lions pick tomorrow night but in this mock he is there. Fano has experience across the line an if the Lions are serious about moving Sewell to LT then Fano can stay at RT, but if they believe Fano can be their LT then both tackle spots will be solidified for years to come.

18. Minnesota vikings: dillon thieneman, safety, oregon

It is wild to think besides the number one pick no pick has been mocked as much as Thieneman to the Vikings. The need and fit makes total sense but the main question will be if he lasts to 18. Thieneman has flown up draft boards lately and it is for good reason. He is a do it all safety that seems like an ideal fit for the new scheme of NFL defenses were big nickels and multiple safeties has become crucial.

19. Carolina panthers: kenyon sadiq, Tight End, Oregon

Two Ducks go back to back. Similar to Thieneman, Sadiq has been mocked here a lot and for good reason. The Panthers are kinda stacked across the board, maybe not on high end talent but there are not many holes on the roster, if any. They need more pass catcher talent and Sadiq could put the offense overtop with his ability to stretch the field and catch everything.

20. Dallas cowboys via gb: CJ ALLen, linebacker, georgia

Allen has been the green dot for a Kirby Smart defense for years and the Cowboys have lacked that for years. Allen is a big, smart, strong, and seems to be forgotten in the draft order. This could easily be a pick where in four years we look back and “think how did he go this late?”

21. Pittsburgh steelers: blaker miller, offensive tackle, clemson

Miller is just really good at football. The Steelers, even if they do not get Rodgers back, have to find a way to keep whatever QB they have upright. Miller is big, strong, and just seems pro ready. The Steelers could go WR here but I don’t know if there’s value enough that will move them to go KC Concepcion here.

22. Los Angeles chargers: Keldric faulk, defensive end, auburn

The Chargers are in a weird spot here. They could go WR but it just does not seem like it makes sense for them with who is left on the board. The best players available come at positions where I would guess they feel comfortable. Faulk might not be my favorite prospect or the most loved but he fits the scheme. He can be the 4I for LAC and hopefully with time take his size and develop into a true edge for them.

23. PHILADELPHIA eagles: kadyn proctor, offensive lineman, alabama

Philly having a bad OL just doesn’t feel right. It drastically under performed last year due to injuries and Proctor gives them cover at two spots. The Eagles just love massive human beings on the OL and Proctor is that. I would start him at guard and hopefully move him to Left Tackle whenever Lane Johnson says goodbye.

24. cleveland browns via jax: denzel boston, wide receiver, washington

The Browns need to go OT and WR at 6 and 24, whatever order they feel best. In this I go WR at 24 where I feel Boston is great value. He is sizey, plays tough, and ultimately feels like he would add something different to a Browns WR room that does not have a prototypical X wide receiver.

25. chicago bears: akheem mesidor, defensive end, miami

If Mesidor wasn’t 24 going on 25 he would be drafted inside the top 15. Mesidor jumps off the screen to me, he wins quickly, dominates the run game, and has a plan each time the ball is snapped. The Bears should probably go DT here with Woods or McDonald but I don’t think either is worth the 25th pick with a DT draft that has value in Round 2.

26. buffalo bills: emmanuel mcneil-warren, safety, toledo

EMW seems to be getting lower and lower in mocks, something I don’t agree with. EMW plays exactly how you want the modern safety too. He can be high or low and eats up ground on tape. For the Bills who are moving towards a new defense, EMW would slot into a key spot that Leonhard seems to covet.

27. san FRANCISCO 49ers: emmanuel pregnon, offensive guard, oregon

With the Trent Williams extension now behind the 49ers their tackle situation seems more stable. Going with Pregnon here allows the 49ers to get a much needed stud into a room that struggled last year in both run and pass. Shanahan seems to like coaching with his hands tied behind his back and for a front office that has been brutal drafting as a late, Pregnon just screams “play him at guard and just forget about it.”

28. houston texans: max iheanachor, offensive tackle, arizona state

I still don’t know what the Texans are trying to do at OL but it is the one position group in the NFL you do not try and play “Moneybag” with. Iheanachor is a raw right tackle that just plays so quick for being a former soccer player. His feet glide on the field in pass pro and might just allow for C.J. Stroud to play calmer when he is forced to drop back with the game on the line.

29. Kansas city chiefs via lar: avieon terrell

Where Delane might be the CB1 on the outside, Terrell would be the actual Trent McDuffie replacement. Terrell is the modern nickel, shorter, plays aggressive, but ultimately makes plays that jump off the screen. For a Spags led defense that is going to blitz and play man, Terrell’s savviness can have him play against tight ends or slot receivers.

30. Miami Dolphins via den: kc concepcion, wide receiver, texas a&M

Getting Bain and Concepcion would be an awesome start to this rebuild. The reality is the Dolphins just need players, especially at WR. Talent wise Concepcion would be their most talented WR as soon as his name is said and would give Willis something to throw too. Maybe his size is similar to that of what the Dolphins have but his talent and scheme fit is undeniable.

31. new england patriots: caleb lomu, offensive lineman, utah

It still feels that the Patriots need some offensive lineman help. Regardless of how they feel about Campbell it would be deeply unserious to not add another tackle early on Thursday night. Defensive tackle could be enticing here but I will always believe in doing what is best for your young QB, even if he just made the Super Bowl.

32. Seattle seahawks: peter woods, defensive lineman, clemson

A disclaimer, for months I have said this pick will be traded with them only having four picks, the other day GM John Scheinder said this as well. So in this mock, Woods to me is simply just a best player available pick. Woods might not fit a need but the Seahawks might feel comfortable adding to their dominate defense and taking a DT that to me projects as project early on who could thrive in two or three years.