Putting together NFL mock drafts is fairly linear. Teams have needs and slots to fill with players available in those areas.
What’s better — and perhaps more challenging — is finding the right fit no matter the slot or round. In this exercise, NFL Draft senior writer Nick Baumgardner and college football writer Scott Dochterman try to marry a prospect’s fit with team needs and styles of play. Although the majority of players are likely first-round selections, a few won’t be. Sometimes, the best draft picks come on Days 2 or 3.
Here’s a look at a few pairings we’d love to see:
Quarterback
N.Y. Jets: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Nobody said these selections have to involve first-rounders — or even fourth-rounders. Such is the case with, well, making the case for Pavia, who isn’t going to be for everyone (or even most teams).
For the Jets? Sure, maybe Pavia is rambunctious and immature and stands 5 feet 10 inches tall with the shortest arms of any quarterback at this year’s combine. For every reason he doesn’t make sense, though, you can’t deny how he impacts his teammates and the players around him. He was the SEC’s player of the year and Heisman Trophy runner-up, while guiding Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, passing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushing for 862 yards and 10 scores.
So, why should the Jets take a chance on Pavia? Well, it’s the Jets. Seemingly every quarterback the Jets draft early flops (as Zach Wilson did) or flounders until they wipe away the stench (as Sam Darnold did). Pavia is a low-risk, high-reward possibility — nobody should be naive about his antics or competitive nature.
He’s far from a prototype, but maybe the Jets just need a baller. If he performs well, he instantly becomes a fan favorite. If he doesn’t, cut him and move on. — Scott Dochterman
Running back
Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s other outstanding running back, Price, had no problem shining through Jeremiyah Love’s enormous shadow. Despite being a clear No. 2 RB in college (to arguably the best player in this draft), Price has the goods to grow into a lead NFL back — possibly sooner than later.
Price’s first step and ability to sink before exploding into a cut make him a terror in the box and off the edge. He’s an explosive kick returner who isn’t afraid to run people over. With the loss of Kenneth Walker III, and with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from winter ACL surgery, Seattle is in the market for a difference-making back. (Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne, Washington’s Jonah Coleman or Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. are other names to watch.)
Price is the best of the bunch behind Love, and he should be ready to compete for starting carries quickly. Price absolutely could be available for Seattle at No. 62 and could even be worth a slight trade-up, if need be. — Nick Baumgardner
Omar Cooper Jr. was one of the heroes of Indiana’s magical championship run. (Gregory Fisher / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wide receiver
Philadelphia Eagles: Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The constant drama swirling about A.J. Brown’s situation leads one to believe he’s not long for Philadelphia. Whenever he leaves, the Eagles will need a high-level replacement to play alongside DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. Cooper fits everything Philly desires — and needs — at receiver.
Cooper (6 feet, 196 pounds) is compact and one of the draft’s top route runners. He also might be this class’ best pure slot receiver (he played 83.3 percent of his snaps last season in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus).
Cooper isn’t as physical as Brown, but he’s a tough dude, which will endear him to Eagles fans. I’m sure plenty of them will remember Cooper’s incredible game-winning catch against Penn State. — Dochterman
Tight end
Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
No one is trying to force Travis Kelce into retirement (and his future life as a concert roadie), but let’s consider two things: one, he can’t play forever; two, even the short-term potential of a Patrick Mahomes-led offense featuring Kelce, Sadiq, Walker and Xavier Worthy is something I’d buy a ticket to see.
Sadiq’s long-term potential as Kelce’s successor and Mahomes’ new best friend is obvious. He is an extremely special athlete and the prototype for a modern tight end prospect — he can play inline and hold his own against tackles and edges; he’s an excellent space blocker who can deliver a blow on the move; he’s big enough to body small defensive backs and fast enough to run around many of them. The number of NFL linebackers who’ll be able to run with a fully operational Sadiq will be counted on one, maybe two, hands. — Baumgardner
Offensive tackle
Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The Lions need a future tackle, but they’re in a pretty unique spot. After letting Taylor Decker walk in free agency, they signed swing tackle Larry Borom (11 starts at right tackle for Miami last season). Detroit hasn’t committed to starting Borom in 2026, but it hasn’t ruled that out, either. Detroit also has the luxury of playing superstar OT Penei Sewell on the right or left side of the line.
Freeling has the tackle class’ best blend of size and athleticism — purely as an athlete, the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder moves like Eagles legend Lane Johnson. As a football player, however, Freeling still has plenty of work ahead of him. He’s young and struggled with technical consistency in 2025, his lone year as a full-time starter.
The Lions have a huge need, and Freeling’s long-term potential is outstanding. Detroit also would have the ability to ease Freeling into an already talented offensive outfit. — Baumgardner
Interior offensive line
Los Angeles Rams: Logan Jones, Iowa
Jones (6-3, 299) has the measurables that will give some teams pause, especially those who prefer mass and power at the point of attack. Plus, as a pure center, Jones has limited position flexibility. But what he does well, he does at a high level.
As a four-year starter at Iowa, Jones followed his predecessor, Tyler Linderbaum, in moving from defensive line and built a similarly sterling career as a first-team All-American. Jones, however, is faster than Linderbaum — his 4.90-second 40-yard dash was the seventh fastest ever recorded by a center at the combine, just behind Jason Kelce. Jones also holds Iowa’s squat record (705 pounds), and his 470-pound hang clean ranks second only to Tristan Wirfs’ 500-pound explosion.
That quickness and explosiveness come out on video in Iowa’s zone scheme, which is identical to the Rams’ style of play. Jones is cerebral and technically sound enough to start on day one for a Sean McVay-Kyle Shanahan style of play, without needing to put on more weight. — Dochterman
Edge
Detroit Lions: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
The Lions’ injuries up front and lack of a pass rush, save for Aidan Hutchinson (and new Tampa Bay edge Al-Quadin Muhammad), were key reasons why they missed on the postseason. Along with health, Detroit needs a consistent edge opposite of Hutchinson. Howell could provide that, and more.
While Hutchinson is in the mold of J.J. Watt and Howie Long, Howell (6-2 1/2, 253) is sleek but has incredible quickness. He tied Arvell Reese for the second-fastest 10-yard split (1.58 seconds) at the combine among front-seven defenders, and that burst showed frequently last season as he helped lead the Aggies to the College Football Playoff. Howell was the SEC’s defensive player of the year, with 11 sacks and six pass breakups.
As a different style of pass rusher capable of lining up on either side, Howell could give Detroit options — and opponents headaches. Now, whether Howell slides to the second round (if the Lions select Freeling in Round 1, as we suggest here) remains another question. — Dochterman
Defensive line
Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
McDonald reminds me quite a bit of his former Buckeyes teammate (and current Detroit Lion) Tyleik Williams. He’s a versatile 6-foot-3, 330-pound run stuffer, with an ability to chase and find the ball outside his square. McDonald has better long-term pass-rush potential than Williams and could be a legitimate three-down three-tech, because of his ability to slide over to nose when the moment requires.
The biggest drawback with McDonald right now is his youth. He only had one season as a starter in college and hasn’t quite put it all together just yet, pass-rush-wise. Bottom line, though, is that McDonald is a disruptive presence capable of pushing the pocket. He would offer immediate help to a so-so defensive interior.
A long-term duo of McDonald and Gervon Dexter Sr. in the Windy City sounds like a successful one. — Baumgardner
Linebacker
Buffalo Bills: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
The Bills seemingly need help at off-ball linebacker every year — they’ve been trotting out Matt Milano to make every tackle. As they make a switch to a 3-4, the Bills must prioritize that position, and Rodriguez is among the “safest” picks in the draft.
He was a tackling machine for the Red Raiders, who won the Big 12 championship and earned a College Football Playoff spot, finishing with 128 tackles (11 for loss) and forcing seven fumbles to go with four interceptions. You can nitpick his measureables and combine times, but you’ll immediately get a solid starter and a team captain. Buffalo needs that now as it transitions into a new era on defense. — Dochterman
Cornerback
Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, LSU
The best man-to-man coverage defender in the 2026 NFL Draft, Delane was a true diamond in LSU’s rough last season. A controlled, explosive athlete who is hard to stack and harder to fool, Delane broke up seven passes and forced 11 more incompletions last season to emerge as the SEC’s most productive on-ball corner. He committed zero penalties; he gave up zero touchdowns.
Jermod McCoy is bigger, and Avieon Terrell’s a smoother athlete, but Delane is the most consistent corner in this class. He already plays with an NFL starter’s mindset and will be ready to roll on day one.
Does he make it to No. 12? We’ll see. For Dallas, though, this could be the case of best player available meeting an immediate need. — Baumgardner
Safety
Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The Vikings are staring at replacing future Ring of Honor member Harrison Smith at safety, and Thieneman can immediately fill that role. Smith was a little bigger, but Thieneman is as athletic as anyone at that position, save for Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. At the combine, he cruised to a 4.35 40 time and posted a 41-inch vertical. He also was one of the few defensive backs to hit the bench — he put up 225 pounds 18 times.
But Thieneman is more than a workout warrior. He was a freshman All-American at Purdue in 2023, with six interceptions and 106 tackles. After a coaching change following the 2024 season, Thieneman moved to Oregon, and he finished last year second on the team in tackles (96) and added two interceptions. He can fill multiple roles in the secondary, which is just what the Vikings desire under Brian Flores. — Dochterman
