Curtis Murayama, a veteran sports editor, presents his latest NFL mock draft, outlining the first round predictions. The draft includes player details such as height, weight, and other measurables.
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Star-Advertiser sports editor Curtis Murayama has been doing NFL mock drafts since the 1970s.
Barring any trades — although there probably will be some — this is how he sees today’s first round:
(Each prospect is listed with height, weight, 40 time and other measurables, such as “A” for arm length, “H” for hand size, “BP” for bench press, “VJ” for vertical jump.)
Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana, 6-5, 238, H: 91⁄2”
Time for a culture change, Raider Nation. Your new leader is a squeaky-clean Heisman Trophy winner who enjoys dissecting defenses, emphasizing positivitiy and crediting everyone else. He’s a winner with a winning personality who makes winning plays. As a QB, he’s tall and possesses a strong and accurate arm while having sneaky mobility.
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State, 6-4, 241, A: 321⁄2, 4.46
The Jets were busy during free agency, restocking a new 3-4 defense with four new D-lineman, a linebacker and four DBs. Reese could eventually become the ring-leader of the entire defense. He is an elite athlete who plays downhill and has the versatility to rush or cover. Just cut him loose.
David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech, 6-4, 251, A: 333⁄4, 4.5, VJ: 35”
Could this spot be a trade target for a team salivating over running back Jeremiyah Love? The Cardinals would love Love, but they already have recovering James Conner and free agent signee Tyler Allgeier. But picking the draft’s best pass rusher should help a team that ranked 30th in sacks.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame, 6-0, 212, 4.36
It’s not easy for defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh to pass on defensive studs. But OC and former Giants HC Brian Daboll will get his Saquon Barkley and second-year QB Cam Ward will get some help.
Murayama predicts the first round selections, including positions like QB, DI, CB, and G, with specific player details.
Fernando Mendoza is a QB from Indiana, listed at 6-5 and 238 pounds, with a hand size of 91⁄2 inches.
Curtis Murayama has been conducting NFL mock drafts since the 1970s.
Potential trades and team needs are significant factors that could influence the predictions in the mock draft.
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Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State, 6-5, 244, 4.46, VJ: 43.5”
The Giants could trade up, let’s say with the Cardinals, and steal Love and frustrate their former coach Daboll. A WR to complement often-dinged-up Malik Nabers — concussion in 2024, knee injuries in 2025 — also could be tempting. But getting a defensive ringleader and play-maker would be hard for coach John Harbaugh to pass up. Styles is a former safety and a thumper who can own the middle of field.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah, 6-51⁄2, 311, 4.91, VJ: 32”
The Browns could influence the course of this draft with this pick. They’ll choose either an OT or a WR. Their O-line is entirely new, with last year’s solid five now free agents. They could also use a WR opposite Jerry Jeudy. Since the draft is deeper at WR, the Browns go OT and take Fano. a technician with mobility and versatility to play along the entire O-line.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami, 6-2, 263, A: 307⁄8”
Short arms be damned. According to Pro Football Focus, Kyle Van Noy is the only player with sub-31-inch arms to have moderate success as a rush end. Bain, however, is a bulldozer with D-tackle build. He plays with violence.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU, 6-0, 187, 4.38
How about a wideout like Carnell Tate from what’s become Wide Receiver University to pair with another Ohio State alum in Chris Olave? Or how about another Marshon Lattimore, a former Saints star corner? Delane has shutdown ability. Either way, looks like a can’t-lose prospect whichever way Saints decide to go.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami, 6-51⁄2, 329, 5.10, VJ: 29”
WR Carnell Tate is awfully enticing, but it’s probably best to protect Patrick Mahomes, or Justin Fields if Mahomes isn’t fully healthy. Mauigoa plays mainly right tackle but has the traits to play guard, displaying quick feet and agility.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State, 6-0, 206, 4.36
Downs is an enforcer, forcing fumbles and incompletions with big hits. His Ohio State DC Matt Patricia called him the “smartest” player in the draft and said that Downs is “a guy with the skill set that can play in the box, has great run instincts, can blitz, can cover, can play man-to-man, played in the deep part of the field.” Looks like a can’t-miss prospect.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State, 6-2, 192, H: 10 1⁄4”, 4.53
No Tyreek Hill, no Jaylen Waddle, no Tua Tagovailoa. De’Von Achane possibly holding out. The Dolphins’ offensive arsenal is nearly empty. They get to choose their weapon from the deep WR pool. Tate is polished and reliable. While he ran 4.53, it’s been pointed out that some of the best WRs had 40 times in the 4.5 range — like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (4.52), Amon-Ra St. Brown (4.51), CeeDee Lamb (4.51) and oh, Jerry Rice (4.55).
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee, 6-1, 188, 4.38, 14 BP, VJ: 38”
If not for an ACL injury in January 2025, this Texas native might have been regarded as CB1. McCoy provides tight, sticky man coverage and has good ball skills. His Pro Day might have alleviated his injury concerns. PFF gave him a 90.3 coverage grade in 2024.
Makai Lemon, WR, Southern California, 5-11, 192, 4.46, H: 83⁄4”
With Puka Nacua rehabbing and Davante Adams aging (34 in December), Lemon fits like a glove — a small glove since his hands are among the smallest of all the WRs in this class. Still, his hands seem like suction cups and he always gets open and makes big plays — much like another USC alum, Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State, 6-4, 320, VJ: 31.5”
The Ravens will consider themselves fortunate if Ioane falls to them. He fits their needs and everything they’re about. He’s tough, nasty, strong at the point with a solid wide base. He looks to have a long future as a starter in the NFL.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo, 6-31⁄2, 201, 4.52, VJ: 36.5”
TE Kenyon Sadiq would be an enticing target for Baker Mayfield. But the Bucs just re-signed TE Cade Otton, giving him $20 million guaranteed over a three-year deal. The Bucs offense is fine. They just need to protect the back end on defense. McNeil-Warren is a ball-hawking deep safety with range who can dislodge the ball with his Peanut punch.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State, 6-2, 203, BP: 26
Tyson can look like Justn Jefferson on one play but end up in the blue tent on the next. He has missed a third of his college games, with injuries such as torn ACL, MCL, PCL in 2022, a fractured collarbone in 2024 and a hamstring strain in 2025. Oh, but when he’s healthy he looks like the best WR in the class with star potential and stunning strength. He put up 26 reps on the bench, just one short of DK Metcalf’s all-time record for a WR.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama, 6-7, 352, 5.21, BP: 25, VJ: 32.5”
A few years ago, the Lions boasted one of the best O-lines, but now starters LT Taylor Decker, RG Graham Glasgow and C Frank Ragnow are all gone. Proctor can play guard or tackle and is a massive mauler. His weight might be a concern since he once was 390.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon, 6-0, 201, 4.35, BP: 18, VJ: 41”
Thieneman is being viewed as the team’s next Harrison Smith. He surprised folks at the combine by displaying elite athleticism. Playing at Purdue and Oregon helped showcase his versatiliy and ability. He played more like a in-box safe at Oregon but still was able to make big-time interceptions, ending games against Penn State and Washington.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon, 6-3, 241, 4.39, BP: 26, VJ: 43.5”
Doesn’t fill a desperate need but adds more juice to an offense that features rookie of the year WR Tetairoa McMillan, reliable WR Jalen Coker and improving QB Bryce Young. Sadiq does drop a few but is super athletic and can threaten teams on quick screens or down the seam and in the open field. He’s rocked up and is a willing blocker.
Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn, 6-6, 276, 4.67, BP: 17, VJ: 35”
The Cowboys fortified their D-line with trades by acquiring Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. Faulk, still only 20, is a scheme fit in Dallas’ new 3-4 defensive base because of his ability to play multiple spots along the front. He has long arms to ward off OTs and strong hands that can push back blockers while also creating space to penetrate.
Monroe Freeling, OT, 6-7, 315, 4.93, VJ: 33.5”
I don’t view QB Ty Simpson as a worthwhile pick here, despite how desperate the Steelers are to land a QB. So it’ll be either OT or WR. KC Concepcion would fit nicely as a slot while bringing a different dimension to the tandem of newly acquired Michael Pittman and DK Metcalf. But Freeling is a freakish tackle, scoring a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00. He would provide more value than a WR with drop issues.
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami, 6-3, 259, DNP in 40 at Pro Day
Veteran Khalil Mack, 35, is back on a one-year contract, so his eventual replacement needs to be found among this year’s deep group of edge rushers. Mesidor, 25, is a physical bull rusher with some bend.
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St., 6-6, 330, 4.91, BP: 25, VJ: 30.5”
A typical GM Howie Roseman genius move, getting an ascending player a year ahead of time so he can learn behind one of the best in Lane Johnson. The Nigerian-born athlete picked up the game after high school after previously concentrating on basketball and soccer. In a few years, he could prove to be a typical Roseman steal.
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana, 6-0, 199, 4.42, VJ: 37”
If the Browns take a WR with their first pick, then they’ll take an O-lineman here. But in this scenario, with a deep pool of WRs, the Browns will have choices galore to help their current QB or future QB from the 2027 draft. Cooper runs good routes, has solid hands, breaks tackles and can go deep, much like Carnell Tate.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State, 6-2, 326
Either a DE or a DT will be the target here, with McDonald, who was one of the team’s 30 visits, being the likely choice. He doesn’t just hold the point like most inside DTs, but he can shed, pursue and make plays down the line.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M, 6-0, 196
Concepcion can rack up the RAC but also can accumulate drops (seven in each of the past two seasons). But he’ll bring added juice to Josh Allen’s offense with the ability to take it to the house at any moment, even as a punt returner.
Malachi Lawrence, DE, 6-4, 253, 4.52, VJ: 40”
Depending on how the draft unfolds, the Niners could go WR, DE, OG or safety. Their main WR or safety targets are gone in this mock. A guard such as Chase Bisontis or Emmanuel Pregnon could fit. But the Niners need to improve their pass rush, which was last in the NFL in sacks (20). Lawrence could be a pass-rush specialist filling the role of retired Bryce Huff while holding down the edge until starters Nick Bosa and Mykell Williams are at full strength.
Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M, 6-5, 315, 5.02, BP: 29 reps, VP: 32”
Their O-line reconstruction has already begun, with the re-signing of two and the free agency signing of three. It’s no longer a major need, unless there is a guy who is too good to pass up and too good to keep out of the startng lineup. Bisontis is that guy. He’s a people mover who will bowl over people. He gets the O-line nod over versatile Blake Miller.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson, 5-11, 186, 4.64, BP: 17, VJ: 34”
Terrell has been recovering from a hamstring injury, probably explaining his recent slow 40 time. Still, he is considered a skillful, top-tier prospect with 25 pass breakups and eight forced fumbles in college.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee, 6-0, 193, 4.44, VJ: 40.5”
The cupboard isn’t just bare on offense, it’s empty at cornerback, where basically placeholders are there now. Hood is a sticky defender who also plays well in zone. He had 10 pass breakups last season.
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida, 6-6, 327, 5.04, VJ: 32”
His measurables and 2024 stats say he should go higher. But he broke his left foot and played only three games this past season. Then he re-broke the foot before the combine. Banks said he thought it was a muscle injury and still ran a 40 and then felt it worsen.
Chris Johnson, CB, S. Diego St., 6-0, 193, 4.4, BP: 17 BP, VJ: 38”
The Seahawks lost two corners and an RB who was the Super Bowl MVP. Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price might be a slight reach but might make sense. But so does replacing the vacancy at CB, especially since it was coach Mike Macdonald’s defense that dominated the game. Johnson’s biggest knock might be that he didn’t play for a Power 4 school. Still, he has the skillset to be a Day 1 starter. His size gives him an edge over uber-athletic and competitive D’Angelo Ponds.