
McDaniels jab: Nuggets are 'all bad defenders'
Jaden McDaniels criticizes Nuggets' defense after playoff win.
In a new mock draft, the Giants are projected to select a replacement for Dexter Lawrence, while the Cowboys are expected to bolster their defense. This mock focuses on strategic team needs rather than conventional predictions.

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 Draft
Round 1
| Round 1 - Pick 1 team logo team logo player headshot Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana • Jr • 6'5" / 236 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 2 team logo team logo player headshot David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 250 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 3 team logo team logo player headshot Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs |
The mock draft suggests the Giants will select a player specifically chosen to fill the role left by Dexter Lawrence.
The Cowboys are projected to add a key defensive player to strengthen their lineup in the upcoming draft.
'Who-they-should-take' mocks focus on team needs and evaluations, while predictive mocks speculate on what will actually happen.
These mocks allow fans to engage in the fun of playing general manager and making strategic decisions for their teams.

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| Round 1 - Pick 4 team logo team logo player headshot Sonny Styles LB Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 243 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 5 team logo team logo player headshot Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 214 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 6 team logo team logo player headshot Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 352 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 7 team logo team logo player headshot Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State • Jr • 6'2" / 203 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 8 team logo team logo player headshot Carnell Tate WR Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 9 team logo team logo player headshot Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'2" / 263 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Cincinnati Bengals Round 1 - Pick 10 team logo team logo player headshot Peter Woods DL Clemson • Jr • 6'3" / 298 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 11 team logo team logo player headshot Spencer Fano OT Utah • Jr • 6'6" / 311 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 12 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Downs S Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Atlanta Falcons Round 1 - Pick 13 team logo team logo player headshot Makai Lemon WR USC • Jr • 5'11" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 14 team logo team logo player headshot Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 15 team logo team logo player headshot Mansoor Delane CB LSU • Sr • 6'0" / 187 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Indianapolis Colts Round 1 - Pick 16 team logo team logo player headshot Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana • Jr • 6'0" / 199 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 17 team logo team logo player headshot Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'6" / 329 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 18 team logo team logo player headshot Dillon Thieneman S Oregon • Soph • 6'0" / 201 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 19 team logo team logo player headshot KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M • Jr • 6'0" / 196 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Green Bay Packers Round 1 - Pick 20 team logo team logo player headshot R Mason Thomas DL Oklahoma • Sr • 6'2" / 241 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 21 team logo team logo player headshot Keylan Rutledge IOL Georgia Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 316 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 22 team logo team logo player headshot Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M • Sr • 6'3" / 253 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 23 team logo team logo player headshot Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State • Sr • 6'6" / 321 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Jacksonville Jaguars Round 1 - Pick 24 team logo team logo player headshot Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'3" / 259 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 25 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Lomu OT Utah • Soph • 6'6" / 308 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 26 team logo team logo player headshot Malachi Lawrence LB UCF • Sr • 6'4" / 253 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 27 team logo team logo player headshot Zion Young EDGE Missouri • Sr • 6'6" / 262 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 28 team logo team logo player headshot Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 326 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Los Angeles Rams Round 1 - Pick 29 team logo team logo player headshot Treydan Stukes CB Arizona • Sr • 6'1" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Denver Broncos Round 1 - Pick 30 team logo team logo player headshot D'Angelo Ponds CB Indiana • Jr • 5'9" / 182 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 31 team logo team logo player headshot Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon • Jr • 6'3" / 241 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 32 team logo team logo player headshot Jadarian Price RB Notre Dame • Jr • 5'11" / 203 lbs | --- | --- | --- |