"Every year when I build a mock draft, I try to strip away the noise. Fan bias, team needs shouted into existence, consensus boards that start to feel more like group thinking rather than evaluation. My first-round mock draft isn't about playing it safe, it's about how I believe the NFL actually thinks when the clock is on. And the truth is: upside wins. I finished my first-round mock draft and I already know it won't be for everyone. Traits > consensusUpside > comfort"
"Whether fans like it or not, quarterbacks dictate the top of the draft. Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore will go one and two. Are they finished products? I don't think so, but teams drafting at the top aren't looking for "steady." They are looking for hope. Mendoza has the arm talent and creativity teams convince themselves they can mold into a franchise player. Moore fits the same profile, high ceiling, traits you can't coach, and enough flashes to sell ownership on this pick."
"What stands out to me on this board is how early the offensive skill players came off. Jeremiyah Love at No.3 will surprise some people, but it shouldn't. Running backs who can create explosive plays, stay on the field every down, and stress defenses horizontally are becoming harder to find. Wide receivers like Jordan Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon coming off the board early show where the league is."
Quarterbacks control the top picks as teams chase upside and moldable traits rather than finished polish, targeting high-ceiling players like Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore. Offensive skill players are coming off the board early, with value placed on explosiveness, separation, versatility, and the ability to turn short completions into big gains. Running backs who can produce every-down explosiveness and receivers who separate quickly are increasingly prized over pure size. Defense remains important but is selected more selectively in key spots. Overall draft approach emphasizes traits and upside teams believe they can develop.
Read at Inside The Star
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