Overview
- Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Thursday he expects “a lot of trades” in Round 1 because teams have similar grades on many prospects, with Kansas City holding picks No. 9 and No. 29 after dealing Trent McDuffie to the Rams.
- Top mock drafts from Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Dane Brugler continue to project Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 overall.
- Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is trending into top-10 territory, with some projections placing him as high as No. 5 despite teams typically drafting safeties later.
- Multiple experts forecast the Cowboys trading up to No. 6 for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles to address a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league last season.
- Team philosophies are shaping boards, with Baltimore leaning best player available and eyeing LSU corner Mansoor Delane, while Titans GM Mike Borgonzi says he will not pick a player without head coach Robert Saleh’s buy-in.