Regardless of the NFL playoffs, mock drafts are being simulated all across the football landscape. Athlon Sports draft guru Luke Easterling published a 32-team three-round mock draft and updated his positional rankings.
In his mock, Easterling has the Tennessee Titans drafting Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter number one. He then put Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter as the second selection going to the Cleveland Browns. Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is Easterling’s projected pick for the New York Giants at number three.
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan goes fourth to the New England Patriots in this model, followed by Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth slot.
Easterling bets on quarterback Shedeur Sanders going pick number six to the Las Vegas Raiders followed by Georgia linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker going seventh to the New York Jets.
He rounds out the top 10 of his first round with the Carolina Panthers going with Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Easterling then selects Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III for the New Orleans Saints followed by Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons going tenth to the Chicago Bears.
With Miami a few picks on deck, Easterling has LSU’s offensive tackle Will Campbell being selected by San Francisco at pick 11. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty then goes 12th to the Dallas Cowboys, leading Easterling to select Georgia safety Malaki Starks at 13 for the Dolphins.
Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks (24).
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While it’s hard to argue the pick in a sense of need, as well as the best player available, the Dolphins do require playmakers in the secondary. Having a mix of poor safety play in 2024, as well as those players being free agents, it’s conceivable the Dolphins could opt for several new names in the defensive backfield.
Starks is a do-it-all type of safety, and his versatility warrants the relatively high area in the draft for the position in general manager Chris Grier’s history. In this simulation, Easterling went with Starks over Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, and a few picks later, Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, Jr. was taken by the Seattle Seahawks.
Fast forwarding to Miami’s second pick, Easterling addressed the offensive line with West Virginia tackle Wyatt Milum. A four-year collegiate starter, Milum is an outstanding pass protector, not allowing a single sack or quarterback hit during the 2023 season. His best NFL position could be at guard, and Milum has stated he would play anywhere on the line.
Finishing his three-round mock, Easterling has Miami selecting Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III at pick 98. In a theme of players that can play in a variety of areas within their respective positions, Cross could play in various techniques across the defensive line. A bit under-sized at 6-foot-1, Cross makes up for it in his effort, good work with his hands, and great leverage with his experience as a wrestler.
