Kipers new one. I like Downs. But I've heard in two different draft shows I've watched over recent weeks that they are hearing that Downs might drop out of the top 10 and they don't expect him going super early when talking to scouts or something like that. But he's a loved player with the draft media. I like him a lot, too. If I had to pick the player they take now at 7, am guessing its Downs, if I had to go with another it would be Tate. That is, not what I would do but what I think they do. And I'd love for the Giants to take Downs instead of Styles but I suspect in real life it doesn't happen.
Team needs have shifted in free agency, so how will top prospects come off the board in Round 1? Mel Kiper Jr. projects the NFL draft's first 32 picks.
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David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
In my
January mock draft, I had Ohio State linebacker
Arvell Reese here. In
February, I went with Ohio State safety
Caleb Downs. Now, it's Bailey. These are all good options for a defense that could use a lot of help, but the Jets
really need an instant impact edge rusher. They were 31st in sacks last season (26) and
traded Jermaine Johnson, further thinning out the unit. They have to find foundational players off the edge. And Bailey is explosive and productive, posting 14.5 sacks (tied for first in the FBS), 71 pressures (second) and a 20.2% pressure rate (first) last season.
Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
The Cardinals weren't much better than the Jets in the sack department, tying for 28th with 30.
Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB. Of course, Reese also played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and though he said
during the combine that he would be an NFL edge rusher, that sort of versatility is a big plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Here is where things get interesting. We haven't seen a running back go in the top four since
Saquon Barkley (No. 2 in 2018), and the Titans certainly have a long list of issues -- even after aggressively spending in free agency last week. But Tennessee is committed to boosting the offense around second-year quarterback
Cam Ward, and Love would take the run game to another level while also serving as a dynamic pass catcher. His game features 4.36 speed, excellent vision, run-you-over power and soft hands.
Love would be an immediate upgrade over
Tony Pollard for new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Giants have some options at safety -- including newly signed
Jason Pinnock and
Ar'Darius Washington -- but Downs is on another level. He's a complete football player, and New York should have no hesitation in taking him here (highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Berry in 2010). Putting him alongside
Jevon Holland on the back end would help not only in creating turnovers (the Giants had 15 last season, 25th in the league) but also shoring up a very bad run defense.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns are hitting the reset button on their offensive line. First, they
traded for
Tytus Howard. Then they
signed Zion Johnson and
Elgton Jenkins, and re-signed
Teven Jenkins on the interior. Toss in getting
Dawand Jones back from a
season-ending knee injury, and this is a completely different unit from what we saw late in 2025. Freeling could be the final piece of the puzzle. His decision to declare for this class was originally a little bit of a surprise, considering he had 18 college starts. But I see franchise left tackle traits; he's quick and alert in pass pro, using his long 34¾-inch arms to his advantage.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Commanders couldn't stop anyone last season, and linebacker
Bobby Wagner appears to be headed elsewhere as a free agent. Bringing in Styles -- my No. 6 prospect regardless of position -- to team up with
Frankie Luvu and new
addition Leo Chenal makes some sense. After a 77-tackle season, Styles posted an incredible 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine, a glimpse into his explosion. Washington needs good ball players, and Styles is just that.
I could also see Washington going with a receiver here, perhaps
Carnell Tate, Styles' teammate at Ohio State. The Commanders' offense is looking for more juice opposite top wideout
Terry McLaurin.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints' main
signings have come on offense -- guard
David Edwards and running back
Travis Etienne Jr. -- and that's also where I'd expect them to look during the draft. They need to surround second-year quarterback
Tyler Shough with as much talent as possible, and the No. 2 wide receiver on the roster is
Devaughn Vele (25 receptions last season). Tate brings a well-rounded scouting report, with solid route running and the ability to come down with tough catches thanks to his hands and body control. He'd be great opposite
Chris Olave -- yet another excellent receiver to come out of Ohio State in recent years.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
After
trading Trent McDuffie and losing
Jaylen Watson in free agency, cornerback need some repairs. LSU's
Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's
Jermod McCoy have to be considerations here. But remember, the Chiefs now have two first-round picks. And Bain would be very tough to pass up at this spot. Despite 30⅞-inch arms that
caused quite the stir at the combine, Bain is dominant off the edge. He simply finds ways to get to the QB, whether it's with his speed, power or savviness. He had 71 pressures last season en route to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
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