NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Predictions

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As the NFL season winds down and teams set their sights on the upcoming draft, it's time for some pre-combine predictions. The NFL Combine is a crucial event where prospects showcase their skills, and it can significantly impact draft projections. However, even before the combine, there are plenty of clues to help us make educated guesses about who will go where.

Here's a mock draft based on current projections and team needs:

Round 1

1. Houston Texans - Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)
2. Indianapolis Colts - C.J. Stroud, QB (Ohio State)

3. Arizona Cardinals - Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)

4. Chicago Bears - Jalen Carter, DT (Georgia)

5. Denver Broncos - Peter Skoronoski, OT (Northwestern)

6. Detroit Lions - Cade Otton, TE (Washington)

7. Las Vegas Raiders - Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)

8. Washington Commanders - Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)

9. Carolina Panthers - Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson)

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints) - Domani Jackson, CB (Southern Cal)

11. Tennessee Titans - Kelvin Banks, OT (Texas)

12. Cleveland Browns - Henry To'oTo'o, LB (Tennessee)

13. New York Jets - Nolan Smith, LB (Georgia)

14. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaheim Oatis, DT (Alabama)

15. Los Angeles Rams - A&M Nick Singleton, RB (Penn State)

16. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) - Zach Charbonnet, RB (UCLA)

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Dane Key, WR (Kentucky)

18. New Orleans Saints (via Eagles) - Harold Perkins, LB (LSU)

19. Baltimore Ravens - Josh Downs, WR (North Carolina)

20. Minnesota Vikings - George Pettaway, RB (North Carolina)

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marvin Jones Jr., CB (Georgia)

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Okie Osai, OLB (Texas A&M)

23. New England Patriots - Jordan Battle, S (Alabama)

24. New York Giants - Trey Palmer, WR (Nebraska)

25. Dallas Cowboys - Makai Starks, CB (Georgia)

26. Buffalo Bills - Toriano Pride Jr., RB (Clemson)

27. Cincinnati Bengals - Sean FitzSimmons, CB (Pittsburgh)

28. Kansas City Chiefs - Julius Brents, CB (Kansas State)

29. Green Bay Packers - Justin Rogers, OT (Kentucky)

30. San Francisco 49ers - Cameron Young, OLB (Mississippi State)

31. Philadelphia Eagles - Wilson Isaac, LB (Georgia Tech)

These predictions are based on a combination of factors, including team needs, prospect rankings, and recent rumors. Of course, the NFL Draft is always unpredictable, and the combine could shake things up. But until then, these mock drafts provide a fun way to speculate on who will be the future stars of the NFL.

Let's talk about some specific players and teams:

Bryce Young to the Texans: This is a no-brainer. The Texans have the worst record in the NFL and desperately need a franchise quarterback. Young is considered the best quarterback in this year's draft, so it's a perfect fit.

C.J. Stroud to the Colts: The Colts have been searching for a franchise quarterback for years, and Stroud could be the answer. He's a polished passer with a strong arm and good decision-making.

Jalen Carter to the Bears: The Bears have a lot of holes on their defense, but Carter is a potential game-changer. He's a dominant interior lineman who can disrupt the opposing team's offense.

Cade Otton to the Lions: The Lions have a young and talented offense, but they need more weapons for Jared Goff. Otton is a big, athletic tight end who can make plays down the field.

Will Levis to the Raiders: The Raiders may be tempted to trade up for Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, but if they stay at No. 7, Levis could be a good fit. He's a big, strong quarterback with a lot of potential.

These are just a few predictions, and the NFL Draft is always full of surprises. But these mock drafts give us a good idea of who the top prospects are and which teams are most likely to land them.