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TWENTYMAN'S MOCK DRAFT 3.0: Post-free agency predictions

The first wave of free agency is in the books and the Detroit Lions addressed some key needs. There is still work to do to fill out the roster. Both general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell said the team isn't done with free agency additions.

The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is fast approaching later this month, which will be another opportunity for the Lions to add instant contributors and depth to the roster.

Here's my third prediction with Mock Draft 3.0 coming out of the free agency. Feel free to disagree.

1. Las Vegas (3-14)

It seems destined for the Raiders to select a quarterback in the first round for the first time since 2007.

Pick: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion is the top quarterback in the class. He said at the Combine he'd love to go to Las Vegas and learn from the 'goat' Tom Brady. The Raiders were present at his Pro Day last week.

2. New York Jets (3-14)

I've gone back and forth between edge rushers Arvell Reese and David Bailey here but Reese's versatility playing on the line and off the ball seems to fit what Aaron Glenn likes on defense.

Pick: EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State. Reese had one of the most impressive workouts at this year's combine. His athletic traits are off the charts, and his on-field testing was terrific too. His blend of speed, explosion and physicality fits what Glenn wants on defense.

3. Arizona (3-14)

The big question in Arizona is who will play quarterback for the Cardinals in 2026. Jacoby Brissett is currently No. 1 on the depth chart. There isn't a clear QB option here at No. 3.

Pick: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami. Mauigoa has terrific size and strength with plenty of room to grow and develop as a plug and play right tackle which gives the Cardinals good depth after the Elijah Wilkinson signing in free agency.

4. Tennessee (3-14)

Last year's No. 1 pick - QB Cam Ward - needs help on offense. Tennessee made several defensive additions in free agency and adding the top offensive playmaker in the draft makes a lot of sense.

Pick: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame. There are some draft analysts who think Love is the best player in the draft. He could have an immediate impact as a weapon in both the run and pass games for the Titans as a Christian McCaffrey-type impact player.

5. New York Giants (4-13)

With a nice collection of young offensive skill players set to return and a solid defensive front, new head coach John Harbaugh sees an opportunity to add a playmaking defender in the back seven on defense.

Pick: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State. The former safety turned linebacker wowed at the Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds. He can fit gaps and run sideline-to-sideline as an instant playmaker stepping into the WILL linebacker role next to veteran MIKE linebacker Tremaine Edwards.

6. Cleveland (5-12)

Cleveland did work in free agency bolstering their offensive line. Continuing to cement their offensive front could still be an option here, but adding a receiver seems like a must for the Browns as they have two first-round picks (No. 6 & 24).

Pick: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State. His 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds was a little surprising at the Combine given his big-play ability in college (17.2 average yards per reception last year) but the tape doesn't lie, and Cleveland gets a solid No. 2 to pair with Jerry Jeudy.

7. Washington (5-12)

Washington must address a defense that was last in the league in total defense (384.3 ypg) and middle of the road in sacks (42).

Pick: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State. Downs has a terrific football IQ and great instincts. He can be a versatile and productive player in the back end of the Commanders' defense.

8. New Orleans (6-11)

The Saints need help along their defensive front, secondary and at wide receiver, so there are a number of different ways they could go. They are also in a prime spot to move back and add picks.

Pick: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech. Bailey can step in as a pure EDGE and make an instant impact as a versatile pass rusher. He tested well at the Combine with explosive traits that match his production of 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss for the Red Raiders this past season.

9. Kansas City (6-11)

A rare chance for the Chiefs picking in the top 10 to get a young playmaker on either side of the ball.

Pick: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami. Bain adds another disruptor up front in Kansas City alongside Chris Jones.

10. Cincinnati (6-11)

The Bengals must start finding some young, foundational players on defense after giving up the second most yards per game and the third most points per game last season.

Pick: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU. Delane is widely considered the top-ranked cornerback in the class and a player who could make an instant impact for a Bengals secondary that gave up the seventh most passing yards per game last year (233.8).

11. Miami (7-10)

New head coach Jeff Hafley could look for an impact defender, but the release of Tyreek Hill and the Jaylen Waddle trade open the door for a reset at wide receiver with one of the top pass catchers available in the draft still on the board.

Pick: WR Makai Lemon, USC. Lemon had 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season as an elite route runner who can immediately help new quarterback Malik Willis in his first full-time starting role in the NFL.

12. Dallas (7-9-1)

The Cowboys could use an infusion of young defensive talent along all three levels.

Pick: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee. McCoy sat out the 2025 season with a torn ACL but that happened last January so he should be ready to go this spring. His 2024 tape was elite and his Tennessee Pro Day last week showed off his speed and explosiveness. Huge upside here.

13. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Rob Havenstein's retirement opens the door for some competition at right tackle.

Pick: T Spencer Fano, Utah. Fano is an athletic people mover with quick feet and agility who has experience playing left and right tackle. He would be a long-term solution opposite emerging left tackle Alaric Jackson.

14. Baltimore (8-9)

This seems like a good spot for tight end Kenyon Sadiq to land with Isaiah Likely departing in free agency, but the opportunity to select an elite offensive lineman at No. 14 just makes too much sense for the Ravens.

Pick: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State. The interior of Baltimore's offensive line will look much different next season with center Tyler Linderbaum leaving in free agency. Ioane is a classic Ravens pick as a plug-and-play road grader at guard with nimble feet.

15. Tampa Bay (8-9)

The Bucs added several players on defense in free agency and could use some help on offense, especially after the loss of Mike Evans to San Francisco in free agency.

Pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon. An edge rusher also makes sense, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sadiq is the best player on Tampa Bay's board. Now quarterback Baker Mayfield has two nice tight end options in Cade Otton and Sadiq.

16. New York Jets (3-14)

After securing one of the best defensive players in the draft at No. 2, the Jets now look to their offense.

Pick: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State. Tyson is solidly built with a good frame and would bring some toughness over the middle for the Jets' offense with the ability to play multiple receiver spots.

View photos of 2026 NFL Draft tackle prospect Monroe Freeling.

17. Detroit (9-8)

The Lions added a starting center in free agency in Cade Mays and a veteran tackle in Larry Borom, who the Lions believe can compete for a starting spot at right tackle if they end up moving All-Pro Penei Sewell to left tackle. Head coach Dan Campbell loves competition and adding a young tackle to compete with Borom and potentially be the right tackle of the future makes a lot of sense if he's best available at No. 17.

Detroit could also look to select a young pass rusher to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson and add some depth after the addition of veteran DJ Wonnum in free agency. Detroit still needs to add numbers on the edge.

Pick: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia. The Lions love athletic traits in players and Freeling has a 9.99 out of a possible 10.0 RAS (relative athletic score), which ranks No. 2 out of 1,519 offensive tackles dating back to 1987. He's got great size (6-7, 315) to go along with those athletic traits with plenty of room to grow and learn from two veteran tackles after just 16 starts in college. He'd give Detroit arguably two of the most athletic bookend tackles in the league.

Also considered: EDGE Akheem Mesidor (Miami), T Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), T Caleb Lomu (Utah), S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo), EDGE T.J. Parker (Clemson), EDGE Zion Young (Missouri), T Blake Miller (Clemson), EDGE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M).

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