This is the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s final mock draft prior to the NFL draft, Thursday-Saturday in Pittsburgh.
But this mock draft comes with a twist.
The Sun Sentinel’s Miami Dolphins writers — Chris Perkins and David Furones — took turns making the selections with Perkins making the odd-number picks and Furones making the even-number picks. Each writer got to make a Dolphins first-round selection.
By the way, there’s only one trade in this first round.
As a reminder, the Dolphins have 11 picks in the draft, including two in the first round, Nos. 11 and 30.
The Sun Sentinel has done four previous mock drafts. The first was by Perkins, the second by Furones, the third by Perkins and the fourth by Furones.
Here’s a look at how the first round could go:
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
There’s no deviation from what we figured would happen all along. — Chris Perkins
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
It’s between him and David Bailey, and the cancellation of a pre-draft visit with Bailey has me thinking Reese. — David Furones
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Many think Miami OT Francis Mauigoa is the selection here. — CP
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Give Cam Ward a running game and let him and Love flourish for years together. — DF
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is regarded as both a quarterback of the defense and a Swiss Army knife. — CP
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Browns stay in the state to take the first wideout off the board. — CP
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge rusher, Miami
He’s a relentless, high-motor pass-rushing machine. — CP
8. Dallas (mock trade with New Orleans): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Cowboys move up four spots from 12 to get a leader of the defense they need. They also give up 20 while getting the Saints’ second-rounder, No. 42 overall, plus a later New Orleans pick to even it out. — DF
9. Kansas City: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
This is a surprise if Mauigoa is available, but sometimes there are surprises. — CP
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
A possible Dolphins target comes off the board right before Miami’s pick as Cincy could use help all over the defense. — DF
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11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Regarded by most as the best OL in the draft, he’s a RT who could play RG. — CP
12. New Orleans (mock trade with Dallas): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
With the first pick the Saints snagged from moving down, they still get the next receiver off the board to help QB Tyler Shough. — DF
13. LA Rams: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Protecting QB Matt Stafford is a top priority. — CP
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Time to get serious about making sure QB Lamar Jackson has all the pass-catchers he needs. — DF
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is an impressive physical specimen who has good hands, speed and route-running skills. — CP
16. NY Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Might be a bit high for Cooper, but Jets need someone to take pressure off of Garrett Wilson. — DF
17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Lions, who have had injury problems on both sides of the line, take the best IOL in the draft. — CP
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
DC Brian Flores gets his rangy Oregon safety like he once did with Jevon Holland as coach of the Dolphins. — DF
19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, OT-G, Ohio State
Carolina GM Dan Morgan, the Taravella High and UM product, wants to build the trenches. — CP
20 New Orleans (mock trade with Dallas): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
And now the Saints get their standout cover corner out of the SEC, who drops because of concerns over missing the 2025 season. — DF
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Whether QB Aaron Rodgers returns or not, the Steelers get a big (6-3, 212 pounds) WR. — CP
22. LA Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
OC Mike McDaniel is crushed when Ioane is taken, so Chargers address interior of D-line. — DF
23. Philadelphia Eagles: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Concepcion is a speedster who also has special teams value. — CP
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jags): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
They found a receiver early, now address the O-line. — DF
25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Mesidor provides a physical presence for a defense trying to find an identity. — CP
26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Dolphins may be targeting him at 30, so it’ll be tough to see him go elsewhere in the division. — DF
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
This is the eventual successor to LT Trent Williams, a future Hall of Famer, so expectations are huge. — CP
28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Top two defensive tackles off the board, so find a right tackle of the future. — DF
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
This helps ease trading CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams. — CP
30. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
I’d like Boston, Mesidor, Faulk or Concepcion here if available, but after locking in Mauigoa earlier Thursday night, take the cover corner with strong technique and ball skills. — DF
31. New England Patriots: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Playoffs showed the importance of protecting QB Drake Maye. — CP
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
They let Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker go off in free agency and find his replacement to wrap up Day 1. — DF
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