things i think i think - 4/10/2025

[LPMAN]

Mock, one week in advance.

1. Derreck Harmon, DE, Oregon - This guy is Cam a little over a decade ago, but he has the chance to learn under Cam himself. You don't overthink this one, you just take him. Every profile you read says, "plays like a Steeler". He's been my top pick for months, but I admit that I expected the team to like Grant. Since he didn't visit, this seems to be the clear selection to make the boss happy on the run defense.

2. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St (pickens trade) - I honestly think that apart from appeasing the boss with DL, this is their biggest *want* in the entire draft. With that, they trade whatever they can to get into the second to come away with Higgins -- which in my estimation is Pickens and a 3rd. Before you tell me that's giving up too much - if you believe Pickens is worth a 3rd? A 2nd is worth two 3rds, just look at the trade charts...

3. <traded away with Pickens to get Higgins>

4a. Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse - They just miss on Shough who goes at the end of the 3rd so they spend the time between day 2 and 3 working on a deal to get a second 4th rounder and McCord is the pick

4b. RJ Harvey, RB, UCF - Tomlin was really intrigued by this kid at the Senior Bowl. And so was I. He's smallish, but has more power than you'd expect for a smaller guy. And he's got some speed, nice jump cuts and elusive moves. This is the "lightening" of the future. After the draft, I wouldn't be shocked by a larger UDFA @ RB (Phil Mafah?) who can move piles on short yardage.

5. Yahya Black, NT, Iowa - this guy has the size to play anywhere in a 3-man front, but needs some technique refinement.

6. <traded away, along with a 2026 draft pick to get McCord>

7. Carson Bruener, LB, Washington - this just makes sense. They usually select a random special teamer at TE/LB/S at this spot and who better than a bloodlines pick?

Final comments:
I don't know if they're planning on going up or down, but I think they'll be active traders during this draft. I wouldn't be totally shocked by a trade down from the first while picking up a high 2nd and a high 3rd from family friends, NYG.

Based on visits, they've looked at a lot of round 2 players (Jayden Higgins, Jaxson Dart, Kaleb Johnson, Azareye'h Thomas, etc) and I don't believe that's for naught. Throw in the potential Pickens trade and they could hold a lot of day 2 selections and really shake this draft up because rounds 2-4 are loaded with talent at positions of need.

If I have time to do a final mock, I'd probably lean toward doing that Giants trade, just to see what it looks like. I think it's a realistic scenario

I just did a mock draft traded down to 32 & got pick 64......have the same 2 first picks as you, everyone i wanted just happened to fall to me it was almost immaculate!!

32 Derrick Harmon DL | Oregon A+
64 Jayden Higgins WR | Iowa State A+
83 Cameron Skattebo RB | Arizona State A
123 Anthony Belton OT | NC State A+
156 Kyle McCord QB | Syracuse A+
185 Jackson Slater IOL | Sacramento State A+
229 Cody Simon LB | Ohio State A

[hawaiiansteel]

I just did a mock draft traded down to 32 & got pick 64......have the same 2 first picks as you, everyone i wanted just happened to fall to me it was almost immaculate!!

32 Derrick Harmon DL | Oregon A+
64 Jayden Higgins WR | Iowa State A+
83 Cameron Skattebo RB | Arizona State A
123 Anthony Belton OT | NC State A+
156 Kyle McCord QB | Syracuse A+
185 Jackson Slater IOL | Sacramento State A+
229 Cody Simon LB | Ohio State A

I would be very happy with that draft.