NFL free agency has already taken centerstage before the start of the new league year, but draft talk is as prevalent as ever with less than two months to go.
The combine just wrapped up last weekend. Mocks are being published in abundance and experts have updated their prospect rankings. What makes post-combine mock drafts so interesting is that most are based on what insiders and analysts hear in Indianapolis.
There is a significant difference between what mock-drafters think teams should do and what they think teams will do.
For those who don't want Dallas Cowboys to draft a running back in round one, the Ashton Jeanty buzz isn't going anywhere. Jeanty could go as high as No. 6 overall to the Raiders or he could fall into Dallas' lap at No. 12 overall.
Following the combine, though, there is a new consensus first-round pick for the Cowboys: Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan. While it's impossible to rule anything out in March, an AFC team cleaning house may screw Dallas out of drafting McMillan.
Tetairoa McMillan may not fall to the Cowboys after Jaguars' flurry of roster cuts
Dane Brugler of The Athletic projected McMillan to the Cowboys with the 12th pick. Brugler was not alone in that regard, but he is arguably the most esteemed draft analyst/insider in the business right now this side of the great Mel Kiper Jr.
"Outside of CeeDee Lamb, where is the juice coming from in the Cowboys’ offense?" Brugler writes. "McMillan could provide some. With his rangy catch radius and ball skills, he is a quarterback-friendly target who is open even when covered."
McMillan would be a fantastic pick for Dallas, but the Jaguars feel like an obvious landing spot for the former Wildcat after they traded Christian Kirk to the Texans.
They also released wide receivers Josh Reynolds, Devin Duvernay and top tight end Evan Engram, who was limited to nine games last season but caught 114passes for 963 yards in 2023. Engram in Dallas would be fun, but let's save that for another day.
2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas had a fantastic rookie season, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns to pace all rookies.
The Jaguars would probably like to get ride of Gabe Davis, too, but he's guaranteed $11.5 million next season. They might end up parting ways with him regardless. Long story short they need another receiver to pair with Thomas.
It's possible Jacksonville tries to reunite Chris Godwin with new head coach Liam Coen in free agency, but they're clearly trying to save money.
You can expect the next wave of mock drafts to have McMillan to Jacksonville. That doesn't mean it will happen, but the odds have skyrocketed, which could mean bad news for the Cowboys.
