By Lance Tominaga, ESPN Honolulu Web Editor.
Today, we close out our NFL mock draft of the first round with selections 25 through 32. The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals both reached the Super Bowl, but even they have holes to fill and positions that need improving. The Miami Dolphins finally make their pick. Can they draft a player to help Tua Tagovailoa take the next step as an NFL QB?
25. BUFFALO: TRAVON WALKER, DE, GEORGIA. The Bills had the best passing defense in the league in 2021, allowing only 163 aerial yards per game. Their run defense, however, could needs to be upgraded. Enter Walker, a 6’5”, 275-lb. beast who explodes off the blocks and is a stopper in the trenches. He started out at Georgia as a DT, but has the tools to excel as a pass rusher as well.
26. TENNESSEE: ANDREW BOOTH, CB, CLEMSON. The 6’0”, 200-lb. Booth has just about everything you’d want in an NFL corner: size, ball skills, agility, toughness and instincts. He should compete for a starting spot right away for the Titans, and could develop into a top-tier corner by his third season. The Titans aren’t too far away from a legitimate Super Bowl run
27. TAMPA BAY: ZION JOHNSON, G, BOSTON COLLEGE. With Pro Bowler Ali Marpet surprisingly announcing his retirement at the age of 28, this pick simply makes sense. The 6’3”, 315-lb. former Eagle elevated his stock in 2021 and is now considered one of the best interior linemen in the draft. And for those asking whether the Bucs should draft a QB at this spot, mark my words: Brady will be back.
28. GREEN BAY: SKYY MOORE, WR, WESTERN MICHIGAN. The guess here here is that Aaron Rodgers will remain in Green Bay. And if that’s the case, why not reward his commitment by giving him another weapon in the speedy Moore? The 5’10”, 195-lb. former cornerback reportedly has legit 4.3 speed and is an excellent route runner. He could be a great complement to All-Pro Davante Adams. Adams is a free agent, but the Packers will probably place a franchise tag on him.
29. MIAMI (via SAN FRANCISCO): TREVOR PENNING, OT, NORTHERN IOWA. With Brian Flores out of the picture, it’s safe to say that Tua Tagovailoa is secure as the team’s starting QB. In his first conversation with Tua, new head coach Mike McDaniel said, “One thing I know about you is you have the ambition to be great. My job is to coach you, to get all that greatness out of you.” One way to accomplish that is to keep him upright. The 6’7”, 330-lb. Penning can do just that.
30. KANSAS CITY: PERRION WINFREY, DT, OKLAHOMA. The Chiefs have a sleek Ferrari for an offense and, well, a run-down jalopy for a defense. If Kansas City expects to return to the Super Bowl anytime soon, they need to shore their D. The 6’4”, 300-lb. Winfrey is coming off an MVP performance at the Senior Bowl, where he showed he can be a disruptive force for any NFL defense.
31. CINCINNATI: DANIEL FA‘ALELE, OT, MINNESOTA. Still a relative newcomer to football, Fa‘alele is rightfully considered a project. But at 6’8”, 385 lbs., he is a project capable of paying big dividends. Most pass rushers won’t be able to run through him, and they might take a week to try to get around him. The Melbourne, Australia native needs to work on his technique, but surely he’d be an intriguing prospect for the Bengals, who need to improve their pass protection.
32. L.A. RAMS: DEVIN LLOYD, LB, UTAH. The newly crowned Super Bowl champions can celebrate and bask in the glory of…okay, time’s up. Back to work. Assuming All-Everything DT Aaron Donald returns for another season, the Rams’ defense should once again be a force to reckon with. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to add the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. The 6’3”, 230-lb. Lloyd brings explosives, range and athleticism to the linebacker position.