21. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
It just doesn’t feel like it would be a true in-season NFL mock draft if there wasn’t some Georgia off-ball linebacker to talk about.
It’s an annual tradition unlike any other.
Chris Cole is another big-time prospect coming up from that Bulldogs program, and he might actually end up in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he absolutely glides around the field with his lateral quickness and speed. He’s got the ability (and physicality) to attack the line of scrimmage as a blitzer, and Mike Macdonald loves utilizing his off-ball linebackers as weapons.
22. Chicago Bears: A’Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has done such a great job when it comes to calling a defense that will bend without breaking, and overcome giving up a lot of yardage by creating a lot of takeaways. They were the #1 team in the NFL last season in takeaways, and they’re well on their way to ranking in the top 3 or top 5 once again in 2026.
Even with that in mind, the Bears need to get better from the inside-out defensively. They traded Gervon Dexter away to the Atlanta Falcons, and help on the interior defensive line is needed.
A’Mauri Washington has seen his stock cool off a bit this season as he’s been playing banged up, but he’s one of the best run stuffers in college football.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
This year’s quarterback class is really strange. There are a lot of guys to like, but the NFL is obviously looking for guys to love. And Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State is floating somewhere in between those categories for most.
He was one of the most anticipated players in the country this season, moving from North Texas to Oklahoma State, and his stock is soaring right now.
The Vikings traded away JJ McCarthy, throwing in the towel on the 2024 1st-round pick. The Vikings will be on the hunt for a new franchise QB in 2027.
24. Detroit Lions: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
The Detroit Lions have no issues scoring points right now, and fans will likely take issue with the idea of going non-defense at this spot. The issue is, right now, nobody on the consensus boards brings the type of value you’re getting from Oregon playmaking tight end Jamari Johnson.
Johnson is about to make it back-to-back years for a Ducks tight end to get picked in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, and he’s special in the passing game.
Why would the Lions do this? Well, Sam LaPorta is a free agent after the season, and with how many guys they’ve been cutting massive checks to lately, are they going to be able to retain him?
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