Stackin' picks

By: Josh Frey-Sam

‘Twas the night before Draft Day.

Maybe that’s when you’re reading this. Maybe not.

Either way, I hope you’re just as excited as I am about how things will shake out over the next 24 hours or so.

Rumours have continued to swirl.

The Panthers are reportedly interested in trading back from No. 8, while the Broncos are expected to be among the most aggressive teams on draft night. One scenario had Denver trading Courtland Sutton and the 20th overall pick to Dallas for the 12th overall pick, where they would select UNC RB Omarion Hampton.

Keep an eye on Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton and Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimololoa, two talents widely viewed as mid-second-rounders who could be surprise picks on opening night.

It’s information overload, and I absolutely love it.

As a reminder, my final mock draft will be in your inbox tomorrow morning.

Today, though, we’ll finish our lead-up to the draft with a fun exercise, one that is used by NFL front offices.

Mock drafting is an important part of the preparation, as teams try to anticipate every scenario that could arise in the first round. That includes looking at potential pick stacks, which means deciphering who could be available to them in the second round and whether they are worth holding off on a player they could want in the first round.

Figuring out potential stacks can help inform a team’s decision.

Here’s what the dialogue looks like:

Titans (needs - QB, WR, EDGE), No. 1 and 35: The Titans are taking QB Cam Ward at No. 1, but by passing on Abdul Carter, the top EDGE in this class, and Travis Hunter, the top WR, their options at those positions at pick No. 35 are vastly different. We could see EDGE Nic Scourton, EDGE James Pearce Jr., EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, WR Luther Burden III and WR Jayden Higgins as potential fits.

For argument's sake, let’s say they consider passing on Ward and taking Carter. Their QB options in round 2 would be Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough.

So, would you rather have Ward and Higgins or Carter and Milroe?

Let’s apply this to the rest of top 10 teams by looking at their needs and offering up two potential stacks.

Browns (QB, RB, WR, T, CB) No. 2 and 33 : CB/WR Travis Hunter and QB Tyler Shough, or QB Shedeur Sanders and RB Quinshon Judkins?

I’ll take the former, as Hunter brings game-changing potential and Shough could develop into a bright QB.

Giants (QB, T, IDL, CB) No. 3 and 34: EDGE Abdul Carter and QB Jalen Milroe, or QB Shedeur Sanders and IDL Shemar Turner?

Again, I’ll take the former. Carter has game-wrecking potential, while Milroe could be groomed into a solid starter.

Patriots (RB, WR, OL) No. 4 and 38: OT Will Campbell and WR Jayden Higgins, or WR Tetairoa McMillan and T Arieonte Eserey?

Gimme the former again, but this one’s closer. I’m intrigued to see if Campbell can excel despite his shorter arms, while Higgins is my favourite receiver in this class.

Jaguars (WR, TE, DL, S) No. 5 and 36: WR Tetairoa McMillan and DL Darius Alexander or DL Mason Graham and WR Luther Burden III?

This time, I’ll take the latter. Graham is a rock-solid prospect, while Burden III, I think, will prove a lot of people wrong about his potential.

Raiders (RB, WR, DL, CB) No. 6 and 37: RB Ashton Jeanty and EDGE Princely Umanmielen, or EDGE Jalon Walker and RB Kaleb Johnson?

Close, but for the Raiders’ needs, gimme the latter here. Walker is going to make an immediate impact and give the Raiders a ferocious defensive front, while Kaleb Johnson can easily emerge as the starting back.

Jets (WR, T, DL) No. 7 and 42: TE Tyler Warren and IDL Tyliek Williams, or EDGE Mykel Williams and TE Elijah Arroyo?

I’m going with the second option here. Warren is a blue-chip prospect, but Arroyo has all the traits you look for in a receiving TE. Pair that with a potentially elite EDGE like Williams, and you have something special.

Panthers (WR, EDGE, DB) No. 8 and 57: DL Mason Graham and WR Jaylin Noel, or TE Tyler Warren and EDGE Jack Sawyer?

The latter is the easy pick for me here. Warren is a blue-chipper, while Sawyer can be a culture builder on the defensive side.

Saints (QB, WR, EDGE) No. 9 and No. 40: EDGE Shemar Stewart and QB Tyler Shough, or QB Jaxson Dart and EDGE JT Tuimololoa?

I’ll go with the ceiling pick here and take Stewart and Shough. All we’re looking at here are traits with these two. Stewart is an athletic freak, while Shough has the physical attributes of a top QB.

Bears (RB, LT, DL, S) No. 10, 39 and 41: RB Omarion Hampton, T Arieonte Eserey and DL Omarr Norman-Lott, or T Armand Membou, RB Quinshon Judkins and EDGE Nic Scourton.

I’ve given myself an easy one to finish. Membou, Judkins and Scouton would be an outstanding haul for the Bears in this draft. All three could start immediately.

A fun exercise, as always.

Tomorrow, we mock.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh