This will be a fascinating NFL Draft because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position. Right now, there are two atop the positional group: Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami). Then there’s a mishmash of others like Quinn Ewers (Tennessee), Carson Beck (Georgia), and Jalen Milroe (Alabama).

Here’s the thing, though: None of them are elite-level prospects. It’s not as bad as the 2022 class (Kenny Pickett), but multiple sources SNY touched base with (general managers, scouts, talent evaluators) said even the two best (Sanders and Ward) would be the fifth-or sixth-best quarterback in last year’s class.

There are plenty of quarterback-needy teams selecting in the top 10. Will their desperation cause them to reach for someone? Probably, based on recent history.

With the Senior Bowl fast approaching, and the NFL Combine and pro days after that, we figured we’d send out our initial mock draft analyzing the first 10 picks…

No. 1: Tennessee Titans – QB Cam Ward, Miami

Sanders or Ward, Ward or Sanders? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder here. Deion Sanders has done everything he can to make it clear he is not going to force anything specific as it pertains to his son, but it feels like that personality will be a bit better suited in a bit bigger market.

Ward doesn’t have as much fanfare, but he might very well be the better prospect. He comes from a pass-heavy offensive approach that emphasized pushing the ball down the field. The production is undeniable: 39 touchdowns, seven interceptions.

No. 2: Giants (via trade with Cleveland Browns) – QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are on notice. Co-owner John Mara made that abundantly clear during his postseason meeting with the media. He also stressed the need to get a franchise quarterback. The only way to guarantee that: Trade up.

There is a chance this pick isn’t even for sale. The Browns announced the day after their season ended that there was a setback with Deshaun Watson‘s Achilles. His status for next season is up in the air. If that’s the case, they might sit here and take Sanders themselves. The Giants’ offer, though, is too good to pass up.

New York sends Cleveland No. 3 and a third-round pick this draft, then their first-round pick next year.

No. 3: Cleveland Browns (via trade with Giants) – EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Carter might very well be the best player in this draft. He was dynamic for Penn State this past season with 22 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. There are several areas Cleveland could go here, but putting Carter opposite Myles Garrett would be deadly.

No. 4: New England Patriots – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

The Patriots have their franchise quarterback. Now they need to get him some weapons.

Travis Hunter is an option here, but some believe he’ll be more of a corner in the NFL than receiver. McMillan is the best wideout in the class. He’s coming off a season where he caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns.

No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars – CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter doesn’t go to New England, but does go to Jacksonville. Their secondary was horrendous this season and could use him as their new lockdown corner. The Jaguars are also the perfect team to rotate him in on offense. They have Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis as their starters, so Hunter can be the added weapon playing 10-15 snaps a game on offense.

No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders – RB Ashtyn Jeanty, Boise State

The Raiders are the team that could reach for a quarterback here. We’ll see how the pre-draft process shakes out and if someone jumps up the board. Until then, Jeanty is the pick. There are other options (corner, offensive line), but Jeanty is maybe the best offensive player in the class. He had 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns this season for Boise State.

No. 7: Jets – DT Mason Graham, Michigan

The Jets could go so many different directions here. Offensive line, sure. They need a right tackle. They could also go receiver if they let Davante Adams and Allen Lazard go (Luther Burden, Emeka Egbuka). They, too, could look at a quarterback and have him sit and develop behind Tyrod Taylor for a season.

But, for this mock, give them Graham. Some scouts believe he’s the best defensive player in this draft. He had 45 tackles, seven for a loss, and 3.5 sacks this season. He’d give the Jets quite a lot of talent up front when paired with Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald and Quinnen Williams.

No. 8: Carolina Panthers – WR Luther Burden, Missouri

How about Bryce Young’s resurgence? He looked like a surefire bust. Now the Panthers are ready to load up and run it back with him. Carolina needs weapons, though. That’s something they are lacking. Burden is that.

He had a bit of a down 2024 (61 catches, 676 yards, six touchdowns), but was nasty his sophomore season. In 2023, Burden caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine scores.

No. 9: New Orleans Saints – EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

The Saints are another team that needs a quarterback. It’s hard to see one here. Give them Scourton to strengthen their defense. He had 15 sacks in his final two college seasons (Purdue in 2023, A&M in 2024).

No. 10: Chicago Bears – OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

The Bears have their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. They have two nice receivers in D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. They have a talented tight end in Cole Kmet. They have running back D’Andre Swift under contract for two more years. What they do not have is an offensive line capable of allowing those playmakers to shine.

Banks begins that process. He’ll be a Day 1 starter for Chicago.