Chris Perkins: ‘Best player available’ mock draft vs. traditional mock draft ... you decide which works best

Its draft time, which means its time for perhaps my least favorite term in sports best player available.Its a ridiculous, nonsensical draft strategy, especially if you take it literally.In this chart, well compare first-round selections for a BPA mock draft to selections for a traditional mock draft.Dolphins fans might not like the BPA selection.The basis for this exercise is that NFL executives love to say they draft by BPA, not by need.

Thats a phrase youll hear frequently at this weeks NFL scouting combine, including from Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.To me, it makes more sense to draft by need because the draft is where you build your teams foundation at a low cost.

Free agency should be used to patch holes, not build your team with expensive veterans that often have an injury history.For this BPA mock draft, I crunched top 50 player ratings from four outlets NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah), ESPN (Jordan Reid), The Athletic and Pro Football Focus to come up with a top 32 BPA list.In this chart, youll see a BPA mock draft selection, followed by a traditional mock selection, along with team needs and a comment.So lets proceed with the BPA draft, see how ridiculous it looks, and then re-visit the validity of the term.2025 BPA draftOrder listed for players as BPA selection is their overall BPA ranking, Nos.

1-32.

The mock draft pick is Chris Perkins mock draft selection for each team.1.

Tennessee TitansBPA: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn StateMock draft: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State Needs: QB, edge, WRHes the best player in the draft, even with a foot injury, and he fits a need.

A rare two-fer.2.

Cleveland BrownsBPA: Travis Hunter, CB-WR, ColoradoMock draft: Cam Ward, QB, MiamiNeeds: QB, edge, OTThe Browns need a quarterback more than an outstanding athlete.

3.

New York GiantsBPA: Mason Graham, DT, MichiganMock draft: Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoNeeds: QB, OL, CBSanders is ranked 29th by BPA, but you must fill your need in this quarterback-driven league.4.

New England PatriotsBPA: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise St.Mock draft: Travis Hunter, CB-WR, ColoradoNeeds: OT, WR, CBHunter fills a need at a more valued position, so Pats go against BPA.5.

Jacksonville JaguarsBPA: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn St.Mock draft: Mason Graham, DT, MichiganNeeds: OL, DB, WRDefensive coordinator Anthony Campanile gets someone to go inside of DEs Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.6.

Las Vegas RaidersBPA: Will Campbell, OT, LSUMock draft: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateNeeds: QB, RB, WRRaiders already have TE Brock Bowers.

Adding Jeanty takes a huge load off the quarterback.Related ArticlesMiami Dolphins | Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, gets a look from Dolphins at combineMiami Dolphins | Coveted prospect Tyler Warren praises smart offensive mind of Dolphins Mike McDanielMiami Dolphins | Dave Hyde: Why the Dolphins should trade Tyreek Hill7.

New York JetsBPA: Will Johnson, CB, MichiganMock draft: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateNeeds: QB, DB, OTAlthough coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive guy, Warrens skill set is too good to resist.8.

Carolina PanthersBPA: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaMock draft: Jalon Walker, LB, GeorgiaNeeds: Edge, WR, CWalker is a hybrid edge rusher/off-ball linebacker, which should tempt GM Dan Morgan, a former linebacker himself.9.

New Orleans SaintsBPA: Jalon Walker, LB, GeorgiaMock draft: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaNeeds: WR, edge, CBMcMillan completes a nice trio among new coach Kellen Moore and quarterback Derek Carr.10.

Chicago BearsBPA: Cam Ward, QB, ChicagoMock draft: Will Campbell, OT, LSUNeeds: OT, edge, GCampbell offers a chance for success for new coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.11.

San Francisco 49ersBPA: Mykel Williams, DE, GeorgiaMock draft: Will Johnson, CB, MichiganNeeds: Edge, CB, OLJohnson missed much of the season due to injury, but he fills a need with cornerback Charvarius Ward set to hit free agency.12.

Dallas CowboysBPA: James Pearce Jr., DE, TennesseeMock draft: Omarion Hampton, RB, North CarolinaNeeds: RB, OL, CBDallas has been searching for running back to assist quarterback Dak Prescott for years.

Here he is.13.

Miami DolphinsBPA: Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaMock draft: Armand Membou, G-T, MissouriNeeds: G, S, CBIf Armstead doesnt return, offensive line versatility becomes a priority.

Membou starts at guard, and if performance or injury issues arise at offensive tackle, he switches.14.

Indianapolis ColtsBPA: Mike Green, DE, MarshallMock draft: Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaNeeds: S, OL, CBStarks gives new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo hope, but does little for quarterback Anthony Richardson.15.

Atlanta FalconsBPA: Walter Nolen, DT, MississippiMock draft: Mike Green, edge, MarshallNeeds: Edge, DB, WRThe Falcons only had 31 sacks, which ranked 31st in the league.

Green had 17 sacks last season.16.

Arizona CardinalsBPA: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, TexasMock draft: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&MNeeds: Edge, WR, OLStewart (6-foot-5, 267 pounds) has impressive speed to go along with impressive size.

And he fills a need.17.

Cincinnati BengalsBPA: Jahdae Barron, CB, TexasMock draft: Mykel Williams, edge, GeorgiaNeeds: OL, CB, TEWilliams can pair with defensive end Trey Hendrickson (17.5 sacks) to help one of the leagues worst defenses.18.

Seattle SeahawksBPA: Armand Membou, G-T, MissouriMock draft: Tyler Booker, G, AlabamaNeeds: G, QB, LBBooker fills a need for a team that allowed 54 sacks, tied for third-most in the league.

19.

Tampa Bay BuccaneersBPA: Colston Loveland, TE, MichiganMock draft: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateNeeds: WR, OL, edgeEgbuka fills a need for quarterback Baker Mayfield because wide receiver Chris Godwin is a potential free agent.20.

Denver BroncosBPA: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateMock draft: Colston Loveland, TE, MichiganNeeds: TE, WR, LBLoveland, who is athletic, offers lots of possibilities for quarterback Bo Nix, who is also athletic.21.

Pittsburgh SteelersBPA: Luther Burden III, WR, MissouriMock draft: Jahdae Barron, CB, TexasNeeds: CB, QB, WRWide receiver is a more important need, but Burton blends well with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and offensive linebacker T.J.

Watt.22.

Los Angeles ChargersBPA: Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaMock draft: Walter Nolen, DT, MississippiNeeds: Edge, DT, SDefense fills a need, but getting help for quarterback Justin Herbert could surpass the need.23.

Green Bay PackersBPA: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&MMock draft: Azareyeh Thomas, CB, Florida StateNeeds: CB, edge, WRThomas fills a need with the expected departure of cornerback Jaire Alexander.24.

Minnesota VikingsBPA: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateMock draft: Shavon Revel, CB, East CarolinaNeeds: CB, DT, OLRevels fills a need and gives defensive coordinator Brian Flores a new weapon.25.

Houston TexansBPA: Kenneth Grant, DT, MichiganMock draft: Kelvin Banks Jr.

OT, TexasNeeds: WR, DT, OLWide receive is a huge need, but so is protecting quarterback C.J.

Stroud.

Banks could play inside, too.26.

Los Angeles RamsBPA: Derrick Harmon, DT, OregonMock draft: Josh Conerly, OT, OregonNeeds: OT, WR, CBConerly fills a need with left tackle Alaric Jackson expected to become a free agent.27.

Baltimore RavensBPA: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama Mock draft: Grey Zabel, G-T, North Dakota StateNeeds: G, OT, WROffensive line is a huge need with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Patrick Zekari both potential free agents.28.

Detroit LionsBPA: Matthew Golden, WR, TexasMock draft: Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio StateNeeds: Edge, CB, WRThe Lions sustained lots of defensive injuries, so fortification helps.29.

Washington CommandersBPA: Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoMock draft: Matthew Golden, WR, TexasNeeds: WR, edge, OTGolden helps quarterback Jayden Daniels as a complement to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.30.

Buffalo BillsBPA: Omarion Hampton, RB, North CarolinaMock draft: Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston CollegeNeeds: DT, edge, CBIn the big picture, this is all about getting to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.31.

Kansas City ChiefsBPA: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonMock draft: Donovan Jackson, OT, Ohio StateNeeds: DT, OL, edgeUltimately, its all about protecting Mahomes, which is why the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl.32.

Philadelphia EaglesBPA: Grey Zabel, G-T, North Dakota StateMock draft: James Pearce Jr., edge, TennesseeNeeds: Edge, WR, LBDefensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows how to maximize disruptive pass rushers..

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