Mike Green — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Head coach Dan Quinn takes a shot on Green's speed late in the first round. He'd be a designated pass rusher as a rookie but could round out his game to become a starter pretty swiftly.

The Bucs get a pass-rusher who could prove to be a double-digit sack guy year in and year out. That doesn't happen this late in the first round a lot.

With Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack on a one-year deal, the Chargers could use a boost and infusion of youth to their edge rush. Enter Green, who falls a bit here despite leading the NCAA in sacks last season.

Can you rush the passer? Then the Bengals are interested. Green can do exactly that and new defensive coordinator Al Golden will be looking for an immediate impact off the edge for a room that needs any semblance of juice beyond Trey Hendrickson. Some might be put off by a smaller frame, but it actually plays well in Cincinnati. The Bengals are full of big-body edges utilized under former coordinator Lou Anarumo, but Golden will be interested in a new tool in his bag. Green's speed to bend the edge and tenacious play style will fit nicely. If looking for concern over off-field issues surrounding Green, the Bengals would be one team with a history of looking past college transgressions and betting on the future of a player they believe is now about the right things. Leading the FBS in sacks doesn't hurt, either. — Paul Dehner Jr.

Green would be an outstanding complement to Trey Hendrickson if the Bengals are able to work things out with their star defensive end.

The loss of Aidan Hutchinson to injury last year sapped some of the ferocity from a passionate Lions defense, and finding another defender to complement that should be Detroit's top priority. Few edge rushers in this class offer Green's combination of burst, physicality and motor.

It looks like Trey Hendrickson is on his way out, so the Bengals need some pass-rushing help; they only had one more sack as a team (18.5) than Hendrickson did by himself (17.5) in 2024. I covered Green's game against Ohio State this past season and I came away impressed. He played well against OSU offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who might be a first-round pick.

I changed this pick at the last minute. The idea of Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in the middle of the defense intrigued me, but the Falcons' need for edge rushers is too big to ignore. So, I gave them Green, who led the nation in sacks last season (17). He can win with speed or power through various pass-rush moves. The Falcons ranked 31st in sacks a season ago (31) and finished in the bottom seven in pass rush win rate for the fourth straight campaign (34.1%).

The Michael Penix Jr. pick got a lot of scrutiny last April, and Atlanta could surprise again. But could the team really bypass its pass rush again? I say no, and I think Green would pair nicely with new signee Leonard Floyd to start the turnaround.

The Falcons have such an obvious need for edge-rushing talent even after signing Leonard Floyd. They're in luck because the FBS sack leader could fall down boards due to a logjam at the position.

It sounds like the momentum is building for Burrow's weapons to get deals done, so where does that leave Trey Hendrickson? Even if the Bengals end up sorting out Hendrickson's contract, this group needs more teeth.

Mike Green has the most robust pass rush bag of any rusher in the class and can help the Bengals close games when they're playing with the lead.