1 Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams- QB USC
Caleb Williams to Chicago is now a lock with Justin Fields out of the picture.
2 Washington Commanders: Drake Maye– QB North Carolina
This pick comes down to whether Adam Peters and company prefer Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Maye has the skills to be an elite passer in Kliff Kinsbury’s offense and while last season was better for Maye at North Carolina, he has been a star in college since he stepped foot on the field.
3 New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels- QB LSU
Last season was a disaster in Foxborough with all the turmoil being centered at horrific quarterback play. Jerod Mayo now leads the charge and will get his franchise quarterback to bring a new dynamic to the Patriots with reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
4 Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr.- WR Ohio State
There will be temptation to send this pick away for a potential haul from a quarterback-needy team, but the smart decision is to stick at this pick and select Kyler Murray’s franchise receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison’s skillset reminds me of arguably the greatest Cardinal ever in Larry Fitzgerald.
5 Minnesota Vikings (via LAC): J.J. McCarthy- QB Michigan
The Vikings are preparing for a massive haul to move up for their next quarterback after the departure of Kirk Cousins to Atlanta. This trade sends picks 11 and 23 as part of the deal. McCarthy gets the perfect situation to learn and compete with Sam Darnold.
6 New York Giants: Rome Odunze- WR Washington
The Giants have Wan’Dale Robinson as their slot receiver and just drafted Jalin Hyatt last year with the idea of him being a field stretching receiver. Odunze would step in as the X receiver and the most talented receiver on a team that hasn’t had a receiver cross 1000 yards since 2018.
7 Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt- OT Notre Dame
The Titans are taking steps to improve on the offensive side of the ball with the additions of Calvin Ridley at receiver and Lloyd Cushenbery at center. Joe Alt has sky high potential and comes from an offensive lineman factory in Notre Dame. A left side of the line featuring Alt and last year’s first rounder Peter Skoronksi will make life easier for Will Levis moving forward.
8 Atlanta Falcons: Quinyon Mitchell- CB Toledo
Atlanta can now turn to the defensive side of the ball to bolster this offseason. New Head Coach Raheem Morris and new Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake both have extensive backgrounds as defensive back coaches. Quinyon Mitchell slides in opposite AJ Terrell for the Falcons while the latter plays out the final year of his current deal.
9 Buffalo Bills (via CHI): Malik Nabers- WR LSU
This trade I molded from the Julio Jones draft trade. Buffalo will send its first, second, a fourth, a fifth, and a 2025 second rounder to the Bears. The Bills traded away Stefon Diggs and I can’t imagine that Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel are going to be the top two receivers in Buffalo. Malik Nabers is electric with the football and his mix of elite separating ability and the versatility to operate in the slot and outside gives Josh Allen a fun option as his new top receiver.
10 New York Jets: Brock Bowers- TE Georgia
The Jets can opt to take an offensive lineman here to give insurance to both new starting tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but the Jets need more firepower on offense. Brock Bowers can do so many things for the Jets offense whether it’s in the slot, outside, playing in-line, and even blocking.
11 Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN): JC Latham- OT Alabama
The Chargers move back and look to rebuild their roster with some protection for Justin Herbert. Latham is a big body who has solid footwork for someone who measures in at 6’6 and 360 pounds. He should be able to settle in as the right tackle of the future opposite Rashawn Slater.
12 Philadelphia Eagles (via DEN): Terrion Arnold- CB Alabama
The Eagles own two second round picks and using one of those along with a 4th round pick swap will get this deal done and the Broncos can get more draft capital. It’s weird to not see the Eagles take a trench player in the 1st round but the pass defense was horrific last season. Terrion Arnold is a stud who can eventually replace Darius Slay or James Bradberry.
13 Las Vegas Raiders: Tailese Fuaga- OT Oregon State
The Raiders get a guy who personifies the identity Antonio Pierce wants from the Raiders. Fuaga can slide in either at tackle or guard on the right side of the line and will be a big mover in the run game for Vegas.
14 New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu- OT Washington
The Saints need some help on the offensive line. 2021 first rounder Trevor Penning is heading toward bust territory and stalwart tackle Ryan Ramczyk is having injury troubles. Troy Fautanu can be a tackle of the future for the Saints and can even start this season inside at guard.
15 Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Turner- EDGE Alabama
The more I have dove into this draft class, the less I am sold on the pass rushers. There isn’t a stud in this group, but a lot of solid traits and contributors. Dallas Turner falls to the Colts in this scenario and gives a twitchy athlete that can rotate and give some juice off the edge.
16 Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy- IDL Texas
The Seahawks added Leonard Williams at the trade deadline last year, but I don’t think that stops Seattle from adding another piece on their interior. Murphy is one of my favorite players in the class and can start at nose tackle or as a 5-tech for Seattle.
17 Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins- CB Clemson
An A+ fit for the Jaguars as they land Nate Wiggins to pair opposite Tyson Campbell in their more man-heavy scheme.
18 Cincinnati Bengals: Olu Fashanu- OT Penn State
The Bengals add Fashanu to learn behind Trent Brown for a season. Fashanu has sky high potential with amazing pass protection but needs to get better as a run blocker.
19 Los Angeles Rams: Chop Robinson- EDGE Penn State
Another one of “my guys” in this draft class, Chop Robinson is the second edge rusher off the board. He will be a fun project for the Rams as they look for their next impact defender with Aaron Donald’s retirement.
20 Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims- OT Georgia
Broderick Jones had a solid rookie season last year for the Steelers, so they say why not take another Georgia tackle? Mims can allow Jones to slide to left tackle and gives the Steelers their edge protectors of the future.
21 Miami Dolphins: Jer’Zhan Newton- IDL Illinois
The loss of Christian Wilkins is the toughest of the many blows that Miami had in free agency. Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton is the ideal replacement at pick 21.
22 Denver Broncos (via PHI): Jared Verse-EDGE Florida State
The Broncos can go a multitude of ways, but I settled on giving them Jared Verse. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, you must be proficient at rushing the passer.
23 Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN): Brian Thomas Jr.- WR LSU
The Chargers had to make tough financial decision in cutting Mike Williams and trading away Keenan Allen. 2023 first round selection Quintin Johnston struggled when both Williams and Allen missed time due to injury and this gives Justin Herbert another young weapon in the new look Chargers offense.
24 Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton-OT Oklahoma
The Cowboys let longtime tackle Tyron Smith go this offseason and injecting another youthful offensive lineman would do wonders. Guyton is raw but the Cowboys can develop studs, case and point Tyler Smith. Guyton can play either tackle spot for the Cowboys and gives them flexibility on where to play Smith long term.
25 Green Bay Packers: Jackson Powers-Johnson-IOL Oregon
The Packers add a tough interior lineman in Jackson Powers-Johnson who can play either guard or center moving forward.
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cooper DeJean- CB Iowa
Tampa traded away Jamel Dean this offseason and Cooper DeJean can fit Tampa’s scheme in multiple roles.
27 Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Graham Barton- IOL Duke
The Cardinals want to protect Kyler Murray. Drafting Paris Johnson Jr. last season and have now added Jonah Williams in free agency. Add Barton who is set to transition from tackle to the interior and can line up at guard or center for the Cardinals.
28 Chicago Bears (via BUF): Laiatu Latu- EDGE UCLA
Laiatu Latu I think will fall a little just with him having to medically retire from football a couple of years ago. He was super productive at UCLA and the Bears can snag their edge defender to go opposite Montez Sweat.
29 Las Vegas Raiders (via DET): Michael Penix Jr.- QB Washington
Vegas is going to send their second round pick and their third rounder to Detroit for pick 29 and a fourth round pick. The Raiders make a big move and secure their QB of the future in Michael Penix Jr.
30 Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell- WR Texas
Baltimore has needs at the offensive line that are going to have to be addressed, but also Rashod Bateman has not lived up to expectations and enters a potential contract year. Adonai Mitchell gives the Ravens a physical option at receiver that can join the mix.
31 San Francisco 49ers: Kool-Aid McKinstry- CB Alabama
The 49ers go best player available and bolster their secondary with the talented Kool-Aid McKinstry.
32 Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Morgan- OT Arizona
The Chiefs made it work at wide receiver last year and will be able to add more weapons in a loaded class at the position. Jordan Morgan, although the measurables aren’t the most ideal for tackle in the NFL, can be tasked to take of protecting Patrick Mahomes.