Round One

1) Carolina Panthers (from Chicago) – Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

Bryce Young is a proven winner that has the ability to put pressure on defenses with his arm and legs. Frank Reich gets his franchise quarterback in an important step of the rebuild process in Carolina.

 


2) Houston Texans – Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama 

Quarterback is a need, but instead they decide to go and get the best defensive player in this draft. Anderson brings a new element to this Texans defense off the edge that they have been missing, and will be the player DeMeco Ryans relies on to elevate the unit. 

 


3) Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

The Cardinals need help everywhere, and Tyree Wilson has the length and power that coaches covet in edge rushers. He is an instant building block for Jonathan Gannon’s new-look defense.

 


4) Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

Indianapolis has been a quarterback away from being a consistent playoff team for the past few seasons. C.J. Stroud can make all the throws needed to be successful in the NFL and reads defenses at a high level.

 


5) Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Jalen Carter, Defensive Line, Georgia 

With Dre’Mont Jones, the Seahawks decide to draft Jalen Carter to bring a massive revamp to the interior of their defensive line. Carter is great at diagnosing run plays and stopping them, while also creating pressure, making him an ideal addition. 

 


6) Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams) – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

After moving on from Jeff Okudah, the Lions are in need of another young cornerback. Devon Witherspoon is the most polished and most physical corner in the class. His toughness in the run game will fit right in with Dan Campbell’s culture.

 


7) Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

There were many directions Las Vegas could have gone with their top 10 pick. In this draft, they take one of the fastest prospects in the draft by selecting Christian Gonzalez. He has size, elite ball skills, and a good tackler at the cornerback position. 

 


8) Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Tyler Allgeier did a great job last year, but when you are a run first team like the falcons are, you don’t pass up on Robinson. Having a backfield with both Robinson and Allgeier paired with the dual-threat ability of Desmond Ridder would be difficult for opposing defenses to account for. 

 


9) Chicago Bears (from Carolina) – Paris Johnson Jr.

The Bears need to protect Justin Fields at all costs. What better way to do that than grabbing one of his college lineman that has the versatility to play all over the offensive line?

 


10) Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans)  – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

Howie Roseman believes in building up the trenches. Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham do not have many seasons left in the NFL, so it’s time to start building depth up front. Van Ness is a complete defensive end that has a high ceiling.


11) Tennessee Titans – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

There have been rumblings that the organization has given up on Malik Willis, and Ryan Tannehill isn’t getting any younger either. It is time for the Titans to grab their quarterback of the future, and that happens to be Richardson. This is a great scenario as he isn’t in a place where he needs to be rushed in to start, and provides the Titans with plenty of upside at the position with his dual-threat ability. 

 


12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via projected trade up with Houston from Cleveland) – Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are not long-term answers. If a prospect like Levis falls to this point, Tampa Bay would have to ponder a trade-up. The Buccaneers still have a competitive roster in the weakest division in the NFC, and the weapons to allow Levis to succeed right away.

 


13) Green Bay Packers – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State 

The Packers select Jordan Loves go-to receiver with their first selection. Jaxon Smith-Njigba put up worldly receiving stats two seasons ago. He has speed, great hands, and is the best route runner in the draft class.

 


14) New England Patriots – Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

Whether it is Mac Jones or someone else that ends up being the Patriots franchise quarterback, they need a true playmaker on the team that can be the go-to guy for years to come. Johnston is the true X-receiver in this class that blends his size well with his speed to constantly win on the outside. His frame also makes it difficult for defensive backs to guard him. 

 


15) New York Jets – Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

The Jets need long-term answers at tackle, and Broderick Jones has all the tools to be a decade-plus starter on either side. He is young, athletic, well-tested against SEC competition, and a great scheme fit.

 


16) Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State 

Washington hasn’t been able to find stability at the cornerback position under Ron Rivera. Joey Porter Jr. is a physical player that can excel in a man and zone scheme as he is looked to as the long term solution at a corner spot.

 


17) Pittsburgh Steelers – Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern 

The interior of the offensive line is vastly different from the tackle positions that need improvement. Dan Moore allowed seven sacks, and Chukwuma Okorafor allowed three, but also 41 pressures. Peter Skoronski can come in and provide competition, but would end up as the starter with his exceptional athleticism and technique. 

 


18) Detroit Lions – Calijah Kancey, Defensive Line, Pittsburgh

After grabbing a corner at pick six, the Lions improve their pass rush with Calijah Kancey. Although undersized, he has an incredible first step and is powerful and crafty rushing the quarterback.

 


19) Houston Texans (via projected trade down with Tampa Bay) – Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee 

DeMeco Ryan looks to buff up the trenches by selecting a defensive and offensive lineman in the first round. Darnell Wright has top 10 talent as he has phenomenal hands and feet. He will be a starter come week one for Houston.

 


20) Seattle Seahawks – Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

To create a completely dominant new defensive line, the Seahawks get an outstanding edge talent in Murphy. With how he instantly wins with his speed-to-power and excellent hand use to shed blocks, Murphy is hard to defend. Putting him on a line that also has Carter, and that signals a new era on defense for Seattle.

 


21) Los Angeles Chargers – Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

Adding another prolific wide receiver like Zay Flowers would give Justin Herbert an embarrassment of riches. Flowers can play outside or in the slot, and compliments Keenan Allen and Mike Williams’ skillsets. Good luck stopping that passing attack.

 


22) Baltimore Ravens – Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia 

Eric DeCosta will take no time selecting Nolan Smith. Baltimore lacked pass rush last season, so look for Smith to be counted on to provide pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He is one of the fastest edge rushers in draft history.

 


23) Minnesota Vikings – Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland

Cornerback issues have been a constant area the Vikings have to address. By drafting Banks they are getting a player that is going to tremendously help there. The tracking ability, athleticism, and overall awareness of Banks led to him allowing only 557 yards on a 49% completion rate. Banks is the type of corner Minnesota needs. 

 


24) Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

A dream pick for Jacksonville, Brian Branch can step in and fill any need in the secondary. He can play nickel or be the long-term safety partner with Andre Cisco. Branch is the best tackler in the entire class, and his versatility would elevate an ascending Jaguars’ defense.

 


25) New York Giants – Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

Daniel Jones has made significant strides with Brian Daboll as head coach. It’s time to put more talent around Jones after giving him a new contract. Jordan Addison is the home run threat the Giants have been missing.

 


26) Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah

After not re-signing Dalton Schultz, the tight end position is one of need for a Dallas offense already lacking receiving talent. To make up for that receiving ability is Kincaid, who will stretch the field vertically with his quickness off the line and smooth route running to create space downfield. 

 


27) Buffalo Bills – Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Buffalo needs to get better in the trenches, and Bryan Bresee brings pedigree and athleticism to the defensive line. He and Ed Oliver would form a lethal interior pass rush duo and add another layer to Sean McDermott’s defense.

 


28) Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

Tom Brady had Rob Gronkowski and Patrick Mahomes has Travis Kelce. It’s time to give Burrow a sure handed, dominant tight end. Michael Mayer is a high-level blocker, route runner, and pass catcher who would be a great addition to a high-powered offense.

 


29) New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco through Miami and Denver) – BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

The Saints stay local and draft Ojulari to help with their defensive line. The impact he is able to make with his speed, as well as his length, would pair well with Cameron Jordan on the opposite side. Ojulari is coming off a nine sack, 49 pressure season which should continue at the NFL level. 

 


30) Philadelphia Eagles – Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Alabama

The Eagles are the most complete roster in football but could use a boost at running back. Adding a playmaker like Jahmyr Gibbs to pair with Jalen Hurts and their elite offensive line would create a dominant running game. His elusiveness and receiving ability will remind Eagles fans of Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy.

 


31) Kansas City Chiefs – Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

Will McDonald IV has a quick twitch and good bend when rushing the passer. He will have to learn behind veteran pass rushers before being highly dependent on.