1.01 Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
There’s only one pick that we should feel confident in at the
moment, and it’s Mendoza. This is an extremely weak quarterback
class, and it’s clear that Mendoza sits at the top. Las Vegas
experimented with Geno Smith and Pete Carroll last season, and
it was a disaster. They brought in Klint Kubiak as their new head
coach, and he’ll grab his quarterback of the future here.
1.02 New York Jets - Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)
The Jets could go with a few different players here, but it’s
a safe bet that they’ll focus on the defensive side of the ball.
Bain could be the first edge rusher taken in this draft, possessing
an elite ability to create pressure. New York overhauled their
roster at the trade deadline, and they’ll have their choice of
potential game-changing defensive options with this pick.
1.03 Arizona Cardinals - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Arizona has several holes throughout their roster, but they desperately
need help along the offensive line. Paris Johnson Jr. can handle
the left side, which makes Mauigoa the perfect option here. He
dominated at right tackle throughout his college career, and he’ll
immediately slide into a starting role. It likely won’t be necessary,
but there is also the option that he could slide to the left side,
if needed.
1.04 Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Titans don’t have a ton to love on their roster, but they
do have their quarterback of the future. They can take a chance
with this pick, and Reese boasts incredible upside. He’s a potential
game-changer on defense, and he can impact the game in several
different ways. He could be somewhat of a project for them to
develop, but that likely won’t be an issue with Cam Ward entering
only his second season.
1.05 New York Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Generally, safeties are positions that fall a bit in the draft,
but I’m not sure that’s going to be the case for Downs. New York
hired John Harbaugh, and he’s consistently had elite safeties
throughout his career. We saw the Baltimore Ravens draft Kyle
Hamilton in the first round a few years ago, and Downs is one
of the best safety prospects in recent memory. Harbaugh has already
praised him, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s a player Harbaugh
wants to build his defense around.
1.06 Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns need help along the offensive line, and it doesn’t
look like this is a draft where a team is even going to be able
to reach for a quarterback. Instead, they can focus on the rookies
they drafted last year and give them the best chance to succeed.
Fano has experience on both sides of the line, and he’ll slide
in wherever Cleveland needs him. He’ll immediately make this offensive
line drastically better, specifically in pass protection.
1.07 Washington Commanders - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Commanders need to fix their defense, and Bailey is the perfect
option. He isn’t likely going to come in and play every down as
a rookie, but he can immediately impact the game. He comes with
tremendous pass-rush potential, and Washington is in need of someone
who can pressure opposing quarterbacks. He’s the type of player
who can become an All-Pro later down the line.
1.08 New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
New Orleans has their pick of skill position players to help Tyler
Shough take the next step in his development. It was extremely
difficult not slotting Jeremiyah Love here after his Combine,
but I’m opting to give him help at receiver. They traded away
Rashid Shaheed last season, and they’re lacking at wide receiver
outside of Chris Olave. The Saints will have their pick of which
receiver they want here, and Tyson can immediately slot in and
help this offense take their next step.
1.09 Kansas City Chiefs - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
It feels like we give Kansas City a running back every year, but
this makes too much sense. They aren’t as dominant as they once
were, but they can still rely on Patrick Mahomes to find success.
Love dominated the NFL Combine, which likely locks him into the
top 10 of this draft. He’s a game-changing running back that can
immediately help the Chiefs get back to being a contender.
1.10 Cincinnati Bengals - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Bengals are a team that can always compete when Joe Burrow
is healthy, but they have plenty of holes throughout their roster.
They need help in their secondary, and Delane could be the first
corner taken in this draft. He has the upside to become a shadow
option that can lock down opposing WR1s. This is a chance for
Cincinnati to add elite potential to their secondary.
1.11 Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins are loaded with holes throughout their roster, but
there isn’t a quarterback that makes sense here. They could opt
to go offense with Carnell Tate, but I’d expect them to work more
on their defense. This came down to McCoy or Keldric Faulk, and
I’m going for the former. Similar to Delane, who he could be drafted
ahead of, McCoy has the potential to turn into a top cornerback,
which is something Miami desperately needs.
1.12 Dallas Cowboys - Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Dallas needs to replace Micah Parsons, and Faulk is a player who
can help them find production. He comes with high-end pass-rush
potential, but he’ll also be able to play the run well. He can
occasionally move inside to disrupt opposing offenses from a different
slot. He doesn’t have the pure upside as the other two edge rushers
at the top of this draft, but he certainly can help fill a void
for the Cowboys.
1.13 Los Angeles Rams - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Wide receiver isn’t the most pressing need for Los Angeles, but
this value is too good for them to pass up. Tate has the potential
to turn into a WR1 in the NFL, and he can learn behind two elite
options. Davante Adams is getting older, and Tate could be the
option to eventually take over for him. The combination of Tate
and Puka Nacua would be an elite one for years to come for the
Rams.
The Ravens have several holes that are masked by Lamar Jackson
and company, but there are several ways they can go with this
pick. Overall, Baltimore struggled to get pressure on opposing
quarterbacks, and that’s arguably their biggest flaw at the moment.
Mesidor can help bolster their pass rush, and he can shift inside
at times as well. He boasts versatility that will immediately
help Baltimore’s defense put more pressure on opposing offenses.
1.15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles just dominated the NFL Combine, and he’d be taken well
before this pick if he played a different position. Tampa Bay
might have to fill the hole that Lavonte David leaves, and Styles
can immediately do that. It’s an elite position for the Bucs that
they’ve relied on for years, and getting a replacement for such
an important player would be a great use of this pick.
1.16 New York Jets - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
If this were a different class, Simpson likely wouldn’t be going
in the first round. He only started one season in college, but
he showed plenty of flashes. The Jets need to fill a rotating
quarterback position, and Simpson would give them hope. We know
quarterbacks get drafted earlier than their talent, and I’m expecting
that to be the case again here.
1.17 Detroit Lions - TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Lions need to find someone who can consistently pressure quarterbacks
opposite Aidan Hutchinson. That’s the type of roster construction
that could take Detroit back to the top of the NFC. Parker had
a lot of hype at one point in his career, but he’s struggled a
bit, which could result in him falling. He looked great at the
Senior Bowl, though, which should help him be selected in the
first round.
Minnesota needs to find a replacement for Harrison Smith, and
that’s likely their most pressing need at this point in the draft.
Caleb Downs isn’t going to fall this far, but they should have
their pick of the next set of safeties. Thieneman has the ability
to be a difference-maker on the back end, and that’s exactly what
the Vikings should be looking for.
1.19 Carolina Panthers - Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State
There are some who believe Ioane is the best lineman in the draft,
but he’s going to fall because he plays on the interior. Carolina
can use free agency to bolster their defense, while they add offensive
depth in the draft. Ioane can play multiple spots along the offensive
line, and he’ll help bring some consistency to their lineup.
1.20 Dallas Cowboys - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys already bolstered their defense with an edge rusher
earlier in this draft, but they also need help in their secondary.
There are a few options they can go here in a deep class, but
Hood can add an element of physicality to this defense. The concern
is that he projects better in man coverage, but he’s also flashed
the ability to find success in zone. This is a bit of a boom-or-bust
option for Dallas, but they’re in a position to make that type
of pick.
1.21 Pittsburgh Steelers - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The reports on Lemon are all over the place, and he feels like
one of the biggest unknowns in the draft. He can immediately help
this Pittsburgh offense, though, and he’ll take some pressure
off DK Metcalf. He has the ability to eventually turn into the
focal point, and we’ve seen the Steelers find success with this
style of receiver in the past.
1.22 Los Angeles Chargers - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Chargers will have their pick of the next tier of offensive
linemen. They drastically need help protecting Justin Herbert,
and it was evident this past season that this is by far the biggest
hole for them at the moment. Lomu is generally viewed as the next
option, and he can help solidify this line, adding to the overall
upside of Herbert and company.
1.23 Philadelphia Eagles - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
It looks like Philadelphia and AJ Brown could part ways sooner
rather than later, although I don’t think this pick is contingent
on that. Dallas Goedert is a free agent, and Sadiq is an extremely
high-upside tight end prospect. He’s going to be a matchup nightmare
for whoever drafts him, and allowing him to learn behind solid
options before taking on a bigger role will only help his career.
Cleveland already drafted an offensive lineman here, but they
can double down with this pick. Fano has the ability to kick inside
if needed, giving the Browns a bit more flexibility. Offensive
line is going to be a major hole for them, and grabbing multiple
first-round picks will only help their young quarterbacks, as
they determine if they’re options for the future.
1.25 Chicago Bears - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Bears need help along the defensive line, and Woods will immediately
fill that hole. He’s going to play the majority of his snaps as
an interior defensive lineman who can hold the line of scrimmage.
He can move outside, though, setting the edge and finding some
pressure. He isn’t likely to find a ton of snaps as an edge, but
it’s important to note his versatility.
1.26 Buffalo Bills - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Bills have seemingly cooled on Keon Coleman, meaning they’re
going to need to find another receiver to help take the pressure
off of Josh Allen and Khalil Shakir. Boston is the type of player
who can develop into a WR1 and help change their offense. For
a team that was relying on Brandin Cooks late in the season, grabbing
the best receiver here makes too much sense.
1.27 San Francisco 49ers - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Freeling isn’t a polished player, but the upside is undeniable.
Regardless of Trent Williams’ decision, it makes sense for San
Francisco to draft if. If Williams stays, Freeling can learn from
one of the best in the NFL, making it more likely he’ll hit his
ridiculous ceiling. If Williams leaves, San Francisco will drastically
need help along the offensive line, and Freeling has the physical
tools to take over.
1.28 Houston Texans - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Texans are one of many teams that desperately need help along
the offensive line. There are issues with Miller’s game, but he
has the look to be a long-term right tackle. Houston needs to
protect C.J. Stroud if they ever want to be serious contenders,
and Miller can help them find consistency at the right tackle
position.
1.29 Los Angeles Rams - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Rams didn’t draft for need with their first pick, but they
are here. They need help in their secondary, and Terrell makes
an outstanding option. He’s willing to attack opponents in the
running game, but his lack of interceptions is a difficult point
in college. Granted, he does create plays often, but those don’t
generally turn into interceptions. Still, he comes with high-end
upside, and he can immediately help Los Angeles.
1.30 Denver Broncos - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Denver could be losing several defensive pieces to free agency,
and they’re going to have to replace some of them with cheaper
options. Allen isn’t likely to be over drafted because of his
position, but he comes with plenty of potential here. The Broncos
could use help at linebacker, depending on their free agency moves,
and Allen could immediately fill that role.
1.31 New England Patriots - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Patriots featured an elite defense last season, but they could
still add some options. I don’t see any edge rushers here that
make sense, so we’re shifting to safety. McNiel-Warren can play
in the box and find plenty of success against the run. He can
also play over the top, but he could struggle with faster receivers
at times. He’s a safer option who can help New England continue
to find elite defensive success.
1.32 Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Seahawks could lose some of their cornerbacks to free agency,
and they can replace them here. Cisse’s going to be a bit of a
project, but he comes with elite athleticism. The Seahawks are
a team that can bet on development and upside, and Cisse comes
with as high a ceiling as any corner in this draft. He just also
comes with drastically more risk.
