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.
Previous Pick: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
1.02 New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets made several moves in free agency, adding to their defense.
I expect them to continue that in the draft. Reese could need
a bit more time to develop than the top edge rushers but he's
a versatile piece that can be a game-changer on defense for the
next decade. Mixing in with the veterans who can immediately start,
adding the upside of Reese is too good to pass up here.
Previous Pick: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
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.
Previous Pick: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
1.04 Tennessee Titans - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
It makes sense for the Titans to add offensive pieces to help
Cam Ward, but the available talent on the defensive side of the
ball is too good. Bailey comes with elite pass rush potential
off the edge, and Tennessee drastically needs to upgrade several
positions. The position is too important to pass up for the second-best
offensive tackle or a top wide receiver in this draft.
Previous Pick: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
1.05 New York Giants - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Generally, linebackers aren't taken this high in the draft, but
Styles is a unique player. Someone will fall in love with his
physical traits, and he'll be drafted ahead of where his position
generally goes. John Harbaugh is an old-school coach, and he's
the type of coach that would take the chance here to build his
defense.
Previous Pick: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
1.06 Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
There's steam that Cleveland could be looking at Carnell Tate
here, but I'm not buying it quite yet. 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.
Previous Pick: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
1.07 Washington Commanders - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints signing running backs
to big contracts in free agency suggests that Love isn't going to
make it to them. A few teams are in the mix, but he lands with Washington.
They signed two mediocre options at running back (Rachaad White,
Jerome Ford), and it's a position they can still upgrade. He'll
immediately create a dynamic duo with Jayden Daniels. This would
create significant mismatches for their opponents, and Love has
the talent to be a running back drafted in the top 10.
Previous Pick: Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
1.08 New Orleans
Saints - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints drastically need help at wide receiver and cornerback,
and they'll have their pick of the two positions here. I don't believe
they're ready to compete at this point regardless, which means it
makes more sense to help Tyler Shough continue his growth rather
than focus on defense. Chris Olave has proven he can be an outstanding
option as the WR1, and Tate can make an elite pairing with him.
He also has the potential to take over the WR1 slot eventually.
Kansas City added a few key pieces in free agency, and they get
a gift with Bain falling here. They need edge rushers, and Bain
has the potential to go as high as second in this draft. He's an
elite option, who can immediately help this defense. He also has
the potential to be a long-term defensive game-changer for the Chiefs.
Previous Pick: Reuben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)
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.
Previous Pick: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
1.11 Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins signed their short-term answer at quarterback in
Malik Willis, but they have plenty of holes throughout the rest
of their roster. They could add a wide receiver here, but they also
have massive needs on the defensive side of the ball. 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.
Previous Pick: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
1.12 Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
There have been reports that the Cowboys love Downs, and they're
going to take him if he's available at this pick. I'm not entirely
sure I believe those reports, but it doesn't matter here. There
aren't any truly viable edge rushers or cornerbacks, so taking the
best available defensive player makes sense. Downs is an elite option
who could fall in this draft because of his position. He'll immediately
help the backend of this Dallas defense.
Previous Pick: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
1.13 Los Angeles Rams - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Los Angeles could use a high-end WR3 who can take over when Davante
Adams leaves. The Rams are in a unique spot where they don't have
many massive holes in their roster, so they can use this pick in
several different ways. Lemon can add a new dimension to this offense,
and he'd make an already elite offense that much better.
Previous Pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
1.14 Baltimore
Ravens - Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State
The Ravens need help on the interior of their offense line, and
Ioane is an elite option. He's far-and-away the best iOL option
in this draft, and he can immediately help upgrade this offensive
line. He'll help Lamar Jackson and company, and upgrading the line
could immediately thrust Baltimore back into the playoffs.
Previous Pick: Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State
1.15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)
The Bucs need help on the defensive side of the ball, and they could
go a few different ways here. There isn't a cornerback available
in the same tier as Mesidor. Instead, they go with the edge rusher
and help their defense that way. It's potentially a bigger position
of need regardless.
Previous Pick: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)
1.16
New York Jets - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
There are reports that teams rank Cooper drastically higher than
the general public, and I believe that. The Jets could use help
opposite Garrett Wilson, and Cooper would be an outstanding option.
It was difficult to slot Cooper ahead of Jordyn Tyson here, but
the latter seemingly has one of the biggest ranges in the draft
this season.
Previous Pick: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
1.17 Detroit Lions - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Lions desperately need help at offensive tackle, and they have
a few options they could choose from. Freeling isn't the most polished
tackle in the draft, but he comes with elite upside. If he hits,
he could anchor the left side of Detroit's line for years to come.
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.
Previous Pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
1.19 Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers probably need a wide receiver more than a tight end,
but Sadiq is a player who can line up out wide. He's going to be
a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and he can bring another
viable option to this Carolina offense. Tommy Tremble is also on
the last year of his deal, so it'd give the Panthers a bit more
flexibility there.
Previous Pick: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
1.20 Dallas Cowboys
- Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
I originally slotted Faulk to the Cowboys with their first pick
before swapping out for a better player. He falls to this pick though,
and Dallas still needs help on their defense. Faulk won't have to
immediately step into a starting role, but he can help situationally.
The Cowboys are going to focus on defense in this draft, and Faulk
would be a solid option at this pick.
The Steelers had an obvious hole at wide receiver, but they filled
that with Michael Pittman Jr. There also aren't any quarterbacks
that should be considered here, so they can move to the offensive
line. Proctor boasts plenty of upside for a lineman this late in
the draft, and he's an outstanding option for Pittsburgh.
Previous Pick: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
1.22 Los
Angeles Chargers - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Los Angeles needs to keep Justin Herbert protected if they want
any chance at a deep playoff run. They need help along the offensive
line and Miller is a durable option, who can also shift inside to
guard if need be. He'd immediately help this line with toughness
and depth.
Previous Pick: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
1.23 Philadelphia Eagles - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona
The Eagles have been adding wide receivers in free agency, which
suggests that A.J. Brown is going to be traded before the season.
If that's the case, they're going to need someone who has elite
upside to replace their WR1. Tyson has the potential to do that,
although it doesn't seem all teams feel that way about him. He'd
be a steal at this pick, assuming Brown is on his way out of town.
Previous Pick: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
1.24 Cleveland Browns - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
There are reports that the Browns are considering Carnell Tate at
the sixth overall pick. I don't believe they pull the trigger there,
but that means they're looking for a difference-maker at wide receiver.
Boston can slot into the starting lineup early in his career, and
he has the potential to be a long-term WR1 for Cleveland.
Previous Pick: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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.
Previous Pick: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
1.26 Buffalo Bills - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Bills need help on their defense, but they don't have a shot
at the Super Bowl without Josh Allen staying upright. They can use
this pick to help their offensive line, which could be an issue
this upcoming season. Lomu is a player who can develop into a long-term
left tackle for Buffalo, and he could eventually fix the protection
issues that have plagued them.
Previous Pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
1.27 San
Francisco 49ers - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
It looks like Trent Williams' time in San Francisco is going to
be done at some point in the near future. They'll need to replace
him on their line, and Iheanachor is a solid option. He can learn
behind Williams for the time being, and eventually anchor the left-side
for years to come.
Previous Pick: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
1.28 Houston Texans
- TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Texans had massive issues at the offensive line, but they added
a few options in free agency. Parker is a solid option who can add
depth to one of the best defenses in the NFL. He can eventually
take over, but he'll have the option to learn from one of the best
defensive-minded coaches in the league.
Previous Pick: TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
1.29 Kansas
City Chiefs - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Chiefs lost several defensive backs this offseason, and they're
going to need to fill those holes. Hood looked great at Tennessee
last season, and he's expected to be a relatively pro-ready option
in this draft. He can immediately help a secondary that lost Trent
McDuffie via trade.
Miami traded away Jaylen Waddle, and they could use this pick to
replace him. Concepcion can be a chess piece for Miami. He has the
ability to play inside or outside, and he's an outstanding returner.
There are several ways the Dolphins can go with this pick, but they're
going to need to find help for Malik Willis.
Previous Pick: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
1.31 New England Patriots - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks is a player who can eat up a ton of space. He can control
the line of scrimmage, and he comes with elite size. New England
doesn't have a ton of holes throughout their roster, but they could
use help along the defensive line.
Terrell performed well in college, but his inability to create interceptions
could hinder his ceiling in this draft. He's outstanding at making
plays on the ball, but his lack of turnovers will be an issue for
some teams. The Seahawks need help in their secondary, and Terrell
is the final cornerback before a tier break. He'd make a lot of
sense with this pick.
Predict the top ten picks of the NFL Draft
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