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 - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
This pick is down to Arvell Reese or Bailey, and I truthfully don’t
know which way it goes. New York canceling their meeting with Bailey
initially made me think it would be Reese. The odds have shifted
drastically, though, and it looks more likely that Bailey is the
selection. Regardless of who, both will bring a unique ability to
change the game on the defensive side of the ball.
Previous Pick: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
1.03 Arizona
Cardinals - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arizona wants to trade out of this pick, and it looks likely
that will happen. If they can’t, I don’t trust this team is a
running back away from being a success. Instead, they go with
the top option on the board, which is Reese. He’s an athletic
freak with the ability to play multiple positions on the defense.
He has the ceiling to become one of the premier defensive options
in the NFL.
The Titans have some upside throughout their roster, but they
also have several holes. They can continue to help Cam Ward develop
at quarterback by adding Love to the backfield. Love can take
pressure off Ward, while adding a reliable pass catcher out of
the backfield.
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 - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
There’s plenty of smoke around Carnell Tate here, but Cleveland
still needs help along the offensive line. They’ll have their choice
of offensive tackles at this point in the draft, and Mauigoa is
the clear top option. He’s dealing with an injury issue, which could
cause him to fall, but he can anchor this line for years to come
in Cleveland.
Previous Pick: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
1.07 Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
It’s hard to determine what’s fake and what’s real at this point
in the offseason, but I believe the Commanders could look to add
a wide receiver here. They have a clear WR1 in Terry McLaurin, but
they’re lacking an elite secondary option. Tate is a player who
is going to need to develop, and he can learn behind a fellow Ohio
State receiver in Washington.
Previous Pick: Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
1.08 New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson was seen as far too risky for quite some time, but someone
is going to buy his talent early in this draft. He just held his
own Pro Day, and it was clear that he is healthy at this point.
He has the purest talent at the receiver position in this draft,
and New Orleans needs to add help for Tyler Shough.
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
New York Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
There are heavy reports that the Giants want Downs with the fifth
overall pick, but I believe they’re more likely to get the Styles/Downs
combo if they go Styles with their first pick. This is a spot where
New York could go with an offensive tackle, but I believe the reports
that they want both Downs and Styles to anchor their defense.
The Dolphins can use help nearly everywhere. They’re going to lock
into a massive rebuild, and Fano makes a lot of sense here. They
signed Malik Willis, but they need to protect him. Fano has the
chance to be the first offensive tackle taken in this draft, but
he falls a bit to Miami here.
Previous Pick: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
1.12 Dallas Cowboys - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys need help at the edge position, but they need help overall
on defense. There isn’t any elite edge rushers left at this point
in the draft, but they can grab the best cornerback. Delane flashed
in college, and he has the potential to be able to shadow WR1s throughout
his career. The Cowboys are looking to revamp their defense, and
he’s a fairly obvious option if he’s available at this pick.
Previous Pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
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: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
1.23 Philadelphia Eagles - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
It looks like the Eagles are set to trade away A.J. Brown before
the season. They could look to replace him with this pick, but they
traded for Dontayvion Wicks earlier in the offseason. Although I
don’t believe that’s enough to stop them from considering a wide
receiver here, I do think they could go with an offensive tackle
if someone like Lomu is available. It’s also important to note that
Philadelphia views DeVonta Smith as a WR1, so they may not feel
a need to immediately replace Brown.
Previous Pick: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona
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: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
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 - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Bills could use help on the offensive line or on the defense,
but McDonald is a player who can have an immediate impact. He’s
an outstanding run defender, and Buffalo struggled to slow down
the run at times last season. They need to be able to get off the
field and get the ball in Josh Allen’s hands in the playoffs, and
McDonald is a player that could help in that area.
Previous Pick: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
1.27 San
Francisco 49ers - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Trent Williams recently signed an extension with the 49ers, but
that isn’t likely to change this pick. 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.
The Texans are a team that needs help along the offensive line.
They have an outstanding defense, but they need to keep C.J. Stroud
upright if they want to find more success. Bisontis is a player
who is skyrocketing up draft boards late in the process, and he
can immediately help this unit.
Previous Pick: TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
1.29 Kansas
City Chiefs - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy is one of the most talented cornerbacks in this draft, but
he has some serious health concerns. He’d likely be a top 15 pick
if he were completely healthy, but that isn’t the case. Kansas City
needs help in the secondary, and he’d be a steal in terms of talent
at this point.
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: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
1.31
New England Patriots - TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
New England could use some help at the edge position, and Parker
is an outstanding option here. He found plenty of success throughout
his time at Clemson, and he can immediately help pressure opposing
quarterbacks for the Patriots.
There are several cornerback options that Seattle will consider
here. Hood is extremely talented, and he’s generally viewed as one
of the more pro-ready prospects. Seattle is coming off winning the
Super Bowl, and he’s a player they can immediately slot in as they
try to make another run.
Predict the top ten picks of the NFL Draft
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