1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC
Williams has been the consensus top pick since last year and the Bears will get its new generational quarterback. For a portion of the offseason, it was uncertain whether the Bears would stick with former QB Justin Fields, but Chicago has since moved on from Fields and thanks to a trade with the Panthers from last year’s draft, will accept the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner with open arms.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU
The next two picks will be quarterbacks. While I believe UNC QB Drake Maye is the better prospect, Daniels fits the scheme that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has coached before, both at the collegiate level with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Williams, as well as in the NFL with Kyler Murray. Daniels is no slouch either, winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina
There has been speculation that New England would move back from the third pick, but Maye is too tempting to pass up on. Maye slightly regressed from the production he had in his sophomore season, but still proved why he was one of the most heralded prospects in this year’s class. The Patriots will move on from the failed Mac Jones era with a more promising and talented play caller.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
The Cardinals said that multiple picks would be needed for the team to move out of the fourth slot. That seems unlikely and with Arizona in need of a pass catcher, Harrison Jr. will head to the desert. The son of a hall of fame wide receiver, Harrison Jr. was easily the best collegiate receiver over the past two years.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU
The Chargers are in a new era, with Jim Harbaugh becoming the new man at the helm. Offensively, Los Angeles is missing key pass catchers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, who both departed in free agency. Though the Chargers used their first round pick last year to acquire wide receiver Quentin Johnston, the organization is going to get a shiny, new toy for quarterback Justin Herbert. Nabers worked out of the slot for the majority of his snaps this season and thrived, so he will become an instant threat for this offense.
Trade: Minnesota Vikings acquire sixth overall pick, 47th overall pick and Giants’ 2025 third round pick; New York Giants acquire 11th overall pick, 23rd overall pick, Vikings’ 2025 second round pick.
6. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan
The Vikings will be the first team to make a trade on draft day, McCarthy may not be the most talented quarterback in the class, but he will join a team with arguably the best receiving trio (Jefferson, Hockenson, Addison), a good offensive line and a viable running back in Aaron Jones.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Despite coming off a terrible offensive season the Titans are in a good spot for next season. The organization has faith in second-year QB Will Levis, replacing the void left by Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard and acquiring wide receiver Calvin Ridley. By adding Alt on the offensive line, Tennessee will be primed to make a run in the AFC South.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
Atlanta could very easily draft a top offensive weapon for the fourth straight year. Instead, the Falcons will bring in a force on the edge. The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year got into the backfield with ease in his junior season and will look to have his freakish athleticism translate to the professional ranks.
9. Chicago Bears: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Chicago’s offense will be set up for years of success with the addition of Williams. The receiving corps have been solidified with Keenan Allen joining D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet, as well as the backfield gaining D’Andre Swift. General manager Ryan Poles will shift his focus to the defense, more specifically the defensive front. Adding a passing rushing menace like Verse will make this team even more complete.
10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
The Jets added two of its offensive weapons in the draft two years ago, adding receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. New York will add the first player to win the John Mackey award in consecutive seasons. Bowers is one of the most hyped tight end prospects in history and will be a great addition to an already stacked offense.
11. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington
Last offseason, the Giants handed quarterback Daniel Jones a massive contract after a career best year. Jones missed most of last season, leading to rumors that New York would move on from its former first-round pick. However, Jones has never truly had a top receiving weapon and the addition of the big bodied Odunze will become an instant impact player for the Giants.
12. Denver Broncos: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas
Despite recently acquiring Zach Wilson from the Jets, there’s been buzz about Denver moving up to get a quarterback. With the Vikings having jumped up to get McCarthy, Denver won’t reach to get the next best quarterback prospect and will address its interior defense. The addition of Murphy II will help plug some of the holes in the front layer of the Denver defense.
13. Oakland Raiders: Troy Fautanu, Offensive Tackle, Washington
Oakland was a team that many at one point were projected to draft a quarterback. Instead, I believe Oakland will opt for an offensive lineman, a versatile one at that. Fautanu played the majority of his snaps at left tackle, but is talented enough to move inside to a guard position, with Kolton Miller remaining as the Raiders’ left tackle.
14. New Orleans Saints: J.C. Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The first year of the Derek Carr era in New Orleans was disappointing to say the least. New Orleans will address the offense, but the organization has faith that Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave will continue to be premier options at their positions. Instead, the Saints will bring in Latham, who has the talent to be extremely versatile.
15. Indianapolis Colts, Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo
The Colts offense is set up to succeed for the future, with wide receiver Michael Pittman signing an extension to keep the core of him, Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis for the future. Defensively, Indy was middle of the pack, which is going to prompt a move to bolster the secondary. The addition of Mitchell will help improve the Colts’ secondary, potentially becoming one of the better pass defenses in the NFL.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State
Seattle’s right tackle Abraham Lucas missed a good share of last season to a knee injury. If he isn’t ready for the beginning of the season, Fuaga would thrive at his natural position. If Lucas is healthy and Seattle opts to start him at right tackle, Fuaga would slot in well at an interior position.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Jaguars struggled to bring down quarterbacks in the backfield last season. The Jaguars will bring in one of college’s best game wreckers. Latu finished in the top five in sacks last season, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Opposing QBs will have nightmares when thinking about Latu and Josh Allen coming from opposing ends of the defensive line.
Trade: Philadelphia Eagles acquire 18th overall pick, 80th overall pick and Bengals’ 2025 third round pick; Cincinnati Bengals acquire 22nd overall pick, 53rd pick, 210th overall pick.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Amarius Mims, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
While it would make sense to bolster the secondary, Philadelphia is going to build for the future and get the heir to Lane Johnson. GM Howie Roseman has drafted five players from the University of Georgia in the last two drafts, albeit on the defensive side. Mims has raw talent and with learning from a guy like Johnson, can become a premier tackle in the NFL.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
The Rams saw three-time DPOY Aaron Donald retire this offseason, leaving a hole in the defensive front. Though Robinson isn’t an interior lineman, he is a game changer. Robinson is one of the most athletic prospects in the class and though he won’t replace Donald, Chop will most certainly be an undeniable presence for the future of this Los Angeles defense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State
The Steelers’ offensive line has been underwhelming. No better year to address the issue than this year’s draft, with its immense depth for offensive lines. Left tackle seems to be the biggest hole on the line, so Pittsburgh will be able to plug and play Fashanu. Fashanu is one of the more seasoned offensive line prospects, being a starter in two of his three seasons as a Nittany Lion.
21. Miami Dolphins: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama
The Dolphins will get to enjoy the cornerback duo of Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller. Miami will build depth in the secondary by bringing in a ball hawk from Tuscaloosa. Arnold can become an instant starter, if put in the slot. Miami could move on from Fuller and Ramsey, Arnold could get the chance to learn from some of the best players in the secondary and potentially become the go-to guy in a couple seasons.
22. Cincinnati Bengals: Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa
Cincinnati struggled to slow down the passing game, allowing the fifth most yards through the air. The Bengals will counteract that by bringing in DeJean. DeJean is a ball hawk and versatile, giving the Cincinnati the choice whether to play him at his natural position or flex him to one of the safety slots.
23. New York Giants: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
The Giants earn an extra first round selection by moving back and addressing its secondary need. McKinstry was excellent in his final season with the Crimson Tide. If last year’s first rounder Deonte Banks is able to regain the form he had in college, he and McKinstry could become a scary secondary duo.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Dallas’ once elite offensive line has started to deteriorate, but this draft gives the Cowboys the opportunity to reinforce the line. Guyton guarded the blind side of southpaw QB Dillon Gabriel at Oklahoma, and though he won’t have to guard Dak Prescott’s blind side to begin his career, he is more than talented enough to slot over on the left side of the line.
25. Green Bay Packers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Interior Offensive Line, Oregon
The Packers showed that the future was bright, falling just short of a NFC Championship. Green Bay added Josh Jacobs to the backfield, so the only offensive priority is to fortify the line. Enter Powers-Johnson, who has the ability to move around the interior of the offensive line, giving the Packers the luxury to slot him in whichever position the team thinks is the weakest.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson
Tampa Bay yielded the fourth most yards in the NFL. The Buccaneers shocked many, making a playoff run in a year where the team was expected to struggle. Wiggins has a good frame and is hyper-athletic and will slot in perfectly with a rather lackluster secondary.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
The Cardinals struggled to get after the quarterback, collecting the third fewest sacks in the league. Jonathan Gannon was a key factor for Philadelphia’s exceptional quarterback pressuring ability in 2022, so adding a player like Robinson would be a huge boost for this Arizona front.
28. Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU
The Bills have a glaring need for wideouts, with the departure of Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs. Though there is a dropoff in talent after the top three receivers, Thomas Jr. is still a phenomenal talent and pairing him with a QB such as Josh Allen could lead to a scary QB-receiver tandem.
Trade: New England Patriots acquire 29th overall pick and 164th overall pick; Detroit Lions acquire 34th overall pick and 103rd overall pick.
29. New England Patriots: Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas
After drafting Maye with the third pick, getting him a legitimate weapon would make a ton of sense. Mitchell was elite in his long season with the Longhorns. Mitchell and teammate Xavier Worthy served as 1A-1B receivers, so New England could slowly integrate Mitchell into the offense, having him serve as a secondary option.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Texas
Just one pick later after his teammate will the amazingly athletic Worthy get drafted. Worthy broke the 40-yard dash record at the NFL Draft Combine and will slot in phenomenally with this Baltimore offense with lightning quick players around him. Worthy and Flowers could split time working out of the slot.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, Offensive Tackle, Duke
The 49ers are the most complete team in the NFL, but will use this pick to build for the future. Bartin can work on the inside of the offensive line, especially with Trent Williams still remaining as one of the premier tackles. Barton will be able to learn from Williams and become the successor to him.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
Despite a lack of receiving talent, the Chiefs became the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the Patriots in 2003 and 2004. Still, Kansas City needs to address the receiver room and who better than Franklin, who set the Oregon record for single-season receiving yards. A quartet of Mahomes, Kelce, Franklin and Rice, depending on the results of Rice’s off the field issues, could be one of the best in the league.
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