By: ZACK JONES / DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
1st Overall Pick- Chicago Bears:
Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC:
No surprise here. With the number one overall pick, the Bears are set to select Caleb Williams out of USC. Williams is a big play machine with the ability to extend plays with his legs. This bottle-of-lightning quarterback is bound to be the first player off the board and take the starting quarterback position in Chicago.
2nd Overall Pick- Washington Commanders:
Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU:
The Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels has progressed unbelievably well since his early years at Arizona State. The dual-threat quarterback who threw for 4,000+ and rushed for 1000+ isn’t a guy you can fit into a box. Especially when he can throw for a 10/1 touchdown to interception ratio. The Heisman winner should find a new home with lofty expectations in Washington at the second overall pick.
3rd Overall Pick- New England Patriots:
Drake Maye, Quarterback, UNC or Trade to (CHI, NYG, or MIN):
Drake Maye is a big-arm guy with solid mobility and unmatched toughness. His winner mentality has helped him climb draft boards and his 6’4 frame is great for the modern NFL. The UNC quarterback may scare some who think of Mitch Trubisky but Maye is no Trubisky and should be a lock for the top three in this year's draft.
4th Overall Pick- Arizona Cardinals:
Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Reciever, Ohio State or Trade to (TEN, NYG, MIN):
Harrison Jr., much like his father, is an elite wide receiver with out-of-this-world talent. Harrison Jr. had yet another amazing year at Ohio State despite the squad's troubles at quarterback. Harrison should become yet another staple of success for the school in their continuous ability to produce elite-level NFL wide receivers.
5th Overall Pick- Los Angeles Chargers:
Malik Nabers, Wide Reciever, LSU:
The Los Angeles Chargers have many needs in this upcoming draft but after the losses of wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, no position seems more necessary than the wide receiver spot. Malik Nabers is arguably the best wide receiver in the draft and after consecutive great seasons at LSU, Nabers is expected to join the list of great Tiger receivers in the NFL.
6th Overall Pick- New York Giants:
J.J McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan:
The Giants are set to be one of the most unpredictable teams in this upcoming draft. There are many rumors that New York may be eyeing quarterback J.J McCarthy with the sixth overall pick. McCarthy has the intangibles to be a great NFL quarterback with the benefits of size, mobility, a strong arm and a consistent production of winning. The questions surrounding McCarthy’s tape are prevalent in the lead-up to the draft but his talent and potential are unquestionable.
7th Overall Pick- Tennessee Titans:
Joe Alt, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Alt is the perfect fit for the Titans’ current roster. He is a huge, athletic tackle who has proven tape on the outside of the line. The Notre Dame product seems like the ideal left tackle and has been deemed by many as a blue-chip prospect. Alt is arguably the perfect player to join a Tennessee Titans offensive line that has struggled in the past few seasons.
8th Overall Pick- Atlanta Falcons:
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama or Trade NO or NYJ:
Dallas Turner is simply an athletic freak. The Combine did wonders for Turner whose measurements astonished the league. The Alabama defensive end boasted an 83” wingspan and his tape has been elite since his freshman season at Alabama where he got to the quarterback 8.5 times. The Falcons’ defense has struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent years and Turner should slot in as part of the solution to that issue.
9th Overall Pick- Chicago Bears:
Rome Odunze, Wide Reciever, Washington:
The Chicago Bears have added to their wide receiver room often over the past two seasons with the additions of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. However, the Bears may not be done adding to the talented wide receiver room. Rome Odunze is a major candidate to go ninth overall to the Bears. The Washington product was a prominent figure in the high-powered Washington offense that made the College Football National Championship Game. Odunze put up over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Washington and would be a major addition to the retooled Chicago offense.
10th Overall Pick: New York Jets:
Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State:
The main objective of the New York Jets this offseason has been to surround the offense with talent and ensure they can protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The options at offensive tackle are abundant but there have been rumors that the Jets guy is Fuaga. Fuaga had a great Senior season at Oregon State and worked his draft stock up throughout the year. Fuaga is a surefire first rounder and it would be no surprise if he is off the board to the Jets at 10.
11th Overall Pick- Minnesota Vikings:
Byron Murphy II, Defensive Line, Texas:
Byron Murphy is a disrupter in the gaps and has seen much success in his time on the Texas defensive line. He is one of the premier stars of this draft but due to positional value, will probably see his name slide further down the board than his talent demands. The Vikings have shown an interest in Murphy throughout the draft process and if they stick and pick at 11, he should be a name in consideration to help revitalize their defensive line post Danielle Hunter.
12th Overall Pick- Denver Broncos:
Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia:
The Denver Broncos are a needy team. This is the team that gave up a record 70 points in a game last season. Their objectives in the draft may simply be to trade back and accumulate picks but if they are to remain at pick 12 it should surprise nobody if they select Brock Bowers. Bowers is a blue chips prospect at the tight end position and should find himself selected in the first half of day one.
13th Overall- Las Vegas Raiders:
Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson or Trade JAX, GB, or LAR:
Nate Wiggins is a well-polished athlete with a good size relative to this year's cornerback class. Wiggins tested through the roof at the Combine but did obtain a hamstring injury during testing. He should be fine to start the regular season. Wiggins’ production at Clemson was very consistent and he should be the CB1 on multiple boards this year.
14th Overall Pick- New Orleans Saints:
Olu Fashanu, Offensive Tackle, Penn State:
There is arguably no team with a bigger need for offensive tackle this year than the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have struggled on the offensive line and need to bolster it to protect quarterback Derek Carr in his second year with the team. Olu Fashanu is a younger tackle prospect who seemed like a top-10 pick if he were to have entered last year's draft.
15th Overall Pick- Indianapolis Colts:
Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama:
Arnold has seen his name climb up draft boards as we approach the draft and the Indianapolis Colts are well-positioned to select a top corner in this year's draft. The Colts are expected to draft a corner at 15 and Arnold has proved himself as a guy bound to be selected high.
16th Overall Pick: Seattle Seahawks:
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA or Trade PIT, LAR, or GB:
There were a lot of concerns coming into the combine concerning Laiatu Latu and his athleticism and health. However, Latu put these questions to rest, testing great at the combine. Latu also boasts what may be the best tape amongst this year's defensive ends, and should be a surefire first-rounder. Seattle needs pass rushers and disruptors and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they took Latu to keep him on the West Coast.
17th Overall Pick- Jacksonville Jaguars:
Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo:
Quinyon Mitchell is the model build of recent successful rookie corners in the league. He is a speedy, lanky corner with great instincts. The Jaguars have seen struggles in the secondary the past two seasons and should be looking to revamp their secondary with a talented corner like Mitchell.
18th Overall Pick- Cincinnati Bengals:
J.C. Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama:
Latham has seen a fall in his stock and questions about his ability to play the left tackle position. Latham lined up on the outside for much of his career at Alabama and should be a top tackle selected in this year's draft. The Cincinnati Bengals have seen their fair share of troubles on the offensive line and after losing tackle Jonah Wiliams in free agency, they should be keyed in to select a tackle in this year's draft.
19th Overall Pick- Los Angeles Rams:
Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa:
Cooper DeJean may be the best corner in this class. DeJean has seen every spot on the field in the secondary and has also found himself as a returner for Iowa this year as well. The concern around DeJean is due to the injury that ended his senior season at Iowa. The Iowa product suffered a lower leg injury and wasn’t able to participate in the combine this year. With corners flying off the board DeJean should be selected in round one and the Rams are a top suitor for the talented corner.
20th Overall Pick- Pittsburgh Steelers:
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama:
Kool-Aid Mckinstry is a star and a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. McKinstry is an aggressive and, at times, handsy corner that’s coming off of a minor foot injury. Despite this injury, McKinstry posted solid numbers in his pro day, running a 4.47 40-yard dash. Many scouts regard McKinstry as a high-floor corner with a solid upside and should fall around this range. The pairing of McKinstry and last year's rookie corner Joey Porter Jr. could be a top duo for years to come.
21st Overall Pick- Miami Dolphins:
Graham Barton, Offensive Tackle, Duke:
The Miami Dolphins have suffered many losses this offseason and the offensive line took a major hit. Graham Barton is an offensive tackle prospect who could line up on the interior in the NFL. This versatility makes Barton a great fit for the Miami Dolphins team with many holes on the offensive line.
22nd Overall Pick- Philadelphia Eagles:
Kamari Lassiter, Cornerback, Georgia:
Philadelphia loves Georgia prospects and that trend may continue into this year’s draft. The Eagles are in that large group of teams that should be looking at cornerbacks after suffering a defeat in the wildcard last year behind a masterful Baker Mayfield game through the air. Lassiter has shown all the intangibles of a great corner at Georgia and looks like a future CB1.
23rd Overall Pick- Minnesota Vikings:
Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback, Washington:
If the Vikings stick and pick at 11 and 23 there's still a chance at a quarterback and Michael Penix Jr. is the lead candidate available. Penix is a strong-armed lefty who has proved his ability to beat top teams. Last year he impressed many by making the College Football Title game and, despite a loss, should be a name in the hat for the Vikings if available at 23.
24th Overall Pick- Dallas Cowboys:
Troy Fautanu, Offensive Tackle, Washington:
The Cowboys lost long-time offensive tackle Tyron Smith in free agency this year and will likely look to revamp the position. Fatuanu is one of the top tackles in this draft and he has the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line much like the tackles that the Cowboys have drafted in the recent past. As a part of a high-powered Washington offense, Fautanu only allowed 2 sacks this past season and should hear his name called in round one.
25th Overall Pick- Green Bay Packers:
Amarius Mims, Offensive Tackle, Georgia:
The Green Bay Packers are well-known for liking athletic players and Mims is just that. Not only is Mims athletic, he is huge. The tackle stands over 6’7 and weighed in at a whopping 340 lbs at this year's combine. Mims is the ideal prospect to bolster this Packers offensive line.
26th Overall Pick- Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State:
Verse has dropped a good bit in stock since last year when he decided to take an extra year at Florida State. This comes despite the single-loss season and great team defense of the Florida State team. The need in this year's draft for defensive ends seems low and that will be the primary reason for Verse to drop. The Buccaneers may be the most defensive end-needing team and they will not be upset if Verse is to fall to them at 26.
27th Overall Pick- Arizona Cardinals:
Mike Sainristril, Cornerback, Michigan:
Sainristril is a coach's player and a great player for any NFL secondary. The Michigan corner may not be the flashiest of players but he has a grittiness that is fit for the league. The Arizona Cardinals have seen misses drafting corners in recent years and Sainristril is the perfect low floor plug-and-play guy with ability primarily in the slot.
28th Overall Pick- Buffalo Bills:
Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU:
LSU wide receiver in the first round. History says that this is a near-impossible miss. The Buffalo Bills have an outstanding need for wide receivers after trading away Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis to free agency. Brian Thomas Jr. would be a great start to replacing that production. The LSU star was a touchdown machine this past year getting to the end zone 17 times on his 68 receptions. He’s a big play machine and a great match for the strong arm of Josh Allen.
29th Overall Pick- Detroit Lions:
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Interior Offensive Line, Oregon:
Powers-Johnson is the center of this draft. He is big, he is athletic and he is mean on the interior. Offensive lines stand to gain from having the Oregon product on the roster and what better fit than one of the best offensive lines in football? The Detroit Lions don’t have many immediate needs and have been known under coach Dan Campbell to surprise come draft time. A center would surprise some but taking one of the best center prospects of recent years shouldn’t surprise many.
30th Overall Pick- Baltimore Ravens:
AD Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas:
The Ravens have seen success drafting a wide receiver in the first round last season with Zay Flowers having a great rookie season with Lamar Jackson. However, the wide receiver room is still one of the worst in football. To win Super Bowls, it seems to be a no-brainer to deepen this young core with a guy like Mitchell. Mitchell was a key weapon on the Texas roster that made a run at the College Football Playoffs and the electric 6’4 route runner has the size and ability to make a difference in an NFL offense like the Ravens.
31st Overall Pick- San Fransisco 49ers:
Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma:
The San Francisco 49ers have few flaws on their roster but any were apparent this year was the offensive line. The offensive line looked poor at times in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the pick is on the offensive line. Tyler Guyton was primarily a right tackle in his time at Oklahoma and, in his final year, he allowed zero sacks from the right side. The stars seem to align for Guyton to be the pick for the 49ers.
32nd Overall Pick- Kansas City Chiefs:
Johnny Newton, Defensive Line, Illinois:
Newton is a monster on the interior defensive line and has bounced around the first round for scouts this season. The Illinois product has staggering size and great tape alike. The Kansas City Chiefs have selected on the defensive side of the ball in the first round for the past three drafts and with talent like Newton on the board at 32 that trend may continue.
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