No fluff, just the picks with some brief explanation.
- Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
JT has made it clear that Fields is his guy. He would fit well in this offense that uses the quarterback’s legs and will look good handing it off to McCaffrey. Maybe the Fields hype was a smoke screen?
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Jags have shown some serious promise despite their poor record. This team needs some work, and TLaw would be the franchise quarterback for 20+ years. With an elite passer, this team can be a contender in their division.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Taking the best offensive lineman in the draft (Penei Sewell) is the pick most will expect, but if ARod stays at pick three, I am confident he will draft a speedy receiver. John Ross is suspended for the first quarter of the season, and we saw how he loves speed.
4. Denver Broncos: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
This team had a rough year, and if they want to open running lanes for their coveted Sony Michel, Sewell should be the pick. He’s the best lineman in this class and will make life easier for Drew Lock (shoutout to Que).
5. Green Bay Packers: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
We’ve all heard the rumors that the Packers are unhappy with Aaron Rodgers. However, if they’re unhappy with a Hall of Fame talent, why would an unproven rookie be any better? I think they stick with ARod and draft the best wide receiver in this class to give him a weapon opposite Davante Adams.
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Micah Parsons, EDGE, Penn State
The Chiefs have a great roster and need to take the best player available. Parsons is arguably a top 3 player in this class, and they get him at six.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Chandler Jones was recently put on the trade block, leaving an opening for an edge rusher in Phoenix. Rousseau is an elite pass rusher, and the Cardinals shouldn’t skip a beat defensively if he’s the pick.
8. New Orleans Saints: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
We haven’t seen the new Saints Head Coach in action yet, but we do know that he let every single quarterback on his roster hit free agency. With a need at quarterback, New Orleans drafts the dynamic FCS prospect in Trey Lance.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travie Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Jaguars ran the ball very well with the likes of Samaje Perine and Laviska Shenault, so imagine what this offense could do with an elite talent like Etienne, who could join his former college QB. This Jacksonville offense looks ready to make some noise with DJ Chark, Travis Etienne, and Trevor Lawrence.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Caden Sterns, FS, Texas
With one of the worst cap situations in the league, the Eagles have to be successful in the draft. With a big need at safety, they pick the Madden 20 Hall of Famer Caden Sterns.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
We’ve seen what 49ers Head Coach Nefarious can do when it comes to developing quarterbacks, so I would not be surprised if Wilson is the pick here. With serious development and resources invested, he can be a very good passer.
12. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The best cornerback in this class falls all the way to number 12, and the Bills pick up an elite counterpart for Tre White. That CB duo has the potential to be one of the best in the league.
13. New York Jets: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The Jets need all the help they can get, and Rondale Moore is arguably the most athletic player in this class. He will bring much-needed speed to a lackluster Jets offense.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
After letting their top two running backs leave in free agency, the Steelers pick up a bruiser back with strong receiving skills to fit their run-heavy offense.
15. Oakland Raiders: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
The Raiders are coming off of a surprising year that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs, in large part due to the 28th ranked passing defense. They draft Wade here, one of the most elite corners in college football.
16. Minnesota Vikings: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Needing a quarterback desperately, the Vikings settle and take one of the best offensive linemen in the class instead. Maybe they can find their new passer in a later round?
17. Indianapolis Colts: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
One of the most dynamic talents in college football, the Colts get lucky and draft an elite tight end at 17. Though they need a quarterback, this pick makes life easier for whoever is under center.
18. New York Giants: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Giants want to throw the ball, so they draft one of the most complete receivers in this class to pair with Darius Slayton. With Saquon and Evan Engram, this offense becomes one of the most explosive in the league.
19. New York Jets: Big Kat Bryant, EDGE, Auburn
With a weak roster, the Jets need to fill a hole at edge rusher and do so with one of the most intriguing prospects (and best name) in the class. At 6’5 247 lbs, he is the prototypical size for an NFL edge rusher.
20. Chicago Bears: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
A team with a top 10 rushing attack, the Bears needed a true RB1, and Hubbard is just that. He can do it all for this offense, and will open up the passing game for Trubisky’s replacement.
21. Cleveland Browns: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
The Browns Head Coach is an Alabama homer and they need a strong linebacker to play behind Myles Garrett and make plays in the AFC North. Moses is as well-rounded as it gets, and is a steal at 21.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Calais Campbell isn’t going to be around forever. The Ravens have gotten a taste of what it’s like to have an elite run-stopper on their defense, and draft Campbell’s eventual replacement.
23. Atlanta Falcons: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The sixth Crimson Tide player drafted so far in the first round goes to the Atlanta Falcons who are in desperate need of help on the offensive line. Todd Gurley is getting up there in age, and the Falcons need to take advantage of him while he is in his prime.
24. Los Angeles Chargers: Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
The Chargers had one of the most electrifying passing offenses in the league last year, and did so without a true deep threat. Though he may be a bit of a reach, the Chargers get their deep threat in Shi Smith.
25. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
With the ball-control offense the Dolphins run, getting an elite run stopper to force teams to pass the ball suits their strengths well. Shelvin can be a dominant force in the middle of the defense, and help this already strong unit get even stronger.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Finally drafting Jason Witten’s replacement, the Cowboys get a do-it-all tight end who is equally capable of trucking a defender in open space as he is pancaking him in the run game. This pick allows the Dallas offense to go anywhere they want to with the ball.
27. Washington Football Team: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
The Washington Football Team has one of the best defensive lines in the league, but they need an athletic linebacker behind them to come in and make plays. Surratt is an elite athlete capable of stepping in and elevating this already strong defense.
28. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Basham, LE, Wake Forest
Needing some help up front, the Titans select a versatile defender capable of playing anywhere in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. He can be an edge rusher or an interior guy, depending on how a team wants to use him
29. Miami Dolphins: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
As much as it may pain him to take a Sooner, the Dolphins get an absolute steal at pick 29, and the best center in the class. Running the ball more than anyone, this is a perfect landing spot for the former Big 12 Champion center.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
With Tom Brady still on board for a year or two, the Buccaneers are in a good position to take a chance on a quarterback. With the amount of content they produce, they can easily turn Trask into a legit QB while sitting him behind Brady for a year.
31. Detroit Lions: Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
Smith is a versatile offensive lineman who can play guard or tackle. He will help open up running lanes and prevent D’Andre Swift from getting grabbed in space and can also pass protect well and keep guys like Chase Winovich from getting in too quickly.
32. Denver Broncos: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The Broncos have a weak offensive line and use this pick from the New England Patriots to try and rebuild their line.
