We are going to do a quick dive into the first 10 selections in the PML draft. There have been a few trades into the top ten and the selections below will have an overview of the player and how they fit the selecting team.
- Panthers – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Carolina Panthers have the ability to draft one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks that have come out of college in some time. Richardson won the Heisman amongst multiple other awards. He ran a 4.45 40, every one of his physical attributes are characterized as elite except for his throwpower. He isn’t as polished when it comes to his accuracy throwing the ball as some of the other prospects, but there is no doubt in my mind that Anthony Richardson will be the first player selected in this draft.
- Saints – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Houston Texans saved the city of New Orleans and quite possibly could have set the Saints up for a cycle of success IF they can hit on the right quarterback for them. Bryce Young checks off every box for accuracy, he is the most accurate quarterback in this class, but the way he delivers the ball leaves room for improvement. He’s categorized as having solid throwpower, it’s actually the worst amongst the top four quarterbacks of this class. Young and Stroud are interchangeable at this selection. The Saints have to decide which quarterback is for them.. the one with the better arm and throwing motion or the one who is slightly more accurate.
- Seahawks – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
This is the second team to trade into the top three to get their franchise quarterback. The Seahawks traded away multiple draft picks to the Chargers to get their man. They will be happy to select either Stroud or Young at this pick, but Stroud gives them a pocket passer who can make the throws downfield to their bigger receivers. Stroud is a year younger than Young, but neither quarterback stands a chance to regress unless the team doesn’t do well as expected. The Stroud vs Young debate is going to be the talk of the cycle and it will be even more interesting to see if the DDT favours one quarterback over the other.
- Dolphins – Will Anderson Jr, OLB, Alabama
This is where the draft will start to shakeup and the Dolphins do not look to replace Tua with this selection. The GM of the Dolphins will decide to go with the best player available in Anderson Jr. He is the cream of the crop for the linebacker class. Anderson can rush the passer and stare down the quarterback in coverage. He is 6’4”, ran a 4.48, has a 31.9” vertical jump, and put up 30 reps on the bench press. If this class wasn’t so QB heavy, Anderson would be in the top 2 players drafted and the Dolphins are getting a steal at drafting possibly the highest overall rated player in the draft.
- Colts – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Do the Colts need to draft a quarterback this high in the draft? No. Should they? Yes. I do not believe that Levis will last until the next selection at pick 8. Levis does leave a lot to be desired at the position. He is at his best when throwing the short pass. He has a tendency to throw in tight and crowded windows. He has the confidence needed to play in PML, but he is going to need some love when it comes to improving his medium and deep accuracy. Levis can be a starting quarterback in the league and if that’s what the Colts feel like they need, then this is the selection for them.
- Chargers – Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The wide receiver room for the Chargers is limited to three players and the lack of speed at the position has been a problem for years, but their luck is about to change with the selection of Boutte. 4.30… that’s a blazing 40 yard dash time and it’s the second best in the receiver class. Boutte is projected to have well over 95 speed, but his catching prowess leaves a lot to be desired. Boutte consistently dropped the ball in coverage on tape and he had some trouble with the receiving drills at the combine. Boutte did show the ability to catch the ball in space and break away from defensive backs with ease and that is the reason why he will be highly coveted in this draft.
- Patriots – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The New England Patriots are sitting at the spot in the draft where all the players that may have selected are already taken and it might be in their interest to trade back and acquire more draft capital. The Patriots also have a glaring need at the corner position with 32 year old Desmond Trufant being their best corner, so selecting the best corner in the draft makes perfect sense for them. Ringo is a big, strong, and physical corner. He is at his best in man press coverage. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is able to accelerate into his top speed like no other in the draft, and that gives him the advantage even if he finds himself in a trailing position.
- Colts – Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
There is a desperate need for an edge rusher in Indianapolis. There are a few other overall better prospects on the defensive line in this draft, but they are most suited for stopping the run. Harrison ran a 4.49 40 and his ability to recognize the pass versus the run is unique. You can play him in space and he can rush the passer. He is 6’6” and that gives him the ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage with ease. He will excel in a 3-4 or a 4-3 style of defense and will be a three down linemen on any team.
- Commanders – Trenton Simpson, OLB, Clemson
The Tennessee Titans traded out of this selection and acquired a boost to their pass rush and while the Commanders lost a premier pass rusher, they still have a core group of players that can fill the void of Montez Sweat. It is anyone’s guess on who the Commanders are targeting, but Trenton Simpson fills a need at linebacker for the team. Simpson has elite speed, he ran a 4.44 40 and has some of the best coverage attributes that we’ve ever seen on a rookie coming out of the draft. The only true knock on Simpson is his ability to catch the ball and his ability to use a power move style versus a finesse move.
- Panthers – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Panthers are crossing off their needs with each selection in the draft. They drafted the best quarterback with their first pick and while they would have liked to see Simpson or Anderson drop to them, Smith-Njigba instantly fills the void since they traded DJ Moore to the Jaguars. Njigba isn’t as fast as Boutte, 4.30 versus 4.34 but Njigba has the better hands of the two and he is a more polished route runner.
