With Week 18 of Season 2 in this PML cycle wrapping up, we’re seeing four new teams in the bottom five, with only the Miami Dolphins returning, despite a regime change. Let’s look at where these teams may go with their franchise-changing hopefuls.
The order of these top five picks is locked, unless the Dolphins pull off the meaningless upset over the Denver Broncos.
#1: Buffalo Bills (2-15)
WR Nyck Harbor
It’s a match made in heaven. It’s a shame Buffalo is going to hold the first overall pick, but at least it has a payoff. He’s fast, he’s big, and he could help the Bills go from worst to first in their weak division in just one year.
#2: Miami Dolphins (2-14*)
WR Jeremiah Smith
Speaking of the weak AFC East, I think Tbandit should and does trade out of this pick, but for the sake of this, he replaces Tyreek Hill with a generational talent out of Ohio State. Smith is sure to be the highest overall receiver in the class, maybe even the highest overall prospect, and that meant a quite a bit last season.
#3: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)
LB Arvell Reese
I assume and hope this team will be filled over the offseason and it won’t be a CPU pick, but this user is probably locked in without the ability to trade for players. Nothing wrong with the third overall pick, though, and with a lot already built, I think they get the clear best defensive player in this draft, also from Ohio State.
#4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-14)
QB DJ Lagway
Baker Mayfield threw 31 interceptions, so if there was any hope he’d stay the starting quarterback and a superstar, it’s gone. Vet finished 9-8 in season one and I could see Lagway getting him back to that level of success and fast.
#5: New England Patriots (4-13)
WR Ryan Williams
To round out this offense-heavy top five, it’s another blue-chip top talent at wide receiver. With PCFB’s connection to our classes, I expect Williams to be not too far behind Smith, even if we all know that isn’t the case in real life and there’s a much larger gap. I think the Patriots, also in the AFC East, jump on the last truly generational talent, and then the real fun for everyone else.
Overview
It’s a really good-looking draft class, even before it’s been imported into PML. I expect a whole bunch of offense to go early, like always, except it’ll be more justified and truly the top talent in this class. Don’t sleep on defense, though! There are gems and then some that are sure to be available into the late 2nd round with the way things go and runs of certain positions.
I expect to see a record low amount of offensive linemen taken in these first two rounds, I won’t lie.
