1.Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, quarterback (Miami)
This is the only pick in the entire draft that I'd be confident enough to wager on. Brian Callahan was mere moments away from murdering Will Levis with his bare hands season and after they whiffed on adding one of the marquee veterans (Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, Justin Fields) that were available at the start of free agency, the focus with this pick immediately shifted to finding a rookie QB to relieve Levis of his starting duties. As polarizing of a prospect as Ward is on the whole (his gunslinger mentality and tendency to hold onto the ball forever could prove to be real problems at the next level), his athleticism and arm talent make him the only QB in this class that has the potential to be special.
2.Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, cornerback/wide receiver (Colorado)
Until they signed Joe Flacco-who famously thrived in Kevin Stefanski's system during the latter half of the 2023 regular season-just under two weeks ago, I was convinced they were taking a quarterback at the top of the draft. Stefanski and GM Andrew Barry are both very much on the hot seat after a disastrous 2024 season and it just didn't seem like they were going to be comfortable betting their futures in Cleveland on Kenny Pickett thriving as their uncontested starting QB. Now that they have multiple stopgap options in the fold to replace the disgraced Deshaun Watson and his albatross of a contract, they can focus their efforts elsewhere and I believe they've zeroed in on Hunter. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner would add some much-needed playmaking prowess to a roster that currently has very little in the way of sizzle outside of Myles Garrett and with needs at both CB and WR, they're particularly well-equipped to see if Hunter's unicorn two-way skill set can translate to the pros.
3.New York Giants: Abdul Carter, edge rusher (Penn State)
This is a pick that I'm just choosing to believe the draft pundits on as I find it to be incredibly bizarre that the Giants would make the luxury pick of another edge rusher to put alongside their currenting starting duo of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux (I actually believe that Carter has a good chance of being a considerably better player than both of them, but that's beside the point) when they have a plethora of more pressing needs on both sides of the ball. Maybe we'll find out tonight that this was an elaborate smoke screen designed to make teams picking behind them believe they have a chance of getting Sheduer Sanders or Ashton Jeanty, but I'm not brazen enough to go against this consensus pick that has emerged over the past 10 days or so.
4.New England Patriots: Will Campbell, tackle/guard (LSU)
With Carter off the board, the Patriots appear set to pivot to further committing to their offseason offensive line retooling after fielding the worst unit in the league in 2024. Mike Vrabel reportedly loves Campbell (Vrabel loving a certified meathead offensive lineman, who would've thought!) and believes he can overcome his short arm length to play left tackle in the NFL, which is really all the justification that the front office needs to take him in the top 5.
5.Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, defensive tackle (Michigan)
Interior defensive line was a massive problem for the Jags during their demoralizing 4-13 2024 campaign as they didn't have a player from that group pick up more than 3 sacks or 8 TFL's. Drafting Graham could be the first step towards fixing this problem. While there are some concerns about his arm length, his high motor, violent hands and consistent gap-eating ability are enough to make him one of the highest ceiling DT prospects of this decade thus far.
6.Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, running back (Boise State)
Hiring Pete Carroll and trading for Geno Smith this offseason indicates that the Raiders are trying to go from laughability to respectability in short order. What better way to work towards that goal than by adding Jeanty-who is widely viewed as one of the few can't miss prospects in this class? Having a running back that could immediately handle a bellcow workload would make life easier for Smith-who deserves a bit of a break this year after throwing a career-high 578 times last season with the Seahawks and more importantly, the Raiders are in dire need of help at running back after ranking dead last in rushing YDS last season and only adding the oft-injured Raheem Mostert-who just turned 33-to their RB room in free agency.
7.New York Jets: Armand Membou, tackle (Missouri)
Tyler Warren or Tetairoa McMillan could absolutely be in play here as the Jets look to add another offensive playmaker to put alongside Garrett Wilson in their 1st season after being liberated by the great Aaron Rodgers plague, I just happen to think that bringing in another offensive lineman to pair with last year's top pick Olu Fashanu makes a bit more sense for them at this spot. Membou's toughness and athletic fluidity would make the ideal right tackle for OC Tanner Engstrand's system that will presumably be heavy on zone runs and play action passes with Justin Fields at quarterback.
8.Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, inside linebacker/edge rusher (Georgia)
Somebody in the top 15 is going to be seduced by Walker's stellar combine performance and experience playing at inside linebacker, edge rusher and on special teams despite his lack of eye-popping production throughout college and the favorites for that honor in my book are the Panthers. Frankie Luvu filled a similar hybrid LB/edge role for them from 2021-23 and nobody stepped into it last year after he left for the Commanders in free agency, which would provide Walker with a defined Swiss Army Knife role like he had at Georgia that he may not find elsewhere in the league.
9.New Orleans Saints: Sheduer Sanders, quarterback (Colorado)
There are conflicting reports about both Derek Carr's availability for the 2025 season and the Saints interest in drafting a QB this year over the last couple of weeks following a report from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that stated that Carr is dealing with a shoulder ailment that could sideline him indefinitely. If Carr is indeed set to miss the 2025 season, I doubt that new HC Kellen Moore is going to want to trot out his inherited top backup Spencer Rattler or go out and send a late round pick to the Falcons in exchange for the honor of starting a decrepit Kirk Cousins for a year. Given that their hands are completely tied here, selecting Sanders is probably their best option. Sanders is basically a less athletic version of Bo Nix in that he won't dazzle you with his play at any point, but has enough accuracy, poise and toughness to win games. Plus, his tenure at Colorado prepared him nicely for playing behind a horrendous offensive line like the one the Saints currently have!
10.Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, tight end (Penn State)
Ryan Poles' entire draft strategy this year is basically crossing his fingers that Ashton Jeanty falls into his lap at #10. Given that there can't be more than a 5% chance of that occurring, Poles is most likely going to have to set his sights elsewhere and Warren feels like a great consolation prize. The Penn State product is the rare breed of modern tight end that functions as both a pass-catching option at every level of the field and a good in-line blocker with a real mean streak. Putting him in a 2-TE set with Cole Kmet alongside D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze in Ben Johnson's system could allow Caleb Williams to really let loose as a passer in his sophomore season.
11.San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, cornerback/safety (Texas)
Barron's natural physicality, strong ball skills and ability to line up outside, in the slot or at safety would make him a great addition to the 49ers youth-driven secondary.
12.Dallas Cowboys: Tetarioa McMillian, wide receiver (Arizona)
For the second time this decade, a potential star WR drops right into the Cowboys lap. Putting a polished route tactician who can go up and snatch contested catches with ease next to an explosive playmaker in CeeDee Lamb could immediately stabilize the Cowboys passing attack after an erratic 2024.
13.Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., tackle/guard (Texas)
In this scenario where both Will Campbell and Armand Membou are off the board, it becomes kind of an anarchy situation at offensive line as there's no true consensus among the rest of the prospects that are projected to go in the top 50-60 picks. Given that the Dolphins have just a single locked in starter for next season (center Aaron Brewer) after the retirement of Terron Armstead and departure of Kendal Lamm in free agency, they'll probably set their sights on somebody like Kelvin Banks Jr or Grey Zabel who could step into just about any role that's asked of them. Between Banks Jr. and Zabel, I think the former's status as certified mauler in the run game who boasts the burst to get down field and block for stretch runs, RPO's, etc. makes him a better fit for Mike McDaniel's speed-driven system than the latter.
14.Indianapolis Colts: Emeka Egbuka, wide receiver (Ohio State)
In an offense that's begging for consistency, Egbuka would be just what the doctor ordered. His ability to get open and make tough catches in the middle of the field or on the sideline provide him with a high floor that would make him a nice possession WR2 complement to vertical threat Michael Pittman Jr.
15.Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, edge rusher (Texas A&M)
While there are certainly safer picks for the defensively challenged Falcons to make here, the projections on Stewart could be too tempting for them to pass up. At 6'6, 290 lbs with 4.6 speed, Stewart could prove to be the blistering bulldozer of a pass-rusher that changes the complexion of a front 7 that has consistently been among the worst in the league for nearly a decade straight now.
16.Arizona Cardinals: Mike Green, edge rusher (Marshall)
Green started to really make a name for himself at the Senior Bowl when he absolutely dominated the competition during drills and erased many of the concerns that surrounded him only being a 2-year starter at a smaller D1 school that didn't see him face much in the way of elite competition. A Cardinals squad that only mustered 41 sacks and didn't have a single player on the roster get more than 5 in 2024 would make them an ideal candidate for this ascending prospect's services. His burst, strength and unrelenting pursuit of the ballcarrier absolutely explode off the tape and his monstrous 2024 campaign (84 tackles, 24 TFL's, a D1-leading 17 sacks) indicates that he's ready to contribute in the pros right away.
17.Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson, cornerback (Michigan)
Much has been made about the pickle the Bengals could be in at edge next season now that Sam Hubbard has retired and Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade for the second time in less than a year. But what about their similarly, if not even more dire situation at CB? Cam Taylor-Britt failed his audition to be Bengals CB1 following the departure of Chidiobe Awuzie in a big way in 2024, D.J Turner has yet to show much of anything through 2 seasons and unless his lack of a market over the past month causes him to come crawling back, Mike Hilton appears set to move on. Selecting Johnson here would give them another crack at getting a CB1 after Taylor-Britt and Turner failed to fill this key role. There's a shade of Asante Samuel to Johnson's game in the way that he aggressively pursues the ball at the expense of getting absolutely toasted from time to time, but he brings the type of fluidity, instincts and knack for creating takeaways to the CB position that can't be taught.
18.Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, tackle/guard/center (North Dakota State)
Zabel's the rare breed of lineman who can play all 5 spots on the line and given the Seahawks litany of problems on the interior last season, he should be able to immediately secure a starting spot at guard or center.
19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, safety (Georgia)
The Bucs have the luxury of going best player available at any defensive spot outside of DT here and at this juncture of the draft, they'll have several appealing options. Unless they view Jihaad Campbell as a logical successor to Lavonte David internally, Starks seems like the guy most likely to fit that bill. Putting somebody with Starks' tackling prowess and coverage skills alongside the rangey Antoine Winfield Jr. could instantly give the Bucs one of the best safety tandems in the league.
20.Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, running back (North Carolina)
Just like their counterparts in Chicago, Ashton Jeanty would be the dream pick for a Broncos offense that could dramatically transform overnight if they added a star RB to the fold. Obviously, there's absolutely zero chance of this happening given their draft position. On the other hand, the consensus #2 RB in this class is a near lock to be there and it would kind of shock me if they didn't opt to pick Hampton if he's available. Hampton has the size and strength (6'1, 220bs) of a classic bruiser back with a rare contact balance that could make him a yards after contact monster.
21.Pittsburgh Steelers: Trey Amos, cornerback (Ole Miss)
I'm convinced that Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback for the Steelers this season and if that's the case, there would be no reason for them to take a QB here unless they are absolutely smitten with Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart-which feels unlikely given that the failure of another similarly shaky prospect they drafted in the early 20's (Kenny Pickett) is still very fresh in their minds. With QB off the table, they can turn their focus to their other biggest need: corner. Amos has the length and strength required to play in Teryl Austin's press-heavy scheme and is versatile enough in his coverage ability where he could push new Steeler Darius Slay for the starting outside job vacated by free agent causality Donte Jackson or man the slot for a year or two while Slay plays out his twilight years.
22.Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, tight end (Michigan)
Jim Harbaugh's meathead desires paired with the team's roster needs putting him on a collision course with a guy that he coached in college is simply poetic. Loveland's natural pass-catching skills and hulking size (6'5, 245 lbs) makes him a strong contender to become the focal point of Greg Roman's TE-driven passing attack, which should excite Justin Herbert after veteran Will Dissly largely let him down in this key role a year ago.
23.Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, wide receiver (Texas)
Nobody can dispute that the Packers deploying a platoon of young WR2/3's is a creative way to get around paying a star veteran WR the top dollar they command these days while also allowing a young QB the unique opportunity to grow alongside his pass-catchers. The downside to this approach is that there are clear limitations to all these guy's games that present themselves once they get into the pros and you have to try and counteract that by continuing to add young talent at every possible opportunity. While Golden isn't a surefire WR1 by any means, he does have a degree of craftiness and explosiveness to his game that give him a ceiling that none of their current WR's have.
24.Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, safety (South Carolina)
The Vikings would be an ideal landing spot for Emmanwori, who is currently nothing more than an elite athlete trying to figure how out to play football. Learning from one of the best safeties of the past 15 years in Harrison Smith would provide the level of mentorship he needs to work on his craft before he steps into a high leverage role.
25.Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, tackle (Ohio State)
Reshuffling the offensive line this offseason was kind of a necessity for the Texans after C.J. Stroud and their running backs got the crap kicked out of them for most of last season. While Simmons likely won't be able to contribute right away as he's currently rehabbing from an ACL tear he suffered last October, his smooth movement and defender-mirroring skills have too much value for them moving forward to allow themselves to be scared off by the questions surrounding his availability for this fall.
26.Los Angeles Rams: Jihaad Campbell, inside linebacker (Alabama)
Christian Rozeboom's departure for the Panthers in free agency has left the Rams with a hole to fill in the middle of their linebacking corps for the second time in less than a year. Not only could Campbell come in and start on Day 1, but he could also hold down the ILB job for at least the next 5 years if he plays with the same tenacity and explosiveness that made him a disruptive force in the middle of the defense at Alabama.
27.Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge rusher (Boston College)
We've seen Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh really take off as "undersized" pass-rushers at the outside linebacker position in Baltimore in each of the past 2 seasons. Adding another guy in Ezeiruaku-who makes up for the concerns about his frame with a big bag of pass-rushing moves and phenomenal first step-to the rotation could make them one of the deadliest pass-rushing teams in the league.
28.Detroit Lions: Tyler Booker, guard (Alabama)
Losing Kevin Zeitler after just 1 season opened up a potential weakness on the Lions stout offensive line. Drafting the top pure guard in this class could be a quick way to patch up this issue. Like many of the gents that have found themselves being drafted by the Lions in recent years, Booker is a towering behemoth who plays the game like the opponent has wronged him and everyone he loves. Seeing him lineup next to Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker every week would be a lot of fun.
29.Washington Commanders: Walter Nolen, defensive tackle (Ole Miss)
Even with Da'Ron Payne still hanging around and 2024 2nd round pick Jer'Zhan Newton conceivably hungry to bounce back from his dismal rookie season, Nolen's strength and pass-rushing prowess would immediately make him a leading candidate to replace Jonathan Allen as the Commanders top interior defensive lineman.
30.Buffalo Bills: Luther Burden III, wide receiver (Missouri)
Creativity with offensive scheming and playcalling is something the Bills have lacked through Sean McDermott's tenure as head coach and if they're serious about their championship aspirations, it's something they're probably going to have embrace sooner than later. Bringing in Burden III could be the very thing that kickstarts an era of offensive innovation in Buffalo. His skill set is that special kind of dynamic that coaches salivate over as Burden III has the speed to be a vertical threat, the YAC skills and shiftiness to haul in screens, handles jet sweeps, etc. and the ball skills and body control to make contested catches at every level of the field. Being part of an offense at Missouri that didn't really elect to utilize much of his toolbox beyond the short yardage stuff is the primary reason he's even being projected as a late 1st/early 2nd round pick and him going to a place with a QB that can and will get him the football as much as he wants would likely prove just how undervalued he's been throughout the entire predraft process.
31.Kansas City Chiefs: Mykel Williams, edge rusher (Georgia)
Through 2 years, the Felix Anudike-Uzomah experiment hasn't worked at all in Kansas City as made minimal impact (41 total tackles, 8 TFL's, 14 QB hits, 19 pressures, 3 sacks in 34 games) as a rotational edge piece. If Brett Veach wanted to go back to the situational edge rusher well in the 1st round, Williams would represent an intriguing dice roll. While he's yet to prove he can be a consistently productive pass-rusher despite his ideal speed/size/length combo, he's a strong enough run defender to carve out a 2-down role from the jump.
32.Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Jr., edge rusher (Tennessee)
Howie Roseman does it again! Vic Fangio getting his hands on a pass rusher with Pearce Jr's suddenness, instinctiveness and relentlessness should scare the shit out of the rest out of the league.
Second Round:
33.Cleveland Browns: Jaxson Dart, quarterback (Ole Miss)
34.New York Giants: Maxwell Hairston, cornerback (Kentucky)
35.Tennessee Titans: Nic Scourton, edge rusher (Texas A&M)
36.Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Conerly Jr., tackle (Oregon)
37.Las Vegas Raiders: Jalen Milroe, quarterback (Alabama)
38.New England Patriots: Donovan Jackson, guard (Ohio State)
39.Chicago Bears: Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle (Oregon)
40.New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Grant, defensive tackle (Michigan)
41.Chicago Bears: Kaleb Johnson, running back (Iowa)
42.New York Jets: Mason Taylor, tight end (LSU)
43.San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Saviinaea, guard (Arizona)
44.Dallas Cowboys: JT Tulmoloau, edge rusher (Ohio State)
45.Indianapolis Colts: Aireontae Ersery, tackle (Minnesota)
46.Atlanta Falcons: Jared Wilson, center (Georgia)
47.Arizona Cardinals: Carson Schwesinger, inside linebacker (UCLA)
48.Miami Dolphins: Shavon Revel, cornerback (East Carolina)
49.Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Jackson, edge rusher (Arkansas)
50.Seattle Seahawks: Xavier Watts, safety (Notre Dame)
51.Denver Broncos: Jayden Higgins, wide receiver (Iowa State)
52.Seattle Seahawks: Terrance Ferguson, tight end (Oregon)
53.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradyn Swinson, edge rusher (LSU)
54.Green Bay Packers: Azareye'h Thomas, cornerback (Florida State)
55.Los Angeles Chargers: Cam Skattebo, running back (Arizona State)
56.Buffalo Bills: Tyliek Williams, defensive tackle (Ohio State)
57.Carolina Panthers: Tre Harris, wide receiver (Ole Miss)
58.Houston Texans: TreVeyon Henderson, running back (Ohio State)
59.Baltimore Ravens: Darius Alexander, defensive tackle (Toledo)
60.Detroit Lions: Alfred Collins, defensive tackle (Texas)
61.Washington Commanders: Benjamin Morrison, cornerback (Notre Dame)
62.Buffalo Bills: Jack Sawyer, edge rusher (Ohio State)
63.Kansas City Chiefs: Tate Ratledge, guard (Georgia)
64.Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Winston Jr., safety (Penn State)
