1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams QB USC – The Bears draft their future quarterback, who they hope will be able to surpass all previous Bears QB records by passing for 4,000 yards and more. A strong receiving core that includes DJ Moore and Keenan Allen awaits Williams, who has every ability to be among the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels QB LSU – After changing ownership, the Commanders fell in love with Daniels’ potential and used their first draft selection to choose their quarterback of the future. Daniels is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in CFB history, while also possessing a strong and accurate arm. Washington will be set for a long time and could enjoy great success as a result if Daniels is the pick they believe it to be.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye QB UNC – The Patriots are pleased that Washington passed on Maye as they think he can bring success back to New England. For the first time since 2000, Maye will join a New England squad without Bill Belichick, and he hopes to assist the Patriots in welcoming a new era. Maye has a lot of potential thanks to his arm, and if he can cut down on his turnovers, he should have a very successful NFL career.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State – As the top wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in 2007, Marvin Harrison Jr. will be expected to jump in and contribute right away for the Cardinals. Harrison is a highly skillful route runner who can make contested catches, making him a possible All-Pro receiver in year 1. With Harrison having both a high floor and high ceiling, Arizona believes that they have achieved their goal of acquiring a legitimate wide receiver one for Kyler Murray.
5. TRADE: Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy QB Michigan – Following the Vikings’ loss of Kirk Cousins to the Falcons in free agency, they will move up to choose JJ McCarthy as their new franchise quarterback. McCarthy’s value as a passer has been growing, and the Vikings are fond of his abilities after seeing him play in a pro-style offense during his collegiate career. With TJ Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson as his main targets, McCarthy should have little trouble every week finding open receivers.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers WR LSU – The Giants intend to allow Daniel Jones another season to establish himself, and Nabers will be a vital component to New York’s attack. Because of his flexibility and use, Nabers immediately takes over as the Giants’ top wide receiver. He not only performed well in the slot but also showed the potential as a deep threat X-receiver. With his ability to become one of his league’s top all-around receivers, Nabers will be a vital component of the Giants’ rebuild.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt T Notre Dame – After selecting Will Levis as their franchise quarterback in last year’s draft, the Titans pick Joe Alt to be their franchise left tackle this year. His pre-draft ranking of top-10 was solidified due to his physical attributes, including his strength and size, which makes him a potential franchise tackle. Without a doubt, Alt is the top tackle prospect in the draft, and the Titans are counting on him to play a significant role in their worst-to-first transformation.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner DE Alabama – Edge rusher Dallas Turner is added to the Falcons’ defensive line as they choose the first defensive player in the draft. Turner isn’t strong as a run defender, but he has a very high ceiling because of his pass-rushing abilities. He has the potential to record 10 sacks his rookie year, and the ability to establish himself as an essential component of the Falcons defense for years to come. The defensive line is the Falcons’ greatest vulnerability, and Turner will be joining forces with Grady Jarrett in an effort to be crucial assets for them the next season.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze WR Washington – After selecting their franchise quarterback with the first overall pick, Chicago adds another weapon to their already potent wide receiver group . Odunze will get the opportunity to learn from one of the top wide receiver cores in the NFL, as he enters Chicago as the wide receiver #3 behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Odunze has proven himself to be a smooth route runner and a very reliable option, especially when throwing into traffic. While it’s unlikely that Odunze will have a significant impact in his rookie year, Chicago views him as a long-term option given the uncertainty surrounding Allen’s future.
10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga T Oregon State – Aaron Rodgers will be returning from his Achilles tear this year, and the Jets will make every effort to keep him safe. Fuaga is an adaptable offensive lineman who can be used in a variety of spots on the offensive line. Tyron Smith’s injury history may give him an opportunity to see the field in his first year, but he will probably start the season as a backup. Due to Smith’s one-year contract, Fuaga will likely establish himself as a regular starter in the Jets’ second season.
11. TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers TE Georgia – Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to rebuild this offense and give Herbert a reliable weapon after losing Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen this offseason. With his flexibility to play in the slot, out wide, and inline, Bowers is a complete tight end. He has the receiving potential of a wide receiver, likely gaining up to 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. He is not just a highly dependable receiver but also a very solid blocker. As Herbert’s primary weapons, Bowers and 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston will try to unleash the explosiveness of a Jim Harbaugh run offense.
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix QB Oregon – The only quarterbacks on the Broncos roster are Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, so they believe they need to address the position in the first round, and Bo Nix is their man. Nix, a 24-year-old quarterback, is among the more experienced players, but one of the things that puts him in the top 12 is his ability to remain composed under pressure. Although there are concerns about how effectively Nix can adapt to the NFL given his difficulty making all of his reads, the Broncos think he can be their long-term solution at quarterback.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo – The top cornerback in the draft is selected by the Raiders since they have a lack of talent at starting cornerback. Following a stellar showing in the senior bowl and combine, Mitchell’s stock has been rising dramatically lately. Some teams are still on the fence about him due to his lack of experience playing against elite opponents, but Las Vegas is sold. Even though he occasionally has trouble with man coverage, his contributions in zone more than make up for it. Vegas hopes that Mitchell can immediately make an impact for them, and expect him to stroll into this league and do so.
14. New Orleans Saints: JC Latham T Alabama – Left tackle is a need for the Saints, and JC Latham is the ideal candidate to fill that void. In the first round of the 2022 draft, the Saints selected Trevor Penning, although he hasn’t really worked out so far. For a player of his size, Latham possesses excellent strength and quickness, but he has trouble stopping a potent rush. The Saints think they have one of the final great Nick Saban prospects, and he will immediately step in and contribute.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold CB Alabama – With the highest ceiling of any cornerback in the draft, Terrion Arnold is selected by the Colts with the fifteenth pick. Although Arnold isn’t among the more polished players, he can play at a high level wherever you put him on the field. Not only does he bring outstanding ball-hawking abilities, he excels in both man and zone coverage. Arnold would be projected to start opposite Kenny Moore and could possibly be a finalist for defensive rookie of the year given his potential.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Laiatu Latu DE UCLA – Given their defensive line weaknesses, Seattle selects the guy with arguably the highest ceiling in the draft. Latu has struggled with a neck issue for the most of his time in college, but he has a lot of potential if he can remain healthy. He is expected to be selected in the first round because of his exceptional pass-rush skills, which many think transfer well to the NFL. He could end up as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers for many years to come if he can live up to his potential.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Byron Murphy II DT Texas – Because of their pressing need at defensive tackle, the Jaguars choose Byron Murphy II. Given his stature, Murphy possesses both power and quickness. He is anticipated to be a 3-down lineman with the ability to both rush the quarterback and stop the run at a high level. Arik Armstead and Josh Allen are the ends for the Jags, so having Murphy in the middle will help free them up from double teams.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Jackson Powers-Johnson C/G Oregon – The Bengals address the inside of their offensive line in an effort to maintain Joe Burrow’s protection. Johnson can play anywhere on the interior of the offensive line thanks to his flexibility, so I’d expect him to start at left guard straight away. Not only is he an excellent pass blocker, but he also plays the run game with precision. He has enormous upside, but I think he needs to be playing center in order to fully utilize it. Though, for the time being, he completes the new Bengals offensive line, I would anticipate him to go to center in a few years.
19. TRADE: Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr. WR LSU – The Bills trade up to choose a new weapon for Josh Allen in the draft after losing Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs this past offseason. Thomas can play the X role well since he is a very quick receiver. His speed allows him to outpace defenders, and he excels at press coverage in particular. He would play opposite Khalil Shakir, providing Josh Allen with a brand-new target to work with. With Buffalo, he could undoubtedly reach the full extent of his abilities, and in his first season, he may even record 1,000 yards.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu T Penn State – In an attempt to find a long-term solution, the Steelers choose Olumuyiwa Fashanu who they believe can play left tackle. Although Fashanu has a lot of things he can work on and is still extremely raw, his potential is incredibly high. His pass protection is always excellent, but his run blocking is frequently lacking. To succeed, he will undoubtedly need to gain strength and agility, but in time, he should thrive.
21. Miami Dolphins: Jared Verse DE Florida State – The Dolphins pick Jared Verse as a replacement for Van Ginkel after he left for Minnesota in free agency. Verse is an excellent tackler and run stopper, although he is not as strong at some pass-rushing techniques. Although he still has to work on maintaining his discipline, he has a lot of potential as a player. Because of the injuries to Chubb and Phillips, he enters Miami as a starter and will have an early opportunity to make a name for himself.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean CB/S Iowa – Cooper DeJean is the Eagles’ answer in the secondary, where they need help. Although DeJean played cornerback in college, it is widely believed that he will move to safety in the NFL. His strong ballhawking skills and excellent zone coverage skills are two of the reasons he is anticipated to play safety. His versatility allows him to play anywhere, and regardless of his position, he has All-Pro potential. Though they could shift him to safety later in the season, we could see DeJean start for Philly in the slot straight away. He is among the draft’s most NFL-ready athletes, so anticipate that he will have a significant impact immediately.
23. TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers: Troy Fautanu T Washington – After trading down with the Vikings and picking Brock Bowers, they use their second first-round pick on a tackle to pair opposite Rashawn Slater. Fautanu is among the draft’s most undervalued tackles, particularly for an offense that heavily relies on zone blocking schemes. He likely would walk into LA as the starting right tackle in year one, making him and Slater one of the more deadly tackle duos in the NFL.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Zach Frazier C West Virgina -After losing their starting center to their division rival Washington Commanders, they draft Zach Frazier as his replacement. Frazier should be a very reliable rookie entering the league on day one because of his very high floor. The Cowboys’ pass-heavy system will benefit from one of the greatest pass-blocking linemen in the draft. While he may not be an all-pro, he still has the potential to play a long and steady career as an NFL starter.
25. Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins CB Clemson -The Packers choose one of this year’s most athletic corners, Nate Wiggins, late in the first round. Because of his quickness, Wiggins excels in man coverage and can make adjustments when he is outmatched at the line of scrimmage. His weight of only 173 pounds raises questions about his size, therefore it’s possible that he will be pushed to gain weight in the summer. With more weight on his frame, Wiggins has the potential to be a top tier starting cornerback for a very long time.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton T Duke – Graham Barton, a versatile tackle, is selected by the Bucs in the draft due to their need for an offensive lineman. Barton spent three years as a tackle at Duke, but he is a versatile player who can play any spot on the offensive line. Because of his speed on the inside, he is expected to play as a guard or center regardless of where he is selected. He could find himself all over the offensive line, depending on what team drafts him, but I’d anticipate him to start at center for the Bucs straight away.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton DT Illinois – With Newton still available this late in the draft, the Cardinals take care of their defensive line needs. Despite his small stature as a defensive lineman, Newton excels at block shedding and pass rushing. He may not be a three-down guy right away, but if he can improve his run blocking and gain some muscle, he could eventually develop into one. Anticipate him to start immediately on a very porous Cardinals defense, and Arizona could even attempt to develop him into a 3-down guy before the beginning of the season.
28. TRADE: Los Angeles Rams: Chop Robinson DE Penn State – Following their trade back, the Rams choose Chop Robinson in an attempt to revamp their defensive line. Despite being a relatively raw athlete, Robinson has the athleticism to become an all-pro defensive end. He will probably be a boom or bust player, but he can be a great player for many years to come if a team is able to unlock his full potential. Although I don’t think he will start producing right away in the NFL, if he can improve his run defense and gain more discipline, I could see him beginning to have an impact by the end of his first year.
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama – Cornerback was the Lions’ biggest weakness last year, and they continue to address it here. McKinstry is one of the smartest football players to come out of the draft, even if he isn’t the most athletic. He’s not the best in man coverage, but he excels in zone coverage and can rapidly adjust to any NFL defense scheme. Although he might not have the potential of some of the other corners in this class, he should be able to play at a starting caliber level as soon as he enters the NFL. Carlton Davis was acquired by the Lions early in the offseason, so I would anticipate that he will start immediately next to him.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Sainristil CB/S Michigan – After acquiring Sainristil, the Ravens intend to use him as a slot corner right away. Like Cooper DeJean, Sainristil is a versatile player who can contribute greatly anywhere on the field. Although he was not very good at man coverage in college, he excelled in zone coverage and run stopping. In college, he played a lot of slot corner, and I anticipate that he will continue to do so in the NFL. No matter whatever team drafts him, he would probably come in as the starting slot corner with the ability to switch to the outside corner or safety if necessary.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Braden Fiske DT Florida State – The 49ers pick a replacement for Arik Armstead after losing him to the Jaguars in free agency. Fiske is a defensive lineman who is fairly undersized, but his pass-rushing ability propels him into the first round. He has a lot of trouble stopping the run, but a lot of NFL teams think he might play much better if he gains some weight. Starting with Floyd, Bosa, and Hargrave, he would be a part of what is possibly the strongest defensive line in the NFL.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell WR Texas – Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is given another target as it appears like Rashee Rice may be lost for the season. Mitchell’s ability as a deep threat and jump ball receiver would make him a valuable asset in an Andy Reid run offense. For the remainder of his career, he has the potential to be Patrick Mahomes’ top target, but he also has a high floor. Anticipate him to make an impact as soon as he enters the NFL, especially if Patrick Mahomes is his quarterback.
