1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson
The Jaguars are in an obvious rebuilding phase of their franchise and there is no better prospect than Trevor Lawrence to add right into this process. Lawrence has the capabilities to completely change the scope of a franchise and with the Jags young and talented weapons by his side it will be a perfect pairing.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson QB, BYU
After a stellar Pro Day performance from BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, he has almost solidified himself as the second overall pick. Adding weapons such as Corey Davis and Keelan Cole the Jets have proven that they want to make their future franchise quarterback comfortable and confident on day one.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Miami): Justin Fields QB, Ohio State
Climbing up to #3 on the draft board the 49ers have made it concrete that they will be moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason in favor of a rookie QB. Since Lawrence and Wilson are off the boards that leaves Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones up for the taking. Taking an “all in” approach to free agency this offseason I expect the 49ers to take who they believe the guy who is most pro-ready for their style of offense. And I believe that this is Justin Fields. His raw athleticism and spectacular arm talent will pair well in Shanahan’s offense and I expect him to have a productive first season as a 49er.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts TE, Florida
The decision to restructure Matt Ryan’s contract has pretty much eliminated the Falcons from the QB race; and with limited trade back scenarios present I believe the Falcons will do anything they can to add weapons to this offense. Florida TE Kyle Pitts is exactly that, a weapon. Although taking a non-premium position at a premium pick is usually not a good idea, I think Pitts will fall sooner rather than later and if the Falcons want to add some flare to this offense they will need to jump on the chance before it is too late.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell OT, Oregon
Offensive tackle is the undoubted pick here at #5. After seeing what happened to Joe Burrow with a lackluster line last season, the Bengals would be foolish to not protect their franchise QB. Sewell is versatile, allowing the Bengals to slot him virtually anywhere on the line giving the Bengals the ability to field their best five O-Lineman.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia): Ja’Marr Chase WR, LSU
A flurry of trades has sent the Dolphins back to #12, then back up to #6 on the board. The Dolphins need to add weapons and with no WRs off the board yet they have their pick of the litter in terms of playmakers. I see Ja’Marr Chase as WR1 in this class and I think most NFL teams will hold the same belief. His playmaking ability and down-field confidence will add a lot to this Dolphins offense headed by Tua.
7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama
The Lions have been completely depleted of starting WRs this offseason and with no competent WRs currently on the roster they desperately need to add to the position. Jaylen Waddle is the definition of a threat. His ability to draw attention in open space is unrivaled. Although the injury concerns are there the Lions are nowhere near “win now” mode and they have the time to let Waddle heal if need be.
8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance QB, NDSU
The Panthers have been linked to every “available” QB imaginable this offseason showing that they are ready and able to move on from Teddy Bridgewater. Here at #8 I expect them to go QB in order to complete their search and Trey Lance brings the talent and arm strength that can propel him into a starting role.
9. Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons LB, Penn State
After a stellar offseason where the Broncos completely reshaped their defensive backfield, CB has become less of a need. The only glaring need on the Broncos is interior LB and they fill the need here by selecting Micah Parsons.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain CB, Alabama
Ever since letting Byron Jones walk the Cowboys defensive backfield has been the equivalent of a turnstile. Letting Surtain come in and work alongside Trevon Diggs will provide a more stable defensive backfield in a division that seems to only be adding more weapons.
11. TRADE: New England Patriots (via New York Giants): Mac Jones QB, Alabama
The battle for QB5 in this draft will be a gruesome one, and I think that the Giants will be a great contender to move back as their needs suit them later in the draft and they do not want Washington to land a QB by trading up. After an offseason of egregious spending, the Patriots will need to make this offense work with a QB on a rookie deal and Mac Jones is a perfect fit to headline Bill’s new and improved offense.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): DeVonta Smith WR, Alabama
Helping out Jalen Hurts in the passing game is a top priority for the Eagles and landing Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith to the mix is not a bad deal at all.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern
The Chargers have done an excellent job this offseason so far in improving their O-Line but they still have glaring needs at the tackle position. Rashawn Slater is seen as some as OT1 and it would be a “run-to-the-podium” type situation if he falls to the Chargers at #13.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker IOL, USC
It is always pretty easy to give the Vikings the best interior offensive line prospect on the board, but Alijah Vera-Tucker makes it especially simple. A dominating prospect that can solve the Vikings’ questions about where to play Ezra Cleveland. This pick will overall better the Vikings offensive line which is a no-brainer.
15. New York Giants (via New England): Kwity Paye EDGE, Michigan
The Giants have made leaps and bounds this offseason in improving their defense but they still lack legitimate EDGE defenders. Pairing Kwity Paye with Leonard Williams will add an almost unstoppable amount of pressure.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina
Truly a perfect situation for the Cardinals sees Jaycee Horn fall to #16 right into their laps. After Caleb Farley continues to struggle with back injuries Jaycee has taken the opportunity to move into CB2 and even CB1 talks with his stellar Pro-Day performance. Horn replaces Pat Pete and will become a day one starter alongside Byron Murphy creating a phenomenal duo.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech
The Raiders have managed to turn their pretty good offensive line situation into an outright liability in just one free agency cycle. Luckily for them they find Christian Darrisaw here in the middle of the first round who will become an undoubted day one starter.
18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris RB, Alabama
It is so hard not giving the Dolphins Najee Harris. A positional and scheme fit with the Tua-Alabama connection. Najee will no doubt work wonders in the Dolphins offensive scheme.
19. Washington Football Team: Tevin Jenkins OT, Oklahoma State
After missing out on the QB sweepstakes, the only logical move left for Washington is to improve their offensive line, making it experienced and ready for an eventual young signal caller. Being proficient in both run blocking and pass protection Jenkins is a valuable asset to any team.
20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome II CB, Northwestern
The Bears ideal situation would be OT, but after a flurry of tackle selections in the late teens, the Bears are left with nothing. After losing Kyle Fuller I expect them to replace him and continue to add to their strengths of great corner play by selecting Greg Newsome II.
21. TRADE: Buffalo Bills (via Indianapolis): Azeez Ojulari EDGE, Georgia
The Bills need EDGE presence and I do not think an EDGE worth the pick will fall to their original selection at #30. Adding Azeez Ojulari in a trade-up situation boosts their defensive line situation in a division where attacking the QB is a top priority.
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota
Although losing Corey Davis is a downside, this allows the Titans to choose Rashod Bateman with their first selection. Adding another deep threat alongside A.J. Brown will create an even more unstoppable offense.
23. New York Jets (via Seattle): Jaelan Phillips EDGE, Miami
The Jets have been lacking a dominant EDGE defender for essentially the last decade and now they get their fix with Jaelan Phillips. Although he has limited tape to work with, the upside of Phillips is almost unmatched in this class.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Samuel Cosmi OT, Texas
The loss of Alejandro Villanueva will most certainly be felt on this line but replacing him with Samuel Cosmi will be a pretty good consolation prize. Protecting Big Ben should be a top priority this upcoming season.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR): Dillon Radunz OT, NDSU
After taking Trevor Lawrence first overall the Jaguars should have their priorities set on protecting their top asset. Radunz is a pro-ready tackle that can come in and make a difference on day one.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jayson Oweh EDGE, Penn State
Pairing Myles Garrett with athletic monster Jayson Oweh will provide for a dominant force on the defensive line. With Garrett taking most of the opposing line’s attention this will free up Oweh to do work on the edge.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, LSU
The Ravens cannot expect to succeed in a passing league of they do not have the receivers able to make this passing offense work. Adding Terrace Marshall will help spread out this offense giving Lamar Jackson more confidence and freedom in managing this offense.
28. New Orleans Saints: Eric Stokes CB, Georgia
Although New Orleans boasts a pretty good defensive backfield, adding to a strength would be well advised especially with Marshon Lattimore’s impending free agency.
29. Green Bay Packers: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah falling to #29 should be seen as a crime, and although the Packers are not in dire need of a linebacker JOK is too good of a player to pass up here late in the draft. An all-around defensive superstar JOK will add tons of versatility and pure presence in the second and third levels of the defense.
30. Indianapolis Colts (via Buffalo): Liam Eichenberg OT, Notre Dame
After losing Anthony Castanzo to retirement earlier this offseason, the Colts need to add offensive line help in order to provide Carson Wentz a suitable and clean pocket to work with. Eichenberg should slot in as a day one starter.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Mayfield OT, Michigan
The Chiefs do not have the option to ignore their tackle issue. After releasing both their starting tackles this offseason they are left with next to nothing in terms of pass protection. Adding Mayfield will help tremendously in a division with some of the most feared pass rush units.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore IDL, Alabama
With all 22 starters returning from last season’s Super Bowl Championship roster, there are not too many holes to plug in the draft. However, the Bucs interior D-line is not getting any younger and eventually replacing Suh with Christian Barmore seems like a good deal to me.
Trade Details:
Patriots Received: R1 P11
Giants Received: R1 P15, R3 P96
Bills Received: R1 P21
Colts Received: R1 P30, R3 P93
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