by James Meche, Special to 103.7 the Game
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Lawrence has been destined to be the first overall pick since his freshman year at Clemson. He is what Urban Meyer and the Jags need to become relevant again.
- New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Sam Darnold trade has only further solidified the idea of the Jets taking a QB here. Wilson’s 2020 campaign was a huge jump from 2019, having 43 total touchdowns while only throwing 3 interceptions.
- San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio St.
Many believe the 49ers have their eyes set on Alabama’s quarterback Mac Jones, but I feel as though it is merely a smokescreen. Fields adds an extra aspect of running that Kyle Shannahan can add to his offense. Something that Jones, Garopollo and previously Ryan haven’t been able to bring to the table.
- Atlanta Falcons – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota St. Univ.
If Atlanta decides to stay where they are at, Lance makes sense long term. Having him sit behind Matt Ryan for at least a year will help in his development.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
A huge majority of fans are either team Sewell or team Chase. I’m in favor of Chase being that his connection with Burrow at LSU was magical. The top receiver talent needs to reunite with his college quarterback and pick up right where they left off.
- Miami Dolphins – Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
Picking the top-rated lineman in the class will give a huge boost and secure both edges for Tua. This will be a young and impressive offensive line that will only get better the longer they stay together and develop chemistry.
- Detroit Lions – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Watching Waddle tough it out and play while still being clearly injured late in the season shows off the toughness new Head Coach Dan Campbell is looking for. The Alabama speedster is a dynamic playmaker and a need at the position after the departures of Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay.
- Carolina Panthers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Now that Carolina has their quarterback, they can go get him a shiny new tight end to throw to. Pitts improves the position that has been neglected since Greg Olsen left for Seattle.
- Denver Broncos – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
It feels like every year John Elway is looking for a quarterback of his measurements and here is another candidate to add to the list. If Denver does decide to move on from Drew Lock, Jones feels like a suitable replacement. He and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy would be able to link up again like they did at Alabama.
- Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
Defense is what needs to be the focus of this draft. Getting Surtain to pair with Diggs on the outside will be the first step, but need to improve on the defensive line as well if they want to make a playoff run.
- New York Giants – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
After wasting a first round pick on Baker, the Giants should take heavy consideration at taking a corner. Horn has the speed to keep up with receivers in the division. Lamb, McLaurin and Cooper just to name a few.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn St.
Philly was bottom 10 in rush defense last season and adding the highest-rated linebacker in the class should prove beneficial. Parsons’ grade in run defense was second-highest ever for a true sophomore. Living in the backfield and sacking the quarterback is his specialty.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Protecting Justin Herbert and improving the offensive line is a must need that has to be addressed early in the draft. Slater only had five pressures given up in his 2019 season before outing out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft.
- Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Coach Zimmer said toward the end of last season that defense was the worst one he’d ever coached. Going after an edge rusher is a good start. Paye’s got the potential to be an every-down player and be a good pair on the opposite side of Danielle Hunter.
- New England Patriots – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
With the news of Edelman most likely missing at least most of next season, New England should have their focus on getting as many weapons as possible to surround Cam with and getting a Heisman Trophy winner isn’t a bad direction to look at.
- Arizona Cardinals – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
Vera-Tucker’s versatility gives Arizona options to plug him either on the inside or the outside of the line. His run blocking ability will help open running lanes for design Murray runs and whoever their starting back ends up being.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Vegas lost a few linemen this free agency including trading their three-time pro bowl center. Bringing in Darrisaw helps replenish some of what they lost with good run and pass blocking skills.
- Miami Dolphins – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
With an addition to the interior defensive lineman, Miami has an underrated front seven. Barmore keeps his feet moving and constantly wins leverage battles. Explosive off the first step getting pressure as a four-down lineman.
- Washington – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Replacing the newly retired Thomas gives the opportunity to pick the young Notre Dame linebacker. He’s the type of player that always finds himself near and make plays around the football.
- Chicago Bears – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
The sudden release of Kyle Fuller leans toward the idea of getting Newsome. He’s got size and nice coverage skills, keeping position and making plays on the ball.
- Indianapolis Colts – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
The biggest needs for Indy are a blind side tackle and an edge rusher. Ojulari provides natural pass rushing skills and is effective with his hands against opposing lineman.
- Tennessee Titans – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Titans moving on leaves the wide receiver 2 position open and pairing him with A.J. Brown makes for a nice combo of pass catchers. Bateman takes some of the outside attention from Brown as Tennessee lost key pieces to the offense this offseason.
- New York Jets – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Gang Green is in need of a corner on the opposite side of Hall, giving them a young duo. Farley has the size and his 4.28 second forty time suggests he’s got the speed to stay step for step with almost any receiver.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma St.
Protecting Roethlisberger and bringing in youth on the offensive line to give him time to throw to Juju and Claypool is essential. Jenkins’ athletic potential gives him the chance to play on either side of the line. Setting himself up with quick hands and a nice wide base keeps defenders away and out of the backfield.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Moehrig is a great all-around safety that can play in the box or go out into coverage. Getting the top-rated player at a position of need this late in the round is always a huge plus.
- Cleveland Browns – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
An athletic pass rusher with tremendous size to pair with Garrett to get pressure on the quarterback. Rousseau standing at 6’7” gives him plenty of ways to disrupt play whether it’s sacks or batting down passes.
- Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Even after the Watkins signing, Baltimore needs another pass catcher for Lamar to throw to. Marshall provides the ability to work from the outside and in the slot. Last season, he was one of the few bright spots on that LSU roster before outing out and preparing for the draft.
- New Orleans Saints – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
When the Saints traded for Kwon Alexander, we saw the defense take a step up to another level and was instantly missed when he went down with an Achilles injury. Since they’ve to move on from him, getting a beast-like Collins would be a suitable and cheaper replacement.
- Green Bay Packers – Jaelen Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Jaelen makes plays out in space covering a lot of the field fairly quickly. His threat on the edges will bring greater pressure and higher sack totals for an already good defense.
- Buffalo Bills – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida St.
Getting good young corners to cover all the weapons the Patriots signed this offseason and Samuel is certainly someone that fits the bill. He has instinct awareness along with outstanding ball skills that’ll slow down offenses.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
KC made moves this offseason improving the interior of the offensive line, but losing both starting tackles leaves a glaring need that’ll have to be addressed. Cosmi secures up Mahomes on his blind side with excellent fundamentals in pass protection.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Having all 22 starters from last season leaves plenty of directions to go for with this first pick. Going defensive tackle gives a respectable replacement for Suh when he either leaves the team or reetires. Levi eats up blocks and does the dirty work to get his teammates a moment to make a play on the ball carrier or quarterback.