- Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker – EDGE – Georgia
The fact that Walker has overtaken Hutchinson as the odds on favorite to be the number one overall pick and the talk of Jacksonville selecting him hasn’t gone down. This is a sign that Walker will be first off the board.
- Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson – EDGE – Michigan
If the rumors are true, Hutchinson is an easy pick for the Lions to make and will impact Detroit’s production in sacks immediately.
- Houston Texans – Ikem Ekwonwu – OT – NC St.
I still love the idea of grabbing a cornerback if possible, but the flexibility of moving Ekwonwu to either tackle or guard will help protect Davis Mills if they legitimately want to build around him.
- New York Jets – “Sauce” Gardner – CB – Cincinnati
Even though all but one of the Jets cornerbacks are 25 and younger, getting talent like Gardner is perfect for head coach Robert Saleh’s defense. Dare he be their replacement for Darrelle Revis.
- New York Giants – Charles Cross – OT – Miss St.
With Neal’s medical tests being leaked and falling down most boards, Charles Cross feels like the most likely replacement and makes sense since the Giants often take prospects from the SEC.
- Carolina Panthers – Kenny Pickett – QB – Pitt
The fact that the Panthers front office told Sam Darnold that they may draft a quarterback tells me they will draft one and more likely than not in the first round as they will have free range to grab whoever they like the most. Reports do say that GM Scott Fitterer really likes Pickett.
- New York Giants – Derek Stingley Jr. – CB – LSU
The history of the Giants taking SEC and more importantly LSU players speaks to me that Stingley is their guy. That is if New York doesn’t trade back.
- Atlanta Falcons – Malik Willis – QB – Liberty
Even with there still being offensive tackles and edge rushers still on the board, I find myself still coming back to Willis at eight. Marcus Mariota feels like the bridge for the young QB out of Liberty.
- Seattle Seahawks – Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE – Oregon
I don’t expect the Seahawks to settle and make a selection at nine. Whoever they do trade with will likely take an edge guy, either Thibodeaux or Jermaine Johnson. I’ll lean towards the guy who was expected to go top five in Thibodeaux.
- New York Jets – Drake London – WR – USC
Since the 49ers are refusing to trade Deebo Samuel, using this pick to grab the first receiver off the board makes sense. London seems to fit the mold of that big body receiver that can break tackles that the Jets are looking for.
- Washington Commanders – Kyle Hamilton – S – Notre Dame
A top defensive back falling into a team’s lap, where have I seen this before? The Commanders have their eyes on London, Hamilton, and Garrett Wilson. With London gone, it’s a two-man race. Washington tends to lean heavily on taking defensive players early on and are lacking at Safety after moving on from Landon Collins.
- Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie – CB – Washington
Minnesota is still another team I feel will trade down, but if they do stay where they are, grabbing the top available corner makes a lot of sense.
- Houston Texans – Jermaine Johnson – EDGE – Florida St.
I originally wanted to go wide receiver here, but with all the talk of Johnson shooting up draft boards and him not being taken in the top 10, beefing up both lines is crucial since Houston is still looking to replace J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
- Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum – C – Iowa
Center is something Baltimore should address, and upgrading the one weakness on the offensive line could take this Ravens offense to the next level.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama
With the attention going towards the edge rushers and the lack of receivers being taken, Wilson is a great selection here to help boost the room. The team is run heavy and this would be the third year in a row they take a pass rusher in the first round, but more weapons gives Jalen Hurts a better chance to succeed. This is if Philly isn’t one of the teams to trade up.
- New Orleans Saints – Evan Neal – OT – Alabama
Because of the lack of receivers being drafted, New Orleans can wait until 19 to potentially grab a receiver. Neal is someone that has dropped over 10 spots after being projected top five and even number one overall by some, falling right into the Saints’ lap.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Garrett Wilson – WR – Ohio St.
Even though getting another offensive lineman makes all the sense in the world, having Wilson right there is too good to pass up. Justin Herbert is young and mobile, so he can always escape the pressure and look deep down field. Plus, it’s LA, they are all about flash!
- Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Davis – IDL – Georgia
With Fletcher Cox only re-signing to a one year deal, getting his replacement is crucial. Davis is an athletic freak and would be a great addition to this Eagles defense.
- New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio St.
The Saints were still able to get their guy and upgrade the receiver room, and of course it’s an Ohio State Buckeye. Olave has a great relationship with Michael Thomas and this could be a scary duo as Jameis Winston will have better weapons to throw to in 2022.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Desmond Ridder – QB – Cincinnati
The Steelers have spent a lot of time with the quarterbacks in this draft class. With Pickett and Willis gone, Ridder could be their guy as he reminds me of the Steel City, blue-collar.
- New England Patriots – Devin Lloyd – LB – Utah
New England’s top two linebackers have left the building. Corner is a big need, but Bill Belichick can always find corners later in the draft. Lloyd could be an effective man in the middle for the Pats.
- Green Bay Packers – George Pickens – WR – Georgia
We shall see if Green Bay uses either of their first rounders on a pass catcher. Pickens has size and speed you look for and could be your Davante Adams replacement.
- Arizona Cardinals – Zion Johnson – IOL – Boston College
Now that Arizona picked up Kyler Murray’s fifth year option, I see him also wanting help on the offensive side. Wide receiver is an option, but improving the interior of the offensive line could help Murray buy more time to find his receivers.
- Dallas Cowboys – Kenyon Green – IOL – Texas A&M
If Dallas is unable to trade up, I see them working on the offensive line to protect Dak Prescott. There have been rumors that they would take Green and play him guard. Tackle seems to me like a more pressing need though.
- Buffalo Bills – Isaiah Spiller – RB – Texas A&M
They’ve drafted a running back named Spiller in the first round before, who’s to say they won’t do it again. Buffalo had a top 30 visit with the young Aggie recently which leans towards the idea that they take a running back here.
- Tennessee Titans – Drake Jackson – EDGE – USC
There are reports that Jackson is predicted to go in the first round. It would help a not so strong defensive line for the Titans and they’ve dipped their toes into USC prospects a few times the last few years.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – George Karlaftis – EDGE – Purdue
Taking the best player available isn’t a bad option, especially at this point in the draft. Karlaftis brings the ability to play inside and outside as Tampa hasn’t brought back Ndamukong Suh.
- Green Bay Packers – Tyler Smith – OT – Tulsa
It’s not very likely that the Packers would use both picks on the offensive side of the football, but crazier things have happened. Smith would add depth to the tackle room as they’ve only got three under contract right now.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Skyy Moore – WR- Western Michigan
Even after getting two big signings at receiver, it’s not enough for Andy Reid. Moore fits the mold of a smaller, fast, shifty pass catcher as there is no dominant receiver on the outside.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Kaiir Elam – CB – Florida
Corner is still a position of need. Many scouts believe Elam will be the fourth corner taken off the board as he is big and physical, which is something they haven’t had on the boundaries since Marcus Peters.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Daxton Hill – CB – Michigan
Hill possesses the ability to play in the slot and at safety, which would be beneficial as no one is locking up the inside receiver in Cincy and at least one starting safety could be on the move after next season ends.
- Detroit Lions – Lewis Cine – S – Georgia
Tracy Walker was good down the stretch for the Lions, getting Cine to pair with Walker could help improve this defense.