1. Chicago Bears via CAR: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Bears should or will move on from Justin Fields. I know it’s difficult to keep saying, “give him one more year“, but if you can put a dynamic wideout with generational upside in this Bears offense, they could become a legitimate playoff contender. Wide receivers aren’t always the safest pick, but when it’s a guy like Maserati Marv Marvin Harrison Jr., you take that risk.

2. Washington Commanders: USC QB Caleb Williams

Martin Mayhew and company see the Bears take Harrison Jr. and they pump their fists. It’s not because Chicago taking Harrison Jr. was a bad pick, but they never thought that Caleb Williams would fall to them at two. With no real future in their quarterback room, Williams would come in and start on day one with decent weapons surround him like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Logan Thomas. This is a home run pick for Washington.

3. New England Patriots: North Carolina QB Drake Maye

New England has to draft a quarterback. While Williams is the best quarterback prospect in the draft, Maye probably fits their offensive system better that utilizes play action to create the deep pass play. It’s not Tom Brady, but it’s better than Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Washington WR Rome Odunze

At this position, it’d be a reach for Arizona to take a quarterback, so they’ll continue to add weapons for either Kyler Murray or a possible free agent signing. Odunze was a machine this season catching 92 passes for over 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’ll bring explosive route running and big play ability to a stagnant Cardinals offense.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

When you have a quarterback as talented as Justin Herbert, you need to get him better weapons. While Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are big play wideouts, he doesn’t have a good safety net who also serves as a powerful blocker at the tight end position. That’s where Brock Bowers comes in. Two years in a row, Bowers has been the best tight end in college due to his blocking ability and pass catching prowess.

6. New York Giants: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

I know it’s not a flashy pick or even one that will please the fanbase right away, but the safest, most sure fire pick of the draft is taking Joe Alt. Putting him opposite of Andrew Thomas would create a tackle duo that resembles that of Brian O’Neil and Christian Darrisaw in Minnesota, which is very good. Whether it’s a new quarterback or a further developed Daniel Jones in 2024, they’ll have ample time in the pocket.

7. Tennessee Titans: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

Where doesn’t Tennessee need help? That’s the biggest question. A lot like the Giants taking Joe Alt, drafting Cooper DeJean won’t be a pick that pleases the fans, but it’s needed with how good the AFC South is getting at the wide receiver position. Matching up with Michael Pittman, Tank Dell, and Calvin Ridley is important if the Titans want to win. An underrated part of this pick is that DeJean is also an elite return man.

8. Atlanta Falcons: LSU WR Malik Nabers

In the same vein of Arizona, Atlanta needs a quarterback, but they’d be reaching if they took Nix, Penix, or Daniels. Riding with Ridder and getting more weapons isn’t the worst option. Especially if they take the quick pass catcher Malik Nabers here. Nabers reeled in 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns this season and would be an unbelievable wide receiver two opposite of Drake London.

9. Chicago Bears: UCLA OLB Laiatu Latu

By getting Marvin Harrison Jr. at one, the Bears get to have some fun with this pick. They could go offensive line or defensive back, but to me, it feels smart to put another athletic pass rusher on the field to play opposite of Montez Sweat, who had 12.5 sacks this season. Laiatu Latu, who should have been a Heisman finalist, balled out for UCLA this season. He totaled 49 tackles and 13 sacks and would be the perfect piece to rush the passer with Montez Sweat.

10. New York Jets: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

Jets fans will surely hate this pick, but it’s a smart one. Carter Warren had a PFF grade of 46.9% and allowed 5 sacks while his counterpart Mekhi Becton had a PFF grade of 53.2% and allowed 12 sacks. If they want their offense to flourish, they need an offensive line to keep their quarterback, whoever that might be, upright. Olu Fashanu is an outstanding run blocker and is an equally great pass protector. If it weren’t for Joe Alt being in this draft, Olu Fashanu would go a lot higher.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

It’s probably too high for the Vikings to take Penix Jr., but it makes sense. The future of Kirk Cousins is uncertain and the three-headed dumpster fire of Joshua Dobbs, Jaren Hall, and Nick Mullens aren’t viable options to play quarterback. With how big Penix’s arm is and the talent of Jefferson, Osborn, Addison, and Hockenson catching passes, there’s a lot of potential upside with the Washington quarterback at the helm.

12. Denver Broncos: Florida State DE Jared Verse

The epitome of consistency when it comes to rushing the passer is Jared Verse. He’s recorded back-to-back seasons with over 40 tackles and 9 sacks. Putting him in the mix with Baron Browning and Zach Allen would create a squad of pass rushers that can utilized both speed and power to win their matchups.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Alabama OT JC Latham

The Raiders don’t have a great track record with Alabama offensive tackles, but JC Latham feels different. Having him opposite of an athletic tackle like Kolton Mille is perfect because Latham is both athletic and powerful. That power derives from his large base and powerful punch that will be useful vs AFC West pass rushers like George Karlaftis, Zach Allen, and Joey Bosa.

14. New Orleans Saints: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Sort of like the Vikings taking Penix Jr. at 11, this might be a reach, but it’s a smart pick. Keeping Daniels in Louisiana will surely move tickets as he’ll be an immediate fan favorite. Aside from that, he’s a dynamic quarterback with big play ability whether it’s through the air or on the ground. Getting him with Olave and Kamara could create nightmare fuel for NFC South defenses.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton

Up until his injury, Anthony Richardson played well, and the Colts have a plethora of offensive weapons so they don’t need to take a wide receiver or running back. Their defensive line is good and adding Jer’Zhan Newton would only make them scarier. Newton is a tremendous run stopper and from the interior, he’s an awesome pass rusher tallying 7.5 sacks in 2023 for Illinois.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Alabama OLB Dallas Turner

I know that Seattle didn’t make the playoffs this year, but when you look at their roster, it’s fairly well- rounded. Their biggest need is pass rushers. Dallas Turner is a long and athletic pass rusher who uses speed as a cudgel to beat offensive tackles. In 2023 he totaled 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, even tallying a sack against Michigan who had one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Much like Seattle, Jacksonville has few holes on their roster. Their most vulnerable position would probably be cornerback. Kool-Aid McKinstry was rarely thrown at this season due to his shut down coverage, but the biggest aspect of his game that he flexed in 2023 was his ability to tackle in the run game. Not many corners can or will come down and make plays vs a running back. McKinstry does that better than any defensive back in this year’s draft.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

It’s a continuous revolving door of tackles in Cincinnati and it’s not helping Joe Burrow. Drafting Taliese Fuaga, who is a mauler in the run game and precise in the pass game, could become a needed constant for the Bengals offensive line. This past season at Oregon State, he earned an 87.9% PFF grade. There isn’t much that Taliese Fuaga can’t do from the tackle position.