1. Carolina via CHI: Alabama QB Bryce Young
What more is there to say? Young has solidified himself as the consensus QB1 of the draft and if Carolina traded up to not take either him or Stroud, then they’ve botched this draft class six ways to Sunday. His big arm and high football IQ along with the addition of Thielen, Sanders, and Hurst make Carolina a real threat in the NFC.
2. Houston Texans: Ohio State QB CJ Stroud
I believe that the rumor of Houston not taking a quarterback is more of a smoke screen rather than truth. They’d be foolish to not take a franchise quarterback at two and Stroud’s that guy. While his football IQ has grown to be a concern, I still believe he’ll be an elite quarterback in the NFL. With a good offensive line and revamped weapons, the Texans could win the AFC South as early as this year by drafting Stroud.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr.
Not much has changed. Anderson is the best player in the draft by a country mile. This could be my Mel Kiper Jr. moment, but I’m positive that Anderson will be an All-Pro in one of his first four seasons. His productivity at Alabama was remarkable having 27.5 sacks over two seasons. The Cardinals need defensive line depth after losing Zach Allen and J.J. Watt, and Anderson would be a great fix.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Kentucky QB Will Levis
Enough, enough, enough. I’m tired of the Will Levis slander. I comprehend that he’s not one of the two best quarterbacks in the draft, but he’s a damn good player. The same goes for Anthony Richardson. There are flaws in Levis’ game like ball placement and decision making, but he has a massive arm which you can’t teach. The Colts seem to be dialed in on Levis at four and I find it to be a great fit.
5. Seattle Seahawks via DEN: Georgia DT Jalen Carter
I have Carter as the second best player in the draft and not much has swayed my opinion. The off-field issues are a concern for sure, but he’s a dominant run stopper with a whole lot of upside. He has quick hands and will be an immediate upgrade to the Seahawks defensive line. That was their main area of weakness in 2022 and having two picks in the top 20 gives them two opportunities to address this need.
6. Detroit Lions via LAR: Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson
Detroit ranked last in run defense last season and are in desperate need of a turn around on that front. With two top 20 picks, they should look to address that and they will take Tyree Wilson. Wilson is a true hand-in-the-dirt defensive end that stuns offensive linemen with his quick and powerful punch. His size is a huge benefit as he’s 6’6, 275 pounds.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
This year’s corner class is loaded and standing atop the other corners is Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon. He flew under the radar a bit this year, but when you go back and watch his tape he played so stout against very good BIG Ten wide outs. The Raiders have a lot of holes and could draft and offensive lineman or a receiver, but they’ll take the best available in Witherspoon.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
A lot of individuals think the Falcons should take a quarterback, but I think Ridder is the man to lead the Falcons to the playoffs. They loaded up in free agency and have one of the league’s best offensive lines. With this pick, they should grab another weapon to help Ridder. Having a core of Patterson, London, Pitts, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba would strike feat into opposing defenses.
9. Chicago Bears via CAR: Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski
This has been the one pick I’ve kept constant since the Bears and Panthers traded picks. It feels like a no brainer for the Bears to take an offensive lineman and Peter Skoronski will be a day one starting guard. He’s a physical run blocker and excels as a pass protector despite his short arms. This would be a step in the right direction for the Bears protecting Justin Fields.
10. Philadelphia Eagles via NO: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
Philadelphia has two first round picks and not a whole lot of gaps in their roster. With that being said, they’ll take the best available in Christian Gonzalez. He’s a physical cornerback that thrives mostly in man coverage and press when he can get his mitts on pass catchers. Slay and Bradberry are aging and Gonzalez could learn under them for a year and step up big time in 2024.
11. Tennessee Titans: Florida QB Anthony Richardson
With the reports coming out that the Titans have “lost faith” in Malik Willis, it seems like they’re in the market for a quarterback. Richardson struggles as a passer, but his athleticism makes up for what he lacks as a passer. Tannehill is slowing down and if Willis isn’t the option, they could draft Richardson and look to win now.
12. Houston Texans via CLE: USC WR Jordan Addison
Step one: get a franchise quarterback. Check. Step two: get a number one receiving threat for said franchise quarterback. Check. Jordan Addison is maybe the most pro-ready pass catcher in the draft. He would have possibly been the first receiver off the board had he entered last season, but opted to develop further by catching passes from Caleb Williams. He has elite quickness and rarely drops passes.
13. Green Bay Packers via NYJ: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
I had Green Bay taking Mayer at 15 and love it even more at 13. With Jordan Love becoming their starting quarterback, you need to surround him with safe weapons that’ll make him efficient. Mayer has the best hands in the draft and is the best blocking tight end prospect we’ve seen in a while.
14. New England Patriots: Alabama S Brian Branch
New England could grab a weapon here, but with Brian Branch being available I get the feeling that Belichick will take Branch due to his connection with Saban. Also, because Branch is a DOG. He had 90 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups in 2022 and can play all over the field from bumping into the box, slot corner, or high safety.
15. New York Jets via GB: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Much like Green Bay, I’m keeping my Jets pick the same. Mekhi Becton is coming back and looks lean, but they’re going to need another book end tackle. Paris Johnson Jr. has top tier energy and a great motor that not many offensive linemen posses. His technique can be a tad sloppy at times, but once he tightens that up he’ll be a dominant force.
16. Washinton Commanders: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
Washington was on their hands and knees praying that Anthony Richardson would fall to them, but no dice. Now, they need to address the holes in their back end and taking my CB3 here in Joey Porter Jr. feels like the best selection they could make. The Commanders have a good front seven, but adding Porter gives them a good corner to matchup with CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia OT Broderick Jones
With Joey Porter Jr. off the board, Pittsburgh will address their second biggest need which happens to be offensive tackle. Broderick Jones is my OT3 behind Skoronski and Johnson Jr. He is a great pass blocker that understands the importance of angles to suppress pass rushers. This’ll be key when matching up with Myles Garrett and Sam Hubbard.
18. Detroit Lions: Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey
Kancey is a player I’ve been raving about this whole draft season and for good reason. He’s a true 3-technique that has quick hips and heavy hands. His game film against Virginia Tech and Rhode Island are what turned me onto him and he showcased his ability to switch between speed and power and then power to speed. Even though the Lions are going to take him, I might buy his jersey.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright is a down right mean player. I love offensive linemen that play with a mean streak and Wright does that, but not to the extent that Trevor Penning did last year where he gets too sloppy in his technique. Wright might be the best run blocker in the draft and is a sneaky good pass blocker. Putting him opposite of Tristan Wirfs could make a great, young tackle duo that’ll rule the league.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness
Getting Jalen Carter with their first pick is huge for the interior and now they’re grabbing the second best defensive end in the draft with Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness He’s a Herculean figure that can play anywhere from 4i-technique to wide 7-technique. His power pass rush moves are high quality as he uses a long arm bull rush to get after quarterbacks.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Texas RB Bijan Robinson
With the uncertainty of Austin Ekeler for next season, securing a starting running back is important, especially when they’re playing in the AFC West. Bijan Robinson was a freak of nature last season rushing for over 1,800 yards and would immediately make the Chargers offense one of the league’s best. Having Robinson run behind Rashawn Slater and Zion Johnson will be a fun sight to see.
22. Baltimore Ravens: TCU WR Quentin Johnston
It’s going to be tough to please Lamar Jackson, but one step in the right direction would be to draft a weapon. With the signing of Odell Beckham, the Ravens have a crafty route runner and if they draft Johnston they’ll add a deep threat that stands at 6’4, 215 pounds. Johnston exploded this season as Max Duggans top option. I’d love to see him stay in purple and black and catch passes from Lamar.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Maryland CB Deonte Banks
Losing Patrick Peterson and Cam Dantzler this offseason leaves holes at corner. They signed Byron Murphy to a two year deal and currently have Drew Booth who is coming off an injury. Banks is my CB4 in the draft and plays tight man coverage and does a great job baiting quarterbacks in zone. With the uncertainty of Booth and his injuries, grabbing Banks feels necessary.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence
Losing Jawaan Taylor in free agency is a move that definitely hurts so the Jaguars need to regroup. Taking a tackle like Dawand Jones or Anton Harrison would be a reach so they’ll add Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence to play opposite of Brandon Scherff. He’s a mountain of a man that moves flesh efficiently in the run game and has light feet as a pass protector.
25. New York Giants: Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
New York has a good track record with drafting offensive linemen. Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas were raw players initially, but at the end of their rookie seasons they became very good players that were balanced in both the run and pass game. John Michael Schmitz would be an awesome fit for the Giants and be a day one starter. He has a massive frame and mobility that guys of his size don’t traditionally posses.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
Dallas was really hoping that Bijan Robinson would fall to them, but since he’s off the board they’re going to grab Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid will be a great replacement for Dalton Schultz who was a reliable weapon for Dak Prescott last season. After catching 70 passes for 890 yards and 8 scores, Kincaid shot up draft boards and has solidified himself as a first round talent.
27. Buffalo Bills: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
The Bills haven’t had a great running back the past few years now and with the addition of Damien Harris and having James Cook, they need a receiving back. Cook and Harris are great downhill, but Gibbs will be a dynamic third down back. Gibbs caught 44 passes for 444 yards and 3 touchdowns last season and would serve as an elite check down player for Josh Allen.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Georgia OLB Nolan Smith
With Mayer and Kincaid off the board and no first round tackle talent remaining, the Bengals will grab the best available which is Nolan Smith. Smith would fit into a malicious pass rushing rotation of Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. By having him, then they could have a consistent flow of edge rushers making life hell for quarterbacks. Pound for pound, Smith is one of the best athletes in the draft standing at 6’3, 235 pounds and running a 4.39 40 yard dash.
29. New Orleans Saints via SF: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee
Now I don’t love Bresee as a player, but the Saints need depth and juvenescence in their front seven. They lost Marcus Davenport, Shy Tuttle, and David Onyemata in free agency and Cam Jordan is aging. With the two best interior players off the board early in Carter and Kancey, the Saints will grab Bresee. While it maybe a reach due to his injury history and lack of productivity, Bresee won’t fall to them at pick 40.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson DE Myles Murphy
Much like Bresee, I do not like the way Myles Murphy plays. I actually hate it. He has no bend, gets lured upfield too easily by tackles, and is a below average pass rusher. But that’s just what I see. He’s a projected first round pick and the Eagles need depth on their defensive line. Brandon Graham doesn’t have too much left in the tank and Murphy would be a good replacement at defensive end.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Boston College WR Zay Flowers
The rich get richer. Patrick Mahomes lands another elite weapon here and one that’ll take some heat off Travis Kelce and properly replace JuJu Smith-Schuster. Flowers runs great routes and has elite speed past 20 yards. It’ll pain me to see a player I like go to a team I have such disdain for, but it will be wildly entertaining watching Mahomes uncork a deep ball to Flowers in Week One.
