Around this time of year, every NFL scouting department is beginning to finalize their top prospects for the NFL Draft. This year, without medical checks from non combine invites make it tough for the later round steals. However, the top prospects have all been checked out, and teams have coordinated plenty of FaceTime interviews. Each scouting department are only allowed a certain amount of calls per week. So when they take time to contact a prospect, it certainly turns some heads.
I have decided to combine this FaceTime knowledge with my idea of what teams are looking for in the draft. This list put together five realistic directions that each team could go with their first pick. Keep in mind, some teams do not have a first round pick, so the lists will vary.
Want more draft coverage? Check out Not Gonna Lie Podcast’s interview with Connor Rogers!
Arizona Cardinals – Pick #8
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
- Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Alright, let’s unpack this. I honestly can not see a world where Kliff Kingsbury selects a defensive player in the first round (no one show freezingcoldtakes). I personally believe their number one need is offensive line. Even after signing DJ Humphries to an extension, they need another piece on that line to keep Kyler Murray upright. But WR feels like the route they will take. They are going to have their pick at WR or OT as they will be one of the first teams to pick from those position groups.
Atlanta Falcons – Pick #16
- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
- CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
- Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
- Xaiver McKinney, S, Alabama
In a surprising number of mock drafts, put together by people who have sources on NFL teams, Derrick Brown continues to fall into the teens. Although he had a poor combine, the tape should shine through. If he lands in the Falcons lap at 16, they should snatch him up immediately. The rest of their first round targets feel like BPA on the defensive side of the ball.
Baltimore Ravens – Pick #28
- AJ Epeneza, EDGE, Iowa
- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
- Jonathan Taylor, WR, Wisconsin
If Matthew Judon, ends up getting traded, the Ravens will likely pick his replacement. They will have a great collection of EDGE rushers to choose from in the late 20s. If he stays, LB feels the most logical. But thinking outside of the box, what if they used that pick on Jonathan Taylor? That would bring the offense up a notch and they could slowly fade Mark Ingram out of the offense. I have heard rumors that this may be a possibility for the Ravens, and I think I love it.
Buffalo Bills – Pick #54
- Lloyd Cushenberry, IOL, LSU
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
- JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
- Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
- Shane Lemieux, IOL, Oregon
This deep in the draft, it is nearly impossible to predict what players are going to be left. After the Bills made one of the bigger splashes in the offseason, trading away a plethora of picks, including their 1st rounder, for Stefon Diggs. They eliminated their biggest need in a true #1 wide receiver. If availible, I love the idea of drafting Frank Gore’s replacement. Although Devin Singletary has shown flashes, I do not think he can be an every down back. A couple of linemen could be available, as well as some help on the other side of the ball.
Carolina Panthers – Pick #7
- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Isaiah Simmons has to be the favorite pick to replace Luke Kuechly. Offensive line could use some attention, especially since Russell Okung is not the long term answer. Derrick Brown is a great BPA option, but the most intriguing option is at 5. Jordan Love may need a bit of seasoning, and if the Panthers truly think they can win next year, this may be their best option at QB for the future.
Cincinnati Bengals – Pick #1
- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
That’s it. No more explanation necessary.
Chicago Bears – Pick #43
- Antoine Winfield S, Minnesota
- Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
- Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
- AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
The Bears have two picks in the second round, separated by about seven picks. I think the first pick will be focused on bolstering their secondary. One of these top three safeties are likely going to be available at this spot. If all else fails, TE is a great route to take, and they may have their pick of the bunch.
Cleveland Browns – Pick #10
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
- Best Player Available
It is offensive line or bust for the Cleveland Browns. There is a really good chance they are able to take one of the last two OT at 10. On the off chance there is a huge run on OTs before the Browns pick, they will take the best player left on the board.
Dallas Cowboys – Pick #17
- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
- Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
- CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
- Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Similar situation as the Falcons. If Derrick Brown is available, that is an absolute steal at 17. The Cowboys should focus on hitting singles in this draft, not homeruns. This lessens their likelihood of striking out, and their draft board will reflect that.
Denver Broncos – Pick #15
- Mekhi Becton, OT, Lousiville
- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
- Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The priority will be whichever combination of OTs are left, if there are any at all. After that, the Big Three of wide receivers are next up on the board. Finding a guy to compliment Cortland Sutton, or protect Drew Lock is priority number one in Denver.
Detroit Lions – Pick #3
- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
- Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The chance that the Lions trade out of three, unless they take a QB, is pretty high. Okudah has to be their most realistic target, and a guy they could get even if they trade back. Although, if the Redskins go QB at two, the best player in the draft will fall into their lap, which is why he is number one on this board.
Green Bay Packers – Pick #30
- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
- Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
- Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
- Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
WR is high on the priority list for the Packers in this draft. They’re going to have their pick of some of the tier 2 WRs at the end of the first round. Just to shake things up, I threw Austin Jackson in there, who has a ton of upside. But as we saw last season, Aaron Rodgers needs more weapons to throw to on the field.
Houston Texans – Pick #40
- Yetur-Gross Matos, EDGE, Penn State
- Zach Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
- D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
- Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
- A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
After the Texans gave up their first rounder in the Laremy Tunsil trade, their first selection comes in the second round. You could make the argument that they would need to select a WR after sending Hopkins to the Cardinals. But after trading for Cooks, they believe they’ve filled the position.
Indianapolis Colts – Pick #34
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
- Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
- Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
After signing Phillip Rivers in the off-season, the Colts have found a short term solution at the QB position. Jordan Love is the pick of choice at 34, giving him time to learn behind Phillip Rivers is too enticing to pass up. WR is the next best option for the Colts, on a roster that hosted Marcus Johnson, Zach Pascal, and Daurice Fountain as the main targets for a large portion of the year.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Pick #9
- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Now that Nick Foles (and a plethora of stars on defense) have departed, the Jags are in full rebuild. For now, it is Gardner Minshew’s team and they have a lot of holes to fill to give him a shot. Isaiah Simmons would be a dream for the Jags at nine, but there is not much wrong they can do at this spot.
Kansas City Chiefs – Pick #32
- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
- Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
- Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Luckily, the defending Super Bowl Champions do not have that many holes to fill. If available, LB may be the best direction for them to go. But I love the idea of pairing Jalen Reagor with Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman.
