1. Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia
Walker has been on the rise the last few days and as of writing this he is the odds favorite to be the first overall pick. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network ownership loves Hutchinson, Pederson apparently loves Ikem Ekwonu, who I can't help but be reminded of Jason Peters, and then we have Trent Baalke, Baalke wants Walker. Is it spitefulness against Jim Harbaugh, is his constant need to be strange or look like he some mastermind forcing him to make this pick. I can't tell you the answer because I'm not in the room what I can tell you is he likely wins the argument and gets to make his pick.
2. Detroit Lions - EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon
With Hutchinson not going first overall you'll likely be even more surprised by my next pick here. For the Lions I suspect they would go with the Oregon rather than the home grown Michigan man or a quarterback here. The Lions have down a lot of research and spoke with Thibodeaux quite a bit. I really enjoyed the Lions draft last year and crowned them my winner. I have a lot of respect for what Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are building and I think the traits and production peaked their interest, but meeting the man and seeing how intelligent and forward thinking Thibodeaux is sealed the deal.
3. Houston Texans - EDGE Aidan Hutchinson Michigan
The Texans and Lovie Smith have holes at nearly every position and while I'd go elsewhere a falling Hutchinson would be an easy selection for the new coach. He was projected to be first overall for months, premium position, defensive player, hard to argue with the pick.
4. New York Jets - EDGE Jermaine Johnson II Florida State
And here we go, another draft day shocker within the top four picks. As I started to plan this reports started surfacing about Johnson to the Jets early and I see the reasoning. Edge rusher, a premium position, is going early, Salah covets the position and they seem to be looking for another rusher that can be on the field for both run and pass responsibilities. Salah's defense took a significant hit when he lost Lawson, he tried to solidify corner by bringing in DJ Reed who knows the scheme. If Travon Walker was still available he'd be the more obvious choice.
5. New York Giants - OT Charles Cross Mississippi State
The Giants need a quarterback amongst other things and have two top 10 picks to make some moves. A trade back either here or at seven is not out of the question, but based on visit reports I think the giants really like Cross and want to get the bookends of the offensive line set for the quarterback they eventually go for next year.
6. Carolina Panthers - QB Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh
You have to believe Matt Rhule understands he cannot roll out to the first game of the year with Sam Darnold playing quarterback. While I don't have a single first round grade on any of them they are all still better options than Sam at this point. Panthers have seemingly done the most public visible homework on these quarterbacks and Rhule and Pickett seem to have the best relationship. This is Rhule's last chance and a productive quarterback will likely make the only difference.
7. New York Giants - CB Ahmad Gardner Cincinnati
The Giants met with Gardner at his Pro Day and brought him in for a top 30 visit. They're looking to trade Bradberry and Gardner would be an instant successor. The math adds up here.
8. Atlanta Falcons - QB Malik Willis Liberty
The Falcons will not be good this year and they brought in Mariota at a relatively cheap cost to be a bridge or backup quarterback. Meeting with multiple quarterbacks Willis met with the Falcons at the Senior Bowl, the combine, and was brought in for a top 30 visit. I think the Falcons could certainly have fallen in love the traits and character. Willis won't be ready this year and that's okay because the Falcons certainly aren't ready for this year either.
9. Seattle Seahawks - OT Evan Neal Alabama
The Seahawks probably didn't see Neal falling to nine but they will gladly scoop up the athletic freak as they love to do. This time they get to do it without having to explain themselves to media and fans and fill a true need with someone actually graded in the first round.
10. New York Jets - WR Drake London USC
The Jets secured Salah's need with their first pick. At pick 10 I certainly see them trading back for the right deal or trading the pick for the right player, but I have to assume they keep the pick. With it I think they try and help out the quarterback and go with the big receiver but multi-tool guy in Drake London. London still has some developing to do, but is young and is a big body wide out to pair with Moore and Berrios while maintaining the creativity they love.
11. Washington Commenders - WR Chris Olave Ohio State
The Commies will not stand ideally by and watch WR's roll off the board here choosing Chris Olave. Ron Rivera and the GM attended Olave's and Wilson's pro day and Olave was brought in for a visit. Out of the two I think Olave is the better bet because he provides a different look then they already have. Giving Carson Wentz a target that will be able to separate opposite Terry is a must for him to find success on his third team in three years.
12. Minnesota Vikings - CB Derek Stingley LSU
It would be poetic for the Vikings to fill the need of corner by replacing one LSU alumni with a new one. I think the Vikings are more likely to trade down in this situation and may in fact go on the offensive side of the ball with their new head coach. But in this situation the value here is too good to pass up at a premium position.
13. Houston Texans - OT Ikem Ekwonu NC State
I am kind of surprised with how far Ekwonu fell here myself and the Texans take someone they would've considered at pick three. I'm not in love with the choice because I do not like moving offensive lineman especially left tackles but they could move Tunsil. What I understand is not passing on a guy you feel in love with and that really seems to be a re-occurring theme for Ekwonu, almost every team seems to have positive notes and rumors from meeting with him.
14. Baltimore Ravens - CB Trent McDuffie Washington
The Ravens find there newest spark plug. I feel like the Ravens have always loved highly intelligent physical players and that's what McDuffie brings to the table. I also feel like the Ravens have needed someone to command the slot for a little bit now and McDuffie can easily step in and do just that. I think this an easy match.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Jameson Williams Alabama
The Eagles love speed, production, and guys who contribute on special teams. Jameson Williams might as well have a kelly green neon sign pointing at him saying he's an Eagle. In my opinion they're leaving a much better wide out on the board in Garrett Wilson but I see the appeal. The fears here to me is Williams has a lot more development to do similar to Ruggs coming into the league. Philadelphia has not done well developing receivers and developing guys coming back from injury. I am hopeful for my hometown team, but if he ends up being the pick I would be lying if I said I had confidence all will go well.
16. New Orleans Saints - WR Treylon Burks Arkansas
Wide out has been going on a run here and the Saints know the Chargers will be drafting one too, so they choose to be the masters of their own fate drafting Treylon Burks. Burks gives the saints another big receiver for Winston and whoever quarterbacks their team in the future but it also gives them a movable chess piece. Right now he is all traits, but learning under Michael Thomas will surely be good for his development if Thomas embraces that role.
17. Los Angels Charges - WR Garrett Wilson Ohio State
The Chargers cap the run on wide outs with the choice of Garrett Wilson. My top wide out in the draft Wilson provides you with great versatility as he has traits and production as every wide receiver type. He should have day one impact on the offense giving Herbert a new reliable target and reliving some of the pressure from Mike Williams who made great strides last season.
18. Philadelphia Eagles - IDL Jordan Davis
The Eagles need to be and want to be more multiple this year. Roseman could go linebacker her but they do not care about the position enough. To open up the playbook for Gannon they really need a true nose tackle. With Fletcher likely in his last year getting a young defensive tackle makes complete sense.
19. New Orleans Saints - S Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame
Left tackle is certainly an option here, but it would be a reach and with the runs made on more premium positions the Saints could not let the talent of Hamilton fall any further. The Saints did meet with Hamilton so some level of interest is there. Maye's deal really only runs for two years and you have him coming back from injury. This move allows for more confidence on the deep part of the field, Maye can play closer to line and Gardner-Johnson can continue to control the slot.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Sam Howell North Carolina
The Steelers are unlikely to be satisfied with their quarterback situation and if there's any current coach who could survive drafting the wrong quarterback it is Mike Tomlin. They have done a lot of work on all of them with Willis likely there favorite but outside there range. I have them settling for my quarterback one this year in Sam Howell.
21. New England Patriots - IOL Zion Johnson Boston College
This one feels like an easy pick to project as the Patriots already lined the move up trading Shaq Mason to the Bucs. Based on coaches recent comments I feel even stronger about this projection, feels like a natural fit.
22. Green Bay Packers - WR Jahan Dotson Penn State
The position is not a head scratcher but the player is in my opinion. Feels like a very Packers move to reach for a player but in the right position. The move will make Rodgers happy as he tries to develop a new wide receiver one.
23. Arizona Cardinals - EDGE George Karlaftis Purdue
The Cardinals luck out with Karlaftis apparently facing a reported drop down teams boards for no specific reason. They are able to "replace" Chandler Jones with a guy who can play all across the line and within multiple schemes. The pick is truly a gift.
24. Dallas Cowboys - IOL Kenyon Green Texas A&M
The Cowboys look to keep the big man in Texas. They have a need at left guard and Green looks to be an easy fit. Not much more to debate.
25. Buffalo Bills - CB Andrew Booth Jr Clemson
The Bills have done well to add some new, but key pieces to both sides of the football this offseason. The one position that remained untouched seems to be their cornerback opposite White and Booth Jr really fits what they're looking for in my opinion. People are saying they'll go running back here but I just don't see it.
26. Tennessee Titans - C Tyler Linderbaum Iowa
I know Ryan Tannehill is really good friends with Ben Jones but teams believe Linderbaum has the chance to be the next Jason Kelce or better and the Titans have a need for interior offensive lineman. The choice makes sense when looking through their lens, I am just much lower on Linderbaum then just about every other person that does this so I am not a big fan of the choice.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - IDL Devonte Wyatt Georgia
Wyatt may be off a few draft boards due to off the field stuff and some may not like his age but the Bucs are in need of a player like him. They need some interior help but aren't looking for another nose tackle. Wyatt gives them the juice as a balanced pass rusher to play with Vea's run stopping ability.
28. Green Bay Packers - WR Christian Watson South Dakota State University
A bit of a reach and crazy of me to think the Packers double dip in the first round at wide out here but they lost both Adams and MVS, they know Rodgers wants and needs guys to throw to this is a perfect opportunity to reset that offense.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - WR George Pickens Georgia
Pickens has been getting some push back these last few days because of his fiery play on the field and the possibility of making poor decisions off. Whatever the case may be if Pickens was healthy he would be a top three wide out this year and the Chiefs do not shy away from off the field issues. They'll look to fix the drops and the downfield issues with this pick.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - EDGE Arnold Ebiketie Penn State
Oh would you look at that the Chiefs are back on the clock. With this one they look to bolster there pass rush. Drafting Ebiketie gives you a well polished pass rusher now and give sou the ability to get Chris Jones back inside where he belongs.
31. Cincinnati Bengals - LB Devin Lloyd Utah
The Bengals made moves in free agency to establish at least a serviceable offensive line with that they pull the trigger on a guy who could be this years version of Micah Parsons. Lloyd will mainly control the middle linebacker position but you can really max out his value by moving him around the front seven. Pairing him with Wilson gives them a top tier linebacker core for a team that always game planned really well last season.
32. Detroit Lions - LB Nakobe Dean Georgia
Dean reportedly may fall to the second round and I just do not understand why. High intelligence, good athlete and always seems focused. He drops here and the Lions draft someone who can wear the green dot for them for at least the next decade.
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