1 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
The consensus #1 overall pick for the past year. Unless something wild happens, the Jaguars get their new franchise QB, and either a safe backup in Minshew or a trade piece. Instant upgrade to this offense that had flashes of greatness with Minshew.
2 – New York Jets
Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)
Rumors have been swirling recently about Fields’ lack of progressing through his reads and locking in on his first option. This couldn’t be farther from the truth and the Jets’ addition of Fields gives them the next best playmaker in the class.
3 – San Francisco 49ers (via Miami Dolphins)
Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)
Like the Jets, rumors are also swirling about the 49ers using their newly acquired pick to select Mac Jones. While The Undroppables as a team have been higher on Jones than most, Wilson is the correct choice here to fit into Shanahan’s scheme and style of play.
4 – *Denver Broncos (via Atlanta Falcons)
Trey Lance (QB, North Dakota State)
Reports came out on Tuesday that the Falcons are willing to trade out of this spot, for the right deal, so we simulate that trade here with the Broncos who are ready to move on from the Drew Lock experiment, or at least hedge their bets. Lance however does not have the pressure of needing to start right away which will give him time to mature to the NFL game and learn from Lock.
5 – Cincinnatti Bengals
Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
Besides being the best Offensive Lineman in this draft class, the former Outland Trophy winner brings versatility to an offensive line that needs to protect former 1st overall pick Joe Burrow. His ability to play multiple positions makes Sewell a fantastic pick for a team that has a couple spots to fill.
6 – Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles)
Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)
Arguably the most complete WR in this draft class lands with a team that has had a WR1 identity crisis. That problem is now solved with Ja’Marr Chase who steps into the Alpha X WR role, with the possession WR in Parker and the burner in Fuller. Instant upgrade to the offense.
7 – *New England Patriots (via Detroit Lions)
Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)
The Patriots trade up?! What?! Crazy right? We’ve seen the Patriots spend more money this off-season than ever before, and they spent it fast. The Patriots want to win and they will do unconventional things to do it. Jones is a perfect Belichick and McDaniels type of QB. A smart, fast processing and accurate QB that knows how to win. With Cam re-upped for another season Jones lands in a perfect place to develop him.
8 – Carolina Panthers
Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)
The Panthers have been missing a lockdown alpha cornerback since Josh Norman in 2015, and that’s exactly what they get in selecting the best CB prospect in this draft class. He has all the traits you want to take on the opposing WR1 and put him on an island.
9 – *Atlanta Falcons (via Denver Broncos)
Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)
The Falcons need that “IT” factor to get them over the top and finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy. After moving back they select one of the top playmakers in this draft class, a true difference maker at the TE position. Pitts will give the Falcons a new wrinkle that few in the league have, TE size with a WR skill set.
10 – Dallas Cowboys
Jaycee Horn (CB, South Carolina)
The Cowboys add the second CB in this class with an NFL pedigree, who lives up to his name while attacking WRs at the catch point, being aggressive, and locking up X receivers in man coverage. The Cowboys pair Horn with last year’s 2nd round pick Trevon Diggs to add youth and new talent to an improving secondary.
11 – New York Giants
Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State)
The Giants added Blake Martinez to their LB corps and can now add the best MLB in the class out of LBU Penn State. Parsons has everything you want in a 3-4 MLB. He’s excellent in run defense and once he’s got his hands on you it’s over. Perfect scheme fit as he’ll line up outside and rush the passer.
12 – *Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins)
Devonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
The WR corps for the Eagles has now been completely reworked with the addition of last year’s Heisman Trophy Winner. Smith brings his playmaking ability on the outside to a team in flux with young talent in Jalen Hurts and Jalen Reagor last year. Smith also would get to reunite with Hurts and form an immediate rapport.
13 – Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater (OL, Northwestern)
Rashawn Slater can slot in right away at the LT spot to protect Herbert’s blind side. He’s versatile enough to play any position on the offensive line and will be a cornerstone on this offensive line. This pick patches up a major hole on the offense and they can add skill players later.
14 – Minnesota Vikings
Christian Darrisaw (OT, Virginia Tech)
The Vikings absolutely need a LT to protect Cousins, and luckily one of the top prospects in this class falls into their lap in Christian Darrisaw. He’s an athletic LT with a big frame that plays bigger than his size. He’s equally good in pass protection and run blocking.
15 – *Detroit Lions (via New England Patriots)
Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)
The Lions move back and get one of the most explosive playmakers in this draft class to compliment their tall possession-type WRs. Waddle is fast and makes plays. Prior to an injury in 2020 Waddle was giving Smith a run for his money as Bama’s WR1.
16 – Arizona Cardinals
Najee Harris (RB, Alabama)
Kliff has been looking for the perfect RB to fit into his air-raid system and he may have found it with the best pass catching RB in this class in Najee Harris. While his up-tempo scheme is focused on a dynamic passing game, Kliff has consistently stated the Cardinals need to run the ball effectively. They get a great runner and sure-handed receiver with this pick.
17 – Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB, Notre Dame)
The Achilles heel for the Raiders the past few seasons has been their defense. They drafted youth for the secondary the past 2 seasons and spent this offseason adding to the defensive line. Now the linebackers get an upgrade with Owusu-Koramoah. The Butkus award-winning linebacker out of Notre Dame fits the mold of the recent “defensive athlete” with a leaner build who can run & hit.
18 – Miami Dolphins
Azeez Ojulari (EDGE, Georgia)
Ojulari will fit perfectly in this defense as a 3-4 EDGE/OLB and add some speed in pursuit and pass rush. This defensive front continues to get better with young talent that is strong and fast and will get the ball back into the offense’s hands.
19 – Washington Football Team
Teven Jenkins (OT, Oklahoma St.)
This is a good year to use Ryan Fitzpatrick as a stop-gap QB and build up other necessary pieces around him to make a run at a top end QB next year. Teven Jenkins can play either tackle position but makes a great RT. He’s got a good first step in pass protection and plays with his hips under him when run blocking.
20 – Chicago Bears
Alex Leatherwood (OT, Alabama)
The current Outland Trophy winner would bring stability to the offense that is trying out a new QB that needs to be protected. Whether it’s at LT or RT, Leatherwood has the versatility to play either position. His college experience has prepared him to start right away against some of the best pass rushers, but as someone that can be beaten with speed, he might do better at RT.
21 – Indianapolis Colts
Liam Eichenberg (OT, Notre Dame)
The Colts have a hole at their LT spot now that Anthony Castonzo has retired. There have been talks of Quentin Nelson moving outside, but I say let the best LG in the game do what he does best and bring in a prototypical LT with the size and skillset to start right away to protect Wentz’s blindside. Plus a midwest kid staying in the midwest just seems like the right fit.
22 – Tennesse Titans
Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)
Farley has great size and speed to lock up an opposing WR1. He is a disruptive playmaker on the defensive side of the ball who broke out early and opted out of 2020. He understands what opposing QBs are doing because he used to be a QB himself in HS, so given his wealth of talent with just learning the position, his upside is huge as he matures into a shut down CB.
23 – New York Jets
Greg Newsome II (CB, Northwestern)
The Jets gave up the 4th most passing yards per game last year and have been missing a lockdown corner since Revis Island days. New some is an all-around great CB. He can do it all, whether man or zone coverage Newsome is going to disrupt the pass. He’s got great feet and does not shy away from contact.
24 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson)
The Steelers need to start looking at QB to replace Big Ben, but without moving up successfully the Steelers shift to the best available RB to hopefully fix this once great running game. Etienne has played at the highest level in college and has speed with excellent hands. An instant upgrade for the Steelers with Etienne’s play-making ability.
25 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL, USC)
Now that you have the new franchise QB, you get offensive linemen to protect him. Vera-Tucker was the anchor of the Trojans offensive line after Austin Jackson was drafted. Alijah Vera-Tucker has been projected to play guard in the NFL after starting at Tackle in college. Which would fit perfectly for the Jaguars as he can line up inside or pop out to Tackle if needed.
26 – Cleveland Browns
Jayson Oweh (EDGE, Penn St.)
The Browns find a compliment pass rusher to Myles Garrett in Jayson Oweh who is one of the better EDGE defenders in this class. He’s very athletic with a great build. Oweh is great off the edge and has a motor that doesn’t stop. He can improve his pass rush moves as he relies on his size and speed to get to the QB.
27 – Baltimore Ravens
Kwity Paye (EDGE, Michigan)
Kwity Paye is everything the Ravens look for in a defensive player. He’s fast, with quick feet and good hands. He knows how to bend the corner and turn on the jets to get to the QB. Paye plays with a good pad level and will fit in nicely to the Ravens’ multiple front defense.
28 – New Orleans Saints
Aaron Robinson (CB, UCF)
Aaron Robinson combines outside CB size and skill with experience playing in the slot which gives him immediate upside for playing time. Lattimore is locked in and the other starting CB is up for grabs. The best case scenario in year 1 is Robinson starts in the nickel and works his way into a starting role and reruns this secondary to previous greatness.
29 – Green Bay Packers
Jalen Mayfield (OT, Michigan)
While the entire fantasy football community is yelling at the Packers to draft a number 2 WR to pair with Adams, they cut their RT Wagner and can replace him with project tackle Jalen Mayfield who will compete with journeyman Billy Turner. Plus with the amount of good WRs left on the board they can add a WR in the next round.
30 – Buffalo Bills
Jaelen Phillips (EDGE, Miami)
Phillips is a raw, athletic talent, and like Oweh can refine his skills in the NFL. But he’s long and fast, a perfect combination for an EDGE rusher. He’s got great vision, always finding where the ball carrier is going. Another high motor player who is could turn into an every-down stalwart on the defensive line.
31 – Kansas Chiefs
Landon Dickerson (OL, Alabama)
The Chiefs need to reload their offensive line as the lack of protection for Mahomes was painfully exploited in the Super Bowl. The previous tackles are gone and they’ve brought in some free agents (Kyle Long) but this OL is still a work in progress. Dickerson may be the best true interior offensive lineman in this class who will help Reid rebuild this OL and get the Chiefs back to another Super Bowl run.
32 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christian Barmore (DT, Alabama)
With all 22 starters returning for the defending super bowl champions, there’s not much they need to reload this roster. If this class’s best defensive tackle can slip down to the end of the first round, it would be a steal for the Bucs as Barmore is a beast of a DT that can rotate with Vea and the Bucs opportunities to run multiple fronts.
