1 – Tennessee Titans select Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
Some may be surprised the Titans don’t take a QB here, but I think they’ll try and find a patchwork veteran via trade or free agency and take the number one player on the board. Carter has a similar burst as former Nittany Lion first rounders Micah Parsons and Chop Robinson, and his performance in the playoffs while injured only solidified his spot atop this years class.
2 – Cleveland Browns select Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
The Browns feel like another team that could opt to pursue one of the clear top two prospects in this class while taking on a veteran signal caller and maybe grabbing a mid-round quarterback prospect to pair. Hunter is a game changer regardless of what side of the ball he plays, and the Browns could use help at both receiver and cornerback.
3 – New York Giants select Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
If one of Ward or Sanders lands in the Giants lap, they have no choice but to take them. Joe Schoen & Brian Daboll were both surprisingly brought back, but the leash is all but gone and they must find a capable quarterback to compete in a division that just saw two of its team compete in the NFC Championship.
4 – New England Patriots select Will Campbell (OT, LSU)
The Patriots would love to see one of Carter or Hunter fall to pick four and if neither do, they could be a prime trade target for a team trying to secure a quarterback. With no trades in this addition, I’m choosing to fill the biggest need on the roster. Campbell gives plenty of position versatility as a lineman who can play tackle or guard and he’s started since his freshman season, giving him tons of experience.
5 – Jacksonville Jaguars select Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
The Jaguars defense was at or near the bottom in nearly all defensive passing categories this season. Johnson was a lock down corner for the Wolverines, and though he battled injuries in 2024, he brings multi-year experience (including a National Championship) and fills a massive need in the secondary.
6 – Las Vegas Raiders select Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
Shedeur and the Raiders feel like a match made in heaven. The Raiders want desperately to make the iconic silver and black a respectable brand again but need a quarterback to do it, and Sanders gets to play in a market that will take his brand to the next level. Having the ability to call up Tom Brady anytime to learn isn’t half bad, either.
7 – New York Jets select Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
With a likely divorce from Aaron Rodgers on the horizon as they attempt to bury the disaster that was 2024, the Jets would love to find a quarterback here but they are out of luck. Starks is one of my favorite players in the class and brings plenty of winning experience and leadership from the backend of the Georgia defense.
8 – Carolina Panthers select Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
The Panthers focus this offseason should be stacking the roster with as much youn talent as possible. Mason Graham is an interior wrecking ball on the defensive line, playing a key role in both the 2023 National Championship team as well as the 2024 upset over arch nemesis Ohio State. There are no ‘sure bets’ when it comes to drafting, but I feel confident Graham will be an impact player for years to come.
9 – New Orleans Saints select Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
Similar to the Panthers, the Saints need to focus on filling the roster with impactful young players as they continue to shed the big contracts from the Brees era. Chris Olave has been a good pick for them, but he’s dealt with plenty of concussions over his career and that should be a little worrisome. McMillan gives this offense a bigger, more physical receiving option opposite Olave.
10 – Chicago Bears select Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
I’m sure I’ll get flack for this but let me explain: I expect the Bears to try and fill a few holes on the offensive line with experienced veterans via free agency/trade. They could certainly go that route here, but the running game needs overhauled as well. Jeanty just put up historic numbers while leading the Broncos to the playoffs, and his reliability on the ground should open up the passing game a lot more for Williams and the offense. Remember, as fun as the Ben Johnson/Lions offense was, at their core they loved to pound the rock.
11 – San Francisco 49ers select Kelvin Banks (OT, Texas)
The 49ers Super Bowl window has closed, but not for good. They still have plenty of cornerstone pieces but they’ve gotta start looking at younger, cheaper talent in spots to offset some of the big contracts they’ve handed out in recent years. Banks was a five-star recruit out of high school that started all three years at Texas and would fill a big hole on the offensive line, whether that’s on the right side or in place of vet Trent Williams.
12 – Dallas Cowboys select Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Jerry Jones would probably love a splash play like Jeanty here, but with him off the board I’m giving them another skill position player in Egbuka. Playing second fiddle to both Marvin Harrison Jr & Jeremiah Smith, Egbuka hasn’t gotten the praise he deserves but he’s an excellent route runner and would help a Cowboys offense that’s become centered around one player with Ceedee Lamb.
13 – Miami Dolphins select Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
The Dolphins competitive window isn’t quite closed even with a disappointing 2024, but Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel have to take a long look at how they’ve built the roster and reevaluate. That begins on the offensive line, where they need to invest premier assets to fix in order to truly open up this offense again.
14 – Indianapolis Colts select Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
Anthony Richardson may not be long for this league as a starter, but before pulling the plug the Colts need to get him some consistent pass catchers. Josh Downs has emerged as a nice receiver, but you’d be hard pressed to find people who can name the Colts tight end room. Warren is a unique talent at the position and would be a day one impact starter on this offense.
15 – Atlanta Falcons select Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
If you’re unfamiliar with Green, get familiar. The Herd star pass rusher registered 17 sacks in 2024 in a massive breakout campaign and has seen his stock rise as much as any prospect in the class. At Senior Bowl practice, he was putting potential top 50 oline picks on their backs. The Falcons haven’t had a star pass rusher since the Obama administration, something that needs rectifying immediately.
16 – Arizona Cardinals select Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)
Williams played injured most of the season so we rarely got to see his true potential, but his two sack performance in the first Texas game was one that put scouts on notice. With a good build to the draft, he could crack back into the top ten but in a top heavy pass rusher class a team like the Cardinals could find themselves with a potential gem.
17 – Cincinnati Bengals select Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State)
The Bengals defense was so bad that a career year from Joe Burrow wasn’t enough to secure one of the seven playoff bids in the AFC. Jack Sawyer has become a local legend after this performance down the stretch for the Buckeyes, and putting him opposite an elite edge rusher like Trey Hendrickson could open him up to immediate success at the next level.
18 – Seattle Seahawks select Nic Scourton (EDGE, Texas A&M)
The run on pass rushers continues with one of the younger talents in the class. Scourton looks like a traditional defensive end with his big frame, but shows a rare combination of explosiveness and smarts in how he handles opposing offensive tackles.
19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select James Pearce (EDGE, Tennessee)
*DJ Khaled voice* another one. Pearce had a rather disappointing season after coming into it as a favorite to land 1-1, but the traits are still there and he’ll likely put up great numbers at the combine. The Buccaneers have a great history of pass rushers, and being able to tap into that could help Pearce become one of the better picks in this draft when we look back in a few years.
20 – Denver Broncos select Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
This was quite an impressive year for the Broncos. They were clowned for drafting Bo Nix where they did and now he’s an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist, they made the playoffs, and they still have plenty of room to grow. Getting Bo Nix a solid number two option opposite Courtland Sutton should be a high priority for Sean Payton and company this offseason.
21 – Pittsburgh Steelers select Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
Morrison has been a star for the Fighting Irish since his six interception freshman season in 2022. He followed it up with three in 2023 before battling injuries in 2024, leading him to miss the last month of the season plus the playoff run. When healthy, he’s got potential to be a pro bowl talent at the next level and a cornerstone of the Steelers defense.
22 – Los Angeles Chargers select Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Jim Harbaugh drafting one of his former recruits should be enough said, but the Chargers need to continue adding to the receiving room. Ladd McConkey had a successful rookie campaign and carved himself a nice role as Justin Herberts go-to guy, but the Chargers offense lacks a true starting tight end. Harbaugh has raved for years about Loveland’s abilities and seems like an ideal fit in LA.
23 – Green Bay Packers select Shemar Stewart (DL, Texas A&M)
A member of the famed Texas A&M #1 recruiting class, Stewart was one of the rare members to truly break out and stick around in College Station. He’s a big bodied defender who can line up in a multitude of spots and the Packers love investing early draft capital in the trenches.
24 – Minnesota Vikings select Jahdae Barron (DB, Texas)
Barron was a key contributor to the Longhorns stout defense that led them to the final four in 2024. He registered five interceptions, including three total against Georgia in there two matchups. With Harrison Smith potentially retiring and the Vikings likely to lose multiple defensive backs to free agency, Barron should fit right in on Brian Flores defense in whatever role they need.
25 – Houston Texans select Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
Houston could certainly look to bolster the offensive side of the ball here, but adding a talent like Grant to the interior of this defensive line with Hunter and Anderson off the edge is a bit much to pass up. The Texans defense was one of the best down the stretch, thanks in part to a young secondary that’s become a flight risk for opposing quarterbacks. A Grant addition up front would make them a true nightmare in 2025.
26 – Los Angeles Rams select Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
Revel entered 2024 with tons of draft hype as a tall, physical corner who matches up well against any competition across the line of scrimmage, but it was derailed by an early injury that kept him out most of the season. His traits are rare and has shown his ability on tape, and with a clean bill of health this spring he could certainly see a significant jump back up the board.
27 – Baltimore Ravens select Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
Golden had an impressive end of the season, putting up triple digit receiving yards against Georgia and Arizona State and has seen his draft stock rocket into the late first round in recent weeks. Baltimore could look to add to the offensive line here, but getting a straight line burner like Golden would add even more fire power to one of the best offenses in football.
28 – Detroit Lions select Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Ezeiruaku was a dominate pass rusher in 2024, registering 16.5 sacks for the Eagles, including six games with multiple. The Lions were decimated by injuries this season, wasting a one seed in the process. Adding more depth, especially along the defensive line and off the edge, is a major need and one they should be able to fill late in round one.
29 – Washington Commanders select Armand Membou (OL, Missouri)
Jayden Daniels had one of the most impressive rookie seasons for a quarterback in recent memory, but that does overshadow the fact that this roster still needs to add quite a bit to compete with the Eagles atop both the division and conference. Membou brings an ability to play either tackle or guard, allowing flexibility in how they revamp a rather mediocre offensive line.
30 – Buffalo Bills select Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
Williams was an girthy black hole on the inside of the Buckeyes defensive line and brings plenty of experience to a team that’s still in compete now mode. The Bills could look to add another receiver here as well, but continuing to build the defense (similar to what KC has done) feels like the right move with Josh Allen on the other side of the ball.
31 – Philadelphia Eagles select Princely Umanmielen (EDGE, Ole Miss)
The Eagles have cultivated one of the best rosters in the league with very few holes, so taking the best player available is the likely move here. Josh Sweat is the biggest name set to hit free agency, and instead of paying up to his sizable market value, the Eagles could look to replace him with a cheaper option late in round one. Umanmielen is a similar build and registered 10.5 sacks for the Rebels in 2024.
32 – Kansas City Chiefs select Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
What do you get a team that seemingly has it all? How about the former number one overall recruit. The Chiefs could look to fill a few different holes here, as they have several receivers and interior defenders set to hit the open market. An offensive guard like Tyler Booker or Wyatt Milum would be of interest here as well, with Trey Smith likely to hit the open market.
Round 2
33 – Cleveland Browns select Tyler Booker (OG, Alabama)
34 – New York Giants select Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
35 – Tennessee Titans select Josh Conerly (OT, Oregon)
36 – Jacksonville Jaguars select Wyatt Milum (OG, West Virginia)
37 – Las Vegas Raiders select Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
38 – New England Patriots select Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
39 – Chicago Bears select Kyle Kennard (EDGE, South Carolina)
40 – New Orleans Saints select JT Tuimoloau (EDGE, Ohio State)
41 – Chicago Bears select Tate Ratledge (OG, Georgia)
42 – New York Jets select Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
43 – San Francisco 49ers select Landon Jackson (EDGE, Arkansas)
44 – Dallas Cowboys select Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
45 – Indianapolis Colts select Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
46 – Atlanta Falcons select Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
47 – Arizona Cardinals select TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
48 – Miami Dolphins select Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
49 – Cincinnati Bengals select Xavier Restrepo (WR, Miami)
50 – Seattle Seahawks select Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
51 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
52 – Denver Broncos select Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
53 – Pittsburgh Steelers select Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
54 – Los Angeles Chargers select Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
55 – Green Bay Packers select Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
56 – Buffalo Bills select Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
57 – Houston Texans select Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas)
58 – Carolina Panthers select Sebastian Castro (S, Iowa)
59 – Baltimore Ravens select Grey Zabel (OT, North Dakota State)
60 – Detroit Lions select Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
61 – Washington Commanders select Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
62 – Buffalo Bills select Mello Dotson (CB, Kansas)
63 – Philadelphia Eagles select Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
64 – Kansas City Chiefs select Chris Paul (LB, Ole Miss)
