Round One

#1 Tennessee Titans – QB, Cam Ward. Miami

This is the pick. Realistically, this was always the pick. Cam Ward is the best quarterback in this draft and gives the Titans their best quarterback prospect since the late Steve McNair (and yes, that includes Vince Young and Marcus Mariota).

#2 Cleveland Browns – WR/CB, Travis Hunter. Colorado

After they traded for Kenny Pickett and signed Joe Flacco, I don’t think the Browns will draft a quarterback at this spot. Instead, they’ll draft one of the most talented prospects we’ve ever seen, who will be an instant impact player on both sides of the ball for Cleveland.

#3 New York Giants – EDGE, Abdul Carter. Penn State

The Giants probably will want to avoid Shedeur Sanders since their coach and general manager are looking to win now. Snagging arguably the best prospect in this draft and pairing him with a 27-year-old All-Pro (Dexter Lawrence II) will give the G-Men one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.

#4 New England Patriots –  OT, Will Campbell. LSU

The Patriots found their quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, they give him a blindside blocker and a franchise left tackle with Will Campbell. He’s already gone head-to-head with current NFL starters while playing at LSU, so he’ll have no trouble adjusting to the speed of the National Football League.

#5 Jacksonville Jaguars – CB, Will Johnson. Michigan

Their current number-one cornerback (Tyson Campbell) ranked 103rd out of 222 starting cornerbacks last season, which explains why the Jags were ranked last in passing yards allowed. Will Johnson can be a huge difference-maker in Jacksonville.

#6 Las Vegas Raiders – RB, Ashton Jeanty. Boise State

Rarely are there selections in the NFL Draft that are locks outside of the first overall pick. This one is a lock. Ashton Jeany will immediately improve the Raiders’ last-ranked rushing attack.

#7 TRADE: Dallas Cowboys – WR, Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona

The Cowboys trade a 2025 first-round pick (12), a 2025 third-round pick (76), and a 2025 fifth-round pick (174) to the Jets for a 2025 first-round pick (7).

Do you honestly think that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones cares that McMillan said he doesn’t watch game film? The short answer to that question is no. Dallas needs a bona fide number-two receiver to take some attention away from CeeDee Lamb.

#8 Carolina Panthers – DT, Mason Graham. Michigan

Though they could use a defensive end, a defensive tackle prospect like Graham is too good to pass up. They need help with their defensive interior after finishing dead last in rushing yards allowed last season by a wide margin (179.8 yards per game). With the return of Derrick Brown and the addition of Mason Graham, the Panthers will be much better at stopping the run.

#9 TRADE: San Francisco 49ers – LB/EDGE, Jalon Walker. Georgia

The 49ers trade a 2025 first-round pick (12), a 2025 fourth-round pick (138), and a 2025 seventh-round pick (249) to the Saints for a 2025 first-round pick (9).

San Fran and Chicago have similar positional needs in the trenches: edge rusher and offensive tackle. By making this trade, they can choose their favorite offensive tackle or pass rusher. While they need to find Trent Williams’ successor, that’s not an absolute necessity at the moment. What is necessary is a pass rusher to play opposite Nick Bosa. Walker has the versatility to get after the quarterback from anywhere on the field, which defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will love.

#10 Chicago Bears – OT, Josh Simmons. Ohio State

The Bears did an excellent job addressing the offensive line in free agency. I think Simmons can be the final piece of the puzzle. He will likely be able to overtake Braxton Jones as the starting left tackle, which is a good problem for Chicago since he was a pretty good starter last season.

#11 New Orleans Saints – QB, Shedeur Sanders. Colorado

The Saints traded back because the two teams that would be picking ahead of them don’t need a quarterback. Sanders may not be the immediate starter in the Big Easy, but he will be the eventual starting quarterback after Derek Carr struggles through the first few games of the season. This is a no-brainer for New Orleans.

#12 New York Jets – OT, Armand Membou. Missouri

This is another pick that would be an absolute home run. The Jets already have a starting-caliber left tackle in Olu Fashanu. However, they still need a right tackle because Chukwuma Okorafor cannot be Gang Green’s week one starter at that spot. Membou is an ideal prospect and has the versatility to line up almost anywhere.

#13 Miami Dolphins – OG, Tyler Booker. Alabama

Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is the number-one priority for the ‘Phins, who looked hapless without him leading the charge last season. Booker is the best guard prospect in this draft and fills an immediate hole along Miami’s offensive line.

#14 Indianapolis Colts – TE, Tyler Warren. Penn State

Warren is a surefire tight end prospect who was also one of the best pass-catchers in college football last season (seventh in yards, tied for second in receptions). A big target like him is bound to help quarterback Anthony Richardson, who finished dead last in completion percentage among all eligible quarterbacks.

#15 Atlanta Falcons – EDGE, Mykel Williams. Georgia

He checks all of the boxes for the Dirty Birds. He is an effective pass rusher, has impressive size, and is experienced as a 4-3 defensive end. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a born-and-bred Georgian. Falcons fans will love this guy before he even takes a snap at the NFL level.

#16 Arizona Cardinals – WR, Matthew Golden. Texas

There are a few different directions the Cards can go in, but I think they’ll take a wide receiver with this pick. Adding more effective pass-catchers will aid in the progression of quarterback Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. I don’t think Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are number-two wide receiver material.

#17 Cincinnati Bengals – EDGE, Shemar Stewart. Texas A&M

Whether or not Trey Hendrickson is still on the team when the season starts has yet to be determined. Regardless, though, the Bengals need another pass rusher since Hendrickson accounted for almost half of the team’s sacks. Stewart has the physical tools to be a stud in the NFL. And, he can learn a lot from a polished pass rusher like Hendrickson (if he’s still playing in Cincy).

#18 Seattle Seahawks – DT, Derrick Harmon. Oregon

The Seahawks need a new nose tackle more than they need another offensive lineman. The three interior defensive linemen on their roster combined for two total tackles last season. One of those guys was a practice squad player last year. Derrick Harmon will be Seattle’s Week One starter at the defensive tackle spot.

#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – S, Nick Emmanwori. South Carolina

Though they need a cornerback and a linebacker, Emmanwori has the athleticism to play snaps at both of those spots. He can also play both safety spots, which will be a huge relief for the Bucs, who might end up having to let strong safety Jordan Whitehead walk in free agency next off-season.

#20 Denver Broncos – WR, Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State

As much as they need a number-one running back, they also desperately need a number-two wide receiver. Egbuka has consistently produced at Ohio State as the number-two option to guys like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith. In Denver, he’ll fill a huge offensive need while taking some attention away from Courtland Sutton.

#21 Pittsburgh Steelers – QB, Jaxson Dart. Ole Miss

Whether Aaron Rodgers signs there or not, the Steelers will still have questions regarding their quarterback position next off-season. They can get ahead of these issues by taking Dart with this pick. If Rodgers signs, then Dart can learn behind a Hall of Famer. If Rodgers doesn’t sign, then Dart can probably be Pittsburgh’s Week One starting QB.

#22 Los Angeles Chargers – WR, Luther Burden III. Missouri

Though Ladd McConkey could be a slot receiver based on his size, he clearly emerged as Justin Herbert’s top receiving target last season, meaning he’ll be playing on the outside. Their other two receivers (Quentin Johnston and Mike Williams) are too big to play inside. Luther Burden III has the size and skills to be LA’s new slot wideout.

#23 Green Bay Packers – CB, Maxwell Hairston. Kentucky

As a Packers fan, this has been the smartest pick to me for a while. It checks GM Brian Gutekunst’s RAS box (9.62 out of 10.00) while also filling a need in the secondary. If Green Bay moves on from Jaire Alexander this season or next off-season, Hairston can be the Packers’ new starting cornerback.

#24 TRADE: Cleveland Browns – QB, Jalen Milroe. Alabama

The Browns trade a 2025 second-round pick (33), a 2025 third-round pick (94), and a 2025 sixth-round pick (192) to the Vikings for a 2025 first-round pick (24).

The Vikings only have four picks in this draft, and the Browns need a quarterback. Cleveland can afford to part ways with three of their ten draft picks. There have been rumors connecting Milroe to the Browns after he was “impressive” in private workouts. Milroe won’t start right away, but he can learn a lot from Joe Flacco before getting a chance to play in meaningful games.

#25 Houston Texans – OT, Kelvin Banks Jr. Texas

They’ll either go with Kelvin Banks Jr. or Josh Conerly Jr. with the 25th pick in the draft after they traded away their franchise left tackle to Washington. Very little separates these two guys, but I am giving the edge to Banks since he went toe-to-toe with current and future NFLers while playing as a left tackle in the SEC. Conerly could end up being better long-term, but I think Banks is a safer choice.

#26 TRADE: Chicago Bears – DT, Walter Nolen. Ole Miss

The Bears trade a 2025 second-round pick (41), a 2025 third-round pick (72), and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Rams for a 2025 first-round pick (26).

The Bears have enough second-rounders to move up ahead of the Ravens, who also need defensive line help. The Bears are set at the end spots with Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, who just signed a three-year deal. They also added Grady Jarrett, who had previously been a cornerstone of the Falcons’ defense. They need one more defensive tackle to fill out their defensive line, making Nolen a perfect fit.

#27 Baltimore Ravens – EDGE, Donovan Ezeiruaku. Boston College

Like I just said, Baltimore needs some more bodies along the defensive line. Ezeiraku had the second-most sacks in the country with 16.5 on the year. And if that wasn’t enough, he won the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given to the best defensive end in college football. The Ravens will be able to easily integrate him into their defense.

#28 Detroit Lions – EDGE, Mike Green. Marshall

Green led the nation in sacks last year (17) and was second in tackles for loss (22.5). Detroit needs somebody to join its pass rush following the departure of Za’Darius Smith. This is especially true since Marcus Davenport is on a short-term deal. Green can come in as a rotational player who gives Aidan Hutchinson a break every once in a while. That’ll be very important since Hutchinson is coming off a catastrophic knee injury.

#29 Washington Commanders – EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Tennessee

He’s a little skinny and isn’t the most sensational athlete, but the production is there. This guy has 17 sacks over the last two years in one of the best conferences in the country. I imagine that his skills will be hard for defensive head coach Dan Quinn to pass up. After all, they need to make up for the lost production of Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team in sacks last season.

#30 TRADE: Seattle Seahawks – OT Josh Conerly Jr. Oregon

The Seahawks trade a 2025 second-round pick (50), a 2025 third-round pick (92), and a 2025 fifth-round pick (172) to the Bills for a 2025 first-round pick (30).

Seattle trades back up into the first round to pick the best offensive tackle on the board, one spot ahead of the Chiefs, who also need offensive line help. There are questions along the Seahawks’ interior offensive line that Conerly might be able to answer. Even if he doesn’t become a guard, he can be a starting tackle on the left side, allowing newly signed lineman Josh Jones to potentially play elsewhere.

#31 Kansas City Chiefs – OL, Grey Zabel. North Dakota State

Besides Armand Membou, I think Grey Zabel is the most versatile offensive line prospect in this draft class. He’s been a starter as both a guard and a tackle, and could even show some promise as a center if worse comes to worst. The Chiefs desperately need some flexibility along the offensive line after that disastrous effort in the Super Bowl. Zabel will be a starter somewhere in Kansas City.

#32 TRADE: Buffalo Bills – CB, Jahdae Barron. Texas

The Bills trade a 2025 second-round pick (56), a 2025 fourth-round pick (132), a 2025 fifth-round pick (170), and a 2025 sixth-round pick (206) to the Eagles for a first-round pick (32).

After trading back, Buffalo returns to the first round to shore up its secondary. The Bills traded away Kaiir Elam and were forced to sign Tre’Davious White to a one-year contract because they’re so weak at the cornerback spot. Keep in mind, that White’s deal is only for one season, so he’s not going to be a long-term solution for Buffalo. Barron can be the clear-cut number two cornerback to play on the opposite side of Christian Benford, who just signed a four-year deal.

Round Two