Pick
1
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter
Penn State · Edge · Junior
I think this Penn State product is either going first or second overall. It really felt like Chad Brinker’s “generational talent” comment boiled down to one of two players: Carter or Travis Hunter.
Pick
2
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter
Colorado · WR/CB · Junior
The top two teams picking in this draft both need a quarterback, but I still suspect the Titans and Browns will take a similar approach: grab the best player available. There are other ways to find a QB, but there is only one Hunter.
Pick
3
New York Giants
New York Giants
4
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
Mason Graham
Mason Graham
Michigan · DT · Junior
Bigger holes elsewhere, perhaps, but I suspect the Patriots address many of those in free agency and come into the draft less burdened by need. Graham feels like a foundational piece for Mike Vrabel.
Pick
5
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren
Penn State · TE · Senior
We’re still waiting to see who’ll take the GM reins in Jacksonville, but I can imagine new head coach Liam Coen wanting to support Trevor Lawrence with a do-it-all threat at tight end, even if selecting Warren in the top five feels a tad rich to me.
Pete Carroll blows up the draft! Why not? When everyone else is having trouble slotting Jeanty lower, I’ll give him to the coach he was meant to play for.
Pick
7
New York Jets
New York Jets
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado · QB · Senior
I’m not buying the “Sanders at No. 1” talk, and I thought about sliding him down further (to the Steelers?), but then I remembered the Jets don’t really have a QB. Maybe it doesn’t happen, but this pairing would be … interesting.
Pick
8
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
Jalon Walker
Jalon Walker
Georgia · Edge · Junior
Bryce Young needs weapons, true, but Walker’s burst, bend and play style are perfect for a defense that regressed in 2024 and could use more juice up front.
Pick
9
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona · WR · Junior
I don’t quite view the big-bodied McMillan as top-five material, even in this WR1-starved draft class, but he’d check a lot of boxes for the Saints’ offense.
10
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
Will Campbell
Will Campbell
LSU · OL · Junior
He might get dinged for the arm-length thing. I couldn’t care less. I’d love to see Campbell at tackle, but he could be a four-position starter as a rookie.
Pick
11
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
Armand Membou
Armand Membou
Missouri · OL · Junior
Too bad we didn’t get to see him at the Senior Bowl, but for a snapshot of Membou’s talent, throw on the South Carolina game. He controlled some excellent defensive linemen in that November tilt.
Pick
12
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Booker
Tyler Booker
Alabama · OG · Junior
This might not get Cowboys fans jazzed, but Dallas may have to move forward without longtime cornerstone Zack Martin. The team’s enjoyed success finding draft replacements on the line.
Pick
13
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Texas · OL
The Dolphins head into this offseason with two likely openings on the offensive line, so let’s figure they fill one with a free agent and the other with the thickly built Banks, who could start early. The Texas product might never be special, but he has higher-floor traits.
Pick
14
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
Nick Emmanwori
Nick Emmanwori
South Carolina · S · Junior
I love Emmanwori’s game and think he can rise through the draft process, even if he might be asked about the “miscommunication” over exiting the Gamecocks’ bowl game at halftime.
Pick
15
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M · Edge · Junior
With Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter set to hit free agency, a screaming need becomes even more necessary in Atlanta. Stewart isn’t a true edge bender, but he’s a long, strong, athletically blessed pressure player to aid the front.
Pick
16
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
Mykel Williams
Mykel Williams
Georgia · Edge
This defense needs help at multiple spots. Williams and 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson could be a strong duo for Jonathan Gannon’s unit to build around.
Pick
17
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Boston College · Edge · Senior
It would be a hollow gesture firing the defensive coordinator and not helping out his replacement with more armaments, especially up front. If Ezeiruaku keeps acing the pre-draft process, I could see him possibly going this high.
Pick
18
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campbell
Alabama · LB · Junior
Mike Macdonald had a very LB-dependent system in Baltimore and could be fascinated by this versatile playmaker’s toolbox of skills. Campbell, who will be 21 for his entire rookie season, has a high, high ceiling.
Pick
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden
Texas · WR · Junior
If the Bucs move on from impending free agent Chris Godwin, they’ll likely want to add a little more firepower at receiver. Golden essentially can play the Godwin role
Pick
20
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland
Michigan · TE · Junior
It would spice up the AFC West a bit if Sean Payton were to snipe Jim Harbaugh’s former tight end at Michigan. Denver needs weapons, and Loveland could be a special one for Bo Nix.
Pick
21
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Will Johnson
Will Johnson
Michigan · CB · Junior
I don’t believe Johnson is the top-10 lock some seem to think he is, with the big corner facing injury and speed questions ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, but his skill set could bolster Pittsburgh’s secondary.
Pick
22
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers
Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson
Iowa · RB · Junior
Ashton Jeanty isn’t the only enticing RB in this class. I think Johnson could be a warhorse in Greg Roman’s offense eventually, assuming the Chargers will seek more reliable backfield options. J.K. Dobbins had his moments this past season, but health will always be a question for him.
Pick
23
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
Josh Simmons
Josh Simmons
Ohio State · OT · Junior (RS)
I don’t think Green Bay would hesitate to go offensive line in Round 1 for a second straight year, even if the cornerback need feels glaring. Simmons would be a good fit for what the Packers seek in blockers.
Pick
24
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
Derrick Harmon
Derrick Harmon
Oregon · DT · Junior (RS)
Another high-energy disruptor would only make Brian Flores’ defense more dangerous. The Vikings could use more depth up front.
Pick
25
Houston Texans
Houston Texans
Grey Zabel
Grey Zabel
North Dakota State · OL · Senior
The Texans should add multiple blockers this offseason, and Zabel — who played all over the offensive line for the Bison — showed at the Senior Bowl that he can be a strong anchor, likely inside.
Pick
26
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams
Donovan Jackson
Donovan Jackson
Ohio State · OL · Senior
Jackson goes three picks after the injured teammate (Josh Simmons) he replaced so ably during Ohio State’s national championship run, moving from left guard to left tackle when the Buckeyes needed help on the blind edge. He’s a multi-positional blocker who deserves a shot at playing OT in the NFL at some point.
Pick
27
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Jonah Savaiinaea
Jonah Savaiinaea
Arizona · OL · Junior
I could see Savaiinaea stepping in at either guard or tackle if the Ravens can’t keep the O-line intact this offseason. He has heavy hands, elite mass and a pretty high floor as a prospect.
Pick
28
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
Mike Green
Mike Green
Marshall · Edge · Junior (RS)
I was both pleased and irritated that DJ and Bucky each mocked Green to the Lions, because it just feels perfect right now. He has a Lions-y intensity and can be worked into the rotation early.
Pick
29
Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders
James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee · Edge · Junior
Washington needs as many impact defenders as it can find, and edge rusher is high on the priority list. Pearce is a leggy, loose rusher with some burst.
Pick
30
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant
Michigan · DT · Junior
I’m sure the Bills will look hard at the cornerback options, too, but they also need reinforcements up front. Grant is a massive body who can be groomed to eventually take DaQuan Jones’ spot.
Pick
31
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III
Missouri · WR · Junior
I suspect Burden won’t go as high as some believe he will, but his Deebo Samuel-like skill set would work for the Eagles in between A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Pick
32
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Azareye’h Thomas
Azareye’h Thomas
Florida State · CB · Junio
Thomas created a little buzz on Day 1 in Mobile and fits the mold of a corner who can thrive in Steve Spagnuolo’s press-man-heavy system.
