1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
I know. They have Josh Rosen. Nick Bosa is there. But I think that the bridge has been burnt with all of the Murray talk, and that Kliff Kingsbury will win out and get his man. Murray is short, but he is super-talented. Look for Rosen to get traded after the pick is made. Of course, we don't project trades, so we won't discuss that here (do it, Skins!).
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Arguably the most talented player in the draft, and a player who has been atop draft boards since the 2018 draft ended. Bosa heads to California to help sure up what is becoming an excellent young defensive front by the Bay.
3. New York Jets: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
The Jets have been in need of a superior pass rusher for years. Allen could come in and be the best edge rusher on the team immediately. Couple him with Leonard Williams on the line at DE, and CJ Mosley in the middle of the defense, and the Jets could have that formidable D that helped them make the playoffs a decade ago.
4. Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
Williams could be the safest and most sure thing in the draft. Alabama D-Linemen produce in the NFL, and Williams looks to join the impact DTs like Jonathan Allen and DeRon Payne. Oakland needs all the help it can get at every position (except QB), and getting a stud DT to anchor they D-line is a great start.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, ILB, LSU
Kwon Alexander left to man the middle of the 49ers defense, so there is a massive hole there for the Bucs. White is a sideline-to-sideline tackling machine, who has a nose for the ball. He is the best player available, and fits a big need.
6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Ok. Here we go. Every report over the past week has the Giants not wanting to spend this pick on a QB if they can use the #17 pick on a QB or trade it for Josh Rosen. Everyone says their GM is crazy about pass rushers, and there are still a ton of great ones on the board. But I just don't think the Giants can pass over the #2 QB in the draft falling to them at 6 when they do not have a long-term replacement for Eli Manning. Haskins is the guy here. Damn the rumors.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
Yes, TE or WR is important because new QB Nick Foles needs weapons. However, keeping him upright is more important. Cam Robinson and Will Richardson aren't the best tackles in the world. Jawaan Taylor can be an upgrade. Plus, the Florida Gator could be a popular, albeit unsexy, pick for the Jags.
8. Detroit Lions: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
The Lions' best pass rusher, Ziggy Ansah, is still a free agent and may not come back. Sweat can come in and replace him immediately. He was super productive at MSU, first team All-SEC, and wowed everyone at the Combine with his insane workout. I don't think his heart condition will hurt his stock as much as people are saying, since doctors cleared him.
9. Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The Bills could go a few ways. There are some great playmakers on the board. They could shore up their OL. But I think they go with the uber-talented defensive lineman from Houston. Oliver has been hyped since last year as a potential top 5 pick. He is super-athletic, though perhaps a bit undersized for a proper 4-3 DT. Still, his ability and explosiveness could translate to all four positions on the line, and even let him stand up in the middle of the defense if need be.
10. Denver Broncos: TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa
The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco. Flacco, more than any other QB I can remember, throws to tight ends over WRs and check downs. He needs a good tight end to flourish. Hockenson has size, speed, and skills. He is the perfect weapon for a Flacco-led passing game, and he can block too.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
That super-successful Clemson defense will produce a fair amount of picks in this draft. Wilkins may be the best of the bunch, anchoring the defensive line. A first team All-American, first team All-ACC star, he could bring stability to a defense in flux in Cincinnati.
12. Green Bay Packers: DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
A shiny new weapon for Aaron Rodgers? Why not. Metcalf is an athletic freak, with a torso that looks like the batsuit and the speed of Flash all in one. His route-running may be questionable, but he is too talented to skip at this point for a team that needs a superstar position player to go with their franchise QB.
13. Miami Dolphins: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
They need a QB. They insist they aren't taking a QB. Sure, why not? So they move to pass rusher instead. Gary could be the best player available, fits a glaring need on the Dolphins D, and has all the traits to be a star though his production at Michigan wasn't always there.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Jonah Williams, G/T, Alabama
The most important thing for the Falcons is being able to keep Matt Ryan upright, and keep the running game moving. Williams has that Alabama pedigree, and can play multiple positions on the line.
15. Washington Redskins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
So, if the Skins end up trading for Rosen, this pick could easily be best pass rusher or best WR available. As it is, and since we don't project trades, the Skins are still in need of a QB of the future, and Lock has fallen into their lap. I think he can sit most of the season behind Case Keenum/Colt McCoy and get his game up to NFL speed. He has all the physical ability to be a superstar. But can he be consistent? The Skins are banking on it.
16. Carolina Panthers: Andre Dillard, T/G, Washington State
This draft is deeper at defensive line and edge than it is at potential OTs. Dillard joins a squad that needs improve Cam Newton's protection on his blind side. Dillard could slot in at left tackle, help the run game with Christian McCaffery, and keep Cam healthy.
17. New York Giants: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
OBJ is in Cleveland. The Giants need another playmaker on offense, especially with a new QB on the roster in Haskins. Personally, I don't trust a super-small WR with a lisfranc injury, but folks that know more about football insist he is worth a 1st Round pick. The fit is clear.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
Back-to-back Sooners. Kirk Cousins' huge contract will only be worth it if he has time to throw the ball. Per Pro Football Focus, Riley Reiff was the only Vikings O-lineman in the top 80 of position rankings. They need a ton of help up front. Ford helped protect Kyler Murray, and is a mauler in the trenches.
19. Tennessee Titans: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Titans' #1 need? Defensive tackle. Dexter Lawrence is a classic nose tackle who can be slotted next to Jurrell Casey and Harold Landry. His comp? Haloti Ngata. Who wouldn't want that on their team?
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
Bush could have gone to Cincinnati, but I think he falls to the Steelers. They have yet to truly replace Ryan Shazier after his terrifying on-filed accident. Bush is a big play lineback that can bring that toughness back to the Steel Curtin.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
The Seahawks are shopping Frank Clark because they can't afford him after Russell Wilson's big contract extension. Ferrell steps in to that vacancy immediately.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State
The Ravens managed to lose most of their pass rush to free agency. Brian Burns is being mocked by some into the Top 10. I don't see that, but I think he is a great fit at 22. The Ravens need an explosive pass rusher who could end up being elite.
23. Houston Texans: Garrett Bradbury, OC, NC State
Like other teams, the biggest thing the Texans need to do is keep their QB healthy. DeShaun Watson was sacked a league-high 62 times last season. They could upgrade at every OL position, but Bradbury is the best on the board. Todd McShay says he is the most NFL-ready lineman in the draft, and he can play guard or center.
24. Oakland Raiders: Jachai Polite, DE, Florida
Raiders go with a pass rusher to replace Khalil Mack. Polite's tape is much, much, much better than his workouts, and I think Gruden will do something to surprise everyone. It is the Raiders after all.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Johnathan Abrams, S, Mississippi State
After the Eagles got Jordan Howard, their top need of an every down RB went away. Instead, they can concentrate on improving their secondary with the best safety available.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
TY Hilton turns 30 this year, and Andrew Luck needs more weapons to work with. Insert Parris Campbell, who has the ability to play both outside and in the slot.
27. Oakland Raiders: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Another piece on the Vikings D. Greedy Williams is the best cover corner in the draft, even if he isn't the biggest fan of tackling. His value is too good at a position of need to pass up.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
If Greedy is CB #1, Murphy is #1A. He plays bigger than his 5-11 frame, and is a total ball hawk. He is a great fit in a division that has to try to stop Patrick Mahomes.
29. Seattle Seahawks: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
This was the Chiefs pick when I first published Round 1. Of course they trade it for Frank Clark. The Seahawks, having addressed their Clark replacement a few picks ago, go for Baker. Baker did not have a good Combine, but his tape shows he could be ranked right alongside Murphy and Williams.
30. Green Bay Packers: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Another weapon for Rodgers! Fant is more like a slot receiver than a true TE, since he isn't the most keen blocker. Still, his size and speed creates an instant mismatch vs corner, safeties, and linebackers.
31. Los Angeles Rams: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Lindstrom is the most athletic interior lineman in the draft, but he can also play right tackle, where he spent most of his time in his junior season en route to 2nd team all-ACC honors. He can help get the best out of Phillip Rivers as he enters the last phase of his career, still chasing a Super Bowl.
32. New England Patriots: Irv Smith Jr, TE, Alabama
Gronk go bye bye, so the Pats have a big hole to fill at tight end. Irv Smith is the best available, and fits that receiver-first mentality that Gronk did. He may not have the size and the strength, but he has good speed and athletic ability to help Tom Brady try to get yet another Super Bowl ring.
There is Round 1! Round 2 will be coming soon, as will Rounds 3-7.
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