Updated November 30th
1. Houston Texans
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
After the Michigan game, the OSU QB concern about their QB’s in the passing game has started to creep up. Young might not have ideal size, but he is as cool as they come under pressure and against pro style defense. A long draft season awaits, but this is a pick that can be the foundation of a new era in Houston.
2. Chicago Bears
Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama
The Bears are in a predicament with their QB… there is a buzz about Fields’ running ability, but the passing game has to start coming along better. He can’t sustain the ants in the pants style of escaping the pocket and scampering down the field. Regardless, if they stick at 2, this is a very easy decision.
3. Detroit Lions (from LAR)
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The third pick from the Rams? How did this fall into the Lions’ lap? Here they would have to take a long look at QB, but the fact is that the superstar, super-loaded QB draft class never emerged. Goff has been fine at QB and the offense is humming. They just need to keep their OC. Carter is the best player here, and fits a gaping need, but they would also have to take a long look at Murphy.
4. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
Well, this year was unexpected. The default for the last decade has been to try to get the Seahawks more help on the offensive line, but they just need to go volume instead of using high picks and hope to find talent that way. For now, they get an immensely talented defensive lineman.
5. Carolina Panthers
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Panthers parted ways with their college coach that should have never left college and that found the perfect landing spot on his return. Just solve the QB situation here. They need to spend every possible resource studying the top QBs in this draft and come away with someone they love.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans)
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
The Eagles have gone all in and are built to win now. That means when draft time comes, just really focus on the best player available. Young, talented, and cheap edge rushers are always a good choice.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Cardinals are a bit of a soap opera with some really old players at some key positions. They have a very pronounced need in the secondary, and being able to get the top prospect here would be excellent.
8. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Finally.
9. Las Vegas Raiders
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Raiders are coming out of a terrible era of drafting and roster management. They have weapons and just need to add talent to the core positions.
10. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Don’t overthink this, Houston. With the QB of their future with their first pick, they can come back and work on building an elite offensive line.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Jags are looking better lately, but they have to fix that offensive line. This has to be one of the most obvious picks in the first round… grab the best O-lineman available.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
The Steelers are in a transition stage and have to build around their young, talented QB. They have a top RB, but can’t open up holes for him, and that is due to lack of talent on the interior.
13. Detroit Lions
Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State
Okudah has emerged as a starting CB, but they have to find a reliable companion to him on the other side.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The firing of the HC was thoroughly justified… he just wasn’t getting anything out of the QBs. No clue who will be coaching this team next year, but they need to draft a QB and, wait for it… develop said QB.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
This is turning out to be an interesting team. Do they need a QB or don’t they? Think they will stay the course and just see what they have with their veteran and their rooking and just keep building up talent.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Love the idea of the Seahawks being able to roll with Smith and just building around him. This is a fun team to watch emerge and how they played the Wilson situation.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Chargers year in and year out have a loaded roster. The league has caught up with their defensive scheme, and they have an OC that has no business being an OC and is holding back their electric young QB.
18. New England Patriots
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Patriots have two pretty decent QBs and are at that point of the season where they put it all together. Can we just get young Jones a top WR?
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andre Carter II, DE/OLB, Army
The Bucs could be in a total rebuild. This pick could be anything, as it is difficult to tell where they will tear down and get free agents, or even if they want to keep any veteran players on board. …Or, perhaps they go one more year with making a run at the Superbowl.
20. Washington Commanders
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
A big surprise here, especially since Hooker just hurt his knee. However, The Commanders can ride out this year and next with their feel-good story QB and bring Hooker along at the right pace. He has all the skills to succeed at the next level.
21. Baltimore Ravens
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
A weapon for Lamar.
22. New York Jets
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
The Jets have a superb defense and might have found their QB for at least the rest of the season. This defense would love to be able to just continuously rotate stud defensive linemen without having to bring extra guys on the attack.
23. Cincinnati Bengals
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Bengals are starting to emerge, almost by default, as division favorites. They definitely have some sort of hangover, but survived that fog, and are getting healthy at the right time. CB is a top need.
24. New York Giants
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Time to start clearing out mistakes from the previous regime.
25. Denver Broncos (from San Francisco)
Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa
The Broncos are a disaster far worse than the Texans. At least the Texans are on the proper course for a rebuild with draft picks and salary cap opening up. The Broncos rolled the dice on Wilson and a head coach that was nothing more than a sounding board for Rodgers and not a true OC. Yikes.
26. Tennessee Titans
Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The Titans play hard and run the ball well. Their QB situation is another story. They traded away an excellent WR, and could use another weapon to help make their offense more dynamic.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
The Cowboys seem to have found gold with their relatively unknown offensive lineman pick last year, and seem to be in the market for OBJ. That would mean safety moves front and center in terms of needs.
28. Buffalo Bills
Brian Branch, S, Alabama
The Bills have talent all over their defense, but think of what they would look like with a really exceptional third safety? They could really shut down high powered teams like the Chiefs with an uber talented Big-Nickel lineup.
29. Minnesota Vikings
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
The Vikings are a surprise this year, and it appears coaching really held them back the last few years. They need a center and have one available down the road.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Going to start putting the press on Witherspoon as a first rounder. This guy hits like a Mack truck and can play all over defense.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Eagles are loaded and have extra early draft picks. Enjoy.
~Miami Dolphins Pick Forfeited~