By: Francis Han
Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Williams is the clear QB1 in this draft, and it’s no mystery that the Bears are going QB since they traded Fields to the Steelers. Williams has been the consensus QB1 in this draft class for years now, which is super impressive since this is one of the best QB classes we have seen in years. My comp for Williams would be prime Russell Wilson times a thousand. His natural athletic abilities already make him the QB1 with his speed, agility, and arm talent. But, his other attributes, like his ability to extend plays, are what makes him the consensus 1.01.
2. Drake Maye - Washington Commanders
The Maye hype has been declining, and I do not know why. People have been hyping up Daniels and McCarthy and bringing down Maye the past few weeks, and there’s no reason for it. When I watched Maye’s film, my jaw dropped from some of the throws he was able to make. He can fit balls into the tightest windows I’ve ever seen from any quarterback ever. But he is not just a precise throwing game manager. People forget that he is 6’4”, 230, and a freak athlete. He is like a much more accurate Josh Allen.
3. Jayden Daniels - Minnesota Vikings via NE
The Patriots desperately need a quarterback, but they desperately need everything. I guarantee this Vikings offer of both of their first-round picks this year and next year’s first will be offered at spots 2, 3, and 4, and one of those teams will accept. The Commanders, Patriots, and Cardinals all desperately need many positions. I just couldn’t pass up on Drake Maye, but I would take this deal to sacrifice Daniels. With the Vikings acquiring this second first-round pick for this year, it is no surprise that they want to move up for a quarterback after losing Kirk Cousins. Daniels is by far the most athletic quarterback in this draft while also possessing immense arm talent. He is Lamar Jackson with a better arm.
4. Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals
Not much to say here. MHJ is the consensus WR1 by a landslide. You cannot think of a single downside when you look at him as a prospect. He possesses every necessary attribute for an elite WR and can do all those at an elite level. He is the safest bet in this draft and Kyler Murray desperately needs targets to throw to. This pick is a guarantee.
5. Rome Odunze - Los Angeles Chargers
Rome Odunze plays very similar to Keenan Allen, so this pick would make sense, as Odunze could be Allen’s replacement. The Chargers let go of their two best pass-catchers in an offense that was already lacking pass-catchers, so a pass-catcher is easily priority number one. I was debating with Nabers and Bowers here and maybe even Alt but ultimately chose Odunze. I don’t see a universe where Odunze enters the league and isn’t an All-Pro WR. His size-to-speed combo is elite for a WR prospect, and his contested catching ability is by far the best in this class. His playstyle and build almost look identical to Davante Adams to me.
6. Malik Nabers - New York Giants
The Giants are another one of those teams with massive holes all over their depth chart, but WR is pretty glaring. I thought that a quarterback was a possibility here, but while Daniel Jones isn’t the quarterback they expected him to be, he is not the problem with this team. Offensive tackle is a huge need for the Giants, as we saw their abysmal performance against the Seahawks’ pass rush on MNF. Evan Neal seems to have been a bust, but I trust he will develop more alongside Andrew Thomas. That left WR, and Nabers was easily the best one still on the board. His explosiveness and ability to make plays after the catch are probably the best in this class. My comp for him is Ja’Marr Chase.
7. Joe Alt - Tennessee Titans
This is the absolute dream scenario for the Titans here, and even if Alt is already taken, Fuaga is an equally incredible prospect. If you had asked me and the end of last season what position the Titans should draft, I would have said WR. But they signed Calvin Ridley in free agency, so now they have a solidified WR1. OT was obviously the next biggest need, and Alt should be the consensus OT1. Peter Skoronski didn’t really pan out the way they wanted him to, and they don’t really have time to wait for him to. Alt comes in and is immediately an All-Pro level OT.
8. Dallas Turner - Atlanta Falcons
This spot is really tricky for me with the Falcons because, obviously defensive line is their biggest need, but I feel like you can get equally good pass rushers at a lower spot. I was looking to trade down with this pick. I like Laiatu Latu much more, but he doesn’t fit the Falcons’ playstyle as much. Most scouts like Dallas Turner because he’s so raw and yet still producing at Alabama, but that’s exactly why I don’t like him. It’s not a guarantee he can add moves to his pass-rushing bag, and guys like Latu already have elite arsenals. Atlanta picks Turner here in hopes he develops to be the guy that transforms this defense.
9. Troy Fautanu - Chicago Bears
This spot is really awkward for the Bears as they would have wished for a WR to be on the board, but there’s not. I was looking to trade down, but no team desperately needs to trade up to this spot. The Bears need to protect Caleb Williams, and Fautanu can do that. They drafted Darnell Wright last year, who wasn’t amazing but worst-case scenario Fautanu can slide to guard. I even think Fautanu will be more successful at guard than tackle. He is a freak athlete who is powerful while on the move. He could be super effective as a pulling guard. Fautanu’s stock has been rising so this pick is looking more and more possible to happen.
10. Brock Bowers - New York Jets
The Jets are in win-now mode as Aaron Rodgers’ career is ending soon, and they need more firepower on offense. Garrett Wilson is phenomenal but can’t do it all alone. Offensive tackle is definitely in play and in fact, might be the better pick for the future. But, with the window the Jets have to win, they need someone who will affect their season's outcome now. Bowers is the best TE prospect we’ve seen since Kyle Pitts. He’s probably a better blocker but a worse catcher. Bowers is so athletic and versatile that he can even be lined up on the outside. Every time Bowers touches the ball, it’s a guaranteed big gain. He’s exactly what the Jets need to make a playoff run.
11. Taliese Fuaga - New England Patriots via MIN
The Patriots need a little bit of literally everything. Outside of quarterback, OT is kind of the obvious need for the Patriots. They have quite literally nobody at tackle currently, and Fuaga is so good. His ability to mirror and his footwork is elite. I don’t see many holes in his game, and if you were to say you like him more than Alt, I wouldn’t question you one bit.
12. Quinyon Mitchell - Detroit Lions via DEN
I think Denver really likes Bo Nix, and they could easily snag him way later in the first round. Detroit desperately needs a cornerback, and although they just acquired Carlton Davis, we don’t know how long he’ll stay. Quinyon Mitchell easily has the highest upside of any corner in the draft, which is why he is so highly touted. You trust him to be put on an island and lock up your opponent’s best receiver. He easily has the best ball-tracking ability in this draft out of any DB. Although I do like Nate Wiggins more, I see why Mitchell is more hyped up because of his natural abilities.
13. JJ McCarthy - Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders need a quarterback. They need a beacon of hope that can give them opportunities for the future. I’m sorry, but you cannot start the season and have to decide between Aiden O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. I would personally go with Penix in this situation, but I can understand the injury issues. While I’m not as high on McCarthy as others, I still think he has special talent. Sometimes game managers are what you need to succeed.
14. Laiatu Latu - New Orleans Saints
I don’t think I saw the Saints produce a single pressure the whole season; at least, that’s what it felt like. The Saints were projected to be a top-5 defense in the NFL, and this only didn’t happen because they couldn’t produce pressure. It seems like almost every single snap Latu is in, he produces pressure and has an impact on the game. He is exactly everything the Saints need and more. He can learn from a veteran EDGE rusher in Cam Jordan and become the face of this Saints defense.
15. Brian Thomas Jr. - Indianapolis Colts
Brian Thomas Jr. is a similar prospect to Dallas Turner with much less production. Nabers was the clear WR1 in the LSU offense, and Thomas is a very raw prospect. Scouts and GMs are banking on the upside of Thomas and the explosiveness he shows. He can really be a guy you depend on to get touchdowns for you. At his complete ceiling, he can show spurts of AJ Brown, and you are hoping that he develops into that tier of wide receiver. He is definitely a project, though.
16. Nate Wiggins - Green Bay Packers via SEA
In this position, the Seahawks don’t have anyone left on the board which intrigues me enough to take a pick on here. With Mitchell already off the board, the Packers can’t wait for a CB to fall where they are at 25, so they decide to trade up and get the CB of their future. Wiggins is my CB1 in this draft due to his high motor and ability to mirror his opponent. With the combo of Wiggins and Jaire Alexander, the Packers’ secondary should be elite.
17. Terrion Arnold - Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags desperately need cornerback depth, and Arnold fits them perfectly. It would be surprising if Arnold dropped this far as he is very hyped up, but I am not as high on him as others are. I much rather prefer Wiggins and Mitchell over him. He's more of a nickel kind of cornerback, and I don’t really trust putting him on an island with the other team’s WR1. But he possesses the physical frame you see in elite corners and has impressive ball-hawking instincts. Adding a high-IQ cover corner with positional flexibility could help the Jaguars match up with the rising offenses in the AFC South.
18. Byron Murphy II - Cincinnati Bengals
It’s no mystery that the Bengals need help on the defensive line. They drafted EDGE Myles Murphy last year in the first round, who hasn’t really panned out, and recently lost DJ Reader. Murphy II can be the Reader replacement they need. Murphy II is a freak athlete and an elite run-stopper. He can really be the missing piece this Bengals roster needs to win a Superbowl.
19. Jared Verse - Los Angeles Rams
Even with Aaron Donald, this defensive line looked lackluster, and now with the absence of the greatest defensive player of all time, there is an obvious massive hole. Verse’s physical tools are jaw-dropping, and his film is impressive. He reminds me a lot of a less-developed Kayvon Thibodeaux. His power-speed combo is unreal.
20. Olu Fashanu - Pittsburgh Steelers
While I do feel wide receiver is more of a pressing need, I feel the gap between the talent they can get in wide receiver at this pick and their second-round pick is very small, and the gap with the talent in offensive tackle is huge. Therefore, offensive tackle seems to be the selection. Snagging Fashanu here would be an absolute steal, and the Steelers would rush to the podium to select him. Even if Fashanu was off the board, I think the Steelers would still take a tackle in Mims or Latham.
21. Jer’Zhan Newton - Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ biggest holes are in the trenches, whether on the offensive or defensive side. IOL is a huge need, and a selection like Jackson Powers-Johnson would not surprise me one bit. With the massive loss of Christian Wilkins to the Raiders, the defensive tackle position has a massive hole. Newton is an absolute freak, and although he is slightly undersized, his other physical attributes make up for it completely. He has jaw-dropping agility and strength for someone his size.
22. Cooper DeJean - Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ cornerbacks last season were laughable on how bad they performed, especially James Bradberry. The Eagles’ secondary has been a problem for a while now, and it’s about time they addressed it. DeJean is an all-around spectacular athlete who possesses a great game sense and ball-tracking abilities. The Eagles also need safety depth, and with how versatile DeJean is, the worst case scenario is he could fill in at safety. I actually think he would be better at safety than cornerback.
23. Adonai Mitchell - New England Patriots via MIN
The world is New England’s oyster at this pick and there are so many directions the Patriots can go with this pick. I was seriously considering them picking Penix here, which I don’t think is outlandish at all. I was also considering picking Chop Robinson here, who I love. I ultimately chose Mitchell because we know they like their speedy receivers, as they picked Tyquan Thornton, and they just desperately need wide receivers. They easily have the worst wide receiver room out of any team in the league.
24. JC Latham - Dallas Cowboys
If Latham is available here for the Cowboys, that would be a blessing for them. They recently lost future hall-of-fame tackle Tyron Smith, so they need a replacement for him. Latham is a great tackle prospect who may not be as developed as his peers selected ahead of him, but he easily is the most physically imposing. Size is something you can’t teach, and he possesses it. They could really develop him into an All-Pro tackle.
25. Jackson Powers-Johnson - Seattle Seahawks via GB
As a Seahawks fan, we really need help on the defensive line, so I was seriously considering Chop Robinson at this spot. I just don’t think you can pass on JPJ. I seriously believe he can come in and be 1st Team All-Pro center over guys like Creed Humphrey. He really is that good. We desperately need help in the IOL, and Geno only performs well when he has time in the pocket. We’ve struggled with IOL help since Max Unger which was over 10 years ago. It’s time that that changed.
26. Chop Robinson - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They drafted Kalijah Cancey last year with their first-round pick, and he looked like a star last year. They really had no one setting the edge for them though, only the middle. Chop Robinson is the fastest EDGE prospect I have ever seen. On top of that, he possesses elite power which is why I don’t understand why he is so underrated because he’s also on the younger side.
27. Kool-Aid McKinstry - Arizona Cardinals
Murphy-Bunting clearly isn’t enough. The depth behind him is made up of 2nd-year players like Garrett Williams, Kei’Trel Clark, and Starling Thomas V (plus S Andre Chachere, who can play some CB). It once seemed likely the team would target an offensive lineman with their second 1st-rounder, but perhaps now CB is the more likely route. McKinstry is an exceptional cornerback who, at the start of the season, was a projected unanimous top-5 pick. I like him better than Terrion Arnold and he still saw signs of him being that highly touted guy last season. He has the potential to be great.
28. Keon Coleman - Buffalo Bills
The Bills NEED a wide receiver. They lost their only two wide receivers, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Their current WR1 is Khalil Shakir. I have Coleman still as my WR4, and I don’t understand why the hype died down so much. He tested pretty poorly, but I don’t think combine performance should lower your draft stock if your performance on the field is good. I honestly think Coleman has the best hands of any pass-catcher in this draft.
29. Bo Nix - Denver Broncos via DET
This is not me saying I like Nix more than Penix because I don’t. I think Nix would fit Sean Payton’s system perfectly. He reminds me a lot of a bigger Drew Brees, and obviously, that’s the quarterback Sean Payton worked with. I actually think Nix is the worst out of Penix and McCarthy, but if Sean Payton has any say in who the Broncos draft, Nix will be the pick. They just acquired Zach Wilson, but he won’t be a threat for the starting job.
30. Amarius Mims - Baltimore Ravens
General manager Eric DeCosta needs to address the edges with Morgan Moses traded away and Ronnie Stanley struggling with injuries. Mims is an intriguing option as a potential Day 1 starter at right tackle, yet he has enough athleticism to eventually make a move to the left side of the line.
31. Jordan Morgan - San Francisco 49ers
With Trent Williams entering the twilight of his career, the 49ers have to find an eventual replacement on the edge. Morgan is a sound blocker at the point of attack with diverse skills that could enable him to play on either side of the offensive line. I love Morgan as a prospect and have him over guys like Mims and Latham.
32. Kamari Lassiter - Kansas City Chiefs
The loss of L'Jarius Sneed could prompt the Chiefs to seek CB help at the bottom of Round 1. Lassiter is a rock-solid cover corner with superb tackling skills. He is the hardest-hitting corner in this draft and will be super intimidating to go up against. The decision to go Lassiter here over guys like Ennis Rakestraw and TJ Tampa was purely based off preference and who I like the most.