The NFL’s biggest open secret. The Raiders are certain to grab the National Championship winning, Indiana Hosier Quarterback. A prototypical passer for a league that’s shifting back to winning from the pocket.
#2. New York Jets, Arvell Reese, LB/ED
An elite and versatile playmaker who is likely to transition into a full-time pass rusher at the next level. Will only be 20 years old when he’s drafted, so he is far from being a finished prospect. Which is terrifying considering how good he already is.
Another note: his closest comparison in the NFL is Micah Parsons, who was reported to be heading to the Detroit Lions had Penei Sewell not fallen to them. Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn was the Lions' Defensive Coach at the time.
#3. Arizona Cardinals, Francis Mauigoa, OT
The Cardinals are in a transition period following the release of their former franchise QB, Kyler Murray. With Mendoza going number one, there won’t be a suitable Quarterback to draft at this spot. The next best thing is to create the perfect environment for a future signal caller.
With Paris Johnson locked in at Left Tackle, Nauigoa slots in well on the opposite side. His powerful stature makes him ideal for building a strong running game, which is often the remedy for teams with poor QB play.
#4. Tennessee Titans, Carnell Tate, WR
The Titans need a number one receiver, and Tate represents the most reliable receiver in the draft. Possessing strong hands and the ability to get open despite not having elite athleticism, he is stylistically similar to Calvin Ridley, who had previously been the Titans' WR1.
This selection may bring back worrying memories of when Tennessee drafted Corey Davies at number 5 overall in the 2017 draft. However, Tate has performed at a much higher collegiate level than Davies ever did.
#5. New York Giants, Sonny Styles, LB
During his time in Baltimore, off-ball linebacker had always been a valuable position for Jon Harbaugh. Most recently, when they traded for Roquan Smith and gave him a record-breaking contract for the position.
Sonny Styles is similar to Smith, except he is larger and much more athletic. The Ohio State linebacker broke the combine, with an RAS (Raw Athletic Score) of 10.00. This makes him the most athletic linebacker in the history of the combine.
#6. Cleveland Browns, David Bailey, ED
This pick is being made with a wandering eye to a time beyond Myles Garrett, who is heading into his 30’s with louder whispers over a departure from Cleveland. Bailey could be his eventual replacement down the line as a powerful, explosive pass rusher.
#7. Washington Commanders, Jeremiyah Love, RB
The Commanders have a lot of good, not great, running backs, which sort of sums up their entire roster. Talent-wise, Love is one of the best talents in this draft, and his home-run ability makes him a weapon in both the run and pass game.
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Love ran a 4.36-second 40 at the combine, the exact same time as Jamhyr Gibbs. He’s also around 20lbs and several inches taller than the Lions' superstar back.
#8. New Orleans Saints, Caleb Downs, S
Arguably the best defender in the draft, but he falls due to how valuable his position is. Described by Nick Saban as one of the smartest players he’s ever coached (and he’s coached a lot of them), the two-time All-American will bring versatility to any defence, excelling in multiple positions.
#9. Kansas City Chiefs, Reuben Bain Jr, ED
It’s not often the Chiefs pick in the top ten, but they may just come away with the draft's best pass rusher. If Bain had average arm length, then he’d be a top-5 pick, but alas, his arms measure in at 30 7/8”, putting him in the 1st percentile for pass-rushers.
Fortunately, his play style isn’t reliant on arms fighting, preferring to use his power to bull-rush offensive tackles, winning by going through as opposed to around. This may limit him against Tackles that can match his power but it will give him a high floor at the pro-level.
#10. Cincinnati Bengals, Kenyon Sadiq, TE
Would this pick be the most sensible? Definitely not. Would the Bengals be better investing in the trenches? For sure. But the Bengals don’t operate through conventional team building. Kenyon Sadiq is the most athletic Tight-End since Vernon Davis and would not look out of place alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Also, during his teenage years, he studied at Skyline High School. Cincinnati’s most famous dish? Skyline Chilli. It just makes sense.
#11. Miami Dolphins, Spencer Fano, OT
Much like the Cardinals pick, this is about establishing the perfect environment for the next Quarterback unlucky enough to be drafted to Miami. At the next level, he may be better suited to the interior due to his arm length, but for now, he’s the best player available for a Dolphins team that just needs warm bodies.
#12. Dallas Cowboys, Dillon Thieneman, S
Yet another combine freak that saw himself shoot up draft boards following a dominant athletic performance. 4.36 40. 10’5 long jump. 41’ Vertical. And these numbers translate to the tape. A long, rangy safety that can cover the full length of the field on defence in a hurry.
#13. Los Angeles Rams, Mansoor Delane, CB
The Rams have gone a long way in terms of fixing their much maligned secondary from last season, primarily from pilfering the Kansas City Chiefs. They acquired Trent McDuffie through a trade and picked up Justin Watson from free agency. But they are not done yet.
Mansoor Delane is the most polished corner back in this draft, possessing elite physical traits and a strong football IQ.
#14. Baltimore Ravens, Makai Lemon, WR
Since the beginning of time, Lamar Jackson has needed help at wide receiver. The Ravens have tried to remedy this, using first-round picks on Hollywood Brown, Rashod Batemen and Zay Flowers, but none have fully established themselves.
Now, they’re taking yet another swing with USC receiver Makai Lemon. A scrappy, intelligent receiver who, despite having below-average athletic traits, is always open with strong YAC ability.
#15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jermod McCoy, CB
For a team with Todd Bowles as head coach, the Buccaneers' defence sure was awful last year. They found it impossible to keep opposing offences off of the field with their defence far flung from the dominant unit from their Superbowl winning side of a few years ago.
McCoy could be argued as the best corner in the draft if it were not due to his injury concerns, missing the entirety of last year. When healthy, however, he has the elite size and athletic traits you’d want from a top-class corner.
#16. New York Jets, Olaivavega Ioane, G
The Jets' offensive line is creeping close to being elite, so why not add to it with the best interior o-lineman in the draft? Can he be what Alijah Vera-Tucker was meant to become?
#17. Detroit Lions, Kadyn Proctor, OT
Following the departure of veteran Taylor Decker, Detroit needs a tackle. With Penei Sewell looking to shift over to the left to protect Jared Goff’s, Proctor could fill the vacant spot on the right.
Proctor is an unfinished product, but his potential is unlimited. He is surprisingly nimble for a 6’7, 360lb+ athlete, with the ability to get down the field fast in the screen game.
#18. Minnesota Vikings, Emmanuel McNeill-Warren, S
It’s the end of an era in Minnesota with the scheduled release of franchise legend Harrison Smith, and his departure reveals a significant hole in the roster. In all honesty, the Vikings roster is pretty air-tight in being talented across the board, so Smith’s likely retirement should make this decision easier.
McNeill-Warren lacks top-end speed, but makes up for it with his reckless abandonment and instincts for locating the football. The Toledo safety managed to create fourteen turnovers while at college.
#19. Carolina Panthers, Chris Johnson, CB
Jaycee Horn is an exceptional player, but his health is always a question mark. Johnson is a fluid athlete who can match up well in man coverage. However, his aggressive play style can sometimes result in giving up the big play as he likes to gamble on making plays on the ball.
#20. Dallas Cowboys, Avieon Terrell, CB
Dallas is looking incredibly sparse in the secondary. After adding Dillon Thieneman earlier in the round, they’ll go back to the well to take Avieon Terrell, Clemson's impressive corner.
Terrell has a strong eye for the football with a talent for punching out the football. While always having an eye out for the big play, he’s also an exceptional tackler, as well as showing an ability to rush the Quarterback.
#21. Pittsburgh Steelers, Moroe Freeling, OT
Broderick Jones’ 5th year option has been declined, implying that the former 1st round pick is not long for the Steel City. Georgia’s Monroe Freeling is a prototypical tackle, possessing the desired size, length, and strength for his position. If Aaron Rodgers is to return as expected, then he would want his blind side protector to be someone who expects to remain on the team.
#22. Los Angeles Chargers, Kayden McDonald, DT
The Chargers have made an effort this offseason to bolster their biggest weakness in their offensive line, bringing in Center Tyler Biadasz and Guard Cole Strange, to try and keep Justin Herbert upright.
Their focus here is bolstering their defensive line and finding a replacement for Poona Ford that they missed last season. McDonald has the power and motor to rush the passer, along with the weight (326lbs) to become an anchor in the run game.
#23. Philadelphia Eagles, Jordyn Tyson, WR
AJ Brown is a trade waiting to happen, so the Eagles would rather have a replacement in the room before being sure they can move off from him. Jordan Tyson is not the physical monster that AJ Brown is, but his incredible body control and acrobatic ability allow him to make spectacular plays downfield.
#24. Cleveland Browns, KC Concepcion, WR
If the Browns want to make Shedeur Sanders happen, then they’ll need more than Jerry Jeudy at wide receiver. Aside from having a cool name, Concepcion is a wideout who plays bigger than his size suggests, utilizing his great hand skills to make contested catches. Alongside that, he is a determined player who always fights for the extra yards with the ball in his hands.
#25. Chicago Bears, Peter Woods, DT
One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. Peter Woods would be a nailed-on top-15 pick if he entered the draft last season, but his 2025 tape left a lot to be desired.
Should he go somewhere that could get the best out of him, however, they would get a rare blend of elite athleticism and exceptional hand usage. Essentially, he’s the closest thing to Jalen Carter in this draft.
#26. Buffalo Bills, Denzel Boston, WR
So Keon Coleman hasn’t worked out, so Buffalo will have to go back to the well. Trading for DJ Moore is a good start, but Josh Allen is at his best when he has a true number one, a la when he was paired with Stefon Diggs.
Denzel Boston has the build of a true number one, standing at an imposing 6’4. He is a true downfield threat capable of making difficult catches even when covered. Plus, he’s Chris Simms ' top-ranked wide-out. Has to count for something, right?
#27. San Francisco 49ers, Blake Miller, OT
Trent Williams is not long for the NFL, with the future Hall of Famer set to turn 38 by the beginning of the season. The 49ers need to prepare their replacement, so a tackle is in play with their first round pick.
Blake Miller has four years of strong play at Clemson against a high calibre of opposition. His length, strength, and solid fundamentals make him one of the draft class's better pass blockers.
#28. Houston Texans, Chase Bisontis, G
The Texans' offensive line has gotten to the point where it’s laughably mismanaged. Year after year, they appear to give up on building a strong line, trading away or releasing their best players such as Laremy Tunsil or Tytus Howard. No wonder CJ Stroud has been struggling.
Is this the year they get back to basics and begin giving their flailing QB a chance? Bisontis is a stout, strong guard, capable of opening up lanes in the run game and handling powerful defensive tackles. Bring in the beef.
#29. Kansas City Chiefs, Colton Hood, CB
Following some off-season transactions, the Chiefs' cornerback room is looking rather light. Colton Hood could be the next in a successful run of late first round picks for the Chiefs, with his physical style of play rarely found in corners.
#30. Miami Dolphins, Akim Mesidor, ED
The former Miami Hurricane won’t have to move far and would be a practical draft pick aloing with being a home town pleaser. Mesidor is a solid, if not spectacular prospect, capable of setting a strong edge while playing well against the run. On top of that, he’s able to kick inside when needed.
Selecting him would be a smart choice for the Miami Dolphins, as rebuilds often start in the trenches, and he would pair well with the offensive tackle taken earlier.
#31. New England Patriots, Caleb Lomu, OT
Despite a strong start to his career, a terrible run in the playoffs has led to doubts over whether Will Campbell has a future on the outside of the New England Offensive Line. Why not make a precautionary move and use this pick to take another swing at protecting Drake Maye’s blindside?
Lomu is a similar level prospect to Campbell in terms of their strong athleticism, while also possessing less than desirable arm length for the position. Regardless, competition breeds results with both players capable of moving inside to guard if need be,
#32. Seattle Seahawks, TJ Parker, ED
What do you give him who has it all? A good player at a premium position so that the team may be best suited to stay at an elite level for the next few years and win a Superbowl again, perhaps?
Straight out of the Eagles playbook.
TJ Parker won’t blow you away as he is the definition of a high floor low ceiling player. But when you’re an elite team such as the Seahawks, sometimes that’s all you need. A good player with strong fundamentals who will keep the good times rolling.
