Written by Trevor Ritchie (@ritchietmr)
PICKS 1-4
Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
Easiest pick Jacksonville will ever make. The best QB in this class joins new Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer on a worst-to-first mission. What we’ve said for years comes true: Trevor Lawrence goes No. 1.
New York Jets – QB Zach Wilson (BYU)
Personally, as a Jets fan myself, I never imagined the consensus would settle on the Jets taking Wilson this high. But I’m on the train now because I have no choice. It’s a lock. BYU to the Big Apple.
San Francisco 49ers – QB Mac Jones (Alabama)
Watching Jones operate at the Senior Bowl in January gave me great insight into why the 49ers might possibly fall in love with him – no matter the cost. I buy the rumors. Is it justified? Only time will tell.
Atlanta Falcons – QB Justin Fields (Ohio State)
I hear the arguments for Pitts or trading back, but it’s a mistake to pass on Fields if he’s still on the board. Get your QB of the future now at a discount instead of a paying premium down the road when you need one most.
PICKS 5-8
Cincinnati Bengals – TE Kyle Pitts (Florida)
Sewell. Slater. Chase. Smith. Pitts. Cincinnati will have so many different options. Best OT available. Two Hall of Fame caliber receivers, imo. It’s just too hard to pass on a once-in-a-generation TE talent.
Miami Dolphins – WR Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)
Put Tua in a position to succeed. The Dolphins have to be focused on getting as much talent on the offensive side of the ball as they can, and this is a great start. Chase is as NFL ready as they’ll come.
Detroit Lions – WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
The Lions are now in the Goff era. They also need to start a new era in their receiving core after this free agency cycle. Throw concerns about his frame out the window. Smith’s ceiling as a pro is limitless.
Carolina Panthers – OT Penei Sewell (Oregon)
If you want to make Sam Darnold better, the selection should be Sewell. Keep the ghosts away and ensure Darnold isn’t running for his life going forward in the NFC South. Slater could be in play too.
PICKS 9-12
Denver Broncos – QB Trey Lance (North Dakota State)
Best defensive player available?? Maybe in a perfect world. I’d guess the Broncos take another longshot at finding their franchise QB. It just feels on brand, and I wouldn’t exactly blame the Denver brass either.
Dallas Cowboys – CB Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)
No way the Cowboys could pass this up. Most of their concerns lie on the defensive side, and no one at the cornerback position looks more ready to lock receivers down at the next level than Surtain II.
New York Giants – OT Rashawn Slater (Northwestern)
Daniel Jones has been sacked 83 times through his 27 games with the Giants. It goes without saying that will never be a formula for success. Slater would give you a 6-4, 315-pound wall to change things quickly.
Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)
Another team that desperately needs to land consistent production on the outside for their young QB prospect. Wouldn’t be a surprise to see Philly reunite Waddle with former teammate Jalen Hurts.
PICKS 13-16
Los Angeles Chargers – OT Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech)
Tackle has to be the biggest need for the Chargers. Justin Herbert was sacked 32 times in 15 games and still notched 4,336 yards as a rookie. Maximize his potential with the 314-pound tackle from Virginia Tech.
Minnesota Vikings – LB Micah Parsons (Penn State)
Best LB in the draft. Maybe the best defensive player on the board. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them take someone in the trenches or maybe a cornerback here, but I’d go with BPA if I were the Vikings.
New England Patriots – CB Jaycee Horn (South Carolina)
The Patriots always feel like a wild card in the draft for some reason. No telling what they actually do, but if they sit at No. 15, I could see a potential fit at cornerback with Horn who’s been flying up draft boards.
Arizona Cardinals – OT Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC)
If Horn is gone and Farley’s back injury scares them, then running back might also be in play. Otherwise, I think the Cardinals load up on protection. IOL is a concern as well and Vera-Tucker could move inside.
PICKS 17-20
Las Vegas Raiders – Edge Kwity Paye (Michigan)
Paye seems like a Raider to me for some reason. Maybe because he’s a 6-4, 272-pound athletic pass rusher that has the strength, the intangibles and the drive to go along with it. He’s only going to get better.
Miami Dolphins – RB Travis Etienne (Clemson)
The Dolphins are in a great spot at No. 6 to potentially get the best WR available. They’re also in a great spot to snag the top running back at No. 18. Tua, Chase and Etienne together in Miami would be electric.
Washington Football Team – LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame)
Owusu-Koramoah could be the perfect piece to help complete what may become one of the best defenses in the league. There’s layers to his game, plenty of quickness and most importantly… he hits hard.
Chicago Bears – Edge Jaelan Phillips (Miami)
Pass rusher Robert Quinn played half of Chicago’s defensive snaps last season. Multiple monsters off the edge will be available. The Bears would be smart to pair one with the incredible force that is Khalil Mack.
PICKS 21-24
Indianapolis Colts – OT Sam Cosmi (Texas)
Who was sacked the most in 2020? Carson Wentz. 50 times. He’s found himself a new home, but things won’t change if he isn’t protected. Cosmi impressed at his pro day and fills the Colts’ biggest hole.
Tennessee Titans – WR Rondale Moore (Purdue)
Once you get past the expected top three at receiver, Moore has a good case to come off the board next even at 5-7, 180 pounds. This kid ran a 4.29, has a 42.5-inch vertical and the Titans need multiple WRs.
New York Jets – RB Najee Harris (Alabama)
Tevin Coleman is the No. 1 RB in New York. In two seasons with the 49ers, he rushed for less than 600 yards and a mere six touchdowns while only playing in 22 games. Wilson wil need extra firepower at RB.
Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech)
Many people’s top CB in this draft. Farley will fall due to his recent back operation; it’s just a matter of how far. This might even be too low. Pittsburgh could be reaching for other needs and decide to take the risk.
PICKS 25-28
Jacksonville Jaguars – S Trevon Moehrig (TCU)
Not a bad deal if you can snag the top QB and the top S in the same draft. The Jaguars made some upgrades in the secondary already, but they’re definitely not done at safety. Feels like a perfect fit.
Cleveland Browns – Edge Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
Although they made some solid additions to the defense in free agency, the Browns still need an edge to put across from Myles Garrett. You shouldn’t be bottom tier at pressuring the QB with a player like that.
Baltimore Ravens – Edge Jayson Oweh (Penn State)
This defense is already pretty stacked, and edge is the only question mark left. Oweh ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and logged a 39.5-inch vertical at his Pro Day. He’s raw, but the potential could be worth it.
New Orleans Saints – CB Greg Newsome II (Northwestern)
Who’s starting on the other side of Marshon Lattimore this year?? New Orleans could be trying to find the answer at No. 28. Newsome also might be as close as you’ll get to quality, year-one CB production at this spot.
PICKS 29-32
Green Bay Packers – WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU)
Can we do right by Aaron Rodgers for once?? It could be Bateman. It could be Toney. As long as it’s a pass catcher to go along with your league MVP. I’d like to see them take the 6-2, 205-pound LSU Tiger.
Buffalo Bills – DL Christain Baremore (Alabama)
Buffalo might very well look for more of an edge here, but there’s room for help inside too with only two defensive tackles under contract past 2021 and no true standout. Baremore is ready to play on day one.
Kansas City Chiefs – LB Zaven Collins (Tulsa)
I’m sure the Chiefs wouldn’t mind having an extra 260 pounds roaming around the field at outside linebacker. His talent, size and athleticism would be hard to pass on. Collins is an impact player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Teven Jenkins (Oklahoma State)
I’d see this as extremely valuable insurance for a 43-year-old Tom Brady in the result of any injuries to his offensive line. Especially with a guy like Jenkins who’s played every position on the line except center.