1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson University
It’s just a matter of time before Lawrence goes to north Florida. He is regarded as one of the best quarterback prospects ever, receiving comparisons to Andrew Luck and even Peyton Manning and John Elway. I feel bad for Gardner Minshew because I believe he is capable of being a starter in the NFL, but there is no way the Jaguars can pass up on Lawrence.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, Brigham Young University
This one can also most likely be Sharpied in. The BYU signal caller already receives advice from former Gang Green quarterbacks on how to handle the Big Apple.
3. San Francisco 49ers (Houston Dolphins): Mac Jones, QB, University of Alabama
Although the 49ers still have Jimmy Garoppolo under contract for two more years, he has no more guaranteed money left on his deal. Garoppolo led the 49ers to a Super Bowl LIV appearance, but injuries have plagued his time in the red and gold, appearing in just three games in 2018 and in six last year. There’s a lot of debate as to who the 49ers take at quarterback, but I’m going to bank on the consensus belief that the pick is Jones.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, University of Florida
Pitts is one of the best tight end prospects the game has seen in a long time, if not ever. The Falcons’ main need is defense, but there aren’t really any defensive players worthy of being taken this high. Additionally, their asking price to trade down is reportedly too high for other teams. Although they could certainly use defensive help, they could also use support on offense. Julio Jones was productive last year, catching 51 passes for 771 yards and three touchdowns, but he played in only nine games, is on the wrong side of 30 and has been brought up in trade rumors. New head coach Arthur Smith likes to use two tight ends. He did so with Jonnu Smith and Anthony Firkser last year in Tennessee. Now, he gets Pitts to pair up with young rising star Hayden Hurst.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, University of Oregon
Some speculate Cincinnati will draft Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Burrow’s former number one wide receiver at LSU. However, I think Sewell must be the pick to strengthen the offensive line, which allowed 48 sacks, tied for fifth worst in the league. Burrow is also coming off a torn ACL and MCL, making it more crucial for the Bengals to have a strong offensive line to protect their young quarterback. Sewell can suit up at left tackle, and Jonah Williams, who already has experience at the position, can swing over to right tackle.
6. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Louisiana State University
Although Miami signed Will Fuller, the Dolphins could use another wide receiver to help second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. I believe there’s a chance Miami goes with 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, Tua’s old teammate, but I believe the best wide receiver is Chase, and that is who I think the Dolphins will ultimately go with.
7. TRADE: New England Patriots (from Detroit Lions): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State University
Our first trade! New England needs to get a franchise quarterback, and with 10 draft picks, they have the capital to move up. Fields might sit behind Cam Newton, but he could be a Week 1 starter for them. The Lions trade down to 15 because they currently only have six draft picks this year as of now, tied with four other teams for second fewest. This could really aide their rebuild because they can acquire more picks this year, and they have two first round picks in 2022 and 2023 after the Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff trade.
8. Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern University
The Panthers need a tackle, and Rashawn Slater is the best one available. Many scouts point out how well he handled Chase Young when he matched up against him in college. Carolina traded for quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason, and they should look to protect him and surround him with talent, something the Jets failed to do. This pick just makes too much sense.
9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain, CB, University of Alabama
Although Drew Lock might not be the answer at quarterback, the Broncos should give him one more chance with most of the big-name quarterbacks off the board. I’m not ready to give up on Lock yet because he was injured a lot of 2020, and his number one wide receiver Courtland Sutton was out for all but one game. Surtain is widely viewed as the best cornerback in the draft. He should be a day one contributor to a defense that was 25th in points allowed last year.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Despite Jerry Jones’s love for Kyle Pitts, the Cowboys desperately need to upgrade on defense. One could argue all position groups, defensive line, linebacker and secondary need to be upgraded. Farley is one of the best defensive players on the board at this point.
11. New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, University of Alabama
General Manager Dave Gettleman has never traded down in a draft before. Although New York has just six picks in this draft, they should stay put at 11 and work with what they have. They add a speed demon in Waddle, giving Daniel Jones another weapon in his third year in the league. A wide receiver core of Kenny Golladay, Jaylen Waddle, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard could be one of the most dangerous in the league.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (San Francisco 49ers Miami Dolphins): DeVonta Smith, WR, University of Alabama
After badly whiffing last year by picking Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson, the Eagles still need help at wide receiver, especially with DeSean Jackson now on the Rams. I believe Philadelphia will keep Jalen Hurts as their starter, and they should give him the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner to aid in his development.
13. TRADE: Chicago Bears (from Los Angeles Chargers): Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State University
With the last of the top five quarterbacks falling a little, the Bears should trade up for Lance. Lance will likely need time
to develop before he’s ready to play in the NFL, but the Bears have Andy Dalton, who is a fine stopgap option for now. After badly missing by taking Mitchell Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, General Manager Ryan Pace trades up to get his guy.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, University of Southern California
Although the Vikings defense was 29th last year, the team has a lot of young defensive players they believe in. With that said, one of Minnesota’s issues has been the offensive line. Vera-Tucker played guard in 2019 and tackle in 2020. It’s Minnesota’s choice on what position they want to develop him at.
15. TRADE: Detroit Lions (from New England Patriots): Kwity Paye, EDGE, University of Michigan
Although the Lions badly need wide receiver help after the loss of Jenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, the big three receivers are off the board. In addition, the Lions’ defense was the only one to allow more than 500 points last year. Their 32.4 points allowed per game is the third worst in history and the worst since the NFL season was expanded to 16 games. Because of their historically bad defense last year, Detroit needs to start somewhere. Paye is a raw talent who only started 19 games in college, but he could develop into a legitimate pass rusher if coached well.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, University of South Carolina
The Cardinals did a good job at strengthening their defensive line by bring in J.J. Watt, but they still need to add to their defense elsewhere. Horn is a physical cornerback who should help Arizona’s secondary after long-time corner Patrick Peterson joined the Vikings.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State University
The Raiders suffered from another second-half collapse last year, mostly in part to their 30th-ranked defense. I can see Vegas adding an edge rusher because they only had 21 sacks in 2020, which was the fourth least, but I think Parsons is the pick because last year’s free agent signing Cory Littleton had a down year, and the Raiders could use some extra help at linebacker.
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, University of Miami
The Dolphins look to defense for their second first-round pick. Miami takes a flyer on Phillips, who has good physical traits but also an injury history that includes concussions and ankle and wrist injuries.
19. Washington Football Team: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Football Team still needs help at offensive tackle, especially after not having Pro Bowler Trent Williams play for them since 2018. Darrisaw was a second-team AP All-American and first-team All-ACC. He will need some development, but he is an athlete who could be a franchise left tackle for a long time.
20. TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers (from Chicago Bears): Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, University of Georgia
The Chargers had just 27 sacks last year. New Head Coach Brandon Staley ran a very effective 3-4 scheme with the Rams last year when they allowed the fewest points in the NFL. Ojulari should fit in nicely across from Joey Bosa.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State University
The Colts have had one of the best offensive lines in the league since Frank Reich took over as Head Coach in 2018. With the retirement of long-time left tackle Anthony Costanzo, the Colts draft his potential successor in Jenkins.
22. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, University of Notre Dame
The Titans added Bud Dupree to address their lacking pass rush, but now, they add an explosive athlete in Owusu-Koramoah. He is kind of caught between linebacker and safety, but his athletic traits should help him, no matter what position he plays.
23. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks): Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern University
The Jets picked who they hope is their franchise quarterback, but this next pick is anyone’s guess because of the holes on the roster. Newsome could be a nice late first-round addition to help the Jets secondary.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, University of Alabama
Although people are against taking running backs in the first round, it’s a major need for the Steelers and something I could see happening. Their rushing attack averaged only 3.6 yards per attempt last, and their top option, James Conner, signed with the Cardinals. Harris fills a huge need for Pittsburgh and should give Ben Roethlisberger some relief knowing there’s a true RB1 in the backfield.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Barmore, DT, University of Alabama
The Jaguars had a bottom three offense and defense last year. They took a generational talent at quarterback, so now, it’s time to focus on the defense. They drafted cornerback C.J. Henderson and edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson in the first round last year. This year, they go interior defensive line to strengthen their defense. Barmore isn’t just a run-stuffing tackle. He had eight sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 11 games last year.
26. Cleveland Browns: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, University of Texas
Cleveland added some players to their defensive line, but besides Myles Garrett, no one really jumps off the page. They added Takkarist McKinley and Jadeveon Clowney, but they need more. Ossai is a bit raw, but with some development, he could be a nice player to pair up with Garrett.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Kadarius Toney, WR, University of Florida
Pitts is not the only Florida pass catcher to go in the first round. The Ravens could use some extra help at wide receiver. Their leading wide receiver last year was Marquise Brown, who only recorded 769 yards.
28. New Orleans Saints: Zaven Collins, LB, University of Tulsa
The Saints linebacking core took some hits this offseason. They no longer have Alex Anzalone, Kwon Alexander or Craig Robertson. Collins is a nice piece to pair with Demario Davis. H
e is a good tackler and has great range.
29. Green Bay Packers: Samuel Cosmi, OT, University of Texas
The Packers lost center Corey Linsley in free agency and released right tackle Rick Wagner, leaving two spots on the offensive line open. There are different ways the Packers can go with this pick, such as wide receiver, cornerback or defensive line, but Aaron Rodgers had arguably his best career year with one of, if not his best offensive line ever.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State University
The Bills defense was middle of the pack in 2020 despite being second in 2019. Although the team recorded a respectable 38 sacks, no one on the team had more than five. Oweh is still raw and a bit of a project, but Head Coach Sean McDermott is a respectable coach who gets a lot out of his players on both sides of the ball.
31. Baltimore Ravens (from Kansas City Chiefs): Joe Tryon, EDGE, University of Washington
Many people might expect Baltimore to go offensive line here after trading Orlando Brown to the Chiefs, but the Ravens need help at defensive line after the losses of Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue. I believe they address offensive line later in the draft or from within.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Levi Onwuzurike, DL, University of Washington
This one is very tough to predict because the reigning Super Bowl champions don’t really have a weakness, and their front office did a great job of bring back almost everyone from last year’s
Photo Courtesy of the NFL
