2. Washington Commanders – QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Draft Grade – 79.9

While I didn’t love the coaching hires for Washinton, they can make up for it here by taking someone who’d be the number-one pick in most drafts. Drake Maye has the physical tools to be one of the few elite QBs in the league. Furthermore, you could even argue he’s a safer pick than Caleb. Coming from North Carolina, he’ll have to get accustomed to an NFL offense. Fortunately, his OC, Kliff Kingsbury will be running a very college-like system. Kingsbury was a disaster of a head coach but wasn’t a bad play designer. He and Maye could be an excellent pairing, and the weapons here will allow Maye to succeed early on. It’s hard to argue with this pick, and I’ll probably continue to mock it throughout the draft season.

3. New England Patriots – WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Draft Grade – 85.3

This pick may come as a surprise for some as I pass up a damn good QB prospect when New England clearly needs one. Well, the plan is to get one in the late first or early second. Neither Michael Penix Jr. nor J.J. McCarthy are true first-rounders in my eyes. Jayden Daniels is worth a top pick, but I don’t see him working out here in New England. Besides the top two QBs, none of the rest I feel confident throwing into a dumpster fire. You aren’t risking your job by spending a top-three pick on a QB if you take one later in the draft. Meanwhile, you can land Marvin Harrison Jr. who is the surest non-RB prospect I’ve ever evaluated.

Harrison Jr. is just different than any other Receiver prospect I’ve seen. I don’t mean he’s this insane freakish athlete, but rather he understands the nuances and complexity of the position like a ten-year vet. For his size, he moves extraordinarily swiftly and he is also a refined route runner. He makes 50-50 balls look easy and expanded upon his game in 2023, becoming a legitimate RAC threat. Pair Harrison with one of those fringe first-round QBs I talked about, and we could see this offense turn around.

4. Arizona Cardinals – WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Draft Grade – 82.3

With many different options on the table, I ultimately went with Malik Nabers, the best player available. The more I watch Nabers, the more I love him. He plays above his size and possesses unreal athletic traits. While I think Deebo Samuel is a player of his own, if anyone can have a similar impact on the game, it’s Nabers. He is aggressive and physical after the catch, and the sky is the limit for him as a route-runner. Kyler Murray could use more weaponry, and Nabers is one of the best weapons to come out from this past decade. If Arizona can get this O-Line patched up, this offense will be more explosive than ever in the Kyler era.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Trade W/ LAC) – QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Draft Grade – 76.6

PIT Acquires: Fifth OVR

LAC Acquries: 20th OVR, 52nd OVR, 2025 First, 2025 Third, Chukwuma Okorafor

There are talks about Pittsburgh bringing in Ryan Tannehill, but if it’s me, I’m being aggressive and trading up to get a potential superstar. Nothing against Tannehill, but that move would doom them into purgatory for a few more seasons. They’ve already been in purgatory long enough, and Daniels might be the guy to get them out. After bringing in Arthur Smith, I couldn’t love this pick enough. Smith loves to use his QB in the run game and get them on the move outside the pocket. That is where Daniels would excel the most. The O-line and receiving talent are all good here, making this a conducive environment for Daniels’ success. You give up a hefty price to do this, but this is the only way I see Pittsburgh having a shot at the Super Bowl.

6. New York Giants – WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Draft Grade – 78.4

I didn’t know who to take here and wanted to trade down. However, no solid trade partners were available, and I could see Rome Odunze having a much-needed impact early on. This team has quite a few Slot/ gadget Receivers but lacks someone to be that true X-Receiver. Odunze has a ton of experience playing on the perimeter and has the skillset they need. His size, speed, and ball skills would open up the passing game dramatically, and you’d begin to see this offense function better. Daniel Jones still has a year before it’s financially feasible to move on from him. That makes me want to wait a year and either make a move for someone or draft a QB next year. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with someone like Odunze.

7. Tennessee Titans – OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

Draft Grade – 80.0

With the top three Receivers off the board, it’s hard to ignore the Tackle position, which was a liability for Tennessee in 2023. The big question is which Tackle to take, as Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu are both available. In this case, I’d rather have Olu, as I want to give Will Levis the best pass protection possible. If you’re unfamiliar with both prospects, Olu is this ultra-refined Tackle who dominates in pass-pro. On the other hand, Alt is a bit more of a mauler and can do a little bit of everything as a blocker. You can’t go wrong with either, but in this situation, Olu makes the most sense. While not the flashiest pick, getting a potential all-pro to help protect your QB is crucial.

8. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Jared Verse, FSU

Draft Grade – 79.9

As Atlanta is in somewhat of an awkward spot to draft a QB, I figured this would be the right team to sign Kirk Cousins on a one-year deal. EDGE has been the one position on defense this team is lacking. By drafting Jared Verse, this defense could go from good to outstanding. Verse is an explosive and feisty pass rusher with exceptional hand usage. He’s one of the players this year that I feel good about not failing. The incremental improvement is evident; those are the players that typically make it in the pros. Even though many people have him as EDGE three, I still think this pick is of solid value.

9. Chicago Bears – TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Draft Grade – 83.1

I could see how Bears fans would be upset with this selection, as Cole Kmet is a decent player already on contract. However, you can get another day-two pick out of Kmet, and Bowers is a massive upgrade. Not only does this save money, but you’re giving Caleb a dynamic group of playmakers to throw to. Shane Waldron should know how to use him to the best of his abilities. Additionally, adding Bowers to the squad will improve the run game more than you would expect. A young offense like Chicago will need someone to help instill physicality into the team, and Bowers could do exactly that.

10. New York Jets – OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Draft Grade – 79.8

I doubt any Jets fan could argue with this pick. Will it actually happen? Likely not, but in this case, Tackle wasn’t what I was looking for in most of these teams. With Rodgers coming back, it’s critical to have, at minimum, an above-average O-Line. Rodgers should be able to throw fine but won’t be capable of moving well at all. Joe Alt would help secure the edges and be a fantastic day-one impact. The good thing about drafting Alt is that he’s one of the few Tackles I feel good about being able to play either side. Alt has a rare floor for being a Tackle, and the Jets luck out to have him available here.

11. Minnesota Vikings – QB Bo Nix, Oregon

Draft Grade – 75.6

Bo Nix has gotten unrightfully criticized for being this check-down Sally QB with an average arm. If you really dig into his film, you’ll see his arm is well above average; he just didn’t get the chance to show it off. Oregon’s offense consisted of many RPOs and screens, which made it seem like Nix was afraid to throw deep. The former Oregon QB, Justin Herbert, even admitted he didn’t know how to read a defense at Oregon. If Nix was able to have as few mistakes as he had with that kind of coaching, I feel confident he can make it work in the pros.

The catch with Nix is that he needs a talented surrounding core with a high-end play-caller to have success. Fortunately, Minnesota is an excellent spot for him, as he’d have Justin Jefferson and a remarkable Tackle duo. You could argue Nix will never be much better than Kirk Cousins, but ultimately, if you get him on a rookie deal, it’s well worth it to take him outside the top ten.

12. Denver Broncos – CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Draft Grade – 81.0

You may be wondering why Denver isn’t taking a QB here, and that’s because I’d rather have Justin Fields for a second-rounder over any of the QBs left. Fields isn’t the perfect QB to pair with Sean Payton, but I’d trust he can make it work. That allows them to invest in defense where inconsistencies were a prevalent factor. Outside of Pat Surtain II, this team doesn’t have another decent Corner. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a lengthy and fluid Corner that excels in press-man coverage. He’s the definition of a plug-in-play prospect at a crucial position. I also think his upside is being slept on. Even though he doesn’t have this blazing long speed, he makes up for it by dominating in press coverage. This pick would establish one of the best young Corner duos in the league while you also potentially find an answer at QB.

13. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon

Draft Grade – N/A

I wanted to go QB, but I don’t like the value in this area. Unfortunately, the best option is to rebuild with a veteran like Tannehill, or maybe you land Michael Penix Jr. in the second. Either way, I would try to blow up this roster and start fresh. Taliese Fuaga would give Las Vegas the legitimate Tackle duo they’ve desperately needed for years. Kolton Miller has been one of the best Left Tackles for a while, but they’ve needed a new Right Tackle. I still haven’t watched film on Fuaga, but from the people I trust, he seems like a true first-round talent. Luke Getsy and whoever the QB may be will surely appreciate a draft pick like this.

14. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Draft Grade – 77.8

I don’t have faith Isaiah Foskey is the long-term answer, and Cam Jordan is a shell of himself. That makes EDGE a significant need for New Orleans, and Laiatu Latu is the kind of day-one impact you look for in the mid-first. While his potential is lacking, he is among the surest prospects available this year. Latu killed it at the senior bowl, showing off moves only pro vets typically make. His pass rush win rate at UCLA was also off-the-charts. He needs to clean up his tackling, but besides that, you feel confident he’ll succeed. I understand offense should be a priority, but no good Left Tackles are available, and the best weapons are gone.

15. Indianapolis Colts – CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Draft Grade – 79.4

I initially went with Armarius Mims but changed my mind to Terrion Arnold. While Armarius Mims would be nice, Corner is more of a liability currently, and Arnold is well worth a top-15 pick. The former Safety is still a bit raw and inexperienced, but I love the culture Shane Steichen has established here. He should have no trouble developing into a true number-one Corner in this Seattle Three defense. Arnold may have struggled in cover three at Alabama, but he has the tools to improve there. Additionally, he boasted an elite run defense grade in 2023. Chris Ballard loves to take highly athletic players, and Arnold is essentially that in a position of need.

16. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

Draft Grade – 77.6

This Seattle defense underperformed in 2023, and the lack of pressure from the EDGEs had much to do with that. Boye Mafe was surprisingly a stud last year, and Dallas Turner would be a solid counterpart. If he turns out to have good length, this is a potential superstar we’re talking about. He’s your prototypical undersized but insanely explosive and bendy pass rusher. With reports that he runs in the 4.4s, it’s easy to see why fans love his upside. You just can’t expect Turner to be a good run defender, but in this 3-4 system, he’s the ideal EDGE. While Turner is a bit of a risky prospect, I could see a world where he turns this defense around.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – OC Jackson Powers-Johnson

Draft Grade – 77.1

Jacksonville hasn’t had a quality Center in a while, and they have a prime opportunity to fix that here. Jackson Powers-Johnson isn’t your typical first-round Center, as he’s rather large and is more powerful than athletic. He’s more of a throwback player, but that will work for what Jacksonville is trying to accomplish. Even if when they run wide-zone, he still has plenty of athleticism to block at the second level. He’s one of the biggest risers from the senior bowl, and his film was nearly as impressive. The O-Line significantly hindered this offense’s success, and getting Powers-Johnson would make this offense run much more smoothly.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – OT JC Latham, Alabama

Draft Grade – 78.0

JC Latham is precisely what a team like Cincinnati needs, who’s trying to compete for Super Bowls. Latham is a pro-ready player who can help keep Burrow on the field. He has an exceptional anchor and thrives in the zone-run game. With frightening size and power, he can develop into a dominant gap scheme run blocker. Over the past two years, Latham has only allowed 26 pressures on nearly 1000 pass-blocking reps. Getting him in the building will lower the amount of hits Burrow will take. Cincinnati paid big-time for a Left Tackle, and now they can draft big-time on the other side.

19. Los Angeles Rams – OT Armarius Mims, Georgia

Draft Grade – 76.6

LA is in a situation where it’s a vital option to go down many different routes. It was tempting to go with Corner, but Armarius Mims could easily be an elite Tackle in this offense down the road. He’s still very raw, but this culture has gotten immense development out of young players under Sean McVay. Mims, at 6’7″, 340 lbs, has a chiseled frame and possesses displacing power. What makes Mims such a high-upside prospect is his get-off and kick-slide. He has the movement skills you typically see in 300 lb O-Linemen. With Rob Havenstein aging and an out in his contract this year, it makes the most sense to keep this O-Line afloat when you have the opportunity.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (Trade W/ PIT) – DI Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Draft Grade – 79.1

PIT Acquires: Fifth OVR

LAC Acquries: 20th OVR, 52nd OVR, 2025 First, 2025 Third, Chukwuma Okorafor

While Chargers fans may be disappointed to see them trade down this far, this is a massive win. You acquire a bunch of draft capital and still get one of the guys I was considering at five. LA had an abysmal interior run defense in 2023. Jer’Zhan Newton may seem like a pass-rush specialist considering his size, but he’s surprisingly a stud-run defender. He’s fallen down draft boards, but I still view him as a true first-rounder. It’s challenging to find a two-way three-tech with his type of upside. Getting a potential star defensive player and a bunch of picks to fill in the margins will allow Harbaugh to make a rapid turnaround.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Trade W/ MIA) – WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Draft Grade – 78.0

TB Acquires: 21st OVR, 2025 Fourth

MIA Acquires: 26th OVR, 89th OVR

With Mike Evans as a free agent, it is necessary to trade up past these other teams to get a Receiver like Brian Thomas Jr. Baker will need all the help he can get now that Dave Canales is gone. Thomas Jr. is an unreal athlete at 6’4″, 205 lbs, and could be the perimeter threat they need. With his size and explosiveness, he could potentially develop one of the best release packages in the NFL. Thomas Jr. needs to improve his route running, but from day one, you’re still getting a stud-deep threat. He was second in deep yards and third in deep catches in the 2023 season. That was also against SEC competition. It doesn’t take much to make this trade happen, and it allows Tampa to save money by not re-signing Mike Evans.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Draft Grade – N/A

As Darius Slay regressed in 2023 and is aging, it would be wise to invest in Corner while someone like Quinyon Mitchell is available. Mitchell is one of those Corners who can play in a variety of schemes which makes him ideal for this balanced defense. Vic Fangio loves quarters and cover six but also mixes up the schemes more than all of his disciples do. That is where Mitchell should be able to flourish. Moreover, he’s a physical player who’ll help in the run game. He’s another player who had an excellent day at the Senior Bowl. Even though I haven’t watched his film yet, people I trust have vouched for this guy. The plan is to play him in the Slot from day one and eventually have him step outside, putting this defense in a decent position to bounce back.

23. Houston Texans – WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Draft Grade – 76.8

It’s hard not to mock a Receiver to Houston consistently, and that’s just because I feel Stroud deserves better. Nico Collins dramatically broke onto the scene, and Tank Dell looks promising. However, they’re still lacking that other perimeter threat, and that’s what Keon Coleman can be. Coleman has the size and athleticism to be a highly effective number two option outside, especially in this offense. If you haven’t already, look up his highlight reel, as it’s filled with incredible contested catches. His ball-winning ability on the outside is already borderline elite, which would take this offense up a notch.

24. Dallas Cowboys – CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Draft Grade – 78.4

Nate Wiggins probably should’ve gone higher than this, but I don’t think Dallas fans could complain about this pick. Wiggins is a lengthy and athletic Corner who’d be perfect in this scheme. Mike Zimmer was recently hired to replace Dan Quinn, and he should use a lot of press-man if I remember correctly. Wiggins ran a ton of that at Clemson and excelled doing so. With long arms and phenomenal recovery speed, he’s built for that defensive style. He only allowed 44% of his targets to be completed and was only targeted 41 times. Last year, Dallas improved the interior D-Line, and now it’s time to strengthen the back half of this defense.

25. Green Bay Packers – SA/ CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Draft Grade – 78.2

Picking for Green Bay was tough, as I genuinely have no clue what kind of defensive scheme they’ll run. Tackle was a strong consideration, but I feel good about the upcoming free agents in that position. Cooper DeJean could play in the Slot and is somewhat of a scheme-proof player. The Slot defender position has been a liability for Green Bay, and DeJean very well might be the next version of Kyle Hamilton. I push back on the top-ten hype for DeJean since I don’t view him as an outside Corner. However, if you can get one of the league’s best Nickels in the late first, you do it. Plus, down the road, you could certainly use him as a Safety.

26. Miami Dolphins – IOL Graham Barton, Duke

Draft Grade – N/A

TB Acquires: 21st OVR

MIA Acquires: 26th OVR, 89th OVR

The value wasn’t pleasing at 21, and Miami could use extra day-two capital. What I love about this pick is that he can play Guard or Center on day one and kick outside when Armstead goes down. With excellent feet and quickness, he fits what Miami looks for in O-Linemen. He thrived blocking in the zone-running game and also graded out well in true pass-sets. Barton doesn’t appear to be a true first-rounder, mainly due to his lack of length, but you traded down, and it’s the late first now. Miam’s offense is as explosive as can be, and getting Barton in the building will allow them to play more efficiently.

27. Arizona Cardinals – DI Byron Murphy II, Texas

Draft Grade – N/A

Byron Murphy II is a player I can’t wait to evaluate, as I’ve heard people I trust rave about him. You could argue he’s a true first-rounder as he’s an effective three-down player at a position that’s growing in value. Additionally, this class doesn’t have much top-end talent at this position, making someone like Murphy II even more valuable. From what I’ve heard, he can play anywhere from nose to 4i on the D-Line. He has the size and power to hold down the interior in run defense and the quickness to rush the passer. The fact he made Bruce Feldmen’s freak list should show you this man has potential. Arizona’s D-Line might be the most significant weak spot any team has heading into the off-season, and they have the chance to fix that here.

28. Buffalo Bills – LB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State

Draft Grade – N/A

I don’t know much about Payton Wilson besides that he’s big, athletic, and killed in coverage throughout the 2023 season. He reportedly ran a 4.50 forty time and stands at 6’4″, 238 lbs. In coverage, Payton allowed zero TDs and recorded three picks while having a 47.2 passing rating while targeted his way. If those stats don’t indicate a dominant coverage Linebacker, then I don’t what will. The question is will that translate to the pros? I’ll soon be diving into that, but for now it makes sense to take him in Buffalo’s position. Since losing Tremaine Edmunds, they’ve needed that bigger presence over the middle to be a two-way player. Wilson can be that and might have the potential to be even better than Edmunds.

29. New England Patriots (Trade W/ DET) – QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Draft Grade – 74.4

NE Acquires: 29th OVR

DET Acquires: 34th OVR, 136th OVR, 2025 Fourth

New England obviously needs a QB, as Mac Jones took a dump on this team last year. It may seem silly to pass on Jayden Daniels and trade up here, but I believe they need someone like Harrison Jr. to help with the young QB. Pairing those two players together may lead to success on offense. It’s not a guarantee with McCarthy since he’s still unrefined in many areas. However, I feel the combination of Harrison Jr. and McCarthy is their best bet. McCarthy has the athleticism to be used in the run game and has a stellar arm. If you sit him for a year and have him start in 2025 with even more additions, I could easily see this working out.

30. Baltimore Ravens – WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Draft Grade – 77.9

This pick is a bit redundant with Zay Flowers already on the team, but you have to remember Ladd McConkey played under Todd Monken, and he’ll know exactly how to use him. Despite the fact Flowers is undersized, I feel good about him on the perimeter. That would allow McConkey to play mostly in the Slot where he’s at his best. McConkey will immediately be one of the best route runners in the NFL and is a high-IQ player. For a team trying to win a Super Bowl, you want day-one impacts, and that’s what McConkey is. As he doesn’t have elite long speed and doesn’t have the best catch radius, his upside is limited, but he’ll still pay dividends for this team quickly.

31. San Francisco 49ers – OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Draft Grade – N/A

Trent Williams could very well retire soon, and the Right Tackle spot was somewhat of a weakness for San Francisco. Guyton is a very raw but highly gifted athlete and made an excellent impression at the Senior Bowl. He’s the type of Tackle Shanahan would feel good about bringing in to try and mold. At 6’7″, Guyton showed off a terrific anchor at the Senior Bowl, and the explosiveness is all there. He struggled in true pass sets which will be a massive learning curve for him, but this is the right culture where he can learn and develop. Assuming Trent doesn’t retire, he can learn a thing or two from him and eventually be his successor.