1. panthers: cj stroud

QB • Ohio State

There was no better combine passing performance this year than Stroud’s in Indy. There was no better on-field passing performance than Stroud’s in Atlanta. He’s not perfect, but his ability to move the pocket, layer the football, and dissect even the best defenses he’s faced makes him an ideal fit for Frank Reich, and a sure thing to go first overall.

2. texans: bryce young

QB • Alabama

What a dream scenario here. The guy many believe Carolina originally traded up for, and the guy many believe Houston covets, falls into their lap at second overall. Young’s size is worth noting, but it certainly hasn’t hampered him to this point, and he’ll get the luxury of playing behind and improving line with a strong ground game in Houston.

3. cardinals: will anderson

ED • Alabama

Sure, they could trade out of this spot, but why? Is extra draft capital worth more than landing one of the surest things in this class? Anderson didn’t test off the charts in Indy, but he’s been the best edge defender in college football for at least two seasons, and his 10-yard split (1.61) is faster than Von Miller (1.62) and Khalil Mack (1.64).

4. colts: anthony richardson

QB • Florida

Indy is going quarterback, and with Arizona staying put , they get their choice of the two high-ceiling, low-floor guys. I like Richardson considering he’s wildly unique traits pair nicely with a new head coach who coordinated Jalen Hurts to a near MVP season and Super Bowl berth. Will Levis has the same limitations, with slightly lower upside.

5. seahawks: calijah kancey

IDL • Pitt

I think this is a strong trade-out spot, but as Will Levis apparently continues to take hits to his draft stock (he’ll still go Round 1), maybe the 5 spot becomes less attractive. In this scenario, Seattle stays put and does the most Seattle thing ever by drafting an undersized but incredibly productive and high-motor player with great agility to juice their D-line.

6. lions: jalen carter

IDL • Georgia

Everyone is focused on Dan Campbell calling his newfound info about Jalen Carter “interesting.” I’m focused on what he said before that about film and coaches having the greatest impact on his view of a prospect’s football character. Carter would join a strong locker room, with excellent coaching, and would be a damn steal for the Lions here.

7. raiders: tyree wilson

ED • Texas Tech

The Raiders netted 27 sacks last season and only six interceptions. That’s it. With Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones coming off the edge. Think Josh McDaniels and DC Patrick Graham will be ok standing pat after that? In Wilson, the Raiders get a younger version of Jones, who can add some juice across from Crosby while learning from a doppelganger.

8. falcons: lukas van ness

ED • Iowa

Great season, Atlanta, you’re drafting eighth again. That’s what happens when you spend your first two top 10 picks on a tight end and a receiver. Now’s the time to buck that trend and actually look at positional value. Van Ness isn’t perfect, but he’s an amazing athlete, and I’m betting he’ll remind new DC Ryan Neilsen of Cam Jordan.

9. bears: christian gonzalez

CB • Oregon

Look, I get that the situations at RT, DE, and IDL are less than ideal, and the corner group this year is deep. But I have a hard time seeing Gonzalez getting out of the top 10, and it’s not like Chicago has world-beaters manning the outside right now. CBs with this length and raw athleticism don’t come along often. Justin Jefferson comes along 2x a year.

10. eagles: peter skoronski

OT • Northwestern

I believe Skoronski can eventually slide outside despite his lack of ideal length. And for an Eagles team whose offense revolved around front-five strength, making sure there is continuity up front is paramount, even with Pete inside at RG. Lane Johnson aint going anywhere yet, but the Eagles love to stockpile and future-proof their lines.

11. titans: will levis

QB • Kentucky

We’ve actually reached a point where Will Levis is underrated as a prospect. Congrats, morons. He’s far from perfect, and his accuracy issues are real (although totally fixable). But whether you agree or not, his presence helped vault Kentucky(!) into a challenger in the SEC, and I think new GM Ran Carthon wants to get his guy while he can.

12. texans: nolan smith

LB • Georgia

Smith’s injury and UGA’s scheme conspired to keep him off the stat sheet compared to some of his similarly skilled contemporaries, but make no mistake - Smith can be a game wrecker for Demeco Ryans. He has the burst and explosiveness to make a difference as a pass rusher, and he’s wildly underrated in his range and ability to run and cover.

13. jets: paris johnson

OT • Ohio State

If the Jets do manage to lure a quarterback to New Jersey, they’ll need a better group up front. Johnson isn’t a perfect prospect, but he has the length Joe Douglas likes, was rock solid protecting CJ Stroud in 2023, and has the athletic traits to lock down the left side in the event Mekhi Becton can’t stay healty. Again. Can’t put Rodgers behind a turnstile.

14. patriots: brian branch

S • Alabama

Robert Kraft stopped short of holding the entire coaching staff’s jobs hostage, but he made it clear that the playoff run needs to restart now. The Pats always think for themselves in the draft, and although Branch may be best suited for nickel, that’s a huge role that Belichick can fill with an immediate starter here from a familiar program.

15. packers: darnell washington

TE • Georgia

It’ll be hilarious to watch GB finally spend first-round picks on offensive weapons once Aaron Rodgers is no longer in town. Spite aside, the Packers have a gaping hole at TE, and Washington, while far from a finished product, adds a rock-solid blocker for a new quarterback, while possessing freaky talent to turn into his favorite red zone weapon, too.

16. commanders: devon witherspoon

CB • Illinois

I think the concerns around Witherspoon’s size are overblown, but regardless, he could tumble a little bit, and the Commanders are a nice landing spot considering their need for an outside corner if they plan on moving Kendall Fuller back inside. This division suddenly has a wealth of dynamic pass catchers. Witherspoon can lock at least one.

17. steelers: broderick jones

OT • Georgia

Talk about a dream scenario. Pitt stands pat and addresses their biggest need with a top rated offensive tackle. Jones failed to allow a sack for a back-to-back title team, even if he’s only made 19 starts. He’s not perfect, but he’s got all the traits to lock down the left side for years to come. Imagine how mediocre Kenny Pickett can really be now.

18. lions: joey porter jr

CB • Penn State

Haven’t seen this pick anywhere. So it’s probably a damn lock. CB may not be the most immediately pressing need for the Lions, but we don’t know if Jeff Okudah will regress or keep his steady play going, and with DET running so much man coverage under Aaron Glenn, Porter’s frame and stickiness fit the scheme like a glove, as does his pedigree.

19. bucs: darnell wright

OT • Tennessee

For a team a few years removed from a Super Bowl, this roster is weird. Strength at linebacker, receiver, and maybe corner is a strange construction. Holes abound, and there’s not solid answer at QB, but no matter who’s under center, better protection is a must. Tristan Wirfs can move to the left side allowing Wright to step in on the right.

20. seahawks: jaxon smith-njigba

WR • Ohio State

I don’t believe Seattle targeting a WR in the first round, but I do believe they’ll avoid staring at this gift horse’s mouth if he shows up at pick 20. JSN is one of the most underrated prospects, and even if he sticks in the slot for the ‘Hawks, that’s a welcome addition for a team that became too reliant on its top two pass catchers last year.

21. chargers: deonte banks

CB • Maryland

I get the fun of slotting Bijan or a WR here, and Justin Herbert is worthy of the help, but the Chargers didn’t lose in the playoffs because they couldn’t score. They lost because they couldn’t cover or pressure worth a damn in the second half. This division and the NFL’s direction as a whole, dictates the need to do better than Michael Davis as a starting CB.

22. ravens: bijan robinson

RB • Texas

On the other hand… JK Dobbins rounded into form toward the end of the year, but he’s under contract for one more year, and I doubt a big extension is coming. And whether it’s Lamar under center and you want to go nuts with building on a strength, or it’s Tyler Huntley and you need to take the pressure off, Robinson can become a true weapon.

23. vikings: jordan addison

WR • USC

I was shocked when the Vikings didn’t go WR in round one last year. And now that Adam Thielen is gone, they almost have to this year… For Kevin O’Connell’s offense to truly hum, a smooth route running complement to Justin Jefferson is needed. Addison fits the bill, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Minnesota move up the board to grab him if needed.

24. jaguars: anton harrison

OT • Oklahoma

There are needs in the secondary, but the biggest focus should be ensuring Trevor Lawrence can continue his rapid progress by staying upright and on the field. Harrison is wildly underrated as a potential-laden prospect with the athleticism to start on the right side now that Jawaan Taylor is gone and the current plan is… Walker Little.

25. giants: joe tippmann

IOL • Wisconsin

When I heard Deion Sanders had taken the job at CU, I assumed he was coaching at Wisconsin because this place is Center University. No? Not funny? Tough shit. Which is exactly how I’d describe Tippmann. He’s a heady, gritty, plus athlete like all Badgers, and he’ll protect Daniel Jones while maximizing the value of Saquon Barkley’s franchise year.

26. cowboys: adetomiwa adebawore

DL • Northwestern

I don’t know exactly where you play him, but a guy this athletic (4.49 at 280lb!!) who lit the Senior Bowl on fire is going in the first round. Dallas hit hard on another athletic freak in Micah Parsons, and a move like this gives Dan Quinn such incredible flexibility: line Ade up inside and rush Parsons from the edge, or use Parsons off ball and move Ade out.

27. bills: zay flowers

WR • Boston College

The Bills were reportedly in on CMC before he ended up on the west coast, and they’ve been pretty obviously looking for a gamebreaking weapon for a minute now. Wouldn’t rule out an aggressive move up for Bijan Robinson, but in this scenario they find dynamic playmaking ability in the WR room by adding the separation master himself, Mr. Flowers.

28. bengals: michael mayer

TE• Notre Dame

I’m sorry Bengals, this is so boring. A Notre Dame tight end who plays the game “the right way” and won’t wow you with his dynamism, but certainly adds an element to the receiving corps while being fundamentally sound as a blocker. Seriously, he’s a great player, and he may be the perfect overlap between filling a need and taking BPA.

29. saints: bryan bresee

IDL • Clemson

History repeats itself here as the Saints take a great athlete from Clemson with serious concerns around his proclivity for injuries. Bresee moves insanely well for a guy his size, so while you’d love to see New Orleans grab Jahmyr Gibbs as an Alvin Kamara replacement, this D-line has been ravaged in free agency. They need Bresee.

30. eagles: myles murphy

EDGE • Clemson

Once again, the Eagles look to the future of their lines by grabbing a talented pass rusher who can step in for Josh Sweat or Brandon Graham after their current deals expire, which might be after this season. Murphy is a bit of an enigma since we haven’t seen him workout yet, but if he blows those away, he may not even be available here.

31. seahawks: hendon hooker

🚨TRADE🚨 QB • Tennessee

Surprise! The Seahawks are rumored to be interested in moving up from their second round spot, and the chance to grab a developmental passer with a fifth year option is too enticing here. Had Hooker not been injured late in the year, we’d hear more about him as a surefire first rounder. He’ll sit behind Geno until he’s ready. And then he’ll ball.