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. raiders: will levis

🚨TRADE🚨 QB • Kentucky

Brian Hoyer is Josh McDaniels’ top pick as a mentor for a young developmental passer, and it’s pretty damn interesting that Hoyer was signed by Vegas just one day after Will Levis met with the Raiders for a private workout. McDaniels decided to draft Tim Tebow immediately following his own private workout. Raiders are prepping for a passer.

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: will anderson

ED • Alabama

A trade back is no longer coming with all four QBs gone, so guess who gets the next best thing. Seattle lucks into a dream scenario, grabbing their likely top target at fifth overall, and enriching a lackluster pass rush with one of the surest things in this class. Anderson fits the Seattle mold that made their 2022 class so immediately successful.

6. lions: tyree wilson

ED • Texas Tech

I keep going back and forth on Jalen Carter here, and I’m not ruling it out, but the more I listen to the Lions, and the more I dig into the type of player Brad Holmes has targeted at the top thus far, the more Wilson fits, with his somewhat raw but incredible upside, ability to affect the defensive line from more than one spot, and his passion for the game.

7. cardinals: christian gonzalez

🚨TRADE🚨 CB • Oregon

New GM Monti Ossenfort was part of the Titans leadership who swung and missed hard on Isaiah Wilson, a talented UGA prospect who came with off the field baggage… So Carter is out here. He also tried to grab a big athletic corner in Caleb Farley, who hasn’t been able to overcome injuries. Here he gets that pick right with a healthy Gonzalez.

8. falcons: myles murphy

ED • Clemson

Murphy could be the pick for either Detroit or Arizona ahead of this spot, but I doubt he’ll get past Atlanta if he makes it here. I’ve said this about all Falcons picks to this point, and it holds true here - new DC Ryan Nielsen has great experience molding DL, and he needs more rushers in ATL. Murphy could remind him of Cam Jordan.

9. bears: peter skoronski

OT • Northwestern

Yeah, Skoronski has short arms, and maybe he does move inside, but I’m of the belief that he can play tackle. The Bears signed a guy who has only ever played RG, have Cody Whitehair probably moving back to center, and probably don’t want Teven Jenkins moving back outside. Skoronski can step in at RT or LG early.

10. eagles: jalen carter

IDL • Georgia

Daniel Jeremiah ruined the surprise on the Pat McAfee show, saying that Carter’s agent’s decision to decline interviews with non-top-10 teams means someone has given him a “guarantee” that he won’t slip beyond them. I agree with DJ, it’s likely the Eagles, who have a strong locker room and a thirst for pass rushers up front.

11. titans: darnell wright

OT • Tennessee

Wright looks like a perfect fit in Tennessee, as a big body mauler who stoned CFB’s greatest pass rusher and has one of the lowest blown block rates in the class. Nicholas Petit-Frere was a disaster last year, and while he’s young, he lacks the polish and the upside of Wright. With Andre Dillard on the left, Wright gives this team two potential bookends.

12. texans: lukas van ness

ED • Iowa

This team has a budding young secondary and offensive line, so this pick comes down to receiver or DL. Van Ness is exactly the type of prospect DeMeco Ryans needs up front on the defensive side of the ball, and although he’s not a finished product, he has immense potential, scheme versatility, and the ability to line up wide or slide in on passing downs.

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: nolan smith

ED• Georgia

Always fun trying to predict the Pats. Smith doesn’t seem to fit the mold of NE edges at first glance, but he compares favorably to Josh Uche and is a much better athlete. Plus, he brings a headiness and field general capability that may be missing after the recent departures of Dont’a Hightower and Devin McCourty. He can play all over in this scheme.

15. packers: jaxon smith-njigba

WR • Ohio State

I can’t get over the belief that the Packers will absolutely draft a pass-catcher now that Aaron Rodgers is gone. They have strong young players in second year guys Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, and Smith-Nijgba’s skill set would fit perfectly alongside them in the slot. Spite aside, this team needs more weapons for their new quarterback.

16. commanders: broderick jones

OT • Georgia

Ron Rivera has taken a “we’re gonna do us even if it means I’m not here next year” stance, but I still believe he’s looking for guys who can help immediately. OTs tends to get on the field quickly, and while Jones is somewhat raw, he has incredible athletic ability. If Sam Howell is going to succeed, he’ll need a better group of blockers.

17. chargers: bijan robinson

🚨TRADE🚨 RB • Texas

I just don’t believe anyone I guess. Both sides have said they’re open to a renewed commitment, but I don’t see Austin Ekeler playing in LA next year. In that case, the Chargers jump at the chance to snare a falling Robinson, who brings some of the same versatility as Ekeler in a much bigger, stronger package. Get a cheap, all-world RB, LA.

18. lions: michael mayer

TE • Notre Dame

I do believe Detroit may be targeting Robinson if he falls, so it makes sense that LA would jump them if they can. That leaves the Lions looking at offensive help in another weak spot - TE. Mayer is a bit of a throwback player, who can line up in line and do more damage than you’d expect as a receiver. He’s a football player, and his personality and traits fit the Lions mold under Brad Holmes.

19. bucs: calijah kancey

IDL • Pitt

This roster is awful. But, if there is one area the Bucs can lean into to hope that young players continue to develop and create a strength, it’s defensive line. Kancey’s force as an interior rusher fits nicely alongside Vita Vea, with Joe Tryon and Logan Hall on the edges. Rebuild or compete, a strong DL is a nice starting spot, and gives them at least some hope in 2023.

20. jaguars: devon witherspoon

🚨TRADE🚨 CB • Illinois

Getting trade happy now. I love Witherspoon, but someone is going to fall, and if it’s him, then I fully expect a team to move up to grab him. The Jags need help in their secondary, and Witherspoon can play across coverages, but the zone responsibilities he’d see in Jacksonville fit his greatest strengths - click and close, read and react, affect the ball.

21. steelers: joey porter jr

🚨TRADE🚨 CB • Penn State

The Steelers were previously one of the easiest teams to predict in the draft, but with a new GM, who knows how they’ll behave. I hate dropping a consensus pick this late, and the legacy angle is tired, in my opinion. But regardless, Porter is an awesome press corner who fits the mold no matter what his last name is. If he’s available, hard to see them passing.

22. texans: quentin johnston

🚨TRADE🚨 WR • TCU

In a draft with four QBs potentially going 1-2-3-4, some good players are going to fall, and that means trades. The Texans have more draft capital than anyone this year, and I expect them to use it as top rated guys at other positions fall. Johnston needs work on his hands and high-pointing, but he’s a terror after the catch, and has some Deebo to his game.

23. vikings: jordan addison

WR • USC

Really hard to decide exactly who will be the WR pick here, but I do believe it’ll be a WR. This offense cannot function properly with no one to take advantage of the open field provided by Justin Jefferson’s attention gravity. Addison is an amazing route runner and his precision will get him on the field early where he’ll take advantage of having an All-Pro running mate.

24. seahawks: josh downs

🚨TRADE🚨 WR • Josh Downs

Now the run on receivers is really getting going. Downs and Zay Flowers get conflated, but I believe Downs has more precision in his routes, and his traits match a lot of what Seattle looks for in receivers (short area quickness, toughness over the middle, precision). Can’t have another season of no WR3 on this team if they want Geno’s success to continue.

25. chiefs: zay flowers

🚨TRADE🚨 WR • Boston College

You just won the Super Bowl and you’re hosting the draft - make some noise. I don’t see the Chiefs letting fan excitement dictate their draft, but they could use some reinforcements here after losing JJSS and Mecole Hardman, and Flowers can literally line up anywhere and run any route you throw at him. He’ll be a fun weapon if they can land him.

26. cowboys: brian branch

NB • Alabama

Dallas spent more time in nickel than all but one team, and their current starter there is Jourdan Lewis, who has one year left if he’s not cut first. If you’re going to spend this much time in nickel, there is no better prospect in this class to help your secondary. Branch isn’t an all world athlete, but he’ll thrive in this role, and give the Cowboys another year of dominant D.

27. seahawks: hendon hooker

🚨TRADE🚨 QB • Tennessee

If the Bills really are targeting Jack Campbell, then there’s no reason to reach for him here. Drop back, pick up assets, and let someone else pay a Round 1 premium. As for Seattle, surprise! They forgo moving up for a QB in the top 4 to aggressively move up for Hooker, who can sit behind Geno and take over in a year or two, with a 5th year option.

28. bengals: dalton kincaid

TE• Utah

I think they would prefer Mayer, but they don’t often move around the board in Round 1, so they sit and wait to see which of a deep group of TEs falls into their lap. Corner is a major consideration here with Emmanuel Forbes and Deonte Banks on the board, but Joe Burrow is excellent at using his tight ends, and they have nothing at the position.

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: deonte banks

CB • Maryland

After grabbing DL help early, the Eagles can turn their attention to other impending holes with pick 30. An edge like Will McDonald or Felix Anudike-Uzomah makes sense, too, but Banks is an all world athlete with extreme scheme flexibility, which will give the Eagles the option to move on from Darius Slay or James Bradberry sooner than later if needed.

31. giants: joe tippmann

🚨TRADE🚨 • 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.