- Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, USC, QB, Junior
A | For a year, QB Caleb Williams has been slated to go number one overall in this draft, and if not number one, then at least the first quarterback taken. He’s everything you could want in a franchise QB. He has a rocket arm, the ability to move in and out of the pocket, elite improvisation skills, and can make plays on and off schedule. In terms of value, there is none. He’s the best player in the draft, and he’s being drafted as such. If you’re the Bears, this is the biggest home run you can possibly hit.2
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, Senior
B- | It’s been a long time coming for the 2023 Heisman winner. Starting as a freshman at Arizona State University, QB Jayden Daniels’ development throughout his college career is nothing short of impressive. He’s one of the best runners in this class as a QB, and he has great accuracy to boot. The B- comes from the other QB on the board, Drake Maye, who I think has a much higher ceiling than Daniels. Regardless, Daniels is a great player whose development has been fun to watch.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB, Sophomore (RS)
A | After a plethora of teams trying to move up to this pick, the Pats stay pat and take QB Drake Maye. As a prospect, Maye is one of the best in this class. While he’s not a finished product and has much to learn, he has one of the highest ceilings out of anyone in this class. If Maye can reach that ceiling, New England will have their franchise QB for many years to come.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, WR, Junior
A | No one is happier than GM Monti Ossenfort when he’s able to stick and pick the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner. Simply put, WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the best receiver prospects to come out of college in a decade. He has the size, strength, speed, toughness, and football IQ to become an all-time type of receiver. Arizona doesn’t have a legit WR1 on their roster, so Harrison Jr. can come in and immediately be that alpha receiver. Don’t be surprised if he ends up in the same spot as his dad, in Canton.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, Notre Dame, T, Junior
A- | For a month or two now, many have expected the Chargers to trade back from this spot to allow another team to select a certain Michigan QB. In reality, HC Jim Harbaugh is more than happy to stick at number five and give QB Justin Herbert even more protection with the addition of T Joe Alt. He has surprising movement skills at his massive 6 ‘9, 321 lbs frame, and, paired with fellow tackle Rashawn Slater, they will be one of the best tackle duos in the NFL.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, LSU, WR, Junior
A- | The Giants are seemingly sticking with QB Daniel Jones with this selection. WR Malik Nabers brings immense explosiveness and twitchiness to a receiving room that doesn’t have much of that. His elite change of direction and questionable physicality lends him to becoming more of a slot WR, but don’t be surprised if he plays more of an X role in New York.
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, Alabama, T, Junior
D | This is a reach to me. With tackles like Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, and others still on the board, going with T JC Latham here doesn’t make much sense. Don’t get me wrong, Latham is a good prospect. At 6’5, 342 lbs, he’s a massive human being, incredibly hard to move, and has a sturdy base. But, I see Latham as more of a guard in the league and the Titans are going to try him at tackle. Prove me wrong Latham, prove me wrong.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB, Senior
F | Wow! In the biggest shocker of night one, the Falcons selected QB Michael Penix Jr. to be the successor to QB Kirk Cousins. You start scratching your head when you remember that Atlanta gave Cousins a four-year, 180-million-dollar contract this offseason. To go even further, Penix Jr. will be 24 on May 8. If Cousins plays out his contract, Penix Jr. won’t get the chance to play until he’s 28. Even if Cousins doesn’t play out the entirety of his contract, Penix Jr. will be getting the reins to this offense on the wrong side of 25. Of course, Penix Jr. is a great player, but I’m utterly surprised by this move and I can’t find a reason for it.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, Washington, WR, Senior
A+ | Another Washington player comes off the board when the Bears step up to the podium and pick WR Rome Odunze. He’s one of the top eight players in this draft and gives new Chicago Bear QB Caleb Williams a WR room of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and now Rome Odunze to work with. If that’s not setting up your quarterback for success, I’m not sure what is.
10. TRADE | Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, QB, Junior
C+ | Minnesota trades up just one spot with the Jets to secure the selection of the 2024 National Champion, J.J McCarthy. With the departure of QB Kirk Cousins, the Vikings desperately needed to get their long-term option at QB, and they hope McCarthy can be just that. I understand trading up one spot to get him, but for such an unknown like McCarthy, I would’ve kept the capital and hope he lasted one pick more.
11. TRADE | New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, Penn State, T, Junior (RS)
B+ | After collecting tackles Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith this offseason, the Jets go back to the tackle well and select T Olu Fashanu. He can sit behind those two tackles, learn, and eventually take the reigns at either right or left tackle. It’s a great situation for Fashanu and a smart pick by the Jets.
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon, QB, Senior
B- | For the first time ever, six QBs have gone in the first 12 picks of an NFL Draft. For the last pick of those picks, QB Bo Nix is heading to Denver. While a slight reach, I understand taking him here. If you try to wait for him to drop/trade back up later, you risk not being able to get one of the top six QBs in this class. Denver needed a QB and got their QB with this pick.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE, Junior
C | Another surprise comes when the Raiders select TE Brock Bowers from Georgia. After drafting TE Michael Mayer last year, it’s going to be a full TE room in Vegas, and I’m not sure how either TE will be able to garner the receptions that they deserve. Regardless, Bowers is a top-ten prospect in this class and makes this offense better on day one.
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, T, Junior (RS)
A- | By far, the Saints’ biggest need is tackle, so taking T Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State is a no-brainer for them. Fuaga is a mauler in the run-blocking game and a solid pass-blocker as well. While this doesn’t fix all of the Saints’ offensive line problems, it goes a long way to improve it.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, UCLA, ED, Senior
B- | The first defensive player finally comes off the board when the Colts select the UCLA ED, Laiatu Latu. After medically retiring a few years ago, Latu has had a long road to get to this position. Latu was able to get back here through his incredible polish as a pass rusher and his great hands when attacking offensive linemen. While the Cots may have had more pressing needs, Latu is a good pick.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, Texas, DI, Junior
B | With the first draft selection of new HC Mike Macdonald, he goes defense with the selection of DI Byron Murphy II. He’s incredibly explosive and athletic as a pass-rusher and pairs nicely with fellow interior defensive lineman, Leonard Williams. Watch out NFC East QBs.
17. TRADE | Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Turner, Alabama, ED, Junior
A- | With the second trade of the first round, it’s the Vikings again moving up. This time, they move up for the athletic freak from Alabama, ED Dallas Turner. After the loss of ED Danielle Hunter in free agency, this pick immediately fills a need for Minnesota. Yes, having to give up a bit of capital to get him stings, but he can develop into the type of impact player where it’s worth every penny.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, Georgia, T, Junior
A- | While the Bengals already have tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown in town, adding T Amaruis Mims is still a great choice. Mims won’t be fully ready to go on day one, so being able to sit behind fellow mountain-size tackles is great for him. For the Bengals, Mims has the chance to develop into an All-Pro tackle, and this pick is a home run if that happens.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Florida State, ED, Senior
B | This is a strong pick for the Rams, both literally and figuratively. Figuratively, the Rams have big holes in their defensive line and ED Jared Verse fills their DE hole. Literally, Verse brings great strength and power to said defensive line. A good pick for LA.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, Washington, T, Senior
A | This is back-to-back years of the Steelers selecting tackles with their first pick. Last year, they picked T Broderick Jones, this year, it’s T Troy Fautanu. Fautanu has some medical questions but is very effective as a pass-blocker and run-blocker when he’s healthy. His hands have good punch and he’s a plus athlete. If Fautanu can stay healthy, he will have a great NFL career in Pittsburgh.
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, Penn State, ED, Junior
C+ | Speed is the name of Miami’s game, and I guess that’s also true with their defense. ED Chop Robinson has one of the fastest first steps out of any edge that I’ve ever seen and no one in college could stop him because of this. But, the rest of Robinson’s game has some left to be desired. He’s very unpolished and has much to learn, but he has sky-high potential.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, CB, Senior
A+ | This is one of the best picks of the first round, and GM Howie Roseman didn’t have to move an inch. After an amazing Senior Bowl, CB Quinyon Mitchell catapulted himself into the conversation for CB1 of this class. The Eagles’ biggest need was cornerback, so why not be able to draft arguably the best one with your own pick?
23. TRADE | Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU, WR, Junior
B+ | After losing WR Calvin Ridley in the offseason, the Jags used their first pick and gave QB Trevor Lawrence a new speedy weapon in WR Brian Thomas Jr. His unique combo of height and speed gives him the potential to become a legit WR1 in the NFL.
24. TRADE | Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold, Alabama, CB, Sophomore (RS)
A | The hometown team for this year’s draft, the Lions, moved up five spots with the Cowboys to select CB Terrion Arnold from Alabama. This is the third time in three years that GM Brad Holmes has traded up in the first round, and this has the chance to be the best out of all of those picks. Arnold will walk in on day one of training camp and compete for CB1 in Detroit.
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, Arizona, T, Senior
C | The Packers did need another offensive lineman, but T Jordan Morgan is a bit of a reach. I do think he’s a first-round talent, but seeing the versatile C Graham Barton still on the board, it’s hard to stomach not picking him. Regardless, Morgan is a very solid player and upgrades the Packers’ offensive line.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, Duke, C, Senior
A- | In a spot where the Bucs can go in a lot of directions, they go with Barton from Duke. He can play nearly every position on the offensive line, but in Tampa, I see him playing one of the three interior offensive line positions.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, Missouri, ED, Graduate
C+ | The Cardinals have a lot of holes still on their roster, so it’s hard for them to go wrong with their second pick in the first round. With that pick, they go with the massive ED from Missouri, Darius Robinson. While it’s questionable that he went in the first round, he’s an immediate improvement in Arizona.
28. TRADE | Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, Texas, WR, Junior
B+ | I’m not sure I would give this high of a grade for any other team that could’ve taken WR Xavier Worthy in the first round, but the Chiefs have a top-five all-time QB with a rocket-arm, so it’s a little different here. Along with the fact that they already picked up WR Marquise Brown in the offseason, the speed in KC is now unreal.
29. TRADE | Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, T, Junior (RS)
B | After moving back a few spots with the Lions, the Cowboys draft project tackle, Tyler Guyton. He’s another tackle that has incredible tools, he just needs a place to learn and develop. Based on the history of Cowboys’ tackles, Dallas is a good spot for Guyton.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, Clemson, CB, Junior
B+ | With only two CBs gone in the first round, a CB-needy Ravens team had a lot to choose from. They ended up going with CB Nate Wiggins from Clemson. He has great length, speed, and change-of-direction ability. He does have a problem with tackling, but he has all the tools to be a legit lockdown CB1 in the league.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, Florida, WR, Senior
C+ | In a big surprise, the 49ers take a WR with their first pick, that WR being the Florida prospect, Ricky Pearsall. After rumors of San Francisco shopping WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, this makes sense for them. Pearsall brings reliable hands and great shiftiness with him to the Bay.
32. TRADE | Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, South Carolina, WR, Senior
B | The Panthers moved up one spot, from the first pick of the second round to the last pick of the first round, to pick WR Xavier Legette. Legette is a big, outside threat with room to grow as a player. Pair him with QB Byrce Young and they can play off each other and grow together.
