With the first wave of Free Agency, the Scouting Combine, and Pro Days behind us, for the most part, we are now just under a month away from the NFL Draft. With the picture painting itself a bit clearer with each passing day, I took the time to preview what round one of the draft could potentially look like.
I tried to get creative by including possible trade scenarios with realistic draft capital. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Of course, the natural disclaimer of all complaints shall be directed to @ThePhillyBlitz_
Chicago Bears (from Carolina) Round 1 – Pick 1: Caleb Williams (QB) – USC
The Chicago Bears emphatically stated their claim in the QB market with the trade of Justin Fields. They now opt to go with the ultra talented signal caller out of Southern Cal.
A former Heisman Trophy winner and a magician with the football, Williams is a highlight reel play waiting to happen. With recent roster improvements and a reset on the QB rookie contract, the Bears have a chance to right their wrongs and set this QB up for immediate success.
Washington Commanders Round 1 – Pick 2: Drake Maye (QB) – North Carolina
The Commanders recently hired Kliff Kingsbury, who notably brung the Air Raid system to the NFL level, as their offensive coordinator. Much can be made of his success or lack thereof at his previous stop, but the most important thing in this league is QB comfortability.
Maye took a bit of a step back in production this year, due in part to being surrounded by limited talent early on and a change in scheme. It’s no secret Maye set the world on fire as a sophomore and who did he play under during his sophomore year?
Phil Longo who also specializes at the Air Raid offense. Why not put this Uber-talented kid back in his comfort zone?
TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (from New England) Round 1 – Pick 3: J.J. McCarthy – Michigan
Trade details:
NE receives: 11th overall pick, 23rd overall pick, & 2025 first round pick
MIN receives: 3rd overall pick
This was a bit of a panic move on the Vikings part, but let’s just say they had no choice. I’m currently under the impression Minnesota will leave the draft with a QB and they have two specific ones in mind.
- Drake Maye due in part to him having multiple supporters in the building by way of the QB room (QB coach: Josh McCown).
- Johnathan James McCarthy, who is almost a seamless fit in the system.
Clearly at this point they have to offer up a Kings Ransom for the latter, but adding a QB with a 21-1 record as a starter will ease a bit of that.
TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders (from Arizona): Round 1 – Pick 4: Jayden Daniels (QB) – LSU
Trade details:
ARI receives 13th overall pick, 44th overall pick, 112th overall pick, & 2025 first round pick
LV rececives: 4th overall pick
This is a hell of a scenario we’re faced with here. If you’re the Arizona Cardinals heading into the second year of a new regime, there was one thing that you’ve identified this season; yes Kyler Murray is your QB of the future according to Jonathan Gannon, so I guess that’s two.
But this roster was void of talent on both sides of the ball and adding additional compensation not only brightens your future but widens your scope later on.
As for the Raiders, in this instance they would be in a dog fight divisional matchup with the Broncos. Only this time off the playing field, with Denver failing to have the necessary compensation to make the jump, newly hired HC Antonio Pierce is able to reunite with the young man he recruited initially and remains close to.
“I hear my name called on draft day, if I hear my phone ring and it’s AP, I don’t know what I’ll do. We’ll see.” says Daniels. Could this come to fruition?
Los Angeles Chargers: Round 1 – Pick 5: Marvin Harrison Jr (WR) – Ohio State
Surely we’ve all heard Jim Harbaugh’s 3 minute rant on the importance of the offensive line. If you haven’t here it is:
Despite all of which has been said and all of what we know about Harbaugh’s philosophy, we all just watched the Chargers part ways with multiple very talented wide receivers.
Sure, the team added Quentin Johnston in the first round last year foreseeing these circumstances, yet one does not equal two. That’s the same number of receivers they lost.
Jim is a smart guy and knows if the best player in the class is available for the taking, you take him. Not to mention he’s watched this young man up close for multiple years and knows what he’s capable of. Get Justin Herbert some VALUABLE pass catchers please.
New York Giants: Round 1 – Pick 6: Malik Nabers (WR) – LSU
It was written in the prophecy long before the pro day and dinner with the Giants brass. In fact, look no further than what the Giants brass, who I’d like to believe has shown their hand in terms of a preferred architect at the position, has assembled in their wide receiver room.
In the second round of 2022 draft, the Giants selected Wandale Robinson. The following year in free agency the team added Jamison Crowder, Parris Campbell, and eventually added Cole Beasley.
Assuming both Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll were in lockstep with their prior history together, it seems to be an emphasis on adding players that capitalize on major YAC opportunities. Nabers is the epitome of those traits plus more and should become the focal point of the Giants offense.
Tennessee Titans: Round 1 – Pick 7: Joe Alt (OT) – Notre Dame
This was almost too easy almost as if we’ve spoken on this prior.
“Brian Callahan is quietly doing a phenomenal job of building one of the league’s better coaching staffs. Arguably the most important addition to this unit? His father Bill Callahan, who is widely regarded as one of the premier offensive line coaches across the league. So why not give him a second-generation first-round offensive lineman and arguably the best offensive tackle in the class to work with as he refines this blank canvas?”
A left side that features Alt-Skoronski-Cushenberry should be a major upgrade from last season.
Atlanta Falcons: Round 1 – Pick 8: Dallas Turner (EDGE) – Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons are making a BIG swing; gone are the days of young and under performing QBs. The days of a veteran who has prior experience and success working in this scheme are here!
The Falcons have what it take to make a difference offensively but on the defensive side of the ball they need difference makers. Turner provides plenty of upside that could turn into a major boost for a Falcons pass rush that has been lacking for a while now.
Chicago Bears: Round 1 – Pick 9: Rome Odunze (WR) – Washington
The Bears complete their offensive overhaul, as the missing piece falls right into their lap. After acquiring their franchise QB with the first pick in the draft, they supply him with ANOTHER weapon.
Odunze has massive volume in terms of his route tree, and working along side a route running guru in Keenan Allen should only allow him to get even better in the area. This addition supplies Chicago with the best WR group since the early 2010s and a group of players that can impact the game at all three levels.
New York Jets: Round 1 – Pick 10: Troy Fautanu (T/G) – Washington
If you’re the New York Jets, every move during the offseason starts and ends with protecting Aaron Rodgers. The Jets have made it their business to upgrade the OL with the additions of Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith at the tackle spots.
These additions should be able to fortify the outside for at least one season. Adding a guy like Fautanu, who has inside and outside versatility, gives the Jets an option to project Rodgers from the interior early on. This forms a group that would feature himself, Joe Tippman, and Alijah Vera-Tucker. This while also giving the team a legitimate future option at LT upon the eventual departure of Tyron Smith.
New England Patriots (from Minnesota): Round 1 – Pick 11: Taliese Fuaga (OT) Oregon State
The Patriots just need an influx of talent to this roster. It certainly was an option to take a QB when they were at pick three, but if we’re being honest this roster isn’t ready for a QB yet. They’d either kill his confidence early or would eventually be in position where they have to pay him by the time the roster is ready to compete, which defeats the whole purpose of a QB on a rookie deal.
Instead, the first order of business for New England should be to continue to improve within the trenches. It helps when you start by re-signing the versatile T/G Michael Onwenu.
Adding Fuaga would allow Onwenu to more back to his more natural position at guard, while fortifying the right side of the OL for the foreseeable future.
TRADE Buffalo Bills (from Denver): Round 1 – Pick 12: Quinyon Mitchell (CB) – Toledo
Trade Details:
DEN receives: 28th overall pick, 60th overall pick, and 2025 2nd round pick
BUF receives: 12th overall pick
It was only a matter of time before cornerbacks began going off the board.
The first one comes in a splash as the Buffalo Bills move up to land their CB1. This Bills roster has everything you can ask for, except a legitimate top end cornerback. The team did make a mid-season deal for Rasul Douglas at the trade deadline to try to sure up the position, but Douglas isn’t a number one corner. Quinyon Mitchell changes that.
Yet following the departure of former top dog Tre White, the team is currently slated to trot out Christian Bedford as the starting corner opposite Douglas.
Bedford while a good football player is no Quinyon Mitchell. Buffalo needs to bring some much needed consistency to the room, and Mitchell does that and should fit seamlessly.
Arizona Cardinals (from Las Vegas): Round 1 – Pick 13: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR) – LSU
If the Cardinals are able to come away with a potential WR1 or (at worse) a high end WR2 for Kyler Murray, all while adding MORE draft capital for the second year in a row, surely GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon would say, ‘sign me up for that any day.’
Arizona knows the roster is still a work in progress so the more high end draft assets, the better. The addition of Brian Thomas Jr. would give the Cardinals a legit deep threat which is much needed following the departure of Hollywood Brown.
An offense with Trey McBride and Brian Thomas Jr. would give Murray two massive pass catches who can pressure defenses both in the YAC department and vertically.
New Orleans Saints: Round 1 – Pick 14: Olu Fashanu (OT) – Penn State
The Saints have clear questions at tackle. The team spoke openly about the questions surrounding veteran Ryan Ramczyk’s knee injury and the possibility of him not being medically cleared to play this season.
New Orleans selected Trevor Penning in the first round a few years back in the 2022 NFL Draft and that project hasn’t worked out as well as they would’ve hoped for. The team could use a clear reset at the position.
Adding a guy like Fashanu, who would have been top tackle off the board last year but elected to return to Penn State for his degree, would be just what the doctor ordered in New Orleans.
Fashanu an athletic freak with the measurables to match, possesses the tools you’d want in a bookend tackle.
Indianapolis Colts: Round 1 – Pick 15: Cooper DeJean (CB) – Iowa
The Colts are looking for a player who can play along side JuJu Brents outside and Kenny Moore in the slot. To solidify their secondary, they take the cornerback who I believe is exactly what they’d look for in the position.
I’m not exactly sold on the idea of Cooper DeJean playing solely outside corner, and think he could be scheme specific.
Yet the idea of him in Gus Bradley’s system not only excites me to see how DeJean is deployed. But historically speaking, a lot of his traits translate to what general manager Chris Ballard typically looks for in the position: elite explosiveness, particularly high scores in the vertical jump area, a 6’0+ frame with arms that meet the 32 inch requirement.
Seattle Seahawks: Round 1 – Pick 16: Graham Barton, (T/G/C) – Duke
As the Seahawks move into the next era of football, the offensive line is still an area of concern. Not only are there questions about the interior of this group, but to make matters worse, there is still no timetable for return for tackle Abe Lucas as he continues to deal with knee issues.
Seattle needs to bring in a player that could bring stability at literally every position across the OL, and they get that in Graham Barton.
He began his career at Duke playing center, but made the transition to left tackle for the final three seasons. His arms measure in shorter than the league average which triggers a potential move to guard.
Barton has some of the most beautiful technique in this class. The lack of length may concern some, but he plays the position as it should be played. He’s earned my given nickname the Paul Bearer for a reason, the kid finishes opponents off.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Round 1 – Pick 17: Terrion Arnold (CB) – Alabama
The Jacksonville Jaguars will play so much man coverage this season and we should all be excited to see this development. Last season under Ryan Nielsen, the Atlanta Falcons ran man coverage 63.8% of the time.
If the Jaguars are going to make that same commitment, they should bring in a cornerback that embodies that process. Terrion Arnold possesses the upside that could make him not just the top corner in this class, but potentially a top five player overall when we look back at this group.
Cincinnati Bengals: Round 1 – Pick 18: Brock Bowers (TE) – Georgia
The Bengals can try to play the long game all they want, but at some point they will have to make an inevitable decision regarding Tee Higgins and his pending trade request. Clearly the team must value last year’s selection of Charlie Jones to man the slot because they haven’t made an offer to Tyler Boyd.
The team recently signed Mike Gesicki during free agency so that gives them an option at inline while they use Bowers as a bit of a versatile chess piece offensively.
Over the past two seasons Bowers has played over 400 snaps in the slot, 250+ as an in line tight end, and 130+ snaps aligned as the outside wide receiver.
Bowers could become the next weapon for Joe Burrow, as the Bengals head into life without the big 3.
Los Angeles Rams: Round 1 – Pick 19: Jer’Zhan Newton (IDL) – Illinois
If there’s anything good to take out of the retirement of Aaron Donald if your the Rams, it’s the fact that he (at least) decided to do it in a season where ultra-talented IDL players are not only available in bunches, but one also falls to you.
Early on in Donald’s process he and Newton shared a few similarities such as being viewed as undersized for the position both in arm length and shear mass.
But like Donald, there was no denying the high level production and disruption Newton put on tape during his time at Illinois. Newton has an arsenal of moves at his disposal and the agility and power of a mobile refrigerator. I feel really good about this fit seeing how Newton can excel in the 3-tech role next to Kobie Turner.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 1 – Pick 20: J.C. Latham (OT) – Alabama
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to fortify the offensive line with the addition of JC Latham. Where exactly Latham will play remains to be seen, but we know it will be either tackle position at some point in time.
The Steelers selected Broderick Jones in the first round last season, but despite him working mostly at left tackle during camp and even getting a few snaps there early on, the Steelers became more productive when he moved over to the right.
This explains Mike Tomlin’s hesitation when asked if Jones would switch full time next season.
Either way GM Omar Khan has stated the plan is to move Jones to LT at some point which opens up a need at RT. One that Latham could fill seamlessly when the time is right.
There’s a lot of good to love about Latham’s game at this point and the scary part is he can only improve over time.
Miami Dolphins: Round 1 – Pick 21: Jackson Powers-Johnson (IOL) – Oregon
The Miami Dolphins are a fun team to watch, but they’re currently built like the sports car that’s awesome to drive but not own because ultimately what’s on the outside doesn’t match what’s on the inside.
Injuries ruined the interior of this group and at this point, Miami needs something and someone they can believe in amongst this group. Jackson Powers-Johnson could be just that. He has the size, moves well enough, and has the IQ to thrive under Mike McDaniel in this scheme.
Philadelphia Eagles: Round 1 – Pick 22: Laiatu Latu (EDGE) – UCLA
I’m pretty sure this will become a fairly popular selection soon. We’re primed for another Howie Roseman special this draft season. That means death, taxes, and Philadelphia continuing to build from within the trenches.
The Eagles recently traded away leading sack man Hassan Reddick to the Jets, opting to replace him with former Jet pass rusher, Bryce Huff.
The team selected Nolan Smith at the backend of round one last season, but the same injury concerns that bothered him during college followed him during his rookie season.
Not to mention, you can almost guarantee Josh Sweat will be a Post-June 1 cut candidate in 2025. Philadelphia has some work to do along the EDGE.
Insert what I consider the best pure pass rusher in the class. Latu always has a plan, a backup plan, and a backup-backup plan in his repertoire.
Like most Philadelphia draft selections Latu will probably produce in a rotational role in his first season before being unleashed in 2025.
New England Patriots (from Cleveland through Houston through Minnesota): Round 1 – Pick 23: AD Mitchell (WR) – Texas
With their initial selection the Patriots were able to beef up the OL group. Now they get what would instantly become their number one wide receiver in their building.
AD Mitchell is an effective route runner with a tall and lanky frame that doesn’t need a perfect pass to make the QB correct.
There’s still a lot of room for growth with him at the position but his current floor offers a tremendous starting point and his ceiling is through the roof.
With time Mitchell could become a household name in Foxborough.
Dallas Cowboys: Round 1 – Pick 24: Jared Verse (EDGE) – Florida State
As the Cowboys approach the point of a Micah Parsons contract extensionand what could be assumed to be an inevitable ending to the DeMarcus Lawrence relationship in the near future, Dallas has a need at EDGE that could be solved with Jared Verse.
This young man has a first step that’s as explosive as they come and has absolutely no issue translating speed to power. The Cowboys continue to add talent to the defense and a passing rushing group that ranked eight in sack percentage.
Green Bay Packers: Round 1 – Pick 25: Amarius Mims (OT) – Georgia
Everything seems to be going right for the Packers in terms of team building. Well, almost everything, as the team had to witness the departure of oft-injured LT David Bakhtiari, which currently slates Rasheed Walker to start at the position.
Last season Walker performed admirably while filling in, but left a lot of meat on the bone.
In this instance, the Packers add what would be his eventual replacement. Mims possesses all of the talent in the world but hasn’t had very many opportunities to refine his craft. He played in a rotational role in 2022, and was scheduled to take the reigns at RT in 2023 prior to an injury.
The expectation is for Mims to translate into either tackle spot, but he will just need continued coaching and at some point playing time to reach his high level ceiling.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Round 1 – Pick 26: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) – Alabama
After trading Carlton Davis, the Buccaneers have a bit of a need at the cornerback position. Despite going out and making a few moves at the position with the addition of Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas, Tampa Bay has almost religiously emphasized having homegrown players at the position.
Kool-Aid McKinsty should be a perfect fit for a Buccaneers defense that HC Todd Bowles loves having and utilizing ‘chess piece’ types of players.
I expect McKinstry to thrive on the boundary as a pure man to man cover corner, which issomething Bowles also values. But also, potentially as a blitzer where he was successfully deployed as at Alabama.
Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Round 1 – Pick 27: Nate Wiggins (CB) – Clemson
Once again, the Cardinals come away with a talented skilled position player. This time on the defensive side of the ball.
The team added Sean Murphy-Bunting via free agency, but are still in the market to add a guy who can play opposite of him.
You could expect Wiggins to be deployed in more zone than man coverage, as the Jonathan Gannon scheme often runs more quarters and cover 2.
However, there are times Gannon goes against the grain and presses, which is where you’ll be able to see him in man to man coverage.
Wiggins comes with the CB1 seal of approval, as he was asked to follow opposing teams number one receivers on multiple occasions and operated from multiple alignments when doing so while at Clemson.
Denver Broncos (from Buffalo): Round 1 – Pick 28: Bo Nix (QB) – Oregon
Well it took a while and a bit of extra movement, but Sean Payton finally has his guy.
It was important address the need without forcing the issue. The addition of Bo Nix gives the Broncos a fresh start, with an experienced and methodical QB.
While some may complain about his ‘lack of arm talent’ we can almost bet that as long as Nix continues his efficient passing ways (holds NCAA record for completion percentage in a single season; 77.4%), Sean Payton will have no problem working with what his skillset provides.
Plus it helps to add future draft assets that the team was lacking in the first place.
Detroit Lions: Round 1 – Pick 29: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB) – Missouri
The Detroit Lions are in the market for a number one corner after (the recently released) Cam Sutton found himself jettisoned and left to deal with legal action.
This is a match that I keep finding myself coming back to in terms of potential fit. The attitude and brand of football which Rakestraw plays with just fits the city of Detroit and everything that Dan Campbell is attempting to build so well.
He puts his pain in his play and makes opposing players feel him with every passing opportunity. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn got away from his bread and butter man coverage to simplify things for his secondary this past season but Rakestraw, a pure man cover corner, is right up Glenn’s alley.
Baltimore Ravens: Round 1 – Pick 30: Tyler Guyton (OT) – Oklahoma
The Baltimore Ravens brass put the word out early that the goal this off-season was to address the trenches.
“We have some question marks on our offensive line,” said John Harbaugh.
“So there’s going to be some rebuilding that’s going to have to be done in there and we’re getting to it already. It’s going to be probably the most important thing we do on offense,” Harbaugh said.
If you’re going to protect the league’s most athletic QB why not get the classe’s most athletic tackle. Guyton offers a prospect who could immediately step in and serve as the primary tackle on the right side.
San Francisco 49ers: Round 1 – Pick 31: Byron Murphy II (IDL) – Texas
How the hell Byron Murphy II managed to fall to THEM? I’m not quite sure, but what I can say is following the departure of Arik Armstead, the 49ers needed to make a cheap yet significant addition to the defensive line.
While the team recently traded for Maliek Collins, his contract has an out following this season which would offer a seamless transition for Murphy from his rotational role into the starting lineup.
Another IDL who manages to wreck havoc despite a smaller frame, Murphy plays the game with relentless pursuit.
A true play to the whistle kind of guy, between his athleticism and his heart is a handful for the opposing offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs: Round 1 – Pick 32: TJ Tampa (CB) – Iowa State
The Kansas City Chiefs have made a complete rebrand. Going from the league’s most explosive offense to the league’s most dominant defense. Much in credit to what defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, has created a monster with an influx of young players across all three levels.
While the loss of L’Jarius Sneed hurts some, Kansas City eases that pain with the addition of another long cornerback who moves really well. Something right in Spagnuolo’s tool box.
Tampa moves much better than a typical athlete of his size and frame. Tampa is a physical player who is disruptive during routes, in the run game, and at the catch point and making plays on the football.
Cover Image Credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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