1. Bears – USC QB Caleb Williams
Williams is an innate improvisor with elite ball placement, both within structure and on the run. He’s a far quicker processor than outgoing Justin Fields. Banking a career 93:13 TD-to-INT ratio with 27 rushing scores in college, Williams was a three-year Heisman Trophy contender between Oklahoma and USC.
2. Commanders – UNC QB Drake Maye
On the Josh Allen–Ben Roethlisberger spectrum, Maye averaged 8.4 yards per pass attempt and scored 16 rushing TDs over his final two seasons as a Tar Heel. Maye’s combination of size, athleticism, and aggressiveness gives him franchise quarterback upside for a rehabbing Washington football organization.
3. Patriots – LSU QB Jayden Daniels
2023’s Heisman winner led the nation in both yards per pass attempt (11.7) and yards per carry (8.4) in his final college year. Daniels allegedly loved his pre-draft meetings with first-year Patriots coach Jerod Mayo, while Mayo has outwardly expressed his affection for dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks.
4. Cardinals – Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison
I think the Cardinals would prefer to trade out, but I’m not projecting trades here. At present, Arizona’s No. 1 wideout is Michael Wilson. Kyler Murray to Harrison would offer prolific upside for years to come.
5. Chargers – Washington WR Rome Odunze
After parting with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers’ wideout group is arguably the weakest in football. Odunze’s leadership traits, blocking willingness, and catch reliability should appeal to old-school types Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman.
6. Giants – LSU WR Malik Nabers
The G-Men are desperate for playmakers. Nabers recorded at least one 20+ yard gain in all 13 of his appearances for LSU last season.
7. Titans – Notre Dame LT Joe Alt
Placing Alt next to LG Peter Skoronski with free-agent addition Lloyd Cushenberry at center would give new OL coach Bill Callahan a formidable up-front foundation.
8. Falcons – Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
Turner is an edge-bending outside rusher who rang up 10 sacks in the SEC last season. He would address a longstanding need in Atlanta.
9. Bears — Texas DT Byron Murphy
No prospect’s stock is hotter than Murphy’s, fueled by the rising cost of interior defensive line contracts and the NFL’s acceptance of shorter DTs. Murphy stands 6-foot-0 ½ but is a havoc wrecker inside à la Aaron Donald (6-foot-0 ¾), Grady Jarrett (6-foot-0 ¾), and Geno Atkins (6-foot-1).
10. Jets – Washington T/G Troy Fautanu
A tone setter up front, Fautanu’s guard-tackle versatility should be seen as a plus by GM Joe Douglas à la Jets 2021 first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker.
11. Vikings – Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
I’ve heard Justin Jefferson is pulling hard internally for the Vikings to move up for Jayden Daniels. Otherwise, McCarthy is a fallback option should Minnesota sit tight at No. 11.
12. Broncos – UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
Several teams consider Latu this year’s top EDGE player after he banked 23.5 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles over his final two college seasons.
13. Raiders – Washington QB Michael Penix
The Raiders’ scouting department and front office could easily sell owner Mark Davis on Penix because of his elite vertical passing ability, a trait with which Mark’s father would’ve fallen in love.
14. Saints – Penn State LT Olu Fashanu
I’ve been told the Saints are taking the best offensive tackle available at 14.
15. Colts – Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Bowers deserves to go earlier, but financial logistics are working against him. He’s worth it here; Colts GM Chris Ballard needs to go to every possible length to ensure Anthony Richardson succeeds.
16. Seahawks – Alabama T/G J.C. Latham
A people mover at 6-foot-6, 342, Latham would occupy right guard in Seattle. At present, the Seahawks’ interior offensive line is among football’s worst.
17. Jaguars – Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
GM Trent Baalke is a big-school drafter, and cornerback is among Jacksonville’s biggest roster needs. Arnold is a physical ballhawk who supports the run.
18. Bengals – Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
The Bengals need Tee Higgins insurance in both the short and long term. Signs point toward Mitchell being drafted earlier than expected.
19. Rams – Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
Most NFL teams seem to envision DeJean as a safety, a need position in L.A. after the Rams lost Jordan Fuller (Panthers) and John Johnson (free agent). They also need cornerback help.
20. Steelers – Oregon State T/G Taliese Fuaga
A pile-pushing run blocker, Fuaga perfectly suits new Steelers OC Arthur Smith’s offensive philosophy. Fuaga and 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones would give Pittsburgh a long-term foundation up front.
21. Dolphins – Texas WR Xavier Worthy
4.21 blazer Worthy is special with the ball in his hands, a necessity for HC Mike McDaniel. The Fins badly need another pass-catching weapon.
22. Eagles – Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
Darius Slay, 33, and James Bradberry, 31 in August, are currently Philly’s first-team corners. Mitchell was an elite cover man in the MAC, dominated at the Senior Bowl, then blazed 4.33 at 6-foot, 195 at the Combine.
23. Vikings – Duke G/C Graham Barton
With Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill at tackle, Barton and Ed Ingram at guard, and Garrett Bradbury at center, the Vikings’ offensive line could finally become a strength.
24. Cowboys – Georgia OT Amarius Mims
Mims made just eight college starts but stands 6-foot-8, 340, with over 36-inch arms, and his small-sample tape was virtually impeccable. The Cowboys’ offensive line has entered a state of flux.
25. Packers – Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
Guyton stands 6-foot-7, 322, with 34-inch arms and allowed just two sacks during his college career. The Packers are swimming at offensive tackle.
26. Bucs – Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Verse logged 27.5 sacks over his final three college seasons, then obliterated the Combine. The Bucs are exceptionally short on edge-rush talent.
27. Cardinals – Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
Arizona needs help almost everywhere. An extraordinary athlete with 4.48 jets at 6-foot-3, 254, Robinson would give the Cardinals a legitimate edge-rush threat.
28. Bills – LSU WR Brian Thomas
Thomas is believed to be dealing with a torn labrum in his shoulder, which would damage his draft stock. Yet Buffalo’s perimeter wideout need is too great for GM Brandon Beane to pass on Thomas’ dynamic playmaking ability at No. 28.
29. Lions – Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry is arguably the premier press-man corner in this draft. He would be an ideal bookend to Carlton Davis in Detroit.
30. Ravens – Oregon C/G Jackson Powers-Johnson
This offseason, Baltimore lost LG John Simpson (Jets), RG Kevin Zeitler (Lions), and RT Morgan Moses (Jets). A power pig inside, Powers-Johnson is an environmental Ravens fit.
31. 49ers – Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
This projection is somewhat contingent upon San Francisco trading Brandon Aiyuk. At the same time, I’m conflicted on McConkey being a first-rounder based on his shaky medicals.
32. Chiefs – BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
“Wanya Morris” would be Patrick Mahomes’ blindside protector if the season began today. Suamataia blends ideal left tackle size (6-foot-5/326) with plus athleticism and made 23 starts over the past two years.
