It is finally Draft Day! This year’s draft is one of the hardest to predict in recent memory, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Not trying to drag this out so let’s get right into the draft.
1. Carolina Panthers (Via. CHI)- Bryce Young, Quarterback Alabama
This is honestly the only pick in this draft that is anywhere close to a lock in this class. Young, in my opinion, is by far the best quarterback in this class and would instantly be able to be the QB the Panthers need him to be. You could argue Stroud but the fact Young canceled all his other meetings after his Panther meeting is pretty telling.
2. Houston Texans- Tyree Wilson, EDGE Texas Tech
Now just two picks into the draft we already have a giant surprise with the Texans taking not only a defensive player but one that’s widely considered EDGE 2 in this class. I feel the Texans want to wait til the next draft for a QB and bet on Wilson’s athletic traits, much like the Jaguars did last year with Travon Walker.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle Ohio State
Yes, this is a popular trade-down spot but I have a feeling it will be tough for the Cardinals to find a trade partner that picks before the Bears, which is where they need to be for the players they want. They are heavily rumored to want either Johnson or Devon Witherspoon and if they stick here it makes sense to take Johnson.
4. Indianapolis Colts- Will Levis, Quarterback Kentucky
He is not my personal best QB on the board but all reports at the moment are saying the Colts are in love with Levis and pray he makes it to them at this spot. Yes, it may be a smokescreen but I’m buying into this one heavy. He may not be a great player right now but this guy has the traits of a Josh Allen type and he could develop fairly well.
5. Seattle Seahawks (Via. DEN)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle Georgia
Making this pick may have been one of the hardest to predict in this draft, because if I’m making the pick I’m taking Will Anderson Jr. every time. However, I’m not making the pick and just predicting them, and Carter has been heavily linked to the Seahawks recently. While I don’t think this is the right choice I could see them making it due to the positional need and upside of Carter.
6. Detroit Lions (Via. LAR)- Will Anderson Jr., EGDE Alabama
While it is highly unlikely this actually happens, if the pick fall as they have, Brad Holmes would waste no time running this pick to the podium and improving their defense. Will Anderson is up there with Bryce Young and Jalen Carter for best player in the class and has shown time and time again how dominant he can be on the edge. Putting him opposite Aidan Hutchinson would be scary.
7. Las Vegas Raiders- C.J. Stroud, Quarterback Ohio State
The Raiders were not expecting Stroud to be here and even though they signed Jimmy Garrapolo this off-season they should secure their QB of the future here. Again if I were making the pick I would probably trade down and look at Cornerbacks, but if he’s here they will probably take him.
8. Tennessee Titans (Via. ATL)- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback Florida
The Titans saw the slide of Richardson and the Falcons’ willingness to trade down and decided to pounce and grab their QB of the future. This makes sense for the Titans to give 11, a third, and a fifth in return for eight to grab their future and so the Falcons can take their guy at a more reasonable spot.
9. Chicago Bears (Via. CAR)- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle Tennessee
The Bears are almost guaranteed to take a tackle in the first and with no trade partner, they had to reach just a little bit for the best tackle available. The Bears most certainly wish Paris Johnson was available here, but even though he isn’t I still think they’ll take a tackle.
10. Philidelphia Eagles (Via. NO)- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback Illinois
It’s heavily projected that the Eagles will take Bijan Robinson here, but I just don’t feel like Howie Roseman would bring himself to make that pick. With no top-ten-worthy pass rushers available, I predict the Eagles try to get younger in the secondary.
11. Atlanta Falcons (Via. TEN)- Bijan Robinson, Runningback Texas
There is something in my gut telling me that the Falcons love Bijan Robinson and really want him, I was even considering predicting they take him at eight to secure him. Instead, I think they trade down a few spots and still pick him up.
12. New York Jets (Via. HOU)- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver Ohio State
Is this the biggest position of need for the Jets? No. However, they are heavily rumored to want him badly to pair up with his college teammate Garrett Wilson. By Giving up a 15, a future third, and pick 143 they hop the Packers to get Rodgers another weapon.
13. Green Bay Packers (Via. NYJ)- Brian Branch, Defensive Back Alabama
Though everyone wants the Packers to take a pass catcher here, that’s not the Packers’ way. The Packers are notorious recently for taking defensive backs in the first round, and they need one again to replace a few players. Branch can play throughout the whole secondary and could fill in anywhere.
14. New England Patriots- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback Oregon
This is a huge fall for how talented of a player Gonzalez is, but that happens often in the draft. However, I feel 14 is the absolute floor for Gonzalez and he would fit the Patriots’ defense incredibly.
15. Houston Texans (Via. GB)- Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback Penn State
Rumor has it the Texans are wanting to trade out of pick twelve whether it’s trading up or down. With this move, they can grab some extra picks and still pick up their slot corner of the future.
16. Washington Commanders- Deonte Banks, Cornerback Maryland
The Commanders here see their need in Corner and notice that their all starting to go off the board, so they don’t think about anything else and help sure up their secondary for the future.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle Georgia
The Steelers have a gaping hole at the tackle position and have emphasized their interest in drafting one early. So here I simply predict them to take the best one on the board in Jones.
18. Detroit Lions- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Lineman Northwestern
This is another player who I have no idea how they fell down the board this far. Skoronski is a great prospect who projects to be a fantastic guard in the NFL. While guard isn’t a huge need for the Lions, the value here might be too good for the Lions to not draft him.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (Via. TB)- Zay Flowers, Wide Reciever Boston College
The Chargers are in need of a speedy slot receiver and it’s very likely that the Seahawks would’ve taken this guy if the Chargers didn’t move up. They give up not too much to move up two spots and secure their deep-threat receiver.
20. Seattle Seahawks- Jordan Addison, USC Wide Receiver
The Seahawks have few needs at this point and can afford a luxury pick like Addison. He would add another element to their offense that they don’t have that could hopefully get them to the next level.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Via. LAC)- O’Cyrus Torrence, Guard Florida
The Buccaneers move back and get the player they likely would’ve wanted at 19 anyway, pick up a few extra picks, and fill a need in this new rebuild of theirs.
22. Baltimore Ravens- Myles Murphy, EDGE Clemson
The fall of the edges officially stops with Murphy going to the Ravens and filling a future need for the Ravens as a potential starting pass-rusher.
23. Buffalo Bills (Via. MIN)- Nolan Smith, EDGE Georgia
Nolan Smith is another late first-rounder with very good upside that could be a great pickup for an eventual Von Miller replacement. This move shouldn’t cost much and would be worth the risk.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End Utah
Evan Engram has still yet to sign his franchise tag and the clock is ticking. Kincaid could be that long-term answer for Trevor Lawrence to throw to.
25. New York Giants- Lukas Van Ness, EDGE Iowa
His free fall finally stops and the Giants get the potential steal of the draft here, solidifying their other pass rusher alongside KT.
26. Dallas Cowboys- Michael Mayer, Tight End Notre Dame
The Cowboys have been linked to Mayer ever since they lost Dalton Schultz to free agency, he would fit spectacularly in their offense from both a blocking and receiving standpoint.
27. Minnesota Vikings (Via. BUF)- Hendon Hooker, Quarterback Tennessee
This is another pick that has been rumored all off-season, this move would allow Hooker to recover well from his ACL while Cousins plays out the last year of his deal and Hooker can take over next year.
28. Cincinnati Bengals- Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle Ohio State
Jones has fantastic upside as a left tackle with how big of a frame he has and could be the missing piece if he hits.
29. New Orleans Saints (Via. SF)- Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle
The Saints’ number one need at the moment is defensive tackle, and prior to the injury concerns he was considered a top ten prospect, if he can get passed the medical concerns he will be a stud.
30. Philadelphia Eagles- Keion White, EDGE Georgia Tech
White has gotten so much buzz around his name leading up to today, and I believe that buzz is enough to get him selected in the first round. The Eagles need a guy who will eventually take over for their older guys and White can be that.
31. Kansas City Chiefs- Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle Oklahoma
The Chiefs need a tackle more than anything and even if it’s a reach here, they need to take a risk on Harrison here.
1 Comment
Rufus · May 11, 2023 at 8:36 pm
Your writing is genuine and relatable, I appreciate that.
Comments are closed.