With several teams filling key positions in free agency, it has shaken up how the first round of the NFL draft will go. Quite a few franchises have found their future quarterback, but some are still looking to add a top signal-caller. The many running backs in this free-agency class have found new homes leaving vacancies. Since the combine and free agency, there have been risers and fallers. Here is how the draft’s first round will go with no trades.
- Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud – QB – Ohio State
The Panthers made a SPLASH when they moved from the ninth pick to the first pick to get their future quarterback. After the Ohio State pro day, Stroud had Panther’s coaches drooling at the mouth and gazing at his talent. The Panthers are all in on Stroud.
- Houston Texans: Bryce Young – QB – Alabama
The Texans are in a spot where they can pick a proven star in Byrce Young or a project with a big arm in Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. The Texans have made moves that fit Young, and they added to the O-Line, brought in veteran receivers, and got a good TE to ease him into the league.
- Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr. – Edge – Alabama
After the question marks surrounding star defender Jalen Carter, Anderson is the number one defender. The Cardinals could move back here to gain assets, as they need a lot to be a contender. A QB-hungry team could trade up in hopes of jumping the Colts.
- Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida
The Colts are in a weird position because they could move up to ensure they get their QB, but they could also stay where they are and let fate decide what QB they will get. Richardson was my QB2 even before the combine, and after a solid combine it is safe to say he will be off the board quickly. I could see him as high as one, so getting him at four is a great value.
- Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter – DT- Georgia
Many believe that the Seahawks will let Carter slide past them. It is tough to see this happening since the Seahawks have two first-round picks, made the playoffs, and have had an excellent free agency. They can afford to take the risk on Carter, which is too valuable to pass up at five.
- Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson – Edge – Texas Tech
The Lions struck gold with their draft last year, have had a great free agency period, and now have two top 20 picks to add to their already-loaded team. Will Levis could be drafted here and sit under Goff for a year or two until taking over for the Lions. However, Wilson looks to have a ton of upside and would be a great addition on the opposite side of Hutchinson.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Broderick Jones – OT – Georgia
The Raiders could also be in play for a young QB to sit behind their vet, but with a receiver like Adams, they should be in win-now mode. Protecting Garoppolo and creating holes for Josh Jacobs must be priority number one. Jones boasts the most upside, but any tackle prospect would be a good fit.
- Atlanta Falcons: Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon
The Falcons have one of the worst corner rooms in the NFL outside of A.J. Terrell. Gonzalez would be a perfect corner on the opposite side of Terrell. The Falcons are also a team that could be in the QB hunt.
- Chicago Bears: Nolan Smith – Edge – Georgia
After a dazzling combine, Smith is shooting up draft boards. While this might be a reach for Smith, the Bears have added much value in free agency on both sides, and the Bears can take a risk on such a high-potential prospect.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Branch – S – Alabama
With the departure of C.J. Gardner Johnson, the Eagles have a hole at safety. They brought back Bradberry and Slay, so adding Branch would complete the trio they had from last year.
- Tennessee Titans: Will Levis – QB – Kentucky
The Titans are entering full rebuild mode as they have already cut some players, are shopping Henry, and will have to decide on Tannehill. The value of Levis at 11 would be incredible, and the Titans could also get a second-rounder for Henry and start this rebuild correctly.
- Houston Texans: Quentin Johnston Jr. – WR – TCU
With the hire of Demeco Ryan, it seems the Texans will go with a defender with this pick. However, even after free agency, the Texans have nothing close to a WR1 or a solid WR2. The perfect case scenario for the Texans is getting a QB and WR in this year’s draft and Marvin Harrison in next year’s draft. Similar to what the Bengals did with Burrow-Higgins- and Chase.
- New York Jets: Peter Skoronski – OT – Northwestern
Hopefully, the Jets will get a deal done with the Packers. After getting Rodgers, the Jets need to ensure he is protected. Becton and Vera-Tucker should return from injury, but depth on the line is necessary. Skoronski could play guard, tackle, and center, a versatility that might be needed for an injury-prone O-Line.
- New England Patriots: Paris Johnson Jr. – OT – Ohio State
Johnson Jr. is an excellent replacement as the Patriots move on from Isaiah Wynn. Johnson Jr. protected a pocket passer in college and will now be called upon to protect Mac Jones as his time to shine slowly disappears.
- Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah
After not drafting any weapons in the first round for Aaron Rodgers, how ironic would it be if the Packers selected an offensive weapon with their first pick after Rodgers? Kincaid could step in, giving Jordan Love a solid option at TE.
- Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois
Witherspoon is an outstanding talent and could be the best corner in this draft. His slide is not due to him but to the positions drafted before him. The Commanders have one of the best defensive units from top to bottom, and Witherspoon might push them over the top. I would rather see this pick put in a package for Lamar Jackson, but it may fail to happen.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Penn State
Porter Jr. going to the Steelers is a feel-good story since it is the team his father played for. The Steelers had a similar feel-good story last year, selecting Kenny Pickett, who played for Pittsburgh in college. Porter shares a lot of similarities with star corner Sauce Gardner.
- Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer – TE – Notre Dame
The Lions have very few needs on their team, and TE is one of the only holes on their roster. With Kincaid already off the board, Mayer becomes an outstanding value as the second TE off the board. This would give the Lions an excellent replacement for traded TE T.J. Hockenson.
- Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Darnell Wright – OT – Tennessee
The Buccaneers are picked to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, given the departure of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. However, it is possible that the Bucs can surprise some people in a division without a clear contender. Whether they plan on “tanking” and getting a QB next year or contending in their division this year, they need O-Line help. Wright is a perfect plug-and-play on the opposite side of Tristain Wriffs.
- Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Forbes – CB – Mississippi State
After getting a steal in Carter, the Seahawks can grab a WR or a corner to go alongside Tariq Woolen. Forbes has been a corner I have fallen in love with, and his physical ability and ball-hawk instincts are to drool over. His value is towards the end of the first round, but Seattle reaching at 20 is okay, especially after getting Carter at 5.
- Los Angles Chargers: Zay Flowers – WR – Boston College
With both Smith-Njigba and Addison on the board, it is hard to see the Chargers choosing Flowers. However, he fits with current Chargers WRs, Keenan Allen and Mike White. This would give Herbert a speedy, physical receiver in the slot. If Ekler gets traded, Rodinson would be a GREAT pick here, but it is doubtful Ekler will be dealt.
- Baltimore Ravens: Jaxson Smith-Njigba – WR – Ohio State
Once the Chargers pass on Njigba, the Ravens will be ecstatic when they get to select him. Njigba has all the traits of being the best WR out of this draft, and the reason for his slide is only his injury history. Some may need to remember just how dominant he was in the same receiving room with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
- Minnesota Vikings: Jaylin Hyatt – WR – Tennessee
After the departure of Adam Thielen, the Vikings will be in the market for a WR to pair with star Justin Jefferson. The potential of Jefferson and Hyatt is surreal. Speed and athleticism are the names of the game, and Hyatt would have an excellent partner to learn from in Jefferson.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: O’Cyrus Torrence – IOL – Florida
After the departure of Jawaan Taylor, the Jags need to add to their offensive line. While they could go with a tackle here, Torrence is the best IOL in the class, and his value is better here than any tackle at 24. This is a deep tackle class, and the Jags could find a Taylor replacement in the second round.
- New York Giants: Jordan Addison – WR – USC
The Giants have had lousy luck in drafting receivers since 2015. If Addison falls to them, that bad luck will end with this draft. The Giants have been making moves this off-season after trading for Darren Waller, and they will now have a potential WR1 to pair with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
- Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas
It is tough to gauge where Robinson will be drafted as he is a top-five prospect in this class, but the NFL has a low value on the RB position. If he slides to the Cowboys at 26, they will have had one of the best off-seasons of any team in the NFL. Robinson would be RB1, and Pollard would stay as RB2. After trading for Gilmore and Cooks, the Cowboys look much better than the team that lost to the 49ers (two years in a row).
- Buffalo Bills: Myles Murphy – Edge – Clemson
The Bills need O-Line help, but a prospect like Myles Murphy sliding this far seems criminal. Getting a guy like Murphy, who would have a year under Von Miller, is a perfect potential replacement. This is high-watt-robbery at the end of the first round.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Dawand Jones – OT – Ohio State
Cincy has had a solid free agency. Getting guys like Orlando Brown Jr., Nick Scott, and Irv Smith Jr. fills some needs. Jonah Williams requested a trade, and La’el Collins is recovering from ACL surgery. Jones is an excellent high potential guy for the Bengals. They could go corner or safety here, but addressing that in round two seems wiser.
- New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee – DT – Clemson
Like his college teammate, the value of Bresee is hard to gauge. Both guys have nothing but an upside. They only lack the tape to back it up. This will result in both being potential steals for later teams already in contender mode. For the Saints, they get great value in Bresee.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs – RB – Alabama
The Eagles could select an RB at ten, but it is much wiser to wait and get the RB2 of this class in Gibbs. Gibbs is a double-edged sword as he is a good rushing back and receiving back, thus giving this Eagles’ offense another weapon.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Lukas Van Ness – Edge – Iowa State
The Chiefs decided to cut Edge Frank Clark because they could not agree on a contract. This now puts the Chiefs in a position to draft a cheaper replacement, and with all the top receivers off the board, it makes sense to get an Edge prospect with a lot of upside. Van Ness, McDonald, and Anudike-Uzomah are all guys with high upside.