It’s draft season once again!

This year’s draft is a special one due to the many questions surrounding the first two rounds of the draft. How many quarterbacks will go in the first-round? How many trades will there be? Who will be the first defender off the board?

A lot of chaos is expected to transpire on Thursday night including the potential movement of various star players via trade. Deandre Hopkins, Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook, and Budda Baker are names to keep an eye on.

There’s a lot to cover with this draft, so let’s jump right into it.

NOTE – As a result of tampering violations, the Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick. So instead of 32 picks in the first round, there will be 31.

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Panthers mortgaged a lot to move up to have their pick at the litter of this quarterback-rich draft pool. With this pick, they make the former Heisman winner Bryce Young the 2023 number one overall pick.
Young has been stellar for the Crimson Tide. Even without a strong supporting cast, his 2022 season was still really strong. His greatest attribute is his ability to make something out of nothing. An improviser if you will. A play is never dead with him at the helm. Young is also really smart, and rarely makes the wrong read. On top of these things, Young is really accurate, and knows how to throw with anticipation and timing. Combine these traits with solid arm strength and a calm demeanor, and you have the makings of a number one overall pick. The Panthers choose to overlook his historically small frame (5”10/204 lbs.). The Panthers really haven’t had a stable starting quarterback since Cam Newton’s prime. Those days are over. Bryce Young will give Panthers fans a reason to tune in on Sundays. Not many NFL players draw NBA comparisons, but when people compare Bryce Young to Steph Curry, you just know what they mean. He is electric.
Young will come into Carolina and instantly have a strong supporting cast as the team invested heavily into their skill positions to make their rookie quarterback comfortable.
2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Davis Mills ship has likely sailed in Houston, which leaves the Texans with a need for a franchise quarterback. With a new head coach in DeMeco Ryans, it’s the perfect time to reset, and grab your quarterback of the future with a premier pick.
Stroud is a tall quarterback, who’s accuracy and ball placement may be the best in the entire class. Stroud is known to be more of a pocket passer, however, in the Peach Bowl, he flashed his ability to extend plays after the initial play broke down. Stroud is also pro ready. He won’t need time to sit and learn under another quarterback. He’s got a really strong IQ for the game, and you can trust him to be ready for week one. Stroud enters an offense with Dameon Pierce, Robert Woods, and John Metchie. There’s some really solid young pieces for Stroud to develop with. All of a sudden, Houston has a real direction.
A new era begins in H-Town, spearheaded by DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud. Texans fans…rejoice.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Arizona is a team to keep an eye on in terms of trading down, however, in this scenario the team stays put and grabs the best available player at a position of need in Will Anderson Jr.
The longtime coveted pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. is finally draft eligible, and as expected, he goes top five to the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals really need to bolster their pass-rushing unit, and Anderson Jr. falls right into their arms at number three. Anderson Jr. was a highly productive player at Alabama, playing against as good of competition as it gets. He’s a strong player at both rushing the quarterback and stopping the run.
Arizona gets their first piece towards a total defensive rebuild, and it’s a BIG one in Anderson Jr.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Colts have experimented enough with mid quarterbacks. They’ve had Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and most recently Matt Ryan, and none of them have gotten them “over the hump”. With a pick this high in the draft, it would be incredibly difficult for Jim Irsay to pass on potentially the most athletic quarterback prospect the NFL has ever seen.
Richardson set a combine record for the quarterback position in the vertical jump. He leaped 40 ½ inches into the air, good enough to break the previous record. This impressive feat showcases Richardson’s insane explosiveness. He also ran a 4.43 40 yard dash, and also posted a bizarre broad jump length of 10 feet, nine inches. On top of this, Richardson may very well have the strongest arm in the entire draft.
The tape is spotty from Richardson, but there’s plenty to be optimistic about. With his athletic profile, if Richardson can refine his game in Indianapolis, we could be talking about him as a top-five quarterback sooner rather than later.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Seattle’s pass-rushing unit needs to add talent. This pick could potentially be Tyree Wilson, the edge rusher from Texas Tech, but the talent combined with a confirmed top-30 visit from Carter is too much for the Seahawks to pass up.
If not for a lousy offseason draft process from Carter, he could have gone as early as number three to the Cardinals. He is widely seen as potentially THE best prospect in this draft. Carter is a homewrecking disruptor in the middle of the defensive line. He has been highly touted for a while, with some folks even seeing Carter as the best defensive player on that 2022 historic Georgia defense.
Pairing Carter up with newly signed defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones will make teams pick their poison against the Seahawks. Seattle addresses their pass rush in a massive way by snagging Carter here at five.
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
After addressing their secondary in free agency, signing CJ Gardner-Johnson, Cam Sutton, and Emmanuel Mosely, the Lions can afford to look elsewhere with their first pick. Their defense still needs work, and Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson is one of the best defenders remaining on the board.
Wilson is a transfer from Texas A&M, but played his best ball with the Red Raiders. His strength on the edge is enough for him to overpower tackles and constantly place pressure on opposing teams quarterbacks. Similar to last year’s first overall pick Travon Walker, Wilson’s game is still raw and needs some refining. However, with his strength and athletic profile, Wilson has a clear path to being a high-floor defensive player with a sky-high ceiling.
Adding Wilson to a unit with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston would give Detroit’s defense a terrifying pass rushing trio.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders defense has not been good for a while, and their secondary is abysmal. The team tied for dead last in interceptions last year with just six. They need a playmaker on the boundary and Christian Gonzalez is exactly that.
Gonzalez is an elite athlete with great ball skills. He tallied four interceptions in his 2022 campaign for the Ducks, and constantly stuck to opposing team’s best receivers. He’s a natural at the position and plays with great awareness. On top of this, he is a willing tackler with a great mindset at the position.
It’s simple. Vegas needs help in the secondary and they’re able to get their hands on the best cornerback in this class.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Atlanta desperately needs to add talent to their pass rushing room. They spent a second-round pick on Arnold Ebiketie in last year’s draft, and he showed some flashes in his rookie campaign. They also signed Bud Dupree in free agency. Beyond this, their pass rush is among the league’s worst. They simply need to get to the quarterback more if they want to be better defensively.
Adding Nolan Smith gives the Falcons a chance to hit big on an important position. The production Smith had at Georgia wasn’t strong, however, the traits and athleticism certainly are. He was one of the freakiest athletes at this year’s combine, running a sub 4.4 40 yard dash, as well as jumping 41.5 inches in the vertical jump test. On top of being an insane athlete, Smith is also a well-documented incredible human being. He was a leader in the Georgia locker room, and was highly respected among his peers at Georgia. This is exactly what Atlanta could use to help build their young defense.
Smith fills a need for Atlanta, and could be a building block for a young and upcoming culture in the dirty south.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Chicago needs to do a better job setting up Justin Fields for success. GM Ryan Poles had a really strong offseason for the team, including bringing in a bonafide WR1 in DJ Moore via trade. Now, it’s time to protect Fields.
Paris Johnson Jr. is the best tackle in this year’s class. He is light on his feet, and is a tremendous athlete. Even more impressive is his versatility. Johnson Jr. played multiple positions across the offensive line, which every GM in the league will find highly valuable. However, Johnson Jr. will likely find his calling at one of the tackle spots in the league. This allows for Chicago to keep Braxton Jones wherever he is most comfortable, and potentially kick Teven Jenkins back inside to guard.
This would be a strong addition to the Bears offensive line. The addition of Johnson Jr. along with free agent acquisition Nate Davis would make Chicago’s offensive line a legit unit.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
While it would be really fun to imagine Bijan Robinson behind this Eagles stellar offensive line, it’s just not the way the team traditionally builds. We know that Howie Roseman prioritizes the trenches when building his team. And for good reason, it was evident that the Eagles were manhandling almost every team they play on the offensive and defensive lines.
Adding one of the best players available in Peter Skoronski allows for the Eagles to put their best five out on the offensive line on Sundays. It’s likely that if selected, Skoronski would kick inside to guard, where many envision him having his best success at. This means that Cam Jurgens would take a backseat for a year, then fill in at center, where he naturally plays, once Jason Kelce retires.
Skoronski is one of the safest picks in this draft. His technique and refinement of his game gives reassurance that he will be a fine pro for any team.
11. Tennessee Titans – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
It’s clear Malik Willis likely isn’t the future some thought he was in Tennessee. With this high of a pick, it’s time for Tennessee to find their next franchise quarterback.
Ryan Tannehill is a fine player, but he won’t elevate your team. Will Levis, if developed, has the potential to lift your team when everyone else is down. Levis is up there with the best of them when it comes to quarterback prospects with incredible intangibles. He has a rocket arm, and showed strong mobility during his time at Kentucky. However, he is a massive project, and will be 24 come the start of the 2023 season. Is his best football still ahead of him? It’s a question the Titans should be willing to find out.
Levis gives Titans fans a reason to be excited for the future of the Tennessee Titans.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, OSU
There’s a strong possibility that DeMeco Ryans puts his vote towards a defensive player with their second pick in the first round, but how can you pass up reuniting CJ Stroud and JSN?
Not only would it be a huge boost for your new quarterback, but WR is a position of need for the Texans anyways, and JSN is the best receiver in this draft. He’s a smooth route-runner, who separates from defenders at ease. Having JSN make the jump to the NFL along with him could help CJ Stroud’s transition from the college game to the pro game a whole lot easier. It will be important to surround Stroud with talent to maximize his potential in that offense. The receiving core of Robert Woods, JSN, John Metchie, and Nico Collins will really alleviate some of the pressure off of Stroud’s shoulders.
The former electric Ohio State duo reunites in the lone star state. JSN could easily become a routine 90 receptions kind of guy in Houston.
13. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
The Packers have one really good pass rusher in Rashan Gary. After that, the pass rushing rotation gets ugly, and it showed once Gary missed time due to an injury. Lukas Van Ness is a blossoming pass rusher who’s best football is in front of him.
Van Ness is a large, athletic human being. These are just some of the traits that align with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst’s values. The Packers are known to take raw, toolsy players, and coaching them up to their standards. Van Ness is very raw, and played sparingly at Iowa. However, when he did play, he was very disruptive. His pure power is his best pass rushing trait. Thanks to his hulking build, Van Ness was also able to kick inside and rush the B-gap. His versatility is definitely one of his major selling points. If coached up, Van Ness has the potential to be a perennial double-digit sack artist.
Green Bay holds off on adding weapons for Jordan Love in the first round. Instead, they add
someone to bolster their pass rush, and be a long time building block for their defensive line.
Whoever ends up quarterbacking for the Jets will be well-protected if the Jets select Wright with the 13th pick. If they do, this offensive line is slowly becoming a really strong unit.
14. New England Patriots – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
This would be a dream scenario for New England. Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez are debated as the top two cornerback prospects in this draft. Getting Witherspoon without having to move up would be a major win for the Patriots.
Luckily for Pats fans, the team was able to bring back Jonathan Jones on an absolute bargain of a deal. This was huge for the team. Beyond Jones however, there is much to be desired at the position. Jack Jones had a really promising rookie season, and will step into a bigger role. Slotting Witherspoon in next to the Jones’ twins would really solidify this secondary. All of a sudden, you’re looking at a unit of an up and coming sophomore, a really good veteran, and an elite rookie talent. Witherspoon’s fiery attitude and hard-hitting play will be something that Bill Belichick will love.
Witherspoon has legit lockdown potential. Snagging him with the 14th pick gives Patriots fans a lot to be excited about with their defense.
15. New York Jets (via GB) – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Jets have had offensive line struggles for some time now. They’ve used top picks recently to help improve their offensive line, however, work still needs to be done.
Mekhi Becton hasn’t been exactly what the Jets have expected him to be when they made him the 11th pick in the 2020 draft. Most of this is because of his injury issues. When on the field, Becton has actually been pretty impressive. When he returns, he will likely slot in at left tackle, leaving Max Mitchell as the current slated starter at right tackle. Darnell Wright would be a massive upgrade over Mitchell. Wright is a mauler in the run-game, and uses his power to excel in pass protection.
The duo of Becton and Wright would be a strong foundation for the young Jets offensive line.
16. Washington Commanders – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Commanders could look to add a corner here to pair with Kendall Fuller, but instead, they look to address their offensive line by adding Broderick Jones.
Washington will likely have a young, inexperienced quarterback in Sam Howell starting week one. Combine this with a completely new offense under Eric Bienemy and you have a recipe for chaos. The best way to try to mitigate this chaos is by surrounding your young quarterback with as much help as possible. Adding a big guy up front to help protect your quarterback can go a long way, and that’s what the Commanders do in this scenario by adding Broderick Jones. Jones was the anchor of that Georgia offensive line, and could end up doing the same by being a decade-long starter for Washington.
The Commanders have struggled at finding a good tackle ever since they lost Trent Williams. It’s time to fix this issue permanently. Build the offensive line and thrive.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Picking a player who is one of the best players remaining on the board, at a position of need, and is the son of one of your franchise legends? This pick is a home run.
Joey Porter Jr. is the best remaining cornerback on the board. It just so happens that the Steelers really need to get better and younger at the cornerback position. Joey Porter Jr. solves both of those problems. Porter Jr. is a long limbed player, who is incredibly sticky in man coverage. His rare length at the position gives him the ability to completely shut down the opposing team’s best receiver. He’s a strong tackler, and has great instincts when the ball is in the air. If he can clean up some of the grabbing issues, Porter Jr. has the makings of a potential future pro bowler. Porter Jr. can learn from Patrick Peterson his rookie year, and hopefully take a leap in his sophomore campaign.
Porter Jr. stays in state, and hopes to carve his own legacy for the same team that his dad played for.
18. Detroit Lions – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Lions double dip on defense in the first round to really continue fixing that horrendous defense.
The team traded away Jeff Okudah to the Falcons, signaling the team’s readiness to move on to a new, younger cornerback. They also brought in Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Mosely, but still, you would like to think Dan Campbell would like to get his hands on a young, fiery cornerback, which is exactly what Banks is. Banks can come in and take a less significant role under Sutton and Mosely, so the pressure won’t instantly be on his shoulders to lead the secondary. He didn’t have much production when he played for Maryland, but for cornerbacks, that’s a good thing.
Banks gives Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn a cheap, moldable player to continue building that young defense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers have a hole at left tackle after parting ways with longtime left tackle Donovan Smith. Instead of having Tristan Wirfs shift over to the left side, they take Oklahoma’s Anton Hairrison to man the blind side of Baker Mayfield.
Tom Brady has officially left town in Tampa Bay, meaning that this team is likely going to be out of contention until they find their quarterback. The team has plenty of time to be bad and stack up draft picks to rebuild from the ground up. They start this process by taking their left tackle of the future with Anton Harrison. Harrison’s natural position is at left tackle, which is perfect for the Buccaneers, as that is where their biggest gap is on the offensive line. He sticks right into the lineup on day one and can be an impact starter right away. Harrison excels at pass protection, only allowing four sacks and three quarterback hits for the Sooners in 1,000 snaps.
Tampa Bay finds their cornerstone left tackle. This is a very important piece to find when rebuilding a team, and the Bucs pounce on a really good one in Anton Harrison.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Seattle needs to add help behind DK and Lockett. Jordan Addison is a highly decorated receiver, who can give Geno Smith another surefire receiving weapon.
Tyler Lockett has served the Seahawks well since being drafted in 2015. However, he’ll be
entering this season at 30 years old, and will be 31 by the end of September. It’s safe to assume that soon, his production will see a bit of a decrease. Behind Metcalf and Lockett, the Seahawks have very little proven talent to threaten opposing teams with. Bringing in Jordan Addison gives the Seahawks a technically refined receiving threat. Not only is Addison one of the best route runners in this draft, but he’s also got serious speed to take the top off of defenses. Kind of sounds like Tyler Lockett right? A receiving trio of Metcalf, Lockett, and Addison gives Geno Smith more than enough to work with through the air.
Addison gives Seattle’s offense another young stud that will be a crucial part of the team’s core for the foreseeable future.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The fall for the electric running back out of Texas stops here at 21. LA selects Bijan Robinson to man the backfield next to Justin Herbert.
One of the big storylines of this offseason was Austin Ekeler requesting a trade out of LA.
This of course left question marks surrounding the Chargers running back room. While it’s still very possible that Ekeler plays out the last year of his contract with LA, the team should now be shifting their focus to finding a long-term solution at the position. There’s no better way to do this than to snag one of the best running back prospects in recent history in Bijan Robinson. Robinson is as electric as they come. He was highly productive during his time at Texas and was genuinely a human highlight reel. His ability to break long runs and make people miss in a phone booth is truly a sight to see. Robinson would be able to take some of the pressure off of Justin Herbert’s shoulders, while also giving Herbert another serious receiving threat.
In a city FILLED with stars, LA now gets it’s newest star in Bijan Robinson
22. Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Adding Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency should not prevent Baltimore from taking a receiver high in this year’s draft. Zay Flowers is an electric receiver, who can take the top off of the defense.
We know that one of the things Lamar Jackson has been asking for during his contract disputes with the team is more receiving weapons. While the team landed OBJ, it’s hard to believe he will be the same receiver he once was with the New York Giants after multiple major knee injuries. Adding Flowers to a receiving room with Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. with Mark Andrews gives Jackson the best supporting cast he will have ever worked with during his entire career. Flowers’ speed and elusiveness is enough for Baltimore to pull the trigger here at 22.
The Ravens add another weapon in efforts to make Lamar Jackson feel supported in Baltimore.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Losing Adam Thielen in free agency makes the current Vikings receiving depth shaky. Adding Quentin Johnston to the mix gives the team a weapon to fill Thielen’s void.
Justin Jefferson is obviously one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL. However, behind Jefferson, there is very little proven talent on the roster. KJ Osborn is a nice player, but it would be a gamble to give him the keys to the WR2 role, as he’s never seen that kind of workload. Johnston is a prototypical “X” receiver, who thrives with the ball in his hands after the catch. His 6”3 frame strikes fear into opposing defensive backs. The unit becomes mightily improved after this move. Johnston out wide, Jefferson in the slot, and Osborn in various different packages. That receiving trio sounds much better.
The Vikings add a monstrous receiver to hopefully draw some attention off of Justin Jefferson.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Jacksonville recognizes that the offensive talent in the AFC is absolutely loaded. They decide to continue strengthening their offense with the best pure pass-catcher left on the board by selecting Dalton Kincaid.
The Jags placed the franchise tag on Evan Engram after a pretty solid first season in Duval. The team will have until July 15th to work on a long-term agreement. To ensure Trevor Lawrence has a steady tight end to develop with no matter what, the Jags pick Kincaid. Kincaid is a weapon. He has a knack for making big plays through the air. He runs great routes, and tracks the ball well in contested catch situations. Kincaid has pro-bowl potential. Many have compared his game to Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz. Giving Trevor Lawrence a weapon like Kincaid could really help elevate not only his personal game, but the entire Jags offense.
The Jags offense gets another toy for Trevor Lawrence. A receiving core that includes Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and now Dalton Kincaid puts Jacksonville on the map as one of the most entertaining offenses to watch.
25. New York Giants – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
New York desperately needs help in the secondary. Emmanuel Forbes gives the Giants a weapon on defense that fills a need at cornerback.
Forbes is known best for his ability to make plays on the football. His six pick-sixes were enough to give him the all-time record for most pick-sixes in FBS and SEC history. Forbes also recorded a total of 14 interceptions during his career at Mississippi State. Ball production like this is rare, and the Giants would love to add a guy on defense that is capable of taking the ball away on any given play. He has nice size at the position (6”1) and is known to have great play recognition. His wiry frame is quite concerning, as he comes in at a historically light weight for a cornerback (166 lbs.). However, it’s safe to bet that teams will look the other way when considering his overall talent. The Giants are the team to do so in this mock.
Forbes has the potential to lead the league in interceptions.
Forbes slots in perfectly for the G-Men as a starting cornerback likely on day one. Forbes and Adoree Jackson will make for a nice cornerback tandem.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Jerry Jones is known to prioritize weapons on offense to assist Dak Prescott. After losing Dalton Schultz to Houston in free agency, Dallas gets younger and cheaper at the position with Michael Mayer.
Mayer and Kincaid truly are neck and neck for that TE1 conversation. Kincaid is the better receiving threat, while Mayer is the more complete player. Mayer blocks exceptionally well, and excels at finding open spaces to make a catch. Mayer is a perfect fit for Dallas, as neither Jake Ferguson or Peyton Hendershot are viable TE1 options. Drafting Mayer not only gives Dallas one of the best players remaining on the board, but also a legit blue-chip talent at a position of need. He doesn’t offer much after the catch, but Mayer is a dominant red zone threat, and is a quarterback’s best friend. Mayer gives Dallas a great weapon, and allows the team to operate out of “12 personnel” more often.
After trading for Brandin Cooks, Jerry Jones gives Dak Prescott yet another legit weapon to work with. This offense now features Tony Pollard, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Mayer. Scary.
27. Buffalo Bills – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Buffalo has a gaping hole at middle linebacker after losing Tremaine Edmunds to the Bears in free agency. Recognizing this need, Bills GM Brandon Beane pulls the trigger on the versatile linebacker from Arkansas in Drew Sanders.
The first linebacker is off the board. It’s very possible Buffalo could take a look at Iowa’s Jack Campbell with this pick, but Sanders’ versatility is too much for Beane to look any other way. Sanders provides two different things. Solid middle linebacker play, and solid pass rushing off of the edge. It’s fair to think that the Bills wanted to tap into Tremaine Edmunds pass rushing upside during his time in Buffalo, but his skillset never allowed this. Sanders is a legit threat off the edge, and with Von Miller recovering from his ACL injury, the Bills will need as much help as they can get off the edge.
Sanders gives Buffalo a true middle linebacker to pair with Matt Milano, but also a true pass rushing weapon. The Bills kill two birds with one stone at pick 27.
28. *TRADE* Kansas City Chiefs – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Kansas City trades a second this year and a second next year to move up four spots to take the best remaining edge prospect in Clemson’s Myles Murphy.
Kansas City departed with Frank Clark this offseason. George Karlaftis had a strong rookie season, and the team went out and signed Charles Omenihu, but it would be hard to imagine Kansas City sitting on their hands with these two being the best they have to offer. Myles Murphy is a raw prospect, but has all the tools to become a really good pro. The only concern with Murphy is that he never really took a jump during his time at Clemson. Under Joe Cullen and Steve Spagnuolo, Murphy would be under some of the best coaching in the league. Murphy was a steady producer at college, and with an NFL ready frame, he could provide similar production for the Chiefs very quickly.
Kansas City gets their hands on a toolsy, young edge rusher that should play a significant snap percentage year one. If Kansas City can get Murphy to take the next step, that defensive line could become quite scary.
29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN) – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Back to back Clemson defenders get selected here late in the first round as New Orleans takes a gamble on the once number one overall recruit coming out of high school in Bryan Bresee.
The talent is there for Bresee. It’s really easy to spot him on tape. Not a lot of people move as well as Bresee at his size (6”5/298 lbs.). He’s a super disruptive player, and he hasn’t even reached his ceiling yet. His college career was derailed by a bunch of unfortunate events, including family tragedy, and various different injuries. It feels as if Bresee was robbed of reaching his full potential in college. Bresee’s best football is ahead of him, and the Saints recognize that. With a need at interior defensive line after losing David Onyemata, the Saints will need to find his replacement.
While the team could also look at Calijah Kancey at this pick, they opt to go with the larger player in Bresee.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
This is the epitome of the Eagles. Build the trenches and thrive. By picking Skoronski and Kancey in the first round, the Eagles live up to their philosophy.
Calijah Kancey is a very polarizing prospect among the draft community, mostly because of his size. Kancey measured in at a generous 6”1/280 lbs. This is just so small for the defensive tackle position, which is why many are tending to shy away from Kancey being a high pick. Kancey’s tape is just so good. He really does deserve a look in the first round. His disruptive play should be enough to sneak in towards the end of the first round. Kancey is a really good fit for the Eagles, as they already have the size at the position in Jordan Davis. Pairing Kancey with Davis may allow for Kancey to get more one-on-one looks as Davis eats up blocks. Adding a pass rush talent like Kancey to an already historically good pass rush unit makes for pretty exciting stuff in Philadelphia.
If Kancey can succeed in spite of his size, he provides Philly with another really good pass rusher.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (via KC) – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Bengals moved down a couple slots and doing so acquired a pair of second round picks from the Chiefs. With the last pick in the first round, Cincy adds a boundary corner to bolster their secondary.
The Bengals have a glaring void at cornerback. They have Cam Taylor-Britt, who had some flashes as a rookie, and Chidobie Awuzie, who’s a solid veteran but isn’t anything to write home about. Cam Smith is the best remaining cornerback on the board. He played at a high level at South Carolina during his entire career. He’s a really sticky corner, and may be the most physical among all the corners in the draft. Smith has true CB1 potential, and that is exactly what the Bengals need.
If Smith can fix his grabby issues, he can really come in and be a high level player for Cincy day one.

Second Round

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (via CHI) – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Pittsburgh has no solidified answer at the tackle position. Dawand Jones is a MASSIVE human being (6”8/359 lbs.). He can come in and take over the starting right tackle job to block for Kenny Pickett.
33. Houston Texans – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
Regardless of position, Will McDonald is one the best players left on the board. He is a pure sack specialist. He can learn from Jerry Hughes, and eventually take over a larger role once Hughes retires.
34. Arizona Cardinals – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Branch is as legit as they come as far as safeties in this draft. He has insane versatility. He only falls into the second because of positional value. Budda Baker requested a trade out of Arizona. Here is your cheaper replacement.
35. Indianapolis Colts – Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Indy traded away Stephon Gilmore. Their best two cornerbacks are Isaiah Rodgers and Kenny Moore. They are both sub 6”. They need size at the position. Brents is 6”3 and has great length at the position. Oh, and he’s from Indianapolis. Indy takes the kid from their own backyard.
36. Los Angeles Rams – Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
This roster is absolutely gutted. It’s time to build from the ground up. Take players at premium positions of need. Aaron Donald is the only viable pass rusher on this team. Keion White is a versatile player, who can rush both inside and outside. He’ll carve a role out instantly.
37. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Torrence was an option for Seattle all the way back at pick 20. He somehow falls to them at pick 37. Torrence is arguably the best pure guard in this draft. Seattle matches need with best player available here at pick 37 with O’Cyrus Torrence.
38. Las Vegas Raiders – Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
The Raiders interior defensive line consists of Bilal Nichols and Jerry Tillery. There is work to be done at this position. Mazi Smith is one of the freakiest athletes in this entire draft. Not many people move like him at 323 lbs. Pairing him with Maxx Crosby will be a lot of fun to watch.
39. Carolina Panthers – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Bryce Young and Jahmyr Gibbs reunite in Carolina similar to the way Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne did in Jacksonville. Carolina needs to get playmakers, and Gibbs is the best available. The Panthers get a home run threat and bring Bryce Young his safety blanket back at his disposal.
40. New Orleans Saints – Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
Cameron Jordan is getting older, and recently had his worst season to date. Payton Turner was selected a few years back, but hasn’t shown enough to be counted on. Adebawore is a powerful and explosive pass rusher who can provide the Saints with some pass rush help.
41. Tennessee Titans – Josh Downs, WR, UNC
Tennessee’s wide receiver depth is not good. Treylon Burks has a promising future, but after him there isn’t much. Josh Downs is a super shifty slot, who excels at getting open with ease. Getting Will Levis a player that can be a checkdown option is important for his development.
42. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
The Packers need to get Jordan Love some help if they want to see him succeed. How’s a freak athlete who’s 6”6 but moves like he’s 6” for help? Washington had a confirmed top 30 visit with the team. He should be an ideal starting tight end to develop alongside Jordan Love.
43. New York Jets – John Michael-Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
Easy pick to make. The Jets have a hole at center, and take the best center in the draft. The Jets double down on the offensive line, and now have a legit starting five to protect Aaron Rodgers.
44. Atlanta Falcons – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Atlanta invested a top ten pick on Drake London last year. While he did look good his rookie season, the Falcons should still look to add talent to help Desmond Ridder. Hyatt is a legit field-stretcher. Maybe the fastest receiver in this draft. This offense is really starting to round out. Ridder gets another weapon to work with.
45. Green Bay Packers – Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Green Bay is back again just three picks later, and they snag another weapon for Jordan Love. Tillman is a big-bodied receiver, who really excels at high-pointing the football. Adding this element to the offense now gives Love multiple different types of targets to work with.
46. New England Patriots – Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
New England needs to get younger at the tackle position. Trent Brown and Riley Reiff are not the long term answers. Bergeron gives New England a project tackle who can redshirt his rookie season, and then step into a starting gig in 2024.
47. Washington Commanders – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Once considered a consensus top five pick, Ringo’s stock has plummeted due to inconsistent tape. Still, this is incredible value for the Commanders, who need a cornerback badly. Ringo has the size and athletic traits to be great, but he needs to work on his discipline and ball skills. If developed correctly, Washington could be hitting on a big time player in the middle of the second round.
48. Detroit Lions – Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
The Lions now take three straight defensive players. Yes, their defense was that bad. Their run defense was especially poor, so adding someone in the middle of the defensive line is important. Keeanu Benton gives the team a big body who is capable of anchoring the middle of the line. He also provides some pass rush upside as a bonus as well.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Pittsburgh has a need at linebacker after Devin Bush signed a one-year deal with Seattle. Jack Campbell is exactly the type of player Pittsburgh covets. Smart, instinctive, and tough. Campbell is as plug-and-play as it gets for the Steelers.
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Tampa has no clear future at the quarterback position. Baker Mayfield will likely take the reins this coming season, but who knows after that. Hooker played exceptionally well during his college career. He throws with great accuracy and touch, and is known to throw one of the prettiest deep balls out of any quarterback in the class. Injuries and age (25 y/o) drop him into the late second round. The Bucs draft their potential heir apparent to Tom Brady.
51. Miami Dolphins – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Miami’s current starting tight end on the depth chart is Durham Smythe. It’s hard to think that they’re content with him as the starter. LaPorta is a player who has a similar skill set to Mike Gesicki, who recently left Miami for New England. LaPorta is just a better version of Gesicki, and really shines at getting yards after the catch.
52. Seattle Seahawks – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Seattle added Jalen Carter earlier to help with their interior pass rush, but they still have holes on the edge. Anudike-Uzomah is the best remaining pass rusher. He was highly productive for Kansas State, recording 20.5 sacks during his three year career with the Wildcats. He will push for meaningful snaps right away.
53. Chicago Bears (via BAL) – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Foskey could have come out last year and likely would have been a first-round pick. He’s been on the league’s radar for a while now. Two straight seasons with 11 sacks for the Fighting Irish. He’s a good fit for Chicago’s 4-3 defense, and will provide pass rushing talent for the Bears.
54. Los Angeles Chargers – Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Giving Justin Herbert a young, stable tight end to work with will pay dividends for Los Angeles. Musgrave is one of the strongest route running tight ends in this entire draft. He gets open with ease, and when he’s open, he has reliable hands. Musgrave gives LA another weapon for their young quarterback.
55. Detroit Lions (via MIN) – Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR, Houston
The Lions went defense with their first three picks in this draft. Adding another weapon to stick around and compliment Amon-Ra St. Brown would be wise for the Lions to do, especially with Jameson Williams six-game suspension. Dell has video game-like shiftiness. Imagining him in this Ben Johnson offense is really fun to think about.
56. Jacksonville Jaguars – Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
Jacksonville currently has Ben Bartch slated to be their starting left guard. That’s a big question mark for the Jaguars. Steve Avila has fallen right into their arms at 56. This is a great value pick for Jacksonville, and Avila can plug in right away on that offensive line to protect Trevor Lawrence.
57. New York Giants – Joe Tippmann, IOL, Wisconsin
Tippmann is the best remaining interior offensive lineman on the board at 57. The Giants need to upgrade on the interior, and Tippmann is a really good pickup this late in the second round. He can play either center or guard for the Giants due to his athleticism.
58. Dallas Cowboys – B.J Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
A traditional stand-up rush linebacker, Ojulari excels at getting to the quarterback using his speed and bend. Giving Micah Parsons another rush mate would be wise to continue building that defensive line. Ojulari is one of the best players left on the board, and could help Dallas stack their defense.
59. Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
The D-Hop rumors continue to float around for Buffalo, but nothing is guaranteed until it actually happens. The Bills could really benefit from adding another receiver, and Mingo gives Buffalo a receiver that would be unique to their room. His work-back ability and size would make him a fun player for Josh Allen to have at his disposal.
60. Cincinnati Bengals – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
The Bengals really need to address the tight end position after losing Hayden Hurst in free agency. They signed Irv Smith Jr., but he has an injury history, and isn’t the type of player to deter you from adding more to the position. Kraft is your traditional “Y” tight end. His ability to break tackles to get more yards is underrated.
61. Chicago Bears – D.J Turner, CB, Michigan
Chicago needs to find another cornerback to play alongside Jaylon Johnson. Turner is a good choice for the Bears here because of his versatility. His ability to mirror players makes him a special player. Turner would’ve gone higher, but fell due to his size (5”11).
62. Philadelphia Eagles – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Simpson’s fall ends at the end of the second, where the Eagles yet again steal a highly coveted prospect. The team lost TJ Edwards in free agency, and will need someone to step up. Simpson is a chess piece of a player. Thanks to his speed and athleticism, he can affect games in various different ways.
63. Cincinnati Bengals (via KC) – Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
This pick was acquired from Kansas City when the Bengals moved down from 28 to 31. D.J. Reader is entering his final year of his deal, and the Bengals may not be able to afford him. Ika is a traditional “1 tech” player. His massive build can help the Bengals be stingy against the run.