1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Don’t overthink this one too much. While there has been speculation, it is pretty clear that Mendoza is QB1 and that is exactly what the Raiders have been preparing for with all of their signings building up the O-line along with the defense for a team around him. He may not be the greatest prospect ever but he has the tools and the mind to be a franchise quarterback.

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Arvell Reese is an incredibly athletic and explosive player on defense. While he may be a bit small for a traditional edge rusher, he has shown promise to be able to fill that role while being able to play linebacker as well. This type of player is a dream come true for a defensive-minded coach like Aaron Glenn and after trading away Jermaine Johnson it was clear they were going to be drafting an edge rusher with the second overall pick.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
This is the first pick, in my mind, that is more of a toss up. The Cardinals have a variety of needs and potentially a big one at edge with Josh Sweat requesting a trade. That being said, Mauigoa is the best selection here. He is a great player who gives you flexibility on the offensive line and with a weaker right side Arizona can use him at guard or tackle. This also goes with the fact that there is far more depth at edge in this class than tackle and they have an early second round pick as well where there will likely still be some solid edge prospects.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (via TEN): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Here is where I have the first trade in the draft. The last time the Chiefs picked this high was in 2013 and after watching the team’s fall off this past season, some moves definitely need to be made. The entire time during their dynasty with Patrick Mahomes, one thing they have never had is a true pass rusher. With David Bailey available, they have to trade up to get a guy of his caliber. His run defense may not be the best but he was the most productive pass rusher in college last year and he is beyond explosive enough to help this team.

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is an absolute freak of a prospect. He has elite athleticism along with great technique and good production in college. The Giants have a few different needs here but after patching up the offensive line you simply can not pass on an elite level player like Styles to fill out your front 7 and play alongside Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker.

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns are in a bit of a difficult spot with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. They have other needs and no one knows if he will truly rise to be a great passer. There is no doubt though that if he is going to develop, the best way
to fast-track it is to get him an elite weapon at wide receiver and that is Carnell Tate. He may not be the fastest guy on the field but he is a very talented route runner and makes contested catches with ease, better than anyone else in the
draft.

7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Commanders have one simple goal and that is to replicate their NFC Championship appearance in 2024. In my mind, the best way to do that, given they spent a lot on the defense in free agency, is to get Jayden Daniels
some game changers around him on offense. The best man in the draft for that is by far Jeremiyah Love. The reality is that while Rachaad White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are serviceable, Love is a true playmaker and can take this
offense a lot further with his skillset in the backfield.

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
This one is as simple as they come. Some people are scared away by his shorter arms but with a team like the Saints who definitely need some help on the edge, the best solution is the most dominant player in college football. He tore apart every team he faced and will hopefully continue to do so in the NFL whether as a true edge or as more of an inside rusher.

9. Tennessee Titans (via KC): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
This trade down puts the Titans in an interesting position because the glaring needs for them are at left tackle and at edge, but the way the board falls there isn’t a true left tackle or edge rusher worth taking at 9. With this pick they fill another need and get Delane, who if it wasn’t for such a dominant 2024 from Jermod McCoy would be the clear CB1 in this class. They spent a lot to get Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott in free agency and Delane will fit in nicely as the second boundary corner for them, creating a very talented secondary overall.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is simply a necessity for the Bengals. He is arguably the best player in the draft and the Bengals need anything they can get on defense to help their incredibly dominant, when healthy, offense. There is no better start to that than a
dominant box safety who can help manage the defense with incredible technique and instincts like no other for football.

11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins have a lot of holes that need to be filled following a complete reset of the team with a brand new head coach and general manager. McCoy is the perfect option as there is likely no one with higher upside. After missing all of 2025 with an ACL tear, there are many questions about how he will return but if the Dolphins can get anything near how he played in 2024, they will be getting the steal of the draft and filling one of their biggest needs at the same time.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Cowboys actually have a solid team overall, which is why it is quite surprising to see them picking so high. If there is one thing that is holding them back, it is definitely the secondary and Thieneman is a perfect addition. A combine explosion along with a solid career at Oregon has given him quite the resume and it should translate well to the NFL with his adaptability playing deep zone, in the box, and even nickel.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Coming off of a great season, the Rams had one glaring hole and that was their secondary. Naturally, they went out and put a ton of assets towards fixing that, which makes this pick simple. Fano is a great player and they need to replace the recently retired Rob Havenstein. There are concerns he may struggle at tackle and may need to be moved inside to guard, but he’s played the last 2 years at right tackle for Utah and hopefully sliding into that slot in the NFL will help his development.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Ravens defense was pitiful in 2025 but there’s a good chance that may not be the case next year. They have a few young players who will continue to develop, they signed Trey Hendrickson, and they are getting Nnamdi Madubuike back healthy next year. This should hopefully give them the jumpstart they need in a new defensive system under Jesse Minter. That being said, they have a glaring hole on the interior and Ioane is by far the best interior offensive lineman in the class so if he’s available, this is a no brainer.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Mesidor is a great player all around. Some people have made the argument that he was one of the best players in college football and it’s not a ridiculous statement. The reality is if it weren’t for the injury history and the fact that he is already 25, he would likely be a top 5 pick in the draft. That being said, he has shown that he can be an incredible player and despite solid seasons from Yaya Diaby, the Buccaneers need a strong presence on the edge and Mesidor can give them that.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Looking at the Jets it is clear they need a second option after Garrett Wilson. With the addition of Adonai Mitchell last season, a third receiver could solidify them as one of the better receiving corps in the league. That being said, while I do believe that Makai Lemon has the higher upside, Jordyn Tyson is the better fit. With Garrett Wilson shifting to more of a slot role on the team, the Jets need a guy who can be on the outside and go get the ball downfield. That is exactly what Tyson brings to the table and if he can stay healthy, he could be one of the best players in this class.

17. Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Lions offseason moves have made their plans very clear. They fixed up the secondary, made additions on the interior offensive line, and plan to move Penei Sewell to left tackle. This leaves two potential picks here being either a
right tackle or an edge rusher which really just comes down to which player they like best. If the board falls this way I see no way that it isn’t Keldric Faulk. He fits their needs perfectly as a great run stuffer which was a big struggle of the Lions’ defense last year. There are concerns about his pass rush ability but he has shown flashes of good technique and with some time he can develop into a very big threat alongside Aidan Hutchinson.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After finding out that the Vikings cut Harrison Smith, this pick was clear to me. They need a guy who can come in, be a presence all over the field, and command the defense which is exactly what McNeil-Warren brings to the table. The Vikings are very lucky to have him as an option here, as it’s a rarity to see so many talented safeties in one class. With how the position has become more important thanks to players like Kyle Hamilton, it is likely to see safeties become increasingly valued.

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is a fantastic player and there’s essentially no argument from anyone on that. He is a great receiver and a solid blocker as well. If this Panthers team wants to contend now, they need to prioritize getting more options to build the best offense around Bryce Young after solidifying the defense in free agency. The reality is that Bryce needs more options on offense after losing Rico Dowdle to free agency and Xavier Legette not playing quite as well as the team had hoped.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Picking two defensive players in the first round may be questionable to some, but with Dallas it makes perfect sense. They consistently have a top tier offense and their defense is constantly what holds them back. That being said, CJ Allen is a great fit who will slide in alongside DeMarvion Overshown at linebacker. He’s especially needed after we saw how much Overshown’s injury negatively impacted the team. He will help fill the gap and be both a force against the run and a solid mover in coverage.

21. Miami Dolphins (via PIT): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
This is another spot where a trade up could be very likely and so that’s what I did here. The Steelers are in an odd position, with Aaron Rodgers not confirming a return and their biggest need at guard which would be a reach with Vega Ioane already off the board. That being said, the Dolphins have a wide array of needs, especially at wide receiver. With Makai Lemon still available and four third round picks to play with, moving up from pick 30 is a no brainer to bring in that level of talent.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Chargers have a few glaring holes on their team and just can’t seem to get over the hump in the playoffs. However, if the offensive line can stay healthy the offense should be able to have a good season, which is where this pick comes in. The Chargers definitely need help at corner and Terrell is a great fit. They have Donte Jackson who is a solid boundary corner but no one of much impact outside of that. Terrell, while smaller, can fill both that boundary spot or play in the nickel which will give the team more flexibility to work with in their secondary.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Eagles need help on the edge. There is no doubt about that after losing Jaelen Phillips along with a few others in free agency and Nolan Smith being underwhelming since drafting him. T.J. Parker is a great fit because, while having an underwhelming season in 2025, his 2024 season was incredible and showed that he has the potential to be a premier pass rusher. He may not be the best option in the draft but he has very high upside and with solid size he should be able to reach that potential in the right system.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling may not be the best offensive lineman in the class, but he does enough right where he should be a first round pick. While there are concerns about his strength and run-blocking ability, he is a very solid
pass-blocker with elite-level athleticism. The Browns desperately need to upgrade at tackle and being surrounded by three very solid interior linemen will potentially give Freeling the time to grow more into his massive frame.

25. Chicago Bears: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell is a very fun prospect. He has elite technique, he’s very explosive off the edge, and most definitely has the capability to put up double digit sacks alongside Montez Sweat. The only concern really is his arm length and ability to defend the run, but the Bears need pass rush help badly and he’s shown the ability to work around his short arm length. Could it potentially hold him back? Maybe. For now, he is by far the best pass rusher left on the board and the Bears need to improve their sack numbers from this past season if they want to remain competitive.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (via BUF): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
This is the ideal trade-up for the Raiders. If there was any single addition they could make to help out Mendoza, it would be another receiver. If Cooper is still available, why not give up a few of their extra compensatory picks in the later rounds to get Mendoza’s college teammate, who just so happens to be one of the best slot options in the draft.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The 49ers desperately need to make some additions to their offensive line given their current situation and the uncertainty around the return of Trent Williams next season. Blake Miller would likely be the safest pick here, as he is more consistent than Proctor. However, Proctor has the mix of incredible size and athleticism that you simply can’t teach. There are concerns about his pass blocking ability but he has the potential to move inside to guard, making this a risk that San Francisco needs to take.

28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
While the Texans had a great defense last year, they definitely need to reload a bit if they want to maintain it. They really just need help on the interior given the pass rush they already have from Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. This creates the perfect opportunity to get McDonald who was by far the best run defender in college last year and his only fault being his pass rush.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
This one is just a simple necessity. The Chiefs lost practically all of their corners this offseason and while he may not be fully ready, Hood is young and has shown lots of promise after taking over the cornerback one role this past season due to Jermod McCoy’s season-long injury.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (via MIA via DEN): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
The Steelers are now in the perfect situation. They get Pregnon, who is a great option to fill their need at guard, and they get an extra pick from the Dolphins down the board. Obviously, they likely would’ve preferred Ioane instead but this way they get a player who fills their need for cheaper plus an extra pick later in the draft.

31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
This is yet another case of just filling a need. Obviously coming off of a Super Bowl appearance the team is still quite well-rounded but Morgan Moses at right tackle is now 35 years old and becoming more and more of a liability. There is
also some concern with the inconsistency in Will Campbell’s play at left tackle last year, making Blake Miller perfect here. He is a very capable and consistent pass blocker with a solid frame. Nothing blows you away athletically, but he definitely brings a level of confidence and reliability to your offensive line.

32. Buffalo Bills (via SEA): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Coming off of a Super Bowl win, the Seahawks have only four picks in the draft and the way I see it, no one they would’ve wanted in the first round is left. Therefore, the logical move is to trade down to get some more picks back and who better to trade up than the Bills who see that Peter Woods is still available. While he had his issues this season, he did have quite the campaign in 2024 and has great size and athleticism. In the Bills’ scheme, where he will get to play alongside Ed Oliver, he should flourish into the player many believe he can become.