1. Detroit Lions – Spencer Rattler | Oklahoma, QB
The Lions have entered full rebuild mode with a new regime and I would be surprised if they won many games with Tyrell Williams as their top receiver for Jared Goff. They picked up a major building block this year with OT Penei Sewell, but ultimately upgrade from Jared Goff here. Rattler is the most Mahomes-esque QB in this class and will be praised widely for his plethora of release angles due to his strong arm.
2. New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon, Edge
Kayvon Thibodeaux hasn’t had the production last year that is worthy of this spot but we are predicting a huge season for the edge rusher. In 2019 he came on strong as a true freshman with 9 sacks, but his production took a dip in 2020 thanks to a 5 game season. The former top HS recruit in the nation should have a huge 2021 season and breakaway from the other edge prospects.
3. Philadelphia Eagles – J.T. Daniels | Georgia, QB
We are predicting the Jalen Hurts experiment to crash and burn this season but it is likely not all on his shoulders. The Eagles are another team who have just hit the reset button and Hurts will not have the team around him to win many games. We have seen a glimpse of J.T. Daniels in his limited playing time at Georgia and he has showcased a rocket arm and elite processing abilities. Look for Daniels to be a name that raises meteorically this season (there is always one in the SEC…).
4. Denver Broncos – Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan, QB
You many not have heard of Kaleb Eleby, but he is our dark horse candidate to be a first round QB. Over the last few seasons we have been ahead of the media crowd on Daniel Jones and Zach Wilson…this spring we are high on Kaleb Eleby. We had a small sample size from Eleby in 2020 with just 5 games but he exceeded all expectations by throwing 18 TDs to just 2 INTs and completed 64% of his passes for 1,700 yards. He also added 4 TDs on the ground.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Garrett Wilson | Ohio State, WR
Garrett Wilson had a phenomenal true sophomore season last year and likely would have been a first round pick had he been eligible in 2021. Wilson will have a new QB next year and sharing targets with Chris Olave, but he is as pure of a prospect as there is at the position and can become Lawrence’s go to prospect in Jacksonville.
6. New York Giants (From Chicago) – Derek Stingley | LSU, CB
The Giants picked up a 2022 1st by trading back 9 spots, which could turn out to be a great move if the Bears struggle. There is no guarantee who the starter would be and they have an aging defense that could be at the end of their reign as a contender for the NFC North. Fields may be a great QB of the future, but we don’t see him winning more than 6 games as a rookie. The Giants have a great cornerback in James Bradberry and recently have added several others, but Derek Stingley is a generational talent and by far the best player available here.
7. Cincinnati Bengals – Logan Brown | Wisconsin, OT
The Bengals made a few moves this year to improve their offensive line, but the addition of an elite tackle like Logan Brown would be huge for the Bengals offense.
8. Houston Texans – Chris Olave | Ohio State, WR
Brandin Cooks can’t be the top option for much longer…the Texans get a dominant receiver who is a no brainer 1st round prospect after deciding to return to school. There is no guarantee that Watson will still lead this team much longer, but with the Davis Mills selection on Day 2 of the draft, he is likely the next man up.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins) – Jordan Davis | Georgia, DT
We don’t have high expectations for the Dolphins next year but what hurts twice as bad is they don’t have their first round pick. The Eagles luck out here and snag the top DT in the draft and a guy we have rated as a top DT for the 2021 class.
10. Washington Red Wolves – Evan Neil | Alabama, OT
*BONUS Name Change Prediction*
The WFT hopefully will have picked a new name by this time next year and the leader in the clubhouse seems to be the Red Wolves. The Wolves snag a dominant offensive lineman here who has a huge season in front of him to remain as a top prospect.
11. Arizona Cardinals – Breece Hall | Iowa State, RB
Breece hall rates as one of our higher rated RB prospects this time of the year, but will need to have a huge year to maintain that reputation from us. The Cardinals have struggled to find a longterm guy for this role, but luck out here with a preseason Heisman candidate.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Harris | Alabama, LB
There is no guarantee that Mayock or Gruden are still there after this season (especially if they are picking 12th…) but they love guys who can tackle. Christian Harris was one of the most improved players on Alabama last year and will perfectly fit the LV mold.
13. Minnesota Vikings – Jalen Wydermyer | Texas A&M, TE
Jalen Wydermyer is next year’s top TE prospect and likely will be seen as a do-it-all player who can plug all over the field similar to Kyle Pitts. The Vikings offense is about to become a bit more vertical with Dalvin Cook aging and a true upgrade from Irv Smith Jr. would be very beneficial.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Howell | UNC, QB
We love what Howell has done so far, but we expect him to take a step back in 2021 due to losing his top 4 offensive weapons. Howell reminds us a lot of a Baker Mayfield type prospect, but he will really need to have an efficient season to remain in the 1st round hype. Big Ben isn’t getting any younger…that is for sure.
15. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan McFadden | Clemson, OT
The Ravens may find a replacement for Orlando Brown, but if they don’t then the accomplished veteran from Clemson could work wonders for their run game.
16. Tennessee Titans – George Pickens | UGA, WR
The Titans passed on an opportunity to take an elite receiver in 2021 and will ride out with Chester Rodgers and Josh Reynolds as their depth guys. If they flame out and miss the playoffs then look for Tennessee to take a shot on a top WR.
17. Cleveland Browns – Brandon Smith | Penn State, LB
Cleveland has certainly addressed this issue with veterans but add some youth to their pass rush with Brandon Smith. We see their second round pick, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah playing in a hybrid S/LB role, but Smith can be the tackling machine that leads the defense.
18. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers) – Zach Harrison | Ohio State, DT
The Dolphins luck out that they have at least one pick and try to plug their run defense by taking Zach Harrison, who has a huge season to prove his worth.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame, S
Kyle Hamilton’s name has been mentioned in the top 10, but we find it hard to believe that a safety will be graded that highly. The Cowboys secondary is still a work in progress, but a dominant safety could immediately help.
20. New Orleans Saints – Khalil Shakir | Boise State, WR
Khalil Shakir is another one of our dark horse candidates, but on film he plays like an NFL slot receiver. Look for Shakir’s name to be on the rise this season as a potential first rounder.
21. New England Patriots – Dorian Williams | Tulane, LB
Dorian Williams is another guy that had a draftable grade as an underclassmen. His teammate, Cameron Sample, just went in the second round, which bodes well for Williams’ potential.
22. New York Giants – Owen Pappoe | Auburn, OLB
Pappoe has been a work in progress for Auburn, but this year is a huge stepping stone for him. He doesn’t have the size to be an NFL edge rusher, but can prove himself as an elite OLB with a big season of improvement, especially in his coverage abilities.
23. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) – David Bell | Purdue, WR
David Bell is another receiver to watch out for and could be a guy that becomes one of the best in the league. He has put up steady numbers over the last two seasons and has the potential to be a early first rounder.
24. Atlanta Falcons – DeMarvin Neal | Texas A&M, DT
The Falcons have failed on several defensive lineman over the years, but can get a steal here in the late 1st round.
25. Carolina Panthers – Nick Broeker | Ole Miss, OT
The Panthers took Brady Christensen in the 3rd of the 2021 draft, but if he doesn’t pan out they can take someone like Broeker to anchor their OL. Christensen also has the potential to play guard.
26. Los Angelos Chargers – Kaiir Elam | Florida, CB
We are expecting the Chargers offense to take off in 2021, but they will need an elite cover corner to hang around in their division.
27. Green Bay Packers – Nik Bonitto | Oklahoma, Edge
Bonitto is undersized as an edge rusher, but potentially can play in a 3-4 set as an OLB. He will need to showcase his coverage abilities to stay in the first round.
28. Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Linderbaum | Iowa, IOL
Iowa offensive lineman always find a way to trickle up the board and Linderbaum is as good as advertised.
29. Buffalo Bills – Cade Mays | Tennessee, OL
Cade Mays has bounced around the SEC, but should have a huge task for Tennessee as they lost 3 offensive lineman this year. He will likely play left tackle and has a perfect chance to prove his worth.
30. Detroit Lions (from Los Angelos Rams) – Merlin Robertson | Arizona State, Edge
Robertson had no sacks in 2020, but has always had the potential to be a 1st round pick. 2021 will be huge for him.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – George Karlaftis | Purdue, DL
Karlaftis played in just two games last year and had just 4 tackles, but if he can return to the production he posted in 2019 then he will be a first round pick.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Roger McCreary | Auburn, CB
McCreary is a dark horse cornerback prospect but emerged in 2020 as one of the most improved players on Auburn’s defense. If he can take the same step in 2021 then he can be a 1st round pick.
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