Disclaimer: If the season ended today, this would be the Draft Order. The draft will look incredibly different even as soon as next week. Enjoy this extraordinarily complex process and take everything this early with a grain of salt!
1. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) (0-1)
C.J. Stroud | Ohio State, QB
Crazier things have happened, but the Rams certainly won’t finish dead last in the NFL. However, there is a chance that the Lions will, despite looking much improved since last year. Last year they got edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, so now they get their QB of the future. Apparently the organization is impressed with Goff, but if they are picking 1st, then it will be hard to pass.
2. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Will Anderson | Alabama, Edge
Although I think the Cardinals have a major regression this year, I also don’t think they will finish in 31st in the league. If they do, they will lock down one of the best edge rushing prospects of the last decade with Will Anderson.
3. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers) (0-1)
Bryce Young | Alabama, QB
The Dolphins cheated their way out of their own 1st round pick, but luckily still own the 49ers. Tua is not the guy and if they are in a spot where they can lock down a top QB, then they must take a shot at replacing him with a guy that can actually make the NFL throws.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Kelee Ringo | Georgia, CB
The Raiders have one of the worst recent track records with 1st round picks, but could land a stud here. Ringo is a long and strong corner that can dominate on the outside and pairs up well with bigger receivers. The AFC West is the most pass happy division in football, so defensive backs are at a premium.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Jordan Addison | USC, WR
Can USC put out back-to-back WR1s in the NFL Draft? I absolutely believe it. Despite the draft hype entering the season being all over Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, I am a bigger fan of the smooth route runner from USC. The 2021 Biletnikoff winner shows shades of Stefon Diggs on tape, which makes me very optimistic despite his smaller frame.
6. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Peter Skoronoski | Northwestern, OT
This class is a weaker offensive line class than the past two classes, but Northwestern prospect continues to put out 1st round tape. There have been concerns over his length, but fellow Wildcat tackle Rashawn Slater had the same worries. In an ever-evolving league, mobility is overtaking the arm length trait in some organizations.
7. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State, WR
Carolina has done everything to win, but consistently has failed since David Tepper purchased the team. Matt Rhule will be out of the building by Christmas, with Fitterer possibly joining him. With a new regime taking over, I suspect them to tag Baker and hold off another season at QB, unless they have a shot at one of the top 2 guys.
8. New England Patriots (0-1)
Myles Murphy | Clemson, Edge
It’s rare that the Pats ever pick this high, but they take advantage here of the stud from Clemson still being on the board. Murphy is a tone-setting edge that has the potential to be a double digit sack guy in the NFL.
9. Detroit Lions (0-1)
Bryan Bresee | Clemson, DL
The 6’6″ 300 lbs monster is one of the most versatile defensive lineman in the country. He reminds me a lot of JJ Watt when he played at Wisconsin due to his combination interior power and outside leverage pass rushing skillset.
10. Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
Jalen Carter | Georgia, DT
Jalen Carter is another versatile defensive lineman that does so much more than run stuff. The Cowboys love to make a splash through the draft and drafting Jalen Carter would do just that.
11. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Isaiah Foskey | Notre Dame, Edge
It is clear that the Packers’ biggest weakness this season is receivers, but the last thing I suspect them to do is turn to the 1st round for that. The Packers instead opt for an additional edge rusher that can immediately play a big role in the rotation.
12. New York Jets (0-1)
Jared Verse | Florida State, Edge
The Jets are my pick to end up with the 1st overall pick, which in my mind would end the Zach Wilson era. Even picking 12 here, I think there is a good chance that the Salah experiment could come to an end. It’s tempting for me to pair Will Levis with the Jets here, but instead they elect to strengthen their pass rush through this strong edge class.
13. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Broderick Jones | Georgia, OT
No surprise to me, the Falcons outperformed the media’s expectations for them in week 1. However, they still have one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL and need a true tackle with this pick.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB
I still think the Bengals will win their division, but they need to replace Eli Apple wherever they are picking. Joey Porter Jr. is one of my favorite corner prospects and a guy that has what it takes to be a true lockdown machine.
15. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) (0-1)
Will Levis | Kentucky, QB
The Seahawks own two 1st round picks and it would be hard to believe that they don’t pick their QB of the future somewhere in the draft. Levis is somewhat of a project, but I love the arm talent and pocket presence enough to rank him as a day 1 talent.
16. Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1)
Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB
It’s early in the season, but we have already seen the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde out of Anthony Richardson. Week 1 he looked like the Heisman favorite against #7 Utah, then he followed it up with a stinker against #20 Kentucky. Richardson is far from a complete, NFL ready prospect but he has shown his elite athleticism and arm talent already. He’s a massive project, but so was Trey Lance and others that have gone much higher than 16.
17. Houston Texans (0-0-1)
Cedric Tillman | Tennessee, WR
Tillman has been one of the bright-spots for the Tennessee Vols and is already off to a scorching hot start this season. He brings a blend of elite size, speed and route running that could land him in the 1st round.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Bijan Robinson Jr. | Texas, RB
Ekeler is approaching the late stages of an RB career and the Chargers keep taking late shots on guys that can strengthen the rotation. This is their shot to hit a homerun and bring in a do-it-all RB in the back half of the 1st round.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina, QB
The shocker of the draft and a guy I am a lot higher on than most. Do I think the Bucs will draft a 1st round QB with Tom Brady on the roster? Absolutely not, but it certainly is a fun scenario to think about.
20. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Trenton Simpson | Clemson, LB
The Seahawks should have a transformative draft class with two picks, with at least one that should be rather high. After going QB, they also can bring in fresh talent to their LB group with the versatile linebacker from Clemson.
21. Chicago Bears (1-0)
Josh Downs | UNC, WR
Downs is a smaller wideout, but a guy that can dominate the slot in the NFL and push Darnell Mooney to a full-time spot outside.
22. Washington Commanders (1-0)
Noah Sewell | Oregon, LB
The Commanders have taken shots on LB in the past and take another one here on the stud out of Oregon. Sewell fits Rivera’s scheme very well and gives me strong vibes to a former 1st round pick of his, Shaq Thompson.
23. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Jacoby Windmon | Michigan State, Edge
I think the Bills might just win the Super Bowl, but picking here they can just add more depth to their insanely deep DL rotation. Windmon is already one of the biggest gainers this year and could be long gone by pick 23.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
Cam Smith | South Carolina, CB
Smith could be one of the breakout performers in this draft class and is already off to a solid start. The Steelers are currently starting two journeymen CBs on the outside and could benefit from some youth in the group.
25. New York Giants (1-0)
Henry To’oto’o | Alabama, LB
This is a bit ‘hot takey’ but To’oto’o is one of the biggest sleepers in this class and the Giants can’t rely on the weak group they currently are rocking with. Remember this name…it’s hard to forget.
26. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama, RB
Another Bama player off the board and this time is the RB transfer that has been amazing through two games. Gibbs is the exact type of player you look for when bringing in a RB that can truly do it all and provide a lot of help in the pass game.
27. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Kayshon Boutte | LSU, WR
Boutte is the biggest faller so far since Bryan Kelly got to campus. The offense simply doesn’t fit his skillset and he is struggling on the outside with one of the weakest passers in the SEC. Have no mistake…the 1st round talent is still there.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints) (1-0)
Antonio Johnson | Texas A&M, S
The Eagles are once again loaded with draft capital but who knows where they will be picking with the Saints pick. Here they lock down the most versatile “rover” in the draft and bring in some young talent to an aging secondary.
29. Forfeited pick (via Miami Dolphins) (1-0)
Miami cheated. Got caught. This won’t be this late of a pick.
30. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
Zay Flowers | Boston College, WR
Is this the year of Kirk Cousins? If so, they likely will be keeping him around for a bit longer and can continue to surround him with weapons.
31. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OL
The Eagles have the tackle spots locked down for the near future but they land a lineman that can move around in his early career.
32. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns) (1-0)
Andre Carter II | Army, Edge
Will the Browns win the Super Bowl? Absolutely not. 0%. Never. But they were given this spot in the draft order after week 1 and their pick naturally belongs to the Texans, who bring in an edge rusher with potential that is through the roof.
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