# | Team | Player | Pos | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Caleb Williams USC, Jr
|
QB | ||||
The Cardinals cut Colt McCoy at the end of the preseason and will go into the regular season with just-traded-for Josh Dobbs and rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Tune at quarterback. Kyler Murray is still recovering from an ACL injury and since this isn't the front office or coaching staff that drafted him No. 1 overall back in 2019, there's every reason to believe that if Arizona ends up with the first overall pick -- either through the worst record in the league or by virtue of the Texans having the worst record (the Cards got the Texans' 2024 first-rounder in the Will Anderson trade-up), Caleb Williams will be the choice. |
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2 |
Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
The last time a team had the first two picks in the NFL Draft? Back in 1992, when the Colts took defensive end Steve Emtman and linebacker Quentin Coryatt. If the Cards find themselves in that situation, hard to draw up a better way to jumpstart a franchise than by taking Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. |
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3 |
Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Fashanu returned to Penn State after a solid 2023 season. So solid, in fact, that we wonder if he had declared for the draft as a 20-year-old, if the Bears would've considered staying at No. 1 and taking the left tackle there. |
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4 |
Drake Maye North Carolina, Soph
|
QB | ||||
Drake Maye got off to a strong start vs. South Carolina over the weekend, and despite the two interceptions (one wasn't his fault), he looks every bit like a top-10 pick. That coupled with Ryan Tannehill entering the final year of his deal, it stands to reason that Maye will be on Tennessee's radar if they're picking this high -- even if the team has used Day 2 picks on QBs in the last two drafts. |
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5 |
Jared Verse Florida State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Verse is another player who would've been a top 25 pick had he come out last year. Now he'll have a chance to improve his draft stock after his promising '22 season was derailed by injury. |
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6 |
Joe Alt Notre Dame, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Alt is our OT2 though there are some concerns that he may not be athletic enough to play right tackle. We think he can, but here's the thing: If the Bucs are in position to take him they'll have the luxury of either moving him to the right side if Tristan Wirfs settles in at left tackle, or keeping Alt on the left side and moving Wirfs back to right tackle. Ideally, Tampa would love to be in the mix for a franchise QB but after Williams and Maye, QB3 remains an open race at this point in the process. |
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7 |
Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama, Jr
|
CB | ||||
Alabama thinks Kool-Aid has legit NFL cover skills -- the only question will be his deep speed. Otherwise, there's a lot to love about his game. Added bonus: He's an asset in the return game, too. |
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8 |
Dallas Turner Alabama, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Three of the five edge rushers on the Bears' roster will see their contract expire after the season so it could be a position of need. And while Verse is our EDGE1, Turner is 1a. |
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9 |
Emeka Egbuka Ohio State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
The skill position might not seem like a big need, but Hollins, Hodge and Miller all have expiring contracts and Egbuka would be one more weapon for second-year QB Desmond Ridder. |
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10 |
JC Latham Alabama, Jr
|
OT | ||||
The Steelers looked like a Super Bowl team in the preseason but we'll find out how much improved the offensive line is. If you're Kenny Pickett, you'd probably love the idea of having Broderick Jones and JC Latham as your bookends at tackle going forward. |
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11 |
Brock Bowers Georgia, Jr
|
TE | ||||
Offensive line is a huge need here but three are already off the board, and we know how important the tight end can be in the Patriots offense. Bowers is special, even if he isn't a traditional Y tight end. |
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12 |
Patrick Paul Houston, Jr
|
OT | ||||
David Bakhtiari is 31 and has two years left on his deal. Assuming Jordan Love looks the part and the Packers aren't in the franchise QB business, grooming Bakhtiari's replacement should be pretty high on the to-do list. Paul is raw but athletic, and if he makes the necessary strides this season he'll be in the first-round conversation. |
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13 |
Jer'Zhan Newton Illinois, Jr
|
DL | ||||
Newton played on an Illini defense last season that included No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon, and Day 2 selections Quan Martin and Sydney Brown. The defensive linemen will be the next in line to hear his name called early in the draft. |
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14 |
Leonard Taylor III Miami (Fla.), Soph
|
DL | ||||
When we watched Taylor over the summer he reminded us of Javon Hargrave and with a big season for the U he'll not only be a likely first-rounder, he could end up as DL1. |
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15 |
Barrett Carter Clemson, Jr
|
LB | ||||
Man, we love Barrett Carter. He flies all over the field and while he's not as big as former Clemson first-rounder Isaiah Simmons, he's used in a similar role. He's more refined than Quay Walker coming out of Georgia but with that type of athleticism. |
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16 |
Nate Wiggins Clemson, Jr
|
CB | ||||
Wiggins needs to add some weight and improve in run support but, sweet mercy, he is a lot of fun to watch in coverage. He is long, he can run, and he regularly plasters WR's downfield. |
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17 |
JT Tuimoloau Ohio State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Frank Clark is in the final year of his deal and Tuimoloau has game-wrecking abilities off the edge. |
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18 |
Kamren Kinchens Miami (Fla.), Jr
|
S | ||||
This may be a little rich for Kinchens, but he's a ballhawk in the middle of the field but we'd like to see him be a little more aggressive in run support. |
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19 |
Kalen King Penn State, Jr
|
CB | ||||
King might be undersized but he's plays much bigger; he's physical at the line of scrimmage, he can run with any WR he lines up against and he has ball skills. |
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20 |
Amarius Mims Georgia, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Mims could end up going much higher if he has a solid season; he only started one game in '22 but he flashes special talent. And while the Texans have Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at left and right tackle, the O-line has been plagued by injuries heading into the regular season and protecting rookie QB CJ Stroud has to be priority No. 1. |
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21 |
Chop Robinson Penn State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Robinson is a twitched-up, high-motor freak athlete who refuses to quit on a play, whether he's getting after the QB or making plays in run support. |
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22 |
Maason Smith LSU, Soph
|
DL | ||||
Smith missed almost all of last season with a knee injury but his 2021 tape gets your attention. If he continues to get stronger he'll be among the first defensive tackles to go off the board. |
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23 |
Cooper DeJean Iowa, Jr
|
CB | ||||
Last spring, Iowa CB Riley Moss went in the third round to the Broncos; DeJean is a better athlete and a good season could solidify his draft stock. |
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24 |
Josh Newton TCU, Sr
|
CB | ||||
Newton and his teammates were on the business end of a Week 1 upset by Colorado, but he has first-round potential because of his athleticism and coverage skills. |
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25 |
Bralen Trice Washington, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
The Ravens have struggled to find their go-to pass rusher in recent drafts and Trice is a proven commodity; he's a high-motor player who needs to expand his pass-rush arsenal but he's a designated pass rusher from Day 1. |
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26 |
Malik Nabers LSU, Jr
|
WR | ||||
Garrett Wilson is the unquestioned No. 1 receiver for the Jets, but Nabers would be a wonderful complement; he's a contested-catch machine that plays with the type of physicality that immediately translates to the next level. |
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27 |
Javon Bullard Georgia, Jr
|
S | ||||
Bullard plays much bigger than his size and if we learned any lessons from the 2023 Draft it's this: Yes, Brian Branch ran in the 4.6s at the combine but he plays close to 4.4 -- he did at Alabama and during the Lions' preseason. He was also a first-round talent even if that 40 time saw him fall to Round 2. We should keep Branch in mind as Bullard works his way through the '23 season. |
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28 |
Ja'Tavion Sanders Georgia, Jr
|
TE | ||||
Sanders is an athletic tight end who is a matchup problem all over the field. He's also asked to do a lot in the run game, though we'd like to see him get a little stronger as a blocker. |
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29 |
Quinn Ewers Texas, Soph
|
QB | ||||
Ewers is primed for a big year -- and if he hadn't suffered a shoulder injury in the Alabama game last season, he might already be more highly considered. As it stands, QB3 is wide open -- there are three or four candidates as we head into the college season and that list could grow over the next few months. |
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30 |
Laiatu Latu UCLA, Sr
|
EDGE | ||||
Leonard Floyd, AJ Epenesa are in contract years, and Von Miller coming back from his second ACL surgery. The biggest issues facing Latu will if he's cleared medically after a neck injury sidelined his career a few years ago. |
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31 |
Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia, Jr
|
LB | ||||
Mondon is the latest in a long line of athletic Georgia linebackers and a big season would put him squarely in the Day 1 mix. Based on his '22 tape, he's between Quay Walker and Channing Tindall in terms of where his game is heading into 2023 -- he's in the same conversation athletically, and he's already solid vs. the run. He just needs to improve awareness in coverage. |
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32 |
Calen Bullock USC, Jr
|
S | ||||
Bullock is a long, rangy safety who is coming off a five-interception effort during the 2022 campaign. He needs to improve in run support but he covers a lot of ground from deep centerfield. In Kansas City, L'Jarius Sneed, who played safety his final year in college, and Mike Edwards are in contract years. And Justin Reid's deal is up in '25. |
# | Team | Player | Pos | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Caleb Williams USC, Jr
|
QB | ||||
Of course, we can't set this in stone yet. But I'm guessing the Cardinals would be perfectly content with this outcome. Williams in the desert, starting in 2024. |
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2 |
Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
The Cardinals are ecstatic to land Williams and Harrison Jr. with the first two selections in the 2024 draft. Franchise cornerstones. |
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3 |
Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State, Jr
|
OT | ||||
The Colts can't pass on such a young, uber-talented left tackle in the early stages of the Anthony Richardson era. |
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4 |
Laiatu Latu UCLA, Sr
|
EDGE | ||||
Latu has the NFL-caliber size, bendiness, and productivity to be picked this high. Plus, the Bears are desperate for outside pass-rushing help. |
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5 |
Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama, Jr
|
CB | ||||
The Titans have a few cornerbacks set to hit free agency, and unfortunately Caleb Farley hasn't been able to stay healthy. McKinstry is as battle-tested as they come entering the league from Nick Saban's defense. |
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6 |
Rome Odunze Washington, Jr
|
WR | ||||
The Bears get Justin Fields another talented target to hopefully get the passing attack off the ground. |
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7 |
Jared Verse Florida State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
The Commanders have Chase Young and Montez Sweat set to hit free agency. With that being the case, they pick Verse here to add another super-gifted rusher to the defense that comes at a cost-controlled price for multiple years. |
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8 |
Brock Bowers Georgia, Jr
|
TE | ||||
The Buccaneers are thrilled to land one of the most hyped tight end prospects in a long time inside the top 10. |
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9 |
Kalen King Penn State, Jr
|
CB | ||||
King and Joey Porter Jr. team up again in the state of Pennsylvania after locking down Big 10 receivers together at Penn State. |
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10 |
J.J. McCarthy Michigan, Jr
|
QB | ||||
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are drawn to the mobility and arm talent of McCarthy, who'll eventually replace Daniel Jones. |
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11 |
Malik Nabers LSU, Jr
|
WR | ||||
It's been a while since the Patriots selected a receiver this early. It's a gigantic need that can't be ignored anymore. |
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12 |
Drake Maye North Carolina, Soph
|
QB | ||||
Maye has franchise-level arm talent and isn't a statue in the pocket. He can hit the ground running with Justin Jefferson . T.J. Hockenson and Co. as targets. |
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13 |
Jer'Zhan Newton Illinois, Jr
|
DL | ||||
The Rams see shades of Aaron Donald in Newton with this selection. |
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14 |
Barrett Carter Clemson, Jr
|
LB | ||||
A true difference-maker at linebacker would go a long way in fortifying the Raiders defense. Carter has quarterback-of-the-defense capabilities. |
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15 |
Joe Alt Notre Dame, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Given the state of the Broncos offensive line, the front office would be thrilled to have Alt available at No. 15 overall. |
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16 |
Shedeur Sanders Colorado, Jr
|
QB | ||||
The Seahawks are an organization who can house the media circus that will come with Sanders once he's in the NFL. |
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17 |
JC Latham Alabama, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Given Duane Brown's age, the Jets must address the offensive line early in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Latham is a high-floor type at tackle. |
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18 |
Tyler Nubin Minnesota, Sr
|
S | ||||
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has a long history of addressing the secondary early in drafts, and Nubin shines in coverage. |
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19 |
Leonard Taylor III Miami (Fla.), Soph
|
DL | ||||
The Calais Campbell signing has undoubtedly helped early in 2023, but the Falcons plan for the future on the interior of their defensive front with the active Taylor, who comes with massive upside. |
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20 |
Chop Robinson Penn State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Ideal prospect to learn from Cam Jordan before emerging as New Orleans' alpha rusher of the future. |
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21 |
Bralen Trice Washington, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Trice is a unique, ultra-polished rusher who can be deployed on the perimeter or inside of the offensive line. |
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22 |
Ruke Orhorhoro Clemson, Sr
|
DT | ||||
The Chargers defensive interior still needs work. Orhorhoro is a rock inside. |
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23 |
Keon Coleman Florida State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
Back to the first-round receiver well for the Ravens to keep the arsenal updated for Lamar Jackson. |
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24 |
Kris Jenkins Michigan, Sr
|
DL | ||||
The Browns have a few impending free agents at defensive tackle, and Jenkins has NFL bloodlines and strength to be instant impact on the same line as Myles Garrett. |
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25 |
Patrick Paul Houston, Jr
|
OT | ||||
With Austin Jackson bound for free agency -- and Connor Williams -- the Dolphins add to the offensive line to protect Tua Tagovailoa. |
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26 |
Johnny Wilson Florida State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
A true, sizable boundary wideout is precisely what this Lions offense needs, and Wilson is precisely that. |
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27 |
Emeka Egbuka Ohio State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
Replenishing the receiver position for the Bengals with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd set to become free agents in 2024. |
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28 |
Josh Newton TCU, Sr
|
CB | ||||
The Cowboys add a young, speedy, sticky-in-coverage corner who'd complement Trevon Diggs very well. |
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29 |
Kingsley Suamataia BYU, Soph
|
OT | ||||
The Bills must fortify the right tackle position, and Suamataia is a freaky specimen Buffalo typically gravitates toward early in the draft. |
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30 |
Caelen Carson Wake Forest, Jr
|
CB | ||||
Given the ages of Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the Eagles go with a twitchy, playmaking cornerback here. |
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31 |
T'Vondre Sweat Wake Forest, Sr
|
DL | ||||
The Chiefs gets an interior penetrator who's been on the draft radar to help Chris Jones along their defensive line. |
||||||
32 |
Maason Smith LSU, Soph
|
DL | ||||
The 49ers love addressing the trenches early, and Smith has game-wrecker capabilities. |
# | Team | Player | Pos | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Caleb Williams USC, Jr
|
QB | ||||
Arizona has been more feisty than many expected but they are still in a position to draft early. In this instance, the Cardinals are picking No. 1 overall as a result of their draft-day trade with Houston . Caleb Williams is the pick. |
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2 |
Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State, Jr
|
WR | ||||
Arizona gives its new quarterback a new weapon. Marvin Harrison Jr. was once rumored to be transferring to USC with Caleb Williams but they do finally connect in the NFL. |
||||||
3 |
Drake Maye North Carolina, Soph
|
QB | ||||
I do not think Chicago has done anything to give Justin Fields confidence but he is certainly not playing like a quarterback with confidence right now. He is missing open receivers and the Bears' new regime did not draft him. |
||||||
4 |
Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Braxton Jones had been solid at left tackle prior to his injury. Their scheme is a good fit for him but I wonder if they want a left tackle that is a bit more diverse to usher in the future with Drake Maye. |
||||||
5 |
Jared Verse Florida State, Jr
|
EDGE | ||||
Last week, offensive tackle was the choice for Indianapolis. The truth is that once we get to this point in the draft, the value is gone unless offensive tackle is a need. The choice here is Jared Verse but I think he needs to show more to prove that he is worthy of a top-5 selection. |
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6 |
Malik Nabers LSU, Jr
|
WR | ||||
New York has a bunch of wide receivers but none of them have shown the ability to take over a game. Malik Nabers is capable of being that player. He has the body control down the field to make acrobatic catches. |
||||||
7 |
J.J. McCarthy Michigan, Jr
|
QB | ||||
The jury is still out on J.J. McCarthy. The Bowling Green game was much worse than the prior two. It is known that Las Vegas is going to need a quarterback of the future. |
||||||
8 |
Brock Bowers Georgia, Jr
|
TE | ||||
Sam Howell has done some good things through two games. He has shown that the moment is not too big for him. Washington may be inclined to give him a longer look if things continue at this pace. Brock Bowers is someone who can make that transition easier. |
||||||
9 |
Amarius Mims Georgia, Jr
|
OT | ||||
Los Angeles' offensive line has been better than I expected. They have an offensive-friendly blocking scheme but Amarius Mims, when healthy, is a talent who makes the scheme irrelevant. He has All-Pro potential. |
||||||
10 |