Oregon • Soph • 6’5″ / 258 lbs
Zach Wilson is not on a short leash in the Big Apple, so the Jets add Kayvon Thibodeaux to pair with Carl Lawson. |
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Alabama • Jr • 6’7″ / 350 lbs
Jacksonville can either improve its five best offensive linemen or replace Cam Robinson at left tackle. |
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LSU • Jr • 6’1″ / 195 lbs
Houston was a seller at the trade deadline, but it can alter its fortunes for good with the draft capital it is likely to have next offseason. |
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Notre Dame • Jr • 6’4″ / 219 lbs
Kyle Hamilton is the best player on the board. It is not ideal using a top-five pick on a safety, but Hamilton has the versatility to somewhat justify the choice. |
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Purdue • Jr • 6’4″ / 275 lbs
New York’s strength in recent years has been the defensive line but applying pressure has still been a challenge. George Karlaftis is not a flashy edge rusher, but he should help that unit. |
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Michigan • Sr • 6’6″ / 265 lbs
Aidan Hutchinson has been highly productive this season with a new defensive coordinator. Philadelphia replaces some of the aging talent on its roster and is able to bridge a gap into the future. Will this draft capital have to be spent on a quarterback, however? |
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Ole Miss • Jr • 6’2″ / 205 lbs
Consider me skeptical that Taylor Heinicke is the answer for the future. Washington brings Matt Corral in to be a leader and quick decision-maker of the offense. |
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Texas A&M • Jr • 6’4″ / 325 lbs
New York bolsters its interior offensive line with the choice of Kenyon Green. I think his future is as an interior offensive lineman and a very good one at that. |
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Liberty • Jr • 6’1″ / 195 lbs
Atlanta adds a quarterback who could potentially be its future. Malik Willis has long speed and a good arm. |
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Clemson • Jr • 6’0″ / 200 lbs
Philadelphia likes to play a lot of zone coverage and that is Clemson’s specialty as well. Andrew Booth Jr. comes in where he has comfort in the scheme and is solely asked to make plays on the ball. |
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Mississippi State • Soph • 6’5″ / 310 lbs
Carolina has clearly determined that it is once again in the quarterback market, but I do not see any options that warrant parting with Sam Darnold. I think the Panthers would be more inclined to once again peruse the trade market. |
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Iowa • Jr • 6’3″ / 290 lbs
General manager Joe Douglas has a vested interest in creating a great offensive line. Tyler Linderbaum is athletic and already has some experience in wide zone concepts. It is a perfect fit in New York. |
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Georgia • Soph • 6’6″ / 330 lbs
Denver has officially moved on from Von Miller and it feels as though more changes are in the offing. The addition of Jordan Davis would give that team a lynchpin for the future. |
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USC • Jr • 6’4″ / 250 lbs
Edge rusher help is imperative. Everson Griffen has more football behind him than he does ahead and Danielle Hunter has battled injuries. |
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NC State • Soph • 6’4″ / 320 lbs I know some are convinced that Ikem Ekwonu is capable of playing tackle in the NFL, but I still believe the interior offensive line is his best option. Philadelphia has some older, accomplished players on the line and injuries have been an issue. The Eagles are a team in transition and it is time to make some changes. |
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Texas A&M • Jr • 6’4″ / 290 lbs
After adding Jaelan Phillips in the first round a year ago, Miami adds more pop and sizzle down the middle. DeMarvin Leal is a scheme flexible player who can occupy multiple roles. |
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Ohio State • Jr • 6’0″ / 192 lbs
Garrett Wilson becomes the first wide receiver off the board midway through the first round. New England is still in need of pass catchers. |
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Northern Iowa • Jr • 6’7″ / 321 lbs
The offensive line has been the downfall of Pittsburgh and it is holding back Najee Harris. The addition of a quality offensive tackle should elevate that unit. |
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Ohio State • Sr • 6’1″ / 188 lbs
In wake of the recent Henry Ruggs news, Las Vegas is in need of help at wide receiver. The Raiders love Ohio State players and Olave is the best available. |
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Arkansas • Jr • 6’3″ / 225 lbs
And in light of the Odell Beckham Jr. news, it is safe to say Cleveland needs to begin considering its options. Jarvis Landry is likely gone after the season as well. Treylon Burks is a big receiver who does not lack speed or jump ball capability. |
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Cincinnati • Jr • 6’2″ / 188 lbs
Cincinnati’s defense has played better than expected, but it would be foolish to rely on continued solid play at cornerback with the group it has. Zac Taylor can go help “Sauce” Gardner move out of his dorm room and into a cushy apartment on The Banks. |
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Pittsburgh • Sr • 6’3″ / 220 lbs
Despite New Orleans doubling down on some high-value players on its roster, it is clear the Saints are biding time to regain salary cap health and find a future at quarterback. Kenny Pickett is likely not going to get a first-round grade from me, but need drives the position up the board. |
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USC • Jr • 6’5″ / 210 lbs Despite an injury, I do not think Drake London’s pro prospects were compromised all that much. Los Angeles will likely lose Mike Williams to a big pay day after the season, so London steps right in opposite Keenan Allen. |
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Washington • Soph • 5’11” / 195 lbs
Cornerback continues to be a thorn in Tennessee’s side. With any luck, Caleb Farley will progress and return healthy, but it needs to make arrangements for help either way. The Titans took Elijah Molden from Washington last year and return to the well in 2022. |
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Florida • Jr • 6’2″ / 196 lbs
Kansas City grabbed a few lottery tickets at cornerback and hoped for the best but it has not played out that way. I still consider cornerback to be a need for the Chiefs and Kaiir Elam helps fill the void. |
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Kentucky • Sr • 6’5″ / 345 lbs
Arizona could look at cornerback, but a road paving offensive guard like Darian Kinnard would certainly prolong Kyler Murray’s career. |
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South Carolina • Sr • 6’4″ / 260 lbs
Randy Gregory has been a revelation for Dallas but depth is crucial. Kingsley Enagbare would either jump into the rotation with DeMarcus Lawrence and Gregory or eventually replace one of them. |
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Oklahoma • Sr • 6’5″ / 266 lbs
There are way more first-round picks than players with first-round grades for me, so this stage of the first round is essentially identifying players who have the ability to be in the conversation. Isaiah Thomas is a physical player who has shown a bit more pass rush diversity this season. |
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Central Michigan • Jr • 6’7″ / 305 lbs
Baltimore needs reinforcement at offensive tackle. Bernhard Raimann is a very athletic player who just needs to get stronger and more consistent in his technique. |
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Penn State • Sr • 5’11” / 184 lbs
Jahan Dotson can win at all three levels of the defense. I’m not sure if a safety and smaller wide receiver is what Detroit hoped to accomplish with two first-round picks, but that is how the board fell. |
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Georgia • Sr • 6’0″ / 190 lbs
The selection of Derion Kendrick is a bit of a gamble, but he has flashed first-round talent with Clemson and Georgia. If the pick pans out, the Bills defense could soar. |
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Utah • Jr • 6’3″ / 235 lbs
I’ve been the conductor of the Devin Lloyd hype train. I think you see some Fred Warner in his game with his ability to get off blocks and improve in coverage. |
