1. Carolina Panthers – (Trade w/ Chicago Bears) – CJ Stroud – (QB-Ohio State) – The Panthers have their pick at quarterback here, and Stroud gives them the best chance to win now. He’s accurate, poised, and has displayed the ability to make NFL throws with timing and touch.

2. Houston Texans – Bryce Young – (QB-Alabama) – By selecting Young, the Texans set themselves up to compete in an open division. The rest of the roster has been built with players who are not only on short-term contracts, but also ones that provide them a chance to win instead of holding just place.

3. Las Vegas Raiders – (Trade w/ Arizona Cardinals) – Anthony Richardson – (QB-Florida) – Not only was it reported that the Raiders called to inquire about Aaron Rodgers, but they also called about the #1 pick. It costs them a lot to make this move, but the organization sees Richardson as the future and is not in as much of a hurry to win now as the public perceives. He’s raw, but Josh McDaniels has a track record of developing quarterbacks.

4. Indianapolis Colts – Jalen Carter – (DT-Georgia) – The front office is not high enough on Will Levis to make the move for him here, and instead they opt for Carter, who has widely been seen as the premier, non-quarterback talent in this class. Pairing Carter alongside Deforest Buckner gives Indianapolis a ferocious tandem up front, and they instead wait for their quarterback.

5. Seattle Seahawks – Tyree Wilson – (Edge-Texas Tech) – Even after beefing up their front-seven on defense, Seattle takes their pick at the player that will help bolster their pass rush right away. Wilson may not have the production of Will Anderson, but he is oozing with potential, and screams Seattle with his set of traits and imposing frame.

6. Detroit Lions – Will Levis (QB-Kentucky) – Much like last year, the Lions land a player that they didn’t expect to be there at the top of the draft. Opinions vary on Levis, but this team also should not expect to be picking this high come next spring. Levis could use some time to improve as a decision maker, but he has all the makings of an NFL quarterback. This is a good fit for both parties.

7. Arizona Cardinals – (Trade w/ Las Vegas Raiders) – Will Anderson – (Edge-Alabama) – Not only does Arizona add capital for the future with this trade, but adding Anderson gives this team a true stud at pass rusher as they look to rebuild their defense. Anderson made a name living in backfields in college football, and he has all the tools to become an All-Pro at the next level.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Peter Skoronski – (OT-Northwestern) – If Arthur Smith continues to build this thing out the way he has, the Falcons will be looking to add quality players up front to help this young offense continue to make strides. Skoronski gives them flexibility along the offensive line and should see the field from day one.

9. Chicago Bears– (Trade w/ Carolina Panthers) – Devon Witherspoon (CB-Illinois) – After adding depth to their defensive line, and importing a pair of rangy linebackers in free agency, Chicago focuses on fixing their secondary with the top corner on their board. Witherspoon is tough, and would give the Bears a pair of young, quality cornerbacks as they build out this defense.

10. Philadelphia Eagles – Nolan Smith – (EDGE-Georgia) – With both Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham playing on one-year contracts, the Eagles look to bolster their pass rush with Smith, who tested off the charts and still has room to develop. Philadelphia rode their dominant defense to a Super Bowl run, which is why they continue to emphasize the trenches with this pick.

11. Tennessee Titans – Paris Johnson – (OT-Ohio State) – After making significant changes along the offensive line over the off-season, Tennessee should be looking to fortify the trenches with this pick. Johnson gives the Titans a solid blocker who can anchor the left tackle position for the future.

12. Houston Texans – Myles Murphy – (DE-Clemson) – Not only did the Texans make additions to their offense in free agency, but this is also a team that will be coached by a defensive mind in Demeco Ryans, who also happened to deploy a deep stable of pass rushers in San Francisco. Murphy might not be a finished product, but he could become a cornerstone of this defense with the right coaching.

13. New York Jets – Broderick Jones – (OT-Georgia) – A few key free agency moves indicate the Jets are looking to drastically improve their offensive production, which means stabilizing an offensive line that suffered injuries last season by making this pick. Adding Jones gives New York insurance and flexibility along the line as they look to make a Super Bowl push in 2023.

14. New England Patriots – Brian Branch – (DB-Alabama) – With position flexibility, and the team having uncertainty for the future at both the safety and nickel position, Branch offers the Patriots a versatile defender who can fill various roles on defense. The Alabama connection for New England also helps strengthen Branch’s case for being selected here.

15. Green Bay Packers – Lukas Van Ness – (DL-Iowa) – The Packers value players that can get after the quarterback, and, given not only their success in developing a similarly raw talent in Rashan Gary, but also the potential departure of Preston Smith in the coming years, Van Ness is the pick here. A raw, high-motor player with scheme versatility, he gives the Packers a player they can ease into the rotation and still see some production from early on.

16. Washington Commanders – Christian Gonzalez – (CB-Oregon) – This organization prioritizes the defense, and, after surrounding Sam Howell with a stable of weapons, they can focus on bolstering cornerback. With Kendall Fuller playing out the last year of his contract, the Commanders secure a young player in Gonzalez who has the type of playing style that fits this defense.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr. – (CB-Penn State) – The board happens to fall in a way that pairs a familiar name with an organization that not only values defenders with a ferocious side to them, but also one with a need at the position. Inserting Porter Jr. into the lineup in the slot right away could help his development, especially with a mentor like Patrick Peterson on board.

18. Minnesota Vikings – (Trade w/ Detroit Lions) Jaxon Smith-Njigba – The Vikings have proven they’re willing to not only move around the board, but also to do business with a divisional foe. With the departure of Adam Thielen, the Vikings are in need of a reliable receiver to compliment Justin Jefferson. Smith-Njigba and Jefferson have similar traits, which gives Minnesota flexibility as they restock this offense and look to make another playoff push.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bijan Robinson – (RB-Texas) – The temptation to beef up the offensive line is strong, but drafting a bell-cow back like Robinson here would behoove Tampa Bay as they plan to roll into the new season with Baker Mayfield under center. It’s high-praise, but Robinson’s blend of power, speed and balance draws a resemblance to Barry Sanders; he is poised for success at the next level.

20. Seattle Seahawks – O’Cyrus Torrence – (G-Florida) – By fortifying the trenches here, Seattle bypasses some of the better receiver prospects on the board, but also sets this offense up to be even better than it was in 2022. Torrence has the tools to become a long-time starter in this league, and Seattle takes advantage of him sliding this far.

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Jalin Hyatt – (WR-Tennessee) – With a need for speed on offense, the Chargers pick Hyatt, who has game-breaking ability with the ball in his hands. His wide catch radius and ability to hit second-gear gives Justin Herbert a bonafide weapon to help open up this offense.

22. Baltimore Ravens – Adetomiwa Adebawore – (DE-Northwestern) – As an organization that values traits and upside in their pass rushers, Baltimore lands a player in Adebawore who has flashed enough to show he could become a top-tier player at his position down the road. Their rotational depth along the front-seven allows the Ravens to ease him into the lineup and still see results.

23. Detroit Lions – (Trade w/ Minnesota Vikings) – Quinten Johnson – With Johnson falling to them here, the Lions are happy to get a big-bodied target who would fit nicely into this offense and compliment their current group of receivers. Not only is Josh Reynolds more of a role-player, but he’s also entering free agency in 2024, which means the Lions should be looking to add depth.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Keion White – (DE-Georgia Tech) – With an emphasis on picking linebackers and pass rushers in last year’s draft, Jacksonville looks to shore up their front line with a player in White who can slide around the formation and play different roles for them. His sturdy frame and explosiveness make him a high-upside prospect who could turn out to be quite good.

25. Indianapolis Colts – (Trade w/ New York Giants) – Hendon Hooker – (QB-Tennessee) – Patience pays off for Indianapolis, as they are able to move back up into the first round with this trade and still secure a quarterback who would more than likely be in the conversation for a high first-round pick if it were not for his ACL injury. The move to add Gardner Minshew at least offers the Colts a chance to remain competitive as Hooker gets healthy and eases into the offense; he could end up being a steal, especially this late.

26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer – (TE-Notre Dame) – Another draft in which a premier talent falls into the Cowboys’ lap. Mayer fills a need for this team after they let Dalton Schultz walk, and Mayer has all the makings of an high-end starter for years to come; he is the complete package.

27. Buffalo Bills – Dawand Jones (OT-Ohio State) – Bolstering the offensive line should be a top priority for Buffalo, especially after watching the Dolphins sack Josh Allen seven times in their playoff game last season. Jones is a massive specimen, and comes from a program that knows a thing or two about athletes. He could fill in right away if needed.

28. Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kincaid – (TE-Utah) – As it stands, the Bengals are in need of a starting tight end. Kincaid has the potential to go much earlier, but in this scenario he gets pushed down and falls to Cincinnati. The pick is much like last year’s first rounder in Daxton Hill: a no-brainer.

29. Green Bay Packers – (Trade w/ New Orleans Saints) – Bryan Breese – (DT-Clemson) Injury concerns for Breese prevent him from going earlier, but he is undoubtedly one of the premier talents in this class, and possesses tons of upside as a prospect. The Packers should be looking at bolstering their defensive line early, and Breese lands on a team that should be able to develop his talents.

30. Philadelphia Eagles – Cam Smith – (CB-South Carolina) – Though they brought back both Darius Slay and James Bradberry in free agency, neither player appears to be in the long-term future for this team. Smith is a lockdown corner who could assume one of the starting roles as early as 2024.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jordan Addison – (WR-USC) – The reigning Super Bowl champions can go in a multitude of directions with this pick, but with Addison still on the board, they elect to add more playmakers to the offense. Marques Valdes-Scantling is not a lock to be on this roster beyond 2023, and Addison gives the Chiefs a reliable weapon who is a smooth route-runner that can move the chains.