1. Chicago Bears – QB Caleb Williams – USC

With Justin Fields off to Pittsburgh, the Bears are officially turning the page at quarterback. From the moment Williams stepped on the field as a freshman at Oklahoma, it was evident he was a star in the making. After decades of searching for their guy, the Bears find him in Williams. This is a no-brainer pick.

2. Washington Commanders – QB Jayden Daniels – LSU

Washington is in a similar position as Chicago. They’ve been searching for answers at quarterback since trading up for Robert Griffin III, and if there’s a player in this class who resembles RG3’s playing style, it’s Daniels. Although his frame is concerning, Daniels has shown improvement since his freshman year at Arizona State. At LSU, Daniels was able to air it out, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has made his bread by running air-raid offenses. This is a strong fit for both parties.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Trade with New England Patriots – QB Drake Maye – UNC

Even before free agency opened up and the Vikings packaged picks to gain an additional first-round pick, this move felt like it made sense. The Patriots could very well stand pat and pick their quarterback of the future, but the roster in New England has a long way to go before becoming competitive again. New GM Eliot Wolf comes from a Packers organization that prioritizes the quarterback position, but even when Wolf was in Cleveland and the team picked Baker Mayfield, the team had fewer holes than this Patriots squad. Moving back and acquiring more picks also doesn’t preclude the Patriots from picking a quarterback. But for Minnesota, the Vikings are ready to pull the trigger and insert a premier talent like Maye into the lineup, hoping he can push them back into the playoffs and keep them on pace with the other division rivals. Maye immediately makes Minnesota better.

4. New York Giants – trade w/ Arizona Cardinals – WR Marvin Harrison Jr. – Ohio State

The Giants free agency approach signals one thing: the pressure is on for 2024. While Brian Daboll did enough in his first year as head coach, Daniel Jones is entering a pivotal season. Trading for Brian Burns raises the floor of what this team can be, but the Giants are still lacking a true alpha receiver. It costs them their second-round pick this year, but Harrison is a difference-maker who could do wonders for this offense. There will be other elite prospects at receiver for the Giants to target at pick #6, but none as complete as Harrison.

5. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Malik Nabers – LSU

It seemed imminent that both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen would be playing elsewhere in 2024. This came true, which leaves a gaping hole at receiver for the Chargers. A few calls come in for trades, but none is enticing enough to pass on a player like Nabers. The deep-ball ability of Justin Herbert paired with Nabers makes for a tantalizing combination, and immediately gives this Los Angeles offense a boost. He’ll step in right away and become the alpha receiver LA sorely needs.

6. Arizona Cardinals – Trade w/ New York Giants – Edge Dallas Turner – Alabama

With extra draft capital to use on their offensive line and receiver room, thanks to the trade with New York, the Cardinals are in a position to add a stud pass rusher with their first pick. Jonathan Gannon’s defense overachieved last season, which leaves a lot to wonder about what he can do with a potential game-wrecker in Turner. Add in the fact that GM Monti Ossenfort was reportedly excited about Turner’s 40-yard dash time, and this pick makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals. Turner could give Arizona’s young defense a building block like his former Alabama teammate did last season in Houston.

7. Tennessee Titans – OL Joe Alt – Notre Dame

The fit feels natural, even after the Titans bolstered the offensive line by signing Lloyd Cushenberry and Saahdiq Charles. With a towering frame and a strong NFL bloodline, the upside on Alt is a 10+ year starter. Having him step in and help protect Will Levis means this organization gets a better grasp on the trajectory of its offense for both the immediate and the future. Alt is a day-one starter and an easy pick here.

8. Atlanta Falcons – WR Rome Odunze – Washington

Odzune has similarities to Julio Jones in how he creates instant separation and can win contested catches. While he is not as physically imposing as Jones, he would give this offense a potential star to pair alongside Drake London. With Odzune still on the board, teams will absolutely be calling. But with a need at the position, adding the Washington product is a no-brainer for a Falcons team that’s all-in on these next few seasons.

9. Chicago Bears – OL Olumuyiwa Fashanu – Penn State

After bolstering the receiver room in free agency and now landing their quarterback of the future, the Bears must improve the offensive line. Fashanu entered the 2023 season at Penn State as one of the hottest prospects but saw his stock cool down a bit after a rocky season. But the traits and talent are still there, which means this pick becomes easy even after taking calls to move back. Fashanu can step in right away and contribute to this Bears offense that suddenly sees its arrow pointing upward.

10. New York Jets – TE Brock Bowers – Georgia

The Jets are a team that called Atlanta to move up for Odunze but had no such luck. Bowers is a solid consolation prize, especially considering the team’s need at tight end. Even though the receiver class is deep, pass-catcher takes precedence over the offensive line for a New York team that’s got everything on the table for 2024. Having Bowers in the fold means adding another wrinkle to the offense and giving Aaron Rodgers a reliable pass catcher who does his best work with the ball in his hands.

11. New England Patriots – Trade with Minnesota Vikings – QB JJ McCarthy – Michigan

After moving back and stocking up on picks, the Patriots still manage to get a quarterback they can groom without having him enter the league with the pressure of being a top-five pick. McCarthy’s stock is polarizing, as he wasn’t asked to put the team on his back at Michigan, but he also plays a style of football that would fit well in New England under Alex Van Pelt. With Jacoby Brissett back in town, the team can take the slow road with McCarthy and allow him to sit for a season as they build out the offense.

12. Denver Broncos – DE Jared Verse – Florida State

It’s the Sean Payton show in Denver, and while overseeing the Saints, Payton prioritized the trenches. By adding Verse, the Broncos bolster the defensive front with an edge defender who is the most well-rounded at his position. He doesn’t have the burst of Dallas Turner, but his hands at the point of contact and ability to find the football make Verse one of the top defensive prospects in the draft. Verse can play the run and would step in and be an immediate contributor in Denver.

13. Las Vegas Raiders – OT JC Latham – Alabama

New GM Tom Tolesco comes to Las Vegas with the task of rebuilding the Raiders. While running the Chargers, Tolesco largely prioritized the offensive and defensive lines with his early draft picks. This pick could very well be traded, but Las Vegas should be looking to add blue-chip talent up front before targeting a quarterback since they’re not in a position to draft one of the elite signal callers in this class.

14. New Orleans Saints – OL Taliese Fauga – Oregon State 

After adding to the receiver room and signing Chase Young, the offensive line remains a priority for the Saints. As a dominant run-blocker, Fauga would help boost the floor of this offense by helping Alvin Kamara get back to peak form. The run scheme under Klint Kubiak will likely rely on zone blocking, which would make for a strong fit for Fauga.

15. Indianapolis Colts – CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo

The Colts are as primed to trade back as any team in the first round. With no glaring needs, but still plenty of work to do on defense, the team focuses on cornerback with their first pick. As a physical press corner with good size, Mitchell’s style matches up with what Indianapolis likes to do on defense and he could slide in and start right away.  

16. Pittsburgh Steelers – (Trade w/ Seattle Seahawks) – CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama

After rehauling their secondary in free agency, the Steelers still have to fill holes on the back end. The teams ahead of them have a similar need at cornerback, and seeing Arnold there compels Pittsburgh to move up. With a diverse skill set, Arnold can occupy multiple roles in the secondary and give the Steelers the sort of flexibility they covet from their defenders.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Xavier Worthy – Texas

The Jaguars are a splashy team when it comes to making additions. They also aren’t afraid to go outside of the box in the draft, especially when it comes to picking players with high-end traits. While Gabe Davis was signed to be a deep threat for this offense, Zay Jones is playing on an expiring contract and this team only lost Calvin Ridley because they got outbid by the Titans. Adding Worthy gives the Jags another player who can stretch the field and pry open this Super Bowl window they find themselves in.

18. Cincinnati Bengals –  DL Byron Murphy II – Texas

Cincinnati has spent their last two first-round picks on getting younger at pass rusher and safety. Now it’s time to add to the interior. The Bengals signed Sheldon Rankins, but will not incur a massive cap hit if they move on from him in 2025. He’s not the most powerful, but Murphy is quick for his size and his short-range burst could make him an impactful tackle at the next level.

19. New England Patriots – Trade with Los Angeles Rams (From Vikings) – CB Cooper DeJean – Iowa

All the teams standing between the Patriots need to upgrade their secondary, and DeJean will do just that for New England. With the pick they received from the trade with Minnesota (originally from Houston) and a fourth-rounder, the Patriots move up for DeJean. His versatility fits the Patriots identity on defense and Jerod Mayo should be able to unlock DeJean’s full potential. Before finding a more permanent role, DeJean could fill the slot.

20. Tampa Bay Buccanneers – Trade w/ Seattle Seahawks (from Pittsburgh) – CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama

The run on cornerbacks gets the phone buzzing for Seattle, and by taking this trade with Tampa Bay, the Seahawks net a third-rounder (pick 89) in return. The Buccanneers can rebuild their secondary with this draft pick after having moved on from a few veterans over the years. McKinstry is sticky in coverage and can become the sort of number-one corner that the team needs.

21. Miami Dolphins – OT Amarius Mims – Georgia

The offensive line remains a priority for Miami, especially with the injury history of Terron Armstead. With Tua’s contract extension upcoming, the team must prioritize protecting him and maximizing the potential of their offense. As a former five-star recruit, Mims has all the potential to become an All-Pro caliber tackle at the next level.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – EDGE Chop Robinson – Penn State

Although they kept Josh Sweat, the Eagles appear destined to move on from Haason Reddick. At Penn State, Robinson was a menace off the edge. He plays with the sort of tenacity and speed that would suit this defense. With an arsenal of pass-rushing moves, Robinson has one of the higher ceilings in this class.

23. Los Angeles Rams (Trade w/ New England Patriots) – Troy Fautanu

After years of eschewing first-round picks entirely, the Rams look to bolster their offensive line with this selection. Fautanu falling prevents LA from trading back again and gives them another building block for the future. He can play guard or tackle, and Fautanu gives the Rams flexibility as they look to capitalize on a strong 2023 campaign from their offense.

24. Dallas Cowboys – WR Brian Thomas – LSU

With shades of Ceedee Lamb in his game, Thomas would help fill a dire need for the Cowboys. Even at his size, he can create separation and has the deep speed to help keep the Dallas passing attack potent. Thomas got overlooked at LSU by Malik Nabers and Jayden Daniels, but he has the potential to carve out a strong career in the NFL.

25. Green Bay Packers – OL Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma

The Packers are among the league’s best when it comes to drafting and developing along the offensive line. With questions still to be answered in the secondary, the team decides to wait until round two and takes Guyton, who can become the future successor to David Bahktiari.

26. Seattle Seahawks – (Trade w/ Tampa Bay) from Pittsburgh – DE Laiatau Latu – Washington

After trading back twice, the Seahawks acquire more capital and still land a prospect who could become an impactful player for them. Latu has questions surrounding his medicals, but if those check out, he’ll be a highly sought-after prospect in the draft. With an explosive first step and excellent closing speed, Latu could find success as a situational pass-rusher before taking on a bigger role in year two. The Seahawks took a similar approach with Bruce Irvin in 2012 and it worked out pretty well for them.

27. Arizona Cardinals – (via 2023 Trade w/ Houston Texans) CB Nate Wiggins – Clemson

Just like last year, the Cardinals are primed to trade up with one of their extra first-round picks. Whether they stand pat or trade up, the Cardinals should be looking to target Wiggins. His blazing 40-yard dash will entice teams, and he’s got the tape to back it up. Wiggins plays through the whistle and is both good in coverage and as a tackler. He’d help the Cardinals rebuild their secondary.

28. Las Vegas Raiders – (Trade w/ Buffalo Bills) Michael Penix Jr. – Washington

After anxiously waiting out Seattle’s selection, Las Vegas calls Buffalo to move up into the first round (sending picks 44 and 77) to land Penix. The medicals will scare off some teams, but the Raiders have a quarterback room that could withstand injuries in case Penix were to win the job in training camp and go down during the season. With one of the higher ceilings in the class, Penix could become a steal at this pick. His arm is explosive and he’s accurate when it comes to fitting the ball into tight windows.

29. Detroit Lions – OL Jackson Powers-Johnson – Oregon

Strengthening a strength, the Lions add depth to their offensive line. After this season, they’ll have to make a decision on Jared Goff, and Goff does his best work with a clean pocket, so this pick is about maximizing their window of contention right now. Powers-Jackson has the potential to go in the top 20 picks and has the flexibility to play at either guard or center. Detroit’s guard situation, especially, is what drives this selection.

30. Baltimore Ravens – OL Graham Barton – Duke

Baltimore embodies the “best player available” philosophy in the draft, and in this situation, they land a player that both suits their need and reflects that approach. Barton gives the Ravens position flexibility up front, which is something they will prioritize after dealing with injuries along the offensive line in 2023 and also losing Morgan Moses to free agency. Whether he plays early or not, Barton would be an asset to the Ravens offense.

31. San Francisco 49ers – WR Keon Coleman – FSU

A jump-ball specialist, Coleman could eventually replace Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers are as good as any team in the NFL at cooking up different ways for their playmakers to impact a game, and while they have a diverse group on hand, they still could use a receiver to bolster the offense. Coleman’s tape has flaws, but he’s strong at the point of attack and would give Brock Purdy another weapon in the red zone.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – CB T.J. Tampa – Iowa State

The Cyclones have produced a handful of quality NFL players over the years. Soon, Tampa will be added to that list. Like L’Jarius Sneed, Tampa plays with a physical edge and bullies receivers at the line of scrimmage. According to Iowa State, Tampa only allowed one touchdown while in coverage in 2023. Even though his name hasn’t hit the first-round buzz, Tampa has a chance to sneak into the conversation, especially for a team like the Chiefs who need to target cornerback.