Draft order is based on current standings.
1. Detroit Lions – Malik Willis (QB/Liberty)
Jared Goff has been abysmal for the Lions, ranking dead last among qualified quarterbacks in average depth of target despite having good protection. Quarterback has been a revolving door at this draft, but Willis has been steady this year as Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler saw their stocks take a hit.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE/Oregon)
Armed with what is currently three top 10 selections, the Eagles have all the ammunition they need to grab the best overall player in this draft regardless of need. Daniel Jeremiah compared Thibodeaux to DeMarcus Ware over the summer.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal (OT/Alabama)
Cam Robinson is in the final year of his contract while Jawaan Taylor enters his walk year in 2022. Neal serves as an upgrade over either player and should be Trevor Lawrence’s blindside protector from day one.
4. Houston Texans – Matt Corral (QB/Ole Miss)
The Deshaun Watson drama bled into the regular season as the star quarterback showed he wasn’t bluffing when he said he will never play for the Texans again. This offseason, we’re assuming he lands somewhere via trade and the Texans are pressing the reset button on everything. Corral has lit the college world on fire this season and could win the Heisman Trophy.
5. New York Giants – Kyle Hamilton (S/Notre Dame)
This is honestly a best-case scenario for the Giants, who can pick between either Hamilton or LSU star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. I have Hamilton graded slightly higher. Some will be clamoring for a quarterback, but with Corral gone, no other signal caller deserves to go this high and despite the Giants poor record, Daniel Jones has played well.
6. New York Jets – Derek Stingley Jr. (CB/LSU)
Bryce Hall has improved in his sophomore year, but Brandin Echols has looked overmatched across from him, ranking as the 99th out of 118 cornerbacks per PFF. Jets fans all know the difference a shutdown corner can make on a defense and Stingley looks to be that guy.
7. New England Patriots – DeMarvin Leal (EDGE/Texas A&M)
New England’s biggest issues have all been on defense this year, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they went for the best defender available. Leal has 5.5 sacks on the season for the Aggies.
8. Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Green (G/Texas A&M)
Brandon Brooks is 32 and the Eagles have an out on his contract after this season. Meanwhile, Isaac Seumalo is in the final year of his deal in 2022. Green is the top available player and while guard may not appear to be a position of need, they Eagles shouldn’t hesitate to snatch up top-end talent.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Andrew Booth Jr. (CB/Clemson)
Steven Nelson and Avonte Maddox are both in their walk year and Darius Slay just turned 30. The unit is performing well this season, but there isn’t much meat on the bone long-term. Booth could start his career as the No. 2 CB before becoming the long-term reaplcement for Slay.
10. New York Jets – Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE/Michigan)
The Jets continue to overhaul the defense, this time grabbing Hutchinson, whose stock has risen following a stellar 2021 campaign. Hutchinson’s has great athleticism for his size and is a leader (he has been a captain for Michigan over the past two seasons). His ability to play inside and outside is a plus.
11. Washington Football Team – Carson Strong (QB/Nevada)
Taylor Heinicke hasn’t shown enough to show that he is the future signal caller for Washington and as the team enters a new era with their name change to be announced next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that they want a new face of the franchise to go along with it. I am a bit weary on Strong. He has the arm talent to succeed, but he is a statue in the pocket. I think he is a player who would’ve fared better in yesteryear’s NFL.
12. Atlanta Falcons – Kaiir Elam (CB/Florida)
Atlanta again ignores finding a replacement for Matt Ryan and instead address their leaky secondary. Elam stepped in C.J. Henderson’s shoes in Florida and has more than filled them, emerging as one of the nation’s best coverage corners.
13. Miami Dolphins – Tyler Linderbaum (C/Iowa)
Miami has mixed and matched along the offensive line all season, so finding someone to anchor down one of the spots is key. Linderbaum converted to center after playing defensive tackle as a freshman and hasn’t looked back.
14. Denver Broncos – George Karlaftis (EDGE/Purdue)
Von Miller is in the final year of his conract, but even if he returns, Denver should look for his long-term replacement and a complimentary piece to Bradley Chubb.
15. Carolina Panthers – Chris Olave (WR/Ohio State)
The Panthers just drafted Terrace Marshall Jr., but D.J. Moore enters the final year of his contract in 2022 and Robby Anderson has become an afterthought in this offense. Sam Howell isn’t out of the realm of possibility here too if the Panthers decide to move on from Sam Darnold.
16. New York Giants – Sauce Gardner (CB/Cincinnati)
Giants miss out on Derek Stingley Jr., but get one of this year’s draft gems in Gardner. Gardner hasn’t allowed a 15+ yard completion this season nor has he allowed a touchdown in his college career.
17. Cleveland Browns – Garrett Wilson (WR/Ohio State)
Rumors are swirling that this is Odell Beckham Jr.’s final season in Cleveland and Jarvis Landry enters his final season in 2022. Wilson isn’t physically imposing (6-feet, 188 pounds), but he is explosive and can catch the ball at any point.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – Jordan Davis (DT/Georgia)
The Chiefs have holes all over defense, but Derrick Nnadi is in the final year of his deal, so Davis would be able to slide right into the nose. Davis doesn’t stuff the stat sheet, but he commands constant double and triple teams, freeing up his teammates to wreak havoc around him.
19. Minnesota Vikings – Drake Jackson (EDGE/USC)
Everson Griffen was brought back on a one-year deal and he’s playing well, but the Vikings need to find a long-term answer across from Danielle Hunter.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Howell (QB/North Carolina)
Father Time looks like it has caught Ben Roethlisberger and at age 39 this looks like his final NFL season. Howell was one considered a top pick until be bombed his season debut, but he has recovered his stock a bit.
21. New Orleans Saints – Treylon Burks (WR/Arkansas)
With Michael Thomas out, the Saints have shown just how thin they are at wide receiver. Burks has been compared to A.J. Brown, which would definitely be the type of playmaker to perfectly compliment Thomas.
22. Buffalo Bills – Christian Harris (LB/Alabama)
Both Tremaine Edmunds and A.J. Klein enter the final year of their contracts in 2022 and while Edmunds is an extension candidate, the same can’t be said for Klein. Trent McDuffie is an option here as well.
23. Tennessee Titans – Adam Anderson (EDGE/Georgia)
Tennessee is doing slightly better on the pass rush this season, but it’s definitely an area that can be improved, especially if they’re unable to retain Harold Landry. Anderson is a riser in this class, but he is a bit light, checking in at 230 pounds. Luckily, with a 6-foot-5 frame, he has plenty of room to bulk.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Trent McDuffie (CB/Washington)
Cornerback has emerged as a position of strength for Dallas between the emergence of Trevon Diggs and the quietly stellar Anthony Brown, but Dallas hasn’t shied away from taking the best player available in the past.
25. Las Vegas Raiders – Ikem Ekwonu (G/N.C. State)
Las Vegas gutted their offensive line last offseason and are currently using Alex Leatherwood out of position at guard to poor results. Rebuilding the trenches should be a priority for whoever is coaching the team next season.
26. Los Angeles Chargers – Kingsley Engabore (EDGE/South Carolina)
Joey Bosa is one of the league’s best pass rushers, but the team lost Melvin Ingram over the offseason. The Chargers are playing well and look to be just a piece or two away from being a serious contender.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drake London (WR/USC)
With Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin both in the final years of their deals, Tampa is going to have a hard time retaining both players, especially Godwin, who should get a healthy contract in free agency. Secondary could also be addressed here.
28. Detroit Lions – Myjai Sanders (EDGE/Cincinnati)
Armed with two first-round picks, Detroit can address both sides of the ball. In Sanders, they can get a talented pass rusher who will need to work on his decision-making abilities to thrive at the next level.
29. Cincinnati Bengals – Jalen Wydermyer (TE/Texas A&M)
C.J. Uzomah is in the final year of his contract and the Bengals offensive line has been a pleasant surprise so far this season. Like most tight ends in college, Wydermyer needs to continue to develop as a blocker to make it in the NFL.
30. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Battle (S/Alabama)
There’s a good chance the Packers don’t pick up Darnell Savage’s fifth-year option, leaving the team in position to have both starting safeties in the final year of their deals in 2022. It would be fitting, however, if Green Bay used this pick on a receiver in their first draft post Aaron Rodgers.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Harrison (EDGE/Ohio State)
The Ravens took Odafeh Oweh in the opening frame last year, but that won’t stop them from continuing to address the pass rush, something you can never have enough of in today’s NFL.
32. Arizona Cardinals – Darian Kinnard (OT/Kentucky)
The Cardinals offense has been firing on all cylinders despite a sub-par offensive line. Kinnard could spend his rookie year on the right side before replacing D.J. Humphries as Kyler Murray’s blindside protector.