Picks 1-16
1. Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The obvious #1 overall pick, Mendoza won the Heisman and the National Championship leading the way. He has the size, arm, and leadership to be a franchise QB and the Raiders need that.
2. Jets – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Jets have a tough decision to make with their choice of defensive players with different skillsets. Reese is a freak of nature with the highest potential as pass rusher and 3 down LB.
3. Cardinals – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Cardinals would love to trade down, but there’s not many options. Downs is the best player on the board and the Cardinals SS is hitting free agency and Budda Baker won’t be around forever.
4. Titans – LB/Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Titans need a solid defender to start off the Robert Saleh era and Bailey is a top-level pass rusher with NFL size, strength, and motor.
5. Giants – WR Cardell Tate, Ohio State
The Giants need more playmakers and have some WR’s hitting free agency and Nabers coming off an injury. Tate is a lanky WR with #1 WR potential but would fit best in a #2 role like this.
6. Browns – T Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The Browns need help on the O-line and Mauigoa is the best Tackle in the draft, despite being a RT. Mauigoa has good size, strength, and footwork, but some teams view him as a Guard.
7. Commanders – DE Rueben Bain, Miami
The Commanders need to get younger on the defensive side and Bain is a physical pass rusher with good strength who can also stop the run.
8. Saints – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Saints need help at WR after trading Shaheed and trying veteran options. Tyson is a fast playmaker who should be able to play inside and outside with the potential to be the #2 WR.
9. Chiefs – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Chiefs need help at RB and Love would give them a solid three down back with good hands and a physical running style.
10. Bengals – T Spencer Fano, Utah
The Bengals need help on the O-line and Fano is graded as one of the top RTs, but he could also slide inside to Guard; the versatility could help the Bengals.
11. Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Dolphins need hep in the secondary after having injuries and ineffective play at CB. Delane is the top CB in the draft with the size and coverage skills to be a #1 CB.
12. Cowboys – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
The Cowboys need help on the defensive side of the ball and have a few LB’s headed to free agency. Styles is a physical LB who can do it all with a hard-hitting nature that would help against the run.
13. Rams (via trade) – CB Jermond McCoy, Tennessee
The Rams get the bonus pick after a smart move last draft to trade back. McCoy has the size, coverage skills, and physical play style to be a #1 CB, but he missed the season due to injury.
14. Ravens – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens could use help on the O-line and defense, but in this case, they go O-line with Ioane. Ioane is a huge power Guard who would upgrade the running game and take over a starting spot.
15. Buccaneers – LB/Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
The Bucs need help at LB and pass rusher after trying a few players last season. Howell is a pure pass rusher who can play standing up or hand in dirt and should help immediately.
16. Jets (via trade) – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
The Jets need a restart at QB after going down to Brady Cook to end the season. Simpson is the #2 QB on the board showing good accuracy mostly early in the season, but he is a 1yr starter.
