The NFL draft is scheduled to start Thursday, April 25, at 8 p.m. in the motor city of Detroit. The lives of 32 young men are set to change forever.
There are many storylines to look out for in this year's draft. How many quarterbacks are scheduled to go in the top 10, and will there be a big trade-up for a team outside of the top 10? Another thing to watch is the possible trade of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Will he be moved in a draft night trade with the ongoing contract disputes? Anyway, let's get started!
1. Chicago Bears—Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The consensus once-in-a-generational prospect has been linked to Chicago ever since they traded away Justin Fields. With offensive upgrades in the offseason, the former Heisman Trophy winner will have every opportunity to prove himself in the Windy City.
2. Washington Commanders—Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Washington has been looking for its franchise quarterback for decades, and new ownership is taking a swing at the Heisman trophy winner to turn around the franchise.
3. New England Patriots—Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Bill Belichick experience is over in New England, as is the Mac Jones one. New England is looking for another Tom Brady, and Drake Maye has the potential to be the best QB in the class.
4. Arizona Cardinals—Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Considered one of the best WR prospects in NFL history, the board falls the right way for Arizona, and they give Kyler Murray a true No. 1 receiver after the departures of Rondale Moore and Marquise Brown.
5. Los Angeles Chargers—Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
It's no secret the Chargers are in the hunt for a wide receiver after trading away Keenan Allen to Chicago and releasing Mike Williams. Nabers is a deep threat and has the potential to be an all-pro receiver one day.
6. New York Giants—Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Giants need a true No. 1 receiver. Odunze and Jalin Hyatt would give New York a talented wide receiver room after coming off a career year at Washington.
7. Las Vegas Raiders (via Tennessee)—JJ Mccarthy, QB, Michigan
Head coach Dameon Pierce publicly said he would be shocked if JJ Mccarthy made it out of the top 5. Now, he will get to coach him. McCarthy had a college record of 27-1 at Michigan, including winning the National Championship the previous season. McCarthy has all the traits to become an elite NFL quarterback, and Vegas is looking for its next guy. It is a perfect match.
8. Atlanta Falcons—Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
After signing Kirk Cousins in the offseason, Atlanta becomes a team ready to win now. Mitchell offers Atlanta versatility in the back end of the secondary and could give them an All-Pro corner in a few years.
9. Chicago Bears—Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Pairing Fashunu with Darnell Wright and protecting Caleb Williams has to be a top priority for Chicago. He could possibly be a blindside tackle for Caleb Williams for years to come.
10. New York Jets—Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Arguably one of the greatest college tight ends of all time, Bowers would be an instant plug-and-play for the Jets, who don't have a long-term option at the tight end position. Bowers is a do-it-all tight end with rare catch-and-run ability for someone his size.
11. Minnesota Vikings—Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
After being in the market for a quarterback and getting jumped by Las Vegas for McCarthy, Minnesota stays put at 11 and might get the cornerback with the highest upside in the draft. Cornerback is a significant need for Minnesota, and Arnold is an instant plug-and-play guy for the Vikings.
12. Denver Broncos—Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Highly considered the best edge rusher in the class, this gives Denver another defensive option. He was the most productive pass rusher in college football the last two years after almost suffering a career-ending neck injury in 2021.
13. Tennessee Titans—Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Tennessee moves back six spots and grabs the guy they were likely to take at seven. Drafting Alt would provide Tennessee and second-year quarterback Will Levis with a blindside tackle for years to come.
14. New Orleans Saints—Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Securing the offensive line should be priority No. 1 for the Saints after allowing 35 sacks last year. Fuaga is an instant plug-and-play at guard and can offer long-term stability at tackle for New Orleans.
15. Indianapolis Colts—Cooper Dejean, CB, Iowa
Widely considered one of the most athletic players in the draft, Dejean will provide Indianapolis versatility in the secondary. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Dejean can play either safety or cornerback and has the potential to be an all-pro type of player.
16. Seattle Seahawks—Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The selection of Turner will give first-year coach Mike Macdonald a toolsy prospect to work with. Considered one of the best pass rushers in college football, Turner will provide Seattle with much-needed edge rush help.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars—Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Jacksonville has a big need for a cornerback, and Wiggins will fill that need immediately. He is a lengthy, athletic cornerback who will fit in perfectly with the system defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen wants to run.
18. Cincinnati Bengals—Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The Bengals lost veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader in the offseason and need to revamp the aging defensive line. Murphy will come in and help turn around the group with his freaking athleticism and his upside offered within his pass rush.
19. Los Angeles Rams—Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The retirement of Aaron Donald came as a surprise to many, but it was years in the making. The Rams take their first-round pick since Jared Goff in 2016 and hope to select the Aaron Donald replacement. Newton is similar in size to Aaron Donald, and the production was there at Illinois, winning the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers—Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Mason Cole was released from the Steelers this offseason, and they have yet to add one to the roster. With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh is committing to the run game. Powers-Johnson is an athletic, physical center who will impact Pittsburgh's run game from day one.
21. Miami Dolphins—Graham Barton, OG, Duke
Interior offensive lineman has become a significant need for Miami since Robert Hunt signed with the Panthers in free agency. Graham Barton played tackle the majority at Duke, but his lack of interior strength and length will likely move him to the position of interior offensive line in the NFL.
22. Philadelphia Eagles—Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Thought as one of the best press man corners in the draft, McKinstry would fill a significant need for Philadelphia in the secondary. The Birmingham, Alabama native started as a true freshman for Alabama and played in some big-time games for the Crimson Tide.
23. Minnesota Vikings—Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The former Indiana Hoosier came off a career year at Washington, where he led his team to the National Championship game. He would be put in a good situation in Minnesota with an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O'Connell and an elite receiver in Justin Jefferson. Penix has an NFL-ready arm but needs to improve drastically on his footwork to improve his accuracy.
24. Dallas Cowboys—JC Latham, OT, Alabama
With Tyron Smith leaving in the offseason, Dallas selecting Latham makes sense to protect QB Dak Prescott. He will fill an immediate need with his rare combination of size and athleticism, which will be attractive to Dallas.
25. Green Bay Packers—Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
With losing David Bakhtiari as a cap casualty and losing Jon Runyan Jr. to free agency, the Packers need to get younger on the offensive line. Mims, only a starter at Georgia for eight games, will need some time to develop, but he has rare size and athleticism for the position. A people mover and the run game, Mims offers elite size and sky-high potential for the player he could become one day.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
The Bucs desperately need edge help, and Verse offers a rare set of pass-rushing skills and effectiveness in the run game. As a First-Team All-American in both his two seasons at Florida State, Verse is considered undersized in his position. Still, he makes up for it with his motor and pass-rushing abilities. The Bucs get a top-10 talent at pick 26.
27. Arizona Cardinals—Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Known for his freakish athletic traits, Robinson might have the highest ceiling of any defensive player in the draft. Although he was not known for his production in his years at Penn State, Robinson makes up for it with his high motor and relentless effort.
28. Buffalo Bills—Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
After trading Stefon Diggs, Buffalo desperately needs a No. 1 receiver for Josh Allen to throw to. Thomas Jr. has great size at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and has good footwork to go along with his elite deep-threat ability. Expect this guy to be making a lot of plays for years to come.
29. Detroit Lions—Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will not hesitate to take their guy. The Southfield, Michigan native will play for the team he grew up rooting for and will give defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn much-needed depth at the outside linebacker position.
30. Baltimore Ravens—Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
After trading away Morgan Moses, Baltimore needs a plug-and-play starter, and Fautanu offers that. Known for his run blocking, Fautanu will fit in perfectly, blocking for new Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
31. San Francisco 49ers—Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The first time picking in the first round since 2021, the 49ers need to upgrade the offensive line that struggled mightily in the Super Bowl. Guyton, a raw prospect, has excellent size and athleticism and won't be rushed to play right away in San Francisco.
32. Kansas City Chiefs—Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
The Super Bowl champs upgrade at receiver, taking the Georgia receiver known for his route running and quickness. With a suspension likely coming for Rashee Rice and question marks at the position, McConkey will be a security blanket for Patrick Mahomes and provide another deep threat for an already lethal offense.
