1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The #1 QB draft pick has been a months long dispute between Stroud and Young. However, because Young canceled his remaining pre-draft visits to Carolina may indicate that Carolina had seen enough. Young has the accuracy and arm strength to be an elite NFL QB.
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
With Young off the board, the Texans pick a franchise cornerstone in Stroud. However, questions remain on defense. Could the Texans pass on a QB here and select an instant-impact defender?
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The Cards could very well trade down from this spot and add extra capital to fill more needs. But in this scenario, Arizona stays put and select the agile and stocky Anderson.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
This is the best-case scenario for Indy – they don’t need to trade up to get their guy. Richardson has been on the Colts’ list since he lit up the Combine in March.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
A perfect fit for both Carter and Seattle. The Hawks get a potential generational interior rusher and Carter lands a stable franchise who can work on his behavior issues.
6. Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Detroit needs an EDGE next to Aidan Hutchinson and Wilson fits that mold. Another plus to adding Wilson is his ability to slide to the three-tech and rush from the interior.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Vegas could go with Devon Witherspoon at this spot, but Gonzalez is the better fit for the Raiders defense. His 6’3” frame and fluid hips are rare in good tackling corners, and Vegas badly needs run support from the secondary.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Atlanta opts for a hulking left tackle to protect QB1 Desmond Ridder.
9. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Chicago gets a versatile lineman to protect Justin Fields for years to come.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Robinson is just too good to pass up on here. Philly grabs best player in this draft, in my opinion.
11. Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Levis and Tennessee are a incredible match. Levis will sit behind Tannehill for a bit and improve under Head Coach Mike Vrabel.
12. Houston Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
JSN gets reunited with college teammate CJ Stroud in hopes to provide the Texans with an electrifying duo at the pro level.
13. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Green Bay adds a weapon for Jordan Love. Kincaid is a slippery threat after the catch.
14. New England Patriots: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
A receiver here is possible, but the Pats select Murphy, a young EDGE with potential at the next level.
15. New York Jets: Devin Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
.Witherspoon, while undersized, is a shifty boundary corner who can play the slot as well. He will be a worthy complement to Sauce Gardner.
16. Washington Commanders: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Washington needs a corner and a linebacker, this would be a good spot for Christian Gonzalez, if he’s on the board. Smith is a more than capable consolation prize.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Pittsburgh gets their guy in JPJ, whose father was great player for the Steelers in the 2000s. Porter Jr. should provide instant impact in a mediocre secondary.
18. Detroit Lions: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Detroit doubles up on EDGE in this scenario. Wilson will slide to 3-Tech here and Van Ness will be a standing rusher.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Wright is a massive tackle who will protect either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask.
20. Seattle Seahawks: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
Seattle picks up the interior protector they have lacked for so long.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Addison is the missing piece for the Chargers’s offense – A slot receiver who can run crisp routes and will eventually take the place of Keenan Allen.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
I’m higher on Johnston than most analysts, but there are aspects of his play that need work, such as his contested catch situations. However, Baltimore badly needs receivers and Johnston does have some things that you can’t teach, like speed and overall athleticism.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Kirk Cousins won’t be returning in 2024, and the Vikings need to plan for the future. Hooker will be 26 when the season starts but he has some valuable intangibles, such as his leadership qualities. Minnesota could sit Hooker as he recovers from his ACL surgery. Or if they believe he could be ready, maybe they trade Cousins and roll with Hooker?
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Jacksonville needs a big interior rusher who can stop the run. Bresee fits the mold.
25. New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
The Giants need a deep threat receiver, Hyatt has great speed that will affect an entire secondary.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Dallas gets fresh blood at the tight end position with the massive Mayer.
27. Buffalo Bills: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Gibbs will be a great addition to an already explosive offense in Buffalo.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Washington is a behemoth of a TE who can block and be a red-zone threat. Another weapon for a team who has a wide-open Super Bowl window.
29. New Orleans Saints: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Simpson is a versatile linebacker who can rush and play the MIKE spot as well. Demario Davis is 34 and Simpson can eventually replace him.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
Another speedy EDGE for Philly, this selection will allow the Eagles to part ways with either Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick in the near future.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The rich get richer – Mahomes gets an exciting vertical playmaker in Flowers.
