Jacksonville is not going to move on from Trevor Lawrence, so the conversation, short of trading down, becomes taking the best player available. Travis Hunter Jr. may not play both sides of the ball full-time at the next level, but there is value in his versatility.
Will the Titans bring an end to the Will Levis experiment or can he show them something prior to the season’s conclusion? In this case, curiosity leads to Levis’ return and they draft another playmaker to pair with Calvin Ridley.
Cleveland is a mess right now. There are so many situations that must play out off the field before on-the-field decisions can be made. If the Browns are not in position to take a top quarterback prospect, then they are essentially stuck with Deshaun Watson for another year. If they do not get a top quarterback prospect, then they likely sign another low-cost veteran like Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston and it becomes difficult for them to justify not starting Watson over another player that has no future with the organization.
Any organization would be insane to hire Deion Sanders as the coach of a team quarterbacked by his son. Sanders has done well to rebuild Colorado and restore its brand recognition, but that is just a huge conflicting interest in personnel decisions.
Las Vegas is another organization in turmoil. What will the Raiders do with the coaching staff? What are their options at quarterback? The Raiders play the board and add another talented player to the defense.
Drake Maye has shown a lot of promise in his early performances, so it is nice to have confidence building around him. They need to draft offensive linemen, sign offensive linemen and then draft some more offensive linemen. It begins at No. 6 overall with the selection of Will Campbell.
New York will be breaking in a new coach and a new general manager next year. Those persons may have big changes in mind for the roster. As currently constructed, Mason Graham makes a lot of sense next to Quinnen Williams.
Carolina has one of the least effective pass rushes in the NFL and Jadeveon Clowney is not a building block. Mykel Williams could learn a lot from Clowney and be a staple for the future.
Investigating the mind of owner Jerry Jones is a dangerous chore, but there is no mistaking how much of a need running back has been for them this season. No. 9 overall may be a bit too early for him, but Jeanty is an impact player in the run and pass games.
New Orleans is a franchise that has already made the decision to part ways with coach Dennis Allen. The next hire may have his or her own opinion of what to do with the roster, but given all the injuries this season and a lack of pass catchers under financial control, Luther Burden III would make a lot of sense in pairing with Chris Olave.
Trey Hendrickson has one year remaining on his contract, but he has requested a trade in search of more financial security. There is a world where Hendrickson does not return and that ignites the need for additional pass rush help.
Miami’s defensive line has played better than I could have imagined, but there is not a whole lot in place for the future. Kenneth Grant answers the call for run support.
The offensive line has been a priority for Tampa Bay in recent years. Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke are a reliable tackle tandem and Graham Barton has done some good things in his first season at center. Sua Opeta is a free agent after the season and guard is a spot they could still look to upgrade.
Tampa Bay is not the only NFC franchise in search of interior offensive line help. Caleb Williams has some much-needed confidence after last week’s offensive showing, but the Bears need to stoke that confidence by upgrading his protection this offseason.
Defensive back help is not exactly an uncommon projection for the Colts. They are already working out three rookie offensive linemen in the starting lineup. Benjamin Morrison gives them a higher ceiling at a position that has evaded them in recent years.
As Mike Macdonald constructs his Seattle defense, you can see his work with Baltimore as the inspiration. He went out and got a linebacker, Ernest Jones IV, and now could benefit from having a trustworthy, difference-making safety, similar to Kyle Hamilton with the Ravens.
Los Angeles is going to continue pushing it forward with the current roster, but the Rams are also installing some new, productive pieces on defense. Kelvin Banks should help bring a long-term vision to the offensive line.
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6’4″
/ 285 lbs
San Francisco has sought a pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa and have finally done that with the selection of Nic Scourton. Scourton is another powerful pass rusher off the opposite side of the line.
Denver is getting very little contributions from tight ends in the pass game. Colston Loveland gives the Broncos a more reliable outlet, but also helps spring the running backs. A young quarterback’s best friend is a competent tight end.
Atlanta continues seeking options to upgrade its pass rush. Abdul Carter was moved into a full-time role this year. He is a sawed-off athletic specimen.
Over a two-year period, few organizations will be able to say they have made as many defensive additions as Arizona. Deone Walker is a long interior defender to pair with last year’s first-round pick Darius Robinson.
Washington’s goal is to get the five offensive linemen on the field and Aireontae Ersery gives them more flexibility. Jayden Daniels is the future at quarterback and now there are more options to keep him protected.
Houston may need to address its interior offensive line with this pick but Walter Nolen upgrades the ceiling of the defense. The Texans already have a dynamic pass rusher in Will Anderson Jr.
Baltimore has had more luck with powerful edge rushers and JT Tuimoloau fits the description. Kyle Van Noy has tapped into the fountain of youth, but that is not a long-term plan.
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6’1″
/ 205 lbs
REC
49
REYDS
612
YDS/REC
12.5
TDS
8
Emeka Egbuka returns to his Californian roots to play for a Wolverine, Jim Harbaugh. Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Emeka Egbuka makes for an interesting trio for Justin Herbert.
Green Bay adds depth to the defensive front with the selection of Tyleik Williams. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley can tap into his Ohio State connections for info on the versatile defender.
Pittsburgh has added front seven talent by the busload in recent years. The Steelers bring in Daylen Everette to pair with Joey Porter Jr. on the back end.
The plan would be to play Jalon Walker with Ivan Pace Jr. Minnesota would be able to bring pressure from every angle as long as Brian Flores remains in place as the defensive coordinator.
Philadelphia reinvests in the edge rusher group with the selection of the lengthy Landon Jackson. Nolan Smith has played more of late and that could allow the Eagles to go in a different direction in the first round.
Buffalo heavily invested in its pass rushers when drafting Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham and A.J. Epenesa. Basham is gone now but the selection of LT Overton gives them options in the future if the Bills are forced to make difficult financial decisions.
Every swing that Kansas City has taken on defense seems to connect, but the Chiefs are missing a key piece to the secondary now that L’Jarius Sneed is gone. Tacario Davis gives them much-needed length.
Jonah Jackson departed in free agency last year and they replaced him with 34-year-old Kevin Zeitler. Donovan Jackson has stepped in at left tackle this season but could be Detroit’s answer at guard.
