- Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is the obvious pick. The Raiders have been in need of a franchise quarterback for a few years, and although Mendoza isn’t the strongest number one overall pick we have seen the last few drafts, he is more than capable of turning a franchise around.
- New York Jets – Arvell Reese, ED, Ohio State
Reese can provide the juice on the defense that the Jets were missing last season. While Reese is still raw at playing both edge and linebacker, due to having played limited snaps at either position in College, I don’t see a reason why he won’t be able to develop a strong pass-rushing plan in the NFL and turn into a dominant Swiss army knife in the NFL.
- Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)
The Cardinals are in desperate need of a Right Tackle, and Mauigoa is the highest floor offensive line prospect in this draft class. The Cardinals could look to add on the defensive line, but this draft is much deeper along that side of the ball, and they could wait to address that need on Day 2.
- Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., ED, Miami (FL)
In my opinion, Rueben Bain is the best player in this draft. He is going to slide a tad due to his historically short arm length, but there is no reason why that should hinder his ability to win as a pass rusher at the next level. In a few years, everyone will look back and go, “Man, we really overthought him.”
- New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles has unreal hype as the next great linebacker in the NFL. While I believe those expectations are a bit lofty, he is worth a Top 5 pick in the right scenario, and in this scenario, he would be a good pick for the Giants at 5. I am generally against taking linebackers high in the draft. The Giants have good players at almost every position of value, and the roster is in good enough shape to get the best player available.
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns need a true “X” wide receiver to play on the perimeter, and Tate is probably the best “X” receiver to enter the draft in a long time. He has unreal ball skills and the requisite athletic ability to be a successful receiver in the NFL. While he may never become a true number one guy, he projects as one of the best number two guys in the NFL.
- Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This is the point where I believe the argument could be made to select Jeremiyah Love. Washington has largely addressed the defense through free agency, and while there are numerous defensive options still on the board, I think they could choose to add a lot more juice to the offense, particularly in the run game. Jayden Daniels and Jeremiyah Love in the same backfield will scare defenses for years.
- New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
The Saints could use some pass rush help, and Bailey has an elite first step and get-off, and will be able to truly put pressure on the quarterback consistently. Bailey is not the greatest against the run yet, but the Saints will still be able to be flexible with having Carl Granderson and Chase Young to use in rotation with Bailey.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Chiefs need help all along the secondary, and they get lucky in this scenario that Caleb Downs is still on the board. Downs is one of the best safety prospects to enter the NFL in years, and he will immediately bolster the Chiefs’ defense with his unbelievable coverage eyes and instincts.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is a shutdown corner, and he has all of the coverage technique and athletic ability to thrive as a CB1 in the NFL. Cincinnati has had one of the worst defenses in the league over the last few seasons and could desperately use a shutdown corner on the outside to help this.
- Miami Dolphins – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Dolphins currently have Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell as the projected starting receivers entering the year, and if you wish to realistically compete, you need some more at the position. Makai Lemon projects as being one of the next great slot receivers in the NFL and will immediately become Malik Willis’ favorite target.
- Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy has some of the best Cornerback film you will ever see in 2024, before missing the entirety of 2025 with an injury. Dallas could use a high-end starter in the secondary, and Dallas has shown in the past, they are unafraid to take a chance on injured players, such as cornerback Shavon Revel last season.
- Los Angeles Rams – Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia
The Rams’ offensive line all have one year remaining before they need to move to long-term extensions. They could sit Freeling for a year, and then when it is time to make the decisions on these players, they could play Freeling and either left or right tackle, and hopefully be that player for the future.
- Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Ravens are in need of quality starters along the interior of the offensive line. Ioane projects as one of the cleanest guard prospects you’ll see and can immediately raise the floor of the Ravens offensive line.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami (FL)
Mesidor is an extremely pro-ready pass rusher, although he is 25 years old, and can bring an immediate impact to a team who is looking to capitalize on a winning window. Tampa Bay fits that bill, and their one Achilles’ heel last season was a lack of consistent pass rush.
- New York Jets – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson is one of the best route runners in this draft class. While there is a very large injury concern, which is ultimately the reason why he is slipping in this scenario, there is still enough on film for a team to take a chance on him. Particularly the Jets, who, other than Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, have a lack of playmakers and will need a good group of weapons for the future.
- Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, T, Utah
The Lions went from having one of the best offensive lines in the league to now needing two starters along it. Fano will hopefully be the replacement to Taylor Decker as Penei Sewell makes the move from right tackle to left tackle. Fano projects as a good right tackle and should make the transition more seamless.
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Vikings are going to need to find a long-term replacement for Harrison Smith, whether he returns for another season or not. They rely more on safeties than any other team on defense, oftentimes having three on the field at once. Thieneman has some of the best true deep free safety film I have ever watched, and he is going to be an amazing player for whoever drafts him.
- Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers get the opportunity to add an amazing receiving option for Bryce Young and have the upside to turn into one of the top tight ends in the NFL. Carolina hasn’t had a reliable tight end in years, and this raises the floor of the offense.
- Dallas Cowboys – Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The biggest need left for the Cowboys is Linebacker, after this they don’t pick until later in the draft, and by that time, all of the top Day 2 options at linebacker will most likely be gone. Rodriguez has slowly begun to rise boards, and I believe that taking him at 20 is incredible value and he will be a great addition in Dallas.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
As of writing this, Pittsburgh still does not have a starting quarterback other than Will Howard, if Aaron Rodgers decides to return, they will still need a young long-term option. The Steelers like Kenny Pickett enough to pick him in a similar spot, and I believe Ty Simpson is a better prospect than Simpson. If he survives past this pick, numerous teams will try to trade up to take him at the back end of Round 1, so for the Steelers, you either take him here or you aren’t getting him.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Chargers cannot roll out Elijah Molden at Safety again; pairing McNeil-Warren with Derwin James will be an amazing pairing and will strengthen the overall defense. It should be noted that there are really no interior line options available for the Chargers at 22 in this scenario, and they should be able to address the offensive line later in the draft.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M
The Eagles love to invest along the defensive line with premium draft picks. Howell would be added to a deep rotation of defensive linemen, which will also allow Howell to not have to play on run downs and can be more of a designated pass rusher.
- Cleveland Browns – Blake Miller, T, Clemson
Blake Miller will help to strengthen a very weak offensive line. He will most likely need to move to left tackle, but that should not be an issue for him, and he profiles as a potential franchise tackle.
- Chicago Bears – Zion Young, ED, Missouri
Zion Young is a big, powerful edge who is able to set the edge and is an extremely sound run defender. He is not going to turn into a highly productive pass rusher, but he is going to be able to solidify a defensive line and is a perfect scheme fit for Dennis Allen’s defense.
- Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Even though the Bills traded for D.J. Moore, they still need a physical perimeter weapon for Josh Allen to throw the ball too. The Keon Coleman experiment has most likely failed, but Boston is a much sounder prospect than Coleman was, and pairing him with D.J. Moore could be a dangerous combination.
- San Francisco 49ers – Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
The 49ers will be losing future Hall of Famer Trent Williams at Left Tackle sooner rather than later. Iheanchor is probably not fit to start Year 1 and will most likely experience some growing pains as he further refines his technique; however, being able to potentially learn behind one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time.
- Houston Texans – T.J. Parker, ED, Clemson
Houston’s roster is in a very good position relative to the rest of the league. There are really no top offensive linemen on the board, so they choose to future-proof the defense, as Danielle Hunter is only getting older. Parker still needs some refinement as a player and will be able to sit and be used in a more rotational role this coming season, before the Texans transition him into a starting role.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Caleb Banks is a physical specimen at defensive tackle and is going to be an insanely hard block once he reaches the NFL. Banks’ biggest concern coming out of Florida is a concern surrounding his foot injury and his overall lack of snaps over his college career. The Chiefs are in a good position to take the leap of faith, and picking him at the back end of round 1 is tremendous value.
- Miami Dolphins – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Miami has already addressed wide receiver, and they need to begin to work on rebuilding the defense as well. Terrell has some inside/outside versatility and can play in any defensive scheme, and will be an excellent addition for Jeff Hafley to play with.
- New England Patriots – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
New England could use some more pieces in the wide receiver room, and none is a better option to add than Omar Cooper Jr. I believe 31 is too low for Cooper to go, but some players have to drop, and if I am the Patriots, I am running this draft pick in.
- Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Seattle’s secondary has been recently depleted this offseason, losing both Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen. Retooling the secondary should be the top priority with this pick, and Colton Hood is the best available defensive back.
Cover Image Courtesy of NFL.com
