| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dante Moore | QB | ||||
|
Moore would have been the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he not decided to return to Oregon. He's No. 1 on my preseason big board, and my QB1 and that hasn't changed a week into the college football season. The bigger question is whether the Dolphins will be in the market for a QB or if Malik Willis is the long-term answer. |
||||||
| 2 | Jeremiah Smith | WR | ||||
|
Smith is better than Marvin Harrison Jr. coming out of Ohio State. And if the rest of the 2026 season goes like 2024 and 2025, the comps to Julio Jones, Megatron and/or Terrell Owens will intensify. Obviously, the Cards could be in the QB business here unless Carson Beck pulls a Tyler Shough in 2026. |
||||||
| 3 | Arch Manning | QB | ||||
|
Arch finished the 2025 season strong after a sluggish start. He picked up where he left off in the '26 opener vs. Texas State. If we see more of that version of Manning, we'll spend much of the next seven months debating who is QB1. |
||||||
| 4 | Colin Simmons | EDGE | ||||
|
Do you want Will Anderson Jr. or Patrick Surtain II here? That was the choice for me -- either Simmons, who is an elite, game-changing pass rusher, or Leonard Moore, who is as close to a shutdown corner as you'll find in today's game. The Raiders have spent a lot of resources trying to fix the secondary, so I'm leaning toward Simmons here. But it's close. |
||||||
| 5 | Leonard Moore | CB | ||||
|
QB was an obvious consideration here, but a) the Jets have TWO more first-round picks in 2026, b) I think we see a bounce-back season from Geno Smith, and c) Leonard Moore might be the best pure football player in the class not named Jeremiah Smith. |
||||||
| 6 | Will Echoles | DL | ||||
|
Tennessee has some young pieces on the edge in Oladejo and Faulk, and there's always the possibility that Jermaine Johnson II is part of the longer-term plan. Echoles gives them something different inside -- a disruptive, powerful presence who can bolster the middle of the defense and take some pressure off the guys around him. |
||||||
| 7 | Dylan Stewart | EDGE | ||||
|
The Saints have to get younger off the edge. Chase Young isn't a long-term answer, this is Cam Jordan's swan song, and Stewart gives them the type of explosive, high-upside pass rusher that can contribute right away. |
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| 8 | Cam Coleman | WR | ||||
|
The easiest way to explain this: Coleman can be Tee Higgins to Malik Nabers' Ja'Marr Chase. He has the size and high-point ability to win outside, and pairing him with Nabers would give Jaxson Dart two very big problems for defenses to solve. |
||||||
| 9 | Trey'Dez Green | TE | ||||
|
Tommy Tremble is in the final year of his current deal, and if Bryce Young is the long-term answer, they'll need to continue to surround him with playmakers. |
||||||
| 10 | Jordan Seaton | OT | ||||
|
Laremy Tunsil will be 33 next season and he won't play in 2026 because of a torn pectoral. Seaton, who transferred from Colorado to LSU, and has a chance to be OT1 in this class, will bookend 2025 first-rounder, RT Josh Conerly Jr. |
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| 11 | Julian Sayin | QB | ||||
|
Sayin is patient, accurate and already plays the position with a level of efficiency that historically has been a very good sign for future first-round quarterbacks; the question in 2026 is whether he can keep doing it while showing more when things break down around him. |
||||||
| 12 | Charlie Becker | WR | ||||
|
Woo boy, this team suddenly has a ton of needs. They've tried to rebuild the defense and injuries (Jalon Walker) and off-field issues (James Pearce) have conspired against them. And while QB is a glaring question, is QB4 in this class an obvious upgrade (the answer is probably no better than "maybe")? Right tackle is on the to-do list as well, but for all the media love for Trevor Goosby, NFL teams have real concerns about him playing more consistently. If he shows that, he'll have a chance to be a top-15 pick. Which is all to say that Charlie Becker feels like the safest bet here, especially with not much depth behind Drake London. |
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| 13 | David Stone | DL | ||||
|
"A high-motor defensive lineman with quick feet who can get off blocks early in the rep to be a consistent disruptive presence in the backfield" -- sounds like a perfect fit in a Todd Bowles defense. |
||||||
| 14 | Jayden Maiava | QB | ||||
|
Aaron Rodgers is playing his last season. Will Howard is a former sixth-round pick who wasn't drafted by Mike McCarthy. And while he did use a third-rounder on Drew Allar, that doesn't mean the Steelers will be out of the franchise QB business if one falls in their laps next April. |
||||||
| 15 | Trevor Lauck | OT | ||||
|
The Chargers are seemingly incapable of escaping the o-line injury bug. Lauck is one of the best tackles in the class, but like Kadyn Proctor, his immediate NFL future could be at guard depending on circumstances and need. |
||||||
| 16 | Jadan Baugh | RB | ||||
|
The 49ers zig when others expect them to zag when it comes to the draft. They could plan for life after Trent Williams here, or maybe add another receiver. Instead, they get the best back in the class in Jadan Baugh, who reminds me of in-his-prime Le'Veon Bell. That type of player in a Shanahan offense feels like a no-brainer. |
||||||
| 17 | Ty Benefield | S | ||||
|
Harrison Smith returning for another year is a fun story, but Benefield brings some Brian Flores-level physicality to the position along with deep-range coverage traits. |
||||||
| 18 | Justin Scott | DL | ||||
|
It would be easy to just keep adding offensive weapons for Joe Burrow, but no matter how many names they add to the defense, it never feels like enough. So we're going to continue focusing on that side of the ball; Scott plays with both power and savvy, has a non-stop motor and can win with a quick first step or by manhandling the offensive lineman in front of him into the QB's lap. Guessing he'll benefit from playing alongside Sexy Dexy. |
||||||
| 19 | Greg Johnson | IOL | ||||
|
Johnson is one of the cleanest interior offensive linemen in the class -- technically sound, balanced in pass protection and anchors well -- and he'd give New York another young piece to go with Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou up front. |
||||||
| 20 | Trevor Goosby | OT | ||||
|
Goosby is a high-end athlete, but he needs to be more technically sound and play with more consistency. In Dallas, he'll have an opportunity to play immediately if the team continues to be down on RT Terence Steele. |
||||||
| 21 | A'Mauri Washington | DL | ||||
|
Washington is at his best attacking gaps, where his burst, strength, and motor let him disrupt plays before they develop. When he's locked in, he looks like a true difference-maker who can overwhelm blockers with both quickness and power. The biggest question facing the Bears heading into the season is on defense, and Washington shores up the middle of the D-line. |
||||||
| 22 | Ashton Hampton | CB | ||||
|
Even if/when the Pats re-up Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis is in his ninth season, and the depth behind them includes two rookies -- one a fifth-rounder and the other an undrafted free agent. Hampton is the most physical corner in the class and he'll fit right into the New England DB room. |
||||||
| 23 | Jamari Johnson | TE | ||||
|
Right tackle was also a consideration here, but Johnson is a real value here, fills a need, and could be Mahomes' security blanket while the Chiefs figure out how to get the most out of the WR room. |
||||||
| 24 | KJ Bolden | S | ||||
|
Antonio Johnson enters the season in the final year of his rookie deal, the other safety, Eric Murray, is in his 11th NFL season, and the depth consists of two second-year players who haven't seen much of the field. Bolden is an athletic, rangy safety with elite closing speed, instincts, and is a consistently solid tackler in the open field. |
||||||
| 25 | Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | ||||
|
Coleman-Williams needs a bounce-back season after a forgettable 2025. If he looks more like the freshman standout we saw in '24 -- when we all thought he'd battle Jeremiah Smith for WR1 -- he'll be in the Day 1 conversation. |
||||||
| 26 | Ellis Robinson IV | CB | ||||
|
The Lions moved on from Terrion Arnold and need to get younger at cornerback. Safety was also a consideration here, but if Detroit can get healthy at the position, they have two of the best in Branch and Joseph. Robinson is a former five-star with elite ball skills who can excel in both man and off-coverage. |
||||||
| 27 | Kade Pieper | IOL | ||||
|
Pieper plays guard but also has taken snaps at center during his college career. He's a high-end athlete who would be a perfect fit in the Eagles' wide-zone scheme. |
||||||
| 28 | Chris Cole | EDGE | ||||
|
"Explosive" is the best way to describe Cole, who can create havoc from off-ball or rushing off the edge. He's a stout point-of-attack run defender and also flashes fluid coverage skills, and would fit right into a Vance Joseph defense. |
||||||
| 29 | Niki Prongos | OT | ||||
|
At 24, Prongos is an older prospect, but there's also no squinting required to see what his ceiling looks like. He's technically sound, anchors well vs. power, uses his hands as well as anyone in the class, and could step into an interior offensive line role early in his career if needed. |
||||||
| 30 | Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | EDGE | ||||
|
At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Jackson feels like a Ravens edge rusher. He's a "get off the bus first" guy who flashes big-time ability, he just needs to put it all together to take the leap into Day 1. |
||||||
| 31 | Yhonzae Pierre | EDGE | ||||
|
Pierre doesn't know that he's only 244 pounds because he's a twitched-up pass rusher who plays with elite leverage, explosive bull-rush ability, and the ability to make plays from the edge or off-ball. Put another way: he feels like the perfect weapon for Mike MacDonald. |
||||||
| 32 | Ahmad Moten Sr. | DL | ||||
|
Offensive line could also be a target here for the Browns, but Moten Sr. is a disruptive interior presence who can both shoot gaps with his quickness and collapse the pocket with his power at the point of attack. |
||||||
| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arch Manning | QB | ||||
|
Arch Manning is far from a finished product, so this is not meant to prop him up as a clear and obvious No. 1 overall selection. Manning offers the greatest combination of production and potential in the class. Despite signing Malik Willis this offseason, quarterback is expected to be a need for the franchise next offseason. |
||||||
| 2 | Dante Moore | QB | ||||
|
The same situation, but a year later. If Dante Moore had remained in the 2026 NFL Draft, he likely would have been the No. 2 overall selection by the Jets. New York would not have had David Bailey, but they would be equipped to use three first-round picks in any manner they choose. |
||||||
| 3 | Jeremiah Smith | WR | ||||
|
Jeremiah Smith is the best prospect eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft right now. South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart could be an equally talented player at his position by next April, but he is not as far along as Smith. Wide receiver isn't Arizona's biggest need, but Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. should not deter them from taking a superior player. The remaining available quarterbacks are also not refined enough to pass up Smith. |
||||||
| 4 | LaNorris Sellers | QB | ||||
|
LaNorris Sellers is still very much a vision rather than a finished product. Cleveland would have a difficult time passing up a potential heir apparent to Myles Garrett, but how long can they continue trotting out quarterback play that is insufficient to win football games? |
||||||
| 5 | Trevor Goosby | OT | ||||
|
Dan Moore Jr. would still have two years left on the contract he signed last off-season, but moving on from him would save the franchise roughly $10 million towards the salary cap. Trevor Goosby represents an upgrade at the position. |
||||||
| 6 | Dylan Stewart | EDGE | ||||
|
Maxx Crosby and Dylan Stewart would be paired together for essentially one season unless he were traded prior. After the 2027 season, Crosby does not have any guaranteed money and is owed roughly $27.5 million each of the final two seasons. As the Raiders embrace a new era, and having already attempted to move on from Crosby once, it would not be a surprise if they explored their options. |
||||||
| 7 | Leonard Moore | CB | ||||
|
Leonard Moore is one of the best 2027 prospects, but is still available because of the depth in the class. The Saints were thought to be interested in Mansoor Delane and that is why Kansas City traded in front of them. A year later, New Orleans gets its cornerback in the first round. |
||||||
| 8 | Jordan Seaton | OT | ||||
|
Leonard Moore is one of the best prospects in this draft class, but is still available because of the depth in the class. The Saints were thought to be interested in Mansoor Delane and that is why Kansas City traded in front of them. A year later, New Orleans gets its cornerback in the first round. |
||||||
| 9 | Cam Coleman | WR | ||||
|
Cam Coleman is the best prospect available at this stage. He is a bigger body to pair with Malik Nabers. The Giants will have another year to gather information about what the future may hold for Jaxson Dart. |
||||||
| 10 | A'Mauri Washington | DL | ||||
|
Pittsburgh is once again in a sort of no man's land at the quarterback position. Cameron Heyward cannot play forever, and the Steelers will eventually need additional help along the defensive line, so they take A'Mauri Washington |
||||||
| 11 | Ellis Robinson IV | CB | ||||
|
The secondary was considered a high priority for the Panthers this year, and they ultimately selected Will Lee III and Zakee Wheatley on Day 3. Carolina attacks the position more aggressively in the 2027 NFL Draft. |
||||||
| 12 | Colin Simmons | EDGE | ||||
|
If Colin Simmons were 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he may be the first non-quarterback drafted. Although incredibly talented, he is a bit smaller, and that renders him available a little later than he would have been in this year's draft. |
||||||
| 13 | Trey'Dez Green | TE | ||||
|
Trey'Dez Green has unorthodox measurables at 6-foot-7, but he is fluid, serviceable as a blocker. He has the size and speed to threaten vertically. Drafting a wide receiver is not the only way to create explosives in the pass game. |
||||||
| 14 | Drake Lindsey | QB | ||||
|
Baker Mayfield has not received a contract extension at this time, which means Tampa Bay does not have its starter on the books for 2027. Drake Lindsey is not as refined as Fernando Mendoza was coming out of California, but there is a lot to like about the way he processes the field. |
||||||
| 15 | Ahmad Moten Sr. | DL | ||||
|
New York knew it was not going to be able to fill all of its needs in one offseason. The Jets addressed the skill rooms with Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq, but must replenish the defense. The Hurricanes produced two first-round edge rusher picks in 2026, but it may be the interior's year in 2027, with Justin Scott also being a top prospect. |
||||||
| 16 | David Stone | DL | ||||
|
Jacksonville returns to the first round after not having a pick in 2026. David Stone is a gifted athlete who is hoping to put it all together for the Sooners. Playing time should be more readily available now that Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams have moved on to the NFL. |
||||||
| 17 | Carter Smith | OT | ||||
|
Orlando Brown Jr. will be 31 prior to the 2027 season, and there is an opportunity for Cincinnati to move on and save money toward the salary cap. The possibility becomes even more likely the following year, so if Carter Smith had to sit on the bench for a year or play a different position, it is not the worst outcome. |
||||||
| 18 | Kewan Lacy | RB | ||||
|
Kewan Lacy can break defenders down in open space and has become a more impactful performer in the pass game this season. Ben Johnson has shown the team is not afraid to be aggressive in building out the offensive skill talent. |
||||||
| 19 | Charlie Becker | WR | ||||
|
The outcome of New York's draft haul would be Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Jr. and now Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker, whose size and speed make him a more consistent vertical threat for the offense. |
||||||
| 20 | Jamari Johnson | TE | ||||
|
Houston has not had a difference-making tight end, and perhaps that is not by design, but it has always been a key element to the San Francisco offenses. There was some criticism of Kenyon Sadiq's production this season, but it was partly due to Jamari Johnson's inclusion. |
||||||
| 21 | Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | ||||
|
Ryan Williams struggled with drops this season and is no longer mentioned in the same breath as Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman as wide receiver prospects in this class. However, he moves differently than most at the position. If he returns to freshman form or takes a step forward, he will reassert himself as one of the best in this class. |
||||||
| 22 | PJ Williams | OL | ||||
|
Sean Payton always heavily invested in the offensive line while with the Saints. If the Broncos were looking for an off-ramp to right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who will turn 33-years-old prior to the 2027 season, then PJ Williams would be an option. |
||||||
| 23 | Will Echoles | DL | ||||
|
There was talk of Philadelphia moving on from Jalen Carter this offseason. They recently re-signed Jordan Davis to a massive extension. Would they do the same with Carter or use him as a bargaining chip to accomplish other team goals? Will Echoles is the contingency plan. |
||||||
| 24 | Matayo Uiagalelei | EDGE | ||||
|
Detroit drafted Derrick Moore to go along with Aidan Hutchinson, but the position has been such a problem for the organization that they may want more aid. In theory, Matayo Uiagalelei and Hutchinson would start with Moore as depth. |
||||||
| 25 | Zach Lutmer | S | ||||
|
Zach Lutmer has positional versatility to play on the boundary, over the slot or at safety. It will be easy to find a role for the natural talent in the secondary. |
||||||
| 26 | Omarion Miller | WR | ||||
|
Kansas City addressed needs on the defense, but put offensive woes on the back burner. They need to identify long-term pieces to the unit and Omarion Miller is dynamic with the ball in his hands. |
||||||
| 27 | Cayden Green | OT | ||||
|
Los Angeles currently has failed first-round picks Trevor Penning and Cole Strange, as well as former Florida center Jake Slaughter, competing for the starting offensive guard positions. There is no reason to believe offensive guard may not once again be in the crosshairs next offseason. |
||||||
| 28 | Sammy Brown | LB | ||||
|
New England has gotten by with veteran journeymen at the linebacker position, but now identifies a green dot of the future. |
||||||
| 29 | KJ Bolden | S | ||||
|
It will be interesting to see how Buffalo deploys Jalon Kilgore this season, but KJ Bolden is a better fit at safety. |
||||||
| 30 | Zabien Brown | CB | ||||
|
Zabien Brown has played extensively for a talented Alabama team and registered five interceptions over the past two seasons. Ball production often translates to the NFL and Seattle may still be looking for assistance at the cornerback position. |
||||||
| 31 | Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa | LB | ||||
|
Baltimore may have considered cornerback here as well, but instead tab Kyngston Viliamu-Asa to pair with Roquan Smith. Viliamu-Asa is a part of a young linebacker class with tremendous upside. |
||||||
| 32 | Damon Wilson II | EDGE | ||||
|
Byron Young is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be 29-years-old prior to next year's draft. Los Angeles keeps the cupboards stocked with the selection of Damon Wilson. |
||||||
| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arch Manning | QB | ||||
|
I wrote at the end of last year how the Manning down the stretch in 2025 was the one many expected. If he's that guy for a full season, then this is a no-brainer. If the Dolphins are drafting No. 1 overall, it likely means the Malik Willis experiment didn't pay off dividends. Manning would be stepping into a very rough situation, but at least it's one that's already gone through a fire sale. The Dolphins are top three in cap space the next two offseasons to build around their young quarterback. |
||||||
| 2 | Jeremiah Smith | WR | ||||
|
While the Cardinals will likely be in the quarterback market, Smith is a ceiling-raiser for whoever is playing quarterback in Arizona. While Cardinals fans may have been duped before, this time it's legit. Smith has dominated college football from day one with over 2,500 yards in two seasons. He has the tools to be an all-time great and turn average quarterbacks into high-end passing attacks. |
||||||
| 3 | Dante Moore | QB | ||||
|
I don't need to outline why the Browns are in the quarterback market. Moore has some small things to improve upon, but he's already arguably the most accurate quarterback in the country with an effortless ability to spin it. |
||||||
| 4 | Leonard Moore | CB | ||||
|
The Raiders could obviously use a weapon for Fernando Mendoza, but you can't pass on Moore at this point. Like Jeremiah Smith, Moore has been in the running for best player at his position in college football since the day he stepped foot on campus at Notre Dame. There's everything there to be an island corner in the NFL, and he's already done just that in college. |
||||||
| 5 | Dylan Stewart | EDGE | ||||
|
Back-to-back top-five edges don't concern me for a handful of reasons. For one, you don't find many elite pass-rushers outside of high draft capital. Two, pressure with four will always be the Holy Grail. Three, Stewart is a more prototypical edge-setter in the run game than what's on the Jets roster. Four, the Jets have two more first-rounders to address needs. Finally, Stewart is the freakiest edge athlete since Myles Garrett. That's a good spot to be in to set the Jets up for long-term success. |
||||||
| 6 | Trevor Goosby | OT | ||||
|
Goosby may be dealing with a minor knee injury currently, but I don't see that dissuading teams from a top-10 pick unless it turns into a major one. Goosby is the prototype physically, and he really started to figure it out in his first season as a starter. Tennessee will finally get Cam Ward's blindside locked down. |
||||||
| 7 | Colin Simmons | EDGE | ||||
|
Simmons is an elite speed rusher for a team that's missing that skill set from its edge group. It isn't a matter of if the Saints would take him here or not, but rather if he'll be here at all. |
||||||
| 8 | Charlie Becker | WR | ||||
|
Becker is the type of receiver that would pair nicely with Jaxson Dart's downfield aggressiveness. Not only can Becker separate deep, but he's also one of the best in the class at winning at the catch point. His addition would round out a superb young receiving corps with Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields. |
||||||
| 9 | David Stone | DL | ||||
|
The Panthers have quietly revamped their defensive line into a formidable unit from one of the worst in the NFL. Adding Stone would turn them into a legitimately feared unit. With how important play on the interior is becoming, putting Stone next to Derrick Brown and Lee Hunter would make opposing offenses one-dimensional. |
||||||
| 10 | Cam Coleman | WR | ||||
|
That marks four top-10 picks for Texas and would make them the first team in 60 years to do so (although Ohio State was close last season). Coleman is the kind of explosive athlete the Commanders need with their top two receivers now in their early 30s. |
||||||
| 11 | Ashton Hampton | CB | ||||
|
Hampton would be just what the doctor ordered for the Jets ailing secondary. He's a massive corner with the athleticism of a smaller one. It would give Aaron Glenn (assuming he's still there) the ability to use Hampton to take out bigger receivers and D'Angelo Ponds to take out speedier ones. |
||||||
| 12 | Jordan Seaton | OT | ||||
|
I genuinely feel bad making Seaton wait all the way to pick 12 to come off the board, but that's the kind of class it is (Micah Parsons and Rashawn Slater going outside the top 10 in 2021 comes to mind). He's an incredibly athletic tackle who can already pass protect at an NFL level. |
||||||
| 13 | A'Mauri Washington | DL | ||||
|
With Vita Vea turning 32 next year and having a contentious contract situation this offseason, finding the nose tackle of the future could be in the cards for Jason Licht. Washington is insanely explosive for a 330-pounder and would fit right in with the butt-kickers on the Bucs defensive line. |
||||||
| 14 | Jadan Baugh | RB | ||||
|
If the Steelers roll forward with Drew Allar after this season, having a strong running game for him to lean on will be paramount. Baugh is very much a Steelers running back at nearly 230 pounds. He's built to play cold weather football. |
||||||
| 15 | Will Heldt | EDGE | ||||
|
Heldt was Clemson's best defensive lineman a year ago without much fanfare. He's an ascending player who has a complete game. While there may be other needs on this roster, Jim Harbaugh's love of the line of scrimmage and Khalil Mack's eventual retirement wins out here. |
||||||
| 16 | Trevor Lauck | OT | ||||
|
While Kyle Shanahan isn't as explicitly outside zone based as he once was, having athletic linemen is still at a premium in his offense. Lauck showed he was just that at Iowa last year. He'd be a solid transition from Trent Williams. |
||||||
| 17 | Will Echoles | DL | ||||
|
Minnesota is another team doubling down at the same position in back-to-back drafts. Echoles is the distinct opposite from Caleb Banks in not only his frame as a shorter 3-tech type, but also in his on-field performance as he comes NFL ready. |
||||||
| 18 | Lance Heard | OT | ||||
|
Heard has been slowly making his way up toward Cincinnati in his college career anyways, starting at LSU before transferring to Tennessee and then Kentucky. He'd fit right in on a quietly physical offensive line. Orlando Brown Jr.'s dwindling play and higher cap numbers may make him expendable after this year. |
||||||
| 19 | Kade Pieper | IOL | ||||
|
Offensive line is one of the positions the Jets have nailed in the first round as of late, and Pieper would be yet another home run pick. He's almost a clone of Tyler Linderbaum at Iowa with high-end athleticism to bring flexibility to a rushing attack. |
||||||
| 20 | Kewan Lacy | RB | ||||
|
Pairing Lacy with Javonte Williams would give the Cowboys backfield a David Montgomery-Jahmyr Gibbs sort of feel. Lacy has the dynamism to be a full-time back, but he's going to come into the NFL with a ton of tread on his tires, so easing him into a limited role would be a good thing. |
||||||
| 21 | Justin Scott | DL | ||||
|
After trading away Gervon Dexter, the Bears have one of the worst and oldest defensive tackle units in the NFL. That's a bad combo. Scott would give them a massive infusion of athleticism. He is the kind of athlete who is made to get into opposing backfields. |
||||||
| 22 | Jamari Johnson | TE | ||||
|
With Hunter Henry in his early 30s, the Pats could opt to add some dynamism back to their tight end position. Johnson has the kind of wingspan that would pair perfectly with Drake Maye's creativity in the red zone. |
||||||
| 23 | Sahir West | EDGE | ||||
|
West is a Steve Spagnuolo kind of defensive end. At nearly 280 pounds, he can be an early down edge-setter and money down interior rusher. Even though they loaded up on defensive linemen in last year's draft, R Mason Thomas doesn't profile to an early down run defender in that scheme. |
||||||
| 24 | Sammy Brown | LB | ||||
|
The Jaguars were forced to let Devin Lloyd walk this offseason for cap purposes and will likely do the same next spring with Foye Oluokun. That's not only a talent drain, but a leadership one as well. Brown could fill those shoes with ease. |
||||||
| 25 | Greg Johnson | IOL | ||||
|
The Bills let David Edwards walk this past offseason and, while I think they're in good hands with Alec Anderson, he's in a contract year now. Johnson is a plug-and-play left guard who would keep this top-five offensive line chugging. |
||||||
| 26 | Kelley Jones | CB | ||||
|
Jones is the kind of press-corner who would thrive in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's scheme. While Detroit's last first-round corner didn't work out too well, Jones is a distinctly different type of corner altogether at nearly 6-foot-4. |
||||||
| 27 | Jordan Ross | EDGE | ||||
|
Ross was a former five star who looked like one at Tennessee (prior to LSU) when given the opportunity. He's the kind of athlete who Howie Roseman loves to collect along his defensive line. |
||||||
| 28 | Niki Prongos | OT | ||||
|
The Broncos' offensive line has been a top-five unit the past couple of seasons, but it's worth wondering how long that will last with Garett Boles turning 35 next year and Mike McGlinchey turning 32. Prongos is a high-upside tackle prospect who could benefit from a year backing up |
||||||
| 29 | Ahmad Hardy | RB | ||||
|
We'll see if Hardy plays this season after being shot at a concert this offseason. Based on his sophomore tape, though, Hardy looked like a shoo-in for round one. The Texans have steadily built one of the better run-blocking offensive lines in the league. Now, they just need the bell cow behind it. |
||||||
| 30 | Yhonzae Pierre | EDGE | ||||
|
Pierre is the kind of rangy edge athlete who the Ravens have made a killing on drafting and developing in the Ozzie Newsome-Eric DeCosta eras. He may not be a polished product, but he has all the tools to get there. |
||||||
| 31 | Luke Reynolds | TE | ||||
|
Drafting more of an inline tight end would let the Browns relegate Harold Fannin Jr. to more of the movable role he's comfortable in. It would also give Todd Monken incredible flexibility in his two tight end sets as both Fannin and Reynolds can split wide and run routes like receivers. |
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| 32 | Cayden Green | OT | ||||
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Given the injury history of the Seahawks offensive tackles, this would be a sharp insurance selection. While I think Green is better suited at guard, where he could take Anthony Bradford's job tomorrow, he could certainly kick out to tackle in a pinch, if injury struck. |
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1:402026 NFL Draft Grades: Seahawks
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1:12Ryan Wilson Loves This Pick… But Calls This One a HUGE Reach | 2026 NFL Draft
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1:57Bryant McFadden Loves This Pick… But Calls This One a HUGE Reach | 2026 NFL Draft


