1. New York Jets - QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
It's time for the Sam Darnold experience to come to a close in New York. Lawrence is the best player in the draft and the Jets have five of the top ninety picks in the draft. The Jets are likely to trade Darnold in this scenario, giving them even more picks to build around Lawrence. GM Joe Douglas has no ties to Darnold and will have plenty of picks to build around his future franchise quarterback.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Minshew mania has ended in Jacksonville. Fields is off to a very impressive start and would be the first quarterback off the board in most draft classes. He has 11 TD passes through three games and just 11 incompletions.
3. Dallas Cowboys - OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Sewell is viewed by many as a generational offensive line prospect. Dallas may have Tyron Smith and La'el Collins already, but Collins has missed the entire season and Smith has only played two games. Dallas needs to protect Dak once he returns next season and the addition of Sewell provides them insurance. If Collins and Smith are both healthy, Dallas can slide one of these three to guard in the meantime.
4. New York Giants - QB Zach Wilson, BYU
If the Giants end up with a top five draft pick, it's likely Dave Gettleman's time as GM of the New York Giants will be coming to an end. It also means Daniel Jones likely hasn't shown the improvement the coaching staff is hoping to see in the second half of the season. Wilson is scorching hot this season - completing 75.1% of his passes for an undefeated BYU team.
5. Washington Football Team - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
The Football Team seems set on abandoning the development of Dwayne Haskins, despite starting just 11 games for the franchise. Lance will likely need a year or two of development, since he has just one year of experience starting in the FCS subdivision. He's a bit of a risky selection, but possesses all the physical traits needed to succeed in the NFL if given proper time to learn behind Kyle Allen and/or Alex Smith.
6. Los Angeles Chargers - CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Los Angeles traded away Desmond King II to Tennessee before the trade deadline and is left with an aging secondary. Casey Hayward and offseason addition Chris Harris Jr. are both on the wrong side of 30 and have contracts expiring after the 2021 season. Surtain II has been an elite cover corner for Alabama, allowing just 10 receptions in 6 games this season. The Chargers could also use some help on the offensive line and wide receiver, but both positions are deep in this year's draft class and can be addressed later in the draft.
7. Miami Dolphins - LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Parsons is the best defensive player in this draft and a steal at this point. His speed and versatility as a coverage linebacker and as a pass rusher fit perfectly into a Dolphins defensive scheme that loves hybrid players.
8. Cincinnati Bengals - WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Chase has opted out of the 2020 season, but he was absolutely dominant last season in LSU's offense. He was by far Joe Burrow's favorite target in college, amassing 1,780 receiving yards and 20 TDs. He torched Clemson's secondary in the National Championship for 221 receiving yards and 2 TDs. I don't think the Bengals can pass on the chance to reunite Burrow with Chase, especially with AJ Green declining and John Ross likely entering free agency this offseason.
9. Carolina Panthers - CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Carolina is set on trying to improve their defense - they used all seven draft picks last season on defense. Donte Jackson and Jeremy Chinn are young building blocks for this secondary, but the addition of Farley should help a struggling pass defense. Farley is a physical corner that fits the style of play Carolina's defense covets.
10. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Paye has generated 25 pressures already this season in just three games. He's simply been unblockable so far and will become the consensus top pass rusher in this draft if he keeps performing at this level. Paye is an absolute athletic freak with major upside and Atlanta is in need of a pass rusher after cutting Tak McKinley this week.
11. Detroit Lions - WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
There have been rumors of Kenny Golladay's unhappiness in Detroit and he may not be a part of the team's long term plans, since reports have stated they were shopping him during the trade deadline. Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola will also be free agents at the end of this season, leaving behind a big need at receiver in Detroit. Waddle is the most electric receiver in this class and is a threat to score anytime the ball is in his hands.
12. Minnesota Vikings - OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
Rookie Ezra Cleveland has played well the last two weeks for Minnesota, but the team could use an upgrade over Dakota Dozier. Davis is the best guard in this class and allows the Vikings to give Kirk Cousins a bit more protection and set their future quarterback up for success once they move on from Cousins. There really isn't a quarterback left I'd feel comfortable drafting this early on the board, but I could also see the Vikings looking to add a receiver here to complement Justin Jefferson.
13. New England Patriots - WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
N'Keal Harry really hasn't lived up to the first round hype for the Patriots and the team really lacks playmakers at the position. They may have the worst set of wide receivers in the league. Smith is the most productive receivers in college football over the last few seasons. His quarterbacks have a passer rating of 152.7 when targeting Smith since 2018, the best among any player in college football.
14. Denver Broncos - EDGE Gregory Rosseau, Miami
I almost went with a corner here, but the value on Rosseau at this point is too good to pass up. Von Miller will be 32 at the start of next season and it's unknown whether he'll be able to return this year. It's also unknown how effective he'll be after suffering an ankle injury before the season started. Rosseau is a bit raw as a prospect when it comes to his technique and he'd benefit greatly learning from one of the greatest pass rushers in the league. Rosseau also offers versatility while he's in the learning process, as he's been used effectively by Miami as an interior pass rusher.
15. San Francisco 49ers - CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
San Francisco literally does not have one corner under contract for the 2022 season. Richard Sherman is aging and it's unknown whether they'll retain him next season. Jason Verrett has played well, but has had issues with injuries throughout his entire career. Adding Horn to a healthy 49ers defense next season will be a major upgrade for them. Horn was absolutely dominant covering Seth Williams (1 catch on 9 targets, 2 INTs) and Terrace Marshall (1 catch, 7 yards), two players that have a future in the NFL.
16. Chicago Bears - OT Samuel Cosmi - Texas
Chicago's starting offensive lineman are both over the age of 30 and haven't really been too productive for Chicago. Cosmi is a raw athlete with high upside. He doesn't quite have the strength yet to be a mauler, but should improve his power under a professional strength and conditioning team. He's been productive for Texas, allowing just three sacks over his last 918 pass blocking snaps.
17. Cleveland Browns - EDGE Joseph Ossai - Texas
Ossai is one of the hottest prospects in the country right now. He has six sacks through his first seven games and has also forced three fumbles. He's also second in the country with 13 tackles for a loss. Ossai offers massive upside as a pass rusher, but is still a bit raw and developing in pass coverage.
18. Indianapolis Colts - OT Alex Leatherwood - Alabama
Anthony Costanzo is nearing the end of his career - he considered retiring at the end of last season. Leatherwood has the strength and athletic ability to be a starting left tackle. He has experience playing guard, too, and some have questioned whether he may be a better fit lining up as an interior offensive lineman. Playing behind Costanzo for a year could help him develop his technique a bit more and silence those that think he isn't a tackle at the next level.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The odds of this happening may not be great - the Eagles haven't drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979. However, Owusu-Koramoah is a huge value at this spot. He's quickly flying up draft boards after his strong performance (9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, .5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a TD) in Notre Dame's victory over Clemson this past weekend. He fits the mold of an Isaiah Simmons/Jeremy Chinn type of player that's able to line up all over the field. He offers value as a pass rusher and cover linebacker, but is a bit undersized at 216 lbs and will need to add a little bit of weight/power at the next level.
20. Arizona Cardinals - RB Travis Etienne - Clemson
Putting a running back in the first round is always a bit difficult with how much the position has become devalued nowadays. The thought of Kyler Murray and Etienne in the same backfield though is just downright scary.
21. Miami Dolphins - WR Terrace Marshall Jr - LSU
The Dolphins really lack much receiving depth behind DeVante Parker and would love to add another weapon for Tua Tagovailoa. Marshall has 9 TDs in his first 5 games of the season and is averaging 17.4 yards per reception, despite LSU losing most of their playmakers on offense from last season. Marshall was off to a similar start last season with 6 TDs in his first 4 games, but his role in the offense decreased after an injury forced him to miss a few weeks. Marshall is making up for it this season and is the go to target in LSU's offense.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars - TE Kyle Pitts - Florida
Pitts has been a matchup nightmare this season and is an absolute steal this late in the draft. He has 24 receptions through his first fives games this year - 8 of those have been touchdowns. Adding Pitts gives our predicted second overall pick Justin Fields an option that'll create great mismatches over the middle of the field and a fantastic redzone target.
23. Las Vegas Raiders - EDGE Patrick Jones II - Pittsburgh
Maxx Crosby is the Raiders only viable pass rusher with 5.5 sacks on the season. Clelin Ferrell hasn't worked out for the Raiders at all, with just 4.5 sacks (none this year) in 23 career starts. Jones has 8 sacks through 8 games this season.
24. Tennessee Titans - EDGE Jayson Oweh - Penn State
The Titans recently released Vic Beasley and they only signed Jadaveon Clowney to a one year deal this offseason. The Titans pass rush is looking pretty thin and could benefit from adding Oweh. He hasn't recorded a sack through his first three games, but has generated 13 pressures. He's a very raw, but athletic player that will need time to develop. His reported physical numbers are insane for his size. He's 6'4, 252 lbs. with a 4.33 40 yard dash time, a 36.5' vertical, 10'7 broad jump, and a 4.11 second shuttle.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DI Christian Barmore - Alabama
Ndamukong Suh is aging and set to become a free agent after this season. The Bucs could use a young, cheap defender to pair next to Vita Vea to maintain their strong defensive line. Barmore is a powerful player that can also rush the passer. He has 13 pressures through 5 games.
26. New York Jets - WR Rondale Moore - Purdue
Moore is one of the most polarizing players of this draft class. He's only 5'9" 180 lbs. and we've only seen him play 185 snaps on offense since his freshman season. He missed most of last season with a hamstring injury and then opted out of this season due to COVID. He later decided to opt back in, but hasn't played in Purdue's first two games this season. When on the field, Moore is extremely explosive after the catch with his speed. If healthy, he can be a great target for Lawrence.
27. Baltimore Ravens - S Jevon Holland - Orgeon
Holland is a ballhawk safety that can also line up in the slot. He was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back last season. He's opted out of this season. He had 9 interceptions during his two seasons at Oregon. He also offers versatility on special teams as a punt returner, averaging 14.2 yards per return (8th in the nation among returners with at least ten attempts).
28. Buffalo Bills - LB Dylan Moses - Alabama
Moses is off to a slow start this season after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Prior to the injury, he was considered the top linebacker in the country and one of the best defensive players out there. He's looked a bit lost to start this season and it could just be from so much time off the field. If Moses reverts back to his previous self, he's a steal for Buffalo.
29. Green Bay Packers - WR Rashod Bateman - Minnesota
Green Bay fans wanted another receiver badly last season to pair with Davante Adams and the Packers didn't pull the trigger on one at all. With Bateman falling to them here though, they have to add his talent. Adams has been dominant for Green Bay, but it never hurts to give Aaron Rodgers another weapon.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - C Creed Humphrey - Oklahoma
Kansas City has seen struggles among their interior offensive lineman this season. Adding Humphrey should help, although I can also see them going with a guard here instead. Humphrey is the best center in the class, though.
31. New Orleans Saints - S Paris Ford - Pittsburgh
The Saints are very low on cap space and set to lose Marcus Williams to free agency. Ford is an athletic, intense, emotional player on the field. He's a great open field tackler and should be able to contribute right away.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Dillon Radunz - North Dakota St
Pittsburgh is a difficult team to predict with so many impending free agents and little cap space to work with. The Steelers could look to get younger on the offensive line with Alejandro Villanueva turning 33 next season. His contract is up and there's also the chance he could look to retire. Radunz didn't allow a sack all of last season, though he did play against FCS competition. I can see Pittsburgh falling in love with his quickness and athleticism, though.
You can follow Tom Barnett on Twitter @tbarnett91
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