USC

No reason to spend much time dissecting this. As soon as Chicago traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, this pick was locked in.

Previous Pick: Same
No other scenarios considered.

LSU

This pick also feels pretty much like a lock after Sam Howell was banished to Seattle. Everything I have heard seems to suggest that Washington prefers Daniels to Drake Maye--but I could see either QB being the pick.

Previous Pick: Same
Other Scenarios: QB Drake Maye

North Carolina

*Maybe* New England trades this pick. The rumor is that they really like Jayden Daniels, and with none of the QBs in this class feeling like incredible prospects, maybe the Patriots get a ransom from the Vikings, Broncos, or Raiders. However, after trading Mac Jones--wild that all three teams at the top of the draft traded their starting QB from last year--I am inclined to think whichever of the top three QBs is left will be the pick.

Previous Pick: Same
Other Scenarios: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Trade back

Ohio State

The Cardinals are also a team that feels as though they could try and move down in the draft. Michael Wilson had a nice rookie year, and Trey McBride is poised to become one of the best TEs in the league, but I think Arizona will add a weapon for Kyler Murray. After spending Murray's whole career blowing picks on second round receivers that didn't pan out, the Cardinals are not going to let the chance to add a premier receiving talent this year.

Previous Pick: Same
Other Scenarios: Trade down, OT Joe Alt

Michigan

We have our first trade! I think the Chargers are the most likely team in the top ten to try and trade out of their spot, and the Vikings are the most likely team to try and trade up in the hunt for a franchise QB. This swap makes a lotta sense.

Previous Pick: Vikings trade up to select QB J.J. McCarthy

Washington

Is it a last ditch effort to save Daniel Jones? Is it acknowledging that he's never had a plus weapon to throw to? Is it resignation? It's probably a mix of all three. I could also see the Giants looking at offensive line here, but I don't think they are ready to accept defeat on their recent top-ten OTs. Instead, they add an excellent WR prospect with Odunze.

Previous Pick: Same
Other Scenarios: WR Malik Nabers, OT Joe Alt

Notre Dame

The Titans are the team to benefit from the run on QBs and WRs at the top of the draft. Alt is the top lineman in the draft and, ignoring position value, may be the second best prospect overall after Harrison. Getting him at 7 is a steal for a Titans team that has whiffed on several high profile tackles lately.

Other Scenarios: EDGE Dallas Verse, OT Joe Alt

LSU

Did you know that, after Drake London, the current top WRs on the Falcon's depth chart are Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore, and Ray-Ray McCloud? Originally, I had Atlanta pegged as a team that would trade down or take a pass-rusher, but I think Malik Nabers makes a ton of sense here. Adding Kirk Cousins in free agency and bringing in Zac Robinson as OC shows that Atlanta wants to add some juice to their passing attack.

Previous Pick: EDGE Latu Laiatu
Other Scenarios: EDGE Dallas Turner, Trade Down

Alabama

Last year, Houston made a splash after spending top ten picks on QB CJ Stroud and EDGE Will Anderson. The Bears could try and repeat that by adding the top QB and EDGE in this class. Turner is a little more raw than former teammate Anderson was coming out, but he is a phenomenal athlete who could become one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.

Previous Pick: Bills trade up to select WR Malik Nabers
Other Scenarios: EDGE Latu Laitu, OT Olu Fashanu

Penn State

Who wins: GM Joe Douglas, or GM Aaron Rodgers? Douglas's perspective is likely that, after sending high capital to the Packers for Rodgers, poor O-Line play contributoed to the QB going down after a few snaps. Rodgers' perspective--possible influenced by hallucinogenics--is that Brock Bowers runs really fast and catches good! With his and HC Robert Saleh's jobs potentially on the line, I think New York's first priority is keeping A-Rod upright, and they add Olu Fashanu to do so.

Previous Pick: OT Joe Alt
Other Scenarios: TE Brock Bowers, CB Terrion Arnold

Georgia

Something about Brock Bowers and the Chargers just seems right, and they are happy to get him after trading back. There is a lot of rumbling that new HC Jim Harbaugh and new OC Greg Roman are going to move to a run-heavy scheme--but Mark Andrews was an All-Pro TE in Baltimore under Roman. Harbaugh is smart; he won't waste Justin Herbert.

Previous Pick: Chargers select TE Brock Bowers

Oregon State

Corner could very well be an option, and either one of Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold would be great models for the Donkey's new uniforms. However, Sean Payton has always put a ton of emphasis on his offensive line, and so Denver adds Oregon State mauler Taliese Fuaga. Mike McGlinchey struggled in his first year in Denver, and Garrett Bolles is nearing the end of his contract. The Broncos can find Fuaga a home at guard this year while prepping him to take over from one of those two.

Previous Pick: EDGE Jared Verse
Other Scenarios: CB Terrion Arnold, DT Byron Murphy

Alabama

Vegas is in an awkward spot. The roster has a ton of holes, and the 13th pick is a weird spot in this class. With a new administrative team in place, LV might as well build some capital and suck this year in hopes of a top five pick. With New Orleans desperate for a tackle at 14, Cincinnati jumps ahead to ensure they get their guy.

Previous Pick: Raiders select CB Terrion Arnold

Washington

Just because they got jumped doesn't mean the Saints are devastated. Fautanu is a strong OT prospect in his own right, and may even be a safer pick than Latham. The Saints could look a ton of different directions.

Previous Pick: OT Olu Fashanu
Other Scenarios: CB Quinyon Mitchell, EDGE Chop Robinson

Toledo

I've been mocking this pick for ages. Mitchell just screams "Colts!" The incredible number of tackles going in the first half of this draft causes some extremely talented players to fall, and Mitchell is one of them. Indy is happy.

Previous Pick: Same
Other Scenarios: EDGE Chop Robinson, CB Nate Wiggins

Texas

Murphy is another super talented player who falls because of the run on OTs. The best iDL in the class, Murphy should be a good player for quite some time.

Previous Pick: DT Byron Murphy
Other Scenarios: CB Nate Wiggins, EDGE Chop Robinson