Penn State

Big Board Rank: 2 (EDGE 1)

The Titans need a franchise QB. Badly. However, in a far from elite QB draft, they can be forgiven for passing on a limited QB prospect for a blue-chip edge rusher. I have Travis Hunter (slightly) ahead of Abdul Carter on my big board, but Carter plays the most valuable position of the two. Carter is an absolute demon off the edge with scary production for his first full-season as a rush linebacker. He is slightly undersized as a full-time pass rusher, but has such impressive football acumen and athleticism that he should be able to fulfil his All-Pro potential in the NFL, especially in Tennessee’s 3-4 defense.

V1 Pick: Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado).

Colorado

Big Board Rank: 9 (QB 1)

If Cleveland does trade Myles Garrett, and the Titans take a quarterback No. 1 overall, I could envisage this pick being Abdul Carter. However, the Browns aren’t in the same position as Tennessee. Their regime - multiple years in - is responsible for the biggest trade implosion in NFL history. Deshaun Watson’s career has been ruined by scandal, low effort and injury, and he appears done in the NFL. Financial hell aside, they must move on. Despite not having elite athletic traits, Sanders is this writer's clear-cut QB1, despite the hype behind Cam Ward in the media. Sanders is a unique personality but has stellar accuracy, processing ability and very clean short to intermediate play. He is a nice high-floor prospect with more of a ceiling than many give him credit for.

V1 Pick: Cam Ward (QB, Miami FL)

Miami

Big Board Rank: 17 (QB 2)

It was a shock to see the Giants keep their GM Joe Schoen considering their inept decision to re-sign Daniel Jones to a 4 year deal, as well as letting Saquon Barkley walk to the Eagles and have an elite season. Still, they remain, and you have to think they’ll fashion something to come away with a franchise QB (they quite literally do not have a rostered quarterback at present). Ward is coming off an outstanding 2024 season with some tremendous big-time plays and encouragingly improved every season at Washington State/Miami. Ward still has a lot to clean up in his game, though, as he seems to also want to play “hero ball” and makes some downright reckless decisions with the ball. Teams reportedly compare him to a “poor man’s Russell Wilson” (Charlie Campbell).

V1 Pick: Travis Hunter (CB/WR, Colorado)

Colorado

Big Board Rank: 1 (CB 1 / WR 1)

The Patriots have dire needs across the roster and - Drake Maye aside - did not have a good 2024 Draft, with hardly any of their picks making any contribution as rookies. The Patriots appear best drafting the best player available to replenish their depleted roster. As such, I have them drafting the reigning Heisman winner who remains my top prospect in this draft class. Hunter is a unicorn elite two-way player whose freakish athleticism and intelligence allows him to not only play two positions, but play them either side of the ball with legitimate Pro Bowl calibre. One could argue this almost doubles his ability to stick in the NFL. I would probably start at CB full-time and then allow Hunter to play impact snaps at receiver, but according to many sources, teams are legitimately split on his optimal position. Either way, the Patriots just need talent, and Hunter could be a franchise cornerstone for them for the next decade.

V1 Pick: Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)

Michigan

Big Board Rank: 4 (CB 2)

The Jaguars biggest needs are at cornerback or defensive tackle in the top-10. Taking the draft as a whole, though, this cornerback class has limited top end prospects; meanwhile, this defensive tackle class is extremely deep with talent for them in early Round 2. In this writer’s opinion, the Jaguars would be best securing an elite cornerback and taking one of the several fringe 1st round defensive tackle’s who will inevitably slide into the 2nd round. Will Johnson is still a top-10 caliber prospect despite an injury-afflicted final season. His 2023 tape was truly exceptional, and would be an elite blanketing coverage corner to match with Tyson Campbell in base formations and Jarrian Jones in nickel sets.

V1 Pick: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)

Boise State

Big Board Rank: 3 (RB 1)

The Raiders need to add more explosion on offense. Although running backs in the top-10 is a perennially venomous debate within the draft community, the immense success of recent highly drafted RB's has shifted the discourse back to it being a viable option. Moreover, Ashton Jeanty isn't just any running back. Jeanty is a truly elite running back in the running for top prospect in the entire class. An oppressively dominant runner with elite field vision, catching ability and missed tackle machine, Jeanty could be an animal at the next level.

V1 Pick: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)

Arizona

Big Board Rank: 5 (WR 2)

It is beyond likely now that the Jets will part ways with Aaron Rodgers and if Rodgers goes, one suspects Davante Adams will too. Garrett Wilson is also reportedly disgruntled. The Jets are in a BPA spot in such a weak quarterback class, and Tetairoa McMillan would qualify as such. McMillan has a Drake London/Mike Evans-esque quality to his game, and would be a beautiful compliment to Garrett Wilson. He feels like one of the safer prospects in this class whilst also having a high ceiling, being the only wide receiver (excluding Travis Hunter) in this class who has true WR1 potential.

V1 Pick: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)

Tennessee

Big Board Rank: 6 (EDGE 2)

The Panthers' edge rush hasn't recovered since losing Brian Burns. Fortunately, they have a strong class of 3-4 profiling edge rushers to choose from. Although some prefer the upside of Jalon Walker, I have personal concerns of his ability to be a full-time edge rusher even in a 3-4 defense and do not have him as high as others. Meanwhile, James Pearce Jr. is becoming this year’s Jared Verse - not so much in prospect profile - but in being underrated by the end of their college career due to prospect fatigue. Although "only" posting 7.5 sacks in 2024, Pearce has improved tremendously as a run defender and is an elite athlete, accumulating a lot of pressure in lieu of his sack numbers. Pearce profiles well for a Ejiro Evero defense and will go higher than many think he will.

V1 Pick: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)

Michigan

Big Board Rank: 7 (DT 1)

Bryan Bresee has come along nicely as a pass rushing interior threat, but he isn't the most rounded player, and the Saints' remaining DL is lacking. An interior stalwart to pair with Bresee could really help this defense. Kenneth Grant is amongst my favourite prospects in the entire class and is being dangerously undervalued amongst the draft community. Charlie Campbell - the best reporter in the business - has reported that teams really like Kenneth Grant and view him in higher esteem than Mason Graham, who is overrated (albeit mildly) by the media. Grant is an uber talented defensive tackle who is as strong as a bull, more athletically gifted than Mason Graham, and diverse between 4-3/3-4 fronts. Grant won't be a sack monster at the next level but could be a space eater with an immeasurable impact beyond the stat sheet. It would be surprising to see Grant fall out of the top-16 in this writer’s opinion.

V1 Pick: Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)

Alabama

Big Board Rank: 10 (G 1)

I have liked Booker for a while, mocking him in the 15-25 range in most mocks I run. However, with the likes of Daniel Jeremiah and Charlie Campbell reporting him as top-16 caliber prospects made me reevaluate him, and he’s now amongst my favourite players in this entire class. The fit also makes sense, with Chicago likely losing Teven Jenkins to free agency, and Braxton Jones (oft-injured) is entering a contract year at LT. This pick is reminiscent of the Wright selection in 2023; some may not see the value, but protecting Caleb Williams with a tough plug and play-esque Day 1 starter with Pro Bowl potential is the “don’t overthink it” move this offense needs. Their DL/EDGE needs can be addressed on Day 2 in deep classes.

V1 Pick: Will Campbell (G, LSU)

Michigan

Big Board Rank: 8 (DT 2)

San Francisco's defense was absolutely atrocious this season. Although OT/IOL would be welcomed with open arms, the 49ers have next to no talent post the expected June 1 release of Javon Hargrave at DT. There is potential for a moderate slide with Mason Graham. He isn't the flawless prospect many suggest; Charlie Campbell has reported teams have some work ethic and body issues tagged to his report. Non-elite defensive tackles don’t typically go in the top-10, more the 11-20 range, and I’d definitely argue Graham is not elite. However, I still like him a lot, as he is good to excellent at every facet of his position. A stout run defender and dangerous interior pass rusher with a high floor, Graham would be a “run the card to the podium” pick at 11.

V1 Pick: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)

Georgia

Big Board Rank: 11 (EDGE 3)

The Cowboys will probably be praying for Jeanty to fall to them, which is his floor. If not, they have various options, including replacing Zack Martin (who appears likely to retire) or their pass rush. Excluding Micah Parsons, their only viable base-end rushers are 2nd round 2024 pick Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams, who has an injury and problematic off-field history. Mykel Williams is the latest “toolsy” Georgia edge rusher who may not have the production of an elite top of the draft edge rusher, but has a lot of upside to develop with a good physical skill-set. Williams is a plus run defender who has the upside to be a better pro than college player. It’s also worth noting that the top-end of this terrific edge rushing group is filled with more clean 3-4 fits in the top-40 (Carter, Pearce Jr., Green, Walker, Ezeiruaku) than 4-3 fits (Williams, Stewart, Burch, Scourton).

V1 Pick: Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)

LSU

Big Board Rank: 15 (G 2)

The Dolphins have numerous defensive holes to fill, but every year their OL still appears to be a glaring weakness. Patrick Paul is the likely heir apparent to Terron Armstead, but their interior OL is amongst the weakest in the NFL, and Austin Jackson has a poor durability record. Campbell is a bit like Mason Graham insofar that he has more question marks than consensus opinion cares to comment on. He is definitely more likely to move inside to guard at the next level, especially in Miami in this scenario, and had some inconsistencies in 2024. However, he's just a really solid player with quite a high floor for the NFL.

V1 Pick: Kelvin Banks Jr. (G/OT, Texas)

Penn State

Big Board Rank: 12 (TE 1)

The Colts have needs in their secondary, but have also needed improved Tight End play for years, and this year's draft looks to have two really good prospects at the position in Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. Warren in particular has been on an absolute tear in 2024 putting up elite production as a receiving tight end. He also should be a functional to decent, if not elite, in-line blocker at the next level. With a solid OL, Jonathan Taylor, 3-4 good receivers and Tyler Warren, Anthony Richardson has absolutely no excuses in 2025

V1 Pick: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)

Georgia

Big Board Rank: 20 (LB2)

Whilst it was suspected by general management to sign a $40M per year and use the 8th overall pick on a QB in the same 2-month span, the Falcons appear to have a viable shot at their next QB in Michael Penix Jr. from the small sample size we’ve seen. Doubling up at QB limited their ability to address their perennially pitiful pass rush, though, and they’ll need to use a deep 2025 draft class to add talent at the position. Although I personally have Marshall’s Mike Green as my EDGE 4, the Falcons reportedly like both Georgia defenders - Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker. Walker is an interesting evaluation; he’s a 1st round caliber athlete, no question, but he’s a positionless player who to me is more of a tweener than genuinely versatile player, and as such am considerably lower on him than consensus. I do not believe Walker can play pass rush full time in the NFL, and think he’s more an effective sub-package pass rusher. Equally, he’s somewhat green as an inside linebacker, but that’s where this writer believes his physical ability may be best full-time and in that regard - with time - he has the makeup to become one of the leagues best. Walker needs a 3-4 defense to thrive if he does become a pass rusher, but if he succeeds anywhere, I could see it being somewhere like Atlanta with Raheem Morris.

Ohio State

Big Board Rank: 14 (OT 1)

Arizona’s significant defensive needs are self-evident, but this is a deep class at EDGE and DT; the better value for CB at this spot is also probably on Day 2. Meanwhile, outside of stud LT Paris Johnson, the Cardinals’ entire OL could be upgraded, with Jonah Williams in particular being an injury-prone and middling starting right tackle. Josh Simmons would be a potential candidate for OT1 and as a top-12 pick had he not torn his ACL mid-season. That’s actually still not impossible, as he was playing extremely good football prior to this injury (hence being my OT 1), not allowing a single sack and just one pressure in almost 200 pass rushing snaps. He could start at guard or right tackle as a rookie, and unlike Banks Jr. and Campbell one believes he could even play LT for the right team.

V1 Pick: Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)