The Champ
|
This one's gonna get weird right away, but there's some smoke billowing to suggest that the draft could get off to such a start. So let's explore!
739 Page Views |
4 Comments
|
Round 1
Texans:
Will Anderson, DE, Alabama 
The rumblings are growing louder that Houston is not going to take Stroud at #2. Perhaps it's because they just don't like him enough, or perhaps it's because Stroud happens to share the same agent as Deshaun Watson. This is an organization that took Derek Stingley over Sauce Gardner last year, so why wouldn't they pass on a QB just because of an agent relationship?
Cardinals:
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech 
Everyone expected Detroit to trade down a few years ago when they ended up sticking and picking Okudah. Perhaps the same fate will befall Arizona and no one will be willing to give up enough to move up. If that happens, Wilson is the most logical choice here for a team that needs to rebuild its DL.
Colts:
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State 
Stroud would be the most logical choice here, but I haven't been a fan of Chris Ballard's recent track record, so maybe they'd make the mistake of taking one of the other QB's.
Seahawks:
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia 
I'm seeing a lot of sharp mocks continuing to place Carter here, including one from the outstanding Nick Guarisco, whose accuracy over the past few years is as good as anyone.
Lions:
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois 
It seems like the Lions will be enamored with Witherspoon, and there's a need for a long-term boundary corner on the roster. That said, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Seattle or Detroit dipping their toes in the Anthony Richardson pond.
Raiders:
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon 
The top 2 CB's come off the board at 6 and 7, as the Raiders go that route instead of taking any of the OL or a QB.
Falcons:
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas 
I think that Atlanta is going to see Bijan as the BPA and that Arthur Smith will view him as his immediate offensive centerpiece. All of their offseason moves suggest a team that wants to win now.
Bears:
Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
If Carter is not available, I think Johnson (whom Justin Fields is familiar with) would be chosen as the highest-upside tackle prospect. He would start out at RT for the Bears.
Titans:
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida 
Richardson falls to #11 and Tennessee won't be able to resist that urge.
Eagles:
Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia
Howie Roseman goes with another Georgia defender, and Smith gets the call over, say, Lukas Van Ness.
Texans:
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky 
So Houston comes away with Anderson and Levis, and time will tell if passing on Stroud at #2 will come back to bite them.
Jets:
Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern 
The Jets are heavy favorites to use this pick on an OL, and I'm going to guess that Skoronski would get the nod for them because he was a team captain at Northwestern. This has been a big thing for Joe Douglas with early picks, and Skoronski will likely be seen as having a high floor and able to play right away.
Patriots:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
For the first time in a while, I'll go away from an OT player here for New England. JSN and JuJu would give Mac Jones two potentially reliable targets.
Packers:
Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa 
Van Ness fits the criteria for what type of athletes and pass rushers the Packers typically like.
Commanders:
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State 
Perhaps Darnell Wright or Broderick Jones would be tempting here, but Porter Jr. really fills a big need and is a fine prospect.