- Carolina Panthers (from CHI) – BRYCE YOUNG (QB, ALABAMA)
Analysis: I have to admit, I still have belief that this is all a mirage, and the Panthers are throwing everyone off of their interest in CJ Stroud. But conventional wisdom and rumours combine here to make Bryce Young the new face of the Panthers franchise. Young brings the playmaking ability and winning mentality that GM’s and Coaches crave
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON – Smaller Steve Young/ Kyler Murray
- Houston Texans – WILL ANDERSON (DE, ALABAMA)
Analysis: Houston is either playing chicken with everyone else in the free world, or they’re serious in their pursuit of a defensive player with the #2 selection. Passing on Quarterbacks when you don’t have one is a dangerous game to play, but prospects like Will Anderson don’t come along very often either. This could be Demeco Ryans reminding everyone that they picked Nick Bosa at #2 in San Francisco and it worked out just fine for the 9ers.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Khalil Mack/ Kwity Paye
- TRADE! Indianapolis Colts (from Arizona) – CJ STROUD (QB, OHIO ST.)
Analysis: Indianapolis immediately gets Arizona on the phone once Will Anderson is announced and makes the small move up to #3 so no other team can jump them for Stroud. People can say what they want about Will Levis moving ahead of Stroud on boards, but CJ Stroud was a phenomenal Quarterback in a tough conference and played better than Bryce Young against the phenomenal Georgia defense. Chris Ballard just dropped the mic.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Andrew Luck/ Jameis Winston
- TRADE! Arizona Cardinals (from Indianapolis) – TYREE WILSON (DE, TEXAS TECH)
Analysis: The Cardinals could go many different ways after moving down, and could ultimately move down again, but Tyree Wilson has too much upside to pass up on if you think your D-Line coach can add to his Toolbelt.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Jason Pierre-Paul/ Mathias Kiwanuka
- Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – JALEN CARTER (DT, GEORGIA)
Analysis: This pick is contingent on what’s happening in Carter’s individual team interviews. His offseason has been disastrous and he could be falling further than people realize, but Carter is the best player in this draft and can be a Franchise altering player if he’s committed.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Ndamukong Suh/ Albert Haynesworth (Washington era)
- Detroit Lions (from LAR) – ANTHONY RICHARDSON (QB, FLORIDA)
Analysis: The Lions seriously need to consider one of the top cornerbacks with this selection, but ultimately this pick needs to happen for them to get out from under Jared Goff’s future massive extension and extend their window to compete for the next decade. Richardson can be a Calvin Johnson type of star talent for Detroit if he’s brought along properly.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: College Vince Young/ Post Rookie year Vince Young
- Las Vegas Raiders – DEVON WITHERSPOON (CB, ILLINOIS)
Analysis: A hard nosed, physical corner is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Raiders secondary. Devon Witherspoon can be a tone setter for Vegas and motivate the rest of the defense to step up their physicality each and every week.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Quentin Jammer/ Ike Taylor
- TRADE! Pittsburgh Steelers (from Atlanta) – PARIS JOHNSON JR. (OT, OHIO ST.)
Analysis: The Steelers have been kicking the tires with moving into the top 10, and finally strike a deal with the Falcons after Tyree Wilson and Jalen Carter come off the board. Pittsburgh’s biggest needs come at LT and CB, and with the cornerback class deeper than any other position this year, they pull the trigger to get a left tackle who could become a Hall of Famer with his existing skill set and massive potential.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Walter Jones/ Donovan Smith
- Chicago Bears (from CAR) – PETER SKORONSKI (OT, NORTHWESTERN)
Analysis: After Pittsburgh got ahead of them to take Johnson, the Bears brought in the local product who can play all 5 positions across the offensive line. Skoronski has the safest floor out of all OL prospects and will be a day 1 starter.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Zack Martin/ Robert Gallery (Guard)
- TRADE! Houston Texans (from Philadelphia via New Orleans) – WILL LEVIS (QB, KENTUCKY)
Analysis: Houston took a massive gamble by passing on a Quarterback with their first selection. Well the dice roll comes to an end as they move ahead of Tennessee to pick the new face of their offense. Will Levis has all the tools to become a solid pro quarterback, the only question is how much more room for improvement does he have?
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Matthew Stafford/ Jay Cutler
- Tennessee Titans – BRODERICK JONES (OT, GEORGIA)
Analysis: Tennessee gets leap frogged by Houston for Levis, so they’ll decide to add to their offensive line here. Jones is a versatile tackle who can play both left and right and brings the type of nastiness that Coach Vrabel loves.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Lane Johnson/ Tarik Glenn
- TRADE! Philadelphia Eagles (from Houston) – CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ (CB, OREGON)
Analysis: Everything comes up Philly with their move down and subsequent pick here. By gaining extra assets and STILL landing who some consider the top corner in the draft is phenomenal board management by the Eagles brass.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Xavier Rhodes/Eli Apple
- Green Bay Packers (from NYJ) – JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA (WR, OHIO ST.)
Analysis: Green Bay finally offloaded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets and ended up with a good return in the process, including a move up from 15 to 13. Now, the roster reload can begin and they can get their new Davante Adams with Smith-Njigba. A young receiving core to pair with their new signal caller may have some lumps initially but can yield some phenomenal results if they’re patient.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Davante Adams/ Marty Booker
- New England Patriots – NOLAN SMITH (DE/OLB, GEORGIA)
Analysis: The Patriots are always an enigma during the draft. They could pick the best player available, or they could pick someone with a 3rd round grade here because he fits what they do. Putting on the game tape to see what Smith brought to the Georgia defense, and it makes all the sense in the world for Belichick to see some similar traits to the best player he ever coached in Lawrence Taylor.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Von Miller/ Leonard Floyd
- New York Jets (from GB) – DARNELL WRIGHT (OT, TENNESSEE)
Analysis: With the Aaron Rodgers saga finally over, the Jets can look at how to protect him now. Enter Darnell Wright, a massive human with good feet who can plug in at right tackle and give their new (old) signal caller time to find his treasure trove of pass catchers.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Orlando Brown Jr./ Max Starks
- Washington Commanders – JOEY PORTER JR. (CB, PENN ST.)
Analysis: Washington really needs their defense to take a big step forward this upcoming season if they want to compete in the NFC East. With their front seven looking solidified, selecting a corner like Joey Porter Jr. can give them a big, physical press corner to give their pass rushers time to work.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Nnamdi Asomugha/ Brandon Browner
- TRADE! Atlanta Falcons (from Pittsburgh) – BIJAN ROBINSON (RB, TEXAS)
Analysis: The Falcons get exactly what they’ve been hoping for the entire draft process and get the best player on some people’s big boards here. Taking Robinson at #8 would be a bit of a reach, but trading back to #17 makes this selection a no-brainer for a team that values the run game as much as the Falcons.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: LaDanian Tomlinson/ Bigger Brian Westbrook
- Detroit Lions – LUKAS VAN NESS (DE, IOWA)
Analysis: This pick seems to be a dream matchup for the Lions as the blue collar Van Ness is a defensive line unicorn who can line up anywhere and thrive next to Aidan Hutchinson and gang.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: JJ Watt/ Soloman Thomas
- TRADE! Minnesota Vikings (from TB) – HENDON HOOKER (QB, TENNESSEE)
Analysis: Kirk Cousins is in the last year of his deal and will be due for a sizable raise on the open market. Minnesota’s front office follows an analytical approach and committing massive contracts to one position won’t jive in their pursuit to build a more complete roster.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: A more athletic Carson Palmer/ Carson Wentz
- Seattle Seahawks – MYLES MURPHY (DE, CLEMSON)
Analysis: Seattle needs to overhaul their defensive line and if they can leave the draft with Jalen Carter and Myles Murphy, then it’s mission complete. Murphy possesses the motor that defensive line coaches dream about and can become a solid contributor from day one.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Cameron Jordan/ Derek Barnett
- Los Angeles Chargers – DALTON KINCAID (TE, UTAH)
Analysis: The Chargers will only win if they maximize Justin Herbert’s prime years. Bringing in the best pass catching tight end in the draft can give him a mismatch on every passing play and take his game to a whole other level while diversifying the Chargers offensive gameplan.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Travis Kelce/ Chris Cooley
- Baltimore Ravens – ZAY FLOWERS (WR, BOSTON COLLEGE)
Analysis: Baltimore will have plenty of eyes on them during the draft because of the Lamar Jackson situation, but their front office has built this roster through the draft year after year and they’ll take the player who best suits their needs regardless of outside distraction. Flowers is a do-it-all type of receiver who would be a top 10 pick if he were 5 inches taller and played at a bigger college program.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Antonio Brown/ Robert Woods
- TRADE! Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Minnesota) – O’CYRUS TORRENCE (OG, FLORIDA)
Analysis: Tampa Bay will be entering some lean years coming out of the Brady era. They’ve had several retirements and players now requesting to be released or traded, so trading down and collecting a few more assets is definitely in the cards. Building their offensive line back up will be the starting point for Todd Bowles and company, and Torrence brings the same level of nasty at guard as the all-world Tristan Wirfs does at tackle.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Carl Nicks/ Chance Warmack
- Jacksonville Jaguars – BRIAN BRANCH (S, ALABAMA)
Analysis: Branch is probably the most versatile player in the draft. Jacksonville is building a perennial contender down in Duval, and players like Branch are exactly the types of talent that Coach Pederson likes to throw into his defenses. If you look at the last years draft, it’s clear that the Jags value versatility over standard fits (ie. Walker over Hutchinson, Lloyd over Dean), and now they can unleash Branch in their secondary and match any type of offensive sets they play week in and week out.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Antrel Rolle/ Michael Huff
- New York Giants – JORDAN ADDISON (WR, USC)
Analysis: As I mentioned on the Dynes Sports Podcast last week, Jordan Addison gives me Stefon Diggs vibes as a route runner and overall pass catcher coming out of College. Well who knows how to maximize a Stefon Diggs type talent more than Brian Daboll? Addison gets open, and the best receivers in the NFL are the ones who have knack of getting open more frequently than the other top wideouts.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Stefon Diggs/ Laveranues Coles
- Dallas Cowboys – MICHAEL MAYER (TE, NOTRE DAME)
Analysis: Dallas loves to steal the spotlight during the draft, so don’t be surprised if they trade up to take Bijan Robinson, but in reality, the Cowboys are in desperate need of filling the massive tight end void they have on their roster. They didn’t address the loss of Dalton Schultz in free agency, and I believe it was because they know they’re going to take one of the elite tight ends in this draft class very early. Who’s the all-time leading receiver for the Dallas Cowboys? None other than Jason Witten. And who reminds me of Jason Witten every time I put on the tape? Michael Mayer from Notre Dame. Lock this pick up.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Jason Witten/ Kyle Brady
- Buffalo Bills – BRYAN BRESEE (DT, CLEMSON)
Analysis: Buffalo could go a few different ways here, but with the best slot receivers, O’Cyrus Torrence and Brian Branch already taken off the board here, look for them to add to their defensive line and get a little bigger on the inside. Bresee possesses the talent of a top 10 player, but with an injury history hampering him he may fall down some draft boards. Buffalo has a very smart front office and won’t pass up on value at this point.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Fletcher Cox/ Amobi Okoye
- Cincinnati Bengals – KELEE RINGO (CB, GEORGIA)
Analysis: The Bengals should be targeting a tight end, running back and corner with this selection. Looking at the board, Kelee Ringo provides the most value for an underwhelming secondary as the two-time national champion is being criminally underrated throughout the entire draft period. An aspiring Championship roster would be wise to add someone with Championship pedigree.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Jalen Ramsey/ Jimmy Smith
- New Orleans Saints (from PHI via SF) – CALIJAH KANCEY (DT, PITTSBURGH)
Analysis: New Orleans is in a position to take over the NFC South again with how the rest of the division currently sits. Seeing someone like Kancey still on the board at this point would provide unbelievable value and inject a phenomenal interior pass rusher into the Saints defense and let Dennis Allen get more creative with his coverages.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Geno Atkins/ Jonathan Babineaux
- Philadelphia Eagles – JAMYRR GIBBS (RB, ALABAMA)
Analysis: If any team was playing with house money during the first round of this draft, it would be the defending NFC Champions. After trading down with their earlier pick, they would be seriously considering taking Bijan Robinson, but Christian Gonzalez provided way too much value for them to pass on. Well now they can evaluate who’s on the board and pull the trigger on the most athletic back in the draft with Gibbs. With Gibbs speed and vision, you can pretty much pencil him in for 1200 all purpose yards as a rookie with the dynamic Philly offense.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: Alvin Kamara/ DeAngelo Williams
- Kansas City Chiefs – QUENTIN JOHNSTON (WR, TCU)
Analysis: For some time, people had Quentin Johnston as the top receiver in the draft. He has the size and speed to be a tremendous mismatch for whoever he ends up with. The only problem with his game is that he’s a body catcher instead of a hands catcher, which doesn’t mean he won’t succeed at the next level, but NFL corners make their hay against body catchers. Patrick Mahomes can fix lots of issues that receivers may have, and inserting Johnston into this offense can be an absolute home run for the defending Champs.
Best/Worst Case COMPARISON: AJ Green/ Allen Lazard
Round 2
VALUE PROSPECTS
QB- Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA)
RB- Isreal Abanikanda (Pittsburgh)
RB- Chase Brown (Illinois)
WR- Marvin Mims (Oklahoma)
WR- Charlie Jones (Purdue)
OL- Tyler Steen (Alabama)
DL- Zach Harrison (Ohio St)
DL- Karl Brooks (Bowling Green)
LB- Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati)
CB- Clark Phillips III (Utah)
CB- Alex Austin (Oregon St)
S- Jordan Battle (Alabama)
OVERRATED PROSPECTS
QB- Tanner McKee (Stanford)
RB- Deuce Vaughn (Kansas St)
WR- Kayshon Boutte (LSU)
TE- Luke Musgrave (Oregon St)
OL- Steve Avila (TCU)
OL- Blake Freeland (BYU)
DL- Keion White (Georgia Tech)
DL- Andre Carter III (Army)
LB- Noah Sewell (Oregon)
CB- Cam Smith (South Carolina)
CB- Jaylon Jones (Texas A&M)
-Kyle Kirkwood
Twitter: @realFOpodcast
Photo: Tennessee Titans. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.