The NFL Draft is always filled with shocking picks, questionable picks, and the picks that the analysts love. The NFL is typically a place where incoming college players who get drafted in the first round are expected to make somewhat of an immediate impact in most cases, so the pressure is on.
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
The Jaguars were the biggest losers, getting blown out by the Baltimore Ravens while also being the biggest winners of the NFL Draft by the Jets upsetting the Rams 23-20. This is an easy pick; the Jaguars get a gift in one of the best QB prospects of recent history—an excellent way to jump-start this losing franchise.
New York Jets: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
The Jets won this past weekend and, as of now, have lost the 1st overall selection to the Jaguars. This is a very tough pick for GM Joe Douglas to make. Do you help Sam Darnold? Do you trade back? Do you take a QB still? I have them taking the Ohio State product, Justin Fields. Athletic kid with some good arm talent. Hopefully, the Jets pair Fields with a new Head Coach who can use him the right way. Sam Darnold then gets to explore other opportunities elsewhere while the Jets get reasonable compensation for him, a Win-Win.
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
This would be an ideal scenario for the Bengals, sit back and get the best OL in this class to protect Burrow. Another no-brainer pick for Cincinnati.
Carolina Panthers: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
The Panthers need help on both sides of the ball, and a great defender such as Micah Parsons would be a great pick here. Except with a New General Manager coming in and Teddy Bridgewater not playing up to expectations, Matt Rhule snags one of the hottest risers of the 2020 CFB season, Zach Wilson, out of BYU.
Atlanta Falcons: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Micah Parsons is a do-it-all type of defensive player. He can rush the passer and also drop back into coverage and is also a good tackler. The Falcons are in a mix for QB as well, but I think Matt Ryan‘s contract is stuck in Atlanta, so they build up one of the worst defenses in league with a future star, Micah Parsons.
Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Chase is the top WR in this draft class. A physical, aggressive receiver will help in Tua’s growth as a QB. Chase can play both in the slot and outside, making him extremely versatile. Wide receiver is also a need for Miami.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Jalen Hurts is the future QB in Philadelphia, and the Eagles WR core has struggled this season. The Eagles barely miss out on Ja’marr Chase but still get a threat at WR in Smith.
Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
The Cowboys get the top DB as Surtain drops to them. This would be an absolute gift, As the already bad Dallas secondary will most likely lose Chidobe Awuzie in the offseason.
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
An offensive tackle would solve a lot of problems for LAC. One of the top OTs of the draft to help protect QB Justin Herbert is a must to keep him healthy.
New York Giants: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
The Giants could move on from QB Daniel Jones with this pick. They have options in someone like Trey Lance or Kyle Trask, but instead, they help whoever the QB will be next year with Waddle. Waddle is a home run hitter with elite speed that can create separation with ease.
Detroit Lions: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State University
It’s hard to know where the Lions will go with this pick since they are yet to hire a GM or HC, but Matthew Stafford is 32 years old, and the team could get out of his contract after next season. Drafting his replacement would make perfect sense to let him grow behind Stafford and eventually take over.
San Francisco 49ers: QB Kyle Trask, Florida
Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t the answer, and the 49ers have to accept that and move on while they can. Florida’s Kyle Trask can come right in and produce with Kyle Shanahan and help the offense get back to where it was with healthy Running Backs as well.
Denver Broncos: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah is the best three-down linebacker in the draft and will be an instant impact player for this Broncos defense. At this point, Denver would instead get a defensive stud rather than force another QB pick.
Minnesota Vikings: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The Vikings seem to be a team that wants to build the OL up to look to compete. So they take a blindside blocker in Darrisaw to finally have a complete OL and protect Kirk Cousins and block for Dalvin Cook.
New England Patriots: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
He is a pocket passer with some excellent ball skills and precisely the QB type that fits Bill Belichick’s system. Easy match here, and the Patriots are back to their pocket-passing offense.
Chicago Bears: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
With one of the top EDGE dropping all the way down to 16, the Bears take advantage and add a threat next to Khalil Mack and as a future cornerstone piece to the DL by adding Rousseau.
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
The Raiders also take advantage of a top EDGE falling by adding another threat to rush the passer next to rising star Max Crosby. The move could significantly improve the Raiders’ defense.
Baltimore Ravens: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
The Ravens get an absolute threat on offense and get the steal of the draft by Kyle Pitts falling since he’s not much of a need for any team ahead of them. He’s an elite threat as a receiver and can also hold his own blocking. Pitts is an elite prospect that goes to a great team here.
Washington Football Team: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
The Football Team needs to go QB here, but with the top 5 prospects off the board, they can’t afford to reach any available options. They add Caleb Farley to an already fantastic defense to help build that secondary. More of a luxury pick than a need.
Arizona Cardinals: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Patrick Peterson‘s potential replacement, and he is a good one. The Cardinals make sure to keep the secondary in good form once Peterson is gone. He’s got a good frame built to defend against “X” WR’s which are players like Deandre Hopkins that play on the outside but can do many different things.
Miami Dolphins: EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas
After taking a WR in the NFL Draft early, they keep adding to the great defense by taking another pass rusher. Ossai is a multi-purpose EDGE and can really make an impact for this Dolphins defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Travis Etienne
The Buccaneers don’t have many needs, so they take the Best-Player-Available in Etienne to make their offense even more lethal. Another luxury pick and not much of a need. Buccaneers get another weapon on offense, and this offense continues to be lethal.
Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
A quarterback would be a good pick here, but with no top names available in the NFL Draft, they replace an old Justin Houston. Phillips did great this year on the outside.
Cleveland Browns: CB Derion Kendrick, Clemson
The Browns still have to address a secondary that’s struggled to even be on the field. They decide to bolster the unit and add a playmaker in Kendrick. Kendrick is one of my boom-or-bust type players in the NFL Draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
The Jaguars picked a quarterback with the 1st pick, and now they’ll add some protection. Darrisaw is a development pick that will take some time to get to full potential but has a chance to dominate at the next level.
New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
The Jets decide to give Justin Fields a weapon and actually help their QB out. A big-bodied WR like Bateman has had flashes in his college career and will contribute right away as the Jets WR1, pending any FA signings.
Tennessee Titans: OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
They made a mistake last year with taking Isaiah Wilson in the 1st round in the 2020 NFL Draft, so they double down with another OT this year to help solidify that OL for Henry to run behind.
Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
With Ben Roethlisberger announcing he’ll be back in 2021, and not many good options left at QB in the NFL draft, they decide to take an RB that can help develop a Run Game that the Steelers have been dying for. He killed Florida in the SEC championship game with 5 total touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills: IOL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
The Bills IOL has been up and down this year; they decide to take a punisher like Davis to protect Josh Allen and develop a running game.
New Orleans Saints: LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
The Saints could add a fresh, young LB to an old but good LB room with Demario Davis and Keon Alexander, who are getting up there in age. He can work his way in and give that New Orleans defense another weapon.
Green Bay Packers: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Green Bay actually decides to give Aaron Rodgers another weapon in the NFL Draft, next to Davante Adams, and it’s a good one. He’s a Devonta Smith type WR and could definitely develop into a lethal WR 2 for years to come.
Kansas City Chiefs: IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
The OL hasn’t been the best this year, and after taking so many weapons in years past, they decide to protect the Golden-man Patrick Mahomes. Protecting the QB is always a good thing to do