With the draft later tonight I wanted to release my guesses for the first round of the draft. I expect to see a ton of picks being traded as some teams try and trade up to grab their guy and others are trading back trying to accumulate more picks in the draft. In my mock draft, I did not project any trades so this is how I see tonight playing out if there were no trades.
Joe Burrow- QB- LSU
The Bengals will listen to offers for the number one pick, but ultimately they will stick with Burrow filling their biggest roster need.
Chase Young- DE- OSU
Washington needs help on the offensive side of the ball before it should worry about defense, which makes me think this pick might be traded as Young is at the top of many teams draft boards.
Jeff Okudah- CB- OSU
The Lions traded Darius Slay to Philly earlier this offseason so they need to find someone to step in as the top corner and Okudah looks like the perfect fit.
Tristan Wirfs- OT- Iowa
This is another pick that I think might get traded, as teams will be trying to jump others to pick Tua or Isaiah Simmons. If they keep this pick, the Giants should look to improve their offensive line because with Jones and Barkley in the backfield, they have to protect their future.
Tua Tagovailoa- QB- Alabama
No need to get cute with this pick. The hope for Miami has been to land Tua since the beginning of the season and I don't see them changing their minds to Herbert.
Justin Herbert- QB- Oregon
Herbert will stay on the west coast and compete with Tyrod Taylor for the starting role. Some experts think he could go sooner than pick 6, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he falls outside the top 10, it will be interesting to see where he lands.
Derrick Brown- DT- Auburn
Carolina's run defense was terrible last year and they lost over half of their front seven, so Brown will be the start to rebuilding that defensive line. Simmons could be another option here, but ultimately I see the Panthers taking Brown to revitalize this terrible defensive line.
Isaiah Simmons- OLB- Clemson
Simmons is a freak athlete who will be able to do it all on defense and should be drafted earlier than this, but if he falls this far Arizona has to jump on this opportunity to improve their defense.
CJ Henderson- CB- Florida
The Jaguars went from one of the best secondaries and defenses just a couple of seasons ago to now one of the worst. The cornerback position is the biggest need for this defense and Henderson is 6 foot 1 and ran a sub 4.4 40-yard dash at the combine.
10. Cleveland Browns
Mekhi Becton- OT- Louisville
After bringing in Jack Conklin during free agency, the Browns look to secure the left side of their line. There are a couple of other OL available to choose from with Wills and Thomas, but Becton is about 50 pounds bigger than both and projects as the better pro.
11. New York Jets
Jedrick Wills Jr- OT- Alabama
The Jets desperately need help at WR, but this is a deep receiving class. New York would be better off to wait until round two for a receiver and use this pick to fix another problem area such as the offensive line.
CeeDee Lamb- WR- Oklahoma
Las Vegas is looking for a WR1 to give Derek Carr his first real option since Amari Cooper was traded. CeeDee Lamb looks like the most NFL ready WR1 in this year's draft, so if he's still on the board at 12 the Raiders would be crazy not to take him.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND)
Henry Ruggs III- WR- Alabama
I personally like Jeudy over Ruggs, but the 49ers already have Deebo and Kittle who are great at short and intermediate routes. Ruggs' blazing speed will give the Niners a deep threat to try and catch the defense sleeping.
Andrew Thomas- OT- Georgia
Tampa allowed the 11th most sacks last season and with the addition of Tom Brady this offseason, they need to do whatever they can to protect him and keep him as healthy as possible.
15. Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy- WR- Alabama
After Cortland Sutton, the WR position in Denver gets a little murky. Jeudy is the top WR on some experts boards, so if he falls this far the Broncos could have a deadly combo at WR for years to come.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Javon Kinlaw- DT- South Carolina
Atlanta needs help on defense.... everywhere. They are a prime candidate to try and trade up to get one of the top defensive talents in the draft, but if they are unable to they should take the best defensive player available. Kinlaw would be a great fit next to the pro-bowler, Grady Jarrett, in the middle of the defensive line.
17. Dallas Cowboys
K'Lavon Chaisson- DE- LSU
The Cowboys lost Robert Quinn in free agency, so they need someone to replace him and his 11.5 sacks. Chaisson is being considered the second-best DE in the draft behind Chase Young, so Dallas needs to jump on this opportunity if he's still available.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Xavien McKinney- S- Alabama
Miami has two of the highest-paid corners in the league, but they don't have much help behind them. McKinney would be a great young piece to grow behind two of the top corners.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)
Antoine Winfield Jr.- S- Minnesota
The Raiders filled their WR need earlier in the round so this time around they will be focusing on helping the defense. The Raiders will probably look to trade down from this pick to accumulate more assets, but if not Winfield would be a great addition to the secondary.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
Justin Jefferson- WR- LSU
The Jaguars recently released veteran receiver Marqise Lee and after taking a CB earlier in the round, I expect them to take advantage of this deep WR class. The Jaguars don't have another pick until #42, so if they pass here it might be too late.
Kenneth Murray- LB- Oklahoma
If the Eagles are unable to work out a deal to move up in the draft and are unable to get one of the top four receivers it would be poor management. The Eagles need help at WR desperately, but Murray would be the best pick for Philly in this scenario, instead of reaching for a WR who may not be any better than their current options.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from BUF)
Brandon Ayuik- WR- Arizona State
After acquiring this pick from the Bills in a trade for Stefon Diggs, the Vikings will turn around and use it to replace Diggs. It was clear that Diggs was not happy in Minnesota, but the Vikings need to draft his replacement because Thielen can't do it all himself.
Patrick Queen- LB- LSU
Queen is a smaller, quicker LB who is great in coverage and the Patriots are hoping those qualities help him contain those mobile quarterbacks they have to face like Lamar and Mahomes.
Jordan Love- QB- Utah State
I wouldn't be surprised if someone trades up in the draft to take Love, but if New Orleans is up and the two best LB (Queen and Murray) are both off the board they might look to the future and take Drew Brees' replacement.
A.J. Terrell- CB- Clemson
Minnesota lost both of their cornerbacks this offseason in Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes, so Terrell will fill one of those holes and should be an immediate upgrade. Trevon Diggs might be the better talent on the board, but do the Vikings want to draft the brother of the guy who essentially forced a trade out of Minnesota?
26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
Josh Jones- OT- Houston
Miami got the quarterback they wanted, then they went with the best available player to solidify their secondary, but with their final pick in the first round, Miami needs to help protect that injury-prone QB they drafted.
27. Seattle Seahawks
AJ Epenesa- DE- Iowa
Only Miami trailed Seattle in terms of pressuring opposing quarterbacks last season and Clowney is still a free agent so his future is uncertain. Epenesa is a great talent this late in the first round and would be a huge boost to Seattle's pass rush.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Cesar Ruiz- C- Michigan
Cesar started a few games at guard his freshman year before switching over to center. The Ravens would love it if one of the two top linebackers fall to them here, but since they are both off the board Baltimore will draft Ruiz to step in for the retired Marshal Yanda.
29. Tennessee Titans
Yetur Gross-Matos- DE- Penn State
Tennessee's current projected starting defensive line has a total of 4.5 sacks between the three of them all of last season. The Titans need help on their defensive line and Gross-Matos is the top pass rusher on the board.
Tee Higgins- WR- Clemson
Green Bay needs another receiver to pair with Davante Adams to give Aaron Rodgers a second trustworthy target. Higgins is a huge receiver at 6'3" and was a touchdown machine, tying Hopkins and Watkins for the most receiving touchdowns in Clemson history.
Trevon Diggs- CB- Alabama
San Francisco already got a WR in the first round and without another pick until round 5 this pick is almost certainly going to be traded for more picks. If the 49ers stay put, they should be targeting a corner to help on the opposing side of Sherman.
D'Andre Swift- RB- Georgia
The Chiefs could go a few different ways with this one. They could trade for more picks since they currently only have five, they need secondary help, but ultimately I think they go with the best RB in the draft if he falls to them. Damien Williams has been fine since taking over for Hunt, but he's set to become a free agent after this season. If Swift is as explosive in this offense as they think there would be no reason to bring Williams back.
Round 2
33. Cincinnati
Austin Jackson- OT- USC
34. Indianapolis (from Washington)
Denzel Mims- WR- Baylor
35. Detroit
Ross Blacklock- DT- TCU
36. N.Y. Giants
Zack Baun- OLB- Wisconsin
37. L.A. Chargers
Justin Madubuike- DT- Texas A&M
38. Carolina
Jaylon Johnson- CB- Utah
39. Miami
J.K. Dobbins- RB- Ohio State
40. Houston (from Arizona)
Marlon Davidson- DE- Auburn
41. Cleveland
Grant Delpit- S- LSU
42. Jacksonville
Neville Gallimore- DT- Oklahoma
43. Chicago (from Las Vegas)
Damon Arnette- CB- Ohio State
44. Indianapolis
Cole Kmet- TE- Notre Dame
45. Tampa Bay
Jonathon Taylor- RB- Wisconsin
46. Denver
Ezra Cleveland- OT- Boise State
47. Atlanta
Kristian Fulton- CB- LSU
48. N.Y. Jets
Chase Claypool- WR- Notre Dame
49. Pittsburgh
Jalen Hurts- QB- Oklahoma
50. Chicago
Logan Wilson- ILB- Wyoming
51. Dallas
Jeff Gladney- CB- TCU
52. L.A. Rams
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
53. Philadelphia
Jalen Reagor- WR- Baylor
54. Buffalo
Julian Okwara- DE- Notre Dame
55. Baltimore (from New England through Atlanta)
KJ Hamler- WR- Penn State
56. Miami (from New Orleans)
Michael Pittman Jr- WR- USC
57. L.A. Rams (from Houston)
Isaiah Wilson- OT- Georgia
58. Minnesota
Jordan Elliott- DT- Missouri
59. Seattle
Matt Hennessy- C- Temple
60. Baltimore
Robert Hunt- G- Louisiana
61. Tennessee
Noah Igbinoghene- CB- Auburn
62. Green Bay
Damien Lewis- G- LSU
63. Kansas City (from San Francisco)
Cameron Dantzler- CB- Mississippi State
64. Seattle (from Kansas City)
Jason Strowbridge- DT- North Carolina