1.01 LV RAIDERS – Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

With the first overall pick Vegas is almost a lock to take Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. He was the best quarterback in all of college football last season, winning the 2026 Heisman Award and even taking home IU football’s first ever National Championship. The Raiders are in desperate need of a QB for the future so they should take Mendoza.

1.02 NY JETS – Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State)

The Jets have one of the most 50-50 options in the first round because they could either go with Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, the two best edge rushers in college football last season. I’m barely leaning toward Reese purely because New York invited him over Bailey to certain pre-draft events but this one’s a toss up.

1.03 ARI CARDINALS – David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)

Arizona is another team that’s hard to predict because they need help practically EVERYWHERE. Jeremiyah Love was college football’s best rusher last season and could revive the Cardinals’ dying offense. However I don’t believe that they’ll pass up on Bailey if the Jets take Reese instead. If New York does end up with Bailey however, I see Reese filling in the Cards’ 3rd overall pick.

1.04 TEN TITANS – Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

With both edge rushers off the board, Tennessee has a very easy pick in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Love is one of the most explosive RBs I’ve ever watched and his playstyle should fit very well into Tennessee’s offensive scheme; the same scheme that hosted star Derrick Henry just a few years back.

1.05 NY GIANTS –  Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)

Though the Giants are VERY high on ASU receiver Jordyn Tyson, I don’t see them passing up on Sonny Styles. Styles had one of the best combine showcases ever, which boosted his stock a ton. The Giants also just traded their star defender Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals, giving them even more motive to take Styles. In return for Lawrence, they got the 10th overall pick, which I think they’re hoping to get Tyson with. 

1.06 CLE BROWNS – Spencer Fano (OT, Utah)

Sure, there’s a very talented Carnell Tate still on the board, but the Browns are in desperate need of a good offensive line. Cleveland lost multiple linemen over the offseason thus far and haven’t done a great job building it back up, so it only seems reasonable that they’ve been saving this pick for someone like Fano.

1.07 WASH COMMANDERS – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)

Carnell Tate would be the perfect pick for Washington here. He’s easily the best offensive weapon left on the board and would pair up really well with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. Tate played in the slot on plenty occasions at OSU and played alongside Jeremiah Smith, meaning he’s used to having a star around him. If the Commanders grab Tate, QB Jayden Daniels could be in MVP talks.

1.08 NO SAINTS – Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)

The Saints are another team that need help in most positions, but especially the defense. Though there’s defenders like EDGE Reuben Bain Jr and CB Mansoor Delane still available, I believe that based on raw talent Downs outperforms both of them. He can also play out of position if needed. Another option would be to take Tyson out of ASU, but I strongly suggest that they focus on the defense.

1.09 KC CHIEFS – Mansoor Delane (CB, Louisiana State)

This is a really weird choice because though the Chiefs had a really bad season for their standards, they don’t really have all that much to improve; Kansas City still has one of the best and most balanced rosters in the league. One thing that’ll hurt next season is the loss of CB Trent McDuffie, so I believe they should replace him with the draft’s top corner, LSU’s Mansoor Delane.

1.10 NY GIANTS (from CIN) – Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)

As I mentioned before, the Giants love what they see out of ASU receiver Jordyn Tyson. His name hasn’t been mentioned too often because of injury concerns, but Tyson was very productive when on the field, and I think it’s a great pick to pair up with WR Malik Nabers, who’s coming off a bad injury.

1.11 MIA DOLPHINS – Reuben Bain Jr (EDGE, Miami)

Unfortunately, Miami just barely loses out on getting a receiver or defensive back, which are both areas that need improvement for them. Fortunately there’s still a very talented Reuben Bain Jr still on the board that would be a huge pickup for this ‘Fins defense. They may go the lineman route with tackle Francis Mauigoa instead, but either would be very beneficial for this team.

1.12 DAL COWBOYS – Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)

This is the biggest reach of the draft thus far, but I have the Cowboys taking safety Dillon Thieneman. Though there are better options on the board, Dallas doesn’t really need much other than some defensive positions and most of the best players that would be available are on the offense, so though it could be a reach, the Cowboys could certainly use a guy like Thieneman for the secondary, or even possibly trade up.

1.13 LA RAMS (from ATL) – Francis Mauigoa (OT/G, Miami)

The Rams are already in excellent shape for next season, but can use the help of Miami’s Francis Mauigoa in their front five. Mauigoa is an excellent choice because he can play both tackle and guard if needed, making him one of the most versatile linemen in the draft. He’s also highly regarded as the best lineman in this year’s draft, ahead of names like Olaivavega Ioane and Kadyn Proctor.

1.14 BAL RAVENS – Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State)

Speaking of Olaivavega Ioane, I have the Ravens taking him with their next pick. The Ravens lost several linemen over the offseason, including center Tyler Linderbaum, tackle/guard Patrick Mekari and tackle Josh Jones so Ioane is just too good of a prospect not to take.

1.15 TB BUCCANEERS – Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)

It’s not a great spot for Tampa, and if I were them, I’d trade this pick away, but tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a very interesting player that may be worth looking at. Sadiq could quite literally fall anywhere in this draft. I’ve seen people taking him in the middle of the first. I’ve seen late first. I’ve even seen him falling out of the first. With Sadiq on the squad however, the Bucs would have one of the most well rounded teams in the NFL.

1.16 NY JETS (from IND) – Makai Lemon (WR, Southern Cal)

1.17 DET LIONS – Kadyn Proctor (OT/G, Alabama)

The Lions are extremely well-rounded both offensively and defensively, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another lineman. I have them taking Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. It’s a risky pick because Proctor has high bust potential, but Detroit is in a position where they can afford to take that risk. Proctor’s size makes him a good target, and if he can master his lineman fundamentals then this pick could really pay off.

1.18 MIN VIKINGS – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)

Losing so many guys over the offseason, Minnesota NEEDS to improve their defense, and the perfect way to do so is by adding safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Obviously the first choice would be Thieneman at the safety position, but with the Cowboys already drafting him McNeil-Warren would be the next best safety on the board, who’s still a great asset to have. He’d fill in the spot of longtime Viking Harrison Smith.

1.19 CAR PANTHERS – Omar Cooper Jr (WR, Indiana)

After surprising nearly everyone this season, the Panthers finally have a late pick. For me this is a toss up between wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr and KC Concepcion because they are very similar in terms of the draft. I am, however, leaning towards Indiana’s Cooper Jr because I think although his stats weren’t as good he still has a higher ceiling, especially with the opportunity to learn behind Tet McMillan.

1.20 DAL COWBOYS (from GB) – Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)

The right pick here should be Keldric Faulk. The edge from Auburn doesn’t deserve to fall this far, but there’s just so much edge rusher talent in this year’s draft that it makes it hard to put him any higher. Dallas would be a great opportunity for him to showcase his talents since he can help fill in the holes left by the departures of Dexter Lawrence from this offseason and Micah Parsons from earlier in the regular season.

1.21 PIT STEELERS – Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)

My Pittsburgh Steelers. The team I grew up with. Who do I think they’ll take? Monroe Freeling. He’s a huge high risk high reward player in this year’s draft, but the Georgia offensive tackle is very athletic for his position, which can play a major factor in how high he’ll be drafted. Though there are probably better linemen on the board, I feel that Freeling has the highest ceiling out of any of them which is why I can see him in gold.

1.22 LA CHARGERS – Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)

Yet another good talent in the edge rushing position going late in the first round because of how stacked the edge rushers are. Mesidor would be a very solid pickup for LA, helping reinforce their defensive units. Though they do need a couple linemen, I still think Mesidor is too good of an option to pass up on when granted this late.

1.23 PHI EAGLES – Blake Miller (OT, Clemson)

Though Philly already has a very well-rounded offensive line, they could use a rotational player like Clemson’s Blake Miller to learn behind the great Lane Johnson. The Eagles do incredibly well in developing young linemen, so I see no problem in them picking up Miller and letting him develop.

1.24 CLE BROWNS (from JAX) – KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)

With Jeudy being their only solid wide receiver, the Browns need a lot of help so A&M’s KC Concepcion could help fill that gap and play into a WR2 role for Cleveland. This is honestly a good late pick for the Browns, because while he may not have quite the abilities possessed by Carnell Tate (projected one pick after Cleveland’s 6th overall pick) Concepcion has upsides because he’s elusive and excellent in man coverage.

1.25 CHI BEARS – Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)

The Bears went from one of the worst teams in the league to a divisional round appearance in just one year. They’ve been building their defense, but one part that still could be played with is the defensive line, and I think Buckeye Kayden McDonald can make a huge impact quickly in Chi-Town. McDonald is a legitimate NFL-ready defender, and though it’s not the best DL draft class, McDonald stands out amongst the others.

1.26 BUF BILLS – Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)

The Bills are another team that are likely to trade away their first rounder in my opinion, but if not then Malachi Lawrence should be the perfect pick. Lawrence would be paired up as an edge with veteran Bradley Chubb which would help him grow as a player massively. Lawrence would also bring speed while Chubb brings strength that could form a deadly duo in Buffalo.

1.27 SF 49ERS – Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)

The 49ers don’t really need this pick, but if he falls then Caleb Lomu is a must-take player here. He likely wouldn’t start immediately due to Trent Williams taking up the left tackle spot, but being in San Francisco would be a great opportunity for Lomu to sit behind and learn from one of the all-time greats at the tackle position.

1.28 HOU TEXANS – Max Iheanachor (OT, Arizona State)

The Texans have a pretty well-balanced team, with many offensive weapons and arguably the best defense in the NFL, but their offensive line let QB C.J. Stroud get sacked a lot this season. Though they’ve already begun rebuilding the o-line over the offseason with star guard Wyatt Teller, it wouldn’t hurt to add rookie Max Iheanachor to the lineup. He can also play either side of the line.

1.29 KC CHIEFS (from LAR) – Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)

I have the Chiefs doubling down on corners in the first round, previously taking Mansoor Delane at the 9th overall pick and now Chris Johnson, who’s actually very solid for how low I have him falling. Taking two rookie corners in the same round could be risky, but at the same time it’s the position that Kansas City needs the most and plays the role of a CB2 perfectly assuming KC would take Delane prior to this selection.

1.30 MIA DOLPHINS (from DEN) – Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)

In my eyes, this is the biggest late first round steal in the draft. I have the Dolphins adding to their secondary with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Unfortunately, McCoy suffered a torn ACL in his final season with the Vols which is why teams could sleep on him, but if he can successfully recover from it he could be one of the best players to come out of this draft. McCoy has a very high ceiling in my eyes. It would also make up for Miami’s losses of cornerback Kendall Fuller and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

1.31 NE PATRIOTS – Caleb Tiernan (OT, Northwestern)

Most people don’t have Tiernan going in the first, but I’m not most people. With so many lineman options already gone, I actually think this is a very strong pick. The Pats don’t need much help in too many positions other than their offensive line, and I can see Tiernan fitting well in New England. He may have to move to the right side with Will Campbell already filling in on the left, but if he’s able to do so then it’ll be a solid pick.

1.32 SEA SEAHAWKS – Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)

To wrap up the first round, I have Seattle taking Tennessee’s Colton Hood. This would actually be a really good pick for the Seahawks considering how late it is and how badly they need secondary help. Over the offseason they lost defensive backs Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen so picking up Hood could actually be big for them.