On Thursday, the Tight Ends and Defensive Backs will hit the field in Indianapolis kicking off the on-field portion of the NFL Combine. The NFL Combine will make or break the draft stock of hundreds of NFL Draft prospects as a solid showing could skyrocket a player's stock while a bad week can send a draft prospect tumbling down draft boards.
Heading into the Combine, several offseason moves have already been announced making it clearer where teams may be leaning with their first round picks. Ahead of the NFL Combine, here is how we see the first round panning out barring any trades.
If the Titans didn't hire a new general manager then the first overall pick would certainly be a quarterback but, now the team may just take the best player available waiting for what should be a better quarterback class next year. The team has said they won't pass on a Generational Talent and everyone is pointing to Travis Hunter. The team has issues a Cornerback and Wide Receiver and they can use this season to determine what the best course of action is long term.
One of the biggest questions around the league centers around whether the Browns will honor Myles Garrett's trade request or if he'll stick with the team. Abdul Carter is the perfect pick regardless of Garrett's decision as he can either replace Garrett or he can form a dominant pass rush tandem with him. In his first season as an edge rusher, Abdul Carter exploded and learning from Myles Garrett would only help in his development. There's no point in drafting a rookie quarterback and starting the window to compete while still paying Deshaun Watson drafting a quarterback next season in the final year of Watson's deal is the smart approach.
The New York Giants finally moved on from Daniel Jones and in a make or break year for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, the team needs to find an answer at quarterback. There has been rumors of a potential Matthew Stafford trade but, the Giants should look to solve the problem long term and here they take Cam Ward. Brian Daboll has a great track record developing quarterbacks and he even made the Playoffs with Daniel Jones, if he can land Cam Ward the Giants offense will be revamped rather quickly.
The Mike Vrabel Era has begun in New England and the Patriots top priority is building around Drake Maye after a promising rookie season. Campbell is the type of player that Mike Vrabel will fall in love with and he can instantly help a Patriots offensive line that has serious issues. Once you find your franchise quarterback its all about protecting them and Campbell can perfectly assume that role.
The Jaguars have spent a ton of capital on defensive tackles the past few seasons but, they need to take the best player available in this class. Here the Jaguars land Mason Graham who instantly adds a gamebreaker to the defense creating a long term duo with Maason Smith. Adding Graham to a defensive front with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen gives the team a clear defensive identity to build around.
It's a new era in Las Vegas and after a season marred by bad quarterback play the team lands what could be their franchise quarterback in Shedeur Sanders. Tom Brady has ties to Shedeur Sanders since he was in High School and the familiarity could lead to the two uniting with the Raiders. There are some flaws in Sanders game but, the situation in Las Vegas with Pete Carroll as head coach and Chip Kelly as Offensive Coordinator is great for any young quarterback.
The New York Jets have a ton of needs to address in what will be a busy offseason as Aaron Rodgers is released while the team has plenty of other holes to fill. Given that the quarterbacks will go before the Jets pick here they go with the best player available while also filling a need by drafting the best tight end in the draft class. Warren's ability as a blocker will transform the rushing attack while giving the next quarterback an elite weapon to work with in the receiving game.
In his second season in the NFL, Bryce Young started to show the promise that made him the First Overall Pick and his third season in the NFL is crucial for the Panthers. The team will need to surround Young with weapons to determine if he's the quarterback of the future and here the team lands Tetairoa McMillan. In McMillan the team is getting a big bodied Wide Receiver that can line up outside and in the slot keeping options open as the team builds around Bryce Young.
Despite being filled with veterans, the New Orleans Saints defense only managed 39 sacks which ranked in the bottom half of the league and they'll lose a solid portion of their pass rush in free agency. As the Saints look to get younger, Mykel Williams gives the team an upgrade at edge rusher on an affordable contract. The Saints have the pieces to compete in a weaker NFC South and if the Saints can take a step on defense it should be enough to overcome some of their offensive struggles.
The Chicago Bears need to put any and all resources into their offensive line as Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times last season. Kelvin Banks Jr was a Consensus All American this season sharing the honors with Will Campbell and he'll come in and instantly upgrade the Bears line. The Bears have invested a ton into offensive tackle so they'll need to shuffle around the line but, Banks has the talent to play inside and outside.
San Francisco was haunted by injuries this season and it kept them from making the Playoffs. After a rare year missing the Playoffs the 49ers get to land a blue chip player and cornerback Will Johnson makes the most sense. Cornerback Charvarius Ward is a free agent and has stated he needs a fresh start away from California which will cost the team their top cornerback. Johnson gives the 49ers are young cornerstone of their defense at one of the most important positions which is too good to pass up.
The Dallas Cowboys have seen Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard depart over the past few seasons and without them the team clearly needs a better piece at running back. After hiring an offensive minded Head Coach drafting Ashton Jeanty makes even more sense for the Cowboys they look to return to Playoff Contention. Jeanty can bring balance back to the Cowboys offense putting less pressure on Dak Prescott which could keep him healthier long term.
The sole priority for the Miami Dolphins is protecting Tua Tagovailoa who they've invested a ton into building the offense around. Miami needs to build up the interior of its offensive line and by drafting Tyler Booker from Alabama, the team takes a step in protecting Tua. Booker is great against power rushers and the lone concern would be his ability in space in a creative Mike McDaniel offense.
There's an argument that Malaki Starks is the best football player in this draft class but, because he plays safety he'll fall out of the Top 10. Starks is talented enough to play Safety Cornerback, and Slot Cornerback and the Colts can't afford to pass up landing a great football player. Starks instantly comes in and elevates the Colts defense giving the team a franchise cornerstone.
The Atlanta Falcons have gone four straight drafts taking offensive skill positions in the first round making it time for the team to invest in its defense. The Falcons ranked 31st in sacks despite their investment in Matthew Judon. More than half of the team's sacks came from Non Edge Rushers which make Mike Green the perfect selection. Green recorded 17 sacks this season and at the Senior Bowl he proved he can do it against the best competition.
Coming into the season, James Pearce Jr was one of the players in the conversation to be the first overall pick. The Cardinals land the talented edge rusher here with the 16th overall pick adding a solid pass rusher to their defense. Pearce has flashed a ton of athleticism and skilled moves that give him a chance to be a 10+ sack per year defender.
This season the Bengals wasted an MVP Caliber season from Joe Burrow and a Triple Crown season from Ja'Marr Chase because of a terrible defense. The Bengals start their rebuild of the defense by drafting Jahdae Barron who can instantly fill one of the Bengals' holes at cornerback or at safety. Barron likely ends up a safety in the NFL but, he flashed enough at cornerback for Texas that the Bengals need to at least see if he can progress at it in the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks have been trying to repair the offensive line since the days when Russell Wilson was under center but, haven't been able to fix it. Grey Zabel has the ability to play every position on the offensive line and after a dominant Senior Bowl, his stock has never been higher. Zabel can come in from Day One making the offensive line better allowing Geno Smith more time to find DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The Buccaneers need to start planning for a world post Lavonte David as the veteran linebacker will turn 36 at the end of next season. Jihaad Campbell has emerged at Alabama over the past two seasons and can instantly play alongside David in the middle of the defense while providing some versatility with his ability to rush the passer.
Sean Payton fell in love with Bo Nix and the selection paid off as the Broncos appear to have their franchise quarterback. Now its all about putting the right weapons around Nix and Luther Burden makes a ton of sense. As Cortland Sutton mans the outside, Burden can be a weapon for the Broncos working out of the slot developing alongside Bo Nix.
The Steelers missed Diontae Johnson's ability to create separation leaving George Pickens as the lone explosive threat for the Steelers. Matthew Golden is polished as a receiver after three seasons of significant playing time and can instantly ease some of the pressure on George Pickens. Golden is a much better prospect than he gets credit for and at the NFL Level, he'll be a difference maker wherever he's drafted.
After transferring to Oregon, Derrick Harmon had a breakout season recording 39 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, and four sacks. The Chargers' defensive tackle room is in flux heading into the offseason as Poona Ford is a free agent. Landing Derrick Harmon would give the team a long term option on the interior with a ton of pass rush upside.
The Packers always take the best player available and they follow suit this year selecting Walter Nolen who brings incredible upside to their defensive front. For a Three-Technique, Walter Nolen has a ton of athleticism which will help in his adjustment to the NFL. Nolen's impressive season paired with his dominant showing at the Senior Bowl has made him one of the best defensive players in the Draft.
The NFC North has become a Division of explosive offenses and it'll only get more explosive as Ben Johnson takes over the Bears. This season, the Vikings fielded a veteran cornerback duo on the outside but, the team needs to find a long term option and Benjamin Morrison may fall right into their laps. Morrison suffered a season ending hip injury which cost him the back half of the season but, prior to the injury he was trending toward the Top 15. Morrison followed the opponent's best receiver which will help him in his transition to the NFL.
After an incredible rookie season, it felt like CJ Stroud spent his entire second season running for his life. The Texans desperately need to upgrade on the offensive line and land an elite talent in Josh Simmons who's only available because of a knee injury. Simmons has experience at left and right tackle so he can start on the right side and eventually take over for Laremy Tunsil.
In a matter of weeks, the Rams' draft strategy could change as the Matthew Stafford trade buzz has picked up. The biggest need currently is at linebacker as the Rams have built up an impressive young defense. Drafting Jalon Walker gives the Rams a defensive chess piece as he can impact the game as an off ball linebacker or by coming off of the edge.
The Ravens need to continue to build up their offensive line keeping Lamar Jackson from taking hits while also making a push in the run game to open things up for Derrick Henry. Armand Membou is a perfect fit as a powerful right tackle who had a ton of success against the SEC's best edge rushers. Membou still has a ton to work on but, the Ravens are the perfect fit to help in his development.
The downfall of the Lions this season was injuries to the defense especially at edge rusher after losing Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions need to load up in the trenches adding rotational pass rushers and here Dan Campbell dips into his Alma Mater landing Shemar Stewart. The production hasn't been there for Stewart with 4.5 sacks in his career but, he's constantly disrupting plays and would benefit from playing opposite Hutchinson.
After one of the best Rookie seasons ever for a Rookie Quarterback, the Commanders will look to quickly build around Jayden Daniels. The Commanders need more weapons at Wide Receiver and in Emeka Egbuka, the Commanders land their Wide Receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Egbuka is a savvy route runner and could be the reliable option in the slot that Daniels could use to take away some of the attention teams put on McLaurin.
The Buffalo Bills have needs on offense but, after the Playoffs, cornerback may be a bigger need in a deep wide receiver class. Kaiir Elam hasn't looked like the cornerback the Bills hoped he'd be and in Azareye'h Thomas the Bills land a cornerback with all the traits to be a great player. If Thomas had more experience starting he'd be a top 15 selection but, the Bills draft Thomas with the hopes he develops.
The Super Bowl made it very clear that the Kansas City Chiefs need to upgrade their offensive line. The Chiefs need to land a cornerstone offensive tackle and Josh Conerly makes a ton of sense for the Chiefs long term. Conerly moves with incredible athleticism for his size which will help in Andy Reid's scheme and his ability to shut down opposing tackle will help keeping Patrick Mahomes upright where he can carve opponents.
A massive part of the Eagles' success in the Super Bowl was the play of defensive tackle Milton Williams who sacked Patrick Mahomes twice. Williams is now one of the top free agents in the class and will be a player the Eagles have to replace. In Kenneth Grant, the Eagles add another impressive young piece to a dominant defensive line.