Pick 10- New York Jets and Brendan Klink- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The New York Jets are going all in for Aaron Rodgers by taking Brock Bowers. They add an explosive versatile weapon with elite speed and great catching ability. Bowers dominated SEC defenses and won the John Mackey Award twice. The Jets can run two tight end sets with Bowers and Conklin allowing Rodgers to get the ball out quickly. It’s a pick that instantly upgrades at the position helping both Rodgers and their future quarterback for years to come.

Pick 11- Minnesota Vikings and Meyer McCaulsky- Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons and free agent acquisition Sam Darnold hasn’t shown enough consistency as a starting-caliber quarterback through his six-year career. Out of all the quarterbacks left on the board, Oregon QB Bo Nix is the safest option. At, 24 years old, there are some concerns about how much room he’ll have room to grow along with his ability to translate from Oregon’s offense. Overall, he’s a game-managing Quarterback who won’t make a lot of mistakes and should have a long career in the NFL.

Pick 12- Chicago Bears and Ean Goldstein- Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

With the top 3 wide receivers off the board, the Bears find a trade-down partner in the Broncos. Not only does Chicago get a few extra picks, but perhaps more importantly, they force the division-rival Vikings to settle for the 5th-best quarterback in the draft. The Bears’ defense was a sneakily good unit last year, especially after the addition of Montez Sweat, but still ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks. Dallas Turner and his elite athleticism and motor will certainly improve that mark, being what Bears GM Ryan Poles calls a “multiplier”, or someone who adds more stress to opposing offensive lines who already have to block Sweat. The Bears still have a glaring need at WR3, so in this scenario look for them to use some of their now 4 2025 Day 2 picks to move into this year’s 2nd round to draft one.

Pick 13- Las Vegas Raiders and Meyer McCaulsky- Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Although the Raiders need a starting-level QB, the Raiders have a track record for drafting speedy Wide Receivers in the first round such as Darrius Heyward-Bey and Henry Ruggs III. This year, the Raiders could take another swing for the fences and draft Xavier Worthy who could replace the thought-to-be potential of Ruggs. Although a legitimate concern given his 5’11” 165-pound frame, Worthy won’t need to worry about being a #1 receiver next to Davante Adams. If this selection comes to fruition, it could be the most controversial selection in the first round of this year’s draft.

Pick 14- New Orleans Saints and Brendan Klink- Taliese Fuaga, Tackle, Oregon St.

The Saints have been in desperate need of upgrading the offensive line. They do so by taking Oregon state Taliese Fuaga. Coming in at 6’5″, 324 pounds, Fuaga is a mauler in the run game. This pick adds more protection for Derek Carr which will help bring this Saints offense to the next level.

 Pick 15- Indianapolis Colts and Jacob Oskorus-Byron Murphy II, D-Line, Texas

The Colt’s top priority with their first-round pick should be getting Brock Bowers. However, with Bowers already off the board, their attention should turn to their secondary or defensive front. While they have the opportunity to select whomever they have as their CB1, I think it’d be smarter if they went with Bryon Murphy II given how deep this year’s corner class is. Murphy is arguably the best defensive lineman in this year’s draft. While they’ll need to ensure their backend is up to the task of guarding Stefon Diggs, Christian Kirk, and Calvin Ridley, they still need to defend against Travis Etienne and now Joe Mixon. With Murphy, Indy gets someone who defends well against the run and will be able to apply pressure on CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Will Levis.

Pick 16- Seattle Seahawks and Nate Powalie, Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

At 6 feet even, Mitchell is one of the taller corners in this year’s batch of prospects. He’s got healthy speed as noted by a 4.33 40, and he plays well when matched up on a receiver. He’s also a decent tackler in run-stopping situations. If he can refine his playmaking skills in situations of learning a receiver’s route tree, Mitchell might lead Seattle to another Legion of Boom.

Pick 17- Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Shannon- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Arnold plays a lot bigger than his 6’0″, 189lbs frame would suggest. His play style is aggressive and he sticks to receivers like glue, excelling in man-coverage. He has excellent athletic ability and speed, and has a great feel for what angle to play and for jumping in front of throws. He’s strong in the run support, offering solid tackles and twitchy decisiveness. The Jaguars have ridden on the coattails of their offense’s success for several years now. Drafting this cornerback would help bolster their defense and he could grow to become the Jaguars’ answer for finally slowing down opposing offenses’ #1 receivers.

Pick 18- Cincinnati Bengals and Nate Powalie- Troy Fautanu, Tackle, Washington

At 6-4, 317, Fautanu is an elite build at tackle. His lateral ability makes him a great blocker. He also has a very nice center of balance to build upon. He does need to learn to refine his technique in run-blocking situations. But he will be a nice depth piece to complement the two Browns on the team (Orlando Brown Jr. and newly signed Trent Brown).

Pick 19- Los Angeles Rams and Mason Wood- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Rams’ defense needs help, specifically in the secondary, This move helps elevate their secondary and their defense as a whole. DeJean could be a jack-of-all-trades for the Los Angeles defense, as he’ll be able to line up pretty much anywhere in the secondary. His versatility will be daunting on opposing defenses if DeJean can reach his ceiling.

Pick 20- Pittsburgh Steelers and Ean Goldstein, Olu Fashanu, Tackle, Penn State

Last year, the Steelers drafted RT Broderick Jones, and this year, they shore up the Left Tackle spot with Olu Fashanu. Fashanu is the reigning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a 2-time All-American. As the Steelers adjust to a new Offensive Coordinator in Arthur Smith, and a new QB tandem in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, they will hope that Fashanu becomes a mainstay on the offensive line for years to come.

Pick 21- Miami Dolphins and Mason Wood- Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

Pick 22- Philadelphia Eagles and Mason Wood- Amarius Mims, Tackle, Georgia

During the offseason, the Eagles lost one of the league’s best offensive linemen Travis Kelce. This move attempts to fill the void he leaves while also adding to the edges of the Eagles line, which was weak last season. Mims is a guy who will need work but his ceiling is extremely high. This pick isn’t the flashiest for the Eagles, but it solves one of their issues last season.

Pick 23- Minnesota Vikings and Meyer McCaulsky- Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

The Minnesota Vikings could use a starting-level Edge Rusher to replace Danielle Hunter who left for the Houston Texans on a two-year $49 million contract. Chop Robinson could be a reach in the first round given that his numbers and production at Penn State were inconsistent with his traits on Combine performance. Although compared to Micah Parsons, he compares more favorably to former first overall pick Travon Walker in terms of a player who underachieved in college but also saw his draft stock rise in the combine. If coached up correctly, Minnesota could have a future pro bowler on their hands.

Pick 24- Dallas Cowboys and Mason Wood- JC Latham, Tackle, Alabama

The Cowboys have been known to have one of the best offensive lines in football over the last decade. However, with ages rising and injury concerns, the Cowboys’ offensive line isn’t what it once was. They struggled running the football and lacked the depth on the offensive line to stay competitive. This move bolsters their line in a big way and allows them to use Latham as they see fit. Latham’s size is his biggest strength but he’ll need to be more consistent to have a successful career in the NFL.

Pick 25- Green Bay Packers and Mason Wood- Jer’Zhan Newton, D-Line, Illinois

While the Packers need offensive line help, most major 1st round players are off the board. With few remaining at this range, the Packers take an extremely solid defensive lineman later than when he was projected. Newton can be a game wrecker in the interior but his size will hold him back. However, Newton is extremely technical and can easily win the battles he needs to so he can be the next great Packer.

Pick 26- Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mason Wood- Kool-Aid Mckinstry, Cornerback, Alabama

Tampa’s corners were one of the big things that held them back from making an even bigger run last year. Their offense knows how to get it done but too often was the defense losing them the game. While it was sometimes the other way around, Tampa’s defense needs far more help than the offense does. Tampa invests in defense here to try and help get them back to the Super Bowl.

Pick 27- Arizona Cardinals and Mason Wood- Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon

The Cardinals elect to stay put at 27 and it works out beautifully for them. JPJ is the exact guy this interior line needs. Last year, Arizona selected Paris Johnson to help sure up the tackles, now it’s time to address the inside. With JPJ, it doesn’t matter what you ask him to pick up, he will get it done. His floor is already higher than the Cardinal’s current interior line and his ceiling is above everyone else. If JPJ is available anywhere in this range, I fully expect him to leave the draft as an Arizona Cardinal.

Pick 28- Buffalo Bills and Ean Goldstein- Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU