1.01 Tennessee Titans - Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The Titans are a team that needs help in several areas. Although they have a glaring need at quarterback, Carter is the type of edge rusher who can change games on the defensive side of the ball. The majority have him as the best prospect in the class, and Tennessee isn’t strictly a quarterback away from success. Forcing a QB in a weaker class could set them back, while Carter helps push them forward.

I do want to note that I feel somewhat confident that the first pick in this draft will be Cam Ward. Quarterbacks hold so much value over any other position but I just don’t believe Tennessee will be selecting him, and this isn’t a mock draft that projects trades.

1.02 Cleveland Browns - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Hunter is a unicorn because of his ability to play both sides of the ball at a high level. Most reports suggest that NFL teams aren’t going to allow that, but the Colorado star continues to suggest he’ll play full snaps on both sides in the pros.

Hunter can immediately help Cleveland on either side of the ball. The most likely scenario is that he’ll play full snaps at cornerback with packages on offense. The Browns feel like the organization that is crazy enough to give him full snaps on both sides of the ball, though.

1.03 New York Giants - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

The Giants have a massive hole at quarterback, and it’s clear they’re trying to fill it. They apparently went all in on Matthew Stafford before that fell through. There have also been rumblings that they want Kyler Murray. At the moment, that’s another situation that feels unlikely.

If the Giants strikeout on Murray, they could look to the best quarterback in the NFL Draft. Ward has an outstanding ability to navigate the pocket, which will be necessary in New York. He also seemingly has the demeanor to deal with the media. He’s seen as the top quarterback in this draft, and he isn’t going to have to wait long to hear his name called.

1.04 New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Campbell was seen as the top offensive tackle throughout the entire draft process before he measured a short wingspan at the NFL Combine. New England needs to protect Drake Maye, and Campbell makes sense for several reasons. He’s arguably the most talented tackle in this class, and that’s likely where he starts his career. If he can’t stay at tackle, he has elite guard potential, and the Patriots need help along the interior of their line anyway.

1.05 Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Jacksonville is one of the most difficult spots to predict. Hunter or Campbell would be elite options here, but they’re both off the board. I did consider Tetairoa McMillan, but it feels a bit high for him. Instead, they take the best defensive tackle in the class. Graham is an NFL-ready player who consistently found success against high-level competition in college. He’s one of the safer options on the board, and he comes with elite upside as well.

1.06 Las Vegas Raiders - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sanders is a polarizing prospect for several reasons. People who love him will love this pick. People who hate him will say it’s terrible. The truth is he’s going to be drafted in the top 10 regardless of how anyone feels about him. Las Vegas has Pete Carroll as their head coach, and he can handle big personalities. They’re also in dire need of a quarterback after dealing with below-average signal callers for several years.

1.07 New York Jets - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Jets drafted Olu Fashanu over Brock Bowers last season, and I’m not sure it was the right choice. Once again, they’re going to have to make the choice between an elite playmaker at tight end or an offensive tackle. Bowers’ success should be enough to shift their focus to another matchup nightmare. Warren can change the game for New York, and he’d be an elite playmaker to pair with Garrett Wilson.

1.08 Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

The Panthers are in dire need of pass rushers, and they’ll have their pick of anyone besides Abdul Carter. Walker is undersized, but he comes with elite pass rush potential. He also is a plus defender in coverage. He’s a player who has the potential to change the game with his ability to get to the quarterback, and that’s the number one trait Carolina needs at the moment.

1.09 New Orleans Saints - Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

New Orleans has several holes that need to be filled and Tetairoa McMillan makes a lot of sense here. I’m opting to go with an edge rusher, though. Chase Young is a free agent, Cam Jordan is nearing the end of his career, and Payton Turner hasn’t turned out the way the Saints were hoping.

Williams is a high-upside pick and he can learn behind Jordan, who is one of the best at his position. He isn’t the most NFL-ready prospect in the draft, but he has the ability to completely take over for Jordan without New Orleans losing much production.

1.10 Chicago Bears - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

1.11 San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

San Francisco has several cornerbacks who could walk in free agency. They’re going to need help in the secondary, and Johnson is the best cornerback left. There are some who believe the Michigan Wolverine is the best overall cornerback in the draft, but he obviously loses value to Hunter who can play offense. The 49ers would be thrilled with the best cover corner at pick No.11.

1.12 Dallas Cowboys - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

This is the pick that everyone is projecting. Jeanty is one of the best running back prospects in recent memory. The Cowboys need drastic help in their backfield, and this is a match made in heaven. Jeanty would take this offense to the next level, and he could be enough [with the return of Dak Prescott] to get Dallas back to their winning ways.

1.13 Miami Dolphins - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Dolphins have several free agents on the defensive side of the ball, and it looks like they’re going to have to replace Jevon Holland. Starks is an NFL-ready player who boasts tremendous range. He can immediately start for Miami and turn into a leader of the defense.

1.14 Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Tyler Warren has been mocked to Indianapolis quite a bit this offseason, but it’s unlikely he falls this far. Instead, they can shift to a more traditional tight end in Loveland. Indianapolis still needs to improve at the position, and Loveland can immediately act as a security blanket for Richardson. He can help the Colts offense in multiple ways, and he’ll take a lot of pressure off of their young quarterback.

1.15 Atlanta Falcons - Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Every year the Falcons are mocked edge rushers and they opt for a different position. I’m going back to an edge rusher here, as they need help in that area. Green looked outstanding at Marshall, and he performed well at the Senior Bowl. It helped his stock quite a bit, and he isn’t going to last long on draft night.

1.16 Arizona Cardinals - James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Arizona could use help with an edge, and they get one of the best in the draft. There isn’t anyone questioning Pearce’s talent. He boasts the potential to become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. There are questions about his character, though, and he’s a bit undersized for the position. This could cause him to fall a bit on draft night, but the Cardinals should provide a backstop.

1.17 Cincinnati Bengals - Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

The Bengals could go a few ways with this pick, but they’re going to put points up on offense regardless of who’s there. Instead, they need to focus more on their defense. That was their downfall last season, and they need to add a pass rusher. Stewart didn’t have much college production, but he had one of the best performances of anyone at the NFL Combine. He’s the type of high-upside player that can change the trajectory of an entire defense in the future.

1.18 Seattle Seahawks - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Seahawks recently released Tyler Lockett, and there are rumors heating up that DK Metcalf is going to be traded. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has proven that he can be the focal point of an offense, but Seattle will still need others around him. McMillan is the best wide receiver in this class, and he would pair well with JSN. Seattle would be set at wide receiver for years to come.

1.19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Chris Godwin is coming off of an injury, and he could leave Tampa Bay in free agency. Mike Evans is also getting older, and this is the last year of his current contract. Jalen McMillan flashed last season, but the Bucs are still going to need help at receiver in the future. Burden is an elite YAC player, and his game should translate well to the NFL. He performed well at the Combine, and he’ll be a player who can immediately contribute in the pros.

1.20 Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

The Broncos aren’t in dire need of a running back, but this would add another dimension to their offense. They clearly hit with Bo Nix, and the team outperformed expectations last season. They did all of that without high-end production from their backfield. Hampton looked elite at the NFL Combine, and he could find himself drafted in the first round. He’d be able to take pressure off of Nix, and he could work as a three-down back.

1.21 Pittsburgh Steelers - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

I highly considered Jaxson Dart here because he’ll likely work his way into the first round when it’s all said and done. At this point, I’m opting for Barron. He’s a player who is starting to move up draft boards, and he has the potential to turn into an outstanding cornerback. He’d be a great option opposite Joey Porter Jr. in this defense.

1.22 Los Angeles Chargers - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Chargers need help along their defensive line. Nolen is a big-bodied defensive tackle who can stop the run at a high level. He also boasts the upside to become a good pass rusher up the middle. He isn’t as NFL-ready as some of the other prospects in this draft, but he’s a player that Los Angeles can mold into who they want him to be.

1.23 Green Bay Packers - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Teams can never have too many offensive linemen. We saw that in the playoffs last season when Green Bay was dealing with injuries, and it may have cost them the game. Banks is an outstanding pass protector, and he’ll help keep Jordan Love stay healthy. More importantly, he has the versatility to train across positions with the ability to play either tackle position or kick inside to guard. It would give Green Bay more options and depth on their line.

1.24 Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Vikings could use help at defensive tackle, and Harmon is a player who can control the line of scrimmage in the run game. That’s something Minnesota is going to need to slow down teams like the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Harmon also comes with pass rush ability from the interior, adding to his overall upside. He’s an ideal fit in this scheme.

1.25 Houston Texans - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Houston recently traded for Christian Kirk, but I don’t think that changes this pick. Nico Collins is the clear WR1 in Houston, but Stefon Diggs is a free agent and Tank Dell continues to deal with injuries. Egbuka was outstanding throughout his time at Ohio State, and his skills should translate well to the NFL. He’ll immediately help this Houston pass game, and he can be a high-end future piece to pair with Collins.

1.26 Los Angeles Rams - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Rams are going to need to keep Matthew Stafford clean if they want to continue being a high-powered offense, meaning they’ll need help at offensive tackle. Simmons could easily be selected drastically earlier than this based on talent, but there are concerns about his health. If Los Angeles is willing to overlook those, he’ll make an outstanding pick this late in the draft.

1.27 Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama

Baltimore needs help at both offensive tackle and guard in this draft. The four obvious first round offensive tackles are off the board, and it’s unlikely they reach for that position here. Instead, they can take the best guard in the draft in Booker. He can immediately help this offensive line, although Grey Zabel is an interesting option here because of his versatility.

1.28 Detroit Lions - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

The Lions could use another pass rusher after they dealt with injuries last season. Ezeiruaku somewhat gets lost in the shuffle in a class loaded with pass rushing talent, but he comes with plenty of upside. He won’t need to be the focal point of the defense with Aidan Hutchinson on the other side, but he’s a player who can find plenty of sacks throughout his career.

1.29 Washington Commanders - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

This somewhat falls into the lap of Washington. Terry McLaurin is an outstanding WR1. They traded for Deebo Samuel, who can play at a high level out of the slot. Insert Golden, who possesses elite speed and can take the top off of the defense. This would be an outstanding trio of receivers for an already outstanding offense.

1.30 Buffalo Bills - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Emmanwori helped his stock with an outstanding NFL Combine performance. He has the athleticism to perform well in any given situation on the field. He can cover over the top, play one-on-one with tight ends, or come down in the box. He’ll add versatility to this Buffalo defense, and if they can unlock his full talent, he could become one of the best safeties in the NFL.

1.31 Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

This essentially comes down to whether you believe Kansas City feels more comfortable taking Conerly or Grey Zabel [hoping he can play tackle]. The Chiefs need major help on the offensive line, specifically at tackle, as they struggled to keep Patrick Mahomes clean during the Super Bowl. Conerly performed well at the NFL Combine, and he’s a solid option late in the first round.

1.32 Philadelphia Eagles - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Eagles are a team that clearly loves taking guys who are falling in the draft. Campbell certainly has more talent than the 32nd pick, and he’s a player Philadelphia can develop behind an elite option like Zack Baun. He doesn’t need to start right away in Philadelphia, and he can make a major impact down the road for the defending Super Bowl champions.