The Draft is one of the top events on the NFL calendar, and more and more people are tuning in to watch.
The first round of the NFL draft has become a spectacle for die-hard football fans who need a football fix during the off-season. Even the casual NFL fan is glued to the television as Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the Draft picks one by one.
The first round has become so popular that it is broadcast across television and radio outlets. Fans watch as each team’s first pick is expected to change a franchise’s fortunes.
We put so much stock into Day 1 of the NFL Draft, and forget that there’s a ton of talent between the 2nd and 7th rounds. A number of those players will become perennial pro bowl players.
Yet, we all love opening night of the Draft, especially as teams look to young new quarterbacks as franchise saviors. Besides the QBs, there’s a fantastic crop of football players coming into the league each year. Nick Bosa isn’t a quarterback, but the rookie was one of the main reasons the 49ers won the NFC and went to the Super Bowl.
Who will go first, Joe or Tua? (photo, Sporting News),
We also see young players who are more NFL-ready than ever. These boys are built like men, and they train all year round to get the opportunity to be drafted. Every player wants to be the first selection in the Draft–or at least get drafted in the first round. Only one player will get that distinction, but 31 other players will be ecstatic to be selected on Day 1…even if it’s by the Browns or Bengals!
With all that said, here’s how I see the first round of the NFL draft going. I’ve focused on the position that each team is targeting, and I draw on my knowledge to connect a name with a team. Proviso: I do see a couple of trades brewing in the first round of this year’s Draft.
Here we go!
Cincinnati Bengals: QB – Joe Burrow – Needs (QB, OL, LB)
Miami Dolphins: (via trade w/ WASH): QB – Tua Tagovailoa – Needs (QB, DL, OL)
Detroit Lions: DE – Chase Young – Needs (WR, DE, DB)
New York Giants: OL – Mekhi Becton – Needs (OL, WR, DB)
Washington Redskins: (via trade w/ MIA): LB -Isaiah Simmons – Needs (LB, DB, OL)
L.A. Chargers: (if they don’t sign Brady): QB – Justin Herbert – Needs (QB, OL, DB)
Carolina Panthers: WR – Jerry Jeudy – Needs (WR, DB, DL)
Arizona Cardinals: OT – Tristan Wirfs – Needs (DL, OL, WR)
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB – Jordan Love – Needs (QB, DB, DE)
Cleveland Browns: OL – Jedrick Willis Jr. – Needs (OL, DB, LB)
New York Jets: WR – CeeDee Lamb – Needs (WR, DB, DL)
Las Vegas Raiders: WR – Henry Ruggs III – Needs (WR, LB, DB)
Indianapolis Colts: CB – Jeff Okudah – Needs (OL, CB, LB)
Tampa Bay Bucs: DL – Javon Kinlaw – (DL, DB, OL)
Denver Broncos: DE – Derrick Brown – (DL, WR, DB)
Atlanta Falcons: S – Xavier McKinney – Needs (DB, OL, DL)
Dallas Cowboys: CB – Kristian Fulton – Needs (CB, WR, OL)
Washington Redskins: (via trade w/ MIA) CB – C.J. Henderson – Needs (LB, DB, OL)
Las Vegas Raiders: LB – Kenneth Murray – Needs (WR, LB, DB)
Jacksonville Jaguars: DE – A.J. Epenesa – Needs (QB, DB, DE)
Philadelphia Eagles: CB – Trevon Diggs – Needs (DB, LB, WR
Buffalo Bills: WR – Tee Higgins – Needs (WR, OL, DE)
New England Patriots: WR – Denzel Mims – Needs (QB, WR, OL)
New Orleans Saints: S – Grant Delpit – Needs (DB, DE, OL)
Minnesota Vikings: CB – A.J. Terrell – Needs (DB, OL, LB)
Miami Dolphins: RB – Jonathan Taylor – Needs (RB, WR, DE)
Seattle Seahawks: WR – Justin Jefferson – Needs (WR, OL, DB)
New England Patriots: (via trade w/ BAL) QB – Jacob Eason Needs – (QB, WR, OL)
Tennessee Titans: LB – Zack Baun – Needs (LB, WR, OL)
Green Bay Packers: OL – Josh Jones Needs – (WR, OL, QB)
San Francisco 49ers: CB – Noah Igbinoghene – Needs (DB, WR, LB)
Kansas City Chiefs: OL – Austin Jackson – Needs (DB, OL, DE)
Answer to my question about QBs–I see four or five QBs being taken in Round 1.
