7 Wide Receivers go off the board but just 2 QBs are taken in the 1st Round. Kenny Pickett falls to round 2…
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, DE (Michigan)
There’s been much speculation about where the Jaguars will go with this pick, especially since revealing there were still 4 players under consideration just last week.
However, this is a pivotal moment for the franchise and General Manager, Trent Baalke after last year’s experience with Urban Meyer. No team has ever held the number 1 overall pick 3 years running and the Jaguars don’t want to be the first. They take the sure bet, 10 year NFL starter, who has great character and leadership skills to complement his talent
2. Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (Oregon)
There’s been plenty of talk about the Lions taking Malik Willis at no. 2 but remember head coach, Dan Campbell’s statement that whoever is taken here must be an instant starter. None of the QBs in this draft fit that narrative, so while Detroit maybe interested later on in filling that need, it’s not with this pick.
Thibodeaux divides opinion but he is a powerful pass rusher and has the ability to move inside in certain packages, giving the Lions an instant impact player on defense
3. Houston Texans – Travon Walker, DE (Georgia)
Given the pre-draft hype this will come as a shock to many – likely the Texans included. Houston have many needs but they won’t hesitate in submitting their pick if Walker is still on the board here.
Some mock drafts have him going no. 1 overall, others have him dropping as low as 7 to the Giants – highlighting the uncertainly surrounding this class. Lovie Smith is a defensive minded head coach and I think he’d love to add someone of Walker’s talent and measurables to that side of the ball
4. New York Jets – Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, CB (Cincinnati)
The Jets have 4 picks in the top 40 and 2 in the top 10. Despite the recent positivity around Derek Stingley jnr, Sauce Gardner is the best cornerback in this class. At 6’3’ and with a 4.41, 40 yard dash, he has size and speed. He didn’t allow a single touchdown pass at Cincinnati and the Jets get a cornerstone in their defensive secondary
5. New York Giants – Ickey Ekwonu, OT (NC State)
Like their city rivals, the Jets, the Giants have 2 picks inside the top 10. They look to address a porous offensive line here. Ickey Ekwonu is one of the players the Jaguars are thought to have been considering with the 1st overall pick but he falls to the Giants, who waste no time in making him the first offensive selection of this draft and go someway to offering protection for QB Daniel Jones
6. Carolina Panthers – Evan Neal, OT (Alabama)
It’s no secret Carolina need to address their QB position but not at this position in this year’s draft. Whether they look to do that in a future draft or work out a deal for a veteran like Baker Mayfield, they need to have protection on the offensive line. At 6’7” 337lbs, they get a mauler who will be a productive player immediately – whether that’s left tackle, right tackle or guard.
7. New York Giants – Derek Stingley jnr, CB (LSU)
Having gone offensive line with their first pick, the Giants now get a playmaker on defense. His injury history is a concern but an impressive pro day went a long way to easing any fears teams had.
Some believe he’d have been the first CB off the board had he been in 2020. He falls to the Giants and his talent is too good to pass on.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Garrett Wilson, WR (Ohio State)
The Falcons have plenty of needs – not least at QB. However, they passed on that position when selecting at no. 4 overall last year and it’s difficult to see them taking a QB so early in this draft.
Receiver is certainly an area that needs addressing and so they take the first WR in this draft. A player with strong hands, body control and speed give Atlanta a playmaker to compliment Kyle Pitts
9. Seattle Seahawks – Devin Lloyd, LB (Utah)
Seattle’s another team who taking a QB would make sense but again, this might be a need they look to address later. They also have plenty of need on defense, especially after letting Bobby Wagner leave. Devin Lloyd gives them a sideline to sideline playmaker, who can rush the passer and has an eye for the ball
10. New York Jets – Jameson Williams, WR (Alabama)
The Jets get the best CB in this draft and now add the best receiver. Williams’ ACL injury in the National Championship game in January means he likely won’t be ready to play at the start of this season but he’s an unquestioned downfield playmaker. His talent ensures he’ll be worth the wait.
11. Washington Commanders – Drake London, WR (USC)
12. Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie, CB (Washington)
13. Houston Texans – Kyle Hamilton, S (Notre Dame)
14. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis DT (Georgia)
15. Philadelphia Eagles – Treylon Burks, WR (Arkansas)
16. New Orleans Saints – Charles Cross, OT (Mississippi State)
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Trevor Penning, OT (Northern Iowa)
18. Philadelphia Eagles – Devonte Wyatt, DT (Georgia)
19. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR (Ohio State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Malik Willis, QB (Liberty)
21. New England Patriots – Zion Johnson, OL (Boston College)
22. Green Bay Packers – Jahan Dotson, WR (Penn State)
23. Arizona Cardinals – Kenyon Green, OL (Texas A&M)
24. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Linderbaum, C (Iowa)
25. Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, RB (Iowa State)
26. Tennessee Titans – Bernhard Raimann, OL (Central Michigan)
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Booth, CB (Clermson)
28. Green Bay Packers – Nakobe Dean, LB (Georgia)
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Jermaine Johnson, DE (Florida)
30. Kansas City Chiefs – George Pickens, WR (Georgia)
31. Cincinnati Bengals – George Karlaftis, DE (Purdue)
32. Detroit Lions – Desmond Ridder, QB (Cincinnati)
