With the NFL Draft tonight, the dreams of many young athletes will come true in Pittsburgh during the three day event. While some picks are almost guaranteed, there is still some uncertainty about what is apparently a top heavy draft. As someone who has watched my fair share of college and NFL football, these are my predictions for the first round, barring any crazy trades at the last second.
#1 Las Vegas Raiders- QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
At this point in the process Mendoza is essentially the consensus first pick. He’s more of a game manager than a game changer, but his IQ is something Vegas’s QB room has been lacking. The Raiders will look to pair the Heisman and National Champion with standout tight end Brock Bowers to improve on their abysmal 3-14 record.
#2 New York Jets- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bailey has all the size and length that teams look for in edge, and after a stellar season with the Red Raiders, he has put himself in position to be the first defender off the board. After the Jets traded away key defensive pieces Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, they look to build back up what was once considered one of the best defenses in the NFL.
#3 Arizona Cardinals- EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Cardinals have been making a serious effort to improve their 29th ranked defense over the past two drafts, with first round selections Walter Nolen and Darius Robinson. However, Reese is a special talent, with a unique blend of speed and athleticism that gives him the potential to be the best player in the entire draft.
#4 Tennessee Titans- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love is by far the most explosive offensive player in the class. His mix of speed, and strength is unmatched, he can turn a one yard gain into a 90 yard touchdown in a blink of the eye. He also isn’t afraid of protecting the quarterback, something the Titans definitely need, allowing Cam Ward to be sacked 55 times last year. Giving their sophomore qb Ward a weapon like Love could at least add a couple wins to the rebuilding Titans.
#5 New York Giants- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
The Giants have issues all around but one thing is certain, they have their quarterback in Jaxson Dart. They need to do anything they can to protect him and their future and Mauigoa will do just that, allowing just two sacks in 826 snaps.
#6 Cleveland Browns- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Like many teams in the top 10, the Browns lack direction. While Lomu won’t alter the course of the franchise, adding arguably the best tackle in the draft certainly wouldn’t hurt.
#7 Washington Commanders- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
After a surprisingly strong run in 2025, the Commanders saw a major step back last season, mostly due to major injuries all around the field. Sonny Styles is far and away the best linebacker in the draft and with the verdict still out on veteran Bobby Wagner, Washington could look to find a more permanent replacement.
#8 New Orleans Saints- EDGE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
With long-time Saint Cameron Jordan on his way out, New Orleans may look to replace his production. Although there are major concerns about his arm length, Bain is by far the most complete Edge in the draft and would be a steal at number eight.
#9 Kansas City Chiefs- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Chiefs were shockingly bad last season after losing in the SuperBowl the year prior. With Trent McDuffie being traded away, Kansas City should look to fill in the spot with the best corner in the draft. Delane’s knack for the ball is exactly what the Chiefs are looking for.
#10 New York Giants- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
After trading away Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals, the Giants find themselves in top 10 for the second time this draft. With Malik Nabers tearing his ACL, Tate gives Jaxson Dart another weapon on the outside. Carnell, with his smooth routes and excellent hands will be next in the long line of Ohio State receivers selected in the first round.
#11 Miami Dolphins- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
With the start of their rebuild underway, the once 70 point scoring Dolphins team has been dismantled. Downs has excellent IQ, textbook tackling, and superb leadership, basically all the traits you look for to anchor your defense. The ‘Phins getting him at pick 11 would be a great way to start what looks like a long rebuild.
#12 Dallas Cowboys- EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
After trading elite edge Micah Parsons before last season, the Cowboys have yet to fill the void that he left. While Mesidor is no Parsons, his strength and never-ending motor to rush the passer would certainly help.
#13 Los Angeles Rams WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
With Devante Adams and Puka Nacua up for new contracts after next season, taking Tyson here could make sense. While many see him as the best receiver in the draft, his injury history allows him to fall right into the Rams lap.
#14 Baltimore Ravens- OT Spencer Fano, Utah
The Ravens have failed to properly capitalize on having both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Fano is one of the best all around lineman in the draft. This pick is a no brainer for Baltimore.
#15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- IOL Olaivavega Loane, Penn State
Loane is one of the most physical, put together prospects in the draft. The opportunity to pair the Penn State product with elite tackle Tristan Wirfs is one that the Bucs can’t afford to pass up.
#16 New York Jets- WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Cooper was a key part of Indiana’s national championship run, his excellent ball discipline and route running makes him the perfect partner next to Garret Wilson.
#17 Detroit Lions- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
The Lions didn’t live up to their expectations last year, finishing the season 9-8 and missing the playoffs. Proctor has a rare blend of athleticism and size, gaining traction for taking snaps at quarterback and receiver for the Crimson Tide last season. Detroit has shown they aren’t opposed to trick plays which might keep Proctor more engaged as some teams are concerned about.
#18 Minnesota Vikings- DL Peter Woods, Clemson
After not capitalizing on their defensive selections in previous drafts, Woods gives the Vikings another chance. He has powerful hands and more importantly, does his job. With one of the best defensive minds in Brian Flores, Minnesota should see instant production from the Clemson Product.
#19 Carolina Panthers- TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
After more promising improvements and a playoff birth from former number 1 overall pick Bryce Young, the Panthers need to do their job by surrounding him with as much talent as possible. Sadiq has speed that you just don’t see at the tight end position often, so this is almost a guaranteed homerun for Carolina.
#20 Dallas Cowboys- S Dillon Thieman, Oregon
This Oregon safety has almost everything you would want in the position. He’s very technically sound and is another great piece the Cowboys need after allowing 30 ppg last season.
#21 Pittsburgh Steelers- WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Concepcion is one of the the shiftiest and explosive offensive players in the draft. The future of DK Metcalf as a Steeler is in question and there is no clear direction at the QB position. Giving whoever becomes the long term solution a playmaker like KC wouldn’t hurt at all.
#22 Los Angeles Chargers IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Justin Herbert became very familiar with the ground last season, getting sacked 54 times. With injuries all around the offensive line, more depth wouldn’t hurt at all.
#23 Philadelphia Eagles- WR Denzel Boston, Washington
With rumors swirling around the future of AJ Brown in Philly, the Eagles could look to draft a replacement. Boston’s catch radius is massive, regularly making difficult contested catches look like child’s play.
#24 Cleveland Browns- WR Chris Bell, Louisville
Bell was an explosive weapon for the Cardinals last season. Before his season-ending injury Bell looked like a top 15 pick in the draft. While he may take some time to recover, the Browns aren’t exactly in a rush.
#25 Chicago Bears- LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
With the departure of Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards coming off a season-ending injury, the Bears could use some help at the linebacker position. Rodriguez was the best player on the best defense in college football last season, doing everything for the Red Raiders, even taking wildcat snaps. Adding him this late in the first round would certainly be beneficial for the emerging Chicago team.
#26 Buffalo Bills- EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
At just 20 years old, the 6’5, 285 lb Faulk is a very intriguing prospect. He has a lot of untapped potential that the Bills believe that they can unlock with their system.
#27 San Francisco 49ers- EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
With Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa both coming off of torn ACLs, there’s no telling what their production may be when they eventually return. Mason was great last season for the elite Sooners defense, having 6.5 sacks in just nine games.
#28 Houston Texans- IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
While the Texan’s defense is superbowl caliber, their offense was severely lacking in the playoffs. While a lot of the blame was put on quarterback CJ Stroud, the root of their problems lies with the O-line. Pregnon is a man mover that was a key part in Oregon’s explosive run and pass game last season.
#29 Kansas City Chiefs- DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
McDonald becomes the fifth player selected from the Buckeyes. His dominant size and strength will serve him well. With Chris Jones not getting any younger, drafting what depth around him will lessen his load and give him more one on one opportunities.
#30 Miami Dolphins- CB Avieon Terrel, Clemson
The brother of star corner AJ Terrel, Avieon is very technically sound just like his older brother. The Dolphins double up on secondary in first round as the beginnings of the rebuild starts to take shape.
#31 New England Patriots- EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
While their struggles on the offensive line were on full display in the Super Bowl last season, New England can find options later in the draft. Howell brings a level of explosiveness that fits into Vrabel’s scheme perfectly. He was amazing for the Aggies last season, piling in 11.5 sacks.
#32 Seattle Seahawks- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
At 6’4″ the lengthy safety has a knack for finding the ball, forcing three fumbles, recovering two, and catching two picks last season. This fits perfectly with the reigning Super Bowl champ’s defensive ideology.
