The NFL Draft is approaching, many fans across 32 teams are eager for a new era and beginning to wonder what star college players may land on their favorite team. I’m here to provide some insight on what to expect for Thursday night. Tackling biggest team needs, hot takes, and potentially some blockbuster trades.

Pick 1: Chicago Bears (via CAR)
Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Widely regarded as the best prospect in the entire draft, there’s no surprise here when Chicago gets their guy in hopes of leaving the Justin Fields experiment in the past. Although Williams last two seasons were seen as underwhelming he is still the consensus 1st overall pick.

Pick 2: Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Seems like the football world assume the Commanders take QB, Jayden Daniels at pick two, and I agree. Daniels has had multiple bad meetings with Washington but as i’m writing this he’s come out publicly saying he’s 100% comfortable being a Commander. I do think its still possible the Commanders pivot and avoid the potential drama and select Maye. But as it looks right now Daniels is a shoe in for the new QB in Washington.

Pick 3: New England Trade with Minnesota
Drake Maye, QB, UNC

With Daniels landing in Washington this leaves the door wide open for New England to select Drake Maye. But I don’t think its goes down like that. The Minnesota Vikings trade a hefty package to move up to pick 3 and snag Drake Maye. The Vikings are able to land an extremely talented prospect after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency. Maye is a completely different player than what Minnesota had in Cousins. A Maye Jefferson duo may make some noise. I expect the Vikings to leave the draft with a talented replacement for Kirk Cousins and Maye will fit nicely in that offense.

Pick 4: Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State

The first non QB off the board lands in Arizona, The best WR in college football will look to connect with Kyler Murray to try to spark some offense as that’s been a concern for the Cardinals. A trade down situation seems like a possibility but that doesn’t make much sense for me. Harrison was linked with Arizona from the beginning so its hard to see a situation where he lands somewhere else.

Pick 5: Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame

After the signing of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh all signs point to the chargers pounding the ball on the ground. Harbaugh and the front office has made it clear by trading veteran Keenan Allen to Chicago, and letting Mike Williams walk in free agency. Also cutting ties with Austin Ekeler and letting him sign with Washington supports the fresh start they are looking for. Joe Alt is the best OL prospect in this draft and is the perfect piece if The Chargers want to create the identity of a running team. Alt was dominant at Notre Dame, and with the additions of Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, Alt becomes a necessity. Watch the Chargers try to snag Blake Corum in round 2.

Pick 6: New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

I do not see another reasonable pick for the Giants here. Nabers made a name for himself at LSU last season with the help of Jayden Daniels. The Giants would be making a humongous mistake with any other prospect. By selecting Nabers this is the Giants last chance to prove their offensive struggles are not a quarterback problem.

Pick 7: Tennessee Titans
JC Latham, OL, Alabama

Different from recent drafts the first Alabama player comes off the board at pick 7. The Titans have went this route last year taking OL Peter Skoronski and I expect them to double down on OL talent. Latham will most likely have to play LT for the Titans but that should come naturally.

Pick 8: Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Alabama teammates go back to back with the Falcons taking Dallas Turner. The edge position is one of Atlanta’s biggest needs. Its a close competition between Turner and Laiatu Latu out of UCLA for best at their positions. I expect Atlanta to take Turner but honestly it can go either way. The Falcons are eager to compete in the NFC South and that should start on the defensive side of the ball.

Pick 9: Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Bears are one of the favorites to be the winner of the entire draft. The selection of WR, Rome Odunze helps cement their draft as one of the best. Odunze was electric in college but has some questions about his run after catch ability. Chicago will look to pair a top 3 QB and a top 3 WR.

Pick 10: New York Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

With the return of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets defense being top 10 in the league, I expect them to explore offensive weapons and the one that makes the most sense is Brock Bowers. Bowers fits the play style and build as a big receiver. After Rodgers debut was spoiled by injury the Jets will look to add to the offense and add another weapon.

Pick 11: Minnesota Trade with New England
JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

After trading down and acquiring significant draft capital the Patriots will gladly take JJ McCarthy after he slides down to pick 11. McCarthy wasn’t much of a prolific passer during his time at Michigan, but that doesn’t mean he can’t throw. McCarthy is a great leader and that’s what the Patriots need after the Mac Jones fiasco.

Pick 12: Denver Broncos
Jared Verse, Edge, Flordia State

it’s no secret the Broncos need to address their defensive front. At the annual meetings in March, general manager George Patton said it “would definitely be a priority.” The pick was probably Dallas Turner but he ended up in Atlanta. So instead, Denver takes Verse, whom Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. calls “one of the most talented edge defenders in the 2024 class.”

Pick 13: Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Penix, QB, Washington

If a trade hasn’t been completed for the Raiders to move up, I see them taking Michael Penix. Penix was the opposite of draft classmate JJ McCarthy as he was a prolific passer last season which ultimately led to a championship appearance. Penix had a strong connection with Odunze so I can only imagine the connection between him and Davante Adams.

Pick 14: New Orleans Saints
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State

Nothing special here, Saints attempt to bolster their offensive line with the best available at pick 14. Fashanu should have an impact immediately.

Pick 15: Indianapolis Colts
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

We didn’t get to see the true potential of this offense due to the injury of Anthony Richardson so I think the Colts trust what they have right now offensively and address the secondary with Terrion Arnold. A top 3 cornerback in this draft class.

Pick 16: Seattle Seahawks
Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

The Seahawks have had recent success with drafting an offensive line, most notably Charles Cross out of Ole Miss. Similar to Tennessee I see them doubling down on OL talent.

Pick 17: Jacksonville Jaguars
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

This is truly just a talent pick. Mitchell is a very talented prospect so I think Jacksonville will take him even though they aren’t in dire need of a corner.

Pick 18: Cincinnati Bengals
Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The Bengals were dealt a crap hand last season with another season-ending injury to Joe Burrow so I think they wise up and add some more protection. Burrow has been one of the most sacked QBs since he entered the league and landing Barton could result in deflated sack numbers.

Pick 19: Los Angeles Rams
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Rams have not had a 1st round since 2016 which was also the 1st overall pick, there couldn’t be a more perfect draft to have their first 1st rounder in 8 years. After Aaron Donald, the greatest defensive player of the last decade decided to retire, there is a prospect that looks more than Aaron Donald than any other player ever. Byron Murphy II will fall right into the lap of the Rams and the torch will be passed. I also see where the Rams opt to take speedy receiver Xavier Worthy.

Pick 20: Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia

After an eventful offseason the Steelers have 2 glaring needs, offensive line and wide receiver. Its tough to tell how Omar Khan and the front office will play it but Amarius Mims and Brian Thomas Jr seem to be the two best options. Lets also not rule out a corner selection (Cooper DeJean). If I had to chose I’d say they opt to take Georgia O-Lineman in back to back drafts to pair Broderick Jones and Amarius Mims as protection for Russell Wilson. Mims had only stared 8 games in college but hadn’t let up a sack. If the Steelers are concerned on his lack of play there’s a possibility the draft center Jackson Powers-Johnson. As Pittsburgh will address the WR issue via trade, preferable Brandon Aiyuk. The possibilities are endless and the future looks bright in Pittsburgh.

Pick 21: Miami Dolphins
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

The Dolphins have made many attempts at DL over the offseason but none are significant. Miami takes Newton who should have impact immediately and is a respectable replacement for Christian Wilkins.

Pick 22: Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma

Tackle might not seem like a pressing need at first glance, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata have the starting positions locked down but a closer look reveals why Guyton is a fit in Philly. With the exception of quarterback, the Eagles prioritize the trenches above all other positions. Depth along the offensive front took a hit this offseason. And with Johnson turning 34 in May, a succession plan needs to be implemented at right tackle.

Pick 23: Minnesota Vikings (via CLE)
Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU

After the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers’ most glaring need is at wide receiver. At 6-3, 209 pounds, Thomas ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and had 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He gives quarterback Justin Herbert a receiver with the potential to become one of the league’s best.

Pick 24: Dallas Cowboys
Graham Barton, C, Duke

Ideally, perhaps the Cowboys would like to take a left tackle with their first-round pick, but there are questions about those available, and Dallas has a need at center, having lost Tyler Biadasz in free agency. Barton has position flexibility, but he projects as a center in the NFL. This might mean a move to tackle for Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith, but it’s possible that tackle gets addressed later in the draft.

Pick 25: Green Bay Packers
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Could have gone with tackle here since the Packers have moved on from David Bakhtiari and might want to eventually move Zach Tom to center, where they think he can be dominant. But DeJean is so versatile he can play outside corner, inside at nickel or perhaps even safety. The Packers want to give new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley an influx of talent.

Pick 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

This would be a scenario where the Falcons would consider trading down in order to build some draft capital, considering if they could still land a high-level defensive player down the board. It turns out one of the best edge rushers in the draft slides to pick 26. Latu offers Tampa an extremely talented player at a premier position, which also happens to be the Tampas’ biggest need, especially after the loss off Shaq Barrett

Pick 27: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Cardinals need a CB1, and Wiggins can be their future. He has the size (6-2, 185 pounds) and can do it all. He can press, play off coverage and in zone, allowing defensive coordinator Nick Rallis to keep Wiggins on the field every down.

Pick 28: Buffalo Bills
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

If this is how the board falls, trading back (or up, including to potentially snag LSU’s Thomas) would be strong possibilities. Wide receiver is the Bills’ biggest and most obvious need, and moving back into the second round would allow Buffalo to potentially double-dip in a talented class, especially since the Bills do not have a third-round pick. Still, if the Bills went with Worthy, he would bring speed and the run-after-catch ability they need.

Pick 29: Detroit Lions
Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama

One of the Lions’ biggest priorities is to upgrade the defense, even after a strong free agency period. Not only is Detroit addressing a pass defense that allowed 7.8 yards per pass attempt (second worst), but the Alabama pipeline continues to roll after the Lions selected WR Jameson Williams in 2022, and RB Jahmyr Gibbs and DB Brian Branch in 2023. The Name Kool-Aid McKinstry just sounds like a Detroit Lion.

Pick 30: Baltimore Ravens
Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon

Baltimore has some massive long-term offensive line issues, but their guard spots are not only a little suspect but all three guys who could man the two spots are in contract years. Fuaga was a right tackle by trade at Oregon State but scouts view him as a potential guard at the NFL level. He’s got plenty of experience working in a zone-blocking scheme and figures to learn his way around the offensive line before eventually settling at tackle sometime down the line.

Pick 31: San Francisco 49ers
Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri

The run of offensive tackles leaves the Niners in a spot where they would probably look to either move up to get one or move back for someone like Roger Rosengarten or Kingsley Suamataia in the second round. And while a receiver or cornerback can’t be ruled out, history says the Niners are always willing to bolster the defensive line if the fit is right.

Pick 32: Kansas City Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

I was prepared to go with a cornerback, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri, but when the board fell this way, with Mitchell still available, it was an easy switch. It’s no secret the Chiefs were deficient at wide receiver last season, and the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice after his legal issues makes the need even greater. They weren’t going to force a wide receiver, but they don’t have to by picking Mitchell.

I am by no means an expert but I do know ball. These were based off my opinion without being influenced by bias. To all fans of every team, good luck.