The following things are taken at face value as I don't want to project trades that may not happen or guess teams trading for players.
#1-Lamar Jackson stays in Baltimore.
#2-DeAndre Hopkins stays in Arizona.
#3-Aaron Rodgers plays for the Jets, but in the interest of not making trade guesses, let's pretend only 2024 picks are dealt.
1. Car=Bryce Young QB Alabama (5-11, 204, N/A) best trait-pressure reaction, worst trait-arm strength. Comp=Drew Brees. Young is the best QB in the class and adds instant legitimacy to the Panthers in a wide-open division.
2. Hou=Will Anderson DE Alabama (6-3, 253, 4.60) best trait-bend, worst trait-strength. Comp=DeMarcus Ware. Getting that Nick Bosa-esq defensive stalwart is more important than taking a non-Bryce Young QB.
3. Ari=Bijan Robinson RB Texas (5-11, 215, 4.46) best trait-vision, worst trait-speed. Comp=Edgerrin James. I think he's going way higher than people think, as one of the few sure things in the draft, and an offensive centerpiece for Arizona to build around.
4. Ind=Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech (6-6, 271, N/A) best trait-strength, worst trait-quickness. Comp=Ziggy Ansah. I think Indy kicks the QB can down the road and rolls with Minshew and co. this season.
5. Sea=Jalen Carter DT Georgia (6-3, 314, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-balance. Comp Jeffery Simmons. Pete Carroll is Mr. 2nd chance, and Carter is the best DT prospect in maybe a decade.
6. Det=CJ Stroud QB Ohio State (6-3, 214, N/A) best trait-accuracy, worst trait-pressure reaction. Comp=Jared Goff. This is a best-case scenario for Lions/Stroud. Lions can save 20 million moving on from Goff next year, while still giving Stroud time to learn the ropes.
7. LV=Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois (5-11, 181, N/A) best trait-strength, worst trait-size. Comp=Samari Rolle. Raiders CB room is as bad as any, and Witherspoon is more developed than Gonzalez right now.
8. Atl=Anthony Richardson QB Florida (6-4, 244, 4.43) best trait-mobility, worst trait-accuracy. Comp=Cam Newton. A perfect fit for the run heavy, PA offense the Falcons want to be. Getting that speed indoors coud be a real headache for the NFC South.
9. Chi=Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon (6-1, 197, 4.38) best trait-size, worst trait-awareness. Comp=Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. A Gonzalez/Gordon/Johnson trio is a promising young CB group.
10. Phi=Calijah Kancey DT Pittsburgh (6-1, 281, 4.67) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=John Randle. A 1-1 replacement for Javon Hargrave, with a much higher ceiling.
11. Ten=Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern (6-4, 313, 5.16) best trait-quickness, worst trait-size. Comp=Zack Martin. Like Martin, I could see him playing guard, but the Titans OL needs everything, and Skoronski is the highest floor pick in my opinion, something a new GM may prefer.
12. Hou=Will Levis QB Kentucky (6-4, 229, N/A) best trait-arm strength, worst trait-accuracy. Comp=Jay Cutler. I think Houston is perfectly fine not taking a QB, but this falls perfect for them to give Levis a shot, while still getting that defensive centerpiece.
13. NYJ=Darnell Wright OT Tennessee (6-5, 333, 5.01) best trait-strength, worst trait-balance. Comp=DJ Fluker. While I'm not 100% writing off Becton, I think he's not going to be trusted as a no brainer starter. Wright will instantly play RT, with Brown/Becton fighting for the LT spot.
14. NE=Jordan Addison WR USC (5-11, 173, 4.49) best trait-route running, worst trait-size. Comp=Tyler Lockett. I can hear the collective groan already, but Belichick doesn't care who is ranked where, he likes his guys, and Addison's inside/out versatility and route running will make him the #1 WR on NE's board in my eyes. I could see 1 of Parker/Bourne not making it through the draft still on the roster.
15. GB=Dalton Kincaid TE Utah (6-4, 246, N/A) best trait-hands, worst trait-size. Comp=Zach Ertz. Jordan Love is going to need all the help he can get, and Kincaid is a potential stud at TE.
16. Was=Paris Johnson OT Ohio State (6-6, 313, NA) best trait-size, worst trait-flexibility. Comp=Brian O'Neill. Heir apparent to Charles Leno who can start out at LG if need be.
17. Pit=Broderick Jones OT Georgia (6-5, 311, 4.97) best trait-quickness, worst trait-flexibility. Comp=Andrew Thomas. Steelers have had a LT issue since Villanueva left. Jones is a little raw but may be the highest ceiling OT in the class.
18. Det=Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame (6-5, 249, 4.70) best trait-route running, worst trait-speed. Comp=Jason Witten. Basically, a higher upside version of Hockenson that is on a rookie deal. I felt the Hock trade was always more about money than usage. Mayer also gives them a target with size to go with Jameson and Amon-Ra.
19. TB=Darnell Washington TE Georgia (6-7, 264, 4.64) best trait-blocking, worst trait-route running. Comp=Marcedes Lewis. This is way higher than I'd take him, but I'd be surprised at this point if he wasn't a 1st rounder. TB really missed that weapon in the middle of the field and also really needs run blocking help, so in theory this solves 2 problems.
20. Sea=Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa (6-5, 272, 4.58) best trait-bend, worst trait-technique. Comp=Justin Smith. A year after spending 2 of their top picks upgrading the OL, Seattle turns around and does so with their DL. Van Ness is the highest ceiling DE in my opinion, but why wasn't he a full-time player at Iowa? Worth a risk here for sure in my eyes.
21. LAC=Brian Branch S Alabama (6-0, 190, 4.58) best trait-awareness, worst trait-size. Comp=Minkah Fitzpatrick. A slot/S hybrid, I think his future is at S. Derwin James needs a tag partner on the back end, and Branch is as NFL ready as it gets.
22. Bal=Nolan Smith DE Georgia (6-2, 238, 4.39) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=Baron Browning. The Ravens love their athletic freaks at DE. Smith is tough to judge as despite his size, Georgia used him more as a run defender than pass rusher, so he could be a bit raw.
23. Min=Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State (6-1, 196, N/A) best trait-route running, worst trait-speed. Comp=Amon-Ra St. Brown. A perfect fit as a compliment to JJ. I think he could fall a bit just because all his tape is from 2021, and WRs in general seem a bit of a pick your poison this year.
24. Jac=Joe Tippmann C Wisconsin (6-6, 313, N/A) best trait-size, worst trait-strength. Comp=Josh Myers. Another late riser in my opinion. Jags OL is really the only hole on that offense right now.
25. NYG=Joey Porter CB Penn State (6-2, 193, 4.46) best trait-size, worst trait-speed. Comp=Carlton Davis. This is likely lower than most will have him, and its not a knock, I think CB drops off a lot after the top-2. Porter is a perfect fit for NY's man coverage scheme.
26. Dal=Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama (5-9, 199, 4.36) best trait-receiving, worst trait-power. Comp=Alvin Kamara. He's not as big as Kamara, but that's the role I envision for him. I think Dallas will covet that speed as they look to spread defenses out more this season after adding Cooks at WR. Pollard/Gibbs also are both great in the passing game, so even tougher to defend. Naysayers will point to Felix Jones in 2008 when they had MB3 already, but I think this will go better.
27. Buf=Zay Flowers WR Boston College (5-9, 182, 4.42) best trait-RAC, worst trait-size. Comp=TY Hilton. They need a legit #2 opposite Diggs, and high ankle sprain or not, I don't think Gabe Davis is it. Flowers also offers somebody to run under those deep balls for Josh Allen that he hasn't really had since year 1 with John Brown.
28. Cin=Luke Musgrave TE Oregon State (6-6, 253, 4.61) best trait-speed, worst trait-route running. Comp=Jared Cook. Yep, 4 1st round TEs. Musgrave adds a vertical seam element to the passing game that Burrow hasn't had yet, as the Bengals just keep adding weapons.
29. NO=Myles Murphy DE Clemson (6-5, 258, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-technique. Comp=Rashan Gary. Suddenly very thin on the DL, Murphy was the #2 DE prospect 3 months ago, but the bottom line is he never improved at Clemson, and while the tools are great, is he just what he is? At 29, well worth a look.
30. Phi=Trenton Simpson LB Clemson (6-2, 235, 4.43) best trait-speed, worst trait-awareness. Comp=Willie Gay. I know LB isn't typically where Howie goes early, but a Super Bowl team who lost both their top-2 LB's, maybe does something new.
31. KC=Will McDonald DE Iowa State (6-3, 239, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=Randy Gregory. Very high upside pass rusher who may be a little one dimensional. Chiefs will happily accept that at the end of round 1, as a Frank Clark replacement/upgrade.
#1-Lamar Jackson stays in Baltimore.
#2-DeAndre Hopkins stays in Arizona.
#3-Aaron Rodgers plays for the Jets, but in the interest of not making trade guesses, let's pretend only 2024 picks are dealt.
1. Car=Bryce Young QB Alabama (5-11, 204, N/A) best trait-pressure reaction, worst trait-arm strength. Comp=Drew Brees. Young is the best QB in the class and adds instant legitimacy to the Panthers in a wide-open division.
2. Hou=Will Anderson DE Alabama (6-3, 253, 4.60) best trait-bend, worst trait-strength. Comp=DeMarcus Ware. Getting that Nick Bosa-esq defensive stalwart is more important than taking a non-Bryce Young QB.
3. Ari=Bijan Robinson RB Texas (5-11, 215, 4.46) best trait-vision, worst trait-speed. Comp=Edgerrin James. I think he's going way higher than people think, as one of the few sure things in the draft, and an offensive centerpiece for Arizona to build around.
4. Ind=Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech (6-6, 271, N/A) best trait-strength, worst trait-quickness. Comp=Ziggy Ansah. I think Indy kicks the QB can down the road and rolls with Minshew and co. this season.
5. Sea=Jalen Carter DT Georgia (6-3, 314, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-balance. Comp Jeffery Simmons. Pete Carroll is Mr. 2nd chance, and Carter is the best DT prospect in maybe a decade.
6. Det=CJ Stroud QB Ohio State (6-3, 214, N/A) best trait-accuracy, worst trait-pressure reaction. Comp=Jared Goff. This is a best-case scenario for Lions/Stroud. Lions can save 20 million moving on from Goff next year, while still giving Stroud time to learn the ropes.
7. LV=Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois (5-11, 181, N/A) best trait-strength, worst trait-size. Comp=Samari Rolle. Raiders CB room is as bad as any, and Witherspoon is more developed than Gonzalez right now.
8. Atl=Anthony Richardson QB Florida (6-4, 244, 4.43) best trait-mobility, worst trait-accuracy. Comp=Cam Newton. A perfect fit for the run heavy, PA offense the Falcons want to be. Getting that speed indoors coud be a real headache for the NFC South.
9. Chi=Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon (6-1, 197, 4.38) best trait-size, worst trait-awareness. Comp=Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. A Gonzalez/Gordon/Johnson trio is a promising young CB group.
10. Phi=Calijah Kancey DT Pittsburgh (6-1, 281, 4.67) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=John Randle. A 1-1 replacement for Javon Hargrave, with a much higher ceiling.
11. Ten=Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern (6-4, 313, 5.16) best trait-quickness, worst trait-size. Comp=Zack Martin. Like Martin, I could see him playing guard, but the Titans OL needs everything, and Skoronski is the highest floor pick in my opinion, something a new GM may prefer.
12. Hou=Will Levis QB Kentucky (6-4, 229, N/A) best trait-arm strength, worst trait-accuracy. Comp=Jay Cutler. I think Houston is perfectly fine not taking a QB, but this falls perfect for them to give Levis a shot, while still getting that defensive centerpiece.
13. NYJ=Darnell Wright OT Tennessee (6-5, 333, 5.01) best trait-strength, worst trait-balance. Comp=DJ Fluker. While I'm not 100% writing off Becton, I think he's not going to be trusted as a no brainer starter. Wright will instantly play RT, with Brown/Becton fighting for the LT spot.
14. NE=Jordan Addison WR USC (5-11, 173, 4.49) best trait-route running, worst trait-size. Comp=Tyler Lockett. I can hear the collective groan already, but Belichick doesn't care who is ranked where, he likes his guys, and Addison's inside/out versatility and route running will make him the #1 WR on NE's board in my eyes. I could see 1 of Parker/Bourne not making it through the draft still on the roster.
15. GB=Dalton Kincaid TE Utah (6-4, 246, N/A) best trait-hands, worst trait-size. Comp=Zach Ertz. Jordan Love is going to need all the help he can get, and Kincaid is a potential stud at TE.
16. Was=Paris Johnson OT Ohio State (6-6, 313, NA) best trait-size, worst trait-flexibility. Comp=Brian O'Neill. Heir apparent to Charles Leno who can start out at LG if need be.
17. Pit=Broderick Jones OT Georgia (6-5, 311, 4.97) best trait-quickness, worst trait-flexibility. Comp=Andrew Thomas. Steelers have had a LT issue since Villanueva left. Jones is a little raw but may be the highest ceiling OT in the class.
18. Det=Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame (6-5, 249, 4.70) best trait-route running, worst trait-speed. Comp=Jason Witten. Basically, a higher upside version of Hockenson that is on a rookie deal. I felt the Hock trade was always more about money than usage. Mayer also gives them a target with size to go with Jameson and Amon-Ra.
19. TB=Darnell Washington TE Georgia (6-7, 264, 4.64) best trait-blocking, worst trait-route running. Comp=Marcedes Lewis. This is way higher than I'd take him, but I'd be surprised at this point if he wasn't a 1st rounder. TB really missed that weapon in the middle of the field and also really needs run blocking help, so in theory this solves 2 problems.
20. Sea=Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa (6-5, 272, 4.58) best trait-bend, worst trait-technique. Comp=Justin Smith. A year after spending 2 of their top picks upgrading the OL, Seattle turns around and does so with their DL. Van Ness is the highest ceiling DE in my opinion, but why wasn't he a full-time player at Iowa? Worth a risk here for sure in my eyes.
21. LAC=Brian Branch S Alabama (6-0, 190, 4.58) best trait-awareness, worst trait-size. Comp=Minkah Fitzpatrick. A slot/S hybrid, I think his future is at S. Derwin James needs a tag partner on the back end, and Branch is as NFL ready as it gets.
22. Bal=Nolan Smith DE Georgia (6-2, 238, 4.39) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=Baron Browning. The Ravens love their athletic freaks at DE. Smith is tough to judge as despite his size, Georgia used him more as a run defender than pass rusher, so he could be a bit raw.
23. Min=Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State (6-1, 196, N/A) best trait-route running, worst trait-speed. Comp=Amon-Ra St. Brown. A perfect fit as a compliment to JJ. I think he could fall a bit just because all his tape is from 2021, and WRs in general seem a bit of a pick your poison this year.
24. Jac=Joe Tippmann C Wisconsin (6-6, 313, N/A) best trait-size, worst trait-strength. Comp=Josh Myers. Another late riser in my opinion. Jags OL is really the only hole on that offense right now.
25. NYG=Joey Porter CB Penn State (6-2, 193, 4.46) best trait-size, worst trait-speed. Comp=Carlton Davis. This is likely lower than most will have him, and its not a knock, I think CB drops off a lot after the top-2. Porter is a perfect fit for NY's man coverage scheme.
26. Dal=Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama (5-9, 199, 4.36) best trait-receiving, worst trait-power. Comp=Alvin Kamara. He's not as big as Kamara, but that's the role I envision for him. I think Dallas will covet that speed as they look to spread defenses out more this season after adding Cooks at WR. Pollard/Gibbs also are both great in the passing game, so even tougher to defend. Naysayers will point to Felix Jones in 2008 when they had MB3 already, but I think this will go better.
27. Buf=Zay Flowers WR Boston College (5-9, 182, 4.42) best trait-RAC, worst trait-size. Comp=TY Hilton. They need a legit #2 opposite Diggs, and high ankle sprain or not, I don't think Gabe Davis is it. Flowers also offers somebody to run under those deep balls for Josh Allen that he hasn't really had since year 1 with John Brown.
28. Cin=Luke Musgrave TE Oregon State (6-6, 253, 4.61) best trait-speed, worst trait-route running. Comp=Jared Cook. Yep, 4 1st round TEs. Musgrave adds a vertical seam element to the passing game that Burrow hasn't had yet, as the Bengals just keep adding weapons.
29. NO=Myles Murphy DE Clemson (6-5, 258, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-technique. Comp=Rashan Gary. Suddenly very thin on the DL, Murphy was the #2 DE prospect 3 months ago, but the bottom line is he never improved at Clemson, and while the tools are great, is he just what he is? At 29, well worth a look.
30. Phi=Trenton Simpson LB Clemson (6-2, 235, 4.43) best trait-speed, worst trait-awareness. Comp=Willie Gay. I know LB isn't typically where Howie goes early, but a Super Bowl team who lost both their top-2 LB's, maybe does something new.
31. KC=Will McDonald DE Iowa State (6-3, 239, N/A) best trait-quickness, worst trait-strength. Comp=Randy Gregory. Very high upside pass rusher who may be a little one dimensional. Chiefs will happily accept that at the end of round 1, as a Frank Clark replacement/upgrade.