NFL Draft Round One

Cam Ward QB, MIAMI

OVR RK: 3 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-2 • WT: 219

Taking Ward at the top and passing on a generational talent like Travis Hunter is risky in my book. Ward is good, not great. They could have waited until next year to take their quarterback. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Travis Hunter ATH, COLO

OVR RK: 1 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-0 • WT: 188

This is the move the franchise had to make. Hunter is a star, the best player in this draft. Jacksonville had to be bold now and this is bold. It’s a great move. (Pete Prisco)

A+

Abdul Carter EDGE, PSU

OVR RK: 2 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-3 • WT: 250

They had to pass on quarterback to take the best pass rusher in the draft. When the Giants won Super Bowls, they rushed the passer. Carter adds to talent up front. They can wait on the quarterback. (Pete Prisco)

A

Will Campbell OT, LSU

OVR RK: 6 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-6 • WT: 319

I like Campbell, but I don’t know how good he will be at left tackle. I see him as a star guard. But I get the pick. When you have a young quarterback, you have to take somebody to protect his blindside. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Mason Graham DL, MICH

OVR RK: 4 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-3 • WT: 296

Cleveland has been looking to upgrade inside for a long time. Graham will help that. But I am not sure how dominant he can be because of his size. I like him. I don’t love him. (Pete Prisco)

C+

Ashton Jeanty RB, BOISE

OVR RK: 10 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 5-9 • WT: 211

The Raiders and Pete Carroll want to run the football, so they end up with the best back in the draft. Normally I hate back this high. But this kid is special, Nice pick. (Pete Prisco)

B+

Armand Membou OT, MIZZOU

OVR RK: 8 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-4 • WT: 332

The Jets had to get a tackle to play on the right side, and this kid fits the bill. I just think he’s a little raw and might take some time. The talent is there, but I preferred Kelvin Banks over Membou. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Tetairoa McMillan WR, ARIZ

OVR RK: 5 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-4 • WT: 219

I don’t love this pick. I know they need to get help for Bryce Young, but I thought Matthew Golden was a better option. They also have defensive needs. McMillan doesn’t run that well, which is always a concern. (Pete Prisco)

C

Kelvin Banks Jr. OT, TEXAS

OVR RK: 9 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 315

This is a good, sound pick for the Saints. Banks can play either side and I thought he was better than Membou who went in front of him to the Jets. The Saints offensive line needed help. Now they just have to figure out the quarterback position. (Pete Prisco)

B+

Colston Loveland TE, MICH

OVR RK: 12 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-6 • WT: 248

I love this pick for the Bears. He was my top tight end. He was the best pass catcher of the tight ends. He will fit perfectly into the Ben Johnson offense. (Pete Prisco)

A

Mykel Williams EDGE, UGA

OVR RK: 24 • POS RK: 4 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 260

They had to get pass rush help to go with Nick Bosa. Williams didn’t play as well in 2024 as he did in 2023, but the talent is there. He gives them a bookend to go with Bosa. (Pete Prisco)

B

Tyler Booker IOL, BAMA

OVR RK: 23 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 321

He is one of my favorite offensive linemen in this draft. He’s a mauler. He is a little limited in terms of athletic ability, but he works for the Cowboys as they try and get better up front. But why not receiver here? (Pete Prisco)

B-

Kenneth Grant DL, MICH

OVR RK: 36 • POS RK: 4 • HT: 6-4 • WT: 331

The Dolphins had to get an interior defensive lineman and Grant fits in perfectly. He is a big, power player who can line up next to Zach Sieler. I like this pick for a team desperate for defensive line help. (Pete Prisco)

B+

Tyler Warren TE, PSU

OVR RK: 30 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-6 • WT: 256

This makes sense. Warren is an all-around tight end. He can do a lot of things. The Colts needed an upgrade to make it easier on their quarterbacks. He is a good football player, but is he great at anything? (Pete Prisco)

B

Jalon Walker LB, UGA

OVR RK: 7 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-1 • WT: 243

This is great value in this spot for Walker. There were some injury concerns by teams about him, which might have made him slide. But I think he will upgrade a pass rush that needs it. Nice pick. (Pete Prisco)

B+

Walter Nolen DL, MISS

OVR RK: 15 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-4 • WT: 296

He is a good inside player who will team with Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson to give them upgrades inside on a line that needed it. Nolen has big-time ability, but he needs to be more consistent and dedicated to the craft. (Pete Prisco)

B

Shemar Stewart EDGE, TXAM

OVR RK: 32 • POS RK: 5 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 267

The Bengals needed edge help, but Stewart is raw and lacks football instincts. There wasn’t a lot of production to his game. The tape shows a player who needs to learn how to play football. But the talent is there. (Pete Prisco)

C

Grey Zabel IOL, NDAKST

OVR RK: 27 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-6 • WT: 312

He can play guard or tackle or center. The Seahawks were a disaster on the offensive line, so it works. Zabel showed well at the Senior Bowl, which helped elevate his draft stock, This works. (Pete Prisco)

B

Emeka Egbuka WR, OHIOST

OVR RK: 29 • POS RK: 4 • HT: 6-1 • WT: 202

With Mike Evans getting up in the years and Chris Godwin coming off injury, Egbuka is a solid pick. I love him as a player, and Jason Licht does a great job, but why not defense? Maybe the value was too much to pass up. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Jahdae Barron CB, TEXAS

OVR RK: 21 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 5-11 • WT: 194

He is a good defensive back who can do a lot of things. I think he will play inside on the next level, but he can play outside and he play safety if need be. He’s just a good football player, but is he a pure corner? (Pete Prisco)

B-

Derrick Harmon DL, OREG

OVR RK: 25 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 310

This pick makes a ton of sense since they need young players on their defensive line. Passing on a quarterback was the right move. The Steelers love big people early in the draft. It works. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Omarion Hampton RB, UNC

OVR RK: 38 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-0 • WT: 220

He is a big-time runner who will upgrade their running game. He has explosive ability, which they lacked last season. We know Jim Harbaugh wants to run the football. Hampton is a nice pick, even for a back in the first. (Pete Prisco)

B

Matthew Golden WR, TEXAS

OVR RK: 22 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 5-11 • WT: 191

I love this pick. The Packers have injury issues at receiver and Golden will help offset those concerns. He can fly. The Packers usually don’t pick receivers in the first, but Golden was too good to pass up. He was my second best receiver after Travis Hunter. (Pete Prisco)

A

Donovan Jackson IOL, OHIOST

OVR RK: 39 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 6-4 • WT: 315

Jackson is a good player who can play guard and tackle, but will be a guard for the Vikings. Minnesota needed to upgrade the interior of the offensive line and they will do it with Jackson. Teams loved his demeanor. I like the pick. (Pete Prisco)

B

Jaxson Dart QB, MISS

OVR RK: 50 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 6-2 • WT: 225

I know the Giants needed a quarterback, but I don’t love this move. Coach Brian Daboll was said to be the one pushing for Dart. Well, he got his guy. I just think I would have waited until later to get a quarterback, but desperation makes teams do crazy things when it comes to the quarterback position. (Pete Prisco)

C-

James Pearce Jr. EDGE, TENN

OVR RK: 20 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 245

He is a top-10 talent in this draft in my book, but off-field hurt his stock. I had the Falcons taking him earlier in my mock, but now they trade back in to get one of the best rushers in this draft. He can be a big-time steal. (Pete Prisco)

B+

Malaki Starks S, UGA

OVR RK: 18 • POS RK: 1 • HT: 6-1 • WT: 197

He’s a good player with a lot of range who will be a nice add on the back end of their defense. But why not an edge player? Then again, this is a tough team to argue about when it comes to drafting safeties. (Pete Prisco)

B

Tyleik Williams DL, OHIOST

OVR RK: 41 • POS RK: 5 • HT: 6-3 • WT: 334

They needed depth and more help on their defensive line and Williams is a player who scouts kept raving about throughout the process. He can push the pocket from inside, which they need. I might have gone edge here, but I get it. (Pete Prisco)

C+

Josh Conerly Jr. OT, OREG

OVR RK: 31 • POS RK: 5 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 311

He’s a player I thought would go in the first round and the Commanders need more help up front on their offensive line. They won’t be forced to rush him if he’s not ready, but he has the talent to develop into a quality player. Not flashy, but solid pick. (Pete Prisco)

B-

Maxwell Hairston CB, UK

OVR RK: 26 • POS RK: 3 • HT: 5-11 • WT: 183

I love this pick as much as any. He is my top corner not named Travis Hunter. The Bills need corner help and he is an aggressive corner who will help upgrade that position. He will be an immediate starter. (Pete Prisco)

A

Jihaad Campbell LB, BAMA

OVR RK: 13 • POS RK: 2 • HT: 6-3 • WT: 235

The Eagles have Nakobe Dean coming off an injury, so why not take a linebacker who can step in and help right away. If Dean isn’t ready, Campbell can start next to Zach Baun. Solid pick. (Pete Prisco)

B

Josh Simmons OT, OHIOST

OVR RK: 16 • POS RK: 4 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 317

He’s the best tackle in this class when healthy. The Chiefs won’t be forced to rush him back from a torn patella but he will be their left tackle of the future. I love this pick. (Pete Prisco)

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