Football season is over. Draft season is now underway, and fans can look forward to welcoming in the players who will change their franchise (in other words, this is the part of the calendar year when Giants and Jets fans begin building senses of optimism that will be squashed by Week 8).

• The Titans select Cameron Ward, QB, Miami

The Will Levis era is over. With Brian Callahan staying and a new General Manager coming in, the Titans will want to use this pick on a franchise QB. Cam Ward may be more volatile than Shedeur Sanders, but the upside reportedly has gotten Titans’ executives enamored with the former Washington State star.

• The Browns select Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Browns desperately want to end the Deshaun Watson era, but can’t due to his contract. But they can still try to find his successor. Sheduer Sanders’ excellent poise, which is especially prevalent in late-game scenarios and under pressure, could turn Cleveland back into a respectable team.

• The Giants select Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

So the Giants’ Week 17 win took them out of the quarterback sweepstakes. But they have now won the Travis Hunter sweepstakes. Due to the positional value of quarterbacks, the two-way star and Heisman winner will likely fall. But should he fall to New York, he can quickly become the key piece of the roster that can help Brian Daboll keep his job.  Hunter was elite on both sides of the ball; that flexibility is highly valuable.

• The Patriots select Will Johnson, CB, Michigan 

With veteran Jonathan Jones set to hit free agency, the Patriots need to hand star cornerback Christian Gonzalez a partner for the future. Will Johnson has been one of the nation’s best cornerbacks when healthy. His anticipation skills are top-notch and could result in the Patriots’ pass defense becoming a formidable unit very quickly.

• The Jaguars select Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Minus Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, the Jaguars’ pass rush was quite underwhelming in 2024. Particularly, the interior pass rush was almost non-existent. Mason Graham will change that. Graham is an athletic but menacing pass rusher who showed up in big games for Michigan. He will improve not only the pass rush but also the run defending, which was also a massive letdown for the Jaguars.

• The Raiders select Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

After the Raiders offloaded Davante Adams, both Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers both stepped up in his absence. But Las Vegas no longer has a true number-one receiver. Tetairoa McMillan boasts the ideal combination of size and athleticism to play the role Adams played. He is both a mismatch and an after-the-catch monster who will elevate the Raiders’ anemic offense.

• The Jets select Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State 

The Jets are set to lose several key pieces of their defense in free agency, especially in the pass rush. By adding the explosive Abdul Carter, New York can maintain the pass rush threat that has become a signature part of their identity. If the Jets want to turn around their franchise at last, they need a defensive end like Carter.

• The Panthers select Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Carolina gave up over 3,000 rushing yards in 2024, making their run defense the worst in the league by far. Derrick Brown’s injury did not help. What can help is the versatile and athletic Mykel Williams, who possesses all the ideal traits to become a world-beating defensive lineman and can help the Panthers’ run defense get much-needed improvements.

• The Saints select Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Will Campbell is a local legend in Louisiana. The 2024 Consensus All-American left tackle has held down the fort as an LSU starter for three years. He may have to kick inside to guard due to lacking the ideal arm length for offensive tackles, but Campbell has managed to overcome this disadvantage during his college career and could be a very solid starter and/or replacement for injury-prone Ryan Ramczyk.

• The Bears select Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Caleb Williams took more sacks than any other quarterback in the league in 2024. He needs protection in order to succeed. Kelvin Banks, the other Consensus All-American tackle from the SEC, is by far the best pass protector in the class. He and fellow SEC alum Darnell Wright will make a formidable tackle duo in Chicago.

• The 49ers select Cam Williams, OT, Texas 

Opposite Banks was Cam Williams, a one-year starter at Texas who has eye-popping size and strength. The 49ers have taken chances on offensive linemen like Williams before (Dominick Puni has been a hit so far). With Trent Williams getting older and Colton McKivitz not being the most viable starter, Williams has a chance to blossom into a bookend tackle for the 49ers’ future.

• The Cowboys select Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Cowboys have one of the shallowest running back rooms in the league. Rico Dowdle is, at best, a complementary third-down back. Ashton Jeanty can carry the load. Jeanty carried Boise State to the College Football Playoff and set several school records. He is impossible to tackle and he can be the running back Ezekiel Elliott was early in his career.

• The Dolphins select Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Tyreek Hill might be out of Miami this offseason; defenses were able to neutralize Hill and fellow speedster Jaylen Waddle this season. If the Dolphins are to return to reliance explosive plays, they need someone who can threaten underneath. Luther Burden was one of the best slot wideouts in college football last season, and he is dangerous as a ball carrier.

• The Colts select Malaki Starks, SF, Georgia

The Colts secondary needs a lot of help. GM Chris Ballard has relied largely on drafting super athletic players. Starks fits that mold and brings tons of starting experience stemming from his freshman year at Georgia. Starks is both a strong run defender and ball hawk in the passing game, something the Colts need on their defense if they want to be in the playoffs.

• The Falcons select James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee

The Falcons had one of the most anemic pass rush units in the NFL despite having Matt Judon. They simply need more up front to help their secondary. James Pearce is a lightweight, explosive defender who will add much-needed juice to their front seven. His speed is a good complement to Judon’s more power-oriented pass-rushing.

• The Cardinals select Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The Cardinals’ pass rush was vastly improved but also relied on a strong bunch of rotational linemen. Jalon Walker is a versatile defender who can both drop into coverage and rush the passer. He will instantly add a lot of flexibility for Jonathan Gannon, a defensive-minded coach who has his franchise on a definite upward trajectory.

• The Bengals select Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Without DJ Reader, the Bengals’ defense took a major step back, causing Cincinnati to miss the playoffs despite having one of the league’s best offenses. Having that monster in the middle will turn the Bengals back into a juggernaut. Kenneth Grant is a massive human being who will eat up space within the interior offensive line and help make the Bengals’ defensive line even stronger.

• The Seahawks select Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Let’s assume Seattle invests in guards in free agency. They can now look at adding more weapons to their offense. Tyler Warren is an intriguing option here. Not only is Warren a highly reliable receiving weapon, but being in a run-heavy offense, has a willingness to run block. Seattle is a good place for him to refine his run blocking and become a star.

• The Broncos select Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
  The Broncos already have some offensive weapons, but they can add many more. This is especially true for tight ends. Colston Loveland is a top-tier receiving weapon. He can be a vertical threat and take the pressure off other pass catchers like Courtland Sutton.

• The Buccaneers select Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Tampa Bay offense is top-notch. Their defense is the complete opposite because the supporting cast up front for Vita Vea is lacking. Nic Scourton has great power and inside-outside flexibility that will allow Todd Bowles to mix up his defense and get them producing sacks again.

• The Steelers select Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

Despite an ACL tear this year, Shavon Revel is still regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the class. The Steelers have many corners set to hit free agency, most of whom play on the outside of the defense (they have their slot of the future in Beanie Bishop). Revel has outside cornerback size and ball skills and will give Joey Porter Jr a lot of help.

• The Chargers select Shemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M

The Chargers are set to lose Khalil Mack, but Tuli Tuipulotu offers a very nice succession plan. It is the interior that needs help. Shemar Stewart offers great athleticism, juice, and positional versatility that could help the defensive tackle room become a dangerous group for Jim Harbaugh. Stewart is young, but his potential is sky-high.

• The Packers select Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss 

Kenny Clark’s down year may signal a need for change at defensive tackle for Green Bay. Walter Nolen can fix that. The former 5-star recruit is not only an astute run defender but an astute pass rusher who can beat offensive linemen with his amazing agility and strength.

• The Vikings select Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

The Vikings don’t go 14-3 without their secondary (which is about to be decimated in free agency) producing turnovers. With Stephon Gilmore and Byron Murphy set to walk, Minnesota must turn to guys like Benjamin Morrison, a proven ball hawk at Notre Dame, to keep up the good work on defense and maintain their status as one of the NFL’s best teams.

• The Texans select Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

The Texans’ offensive line was among the worst in football this year, especially on the interior. A high-floor guy will help fix the problem quickly. Tyler Booker meets those standards and then some. Booker will, in fact, elevate this team’s run game to the next level.

• The Rams select Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Compared to the year prior, the Rams defense took a step back in 2024 due to a lack of secondary depth. Whilst the current starters aren’t bad, they are not like Jahdae Barron, a versatile chess piece who can play corner and safety and offers greater athleticism than some of the current crop.

• The Ravens select Aireontae Eresery, OT, Minnesota

The Ravens may be set for a massive overhaul at the offensive line and could lose Ronnie Stanley in free agency. Should that happen, Aireontae Ersery is the ideal replacement. Ersery is a stellar run blocker who will pave the way for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the ground.

• The Lions select Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Jack Sawyer just screams “Lions”. He is a passionate, feisty individual on the field who plays with relentless effort and polished technique. Depth and injuries got the better of Detroit this year. Jack Sawyer can add a lot to the pass rush across from Aidan Hutchinson.

• The Commanders select Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Commanders will want to load up at receiver this offseason. If not through free agency, GM Adam Peters will want to use this pick to give Jayden Daniels another weapon. Egbuka is a run-after-catch beast who can add more dynamism to an already juiced offense.

• The Bills select Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Bills pride themselves on interior defensive line depth. Derrick Harmon will offer another level of pass rush juice to a unit that relies on Ed Oliver (who is no sack machine), an aging Von Miller, and Greg Rousseau, an impending free agent after 2025.

• The Eagles select Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

Philly can’t have too much explosiveness and speed on offense. By taking Isaiah Bond, the Eagles are taking a chance on someone with high upside and high-end athletic traits. While he did underperform in 2024, Bond still has amazing speed and reliable hands that the Eagles will covet in a third wide receiver.

• The Chiefs select Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Like Bond, Deone Walker also underperformed in 2024, but he still showed flashes of what he can do. Alongside Chris Jones, Walker can thrive as a space eater who can clog any inside running holes and make the Kansas City defense that much more formidable.