School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)

Simply phenomenal 2019 season. The ability to make tremendous second- and third-reaction plays sends an Ohio kid back home.

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

The medical checks are all coming back
overwhelmingly positive. His throwing and playmaking ability may convince new
Redskins head coach Ron Rivera to pass on Ohio State pass rusher
Chase Young.

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

It’s decision time for the
Lions, similar to Cleveland’s situation two years ago (
Bradley Chubb vs. Denzel Ward) — pass rusher (Young) or cover guy (Jeff Okudah)? The pass rusher wins this time.

School: Louisville | Year: Junior

There will be a lot of sentiment to take Clemson’s do-everything defender
Isaiah Simmons here, and that would be a terrific selection. But after drafting QB
Daniel Jones last year, protecting him is a priority.

School: Utah State | Year: Junior (RS)

The
Dolphins have put in overtime in scouting this year’s QB crop — and next year’s, too. But Miami makes this pick with conviction. FitzMagic will make an excellent tutor.

School: Auburn | Year: Senior

The
Panthers will — and
should — consider a quarterback or local favorite
Isaiah Simmons here, but with a defensive front that needs to get younger, the best DT in the draft is hard to pass on.

School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)

As talented as Simmons is, going at No. 9 will feel like a slide. But the
Jaguars will be grateful to grab this multi-faceted playmaker.

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

While he played right tackle at Alabama, his abilities project that he’ll play left tackle for the
Browns. Talent meets need in a big way here.

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

The
Jets have a huge need for corners, and the run on offensive tackles before they’re on the clock makes this choice simpler. Plus, who expected the best corner in the draft to last this long?

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

This youngster makes tough catches and finds the end zone, which is exactly what the
Raiders need as they begin their Vegas era. Showtime!

School: Oregon | Year: Senior

While Herbert may be disappointed about not going earlier, he will benefit from going to a team that has an excellent QB tutor in head coach Frank Reich. Plus, he will get an opportunity to compete for the job right away with incumbent
Jacoby Brissett.

School: South Carolina | Year: Senior

Plenty of offseason discussion about the Bucs’ quarterback situation, but they still need playmakers on defense.

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Now that
Drew Lock is entrenched as Denver’s QB1, the “best route runner in the draft” (you will hear this often long before Draft Day) helps out the young passer and takes pressure off current WR1
Courtland Sutton.

School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)

The LSU product is a heady, high-energy playmaker with exceptional leadership skills. He does a nice job rushing the passer, too.

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

I know he ran
slower than expected at the combine, clocking a 4.63-second 40-yard dash (I expect him to run in the 4.5s at
his pro day). He plays very fast on tape, though. He’s rangy, has good cover ability and will lower the boom on runners and receivers.

School: Florida | Year: Junior

Henderson is fearless and tremendous in man coverage. He’s also another upgrade for a team that needs help everywhere.

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

Looking for that leader on defense, the
Raiders will see Murray as a player who will have a huge impact on their D right away.

School: Alabama | Year: Senior

Jacksonville acquired this pick from the
Rams in the
Jalen Ramsey deal last season, and the Jags replace that cornerback with a receiver-turned-cover guy in Diggs.

School: LSU | Year: Junior

His faster-than-expected 40 time at the combine (4.43 seconds) opened eyes, and
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson will be eager to draw up plays for him from the slot and outside. And that cheering you hear in the background is from QB
Carson Wentz.

School: Clemson | Year: Junior

The
Bills have selected Clemson receivers in the first round before (Perry Tuttle, Sammy Watkins), and they go back to the well again for a wideout who gives QB
Josh Allen the big target he needs, both downfield and in the red zone.

School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)

Baun played inside linebacker and rushed the passer at Wisconsin. His abilities remind me of current
Patriots starter
Dont’a Hightower, and Baun can be utilized exactly the same way.

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

If there is one thing the
Saints‘ offense needs, it’s a consistent outside threat to take pressure off All-Pro receiver
Michael Thomas. Ruggs’ exceptional speed (
4.27 40 at the combine) will scare all defenses and create space for other weapons in New Orleans’ arsenal.

School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)

Blacklock is exactly the type of active D-lineman that head coach Mike Zimmer covets, and he would immediately supplement what
Linval Joseph and
Shamar Stephen provide. Taking a cornerback would be a consideration here, too.

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

The draft’s top running back lands in Miami, and his talents are desperately needed. Last year,
Dolphins running backs combined for just 824 yards, a robust 300 fewer than any other team.
Kalen Ballage, who started six games in 2019, averaged 1.8 yards per carry (not a misprint).

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

With free agent
Jadeveon Clowney‘s future still TBD, the ‘Hawks look to upgrade a pass rush that logged just 28 sacks last season (tied for second fewest in the league).

School: LSU | Year: Junior

Queen is just what this unpredictable, aggressive, confounding (to offenses) defense needs — more speed, versatility and striking ability.

School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)

If starting RT
Jack Conklin departs in free agency, the
Titans could plug this riser in his spot right away. He has length and moves well in the run and pass game.

School: Colorado | Year: Junior

Plug in his game tape, and you’ll see a fast, strong playmaker who can be used in a variety of ways in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. I see him being used similarly to how San Francisco unleashed
Deebo Samuel last season.

School: LSU | Year: Junior

With starting safety
Jimmie Ward heading for free agency, the
49ers opt for this rangy playmaker who won the Jim Thorpe award last season, an honor given to the top defensive back in the college game.

School: Wisconsin | Year: Junior

This spot could easily be filled by a corner (LSU’s
Kristian Fulton?). Remember,
Chiefs RB1
Damien Williams, who could have been the
Super Bowl MVP, was an undrafted free agent. But in this scenario, Kansas City can’t pass on Taylor, who ran a very impressive 4.39 40 at the combine. He showed he can handle the full run game at 226 pounds and would fit K.C.’s offense well.