NFL

The NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

On April 23-25, 20 and 21-year-old boys’ childhood dreams come true, hearing their name called on draft night something they worked their whole life for. Draft night is also a big night for general managers and head coaches. The draft is where dynasties are made and how people keep their jobs. Here are predictions of who I see each team choosing in the first round.

1. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback 

With the first overall pick, it’s without a doubt in my mind the Raider are going to take Fernando Mendoza to be the future of the franchise. Over his two years at Indiana, he made the playoffs both times and, won the Heisman trophy, and lead Indiana to a historic national championship win. Stats: 3,535 Passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns which lead the nation and only had 6 interceptions.

2. NEW YORK JETS – Arvell Reese, Ohio State, Linebackers 

With the second overall pick, I have the Jets taking Arvell Reese. Last offseason the Jets lost a big piece of their defense after CJ Mosley retired and they need to rebuild there defense and I feel Reese has that skill set. Stats: 34 solo tackles, 6.5 Sacks

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL), Offensive Tackle 

The third pick I have the Cardinals taking Francis Mauigoa the Cardinals struggled with protecting the quarterback all year, and Mauigoa did great at that over his 4 years at Miami only allowing 8 sacks out of almost 1,500 snaps.

4. TENNESSEE TITANS- Jeremiah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back   

The fourth pick I have the Titans taking Jeremiah Love. Now I know the Titans have Tony Pollard but the talent of Love is too much to pass up Last year at Notre Dame Love was a Heisman finalist and, was top 10 in rushing yards and, top 3 in rushing touchdowns.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS- Sonny Styles, Ohio State, Linebacker 

With the 5th pick I have the Giants taking Sonny Styles. Styles while at Ohio State was good but his combine changed everything for styles and his draft stock. While standing at 6’5 244 pounds, Styles ran a 4.46 40 yard dash with a 43.5 inch vertical. Which was best for his height since 2003.

6. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Carnell Tate, Ohio State, Wide Receiver 

With the 6th overall pick I have the browns taking Carnell Tate, a wide receiver from Ohio State, and in my opinion the best wide receiver in the country. The Browns are in need of a number one receiver to help develop with, and around Shedeur Sanders who the Browns are hoping can be the face of the franchise. Last year at Ohio State Tate finished with 897 receiving yard and 9 touchdowns while having to share targets with Jeremiah Smith,and the best receiving core in the nation.

7. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS-  Rueben Baine, Miami (FL), Defensive End   

With the 7th pick I have the Washington Commanders taking Rueben Baine. Washington needs defensive help and, I know people are worried about Baine and, his arms but we all saw what he did at Miami and, i still feel he is the best edge rusher in the draft.

8. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Makai Lemon, Southern California, Wide Receiver  

With the 8th pick I have the New Orleans Saints taking Makai Lemon. The Saints receiving core besides Chris Olave is mid in my opinion. The Saints are trying to build around Tyler Shough there new quarterback. Lemon won the Biletnikoff award last year which goes to the best receiver in college football.

9. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Mansoor Delane, Louisiana State, Cornerback 

With the 9th pick I have the Kansas City Chiefs taking Mansoor Delane. After the Chiefs lost two big defensive backs, I think Delane is the best fit and, I think he can be the best defensive back out of the draft. Last year at LSU. Delane only allowed 13 catches for 147 yards and, 0 touchdowns along with 2 interceptions in 358 coverage snaps.

10. CINCINNATI BENGALS-Caleb Downs, Ohio State, Safety 

With the 10th pick I have the Cincinnati Bengals taking Caleb Downs. For the longest time, the Bengals have needed defensive help and I think Caleb Downs is a perfect fit. Last year in coverage Downs only allowed 21 passing yards and, had a PFF coverage grade of 88.5 to go along with two forced fumbles and, two interceptions.

11. MIAMI DOLPHINS-Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, Cornerback   

With the 11th pick, I have the Miami Dolphins taking Jermod McCoy. The Dolphins lost a lot of defensive backs as well so, McCoy is a big need. At Tennessee, McCoy played all 13 games and only allowed 25 catches for 296 receiving yards to go along with 4 interceptions.

12. DALLAS COWBOYS- David Bailey, Texas Tech, Defensive End 

With the 12th pick I have the Dallas Cowboys taking David Bailey. After the Parsons trade, the Cowboys need to address the defense and, specifically the pass rush. David Bailey is one of the top two pass rushers in the draft. Last year Bailey finished with 14.5 sacks and 32 solo tackles.

13. LOS ANGELES RAMS- Monroe Freeling, Georgia, Offensive Tackle   

With the 13th pick I have the Los Angeles Rams taking Monroe Freeling. Ever since the retiring of Andrew Whitworth, the Rams offensive line hasn’t really had that anchor and athleticism. I think Freeling will fit right into that Rams offensive line. Last year at Georgia, Freeling only allowed one sack and five pressures and, with Stafford aging he needs that kind of protection.

14. BALTIMORE RAVENS-Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, Wide Receiver  

With the 14th pick, I have the Baltimore Ravens taking Jordyn Tyson. Since Hollywood Brown left, the Ravens haven’t had a true number one receiver until they got Zay Flowers. However I think Lamar needs more help and I think have another receiver alongside Flowers can get Lamar back to his MVP form.

15. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Keldric Faulk, Auburn, Defensive End    

With the 15th pick, I have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking Keldric Faulk. Last year at Auburn, Faulk had a down year only having 2 sacks and 29 total tackles but Faulk was never in the action. Only 41% of run plays this year went to Faulk’s side, which is crazy considering he still had a pretty good season.

16. NEW YORK JETS- Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL), Defensive End    

With the 16th pick I have the New York Jets taking Akheem Mesidor. The Jets this season traded some big pieces to their defense and they are trying to rebuild and I think Mesidor is a perfect fit.

17. DETROIT LIONS- Spencer Fano, Utah, Offensive Tackle 

With the 17th pick I have the Detroit Lions taking Spencer Fano. After losing star tackle Dan Skipper to retirement, the Lions are looking to make their offensive line a little younger and, I think taking Fano would be perfect. Out of 1,047 snaps in college, Fano only allowed 3 sacks.

18. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Dillon Thienemann, Oregon, Safety  

With the 18th pick, I have the Minnesota Vikings taking Dillon Thienemann. With Harrison Smith getting old, Byron Murphy needs help and I think Dillon Thienemann is a perfect fit. Last year at Oregon, Thienemann only allowed 15 receptions in 346 coverage snaps and only had 7 total missed tackles.

19. CAROLINA PANTHERS-Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon, Tight End  

With the 19th pick, I have the Carolina Panthers taking Kenyon Sadiq. Last year the Panthers had an improbable season making the playoffs, but their offense is missing a big part a tight end. Last year at Oregon last year at Oregon Sadiq finished with 560 yards which might not seem good, but he was great on the goal line scoring 8 touchdowns.

20. DALLAS COWBOYS- Arvion Terrell, Clemson, Cornerback

With the 20th pick, I have the Dallas Cowboys taking Arvion Terrell. With the Cowboys losing Diggs, they want to move star corner Deron Bland back to the slot corner I think Terrell is the kind of player the Cowboys need. Last year at Clemson, in 653 total snaps he only allowed 29 receptions and only had 5 missed tackles. Terrell also lead all corners with 5 forced fumbles last year.

21. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Omar Cooper Jr, Indiana, Wide Receiver  

With the 21st pick, I have the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Omar Cooper Jr. In my opinion, I feel the Steelers are getting the steal of the draft. Cooper Jr. last year finished with 937 yards, 13 touchdowns which was tied for third in the nation. Not to mention he was the leading receiver on a national championship team that had the likes of Elijah Sarrett.

22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Olaivavega Ioana, Pennsylvania State, Offensive Guard  

With the 22nd pick I have the Chargers taking Olaivavega Ioana. Last year the chargers addressed a big need getting offensive tackle Joe Alt and, I feel the Chargers interior offensive line needs work so I have them taking Olaivavega Ioana. Last year at Penn State Ioana in 614 snaps he allowed zero sacks.

23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES-Kayden Proctor, Alabama, Offensive Tackle  

With the 23rd pick, I have the Philadelphia Eagles taking Kayden Proctor. With the aging of star tackle Lane Johnson, the Eagles need to address the issue and Proctor is the guy for that. Last year at Alabama, Proctor only allowed three sacks in 15 games.

24. CLEVELAND BROWN- Caleb Lomu, Utah, Offensive Tackle 

With the 24th pick I have the Cleveland Browns taking Caleb Lomu. The Browns built their defense now they are switching over to offense to help build around Shedeur Sanders and, I think the offensive line is a big issue. Over Lomu’s two years at Utah, he only allowed 2 sacks.

25. CHICAGO BEARS-Peter Woods, Clemson, Defensive Tackle  

With the 25th pick I have the Chicago Bears taking Peter Woods. Woods while at Clemson he didn’t really get a lot of sacks but, that’s because his job was primarily to fill gaps and Woods got double teamed a lot by offensive lineman. Woods still managed to get 9 solo tackles and 2 sacks.

26. BUFFALO BILLS- Zion Young , Missouri , Defensive End

With the 26th pick, I have the Buffalo Bills taking Zion Young. As of last year, the Bills have struggled getting to the quarterback and getting sacks and young fits that mold perfectly. Last year at Missouri, Young had 22 solo tackles to go along with 6.5 sack and a forced fumble. Young is also a big play maker including a game winning scoop and score against Oklahoma.

27. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Blake Miller, Clemson, Offensive Tackle   

With the 27th pick, I have the San Francisco 49ers taking Blake Miller. Besides Trent Williams, I think the 49ers’ offensive line needs some work. That is why I have them taking Blake Miller from Clemson, in 529 blocking snaps Miller only allowed two sacks.

28. HOUSTON TEXANS- Kayden Mcdonald, Ohio State, Defensive Tackle 

With the 28th pick, I have the Houston Texans taking Kayden Mcdonald. The Texans defense is great already but, they got crushed when other teams would run up the middle so McDonald is a big need. Last year at Ohio State McDonald finished with 6 sacks to go along with 2 forced fumbles.

29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, Defensive Tackle 

With the 29th pick, I have the Kansas City Chiefs taking Cashius Howell. The Chiefs offense is taken care of and, defense is a big need and I think Howell is a perfect fit for Steve Spagnuola. Last year at Texas A&M Howell finished with 20 solo tackles to go along with 11.5 sacks.

30. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Denzel Boston, Washington, Wide Receiver  

With the 30th pick, I have the Miami Dolphins taking Denzel Boston. After losing Tyreek Hill to free agency and, Jaylen waddle getting traded the dolphins need a wide receiver and I think Boston would fit perfectly with Malik Willis. Last year at Washington, Boston was one of the most underrated receivers in the nation finishing with 881 yards and 11 touchdowns.

31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M, Wide Receiver 

With the 31st pick, I have the New England Patriots taking Kevin Concepcion. Last year the Patriots number 1 receiver was Kateon Boutte who is a number two receiver. Last year at Texas A&M Concepcion had 919 yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games for the Aggies.

32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- Colton Hood, Tennessee, Cornerback  

With the 32nd pick, I have the Seattle Seahawks taking Colton Hood. After losing Riq Woolen to the Eagles in free agency, the Seahawks are looking to fill that hole at corner and I feel Colton Hood is a great pick. Last year in 451 snaps in coverage Hood only allowed 28 receptions to go along with an interception. Hood also only had 4 missed tackles last year.