After initially being considered a potential top-five selection, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock has taken a dive. Here’s how we see the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft in Green Bay shaking out and where the son of “Prime Time” Deion Sanders gets taken.
1. Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
This one has been set in stone for a while with the Titans looking to reboot with the draft’s top QB prospect.
2. Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Browns GM compared Hunter to Shohei Ohtani, which is about as high praise as you can get for a two-way star.
3. New York Giants
Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
Would’ve loved one of the top two picks to fall here, but the draft’s top pass-rusher is a great consolation prize.
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Has a few concerns about his arm length, but undoubtedly will improve the league’s worst-graded O line.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Draft intrigue really starts here if they grab Ashton Jeanty, but Graham is a potential stud at DT for a team that needs one.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Vegas had a black hole in the back field last season and Jeanty is the top RB prospect in several years.
7. New York Jets
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
A pass-catcher certainly is an option here, but there’s also a big hole at right tackle which Membou fills.
8. Carolina Panthers
Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
His great skills as both a pass-rusher and linebacker will be a big add for the NFL’s worst defence in Carolina.
9. New Orleans Saints
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Jaxson Dart is an option, but the Saints are more likely to trade further down into the first round to take him. Williams is a great addition to a needy squad.
10. Chicago Bears
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Could trade up for Jeanty, but Warren is the type of athlete that new coach Ben Johnson will love to scheme around.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Shermar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Latest reports on Wednesday say Niners are leaning toward the defensive line rather the offensive side of the trenches.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
An offensive weapon seems to be the consensus for the Cowboys and they may even trade up to get their man.
13. Miami Dolphins
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Reportedly are very high on Banks, but we’d also look out for a CB pick with Jalen Ramsey on the trade block.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Could move up for Warren, but Loveland also rates very highly and fills a huge hole in the Colts offence.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Mike Green, DE, Marshall
The Falcons haven’t had a stud pass-rusher in years and Green led the FBS in sacks last season.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Has an injury concern coming off a torn labrum in his shoulder, but reportedly will be ready for training camp.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
With top pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson’s future up in the air, the Bengals either need a replacement or a reinforcement.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State
After going from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold at QB, the Seahawks’ priority needs to be pass protection.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Draft’s top non-Hunter CB prospect has seen his stock fall quite a bit, but has potential to be a good NFL ballhawk.
20. Denver Broncos
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Omarion Hampton is an option if they go RB, but Golden arguably could be the best WR in the draft.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
This is a potential landing spot for Sanders, but will they pull the trigger? Instead, we think they opt to improve their aging defensive front.
22. L.A. Chargers
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
If you think that ex-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn’t be delighted to fill a hole on defence with this big Wolverine, you’re crazy.
23. Green Bay Packers
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Some analysts consider Barron a top-10 talent and CB would be a need should the Pack deal Jaire Alexander.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
A defensive back could be in play for the Vikes, but Minnesota beat writers say the team will invest in the trenches.
25. Houston Texans
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
After trading Laremy Tunsil, the Texans need to retool quickly on the offensive line to help CJ Stroud.
26. L.A. Rams
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Perhaps a surprise pick, but this would allow Sanders to learn the pro game behind Matt Stafford, who is nearing the end of his career.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Pairing a high-instinct and versatile player like Starks with Kyle Hamilton would be a thrilling safety tandem for the Ravens.
28. Detroit Lions
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a broken leg and his absence highlighted the Lions’ lack of depth in edge rushers.
29. Washington Commanders
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Versatile defender had some incredible scores at the combine and could fit into several roles on the Commanders.
30. Buffalo Bills
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Bills have made some moves at DE and CB, so adding a defensive tackle to the mix makes sense here.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Their offensive line was greatly exposed in the Super Bowl and they traded away former all-pro Joe Thuney.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
There will be plenty of teams looking to trade for this pick, but if they stay, the champs will reinforce their defensive line.
Other prospects to keep an eye on
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA