After months of mock drafts and mind-numbing hypothesis, the NFL Draft is upon us.
The primary spherical is Thursday (8 p.m. ET on NFL Community, ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes), adopted by rounds 2 and three on Friday (7 p.m. ET on NFL Community, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The draft will conclude with the ultimate 4 rounds on Saturday (midday ET on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, NFL Community).
Forward of the primary choose in Inexperienced Bay, Yardbarker NFL writers determine the most effective guess within the first spherical for every AFC workforce. (First-round draft place is in parentheses.)
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (30) | DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan | A participant with Grant’s upside and athleticism would match the Payments completely, particularly as a result of defensive deal with Larry Ogunjobi, a free-agent signee, obtained a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug coverage. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound nostril deal with placed on a present at Michigan’s professional day with a 5.11 40-yard sprint, a 31-inch vertical and an 8-foot-9-inch broad soar. He’d be counted on closely if the workforce fails to re-sign veteran tackles Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (13) | OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas | Defending Tua Tagovailoa ought to be the highest precedence after their 27-year-old QB missed six video games with head and hip accidents final season. Banks earned unanimous All-American honors in 2024 and gained the Lombardi Award as faculty soccer’s finest offensive lineman. At 6-foot-5 and 315 kilos, he’d carry much more measurement to a line that added 6-foot-7, 331-pound lineman Patrick Paul within the second spherical of final yr’s draft.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4) | OT Will Campbell, LSU | Typically thought of the most effective offensive lineman within the draft, the 6-foot-6, 323-pound deal with gave up simply two sacks in 994 pass-blocking snaps over the previous two seasons and completed 2024 as a first-team All-American. Pro Football Focus ranks Campbell as the most effective deal with within the draft, calling him an “offensive lineman’s offensive lineman.” Whereas there’s been loads of speak about his arm size (33 inches at his pro day), he shouldn’t have any downside defending second-year QB Drake Maye from both guard or deal with.
NEW YORK JETS (7) | RT Armand Membou, Missouri | After spending the previous 4 years with Detroit, new head coach Aaron Glenn understands the significance of offensive linemen and gained’t be bothered that the Jets took left deal with Olumuyiwa Fashanu within the first spherical of final yr’s draft. Likewise, a one-year, $1.3M contract for proper deal with Chukwuma Okorafor shouldn’t deter the workforce from including Membou, a flexible, 6-foot-3, 325-pound prospect who didn’t permit a sack on 411 pass-blocking snaps in 2024. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (20) | RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina | Denver should discover one other RB to enhance its floor sport, which completed sixteenth within the league in speeding yards (112.2) final season. It might be a wise transfer to take a strong again in Hampton (6-foot, 221 kilos), who rushed for 1,660 yards on 281 carries in 12 video games final season.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (31) | Offensive deal with Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon | With this choose, the Chiefs ought to substitute guard/deal with Joe Thuney after trading the two-time first-team All-Professional to the Chicago Bears in March. Conerly (6-foot-5, 311 kilos) allowed one sack in 14 video games in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6) | RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State | Groups have lately averted taking RBs with first-round picks, however that shouldn’t cease Vegas from deciding on Jeanty (5-foot-9, 211 kilos) with choose No. 6. Jeanty rushed for two,601 yards in 14 video games final season and would give Vegas’ Thirty second-ranked speeding assault (79.8 YPG) a serious enhance.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (22) | TE Colston Loveland, Michigan | Chargers QB Justin Herbert clearly wants extra firepower after averaging a career-low 227.6 passing yards per sport in 17 regular-season begins in 2024. Loveland (6-foot-6, 248 kilos) had 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 landing catches in three seasons with the Wolverines and ought to be accessible for the Chargers at this spot. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (27) | Security Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina | The Ravens want a operating mate within the again finish for Kyle Hamilton, and so they haven’t any downside focusing on defensive backs early within the draft. Baltimore will love the power of Emmanwori (6-foot-3, 220 kilos) to play close to the road of scrimmage and make performs within the backfield.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (17) | EDGE Mike Inexperienced, Marshall | The Bengals can be smart to seize one of many high pass-rushers within the draft, with Sam Hubbard retiring and Trey Hendrickson nonetheless looking for a commerce. Inexperienced (6-foot-3, 251 kilos) led faculty soccer in sacks (17) final season, so he’s able to contribute to a workforce that wants extra manufacturing from the D-line.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (2) | CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado | The Browns want blue-chip expertise on each side of the ball, so Hunter (6-foot-0, 188 kilos) can be the best first-round choose as essentially the most dynamic athlete on this class. Hunter will enhance two place teams directly and inject pleasure right into a fan base that desperately wants it.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (21) | QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado | Rumors and experiences point out some groups have proven curiosity in buying and selling up in entrance of Pittsburgh to snag Sanders (6-foot-1, 212 kilos). If the Steelers get their subsequent franchise QB with out having to maneuver up within the first spherical, it could be an A+ night time for them. — Jack Dougherty
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (25) | Guard Tyler Booker, Alabama | The Texans want a left deal with after they traded Laremy Tunsil, however they’ve additionally parted methods with beginning guards Kenyon Inexperienced and Shaq Mason. With the entire high tackles doubtlessly off the board by the twenty fifth choose, Booker (6-foot-5, 321 kilos), who confronted elite defensive position competitors within the SEC, is the best choice.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14) | TE Tyler Warren, Penn State | The Colts haven’t had an excellent receiving risk at tight finish in years, an issue Warren (6-foot-5, 256 kilos) may resolve. Warren, who had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight landing catches final season, often makes contested catches and fights for additional yardage, which might make him the proper security valve for QBs Daniel Jones and/or Anthony Richardson.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5) | DL Mason Graham, Michigan | An argument may be made that the Jaguars ought to commerce again, and so they may be tempted to take Jeanty at this spot. However they need to hold it easy by going with Graham (6-foot-3, 296 kilos), the most effective inside defensive lineman within the draft and a participant who will deal with a obvious want. Graham has maybe the most effective motor within the draft and an elite mixture of measurement and quickness.
TENNESSEE TITANS (1) | QB Cam Ward, Miami | Typically the obvious alternative within the draft seems to be the most effective one, and the Titans are hoping that would be the case after they choose Ward with the primary total choose. Ward (6-foot-2, 219 kilos) threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with the Hurricanes final season. He’s seen by many as the one certain factor at QB on this yr’s draft, and Tennessee desperately must get that place proper. — Steve DelVecchio
