Final Round One Draft Day Predictions
Draft time is just hours away. Time for speculation has been and we’re getting closer to finding out what is going to happen.
Making predictions for each team makes draft day even more exciting, as you wait and see how close you can get to reality. Let’s get straight into it…
Arizona Cardinals will not only trade down from the 3rd overall pick, but will also trade WR DeAndre Hopkins and S Budda Baker as well
Yeah, we can already see a trading frenzy going on with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are in a full blown rebuild and need draft picks for the future. I expect them to not only trade down in a QB rich class, but do more. Both Budda Baker and DeAndre Hopkins also are going to be on the move, being traded during the first round.
Atlanta Falcons will take the first offensive lineman in the draft
They have been heavily linked to OT/G Peter Skoronski over the past month and they could use another guard on this offensive line. The more protection that a QB has the better and it could work for either Taylor Heinicke or Desmond Ridder.
Baltimore Ravens will not only select a wide receiver in the 1st round, but they will trade up to get one.
After signing him to a new mega-deal, the Ravens have to surround Jackson with more receivers. Yes they got Odell Beckham Jr to a deal, but he is likely rusty after sitting out last season due to tearing his ACL. They have Bateman, but they need one more piece on that receiver core.
Buffalo Bills will go defense with their first round selection and take the 1st Linebacker in the draft
The Bills lost Tremaine Edmunds in free agency and have failed to replace him this offseason. The Bills have to find his replacement in the draft and they have high odds to take the first linebacker in the draft.
Carolina Panthers will select QB Bryce Young with the 1st Overall Pick
This is the most obvious prediction that almost every fan has made and it looks to be locked up.
Chicago Bears will trade down from the 9th Overall Pick unless DT Jalen Carter or OT Parris Johnson is available
I think the Bears will do their best to try and get Parris Johnson as he is from Ohio State and they played with each other. Worse for worse if Jalen Carter is on the board, then they take him and make Carter the face of their defensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals will trade out of the 2023 NFL Draft first round
The Bengals don’t have a lot of major needs. I can see the Bengals opting to trade down get more picks and bolster the team.
Cleveland Browns will stay silent
The Browns don’t have a 1st or 2nd round pick and it is a long shot that they will be involved on Day One of the draft.
I predict that the Dallas Cowboys will select the first Tight End with there 1st Round pick
No joke, I could not think of who the Cowboys TE was when they got rid of Dalton Schultz. I doubt they would feel comfortable with Jace Fergerson as their starting tight end, so the Cowboys go Tight End on the draft.
Denver Broncos will stay silent during the 1st round of the draft
Same as the Cleveland Browns, Denver does not have a 1st or 2nd round of the draft. I doubt they will trade back into the 1st round of the draft and that is probably for the best.
Detroit Lions target skill positions
I predict that the Detroit Lions will draft a cornerback with the sixth Overall pick and a wide receiver at 18th overall.
Green Bay Packers will take either a WR or TE with their 1st Round Pick.
Excluding WR Christian Watson, name me a consistently solid receiver on the Packers right now? Exactly, you can’t. That likely changes with having the 13th overall pick and taking the best receiving option available either WR or TE.
Houston Texans will select DE/EDGE WIll Anderson 2nd Overall
With what the Texans tweet below and speculation from others, it looks like Anderson will be going to the Texans second overall.
Indianapolis Colts will select CJ Stroud with there 4th overall pick
This pick is going to be a quarterback and it is three choices. Either CJ Stroud, Will Levis, Or Anthony Richardson. I think that Stroud and Levis are better overall prospects then Richardson is and Stroud is the better thrower, so I have the Colts play it safe and draft Stroud.
Jacksonville Jaguars will take a offensive tackle with their first round pick
Especially now that Cam Robinson is facing a suspension and loosing Jawaan Taylor in free agency, the Jags would be wise to keep protecting Trevor Lawrence.
Kansas City Chiefs will take an offensive tackle with their first round pick
The Chiefs need to find a replacement for Orlando Brown Jr which is a tremendous loss on offense. They replaced Andrew Wyile with Jawaan Taylor, now the Cheifs find the replacement for Brown.
Las Vegas Raiders will take WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
A lot of people are projecting Anthony Richardson to be the Raiders pick as that would be a typical pick for them to make, but another pick they love to make is going after speedy players. I can see a scenario where they take Jaxon Smith-Njigba as an eventual replacement to Davante Adams.
Los Angeles Chargers will go defense with their first round pick.
All signs should point to the Chargers improving their offense to support Herbert, but I have no idea what the Chargers are even doing. Plus Brandon Staley is still here for some reason and I have a feeling he will want another defensive player to bolster the defense.
Los Angeles Rams will make another move to clear cap space during the first round of the draft.
Rams are having cap issues and while it got better trading Allen Robinson, I expect the first round of the draft will be where the Rams continuous focus will be to clear cap space via restructures or trading more players.
Minnesota Vikings will trade up in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Vikings have lately been rumored to want to trade up in the draft and I think they definitely do that in the draft to take the prospect they want.
New England Patriots will trade down twice in the first round.
Bill Belichick loves to trade down in the draft and I can really see him doing it to get more draft capital to help improve the team. I not only can see them trade down once, but a total of two times in this draft.
New Orleans Saints will reach with their first round pick
It is the usual move the Saints have made as they love to reach the first round. Especially when they acquired Trevor Penning last season and Peyton Turner in 2021. I think they will do it again taking a projected third round prospect in the first.
New York Giants will go offense and select another weapon
The Giants really don’t have a true number 1 receiver on this team and the team should keep surrounding Daniel Jones with as many receivers on this team.
New York Jets will take an offensive lineman with their first round pick
The Jets finally got Aaron Rodhers, now it is time to protect him by getting as many blockers as possible. Also Becton has been a big disappointment with him not being able to stay healthy.
Philadelphia Eagles will trade one of their first round picks for S Budda Baker
The team I feel is the most likely to trade the price the Cardinals want for Budda Baker is the Philadelphia Eagles. They do need a replacement for losing Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson. Yes I know the Eagles did sign Justin Evans and Terrell Edmonds, but both are not great options at safety. This is a win now team and the Eagles need a good safety to bolster the defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers will draft CB Joey Porter Jr. with there 1st Round Pick
I mean, it is the classical “Steelers Way” pick. Joey Porter’s father played with Mike Tomlin, was a part of his coaching staff, and the Porter family is close with the Steelers. Cornerback is a need with the Steelers as well.
San Francisco 49ers will not trade Trey Lance Day One of the NFL Draft
I could do the whole silent thing, but I really doubt that Lance will be traded on Day One. I feel it is more likely that a trade happens during either Day 2 or 3 of the NFL Draft. Also do they really want to trade Lance where Purdy may not be 100% healthy with his Elbow injury.
Seattle Seahawks trade down from the 20th overall pick and use the pick they acquire to draft OC John Michael Schmitz.
Seattle is another team that likes to go outside of the box with who they pick. Mostly by trading down first. I see them doing both trading down from the 20th Overall pick and taking center John Michael Schmitz as center is a big need for the Seahawks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select an offensive lineman with their first round pick
Like I said in my previous article, excluding Tristian Wirfs, the Buccaneers offensive line is a trainwreck. The best way to start a rebuild is fixing the offensive line and drafting one in the 1st round is a good idea.
Tennessee Titans will select offensive weapon for Malik Willis or Ryan Tannehill (WR or TE)
The Titans biggest regret last year’s NFL Draft was trading AJ Brown. Not only did it result in Jon Robinson losing his job as the GM, but this offense struggled a ton. If the Titans want Tannehill or Willis to succeed next season, then they have to surround both with targets to throw too either at wide receiver or tight end.
Washington Commanders will go defense with their first and use it at secondary (CB or S)
Washington had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season. If they don’t take a cornerback or safety in the 1st round then many including myself will be perplexed.
