Part Two of this segment belongs to Silbs. Starting with a trade up to number one by the Colts to grab their next franchise QB. LFG!!
1.) Indianapolis Colts (trade with Chicago Bears) – Bryce Young, QB / Alabama
After a couple of years spent kicking the tires on two past their prime veterans, Indy moves up and snags their franchise QB. With a solid WR1 in Michael Pittman Jr., and a hopeful bounce back year from RB Jonathan Taylor, new Colts HC Shane Steichen adds the most NFL-ready QB in the draft to a roster that should have a chance in a very winnable AFC South.
2.) Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB / Ohio State
The Texans hold their ground at number 2 and get an elite QB prospect in Stroud. After leading OSU to the CFP, Stroud takes the reins of a Texans team in full rebuild mode. Solid pick but still a lot of work to do for Houston to not be picking in this same spot next season.
3.) Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson, EDGE / Alabama
Arizona ranked in the bottom 10 in the league with 36 sacks last season. With the sudden fall of Jalen Carter, the Cardinals take the best edge rusher in the draft to help bolster an underwhelming pass rush.
4.) Chicago Bears – Jalen Carter, DL / Georgia
The aforementioned Carter does not fall far but falls exactly where the Bears hoped he would after deciding to trade back from the top overall pick. If Carter faces no additional discipline from the charges stemming from the fatal accident that took the life of a teammate and coach, his ceiling is the highest of any defensive player in the draft and he will be the centerpiece of a Bears defense that failed produce at nearly every level.
5.) Seattle Seahawks – Will Levis, QB / Kentucky
Seattle uses its first pick of the Russell Wilson trade to draft the QB of the future. Levis has been criticized for his decision making and had a less than stellar year to end his college career. However, his arm strength and ability to make any throw on the field gives Seattle hope that the combination of Levis and Metcalf can be something special.
6.) Detroit Lions – Christian Gonzalez, CB / Oregon
Detroit has not gotten the production out of former first rounder Jeff Okudah that was expected and now has a glaring need at CB. Gonzalez has been on the rise on draft boards and has solidified himself as the top CB in the draft. Hopefully, he pans out better than Okudah has in the Motor City.
7.) Las Vegas Raiders – Tyree Wilson, EDGE / Texas Tech
The Raiders have holes at almost every position on the field. The need to address the QB position is put on hold in order to add stability to one of the worst defenses in the league. Wilson should make an immediate impact in a division that boasts two top ten quarterbacks and the ghost of Russell Wilson. This spot is also a solid candidate for a trade to acquire more picks but Josh McDaniels has proven that he is nothing like Bill Belichick, so forcing the pick seems more likely.
8.) Baltimore Ravens (trade with Atlanta Falcons) – Peter Skoronski, OT / Northwestern
The Ravens trade up to grab one of the top OL in the draft. Skoronski has the size and power to play tackle or to slide inside and be dominant in either role. Since Lamar Jackson appears to be as fragile as his followers on Twitter that lose their minds every time someone calls him a running back, strengthening the O-line may be a way to entice him to sign long term in Baltimore.
9.) Carolina Panthers – Anthony Richardson, QB / Florida
As the Panthers finally give up on trying to fill the shoes left by Cam Newton with top notch talent like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, they grab the most athletic QB in the draft in Richardson. While not at Newton’s level of passing ability, Richardson has the legs to carry the load, much like Cam did during his tenure. The situation is also a great one for Richardson, as the NFC South is the worst division in football with Tom Brady now headed into retirement, giving him the ability to ease his way into the starting role without any serious expectations.
10.) Philadelphia Eagles – Devon Witherspoon, CB / Illinois
The Super Bowl runner ups don’t have many holes to fill and the luxury of two first round picks. The Eagles defense has some big names potentially leaving in free agency. Drafting Witherspoon allows them to let James Bradberry walk, who could be looking at a contract with an AAV of close to $15 million. Philly gets a solid piece and maybe drafts a player that can cover Tik Tok legend Juju Smith-Schuster without blowing the Super Bowl.
One Bold Prediction: Rams trade Jalen Ramsey to get back into the first round. The trade isn't bold but the compensation is. But who is this desperate?
One Predictable Prediction: Pats trade down. Story as old as Bill Belichick's ball hair.
One Flaming Hot Take: Buffalo lands Bijan Robinson... by staying put at #27. My counterpart thinks he goes early. I say he slips deep like me into Paige Spiranac's DMs.
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