The NFL draft is almost here, we are one day away, and the excitement is at an all-time high as fans across the country desperately search for new sports to watch and keep track of from their homes.
Rumors are floating all over the internet and social media about which teams will trade up, which will trade down, and which players will be taken where. Inside the two-week window we are told not to listen to the reports coming out of each front office as they try to leverage the media to get out the messages, they want other teams to hear. But we often cannot help ourselves.
In this with-trade edition of the NFL draft I have worked to separate what news is most likely to be a misdirect and which stories have legs.
- Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
Burrow remains the clear pick at number one, he has done nothing but build stock over the past 12 months and appears to be the hometown hero that the Bengals are ready to go all in for. They have placed a franchise tag on AJ Green, dodged the free agent quarterback frenzy and signed good, expensive free agents to compliment Burrow as he enters the league.
- Washington Redskins
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
Young is the top defensive prospect on most boards, but not mine (keep reading to find out,) he is a near lock to become a franchise pass-rusher. The Redskins have flirted with taking a quarterback to replace the young Dwayne Haskins or trading the pick, but it is unlikely they act on either of those rumors.
- TRADE: Miami Dolphins from Detroit Lions
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
TRADE: Dolphins receive pick #3 for picks #5 and #26
The Detroit Lions have left no doubt that they want to trade out of the third spot and gain picks, the Dolphins have also left no question that they would like to move up, making this an easy fit. The Dolphins have been linked to offensive linemen, Justin Herbert and Tagovailoa but I still feel that he is the clear number one option.
- New York Giants
Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa
It appears that most of the teams can agree on Wirfs as the number one option at offensive tackle and if the Giants are unable to complete a trade that is the most likely place that they will look. Once the Dolphins trade up to use the third pick, most teams will not have an interest in using the fourth, leaving the Giants in a tough spot.
- TRADE: Detroit Lions from Miami Dolphins
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
TRADE: Lions receive picks #5 and #26 for pick #3
The Lions will view the original trade as a win already if Okudah is left on the board for them at five. He is the player they would most likely take at three if they were unable to get a deal done and can now add picks to their arsenal throughout the draft.
- Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Chargers struck out in the Tom Brady sweepstakes and have made it clear that they have no intentions to sign another veteran quarterback to a short-term deal. Herbert has been the biggest riser throughout the draft process, and it will ultimately come down to the Chargers preference, settling the bet made between Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay on whether Herbert of Jordan Love would be taken first.
- Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
Simmons is my top available player in the draft, but it appears that he will now slip back to a team that needs a linebacker. His versatility makes him an instant impact player who will make an impact all over the field. He can play snaps anywhere on the field defensively outside of the Nose Guard spot.
- TRADE: Denver Broncos from Arizona Cardinals
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
TRADE: Broncos receive pick #8 for picks #15 and #46
There has been a lot of talk recently about who the top wide receiver available is, and where they will be taken. If the Broncos want a chance to take one of the top three receivers, they will have to move up. I still have Jeudy at the top of my board, with Henry Ruggs III and Ceedee Lamb just behind.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Jedrick Wills Jr. | OL | Alabama
Wills Jr. is one of the top tackles available and has the unique skillset of a natural right tackle with experience as a blindside blocker. He has some of the best analytics of any linemen in the draft and will help the Jaguars at a position of need.
- TRADE: Philadelphia Eagles from Cleveland Browns
Ceedee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
TRADE: Eagles receive pick #10 for picks #21 and #53
If the Browns are able to complete a trade for Trent Williams, they will be able to replenish the assets they give up by moving down in the first round and allowing a team to come up to get another receiver. Lamb is an elite talent and is in the discussion as one of the best available.
- New York Jets
Andrew Thomas | OL | Georgia
- Las Vegas Raiders
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
- TRADE: New Orleans Saints from San Francisco 49ers (via Colts)
Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
TRADE: Saints receive picks #13 for #24 and future 2nd Round pick
- Miami Dolphins from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
TRADE: Dolphins receive pick #14 for picks #18 and #70
- TRADE: Arizona Cardinals from Denver Broncos
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
TRADE: Cardinals receive picks #15 and #46 for pick #8
- Atlanta Falcons
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
- Dallas Cowboys
Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan
- TRADE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Miami Dolphins (via Steelers)
Josh Jones | OL | Houston
TRADE: Buccaneers receive picks #18 and #70 for pick #14
- Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears)
Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson
- Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)
Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
- TRADE: Cleveland Browns from Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
TRADE: Browns receive picks #21 and #53 for pick #10
- Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
- New England Patriots
Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
- TRADE: San Francisco 49ers from New Orleans Saints
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
TRADE: 49ers receive picks #24 and #88 for pick #13
- Minnesota Vikings
Mekhi Becton | OL | Louisville
- TRADE: Detroit Lions from Miami Dolphins (via Texans)
Grant Delpit | S | LSU
TRADE: Lions receive picks #5 and #26 for #3 pick
- TRADE: Indianapolis Colts from Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
TRADE: Colts receive pick #27 for pick #34 and future 5th round pick
- Baltimore Ravens
Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
- TRADE: Kansas City Chiefs from Tennessee Titans
D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia
TRADE: Chiefs receive pick #29 for pick #32 and future 5th round pick
- Green Bay Packers
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
- TRADE: Houston Texans from San Francisco 49ers
Zack Baun | LB | Wisconsin
TRADE: Texans receive pick #31 for picks #40 and future 5th round pick
- TRADE: Tennessee Titans from Kansas City Chiefs
Ross Blacklock | DL | TCU
TRADE: Titans receive picks #32 and future 5th round pick for pick #29