The NFL Draft is just over two weeks away, as crazy as that sounds. The uncertainty at the quarterback position has caused chaos when trying to analyze what’s to come. Two weeks ago, Cam Ward-Shedeur Sanders seemed like the most obvious 1-2 pick. Now, there’s talk of a Sanders slide.
This is our fourth crack at predicting the first 10 selections. It’s also our first that doesn’t have Sanders in the first five picks.
No. 1: Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami
It’s pretty crazy how this evolved over the last few weeks. A trade from No. 3 to No. 1 for the Giants seemed a foregone conclusion at the NFL Combine. That was until the Titans fell in love with Ward and now want him for themselves. That meaningless Week 17 victory over the Colts looms large for New York. Had only John Mara told Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll they were safe before that game, they could have approached it like they did the Eagles game in Week 18. Then, Ward would be theirs. Instead, he goes to the Titans.
No. 2: Cleveland Browns - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
The Browns could go a couple directions here, but pairing Carter with Myles Garrett is too tantalizing to pass up. The Browns have to face Joe Burrow (Bengals) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens) twice a year. They might have to see Aaron Rodgers, too, if he ever agrees to play for the Steelers. The best way to mitigate top-tier quarterbacks is to knock them down. Carter and Garrett give the Browns the potential for the best edge-rushing duo in the NFL.
No. 3: Giants - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
There are still some around the NFL who believe the Giants are going to draft Sanders here. It would make sense. The seats under Schoen and Daboll are scorching hot. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston aren’t saving anyone’s jobs. Their best hope is to start Wilson and hope they look respectable with him before eventually he turns things over to a rookie who flashes. That might justify Mara bringing Schoen and Daboll back for a fifth year.
The way Schoen spoke at the NFL’s annual meeting has me questioning all of that, though. He made it clear: The Giants will not draft a quarterback if they don’t believe in that quarterback. It seemed like he was explaining in advance why the Giants aren’t going to pick Sanders, at least at No. 3. Hunter is right up there with Carter as the top two players in this class. The Giants will likely start him at corner and then give him a handful of plays each week at receiver.
No. 4: New England Patriots - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Most considered McMillan the top receiver in this year’s class during the college season. He’s fallen out of favor with some, though, as NFL sources question his speed. To me, that seems a case of over analyzing. The Patriots did sign Stefon Diggs, but they still need a long-term No. 1 for Drake Maye. McMillan can be that.
No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars - DL Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jaguars already have Josh Hines-Allen, Arik Armstead and Travon Walker. Adding Graham to the mix could be deadly. He’s an elite-level three technique who’s just as good rushing the passer as he is against the run. He might be the most polished and can’t-miss player in this class.
