1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, USC QB

Williams is walking into a better situation than any quarterback picked No. 1 overall I can remember. Flush with solid talent around him, the former USC signal-caller should propel the Bears to at least around .500 in 2024.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU QB

Unlike Williams, Daniels doesn’t land in a great spot, but at least he’ll have Terry McLaurin at his disposal. The former LSU product is a dynamic runner and good enough passer to create some excitement in Washington, but this is a risky selection.

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, North Carolina QB

With Bill Belichick out in New England, it makes sense for the Patriots to start fresh at the game’s most important position. Enter Maye, who certainly has the talent and profile to be worthy of this pick. I wouldn’t be surprised though if Maye sits for around half a season behind Jacoby Brissett.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State WR

It’s fitting that Harrison Jr. is heading to the Cardinals. The former Ohio State pass catcher displays shades of Larry Fitzgerald, A.J. Green, and DeAndre Hopkins — three former Arizona wideouts. Wide receiver is the Cardinals’ biggest need, and Harrison Jr. is the best player in the draft, making this a match made in heaven.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, Notre Dame OT

It was fairly predictable that Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh would choose to build the Chargers through the trenches. Given that philosophy, Alt is the best selection Los Angeles could’ve made here. The former Notre Dame blocker and Rashawn Slater can potentially give the Chargers the NFL’s best tackle duo.

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, LSU WR

Nabers isn’t entering a good situation for him to put up numbers, which will likely upset him, but this is a smart pick by the Giants. No quarterback on the board presented an obvious upgrade over Daniel Jones, so I can’t fault New York for selecting the explosive Nabers here.

7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, Alabama OT

Filling a need at tackle was likely on Ran Carthon’s to-do list for early in the draft, and Latham fits the bill. The former Alabama right tackle has a high floor, and should combine with Peter Skoronski to give Will Levis two young and capable blockers.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix, Washington QB

I’m starting to believe Terry Fontenot drinks during the draft. This marks four consecutive years the Falcons’ lead decision maker has made a questionable pick in the top 10, and this the worst of all. In fact, this is the worst selection I’ve seen in my 16 years closely following the draft. Atlanta just gave Kirk Cousins a four-year deal with $100 million guaranteed, so I don’t agree with the vision here.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, Washington WR

The Bears should be thrilled. Not only is Odunze good value at No. 9, but now Caleb Williams can grow with a highly-skilled wide receiver in Chicago, increasing his chances of success in the league. The Bears haven’t exactly had many explosive passing offenses in their history, but with Williams, Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Keenan Allen around, that could change soon.

10. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan QB

McCarthy isn’t a top-10 talent, but I get the thought process by the Vikings. If McCarthy pans out, Minnesota could have a great connection in the passing game between him and Justin Jefferson, and we’ve seen plenty of teams ride those to deep playoff runs. I don’t mind this pick.

11. New York Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State OT

Good on the Jets. Supporting Aaron Rodgers at the end of his career is paramount for New York, and landing a high-end pass protector is the best way to do so. Even if Fashanu sits for a bit, this move will bear fruit for the Jets (and Rodgers).

12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon QB

I get that if you love a quarterback, you take him. I get that there was a run on quarterbacks. Despite both of those things, it’s hard to like this decision. Denver passed on a bunch of talented defenders to take Nix, possibly a good fit in Sean Payton’s offense, but a second-round talent. I don’t see Payton’s tenure with the Broncos ending well.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, Georgia TE

The Raiders’ philosophy here: take the best player available. It’s hard to stomach taking a tight end in the top 10, but at No. 13? I understand it, especially if its a player like Bowers. The Raiders need to improve in a lot of areas, and selecting the former Georgia product shifts Las Vegas’ roster upward.

14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State OT

This pick is perfect. New Orleans badly needs offensive line help, and Fuaga would make any offensive line better.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, UCLA EDGE

I thought Latu might tumble due to his previous neck condition, so him being the first defensive player selected is a bit of a surprise. With that said, the former Bruin is a skilled pass rusher and fits the mold Indianapolis looks for at the position.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy, Texas DT

Murphy just feels like a Seahawk, doesn’t he? The defensive tackle is relentless up the middle, and should shine in new head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense.

17. Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Turner, Alabama EDGE

I’m a bit stunned to see Turner drop this far, so it’s smart of the Vikings to come up and get him, even if it’s Minnesota’s second trade up of the evening. Replacing Danielle Hunter? Check.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, Georgia OT

This isn’t the sexiest of picks, but Mims fits the Bengals well. Cincinnati already has two starting tackles, but sitting Mims for a while isn’t the worst idea in the world. The Bengals can unleash the former Bulldog once he’s ready — and that won’t take long, despite just eight college starts for Mims.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Florida State EDGE

This selection is fine. The Rams need help on defense, especially in wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement, and Verse will improve the team’s pass rush. Safe pick.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, Washington OT

Pittsburgh was probably giddy to see Fautanu still on the board for this pick, as he checks a box for both talent and need at No. 20. The Steelers might have to shift some bodies around on the offensive line, so the former Washington blocker’s versatility will come in handy.

21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, Penn State EDGE

Robinson is one of the riskiest picks of the first round, but if he reaches his ceiling, we’re potentially talking the next Jason Taylor in Miami. We all know how the draft works though — that probably won’t happen.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo CB

This is the steal of the first round. Mitchell is a special talent at the position and should thrive with the Eagles. Smart teams do smart things on draft night.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars, Brian Thomas, LSU WR

Jacksonville just signed Gabe Davis and already has Christian Kirk, but Trevor Lawrence needs more help. Thomas will make the Jaguars’ offense better, especially in the down-field passing game.

24. Detroit Lions, Terrion Arnold, Alabama CB

I wrongly disapproved of Detroit’s 2023 draft, but that isn’t the case this year. Arnold is great value at this spot, and the Lions did the right thing by jumping the Packers, who probably had eyes on the former Alabama defender. Brad Holmes knows how to build a team.

25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, Arizona OT

This happens often in the NFL Draft — a team gets sniped for a player and then proceeds to reach on its backup plan. Morgan should be a decent pro, but the Packers were likely scrambling after the Lions leaped over them for Arnold.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, Duke C

This selection fills a need for Tampa Bay, but also isn’t a reach. Good job by Jason Licht.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, Missouri EDGE

Arizona needs help against the run, so Robinson’s versatility and strength should help in that department. The former Tiger also offers ability as a pass rusher — an added bonus.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, Texas WR

Kansas City sure has a type at wide receiver. Despite signing Marquise Brown and having a few other fast, but diminutive receivers already on the team, the Chiefs clearly wanted Worthy here. It’s hard to doubt the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, but perhaps adding some size at wideout would’ve been a better idea.

29. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma OT

This player and team connection was common in mock drafts, so it’s no surprise to see it come to life. Guyton might take time to develop, but he can fill a hole on Dallas’ offensive line next to Tyler Smith.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, Clemson CB

Besides when drafting wide receivers, the Ravens are brilliant drafters. Wiggins carries some risk as a prospect, but Baltimore should be able to get the most out of his talents. The Bengals, Browns, and Steelers are probably sighing at this pick.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, Florida WR

Yikes — the first big reach since Penix and Nix, Pearsall is a fine receiver, but he’s on the older side for a draft prospect, so his upside could be a bit limited. Kyle Shanahan will probably get the most out of his ability, though.

32. Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, South Carolina WR

The Panthers are a dumb organization led by a bad owner. I thought the Pearsall pick was bad, but this is even worse. It’s fine to want to help Bryce Young, but there were several better wide receivers on the board. Legette will probably fail.