Thor Nystrom

The Raiders entered free agency with the most effective cap space in the NFL ($95.6 million), and they aggressively used that war chest to set the table for Mendoza’s arrival.

The Jets are amid a major offseason remodel of the EDGE position—trading out Jermaine Johnson and signing Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai in free agency—and this pick would be the exclamation point of that pursuit.

The Cardinals sure appear to be eyeing the 2027 quarterback class from a distance. And, with that in mind, the organization invests in infrastructure with the selection of Mauigoa—a ballyhooed five-star recruit who lived up to the billing and then some with the Miami Hurricanes.

The Titans, on the other end of that Jermaine Johnson trade, still need help not only at EDGE, but a level back at off-ball LB as well.

With the re-signing of RT Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract and the free agent signing of six-time Pro Bowl FB Pat Ricard, the Giants’ run-first new administration is setting the groundwork for a shift in offensive philosophy.

Cleveland shops local, tabbing Tate from nearby Columbus. The Browns simply cannot enter training camp with a starting WR trio of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond.

The Commanders have needed a two-way EDGE for years now, so they’re going to particularly appreciate Bain’s game.

Outside of Chris Olave, the Saints’ receiving corps is a wasteland. Saints HC Kellen Moore and OC Doug Nussmeier each have historically featured slot receivers, and they’d be getting a premier one here with Lemon.

With the signing of RB Kenneth Walker, the Chiefs probably feel good enough about the offensive side of the ball to use this pick to help shore up a secondary that recently lost CB Trent McDuffie (traded to the Rams—more on that below) and CB Jaylen Watson and S Bryan Cook (to the Rams and Bengals, respectively, in free agency).

One of the best pure football players in this class, Downs still seems destined for a small drop in the draft due to non-elite measurables, an in-the-box game and medical questions.

The Dolphins’ new HC (Jeff Hafley) and GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan) both came from Green Bay, and the duo’s first major splash was securing ex-Packers QB Malik Willis. This pick would be a safe investment in infrastructure, a Green Bay staple.

This would be a surprising “fall” for Styles based on current projections, but the NFL once again in free agency signaled its lack of respect for the LB position when the top players on the board— LBs Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean.

When this offseason began, the Rams had a far bigger need at CB, but they’ve soundly addressed that with the acquisitions of former-Chiefs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. So the Rams, in a hyper-win-now window with another year of QB Matthew Stafford, elect to add another reliable aerial weapon in Cooper to team with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

The Ravens like to use multiple tight ends, and they now have only one that is playable on the roster following TE Isaiah Likely’s free agency defection to the Giants.

Following CB Jamel Dean’s defection to the Steelers, the Bucs’ projected starting boundary CB duo is Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison with Jacob Parrish at nickel, and very little behind that trio.

The Jets began this exercise by taking Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Without pressure to contend next year, the Jets can use the pick to swing on upside.

The Lions have a major tackle need following the release of RT Taylor Decker.

S Harrison Smith’s impending retirement opens up a big hole for the Vikings

In a bit of a pickle at offensive tackle at the moment, and in need of offensive line help in general, the Panthers grab the Utah product.

After taking Ohio State LB Sonny Styles above with their own first-round selection, Dallas uses the pick acquired from the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade to add more help to the defensive side of the ball, a unit that buckled without Parsons’ help in 2025.

McNeil-Warren is a stretched-out box safety with range. He has star potential, and his skill set perfectly compliments Ramsey’s.

The Mekhi Becton signing didn’t work out, but the Chargers could fill the hole in the starting lineup created by his release by selecting a prospect with similar elephantine dimensions in Proctor.

More legitimate help is needed, and, if the Eagles don’t ultimately make a splashy trade for an edge defender, that’ll likely come via an early pick in April.

As opposed to reaching for QB Ty Simpson, in this slot, Cleveland should keep its eyes on the 2027 quarterback class while continuing to build up its supporting cast.

The Bears reunite Boston with WR Rome Odunze, his former teammate with the Washington Huskies. Boston is a play-now prospect who would step right in to DJ Moore’s vacated spot in the lineup.

Faulk’s stock understandably slipped following a lackluster 2025 season. But he’d be good value here, and he plays the brand of edge defense that the Bills have typically prioritizes.

Even after signing WR Mike Evans, the 49ers still could still use an upgrade in the slot.

Houston has a long-standing offensive line problem.

Woods is having a terrible draft process, but he may end up as DL1 by default following Florida DT Caleb Banks’ broken foot at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Surprise! The Broncos are starving for help at inside linebacker, and Rodriguez has done enough in the pre-draft process—including a 9.5 RAS—to open up this kind of possibility.

Patriots starting RT Morgan Moses, 35, is nearing the end, and New England’s offensive line depth, generally speaking, is shoddy at the moment.

After losing the aforementioned CB Riq Woolen in free agency, the Seahawks are precariously thin at cornerback.