Which top-tier prospects can elevate their teams to chase the next Lombardi in 26?
As the Super Bowl has just concluded, the full draft order has finally been set, with every team surprisingly still having their first round pick as of right now. With that in mind, it's time to project my first first round with trades, seeing which prospects could end up being drafted higher or lower than their consensus ranking indicates.
1.01: Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Titans need a QB, but new GM Mike Borgonzi has stated that they won't pass on blue-chip guys at other positions. With better signal-callers on the way in 2026, Tennessee elects to take the game-changing EDGE in Carter, who can be the piece their defense is built around for the next decade.
Trade: NYG sends 1.03, 3.65, 2026 5th to CLE for 1.02, 4.103
1.02: New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
With plenty of interest in the Browns' first with all the QBs still on the board, the Giants send an offer in to lock up their guy. The Daniel Jones era is finally over in the Big Apple. and the foundation, with WR Malik Nabers and LT Andrew Thomas in the building, is ready to support Ward's growth from Day 1.
1.03: Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Instead of trading down once again to recoup even more picks, the Browns stay put in order not to miss out on Graham. Regardless of if top DE Myles Garrett does get shipped out, Graham has the highest floor of the class and has everything it takes to be a perennial Pro Bowl candidate in the future.
1.04: New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Even with Travis Hunter still on the board, the top priority has to be an offensive weapon here to be QB Drake Maye's long-term. New HC Mike Vrabel knows how to turn the Patriots' leaky defense around, but McMillan has the size and massive catch radius to revitalize their offense for a long time to come.
1.05: Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
No matter who Jacksonville's new GM ends up being, they can start their career with a bang, landing the Heisman trophy winner in the Buffaloes' two-way star. The Jags had the league's worst secondary last season, but that situation is soon to change with the ultra-sticky Hunter in the fold.
1.06: Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Las Vegas is another team that desperately needs a new QB, so new head coach Pete Caroll and minority owner Tom Brady will surely be considering all available options. Sanders lacks elite size or arm talent, but he is one of the most accurate passers in the class, and already knows how to handle the pressure coming with being the face of an NFL franchise.
1.07: New York Jets: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
With both their starting OTs set to hit free agency, Gang Green could use another mauler up front to pair with 2024 1st rounder Olu Fashanu. It looks like QB Aaron Rodgers is out for good in New York, but whoever is suiting up under center in 2025 will have their protection set with this pick.
Trade: IND sends 1.14, 2.45 CAR sends 1.8, 5.147
1.08: Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
GM Chris Ballard gets bold here, with his job potentially on the line for the future. The Colts need to address TE as well, but adding a Patrick-Surtain type lock down defender should finally fix their perpetually weak secondary.
1.09: New Orleans Saints: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
My Saints address the trenches again in Round 1, adding Scourton to form a strong tandem with veteran Carl Granderson. Scourton seems like a player NFL scouts will be higher on than consensus, as a very well-rounded player with high potential upside.
1.10: Chicago Bears: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Bears offensive line might have been the worst in football last season, so expect them to invest multiple picks there this year. If Simmons' medicals check out, he might end up the best tackle from this draft class, and he could kick inside too if necessary.
1.11: San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
After taking a big swing in free agency in 2023 with DT Javon Hargrave, the 49ers are releasing him after a disappointing two seasons. Nolen is the clear DT2 of the class for me, and his presence will only amplify DE Nick Bosa's impact on the field.
1.12: Dallas Cowboys: Jalon Walker, DE/LB, Georgia
Many project a RB in this spot for the Cowboys, but there have been some rumors about Micah Parsons' role on the team next season. Walker doesn't have quite the athleticism that Parsons did, but he will fir right in with him as a natural defensive playmaker, allowing Jerry Jones to still find a RB later in the draft.
1.13: Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Dolphins get a steal here, as Campbell falls due to questions about his future position in the league. His hands may be short, but he has the IQ and movement skills to play most positions on the OL in my opinion, making him a godsend for the struggling Miami line.
1.14: Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
The Panthers pick up an extra 2nd round pick and still land a player they were considering at pick 8 in Williams. His production was nothing to write home about this year, but he played injured at times and has the size and athleticism that NFL teams covet.
1.15: Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Atlanta FINALLY lands a pass rusher after years of skipping, getting Pearce Jr. to round out their D-line. He is an impressive pass-rusher, allowing him to contribute immediately while working on his run defense.
1.16: Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
While the Cardinals were much improved last season, they still struggled a lot getting after the quarterback. Grant isn't an amazing pass-rusher by any means, but is an amazing athlete whose presence will open up everyone else around him.
Trade: CIN sends 1.17 GB sends 1.23, 3.87
1.17: Green Bay Packers, Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Packers trade up here to land a player who seemed a top 10 lock before his unfortunate injury. With Jaire Alexander already present to cover one side of the field, Morrison will be set up perfectly to use his natural ball-hawking skills to nab plenty of INTs for their defense.
1.18: Seattle Seahawks: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
HC Mike Macdonald has stated that Geno Smith is their quarterback, but it still makes sense to find a potential future QB if Smith does end up regressing due to his age. Ewers has all the tools in the world, and if he can fine-tune his accuracy a la Jordan Love of the Packers, Seattle could have a potential star on their hands down the line.
1.19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
After trading away CB Carlton Davis to Detroit last year, Tampa's secondary has had its share of struggles. They land one of the most versatile CBs in the draft here, as Barron seems to always be in the right place on defense.
1.20: Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Even after Saquon Barkley's resurgence last season, teams are perhaps a little lower on RB talent than they should be, and the wealth of talent in this class doesn't help. HC Sean Payton landed his franchise QB last year in Bo Nix, and now he gets his Alvin Kamara-type workhorse, who could be a perennial All-Pro in the future.
Trade: PIT sends 1.21 LAR sends 1.26, 3.90, 6.192
1.21: Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The run on offensive playmakers finally begins, as the Rams jump ahead of their fellow LA team in the Chargers to land Warren. They had tried to trade up for stud TE Brock Bowers in last years' draft, so this year they get another player in Warren who can be a true weapon with his versatility.
1.22: Los Angeles Chargers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
In this scenario, HC Jim Harbaugh lands a TE option in free agency, freeing the team up to go in any direction in the draft. With his speed and deep-threat upside, Golden is a hand-made weapon for QB Justin Herbert alongside standout Ladd McConkey.
1.23: Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
The Bengals' offense will be as good as ever just off the partnership QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase have formed, but the defense is a different story. Enter Stewart, whose generational size and versatility should improve Cincinnati's pass rush in a big way.
1.24: Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The Vikings are in a good state overall following a magical 14-3 season, but an underrated need is LG, where Dalton Risner is a FA. Donovan Jackson has been a stalwart at both guard and tackle for the national champion Buckeyes, helping him fit right in on COTY Kevin O'Connell's offense.
1.25: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Texans had one of the best WR rooms in football last year, but with both Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs succumbing to brutal injuries, the group is in flux once more. QB C.J Stroud was one of many throwing to Egbuka back in college, so they should have a great connection instantly in the NFL.
1.26: Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Steelers could potentially need a QB here, but I think they will give one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields a short-term shot at the full-time starting job. Whoever is under center will need weapons to throw to, and Burden could form a cool duo with incumbent George Pickens.
1.27: Baltimore Ravens: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
One of the best drafting teams in the NFL, the Ravens again have a great player fall to them at a position of need. LT Ronnie Stanley is a free agent, and Membou has the versatility to plug in almost anywhere in front of MVP-caliber QB Lamar Jackson.
Trade: CLE sends 2.33, 3.94 DET sends 1.28
1.28: Cleveland Browns: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Browns jump up into the back end of the 1st round, not for a QB but to rebuild their roster for the long haul after the failed Deshaun Watson experiment. Nick Chubb has just suffered too many injuries to regain his former level, and Judkins can be a 3-down back who won't have to go far from Columbus to join the NFL.
1.29: Washington Commanders: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
I think Starks will have a bit of a fall come draft day, but there will be a very happy team when they get the chance to select him. Jeremy Chinn is a free agent, and Starks has the freaky athleticism to be a Pro Bowler in the future.
Trade: NYG sends 2.34, 4.104 BUF sends 1.30
1.30: New York Giants: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Another trade-up here, with the Giants getting their franchise QB and now adding some protection up front. Evan Neal hasn't lived up to his draft-billing at all, so Conerly here will be the next best thing, playing at RT to bolster New York's questionable pass protection.
1.31: Kansas City Chiefs, Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Regardless of whether legend Travis Kelce retires following this season, more weapons will never hurt for Kansas City. Loveland fell a bit, but he ends up in a great situation with the perennial Super Bowl contenders.
1.32: Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Birds, as they normally do, will bolster their already great trenches with this pick. Harmon, with his uncanny ability to create pressure, while thrive while fellow first rounders Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith take most of the heat off him.
Teams who traded down:
2.33: Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
Detroit needs a running mate for star Aidan Hutchinson desperately here, and they find a great guy in Ezeiruaku. He had 16.5 sacks last season with the Eagles, and he will have plenty of one-on-one opportunities while Hutchinson draws plenty of double teams.
2.34: Buffalo Bills: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
After trading back, GM Brandon Beane lands one of the craziest athletic profiles in the draft. At a gargantuan 6'7 and 340 lbs, Walker will act as a wall in the middle of Buffalo's defense, allowing their other playmakers to shine.
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