With the Super Bowl this weekend the NFL draft order has almost been decided. The NFL Draft is one of the most important nights of the year for struggling teams. One smart pick can change a franchise’s future, while one bad decision can set a team back for years. With the draft coming up, here are my predictions for how the top picks could play out.
This year the Las Vegas Raiders have the first pick in the draft after a 3 – 14 season. The Raiders’ biggest need at the end of this season is at quarterback. After a disappointing season this year with 35 year-old Geno Smith it may be time to look elsewhere for the future. At the number 1 overall pick I see the Raiders selecting Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana. The Heisman Award winner and National Champion has clearly proven himself to be the best quarterback in college football ranking 1st in passing touchdowns, passer efficiency, and QBR (quarterback rating).
This year’s second pick belongs to the lamentable New York Jets, also with a 3 – 14 record. This year the Jets had the same problem as the Raiders and their biggest need is also at quarterback, but other than Fernando Mendoza there are no other quarterbacks in this draft class worth the number 2 pick. The second biggest hole on the Jets is their defense which ranked in the bottom half of every major defensive stat including turnovers and points allowed. After trading away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner this season the Jets need a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. At the number 2 overall pick I predict the Jets select Arvell Reese out of Ohio State. The off-ball linebacker from Ohio State racked up 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 TFLs (tackles for loss).
This year the Cardinals have the third pick after a pathetic 3 – 14 season. The Cardinals’ biggest need this year is at offensive line. Even with one of the best running backs in the league, Bijan Robinson, the Cardinals still finished 25th in rushing yards per game which shows the hole that this unit is to the team. At the number 3 overall pick I have the Cardinals selecting Francis Mauigoa out of Miami. The right tackle earned AP All-American first-team honors and won the ACC’s Jacobs blocking trophy becoming an elite run-game blocker, something the Falcons desperately need right now.
This year’s fourth pick belongs to the Titans with a 3 – 14 record. The Titans’ biggest need after the end of this season is at edge rusher, where they need someone to pair with Jeffery Simmons. While the Titans’ interior defensive line is a bright spot on their team with Jeffery Simmons ranked eighth in the league, the edge performance could be better with the Titans’ number 1 edge rusher ranked 40th in the league. At the number 4 overall pick I believe the Titans will select Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami. The elite run defender ranked first in overall PFF grade and total pressures.
This year the New York Giants have the fifth pick after a 4 – 13 season. The Giants’ biggest need this season is at wide receiver especially if Wan’Dale Robinson leaves during free agency. The Giants have already found their quarterback for years to come in Jaxon Dart, and they have done a good job of surrounding him with weapons like Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, but I think the Giants could benefit from picking a wide receiver 2 for Jaxon Dart. At the number 5 overall pick I like the Giants selecting Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State. The 6’2, 200-lb wide receiver ranks highly in yards per route run, yards after catch, and touchdowns.
No matter how the draft turns out, every pick gives teams a fresh start. Some selections will live up to the hype, while others will surprise fans in unexpected ways. That unpredictability is what makes the NFL Draft one of the most exciting events of the season.
