star defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike<\/a> after re-signing Travis Jones and John Jenkins. Woods didn\u2019t meet high expectations in 2025, but he has the talent to be a standout pass rusher and run defender in the middle of the defense.<\/p>\n15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon<\/p>\n
With wide receiver Mike Evans\u2019 future uncertain and tight end Cade Otton hitting free agency, there might be an opening for another pass catcher to complement Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka. Sadiq has the makeup to be a game-changing player if he can reach his full potential.<\/p>\n
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama<\/p>\n
The Jets and coach Aaron Glenn need to keep taking chances at quarterback until they find one. While Simpson didn\u2019t hold up well under pressure in college, he showed flashes of brilliance and has the pedigree of a former five-star prospect.<\/p>\n
17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/p>\n
Left tackle Taylor Decker isn\u2019t getting any younger, and the interior of the offensive line wasn\u2019t very impressive in 2025. The Lions might plan ahead with Lomu, who could be molded into the tackle of the future while competing immediately at guard.<\/p>\n
18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n
It always feels like the Vikings always need cornerback help, but that just means they still haven\u2019t found a keeper yet. Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons star A.J., is a highly competitive player with a nose for the ball.<\/p>\n
19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State<\/p>\n
The Panthers showed progress in pushing the Rams to the brink in the wild-card round, but the defense must improve for the franchise to take the next step. McDonald and Derrick Brown would be an intimidating duo to deal with at the point of attack.<\/p>\n
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n
OK, let\u2019s finally give Jerry Jones another first-round running back. Even if Javonte Williams re-signs, there\u2019s a strong case to be made that Love\u2019s big-play ability is exactly what Dallas\u2019 offense needs.<\/p>\n
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina<\/p>\n
The Steelers are entering a new era without Mike Tomlin, but defense should remain a focal point for the next coach. Pittsburgh needs another young building block in the secondary alongside cornerback Joey Porter Jr.<\/p>\n
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State<\/p>\n
This pairing just makes too much sense. The Chargers\u2019 inability to protect Justin Herbert in the wild-card round highlighted the importance of reinforcing the offensive line, particularly the interior. \u201cVega\u201d could step in immediately at guard next to star tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater.<\/p>\n
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT\/G, Alabama<\/p>\n
A 6-foot-7, 360-pound lineman who needs some refinement? Sounds like an Eagles pick. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has made a living on building up prospects like Proctor, who can take over at guard if Tyler Steen struggles or Landon Dickerson has more injury trouble.<\/p>\n
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia<\/p>\n
The offensive line is a major concern for whoever becomes the next Browns coach, as all five starters are entering the open market. Freeling has the potential to be a long-term fixture at left tackle.<\/p>\n
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida<\/p>\n
The Bears\u2019 defense was one of the worst in the league against the run this past season. The 6-6, 335-pound Banks is a big interior presence who has flashed some pass-rushing upside.<\/p>\n
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington<\/p>\n
Although new president Brandon Beane is still in charge, the Bills can\u2019t ignore their shortcomings at wide receiver any longer. Boston is a big target (6-4, 210 pounds) who can run smooth routes and win contested catches.<\/p>\n
27. San Francisco 49ers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC<\/p>\n
With Brandon Aiyuk unlikely to play another snap in San Francisco, 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall struggling to stay healthy, Jauan Jennings entering free agency and tight George Kittle out for months with a torn Achilles tendon, the 49ers simply need someone to throw the ball to. Lemon works best as a slot receiver with his speed and reliable hands.<\/p>\n
28. Houston Texans: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia<\/p>\n
The Texans have the league\u2019s best defensive end pairing in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., but there\u2019s room for improvement along the interior. Miller is a stout run defender who can keep offenses honest while Hunter and Anderson wreak havoc.<\/p>\n
29. Los Angeles Rams: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n
Rams safety Kam Curl enters free agency after making the game-changing interception against Caleb Williams in overtime of the divisional round. Adding a cornerback and a rangy deep safety like McNeil-Warren would help keep Los Angeles\u2019 championship window open if Matthew Stafford returns.<\/p>\n
30. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M<\/p>\n
Harold Landry III and K\u2019Lavon Chaisson helped take New England back to the AFC championship game, but the Patriots could use a young pass rusher. Howell is undersized relative to NFL edge defenders, but his traits and production are worth betting on.<\/p>\n
31. Denver Broncos: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n
Linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are entering free agency and Dre Greenlaw isn\u2019t a safe bet to play a full season given his injury history. Otherwise, there aren\u2019t a lot of weaknesses on the Broncos\u2019 roster. Allen is a sure tackler and reliable presence in the middle of the defense.<\/p>\n
32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon<\/p>\n
Seattle\u2019s 2024 first-round pick Grey Zabel looks like a long-term starter at guard, but there\u2019s room for improvement on the interior. Pregnon posted elite pass-blocking numbers for the Ducks and would help further solidify the protection in front of Sam Darnold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The college football season is over. Now it\u2019s time for the NFL draft. Here are early projections for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":693513,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[339,7,929,251,6,15,9],"class_list":{"0":"post-693512","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl-draft","8":"tag-college-sports","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-latest-headlines","11":"tag-miami-dolphins","12":"tag-nfl","13":"tag-nfl-draft","14":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115932683627361599","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/693512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=693512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/693512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/693513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=693512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=693512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=693512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}