17) Denver Broncos: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Broncos are another team that could benefit from a quarterback. But I think they opt instead to continue building a dangerous, athletic offensive line. Denver has shown a desire to get more athletic in that area, and picking a player like Charles Cross accomplishes that goal in spades.
Though a bit raw, Cross can dominate by being quicker, more explosive, and faster than the guys he lines up against. Those kinds of advantages only get better with more experience. Cross has shown noticeable work ethic and coachability in 2021.
18) Las Vegas Raiders: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders took a huge long-term hit when they lost their coach and both of their 2020 first-round picks in the same season due to separate off-field incidents. That leaves their needs as whatever they already had as well as both receiver and cornerback.
Thankfully for them, this draft falls pretty perfectly for them, and they land Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson. Wilson boasts solid athletic traits, but he might have the best body control in the entire class. Pairing him with a receiver like Hunter Renfrow presents some interesting opportunities that Derek Carr should be able to exploit on the regular to create a unique identity in an ever-changing NFL.
19) Washington Football Team: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Kenny “Two-Gloves” has flown under the radar for most of his college career (which is very long, having played in almost 50 career games in college). However, that has changed with a stellar final campaign in 2021.
Kenny Pickett doesn’t come without risks for the Football Team, whose current status as a playoff team puts them farther in the draft than they’d like to be with QB as a need. His hands are tiny even by tiny hand standards, which is why he wears gloves and where he gets the nickname from. Still, he’s thrown for 40 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions so far in 2021. Washington could benefit from that kind of production if he can bring it to the big league.
20) Los Angeles Chargers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, North Carolina State
As a child, Ikem Ekwonu left the Gotham Theater with his parents before they were brutally attacked by every defensive lineman in existence. That’s obviously a fabrication, his parents were a doctor and a track star and are probably doing fine. But you’d expect some kind of dark backstory to explain why Ekwonu is so angry at defensive linemen in general and why he tries to end them so violently.
While his size screams guard, his athletic talents and play on the football field scream offensive tackle. The Chargers, who could use both, get to figure out which one they like him best at and unleash him on the unsuspecting defenses in the AFC West.
21) Miami Dolphins: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
With needs across the offensive line, I think the Dolphins start with an anchor. It’s hard to go wrong with an Iowa offensive lineman, but the reason they’ve been so successful in the NFL has less to do with the helmet and more to do with the excellent coaching and conditioning programs Iowa has had in place for years.
Tyler Linderbaum is one of the better interior linemen to come out of the school in some time. He brings the kind of ridiculous athleticism that has made Creed Humphrey (who tested as the most athletic C in the last three decades) one of the best centers in the NFL as a rookie. Linderbaum is a bit smaller than most starting centers. Still, he has time to get to weight before he’s back on the field wrecking defenses.
22) Buffalo Bills: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
The Buffalo Bills have taken edge rushers to the point it’s becoming comical. However, we’re talking about a team seeing some of their best success they’ve seen in quite some time, so let’s not judge the approach too harshly.
DeMarvin Leal has taken a bit of a hit to his draft stock lately, but the type of athleticism he has shown both inside and out has to be enticing to a team like the Bills, who are deploying their lineman in ways few NFL teams can claim. They’ve got needs elsewhere, but I think they try to finish what they’ve started with this line.
23) Detroit Lions: Drake London, WR, USC
If the Detroit Lions wanted to show faith in Jared Goff, they’d go out and find a receiver who can highlight the areas that he wins as a passer. Drake London does not fit the mold. Yet, he does help set the team up extremely well for 2023 and beyond.
At 6’5″ and 210 pounds, London would join his former teammate, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and would play largely the same role in Detroit as he did at USC once the Lions land a quarterback who can stretch the field vertically. While London has plenty of speed and athletic traits, he truly thrives in situations where he can go up and get the ball. While that doesn’t play to Goff’s strengths, London is a good enough prospect to still find targets while the Lions continue to search for a signal-caller.
24) Cincinnati Bengals: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Bengals have been one of the most exciting teams in the 2021 season. Part of why they’ve done so well is how few serious holes they have on the roster. It would be best to grab an offensive lineman here to help protect Joe Burrow, but it’s hard to pass up on a talent like Nakobe Dean if he falls this far. Putting an athletic talent like Dean alongside Logan Wilson would add an element of speed and explosiveness with few rivals to this linebacking corps.
25) Dallas Cowboys: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
In a talented cornerback class like this one, it’s hard to pass up someone who can immediately fill one of your team’s biggest needs. Though Trent McDuffie isn’t as big as some of the other corners in the class, he’s not small, and he makes up for anything he lacks in that area with fantastic athleticism and instincts.
With the Cowboys currently sitting as the second-worst passing defense in the NFL, they can use all the help they can get. Putting someone like McDuffie across from Trevon Diggs is a huge win for America’s Team.
26) Kansas City Chiefs: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Andy Reid has favored speed above all for quite a while in Kansas City. It’s hard to see that dying any time soon as an offensive philosophy. Still, a big, physical presence who can still take the top off of a defense when needed would do wonders for one of the best offenses in the league and one of the best quarterbacks.
Treylon Burks is a big dude at 6’3″ and 225 pounds, but it’s his massive hands that get the most attention. Burks wears custom gloves because he can’t find the right fit for his mitts. That kind of tool is great for a job requiring you to catch oblong leather objects.
27) Tennessee Titans: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Do you remember playing Madden some years ago? You’d be winning by 6, and your opponent would throw up some obviously uncatchable ball to the sideline in coverage. By some miracle of game physics, the receiver would contort in a way that didn’t seem natural and catch the ball anyway, putting your W in jeopardy. That memory was foreshadowing for how Jahan Dotson plays.
Intense focus, great hands, and stellar ball control give him an advantage that will land him targets. Yes, even in an offense that already features two excellent receivers in A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. He’ll provide injury insurance and long-term security for both.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Some teams just don’t have many needs, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one such team. That gives them the luxury of taking a player they think can help them win immediately without thinking too hard of long-term implications like second contracts. This sets them up to take the best runner in the draft in Kenneth Walker III.
Both of Tampa’s running backs are hitting more than 4.5 ypc, so they’ve got the bulk up front to keep that train a-rolling. With both Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones hitting free agency this offseason, picking up a high-level runner with superb contact balance and power could keep this offense moving without skipping a beat.
29) New England Patriots: Travon Walker, DT, Georgia
Travon Walker is on the other end of the spectrum from his linemate, Jordan Davis, in regards to size. Nonetheless, both are disruptive enough to get first-round consideration. Whereas Davis is the giant, monstrous presence that teams have to account for every snap, Walker is a disruptive penetrator who can wreak havoc in the backfield.
The Patriots have had a strong roster for years, and they continue to churn their depth and starters to produce quality football. Walker would help keep the Patriots competitive in the AFC East as they continue the Mac Jones era.
30) Green Bay Packers: David Ojabo, EDGE/LB, Michigan
The Packers are not super secretive about the type of players they like to draft. They like their athletes as top-tier as they can, and they like guys who can be productive by using those tools. David Ojabo fits both as he notched 11 sacks this year, playing across from Aidan Hutchinson.
It will be interesting to see who tests better between the two Michigan pass rushers. Still, both are potential first-round picks this season for their tools and what they do with them.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
When Spencer Brown was drafted in the third round last year, it took some folks off guard. Despite his historically incredible testing numbers, Brown was considered a long-term, developmental type of player. His strong start to his NFL career has proved many of the doubters wrong.
More importantly for the Ravens in this draft, it is relevant because Trevor Penning is considered a superior prospect in many ways. After trading Orlando Brown, tackle became a need for the Ravens. Though they’ve managed to keep winning, it is apparent they could use the skills of a rookie tackle who could start Day 1.
32) Arizona Cardinals: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
Markus Golden is under contract through 2022. Nonetheless, the Cardinals will want to improve their pass rush for the long haul if they hope to stay winning. While they’re picking quite late in the first round here, they can still benefit from a strong EDGE class and come away with Myjai Sanders. While Sanders’ stats don’t jump out at you, he comes prepackaged with the length and athletic tools to win on the edge. The hope is he continues to develop as a pass rusher and takes the Cardinals’ defense to the next level.