It’s the spectacle of the year: the NFL Draft!
Hundreds of up-and-coming talents hope for their chance to break into the world’s greatest football league – only 259 make it. On the night of April 27th to April 28th (12:30 a.m., RTL Nitro), the best talents in Kansas City will be selected.
But who will make it to the NFL? BILD makes the big check!
BILD editor Max Schrader plays through the first round – with plenty of trades, of course. As if the draft were already here!
Don’t be surprised: There are only 31 instead of 32 picks. The Miami Dolphins are without a first-round pick this year for torturing with Tom Brady in 2020.
NFL Draft: Who will be the first pick?
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) – C.J. Stroud (Quarterback, Ohio State)
After the monster trade with the Bears, it’s clear: the quarterback of the future is here. I think it’s going to be between Stroud and Richardson. I end up going with Stroud though.
App users can vote here: Who will be the top pick in the draft?
2. Houston Texans – Bryce Young (Quarterback, Alabama)
Here the choice of the Panthers plays a subordinate role. The Texans are really into Young – even if, like Kyler Murray, he seems a little too small and flimsy.
3. TRADE! Indianapolis Colts (via ARZ) – Anthony Richardson (Quarterback, Florida)
The Colts are sending a 2023 third-round pick, 2023 sixth-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Arizona to move up a spot.
The quarterback hunt continues. The Colts are afraid that the Falcons or Raiders will jump up. So they’re playing it safe to get their quarterback of the future. Richardson will fit in very well with Coach Streichen, who was most recently the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
Anthony Richardson catapulted himself to the top with his strong draft
Foto: STACY REVERE/Getty Images via AFP
4. Arizona Cardinals (via IND) – Will Anderson Jr (EDGE, Alabama)
Easy choice. The pass rush wasn’t good so you need reinforcements there. Anderson is the top pick in the draft.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech)
I thought long and hard about trading with the Raiders/Falcons. In the end, the fear in Seattle that Wilson could no longer be on the board is too great.
6. TRADE – Atlanta Falcons (via DET, via LAR) – Will Levis (Quarterback, Kentucky)
Atlanta is sending a 2023 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit.
The Falcons make it easy for themselves: they jump past the Raiders to draft a quarterback. Levis may only be #4 draft, but the Falcons are in desperate need of a QB. Even the high price with two third-round picks and a fourth-round pick is right.
NFL Draft: How far does scandal player Carter fall?
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
All teams avoided Carter, who narrowly escaped prison time for frenzy and caught the eye of a disastrous Pro Day. The Raiders trust Carter and miss a tackle or corner.
8. Detroit Lions (via ATL) – Devon Witherspoon (Cornerback, Illinois)
The Lions are in dire need of a good cornerback. With Witherspoon they get best in the draft.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Peter Skoronski (Offensive Tackle, Northwestern)
Protect Justin Fields in his do-or-die season! As a result, the Bears are picking the best tackle in the draft, which will likely play on the right.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields has to prove next season that he can be on the field permanently
Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – Lukas Van Ness (DE, Iowa)
Yes, the Eagles have different needs. But the Eagles’ D-line isn’t getting any younger. That’s why Van Ness can relax for a season learning how to do it.
11. Tennessee Titans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Wide Receiver, Ohio State)
The Titans need a lot – including a wide receiver. That’s why Smith-Njigba comes.
NFL Draft: Surprise at the New England Patriots
12. TRADE – New England Patriots (via HOU, via CLE) – Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)
The Patriots are giving up their 2023 third-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick to move up two positions.
Bill Belicheck is very fond of the boy. For me the third best player in the draft. Robinson is a freak. And the Patriots desperately need relief for quarterback Mac Jones.
13. New York Jets – Paris Johnson Jr. (Offensive Tackle, Ohio State)
The Jets need to patch up the O-Line to protect Aaron Rodgers. The Superstar is still not a jet, but that won’t be for long.
The Jets won’t be investing their first-round pick for the quarterback this year. A second-round pick in 2023 and a potential second-round pick in 2024 could be a package.
Regardless, one tackle is still missing. Johnson and Becton – worse!
14. Houston Texans (via NE) – Quentin Johnston (Wide Receiver, TCU)
Probably a little too high for Johnston, who slips about 10 percent of the passes from his fingers. At the end of the day, however, the Texans need guns for Young. And with Brendan Cooks gone, Johnston is a good option unless trading down.
15. Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer (Tight End, Notre Dame)
I see Mayer stronger than competitor Dalton Kincaid in the position. So the Packers grab a very good tight end to support Jordan Love.
16. TRADE! Detroit Lions (via WAS) – Bryan Brese (DT, Clemson)
Lions send a fourth-round pick to Washington in 2023 to jump two positions.
Old school football. Go down in the draft, then up again. The Lions still need a run stopper – and they find it with Brese.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Christian Gonzalez (Corner, Oregon)
The Steelers have tried in vain to move to 14th or 15th. Now they wait and get their player in Gonzalez.
18. Washington Commanders (via DET) – Dalton Kincaid (Tight End, Utah)
Guns, guns, guns. The Commanders already have a good receiver trio, now they need improvement as a tight end.
19. TRADE! Baltimore Ravens (via TB) – Myles Murphy (DE, Clemson)
Ravens send a third-round pick to Tampa in 2023 and get a fifth-round pick in 2023 to move up three positions.
A few weeks ago, Murphy was a top 10 contender. Now the Ravens have gotten him. With Odell Beckham Jr., they recently got a star receiver. Good reinforcement!
20. Seattle Seahawks – O’Cyrus Torrence (Guard, Florida)
Of course there would be another pass rusher. But the Seahawks need reinforcements on the O-Line.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Joey Porter Jr. (Corner, Penn State)
Receiver or corner is the question here. I think the Chargers are going to be defensive and take Porter.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via BAL) – Broderick Jones (Tackle, Georgia)
The Buccaneers need reinforcements so badly as a left tackle. Tom Brady was nearly destroyed last season. Now there’s backup for Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask.
Tom Brady is truly retired now
Photo: Judge Wright Sr./dpa
23. Minnesota Vikings – Nolan Smith (ED, Georgia)
The Vikings need fresh power on the defensive line. There’s plenty of pace with Smith.
24. TRADE! Pittsburgh Steelers (via JAC) – Calijah Kancey (DL, Pittsburgh)
The Steelers give up their 2023 second-round pick (32) and a 2023 third-round pick to move up eight spots. There is still a late fourth-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 (127).
Kancey goes to college in Pittsburgh, now he’s coming back to Pittsburgh. The Steelers Defense Gets Even More Dangerous!
25. New York Giants – Zay Flowers (Wide Receiver, Boston College)
Of course, a receiver is used here. With Flowers comes a raw talent that has had major problems against man defense.
26. TRADE! Cincinnati Bengals (via DAL) – Brian Branch (Safety, Alabama)
The Bengals move up two spots, sending a 2023 fourth-round pick to Dallas, who in turn get a 2023 fifth-round pick in return.
After the departure of Jessie Bates, reinforcements are needed on the safety position. Now with Branch comes the best safety.
27. Buffalo Bills – Deonte Banks (Cornerback, Maryland)
Banks falls surprisingly low – and thus into the hands of the Bills.
28. TRADE! Kansas City Chiefs (via DAL, via BEN) – Jordan Addison (WR, USC)
Kansas sends a fourth-round pick to Dallas in 2023 to move up three places.
Addison can be found in Kansas. So Pat Mahomes gets a new toy that he can allude to at any time.
29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN, via SF) – Will McDonald IV (ED, Iowa State)
The pass rush MUST improve. That’s where McDonald’s supposed to help.
30. TRADE! Las Vegas Raiders (via PHL) – Anton Harrison (OT, Oklahoma)
The Raiders send a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick to Philly in 2023 to move up eight spots from the 2nd round.
The Raiders need protection for Jimmy G. Harrison fits in well!
31. Dallas Cowboys (via KAS) – Trent Simpson (Linebacker, Clemson)
A draft without a linebacker? doesn’t exist! The Cowboys grab Simpson.