The NFL draft is coming up sooner than people think. This year it will take place in late April, kicking off on April 28th. In recent years it has been in May, but this year they will look to capitalize on it before the NBA playoffs get too deep. Here are some predictions of what could go down on draft day.
The first three picks are all defensive lineman
Aiden Hutchinson is expected to go first overall. He is the defensive end from Michigan. After quarterback, having an elite pass rusher may be the second most sought after position on the field. Jacksonville could go offensive lineman with the first pick in the draft, but they could opt to take the best player available in this year’s class as well. After that, Detroit likely won’t go quarterback similar to the Jags and could go for Travon Walker from Georgia. Next up is Houston, who is expected to give Davis Mills a chance at the starting quarterback job and they should select Kayvon Thibodeaux the edge rusher from Oregon. All three of these players are projected to go in the top five, but they could end up in the top three as well.
A quarterback isn’t taken in the top 10
The quarterback class was seen as terrible just a couple months ago. Malik Willis boosted his draft stock maybe the most we have seen from a QB during the combine though. Seattle at No. 5, Carolina at 6, New York Giants at 7 and 9 could all go quarterback. They also need to fill almost every other position on the field and should go for wide receivers, lineman, and rushers in a deep class. Seattle is the most likely to pick a QB early but it seems too early at No. 5. They could trade back to take Willis in the 10-20 range.
Eight wide receivers are taken in the first round
This is a deep wide receiver class and most of the teams that have multiple picks in the first round need a wide receiver. Having good weapons is one of the most sought after things in the NFL now. We saw it change the Bengals franchise by adding Ja’Marr Chase last year, Kansas City has done it with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, the 49ers have Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, the Rams had Cooper Kupp and OBJ. To be a top team, you need top weapons now.
Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commissioner_Goodell_at_the_2010_NFL_Draft_podium.jpg
