The wait is finally over. Fanbases across the league have been waiting for this night since the season ended. Everybody is looking towards the future of their franchises and over the next three days, that future can get fans’ hopes up or it can raise questions. No matter what, lives will be changed, dreams will come true, and futures will be decided. The NFL Draft is here and these are some things that could happen during the big night.
Only One Defensive Player will be taken in the Top 10
With a loaded offensive draft class and a ton of teams in need of a spark on that side of the ball, there will only be one defensive player to go. My prediction is Dallas Turner will be taken eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons, which if that’s the case, Falcons fans should be thrilled as Turner is an electric player.
Six Quarterbacks will be First Round Picks
With numerous teams being in need of a franchise signal caller, there could be a run on quarterbacks in the first round, and early. Everybody in the football world knows that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye will all be gone as early as the top three picks. The wild card is Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, as his stock has skyrocketed throughout the scouting process. McCarthy has become a desirable target for multiple teams and he could be drafted higher than people expected. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. has shown that he has the skills to be a top pick, but the injury history has scared teams away. Oregon’s Bo Nix could sneak into the first round, as having a franchise quarterback is the most valuable asset in the NFL. Don’t be shocked if Penix and Nix are drafted tonight – maybe even as early as the top 15 with the Raiders and Broncos in need of a quarterback.
WR and OL will fill the First Round
As noted before, the draft is very deep in offensive talent, and wide receivers and offensive line both represent that trend. We could see four pass catchers go in the top 10, with receivers Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze headlining the group, and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers being a little bit of a question mark as to where he could land. Bowers is the total package when it comes to having the traits of an elite tight end – he’s great in the passing game and he is a good run blocker. However, tight end is more seen as a luxury in the league and that could slightly drop Bowers’ stock. Other notable names are Texas’ Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell and LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. who have all been seen as sure fire first round picks, and South Carolina’s Xavier Legette, who could potentially sneak into the late first. With the offensive line, there is talent everywhere. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt has become the top offensive tackle, with Alabama’s JC Latham and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu right behind him. Other names are Jackson Powers-Johnson out of Oregon, Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State, and Troy Fautanu from Washington. Lots of names, and lots of talent on the offense, it’s almost overwhelming.
Defense will make a run
The defensive class this year is lighter than previous years. There’s not really a standout defender or that clear cut top prospect, however, there will be a fair share of defenders to go off the board in the first round. The most intriguing prospects are Iowa’s defensive back Cooper DeJean and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. DeJean has all the tools to be a good defensive back in the NFL, now whether he plays cornerback or safety is unknown, but whoever drafts him will get a quality player. Latu has been rumored and mocked all throughout the first round. His skillset screams best edge rusher in the draft, but his medical history has some concerns. After Latu’s freshman season at the University of Washington, he suffered a neck injury that forced him to medically retire from football. He transferred to UCLA and returned in 2022 and took his game to the next level in 2023. He is now seen as a top edge rusher in the class, and his hard work has potentially earned him a first round pick – just depends on where.
At least Five Trades Tonight
This is always a tough one to predict because a deal takes two to tango, but the draft has always provided a good amount of deals between teams, as there have been 28 trades on the first night over the last five years, including six last year. We could potentially see the third pick get moved, as the Patriots have reportedly been listening to offers, and teams like the Giants and Vikings are eager to strike a deal. Now, we never truly know how the board will fall and what teams are looking to get, but one thing is for sure, and that is that there will be teams looking to move up or down for the player they want. Expect movement all throughout the first round.
There you have it football fans, just a few predictions for scenarios that could play out tonight. The draft is a special time for the football world. From the front offices to players to fans, everybody has that same nervous excitement, as there will be tons of surprises along the way. The draft only comes around once a year, enjoy the ride. The future is now.
