ExtremeRavens Posted March 4 Posted March 4 The NFL scouting combine has come and gone, providing more clarity to how the draft will shake out at the end of April. Here are The Baltimore Sun’s predictions for the first two rounds, which begin April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin: 1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State Until the remaining quarterback dominoes start falling — namely Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins — it’s hard to predict what the Titans will do. A trade down to a desperate team that misses out on a veteran (Giants? Raiders? Jets?) might be the best-case scenario, although Tennessee needs a quarterback, too. In the meantime, Carter makes sense as a dynamic pass rusher who would help make the defensive front a legitimate strength. 2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that the Browns will draft a quarterback “because they have to.” There’s no argument here after the Deshaun Watson trade blew up in their faces. Ward has emerged as the clear top choice over Shedeur Sanders after reportedly impressing teams during combine meetings. 3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado If the Giants land Rodgers or another veteran, drafting the best player available makes sense. Whether it’s lining up next to Malik Nabers on offense or shadowing the opposing team’s top wideout on defense, Hunter would give this franchise a huge lift after it let Saquon Barkley walk and cut Daniel Jones. 4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri Even if the Patriots use their cap space to sign one or two offensive linemen in free agency, the best lines are built through the draft. Membou has been rocketing up boards after shutting down some of the SEC’s top pass rushers at right tackle and impressing scouts at the combine. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan New coach Liam Cohen might be tempted to pick another playmaker for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars need to eat their vegetables and improve in the trenches. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound Graham checked in roughly 20 pounds lighter than his listed college weight at the combine, but his production at Michigan speaks for itself. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is considered the top running back in the draft. (George Walker IV/AP) 6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State New coach Pete Carroll is going to want to run the ball. What better way to do it than by adding one of the best running back prospects in years? Given the lack of blue-chip talent at the top of this draft, Jeanty is a reasonable pick for a team with such a glaring hole at the position. 7. New York Jets: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU Adding another first-round offensive lineman to pair with left tackle Olu Fashanu, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and center Joe Tippmann is not a bad way for new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to begin their tenure in New York. Campbell, despite the arm length concerns, has the potential to be a long-term starter at tackle. 8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia The Panthers need to leave the draft with several new pieces on defense. Walker is far from a finished product, but his ability to play off-ball linebacker and rush the passer would give Carolina an athletic presence it has sorely lacked since trading Brian Burns. 9. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona With quarterback Derek Carr likely sticking around for another season, the Saints need to inject some life into their offense. The 6-4, 219-pound McMillan has an exciting mix of size and skill and would immediately upgrade one of the least productive passing offenses in the league. 10. Chicago Bears: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss With the top two offensive linemen off the board, the Bears might turn their attention toward improving the defense. Nolen is an explosive athlete who could be a potential game-wrecker at a position Chicago has long tried to upgrade. 11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan With Charvarius Ward hitting free agency, the 49ers are light on bodies at cornerback. While he might not be the lockdown defender he was billed as coming into the season, Johnson still has all the necessary traits to carve out a successful career at the next level. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell will be a coveted prospect for his versatility. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama With Osa Odighizuwa expected to return, the Cowboys won’t be desperate for defensive line help. Campbell would be a welcome addition as an off-ball linebacker and situational pass rusher, especially after promising defender DeMarvion Overshown tore the ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee at the end of last season. 13. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina There are few athletes in the history of the combine better than Emmanwori, who became one of just four players 6-3 or taller since 2003 to top 40 inches in the vertical jump and run faster than 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The Dolphins need a starting safety and get one with tremendous upside. 14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State Colts GM Chris Ballard said the team will bring in competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson this offseason, and that could come in the draft. Whoever ends up winning the job would love to have Warren as a security blanket over the middle of the field. 15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M The Falcons have been looking for pass-rushing help for pretty much two decades now. Despite meager sack production in college, the 6-5, 267-pound Stewart has a rare blend of size and athleticism that could make him a true difference-maker at the next level. 16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia The Cardinals have taken a major step forward under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, but they still lack an impact pass rusher and are set to lose several contributors in free agency. If Williams and 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson can live up to their potential, Arizona could be a playoff team. 17. Cincinnati Bengals: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas After releasing guard Alex Cappa and placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, it’s clear where the Bengals need the most help. Banks is an elite pass blocker who could provide insurance behind tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims while stepping in immediately at guard. 18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama The Seahawks’ offense is untenable until they address the interior of the offensive line. Despite his below-average athleticism, Booker is considered a safe pick and would help ease some concerns as quarterback Geno Smith enters the final year of his contract. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall Defensive linemen Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea could use a running mate on the edge. The 6-3, 251-pound Green has the tenacity, bend and instincts to be an impact player, but teams must do their homework after he said he transferred from Virginia to Marshall after being accused of sexual assault. 20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan Coach Sean Payton gets his “joker” position in Loveland, who looks like a wide receiver in a 6-6, 248-pound tight end’s body. With Payton scheming up his touches and Bo Nix delivering him the ball, Loveland could have a Brock Bowers-like impact as a rookie. Opinions are split on where Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be drafted. (AP Foto/George Walker IV) 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado Would the Steelers really pass on Sanders if he fell this far, given their uncertainty at quarterback? Even if one of Justin Fields or Russell Wilson returns, there’s room for another option. Pairing Sanders with coach Mike Tomlin and wide receiver George Pickens would certainly give Pittsburgh a competitive flair. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan Outside of pending free agent Poona Ford, the Chargers’ defensive tackles struggled last season. The 6-4, 331-pound Grant is plenty familiar with coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter from his time with the Wolverines and is the kind of high-motor player Harbaugh wants. 23. Green Bay Packers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State Before his knee injury, Simmons was trending toward being perhaps the top tackle in this draft class. With the Buckeyes star expected to be ready for the start of the season, he could be a steal at the end of the first round for a patient team like the Packers that won’t need to rush him into the lineup. 24. Minnesota Vikings: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina There’s a good chance the Vikings trade down considering their next pick isn’t until the end of the third round. If they stay put, Hampton would be a worthy choice after showing impressive speed and explosion at the combine to match his outstanding college production. 25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State This is one of the first-round pairings that just makes too much sense. After setting Ohio State’s career receiving yards record, Egbuka reunites with his former Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud to form a dynamic combination alongside star wideout Nico Collins. 26. Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas After re-signing left tackle Alaric Jackson and reworking quarterback Matthew Stafford’s contract, the Rams don’t have a lot of glaring holes on their roster. Barron is an athletic, versatile player who could help shore up the secondary on a promising young defense. Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon would help the Ravens get younger on the defensive line. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) 27. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon With the Ravens optimistic about re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley, that shifts the focus toward retooling the defense. Although Travis Jones and Nnamdi Madubuike form a promising duo up front, Baltimore could stand to get younger on the defensive line. The 6-4, 313-pound Harmon, who models his game after Chris Jones and Cameron Heyward, is an intriguing chess piece. 28. Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State A small-school standout dominating at the Senior Bowl and then lighting up the combine just feels like someone Lions coach Dan Campbell would love. Zabel could step in immediately at guard before eventually taking over for Frank Ragnow at center. 29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College With last season’s sack leader Dante Fowler entering free agency, the Commanders need a difference-maker on the edge. The 6-2, 248-pound Ezeiruaku is coming off a 16 1/2-sack season and backed up his production with strong athletic testing numbers at the combine. 30. Buffalo Bills: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas While Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman are a promising young duo, the Bills don’t have a true No. 1 option at wide receiver. The smooth-moving Golden could become that guy, following an impressive season at Texas with a blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine. 31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon The Chiefs simply need to do everything in their power to fix the offensive line. Though he might require some patience in the same vein as 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia, Conerly would be a worthwhile bet to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside for years to come. 32. Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee Opinions are all over the map on Pearce, who early on was considered the best overall prospect in this class. If he slides to the end of the first round, he has all the tools to become yet another success story in Philadelphia’s defensive line factory. Round 2 33. Cleveland Browns: Donovan Jackson, OT/G, Ohio State The Browns add a versatile lineman in Jackson who could start at left tackle or guard. 34. New York Giants: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Starks isn’t the top-five player he was touted as early in the process, but he’s still a valuable chess piece who could help quarterback the defense. 35. Tennessee Titans: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota The Titans need to fix the right side of their offensive line or risk damaging whoever ends up taking snaps at quarterback for them. 36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky Hairston could be a first-round pick after posting a stellar 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the combine. 37. Las Vegas Raiders: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri Burden is more of an underneath threat than a downfield burner, but he’d be a welcome addition to a receiving corps that needs juice. 38. New England Patriots: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas The 6-6, 264-pound Jackson is an imposing presence who should earn the admiration of new coach Mike Vrabel. 39. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State New coach Ben Johnson could try to find his next Jahmyr Gibbs in Henderson, an explosive athlete who also excels as a pass catcher. 40. New Orleans Saints: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama The Saints should take as many swings as they can to try and find their next franchise quarterback. 41. Chicago Bears: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona The Bears can’t wait too long to address their offensive line, which needs three new starters along the interior. 42. New York Jets: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State Glenn is going to want some big bodies in the mold of the 6-4, 265-pound Tuimoloau to build his defense around. 43. San Francisco 49ers: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M The 49ers need to give Nick Bosa some help along the defensive line. 44. Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State In a deep running back class, it’s not Jeanty or bust for the Cowboys. 45. Indianapolis Colts: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina The 6-2, 194-pound Revel has all the tools to become a reliable starter despite tearing his ACL midseason. 46. Atlanta Falcons: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State A.J. Terrell and Clark Phillips III form a solid cornerback pairing, but the Falcons could bolster the depth behind them. 47. Arizona Cardinals: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State The Cardinals need to add some beef up front, and the 6-3, 334-pound Williams offers plenty of it. 48. Miami Dolphins: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M The Dolphins have just two interior defensive linemen on their roster, so it’s a safe bet they pick one early. 49. Cincinnati Bengals: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss Even if the Bengals find a way to keep Trey Hendrickson, they need several additions to rebuild the defensive line. 50. Seattle Seahawks: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA The former walk-on has the athletic traits to be a sideline-to-sideline defender against the run and the pass. 51. Denver Broncos: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee The one-year starter would give the Broncos the burst and instincts they need to threaten defenses on the ground. 52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss The 6-2, 205-pound Harris looks the part of a prototypical “X” receiver. 53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame Watts has earned rave reviews throughout the process and would form an enviable safety pairing alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. 54. Green Bay Packers: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State The 6-3, 195-pound Porter crushed the combine, including a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. 55. Los Angeles Chargers: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU There’s a lot to like about the son of former Dolphins great Jason Taylor, including his potential fit in the Chargers’ offense. 56. Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota): Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss Whether it’s safety or cornerback, the Bills need to add some help in the secondary. 57. Carolina Panthers (via LA Rams): Alfred Collins, DT, Texas Giving Derrick Brown some help along the interior would go a long way toward improving the Panthers’ defense. 58. Houston Texans: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia Wilson put himself in the Day 2 conversation with an outstanding combine, including a 4.84-second 40-yard dash at 310 pounds. 59. Baltimore Ravens: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame If the Ravens are comfortable with Morrison’s recovery from a hip injury, his playmaking instincts (nine interceptions in 31 games) are tantalizing. 60. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State Sawyer didn’t test at the combine and has short arms for the position, but the Lions will look past all of that because of his relentless play style. 61. Washington Commanders: Anthony Belton, OT, NC State The 6-6, 336-pound Belton has the chance to become a dominant player with some refinement. 62. Buffalo Bills: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan What the 6-1, 249-pound Stewart lacks in size he makes up for with strength and explosiveness. 63. Kansas City Chiefs: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo Retooling the defensive line around Chris Jones will be hugely important for Kansas City this offseason. 64. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Mbow, OT/G, Purdue Bet on the Eagles to keep loading up in the trenches early in the draft. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
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