Ever since the final seconds ticked away and the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl title, NFL fans have had the draft marked on their calendars. The weeks that precede draft day are often among the most deceptive times of the year, filled with false rumors and misinformation. This year has been no different, as almost every draft selection remains up in the air.
Despite the mysteries still surfacing about the draft, one thing is certain: the Chicago Bears will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. This has been nothing but a guarantee since the Bears traded former quarterback Justin Fields one month ago. While Bears fans are sure to be excited, the rest of the NFL fans wait in anticipation for the picks following the Bears’ selection.
This year’s draft is filled with players who play offensive positions, notably featuring many quarterbacks. Other than Caleb Williams, elite quarterback prospects include Drake Maye from UNC, Heisman winner Jayden Daniels from LSU, and J.J McCarthy from Michigan. Conveniently, the teams with the next two picks are both in search of their next franchise quarterback.
For the Washington Commanders, who hold the number two overall selection, it would be a consequential mistake to not draft Drake Maye. In recent years, the Commanders have had a quarterback carousel, unable to settle on their guy. Despite the rumors that they are highly interested in McCarthy and Daniels, Maye is on a different level. His ability to throw the ball at a high level combined with his athleticism enables him to create big plays which sets him apart from the rest of the pack. Even though Caleb Williams has been advertised as the unanimous number-one selection, Maye is not far behind.
With the next selection, the New England Patriots will be on the clock. Whoever they select will have nothing given to him, as the Patriots face a challenge offensively. In all honesty, the Patriots should trade down to accumulate more assets, which would ultimately provide their future quarterback with a smaller challenge. Drafting Jayden Daniels or JJ McCarthy would be a mistake, both players rely on strong systems around them. For the Patriots to succeed, the front office must accept that their flaws run deeper than just at the quarterback position.
If there’s one message the Arizona Cardinals need, it is to take the best player available. Holding the fourth overall pick, the Cardinals are in a position to draft a generational wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. Son of the hall of fame receiver Marvin Harrison, Harrison Jr. is without a doubt the number one prospect in this entire draft. The Cardinals will be lucky enough to have him on the board while they are on the clock. Given his size and athletic ability, Harrison Jr. dominated during his time at Ohio State and will change the direction of the franchise that drafts him. For weeks, it has been rumored that the Cardinals will trade this pick to the Minnesota Vikings who are eyeing J.J. McCarthy. While this would be a huge success for the Vikings, trading this pick could be viewed as an all-time missed opportunity for the Arizona Cardinals.
The following draft selections will ultimately be determined by how the top four picks occur. The offensive talent, however, does not end there. Another notable prospect includes wide receiver Malik Nabers from LSU, an elite playmaker who arguably is as skilled as Marvin Harrison Jr. Also, tight-end Brock Bowers from Georgia has been deemed by many draft analysts as the greatest tight-end prospect of all time. Other top-tier prospects in the draft include wide receiver Rome Odunze, offensive tackle Joe Alt, and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The NFL Draft is always filled with elite prospects, but this year is being held in higher regard offensively. While it is too early to tell, undoubtedly there are numerous players with hall-of-fame ceilings. In the end, the player’s success is dependent on the team that selects them, and how they handle the situation they are given. After months of anticipation, fans and players will be excited to see how the draft plays out.
Third Down With Devin 