The NFL never ceases to make news, but even with big-name QBs making news, the NFL Draft is still the talk of the town. I dropped a Mock Draft of the first ten picks in December, but much has changed. Arrests, the combine, and media agendas have moved players up and down the board. This NFL Draft 2.0 is my prediction of what will happen with the first ten picks in the Draft this year.
1. Indianapolis Colts (trade with Chicago)
The Colts need a franchise QB and they will get their guy when they select Bryce Young, QB, Alabama. Young has leadership IQ, top-notch talent, and a winning pedigree. Young lacks size, but he will succeed in Indianapolis.
2. Houston Texans
The Texans will get to pick the second QB off the board and get one who has the athleticism NFL teams love. They will select CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State. They need someone who can play sooner rather than later, which is why they take Stroud over Anthony Richardson.
3. Arizona Cardinals
This is where Georgia DT Jalen Carter would have gone, but his legal troubles will have him drop. The Cardinals will stick with the defensive side of the ball and select Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (trade with Chicago)
The Raiders make the most sense for a team to jump up the board for an athletic freak. The Raiders will move up to select QB Anthony Richardson of Florida. Richardson has all the tools to be great, but will he land on a team that can coach him up to reach his potential?
5. Seatle Seahawks
The Seahawks have options at number five. They could go OL, but I believe the pick will be Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson. A very good prospect whose name is coming up more with the drop of Carter.
6. Detroit Lions
The Lions have several needs, but they love traditional football players. With all the top Offensive Linemen on the board, they could have their pick, but this staff will reach for Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa.
7. Chicago Bears (trade with Las Vegas)
The Bears will finally make their pick. At seven, Jalen Carter will be tempting, but I believe they go with a safe pick in Northwestern OT, Peter Skoronski.
8. Atlanta Falcons
This pick could be up for grabs depending on where Lamar Jackson ends up. For now, I have decided to keep the Falcons at eight. If they stay here, they will select Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon.
9. Carolina Panthers
There is a chance for QB Will Levis to go at eight or nine, but Carolina could be getting Lamar Jackson or Jimmy Garroppolo. The Panthers have several needs, I think they take a swing by drafting Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia. Smith shot up draft boards with his combine effort, but he has a great resume as well.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
The sexy pick would be Texas RB Bijan Robinson, but if history teaches us anything, the Eagles will select Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State.
Follow Vince on Twitter and listen to The Sports Stove Podcast for more NFL Draft coverage.
