The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow. Finally, after months of speculation, we’ll know where these players land and how we should value them. As a final piece before the draft, I’m giving my prediction for where 10 players in this year’s draft will end up. Let’s see how close I get! I’ve added where I have these players ranked currently in our Campus2Canton Dynasty rankings based on these landing spots.
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams
Predicted Team: Chicago Bears
About: This is probably the easiest projection. Williams is valued as the top quarterback, and the Bears have the No. 1 overall pick. With a depth chart featuring Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien, the team needs a quarterback. I expect, after months of speculation, it’s going to be Williams. And he’ll land in a spot with some good weapons, including D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift. He should be a top pick in Rookie SF drafts.
Dynasty Ranking: QB10
Jayden Daniels
Predicted Team: Washington Commanders
About: The second overall pick is where things get interesting. Could the team go with Drake Maye? How about J.J. McCarthy? Would they trade back? All those possibilities seem to be in play, but the team needs a franchise quarterback and has just Marcus Mariota on the roster. So, I think they stay at two and shoot their shot. That shot, I think, is Daniels. With Kliff Kingsbury and Anthony Lynn running the offense, as well as some decent weapons, he has a chance to be good. However, given recent history, I’m cautious about all these young QBs beyond Williams at this point.
Dynasty Ranking: QB22
Drake Maye
Predicted Team: New England Patriots
About: We’ve heard a lot of scenarios. If Bill Belichick was still running the Patriots, I think they’d be a lock to trade down and potentially punt quarterback to a later date. But this new team, after a few seasons of futility, will want to build the right way. Fans are restless. Passing on a Franchise Quarterback is a huge gamble—one I think they ultimately won’t make. I have Maye going to the Patriots. Unfortunately, with the lack of weapons and inexperience in the staff, I’m not sure it’s a great fit. Of the next tier in QBs beyond Williams, this potential landing spot has me dropping Maye a bit.
Dynasty Ranking: QB24
JJ McCarthy
Predicted Team: Minnesota Vikings
About: I think the Vikings will come up for a quarterback. Currently, I have them swapping spots with the Los Angeles Chargers at pick five. It makes sense for the Chargers to build up draft capital to keep building for Jim Harbaugh, and the Vikings want a quarterback. It’s not a bad landing spot, either, with good receivers and a good tight end. For that reason, I’m slightly more interested in McCarthy than Maye in this scenario based on the landing spot.
Dynasty Ranking: QB23
Bo Nix
Predicted Team: New York Giants
About: What if the Giants take a receiver at six and still grab a quarterback? The team isn’t desperate, with Drew Lock and Daniel Jones on the roster, but they don’t have a solid future option, either. I could see the Giants moving back up into the late First Round or even early Second Round and landing a quarterback in the next tier to add to the mix. The question is how Brian Daboll can develop Nix—and build weapons around him.
Dynasty Ranking: QB26
Michael Penix, Jr.
Predicted Team: Las Vegas Raiders
About: The Raiders are something of a Wild Card in the draft. They don’t have to take a quarterback. With Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, the team has options. But they don’t necessarily have a franchise guy, either. Some have projected six quarterbacks in the First Round. It could happen, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Nix and/or Penix fall to the Second Round. That makes it an attractive option for the Raiders, who could give themselves plenty of options, including a future franchise guy.
Dynasty Ranking: QB27
Wide Receivers
Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Predicted Team: Arizona Cardinals
About: The Cardinals need a receiver. They let Marquise Brown go to the Chiefs and traded Rondale Moore to the Falcons for a developmental quarterback. That leaves second-year man Michael Wilson and questions on the depth chart. Fortunately, they have the fourth overall pick. And despite reports they might trade, I think they stay put and snag a stud receiver to pair with Kyler Murray and Trey McBride.
Dynasty Ranking: WR10
Malik Nabers
Predicted Team: New York Giants
About: While I think the Giants find a way to get Nix, I still like them to take a receiver at the sixth pick. And they could use the help. Wan’Dale Robinson has developed into a decent weapon, but I’m not sold with Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt on the outside. Darren Waller looks good on paper, but his talk of a potential retirement has me nervous. Either way, the Giants need a real WR1. Nabers could be that guy.
Dynasty Ranking: WR17
Rome Odunze
Predicted Team: Chicago Bears
About: The Bears could well trade out of pick nine. They also acquired Keenan Allen and don’t have to have a receiver. However, adding a good, young receiver opposite a franchise quarterback makes a lot of sense. Call it a gut instinct, but I like the fit and the potential opposite Moore and Allen. It could be a year-one hit, but I don’t know that Allen is a long-term solution.
Dynasty Ranking: WR24
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers
Predicted Team: New York Jets
About: The Jets are all in on 2024. There’s pressure on Robert Saleh, especially with 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers on a ticking clock. The team has a great running back in Breece Hall and a great receiver in Garrett Wilson. The Jets also added Mike Williams to provide another weapon and have worked on improving the offensive line. They could always use more line help, but snagging a weapon at the tenth pick would make some sense. Bowers could be a game-changer at tight end and would give Rodgers a heck of a group of weapons. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I like the landing spot.
Dynasty Ranking: TE8
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
