6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
Landing a franchise quarterback without having to trade up would be an ideal outcome for the Chargers, who let Philip Rivers walk and will be comfortable with Tyrod Taylor as their bridge. That said, Herbert is polished and experienced enough to take over sooner than later.
7. Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
The retirement of Luke Kuechly took the NFL world by surprise, and left the Panthers with a gaping hole in their defense that they weren’t planning on having to address this offseason. While a presence like Kuechly is not easily replaced, landing a rare athlete and playmaker like Simmons to help fill the void is far from the worst possible outcome. No matter where Simmons lines up at the next level, he’s going to be a game-wrecker.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
After trading for DeAndre Hopkins, the Cards aren’t likely to spend a top-10 pick on another pass-catcher, no matter how much Kyler Murray might like to throw to CeeDee Lamb again. Instead, the Cards opt to improve the protection for their young quarterback. Becton is a massive mountain of a man with ideal length and surprising athleticism for his size.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
I’m sure Jags fans are sick of their team spending first-round picks on defensive linemen, but considering they can’t seem to retain their best veterans, they have to keep reloading. Yannick Ngakoue seems to be headed elsewhere, so it’s a good thing they took Josh Allen last year. Marcell Dareus won’t be back to help a dismal rush defense, so that’s where Brown comes in. A rare athlete for his size, Browns is a dominant force who can wreck opposing offenses all by himself.
10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama
The Browns are in a perfect spot to address their biggest need and get ideal value at this spot. Any of the top four offensive tackle prospects would be a fantastic pick for Cleveland, and it’s Wills in this scenario, a player who could easily be a top-five pick. Even with the addition of Jack Conklin, adding another bookend like Wills is necessary to keep Baker Mayfield protected.