The NFL Draft is quickly approaching with the first round being picked on Thursday April 27th. This is a glorious time of year where teams look to add the best young talent available to join teams in preparing for next years season. General managers become heroes and villains on draft night as the fans deem the picks to be good or bad value. The top ten picks are arguably the most valuable contributions to each team and are financially awarded as such. Will the top ten make the right choice for the team or gamble on best available?

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago)

Team Needs: QB, WR RB, EDGE, IOL, S
Needs Fit: QB, CJ Stroud (6’3″ 218 lbs.) – Ohio State
Best Fit: QB, CJ Stroud (6’3″ 218 lbs.)- Ohio State

Carolina desperately needs a talented quarterback to make them instantly competitive in a bad AFC South Division. The retirement of Tom Brady from Tampa Bay makes the conference odds much better for a new quarterback to succeed while learning in the hot seat. CJ Stroud offers an ideal size and athleticism to the position that can diversify Frank Reich’s offense into a mutli-threat attack. This two-time Heisman finalist can be an aggressive spark to their team.

2. Houston Texans

Team Needs: QB, EDGE WR, OT
Needs Fit: QB, Bryce Young (6’0″ 194 lbs.) – Alabama
Best Fit: QB, Bryce Young (6’0″ 194 lbs.) – Alabama

The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner has outstanding talent and stats, including being the only Alabama quarterback to throw for two 3,000 yard seasons and also ranks second in all-time Alabama passing yards and touchdowns. Despite being a Heisman and National Championship winner, size will likely knock this talented QB out of contention for the number one overall selection in 2023, even if he deserves it. While Young is taller than Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray, there is always a large scrutiny around a “perfect” size for each position around the league and a large group of pundits worry his height will determine his success.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Team Needs: EDGE, CB WR, IOL, RB
Needs Fit: Edge, Tyree Wilson (6’6″ 271 lbs.) – Texas Tech
Best Fit: Edge, Will Anderson Jr. (6’3″ 253 lbs.) – Alabama

There are rumors of the Cardinals trading back to load up on picks while a quarterback hungry team tries to usurp the Colts plans, but we will pick as if Arizona stays at the third position. While there are many talented cornerbacks in the league, the loss of JJ Watt and Zach Allen is too great to ignore and they must rebuild the pass rush. Size wise Wilson is a better pick for the position, but Anderson’s production and value as the best football player in the draft by many will likely convince the Cardinals to land the Alabama monster. Anderson also provides more flexibility to play Edge/ Sam linebacker to offer another tool to the Arizona defense.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Team Needs: QB, OT, CB IOL, EDGE, WR
Needs Fit: QB, Will Levis (6’4″ 229 lbs.) – Kentucky
Best Fit: QB, Anthony Richardson (6’4″ 244 lbs.) – Florida

The Colts should take a safer pick with Will Levis, but speculation that Chris Ballard needs to show roster improvement soon or Jim Irsay will show him the door. This leads me to believe that Ballard wants to take one last swing at a home-run project that has a higher ceiling of potential rather than a safe pick. Statistically, Richardson is not considered a good quarterback, but athletically he posts outstanding numbers. Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew are also on the team so this would be an ideal time to surround the quarterback with experienced players in order to season him into a starter eventually.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

Team Needs: EDGE, IDL QB, LB, S, WR, TE
Needs Fit: Edge, Tyree Wilson (6’6″ 271 lbs.) – Texas Tech
Best Fit: Edge, Tyree Wilson (6’6″ 271 lbs.) – Texas Tech

6. Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams)

Team Needs: EDGE, IDL TE, CB, QB, IOL
Needs Fit:
Best Fit:

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Team Needs: EDGE, OT, TE QB, CB, IDL, IOL, LB, S
Needs Fit:
Best Fit:

8. Atlanta Falcons

Team Needs: CB, EDGE RB, WR, IDL
Needs Fit:
Best Fit:

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)

Team Needs: OT, EDGE, IDL RB, IOL, LB, CB
Needs Fit:
Best Fit:

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans)

Team Needs: EDGE, RB CB, IDL
Needs Fit:
Best Fit: