The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis allowed NFL executives and personnel departments to evaluate the most heralded college prospects in the nation. Both top quarterbacks (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders) and the plethora of talented edge rushers in this year's pool (Abdul Carter, Mike Green, James Pearce, Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart) continue to spark controversy with a lack of consensus on mocks.

The Titans are in need of a franchise signal-caller and Brian Callahan mentioned that both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders would be "worthy" of their top selection in April. Tennessee could decide to go with an edge or trade out of the number-one spot but for right now, the club takes Cam Ward to build around. Ward can effectively launch tight window throws to all three levels of the field and can move the chains using his legs. With improvisation skills, sensational arm strength and the versatility to throw from a variety of arm angles, Ward is first off the board.

The Browns do need a quarterback but with Myles Garrett's future unknown, it would be difficult for the Browns to pass up an edge rusher of Abdul Carter's caliber. Carter's explosion off the line puts him in an advantageous position at the point of attack and he has an instinctive feel in the trenches. With a lethal spin move and elite closing burst, Carter would fortify the Browns' pass rush.

The Giants are also in need of a quarterback but with Travis Hunter sitting there – arguably the most exciting and versatile playmaker of the past several decades – The Giants take the plunge. Not only did he win the Heisman Trophy, but he was also named the Biletnikoff Award winner (best receiver) and the Bednarik Award recipient (top defender) among other prestigious awards. The two-way player took college football by storm, achieving greatness at an unprecedented level on both sides of the football. Hunter is a rangy defender with superb route recognition and pairs outstanding ball skills and high-point capability with smooth transitions in-and-out of breaks.

The Patriots liked what they saw out of Drake Maye in Year One and now get him a protection boost in the consensus top offensive lineman in this year's draft class, Will Campbell. He has found success against some of the SEC's most dynamic pass rushers and can be a plug-and-play starter for the Patriots. Campbell plays with an effective punch, active feet, movement skills for pulling, aggression and sound technique. He gave up just five sacks during his entire collegiate career.

Improving the secondary is the Jaguars' top priority after the club finished last in the NFL last season in pass defense, so the club could go after a ball-hawk cornerback but it all starts in the trenches and the defensive line's ability to pressure the quarterback. Enter Mason Graham. He is a disruptor and pairs first-step quickness with stellar body control to gain an advantage in the leverage battle. Graham may not have the longest arms or check off the 'length' box, but his footwork compensates. His short-area burst and relentless motor infiltrated pockets in college and his skills will undoubtedly translate to the NFL.

The Raiders could certainly go after a receiver to give the offense another dynamic outlet not named Brock Bowers; however, at some point, the Raiders will have to address their need for a quarterback long-term. Shedeur Sanders led a pro-style offense for Colorado and his confidence never slumped despite the national attention. Sanders possesses a high football IQ and has excellent accuracy. He keeps his eyes downfield and plays with advanced fundamentals and tremendous vision.

Aaron Glenn understands the importance of having a menacing defensive front and he put together one of the most impenetrable units as the Lions' defensive coordinator. The Jets could add a tight end to solidify the offensive arsenal but Glenn helps himself to a defensive player. The Jets add a dynamic off-ball linebacker with a unique pass-rushing prowess in Jalon Walker. The hybrid player attacks with suddenness and would elevate blitz packages in New York on passing downs. His closing burst stuns and Walker varies his rush plan and angles to keep tackles at bay.

The Panthers are in need of a WR1 for Bryce Young and while the club could go the free agency route to get the young signal-caller some help, with Tetairoa McMillan on the board, a physical possession phenom, the Panthers go for it. McMillan wears press down with physicality at the top of routes and easily wins in jump-ball situations due to his size. With solid body control, footwork at the boundary and long-striding speed to pick up YAC-yards, McMillan would be a friendly, big target for Young. The Panthers have seen the first-hand effects of Mike Evans during NFC South clashes and McMillan has a similar play style to that of the future Hall of Fame receiver in Tampa.

New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley gets a dominant pass rusher in Mike Green to fortify the trenches in the Superdome. Questions have been raised regarding his size but Mike Green punished Power 4 offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his bag of tricks. He led the FBS with 17 sacks last season and has a variety of moves/counters in his repertoire, winning with both brute power and finesse. Green plays with a violent disposition and a powerful leg drive that catapults him into the backfield. His forward charge would help the Saints hunt down opposing QBs in the South.

Ben Johnson upgrades the offensive line to help protect Caleb Williams, who was sacked 68 times as a rookie. Banks, a two-time All-American, is adept in space and aims to maul the opposition. He is able to mirror counters and has a good feel for hand placement in pass protection. He stays square and is effective at executing combo blocks, gaining command at the point of attack.

The 49ers need to boost both lines and find a long-term successor for future Hall of Famer Trent Wiliams. Like Williams, Armand Membou is an explosive mover. He can extend runs with blocks in space on lead-pulls and screens, while also displacing ends on wide zone runs, which is important for the Niners' horizontal stretch game. While he does not have ideal size for a typical NFL tackle at 6-foot-3, Membou bulldozed men into submission in college at right tackle and possesses unique finishing skills.

Jerry Jones has a track record of taking offensive star power if provided with the chance and Ashton Jeanty, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, would certainly provide intrigue for the team's brass. He became the most electric back in college football in 2024. In a pass-heavy league, the running back position is not held in the same esteem in the first round as it did during the smash-mouth days, but despite the position's devaluation on Day One, Jeanty's value supersedes the narrative and Jones takes the magic-maker. Jeanty's burst and instant acceleration make it difficult for defenders to bring him down and react. He picks up yardage with a rare combination of vision, speed, balance and power. With elite change-of-direction skills, Jeanty maintains his tempo with no wasted movement on cuts. He produced runs of 50-plus yards in 14 games last season and would help ignite the ground game in Dallas, fostering play-action.

The Dolphins address a need at safety with Malaki Starks. In recent years, not many safeties have shown up in the top-15 during round one of the draft but the 2023 All-American and the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award finalist makes the cut. Starks, a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, has the speed to stay with deep threats and ball skills/body control to challenge pass catchers. Starks attacks the ball in the air and shows fluidity in and out of breaks. He would help shore up the last line of defense in Miami.

The Colts add another weapon to help Anthony Richardson. Tyler Warren accounted for nearly half (49%) of Penn State's offense as a triple-threat. Warren possesses natural hands and a competitive spirit on the gridiron that galvanized the Nittany Lions. He wins at the top of routes with speed variations and deceptive speed, while securing contested catches with toughness and ease. He can line up anywhere along the formation to keep defenses off-balance and can beat man coverage underneath or find the soft spot in zone to exploit off-coverage.

Raheem Morris strengthens the secondary with a corner instead of taking an edge rusher. Will Johnson is instinctive and has the change-of-direction skills to seamlessly re-route. His pre-snap awareness and ability to anticipate throws for takeaways sets him apart. Johnson is at his best when he can sit back and assess. The Falcons get a big corner with ball skills to boost the secondary.

The Cardinals are desperate for a bully in the interior and take Ole Miss star Walter Nolen. While his pass rush still needs fine-tuning at the next level, Nolen wins with unquestioned explosion and play strength. He can penetrate gaps with power and has the ability to absorb and counter double teams. Nolen's twitchiness is evident from the jump and his ability to collapse the pocket provides three-down potential in the pros.

After a lackluster showing from the Bengals' defense in 2024, a unit that gave up the seventh-most points in 2024, the club goes the defensive route. At 6-foot-3, 342 pounds (rare numbers), Kenneth Grant is a rancorous run-stuffer. The nose tackle can split double teams with power and long arms. He controls blocks at the point of attack and is hard to move when isolated with a sturdy base. The gap-filler would add another dimension to the Bengals' front.

Mike Macdonald and John Schneider address the pressing need along their offensive line. Josh Simmons will have to be vetted after a season-ending knee injury in October but the Ohio State product is a smooth mover in space and has the ability to elevate the screen game with range at chasing down second-level targets. Simmons would help achieve a balanced attack in Seattle and consistently beats rushers to the spot with active feet and pop in his punch. His athleticism boosted the Buckeyes' offense that was based on zone and gap principles.

At the Combine, Todd Bowles emphasized his desire for "ball-hawks," whether it is a defensive lineman who can bat down balls and get strip sacks, or a linebacker who can punch the ball out. Georgia's Mykel Williams fits that description to a "T." Williams jumps off the tape, keeping his long arms working to disrupt passing lanes with batted passes. Over 30 percent of Williams' career tackles resulted in a loss and his explosiveness and speed-to-power conversion is what the Bucs' brass covets. Tampa Bay is potentially set to lose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson and Shaquil Barrett in free agency, creating a void that needs to be filled opposite Yaya Diaby. Williams played both inside and outside for Georgia, making his production even more impressive. Since arriving in Athens, Williams had a pressure in all but one outing and possesses a voracious passion for the game. He keeps his legs and hands churning to advance his rush and Williams finishes sacks with closing burst. It is well known that Bowles likes to move his pass rushers around and Williams has insane flexibility, lining up from a three-technique to a wide-9, while also rushing from a 2-point stance on occasion. He is comfortable with his hand in the dirt and would help anchor the Bucs' defensive line.

Colston Loveland had more receiving yards in 2024 than the Broncos' tight end room had collectively. Adam Trautman never found his groove and Greg Dulcich missed the majority of the season with a hamstring injury. Sean Payton's previous offenses have been elevated with a tight end working the middle of the field, whether Jeremy Shockey in New York, Jason Witten in Dallas or Jimmy Graham in New Orleans. In a division that boasts Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers, the Broncos join the trend and grab Loveland as another weapon for Bo Nix. Loveland can be moved around to create mismatches for Denver and can run an advanced route tree at all three levels of the field. He is effective in and out of breaks with sharp angles to generate separation and has the ability to contort his body to haul in catches. With a large catch radius, he will elevate the Broncos' passing attack.

Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith grab one of the best receivers in the class in Emeka Egbuka to bolster the passing game in the Steel City. Egbuka possesses elite ball-tracking skills and is effective at the stem with tempo and has an innate feel for baiting defensive backs in space. Egbuka is adept at working back to the quarterback as a friendly target and he is willing to be physical in the ground game or in dropping a stiff-arm to leverage himself for run-after-catch. The dynamic slot receiver would make an impact in the Steelers' balanced system.

The Chargers certainly need to upgrade and add weapons for Justin Herbert, however, the interior of the Chargers' offensive line got exposed during the postseason. The Chargers are in good position at tackle with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and Tyler Booker would strengthen the middle. He fits the mold of a Jim Harbaugh-type of player with rare physical traits. Booker is a downhill run blocker with prototypical length, stellar upper-body strength and controlled movements when working against second and third-level defenders. He diagnoses blitzes/stunts well and would fortify the Chargers' unit at the line of scrimmage.

Shemar Stewart impressed at the Combine with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and an explosive 40-inch vertical jump. The Packers have a knack for developing defensive prospects and Stewart joins the group. He has a high upside and checks the coveted trio of traits: size, length and explosion. With rare suddenness off the snap, hands to overwhelm at the point of attack, a lethal bull rush that knocks tackles back and bend around the edge, Stewart has limitless potential. His production may not flash but the Packers see enough to pull the trigger.

Brian Flores adds to the secondary with an instinctive corner in Jahdae Barron. The former Longhorn blankets pass-catchers underneath and plays with sensational route recognition and has the size to win at the catch point. Barron takes effective angles and plays with above-average awareness in zone. He does not have blazing speed but makes up for it with a high football IQ and ability to redirect routes with ease.

The Texans acquire help along the frontline to protect C.J. Stroud. Grey Zabel continues to rise for his dominance in drills at the Senior Bowl against college football's top-heralded athletes. He is the latest prodigy from North Dakota State, playing with the trademark tough disposition. Zabel has position flexibility, playing four of five positions along the offensive line. He has a stout anchor and effectively squares up blitzes. Zabel has a lethal punch and effectively climbs off combo blocks. He has smooth lateral movement skills and takes his tools to the Texans.

I could have gone with an offensive tackle here to bolster the trenches in L.A., but they also need to prioritize the receiving corps. Demarcus Robinson is set to become a free agent and the Rams are seeking to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp. The organization needs a producer to pair with Puka Nacua. Luther Burden III pairs blazing speed with exceptional ball skills and big-play potential. Burden has quick acceleration off the line to bypass defenders and effectively adjusts to balls downfield. His run-after-catch talent would be a draw for Sean McVay.

The Ravens physical brand of football starts in the trenches. Josh Conerly Jr. is a fluid mover in space to boost the Ravens' ground onslaught and pairs recovery athleticism with acceleration into blocks. Conerly is adept at executing pulls, screens and climbs by extending lanes. He has quick feet and would help spark the Ravens' old-school system.

Donovan Jackson has the nasty temperament in the trenches that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes covet. He excels as an outside-zone blocker and clears the way on counter gap runs or pulls. Jackson utilizes his strength to counter bull rushes and looks to finish blocks – a prerequisite for Detroit linemen.

The Commanders grab a weapon to help foster growth in the play of 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels. Matthew Golden is adept at varying his route tempo in the short-to-intermediate area of the field and showcases his physicality and strength in contested catch situations. Golden can line up in a variety of alignments and combines crisp route running with long speed to create down the field. His flexibility allows him to sell the go-route then work back to the quarterback once defensive backs take the bait and commit to the expected vertical route.

The Bills need a game-changer to pair with Damar Hamlin. Nick Emmanwori would fit in Sean McDermott's defense. He totaled two pick sixes in 2024 and finished with four interceptions, while not allowing a touchdown in coverage. Emmanwori has speed and the versatility to play over the top in the post, in the box or match up with tight ends/running backs. The rangy player possesses receiver-type hands and has the leaping ability to disrupt the catch space.

Derrick Harmon seems like an ideal fit for Steve Spagnuolo's aggressive defense. The Chiefs are in need of an interrupter to pair with Chris Jones and Harmon is a force at the point of attack and can clog as a two-gapper or penetrate his way into the backfield. He is a challenge for offensive linemen to move and has a stunning arm-over maneuver in his arsenal. Harmon can play up and down the line of scrimmage, which would add another dimension to the Chiefs' pressure packages.