Recently fired coach Mike Zimmer didn't hide his displeasure with Minnesota's defense the last two years, and dismissed GM Rick Spielman's various botched investments at cornerback played a large part in the unit's downfall. "Sauce" could help set things straight in the secondary, as the 6-3, 200-pound coverage maven looks ready-made for the pros after never giving up a touchdown in college.
Cleveland appears content to sign up for another year of Baker Mayfield at starting quarterback, but that doesn't mean the passing attack should be status quo. The receiving corps will need to be reworked, particularly if Jarvis Landry ends up a cap casualty. Electric after the catch, Wilson is exactly the kind of target Mayfield needs to make life easier on every down.
A singularly calamitous spate of injuries this past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though true centers seldom earn this consideration – the last to be taken in the top 15 picks was Steve Everitt to the Browns in 1993 – Linderbaum is a uniquely talented blocker who can unlock even more possibilities in the Ravens' diverse run game.
Yes, the Eagles have only taken one linebacker in the first round since 1980. If there were a time to break from that tendency, however, it would be for Lloyd, an active presence at the second level who's equally comfortable chasing down running backs, blitzing the quarterback or taking on coverage assignments.
16. Eagles (from Colts) – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Philadelphia's pass rush looks due for a changing of the guard. By adding the superbly athletic and still-developing Walker opposite a potential budding star in Josh Sweat, the Eagles would give themselves one of the league's most physically imposing pair of defensive ends.
17. Chargers – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
It's impossible to ignore just how damaging the shoddy front seven has been to the Chargers' cause this season after the unit's inability to stop the Raiders' Josh Jacobs in an obvious running situation essentially bumped the Bolts from the playoff field. An antidote might be waiting in the form of Davis, a 6-6, 340-pound force who does far more on the interior than merely eat space.
18. Saints – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Sean Payton seemingly pushed New Orleans as far as it could go without some semblance of consistency at quarterback. Identifying more than a patchwork solution has to be the foremost concern this offseason, and Payton won't find a better package of experience and accuracy in the draft than Pickett. The four-year starter's accelerating growth into a Heisman Trophy finalist highlighted that he can thrive in a scheme that helps him harness his aggressiveness.
19. Eagles – Drake London, WR, USC
Even after hitting it big with DeVonta Smith last year, Philadelphia shouldn't be done remaking its receiving corps. A former basketball player, the 6-5, 210-pound London routinely bullied defensive backs on jump balls this season before a fractured ankle cut his campaign short. He would be a fitting running mate for Smith and an option Jalen Hurts would no doubt find immediate value in.
20. Steelers – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
After a storied run as the Steelers' general manager, Kevin Colbert is in line to step down after one more draft, according to multiple reports. The most pressing task left: Bring on a quarterback who can keep Pittsburgh in playoff contention upon taking over for Ben Roethlisberger. Like many other passers in this class, Howell might prove to be a divisive prospect, as his highlights in the deep passing game come with questions about how his decision-making will translate to the NFL. While Pittsburgh might have to endure growing pains if the team turns to him as a starter early, going with Howell has to be a serious consideration for a team that lacks many readily apparent options for a successor to its longtime signal-caller.
21. Patriots – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
If New England is unable or unwilling to retain J.C. Jackson after his star turn, cornerback will be New England's unquestioned most glaring offseason need. Regardless of how the team handles the impending free agent, Elam offers the dynamic playmaking skills and smothering approach in press coverage that Bill Belichick would relish utilizing.
22. Dolphins (from 49ers) - Kenyon Green, G/T, Texas A&M
Miami's offensive line is in such disarray that the front needs help almost everywhere. It would only be natural, then, for Miami to be drawn to Green, who started at four different positions during his first-team All-American season in 2021.
23. Raiders – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Rookie first-round pick Alex Leatherwood's stint at right tackle was unfruitful and short-lived. At 6-7 and 321 pounds, the powerful Penning has not only the frame but also the athleticism to thrive at the position in the pros, even if he requires an extended acclimation period after arriving from the Football Championship Subdivision.
24. Cardinals – Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State
Arizona's pass rush has at times hinged on four-time Pro Bowl selection Chandler Jones and the underrated Markus Golden, who combined to record 21 ½ of the defense's 41 sacks. With Jones ticketed for free agency and likely seeking a hefty deal, the Cardinals would be wise to take a long look at Thomas, an ascendant prospect who was one of college football's most consistently disruptive defenders.
25. Bengals – Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
The Ja'Marr Chase-Penei Sewell debate was at least temporarily settled by the Bengals wide receiver when he embarked on his record-setting rookie year. Still, Cincinnati must have been on edge when Joe Burrow was dinged up after taking four sacks and 10 hits in the penultimate game of the regular season. No one will confuse Kinnard's pass protection skills with those of Sewell, but the Southeastern Conference standout is a stable option at either right tackle or guard.
26. Lions (from Rams) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Jared Goff ended the season on an upswing, thanks in large part to Amon-Ra St. Brown's late breakout. Maybe it would be a shrewd move, then, to invest in another polished and prolific target who can upgrade an otherwise flimsy receiving corps. Olave offers savvy beyond his years in his precise route-running, and he should add a needed vertical element to the passing attack.
27. Bills – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane built the NFL's top-ranked defense by finding value across the board, which is what they could do here with Booth. Aggressive both when finding the ball in the air and against the run, he would make a worthy counterpart to Tre'Davious White.
28. Cowboys – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Even if defensive coordinator Dan Quinn lands a head coaching job elsewhere, Dallas no doubt will want to keep alive the playmaking approach he has installed, which has resulted in a league-best 34 takeaways. While Hill only recorded four interceptions in three years, his rare speed and extensive range indicate his best is yet to come in this area, positioning him as a worthy option at a spot in which the Cowboys have long underinvested.
29. Buccaneers – DeMarvin Leal, DT/DE, Texas A&M
The offseason questions are piling up in Tampa Bay, with the likes of wide receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis, tight end Rob Gronkowski, center Ryan Jensen, outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston all set to hit free agency. While the Buccaneers might be able to retain many of their key pieces, the last two veterans might be among those they end up parting with. The multi-talented Leal would help the defending champions undergo a refresh up front with an interior presence adept at creating disruption.
30. Chiefs – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
A torn anterior cruciate ligament in the national championship game might take a significant toll on the draft stock of Williams, the Ohio State transfer who otherwise would have had a solid chance to be the first receiver selected, even ahead of former teammates Wilson and Olave. So long as Williams' medical evaluations check out, though, it's easy to imagine the speedy receiver who averaged 19.9 yards per catch doing significant damage in Andy Reid's offense, even starting out as a tertiary option to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
31. Titans – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Never a bad idea to equip Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill with more support, especially following a season in which Tennessee's offensive line depth was put to the test by injuries and COVID-19. Raimann, a fast riser and converted tight end from Austria, could provide some much-needed flexibility for a front that needs closer evaluation after allowing 47 sacks
32. Packers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
If Green Bay is able to complete its reconciliation with Aaron Rodgers, what better way to celebrate the repaired relationship than by granting him his long-awaited first-round receiver? With his go-up-and-get-it play style and strong hands, Burks could endear himself quickly to Rodgers as a jump-ball target and complement to Davante Adams, who also has to address his future in Green Bay amid his expiring contract.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz .
