The 91st annual NFL draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on April 23. Below, The UCSD Guardian Senior Staff Writer Isaiah Benitez predicts how the first 32 picks will play out. Mock trades were not permitted for the sake of clarity.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana University — After a mostly positive offseason, the Raiders are ready to complete their rebuild by selecting the best quarterback in this year’s draft. 
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, linebacker, Ohio State University — Though Reese is somewhat of a “tweener,” his upside as a pass rusher is too high for the Jets to miss out on. 
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, offensive lineman, University of Miami — Last season, the Cardinals dealt with terrible right tackle play. Mauigoa’s size, strength, and positional versatility will make him a surefire selection to protect their next quarterback — whoever that may be. 
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, running back, University of Notre Dame — The Titans will add another potentially legendary running back to their franchise by swinging on Love to aid Cam Ward’s development. 
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, linebacker, Ohio State University — Pairing Styles with the recently-signed Tremaine Edmunds will establish a ruthless coverage linebacker duo for the Giants. 
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, wide receiver, Ohio State University — Tate will stay in Ohio to give the Browns a masterful big-bodied route artist and assist Shedeur Sanders’ ongoing development. 
7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State University — The Commanders will sprint in the card to select Downs, taking the generational prospect off of the board. Downs’ extraordinary instincts will provide Washington with some much-needed secondary help. 
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., defensive lineman, University of Miami — Bain’s fall will finally end when the Saints take a swing on the young Hurricane. Though he has been criticized for his stocky frame, Bain can prove the doubters wrong from any spot on New Orleans’ defensive line. 
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Makai Lemon, wide receiver, University of Southern California — The Chiefs will snag some crucial receiving help at nine, giving them ample time to develop Lemon in the last year of Rashee Rice’s rookie contract.
10. New York Giants: Mansoor Delane, cornerback, Louisiana State University — Although the Giants traded away a franchise cornerstone in Dexter Lawrence, they reap a sweet secondary reward with the consensus top cornerback in this year’s class.
11. Miami Dolphins: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech University — Bailey falls into the Dolphins’ lap at 11, igniting the Jeff Hafley era with one of the most productive prospects in this year’s class. 
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, cornerback, University of Tennessee — Last season, the Cowboys paired one of the most electric offenses in the league with a downright horrendous defense. A freak-athlete corner like McCoy would be a leap in the right direction for America’s team.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Spencer Fano, offensive lineman, University of Utah — Though it might not be the sexiest pick for this juggernaut of a Rams team, the upgraded protection Fano provides will hopefully preserve Matthew Stafford for another great season, even this late into his career.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, offensive Guard, Penn State University — The Ravens will win again by staying put and picking yet another elite player that fits their needs.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ Allen, linebacker, University of Georgia — Opposing teams grin at the sight of linebackers like SirVocea Dennis in the Bucs’ depth chart. After Lavonte David’s recent retirement, Allen is exactly what this team needs.
16. New York Jets: Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver, Arizona State University — With the season he had in 2025, Geno Smith needs a special player like Tyson to take the Jets “to the promised land.”
17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle, University of Georgia — The Lions will select this behemoth tackle in an attempt to revive their ailing offensive line unit. 
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, safety, University of Oregon — Pending Harrison Smith’s potential retirement, the prophecy will be fulfilled when the Vikings take their next “sneaky athletic” safety of the future.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, tight end, University of Oregon — The Panthers continue to build around Bryce Young by adding to his pass-catching options — this time, gifting him an absolute phenom at the tight end position. 
20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, University of Auburn — The Cowboys will add more to their defense by taking a dynamic young stud in Faulk. If used right, Faulk’s positional versatility will allow him to generate pressure from anywhere on this rebuilding defense. 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., wide receiver, Indiana University — Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, or a fresh face at quarterback, the Steelers need a Randall Cobb-esque slot technician like Cooper to make Mike McCarthy’s system thrive. 
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, offensive guard, University of Oregon — Despite the set returns of both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt next season, the interior of the Chargers’ offensive line has left Justin Herbert with nothing but injuries and nightmares. Drafting a “built-like-blastoise” guard like Pregnon will allow Herbert to sleep — and pass — in peace.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, offensive lineman, University of Alabama — The Eagles will act early to prepare Lane Johnson’s eventual replacement, drafting the goliath Crimson tackle while he can still train with the future Hall of Famer. 
24. Cleveland Browns: Blake Miller, offensive lineman, Clemson University — After taking their flashy skill position player in Carnell Tate, the Browns will “eat their vegetables” by drafting some sorely-needed offensive line help. 
25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, University of Miami — Though Mesidor’s age is a concern, he comes into the league as an immediate impact player on a team in desperate need of immediate impact.
26. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald, defensive tackle, Ohio State University — The Bills will add some essential nose-tackle depth by taking Ohio State’s star stout run stuffer. 
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, wide receiver, Texas A&M University — Kyle Shanahan will get his next offensive gadget after losing both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel to the tests of time. Concepcion’s versatile background makes him the perfect tool to leverage pressure off of Christian McCaffrey’s shoulders. 
28. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, defensive tackle, University of Clemson — An already-scary Texans defense becomes scarier as it nabs one of the top defensive tackles in this year’s class. Quarterbacks won’t have time to rest as Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Woods rotate and wreak havoc. 
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Avieon Terrell, cornerback, Clemson — This is the dream scenario for the Chiefs: stealing two hungry, highly-touted draft prospects on both sides of the ball to bolster their areas of need.
30. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Boston, wide receiver, University of Washington — After trading their best receiver in Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for this pick, the Dolphins will select a bigger, cheaper receiver to assist Malik Willis in kicking off their rebuilding season.
31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, offensive lineman, Arizona State University — Iheanachor’s guard-tackle versatility will allow him to take snaps anywhere along New England’s offensive line throughout Morgan Moses’ potential final season.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M University — Following Boye Mafe’s departure, the Seahawks will take Howell for his proven strengths as a designated pass rusher.