NFL teams are capable of choosing their draft picks depending on their win-loss status in the previous season. Consequently, ball clubs with the least games won are ranked reversely and get to choose draft picks first.
American Football Conference North Division
Houston Texans: Christian Harris, ILB (Round 3)
It is now common for teams to opt for more than 5 defensive backs on a team. Inside linebackers are rarely chosen from a draft pick. But with ILB Christian Harris’s skill set, it is apparent that management would want him on their rosters.
Harris enrolled at the University of Alabama where he played linebacker despite his high school positions as wide receiver and safety.
The Crimson Tide linebacker tallied 10 sacks in his last two years at Bama tackling from sideline to sideline. Houston is rebuilding its defensive line and Harris will fit in well on the line.
Indianapolis Colts: Bernhard Raimann, OT (Round 3)
The Indianapolis Colts slacked in defense and desperately needed a left tackle on the gridiron. Offensive Tackle Bernhard Raimann is their long-term option for the post. Raimann is a product of the Central Michigan Chippewas where he played Tight End in his first two years and accumulated 20 passes for 164 yards.
In his junior year, he started all six games as an offensive tackle during the pandemic-shortened college football competition of the 2020 season. The Austrian received the Offensive Player of the year award in the Mid-American Conference.
Raimann lacks experience on the grid’s offensive line but the Colts have a strong player development and drafting that will develop Raimann into a value of strength down the line.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Lloyd, LB (Round 1)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are desperately seeking their defense rebuilding. The Jags suffered back-to-back last-place finishes in the AFC South resulting in Tom Coughlin’s executive vice president position from the team.
One block to its rebuilding stage is Linebacker Devin Loyd from the Utah State University Aggies.
Mock drafts did not expect the linebacker to be the first-round draft pick. Lloyd will be a great fit to make an immediate difference in Jacksonville’s defense fortification. Lloyd was First-team all Pac-12 and a First-team All-American selection.
Tennessee Titans: Malik Willis, QB (Round 3)
Malik Willis has problems with his passing as a drafted 3rd round quarterback. Fortunately, he is a good fit for the Tennessee Titans who have a seasoned coaching staff that will work on Willis in short spurts and on the Red Zone. Willis could potentially develop and replace Ryan Tannehill in the long run.
Willis attended his first and second-year college at Auburn University, after which he spent his last two years with Liberty University. His achievements are the Bobby Bowden Award (2021), the Dudley Award (2020), the Cure Bowl MVP (2020), and the LendingTree Bowl MVP (2021).
National Football Conference North Division
Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Ridder, QB (Round 3)
The Atlanta Falcons decided to take a third-round quarterback draft pick in Desmond Ridder. The Bearcat played with the University of Cincinnati before joining the NFL.
As a starting QB redshirt freshman, Ridder connected for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns. He made 583 rushing yards with 5 touchdowns making him the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the year.
The picking of Ridder will spark a friendly competition with Marcus Marriota. Mariota is hoping to revitalize his career under Arthur Smith, his former coordinator. Ridder has a little downside as a third-rounder but possesses a similar athletic skillset.
The Falcons will have to deal with Ridder and Mariota until a substantial quarterback draft class in 2023.
Carolina Panthers: Matt Corral, QB (Round 3)
The Carolina Panthers badly need a productive quarterback for this season. Darnold is trying to reestablish his presence with the Panthers and he is not worried about the entry of third-round draft pick, Matt Corral.
Darnold, a 5-year veteran could only focus on what he can do for himself and not to worry about an additional game caller that could probably replace his starting post.
As for Corral, he is from the Ole Miss Rebels football squad and a highly productive one at that. The Rebel is an accurate passer; he connected 67% of his trajectories in college with excellent mentorship from Lane Kiffin.
New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR (Round 1)
The New Orleans Saints are currently at the bottom of the NFL today. They need all the help they can get after only a win away from the playoffs last season.
New Orleans was without QB1, QB2, RB1, RB2, RB3, WR1, WR2, WR3, TE1, TE2, LT, LG, RT, DT1, DE1, DE2, DE3, LB2, CB1, CB3, Slot Corner, and Kicker last year.
The Saints chose first-round draft pick Chris Olave to help them in their offensive thrust. Olave is a route-runner and will be a perfect addition to the team’s offense. He is a force in the Red Zone to contend with.
In the 2018 Big Ten Conference Championships, he caught five passes for 79 yards against the Northwestern University Wildcats. He opted out of the 2022 Rose Bowl and declared for the year’s NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Logan Hall, DL (Round 2)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to augment their aging line of defense. Second-round draft pick Logan Hall fortified the trenches together with Luke Goedeke.
Hall was with the University of Houston Cougars for four seasons. He was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference as a senior after recording 13 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Hall could be a good rookie contributor. He had a breakout 2021 season at Houston with six sacks and has the versatility to play at multiple spots along the defensive line. The defensive Linebacker was drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
These are the best NFL Draft Picks in the AFC and NFC South Division teams. The teams based their selections to revamp or build up their offense or defense plays.