No. 6: Carolina Panthers – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Panthers go with the best player available here with the selection of Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. A generational talent at his position, Downs’ playmaking skillset and versatility as a cover safety who can also play down in the box will give the Panthers’ defense the superstar defender they are looking for.
No. 7: Cleveland Browns – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
With the first of two first round picks, the Browns go defense with the selection of the third Clemson player off the board in the top 10. In Peter Woods, the Browns get an edge defender who will help a defensive line featuring Myles Garrett and 2025 NFL Draft first round pick Mason Graham get even more dominant in the AFC North. At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, Woods and Garrett would make one powerful set of defensive ends.
No. 8: Las Vegas Raiders – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The Raiders get their quarterback with the selection of LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier who some draft experts will see as a Top 3 pick. With Geno Smith still at the helm, the Raiders could’ve gone with a player like Drew Allar here, a player who could sit a year and learn from Smith. But why not go with a quarterback in Nussmeier who can step in and challenge Smith for the starting role right off the bat? Pete Carroll and the Raiders go with the sure bet here.
No. 9: Los Angeles Rams via ATL – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The fifth Clemson Tigers player is off the board in the top 10 as the Rams get their cornerback of the future in Avieon Terrell. The Rams will be rumored to take a QB here, but with another first round pick later in the draft, the team will go for a player in Terrell who could help the team immediately.
No. 10: Cleveland Browns via Jax – Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
If the Browns were going to select a quarterback, why not stay at No. 2 and select Arch Manning or grab Nussmeier at No. 7 after trading down? This draft is that deep and the Browns will have the flexibility to add another young quarterback in Drew Allar to the QB competition. Yes, there will be another summer battle in Cleveland. Allar is a prototypical type quarterback with arm talent and the leadership to make either Sanders or Gabriel a valuable trade chip for the Browns.