How the Pirates can fix their rotation with two more moves

The Pirates added Marco Gonzales to their rotation this week. That is a good start to building this rotation but as it stands, he’s their second-best starting pitcher. That cannot remain that way if the Pirates want to have any success next season, a season they have made the expectation to contend. 

Luckily, I do not expect it will remain that way. With rumors they are still on the trade market and the free agent market for starting pitching and even Cherington said he expects to add more there, we can comfortably think they will continue to be active in that market. However, they can’t just be hunting for more backend starters. They need more in the middle rotation and I say they still need two options in that regard. I think they can pull this off and there’s a blueprint for it that I will go through here. A way to fix this rotation with two more moves that make a lot of sense for this team right now. 

The first thing is to sign a guy from the 2nd-tier free agent starting pitching market. They are commonly connected to this market in this starting pitcher search and should be expected to find a guy there. The top options mentioned for them are Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Mike Clevinger, Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty. 

Flaherty would be the lowest bar here and they should aim higher but he wouldn’t be a terrible consolation prize I suppose. The top options here are Lugo and Wacha. Both were highly productive for the Padres last season. Both are veteran innings eaters that have been awhile. Pirates fans would certainly recognize Wacha from the 2013 NLDS game 4 gem he spun at PNC Park (sorry to open an old wound). Even at 32 and 34, Wacha and Lugo can still get it done and their age might keep their market a bit more reasonable in cost. I still think $15M or more per year on a 2-3 year deal would be required, which would be the biggest free agent deal in the team’s history, but it would be worth it for that reliable arm with a ton of playoff experience. Their payroll would still be low even after this. Giolito and Clevinger wouldn’t be bad either and I’d take any of these arms mentioned to fill the middle of the rotation. They’d all be big upgrades for the Pirates. 

However, that wouldn’t be the biggest fish I’d go for. There is a team looking to trade starting pitching I’d poach from without question. The Marlins have enough starting pitching to build almost two full rotations and are willing to trade from it to fill holes on their roster. Some of these guys are Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers. Any of these guys would be awesome for the Pirates, especially Luzardo and Garrett. All of them would also fit their financial restraints very well. 

What would it take for the Pirates to land one of them though? The Marlins have needs at two positions the Pirates can help them with, catching and middle infield. Obviously the catcher would be the main piece whether that’s Rodriguez or Davis. The Pirates can’t have them both catch everyday like they want so trading one for pitching could be the way to go. Then in the middle infield, they could deal from Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales, Ji-Hwan Bae and others, whatever value those guys hold. The two needs the Marlins have fit perfectly with what the Pirates can deal from and what the Marlins can deal from fits a Pirates need perfectly. The match seems to work so well in speculation at least. 

If they can add one of those free agent pitchers listed plus one of those Marlins starters on top of having Keller and Gonzales, that would be a rotation that is looking very solid. They’d have one spot for the young pitchers. That’s how it should be though. Make the young guys push for their spot. The young pitchers should be viewed as a bonus with whatever they get from them. Don’t fully rely on them. If it turns out it all comes together, they have more guys than spots and that’s a great spot to be in since good pitching is never something to have too much of. 

This plan would also not break the bank for this team. They got Gonzales at $3M. The young Marlins pitchers will be cheap due to their youth and that’d make the free agent palpable as they’d be able to fill 3 spots for $20M give or take a little bit total. That’s how it should be viewed anyways. Even after that, their payroll would still be in a position to add to 1st base, outfield and general depth. 

I think they can really pull this off. They should be able to. There’s no reason why it can’t happen. If they can make this happen or something similar, they can be in a great position to be a real contender next season. They have a great opportunity here they have to take advantage of. 

Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline preview

The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching as we are now within three weeks to go until the big day on August 1. This is always an exciting time of year as we find out who is doing what and how the landscape of the league changes and the playoff picture comes into focus. 

The Pirates are in an interesting spot as they will come out of the break at 41-49 and 8 out of a wildcard spot and 8.5 out of the division lead. They have really faded since about the middle of June but since the big 20-8 start, they are just 21-41. This is hardly a team that looks like one that should be buyers this year. However, if they can somehow come out of the break hot for a week or so and maybe trim the deficit to 4 or 5 games, the outlook could perhaps change. 

However, even if they are sellers, which is what appears should happen, they seem to be past the point of the big sell offs in a rebuild kind of fashion. It is more likely they will just sell off short-term assets with no future on the team weather than any more big wholesale changes. All in all, this is a total preview of the kinds of players they could look to trade with the assumption they are sellers this month.

Andrew McCutchen:

McCutchen returning to Pittsburgh has been a jolt of energy to the team, even if they still lack the talent to compete just yet. His influence is still felt and his presence in Pittsburgh is felt too. The Pirates would be foolish to trade him despite it maybe being the best thing for them on paper. Cutch should remain a Pirate as long as he plays. The only thing that would change this is if he goes to the front office with a demand to go to a contender but I can’t imagine that given how much he’s stated he wants to be in Pittsburgh. I do not envision him being dealt. I don’t think that’s the message this front office wants to send now as they approach the next step of competing. He has a better chance of re-signing with the Pirates or getting an extension done with them prior to free agency this winter, or he retires. 

Carlos Santana:

There is still some value to Santana. He offers a little bit with that bat with some pop still and spurts of brilliance at the plate. What he does bring is plus defense at a tough position that is 1st base. He can also DH of course. He was brought in to platoon but has become a guy who has held his own as an everyday player when asked to be. Not that they’d get a ton for Santana but he’s a guy you certainly listen on and really possibly deal away. They could keep him for the culture he’s helped install and 1st base has been a barren wasteland for the Pirates that he’s at least provided a decent stopgap for so there’s internal value to that which could exceed the possible return in a trade.

Ji-Man Choi:

Sticking with the 1B/DH theme, Choi was brought in to platoon with Santana, maybe even take most of the starts as the lefty bat. He got injured early on and just came back. He will have a little bit of time to prove his value to a contender prior to the deadline. I think he has a likelier chance of being dealt than Santana if I had an uneducated guess on the subject. He isn’t as ingrained as Santana with the culture aspect and he might provide more value in just what he does for a contender possibly off the bench or as a DH type. 

Rich Hill:

Hill is an interesting one as he’s had an up and down season. It hasn’t been great for him lately. Regardless he is a veteran lefty backend rotation starter and that does become valuable to contenders this time of year. This could be the third straight year they flip the lefty starter they signed in the offseason (probably was the point of signing all of them anyways). Hill might be a little rich for what he is though as he signed an $8M contract. The Pirates might have to eat some or all of his remaining salary to facilitate a trade and maximize the return. I think that shouldn’t be an issue, at least we hope. 

Connor Joe:

Could Joe’s second stint with the team be cut so short? Possibly. Joe likely isn’t a starting level guy in many places (including the Pirates), he has some value as a bench bat and occasional starter. He can hit lefties well and that has some value. I ultimately do not think he’ll get traded because he still has so much contract left. He’s not a free agent until 2028 and the Pirates are still in position where they could use him considering some of their depth issues at the plate. He’s maybe a more valuable piece on this team than he would be on a contender right now. I don’t rule out trading him though. 

Mitch Keller:

This one has almost no chance of happening but the Pirates will definitely get calls. Keller has emerged as a very good MLB pitcher capable of anchoring a rotation. He isn’t a true ace but not many are. There’d be teams lining up to acquire Keller if he were truly available. A very good, controllable arm like him that can slot in as a number 2 or high-end number 3 on a contender would bring high value back to the Pirates in this market that is going to he starving for pitching like this. The Pirates need Keller just the same though. He is a foundational piece to this rotation that is about to be infused with young pitching where he will suddenly be the veteran mentor and his experience and journey as a big leaguer will be really valuable to them. Plus he obviously can provide on the field in a big way too if this season is any indication.

David Bednar:

I say it every year. An elite reliever on a bad team is simply a luxury but to a contender, it’s a necessary given how stretch runs and postseason baseball work. Every team needs it. Bednar would be perhaps the most valuable reliever on the market if he were available and with the Pirates likely not contending again, maybe he would be. Most likely not though. The Pirates haven’t traded him yet with chances the last two years to after the broke out as one of the best relievers in the league. If they haven’t yet, they won’t now. Not with their sights clearly set on contending in 2024 and beyond. If that is their plan, he will be a vital piece to the bullpen to build around instead of trading him away and possibly struggling ti replace him in a year they hope to compete. He will become more valuable to them than he’s worth in a trade if he’s pitching in games for them in a contending year. 

However, I feel like trading a reliever for multiple potential pieces that can help in other valuable areas is something to always be considered. While I do not see a team meeting the Pirates threshold to make the trade happen, what if one does? What if a team gives up a higher-end prospect that’s close to MLB-ready at an area the Pirates are lacking? I think that’s what it would take. Would the Pirates move him? Maybe given the positional value. The Pirates have always seemed to have a quality closer. It just happens. Maybe that’s just what this organization excels at finding. 

The issue is that the bullpen they have built right now leaves a lot to be desired and Bednar is a saving grace of it. To trade him would mean leaving a major hole in probably their weakest area. They’d have to really get a ton for him and have a quality plan to fix the bullpen once and for all this upcoming winter, which they need anyways but would need even more help there without Bednar. 

One other question is whether the Pirates would shop for a controllable asset at the deadline regardless of position in the standings. Maybe they want to do some offseason shopping early for a player with control and also with the upside of help now too if they even stay on the fringes of contention. It’s possible but I don’t see it as likely. 

The reason is that it looks like an extreme seller’s market is developing. Paying the prices it’d take to get any controllable asset is going to be tough to justify at this rate. The prices usually drop in the winter when the market is more saturated with options and the ‘trade deadline tax’ no longer applies. The issue is some available players now may not be available in the winter if they get traded now. If the Pirates identify a certain player they want now and feel it’s now or never to get that player, they could make that move. I don’t see it though. 

If the Pirates somehow make a run to become buyers, this conversation will change. For now, the expectation would be that they sell some of their short-term assets but the long-term guys stay put. I’d imagine that is how it’ll play out by the August 1 deadline. 

The top 10 most important players in the Pirates organization right now

Every team that wants to be successful in the MLB, or any sport, needs star players and just really good players throughout the roster. The Pirates have clearly lacked this over the years. Now, however, they have some guys who are really intriguing with chances to be that, some in the majors already but more to come out of the minor leagues. 

With that, I have compiled 10 players who are currently in the Pirates system, major and minor leaguers, that I feel are the most important pieces to this team’s success going forward.

Bryan Reynolds:

Going into the season, Reynolds was seen as their best player and be earned an extension due to that. He hasn’t been as good this season so far but he is no doubt one of the most important pieces to this organization going forward. He isn’t going anywhere any time soon. 

Ke’Bryan Hayes:

Another player on a long-term extension that isn’t going anywhere soon. His defense is awesome but his offense is inconsistent and now there’s talk his back issues could perhaps be chronic in nature. He’s one of their cornerstone players though and he’s vitally important to this operation.

Oneil Cruz:

Nobody is denying that he has star power. It’s unfortunate that he got hurt so early this season and in his career overall. He has a real chance to be this team’s best player and a perennial all-star. He is supposed to be this team’s franchise shortstop for a long time.

Mitch Keller:

Keller has become a vital part of this organization slowly but surely. He was just in the all-star game and deservedly so. He’s become a very quality pitcher and one that deserves an extension so he can be a very good and very steady part of this rotation for years to come.

Andrew McCutchen:

McCutchen should retire a Pirate, whenever that is. I think he has more seasons in him after his one-year deal expires this winter. He should be back as long as he wants to play. There’s always a place for him since he’s still a really good player. I think his presence is perfect for this young team and what he means for this organization, the fans and the city as well cannot he ignored. 

Henry Davis:

The 2021 1st overall pick has had a few weeks now in the big leagues and it looks like he can hold his own. He’s going to need to become a catcher too soon but the position versatility is fine to have given they’ll also have Endy Rodriguez soon. It’s as simple as they drafted him 1st overall. They need that guy to be successful in a big way considering the investment.

Endy Rodriguez:

Speaking of Endy Rodriguez, he is their other top catching prospect that should be up very soon. He also brings positional versatility that may be utilized too much early in his big league career but he and Davis have to eventually settle in as a catching tandem with versatility to do other things when the other one is catching. That’s the ideal. The Pirates haven’t solved their catching situation in a big way under Cherington except for one random good season from Stallings but then they traded him after (in hindsight a good decision). It’s time to solve that issue for a long time.

Quinn Priester/Jared Jones:

Both of these guys are in AAA. Priester will be up very soon while Jones looks more like a next year callup. At least one of these guys working out can give the Pirates a gigantic boost to their team. It’s hard to find quality pitching and buying it on the market takes a lot unless you get lucky. Having it built within the organization is a key to success consistently. The best teams have that going for them. 

Anthony Solometo:

Drafted by the Pirates in 2021 as a high school arm, it is impressive that Solometo is already in AA with a real chance to make it up to the big leagues next season. He’s going up the system fast and he’s rising fast as a prospect too, in the top 100 on some lists. He’s important in a lot of ways due to the pitching thing I mentioned with Priester and Jones but also that he is a lefty. The Pirates don’t have many of those in the system set to make an impact. A high-end lefty in the rotation is what this team needs. Solometo has potential for that.

Paul Skenes:

Just drafted number 1 overall by the Pirates, Skenes figures to have a fast track to the majors. The smart money would be on next year by June for his debut in Pittsburgh but he could push for earlier for sure. Davis is important as a top overall pick too but Skenes is even more important as one as he’s seen as a generational talent with ace written all over him. The other pitchers I mentioned might work out but they may still be missing something if Skenes doesn’t. Maybe it’s crazy hyperbole at this stage but this guy has a chance to be the best pitcher the Pirates have ever had. The expectations are lofty and he has to hit them for this thing to work. 

The one you will notice left out is David Bednar. I really like him and he’s one of their best players right now. He maybe should be on the list too due to his impact on the field and culturally as a Pittsburgh native. He just missed the cut for me here due to the fact that he’s a reliever and the reality is that due to that, his value of importance is slightly less everyday position players and starting pitchers. That isn’t to say he isn’t a vital piece too though. 

The Pirates have slowly built a foundation that has a lot to be excited for and it looks like it could all be coming together sooner rather than later finally. To me, these players listed are the 10 (or 11) most important players the organization has right now for the immediate future of this club.

The Pirates pitching plan is coming together

The Pirates used the 1st pick in the 2023 MLB draft on right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes. The LSU product is seen as a generational pitching prospect and the best since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. 

For the Pirates, they get the kind of prospect they’ve long needed in the system. They’ve had some really good prospects but none have been seen in the light that Skenes is in. He is going to be viewed as one of the best prospects in the game and very well could be the top pitching prospect in the game immediately. 

With this, the plan for the future of the pitching staff has come into focus. Skenes fits the timeline in which it seems a lot of the top pitchers in the Pirates system currently are projected to come up to the big leagues. 

Quinn Priester, the Pirates 1st round pick in 2019, should be up very soon. Jared Jones, who is already in AAA at age 21, has an outside chance at a September audition but will be a factor next season. Kyle Nicolas could see MLB action later this season too. Anthony Solometo, who is 20 in AA and drafted just two years ago, could be in a similar situation next year, if not up even earlier. Mike Burrows and Thomas Harrington look to be factors after that. Jun-Seok Shim, Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, Michael Kennedy and others will be guys in the next wave after that. This is of course all headlined by Paul Skenes, who should be able to force the issue and be up with the big club by next June or sooner. It also will include a number of other collegiate pitchers the Pirates took in the 2023 MLB draft. So there’s a lot of pitching coming the next three years. 

These guys will join a rotation currently lead by Mitch Keller, who has gotten better and better each year and is looking like a solid top-of-the-rotation guy that would be an awesome number 2 pitcher behind Skenes if he hits his ceiling and fast as he’s expected to. That would be a great 1-2 punch the Pirates haven’t had since Cole and Burnett in 2015. 

Besides Keller they have a lot of question marks in the MLB rotation currently. Rich Hill is not a long-term solution obviously. Oviedo and Bido don’t have the looks of long-term MLB starters. Roansy Contreras has lost something and the hope is he finds it since he looked like a rotation mainstay for the future at one point. If he regains form he can reclaim that. Luis Ortiz needs to figure some things out too to be an option. The clock is ticking on all of these guys besides Keller right now. 

The other guy is JT Brubaker, who they lost for the season. He showed to be at least a stable and perfectly fine major league starting pitcher, which is valuable in its own right. The Pirates hope he comes back and is at least that upon return. If he is, that’s a spot you can pencil in until/unless something better comes along. Vince Velasquez is also out for the season and they liked him before the injury and he was pitching pretty well. Maybe they’d want to bring him back on a new deal this winter and try again. I’d be for that. 

There is a good chance the Pirates go shopping this winter for another starting pitcher or two. They will need the help, even if they view the midseason reinforcements from the system as really good. You can never have enough good pitching. 

All in all, the Pirates clear strategy was to get these waves of pitching help in 2023, 2024 and 2025, maybe even some in 2026. They built up the system’s depth in that area for this window they are about to get in the middle of. Drafting Skenes again proves that and they added a true top-flight rotation kind of starter to their multitude of options to take it over the top. The strategy Cherington has had is coming together and it’s sooner than we think. 

How the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship team was built

The Vegas Golden Knights captured hockey’s ultimate prize a few short nights ago. I thought for the occasion this would be a great time to look at just how this team was built since it is undoubtedly unusual. This list won’t include every player but it will include the 19 in the lineup from the Stanley Cup final and a few other players that made good contributions throughout the season even if they didn’t crack the lineup at the end.

The Captain 

Mark Stone:

Acquired from Ottawa in 2019. Vegas sent top prospect Erik Brannstrom, Oskar Lindberg and a 2020 2nd round pick for Mark Stone and Tobias Lindberg

The Original Six Misfits

Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith:

The Panthers sent Jonathan Marchessault to Vegas in exchange for Vegas to take Reilly Smith in the expansion draft. 

William Karlsson:

Columbus sent a 2019 1st and 2nd round picks and injured forward with a bad contract David Clarkson to Vegas so they would take William Karlsson over any other player they left unprotected in the expansion draft.

William Carrier:

Selected by Vegas in the expansion draft from the Sabres.

Shea Theodore:

The Anaheim Ducks sent him to Vegas in the expansion draft in exchange for Vegas taking Clayton Stoner instead of defenseman Josh Manson, who was left unprotected.

Brayden McNabb:

Selected by Vegas in the expansion draft from the Kings.

The Rest (Forwards)

Jack Eichel:

Acquired from the Sabres in 2021. Vegas sent Alex Tuch, top prospect Peyton Krebs along with 1st and 2nd round picks for Jack Eichel and a 3rd round pick.

Chandler Stephenson:

Acquired in 2019 from the Capitals. Vegas sent a 5th round pick in the 2021 draft for Chandler Stephenson.

Ivan Barbashev:

Acquired in 2023 from the Blues. Vegas sent top prospect Zach Dean for Ivan Barbashev.

Nicolas Roy:

Acquired in 2019 from the Hurricanes. Vegas sent Erik Haula to the Hurricanes for Nicolas Roy and a conditional 5th round pick in 2021. 

Keegan Kolesar:

Acquired in 2017 from the Blue Jackets. Vegas sent a 2nd round pick in 2017 in exchange for Keegan Kolesar.

Brett Howden:

Acquired in 2021 from the New York Rangers. Vegas sent Nick DeSimone and a 4th round pick in 2022 in exchange for Brett Howden.

Michael Amadio:

Claimed off waivers in 2021 by Vegas after being placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs.

The Rest (Defensemen):

Alex Pietrangelo:

Signed as a free agent in 2020 after playing for the Blues. 

Alec Martinez:

Acquired in 2020 from the Kings. Vegas sent 2nd round picks in 2020 and 2021 in exchange for Alec Martinez.

Zach Whitecloud:

Signed as a free agent in 2018 to an entry-level contract.

Nic Hague:

Drafted by Vegas in the 2nd round (34th overall) in 2017.

The Goaltender:

Adin Hill:

Acquired in 2022 from the Sharks. Vegas sent a 2024 4th round pick in exchange for Adin Hill.

Other contributors:

Phil Kessel:

Signed in 2022 after previously playing for the Coyotes. 

Laurent Brossoit:

Signed in 2021 after previously playing for the Jets.

Logan Thompson:

Signed in 2020 to an entry-level contract.

Teddy Blueger:

Acquired in 2023 from the Penguins. Vegas sent Peter DiLiberatore and a 2024 3rd round pick in exchange for Teddy Blueger.

Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup victory a result of their non-traditional philosophy

The Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup with a resounding 9-3 victory over the Florida Panthers to win it all in 5 games. For Vegas, this is their first Stanley Cup championship but in only the 6th year as a franchise. 

The 6th year thing comes as a big deal as Bill Foley, the Golden Knights owner, said before the franchise even played a game that they’d win the Cup in six year. The prophecy that he put out there has come into fruition as reality, unbelievably so in many ways.

Bill Foley took a gamble on bringing a professional hockey franchise to Vegas. The market didn’t seem rip for sports previously despite it being the sports gambling capital of the world. It wasn’t supposed to work but Foley saw the vision and in typical Vegas fashion, played his cards to see what would happen. A gamble that paid off big-time.

This mindset and this philosophy didn’t end with that. Since the franchise’s inception, there have been big gambles time and again. They have built their team this way over the years. Original general manager George McPhee was the architect behind the expansion draft that looked questionable in real time but was a major victory in hindsight. That group of misfits that was picked to finish dead last by many made it all the way to the Cup final in year one before succumbing to the Capitals in 5 games. They didn’t let that get them down, they kept pushing.

The Golden Knights have not built this team in any way that’s seen as traditional and they keep throwing all their chips in the middle of the table. Big move after big move have occurred with this team. It feels like every year they do something major to change the formula. 

They are simultaneously not afraid to pivot but also double down at the same time. This being with players and coaches alike. They are aggressive when they feel the need to do something when what they have stops working the way they want. They don’t hold onto things so long just because that’s how it has to be. They instead move forward with an altered blueprint as they identify the issues and aggressive solve problems that other teams hesitate to do. It has lead to some mistakes sure but their ability to pivot and figure it out so quickly has been a big part of their success. 

It isn’t just the big moves either. A lot of the lower-end moves for under-appreciated players from elsewhere has paid off too. It started at the expansion draft but didn’t end there. Far from it. They have been awesome at identifying players that they think can be better with them. 

They have taken gambles in every sense of the word. All the big moves and sacrificing draft capital and top prospects and having high cap hits are major gambles. Taking chances on lesser-known or given-up-on players is also a major risk. Vegas has continually taken all those gambles. In a city known for gambling, the Vegas Golden Knights have embraced an approach that resembles the city. 

The results? 3 division titles, 5 playoff appearances, 4 conference final/semifinal appearances, 2 Cup Final Appearances and now the Stanley Cup championship. All in just six years. A major success. They have been the second most successful NHL franchise since 2017 only behind the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

For all of it, the Vegas Golden Knights are rewarded with hockey’s ultimate prize. They are the Stanley Cup Champions! They get the parade. They get the summer with the Cup. Their names will all be etched on that trophy forever. Nobody can take this away from them. They have achieved hockey immortality. 

2023 NFL Mock Draft

Panthers: Bryce Young, QB Alabama

I think Young is the easy and obvious pick to make here. Panthers should have that written on the card already. 

Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE Alabama

I don’t think the Texans take a QB here. I don’t understand why but maybe the bigger picture wins the day for them. If they don’t, they seem to love Will Anderson. I suspect that’d be the pick. 

Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT Ohio State

This would be the first true shocker of the draft. Cardinals would prefer to trade this pick down but I don’t know if the market is there. They take a tackle here and there’s interest from them in Johnson Jr.

Colts: Will Levis, QB Kentucky

There is a lot of smoke around this pairing and I believe it. Levis feels like the guy an ownership-led operation like the Colts would take. I could see Irsay forcing this one, not that I think Ballard and Steichen don’t like him though. 

Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT Georgia

The way this board falls is great for Seattle to take Carter. With their draft capital and an unexpected high pick here, they can afford to take a chance on Carter, who might be the most talented player in this draft but off-field issues has made it weird for him. Seahawks have taken chances on those guys before. 

Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB Illinois

Witherspoon has been talked about as the top CB in the class late in the process. The Lions added in the secondary a ton this offseason but still need help there for the short and long term. This would be a smart pick by them.

Raiders: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State

Stroud falling this far might be nuts but I could see it. Even as the Raiders have Garoppolo, he’s still only a bridge QB on a year-by-year deal. Stroud is a polished passer but he still has some development to work on plus he’s only 21. Might not be the worst landing spot for him. 

Falcons: Tyree Wilson, EDGE Texas Tech

Tyree Wilson is a great talent but some injury concerns and other stuff would have him falling down here a bit. The Falcons have remade their defense this offseason and can add more to that here. 

Bears: Peter Skoronski, OL Northwestern

Skoronski might be a guard at the NFL level but maybe he fills at tackle. It’s hard to say right now. Regardless, the Bears need o-line help badly and they can get a talented one here. 

Packers (trade with Eagles): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State

After trading Rodgers, the Packers have some flexibility. They use some of that to move up here to select the best WR in the class. There is irony in them finally drafting a 1st round WR after Rodgers departs. It makes sense for them to take him though and pair him with Watson to help Jordan Love a ton. 

Seahawks (trade with Titans): Anthony Richardson, QB Florida 

The Seahawks could have taken him at 5 but the value makes more sense here. Geno Smith is a year by year QB and Richardson is a project that can sit and develop for a year or two. This is a great spot for him. Seahawks take some of their extra picks to get up to take him here. Titans move down to get more picks to help them build their roster with many holes in it. 

Steelers (trade with Texans): Broderick Jones, OT Georgia

Steelers have been linked to all the top offensive tackles and are reportedly talking about moving up to snag one. I think they do here. Texans are more than okay moving down the board a few spots at this position in the draft. 

Eagles (trade with Packers): Bijan Robinson, RB Texas

The Eagles understand value. They have this pick as a luxury from last year’s trade with New Orleans and then traded it down a few spots to get another pick or two. That all being said, Bijan Robinson makes sense here. He can make the Eagles zone read running attack insane. 

Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB Oregon

If Gonzalez falls here, the Patriots would definitely take him I would think. I can’t see why they wouldn’t given their philosophy. 

Jets: Nolan Smith, EDGE Georgia

After adding Rodgers and getting him some guys to work with offensively, the Jets can take a very talented edge rusher with massive potential here. 

Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., CB Penn State

Corner seems to be where Washington might go here and there’s a lot of options. Joey Porter Jr. has a ton of pedigree and talent worthy of this pick.

Texans (trade with Steelers): Jordan Addison, WR USC

Texans need WR help after dealing Cooks. They can get it here still after trading down. Good value play. 

Lions: Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame

Lions need tight end help after dealing Hockenson. Dan Campbell was a former TE and TEs coach so he has a ton of knowledge on the position. I could see him loving Michael Mayer. 

Bucs: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE Iowa

Bucs add to the defense some more here with a talented edge rusher out of Iowa.

Titans (trade with Seahawks): Darnell Wright, OT Tennessee

After trading down, the Titans still fill a major need at offensive tackle. 

Chargers: Dalton Kincaid, TE Utah

Chargers want another weapon for Herbert and that offense. They have a ton invested at WR so getting a do-it-all tight end like Kincaid would make sense. 

Ravens: Deonte Banks, CB Maryland

Ravens need major help at corner. Getting one out of their own backyard will do. 

Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB Tennessee

I think it’s becoming clearer that Hooker is going 1st round. Vikings make sense too. Cousins is likely not there after next season and drafting Hooker now would be prudent. They can sit him while he recovers fully from his torn ACL and get comfortable in the league as well. 

Jaguars: Brian Branch, S Alabama

The Jaguars can afford to get some DB help and Branch is a versatile one that can fit that bill. 

Giants: Zay Flowers, WR Boston College

This one makes so much sense as Giants need weapons for that offense besides Barkley. 

Cowboys: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Alabama

Jerry Jones would totally do this. He is obsessed with the offense and he loves the two RB idea they just lost with Zeke being cut. Pollard got hurt and isn’t on the long-term deal as well, adding to the possible necessity. 

Bills: Quentin Johnston, WR TCU

Bills don’t have many needs but they can shop for the future and luxury. Getting a WR in Johnston would be that. 

Bengals: Myles Murphy, EDGE Clemson

This pick would be a match made in heaven for both sides. 

Saints: Calijah Kancey, DT Pitt

The Saints have done a lot of work on Kancey in pre-draft and he’d fill one of their biggest needs. 

Eagles: Emmanuel Forbes, CB Mississippi State

Despite them bringing back their CBs, they need a better solution long-term and Forbes is a really good prospect they can get here. 

Chiefs: Anton Harrison, OT Oklahoma 

Andy Reid has prioritized offensive line his whole career, even more so after that 2020-21 Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay where the line cost them. They lost Orlando Brown but added Jawaan Taylor. Even still, adding another tackle would be the right move for them here. Harrison has risen on boards late in the process it seems.