CT Sports’ top five NFL draft picks
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
Seeing as how the NFL draft is less than a month away, The Commonwealth Times Sports staff teamed up to predict what the top five picks will look like.
Andrew McGhan, Staff Writer
No. 1 Overall, Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward – The fourth-year quarterback from the University of Miami enjoyed a breakout season for the Hurricanes. Ward passed for 4,313 yards and threw 39 touchdowns, according to ESPN. He led the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record in the 2024 college season, just missing the college football playoffs. The Tennessee Titans finished the 2024-2025 season 3-14 and were rewarded with the No. 1 overall pick, according to ESPN. For the Titans to compete for the AFC South division they would need to draft a quarterback like Cam Ward. Ward is a dynamic quarterback with tremendous upside that could help the Titans become a real contender for the AFC South division.
Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer
No. 2 Overall, Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter – Carter is arguably the most physically talented player in this year’s draft regardless of position. He played primarily at the edge after moving from off-ball linebacker for the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions this past season, becoming an All-American in his first season playing at the edge. Carter racked up 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in his third year at Penn State, according to Penn State Athletics. He matched his physical profile with top-tier production. Carter is 6-foot-3-inches tall, 251 pounds and excels using his top-tier speed to bend around offensive tackles to cause disruption in the backfield. He makes up for his lack of size at the edge position with a lethal first step and amazing power from his lower half, either going around or through blockers. Carter’s addition to a resetting Browns roster can help jumpstart a talented Cleveland defense that struggled last season alongside former Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Myles Garrett. Carter and Garrett can become the most disruptive pass-rush duo this league has ever seen.
Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer
No. 3 Overall, New York Giants
Travis Hunter Jr. – Third-year University of Colorado product Travis Hunter Jr. would be an excellent fit for the New York Giants. Hunter is a unicorn in today’s athletic landscape. He played on both sides of the ball, playing wide receiver and cornerback at a high level. He took home eight postseason awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award for Best Defensive Player and the Fred Biletnikoff Award for Best Wide Receiver, according to University of Colorado Athletics. The Giants are in a unique position to draft a player that isn’t locked in at one position. They could figure out what position he’ll play after training camp. The former Buffalo isn’t all upside though. At the NFL Combine earlier this year, Hunter weighed in at 6-foot-1, 188 pounds, according to the NFL. This would put Hunter on the smaller end for NFL wide receivers and the same size as other cornerbacks. NFL scouts have also complained that he relied on his athleticism in places where his technique could have been better, according to an X post by NFL Rookie Watch. The upside heavily outweighs the downside for drafting Hunter. Whoever lands him will have a playmaker on day one, and the Giants should take advantage of that.
Ethan York, Contributing Writer
No. 4 Overall, New England Patriots
Tetairoa McMillan – The third-year wide receiver for the University of Arizona Wildcats would be an elite pickup for the New England Patriots. McMillan has already proven himself to be an impressive wide receiver garnering a total of 3,423 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in three years as a Wildcat, according to Arizona Wildcats. The New England Patriots are in desperate need of help on all sides of the ball after a devastating 2024-2025 season. The Patriots finished 4-13 and at the bottom of the AFC East, granting them the fourth pick in this upcoming draft, according to ESPN. New England’s offense has found an experienced veteran in wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but this won’t solve all of their offensive struggles. While Diggs is still an offensive threat, he is coming off an ACL tear and won’t single-handedly save the offense. That is where McMillan fits into New England’s scheme. McMillan has proven he can be a dominant player and support his quarterback, like in Arizona’s blowout win against the University of New Mexico Lobos, where he recorded 304 yards and four touchdowns, according to ESPN. Paired with a young talented quarterback like Drake Maye and an experienced receiver like Diggs, the New England Patriots can find a solid and potential wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan.
Drew Thompson, Staff Writer
No. 5 Overall, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham – The third-year University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham would be a great pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars were consistently ranked as one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, finishing with a 4-13 record. In the 2024-2025 season, the Jaguars finished dead last in passing defense and well within the bottom half in rushing defense, according to the NFL. They did not fare much better on offense. Under new general manager James Gladstone and new head coach Liam Coen’s reign the Jaguars have made multiple offseason moves in free agency to address much-needed positions, like the secondary and the offensive line, according to Sports Illustrated. The only spot that sorely needs to be addressed is the defensive line, and that’s where defensive tackle Graham comes in. Graham looks to be an absolute force on the line as he stands at 6-foot-3-inches and weighs in at 320 pounds, according to CBS. The Jaguars drafting Graham would be the best option, as he is the best player available to them at this pick and fits a position they desperately need addressed.
