Travis Hunter is more advanced as a cornerback at this stage of his career, but New England needs more help for Drake Maye. Hunter is one of the most dynamic players in the country and one of a few worthy of consideration at this stage of the first round.

Why not Shedeur Sanders? In this scenario, the presumption is that Sam Darnold signs with Tennessee in free agency and the Titans opt not to go down the path chosen by Atlanta a year ago. If Minnesota can’t afford to bring Darnold back, then Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan may be more inclined to prove himself with a veteran rather than developing another young quarterback who may or may not work out.

Cleveland would probably be more inclined to sign Kirk Cousins and draft a quarterback on Day 2, but can not pass up the opportunity to select Cam Ward at No. 3 overall. If the Browns do not go quarterback, then offensive tackle and best player available would be the preferred path.

Quarterbacks are always pushed higher in the draft order, but neither Ward nor Shedeur Sanders is a prospect who has to be taken in the top-5 overall. In this scenario, the Titans went a different route because they were not enamored with their options. New York still gets Sanders, but a few picks later.

Is Mason Graham a Quinnen Williams caliber prospect? Unlikely. But it is a relatively weak draft class at the top and Graham is one of the safest options. Jacksonville has bigger fish to fry, but the choice came down to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and Graham.

Carolina’s pass rush has been abysmal, and there are not really any building blocks towards the future. Abdul Carter has been the most effective getting after the quarterback this season. The Philadelphia native has registered 11 sacks and two forced fumbles this season.

Olu Fashanu has settled in to the starting left tackle role, but Morgan Moses is a free agent at season’s end. Kelvin Banks Jr. would step into Moses’ vacated role as the Jets usher in the future.

Will Johnson may be the best player available when healthy and available. He is a Patrick Surtain II-caliber cornerback prospect at his best. Las Vegas has struggled to find a boundary cornerback worth investing in for more than a decade.

Chicago needs help on the offensive line. Some are projecting Will Campbell to play inside at the next level, but the Bears could try him at left tackle also. They have impacted Caleb Williams’ confidence this season and need to invest in rectifying the matter before it gets worse.

Chase Young is a free agent after the season. New Orleans has historically favored the bigger, more powerful edge rushers, which is the reason for Mykel Williams’ selection in the first round. He is raw, but has the athletic potential to be a highly productive rusher.

San Francisco covets length among its pass rushers. Nic Scourton is a powerful player who could capitalize on 1-on-1 opportunities with Javon Hargrave and Nick Bosa along that defensive front.

A safety is not going to fix the inconsistency issues felt by the offense this season, but it does give Indianapolis more reliability in the secondary. Cornerback remains a need, but if the Colts can identify a few contributors to pair with Malaki Starks, then they will have talent at all three levels of the defense.

Dallas’ run game on “Sunday Night Football” against the Buccaneers was tough to watch. They recognized their own issues when Ezekiel Elliott was brought in on the 1-yard line after having not been used at any other point in the game. Ashton Jeanty gives Dallas a dynamic runner, but also a running back who does not have to come off the field on third down because of his contributions in the pass game.

As Jonathan Gannon works to build out his defense, Jalon Walker has the size to be an off-ball linebacker but the skill set to provide the occasional pass rush. Arizona is stockpiling talent on both sides of the ball with a bevy of resources.

Miami addresses its run defense with the selection of Kenneth Grant, who is an imposing interior defender. To warrant this level of consideration, Grant will have to push the pocket and rush the passer as well.

The decline of James Pearce Jr. this season has been greatly over-exaggerated. The reality is that there were always concerns with his play strength and ability to help in run defense. There is time for him to grow into his body and become a more well-rounded player, but Pearce still had the highest pressure rate among all players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps this season, according to TruMedia.

Benjamin Morrison is returning from a significant injury but would not have been available at this point had it not been for the injury. Ideally, the Falcons would land a dynamic pass rusher, but a run on the position essentially rendered that impossible.

It is an important offseason for Seattle as it identifies how it wants to play and the players necessary to execute that plan. Colston Loveland may be more of a fit in that offense, and head coach Mike Macdonald is familiar with him dating back to his time at Michigan.

Last offseason, Houston signed Danielle Hunter after drafting Will Anderson Jr. the prior year. The Texans now plop the uber-talented Shemar Stewart in the middle. DeMeco Ryans has to figure out the offensive woes, but the defense has talent at all three levels.

Denver has a few cornerbacks to work with opposite Patrick Surtain II, but the safety room is more of a need. Nick Emmanwori is a bigger safety who can fulfill multiple roles similar to what Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had done for Sean Payton in New Orleans.

Chris Godwin is slated to hit free agency after the season, so Tampa Bay brings in a potential replacement. Luther Burden III is dynamic with the football in open space, and he has the strength to run through less than fully committed tackle attempts.

Jim Harbaugh probably wanted to bring another Wolverine to town, but Mike Macdonald beat him to the punch. Instead, Los Angeles takes the second tight end off the board as Tyler Warren adopts a new shade of blue.

Los Angeles has a few linemen slated to hit free agency. It would not be a surprise if Josh Simmons were the best left tackle to be taken in this draft class.

Green Bay continues the investment into its defensive front with the selection of Walter Nolen. Nolen transferred to Ole Miss after beginning his career at Texas A&M as the No. 2 overall recruit out of high school.

Emeka Egbuka is a good route runner who does a good job settling in the soft spots of zone coverage. Egbuka is a good compliment to George Pickens, who is a downfield passing threat.

Washington has done the best it could to patch the offensive line in recent years, but with Jayden Daniels in place, it is full speed ahead. Cameron Williams is a bit raw, but has all the traits to be an impact lineman.

Daniel Faalele is not the traditional size of a right guard, but he has done a good job this season. Baltimore does not have a long list of needs and may opt to go in another direction, but Tyler Booker is likely a more stable option long-term.

Philadelphia’s offensive line has not been its usual point of strength this season. It believes in using first-round picks to solidify the offensive and defensive lines. Aireontae Ersery has the flexibility to play a few positions and provide depth at the very least.

Buffalo took DeWayne Carter in last year’s draft, but it has been scrounging for depth this season. The Bills fill out the defensive tackle rotation with Ed Oliver to upgrade the run defense.

Kevin Zeitler was brought in to start at right guard. Rookie Christian Mahogany made his debut last week and did some good things. They create competitive depth with the selection of Donovan Jackson, who has shown the positional flexibility to play offensive tackle in a pinch as well.

There is a shortage of potential impact players in this year’s first round. When teams look for players with untapped potential and unique attributes, Deone Walker will be towards the top of the list. Minnesota’s defense needs more to create a sustainable style of play.

Kansas City continues building out its defensive front with the selection of Derrick Harmon, who has been a riser throughout this season.