Wilson expects the Bears’ offense to ‘click’ under new head coach Ben Johnson thanks to premium weapons. Chicago drafted mismatch TE Colston Loveland and underrated WR Luther Burden III, added third-round OL Ozzie Tripillo, and already has Montez Sweat fortifying the defense to create more possessions. Wilson thinks the scheme will mirror Johnson’s high-scoring Detroit attacks and allow Caleb Williams to recreate the highlight-reel magic we saw at USC, only with NFL-caliber support. Fantasy implication: draft Williams confidently as a high-end QB2 with top-10 upside, and treat Loveland and Burden as late-round sleepers poised to beat ADP once the new system shows itself in preseason.

Wilson gushed that new head coach Pete Carroll is the best thing to happen to the Raiders in years and called No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty ‘so incredibly special’. With Geno Smith expected to pilot an offense that already features Brock Bowers plus rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dante Thornton, Wilson sees Jeanty facing light boxes and plenty of red-zone looks. The only caution is workload management—Carroll cannot overuse him—but Wilson still expects ‘an enormous year’ and would not be surprised if Jeanty wins Offensive Rookie of the Year. Fantasy/betting nugget: target Jeanty aggressively in dynasty and season-long drafts and sprinkle OROY futures before his price shortens in camp.

Wilson forecasted that Joe Flacco will open 2024 as Cleveland’s starting quarterback. He flat-out said he does not expect Deshaun Watson to ever take another snap for the Browns and doubts Kenny Pickett even makes the final roster. Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel in Round 3 and Shadur Sanders in Round 5, but Wilson views both picks as developmental. He believes both rookies will start at some point this season, yet Flacco’s experience and last year’s late-season form give him the inside track for Week 1. Actionable angle: in superflex and season-long leagues, stash Flacco late and fade Watson in drafts; bettors looking at Browns Week-1 lines should price Flacco in, not Watson.

Ryan Wilson said Jacksonville did not move up to the No. 2 pick just to grab a corner – they traded up because Travis Hunter can ‘do all the things’. Wilson expects Hunter to run almost exclusively with the offense early in the year, noting that new OC Liam-Cohen wants to replicate the instant chemistry we saw from other young receiver tandems (Tee Higgins with Ja’Marr Chase, Jordan Addison with Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle with Tyreek Hill). With Trevor Lawrence now surrounded by first-round talent at wideout and two newly drafted backs to keep defenses honest, Wilson projected Hunter to be “extremely explosive, even by Travis Hunter standards” and the missing piece that removes any remaining excuses for Lawrence. Fantasy takeaway: treat Hunter as a day-one starter with spike-week upside in best ball and season-long formats.

Ryan Wilson said dynasty managers who celebrated Dylan Gabriel’s third-round landing spot in Cleveland need to hit the brakes after the Browns surprisingly drafted Stewart Sanders on Day 3. Wilson emphasized that Cleveland entered the weekend without an entrenched starter, making Gabriel a plausible 2026 starter, but the Sanders selection creates an immediate camp competition that undercuts Gabriel’s odds of seeing the field. Wilson’s advice: Gabriel is now only a deep taxi-squad stash in superflex leagues, and managers should be ready to flip him if early camp reports favor Sanders.

Ryan Wilson said Arch Manning would be the No. 1 overall selection by the New Orleans Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft and called the pairing “a lay-up.” Wilson argued the Saints will be desperate for a franchise quarterback after another down season, and the Manning family legacy makes the marketing fit obvious. On-field, Wilson emphasized that Arch is “insanely athletic” in ways Peyton and Eli never were, already tipping the scales at roughly 6-4/215 with verified sub-4.7 speed. He flashed in relief of Quinn Ewers last year, showing pocket poise and a big arm that can push the ball vertically. Wilson added that scouts are encouraged by his ability to win outside structure and his 70-percent practice-rep completion rate from spring reports. If Manning posts a solid first season as Texas’ full-time starter and declares, Wilson believes bettors should expect him to open as the odds-on favorite in draft-prop markets to go No. 1.

Ryan Wilson gave Arizona an A-plus largely because the Cardinals swiped corner Will Johnson at pick 47. Wilson reminded viewers both he and Mike Renner had Johnson graded inside their top-15 overall before a pre-combine lower-body injury tanked his forty prep. At 6'2" with 32-inch arms, Johnson combines "long, physical press technique" with legit ball skills—he allowed just a 42.6 QB rating and forced incompletions on 19.8 percent of targets during two seasons at Michigan. Wilson expects Jonathan Gannon’s match-zone scheme to showcase that skill set, projecting Johnson to start opposite Garrett Williams and rack up 60-plus tackles with 3-4 interceptions as a rookie. Because the Cardinals faced the sixth-most opponent dropbacks last year and did little to slow opposing passing volume, Wilson called Johnson a screaming value DB3 who could flirt with CB1 numbers in IDP formats by mid-season.

Ryan Wilson called Emeka Egbuka a “professional receiver” who will step directly into Chris Godwin’s high-volume slot role and rack up receptions right away. Wilson reminded listeners that the Buccaneers would have drafted Tetairoa McMillan if he had fallen, underscoring how badly they wanted a ready-made target for Baker Mayfield. With Godwin entering an age-29 season and coming off multiple lower-body injuries, Wilson expects Tampa to reduce his snaps while featuring Egbuka on choice routes and RPO slants—concepts that made up 34% of Mayfield’s completions in 2024. Tampa has finished top-12 in neutral pass rate three straight years, and OC Liam Coen’s Kentucky offenses funneled 27% of targets to slot receivers. Wilson projected 80-plus catches for the rookie, labeling him a screaming value in full-PPR season-long leagues and a late-round smash in best-ball tournaments where correlation with Mayfield stacks is cheap.

Ryan Wilson applauded Miami for scooping Quinn Ewers near the end of the seventh round, calling it a classic low-risk, high-ceiling swing for superflex players. Wilson reminded viewers that Ewers once out-dueled Bryce Young and Will Anderson in the 2022 Alabama game before injuries derailed his Texas career. He compared the rookie to Tua Tagovailoa—accurate, anticipatory and injury-prone—but noted Ewers carries a noticeably bigger arm when healthy. With both Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson sporting long medical files, Wilson sees a plausible path to starts as early as 2026 and possibly sooner if health issues resurface. He praised Mike McDaniel’s timing-based system as an ideal fit for Ewers’ quick release and said the chip of falling almost to Mr. Irrelevant could “light a fire” that accelerates his development. Dynasty drafters were urged to grab Ewers in the fourth round of rookie drafts and stash him on taxi squads, banking on future spot-start value in a high-octane Dolphins offense.

Ryan Wilson compared Pittsburgh’s selection of Will Howard at pick 185 to Tom Brady’s famous 199th pick, calling the Kansas State product a legitimate "quarterback of the future." Wilson highlighted Howard’s Big Ten transfer pedigree, sturdy 6′5″ frame and willing deep-ball mentality as perfect fits for Arthur Smith’s heavy play-action scheme. Because neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is signed beyond 2025, Ryan Wilson believes Howard will get a real chance to start by 2026 and could see garbage-time reps sooner if injuries strike. The tout advised superflex dynasty managers to scoop Howard in the fourth round of rookie drafts, arguing that Pittsburgh’s track record of developing mid-round signal-callers (e.g., Mason Rudolph) and the sixth-round investment show real organizational intent. He added Howard’s vertical aggression pairs well with George Pickens and Roman Wilson, giving Howard sneaky 2026 fantasy ceiling if he wins the job.

Ryan Wilson called Will Howard the “new 199” after Pittsburgh grabbed him at pick 185, arguing that the former Kansas State and Ohio State quarterback profiles as a long-term starter if he develops. Wilson highlighted Howard’s prototypical size (6-4, 236), plus mobility, and a live arm that produced five games of 275+ passing yards and multiple scores down the stretch last year. He stressed that as a sixth-rounder Howard will sit, but the Steelers’ focus on offensive-line upgrades and a run-centric approach means he won’t be asked to carry the offense when his turn comes. Wilson even said he feels "better about this than I did the 2022 first-round selection of Kenny Pickett." Fantasy takeaway: stash Howard on deep dynasty rosters or in super-flex taxi squads; the developmental environment and minimal draft-capital cost make him a low-risk, high-upside chip.

Ryan Wilson said Jalen Walker has surged into legitimate top-10 territory and could easily be the Panthers’ choice at No. 8. Wilson moved Walker up 13 spots on his final board after NFL coaches fell in love with the Georgia defender’s rare versatility: three-year tape shows he can play off-ball linebacker and kick out to the edge with equal effectiveness. Walker posted 11.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss while flashing plus athleticism and high-end character that several teams value. Wilson noted that positional value originally kept Walker lower, but his ability to fill two premium roles and fit multiple schemes has teams drafting in the 8-11 range “really high” on him. Bettors targeting top-10 or team-specific draft props should factor in that late helium.

Ryan Wilson warned that Isaiah Bond’s draft range has cratered from early-day-two buzz to a likely day-three flyer because multiple teams have completely removed him from their boards. Wilson still ranks Bond 69th overall on pure tape—citing the Alabama transfer’s electric vertical speed and 540 yards with five touchdowns in an injury-shortened season—but emphasized that recent off-field trouble and a disappointing 40-time after pre-combine trash talk have front offices spooked. He added that Bond’s exit from Alabama ended on poor terms and the drama followed him to Texas. Bettors attacking draft-position props should adjust Bond’s over/under toward the late-rounds and consider plus-money ‘to go undrafted’ tickets as live outcomes.

Ryan Wilson said some teams grade Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. as a first-rounder despite limited experience and a viral Senior Bowl rep where he was pancaked. Wilson contextualized that rep—Conerly was playing right tackle for the first time in a drill that favors edge rushers—and praised his week-long improvement. At 6-4, 313 with elite movement skills, Conerly is “just scratching the surface.” Wilson pushed him down slightly because he needs a developmental year, but emphasized that from Year 2 onward he could be a top-flight starter. Bettors weighing longshot Round 1 offensive lineman props should keep Conerly on the radar.

Ryan Wilson revealed that Denver is enamored with Ashton Gentry but, if unable to trade up, will strongly consider Omarion Hampton at pick 20. Hampton’s profile screams every-down NFL back: 1,222 rushing yards after contact (second in FBS), back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, 220-pound frame, and verified sub-4.50 speed. Wilson ranks him 42nd overall only because of a deep RB class, insisting he ‘won’t bat an eye’ if Hampton goes 20th. He highlighted Hampton’s pass-catching chops and blitz pickup—traits Sean Payton covets to support Bo Nix. Draft-prop bettors should note Hampton’s true draft slot over/under is likely closer to 22.5 than consensus mocks indicate, with Denver the clear favorite.

Ryan Wilson vaulted Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku up 15 spots, saying he now has a “real possibility” of being drafted in Round 1 and could even leapfrog the sliding Shamar Stewart. Ezeiruaku’s 16.5-sack season tied a school record, and Wilson noted noticeable second-half improvement versus the run that alleviated early-season concerns. At just under 250 pounds he is technically undersized, but Wilson believes his play strength and nonstop motor compensate. Comparatively, Stewart’s elite 6-4/285 frame and 4.59 speed have not translated into production and he skipped positional drills, frustrating teams. Wilson’s board shift suggests bettors should consider Ezeiruaku “to be drafted in first round” props while fading Stewart’s Round 1 odds.

Ryan Wilson pegged Shedeur Sanders’ draft range squarely at picks 21-25, calling No. 21 to Pittsburgh the ”natural landing spot.” Wilson acknowledged mixed interview reviews but said the Steelers genuinely like Sanders and would strongly consider him if available. Because no QB-needy franchises sit between picks 9 and 20, Wilson expects Sanders to slide past the Saints at 9 before Pittsburgh pounces. He floated a hedge scenario in which Cleveland trades up to pick 20 to pair Sanders with Travis Hunter, but maintains the Steelers remain the most probable destination. For draft-position and exact-team betting markets, Wilson’s intel suggests over 9.5 but under 21.5 draft slot is live, with Pittsburgh the favorite.

Ryan Wilson called Will Campbell the most pro-ready tackle in the class and projected him to be the first offensive lineman drafted at No. 4 overall by the Patriots. Campbell has three years of SEC starting experience, dominated top edge talent, and immediately shores up protection for Drake Maye. While his arm length measured shorter than the NFL prototype at the combine, Wilson emphasized that no one complained when Campbell stonewalled pass rushers on Saturdays. Wilson views Kelvin Banks Jr. as longer and Arvonne Membou as the better long-term athlete, but insists Campbell’s technique, anchor, and day-one readiness give him the edge for teams needing instant help. Bettors eyeing “first OT selected” or exact-team markets should price Campbell as the favorite to New England.

Ryan Wilson backed Jonathan Jones’ chalky projection of Michigan nose tackle Kenneth Grant to Pittsburgh at 21, arguing the front office is far less enamored with Shedeur Sanders than draft Twitter believes. Grant weighed 339 lbs at the combine yet clocked a ridiculous 4.88 forty, numbers that would give Mike Tomlin his most explosive interior lineman since prime Casey Hampton. The Steelers allowed 4.6 yards per carry in second‑level runs last year, and Wilson says their analytics department graded run‑defense EPA as the roster’s biggest weak spot. Passing on quarterback again leaves Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to battle for 2024 snaps, but Ryan insisted the organization is comfortable punting that issue to 2026 drafts if it means locking down the A‑gaps now. He highlighted the +180 price on “Steelers first drafted position: Defensive Line” as a playable wager.

Ryan Wilson raved about Green Bay landing Texas corner Jahdae Barron at No. 23, insisting the Longhorn could easily crack the top‑10 on some boards. Barron posted a 4.39 forty and allowed just a 54.2 passer rating while logging snaps at nickel and boundary corner, traits Wilson compared to Brian Branch “with better wheels.” New DC Jeff Hafley’s aggressive quarters scheme needs a slot‑outside chess piece, and Jaire Alexander’s future is murky after two injury‑marred seasons, making Barron instant insurance. Wilson told draft gamblers to hammer Barron Under 27.5 because “multiple teams between 16 and 24 have him as CB1.”

Ryan Wilson pushed back on the slide narrative, pegging the likelihood of Shedeur Sanders hearing his name on Thursday night at roughly 80‑percent. Wilson argued that the 2022 draft—when Kenny Pickett went 20th and no other QB cracked Round 1—is fresh in front‑offices’ minds, making teams wary of waiting too long on passers they genuinely like. He highlighted the Saints at 9, Steelers at 21 and Rams at 26 as potential surprise suitors despite logical roster fits elsewhere, noting that each franchise lacks a second‑round pick and therefore cannot count on Sanders reaching Day 2 without paying a "king’s ransom" to move up. Wilson sees any Over 24.5 draft‑slot lines as “a dead number” and prefers the plus money available on Sanders to be the fourth quarterback taken.

Ryan Wilson applauded Cincinnati grabbing Alabama tackle Tyler Booker at No. 17 after Jonathan Jones bumped him up the board. Booker’s sluggish 5.34 forty and sub‑par shuttle dinged his combine stock, but Wilson stressed that his game tape shows a mauler who allowed just one sack on 412 pass‑pro reps. Pairing last year’s first‑rounder Amarius Mims at right tackle with Booker on the left would give Joe Burrow two 6‑foot‑6, 330‑plus bookends and end the musical‑chairs approach that led to 84 QB hits the past two seasons. Wilson acknowledged edge rusher is a need with Trey Hendrickson on the trade block, yet called offensive line “far thinner than edge” in this class. He advised bettors to smash Booker Under 22.5 draft slot (+110) before the market catches up to late steam.

Ryan Wilson endorsed Atlanta taking Tennessee pass‑rusher James Pierce Jr. at No. 15, calling him the best pure football talent left on the board. Pierce checked in at 6‑5, 250 with vines for arms and wrecked SEC tackles to the tune of a 19.4 % pressure rate while grading out as Tennessee’s top run defender. Wilson admitted several clubs have removed Pierce from first‑round consideration over off‑field concerns, but said the Falcons’ front office brought him in on a 30‑visit and left comfortable with the background. Atlanta ranked 28th in sack rate last year; DC Jimmy Lake needs a true alpha edge to unlock his Cover‑3 pressures. If Pierce stays clean, Wilson believes he can post a Day‑1 snap share north of 70 % and compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Draft bettors can still grab Pierce’s position prop Under 17.5 at plus money, a line Wilson called “one of the softer numbers on the board.”

Ryan Wilson expects New York to select Abdul Carter at No. 3 even though the building has discussed Shedeur Sanders. Carter visited only the top four drafting teams, signaling his range, and every team Wilson talked to believes the order at 2‑3 hinges on whether Cleveland takes Carter or Hunter. The Giants need an impact front‑seven player and view Carter as the cleanest defensive prospect in the class. Wilson noted Joe Schoen’s group is split on Sanders and that post‑Combine momentum around the QB has cooled, making the blue‑chip edge rusher the more likely selection.

Ryan Wilson handed Tampa Bay an A for scooping Michigan corner Will Johnson at pick 19, calling it a potential steal if the 2023 version shows up. Johnson battled turf‑toe all fall and skipped pre‑draft forty times because of a lingering hamstring, leaving scouts uneasy about his true long speed. Still, his sophomore tape featured a 34 % forced‑incompletion rate, and at 6‑2/196 he fits Todd Bowles’ preference for big press corners. The Bucs struck out on several free‑agent DBs and surrendered the league’s sixth‑highest EPA per drop‑back in 2024, so Wilson expects Johnson to start opposite Jamel Dean immediately. With the betting community focused on Tampa linebacker props, Wilson thinks “Buccaneers first drafted position: Secondary” at +275 is mis‑priced value.

Ryan Wilson scoffed at a listener comparing Quinn Ewers to Tom Brady, saying the analogy ignores the single biggest scouting red flag on Ewers: availability. Wilson conceded Ewers flashes a livelier arm and more athleticism than Brady showed coming out of Michigan, but Brady strung together healthy seasons in both college and the NFL, whereas Ewers has already missed multiple stretches at Texas with shoulder issues. Until Ewers proves he can survive a full campaign, Wilson believes NFL teams will continue to view him as a late‑Day‑2 red‑shirt project—echoing his earlier mock that placed Ewers with the Rams at the end of Round 3. Wilson advised bettors not to chase long‑shot markets that price Ewers as a top‑15 pick, arguing medicals will keep his draft stock capped unless 2024 provides a clean bill of health.

For pick 99 Wilson slots Tyler Shough to the Giants as a contingency if they bypass a quarterback at No. 3 overall. League scouts like Shough more than Wilson’s personal board because the 6'5" passer owns a live arm, plus‑athleticism and experience in pro‑style concepts. Age (turns 26 this fall) and an extensive injury history suppress his stock, yet teams are unfazed knowing quarterbacks can play into their mid‑30s. With Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston viewed strictly as stop‑gaps, Shough gives New York a developmental option who could eventually claim the job.

Wilson pushes Kyle McCord into the late third round for New Orleans, arguing his quick anticipation and record‑setting ACC production at Syracuse marry perfectly with Kellen Moore’s pass‑heavy offense and the controlled climate of the Superdome. Wilson notes league contacts project McCord early Day‑3, but he thinks the Saints can justify a slight reach given Derek Carr’s middling ceiling and Spencer Rattler’s volatility. McCord’s pro‑day showed a better‑than‑advertised arm and toughness that Wilson believes will appeal to the staff.

Because Pittsburgh lacks a second‑rounder, Wilson mocked Will Howard to them in round three. He measured 6'4" 236 lbs and flashed a big arm plus surprising athleticism at the Ohio State Pro Day after transferring from Kansas State. The Steelers took him to dinner the night before that workout, signaling real interest. Wilson likes the fit as a one‑to‑two‑year developmental option behind a veteran bridge if Shedeur Sanders is not available at pick 21.

Wilson mocked Shedeur Sanders to Cleveland at pick No. 2 because the Browns simply cannot trust their current depth chart. Deshaun Watson is recovering from a second Achilles tear and Kenny Pickett is the only healthy arm on the roster. Sanders is Wilson’s clear QB2 in the class and impressed scouts at Colorado’s Pro Day with both throwing session and leadership presence. If Cleveland waits until pick 33, Wilson warns Sanders will likely be gone — so he thinks the Browns secure their future here.

Wilson has the Jets selecting Jaxson Dart at 42 overall, noting the franchise must think past its two‑year experiment with Justin Fields. Fields publicly dodged hypotheticals about the team drafting another passer, and Tyrod Taylor is on a short‑term deal, leaving a glaring succession gap. Wilson adds that Cleveland could snag Dart at pick 33, but if he slips the Jets should pounce to secure a developmental starter with mobility and arm talent.

Ryan Wilson said Cam Ward is as close to a stone‑cold lock to go first overall to Tennessee as any prospect in this cycle. After talking with league personnel at Colorado’s Pro Day he joked that "both of Cam’s legs would have to fall off" for the Titans to pass, underscoring the unanimous sentiment he is the first quarterback off the board. The Titans pick first, have a long‑term need at the position, and Ward’s dual‑threat athleticism plus SEC experience makes him the easy betting favorite in Wilson’s eyes.