Scott Smith planted his flag on Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku for Washington at pick 29. Smith highlighted that Ezeiruaku logged a top‑30 visit, fits the organization’s obsession with team captains (seven of nine 2024 selections were captains), and fills the Commanders’ obvious edge‑depth hole after trading away Za’Darius Smith. Ezeiruaku produced double‑digit sacks and tackles‑for‑loss last fall, but Smith admitted the 6'3", 253‑pounder must dial back his spin‑move spam and add lower‑body strength to shore up run defense. Ben Standig backed the call, noting Washington ranked 31st in pressure rate and sees Ezeiruaku’s relentless motor as a schematic match for Dan Quinn. Bettors can chase Ezeiruaku under 34.5 and exact‑team “Commanders first‑round edge” props, while IDP and best‑ball drafters should view him as a Year‑1 600‑snap disruption play opposite Dorance Armstrong.

Scott Smith sent Georgia safety Malachi Starks to Minnesota at pick 24, citing a perfect succession plan with veteran Harrison Smith likely entering his final season. Starks allowed just a 42% completion rate and flashed elite range with a 10‑foot‑11 broad jump at 205 lbs. Smith highlighted that Starks would start at free safety opposite Smith in Year 1, upgrading over Theo Jackson and giving Brian Flores freedom to keep Cam Bynum in the box. Smith expects heavy late steam on ‘first safety drafted’ props—Starks moved from +260 to +140 after combine. Seasonal leaguers should monitor Vikings DST upside, and dynasty gamers can stash Starks in IDP rookie drafts.

Scott Smith mocked Texas corner Jaday Barron to Tampa Bay at pick 19, calling him the safest way to overhaul a secondary that finished 30th in EPA allowed per drop‑back. Smith said internal reports have Jehad Campbell opening the season on PUP, pushing LB off the board, and medical chatter on Will Johnson’s hamstring/40‑time has several teams spooked. Barron’s stock, meanwhile, is “screaming up boards”—Adam Schefter and Daniel Jeremiah separately noted multiple top‑20 grades after his 4.42 forty and 6.81 three‑cone at 191 lbs. The Bucs value his slot‑boundary flexibility (53% slot snaps, 47% perimeter in 2023) and 18 career plays on the ball. Bettors can exploit Barron under 28.5 and ‘first CB after Hunter/Johnson’ props; IDP drafters should flag him as a rookie nickel with tackle upside.

Scott Smith threw a curveball by pairing the Colts with interior lineman Grae Zabel at No. 14. He cited GM Chris Ballard’s obsession with Relative Athletic Score—Zabel posted a 9.82 RAS that outpaces Quenton Nelson’s pre‑draft mark—and Ballard’s history of drafting trenches over skill players when board value aligns. With both elite tight ends gone, Smith expects Indy to pivot and protect Anthony Richardson, noting Zabel’s 92.1 PFF pass‑block grade on true pass sets and 34" arms that hint at center/guard versatility. Smith advised hitting Zabel under 32.5 and first IOL drafted props before markets react.

Scott Smith said every New Orleans source he trusts has Tyler Warren circled as the Saints’ preferred target at No. 9. Local scouts have given zero first‑round buzz to Shedeur Sanders, and the front office is comfortable waiting on a Day‑2 quarterback (Jackson Dart) or even signing Carson Wentz as insurance. New OC Kellen Moore wants a big, reliable receiving threat; Warren averaged 2.38 yards per route and caught 10‑of‑11 contested targets at Penn State while still grading as the Big Ten’s No. 2 run‑blocking TE. Smith believes the Saints have lacked that size/scheme versatility since Jimmy Graham left, making Warren the cleanest offensive fit on the board. Draft bettors can fire on Warren under 11.5 and exact‑team markets, while best‑ball drafters should treat him as a potential Year‑1 volume play.

Scott Smith projected New England to take LSU tackle Will Campbell at No. 4. Smith dismissed critiques about Campbell’s arm length, stressing that the junior hasn’t allowed a sack in two seasons and only gave up two as a freshman versus Will Anderson and Jared Verse. Campbell posted a 9.8 Relative Athletic Score at tackle and an elite 9.99 at guard, giving him a 10‑year floor even if he slides inside. Smith said the pick brings leadership and immediate protection for Drake Maye—crucial for the Patriots’ offensive rebuild. Bettors can attack Campbell’s odds to be first OL drafted, and dynasty managers should upgrade New England skill players with improved line play.

Scott Smith told listeners that every one of his five Dallas‑area contacts—ranging from beat writers to regional scouts—believes the Cowboys prefer Houston speedster Matthew Golden over Tetairoa McMillan if they stay at pick 12. The front office traded for Jonathan Mingo last year to handle the big‑body X role, so they are now hunting a vertical field‑stretcher who can complement CeeDee Lamb. Golden averaged 2.8 yards per route run on go‑balls and posts in 2023, metrics Smith said Mike McCarthy specifically covets. FanDuel still lists Golden‑to‑Dallas at +195 in the exact‑player market, while Caesars shows +150. Smith has already wagered both numbers and urged bettors to grab anything north of +140, adding that only a surprise cornerback run or an unexpected slide by edge rusher Dallas Turner would push the Cowboys off the wide‑receiver plan.

Scott Smith said the name he keeps hearing most for San Francisco’s first‑rounder is Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks. Smith noted that the 49ers run a zone‑heavy rushing attack and value linemen who can start at guard on Day 1 while eventually kicking outside—exactly the developmental arc Banks followed under Steve Sarkisian. Caesars lists ‘Offensive Line’ as the Niners’ first‑pick market favorite at +190; Smith believes that number should be closer to even money given how often John Lynch has prioritized the trenches. While he did mention corner Will Johnson and defensive tackle Walter Nolen as possibilities, he leaned Banks because the front office historically drafts premium position players with immediate versatility. Smith advised betting Banks in exact‑team markets and sprinkling the +190 O‑line prop before it shortens.

Scott Smith flagged Alabama guard Tyler Booker as a live long‑shot to be the Colts’ first‑round pick, countering market group‑think that has Indianapolis locked into a tight end. Smith’s sources say Chris Ballard is focusing on raw power and run‑blocking dominance rather than pure Relative Athletic Score this year, and Booker scored elite marks on double‑team win rate and gap‑scheme success in SEC play. Booker has already taken an official visit to Indy and, per Smith, would immediately form one of the league’s nastiest interior duos alongside Quenton Nelson. Caesars currently offers +320 on the Colts’ first pick being an offensive lineman and 25‑to‑1 on Booker in exact‑player markets. Smith believes those numbers will shorten once teams finalize boards, noting Houston is rumored to covet Booker at pick 23, so Indianapolis may need to act at 14 if they want him.

Scott Smith said bettors should take the Over on Shedeur Sanders’ draft‑slot prop (listed at 10.5 at most shops) because the league is not grading him as a top‑10 talent. Smith’s contacts say no team currently slotted inside the first ten picks has Sanders on its internal top‑10 board. He pointed out that Atlanta, sitting in the early teens and short on total picks, is openly shopping its selection, creating a natural landing spot for a QB‑needy club to come up in the 14‑to‑17 range. Smith added that the Giants, Browns, or even Steelers could be the ones who leapfrog each other, but that move is expected to happen in the middle of the round, not the top. Because the draft appears light on trade partners, he projects fewer than five first‑round deals overall (the market is 3.5 with plus money to the Over), further reducing the odds Sanders sneaks inside the top ten.

Scott Smith told listeners that Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is “very much liked” inside the Saints building and would be his current betting favorite if New Orleans stays at pick 9 and passes on quarterback. Smith’s contacts say Warren checks the versatility box Pete Carmichael wants in a move‑tight end and would give Derek Carr an immediate red‑zone target. With Carolina at 8 widely mocked for edge Jalen Walker and open to trading down, Smith thinks a Bears one‑spot jump for RB Ashton Gentie could leave Warren sitting there for New Orleans. He called the 12‑to‑1 price on Warren in FanDuel’s ‘First Tight End Drafted’ or exact‑team market “too long given the inside buzz.”

Scott Smith reported that his New Orleans sources say the Saints are “not really interested” in Shedeur Sanders at No. 9 overall. Instead, the team is much more likely to trade back into the late first round and target Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart if they want a signal‑caller. Smith added that front‑office decision‑makers are eyeing edge rusher, offensive line, cornerback, or even running back (Ashton Jeanty) depending on how the board falls. He highlighted current betting lines that make the Saints –130 to select a quarterback, calling those odds mis‑priced given what he is hearing inside the building.

Scott Smith said he expects the New York Giants to select Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, not quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Smith’s local contacts indicate the Giants’ late flurry of quarterback meetings was more due‑diligence than genuine intent. He views Carter as one of only two true blue‑chip prospects on the board and argued the franchise cannot pass on that talent when they are unlikely to contend in 2025. Investing in an immediate defensive cornerstone also gives the current front office a better chance to keep its job than rolling the dice on a developmental quarterback while paying Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson veteran money. With group‑think now pushing QB steam in the betting market, Smith believes Carter’s odds to go No. 3 overall remain undervalued.