Finding value in the NFL draft can sometimes make or break the success of your team the following season. So with that in mind, here is the best value pick of the draft for every AFC team:
Baltimore Ravens – EDGE Mike Green, Marshall, 2nd Round
Baltimore continues their tried and true of tradition of taking the best player available, and hit a home run by taking a sliding Mike Green to solidify their pass rush
Buffalo Bills – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky, 1st Round
Hairston is the perfect fit for what Buffalo asks of their corners – his ability to read and react in zone coverage combined with his raw speed should make him an instant contributor.
Cincinnati Bengals – Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech, 6th Round
Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher was one of my favorite backs in this class – his ability to run behind a poor offensive line at Texas Tech should have his new life on the Cincinnati offense feeling like easy mode.
Cleveland Browns – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado, 5th Round
I could write a whole novel about the fall of Shedeur Sanders – but I won’t. The simple fact of the matter is that the Cleveland Browns drafted a QB with first-round talent in the fifth round, and any of the concerns that caused him to fall can quickly be erased if he produces on the field.
Denver Broncos – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas, 1st Round
The 2024 Thorpe Award winner made plays all over the field for the Texas Longhorns, and will look to do the same in Denver. His position versatility and lack of fear in the run game will allow this Denver defense to get creative with where he aligns and operates.
Houston Texans – Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State, 3rd Round
Jaylin Noel was one of my “ride or dies” in this draft class as an archetypal slot receiver who has the speed and strength to not be pigeon-holed into certain types of route concepts.
Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State, 1st Round
Arguably the best offensive weapon in the draft fell right in the Colts’ lap at 14 when many mock drafters, myself included, had him going in the top-10 picks
Jacksonville Jaguars – Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia, 3rd Round
The versatile Milum can line up at multiple positions along the offensive line, where he will be asked to provide protection for franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.
Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State, 1st Round
The Chiefs’ objective this draft was very obvious: add players in the trenches so that way they will not be bullied again like they were bullied in the Super Bowl by Philadelphia. Simmons helps that objective.
Los Angeles Chargers – Oronde Gadsden, TE, Syracuse, 5th Round
A pure mismatch at the TE position who will help give Justin Herbert another target in the offense who can actually separate from man coverage. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman knows exactly how to use this type of player from his Baltimore days with Mark Andrews.
Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State, 1st Round
How can a guy taken 6th overall at a non-premium position possibly be considered a good value? When he’s a generational prospect at his position who should be a pro bowl player for the next decade, no matter the level of talent around him.
Miami Dolphins – Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas, 7th Round
The Dolphins’ seasons over the last 5 years have routinely been doomed by injuries to their starting QB. Without a steady backup, I like their pick of Ewers, who was a productive college QB with clear arm talent and pedigree as a former 5-star recruit.
New England Patriots- Jared Wilson, C, Georgia, 3rd Round
The draft’s best center fell all the way to the 3rd round, and he should start right away as New England looks to solidify the protection for new franchise QB Drake Maye.
New York Jets – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State, 3rd Round
Honestly, the Jets had a great all-around draft, and a big reason why is nabbing this 1st-round talent in the middle of the 3rd round.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa, 3rd Round
Johnson is a picture-perfect fit in Pittsburgh’s offense, as the scheme at Iowa is very similar to Arthur Smith’s zone-based, heavy-personnel based, run-heavy approach, and he complements Jaylen Warren’s skill-set.
Tennessee Titans – Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford, 4th Round
The supremely-talented and cerebral Ayomanor somehow fell to the 4th round, and should instantly start as an outside WR to receive passes from Cam Ward.