We won't pretend we know how these Draft picks will pan out, but these are our rankings of the best situations former TXHSFB found themselves in after hearing their name called in the First Round of the NFL Draft. 

1. Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos (No.20 Overall)

There's not a more versatile defensive back in the Draft than Jahdae Barron, who played nickel, dime linebacker and outside cornerback in college. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph must have heard all about it from his cousin, Texas defensive backs coach Terry Joseph. 

Vance has a loaded secondary in 2025, which is all-important in the AFC West with quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II was the 2024 AP Defensive Player of the Year, while fellow corner Riley Moss is a rising star. This should allow Barron to play inside corner, where he can stick his nose in the run game. 

2. Donovan Jackson, Minnesota Vikings (No. 24 overall)

The Vikings were up-front all offseason with their plan to remake the offensive line for second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill were known commodities at tackle, and Minnesota signed Ryan Kelly at center and Will Fries at right guard. Jackson, projected to play left guard, was the final missing piece. A three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Jackson was a career interior lineman before switching to left tackle due to injuries in the middle of the 2024 season. His play powered Ohio State's national championship run.

3. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders (No.6 Overall)

The running back position is considered a luxury, which explains why Jeanty is the first selected in the top six since Saquon Barkley in 2018. But Jeanty has the three-down capability to blossom into a franchise player. Of course, he can run (his 2,601 yards in 2024 was the second-most in FBS history). However, Jeanty also has more receiving ability than he was allowed to show at Boise State. He played slot receiver at Frisco Lone Star as a junior.  

New Raiders head coach Pete Carroll's best Seattle Seahawks teams were run-first behind Marshawn Lynch. Jeanty displayed a similar contact balance and explosion in college. Jeanty pairs with one of football's most innovative offensive coordinators in Chip Kelly, who most recently coached two NFL Draft prospects (Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson) on the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.  

4. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers (No. 23 overall)

Golden's late season surge at Texas, combined with a 4.29 second 40-yard dash, convinced the Packers to draft a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002. Golden's lack of size (5'11, 190) has some scouts and analysts questioning whether he can be a true No.1 wide receiver option in the NFL. The Packers have a plethora of developmental wide receivers which should take pressure off Golden to be the guy immediately. He also pairs with a solid quarterback in Jordan Love. 

5. Kelvin Banks Jr., New Orleans Saints (No.9 Overall)

Banks is one of the safest offensive line prospects in recent memory (in a good way). He was considered a first-round lock from the moment he started as a freshman at Texas, all the way through his All-American career. Frankly, his status only wavered slightly due to some length concerns in the pre-draft process. 

Banks is a versatile offensive line option for new head coach Kellen Moore, who cut his teeth as an offensive coordinator. But is it a worrying sign that the Saints have selected an offensive lineman in the first round three times since 2020, and they still need help at both tackle and guard? Also, with quarterback Derek Carr's future in doubt, who is Banks blocking for?

6. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (No.1 Overall) 

Like most teams selecting No.1 overall, the Tennessee Titans have many holes on their roster. The wide receiver corps is one of the league's worst. Calvin Ridley (64 receptions, 1,017 yards, 4 touchdowns) is a solid option, but the Titans' No.2 option is likely 32-year-old Tyler Lockett, who was cut by the Seahawks this offseason.

But Ward proved over a five-year collegiate career he's capable of elevating his supporting cast. His journey began at FCS Incarnate Word. Eric Morris, his offensive coordinator at Washington State in 2023, told me in an interview the team would not have made a bowl game without him.

Ward's off-schedule playmaking is a blessing, but it could be a learning curve for his rookie season. Will Levis, whom the Titans took in the second round two years ago, had 26 turnovers behind a leaky offensive line. Ward shows better pocket awareness in college but has to avoid pressing for plays that aren't there. 

The good news: Ward will play for an offensive-minded coach. Tennessee's Bryan Callahan has worked with quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Joe Burrow.