The NFL is in full draft mode. The NFL scouting combine is over. The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games are also over. Well, now we're off to pro day, speculation, more speculation, and mock drafts.
This is mock draft 1.0.
1. Chicago
choice: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
comment: In person, Williams looks small (6-1), but he is considered one of the toughest, most durable quarterbacks in the class. The Bears will likely trade Justin Fields for more picks.
2. Washington
choice: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
comment: The No. 1 draft pick in Dan Quinn has the desired size (6-4, 210) and the arm strength needed for the NFL. Daniels' pro day could give the Heisman Trophy winner a chance to push Williams to No. 1 overall.
3. New England
choice: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina State
comment: The Pats are in dire need of a quarterback, and if Daniels is here, they'll know what to do. Maye's final season at UNC raised some concerns, similar to Williams' time at USC, but his skills should translate to the NFL.
4. Arizona
choice: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State University
comment: The best receiver in this class was raised by a Hall of Fame receiver father. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray could use another playmaker, but I wouldn't be surprised if Arizona takes an offensive lineman at the position.
5.LA charger
choice: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
comment: A cornerback would be good here, or another edge rusher (Dallas Turner, anyone?). But giving Justin Herbert another quality target is a benefit that can't be overlooked. Nabers is probably the second best WR in this class.
6. New York Giants
choice: Roman Odunze, WR, Washington
comment: Big Blue is committed to QB Daniel Jones, so look for more weapons to help him find his way. Odunze is a talented receiver who made plays all over the field in his final season in Washington. The Giants may use another corner, but be careful on offense.
7. Tennessee
choice: Joe Alto, T., Notre Dame
comment: If Nabors or Odunze are nearby, he might choose a wideout. In this mock, the best offensive linemen come off the board. Alto was a Week 1 starter and is expected to be around for a long time.
8. Atlanta
choice: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan State
comment: If the Falcons don't sign a quarterback in free agency (hello, Kirk Cousins) or don't sign a quarterback in a trade (hello, Russell Wilson), acquiring McCarthy seems like the right move. The Falcons could use another receiver and edge rusher.
9. Chicago
choice: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
comment: The Bears should have plenty of picks, as they are expected to trade Justin Fields. They can go in so many directions, and selecting Turner (14 sacks over the past two seasons) makes them younger and adds even more talent to their defense.
10. New York Jets
choice: Talese Fuaga, T, Oregon
comment: Fuaga performed well in Senior Bowl practice, and the Jets were clearly hooked. Fuaga said teams have asked if he can play guard, but he's open to it. The Jets have a lot of young pieces, so add one more.
11. Minnesota
choice: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida
comment: The Vikings could trade up to acquire quarterback JJ McCarthy or get a cheaper version in free agency. Verse had 23 solo tackles and nine sacks in 2023. He's one of the best edge rushers in this draft.
12. Denver
choice: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, PA
comment: It's not sexy, but the big guy ran a 5.11 40 and had a 32-inch vertical at the combine. You can play him at either tackle spot, and let's be honest, the Broncos are rebuilding. So let's start with the tackle.
13. Las Vegas
choice: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
comment: The DeSoto native just clinched a top-15 selection with a 4.88 40 at the combine. His stock has gone up and he's a good fit with the Raiders. Last season, the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year had five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
14. New Orleans
choice: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
comment: He showed speed on the field and at the combine, but injured his lower back during a 40-second run. His stock is very high and the Saints need a young corner for a defense that needs playmakers.
15. Indianapolis
choice: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
comment: The Colts could be on to something here if they give QB Anthony Richardson another target in 2024. The Colts could use another defensive lineman or wide receiver. LSU's Brian Thomas also looks good here.
16. Seattle
choice: Troy Fautanu, G, WA
comment: What's not to like about Fautanu? He's 6-3, 317 pounds, first-team All-Pac-12, ran a 5.01 40 and had a 32.5-inch vertical at the combine. He anchors Geno Smith inside the line. Seattle now has access to a pass rusher.
17. Jacksonville
choice: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
comment: Thomas may move up in the standings thanks to his 4.34 40 at the combine. He caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs last season. The Jags could use a speed threat like Thomas with Calvin Ridley heading into free agency.
18. Cincinnati
choice: JC Latham, T., Alabama
comment: He's a Week 1 tackle for Joe Burrow. Offensive linemen are missing from the roster here, and Latham is considered one of the best players at his position. He could also get a corner (Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo).
19. LA Rams
choice: Kunyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
comment: A strong performance at the Senior Bowl and a 4.33 40 and 1-2 broad jump at the combine pushed Mitchell up draft boards. He could go higher, but the team needs to keep him in the top 20. The Rams need to upgrade at corner.
20. Pittsburgh
choice: Jackson Powers Johnson, C/G, Oregon
comment: Another team needs a quarterback upgrade, but if they can't move up, acquiring a solid interior offensive lineman would be a smart move. Powers-Johnson has done a solid job in Senior Bowl practice, which makes him attractive to many.
21. Miami
choice: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
comment: Despite health concerns, including a neck injury in 2020 that kept him out of the game for two years, he led the nation in tackles with 1.8 tackles per game last season. Ratu has shown that he can come back from injury.
22. Philadelphia
choice: Chop Robinson, Edge, Pennsylvania
comment: The Eagles could use a replacement for center Jason Kelce, but if they can't land Powers-Johnson, why not land a pass rusher who causes problems in the NFC East? I see the Eagles coming up here to get the corner.
23. Houston
choice: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
comment: Is this a reach? Now, the rising Texans want more talent on offense, so why not get Coleman, who has scored 19 touchdowns in three seasons, but his 4.6 40 at the combine was disappointing? But his playing speed says more than that.
24. Dallas
choice: Amarius Mims, T, Georgia
comment: So you want to know why Tyron Smith likely won't return and why the Cowboys can keep Tyler Smith at left guard? draft. There's talent everywhere. Mims has started just eight games in two seasons, but is 6-7, weighs 340 pounds and has an 86¾ wingspan. Hands measured 11 1/4 at the combine. So what about the 9-to-3 long jump?
25. Green Bay
pick: Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma State
comment: Acquiring a cornerback could be helpful here, but left tackle David Bakhtiari is scheduled to make a base salary of $20 million and will turn 33 on September 30th. It may be time to rejuvenate with Guyton, a TCU transfer, who has started 14 games over the past two seasons.
26. Tampa Bay
choice: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
comment: The Bucs need help on the offensive line, but the choice between McKinstry and Cooper DeJean will help the defense. McKinstry, a first-team All-SEC selection, intercepted seven passes and recorded 32 tackles last season. A Jones fracture in his right foot is a concern as to when he will be able to play fully.
27. Arizona
choice: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa State
comment: The Cardinals took charge of the offense early in the first round, and DeJean is a player the Cardinals talked to at the combine. Dejan may not be able to work out at his pro day because he broke his foot in November.
28. Buffalo
choice: Jordan Morgan, T, Arizona
comment: Morgan can play both tackle spots and could slide inside at guard if needed. Morgan was impressive in Senior Bowl practice and the first-team All-Pac-12 tackle measured well at the combine.
29. Detroit
choice: Darius Robinson, Missouri Edge
comment: Finding another pass rusher will only make the Lions even stronger as they turn into an NFC contender. Robinson recorded 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss and was named first team All-SEC.
30. Baltimore
choice: Jazan Newton, DT, Illinois
comment: Newton is temporarily out of action with a foot injury, but he's still a powerful player inside. T'Vondre Sweat (Texas) and his Mekhi Wingo (LSU) are also possibilities here. Newton blocked four kicks last season, oh yeah, and had eight and a half tackles for loss and seven and a half sacks.
31. San Francisco
choice: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
comment: The Duncanville native, who was named the 2019 SportsDayHS Defensive Player of the Year, missed some combine training due to a groin injury. However, if he performs well at his pro day, he could move up in the first round.
32. Kansas City
choice: Ladd McConkie, WR, Georgia
comment: Don't be fooled by his 30 catches last season. McConkey tested well at the combine, posting 4.43 and 4.40 in the 40. Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell (Texas) might be better suited for this spot. The Chiefs need better receivers.
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