Mock Draft 1.0
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams - QB, USC
A lot has been made about the future of the Bears quarterback position ever since it became inevitable that the first round pick they acquired from Carolina in the Bryce Young trade was going to be #1 overall in this year’s draft. Caleb was the best quarterback in college football over the last two seasons. Chicago looks to end their seemingly endless quarterback drought with a blue chip prospect.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye - QB, North Carolina
QB2 in this draft is certainly up for debate. I feel like most teams will prefer Maye because he fits the prototype of a big, strong-armed thrower who can also create with his legs. GM Adam Peters is the man calling the shots, and I think he takes his shot on the North Carolina stud. Maye is a helluva player. Looks a lot like Justin Herbert as a prospect, but perhaps even more fluid a passer. This would be a great situation for him, as they already have a great wide receiving corps.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels - QB, LSU
I have to admit, I don’t want to see this. I adore Jayden Daniels and I’d be really excited to see him play somewhere like Atlanta, Minnesota or Vegas instead. While the Pats have many needs, I ultimately don’t think they can pass up Daniels here.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison - WR, Ohio State
In a draft rich with wide receiver talent, the Cardinals get the top guy and perhaps the best receiver prospect since Jamar Chase. This would be a home run. I think this passing offense could be scary with Kyler Murray throwing to Marv, Trey McBride, and the other surrounding pieces. Easy pick.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt - OT, Notre Dame
Pick 5 is the first in this year’s draft with truly high variance. Harbaugh could go a myriad of ways here. Bowers, Nabers or Odunze would all be good picks. I think he opts to build his team starting with the trenches. Pairing Alt with Rashawn Slater will solidify this offensive line moving forward.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze - WR, Washington
Odunze has it all man. I’ve been flirting with the idea of making him my WR1. Speedy, gets separation, catches everything, diverse route tree, and unbelievable in contested catch situations. The Giants wide receiver room is terrible. Odunze instantly gives them a #1 offensive threat for Daniel Jones and whoever else will be their quarterback in the future.
7. Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT, Penn State
Tennessee's offensive line was putrid last year. They look to upgrade it with a blue chip tackle prospect (6’6, 315 lbs).
8. Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu - EDGE, UCLA
The Falcons could go receiver here, but ultimately I think they want to bolster that defense after taking offensive weapons in the first round of each of the last 3 drafts - 2023: Bijan Robinson, 2022: Drake London, 2021: Kyle Pitts. Latu is my favorite edge in the draft. At 6 '5, 265, he is a long, rangy athlete with an elite first step and strong hands to get by blockers in a number of different ways. Atlanta gets the best defensive player in the draft.
9. Chicago Bears: Malik Nabers - WR, LSU
If Chicago wants to get a second receiver alongside D.J. Moore for their rookie quarterback with this pick, they’ll need the draft to fall a certain way. If one of the big 3 (Marv, Odunze & Nabers) is still available at 9, they’d be wise to take them. Receivers are at such a premium these days, and getting a star on a rookie deal is so appealing. With Odunze going to the Giants earlier, the Bears draft Malik Nabers out of LSU, a twitchy receiver who eats up YAC and makes explosive plays.
10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga - OT, Oregon State
Both tackle positions have been a nightmare for the Jets as of late. They’d be smart to get better in pass protection with 40 year old Aaron Rodgers coming off a season-ending achilles injury manning the helm for at least one more season.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Washington
12. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers - TE, Georgia
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Nate Wiggins - CB, Clemson
14. New Orleans Saints: Dallas Turner - EDGE, Alabama
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold - CB, Alabama
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse - EDGE, Florida State
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jer’Zhan Newton - DL, Illinois
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr. - WR, LSU
19. Los Angeles Rams: JC Latham - OT, Alabama
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cooper DeJean - CB, Iowa
21. Miami Dolphins: J.J. McCarthy - QB, Michigan
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Toledo
23. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State
24. Dallas Cowboys: Byron Murphy II - DL, Texas
25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims - OT, Georgia
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Troy Franklin - WR, Oregon
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Troy Fautanu - OG, Washington
28. Buffalo Bills: Chop Robinson - EDGE, Penn State
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB, Alabama
30. Baltimore Ravens: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - CB, Missouri
31. San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Guyton - OT, Oklahoma
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell - WR, Texas
