We are now officially in Draft Season, the wonderful time of the year when Football stops after the Super Bowl and all of us keyboard warriors can scream to the heavens that we know better than people paid millions of dollars to evaluate talent.
Hey Greg, remember when I looked you in the eyes and said “Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will be the best coach-QB duo in the league”?
I do. You do. No one else cares. And that’s the main reason I LOVE Draft Season. For a short stint of my life, I’m on the same level as the NFL Elite when it comes to assumptions and rumors. Of course I’m not, but as long as I have a blog I technically have the same power as Field Yates…I just choose to do this for free because I love the grind.
Pick 1 – Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams – Quarterback – USC
A million things could happen with the first overall pick this year, a common phrase that could be copy and pasted for almost every draft ever. The Chicago Bears have a decision to make – trade out and accept Justin Fields 5th year option, or select a controversial, yet undeniably amazing prospect in Caleb Williams.
Talent aside, I buy into the narrative that you win with rookie quarterback contracts. It allows you to avoid paying a massive contract and pay skill players on the defensive side of the ball to win.
Pick 2 – Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels – Quarterback – LSU
Going into this season the order was basically set with Williams going one and the UNC prospect Drake Maye following closely behind but as we stand today, I think a lot of teams are going to value Jayden Daniels higher.
Daniels is coming off a Heisman season and has all the skills of today’s NFL QB. I’m a known UNC hater, but this pick comes from more than just my own assumptions. The Commanders need a playmaker almost as much as they need a new stadium and Daniels provides them with a completely different skillset than we saw out of Sam Howell last season.
Pick 3 – New England Patriots
Drake Maye – Quarterback – UNC
Off the heels of the “firing” of arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, the Patriots are in an amazing position to get their next quarterback. The Patriots have tried and failed at making Mac Jones work and with a brand new regime, Maye makes all the sense in the world for New England.
I could see them going Marvin Harrison Jr. here just from a pure best player availability standpoint, but a franchise quarterback is near impossible to pass on.
Pick 4 – Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver – Ohio State
Is this wasn’t the most obvious pick in the entire draft I don’t know what is. Marvin Harrison Jr. is as sure-fire a pick as they make them and has only been balling in college at Ohio State.
The Cardinals have already said that Kyler Murray is their QB of the future so providing him with one of the best receiver prospects we’ve ever seen is a no-brainer, especially when you consider how poor the Cardinals receiver room is.
Pick 5 – LA Chargers
Brock Bowers – Tight End – Georgia
The Chargers could easily go wide receiver here with Malik Nabers on the board but how can you pass up on a guy like Brock Bowers. Harbaugh is a known Tight End fan from his days in San Francisco and Bowers hits on almost every metric you could ask for.
The Chargers have the potential to start next season without Keenan Allen or Mike Williams barring cap conversations, so Bowers instantly upgrades Herbert’s weapons from day one.
Pick 6 – New York Giants
Malik Nabers – Wide Reciever – LSU
Nabers would be the clear cut number one receiver in almost any draft class that Marvin Harrison Jr. isn’t a part of. He is an explosive route-runner with true elite after the catch threat, something the Giants haven’t had since the OBJ days. If you really want to see what you got (for the 6th time) with Daniel Jones, get him some talent.
The other side of the coin here is that the Giants need help at almost any position, so Nabers is a true BPA selection here and a huge need.
Pick 7 – Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt – Offensive Tackle – Notre Dame
Last season the Tennessee Titans swung big on some draft picks and landed a true Quarterback of the future in Will Levis and a running back they can utilize in the passing game in Tyjae Spears. They even added arguably the best interior lineman in the draft in Peter Skoronski.
Joe Alt could, from day one, be arguably the best lineman the Titans have ever had. That’s a large amount of credit to his stock as well as a shot at the franchise for never quite figuring the position out (Sorry Lewan, XOXO).
Pick 8 – Atlanta Falcons
Laiatu Latu – Edge – UCLA
For the first time in a while we don’t have a clear cut number one edge rusher in this class, leaving me with a pretty big swing that Laiatu Latu will be the first edge off the board. Latu can swing all over the defensive line, something the Falcons need consistently.
Although he may never turn into a true number one edge in the NFL, he is a true safe pick that will absolutely contribute from day one.
Pick 9 – Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze – Wide Receiver – Washington
In this mock the bears selected Caleb Williams number one overall, so let’s give him some talent to play with. Chicago made a blockbuster trade for DJ Moore recently but after that the depth chart is looking fairly bare.
Rome is a true threat at the position and produced some insane stats at Washington this season. There’s a number of ways the bBears could go here, but Odunze and Moore is the type of duo you want around a rookie QB.
Pick 10 – New York Jets
Olumuyiwa Fashanu – Offensive Tackle – Penn State
Full transparency, I have no clue if the Jets are going to be good next year but I do know Aaron Rodgers won’t have to worry about being sacked if they add Fashanu to their O-Line.
If Fashanu came out last year he was arguably the top tackle but decided to go back to Penn State for another year. At 6’6″ 321, Fashanu is a mauler who hasn’t even reached his full potential. Not quite the same concerns at Becton, the upside of Fashanu is an All-Pro Tackle for years to come.
Pick 11 – Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy – Quarterback – Michigan
My guess is this will be the pick that brings the most backlash in 1.0 but mark my words, J.J. McCarthy will be a first round selection. The Michigan QB showed flashes of true athleticism this year in Harbaugh’s offense but wasn’t really asked to do more than manage the team off the heels of their rushing attack.
The Vikings seem primed to move on from Kirk Cousins and have no true contingency plan at the position. If you want to take a swing at a QB, it’s nice to have the league’s best receiver at the helm for support.
Pick 12 – Denver Broncos
Bo Nix – Quarterback – Oregon
If there’s one coach who I think can get the most out of Bo Nix it’s Denver’s Sean Payton, which feels gross to say off the heels of the Russell Wilson experiment.
Nix isn’t everyone’s favorite name in this class but he balled out at Oregon last year and should hear his name call on Day One of the draft. The Broncos need a day-one ready QB, something that Nix may actually be ready for.
Pick 13 – Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold – Cornerback – Alabama
The Raiders need a ton of help, but one thing they should do in this draft is just acquire talent. Terrion Arnold is a true NFL ready corner and although we could see Wiggins or McKinstry go before him, the Raiders need a pick that can produce.
Arnold is a patient corner and has the tape to back up this selection. In a division with Herbert and Mahomes, you need someone who can run with the best of them.
Pick 14 – New Orleans Saints
JC Latham – Offensive Tackle – Alabama
JC Latham looked a little rough in the College Football Playoffs but there’s no denying his size. He was the true anchor of that Alabama line, particularly on the right side this season.
The Saints are a bit of a cluster which will result in their draft pick being someone who can start instantly, something Latham should be able to produce. I’d be surprised to see anyone other than Carr at the helm next year, so protecting him must be a priority.
Pick 15 – Indianapolis Colts
Dallas Turner – Edge – Alabama
Dallas Turner should be much, much higher in this draft class based on potential alone but I adore the landing spot with him in Indy. Turner is a modern day edge rusher, passing when needed and turning into coverage with relative ease.
I have high expectations for him at the combine, something that most likely will make his stock rise come draft day. Turner is a bit of a far cry off from names like Anderson Jr. and Hutchinson but he fits todays mold well, something that should help him in Detroit.
Pick 16 – Seattle Seahawks
Jaylan Ford – Linebacker – Texas
I joke that I almost always mock someone “weird” for the Seahawks stems from selections such as L.J. Collier and Jordyn Brooks in recent years. That being said, they have selected top tier talent the last couple of years in JSN, Witherspoon and Cross.
This is arguably the least talented ILB class we’ve seen in a while and the combine should do a lot to help us understand the order but Jaylan Ford fits their traditional model. With back-to-back seasons of over 100 tackles, Ford shows NFL speed off the line of scrimmage and violent enough hands to run off the edge.
Pick 17 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Nate Wiggins – Cornerback – Clemson
Wiggins is my favorite corner in this entire class and would have gone higher if not for the fact that the Raiders just absolutely NEED to hit on a safe pick. The Jaguars should spring up to the podium if Wiggins is there come draft day based off of his length alone but the Clemson corner has the athleticism to stand with the best of them.
Zone coverage seems to be his specialty but for a team like the Jaguars who can win right this second, Wiggins should be a nice swing for the franchise.
Pick 18 – Cincinnati Bengals
Kool-Aid Mckinstry – Cornerback – Alabama
The best name in the draft heads to Cincy, a place that absolutely needs help in their secondary. McKinstry comes in as a decent comp to Patrick Surtain II with legit chops at corner and safety. He remains cool under pressure, a special trait for corners in todays wide-receiver friendly game.
As a Steelers Fan, I hate knowing that our receivers will have to deal with McKinstry moving forward but Cincinnati bags a true CB1 here.
Pick 19 – LA Rams
Jared Verse – Edge – Florida State
In the discussion for the draft’s best edge rusher, Jared Verse deserves his flowers. Verse stands at 6’4″, 249 pounds and was an absolute force for Florida State this season. The Rams have a few holes to fill but were a playoff contender this year off the heels of the greatest rookie wide receiver year ever in Puka Nakua.
The Rams lander an absolute stud in Kobie Turner last season so adding some depth to that line with the looming potential of an Aaron Donald retirement makes all the sense in the world.
Pick 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Power-Johnson – Center – Oregon
Although I think the Steelers could take another position here and walk away happy with West Virginia Center Zach Frazier in round two, we need to stop the bleeding that is our center position.
JPJ is a tough center who is ready to start yesterday. Mason Cole hasn’t been absolutely useless, but we need a staple in that line that can pair well with Broderick Jones for years to come. Fill the need and stop making me watch Creed Humphrey and Landon Dickerson highlights.
Pick 21 – Miami Dolphins
Tyler Guyton – Offensive Tackle – Oklahoma
The Dolphins could do a ton of directions here but Guyton has been a guy rising up my personal favorites list lately based on what I’ve read. Guyton is huge and has a ton of upside at the position and carries a quality base of athleticism heading into the NFL.
I thin the closer we get to the draft the more fleshed out these tackles will be but Guyton is someone to watch as a riser in Detroit.
Pick 22 – Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean – Cornerback – Iowa
The Eagles are either one of the best teams or one of the worst teams and I can’t tell you which is more truthful but one thing they need is secondary help. Cooper Dejean has been linked to a ton of teams so far and has the skillset to play both corner and safety at the next level.
His size and natural playmaking skills put him into a splash play position in Philly and could be a solidified part of this defense for years to come. Combine that with his ability to appear like a linebacker against the run and you have some significant issues instantly fixed in Philly.
Pick 23 – Houston Texans
Brian Thomas Jr. – Wide Receiver – LSU
Brian Thomas Jr. has been rising up boards lately and has the potential to be a true alpha at the next level. He brings a nice skillset as a route runner and at 6’4″ 205, could be the perfect compliment to Tank Dell in Houston.
I love what I saw from the Texans last season and they have a true QB One in Stroud. Get him the support he needs on offense and make sure that no matter who’s open, they can make a play.
Pick 24 – Dallas Cowboys
Taliese Fuaga – Offensive Tackle – Oregon State
Fuaga is a name I have tied to the Steelers in a number of conversations so far this season, mainly due to his power and size and how it would compliment Jones. That being said, the Cowboys need to retool that O-Line and a guy like Fuaga is a terrific start.
In the run game, Fuaga is a mauler who maximizes his power effectively. I’m not sure if the Cowboys view Pollard’s season as a total loss but getting him a lineman who can help is a must if they want to continue to maximize on this window.
Pick 25 – Green Bay Packers
Graham Barton – Offensive Guard – Duke
The guards in this class are a bit wonky so we will have to see if any tackles or centers move into the position come draft day. That being said, Barton seems to be the top guy at the guard position heading into draft season.
Barton has some concerns at his arm length, something that wouldn’t be an issue at the guard position in the NFL. His athleticism and power grant him a fairly high ceiling and protecting Jordan Love needs to remain the Packers absolute priority.
Pick 26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Amarius Mims – Offensive Tackle – Georgia
Mims is another name in the tackle conversation that I don’t quite know where to place but when a need is present and the talent is there, it just makes sense. He missed time at Georgia in 2023 but has consistently played at a high level when on the field.
The Bucs will most likely bring back Baker but they need to build their team for the next quarterback and starting at the offensive line is a great first step.
Pick 27 – Arizona Cardinals
Chop Robinson – Edge – Penn State
Chop is an extremely reliable pass rusher and was a force for the Nittany Lions this past season. The Cardinals sit in the enviable spot of two firsts, so production and talent are two major green flags here.
Chop is fast and explosive, something they need in that division. I think he will be a riser come combine time but as for now, the Cardinals are walking away with an amazing rookie class.
Pick 28 – Buffalo Bills
Quinyon Mitchell – Cornerback – Toledo
Mitchell is a name Yinzers have heard a lot about from the Senior Bowl and will most likely go earlier than this come draft day but if he does fall to the Bills, they would be ecstatic.
At Toledo, Mitchell was a playmaker with great closing speed who projects well at the next level. I could see the Bills going safety here but when a guy like Mitchell falls into your lap, you need to draft him.
Pick 29 – Detroit Lions
Kamari Lassiter – Corner Back – Georgia
Lassiter seems to be the forgotten corner in this class which could be in part due to his size. At 6’0″ 185 he isn’t quite the worry that Emmanuel Forbes was last year but it is a difference compared to some of the other corners in this class.
Lassiter thrives in zone, something the Lions tried to move towards this season. They also need a top corner after the year they had despite the best efforts by Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs.
Pick 30 – Baltimore Ravens
Jer’Zhan Newton – Defensive Tackle – Illinois
It’s insane to me that Newton fell this far but here we are with the Ravens landing an absolute stud for no reason at all. Newton is coming off a campaign that saw 61 tackles, 14 of which were for loss with 5.5 sacks at Illinois.
Newton is strong and stout and is best along a true nose tackle that can swallow up some of the blocks. If the Ravens make this pick I would walk out of the first round being pissed off at both Baltimore AND Cincinnati for their selections,
Pick 31 – San Francisco 49ers
Keon Coleman – Wide Receiver – Florida State
I don’t know exactly what to make of the Brandin Aiyuk news after the Super Bowl but there’s a legit conversation around the niners needing to add receiver talent heading into next year. Although I’m relatively low on Coleman as a prospect his size, productivity and ability to thrive with almost anyone at QB is undeniable.
I have Coleman listed as my bust in this class but there’s no denying he deserves to go in the first round.
Pick 32 – Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver – Texas
The Chiefs need nothing and will most likely win again next year but I do like the idea of them landing an absolute stud in Xavier Worthy. I could see them just going with a need OR for someone to trade into this spot to get Michael Pennix Jr. but for the sake of our mocks, no trades.
Worthy has the potential to be this classes Zay Flowers but with a bigger frame. He was absolutely electric at Texas this past year and the Chiefs need to consider what life after Travis Kelce is going to look like. Rashee Rice was great this year but swings at Kadarius Toney and MVS will only get you so far.
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