NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0 '24

An essentially chalked in pick after the Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, Caleb Williams is the first overall selection. I don't see a reality where the Bears somehow don't take him, and for good reason. Williams is in the tier of QB prospects like Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, and Andrew Luck, so the Bears are hopefully, and finally, getting a franchise QB.

This is where the real draft starts, with the Commanders at 2, who I have taking Drake Maye. There are rumors that the Commanders may trade out of this spot, but that in my opinion is boloney. Unless it is a historic haul, they stick and pick a QB. There is a debate on who they will go with, Maye or Daniels, and I cannot lie, I did struggle with who to choose between the two. If I am struggling in a mock draft, I can only imagine the decision in the draft room for Washington. I landed on Maye simply because he has been QB2 throughout the whole process. There is an argument that Daniels is better scheme fit, but I think Maye is such a good athlete that he could be molded into Washington's scheme well.

In my head, whichever QB that wasn't selected by Washington, will be selected by New England. New England also has rumors of trading out of this pick, and it is way more believable than Washington. While trading back could get you more picks for your rebuild, I think securing a franchise altering QB prospect is the best possible thing you can do at 3. I don't really love the idea of them taking Harrison Jr at this pick, as it to me clearly feels like they are taking a QB. They traded away Mac Jones, and signed a veteran in Jacoby Brissett. Daniels has some really nice traits, and I think can be the face of the new look New England Patriots.

In what could be the biggest lay-up selection in the draft, the Cardinals take son of HOF WR, Marvin Harrison Jr. Once again, there are rumors of the Cardinals trading back with a QB needy team, but the Cardinals are already loaded with picks in this draft, so why not select a premier player in Harrison Jr. He is a can't miss prospect, and that's why I don't have them moving back, as I don't see a reality where the Cardinals regret this. The last time they gave Kyler an elite reciever(D-Hop), he put up his best season in the NFL. Now he gets one for at least 5 seasons.

The Vikings move up 6 spots to secure their QB of the future. This is the only trade in the mock since its obvious that the Vikings are gearing up to move up for a QB, and that QB is JJ McCarthy. It's an easy conversation with the Chargers, giving them 2 first round picks for their brand new GM and HC, whom might be excited that his college QB is taken 5th overall. Now do I buy the hype around McCarthy? Is he that good? I don't know, I'm not really into him being drafted this high, but a team will make a move for him this early for sure. I still think Penix Jr is a little bit better in my personal opinion, but I can't deny the upside and pretty high floor that McCarthy has. It'll be interesting to see how this would play out.

Ideally, I'd love to see the Giants move down the board, and take one of the fringe round 1 QB prospects like Penix or Nix, but I think due to the McCarthy pick at 5, the Giants are forced to stick and pick. And they shouldn't and wouldn't complain if Nabers is available at 6. Nabers, is an animal, and would most likely become the best weapon that the Giants have had since Odell Beckham Jr. (who also came from LSU). Yeah they probably want a QB, but I think in this scenario you can potentially snag Nix later in the draft to at least compete with Daniel Jones, whom they say has the starter job.

Alt is the first offensive lineman off the board for the Titans, and its hard pick not to love. For the Titans, they get a tackle to help protect young QB and potential franchise guy, or at the very least help tell if he is the guy. As for Alt, he is the first one off the board because he is likely the safest one. He played the tackle position at a very high level and has the traits to at least be a plus starter in the league for awhile.

Turner is the first defensive player off the board at 8, and what feels like a steal for the Falcons in that sense. Turner put up a very successful career at Alabama and is maybe the best defensive player in the class. It was between Turner or one of the top corners like Arnold or Mitchell, but the Falcons haven't had an elite edge rusher in a long time, and Turner has the upside to lead a pass rush for years in Atlanta.

If this scenario were to play out where the Bears get both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, to pair with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, they would HAVE to win a minimum of 7-8 games. That is a ridiculously overpowered offense talent-wise. Odunze would be the consensus WR1 in many draft classes of years past, but instead he falls to WR3 and pick 9, and the Bears are grateful. They don't go offensive line here as I believe that their line is already pretty close to being full put together, and they don't go defense because there isn't a whole lot of value meeting with their needs. Odunze can be a problem with Caleb Williams throwing him the football.

Bowers I feel like has somehow become an underrated draft prospect this year. He originally was mocked as high as 5 overall, but is slowly falling throughout these mocks by draft experts. Him falling any further than 10 would be a mistake by the league, as he is maybe the best TE prospect we've seen in awhile. Pitts was special, but he was more of a Unicorn at the position, while Bowers plays the position traditionally. Elite blocker, elite pass catcher. The Jets need some tackle help, and maybe another WR, why not get 2 for 1 with Bowers.

The Chargers are entering a rebuild, and with a new GM and HC, they are going to want their own players. Moving down the board and getting more picks is an easy way to do it, as they still get a position of need at 11, with Fuaga. Fuaga is a tackle who can easily swing over to guard, and is a people mover in the run game. If the Chargers are going for more of a run first approach, then Fuaga is an excellent choice at 11 to make that happen, and protect franchise QB Justin Herbert.

This is where what I feel the Broncos should do contradicts with what they will likely do. I would like for the Broncos to like Michael Penix, which I think they probably don't. Even then, if Nix is their guy, they need to move back. They have 2 picks in the top 75 picks, and would benefit from moving back, and who knows, they might. But since I want to limit the trades (at least with the 1.0), they stick and pick and get a true EDGE rusher to be the future of the defense. They have lacked a true pass rusher since they traded Bradley Chubb a few years ago, and will need a guy to step up and be the face of the defense with Simmons gone, Verse can be that guy.

Just because they signed Minshew, doesn't mean that they are passing on a QB. Penix would come in, and likely win the job with Minshew backing him up. Penix is one of my favorite players in this class, as his arm talent is unreal, and has plenty of big game experience, with the only thing holding him back is his injury history. I was hesitant for him to go as high as 13, but he had an outstanding pro day at Washington, so he goes and is the QB of the future for Vegas.

The Saints could be in a rough position if Ryan Ramczyk is unable to go in 2024, and they could be down two tackles for the 2024 season. Drafting Fashanu gives them the versatility to put him wherever they want on the ofensive line, and would instantly be a plus starter. I could see the Saints getting an Edge rusher here, but the tackle situation is dire in New Orleans, and Fashanu is an easy fix.

A huge value pick here at 15, with the colts filling a need with presumably the best corner in the class. After missing out on Sneed, getting Arold makes up for it. I do believe they will draft a corner, and it's 50/50 with Mitchell. I also think the Colts are the floor for Brock Bowers, but he obviously isn't available at 15. I did choose Arnold over Mitchell simply because it would be hard to imagine Arnold falls beyond 15 in such a loaded corner class.

Picking at 16 feels really awkward for Seattle, as nothing really seems to match value to team need-wise other than a tackle/guard. I could realistically see this being a trade back spot for Seattle, but we're sticking and picking. Fautanu provides instant starting value at guard for Seattle, and with time could become a tackle. He also already has ties to new Seattle OC, and won't have to move.

There is SO much Jacksonville could do here at 17. They could go CB, WR, EDGE, etc, they are in a position where unlike the Seahawks, the board shakes up a way where it is their preference. I chose Mitchell, as he could be the dynamic playmaker on the back-end to be the face of the defense. I debated between Mitchell or Brian Thomas Jr here, but I think getting a CB1 is a little more valuable than getting a WR2.

I think the Bengals go best player available and draft Murphy II. He has crazy high upside as a run defender and a pass rusher, who will make their defense better. Once again, I was really close to taking Brian Thomas Jr here, with Tee Higgins potentially on the way out, but I'm choosing Murphy here assuming Higgins is in Cincinnati for the next season at least. They could use a TE, but 18 is far too early for anyone not named Brock Bowers, but they are more than happy with the best DT in the class.

The Rams had a hole on the defensive line as it was, but then losing Aaron Donald really hurts the pass rush. I think the Rams really need to bulk up on pass rushers, as the presence of Donald being gone will be felt, Latu is a very good start. Maybe the best natural pass rusher in the class, he has plenty of moves for getting to the QB. He doesn't play DT like Donald did, but he is a 4-3 DE, and can allow for a different DT to thrive.

Jackson Powers-Johnson is the top center in the draft, and the Steelers land him at 20. Many don't have a first round grade on Powers-Johnson, and I didn't initially, but due to the need for interior lineman across the NFL, he rises into the first round. I think he is one of the last few missing pieces for the Steelers offense, and will instantly be a plus starter.

The Dolphins are aiming to protect Tua, whom I assume will get a pay-day next offseason. I think JC Latham fits what they want, a guard who can take over for Armstead whenever he retires.

The Eagles need to get better in the secondary, and Wiggins is a special talent to add to it. Maybe the fastest corner in the class, Wiggins can help make the defense a more formidable threat in 2024 for the Eagles.

The Chargers move back and also still land a WR, the postion they would have likely taken at 5. Instead of Nabers, the Chargers get his teammate Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas has the upside of a WR1 and would quickly develop a connection with Justin Herbert.

The Cowboys are going to have to start addressing the holes on the offensive line, and Barton is a start. He can play practically all over the offensive line, but more importantly he can slot in at Center and can start right away. Tackle is certainly in play here, but I think finding a quality center is just as important and feels like the pick the Cowbooys would make here at 24.

DeJean feels like such a Packer. This would be a dream come true if DeJean fell to the Packers, as he would help fill needs on the back-end of the secondary. Need him to play corner? He's got it. Need him to play safety? He's got it. He would become a weapon in the Green Bay secondary.

Chop Robinson is such a physical monster, and would bolster a much needed Tampa Bay front-7. The Bucs could also be looking at IOL here, but with the top two off the board, there's no need to reach, and just simply take likely the best player available.

McKinstry is one of my favorite players in this class, and he joins the Cardinals at pick 27. There were some concerns about some of his injury history, but I'm not worried about it neccisarily. His upside is way too high to pass on at this point.

The Bills have a huge hole in their secondary, after losing two safeties. Originally, I think Cooper DeJean would have been a perfect fit here, but with him off the board, they turn to another position of need. Newton is a big man and would instantly contribute as a run stopping DT. I think they still can address safety later in the draft, along with WR.

Robinson is one of my favorite players in the class, and is a phenomenal run defender. He possesses some pass rush upside, and can be a true partner to Hutchinson on the other side, as they can create havoc on the field at the same time.

Mitchell is a phenomenal reciever prospect, and I have him going to Baltimore to catch passes from Lamar. Yes, they have gotten a first round reciever the past two years, but one didn't pan out, and the other one is solid, but there still isn't a WR2 for the Ravens. Mitchell would possess WR1 upside, and would at least be a sure-handed reciever for Lamar.

Guyton could instantly be the starting RT for the Niners, across from former Oklahoma prospect Trent Williams. The niners have some holes along the offensive line, and at this position in the draft, there is plenty available.

Yes, they already got Hollywood Brown, but it's the Chiefs. They need recievers, Worthy fits the build for Kansas City, there's never enough speedsters there. They could use a corner as well, but I don't see them not going WR in the first round.