MOCK DRAFT 2.0 '24

Once again, it's pretty cut and dry what the Bears are doing at 1. Even in a mock where I am trying to have fun and get weird with it, I'm not going to lie to you and pretend like Caleb isn't going 1st overall.

In this mock, I chose to go with Jayden Daniels. I think it is pretty 50/50 between Daniels and Maye, and I honestly don't have any clue who has the edge. I see both sides pros, and cons, but here I went with Daniels. He is the betting odds favorite, but I still think it's really close, as they are both playmakers. I guess you can compare them by their comps: would you rather have Randall Cunningham, or Justin Herbert?

However, I do think the Patriots would likely rather have Maye. I think he fits the scheme a little better, and I think I'd trust him in New England to be their guy. I think Daniels behind this offensive line would be worry-some.

I have the Vikings moving up for McCarthy again, this time up to 4 instead of 5. I chose to have them move up to 4 because there have been reports that they are trying to get into the top 3. I think all top 3 teams won't move off their pick, simply because they need a QB, but I think they give a haul for the 4th overall pick, in 3 first rounders, which is the reported asking price. McCarthy to the Vikings just feels like the right fit.

And the Chargers are VERY happy with how the board shakes out. After an offseason where they lose both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, they get a surefire star in Harrison Jr. Usually, he is not available due to the Cardinals picking above them, but in this instance, Herbert has an elite weapon at the start of the Harbaugh era.

I do still have the Giants taking Nabers at 6. I think there is a world where they move up for a QB, but I can't see them giving up valuable draft capital to make that happen. Instead, they snag another star in Nabers.

More of the same, as I have the Titans sticking with Joe Alt. It just makes too much sense here again.

I have the Falcons going a different direction here, and snagging the top CB in the class. I think having a duo of Arnold and Terrell, with Jessie Bates as your safety? That's potentially the best secondary in the league, and I think that idea is too much to pass up here at 8.

Due to the Falcons not taking Dallas Turner, that creates a new dilema for the Bears. They can go WR or take the falling edge rusher in Turner, and they do the latter here. Turner is likely too much to pass on here, especially in a draft class with a ton of WR talent that they can snag later in the draft.

In a blockbuster trade, the Bills move all the way up to 10 with the Jets to snag elite wide-out Odunze. After losing Diggs to the Texans, The Bills make a move with the Jets to make the splash that acquires the center piece of their offense. The Jets have reportedly been fielding calls for the 10th overall pick, and I think the Bills pick up the phone as well.

The Cardinals trade back with the Vikings, and still snag a potential top 10 talent. Verse can be a star for many years for Arizona, and they get him after they move back in the draft.

Another huge trade here, I have the Bengals moving up for generational TE talent in Bowers. Bowers is one of 3 players in this class I am 100% certain will be a star in the league, and the Bengals jump the Colts who are lurking to move up for Bowers. Bowers with Chase and Burrow is nightmare hours for the AFC, even if they lose Higgins. Bowers is a perfect fit for the Bengals.

Yet another trade, the Seahawks jump some tackle needy teams for one of the top lineman in the class. Fuaga is an elite prospect, because he can easily slide into guard and be elite, but also has top tackle talent upside. I think Seattle is very happy with him sliding and being able to move up for him.

Fashanu is an ideal fit for the Saints who are likely losing Ramcyzk, and just need offensive line help above anything else. I don't know if that is what they'll choose to do in the first round because it's the Saints, but I think this is a really good fit.

Wiggins fits the Ballard elite measurables and physical talent. Wiggins is likely the fastest corner, and has good size and gae experience, to make him a premier corner in the league.

The Raiders move back in the draft and still land their QB of the future. I know they signed Minshew, but I don't see that as a long term thing, and I think even Minshew knows that. I think they could move up to the top and grab one of the top 4 potentially, but if they can't, I suggest they move back and get the right value for the QB, and in this case, they snag Penix and a 4th rounder.

The Jaguars may have paid Gabe Davis this past off season, but why not make your offense even better in an absolutely loaded AFC, especially with Stroud and Richardson in your division. Giving Lawrence as many weapons as possible will be a good tell on how good of a team the Jaguars actually have.

After moving down, much like the Raiders, the Broncos still land their QB in Nix. I think the Broncos want a QB, bit they lack draft capital to move up, and would probably be reaching for Nix at 12, so moving back makes the most sense here, as they snag both a 3rd and a 4th.

The Rams try and replace recently retired Aaron Donald with Murphy II. He is the best DT in the class, and him falling is the best thing that could've happened to the Rams in this class.

The Steelers have made it clear that they are shopping for OT in the draft class, and Mims is a great athlete and can be an instant plug and play at tackle.

Powers-Johnson is the best Center in the draft, and the Dolphins don't wait around, and fill a instant need on their offensive line. I think there are other directions the Dolphins could clearly go, but I think this is a solid addition to the Dolphins offense.

Mitchell falling to the Eagles feels scary realistic. I would be shocked if Mitchell fell to 22, but it wouldn't shock me if the Eagles somehow landed elite defensive talent in the first round, again. I have Mitchell falling just to show how dynamic and elite this corner class is, and show some more love to Nate Wiggins.

The Cardinals slide back in the first round, and pass up on the oppurtunity to draft MHJ. However, they still land a REALLY high upside receiver in Mitchell who can step in and put up elite numbers with Kyler throwing him the ball.

The more I think about it, the more this may be my favorite pick of this first round. The Cowboys need a tackle, and IOL, and Fautanu can play both at a high level. Near perfect pick.

Packers need just about every positon on the offensive line, and Barton can play every position on the line. Is it a reach at 25? Maybe a tiny bit, but given the Packers team needs, this is a completely acceptable pick at 25.

Latu feels like such a Bucs player, just a raw elite pass rusher, I compare him to Trey Hendrickson. Latu can step up and provide numbers for a defense that lacked them.

The Cardinals on the clock for the 3rd time in the first round one, and they get an elite corner. McKinstry would likely go higher in the draft if it weren't for his injury history.

Let me explain. The Jets plugged some of their tackle needs this offseason, and even got a good number 2 reciever in Mike Williams. I think Bowers would be a great fit at 10, but I think the Jets need to think a little bit to the future. Them sliding back and drafting Worthy makes their offense better, a talent that stretches the field, and can make the whole offense better. However, they also grab another 1st round pick, and that is important because having 2 first round picks in next years draft could be really important in finding their Rodgers replacement and QB of the future.

The Lions could go a lot of different ways at 29, but I have them going Latham here. They sort of need a guard and potential tackle, and Latham fills that need, on an already super well rounded roster. I think edge is also certainly at play here.

I think the Ravens would do diabolical things to the league if they landed DeJean. It's not necessarily a team need, but DeJean would be a true defensive weapon and just would feel right.

After losing Armstead, they replace him with Newton, who has as much upside as any other DT in the class. Newton has pass rush upside, and put on a line with Nick Bosa will create issues for NFC QB's.

With the Rashee Rice news, the Chiefs somehow need a reciever even more than before. McConkey has a super high floor, and that is really important to the Chiefs reciever room.