1. Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams is the best player in this class. Although the Bears might keep Justin Fields, Caleb offers too much upside to pass up. Every team is looking for a quarterback that can make plays when the play gets blown up, and Caleb can make any play into a spectacular one. The Bears get a player that has the potential to be one of the best players in the league.
2. Washington Commanders: UNC QB Drake Maye
Washington needs a new QB desperately and luckily this class has at least two elite prospects at the QB position. Drake Maye works very well in the structure of an offense, but also has insane arm strength and athleticism. He reminds me a ton of Justin Herbert, and has the potential to be another top 5 QB. In all, he would give Washington hope it hasn’t had since before RG3’s injuries.
3. New England Patriots: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
The Patriots have major needs all over their offense and need to improve the entire skill position group as well as the QB position. While they could go with the most talented WR, in Marvin Harrison Jr., it's becoming increasingly likely that they target QB Jayden Daniels instead. The Heisman Winning QB, Daniels is a fantastic prospect, who has a strong arm and incredible speed. If Daniels is the pick, the Patriots need to be aggressive in trying to find a good WR, either in free agency or later in the draft, so that they don't turn into this year's Carolina Panthers.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is an absolute superstar prospect, who will immediately become one of the best WR’s in the league. As the son of Hall of Fame Colts WR Marvin Harrison Sr. he could end up being better than his father, as he has everything you could want in a receiver. The 6’ 4” 205 lb. Harrison has great speed, quickness, body control, and is a very skilled route runner. It is hard to understate how great a prospect Harrison is, and the Cardinals would be lucky if New England passes on him.
5. New York Jets: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
Projected Trade: Los Angeles Chargers trade down with the New York Jets.
The Jets desperately need to upgrade their Offensive Line if they ever hope to get 40 year old Aaron Rodgers through a full NFL season, which was obvious if you saw Rodgers' 4 play season, or the ensuing trainwreck of a Zach Wilson led offense. With the Giants and Titans both possibly targeting OL at both 6 and 7, the Jets get aggressive trying to help their OL, and trade up to get the most pro ready tackle in the class, Joe Alt. The 6' 7" 322 lb. tackle is the most polished lineman in the class and his elite size helps him dominate in the run game. As for the Chargers, they are farther away than Justin Herbert makes them seem, and should be willing to gain the extra draft capital.
6. New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers
The Giants receiver room has been lacking ever since the Odell Beckham trade. Taking the electric Nabers gives them a player with game changing speed and elusiveness, as well as the playmaking they so desperately need. Although I’m sure they wanted Daniels to fall to 6, I doubt they reach for a QB here given Daniel Jones still being under contract for at least one more season (they have a potential out after the 2024 season), and how porous their offense was late in the year.
7. Tennessee Titans: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
Titans need OL in the worst way. A franchise that went after pure upside in back to back drafts in Malik Willis and Will Levis, now goes after the tackle with the most upside in Olu Fashanu. The 6' 6" 321 lb. Fashanu is an insane athlete that could develop into one of the league's best tackles if he refines some aspects of his game. Protecting Will Levis needs to be the top priority for Tennessee.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
Atlanta is going to be aggressive in trying to find a QB, after the Desmond Ridder experiment failed massively, getting Arthur Smith fired in the process. If the Falcons can't get one of the top 3 QB's, would they reach for someone from the next tier of QB's, in Oregon's Bo Nix, Washington's Michael Penix Jr., or Michigan's JJ McCarthy? I doubt they would rather have one from that bunch, than giving up their second round pick for Justin Fields. In the end, I think they go Best Player Available at 8, and draft the most explosive edge rusher, super athlete, Dallas Turner.
9. Chicago Bears: Washington WR Rome Odunze
After trading and paying Montez Sweat last season, the Bears have probably already decided they aren’t super high on this year's edge class. Here, they decide to bypass edge rusher and instead, fix their WR2 position. Odunze, at 6' 3" and 215 lbs., seems to catch every deep pass. Pairing him with Caleb Williams, and the playmaker that DJ Moore is, gives the Bears a chance to be one of the best passing games in the league.
10. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Projected Trade: New York Jets trade up with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Many mock drafts either have Bowers at 5 to the Chargers or him falling into the teens of the mock. If no other teams would take the TE in the top ten why wouldn't the Chargers trade down, gain draft capital, and still have the opportunity to take Bowers. Bowers was injured for part of last year but is a true playmaker at the TE position and should become a top 3 tight end in the league very quickly, if he can stay healthy. He gives Herbert a star pass catcher in what could be this generation's version of Antonio Gates and Phillip Rivers.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Texas DT Byron Murphy II
I think it’s most likely the Vikings will stick with Kirk Cousins this offseason, but if he leaves, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them be aggressive for QB3 or QB4. If they keep Kirk, they’ll most likely attempt to improve their pass rush and choose the best interior defensive lineman in the class, Byron Murphy. Although he is undersized, Murphy can be a disruptive force on the inside. If the Vikings can keep free agent Danielle Hunter, they would form a great pass rush tandem.
12. Denver Broncos: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
Has it ever been more obvious that a team was not sticking with their QB? Russell Wilson and Sean Payton did not work well together as Russ was benched late in the season to avoid an injury guarantee in his contract. They almost certainly will be parting ways and Sean Payton will be aggressive in getting a QB. J.J. McCarthy wasn’t asked to do much at Michigan, but has surprising upside and proved to answer the call every time Michigan asked him to. I think Sean Payton would love to find his future QB in this draft and would be willing to bet on a relative unknown in McCarthy.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Alabama OT JC Latham
The Raiders offensive line struggled for much of last year and although they need a QB badly, I think HC Antonio Pierce would rather go the veteran route or stick with 2nd year QB Aiden O'Connell, than reach on one of the remaining QB's. I think Pierce makes a statement pick and tries to fix the trenches and bring some grit back to Las Vegas. Latham is the strongest player in the draft and gives the Raiders the aggression they desperately need after Josh McDaniels failed tenure.
14. New Orleans Saints: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
The Saints are another team that might be looking to pick a QB, but again, I don’t think they would consider Nix or Penix to be an upgrade over Derek Carr. Instead, they pick a high upside Tackle to replace the struggling 2022 1st round pick Trevor Penning. Fuaga, at 6' 6" and 325 lbs., could help Carr have enough time to get closer to being an above average QB for the Saints.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
The Colts secondary struggled during the entirety of last season, and proved to be a major reason why they lost to the Houston Texans in the season finale, ending their hopes at a playoff spot. Arnold is the best cornerback in the class, and has great movement skills, long arms, and the potential to match up with some of the NFL's best receivers. If he is available here, the Colts should pounce on the opportunity to draft him.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
The Seahawks new HC Mike Macdonald employed a great defense in Baltimore and did so with various pressure looks and stunts. The Seahawks pass rush might not be currently set up to handle Macdonald's versatile scheme. Verse would be a major help, as both a great athlete, and a smart and instinctual pass rusher. Verse on the outside and Leonard Williams on the inside are the start to a great pass rush for Seattle.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
The Jaguars always value athleticism, and are lucky that Quinyon Mitchell is still on the board at 17. Mitchell is the second best CB in the class, and a very good athlete. With elite speed, he should be able to stay with the league's best receiver's if he continues to develop. The Jaguars fill a major need while grabbing one of the best players available.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
The Bengals get another technically refined edge rusher in Laiatu Latu. Latu would be off the board much higher if not for his injury concerns, which include having to medically retire in 2020 due to a neck injury that ended up requiring surgery. He then transferred from Washington to UCLA, where he stayed relatively healthy and if he stays healthy in the NFL, the Bengals could be getting a steal.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
The Rams rebuild sure was quick, as they took two years to go from one of the worst cap situations in the league to now having young stars like Kyren Williams, Steve Availa, and Puka Nacua populate the roster next to aging star players like Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, and Aaron Donald. One major need they still have is along the OL. LT Joe Noteboom has struggled mightily. Mims could eventually replace him at LT and although he doesn’t have a ton of experience, starting just 8 games in college, he is one of the best athletes in the class. The 6' 7" 330 lb. Mims has movement skills that are rare for his size and might have the highest potential of any OL in this year's class.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
The Steelers might go QB here, but picking Bo Nix feels awfully similar to their uninspiring Kenny Pickett selection just 2 years ago. Instead they go with their LT of the future and find yet another athletic freak in the 6' 7" 328 lb. Tyler Guyton. Having both Tackles locked in place for the next decade seems far more enticing than reaching for a QB.
21. Miami Dolphins: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
The Dolphins OL needs some help. Tua Tagovailoa might not be the answer at QB, but it would help him a lot if he had a little more time to pass. In an offense that usually has the center position handle protection changes, getting the center correct should be a top priority. Powers-Johnson was impressive at the senior bowl and could be a pro bowl caliber center very early in his career.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
The Eagles might finally decide to change their draft philosophy and prioritize the LB position. Last year they had one of the worst LB groups from a contending team that I can remember, and the LB's proved to be the defense's undoing. This should be enough to make the Eagles finally prioritize LB. Cooper is a great athlete and overall a well rounded player. He is the best LB in the class and could fix some of the defensive problems.
23. Houston Texans: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
Chop Robinson feels like a DeMeco Ryans' type of player. A twitchy edge rusher with tremendous speed on the opposite side of Will Anderson Jr. would be a dream for the Texans and a nightmare for opposing offenses. The Texans also rotate their defensive lineman more than other teams, so they can never have too many pass rushers. Chop would fit in as a Dee Ford type of pass rusher and in Ryans' scheme, Chop might develop into one of the best pass rushers in the league.
24. Dallas Cowboys: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Dallas’ Brandin Cooks experiment had mixed results and he is a free agent after next year. While this might not be an immediate need for the cowboys, this gives them some much needed explosiveness and could help unlock star WR CeeDee Lamb. Thomas is an athletic freak at 6' 4" 205 lbs. He should be a touchdown machine, given his height paired with game changing speed. Dallas would’ve loved for LB Cooper to be here, but come up with a great weapon for Dak Prescott, instead.
25. Green Bay Packers: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
The Packers have a major need at both safety and cornerback with many players hitting free agency either this off-season or the next. Why not get a player that can play both positions in Cooper DeJean? DeJean has great size and speed, but his major calling card is how good of a playmaker he is, having three pick sixes last year. He should be an immediate difference maker in the Packers secondary while also offering valuable positional flexibility.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Florida State WR Keon Coleman
Mike Evans' time as a Buccaneer might be coming to an end, as he is scheduled to be a free agent. They need to find a replacement, and Keon Coleman’s play style is similar to Evans. Although neither Evans nor Coleman are the fastest players, they both can still be major deep threats with their tracking skills and ability to win 50/50 balls. Coleman can fill in as a big weapon for Baker Mayfield, if they bring him back, and hopefully can help replace one of the best WR’s in the league.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Washington OL Troy Fautanu
This Cardinals draft would have Kyler Murray very happy as they gave him the best receiver in the draft in Marvin Harrison Jr., and now draft someone who can give him more time in OL Fautanu. If the Cardinals keep LT DJ Humphries, they could slide Fautanu over to LG, but if Humphries is released or otherwise let go from the team, then Fautanu could, along with last year's 1st round pick, Paris Johnson Jr., provide bookend tackles for the next decade.
28. Buffalo Bills: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The Bills need help defensively after being ravaged by injuries last season. Rakestraw is one of the most physical corners in this class and when Tre'Davious White comes back from his torn Achilles, they would form a great duo. While White is recovering, Rakestraw can be a tone setting defender who can help keep their secondary afloat.
29. Detroit Lions: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
The Lions need secondary help more than most contending teams. The 29 year old Cameron Sutton showed some good play last year but he is not a top corner and on the opposite side, it was much worse. After Emmanuel Moseley tore his ACL on October 8th, they struggled to find a replacement. With Moseley being a free agent, Wiggins would be an immediate starter. Wiggins is a smooth athlete and would give them a great answer at CB2 right now, and should develop into a high quality CB1.
30. Baltimore Ravens: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
The Ravens seemed to be the best team in the league last year, but always had one questionable position: Left Tackle. At many points in the season, they were rotating players at LT, as Ronnie Stanley continued to try to come back from injuries. The Ravens could take a huge swing in the equally huge Kingsley Suamataia. The 6' 6" 315 lb. OT could develop into a great Stanley replacement.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton
The 49ers might go OT here, as fixing the right side of their offensive line is, quite obviously, their biggest need, but they have consistently shown they are okay with relatively average OL play, rather building through the Defensive Line. DL may not be as big a need as OL, but it is also a sneaky big need for the 49ers, as they blitzed much more often last year due to a lack of a dominant pass rush. After DT Arik Armstead tore his meniscus, the defense struggled and became very bad against the run. Newton is a very quick interior DL and could be a great pass rusher and disruptor on the 49ers DL.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
You could fill in any WR here, as the Chiefs need WR badly. I went with Adonai Mitchell as he gives them size they haven’t had since JuJu Smith-Schuster left last free agency. This might be a spot for another trade down for a team desperate to draft a QB (NYG, PIT, ATL, LV, MIN) but I’m not certain the Chiefs would be willing to miss out on Worthy by dropping down into the 40s. In this case they stick and pick the best WR left, but they could go with a different WR in Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Oregon's Troy Franklin, Michigan's Roman Wilson, or even Texas' other WR Xavier Worthy.
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