There are always rumors leading up to the NFL Draft, but I don’t
believe the top overall pick is difficult to predict this year.
Williams has been the top prospect for quite some time, and people
are now finding faults with him to try to create some buzz. I’m
not buying into it, and I don’t think you can trade away
the first-overall pick two seasons in a row. I’m a Justin Fields fan, but I’ll be a fan of his wherever else (Atlanta)
he goes. Simply put, you don’t pass on the upside of Williams
with this pick.
1.02 Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Speculation is starting to spread whether this is going to end
up being Maye or Jayden Daniels. I’m sticking with the player
that has been here all season. Maye has flashed tremendous upside,
and he has all of the tools to be a franchise quarterback. He
has ties to the Washington franchise already, and will help to
get this franchise back on track.
1.03 New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels is coming off of an elite season for LSU, and it’s
impossible not to compare his rise to former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. He’s a versatile quarterback who can change the
game in several ways under the right scheme. New England finally
has a changing of the guard in their staff, and they need someone
that has promise under center.
1.04 Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison was seen as the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson prior to the season, but that changed a bit in 2023. He
had sub-par quarterback play, which resulted in less than impressive
results. Still, he’s the top receiver in a loaded class,
and he’s going to be a WR1 in the NFL for years to come.
Arizona needs help on the outside, and he’ll make a great
option with Marquise Brown if the Cardinals decide to re-sign
him. The Cardinals will give Kyler Murray every chance to succeed
this season, and Harrison will be a huge part of that plan.
1.05 Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
This is where the draft starts getting interesting. Truthfully,
this is probably a trade-up spot for someone like JJ McCarthy,
Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze. The Chargers could go with a wide
receiver to give Justin Herbert another weapon. They could also
opt for Brock Bowers, but this feels a bit too high for a tight
end. Instead, I believe Jim Harbaugh is going to bring in a running
back and change the way this offense runs. This is a loaded offensive
tackle class, and Alt is arguably the safest option. Look for
Harbaugh to stay away from the flashy pick, and grab a player
who will help in the trenches.
1.06 New York Giants - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
There are so many bad reports about the Giants at the moment,
but that seems to be the case whenever there is no hope on the
horizon. They could opt for a quarterback or a wide receiver,
but they need to help their offense in a different way. Fashanu
should be able to step in at tackle, giving them protection they
lacked last season. That’s the first step toward getting
the Giants back to the playoffs.
1.07 Tennessee Titans - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
This pick is likely to go only one of two ways - Tennessee drafts
an offensive tackle or wide receiver. There is a sector of people
that are arguing Nabers is better than Marvin Harrison Jr., and
that he’s only ranked below him because of the latter’s
name. I don’t necessarily believe that, but Nabers is an
elite receiver prospect. He has the ability to completely change
an offense, and he’s likely the best way to help progress
Will Levis in his second season.
1.08 Atlanta Falcons - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
I have three more versions of this mock draft coming out leading
up to the NFL Draft on April 25th, but I’m under the assumption
that Atlanta is going to fix their quarterback with a trade or
free agency. That’s the main reason I don’t have them
taking one here. Instead, they shift to defense and get a player
that can help immediately. Dallas Turner is a strong option here,
but Verse is likely more NFL-ready, and Atlanta will be a potential
playoff contender if they fix their quarterback spot.
1.09 Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Chicago got their quarterback of the future with the first overall
pick, so they need to get him a weapon. Odunze looks the part
of a WR1, and he enjoyed an elite season at Washington. He can
immediately make the receiver group better, adding to the potential
that Williams can find success early in his career. With Darnell Mooney an inconsistent option, pairing Odunze with Williams for
the future is a no-brainer.
1.10 New York Jets - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
New York has a few different spots they can go with this pick,
but Aaron Rodgers has to be at the front of their mind. He’s
going to return this upcoming season, and they have to keep him
upright in the pocket. The Jets need a ton of help along their
offensive line, and Lantham is a player who can come in and help
immediately.
Turner has the most upside of any edge in this draft but he isn’t
as safe as a player like Jared Verse. If he reaches his ceiling,
he could become one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. Minnesota
needs help at the edge position, and there’s a reasonable
drop-off after Turner.
1.12 Denver Broncos - JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
This is an odd spot because Minnesota could easily pull the trigger
on McCarthy and if they don’t, it’s likely because
McCarthy is already off the board. It’s likely he’s
going to be drafted higher as we know teams are more comfortable
taking risks at the quarterback position. I believe the most likely
scenario is that either Denver or Minnesota trades up for him,
but I’m not projecting trades in this draft. McCarthy is
a high-risk, high-reward option for the Broncos, and they’re
in desperate need of a new quarterback after moving on from the
Russell Wilson debacle.
1.13 Las Vegas Raiders - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Without a truly viable quarterback option here, I’m expecting
Las Vegas to build around the offensive line position. Granted,
they could have their pick of the cornerbacks, but they need to
build a viable starting offensive line if any quarterback is going
to find success for them. Fuaga is a player who can immediately
start and help the unit.
1.14 New Orleans Saints - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
The Saints could reach for an edge here, but it’s more
likely that they take an offensive lineman at this point in the
draft. New Orleans didn’t have success with Trevor Penning,
and Fautanu can help them rearrange their offensive line. There
are some who believe he’s going to have to shift inside
to guard in the NFL, but that isn’t a given. If the Saints
don’t believe he can stay outside, Amarius Mims is another
option.
1.15 Indianapolis Colts - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The AFC South needs all the secondary help they can get with
the Houston Texans taking the NFL by storm last season. Arnold
is generally seen as the best cornerback in this draft, and he
comes with tremendous upside as a player. He is a big play waiting
to happen, and there are very few cornerbacks who can truly change
the game the way Arnold may be able to in a couple of years.
1.16 Seattle Seahawks - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Seahawks are sitting in a great spot. They have needs along
the offensive and defensive line, and they’re going to have
their pick of who they want. There are great options at both interior
offensive and defensive line along with offensive tackles and
edge rushers. I’m opting for the edge rusher here, as Latu
can contribute early in his career. He doesn’t have the
same upside as someone like Dallas Turner, but he makes a great
pick mid-way through the first round.
As I mentioned earlier in this mock draft, the AFC South needs
to add to their secondary if they want to stick with the Houston
Texans’ offense. Wiggins comes with elite speed, and he
has the upside to stick with WR1s in the NFL. He’s arguably
the most talented option left in the secondary at this point.
Bowers is drastically more talented than this pick would suggest,
but there’s a chance he falls because of his position. The
Bengals have a major need at tight end, and he can take an already
elite offense to the next level. Bowers can also ease the pressure
of Tee Higgins leaving next offseason if that’s the case.
1.19 Los Angeles Rams - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
There are essentially three top options at the cornerback position
(four if you include Kool-Aid McKinstry) and some would argue
that Mitchell is the best of the bunch. The Rams could go with
an edge rusher to help their pass defense, but I believe there’s
a bit of a tier gap between Mitchell and the next pass rusher.
The Rams need help at the position, and this is a player who can
take over on their defense.
1.20 Pittsburgh Steelers - Jackson Powers-Johnson, iOL, Oregon
The Steelers can use more help along the offensive line, and
Powers-Johnson is somewhat of a perfect option. He’s likely
to play inside in the NFL, but there are some who believe he could
potentially move to tackle. I don’t expect that to be the
case, and I do believe that he’s going to be one of the
top interior offensive linemen in the NFL in a few years. The
Steelers are building a young foundation, and Powers-Johnson is
a safer option.
1.21 Miami Dolphins - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft. He
strictly played right tackle at Georgia, which will worry some
teams drafting earlier in the first round. There are mixed reviews
on whether he’ll be able to slide over to the left side
in the NFL, but Miami is an offense that can use a player who
is ready to start on the right side of the line. A win-now team
is getting a player who can help them early in his career instead
of waiting for him to develop.
1.22 Philadelphia Eagles - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Eagles were exposed in the secondary last season, and they
need immediate help. McKinstry was found to have a Jones fracture
in his right foot at the NFL Combine, which stopped him from participating.
That said, he’s expected to be ready for the start of the
season. There was a case to be made for him being the best cornerback
in this draft at one point, and Philadelphia is getting a high-upside
option here, even if he comes with some risk.
1.23 Houston Texans - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
I don’t fully understand the projection of a wide receiver
here for Houston. Would it be fun? Absolutely. Is it the most
pressing need? No chance. The Texans could use a pass rusher to
help continue to progress their defense. Robinson isn’t
a player who is ready to play every down as a rookie, but he comes
with tools that are unteachable. If Houston can develop him properly,
he could be one of the biggest steals in the NFL Draft.
1.24 Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Cowboys have the ability to solidify their tackle positions
for years to come with this pick. They need help, and Guyton can
pair with Tyler Smith as a great young tackle duo. Both players
have the upside to play left tackle, so there is a bit of safety
to having both on the team. This is a pick that comes with upside
and a solid floor.
1.25 Green Bay Packers - Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Packers have a few holes that they can plug with this pick.
The biggest key here is that Barton is a player who is going to
be able to play anywhere along the offensive line. He can be a
swing tackle who can kick inside, and that’s something Green
Bay loves doing with young players. He’ll immediately make
their offensive line more versatile.
1.26 Tampa Bay Bucs - Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
The Bucs signed Mike Evans to an extension, so the wide receiver
position isn’t as pressing as it would have been. That said,
they could still opt to draft his future replacement here. But
I’m expecting them to move to the defensive side of the
ball. They need help at cornerback, and Rakestraw is a player
who can start on the outside immediately.
1.27 Arizona Cardinals - Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
The Cardinals took Marvin Harrison Jr. with their first overall
pick, so they switch to the defensive side of the ball here. Robinson
is a versatile option along the defensive line. He’s listed
as an edge, but I’m not entirely sure that is the best way
to list him. He could stay at end, using his power to rush the
quarterback and set the edge. There’s also a chance that
he adds weight and moves inside. His versatility is what could
be appealing for Arizona.
1.28 Buffalo Bills - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Buffalo obviously needs help at the wide receiver position, and
this is an elite draft for the position. Thomas has the potential
to play anywhere on the field, and he can score from anywhere
as well. He’s a player who will be able to help the Bills
from day one, and he can take over as the WR1 once Stefon Diggs
is out of town.
1.29 Detroit Lions - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Lions could use some help in their secondary, and DeJean
is an elite option at this point in the draft. He has all the
tools to find success at cornerback, but some people believe he
could be a better safety than corner. Detroit needs help at both
positions, and the versatility is an added bonus.
1.30 Baltimore Ravens - Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
The Ravens are the type of team that finds a steal no matter
where they draft. That’s the case once again as Murphy comes
with the ability to change the game from the defensive tackle
position, and it’s a position of need for Baltimore. Granted,
they could find another wide receiver or cornerback here, but
Murphy is too good to pass on at this point.
1.31 San Francisco 49ers - Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
This pick is almost completely dependent on whether Javon Kinlaw
leaves via free agency or not. If he does, Newton is a player
who can immediately come in and make an impact in the run game.
If Kinlaw comes back, they likely will go a different route with
this pick. For the time being, Newton is a great option.
1.32 Kansas City Chiefs - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Kansas City is in need of help with Travis Kelce aging and Rashee Rice being their only other promising option on the outside. Worthy
recently broke the 40-yard-dash record (4.21) at the NFL Combine,
and he’ll be able to take the top off of defenses. He’s
an elite fit to go along with Kelce and Rice’s skillsets.
He also has the versatility to develop into more than a downfield
threat for the Chiefs.
