MOCK NFL DRAFTS
| Pick | Team | Pos | Player | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
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QB |
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| Let’s not waste our precious time beleaguering this pick. Williams is the choice, Williams has always been the choice. Start printing the jerseys. | ||||
#2 |
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QB |
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| Washington has the unenviable position of choosing between Maye and Jayden Daniels, prospects whose occupation of the QB2 pedestal really comes down to preference. Maye is not without flaws, but ultimately he’s the superior talent and more worthy of the second selection. | ||||
#3 |
|
WR |
||
| It has become draft community orthodoxy to insert the runner-up of the Maye v. Daniels QB2 battle here, but I’m not as convinced. New head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf make the hard, albeit correct decision, using their inaugural draft pick on a generational talent at a premium-impact position over the third-choice quarterback. | ||||
#4 |
|
WR |
||
| The Cardinals thought that they could sit tight and be gifted MH2 at pick four. In this scenario, after fielding a litany of calls for teams aiming to trade up for Daniels, Arizona instead opts for the other exceptional wide receiver in this year’s group. | ||||
#5 |
|
QB |
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| Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is clearly cooking up a move for a quarterback after finagling a second first rounder from the Texans during the first week of free agency. Most have speculated that the target is JJ McCarthy, but the value of Daniels at pick five is too damn good to pass up. The Vikings should melt down Jim Harbaugh’s flip phone with the ferocity of their calls to trade up, giving a Chargers team with a franchise quarterback and a multitude of needs a haul of picks they can’t pass up. *Trade details: Chargers receive picks 11,108 and 157 in 2024 and a round-three pick in 2025 from Minnesota in exchange for pick five | ||||
#6 |
|
WR |
||
| Trendlines would suggest that this pick should be JJ McCarthy, but it’s my inclination that Brian Daboll and Co., very much on the hot seat, steer away from a quarterback bound to remind the fans of the purgatory of mediocrity that is Daniel Jones. Instead, New York takes a bonified contested-catch stud in Odunze that will instead bring back that hope and optimism once encapsulated in the glory that was Odell Beckham’s rookie season. | ||||
#7 |
|
OT |
||
| This one is a no-brainer. The Titans, expectedly, released left tackle Andre Dillard, just one season into his head-scratching three-year $29 million deal. While Dillard may have been its squeakiest hinge, the swinging gate that was the Titans offensive line was one of the worst in the league last year. Plugging Alt in with 2023 first rounder Peter Skoronski could make a hell of a left flank for newly signed center Lloyd Cushenberry and second-year signal-caller Will Levis. a | ||||
#8 |
|
CB |
||
| Finally, a defensive player. For me, Mitchell is unquestionably the best corner in this draft, and if he attended Alabama or Texas, rather than Toledo, this wouldn’t even be a debate. Mitchell had a superb 2023 season for the Rockets, crushed Senior Bowl week, and ripped up the Combine with a 4.33 forty and a 38-inch vertical at 195 pounds. Box checked, box checked and box checked. | ||||
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#9 |
|
TE |
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| With Joe Burrow healthy, the Bengals are a team without any major weak points. After resolving their right tackle position with yet another signing of a monstrous lineman with the last name “Brown,” Cincinnati has the room to be aggressive. They leapfrog the Jets for the last remaining tier-one pass catcher on the board. *Trade Details: Chicago receives picks 18, 49, and 237 from Cincinnati in exchange for pick nine | ||||
#10 |
|
QB |
||
| So, we think team “F**k them Picks” is prepared to draft in the first round for the first time since 2016 and they’re NOT going to go after a quarterback? I don’t buy it. In this scenario, Sean McVay and Les Snead once again get aggressive with their draft capital and jump nine spots, leaping over the QB-needy teams picking 12 through 14. This feels like a perfect team/player fit, allowing for a potential multi-season succession plan for the 36-year-old Matthew Stafford. *Trade Details: NY Jets receive picks 19 and 52 from the LA Rams in exchange for pick 10 | ||||
#11 |
|
DL |
||
| It’s not sexy, but nothing about Har-Ball is all that sexy. Jim Harbaugh’s football philosophy requires quality defense, something that was missing from the Rams’ roommates during those Brandon Staley years. Chargers may not be enthused with the current state of their receiver room, but let us remember, that in Harbaugh’s first year in San Francisco back in 2011, his starting wideouts were Michael Crabtree and…Kyle Williams (you’re right to ask who that is). That team went 13-3. | ||||
#12 |
|
QB |
||
| Denver is likely not in play for a trade up due to their lack of overall draft capital and bevy of needs. With that said, they stay in place and take the fifth quarterback off the board. Nix is an older and more polished passer than any other in the draft. There’s merit to questioning whether he’s already reached his ceiling, but the Broncos are in desperate need for a quarterback and get a great fit, pairing the cerebral Nix with Sean Payton. | ||||
#13 |
|
OT |
||
| The addition of Gardner Minshew allows Vegas with the flexibility to address their needs along the offensive line. Fautanu is a versatile and athletic blocker who could line up at either guard or tackle at the next level. | ||||
#14 |
|
OT |
||
| Another QB-needy team leaves the first round with the need unaddressed. Disappointment notwithstanding, the Saints grab arguably the top pass blocking left-tackle in the draft. Fashanu addresses a major need for New Orleans. Former first-round Trevor Penning graded out as one of the worst starting tackles in the league last year and stalwart veteran Ryan Ramczyk has hinted at retirement this offseason. | ||||
#15 |
|
CB |
||
| Kenny Moore is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the game and 2023 rookie JuJu Brents showed promise as a perimeter defender in his inaugural season. The Colts still have a need opposite Brents and adding Arnold, this year’s top man-coverage corner, would provide Indy with one of the more formidable CB rooms in the league. | ||||
#16 |
|
DE |
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| Latu, most assuredly, is either top-20 on every team’s board or he’s been removed from their board entirely. The former Bruin’s tape is undeniable, displaying an explosive and violent ability to get to the passer, using his hands better than any player in this class. The issue with Latu is his medicals, as he was formerly medically retired by the University of Washington prior to his transfer to southern California. | ||||
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#17 |
|
DE |
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| Jacksonville, after addressing their needs along the offensive and defensive lines in free agency, makes a splash move for a playmaker. The Bengals, having already added Brock Bowers to the fold, use their second pick of the round to add the Florida State pass rusher. The Bengals can bring Verse on slow, playing him behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard before potentially making either player a cap casualty in 2025. *Trade Details: Jacksonville receive Tee Higgins, pick 194 and pick 238 from Cincinnati in exchange for pick 17 and pick 153 | ||||
#18 |
|
DL |
||
| While a weapon for Caleb may be an intriguing option for this slot, the Bears do the prudent thing, adding more firepower to a defense that allowed the fewest rush yards per game last season. | ||||
#19 |
|
OT |
||
| The Jets trade back and get one of the elite tackles anyway. The Jets brought in Tyron Smith on a one-year deal in addition to trading for vet Morgan Moses. While on paper the tackle positions seem to be figured out, Smith has not played a full season since 2015. Fuanga, a college right tackle, should have no issues flipping sides at the next level, giving the Jets a competent swing man for 2024 and stellar blind-side protector for the seasons to follow. | ||||
#20 |
|
C |
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| For an offseason as surprising and sexy as the Steelers’ has been, this pick is anything but. After releasing Mason Cole, Pittsburgh has a glaring need at center, and with this pick they get the best one in the draft. | ||||
#21 |
|
OT |
||
| The Dolphins have struggled to keep Terron Armstead on the field during his two seasons in South Florida. Former first rounder and 2025 free agent Austin Jackson did show signs of improvement last year but still is not playing at the level of that expected from a player drafted 18th overall. It is imperative for Miami to figure out a long-term solution at the position as they continue to work on what is expected to be a massive contract extension for Tua. | ||||
#22 |
|
OT |
||
| While Philly may have more immediate needs on the defensive side of the ball, they also need a long-term solution for veteran Lane Johnson, who is in the autumn years of his impressive career. Much like Johnson, current left tackle Jordan Mailata, and former Eagle Alejandro Villanueva, the Eagles have a penchant for crafting herculean athletes into Pro Bowl tackles, making Mims a natural fit. | ||||
#23 |
|
CB |
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| The Vikings grabbed the quarterback they wanted and still managed to hold onto the pick acquired from the Texans. The lightning quick Wiggins should elevate a Minnesota defense that has finished bottom-ten against the pass in each of the last four seasons. | ||||
#24 |
|
WR |
||
| A bit of a surprise here, but Jerry likes to zig where others zag and the Cowboys could use a prolific second option behind CeeDee Lamb. McConkey, for reasons all too clear, is getting Wes Welker hype, but there’s more in his game akin to Antonio Brown. McConkey is a skilled and cerebral route runner with elite athleticism. Look no further than his Senor Bowl 1-on-1s to confirm that this guy is a bonified ankle breaker. | ||||
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#25 |
|
OT |
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| And the tackles keep flying off the board. It has been rumored that after David Bakhtiari’s release, do-it-all Zach Tom could slide over to left tackle. While I have no doubts that Tom could man the position well, bringing in the ultra-athletic (albeit raw) Guyton would allow Tom to remain in his more natural position inside, while giving the Packers a player, who much like 2022 Cowboys first-rounder Tyler Smith, very much has his best football in front of him. | ||||
#26 |
|
CB |
||
| The projection for DeJean has been all over the place, some institutions mocking him inside the top-10 with others leaving him out of the first round altogether. DeJean’s biggest question mark, his straight-line speed, has yet to be addressed as he continues to rehab from a late-season injury. His tape on the other hand is unimpeachable, giving the Bucs tremendous value at the backend of the first round. | ||||
#27 |
|
CB |
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| Harbaugh knows how you feel about this pick, Harbaugh doesn’t care. Sainristil was arguably the most impressive player in one of college football’s best defenses, he has the leadership and character traits that coaches adore and he put up superb (and better than expected) testing numbers at the Combine. Why Sainristil is still not getting first-round hype? Your guess is as good as mine. *Trade Details: Arizona receives pick 37 and pick 108 from LA Chargers in exchange for pick 27 | ||||
#28 |
|
WR |
||
| Worthy will forever be known as the “fast guy” after blazing a record-tying 4.22 forty-yard dash at the Combine. That characterization is almost doing Worthy a disservice, as he is a talented wide out who offers a better competency of the total route tree than most of the other elite speedsters that have come through in recent years. | ||||
#29 |
|
LB |
||
| It is amazing that here we are in 2024, saying that the Detroit Lions really are a team with very few needs. This pick can be used on the player with the highest ceiling, rather than one that can be plugged into the biggest immediate need. Turner is getting top-10 hype but I personally think he needs to add much more to his game. Turner will have the opportunity to develop playing behind Aidan Hutchinson and the newly signed Marcus Davenport. | ||||
#30 |
|
DE |
||
| Robinson, maybe the most technically proficient rusher in the draft outside of Latu, exceeded expectations at the Combine, very much putting him in the first-round conversation. With Jadeveon Clowney still unsigned, the Ravens tap Robinson with this pick as a hedge on current penciled-in starter David Ojabo, a player who has appeared in just five career games. | ||||
#31 |
|
OT |
||
| Bereft of needs, Niners take the best all-around player on the board. Barton is a versatile lineman, and while he will likely start his career at guard, don’t rule out a move outside in future seasons as an eventual heir to the 35-year-old Trent Williams. | ||||
#32 |
|
QB |
||
| It is a draft no-no to make a trade with a team in your division. It’s an even bigger no-no when that team is trading up for a quarterback. Call it confidence, call it hubris, call it what you will, but in this scenario, the Chiefs give their first-rounder to the Raiders so Vegas can get that all-important fifth-year option for Penix. *Trade Details: Kansas City receives pick 44 and pick 208 in 2024 and a round three pick in 2025 from Las Vegas in exchange for pick 32 | ||||