Every year, our esteemed NFL Draft expert Will puts together an extensive breakdown of which college prospects will end up with which team, and this year is no exception. So sit this back, relax, and enjoy:
Will’s TMP NFL MOCK DRAFT V1 (no Trades yet)
*This mock was composed before playoff games*
Pick 1: Chicago Bears: Olu Foshanwu, OT, Penn State
– I don’t think Fields is the issue in Chi-town nor do I think Williams is a substantial upgrade. (Call me crazy I know). I ultimately see the Bears trading back (with someone like Atlanta) but for now I have them staying put and getting the best OT prospect in the draft to pair with last year’s pick Darnell Wright and protect Fields.
Pick 2: Washington Commanders: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
– The Commanders need just about everything as they begin the newest rebuild (this time under new ownership so it’s not all bad). Terry Mclaurin is a star and needs someone to more consistently throw him the ball. While Washington did trade away two key edge rushers, that position is so deep in this draft they can assess that later. Sam Howell showed flashes this year but it was more up than down to continue to build around him. The new HC will start the rebuild with this draft’s QB1.
Pick 3: New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
– While I do not think Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe was the entire problem in NE, it is clear that this offense needs a major overhaul. Whether its Big Bill or someone else calling the shots in New England next year they will get to do it with Maye under center. The Patriots have been linked to Maye for awhile and see him fall to them at 3. It is imperative they provide him with weapons so he doesn’t end up like the other QB’s they have on the roster.
Pick 4: Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, OSU
– While a few pundits made the claim that Maye was a better QB prospect than Williams, the same cannot be said for the receiver position. Dating back to last year, Mazerati Marv was looked at as the premier WR prospect and clear cut WR1. The Cardinals select him and immediately get Kyler a receiving weapon he’s missed since Nuk left town. With this pick, the Cardinals offense has the potential to become one of the deadliest in the league with a healthy Kyler, Connor, McBride, and a solid WR2 in Brown).
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
– While the defense could use some help, The Chargers look to get over the Staley regime by focusing on letting Justin Herbert be Justin Herbert and letting the offense guide the show. Bowers is arguably the best weapon in the draft and giving Herbert a new toy in this offense where Ekeler may be on his way out and Keenan Allen is on the back end of a 10+ year career. Even though he has been in the league for a decade plus now, Allen is still putting up insane numbers. By getting the game breaking TE, it becomes a matchup nightmare as DC’s will have to gameplan for Allen and Williams and Bowers. This gives Herbert his Kelce.
6. New York Giants: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
– The Giants have too much money invested in Danny Dimes to take a QB here and are picking too high to find Saquon’d replacement. Since there are no Bijans or Saquons in this draft, the Giants focus on the trenches and take Joe Alt from Notre Dame. This move will allow them to move Evan Neal if needed and will also prevent them from giving up the most sacks again this year.
7. Tennessee Titans: Malik Nabors, WR, LSU
– Any other year, Nabors may be the WR1 in the draft. He had a phenomenal year and was the go to option for Jaden Daniels in his Heisman campaign. (More on him shortly). The Titans are in turmoil right now with not a lot going for them. King Henry seems to be on his way out, Vrabel is no longer on the sidelines and Treylon Burkes is leaving a lot to be desired. Drafting Nabors gives Levis another option aside from Hopkins and helps take the load off of Spears offensively.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jaden Daniels, QB, LSU
– The Falcons have been anemic on offense during Arthur Smith’s entire tenure. They have largely been lost at QB since Matt Ryan left town and have too much talent on offense to not be producing. Adding Daniels skillset and pairing him with the trio of Robinson, London and Pitts could make the Falcons a perennial power in the NFC South.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
– If the Bears are all in on Fields, it is important to provide him with more weapons. We have already addressed the protection issue with our first pick, now it is time to get him another playmaker to target aside from DJ Moore. Odunze is a physical playmaker on the outside, creating a matchup nightmare for DC’s planning against Moore’s versatility, Kmet’s physicality and Field’s playmaking ability.
10. New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
– Aaron Rodgers played 3 snaps before going down in 2023. If the Jets believe he is going to have a bounce back campaign, they have to do everything in their power to protect the 40 year old. Between injuries and key departures the Offensive Line will need a make-over. Enter Latham to help protect Rodgers.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Penix, QB, Washington
– The Vikings have been lost since Cousins went down. Has he played his final snap in Minneapolis? Who knows. The Vikings could be maor players in the QB FA market but for now I have them taking the stunning southpaw from UW. Penix capped off a stellar collegiate career by finishing second in the Heisman race. He provides a maturity and skill set that will allow him to seamlessly transition into the starting spot while Cousins continues to rehab and lead the high powered Vikings offense.
12. Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
– The Broncos’ season was so up and down it looked like a heart monitor. Russell Wilson played well all season but could be on his way out. The defense looked lost at times, including giving up 70 to Miami. Pat Surtain is a stud and Justin Simmons is solid at safety but the Broncos need a dominate pass rusher/ run stopper up the middle to help combat their division. Newton immediately helps them fill that dawg role on defense.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
– I think the Raiders have a bevy of needs and would not be shocked to see a DB come off the board here but I ultimately have them taking the signal caller out of Ann Arbor. With anew coach coming in and the Jimmy G signing ultimately not working out, this ownership will look to what they believe is the best QB available in this draft. *This pick may also be influenced by the reports that Harbaugh is interested in this job*
14. New Orleans Saints: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
– The Saints just like the Raiders before them could also stand to pick a DB here. They have found something solid with Paulson Adebo and should have him long term but do have a number of secondary pieces leaving or on expiring deals. This year has a particularly heavy DB class and the Saints can afford to use a day 2 and 3 pick to meet those needs. They cannot however, have Derek Carr take anymore punishment behind center. Trevor Penning (l2022 first) seems t still be struggling and the other guys aren’t getting any younger. Mims is an easy plug and play who should keep Carr upright.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Kool-Aid Mckinstry, DB, Alabama
– The Colts came within 1 play of reaching the playoffs under Shane Steichen’s first season. All without 2023 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson. Consensus amongst Indy fans is that the Colts are lacking a true lockdown corner to anchor that defense. Enter the man with the most fun name in this draft. McKinsitry should provide the lockdown corner that Indy fans want and help anchor that secondary along with Julius Brents.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Taliese Fuangua, OT, Oregon State
– The Seahawks had 41 year old Jason Peters playing tackle at points this season. While he played well, it is time to look to the future and find the anchor for that line (to pair with Charles Cross) for years to come. The OSU product should be just that along this line.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
– The Jags are at a crossroads at the receiver position. Christian Kirk and Zay Jones are still under contract but have Calvin Ridley and Jamal Agnew set to hit Free Agency. At least one of these guys will be playing for a new team in 2024. Adding Mitchell to the aerial attack will allow Lawrence to continue to grow into that franchise guy.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
– While it would make sense for the Bengals to draft some OL help to protect franchise cornerstone Joe Burrow, I have the Bengals selecting Tee Higgins replacement. Coleman is a big physical downfield threat in the same vein as Higgins. This selection allows for that Bengals offense to keep humming and the Bengals can look for Burrow’s protection in later rounds in this deep OL class.
19. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
– The Packers may have done it again and had a third straight hit on drafting a franchise QB. They have nice weapons in place for Love so now it is time to give him a little more protection. Morgan is a massive tackle shooting up draft boards who should be able to protect Love for the next decade plus.
20. Los Angeles Rams: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
– The Rams defense ranked 20th in total defense and was in the bottom of the league (24th) in sacks. Adding arguably the best edge rusher in this class will help add to those numbers and compliment Aaron Donald along the DL.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
– The Steelers had a bevy of injuries in their secondary this year. Pat Pete was brought in and even began transitioning to safety. DeJean will be paired with last years pick JPJ and form a formidable duo.
22. Miami Dolphins: Troy Faoutanu, IOL, Washington
– The Dolphins OL was the surprise of the season. They kept Tua up right and healthy all throughout the season despite having multiple starters miss time. With Connor Williams out with a torn ACL (and not under contract past 2023) and Robert Hunt set to hit FA, adding Faoutanu provides Miami with a mauler inside. *Graham Barton from Duke is also a strong possibility*
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Terrion Arnold, DB, Alabama
– The Eagles secondary was their weak point all season. Arnold possesses all of the intagibles the Eagles look for in a DB, size, speed, athletic prowess, went to Alabama or Georgia.
24. Houston Texans: Graham Barton, OT, Duke
– Barton is a versatile lineman who primarily played tackle during his time at Duke. He also has experience playing Center. The Texans have been the surprise of the AFC this year and they have struck gold with rookie phenom CJ Stroud. Protecting Stroud should be the highest importance for Houston. Barton should pair well opposite franchise cornerstone Laremy Tunsil and have Stroud’s ends protected for the future.
25. Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
– Make no mistake, if Keon Coleman were to fall to Tampa then he should be drafted to replace Mike Evans who will most likely depart in Free Agency. In this scenario, I have the Bucs taking PSU pass rusher Chop Robinson to replace William Gholston and to add to that impressive sack total. I also think adding a dynamite edge rusher who is relentless to the QB will help alleviate some of those rough passing defense stats. (ie Aidan Hutchinson for Detriot).
26. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Verse, Edge, FSU
– Jonathan Gannon made his name after an impressive tenure coaching the defense in Philly. One of the staples of that Gannon defense was great DL play and pressure on the QB. Verse allows Gannon to run that similar style and will give the Cards a pass rusher that they have not had since JJ Watt or Chandler Jones or Hassan Reddick were all in town.
27. Buffalo Bills: Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson
– The biggest weakness for the Bills has been passing defense. The injuries to Tre White and Matt Milano certainly did not help. The Bills made a trade with the Packers for Rasul Douglas to alleviate some issues but still have a hole to fill after Kair Elam has not panned out. Wiggins is an elite corner able to matchup with the dynamic recievers in the AFC East.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
– The Chiefs need someone who can catch the ball on their roster. The trade for Kadarius Toney hasn’t had the impact they were hoping. Travis Kelce is much easier to gameplan for when he seems t be the only option for Mahomes. Nabbing a big play speedster like Worthy replaces the hole Tyreek Hill left 2 years ago.
29. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
– The Cowboys are rumored to be looking for a replacement for Tyron Smith. Jerry Jones has a soft spot for picking guys from right up the road. Guyton may be a reach here but has all the physical tools to be more boom than bust.
30. Detroit Lions: Liatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
– The Lions should be the poster child for successful rebuilds. They built their roster through tremendous trades (Goff and a king’s ransom for Stafford) and great drafting (Sewell, Amon-ra, LaPorta, Hutchinson, Branch). Adding an athlete off the edge like Latu to pair with Hutchinson should be nightmares for opposing OC’s.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Suamataia- OT, BYU
– Mike McGlinchey left in FA last offseason and Trent Williams will be 36 this offseason. The 49ers are one of the most complete teams in football and Suamataia allows them to simultaneously build to the future while making an immediate impact.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
– The Ravens defense has been arguably the best in football all season. They could stand to use one more pass rusher and player who can put his hand to the ground and help out. Trice had one of the most under the radar seasons this past year and should fit perfectly in this Mike McDonald System.
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