NFL Mock Draft 3.0
With the NFL Draft only a couple of weeks away and a better understanding of the players in this year’s class as well as the needs of the teams drafting them it feels like a good time to another look at how the draft may go this year. Some of these selections are easy to predict while others are more difficult. There are teams with one or two obvious needs that they will surely try to fill in the first couple of rounds, while others have two many holes to fill with just two picks. Knowing how NFL teams will draft is always difficult. There are always one or two head-scratchers, and this mock is no exception. Let’s dig in and have a closer look.
Round 1
1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This one is easy. Sports fanatics and analysts are attempting to create some drama by implying the Bears may not be completely sold on Williams, but after shipping Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers it became clear that they would be taking a QB with their first pick in the draft. Williams has his detractors but he is unquestionably the cream of the crop at the position with the highest ceiling and the highest floor. With his pocket movement, accuracy, and ability to be a creative playmaker he’s the clear choice for a team that has added De’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, and Gerald Everett in an obvious attempt to build around their new rookie signal caller.
2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
This is really where the draft begins and it could truly go either way. I could see the Commanders choosing Daniels here, but he provides a bit more risk with his slight frame and desire to take off and run. But Maye gets the edge due to his arm strength and comfort in the pocket. For me, Maye’s strengths are stronger than Daniels’s and his weaknesses are similar. Ultimately, it will come down to the type of offense the Commanders want to run, but the most recent rumors coming out of Washington are that Maye is their preferred choice.
3. New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Mac Jones is in Jacksonville backing up Trevor Lawrence and Jacoby Brissett is no one’s idea of a long-term answer. The Patriots will be looking to upgrade in this year’s draft and with new head coach Jerod Mayo they may be looking for a different type of QB. If the Commanders choose Daniels, then I believe the Patriots will choose Maye, but I think they’d prefer to land Daniels. He could be a good fit for this offense with his dual-threat ability and the recent improvement he has shown in the pocket. He may have to add some muscle to his slender frame but Daniels has all the tools to be a successful NFL QB.
4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Arizona will undoubtedly receive a lot of calls for this pick and with them now owning two first-round picks they may trade down. But with Marquise Brown in Kansas City and Rondale Moore in Atlanta, wide receiver is all of a sudden a desperate need. Selecting Marvin Harrison Jr. will go a long way to filling that need. Harrison Jr. is still considered, by many, to be the best wide receiver in this draft class and a once-in-a-decade type of prospect. He has good speed, runs solid routes, and is a matchup nightmare. He would immediately be the best wide receiver on the team and give Kyler Murray another elite weapon to target other than talented TE Trey McBride.
5. Denver Broncos (from the Los Angeles Chargers) - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
J.J. McCarthy has been climbing up draft boards and will have several suitors with several teams needing a possible franchise quarterback. Sean Payton and the Broncos brass may be content staying at No. 12 and taking their chances with whoever is left, but I think they’ll be a bit more aggressive than that, sending a couple of 2025 picks to the Chargers to land McCarthy. McCarthy is a bit of a work in progress but he was extremely efficient in college and might be just the type of QB that Payton believes he can mold into a top-level field general.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
There aren’t a ton of weaknesses to Nabers’ game making him a quarterback’s dream. He is quick, agile, and physical, which allows him to be separated from defenders. He is also adept at adjusting to throws that force him to get away from his frame. The Giants need offensive weapons and elite pass catchers. Nabers would enter a receiving room where he would automatically be the most explosive and dangerous threat. The Giants do have several needs to fill, but if you can’t score points it’s going to be a long year so adding an elite offensive weapon makes the most sense.
7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is a powerful run blocker and smooth pass protector, and with his skillset, he should be an immediate starter on a front line in desperate need of some help. Tennessee’s tackles finished with the second-worst pass-blocking grade in the league last season. Alt has the type of tape that shows an elite talent ready to take his game to the next level and is the best offensive tackle prospect in three years. Adding more offensive firepower is not out of the question here but in a deep wide receiver class and having just added weapons like Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley, I think they will turn their focus to improving run blocking and get their young QB some better protection.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
The Falcons could go several directions, even trading up to get an elite pass catcher, but with QB solidified by getting Kirk Cousins, going with Turner seems like the most likely option. Turner has a very high ceiling as a pass rusher which is something the Falcons have not had in recent years, ranking outside the top-25 in pass-rushing each of the last three seasons. Turner is a dynamic threat and has even drawn comparisons to Brian Burns. He would be an immediate upgrade to what they currently have on the roster and a Day 1 starter for a team that suddenly looks like a team ready to compete.
9. New Orleans Saints (from the Chicago Bears) - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Bears may stay put and draft Washington’s Rome Odunze if he is available at No. 9, but the wide receiver class is very deep this year and they could choose to address it later in the draft or even in free agency after the draft. If that’s their decision, they will turn their focus to an edge rusher and roll the dice on getting their guy later in round one. Enter New Orleans. Whether due to injuries or poor production, the tackles were not good for the Saints in 2023. Penn State’s Olu Fashanu could be a good fit and significantly impact his first season on a unit looking for an upgrade.
10. New York Jets - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
If Chicago does pass on Odunze at nine it will make the decision much more difficult for the Jets at 10, but I think in that scenario they would select the talented wide receiver from Washington. While not as explosive as Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers, Odunze’s blend of speed, strength, and agility would be welcomed traits to an offense looking to give Aaron Rodgers elite weapons. The Jets still may go with Georgia TE Brock Bowers here, but the chance to brandish a trio of Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Rome Odunze every week may prove too much to pass up.
11. Minnesota Vikings - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
To some, it may seem crazy that I’m projecting Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. to be drafted this early, but hear me out. In recent weeks Penix Jr.’s draft stock has been on the rise and the more tape you see of him the easier it becomes to see why. He threw 67 touchdowns during his final two seasons at Washington. He’s a raw prospect but has enough toughness, accuracy, and athletic ability to develop into a good NFL QB. Surrounding him with the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson should help in that development and allow him to continue to put up some decent numbers.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (from the Denver Broncos) - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
If the draft falls this way for the Chargers they will be over the moon. Brock Bowers is the clear TE1 in this draft class. Bowers has the type of elite athleticism, explosiveness, and ball skills that make him a matchup nightmare. The Chargers need offensive weapons after gutting their roster by letting Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler go. While those moves make sense due to their age and contracts, it does mean that the Chargers need to look to get QB Justin Herbert some elite targets. Drafting Bowers would be a great start.
13. Las Vegas Raiders - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Even though there have been reports that Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew will be battling it out for starting duties come week one, I’m not buying it. There’s no way they’re comfortable with either of them being their guy. The Raiders may have preferred that Penix Jr. fell to them here, but by projecting the Vikings to select him they pivot toward Nix who, it is reported, recently had a great visit with the team. Nix is a very good athlete, with the ability to create outside of the pocket, and decent accuracy. He will have to improve his footwork and his toughness inside the pocket to succeed at the next level, but the Raiders will see enough in him to make the selection worth the risk. Plus, there’s always a reach or two when a team needs a signal caller. This year those reaches will be the Vikings and the Raiders.
14. Chicago Bears (from the New Orleans Saints) - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
After trading away the No. 9 pick the Bears are edge or bust at No. 14. While Dallas Turner is considered the best edge in this draft class, Verse is no slouch and might actually be a better fit for the Bears defense. Verse has the athleticism and skill set to be a key contributor early in his NFL career. Ever since acquiring Montez Sweat from the Commanders mid-season last year, the Bears have been looking for an elite talent to pair with him. With his twitchy, compact style as well as his elite strength, speed, and hand skills the combination of Verse and Sweat could be a problem for years.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
As I see it, cornerback is the most pressing need for the Colts, and with all of them still available in this mock that is the direction the Colts will go with their selection of Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell. It’s possible that with the versatility Iowa’s Cooper DeJean provides to play both cornerback and safety, they’ll go that route, but this just feels too high for DeJean. Enter a player, regarded by many to be the CB1 in the draft class. Mitchell finished as the highest-graded FBS cornerback in each of the past two seasons and dominated the Senior Bowl. On top of that he tested as the most athletic cornerback in the class. He is an obvious upgrade and a solid piece to build your defensive secondary around.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
The Seahawks have several key needs on both sides of the ball, but after they finished with the fifth-worst pass-blocking grade in the league last season upgrading the offensive line is a priority. This is especially true having lost their starting left guard and starting center in free agency. Fautanu’s versatility allows him to be utilized all along the offensive line and his skill set should provide some quality pass protection. Plus, the new Seattle offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, was Fautanu’s offensive coordinator at Washington, which created some familiarity for his development.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from the Jacksonville Jaguars) - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
As back-to-back NFL Champions, there aren’t many obvious weaknesses to this Kansas City team, but one place they could continue to improve is in their pass catchers. Last year, other than Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce there was not much support in the passing game. They did add Marquise Brown this offseason but with Rashee Rice’s immediate future unknown trading up to get Patrick Mahomes more elite weapons makes sense. Worthy is the type of receiver the Chiefs and Mahomes love. His speed makes him a downfield threat while also being able to be used on jet sweeps and quick screens.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Some predict that the Bengals will add a wide receiver here to cushion any loss they might sustain if Higgins is ultimately dealt or simply not in the long-term plans. Others think going defense might be a possibility. But I’m leaning toward Alabama’s OT JC Latham. The Bengals need to find an answer at right tackle, and JC Latham is a great fit. He is big and powerful and will be an immediate upgrade for the Bengals’ and a Day 1 starter with protecting Joe Burrow being a major priority.
19. Los Angeles Rams - Byron Murphy, DL, Texas
Reports are coming out of Los Angeles that Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Byron Murphy is someone the Rams are looking at to help fill the void left by Aaron Donald announcing his retirement. No one man can duplicate what Donald did on the field, but with a special combination of agility, technique, and disruptive ability, Murphy can make an immediate impact on a Rams' defensive scheme run by defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. He is a bit undersized at 6’1” and 297 pounds, but the potential Murphy has shown is off the charts. If he can emerge as a top-tier defensive tackle in this league then he will be an absolute steal for the Rams.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
It’s possible that with only a moderately talented group of pass catchers, the Steelers will look to get whoever wins the QB job more weapons. But if, as I expect, the top half of this year’s draft is filled by quarterbacks, receivers, and offensive lineman then the Steelers should call Arnold’s name. Arnold is a tough, versatile cornerback who could just as easily slide into the slot as play outside. With T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith, you would’ve expected their pass defense to be better, and yet it was just middle-of-the-road. Choosing Arnold could go a long way to helping that change.
21. San Francisco 49ers (from the Miami Dolphins) - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
There’s a chance that Fuaga won’t be available here. Still, with so many quarterbacks and receivers going early along with a few defensive players and other offensive tackles being rated higher than Fuaga he could slide down the draft. If that happens, look for the 49ers to trade up, sending a couple of mid-round picks to Miami to grab him. Fuaga would be a starter for them on the right side of the line right out of the gate.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
This may seem like an odd pick since the Eagles have both of their starting cornerbacks returning, but for a team that had the worst pass defense in the NFL to close out the year, I’m not sure that’s a good thing. DeJean is an electric playmaker and an athletic freak who can play anywhere in the secondary. He is a sure tackler and can even lift the return game. DeJean would make an immediate impact wherever Vic Fangio chooses to use him. Some are already predicting that he’ll be an All-Pro safety, but he can also excel at the cornerback position.
23. Minnesota Vikings (from the Houston Texans) - Jer’Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton, DT, Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton, who goes by Johnny, is a dynamic upfield rusher with plenty of power. While not a consensus first-round pick due to a lack of size, Newton is a disruptive playmaker who could be a great fit for a Minnesota team that suddenly finds itself without the services of star Danielle Hunter or D.J. Wonnum. The Vikings have several needs, but having secured their new signal caller I believe they will turn their focus to the defensive side of the ball to work toward replacing the 19.5 combined sacks that left with Hunter and Wonnum.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson is regarded by many as the top center in the draft. As of late, however, questions surrounding his medicals have seen him start to slip in drafts. If that trend continues, it could be an absolute gift to the Cowboys. While an argument could be made that taking a center here is too early, of all the holes the Cowboys have to fill, center may be the most gaping one. Powers-Johnson has the potential to be a dynamic game-changer at the position. He provides a rare combination of physicality and smarts that will help him succeed in the NFL.
25. Green Bay Packers - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The offensive line for the Packers needs improvement. With several of the top offensive tackles already going in this draft they will not let another one go by. Talent has never been in question when discussing Mims. He has elite size, length, and athleticism. The knock against him is that he only saw 803 snaps at Georgia, all at right tackle. Even though his snaps were limited, he still allowed just one pressure and zero sacks in 2023. With his rare combination of elite skills, the Packers will take a chance and draft Mims as the replacement for long-term left tackle David Bakhtiari, hoping that he is skilled enough to play on the left side.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Graham Barton, OT, Duke
The offensive line was a problem for the Buccaneers in 2023. Center Robert Hainsey was not very effective, and questions have begun to arise about whether he’s the answer. If the Buccaneers decide to go a different direction then Duke OT Graham Barton may be the perfect choice. Barton brings with him the versatility to play all over the line, including at center, and is one of the best linemen in what is considered to be a very talented class. He has impressive power and explosiveness while thriving as a drive blocker and could develop into a centerpiece of this offensive line.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from the Houston Texans) - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
If Wiggins falls to the Cardinals here, it is a gift. With 4.28 speed and great coverage instincts, you might expect a cornerback-needy team higher in the draft to snatch him up. But at 6’1” and just 173 pounds he may fall into the bottom third of the first round and would be an excellent pick for the Cardinals. After adding an elite receiving weapon to their arsenal they can turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. Arizona finished with the lowest-graded cornerback unit in 2023, and while the size may scare them off Wiggins is an elite athlete who is worth taking a chance on.
28. Buffalo Bills - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The offseason has not been kind to Josh Allen's arsenal of weapons. Both Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs are gone and there is no clear-cut WR1 on this team. As it stands right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if TE Dalton Kincaid was the top pass catcher for this team in 2024. That makes adding a wide receiver here essential. It will come down to two choices. Texas WR Adonai Mitchell or LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. I lean toward Thomas Jr. He has a good combination of size and speed and is a great fit for a team like the Bills who prefer to push the ball downfield.
29. Detroit Lions - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
At first glance, edge may not appear as an obvious need for the Lions, but after signing veteran Marcus Davenport and returning Josh Paschal, James Houston, and John Cominsky, adding a player like Robinson could round out that room. Plus, Robinson, someone who can win at the point of attack in a flash, may just be too talented for the Lions to pass up. They could choose to focus on the secondary instead, but that feels less likely. As the clock starts on their turn to draft and they’re staring down a player that could add another dimension to their defense they won’t be able to resist.
30. Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
I have seen some mock drafts where the Ravens choose a wide receiver like Adonai Mitchell here. The logic is sound. They have historically been a run-first team, but if they want to continue to compete they have to change with the rest of the league and adopt a faster style of play. While I understand that way of thinking, it seems unlikely to happen. Instead, they’ll focus on their offensive line where they just lost three starters in free agency. Oklahoma’s Guyton could be a good fit with his raw abilities and incredibly high ceiling. He also has a towering presence and great athleticism for someone his size, both are things coach John Harbaugh will appreciate.
31. Miami Dolphins (from the San Francisco 49ers) - Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
After seeing a bit of a run on offensive tackles, the Dolphins will be looking to take the next best available at the position when it’s their turn. Paul has starter-level ability for the NFL. He has great size and strength, which he combines with solid quickness and athleticism. He also brings much experience with him after earning a starting spot as a redshirt freshman in 2021. Paul is full of upside and versatility but will have to improve his overall power and run blocking to take the next leap. While left tackle Terron Armstead is returning this season he has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Paul will have to prove himself and put in the work, but who better to learn from than a five-time Pro Bowler like Armstead?
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (from the Kansans City Chiefs) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
With the last pick in the first round, the Jacksonville Jaguars select CB Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama. Oh, yeah (sorry, I couldn’t resist.) This is the one reason I was a bit hesitant to predict a trade-down for the Jaguars. They need cornerback help and staying in the middle of the draft could help land one of the top-tier ones. But McKinstry is still regarded as a top-5 cornerback, so trading down, adding picks, and still being able to land a quality player at a position of need would be a win. McKinstry might not be an elite athlete, but he is one of the smartest cornerback prospects in 2024 with a lot of versatility and awareness. He should not fall out of the first round.
Round 2
33. Carolina Panthers - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
34. New England Patriots - Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
35. Arizona Cardinals - Cooper Bebe, OG, Kansas State
36. Washington Commanders - Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
37. Los Angeles Chargers - Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
38. Tennessee Titans - Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
39. Carolina Panthers (from the New York Giants) - Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
40. Washington Commanders (from the Chicago Bears) - T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
41. Green Bay Packers (from the New York Jets) - Chris Braswell, OLB, Alabama
42. Houston Texans (from the Minnesota Vikings) - Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
43. Atlanta Falcons - Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
44. Las Vegas Raiders - Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
45. New Orleans Saints (from the Denver Broncos) - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
46. Indianapolis Colts - Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
47. New York Giants (from the Seattle Seahawks) - Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
48. Jacksonville Jaguars - Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
49. Cincinnati Bengals - Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from the New Orleans Saints) - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
51. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
52. Los Angeles Rams - Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
53. Philadelphia Eagles - Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
54. Cleveland Browns - Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
55. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
56. Dallas Cowboys - Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
58. Green Bay Packers - Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
59. Houston Texans - T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
60. Buffalo Bills - Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
61. Detroit Lions - Layden Robinson, G, Texas A & M
62. Baltimore Ravens - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
63. San Francisco 49ers - Brandon Dorlus, DE, Oregon
64. Jacksonville Jaguars (from the Kansas City Chiefs) - Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State
T.J. Besler
A die hard Bears fan and fantasy sports fantastic, T.J. Besler earned his journalism (and theatre) degree from The University of Iowa. When he isn’t busy writing parodies for his YouTube channel Parodies for Charities he can be found either on stage performing or doing all things fantasy football related. Besler has traveled to nearly all 50 states either for work or leisure, and is grateful to everyone who has helped him along the way, especially his lovely wife Elsa, without whom much of this would not be possible. BEAR DOWN!