Who doesn’t love a mock draft? There is a long way to go before the NFL draft on April 27^th. We still have the combine and all the individual workouts that will change the valuation of all the prospects. Plus, we still have free agency that will change each team’s needs. But why not have a little fun?

ROUND ONE

1. The Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams, QB, USC

This decision was made a long time ago. Justin Fields was never in the long-term plans for this franchise, especially if they could easily make the change. And thanks so much, Carolina, now they can. Sure, Fields could have made it more challenging by 100% solidifying himself as their franchise cornerstone. However, the new management that came in after he was drafted was using him to keep the fans engaged while they developed the roster. Now they have built the roster out and are ready for a rookie QB contract. It’s a done deal; the only question is how much they can get for Fields.

TRADE:

The idea that you build around your rookie QB is a fallacy. The way to build a successful NFL franchise is from the front to the back, starting with the offensive and defensive lines. Then, once you have built up the foundation, you can drop in the rookie contract and make your run. The New Washington owner Josh Harris is the “trust the process” guy from the Philadelphia 76ers. And new GM Adam Peters comes from San Francisco, who has always built strong offensive and defensive lines. Plus, he has stated that it will take time to build up the roster (i.e., not ready for a rookie QB) and that you build from the front to the back. Maybe Washington is going to do what the Bears did last year and stay patient.

Now, on the opposite side of the coin, you have the Atlanta Falcons, who have pointed to building with a young QB rather than bringing in a veteran. And you already have a solid offensive line and a decent defense. This franchise has the foundation to add a rookie QB contract, and Desmond Ridder was just not that guy. Match made in heaven.

Atlanta sends their 1^st and 2^nd this year, along with their 1^st and 3^rd next year, to move up and get their guy.

2. The Atlanta Falcons select Drake May, QB, North Carolina

Okay, there is a lot of talk about Jayden Daniels and his production this year. However, his aggressiveness while running and his lean frame bring unfortunate comparisons to RGKnee, who never learned to slide. The injury concerns based on his frame and running style will cause him to slide, while Drake May brings the Justin Herbert comparisons.

TRADE:

Okay, New England makes their move and trades for a new QB in Justin Fields. Or, we should say that Chicago makes their move to get the best player in the draft to match with their QB. This is similar to the Houston Texans last year, who traded back up to get Will Anderson after selecting their QB in CJ Stroud.

New England trades the 3^rd overall for the 9^th overall, Justin Fields, and a future 3^rd rounder.

3. Chicago Bears select Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Bears still have work to do, but giving their rookie QB DJ Moore and Harrison should set him up for success.

4. The Arizona Cardinals select Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

I think the Bears/Patriots trade will catch the Cardinals by surprise. They probably figured on getting Marvin Harrison after the QBs go 1,2 and 3. However, they quickly pivot and get a franchise left tackle to protect Kyler Murray.

5. The San Diego Chargers select Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Jim Harbaugh will want to play power football, which necessitates a strong o-line. Fashanu paired with Rashawn Slater, you are set at tackle for the foreseeable future. Giddy up, Harbaugh!

6. The New York Giants select Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

This will be another fascinating selection. The Giants will not be expecting him to be available. But with the continuing questions about Daniel Jones, this opportunity presents the perfect opportunity to use Jones as a bridge/mentor and get out of his contract before 2025.

7. The Tennessee Titans select Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Titans need to help Will Levis with a tackle or a weapon. So, they go and get him a dude in Odunze. And make no mistake, Odunze is a dude.

TRADE:

Trust the process. Washington again takes advantage of a team desperate for a QB and moves back a second time while acquiring more assets. The passing of a possible young QB twice will be a bold move for the Commanders. But you can expect them to sign Sam Darnold to compete with Sam Howell for the 2024 starting gig while building out the roster.

Denver trades the 12^th pick and a second-rounder next year for the 8^th pick.

8. The Denver Broncos select J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Sean Payton wants his guy and wants to avoid taking the chance someone else gets him.

9. The New England Patriots select Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Patriots have a new quarterback in Justin Fields, and now they go and get him a new toy to play with in Nabers.

10. The New Jets select Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Everyone, I mean everyone, has the Jets taking a tackle to help protect Aaron Rodgers. The problem? While I get the reasoning, young tackles generally take a year to get their legs under them, and the Jets do not have that time. The staff and Rodgers need players to contribute right now. Plus, I expect the Jets to address the O-line in free agency, specifically with David Bakhtiari after the Packers release him. So, they get another weapon for Rodgers to hit the ground running right now.

11. The Minnesota Vikings select Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Edge rusher is a big problem in Minnesota, so they take the top guy who fills that need.

12. The Washington Commanders select Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Trust the process. Washington begins to rebuild the foundation of the o-line with Fuaga. With the two trade backs, the Commanders have four top 43 picks this year. Plus, they have an additional 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd rounder next year. That is how you build a roster through the draft.

13. The Las Vegas Raiders select Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

This may be a surprise as the first CB off the board. But, after an impressive senior bowl by all accounts, and what I expect to be a great combine, he becomes CB #1.

Bonus Prediction:

Russell Wilson will sign a league-minimum deal with the Raiders to compete with Aidan McConnell for the starting job. The Broncos are paying Russell $39 million this season, and the contract has offset language. That means Russell is only helping the Broncos by signing for more than the league minimum. Plus, he helps out his new team by signing for the minimum. And, two more bonuses for Russell: he gets to play the Broncos twice next year, and his wife will be in Vegas. This is a win, win, win, win, win for Russell and the Raiders.

14. The New Orleans Saints select JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Trevor Penning, who I admittedly loved, has yet to work out. And now, with Ryan Ramczyk having possible career-ending injury possibilities, having Latham available is perfect and an easy pick.

15. The Indianapolis Colts select Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Arnold is an absolute stud, and the Colts will not pass on adding a top CB.

TRADE:

Last year, Pittsburgh used the 120th pick to move up and select an offensive tackle. They make an almost identical move this year.

Pittsburgh trades the 20^th and 120^th to the Seattle Seahawks for the 16^th.

16. The Pittsburgh Steelers select Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Steelers had Mike Webster (14 years and 9 pro bowls), Dermontti Dawson (12 years and 6 pro bowls), the forgotten Jeff Hartings (6 years and 2 pro bowls), and Maurkice Pouncey (10 years and 9 pro bowls) as their starting centers since 1974. There were only six years since 1974 when they did not have one of those four pro-bowl caliber centers, including the last three years. No team sticks to its historical MO more than the Steelers. Plus, they just cut last year’s starting center. They missed in the draft with Kendrick Green three years ago, but get it right this time.

17. The Jacksonville Jaguars select Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa

The various skills and position flexibility of DeJean will be a big plus to the Jaguars D.

18. The Cincinnati Bengals select Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Joe Burrow has been lost to injuries the last two seasons. The Bengals have to continue to prioritize the offensive line.

19. The Los Angeles Rams select Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

With the attention Aaron Donald receives, Latu may have a monster season coming off the edge.

20. The Seattle Seahawks select Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

The Seahawks always seem to do something unusual. It’s not that Cooper is not talented, but this seems early. However, this is also a massive need for the Seahawks, with both starting LBs from last year going into free agency.

21. The Miami Dolphins select Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

With the Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb injuries, an edge rusher with this much upside is a must-selection.

22. The Philadelphia Eagles select Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The need at CB for the Eagles is well publicized, and Wiggins will be at the top of the board at this point in the draft.

23. The Houston Texans select Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Murphy gives the Texans a stud inside to pair with Will Anderson outside. Murphy goes from DeSota in high school, Austin for college, and now to Houston. He is a Texan through and through.

24. The Dallas Cowboys select Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

As a Cowboy detractor, I would not like this move because it would be great. Fautanu can play inside at guard or outside at tackle. With or without resigning Tyron Smith, the line would remain a strength for the Cowboys.

25. The Green Bay Packers select Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Just like Fautanu, Barton can play a lot of different positions. He may even end up at center, according to some. This position flexibility is the type of lineman the Packers like, and Barton would be a great fit.

26. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Based upon the likely departure of Mike Evans, the pick of Brian Thomas Jr. would be the replacement. He is big, fast, and hard to defend in the red zone. Yep, that sounds like Mike Evans.

27. The Arizona Diamondbacks select Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Arizona has a Pacific Ocean-sized hole at CB, and fill it with some Kool-Aid.

28. The Buffalo Bills select Jer’Zayn Newton, DT, Illinois

The Bills will suffer losses all over the defensive line and will choose the top defensive lineman on the board, whether inside or outside. In this case, Newton will look outstanding next to Ed Oliver.

29. The Detroit Lions select Ennis Rakeshaw Jr., CB, Missouri

Detroit’s struggle against the pass is no secret, and there is still a top CB on the board. So, this would seem to be a relatively easy selection.

30. The Baltimore Ravens select Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

Robinson is the perfect fit for a team that must continue adding bodies to the defensive line.

31. The San Francisco 49ers select Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Outside of Trent Williams, the 49er line had a little drop-off last year, and they will need to use some resources there this season. Lucky for them, Guyton falls right into their lap.

32. The Kansas City Chiefs select Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Marquez Valdez-Scantling made the Chiefs’ biggest catch of the season in the Super Bowl. But let’s face it, he did not make that look easy. Add in the big drop that cost them a game, his overall lack of effectiveness during the season, and cutting him saves $12 million against the cap, and needless to say, he’s gone. Troy Franklin will fill the exact role the Chiefs needed from MVS more effectively and for much less money.

ROUND TWO

33. The Carolina Panthers select Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

With Coleman still on the board and the need at WR, Carolina jumps at the chance to give their young QB a weapon.

34. The New England Patriots select Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

Both Patriot tackles are free agents; even if they can resign one or both, they still need to address the position, and Morgan should be near the top of their board at this point.

TRADE:

With the possibly QB-needy Commanders having the next pick, the Vikings make their move for their quarterback of the future.

Minnesota trades the 42^nd and 156^th to the Arizona Cardinals for the 35^th.

35. The Minnesota Vikings select Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

After signing Kirk Cousins to a new contract, the Vikings pick a QB to groom as his replacement.

36. The Washington Commanders select Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri

Trust the process of building up front through the draft continues with the selection of a d-lineman to go with the o-lineman chosen in the first round.

37. The San Diego Chargers select Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

Jim Harbaugh will want to be physical, so adding a DT to the OT from the first round, especially one from Michigan, becomes obvious.

TRADE:

What Micah Parsons wants, Micah Parsons gets.

Dallas trades #56 and a second-rounder next year for the 38^th.

38. The Dallas Cowboys select T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

The Cowboys need that big ugly right in the middle of their defense, and Sweat fits the bill.

39. The New York Giants select Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

McConkey may skyrocket up boards if he blows up the combine this week, making this his potential floor for selection. If the Giants do not select a WR in round one, they will choose one here.

40. The Washington Commanders select Zach Frazier, OC, West Virginia

There is a trend here as the Commanders continue to trust the process and build the lines through the draft.

41. The Green Bay Packers select Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

With their top three safeties free agents, Green Bay gets a guy who could be special.

42. The Arizona Cardinals select Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Cardinals must add a weapon for Kyler Murray in the first few rounds.

43. The Washington Commanders select Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

Two players on the edge and two offensive linemen in the top 43 picks. Bingo! Oh yeah, and an extra 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounder next year.

44. The Las Vegas Raiders select Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

45. The New Orleans Saints select Xavier Legett, WR, South Carolina

With speed to burn in the smaller Olave and Shaheed, the Saints get a big guy to round out the WR room.

46. The Indianapolis Colts select Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama

47. The New York Giants select Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

48. The Jacksonville Jaguars select Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

49. The Cincinnati Bengals select Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

50. The Philadelphia Eagles select Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

51. The Pittsburgh Steelers select Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Will a three-way competition between Pickett, Rudolph, and Penix Jr. solve the problem?

52. The Los Angeles Rams select Christian Haynes, OG, Connecticut

53. The Philadelphia Eagles select Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

54. The Cleveland Browns select Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

55. The Miami Dolphins select TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa St.

56. The Tennessee Titans select Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

57. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Sedric Van Pran, C, Georgia

58. The Green Bay Packers select Calen Bullock, S, USC

Two safeties in the second round seems rich, but these two should be perfect complements for each other.

59. The Houston Texas select Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

60. The Buffalo Bills select Adisa Isaac, Edge, Penn State

61. The Detroit Lions select Devontez Walker, WR, UNC

62. The Baltimore Ravens select Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

63. The San Francisco 49ers select Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri