1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers) Caleb Williams, QB, Southern Cal (6'1" 214 lbs.)
The Bears traded incumbent starting QB Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's widely believed that the Bears are set to draft Williams at #1 overall.
2. Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (6'4" 210 lbs.)
The Commanders need a fresh start at quarterback. Daniels had a spectacular 2023 season at LSU.
3. New England Patriots Drake Maye, QB, N. Carolina (6'4" 223 lbs.)
This will be the first draft for the Patriots in the post Bill Belichick era. Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy might also be a consideration here.
I'm sticking with the idea that the Cards won't trade the pick. They already have another selection in the first round of this draft.
Harrison would be an outstanding fit for the Cardinals.
5. Los Angeles Chargers JC Latham, OT, Alabama (6'6" 342 lbs.)
This anticipates a trade-back for the rebuilding Chargers. There's an interesting scenario where four QBs go in the first four spots and suddenly the Chargers don't have the expected demand for a trade.
But in this case, I see the Chargers trading back and going with Latham, perhaps at #11 if they work a deal with Minnesota.
6. New York Giants Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (6'0" 200 lbs.)
The Giants should be in good position to land a top wide receiver here.
While the Titans have been aggressive in free agency, offensive tackle remains as a major need. Alt is the top offensive lineman on most boards at this point, notable in a year with a strong class at OT.
8. Atlanta Falcons Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6'3" 247 lbs.)
You can tell how things have changed since my first mock in 2003, with DE/OLB as an unwieldy-to-write hybrid. Now it's just EDGE, as in Edge Rusher. It's all about the passing game in the modern NFL, especially on night one of the draft.
9. Chicago Bears Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (6'3" 212 lbs.)
This presumes the Bears go with a quarterback at #1 overall. Offensive line and EDGE rusher are also potential considerations here for Chicago.
10. New York Jets Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (6'3" 243 lbs.)
Even if they miss out on the first wave of wide receivers, a unicorn tight end would be a solid addition for a Jets team looking to make a run with Aaron Rodgers in 2024.
This projects Minnesota trading up to select McCarthy. It appears highly unlikely that McCarthy would still be on the board at this spot.
It will be tough for anyone to work a deal with the Commanders at #2 or the Patriots at #3, as they also both need a quarterback. Trading with Arizona means convincing the Cards to not take Harrison or Nabers at #4, likely an expensive proposition.
12. Denver Broncos Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (6'2" 217 lbs.)
Denver lacks the picks to compete with Minnesota in a trade-up bidding battle. Trading back might be tempting, but it's a huge risk to take if you believe in Nix enough to use a first-round selection on him. That's especially so with the Raiders looming one pick below.
If the Bengals opt to go with an offensive tackle here, they'll have a number of viable possibilities.
19. Los Angeles Rams Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA (6'5" 259 lbs.)
The retirement of Aaron Donald created a major need at defensive tackle for the Rams. But in this scenario the Rams go with Latu, a tremendous pass rusher who would give L.A. a big boost at EDGE.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers Graham Barton, C, Duke (6'5" 313 lbs.)
There is considerable speculation that the Steelers will draft a center here. Oregon iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson is another possibility.
21. Miami Dolphins Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington (6'4" 317 lbs.)
As noted, this is a stacked draft at offensive tackle. Fautanu has the versatility to fill a variety of roles.
22. Philadelphia Eagles Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa (6'0½" 203 lbs.)
There are a number of viable options at corner for the Eagles to consider. DeJean is a dynamic athlete.
23. Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans) Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU (6'3" 209 lbs.)
Might the Vikings be planning to use this pick as trade currency to move up from #11 overall?
It seems quite likely that there will be a run on wide receivers during the back-half of the first round, likely extending into the early-mid section of round two.
31. San Francisco 49ers Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois (6'2" 304 lbs.)
Offensive line and cornerback are two other potential need spots here for the 49ers.
