Last Updated: April 24, 2024 8:00 p.m. EDT (Final Version) Lou Pickney (2023: tied for the sixth-highest score from The Huddle Report)
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
