Everyone loves mock drafts. Here’s mine heading into Thursday evening.
1. Chicago Bears
QB Caleb Williams, USC
— No drama here as the Bears hope he’s their first franchise QB.
2. Washington Commanders
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
— They are hoping he can be another RG3 and stay healthy.
3. New England Patriots
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
— Pats are tempted to trade out but take their franchise QB.
4. Minnesota Vikings (trade with Arizona Cardinals)
QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan
— A must-need trade-up to get their QB.
5. LA Chargers
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
— They didn’t think they’d have their choice of WR and jump on MHJ.
6. NY Giants
Malik Nabers, LSU
— Tempted to go QB but they get Daniel Jones a needed weapon.
7. Tennessee Titans
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
— Probably the easiest projection aside from Caleb Williams.
8. Atlanta Falcons
DE Dallas Turner, Alabama
— They need sacks and he can deliver.
9. Chicago Bears
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
— Williams gets a weapon to go with DJ Moore. and Keenan Allen.
10. NY Jets
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
— Tempted to go OT here but they get Aaron Rodgers a Swiss Army knife instead.
11. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Minnesota Vikings)
WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
— A surprise? They wanted a WR, love Thomas, and get an extra pick.
12. Denver Broncos
DE Jared Verse, Florida State
— Too high for a QB so they go EDGE.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
— Corner is a massive need so they bypass the temptation to go QB.
14. New Orleans Saints
OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
— OL is a massive need and they love this guy.
15. Indianapolis Colts
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
— They hoped Bowers would slide but are happy with this CB grab.
16. Seattle Seahawks
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
— Ryan Grubb and his knowledge of Penix Jr. makes this a fit.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
— More weapons for Trevor Lawrence are needed.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Byron Murphy II, Texas
— Interior DL is a must.
19. LA Rams
CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
— Best available defensive player.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
— He’s not as physical as they’d like but they can’t pass up the speed.
21. Miami Dolphins
DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
— Replacing Christian Wilkins is paramount.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
— They pass a few other OLs to stick with what they know — UGA.
23. Arizona Cardinals (via trade with Minnesota Vikings)
OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
— OL isn’t the biggest need but no one expected Fautanu to be here.
24. Dallas Cowboys
OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
— Cowboys stay smart and go OL.
25. Green Bay Packers
DE Darius Robinson, Missouri
— Edge is a need and he is a fit for their scheme.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
— CB is a big need and he has the size they want.
27. Denver Broncos (trade with Arizona Cardinals)
QB Bo Nix, Oregon
— Denver gets desperate and reaches on Nix?
28. Buffalo Bills
WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
— WR is a must and he has elite speed.
29. Detroit Lions
DT Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
— Local kid fits inside need.
30. Baltimore Ravens
OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
— OL was always going to be the pick.
31. San Francisco 49ers
DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
— They are thrilled he slid this far and can’t pass him up despite other needs.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
— WR is needed with the Rashee Rice mess.
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