Commanders pass on QB, Senior Bowlers rise in latest mock drafts

As the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers prepare to face off in Super Bowl LVIII, the other 30 teams are doing their homework on this year's rookie class.

From now until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit, the "experts" will release mock drafts on an almost weekly basis. 

This is your one-stop shop for the latest predictions, including the first five in the first round, players rising and falling and surprise picks and potential trades.

The experts highlighted this week are NFL.com's Eric Edholm, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers and Pro Football Network's Tony Catalina.

Pick No. 1 (Chicago Bears)

Eric Edholm, Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers, Tony Catalina: USC QB Caleb Williams

Whether or not the Bears will be selecting first overall is up to speculation. But whoever makes the pick will likely be taking Williams. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is the favorite to hear his name called first after throwing for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23.

Pick No. 2 (Washington Commanders)

Eric Edholm, Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: UNC QB Drake Maye

Maye seems to be the consensus No. 2 overall pick after passing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions from 2022-23. He may be a little raw, with just two years of starting experience, but the Commanders need a new signal caller with a new era beginning in Washington.

Tony Catalina: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Catalina has heard "rumblings" that new head coach Dan Quinn may be leaning in a direction other than quarterback. That would be quite a shock after QB Sam Howell led the league in interceptions (21) this season. The team already has a strong wide receiver room with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel as well. But Harrison Jr. may be the best player available after posting 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.

Pick No. 3 (New England Patriots)

Eric Edholm, Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Tony Catalina: UNC QB Drake Maye

The debate between Maye and Daniels is ongoing, but here, the "experts" lean towards Daniels being the third quarterback off the board. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Pick No. 4 (Arizona Cardinals)

Eric Edholm, Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

This would be the ideal scenario for the Cardinals, who would arguably get the steal of the draft. This is, of course, if Washington or another one of the top three teams doesn't select Harrison Jr. as Catalina believes could happen.

Tony Catalina: Alabama edge Dallas Turner

If Harrison Jr. is off the board, however, Turner could catapult into the top five. The Alabama product is viewed as the best edge-rusher by the "experts" after posting a career-high 53 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2023.

Pick No. 5 (Los Angeles Chargers)

Eric Edholm, Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

The Chargers need a playmaking tight end with Gerald Everett set to become a free agent. Bowers would only strengthen QB Justin Herbert's arsenal after posting 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns catches from 2021-23.

Tony Catalina: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt

If Los Angeles is comfortable with Herbert's receivers, however, it may opt to strengthen its trenches. New head coach Jim Harbaugh is hoping to change the Chargers culture and adding Alt, who allowed just four sacks in his collegiate career, would make a statement.

Senior Bowlers on the rise

Eric Edholm: Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton (Pick No. 18 to Cincinnati Bengals)

Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton (Pick No. 22 to Philadelphia Eagles)

Tony Catalina: Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton (Pick No. 25 to Green Bay Packers)

Guyton currently ranks as the seventh-best offensive tackle and No. 33 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board. But after a strong week at the Senior Bowl, his stock continues to rise. Guyton allowed zero sacks in 2023.

Eric Edholm: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell (Pick No. 20 to Pittsburgh Steelers)

Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell (Pick No. 20 to Pittsburgh Steelers)

Tony Catalina: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell (Pick No. 18 to Cincinnati Bengals)

Mitchell currently ranks as PFF's sixth-best cornerback and No. 30 overall prospect. But he caught the attention of the NFL last week, locking down several of the Senior Bowl's top wide receivers. He picked up right where he left off after no FBS cornerback forced more incompletions (37) than Mitchell over the past two seasons.

Eric Edholm: Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson (Pick No. 21 to Miami Dolphins)

Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers: Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson (Pick No. 16 to Seattle Seahawks)

Powers-Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the best, if not the best, interior offensive linemen in the draft class. He currently ranks as PFF's best center and No. 22 overall prospect, nearly jumping a whole round from a week ago. The first-team All-American allowed just one pressure on 471 pass-blocking opportunities in 2023.

Surprise picks

Eric Edholm: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (Pick No. 19 to Los Angeles Rams)

Although McCarthy is a promising prospect after leading the Wolverines to a national championship, quarterback is not the Rams' biggest need. QB Matthew Stafford is still under contract through the 2026 season, and he had the offense humming in 2023. Adding to the defense makes much more sense for Los Angeles, which allowed 337.9 total yards per game and 22.2 points per game this season.