The Buffalo Bills may have lost on a missed field goal in the divisional round to the Kansas City Chiefs, but the team that rattled off five victories in a row at the end of the regular season to win the AFC East title had a clear issue on deep balls throughout the season.
Stefon Diggs started on a torrid pace, then cooled as the season progressed, and while Khalil Shakir shined when thrown the football, Buffalo's passing attack missed having a true downfield separator.
The Bills get one in this mock.
Before I begin, this week's Justin Fields trade is as follows:
Raiders get: Justin Fields, 2025 sixth-round pick
Bears get: No. 77 overall (third-round pick), 2025 third-round pick that becomes a second-round pick if Fields plays 75% of the snaps and becomes a first-round pick if the Raiders make the playoffs in 2025
Important: The draft order is now set for the non-playoff teams and those clubs who lost in the divisional round. Thanks to Tankathon for compiling it.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The Bears don't make things difficult. They pick Williams to get all of his arm talent, mobility, and creativity as a playmaker. He'll be fun in Shane Waldron's offense that unlocked Geno Smith into his 30s.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Maye is a pure pocket passer with mobility and the full franchise quarterback skill set. Sam Howell played relatively well -- and really flashed at times in Year 2 -- but with a new coaching staff incoming in D.C., this is almost a lock to be a quarterback, and Maye would be the right choice.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
The Patriots turn to a new chapter at quarterback with the creative, athletic, deep-ball specialist who just won the Heisman out of the SEC. I know quarterback-quarterback-quarterback doesn't happen often at the start of a draft, but these are all quarterback-needy clubs and these are high-caliber prospects.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The Cardinals are absolutely thrilled to land Harrison Jr. to give the receiver group a jolt for Kyler Murray. Until free agency starts -- and trades inevitably happen -- these first four selections feel as chalky as they can be as this stage of the pre-draft process.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
The Chargers add Bowers, who since his freshman season, as looked like a future high pick and eventual All-Pro at the tight end spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
With the top-tier quarterbacks gone, the Giants get whoever will be their starter in 2024 a dynamic weapon in Nabers.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Titans land the premier blocker in the class as they enter Year 2 of the Will Levis era.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
There is a lot of Gerald McCoy and Grady Jarrett to Murphy's game. He's powerful but lightning quick off the ball and knows how to utilize his hands.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Bears stay in the Los Angeles metropolitan era for both first-round picks. Latu is a clean outside rusher with serious size and length. Fun pairing with Montez Sweat.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Odunze to the Jets? Why not? Instant impact type, and a different type of receiver than Garrett Wilson.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Vikings replenish the edge-rusher group given the uncertainty of Danielle Hunter's future.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
If the Broncos do trade Russell Wilson, they'll of course be in the quarterback market. Nix became an awesome point guard after transferring to Oregon, and that's precisely what Sean Payton would ask him to do in his offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Rakestraw has the chippy mentality needed to not just survive but thrive in today's NFL as a boundary cornerback. He's technically sound, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Alt has too high of a ceiling for the Saints to pass up here.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Wiggins is a sleek athlete on the perimeter who was around the football often in the air for the Tigers in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Most clubs will have Kinchens as the top safety in the class, as he is a rangy, versatile defensive back.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Jaguars go offensive line to better protect Trevor Lawrence in 2024 and beyond. Jacksonville's quarterback took a step back in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
If Tee Higgins bolts in free agency, another sizable and athletic wideout would be sensible for the Bengals offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
DeJean is a big play waiting to happen in the secondary, and the Rams were in the bottom third of the league with just 10 turnovers in the regular season.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
More offensive line help in what is a vital season in 2024 for Kenny Pickett.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Given his inability to be a consistent creator off-script, the Dolphins have to throw assets at the offensive line in the draft, and Morgan is a clean pass protector.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Eagles absolutely need to address their secondary early in the draft, and McKinstry has long looked like a future first-round pick on the field.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 23
The Texans add to the offensive line in front of C.J. Stroud. Mims and Laremy Tunsil would be two specimens on the edges of Houston's blocking unit.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Nubin is a three-down safety who, given the Cowboys' pass-rush capabilities, could become a turnover machine in Dallas.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Lassiter pieced together a fine season at Georgia and possesses first-round-caliber traits. The Packers haven't been shy about drafting defensive backs in Round 1.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Buccaneers and head coach Todd Bowles need more youthful outside pass-rushing talent. Verse pieced together back-to-back awesome seasons at Florida State after transferring there before the 2022 season.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 27
While on the smaller side, Robinson is uber explosive and wraps the corner as well as any edge-rusher in this class. Fun, needed addition to the Cardinals defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Worthy is incredibly fast and has some lateral wiggle. He's precisely what the Bills could use on offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Franklin is a flashy, twitched-up wideout who makes plays after the catch and down the field consistently. A needed add to the Chiefs offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
An ascending player, Arnold played awesomely in 2023 at Alabama, showing how much of a playmaker he can be thanks to his fluidity and acceleration.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The 49ers want to remain stout up front on defense, and Taylor can become an instant start next to Javon Hargrave.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Fautanu is a masher at tackle and could even slide inside to deal with squattier defensive tackles.
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