Josh McDaniels is out again as an AFC West head coach before the end of his second season, meaning the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking for a new decision-maker in silver and black next season. With a new GM set to be hired, too, that duo will likely be on the lookout for a new quarterback, and rightfully so.
In this mock draft, they see two quarterbacks selected in front of them but gladly take Michigan's high-caliber prospect, J.J. McCarthy. He comes with plenty of experience, improvisational skill, and a rocket arm.
Important: The draft order now is determined by the current, official draft order. Thanks to Tankathon for compiling it.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Mock Trade from
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 1
USC
• 6'1"
/ 215 lbs
The Giants swing for the fences with Williams, who hasn't exactly lit up college football the past few weeks but has franchise-caliber abilities.
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From
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 2
Drake Maye
QB
North Carolina
• 6'4"
/ 225 lbs
Unless Justin Fields makes clear-cut strides in the second half of the season, it'll be hard to envision the Bears not selecting a quarterback with one of these first two picks.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Ohio State
• 6'4"
/ 205 lbs
Harrison is too tantalizing of a prospect at a marquee position for the Bears to pass on him here.
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Mock Trade from
New York Giants
Round 1 - Pick 4
Laiatu Latu
EDGE
UCLA
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
Latu is the most NFL-ready edge rusher in the class, and the Cardinals have to upgrade their pass-rush unit.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Bo Nix
QB
Oregon
• 6'2"
/ 217 lbs
Nix's steadily improving play in Oregon and big-time physical capabilities lead to him landing in New England.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Penn State
• 6'6"
/ 312 lbs
The Packers have to prioritize the future at the offensive line, and Fashanu looks like one of the best tackle prospects in a while.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Malik Nabers
WR
LSU
• 6'0"
/ 200 lbs
The Colts have to improve the dynamic nature of their receiver group. Nabers would help that endeavor.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Michigan
• 6'3"
/ 219 lbs
The Raiders will have to think long-term at the quarterback position given how Jimmy Garoppolo has played this season. McCarthy has major upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Illinois
• 6'2"
/ 295 lbs
Newton has some Aaron Donald-like qualities as an upfield rusher. Natural progression for the Rams near the end of Donald's career.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Brock Bowers
TE
Georgia
• 6'4"
/ 230 lbs
The Commanders get another athletic tight end for Sam Howell. Fun pairing with Logan Thomas.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 12
Rome Odunze
WR
Washington
• 6'3"
/ 215 lbs
Odunze is a big-bodied specimen who'd form an intimidating pairing with Michael Wilson in Arizona.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Keon Coleman
WR
Florida State
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
I keep going back to this pairing, given Mike Evans is probably playing in his final season in Tampa Bay. Coleman is a big-bodied rebounder on the outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Miami (FL)
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
Taylor is a supremely gifted specimen at defensive tackle who'd significantly help the interior of the Chargers front.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Chop Robinson
EDGE
Penn State
• 6'3"
/ 254 lbs
The Titans go with the best player available here in Robinson, an uber-athletic outside speed rusher.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Alabama
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
More top-tier cornerback talent in New Orleans with the Alabama star.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Oregon State
• 6'6"
/ 324 lbs
The Jets would be smart to continue to build the offensive front. Fuaga is a masher who'd add more physicality to the blocking unit.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Duke
• 6'5"
/ 314 lbs
The Bengals go with a prudent selection to grab Barton, a guard/tackle prospect with a high floor.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Kris Jenkins
DL
Michigan
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
The Falcons need long-term stability at defensive tackle, especially after the Grady Jarrett injury. Jenkins is a wide-bodied pocket pusher.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Washington
• 6'2"
/ 216 lbs
The Vikings go with the super-aggressive Penix to man what should be a high-powered offense in Minnesota. Long balls galore.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
JC Latham
OT
Alabama
• 6'6"
/ 342 lbs
Latham isn't a freaky athlete but has as much strength as you're going to see from a draft prospect playing tackle.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 22
Jared Verse
EDGE
Florida State
• 6'4"
/ 260 lbs
Verse is too good for the Texans to pass on here. Fun edge-rushing duo with him and Will Anderson Jr. for the long-term future.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Kalen King
CB
Penn State
• 5'11"
/ 190 lbs
The 49ers get a long, twitchy cornerback to add to the defensive backfield. This is a need for San Francisco.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Miami (FL)
• 5'11"
/ 205 lbs
The Bills get the most impressive physical specimen at safety in the class in Kinchens.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Clemson
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 230 lbs
The Seahawks get a freaky specimen at the linebacker spot next to Jordyn Brooks.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Nate Wiggins
CB
Clemson
• 6'1"
/ 182 lbs
Wiggins is twitched-up cornerback, which provides more depth for the back seven of the Cowboys defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Dallas Turner
EDGE
Alabama
• 6'3"
/ 247 lbs
Turner went into the season with plenty of buzz and has had a fine 2023 campaign rushing around the corner at Alabama this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
South Carolina
• 6'3"
/ 227 lbs
Legette would provide a fun YAC element to this Baltimore offense that's taken a step forward in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Minnesota
• 6'2"
/ 210 lbs
The Lions have fun players at safety, but why not add more? Nubin has been a star for Minnesota this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Arizona
• 6'5"
/ 325 lbs
Morgan is a plus pass blocker with an NFL-caliber frame. More blocking reinforcement in Miami.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Texas
• 5'11"
/ 165 lbs
The Chiefs scare everyone by selecting a small and super-speedy wideout near the end of the first round.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Bralen Trice
EDGE
Washington
• 6'3"
/ 245 lbs
The Eagles adore addressing the trenches early, and Trice is one of the most polished rushers in the class.
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