The Seahawks love what Geno Smith's become in Shane Waldron's offense, but given his age and contract, Seattle wouldn't be crazy to address the long-term future at the game's most vital position.
In this mock, John Schneider and Co. go in that direction in the first round.
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
From
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 1
USC
• 6'1"
/ 215 lbs
Even after the down game against Notre Dame and a so-so effort against the Utah Utes, the Bears don't hesitate much to pick Williams here. Justin Fields has not taking a step forward in Year 1 outside of his huge Week 5 performance, and now, he's injured.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Ohio State
• 6'4"
/ 205 lbs
In this scenario, the Cardinals pair Harrison with Kyler Murray and are suddenly onto something offensively.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Laiatu Latu
EDGE
UCLA
• 6'5"
/ 267 lbs
The Bears have to bolster the pass rush, and Latu looks like the most NFL-ready edge-rusher in the class.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Penn State
• 6'6"
/ 317 lbs
The Broncos pick the premier left tackle in the class to protect Russell Wilson.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Drake Maye
QB
North Carolina
• 6'4"
/ 230 lbs
New York couldn't be happier here, with Maye falling into its lap at No. 5 overall. He has franchise quarterback tools.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Michigan
• 6'3"
/ 202 lbs
The Patriots are trending toward a first-round quarterback selection in 2024. McCarthy is relatively young with a gun-slinger mentality and plenty of arm talent.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Illinois
• 6'2"
/ 295 lbs
The Chargers have long needed a serious disruptor on the interior and would finally get that with Newton.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Malik Nabers
WR
LSU
• 6'0"
/ 200 lbs
Regardless of who's at quarterback for the Titans next season, he will need more dynamic receiving talent to throw the ball to.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Emeka Egbuka
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 206 lbs
The Saints are another team with a receiver deficiency, and they add yet another Ohio State wideout to the roster for Derek Carr.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Brock Bowers
TE
Georgia
• 6'4"
/ 240 lbs
Bowers is too good for the Raiders to pass on here. Complete tight end prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Miami (FL)
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
Instead of finding a replacement for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings build the interior of their defensive line with a game-wrecker in Taylor.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Keon Coleman
WR
Florida State
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
Coleman would be the perfect physical boundary cornerback to Josh Downs in the slot for Year 2 of the Anthony Richardson era.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Oregon State
• 6'6"
/ 334 lbs
The mashing left tackle would be a welcomed addition to the Commanders offensive line as it tries to better protect Sam Howell, who must improve getting the ball out of his hands quicker.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Chop Robinson
EDGE
Penn State
• 6'3"
/ 254 lbs
Robinson is a freaky specimen who would be an instant boost to the Rams outside pass rush.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 16
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Duke
• 6'5"
/ 314 lbs
Barton is a squeaky clean prospect who can play guard or tackle, and it would be wise for the Jets to continue to build the offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Rome Odunze
WR
Washington
• 6'3"
/ 215 lbs
If the Bengals lose Tee Higgins in free agency, they'll likely want another big-bodied wideout on the outside. Odunze is precisely that.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Clemson
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 230 lbs
The Buccaneers probably need to think long term at the linebacker position, and Carter looks like the most NFL-ready second-level defender in the class.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
JT Tuimoloau
EDGE
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 270 lbs
The Falcons add some juice to the outside pass rush with the next refined Ohio State defender.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Miami (FL)
• 6'0"
/ 205 lbs
The Bills address the long-term future of the safety spot with the big, physical, explosive and instinctive Kinchens, who'd star in Sean McDermott's defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Iowa
• 6'1"
/ 207 lbs
DeJean is a natural playmaker on the backend. Fun addition with DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs in Dallas.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Kalen King
CB
Penn State
• 5'11"
/ 190 lbs
The future of the Steelers secondary hails from Penn State, with King and Joey Porter Jr.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 24
Jared Verse
EDGE
Florida State
• 6'4"
/ 260 lbs
Verse and Will Anderson together would formulate a young and dynamic edge-rushing tandem in Houston.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Washington
• 6'3"
/ 213 lbs
I'm enamored with the idea of Penix learning from Geno Smith after taking over.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Nate Wiggins
CB
Clemson
• 6'2"
/ 185 lbs
Wiggins is an athletic specimen at cornerback, more depth for the back seven of the 49ers defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Dallas Turner
EDGE
Alabama
• 6'4"
/ 242 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 on three downs 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
• 6'1"
/ 172 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
• 6'4"
/ 274 lbs
The Eagles adore addressing the trenches early, and Trice is one of the most polished rushers in the class.
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