For Mock 1.0, I had four quarterbacks going off the board with the top-four picks. This time, it's four out of five -- so there is some change, but the desire to draft a quarterback for the needy is so strong that it always wins out.
The top pick will be USC quarterback Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears, followed by LSU's Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders and then Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to the New England Patriots.
The next pick is where I make a change from my last mock. I had the Arizona Cardinals trading out with Minnesota, but this time I have them staying put and taking Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Vikings then make a move with the Los Angeles Chargers to go up and get North Carolina's Drake Maye, who is said to be the apple of their organizational eyes. The Chargers would get the 11th pick, the 23rd pick, a fourth-rounder this year (129) and a third-rounder next year. If that sounds like too much, it won't be if Maye is their franchise quarterback.
As for the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh is taking a team with a good quarterback in Justin Herbert, but one with issues at other spots. This way he can improve the roster around Herbert. In this one, they would get Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell with the 11th pick and LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd pick. That would be two outstanding players at positions of need.
It makes too much sense.
I have two more mocks coming. One is who-they-should mock in a couple of weeks and then my final mock on draft day.
Two things you count on for both: Four or five quarterbacks in the first round and plenty of tackles and receivers.
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 below!
From
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 1
There is no doubt as to who they are taking. Caleb Williams is their guy and will be the one who they count on to be their first true franchise quarterback since maybe Sid Luckman.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Jayden Daniels would be a perfect fit in their system under Kliff Kingsbury. He can move, but he's also a good passer when asked to do so from the pocket.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
The Patriots will decide between Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy in this spot, and I think it will be McCarthy. That's way too high for him in my eyes, but the word is the Pats really like him.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
They need receiver help in the worst way, so they opt for Marvin Harrison Jr., who is a big, strong receiver in the Larry Fitzgerald mold. They take him over Malik Nabers.
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Mock Trade from
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 - Pick 5
They make the move to go up and get their guy in Drake Maye, while the Chargers, who are re-tooling with Jim Harbaugh, get multiple first-round picks.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
They have to get a weapon outside who can be dominant, something they haven't had since the early days of Odell Beckham Jr. Malik Nabers can be that guy -- no matter who plays quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Their pass rush is a major issue. They have to address it, and I think Dallas Turner would be the right guy. He will be a better player on the next level than he was at Alabama.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
They have D.J. Moore and traded for Keenan Allen, but Allen is getting up in the years and Rome Odunze would be a top receiver for a long time for Caleb Williams. Why not add another weapon, even if pass rusher is a possibility here.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
They signed Tyron Smith and traded for Morgan Moses, but both are on one-year deals and Taliese Fuaga can play guard to help inside. Injuries happen -- and Smith has injury issues at times -- so taking a tackle works.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 11
They have corner issues in a division with Patrick Mahomes, even after landing Kristian Fulton in free agency. It's time to get an upgrade in Quinyon Mitchell, who is the top corner in this draft. They could consider an offensive lineman here as well.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
They pass on a quarterback here, although they could trade down and take a quarterback. For this draft, they stay put and add an edge player in Jared Verse.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
They need to get a left tackle, and Olu Fashanu is a pure pass protector. He will step in and start right away. You can never go wrong drafting an offensive lineman in a league where there is an issue on a lot of lines.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Colts can add another weapon for their young quarterback by taking Brock Bowers. He is the best tight end in the class, and Anthony Richardson will come to love him.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
They have issues at guard, and Troy Fautanu has the look of a guard to me. He would step in on the left side and play next to Charles Cross, while also being their swing tackle. Plus, right tackle Abraham Lucas has some injury issues.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
They need to get a young corner with free-agent signee Ronald Darby being up in the years and Tyson Campbell in the final year of his contract. Terrion Arnold would give them the chance to play more man coverage.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
They lost D.J. Reader in free agency, so there is a hole in the middle of their defense. Byron Murphy II is a quick, penetrating player like Justin Madubuike of the Ravens.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
They need to get edge-rush help, and Laiatu Latu is a hometown player who can step in and help offset the loss of Aaron Donald inside. Pass rushers are a must, and they need an elite one.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Jackson Powers-Johnson is a special center who can step in and immediately add to the Steelers' tradition of big-time players in the middle of their line. They could also look at tackle here.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
They lost Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency, so why not add to the room with a smallish but quick inside player? They signed some veterans to help, but Johnny Newton can be a long-time starter inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
They know Lane Johnson won't be playing forever, so why not take a tackle who can replace him? Amarius Mims had limited starts at Georgia, but he is a massive man with a ton of upside.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 23
They need to get more help outside for Justin Herbert. Brian Thomas Jr. is a long receiver who can fly. So they would add a top corner and receiver from trading down.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
They let Tyron Smith walk in free agency, so they need help up front. The Cowboys say they like their young inside backup players, but why move Tyler Smith from guard to tackle when you don't need to do it?
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Corner is a must and Cooper DeJean has the tools to be a good cover player. He could also play safety down the line. DeJean is coming off an injury, but he will be fine for camp.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Center is a problem on their line, so Graham Barton would work. He played tackle in college, but he would move inside. He could also compete at left guard, where they have issues.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 27
Their corner room needs a young player who can push for a starting job as a rookie. They added Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency, but they need more.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
With the trade of Stefon Diggs to the Texans, they need help in a big way at receiver. Adonai Mitchell is a bigger body who can fly. They will love him in Buffalo. By the way, I would draft two receivers in this draft if I were Bills GM Brandon Beane.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
They signed Marcus Davenport in free agency, but it's just a one-year deal. They need to get help opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and Robinson would be that guy.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken coached Ladd McConkey at Georgia, and he would be a nice addition for Lamar Jackson. McConkey and Zay Flowers would be a nice 1-2 combo for a few years.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Their line has some issues at several spots, which is why Jordan Morgan makes sense. He played left tackle in college, but scouts see him inside or even at right tackle. They could also go defensive line here.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
They could go receiver here -- maybe Xavier Worthy -- or a tackle, but with the run on tackles, I have them taking a cover corner to help replace L'Jarius Sneed.
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The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly updated draft order and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.
