2024 Round 1 Mock 3.0

[kccrow]

1. Chicago Bears (f/CAR) - QB CALEB WILLIAMS Southern California
The Bears had plenty of talent around Justin Fields this past season with a couple of former 1k WRs, a competent TE, and solid RBs. The issue is 100% Fields and they need to move on. Caleb Williams is easily the best QB prospect in an overrated class. They'll need to move Fields, and I think that team is Las Vegas (more later).

2. Atlanta Falcons (t/WAS) - QB JAYDEN DANIELS Louisiana State
The Falcons always seem to be in a unique spot of being on the outside looking in at the top QBs in the draft so I think this is the year they finally try to make a move to get a guy by trading up. This is a team with talent everywhere and nothing to show for it, they simply have to get better behind center. Daniels worries me a bit as a one-hit wonder, but he has a skillset built to make explosive plays with a cannon for an arm and electrifying running ability. ATL sends 1-8, 2-48, 3-79, and a 2025 1st to WAS for 1-2.

3. New England Patriots - QB DRAKE MAYE North Carolina
The Pats couldn't decide who was the best of their bad QBs last year so I think it is all but guaranteed they take a QB this year. Maye has a good arm and the body type to take abuse in their division.

4. Arizona Cardinals - WR MARVIN HARRISON, JR. Ohio State
The Cardinals would likely be jumping for joy if Washington passes on Harrison but Washington needs help at OT and not so much at WR (they do have Laurin and Dotson after all). The Cards, meanwhile, simply must grab a WR to replace Marquise Brown and they seem dedicated to primarily building a foundation through the draft with their Patriot-way GM. As tempting as it may be to trade out of this spot to a QB-needy team, they can't pass on the best WR to come out... maybe ever.

5. Minnesota Vikings (t/LAC) - QB J.J. MCCARTHY Michigan
The Vikings are in a tough spot, and I think they may find a way to bring Kirk Cousins back for another season or two, but they need to find a long-term replacement either way. There are strong rumors that the Vikings really like McCarthy and it's not a secret that the Giants are not happy with Daniel Jones. I have the Vikings selling this year's #11 and next year's 1st plus a 4th rounder this year (107) to get up to 5 with LA.

6. New York Giants - WR MALIK NABERS Louisiana State
The Giants have nice complimentary receivers in Slayton, Hyatt, and Robinson but lack a true go-to guy when they need a play. Nabers is a real dude out there, some arguing he is 1A over Harrison, and looks like the type of #1 guy they need to come down with Danny Jones' whiffle balls.

7. Tennessee Titans - OT JOE ALT Notre Dame
No franchise has fumbled more picks at OT than the Titans have in recent years but they have a chance to finally get it right with Alt who has an A+ pedigree to go with outstanding size, length, and agility to wall off speed and power. With Will Levis looking like he could be the future, I think the priority here should be to fortify their offensive and defensive lines and worry about the rest later.

8. Washington Commanders (t/ATL) - OT OLU FASHANU Penn State
I'm not convinced the Commanders should nor will move on from Sam Howell just yet. He had a pretty respectable rookie year given the issues on the offensive line. I think you get this kid more protection, coach him up, and then grade him out. With that, I have Washington securing a haul to move out of the #2 spot, setting themselves up to help their O-Line and get some ammunition in case they need to make a move for a QB in 2025.

9. Chicago Bears - WR ROME ODUNZE Washington
The Bears have a unique opportunity, much like Houston a year ago, to add a franchise QB and a key piece elsewhere in the top 10. The Bears could end up going a similar route and taking a pass rusher here to replace Ngakoue but I think having a full complement of WRs at Caleb's disposal and taking advantage of a stacked class might be the best play. Odunze has all the look of a #1 WR and would be a tremendous pairing with an All-Pro caliber guy in DJ Moore.

10. New York Jets - OT TROY FAUTANU Washington
The Jets have to start somewhere with fixing their offensive line, so it's take the best OT on the board with Joe Tippmann sliding to OC and Alijah Vera-Tucker sliding to RG. Whatever OT spot you don't fix here, you fix in round 2 or 3, much like Seattle did with Cross and Lucas in 2022. I have them taking the athletic Fautanu who might have the best feet in this O-Line class and came in with a really nice 34.5" arm length.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (t/MIN) - CB QUINYON MITCHELL Toledo
The top needs in LA are fixing their O-Line and at CB so I don't necessarily feel like they need to go pass catcher here. They have an opportunity by executing a trade down as I have here to move around and assemble the best pieces they can. Mitchell is a stud CB in just about all facets and coverages in the mold of Marshon Lattimore.

12. Denver Broncos - ER DALLAS TURNER Alabama
One thing is for certain, the Broncos are cleaning house. With Russell Wilson gone, the Broncos will certainly be looking for a QB but they may not be able to land one of the top guys this year. After trading Jerry Jeudy to the Browns and rumors still circulating that Courtland Sutton is on the block, Payton may be looking at WR too. That said, the Broncos also need to find a way to get pressure on the QBs in their division and I just don't think they have enough juice.

13. Las Vegas Raiders - OT TALIESE FUAGA Oregon State
The Raiders brought over Luke Getsy from Chicago to be their offensive coordinator so I see a couple of things happening here, one being I think they will trade a 2nd round pick this year and a 2nd round pick next year for Bears QB Justin Fields. I also think Getsy is going to want to develop a physical offensive identity and Fuaga might be the most physical and nastiest of them all in this class.

14. New Orleans Saints - DE JARED VERSE Florida State
The Saints are going to be a curious team to watch as the process unfolds this offseason. The most glaring need might be at LT where they haven't been happy with Trevor Penning but there is a question of reach because I don't know if an LT is sitting here that you want to take that early. They could opt to solve their merry-go-around of TEs issue with Bowers here but they need a pass rusher opposite Granderson and last year's 2nd rounder, Isaiah Foskey, didn't get much playing time.

15. Indianapolis Colts - TE BROCK BOWERS Georgia
The Colts don't have a ton of needs heading into this as they are more in player upgrade mode with their roster. I think WR could be in play and so could be CB or DL. That said, they sent their entire contingent to interview Bowers, which is pretty telling of their interest. I think Jelani Woods is still worth something to continue developing but having multiple hamstring issues last year was worrisome. Bowers brings instant stability and would be a high-quality underneath target for Anthony Richardson.

16. Seattle Seahawks - DE DARIUS ROBINSON Missouri
Nothing would surprise me here with the Seahawks (though I may be surprising you), whether it would be 5-tech opposite Jones, a QB like McCarthy or Penix, or an interior offensive line like Powers-Johnson. The slate is pretty open for them and some of their biggest needs (IOL and TE) can be had later. I think bringing a nasty defense back to Seattle is on the docket. We know Seattle is never conventional when it comes to the draft, that's why I have them taking a player that fits but might not fit the pundit chart just right. One of the key traits here is that Robinson is rock solid against the run, where the Seahawks were terrible last year, and he's big enough and strong enough to hold that edge in the NFL. Robinson could be a similar player to Justin Madubuike who MacDonald had in Baltimore.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR BRIAN THOMAS, JR. Louisiana State
The Jags could stand to upgrade at CB, and they undoubtedly will, but losing Calvin Ridley is difficult because Zay Jones is mediocre and Kirk operates from the slot. They need an outside target and there may have not been a better big-time playmaker, with the look of a potential #1, than Thomas was this past season.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - OT JC LATHAM Alabama
I think one thing has become abundantly clear for the Bengals, they have to stop letting Burrow get hit. That's their priority, no matter what. The Jungle Kitties are losing a lot offensively this year in terms of weapons with Higgins, Boyd, and all of their TEs being FAs, but they just have to replace Jonah Williams at RT and worry about the rest later. With a deep draft at WR and some quality day 2 TEs, they can fix their woes. Latham is easily one of the top few tackles in this draft and is a massive human that will be difficult for edge rushers to navigate because they aren't going through.

19. Los Angeles Rams - CB TERRION ARNOLD Alabama
The Rams will need to get busy with their RFA decisions but that should include bringing back all of Alaric Jackson, Michael Hoecht, and Christian Rozeboom, eliminating potential needs at key spots. That leaves their secondary and interior offensive line as the major holes to fill. Value will almost always lie in the secondary here so I have them taking the top CB available to replace Witherspoon.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB NATE WIGGINS Clemson
The Steelers definitely need to address their interior offensive line and look for more at QB but it might be a bit premature to address the former and a little too late to address the latter. Meanwhile, they need more talent on the back end of their defense where they are set to lose Levi Wallace and Chandon Sullivan. They need a player opposite Joey Porter Jr who can be an immediate contributor and Wiggins is a super smooth cover corner that can match with speed, though his physicality and tackling may leave a bit to be desired.

21. Miami Dolphins - DT BYRON MURPHY II Texas
Miami is a team in a ton of trouble in the trenches on both sides of the ball so they could do anything here to fill those voids. I think, in terms of the best bang for your buck, you address IOL on day 2 and go with someone who can help your defense here. It's a tough call between NT and 5T for me but I gotta go with the guy that has a shot to affect the QB first. Murphy is well-rounded and looks like a perfect replacement for Christian Wilkins opposite Zach Sieler.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - DE LAIATU LATU California Los-Angeles
The Eagles are a team with a lot of depth issues heading into the offseason but not too many holes in their starting lineup. I think the one area they need to address, primarily due to age, is CB but they have some internal issues that may cause them to lose one or both of their starting ERs. Haason Reddick wants out and they have been rumored to also be shopping Josh Sweat. However, those rumors are offset by interest in Bryce Huff. Will it be an ER or CB here? I'll hedge my bets on ER with Latu who is the best edge in the class but medicals are keeping him down my board.

23. Houston Texans (f/CLE) - DT JER'ZAHN NEWTON Illinois
The Texans are a difficult projection because they have so much cap space. They need another WR opposite Nico Collins but need to keep Dell in the slot. They could buy a vet here for Stroud. They also have a lot of holes on their defensive line, LB corps, and CB. I'd say their money would get them furthest by spending on defense in FA but it's difficult to get guys that can affect the QB from the interior there and Newton can do that in spades. I have them going for Newton to replace the departing Sheldon Rankins.

24. Dallas Cowboys - OT AMARIUS MIMS Georgia
The biggest hole on the Dallas front is at LT where they are set to lose Tyron Smith and backup Chuma Edoga. They could move Tyler Smith back to LT or they could look for a LT as they met with most at the Combine. Another position they spent a ton of time with is the WRs and they may also be looking at sending Michael Gallup down the road. While they looked at a couple of the top talents at CB, they mostly looked at day 2 defensive players, particularly LBs. Overall though, I think Jerry will look to continue to improve the O-Line and Mims is a nice lump of clay to mold. While he's not a first-round talent from a production standpoint, his physical traits scream premier LT.

25. Green Bay Packers - DB COOPER DEJEAN Iowa
The Packers will likely slide Anthony Johnson Jr into a starting safety role as he nearly won a one as a rookie. That still leaves them with a gaping hole at the other spot given both starters Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage are free agents. DeJean can play any of multiple roles for a defense, including outside CB in a zone scheme and down in the slot but I think if you can keep him facing the QB as a free safety he's going to be extremely special, like Jessie Bates special.

26. Kansas City Chiefs (t/TB) - WR XAVIER WORTHY Texas
It's not secret what our beloved Chiefs need in the draft and it starts and ends with a vertical threat that can catch the football. Shades of DeSean Jackson here with Tyreek Hill speed is a scary thing to hand an Andy Reid offense but that's exactly what I think Veach will pursue with Worthy. KC gives up their 1st and 3rd (95) round picks to move up.

27. Arizona Cardinals (f/HOU) - OT TYLER GUYTON Oklahoma
DJ Humphries tore his ACL in January which threw a bit of a hitch into the offseason planning for the Cardinals. They can easily move former 6th overall pick Paris Johnson to LT (and they absolutely should) but they still have a giant hole on an already so-so offensive line at RT. Guyton is a guy with outstanding potential at right tackle and might even be able to play left tackle in the league at a high level.

28. Buffalo Bills - WR ADONAI MITCHELL Texas
The Bills cap situation means they have a ton of contract work to do and some cuts to make, which will likely increase the holes they have on defense (there's a bunch of them). Most notably, their entire DT group sans Ed Oliver are free agents and so are most of their DEs, but they retain starters in Rousseau and Miller. I think the Bills fan base might go insane, however, if the Bills don't adequately address playmaking options this season. Mitchell looks the part in shorts to become a true #1 WR as Diggs ages out but at minimum he should be a quality replacement for Gabe Davis as a field-stretching #2.

29. Detroit Lions - CB KAMARI LASSITER Georgia
Regardless of what Detroit does in FA to address their CB room, they need to bolster the spot further by adding premier talent to develop from the draft as Sutton is not a long-term answer but a solid #2 for now. They need a true Alpha and leader on that back end. Lassiter might be my favorite defensive back in this draft and will set the tone on defense with his physical style of play and sticky coverage. He's an accountable leader and student of the game which should fit in well with Dan Campbell's culture.

30. Baltimore Ravens - DE CHOP ROBINSON Penn State
The Ravens look like a hot mess on paper heading into the offseason with FA holes dotted across their depth chart and limited cap space. OG, WR, Rush LB, CB, and RB are all notable problem areas. I think it's a classic BPA draft for Baltimore. They may wait to address IOL and opt to snag a top CB, ER, or WR on day one. While I think the best player could be Kamari Lassiter, it's hard to ignore the physical traits Chop Robinson brings to the table as a rusher in their 3-4.

31. San Francisco 49ers - CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY Alabama
The 49ers' decision to extend Colton McKivitz throws a bit of a wrinkle in my thought process but even then the 49ers have one major glaring weakness: Ambry Thomas. The 49ers have to fix their CB woes if they want to win a title game. Ward is solid on one side but they need a top dog opposite him. McKinstry is smart, fluid, and relatively physical though 49ers fans could have PTSD triggers when they see him grab a jersey.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (t/KC) - OG JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON Oregon
The Bucs, surprisingly, don't have many glaring needs if they can retain Baker Mayfield at QB. They need some LBs and an SS that can start, to go with DL depth. The lone true hole right now exists at LG. If Powers-Johnson lasts to this spot, he's a no-brainer. We've seen interior offensive linemen get a lot of play from pundits only to fall in the actual draft so we'll have to see. One thing for certain is that JPJ deserves to be a 1st rounder and could go much higher than this.

My guess on the L'Jarius Sneed sweepstakes:
The Falcons trade 2-43, 6-186, and a 2025 4th-round pick. For starters, Atlanta has the draft capital to make a trade for their QBotF plus still make this trade and have capital left over to do other things. Atlanta also has plenty of cap space to make this move. With the addition of Sneed, they give themselves the best secondary in the league in terms of overall talent with CB AJ Terrell and FS Jesse Bates already being top-tier players. If they can get into the top few picks for a QB, this could be a playoff-caliber team almost instantly, especially if they can add a quality #2 WR in FA. Atlanta is also one of the few teams from the NFC that has shown legitimate interest in Sneed, and keeping him out of the conference should be a high priority.

[duncan_idaho]

That seems pretty perfect…

Unless you think Worthy is a one-trick pony undersized slot receiver

[Dunerdr]

I read it as Green Bay taking DB cooper. That’s a great fit for a cash strapped team.

[Dunerdr]

Also I’d love this

[Coogs]

We will obviously know the end result to the Sneed dilemma soon. Me? I'm not giving Sneed away. Playing on the Lions interest that has been documented, and the Eagles interest that has not, I am going for the Eagles #22 pick and their compensation 6th rounder (sticking it to them for their coach being an ass to our fans in our stadium) for Sneed.

#22
#32
#64
#95
#131
#158
#172
#210

If we can then come out with a LT and a WR or two, I'm a happy camper.

[Nightfyre]

Crow, what a Herculean effort man. You're a champion.

[farmerchief]

May work out fine, but personally, I dont see the need to move up to get Worthy, I value the 3rd round pick more. I would just see who drops and is available, when our first round selection is up.

[JPH83]

Great effort crow. Got to be honest I wouldn't want us going up for Worthy like that.