USC

Chicago deals Justin Fields to New England pre-draft and moves forward with the top prospect in this year's QB class. Now, will they go defense or WR with their other 1st round pick?

LSU

I don't think Drake Maye lasts as the unquestioned #2 QB in this year's draft class. Plus, Washington just dealt with a highly uneven QB out of North Carolina - do they go right back to that well and select his successor? Not sure about that.

Ohio State

New England trades for Justin Fields before this mock draft. If I'm NE, would I rather draft a rookie here and hope to acquire talent in later rounds & free agency? OR would I rather trade 2 mid-round picks for Fields and grab the unquestioned best WR in the draft at #3? It feels like the shorter path to relevancy. The scramble to move up for Drake Maye begins.

LSU

Arizona misses out on MHJ, but trading down here means missing out on a top-3 WR - they can't do that and keep Kyler happy. Nabers is an absolute burner, and gives the Cardinals an immediate downfield threat to take some heat off Murray.

North Carolina

TRADE!
ATL gets #5 pick, 2024 draft
LAC gets #8 & 74 picks, 2024 draft; 2025 4th rd pick
The Falcons are the team to leap up the draft board for Drake Maye here. The Chargers can drop a few slots, pay a better rookie scale for Brock Bowers (or a top CB), and pick up 2 more picks.

Georgia

(from ATL in trade for #5 pick)
Great move from the Chargers here - drop back 3 spots, pick up a 2024 3rd and 2025 4th, and snag the player they wanted in the first place. Instant impact player for Justin Herbert.

Washington

I struggled between Odunze and Olu Fashanu here - the Giants love Penn State players - but the fan base might riot if the G-Men take another O-lineman in the top 10. Odunze gives the Giants a true WR1 they haven't had in years - they must select an OT or OG in round 2.

Penn State

Tennessee gets the guy I think is the #1 OT in the draft class. Fashanu is a ready-to-start left tackle with a massive 6'6" frame and a killer 97% pass block win rate in his final season at Penn State.

Alabama

With the top 3 WRs and Bowers off the board, Chicago augments its pass rush with Dallas Turner. Pairing Turner with Montez Sweat gives the Bears a significant boost over their pass rush at the start of last season.

Notre Dame

The Jets *should* trade back and acquire picks to compensate for the 2nd rounder they lost in the Rodgers deal, but the need for a Week 1 offensive tackle is too great. Alt is smooth in pass protection and offers an immediate starter at RT.

UCLA

It's too early for Nix, Penix and McCarthy - any mock draft putting a fourth QB in the top 11 is clickbait. A better play for the Vikes is to re-sign Cousins for 1-2 years and develop a QB behind him. Latu might be the best pure pass rusher in this draft.

Alabama

TRADE!
PHI gets #12 pick, 2024 draft
DEN gets #22 & 50 picks, 2024 draft
This makes sense to me for both teams - the Eagles are aggressive in draft movement, and the Broncos NEED more draft capital in the worst way. The QB they want will probably be available (and cheaper) at #22 than reaching at #12. Meanwhile, Philly gets the top CB in the draft class to address their awfully leaky secondary.

Oregon

(from PHI in trade for #12 pick)
Bo Nix seems like a better fit for Sean Payton than Penix or McCarthy, and he'll certainly be thrown to the fire sooner rather than later. But getting him at #22 (and picking up a 2nd rounder) is a much easier pill to swallow than using #12 on him.

Clemson

The Raiders could go in a few directions here - but I think Antonio Pierce goes defense. If Arnold is CB1 in this draft class, Wiggins is CB1A. Vegas looks for a QB in round 2 - or free agency.

Florida State

The Saints could go WR here, but addressing the pass rush is a bigger concern. Verse is a potential top-10 prospect that falls into their lap due to positional need above them in the draft.

LSU

I think Brian Thomas Jr. stands to be the biggest riser at WR during the pre-draft process. At 6'4", he's a bigger target than Keon Coleman who had a far more productive final season in college.