Round 1
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Seahawks address what has long been their biggest positional need, taking the top IOL in the draft class. A few teams - Miami and Dallas in particular - hate to see Fautanu go this early.