LSU

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 14

Charlie Campbell reported that the Jaguars were disappointed with Calvin Ridley in 2023, and that WR, OL or CB are the likely plays for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was correct on a lot of things in Jacksonville recently, including Travon Walker, the hiring of Doug Pederson, and the extension of Cam Robinson Jr., so I’m inclined to trust him. Considering this, and in terms of athletic ability, team need and range-worthy prospect, Brian Thomas Jr. appears to be the best option for Jacksonville. Brian Thomas Jr. is a top-10 pick in terms of skill and upside, but is in a crowded receiving draft and is seen as a love/hate prospect. He isn’t tough as his size would indicate but Thomas is fast and a lethal threat with a lot of upside to grow and develop. He’d likely become the Jaguars’ long-term No. 1 receiver over Christian Kirk.

Oklahoma

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 17

The Bengals continue to have a big need along their offensive line. Jonah Williams is a free agent, and I doubt they look to extend him given he’s been average at best for them. JC Latham is a popular pick here, but instead, I’m going for a mild surprise in Tyler Guyton. Guyton could be a riser for the 2023 draft class. He’s commonly mocked in the 25-32 range, but has a stellar skill-set and played pretty well in 2023. He needs to play a bit tougher and more consistent, but is a better prospect than former team-mate Anton Harrison who went 27th overall in 2023. Guyton reminds me a bit of Christian Darrisaw, who has become one of the league’s best Left Tackles. He’d plug in at RT to start with, but could one day replace Orlando Brown Jr. at LT.

Toledo

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 16

Credit it where it's due, the Rams have been phenomenal. From Puka Nacua, to turning combine-snub Kobie Turner into a rookie sack leader, and Byron Young into a potential franchise edge rusher. The Rams main clear defensive weakness now is their secondary, which needs numerous upgrades. They could entertain upgrading the offensive line here, but aside from Left Tackle, their offensive line has been better than projected. In the secondary, Quinyon Mitchell is a potential 1st round prospect who is stellar in coverage, has terrific ball skills and a willing run defender. I’d be an advocate for Mitchell earlier than this, and don’t think he’ll slip out of the 1st round

Penn State

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 18

Joey Porter Jr. seems to be a future franchise cornerback, and Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to dominate (albeit less so in 2023), but their remaining secondary is old and faltering. The Steelers also need more OL investments beyond 2023’s Broderick Jones, as their remaining OL is hideously underperforming. Of the two, I think the latter should be prioritized, as this is a “make or break” year for Kenny Pickett, who has not proven to be a franchise starter thus far, but also a victim of dire pass protection. Regarding Olu Fashanu, to some, this may seem to be an insane slide. However, put your pitchforks away. Fashanu is a player NFL teams don’t have elite grades on. He’s a high-floor starting NFL tackle who is a plug and play option at Left or Right Tackle, but is not considered in the same echelon as a Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs or Andrew Thomas as a prospect. This sentiment was echoed by both Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler recently. Expect more and more mocks to have Fashanu slip to being the 3rd, 4th or even 5th tackle taken.

Oregon

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 19

The Dolphins offensive line is losing numerous interior starters, including Connor Williams at center (coming off an ACL injury) and Robert Hunt at guard. Although Austin Jackson was extended, he’s also been very up and down as a pro, only really settling at Right Tackle. Jackson Powers-Johnson would be a hand-in-glove fit as someone who can play all three interior positions on the OL. Powers-Johnson was arguably the most dominant offensive prospect at the senior bowl, putting in some premium reps and showcasing his strength and technique. I had him in the late 1st/early 2nd round range before this, but I think he has a really good shot at going in the top-25 if he continues to prove himself pre-draft.

Florida State

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 22

The Eagles almost exclusively draft OL, DL or WR - to a notorious extent at this point. This has come at the cost of their putrid secondary, but I have them sticking to the script here with their lack of true difference makers at defensive end. With Josh Sweat struggling in 2023, and Brandom Graham a free agent (possibly even retiring), the Eagles could use a “hands in the dirt” Defensive End. Jared Verse was touted as a top-5 prospect entering the season, but has fallen from grace with teams having borderline 1st/2nd round grades on him. Verse tends to run hot and cold and is still pretty raw after only 2 years in top-division football, but is a talented edge rusher. I still like Verse a lot with his knack at getting to the quarterback, with 9 sacks a piece in 2022 and 2023. I could easily see him going in the 20-32 range to a 4-3 team like Philadelphia, Houston, Detroit or San Francisco.

Missouri

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 28

I think the Houston Texans could be “the Detroit Lions of 2024” as a talented young team with a terrific young head coach that is a draft or two away from being a serious title contender. Also, CJ Stroud, take a bow. A truly amazing rookie season. In the meantime, the Texans’ defense outperformed their defensive personnel, and needs numerous upgrades in 2024, especially at defensive tackle. I’ll admit that Robinson completely flew under my radar this season, but made it to Daniel Jeremiah’s initial top-50 and then lit up the Senior Bowl. Robinson would be a perfect fit in H-town, as my comp for him is Arik Armstead - a player who can genuinely play inside or on the edge without being a tweener between each position. I’m sure DeMeco Ryans would be foaming at the mouth to get such a prospect on his defensive line.

Arizona

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 25

The Cowboys are a team that prioritizes the trenches in the draft, and Dallas may have some to make such an investment once again. Tyler Smith is a stud who may stay at guard, or could move to Left Tackle when Tyron Smith moves on (as early potentially as this off-season, if he does not re-sign). In the latter scenario, someone like Graham Barton makes the world of sense as a 5-position option. If they are looking for a more “pure” tackle, Jordan Morgan could make sense. He is a prospect I liked as a 2nd round pick in 2023 before returning to school. This proved to be a wise decision, as he has played really well in 2023, and is now a likely 1st round pick. Morgan is a tough and versatile lineman who has a lot of athletic upside and relatively few flaws as a multi-year starter.

Clemson

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 20

The Packers should move on from David Bakhtiari, but the Packers seldom draft OL in the 1st round. Additionally, Zach Tom thrived at Right Tackle, and Rasheed Walker looked promising enough at Left Tackle in 2023. Meanwhile, their secondary is a state whenever Jaire Alexander is banged up, which is often (he could also be traded). Eric Stokes isn’t panning out (and seldom available), and their safeties continue to be a huge weakness. Wiggins is no longer my CB1, but has a starting boundary corner skill-set in this draft class, with good range, size and athletic ability. His ball skills aren’t exceptional, but he is very disruptive and a balanced corner between man and zone. He should be a safe mid-to-late 1st round selection.

Iowa

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 24

I am aware that EDGE or DL would fit the M.O. of the Buccaneers more cleanly, and think that’s a likely route come the draft, but the options aren’t great at this spot. Meanwhile, even if Antoine Winfield Jr. is re-signed, the Buccaneers definitely need better play at free safety and nickel. Cooper DeJean is a quality playmaker with good ball skills and safety/slot ability. He’s a comparable prospect to solid rookie DB Brian Branch but with better athleticism, and would be an option in a couple of positions of need for the Bucs, who need a playmaker with athletic upside.

Alabama

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 23

The Cardinals are devoid of defensive talent and could justify any range-worthy selection at any level of their defense here, as well as possibly offensive line. I was split between DL and CB here as other options, but their OL is a shambles outside promising 1st round pick of 2023 Paris Johnson Jr. Of all available players, I had the highest grade on JC Latham. This sort of slide may seem unprecedented, a bit like Fashanu earlier on, but I am quite a bit cooler on JC Latham than the consensus. Latham has a high floor and is a capable starter early on, but has less upside than the other tackles taken before him. He is amongst the strongest offensive linemen I’ve seen at the collegiate level, but his lack of lateral quickness really concerns me, and there are better guard prospects in this class. Latham’s similar to former alumni Evan Neal insofar that his footwork and athleticism may hinder him from starting at tackle in the pros. This wouldn’t be a crazy slide in my opinion, but would provide decent value for Arizona.

Texas

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 32

The Bills are always the bridesmaids, never the bride in the AFC. That’s not a shot, as the same can be said for my San Francisco 49ers. However, the Bills need to give Josh Allen more receiving weapons - and address their defensive gaps (including their thin pass rush post-2024). At this range, receiver makes the most sense with a bunch of receivers grading similarly as late 1st - mid 2nd round prospects. Of the bunch, Adonai Mitchell is probably the most talented. He’s raw, and there are rumblings of medical issues, but has very sure hands and supreme body control. He’d be a quality top-40 draft selection.

Georgia

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 30

The Lions front office is one of the more impressive in the NFL and have done an incredible job re-building a forgotten franchise and making them a top NFC squad within 3 drafts. The Lions have drafted several cornerstone players including Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch and Alim McNeill. A relative weakness for them continues to be their secondary, specifically their boundary corners. The concession the Lions had to make in 2023 was cornerback, padding their secondary with 1-year veterans who disappointed or got hurt (Sutton, Moseley, Garder-Johnson). Lassiter is a very talented cornerback who has put himself in the 20-32 conversation after some great tape in 2023. He is not very productive in terms of interceptions, but his instincts have clearly improved and is very disruptive. He’s a tough, gritty corner who fits the Lions’ “kneecap biting” M.O.

Alabama

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 33

The Ravens’ have a few needs considering how good they were in 2023. They clearly hit on Zay Flowers, but the rest of their receiving corps is middling. Rashod Bateman has disappointed, and OBJ/Agholor are not long-term solutions at this point in their careers if re-signed. They also have long-term issues at LT, as Ronnie Stanley is a shadow of his former self, and Morgan Moses is not a long-term solution at RT. However, their EDGE group has also disappointed greatly outside of 1-year contract hitman Jadaveon Clowney, who even if re-signed is highly unreliable. The Ravens keep topping up their pass rushing corps with veterans to make up for Oweh and Ojabo’s short-comings, the latter of whom is perennially injured. Chris Braswell was overshadowed by potential top-12 pick Dallas Turner, but arguably has even more athletic upside. Braswell notched 8 sacks in 2023 and could be a great fit as a strong, athletic 3-4 outside linebacker for Baltimore. He feels like the type of player whose stock could explode at the combine.

Duke

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 25

I am pretty certain the 49ers are going to lose the Super Bowl, so I will cut to the chase now and slot them here. The 49ers have a great roster, but they have had serious issues stopping the run and interior pressure. RT is commonly mentioned as our biggest need, but Spencer Burford has been a liability this season; Jon Feliciano in the playoffs has been marginally better. Benching Burford for the playoff indicates the 49ers are looking to upgrade this spot in particular, and seem an ideal team to take a guard with OT flexibility. Graham Barton plays LT for the Blue Devils, but is more of a guard or even center at the next level, similar to ‘23 draft pick Peter Skoronski. Barton was up and down in 2023, but is a high floor starter with fringe 1st/2nd round ability. In a pinch, he could play all 5 positions on the offensive line.

Ohio State

Big Board Rank (as of 1 Feb, 2024): 31

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs for your inevitable 3rd Super Bowl LVIII victory under Veach-Reid-Mahomes. Signed, a depressed 49ers fan. The Chiefs’ offensive weaponry is often criticized outside of Travis Kelce, but the Chiefs haven’t drafted a Round 1 wide-out for over a decade and have focused defensively in their past 3 drafts. I expect that trend to continue in 2024, as they can get a high-caliber receiver even in R2 given this class is loaded at the position. Many may be surprised to see me have a 3rd DT over Jer’Zhan Newton (more on him later), but Michael Hall Jr. - as a player - has been underrated and is seen by teams as a potential 1st round pick. He was played out of position at Ohio State, but has serious interior pass rushing potential - this was evident at the Senior Bowl. He is also a solid run defender. Even if Chris Jones is re-signed, an upgrade at DT alongside him has been needed for some time. The caveat to Hall’s draft stock is his character, which has been called into question by teams. The Chiefs feel like a team who have successfully gambled on players with character question marks in the past.