Rock Hard Mock

published on 3/28/2024


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Round 1

Picks 17-32
17. Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Jags could go a number of different ways, but I'm electing to give them secondary help here. Nate Wiggins normally would have had the fastest 40 at the combine, but that darn wideout from Texas.... Nate Wiggins is a great prospect and although not on the same level as a prime Jalen Ramsey will bring some of the skills the Jags missed when he left.


18. Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, G/OT, Oregon State

Will he play guard or tackle? Either way, Fuaga is a great addition and protecting Joe Burrow needs to be high on the list. It's great to have a franchise QB- if he plays. Cincinnati has all the weapons in place, they just need to keep Burrow on his feet. Especially in losing a weapon in Joe Mixon.


19. Rams: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Rams are another team that can go in many different directions. With Aaron Donald retiring, why not go with a wrecking ball to add to their DL? Byron Murphy II is a player that some people have ranked really high, others don't believe he's a first rounder. Personally I like him, and the Rams will need a lot out of him early.


20. Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

As a Steelers fan, this comes down to 2 players for me- Powers-Johnson and Cooper DeJean. In this mock, DeJean is gone. I'm not mad though. Webster, Dawson, Pouncey..... the Steelers have a history of great players at the position and value Center higher than most, and Powers-Johnson could be elite. When I originally wrote this, the Steelers did not have a center on their roster. After days and days of free agency, the Steelers still have no center. They have two 2023 starting quarterbacks on their squad. No one to snap them the ball. Maybe Justin Fields will snap the ball to Russell Wilson like an inverted, azz-backward Wildcat.


21. Dolphins: Graham Barton, G/OT, Duke

The Dolphins are probably hoping that Powers-Johnson falls here and may actually make a move to go get him. You may be thinking I'm crazy and this is too high for Barton, but hear me out. The Dolphins need help at multiple positions on the O line and I've heard a coach say for the o-line you take your 5 best guys and put them in there. Barton has played all of them, and they can put him wherever they see him as a best fit for their team and move him around if injuries force it. Barton makes a lot of sense and this would be a great pick. Whatever gives Tua time to sit back and fire bombs to those speedy wide receivers makes sense. Plus Mike McDaniels is certified clinically insane (talent recognizes talent) and this looks like the kind of pick he would love.


23. Vikings: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA

Let's be honest. We all know that Minnesota will not be making this pick. They will move up in an attempt to get a QB. What this means is yet another mock draft of mine has been debacled (see what I did there?) and eventually I'll have to do version 3 unless it's a draft night trade.
Here's another player that shouldn't fall this far; but it happens every year and there are some pretty massive injury concerns with Latu. Leighton Vander Esch just had to retire due to injuries that were known when he was drafted and that probably hurts Latu's stock even more. However, this is a risk vs reward situation; whoever ends up with this pick is obviously willing to roll the dice and this could eventually be a steal. Could also be an epic failure, but... maybe not. The draft is one big crap shoot anyway.


22. Eagles: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

This would be a 100% lock if Arnold had played for Georgia (kidding- kinda) and I'm not sure he falls this far, but the Eagles should be ecstatic. Arnold tested fine at the combine, and although he does not have the sub 4.3 40 time, you watch his tape and he's quite simply a great ball player. Seems like the dude has strong character too and is a team first guy. The rich get richer....


24. Cowboys: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Thomas Jr. is a big, athletic receiver would make the Cowboys' wr group intimidating. Who do you double team between Lamb and Thomas Jr.? The Cowboys have been known to draft their own way though so I would not be surprised if a less known O lineman was picked here and ended up being great for years. However the Cowboys would be thrilled if Thomas fell this far.


25. Packers: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

Powerful, athletic and nasty, J.C. Latham brings a skill set the Packers offense- especially Jordan Love- will, well.... love. I could see Latham being a Pro Bowler at the next level and I think the Packers could surprise some people next year.


26. Buccaneers: Troy Fautanu, G/OT, Washington

Dear Baker Mayfield- you're welcome. If you hold any stock in what Mel "Count Chocula" Kiper says Fautanu could be the best O Lineman in this class. Time will tell- but he is pretty darn good. He's definitely versatile and can be moved around as needed..


27. Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Unlike his undrafted brother Tang McKinstry....... (Kidding). At one time McKinstry was considered the top corner in this class. However with other DBs stepping up and making a name for themselves while McKinstry was sidelined at the combine he slides a little here. The Cardinals get "another man's treasure" as a result.


28. Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Speed kills- but also really helps your draft stock. With Gabe Davis moving on, and Diggs always seeming to have a question mark by his name in Buffalo adding a wide receiver at some point is a no-brainer. Adding an extremely fast wide receiver to a QB that has crazy arm strength makes this an even easier call. Is this the next Desean Jackson?


29. Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Kamari Lassiter is another player that seems to grade all over the place depending on who you talk to. But the Lions seem like just the place for that sort- Dan Campbell gets the most out of his guys. This is definitely a reach because Lassiter's draft stock took a hit after his workouts, however after cutting Cam Sutton CB has become more of an urgent need. A gritty slot corner like Mike Sainristil could be a surprise pick here as well and fits what the Lions look for in their players.


30. Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Adonai Mitchell would compliment Zay Flowers very well and give Lamar Jackson yet another weapon. He's a bigger receiver at 6'2, 205 but still has wheels. Jackson, Flowers, Mitchell, Andrews, Derrick Henry.... Yikes. This could also be a spot for Guyton if the Ravens go another direction.


31. 49ers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Tenacious and powerful, Guyton is a little raw but has the physical traits to dominate at RT. A solid locker room and coaching staff like San Fran has should be able to do wonders for his game, and in turn he should be able to protect Brock Purdy for years.


32. Chiefs: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

It's tempting to give the Chiefs Ladd McConkey here, but they seem to draft a small speedy wideout every year. So instead I'm going with a bigger target. Keon Coleman didn't test well, but he is a monster at 6'4, 215 and the Chiefs have plenty of speed. What they have lacked in recent years is a wideout with great hands that can win contested catches. The Chiefs have struggled with drops for years now and Travis Kelce can't do it forever and honestly could use some help. Reliability is key here and Coleman has elite hands.


Picks 17-32