USC

Anyone who thought the Bears might stick with Fields, well, that dream is dead, and Williams has moved to -3000 to be the #1 pick. I suppose there remains a sliver of hope for Washington fans that they may be able to trade up into this spot, but it's almost certainly not going to happen.

LSU

I've still heard nothing to make me change my opinion that the Commanders will pick Daniels. In fact, Daniels has moved ahead of Maye as the favorite to be the #2 overall pick in betting markets, at about -170 or thereabouts.

North Carolina

Minnesota's move to get #23 overall from Houston, arming it with #11 and #23, screams "we're trading into the top 4 to nab one of the top 4 QB's." Could it be Washington at 2? I find that highly unlikely. In this spot at 3 makes a lot more sense to me. However, I still feel like the signing of Brissett tips their hand that they want to draft a rookie QB in this spot. So I'll stick with Maye, for now.

Michigan

TRADE! Arizona trades #4 and a 2025 4th rounder to Minnesota for #11 and #23, and a 2025 5th rounder.

As I wrote above, it really does make sense that Minnesota could have a wink-wink deal with a team in the Top-4. Harrison Jr. has been the chalk for me in this spot, but perhaps they could be willing to pass on the top 3 WR's in this draft, move down to #11, and get two 1st's instead. This would give them THREE 1st's in this year's draft: #11, #23, and #27. For a team with holes everywhere, perhaps they think this is a better way than simply taking Harrison in this spot.

Ohio State

TRADE! The Chargers trade #5 to Arizona for #11 and #35.

I saw an idea by someone I follow on Twitter in the mock draft community (I can't remember from whom) that I'm going to borrow here. Essentially, the Cardinals, Vikings, and Chargers could enter into a 3-way trade, in the grand scheme of things. Minnesota, as we've already seen, moved up to #4 for McCarthy. Arizona ending up with #5 still gets them Harrison Jr., and still gets them #23 overall from Minnesota, which will give them picks at #5, #23, and #27. They give up their 2nd Round pick at #35, but they are moving up 12 spots from #35 to #23. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been rumored to be open for business at #5. Yes, they'd be passing on Harrison Jr. and likely Nabers/Odunze as well if they move down to #11, but they pick up a valuable pick at #35 and this means that they have turned #5 into #11 and #35, which is clearly coming out ahead on the trade value chart, and they will pick again at #37 so you're talking about 3 picks in the top 37 for the Harbaugh/Hortiz re-tooling.

Perhaps this gives all 3 teams what they want.

LSU

With McCarthy gone and with the Giants presumably unable to trade up for him, this leaves them with one of the top WR choices, or a trade down. I'll slot them Nabers in this scenario.

Notre Dame

After the investment into center Lloyd Cushenberry at the outset of free agency, Alt's addition could give Tennessee a shot at turning a putrid OL into a possible strength. Or, at least, a unit that has a fighting chance. If the Titans come away with Calvin Ridley in free agency, Tee Higgins via trade, or another possible #1 WR, then I would feel even more confident in this choice...is what I wrote as free agency opened.

And BANG, the Titans have come away with Ridley. As such, a WR is almost certainly off the table here, and Alt would be a slam-dunk choice, although I suppose some might consider Bowers.

Alabama

Now that the club gave $26MM guaranteed to Darnell Mooney, I think we can rule out a WR addition here, even if Odunze is still on the board. Turner as the first pass rusher makes all sorts of sense.

Washington

Nick Guarisco pointed out that the Bears are done rebuilding, don't have a lot of roster holes, and are looking for blue-chip players. As such, with Odunze here, why pass on him? This would give Caleb Williams an impressive bevy of weapons to work with, and it's not like the club would even need Odunze to be a stud right away. Plus, Keenan Allen is 32 and in the last year of his deal, so this wouldn't force the Bears to overpay for him if Odunze shows out as a rookie.

Georgia

The Jets just signed Tyron Smith to play LT, on the heels of trading for RT Morgan Moses. Their OL appears to be set, though, of course, the bookend tackles here are both well over 30 and have struggled with their health. So you could still certainly argue for any of the OT's here. However, for a team that's so clearly all-in and needs to maximize every single year that Rodgers plays, I'm not sure that an insurance policy pick is something that they will entertain. Instead, I could see the Jets adding Bowers here, and Wilson/Bowers/Mike Williams gives Rodgers a lot more to work with.

Oregon State

TRADE! (See #5 for details.)

The Chargers were willing to pass on the top WR's, but Fuaga would be a tone-setter for the new offense that Harbaugh wants to run. And now the club will have picks at #35 and #37, so perhaps a WR could be taken with one of those picks.

Toledo

TRADE! Denver trades #12 to Green Bay for #25 and #41.

Denver has missed out on the top 4 QB's, and this feels way too early for Penix or Nix. If they stick and pick here, the first CB off the board could make some sense. However, Denver is without a 2nd Round pick, and if they were to trade down into the 20's, they could have their eye on a certain plan of attack. So that's what I have them doing here.

Meanwhile, Green Bay is armed with not just #25 overall, but two 2nd's and two 3rd's in this draft. They are primed to make a move up the board, and Denver fits the bill here. With the pick, I think it would make sense for the club to be interested in either the first CB, or some OL help. Since this draft is so deep in OL, the Packers could still look to address that need on Day 2, and I'm going to opt for Mitchell since the Packers have often taken 1st Round corners. And Mitchell fits this club's profile more than Terrion Arnold, though the latter has a strong RAS profile as well, even if his 40 time isn't close to Mitchell's.

Another point I'd make is that the vibes feel off on Jaire Alexander, and slot corner Keisean Nixon could be improved on, anyway.

Alabama

I think we can safely rule out Byron Murphy II here after the signing of Christian Wilkins. The Raiders are another team in need of a long-term QB solution, though they did sign Gardner Minshew to likely be the starter this season. Perhaps they could look at one of Penix or Nix at #44, or maybe even consider a trade up for one of those guys. As for this pick, while OL could certainly be a consideration, this draft is deeper in that position than it is at CB, and Antonio Pierce has talked openly of the need for a #1 corner. Pierce was personally in conversation with Arnold at his Pro Day, and his competitiveness, I believe, is something that a coach like Pierce would appreciate.

Penn State

The Saints OL last year was poor, and the LT situation must improve, and another guard starter is needed. I'm going back to Fashanu as more of a prototypical LT prospect, even though I'm not convinced he will end up going ahead of some of the other remaining OL options.

Texas

L'Jarius Sneed was traded to the division-rival Titans, but I still think Murphy could make sense for this team because DeForest Buckner is now over 30 and is going into the final year of his deal. If Mitchell or Arnold were available, I'd like them for this pick, but both are gone in this scenario.

Washington

John Schneider spoke of needing to get the OL in gear, specifically at the iOL spots, and we have the obvious Washington Huskies connection here with new OC Grubb. Heck, Fautanu may even prove to be a better RT than Abraham Lucas in time, but I'm guessing that he would be counted on to fill one of those vacant guard spots.