Mel Kiper's Worst Nightmare 1.0

published on 4/1/2024


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Round 1

Picks 1-16
1. Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Bears try again with a new franchise quarterback. Williams has all the tools to be just that.


2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

I personally feel that Daniels will have the best career of all quarterbacks in this draft, IF he can stay healthy and have a quality coaching staff. He’s electric and his passes seem effortless but accurate. Probably should add a few pounds to his frame but will cause defenses headaches!


3. Patriots: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

I know some may feel like this is a reach, but McCarthy is the most “pro-ready” qb in my opinion and should progress rather quickly. He has all the tools and intangibles you like to see and against top college competition.


4. Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Arizona just gets a gift dropped to them. A blue-chip, generational talent that can change their franchise. MH2 is the surest prospect in this draft playing the position Arizona needs help the most.


5. Vikings: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

TRADE: Vikings both Rd1 picks to Chargers)

IF Maye drops this far, some team is going to leapfrog up. The Vikings have 2 round 1 picks and use them to draft Maye. He’s not a sure-fire franchise QB in my honest opinion, but has a very high ceiling with the right coaching staff.


6. Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Nabers is an athletic freak! He may end up having the best career of any WR in this draft. He has good hands with amazing acceleration once he has the ball. He is a game-changer with the ball in his hands.


7. Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Alt has everything you want from an OT. He is a behemoth of a man and comes with a great pedigree from an elite college football program. He will plug in as the franchise OT on day 1 on the job.


11. Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Trading back in this scenario, the Chargers are ecstatic to see Bowers on the board and land a unique talent that can literally play any offensive skill position outside of QB. He should be a huge help in Herberts development.


10. Jets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Much like Alt, Fashanu is a freakishly large human from a high-pedigree college. He is a franchise OT that would go top-5 in most drafts.


8. Falcons: Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama

Turner is the best defensive player in this draft in my opinion. He’s just a tier above everyone else and will help complete a young, talented defense.


9. Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Bears are loving life in this scenario. They get their franchise QB and a WR1 all in the first day of the draft. Odunze is a complete WR with very polished route running that will bode well in transitioning to the NFL.


23. Chargers: Troy Fautanu, G/OT, Washington

(From Vikings)


12. Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Trade: Broncos & Colts
Mitchell is a very talented CB and the best in this draft in my opinion. He has great instincts and the ability to adjust and capitalize on any mistakes by opposing offenses. He should be as close to a true lockdown CB this draft has to offer.


15. Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Nix is a bit of a reach here, but not by much in my opinion. The need is there for Denver and Nix has all the potential to be a solid NFL quarterback.


13. Raiders: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Mims may be a bit of a project, but the talent is all there! I also think he is BPA in this scenario at a position of need for LV.


16. Seahawks: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State


Picks 1-16