Clemson

Jacksonville could take Adonai Mitchell at this spot but I think the bigger need is at corner especially with the money tied to Davis and Kirk.

Ronald Darby can not be relied on to be the 2nd CB across from Tyson Campbell. Nate Wiggins is a solid corner at 6'1 with elite speed and an upgrade to the Jags roster. He is the last of the top 3 CBs and the drop off to the 2nd tier is pretty significant as opposed to the WR class.

Oregon State

*Disclaimer: I am a lifelong Bengals fan.

The Bengals have to get their OL right. They have dedicated resources to assist it but still have work to do. The Trent Brown signing is a 1 year rental. There must be someone developing behind him but that can also play now.

The Bengals Super Bowl window is closing quick (have to resign Chase, Hendrickson (demanded a trade; WTF?), Tee is a question mark but is willing to play on the Franchise tag, Volson is iffy, and Cappa/Karras have their deals expiring soon) and they need impact players now. I would love Bowers to fall (unlikely) or they trade up (even more unlikely) but addressing the OL has to be the priority.

While I hate drafting 1st round guys and not playing them (Miles Murphy), however, taking Fuaga here eliminates that option as he can compete with Volson for the LG spot immediately while still being versatile enough to kick out to tackle, if the injury bug hits the OL again in 2024. Fuaga is a nasty blocker that has great feet, he just needs to polish his technique a bit but the power is there. He fills an immediate need for Cincy, while still developing into a tackle if Trent Brown doesn't work out.

I have also seen Newton mocked here. The Bengals have a 3 tech in BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins, they really need a 1 tech for their 4 man line. Don't be surprised if they look to Kris Jenkins in round 2.

Texas

The Rams have a first round pick? Never thought I'd see the day.

I think the Rams covet Murphy but didn't think he'd drop to 19 (and he won't unless Seattle trades out). However, if the board shakes out this way, he is too good to pass up and fills the immediate need at DT vacated by HOF-er Aaron Donald.


The Rams would then look to EDGE in the 2nd round, where there are still decent options (Braswell, Kamara, and Kneeland).

Duke

The Steelers cut Mason Cole and do not have a serviceable center for Wilson/Fields.

Barton started at Center his freshman year and was Duke's LT last season. That versatility is appealing to many teams but his best position in the NFL is center. I have Powers-Johnson ranked ahead of him but think Barton creates more flexibility for Pittsburgh as they continue to retool their offense. WR depth is great in this draft and they can take one in round 2. The only one I see them taking at 20 is Thomas Jr. but he is gone.

Florida State

The Dolphins want one of the 3 edge guys and one is still available in this mock.

Verse is the last of the 3 top edge rushers. He ran 4.58 which was good to see as he can fit in a 4-3 and a 3-4 scheme at 6'4'' 260 lbs. He has powerful hands and the Dolphins would be happy with the versatility of off ball rush and attached rush from the same player, as Verse is the best of the group against the run.

The Dolphins would then look to fill the Guard vacancy left by Robert Hunt (who could blame him taking all the cash to go to Carolina) in Round 2 or 3.

Washington

******TRADE******

The Seahawks acquired this pick from their trade with the Eagles (See #16 for compensation).

The Seahawks could take Murphy at 16 but they have more needs and historically are a team that loves to move down. The need for a 2nd round pick is greater than the need on the DL. There are rumors of them being interested in CB but they have two solid ones currently and taking one will eventually mean letting another walk down the line.

The Seahawks signed Laken Tomlinson but still have a huge hole at the other guard spot. Troy Fautanu played RT for new OC Ryan Grubbs at Washington last year and has the ability to play Guard and Tackle (which I think will appeal to Seattle). Seattle then can look to other needs (EDGE, CB) in their new round 2 or round 4 pick.

Alabama

The Vikings came to their senses, and kept their jobs, while waiting for McCarthy to fall. They now can take the best edge or CB prospect at 23. I lean toward CB (Akayleb Evans doesn't seem to be the answer).

Kool-Aid immediately comes in at the #2 CB and offers help with ST as a returner with the new rules.

Oregon

The Cowboys offseason is hell. They lost a ton and did nothing to replace it. Dak Prescott is in the middle of a contract negotiation (that I wouldn't want to give him) and Lamb could hold out.

That all said the Cowboys have a gaping hole at Center and could grab the #1 Center in the draft at 24 to help Dak and their 2nd/3rd round RB, as they navigate 2024, which could be a disaster year the way it is shaping up.

Iowa

The Packers have been looking at DBs a lot this offseason which means someone is making them uncomfortable in the secondary. My guess is moving Eric Stokes to nickel (have to decide his 5th year option) and trying to grab a #2 or looking at a nickel CB.

Cooper DeJean is a CB but is an athletic freak that can play S or CB. I think of him as a more impressive Dax Hill. That versatility could be what the Packers are looking for.

Penn State

The Bucs are in an interesting position. They could go Tackle (and I think they should) but they have been doing a lot of research on edge rushers. Joe Tryon has been inconsistent and Diaby is middle of the road. I think they want to have a 3 man rotation to continue to build their pass rush.

Chop Robinson was a name I saw frequently connected to Tampa and he would be a good fit in their scheme. I think Tampa values the edge rush over the remaining tackles on the board and Robinson's stock has been soaring as of late and could go as high as #19 to the Rams.

Washington

********TRADE**************
The Cardinals trade #27 to the Raiders for #44, #148, and a 25' 2nd and 4th.

The Cardinals have too many needs to fill between CB, C, Edge, and a 2nd WR and moving down for an extra 2nd and additional picks in 2025 makes the most sense. The can use their 2-2nd round picks and 3-3rd rounders to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

I do believe the Raiders covet Penix but taking him at 13 is too rich. They are more likely to trade back into round 1 to secure a 5th year option. Penix is a polarizing prospect. He has a cannon for an arm but struggles with accuracy. He had 3 NFL WRs last year playing with him at Washington that could limit the damage but inaccurate QBs have a high bust rate in the NFL, which I fear Penix leans more toward. I have him at QB 6 in this draft with a 2nd round grade. The Raiders aren't giving up a ton to move to 27, so he is worth the risk in this scenario.

Oregon

*****TRADE********
The Broncos acquired the pick from the Bills by moving down (see #12 for compensation).

The Broncos moved down for a much needed 2nd round pick and a future 1 to select their preferred QB, Bo Nix.

Sean Payton wants a QB but to get to the top 4 would cost too much for a team that needs players and talent. Payton's offense is predicated on timing and precision, something Bo Nix flourishes at. While he doesn't have the biggest arm, he is accurate and can make the throws Payton asks him to make. You can design and offense around an accurate QB but it is hard to teach accuracy. Bo Nix can do the things Brees use to do under Payton and is a smart football player to run Payton's scheme. He can compete with Stidham and Wilson for the starting job immediately and the Broncos gain picks instead of taking him at #12 but still keep the 5th year option tag, if they hit.

Missouri

The Lions take the BPA and in my eyes, that is Adonai Mitchell or Xavier Worthy. However, WR isn't the biggest need for them. They already have Jameson Williams, who is the same type of player as Worthy and they don't seem too keen on Mitchell for some reason (could be having to pay 3 WR's in 2-3 years could present roster issues).

Robinson is a hybrid DE/DT that provides depth to an already solid defensive line. I have a round 2 grade on him but the Lions have been all over him in this draft process and seem to like him a lot. I think they stray from their BPA strategy for a guy them seem to covet and epitomizes what Dan Campbell wants them to be.

Georgia

The Ravens need offensive line help and are starting to experience the cap casualties of a big QB contract. Keeping Lamar Jackson healthy has to be priority number 1, especially since their defense is still pretty stout.

Mims is a mammoth human being and exceptional athlete. He only started 8 games at Georgia but was dominate in those games. The Ravens historically do a great job taking falling prospects and that is no different than 2024, as Mims could have been a Top 20 selection and no one would bat an eye. Mims immediately upgrades the RT spot and could allow Josh Jones to compete at Guard with Ben Cleveland or Andrew Vorhees (who missed last year with an injury).

Arizona

Colton McKivitz was resigned but the 49ers need help at G or RT. Morgan has the flexibility to play both if needed. The 49ers are predicated on winning the line of scrimmage. Morgan gives the 49ers a starter that can help them continue to strengthen a team still in their Super Bowl window.

BYU

The Chiefs have a need at WR in wake of Rice's legal issues and signing Hollywood Brown (who is inconsistent). I've had Adonai Mitchell here since the beginning of the draft process but am finally making the switch.

The Chiefs need a LT and to upgrade Morris. Kingsley Suamataia began this process as a 1st round pick but ended up with a second round grade due to inconsistency last year. BYU Alum Andy Reid may have a soft spot for him but he fills a need at LT and will be off the board in Round 2.

The Chiefs WR isn't as bare as most think. Rice will be back eventually, they added Hollywood Brown, and still have Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, and Kadarius Toney (who must have naked pictures of the owners or Andy Reid). If WR is really that big of a need, they can address it in late round 2 or sacrifice future picks to move up in round 2 for Worthy or Mitchell.