We are almost here … FINALLY! Next Thursday, the NFL will invade Detroit for its annual draft. Over three days from April 25-27, the fate of 32 NFL teams will be changed forever. Seven rounds and over 200 players will be chosen, and their lives will also never be the same, whether they are the first overall pick on Day One or Mr. Irrelevant as the last pick at the end of the draft on Day Three.
When the NFL draft began in 1936, it wasn’t anywhere near the spectacle that it is today. This is Mel Kiper’s 40th year with ESPN, prognosticating and ranking teams’ selections. But even in 1984, it was far from what it is now. Now, everyone does mock drafts … it has become a cottage industry.
The reality is, nobody knows anything. So why do we all pay attention to them? Because they are fun. It is fun to speculate. We all believe we could be an NFL GM and “be in the room,” making the selections. I’ve already thrown my hat in the ring, but it’s time for an update. Here is the second installment of my first-round mock draft:
NFL Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): QB Caleb Williams, USC
The Bears shouldn’t make this pick, in my opinion. I don’t like Williams’ makeup and see bust written all over him. But that’s sometimes the problem with having the No. 1 pick: You’re almost bullied into taking the consensus top pick. If they want to go for a QB, they should take Jayden Daniels, but they won’t.
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Last year I predicted Bryce Young would be a bust. I believe he is too small and slight for the position. And although one year doesn’t paint the complete picture, my prediction that C.J. Stroud was the best option out of that QB class is looking very strong. I’m prepared to go out on a limb and say Jayden Daniels will be the top of this year’s QB class.
Want more expert NFL Draft and Fantasy Football content? Subscribe to DrRoto.com!
3. Los Angeles Chargers (via New England): WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio St.
The Chargers do not need a QB, and desperately need receivers for Justin Herbert to throw the ball to. They are going to make a big move and trade up to give him the top WR in this class, taking Harrison Jr.
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
The Cardinals need help for QB Kyler Murray. They could go O-line here to protect him, but they have the No. 27 and No. 35 picks and will address the other issues later. Instead, they settle for Nabers with MHJ off the board.
5. New York Giants (via New England): QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
This is a QB league, and the Giants thought they had one in Daniel Jones, but a mediocre season before an injury last year has put question marks within the front office. They may not totally need a QB here, but the opportunity to potentially get a franchise QB here at No. 5 is worth the risk. Having Jones will allow them to have Maye waiting in the wings. Moving up one spot cost them the No. 39 pick.
6. Minnesota Vikings (via New England): QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan:
This is a QB league, and the trend of searching and stretching for a QB continues. It is the single most important position in all of the sports, and teams are desperate to find the “next guy.” When teams can hit on a QB with a rookie contract, it’s an even bigger benefit. The Vikings went about as far as they could with Kirk Cousins, so saving tens of millions of dollars is a no-brainer here. And although I think this is way too high to start taking these second-tier QBs, McCarthy is the Vikings’ choice, and they are willing to trade up to get him.
7. Tennessee Titans: T Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Left tackles with this much size and athleticism are a hard commodity to find. Protecting your young quarterback’s blind side is paramount, and the Titans have found a good one to protect in Will Levis.
8. Atlanta Falcons: LB Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Falcons have a talented team with loads of potential. They have all the pieces on offense and just need a QB … or they did, until they signed Kirk Cousins. Now, they can opt to bolster their defense by snagging edge-rushing LB Dallas Turner.
9. Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Last season, the draft belonged to the Detroit Lions, who snagged multiple skill players. This year, the Bears pick up the baton and run with it. In nine picks, they will grab a quarterback/wide receiver tandem which could cause chaos for opposing secondaries for the next decade. Odunze is the third WR off the board, but he very well could be the best of the bunch when the smoke settles in a few years.
10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bowers is a steal here at No. 10 for the Jets and Aaron Rodgers. With a healthy Rodgers getting him the ball, he stands to have a monster season similar to last year’s rookie phenom Sam LaPorta. I hate proclaiming players as “the next guy,” but Bowers could very well be the next Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce.
11. New England Patriots (via Minnesota): QB Michael Penix, Washington
As I’ve said, this is a QB league, and having a guy at the quarterback position is paramount. Four years ago the Patriots took the fifth QB off the board in the first round, with Mac Jones. This time, they trade down twice, stockpile extra picks, and take the fifth QB off the board. They would have preferred him in the second round or even at the 23rd pick, but they are willing to use this pick to ensure they get Penix.
12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
The Broncos have taken a massive salary cap hit by releasing Russell Wilson and are in need of a young, affordable QB. Nix will fit right into Sean Payton’s offense, with the goal of developing into the next Drew Brees. Both Penix and Nix are probably off the board a bit early here at 11 and 12, but teams are compelled to go this route with their lottery tickets.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: G/T JC Latham, Alabama
The Raiders need to be more durable on the offensive line, and Latham fits the bill perfectly. Last season was an epic fail with Jimmy Garoppolo at QB, which ultimately cost HC Josh McDaniels his job. At No. 13, the Raiders are out of the sweepstakes for one of the top-tier QBs, so they decide to bolster the O-line instead
14. New Orleans Saints: DE Laiau Latu, UCLA
Big, strong, and athletic are three words often used to describe Latu. The Saints’ defense is average, and they need to bolster their edge defense.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
The Colts find themselves in a division with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville and CJ Stroud in Houston. They need help in the secondary, and Arnold is the perfect CB to snag to be that lockdown corner.
16. Seattle Seahawks: DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Seattle has been known for their stout defense since the days of the Legion of Boom. Grabbing Jenkins here will give them that next generational defensive weapon. Jenkins will help in both the run and pass defense.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Byron Murphy, Texas
In some mocks, Murphy has been in the top 10. But teams often rely on old truisms and prejudices, which will affect Murphy, as he has everything except for size. At 6’1″ and 305 lbs, Murphy is passed over by a few teams and taken here at No. 17.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: T Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Penn State has always been known for its line play on both sides of the ball. The Bengals still need help on their O-line, and Fashanu will fit in perfectly. They desperately need to protect Joe Burrow.
19. Los Angeles Rams: CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
The Rams were already struggling to defend opposing WRs before the departure of Jalen Ramsey. Lassiter will help greatly.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (via Pittsburgh): C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Eagles move up two spots to snag Jason Kelce’s replacement, Powers-Johnson from Oregon. The converted defensive lineman did well to protect QB Bo Nix this past season.
21. Miami Dolphins: G/T Jordan Morgan, Arizona
The Dolphins’ offense relies so much on timing, and that starts with protection for QB Tua Tagovailoa. They have so many weapons in their skill positions that taking an O-lineman here makes all the sense in the world.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Philadelphia): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
The Steelers pick here after moving down two spots from No. 20. The Steelers have a way of snagging effective and productive WRs, and they now need to replace Diontae Johnson. They use this pick to grab speedy and huge Legette, who resembles a young DK Metcalf on the field.
23. New England Patriots (via Minnesota, originally Cleveland’s): G/T Troy Fautanu, Washington
In my universe, this pick is part of the package Minnesota traded to move up to No. 6. Fautanu protected Penix at Washington, and he’s going to continue to protect him in New England.
24. Dallas Cowboys: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Owner Jerry Jones is at it again, taking an offensive weapon to help Dak Prescott. At 6’4″, with his athleticism, Thomas could become a special receiver for the Cowboys. With defenses paying so much attention to CeeDee Lamb, he could be productive as soon as he steps on a field.
25. Green Bay Packers: S/CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Packers need to bolster their secondary, having to play the high-flying Lions twice a year. DeSean will pair nicely with Jaire Alexander.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Michael Hall, Ohio State
The Buccaneers have locked up Baker Mayfield and re-signed WR Mike Evans. They look to their defense with this pick and take D-lineman Hall. He has a nonstop engine and is incredibly fast to the ball.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): T Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
In this deep draft for O-linemen, the Cardinals get their man, Guyton. They have their choice between Guyton, Amarius Mims from Georgia, and Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State, but they will choose the lineman with the most experience and upside.
28. Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
As talented and dynamic as Josh Allen is, and as impressive as their offense often looks, they need more help. Worthy is that help. He’s tall and fast and has a great ability to separate.
29. Detroit Lions: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
The Lions and the Packers are thinking along the same lines. The Packers take a defensive back to hold off Detroit’s air attack, and the Lions take Wiggans here to defend against Jordan Love and his air attack. With so much focus on their offense last season, taking Wiggins to support the secondary makes a ton of sense.
30. Baltimore Ravens: T Taliese Fuaga, Oregon St.
As electric as QB Lamar Jackson is, he hasn’t been able to get over the hump in the playoffs. Their defense is and has been staunch for the better part of two decades, so the Ravens will look to further bolster their O-line to keep Jackson upright and safe. This is their blueprint with Jackson, for better or worse.
31. San Fransisco 49ers: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
If the 49ers had a better secondary, they might have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last season. Between that and taking the best player available, McKinstry is the obvious choice here on both counts. He has the instincts and mechanics to resemble Richard Sherman.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Keon Coleman, Florida St
Andy Reid does it again. The Chiefs have a knack for getting speedy and skilled offensive weapons at the end of the first round. Coleman is a beast and will be yet another productive WR for the Chiefs. He is a monster at 6’4″ who is a fantastic route runner and has great hands.
