As the 2024 NFL Draft inches nearer, silly season is upon us.
Case in point; new Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s team holds the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. He doesn’t need a quarterback with Justin Herbert under contract. If there’s a world where the top four selections are all passers, it’s the world he wants to live in. But there are only three blue chip QBs in this year’s prospect pool.
Fortunately, Harbaugh has a wild card. His former, national title-winning quarterback at the University of Michigan J.J. McCarthy. If he talks McCarthy up enough and sends enough rumbles and rumors through back channels, maybe someone will make him a top four pick. We know he’s doing the former and we heard, unexpectedly-but-kinda-expectedly that the Washington Commanders may have interest in McCarthy with the second overall pick.
Thus, take everything you hear with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to the unexpected rise of quarterbacks this spring. We’ve see it before with guys like Mac Jones (15th overall pick), Will Levis (second round) and Malik Willis (third) in recent years. McCarthy may float to a pick that more closely reflects his college accomplishments rather than his pro potential, but there’s a reasonable chance the whispers we’re hearing are all nonsense.
On to the latest series of mock draft picks. Yes, I have McCarthy in the top five anyway.
1
Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): QB Caleb Williams, USC
Team needs: QB, LB, EDGE, OL, WR
Anyone other than Williams at No. 1 would be a massive surprise. The former Heisman Trophy winner’s stock has only risen even after he opted out of pre-draft testing. It’s not difficult to see why.
Williams is a dynamic playmaker, and while much has been made of his patience and ability to see plays through as designed, that’s a trait he can learn on the fly. The simple fact is game-changers like him only come along every so often. He can make jaw-dropping throws look routine. Now he just has to lock down the routine side of things.
2
Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Team needs: OT, QB, EDGE, CB
The rumblings coming out of the annual owners meeting suggest JJ McCarthy is Washington’s infatuation. But something similar happened with the San Francisco 49ers and Mac Jones three years ago, only for the Niners to select the more heralded Trey Lance instead. Neither guy worked out, but the premise remains the same; a franchise floats some ideas, gauges feedback, then rolls with the pick that makes more sense.
That leads us to Daniels, who is neck and neck with Drake Maye as this year’s QB2. Daniels did more in college and is a more electric playmaker, but he was surrounded by better talent. Maye has some real Josh Allen potential, but also failed to capitalize on the 2022 season that shot him up draft boards. In this case, Washington gets a high-impact player who can be the franchise’s best quarterback since … hoo boy, Mark Rypien? Joe Theismann???
3
Minnesota Vikings (via projected trade with the New England Patriots)*: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Vikings send: 11th and 23rd overall picks, 2025 first round pick
Patriots send: Third overall pick
Team needs: QB, DL, S, CB, OG
The Vikings didn’t come all this way just to come all this way. Two first round picks would give them a shot at JJ McCarthy. But adding a 2025 first could get them Daniels or, in this case, Maye. It’s a steep price to pay, but the Patriots are in the market for a quarterback and it’ll take them a roster-replenishing overpay to make it happen.
Maye’s availability here gives Minnesota a passer willing to take deep shots downfield and a roster of receivers who can provide a soft landing spot on Sundays. He’s also an efficient scrambler who can create first downs on the ground or extend plays after breaking from the pocket. Whether or not he’s worth three first round picks, however, is the million dollar question.
4
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Team needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, DL, IOL
All this quarterback chaos works out well for Arizona, who can execute a modest trade back and land a solid wideout or stand pat at No. 4 and take 2024’s top receiver. That’s Harrison Jr., a monster in every phase of the game.
The son of a Hall of Famer is a clean route runner, dynamic when it comes to creating separation and has the hands and body control to turn no-chance shots down the sideline into big gains. He’s exactly the kind of rising tide that can make Kyler Murray worthy of the massive contract extension he signed before 2022. And after Murray played the last six games of 2023 like a top 10 quarterback, that could be a very big deal for the Cardinals.
5
Denver Broncos (via projected trade with the Los Angeles Chargers)** : QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Broncos send: 12th pick, 2024 fifth round pick (147th), 2025 first round pick, 2025 fourth round pick
Chargers send: Fifth overall pick
Team needs: QB, CB, LB, EDGE, S, TE
Sean Payton says he’s fine with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, which makes sense because the Broncos are chewing through $85 million of Russell Wilson’s dead cap space and probably won’t be very competitive this fall. But tanking toward a weak quarterback class in 2025 may not be a worthwhile endeavor, and McCarthy’s stock has risen dramatically from last summer.
Sean Payton isn’t ruling out moving up for a QB 👀 https://t.co/s4fYmdNPVw pic.twitter.com/3eIozBzY0o
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 25, 2024
McCarthy doesn’t look like a prototypical franchise quarterback, but you can’t deny his results. He’s risen to the moment throughout his college career, emerging as a national champion as an uber-efficient, clutch and dependable starter. He’s a useful scrambler and tough as nails, which would give Payton a Russell Wilson-like presence he could develop in his own image rather than attempt to imprint on late in a quarterback’s career.
JJ McCarthy draft narrative season has arrived. He doesn’t fit into a perfect box, because:
1) Michigan often went out of its way not to unleash him as a passer, but
2) He made elite plays that "game managers" don’t make pic.twitter.com/3RtW9yWb0C— Split Zone Duo (@SplitZoneDuo) March 6, 2024
6
New York Giants: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Team needs: QB, WR, RB, CB, LB, S
There’s one year left on the Daniel Jones experience — the Giants can get out from under his $160 million contract extension while paying a reasonable dead cap penalty in 2025. But Brian Daboll proved he can not only get to the postseason with his baby giraffe quarterback but win once there despite the fact Jones has never had an above average receiving corps.
He’ll get an alpha dog here, whether than’s LSU’s Malik Nabers or Odunze. Nabers is great (and just torched his pro day), but Odunze’s ability to turn 50/50 deep balls into something like 75/25 in his favor makes him the perfect balm for a burned QB. This is a wideout who does everything well.
It is time. This week marks the start of the #ReceptionPerception profiles and data drops on the 2024 NFL Draft WR class!
You'll find the Big 3 on the site now:
– Marvin Harrison
– Malik Nabers
– Rome OdunzeMore profiles will drop every week leading up to the draft. Stay… pic.twitter.com/EfbiBEdek5
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 25, 2024
7
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Team needs: CB, S, EDGE, OL, QB
Landing Calvin Ridley didn’t entirely take the Titans out of the wideout running, but his arrival does allow Tennessee to look elsewhere when it comes to propping up Will Levis in his second season. Alt would be a massive help, both literally and figuratively.
The son of former Chiefs All-Pro John Alt, Joe is a polished sealant in the pocket who can get out and crush defenders in the run game. At 6-foot-9 and 321 pounds he’s got the length to keep edge rushers at arm’s length and the lateral quickness to keep up with speed rushes. Now he becomes the Titans’ latest effort to keep up with the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
PFF’s @TampaBayTre has the #Patriots taking Notre Dame LT Joe Alt (#76) with the 5th overall pick in his latest mock draft.
Alt is 6-foot-8, 322lbs and has allowed just one sack this season per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/CoXxOuydPi
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) November 6, 2023
8
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Team needs: EDGE, DT, CB, LB
Kirk Cousins’ arrival gives Atlanta the latitude to select 2024’s first defensive player. Unfortunately for the Falcons, there’s no slam dunk top choice here. Dallas Turner is picking up steam as a potential selection, but he may not be the kind of instant contributor this team needs to overtake the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for this year’s NFC South crown.
Latu could be. The high-impact edge rushers is a monster, a man with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 12 games last season. He explodes off the line and uses elite upper body speed and power to shuck blockers away and invade the pocket. He can step into the starting lineup immediately for Atlanta and address the team’s biggest need.
9
Chicago Bears: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Team needs: QB, LB, EDGE, OL, WR
The Titans’ acquisition of Calvin Ridley and the Vikings’ eagerness to trade up works out perfectly for the Bears, who now get the chance to add a top three wide receiver from this year’s stacked class. The question is whether they’d want to after acquiring Keenan Allen from the Chargers, but Allen turns 32 before the draft and it would make sense to have a replacement in mind — or just someone to give Chicago three uncoverable wide receivers to speed Caleb Williams’ development.
Nabers could be 2024’s top wideout. He’s the next link in LSU’s wideout chain of greatness and a player capable of living up to the standard guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and Justin Jefferson set before him. He can roast cornerbacks with any route in the playbook, but he also excels when it comes to going off script and finding space to boost a scrambling quarterback.
And now he gets to play with Caleb Williams? My word.
10
New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Team needs: WR, S, DT, QB
Just barely missing out on this year’s top three wideouts is a blow for a Jets team that has Garrett Wilson and little else at the position. But New York also has a need at tight end, where the best prospect since Kyle Pitts happens to be waiting.
Bowers can be an immediate weapon in the New York offense and the team’s first Pro Bowler at the position since Mickey Shuler in 1988 (eesh). He cannot be covered by a single linebacker and has to bring in cornerback or safety help on every route lest he ruin a defense. And his run after catch ability is impeccable, turning short passes into massive gains — just the kind of thing to make a 40-year-old quarterback coming off a torn Achilles look great.
11
New England Patriots (via projected trade with the Minnesota Vikings)*: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Team needs: QB, WR, OT, EDGE, CB
Welp, trading back took the Patriots out of range to draft either a quarterback or wide receiver — and since they’ve got plenty of draft capital, it’s reasonable to think they could move back into the top 10 in this scenario to address at least one of those needs.
On the other hand, New England has plenty of holes to fill and the chance to take a top two offensive tackle. The question here is whether that’s Fuaga or Penn State stud Olumuyiwa Fashanu. In this case it’s Fuaga, who brings some inside-out flexibility that pairs well with the re-signed Mike Onwenu up front. Fuaga is a tone-setter up front, a mean blocker who relishes in the opportunity to get out in space and flatten a linebacker. He’s a proper edge protector in the passing game as well, making him a perfect fit for whichever struggling quarterback is throwing passes for the Pats this fall.
In a loaded 2024 tackle class, Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State has been a massive riser. Terrific blend of power and athleticism at 6-6, 330. 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/rB8E5Fac46
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 6, 2023
12
New Orleans Saints (via projected traded with the Chargers, via projected trade with the Broncos)***: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Broncos send: 14th overall pick, 2024 fifth round pick (168th), 2025 fourth round pick
Chargers send: 12th overall pick
Team needs: OT, DT, TE, WR, EDGE, S
The Saints are stuck in salary cap hell and badly need an infusion of talent. That might mean trading back, but Fashanu’s slide out of the top 10 is too tempting for a team with a glaring need at left tackle to pass up.
Trevor Penning has been a disaster after being selected in the first round of the 2022 draft and has only six starts to his name. Fashanu is a ready made blindside protector who could keep Derek Carr safe as New Orleans navigates a competitive NFC South. He can contribute immediately after being named the Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year last fall but still has room to grow. More importantly, he’ll be a cost-controlled player at an expensive position who can thrive through the life of his rookie contract.
Matching up with
Olumuyiwa Fashanu looks like a bad time pic.twitter.com/CSjbQrHV09— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 24, 2023
13
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Team needs: OT, QB, CB, WR, EDGE
Las Vegas needs offensive help, but the first tier of quarterbacks and, quite possibly, offensive tackles has been taken off the board. Instead, head coach Antonio Pierce can boost his defense by aiming for a blind spot that’s haunted the Raiders at the NFL Draft.
Arnold would join a lineage of recent first or second round corners that includes Damon Arnette, Trayvon Mullen and Gareon Conley. So, no, it wouldn’t be a high bar to clear. The Alabama stud could soar beyond it thanks to his ability to press at the line of scrimmage, then smoothly turn and run with even the fastest deep threats. Las Vegas has typically rolled with defensive backs from blue chip programs in the past, which may give Arnold the edge over Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell here.
Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is such a competitive press-man corner. Always physical at the catch point.
Between his physical tools, technique, and aggressive style, it’s hard to imagine any CB going above him in the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/QYDvFJpDrf
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 8, 2024
14
Los Angeles Chargers (via projected trade with the Denver Broncos, via projected trade with New Orleans Saints)***: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Team needs: WR, CB, DL, IOL, LB, TE
The Chargers traded back twice and received a 2025 first round pick from a rebuilding team and a handful of mid-draft selections. They also got arguably 2024’s best cornerback prospect.
Mitchell shined with the Rockets and has shined in every step of the pre-draft process, crushing the Senior Bowl and standing out at the combine to push his way into the top half of the first round. He’s got solid size at 6-feet and blazing speed thanks to a 4.33-second 40 time. He’s also absurdly productive; he had 37 pass breakups in his final two seasons at Toledo.
15
Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Team needs: CB, EDGE, LB, WR
Indianapolis has a handful of young, high-upside pass rushers that helped generate 51 sacks — fifth-best in the NFL — despite a 15.7 percent blitz rate (the lowest among all defenses). After a brief run on cornerbacks, they add to that strength with the uber-athletic Turner rather than roll the dice on Nate Wiggins’ skinny frame holding up on Sundays.
Turner isn’t the most polished or productive pass rusher in his class, but he may have the highest upside. The Alabama star turned Will Anderson Jr.’s absence into opportunity in a 10-sack, 14.5-tackle for loss 2023. He’s fast and twitchy and able to use his athleticism to win one-on-one. He’ll need to add a few more reliable moves to his arsenal, but the Colts can be at least a little patient and his presence would lighten the lift for a mostly reloaded secondary.
247lb Dallas Turner just posted a 10’7” broad jump 🤯
That is further than ⬇️
Justin Jefferson
Chase Claypool
Will Fuller
Michael Thomas
Allen Robinson
Mohamed Sanu
A.J. Green
Cam Newton
Patrick Peterson
Breece Hall
Terry McLaurin🎥: @StaceyDales pic.twitter.com/vUD3Rl9GeH https://t.co/K9c0dqMzhU
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 1, 2024
16
Seattle Seahawks: DL Byron Murphy, Texas
Team needs: IOL, LB, DT, EDGE
Finding an impact defensive tackle who can shrink pockets from the inside is nearly impossible outside the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. In a year where Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike each signed massive deals to stick with the teams that drafted them, this is a priority for the Seahawks.
Murphy gets the call here over Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton thanks to the latter’s continued recovery from an off-season injury, but either would make sense. The Texas lane-clogger gets into the backfield with anger and efficiency, redirecting running plays and preventing quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket. He’s strong and powerful enough to shuck off double-teams despite a lack of ideal bulk at tackle.
Byron Murphy leverage god pic.twitter.com/fEmcyMplzc
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 3, 2024
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Team needs: WR, OT, DT, EDGE, S, CB
Losing Calvin Ridley to free agency doesn’t just leave Jacksonville with a depleted WR corps. It also threatens to leave Trevor Lawrence’s pro career stuck at “underwhelming.” The Jags’ collapse came too late in the season to land a top three wideout and there may not be room to trade up for one from the 17th pick without a steep cost.
Fortunately, the guy at the top of the second tier has all the chops to emerge as an immediate NFL playmaker. Thomas is big (6-foot-3), fast (4.33-second 40) and had more than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns last season while playing with Nabers. He has all the tools to be the top dog the Jags’ receiving corps needs. The question is whether 2023 was the start of his growth or an outlier.
.@LSUfootball WR Brian Thomas Jr. was rolling with a 4.34u
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Af0zYsjvzz— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
18
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Team needs: OT, DL, EDGE, WR, TE
Mims didn’t work out at Georgia’s pro day, which is a concern. But his physical gifts may be too tempting to pass up for a Bengals team that knows the value of keeping Joe Burrow healthy. Cincinnati needs a right tackle to buttress Orlando Brown Jr.; Mims may have the highest ceiling of any blocker left on the board.
Mims, at 6-foot8 and 340 pounds, looks like he was created in a video game. He does a solid job staying low and using his power and leg drive to keep defenders away from the ball. He may not have the resume of Troy Fautanu or J.C. Latham, but his potential could push him above more polished tackles and into the top 20.
Georgia OT Amarius Mims in Week 1:
🐶 39 Pass Block Snaps
🐶 Zero Pressures Allowed pic.twitter.com/VxyFRC2UaW— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 5, 2023
19
Los Angeles Rams: DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Team needs: DT, DE, S, EDGE, CB
Newton can’t fill Aaron Donald’s shoes because no one can. But in terms of overall talent, the Rams are restocking a depleted defensive line with a player who impacts the game well beyond his box score.
Newton’s impact may be best illustrated by his absence. His ejection from last year’s Illinois game against Wisconsin gave the Badgers the latitude to erase a 14-point fourth quarter deficit. He’s going to frequently command double teams and make life easier for his teammates.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Team needs: OT, WR, CB, LB, S
Pittsburgh needs wideout talent, but this is a franchise that does its best work developing prospects from Day 2 and beyond. Instead, the Steelers opt to protect Russell Wilson or Justin Fields with an accomplished blocker who can thrive at tackle.
Latham is a beast, a 6-foot-6, 340ish pound wrecking ball who doesn’t get pushed backward and blasts open running lanes on the ground. He’s a technically sound blocker who has the physical traits to recover when knocked off balance. That should make him an impact player with room to grow as a pro.
#Alabama RT JC Latham is such a stout pass protector at 360 pounds. Moves effortlessly mirroring pass rushers and once he gets his hands inside and locks out, the rep is over.
Absolutely stonewalled Tennessee’s pass rushing duo 2 weeks ago. Love watching him operate in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/bSLbLB4Nq1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 31, 2023
21
Miami Dolphins: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Team needs: OL, DL, S, EDGE, CB
Verse’s star has dimmed slightly after his 2023 return to Florida State failed to result in a superstar season. Still, he’s capable of supernova performances, as proven by the 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss in his final two games at FSU.
While he lacks ideal size, the former tight end is explosive and powerful at the point of attack, using his strength and quickness to toss aside offensive tackles. He understands how to use leverage and diagnose his pass rush at the moment the ball is snapped, giving him an instinctive edge that can’t be quantified in workouts.
22
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Team needs: LB, CB, S, DT, WR
McKinstry’s pro day workout helped restore his draft stock, making him the latest highed-touted five-star recruit to join the Philly secondary. He’s a beefy corner who is capable in press coverage and difficult to box off the ball. That’s bolstered by top-notch acceleration that allows him to close ground and turn open targets into incompletions.
Now he gets to be the young gun in an aging group of corners. Both James Bradberry and Darius Slay are on the wrong side of 30.
23
New England Patriots (via projected trade with the Minnesota Vikings, via Houston Texans, via Cleveland Browns)*: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Team needs: QB, WR, OT, EDGE, CB
Troy Fautanu’s slide down the draft board makes it tempting for the Patriots to pick up two first round offensive linemen to jump-start their rebuild. Unfortunately for head coach Jerod Mayo, there’s a lot more blocking his path to the playoffs than just blocking. Rather than reach for Bo Nix or add some beef to the pass rush, New England gets a wideout who doesn’t always come through — but when it does it’s on a big stage.
Mitchell scored a touchdown in all five College Football Playoff games in which he played. He’s also an athletic specimen capable of greatness with just a little polish.
Adonai Mitchell is a WR prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 5 out of 3188 WR from 1987 to 2024.
Pro day pending.https://t.co/t32le05QPU pic.twitter.com/KgRQzHrSPF
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 27, 2024
24
Dallas Cowboys: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Team needs: OT, C, S, CB, RB, WR
Latham’s slide down the draft board is going to make it very tempting for Jerry Jones to trade up and at least fulfill some measure of his “all in” comments approaching this offseason. But since this has been a conservative spring in Dallas, the Cowboys stand pat and land a pretty good blocker anyway.
Fautanu’s arm length measurements at the combine helped assure scouts he can play tackle, but nothing reinforces that idea better than his game tape. He was the guy who helped Michael Penix launch to the stratosphere by proactively blasting pass rushers and mashing linebackers in space. He’s a tenacious blocker with the quickness of a tight end who should be able to make an immediate impact in Texas.
— Walter (@Pff_Walter) February 9, 2024
25
Green Bay Packers: OT Graham Barton, Duke
Team needs: OT, OG, S, LB, CB
Barton is likely to kick inside despite playing guard and tackle at Duke, but his versatility is a selling point for a Packer team that’s seen multiple departures from its offensive line group this spring. While most pro comps project him for a move back to center, he has the powerful, run-blocking potential to be a Pro Bowl guard. That’s a win for Green Bay, who saw Jon Runyan Jr. depart for the Giants in free agency.
Drafting Barton gives the Packers a player who could feasibly spend some time at tackle and make the team’s run through rounds two and three a little easier. He’d mean Green Bay wouldn’t necessarily have to reach for a tackle if there’s no clear value later on. It’s not a perfect fit, but the former Blue Devil is a versatile multi-tool for a team with several needs.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Demeioun 'Chop' Robinson, Penn State
Team needs: EDGE, IOL, OT, CB, RB
Shaquil Barrett wasn’t especially effective in 2023 and is no longer with the team. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka hasn’t quite developed the way Tampa Bay hoped. There’s a need for an explosive edge rusher here. Robinson could be the best in his class.
The Penn State star is a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to harassing quarterbacks but my goodness, what a trick it is. He’s got the most explosive first step in college football, coming off the line like a rocket to crash the pocket from the outside or, seeing tackles cheat his way, cut back inside and induce panic.
CHOP 🪓
Chop Robinson sacks his former QB
We sure are glad you made Happy Valley your new home 🦁#WeAre | @chopyoungbull pic.twitter.com/VHtRP8NS3g
— White Out Weekly (@whiteoutweekly) November 12, 2022
27
Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Team needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, DL, IOL
The Cardinals are in position to take the best player available. Fortunately, that’s someone who fits a glaring need. Wiggins was stellar in college, but he slipped down our mock draft board thanks to concerns about his size; at 173 pounds, he’d be one of the lightest players in the NFL.
Arizona can live with the risk he flames out at No. 27. Best case scenario, they’ve drafted one of the league’s fastest cornerbacks (4.27s 40 time) with a proven track record of closing to the ball and erasing big plays. He’s not going to get beat on go routes, but he might get boxed out and out-muscled in key moments.
#Clemson CB Nate Wiggins.
4.28 speed. pic.twitter.com/Thvm1lRGG4
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 2, 2024
28
Buffalo Bills: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Team needs: WR, CB, S, EDGE
Buffalo’s unpleasant salary cap situation forced the team to shed veteran contracts this spring. This hit the secondary particularly hard. The Bills have to replace Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, Dane Jackson and maybe Micah Hyde this offseason.
DeJean’s flexibility and athleticism could make him the perfect fit. The Iowa star could be an asset at corner or safety thanks to his strength, speed and ball tracking skill. He’ll also be a special teams asset thanks to his punt return capabilities.
29
Detroit Lions: EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Team needs: EDGE, CB, S, WR
Robinson’s homecoming — and Detroit’s need on the edge — make this homecoming too tempting to pass up. The former defensive tackle is a bit of a project at end, but he’s got the strength and athleticism to bully offensive linemen and send quarterbacks running into Aidan Hutchinson’s path.
That makes the Southfield native a strong choice for a team that could go wideout or corner here but also has the luxury of taking a higher risk swing given the state of its roster. The Lions are well prepared for a run back to the NFC title game even without another dynamite crop of instant impact rookies. But Robinson could be the icing on that cake, a heavyweight puncher who can stun tackles and generate chaos in the backfield.
30
Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Team needs: OL, WR, EDGE, CB, S
Free agency was decidedly unkind to the Ravens, who lost way more talent than they brought in — including 60 percent of their offensive line. Adding Guyton helps replenish that unit and gives Ronnie Stanley a young, stable bookend and potential replacement at left tackle down the line.
The Oklahoma/TCU product is raw, but has the traits of a franchise cornerstone. He’s big, long-armed and has the lateral quickness to mirror speed rushes along the end. But he’s a bit sloppy and will have to filter out some bad habits along the way. Baltimore, with a track record of developing talent internally, might be his best possible landing spot.
31
San Francisco 49ers: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Team needs: OT, IOL, CB, EDGE
This isn’t San Francisco’s biggest need along the offensive line, but Powers-Johnson is capable enough to force a reconfiguration. That would move Jake Brendel over to guard and allow the Rimington Award winner the opportunity to snap the ball, then maul folks in the aftermath.
Powers-Johnson’s star has risen considerably through the pre-draft process and may be the first interior lineman selected this spring. He’s one of the strongest players in this year’s draft, capable of grabbing onto 300-plus pound tackles and escorting them out of the play entirely. He’s a wide-bodied, instinctive blocker who gets to his spots and tosses dudes from there.
Jackson Powers-Johnson tossed him out the frame 😳@BigJax58 | @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/AgoVTlH5Az
— NFL (@NFL) March 6, 2024
32
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Team needs: WR, OT, EDGE, CB
Kansas City could use a deep threat, but a handful of burners are set to linger into Day 2. The well of offensive tackles who could jump into the starting lineup from Week 1 onward is much more shallow. That makes Morgan, who spent the last four years as Arizona’s left tackle in between injuries, the selection.
Morgan is an experienced starter who should be able to jump into a significant role for the defending champs thanks to a solid body of work. While he may lack the potential or name awareness of the blockers who came before him, his fluid hips and ability to adjust to edge rushers’ attacks make him the good kind of overlooked. While he’s got room to grow, his selling point for the Chiefs is a high floor that should keep a three-peat in the realm of possibility.
33
Carolina Panthers: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Team needs: EDGE, CB, TE, DL, WR
34
New England Patriots: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Team needs: QB, WR, OT, EDGE, CB
35
Arizona Cardinals: DL Braden Fiske, Florida State
Team needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, DL, IOL
36
Washington Commanders: CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Team needs: OT, QB, EDGE, CB
37
Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Team needs: WR, CB, DL, IOL, LB, TE
38
Tennessee Titans: S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Team needs: CB, S, EDGE, OL, QB
39
Carolina Panthers (via New York Giants): CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Team needs: EDGE, CB, TE, DL, WR
40
Washington Commanders (via Chicago Bears): WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Team needs: OT, QB, EDGE, CB
41
Green Bay Packers (via New York Jets): LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Team needs: OT, OG, S, LB, CB
42
Houston Texans (via Minnesota Vikings): IOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Team needs: IOL, DT, S, LB, CB
43
Atlanta Falcons: DL T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Team needs: EDGE, DT, CB, LB
44
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Team needs: OT, QB, CB, WR, EDGE
45
New Orleans Saints (via Denver Broncos): DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Team needs: OT, DT, TE, WR, EDGE, S
46
Indianapolis Colts: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Team needs: CB, EDGE, LB, WR
47
New York Giants (via Seattle Seahawks): QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Team needs: QB, WR, RB, CB, LB, S
48
Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Team needs: WR, OT, DT, EDGE, S, CB
49
Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Team needs: OT, DL, EDGE, WR, TE
50
Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): LB Junior Colson, Michigan
Team needs: LB, CB, S, DT, WR
51
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Team needs: OT, WR, CB, LB, S
52
Los Angeles Rams: CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Team needs: DT, DE, S, EDGE, CB
53
Philadelphia Eagles: OL Christian Haynes, Connecticut
Team needs: OT, DL, EDGE, WR, TE
54
Cleveland Browns: DL Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Team needs: LB, DT, EDGE, WR
55
Miami Dolphins: OG Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Team needs: OL, DL, S, EDGE, CB
56
Dallas Cowboys: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Team needs: OT, C, S, CB, RB, WR
57
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Max Melton, Rutgers
Team needs: EDGE, IOL, OT, CB, RB
58
Green Bay Packers: OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
Team needs: OT, OG, S, LB, CB
59
Houston Texans: EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
Team needs: IOL, DT, S, LB, CB
60
Buffalo Bills: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
Team needs: WR, CB, S, EDGE
61
Detroit Lions: WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
Team needs: EDGE, CB, S, WR
62
Baltimore Ravens: IOL Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
Team needs: OL, WR, EDGE, CB, S
63
San Francisco 49ers: DL Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Team needs: OT, IOL, CB, EDGE
64
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Team needs: WR, OT, EDGE, CB