There are two weeks until the NFL draft and free agency has cleared up some needs, so it’s time to take a crack at a mock draft.
Quarterbacks should dominate the early part of the first round, especially in the first five or six picks. The top three receivers — Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze — could dictate how the first round unfolds outside the top-10 and which teams might be enticed to trade up.
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Age: 22 • Height: 6-1 • Weight: 214
Chicago punted on Bryce Young by trading away the No. 1 pick last year and got it right back with a better prospect available, while also moving on from former first-round pick Justin Fields during the offseason. Williams is clearly the top quarterback this year, matching arm strength and mobility with a 66.9% completion rate during his three-year college career.
The Bears are much better equipped a year later to take a quarterback in this spot, acquiring receiver D.J. Moore in the trade with Carolina last year and he set career-highs in receptions (96), yards (1,364) and touchdowns (8). Chicago also traded for veteran Pro Bowler Keenan Allen to help ease the transition for Williams.
Williams should be the third quarterback from Lincoln Riley’s air-raid offense taken first overall — joining Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray — since 2018. While Mayfield and Murray have enjoyed success, neither has become the superstar warranted by the No. 1 pick.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Age: 23 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 210
Daniels surged up draft boards after throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions — while rushing for 1,134 and 10 scores — en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. He’s is electric as a runner, but also had 22 touchdowns and no interceptions on throws beyond 20 yards last season.
Although he completed 72.2% of his passes last year, Daniels can rely on his legs too often, breaking the pocket before necessary at times and that can affect his accuracy.
Only three of Washington’s top-10 all-time leading passers entered the league after 1994. The Commanders have taken five quarterbacks in the first round during that time, with none sticking around for more than four years and only one (Jason Campbell) started at least 50 games.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Age: 21 • Height: 6-4 • Weight: 223
A mostly dreadful offense since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020 cost Bill Belichick his job. For New England to fire a coach with six Super Bowl rings and not take a quarterback would be stunning.
After a promising rookie season in 2021, Mac Jones petered out with inconsistent play, a revolving door at offensive coordinator and limited weapons, which eventually led to being traded to Jacksonville. Maye’s numbers took a hit across the board last season, throwing for 700 fewer yards, 14 fewer touchdowns and two more interceptions on 90 fewer attempts, but he has the tools to be a top-tier quarterback.
The Patriots re-signed a lot of their old weapons but have more work to do in order to build around a young quarterback. Maye can take too many risks on occasion, especially when under siege, and an experienced offense around him can make life easier.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 209
There has been chatter about moving Kyler Murray over the last few years, but his bloated contract makes that impossible at the moment, so Arizona would be wise to build the offense around him. Harrison is the most logical pick at this spot, unless the Cardinals can find a trade partner willing to hand over multiple first-round picks.
Harrison combines good size with athleticism and a high football IQ that allows him dissect coverages quickly. His 78-inch wingspan creates a catch radius friendly to quarterbacks who struggle with consistent ball placement after hauling in 13 of 30 contested catches last year.
The question for Harrison is whether his route-running and athleticism can cancel out average ability after the catch.
5. Minnesota Vikings (trade with L.A. Chargers): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Age: 21 • Height: 6-2 • Weight: 219
Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick (No. 23 overall) from Houston last month, and since Kirk Cousins signed with Atlanta at free agency and the lone quarterback acquired was Sam Darnold, it seems inevitable to take a quarterback.
In this scenario, the Vikings trade their No. 11 and 23 picks to the Chargers, who don’t need a quarterback at the moment. McCarthy has made a big leap since the combine by showing some of the tools he didn’t get to use at Michigan.
McCarthy averaged just 23.4 attempts per game in two years as a starter and never reached 3,000 yards in a season, but he’s athletic and has mechanics that maximize his arm strength. He’s also good on the run and on pressure downs, completing 70.1% of his passes against blitzes. McCarthy wasn’t often asked to win games with his arm or progress deep into a route tree, both of which will be questions that need answers in the NFL.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Age: 20 • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 199
The Giants could go quarterback here with someone like Michael Penix or Bo Nix, but they still have Daniel Jones under contract until 2026 and he’s slated to make more than $40 million in each of those year. Jones struggled after a solid 2022, throwing two touchdowns and six interceptions before suffering a torn ACL six games into the season.
Jones also didn’t have much help around him and Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller opted for retirement, which makes Nabers a logical pick. Nabers and Rome Odunze are pick ‘ems here, but Nabers possesses after-the-catch skills the Giants lacked last year, finishing 30th in YAC.
Nabers doesn’t have elite size, but he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and ranked ninth in the FBS with 589 yards after the catch. He’s also versatile, playing 53.6% of his snaps in the slot and 46% split wide.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Age: 21 • Height: 6-9 • Weight: 321
The Titans let go tackle Andre Dillard and last year’s No. 1 pick, Peter Skoronski, played guard most of the season. Will Levis did enough as a rookie to become the team’s starter next season and the Titans added receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Tony Pollard to pair with DeAndre Hopkins.
Tennessee still has to protect Levis after ranking 29th with 64 sacks allowed last season and gave up the second-most quarterback hits (77). The line struggled so much that opponents didn’t need to blitz, ranking ninth in the NFL.
Alt is the son of former Chiefs tackle, John, and anchored Notre Dame’s offensive line, starting 33 of 38 games over three seasons with just five penalties. He’ll have to continue improving footwork to stick with NFL speed rushers.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 247
Atlanta put a bandage on a dreadful quarterback situation by signing 35-year-old Kirk Cousins, and while another weapon wouldn’t hurt, the Falcons need help rushing the passer. They haven’t finished higher than 22nd in sacks since 2017 and ranked in the bottom two three times since then.
Without a double-digit sack guy since 2016, Turner is the best edge rusher available. Not only did Turner have 22 ½ sacks in three seasons at Alabama, but he had a big-time performance at the NFL scouting combine.
Turner led edge rushers with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 40 ½-inch vertical leap, while ranking second with a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. He’s a bit slender to defend the run, but that should improve over time.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 212
Given it’s Chicago’s second first-round pick, it’s become a popular trade scenario for teams that want to move up for a receiver or quarterback. The asking price would be hefty, though, and the Bears could continue to build around Williams.
Keenan Allen is 32 years old and his contract expires after this season. Odunze could give Chicago help immediately without having to be the first or second option, while learning under a veteran like Allen.
Odunze has some similar skills to Allen and comparable arm length and wingspan. Odunze ran a 4.45 40, however, and has a 39-inch vertical leap. He uses his length and body to catch passes downfield, but will need to build up his route tree and short-area burst.
10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Age: 21 • Height 6-3 • Weight 243
Taking a tackle like JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga or Olu Fashanu seems like a smarter long-term plan, but that might not be how New York thinks. Mekhi Becton, the No. 11 overall pick in 2020, lasted just 30 games and the Jets plugged tackle holes with veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, both of whom are 33.
But New York is going all-in for 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers after signing Mike Williams and could use another young weapon, especially if the top-three receivers are already off the board. Tyler Conklin caught 61 passes at tight end last season, Bowers is a different animal.
Bowers hasn’t worked out for NFL teams yet because of a hamstring injury, but he averaged 14.5 yards per catch (and scored 26 touchdowns) in three seasons at Georgia, while also posting 8.5 yards after the catch and five rushing touchdowns on jet sweeps.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (via Minnesota): JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Age: 21 • Height: 6-6 • Weight: 342
If one of the three receivers or Bowers falls, it would be hard for the Chargers to ignore after parting ways with Allen and Williams. But L.A. has a hole at right tackle and Latham can slide right in.
It really doesn’t matter who Justin Herbert’s weapons are if he continues to take the number of hits he has during his four-year career. Herbert has been hit 245 times and sacked 130 times in 62 starts, while battling injuries the last two seasons.
Jim Harbaugh, once again reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Roman, has played a run-first style in college and with the 49ers, even with quarterbacks like McCarthy and Andrew Luck, so an offensive lineman is on-brand.
12. Denver Broncos: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Age: 23 • Height: 6-2 • Weight: 216
It might be a reach for Penix or Oregon’s Bo Nix here, but the Broncos decided they would rather eat $85 million over two years than keep Russell Wilson around for another year. The 2025 quarterback class doesn’t have many stars at the moment and Sean Payton isn’t the type of coach who wants to waste time rebuilding.
Penix and Nix might be a toss up, but Penix has the size, mobility and arm strength. He built on a sensational performance against Texas in the CFP semifinals — throwing for 430 yards and two scores — and had an impressive pro day.
The Pac-12 is an offensive-friendly league and it’s hard to ignore Nix completing fewer than 60% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final two years at Auburn before 9,544 yards and 67 scores at Oregon.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Age: 22 • Height: 6-6 • Weight: 324
The Raiders have been looking hard at quarterbacks during the draft, and if Penix is available, he might be their guy. Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell have yet to prove they starting quarterbacks in the NFL, but one might be better than reaching here.
Las Vegas has a solid left tackle in Kolton Miller, but Fuaga could help bookend the line. Fuaga is a tenacious run-blocker, but with 33 ⅛ arms, he’ll have to rely on technique more often as a pass-blocker.
A defensive end could also be in play for the Raiders, but Maxx Crosby is entering the second year of a four-year $94 million deal and they just added Christian Wilkins on a four-year, $110 million contract. That’s a lot to invest in a defensive line.
14. New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Age: 21 • Height: 6-6 • Weight: 312
Fashanu only falls this far because the Chargers and Raiders have needs at right tackle. Fashanu is the second-best tackle in the draft, and at one time, was considered the top overall prospect.
His last season wasn’t as good as the year before, but Penn State was dreadful offensively at times last year. Fashanu is supremely athletic, running a 5.11 40 and has a 9-foot broad jump to go along with 82 ⅝ arms that gave up one sack in 21 career starts.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Marshall, CB, Toledo
Age: 22 • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 195
The Colts desperately need a cornerback and Marshall offers the athleticism they covet. Marshall ran the second-fastest 40 time among cornerbacks at the combine (4.33) and he has the experience to pair with that speed.
Marshall started 40 games at Toledo over the last three seasons, recording 52 passes defensed and six interceptions during his career. He’s a little undersized against the run, but should make up for it coverage.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
Age: 23 • Height: 6-4 • Weight: 317
NFL teams typically don’t hold guards in such high regard, but Seattle doesn’t have a left guard on the roster and traded its second-round pick to the Giants for defensive tackle Leonard Williams last year.
The Seahwks might be game to trade back in this spot and potentially snatch a second-round pick from a receiver-needy team. Seattle should be familiar with Fautanu playing at Washington, and with Aaron Donald retiring and San Francisco releasing Arik Armstead, the NFL West might be more forgiving on a rookie interior lineman.
17. Buffalo Bills (via Jacksonville): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 209
The Bills trade the 28th pick and the 60th pick to Jacksonville in order move up. It’s an ill-advised decision, but Brandon Beane is an aggressive general manager and was looking hard at receivers before trading Stefon Diggs.
Thomas is the clear-cut No. 4 receiver in the draft, with the ability to play outside, in the slot and is a good blocker on the edge. If a team really wants Thomas, this might be the last shot to get him and that includes Jacksonville.
The Jaguars couldn’t re-sign Calvin Ridley, but nabbed Gabe Davis in free agency. They might want another weapon for Trevor Lawrence, but the Bengals, who franchised Tee Higgins and haven’t made progress on a long-term deal, could be in the market for his replacement, while the Chargers also loom at No. 23.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Age: 21 • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 189
If Thomas is unavailable, it seems likely the Bengals would be interested in adding to their defense. Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II could be an option, but Cincinnati ranked 28th in the NFL in pass defense.
Ran a 4.5 40 at the combine, but he can change directions and anticipate routes. He arrived Alabama as a five-star safety prospect, but switched to cornerback, where he grabbed six interceptions and knocked away 26 passes.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Age: 23 • Height: 6-4 • Weight: 254
Rams could go with Murphy to replace Donald, but Kobie Turner is coming off a strong rookie campaign and should slide into that spot. Los Angeles has options at just about every position, but Verse might be a steal here.
Verse had a huge combine, placing fourth among edge rushers in the 40 (4.58) and broad jump (10-7), while also being first with 31 reps on the bench press.
He was a 205-pound tight end for Albany before racking up 21 ½ tackles for a loss and 14 ½ sacks. Verse didn’t slow down at Florida State, making 29 tackles for a loss and 18 sacks over two seasons.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 328
The Steelers have some holes on the offensive line, including at center, after Mason Cole departed in free agency. Powers-Johnson started just one season at center for Oregon, but he was a unanimous All-American.
He’s not a dominant blocker, but Powers-Johnson was good enough to avoid giving up any sacks and surrendered one pressure last season.
21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, C, Duke
Age: 21 • Height: 6-5 • Weight: 311
Laiatu Latu might be tempting after edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips suffered season-ending injuries late in the year, but Miami’s offensive line is depleted.
Barton hasn’t played center since his freshman year, but was a full-time starter at left tackle the last three. His length and lateral movement likely don’t translate to an NFL tackle, but Barton is strong at the point of attack and is a good puller for a Miami offense designed to get players on the edge.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Age: 21 • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 202
Darius Slay and James Bradberry are in their 30s and the Eagles need to start thinking about their replacements. DeJean’s versatility gives the Eagles a chance to work him into the lineup without being a clear-cut starter immediately.
DeJean broke his fibula late in the season, which prevented him from working out at the combine and Iowa’s pro day, but he held another workout and flashed his athleticism. He ran a 4.44 40, while executing a 38 ½ vertical leap and a 10-4 broad jump.
He can play in the slot and outside and feels he has the talent to play safety if needed. Finding a position for DeJean is the biggest step.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (via Minnesota): Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Age: 21 • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 297
The Chargers could still go with a receiver here, but it might be a reach. Murphy provides an inside presence with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the edge.
Murphy is the obvious No. 1 interior defensive lineman in the draft, but he’s not just a big body who clogs the middle. He led the Big 12 with 33 quarterback pressures thanks to a quick first step that produced a 4.87 40 at the combine.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Age: 21 • Height: 6-8 • Weight: 322
Tyron Smith has a Hall of Fame resume, but he’s off to the Jets after a few injury-laden seasons. The Cowboys took Tyler Smith in the first round in 2022, but he’s played guard frequently since then.
One year as a starter at Oklahoma might not bear fruitful results as a rookie, but Guyton is long and has range. The only question is if Dallas can afford to take someone in the first round who needs to development while trying to win a Super Bowl, particularly with uncertainties regarding head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott after this year.
25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Age: 21 • Height: 6-8 • Weight: 340
The Packers released All-Pro David Bakhtiari after starting 13 games in three seasons, but it left a gaping hole on the offensive line. Rasheed Walker gave up six sacks and 36 pressures in his absence at left tackle, so Green Bay should be in play for a replacement.
Cornerback is another need after trading Rasul Douglas to Buffalo at the deadline, but Mims is a mountain who can protect quarterback Jordan Love. He only had eight college starts but has all the physical tools, running a 5.07 40 at 340 pounds.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Age: 23 • Height: 6-5 • Weight: 259
A five-year player who missed two full seasons at Washington and even retired briefly due to injuries before transferring to UCLA, Latu had 23 ½ sacks and 34 tackles for a loss in two seasons.
Tampa Bay lost edge rusher Shaquil Barrett during the offseason and Latu can bring a deep bag of pass-rush moves that are perhaps the best of any player in the draft, which tracks after leading the FBS with 55 quarterback pressures.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
Age: 22 • Height: 6-5 • Weight: 285
Robinson isn’t an edge rusher nor a pure defensive tackle, but can mix and match given the situation, which is needed for an enimic Arizona pass rush. The Cardinals ranked 30th in sacks (33), 31st in pressure reate (17.1%) and 32nd in quarterback knockdowns (23) last season.
He had one of the best Senior Bowl weeks in one-on-one- drills after five years at Missouri. His best season came last year, with 14 tackles for a loss and 8 ½ sacks, but his 4.95 40 probably won’t lead to many snaps on the edge in obvious passing downs.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Buffalo): Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Age: 20 • Height: 6-1 • Weight: 173
Jacksonville could jump at a receiver like Adonai Mitchell or Xavier Worthy, but it also needs a cornerback and Wiggins is the fastest in the class after posting a 4.28 40 at the combine.
Wiggins can play man-to-man or zone defense and allowed just 18 receptions on 41 targets last season. He’s lean and gets overrun in run support sometimes, but could add a jolt to a middle-of-the-road Jacksonville pass defense.
29. Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Age: 21 • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 254
Robinson could be the steal of the first round or a complete bust. He may need some time to develop a pass-rush repertoire, but his athleticism and relentlessness make him too hard to pass up in the first round.
Robinson was second in the 40 (4.48) and tied for first in the broad jump (10-8) among edge rushers, but needs to bulk up and add strength against the run. His mobility would give Detroit chances to drop him into coverage or let him come along slowly opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Age: 21 • Height: 6-2 • Weight: 205
This would be three first-round receivers in four years for the Ravens, but they still have a need at the position. Zay Flowers had a strong rookie campaign with 77 catches for 858 yards and five scores, but 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman hasn’t materialized.
With the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment over, Baltimore needs another weapon on the outside for Lamar Jackson, who has had one 1,000-yard receiver in his career aside from tight end Mark Andrews.
Mitchell is a long-strider with a good feel for routes, but his physicality doesn’t match his size and had one true year as a starter between stops at Georgia and Texas. Mitchell’s size makes him a more ideal fit opposite the 5-foot-9 Flowers than McConkey or Worthy.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Age: 21 • Height: 5-11 • Weight: 196
San Francisco could use some help on the offensive line, but also needs to add some skill at cornerback. Medical evaluations at the combine revealed a foot fracture, but McKinstry should be ready to go for training camp.
He’s not an elite athlete, but moves efficiently and tracks receivers and the ball well. The 49ers ranked fifth in average depth of target (7.2), but were 31st in yards after the catch (2,393) and McKinstry is a sound tackler.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Age: 20 • Height: 5-11 • Weight: 165
That Patrick Mahomes guy could use a little help, right? The Chiefs haven’t added much to the receiver room recently, and the one guy they have, Rashee Rice, ran afoul of the law during the offseason.
Kansas City led the NFL with 44 drops last season and tight end Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger. Andy Reid loves compact receivers who come with a jetpack, which is Worthy, who set a combine record with a 4.21 40 this year.
Reid won’t care about Worthy’s size, given Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney are all 6 foot or shorter and weight less than 200 pounds.
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