The Bears needed a fresh start, and Caleb Williams offers them that chance at quarterback. They aggressively built up the team with whatever cap space they had and traded for Keenan Allen. DJ Moore, Allen and D’Andre Swift is a nice starting trio for the No. 1 overall pick.

For those that read my big board and player rankings, I am higher on Maye than any other quarterback in the class, but as I mentioned, this mock is more of a simulation what’s out there publicly, what makes the most sense and what I would do.

The Commanders went and added Marcus Mariota to their new offense, and Jayden Daniels might offer similar skill-sets to the former first-rounder, who was brought in to be a backup. There are a ton of smokescreens this time of year, but it is easy to follow the trail of decisions in the offseason. The new Commanders regime added Mariota, Austin Ekeler, Tyler Biadasz, Zach Ertz and Nick Allegritti to their offense, signaling the need to beef up the offensive line and provide veteran receiving options for a rookie to work with.

The biggest sign of them all is the hiring of Kliff Kingsbury, who has a clear preference for run-first quarterbacks. Daniels makes sense for them here.

The Patriot fan in me is ecstatic, and the evaluator is, too. Drake Maye is my top quarterback in the entire class, and the Patriots should feel content that they landed a quarterback who fits their offense under Alex Van Pelt the best. Maye needs the most polish in decision-making, but it’s all coachable. Jacoby Brissett is a perfect bridge mentor, and he knows Van Pelt’s offense from his time in Cleveland. So there is no need to rush Maye into the starting lineup.

This situation is a win-win for each of the top-three teams, and there is no funny business at the top of the draft.

Harrison Jr., the son of NFL legend Marvin Harrison, is the best overall player in the entire class. There have been some courting of other teams trying to jump to fourth overall to land a quarterback, but the Cardinals are blessed with another pick at the end of the first round already. Eventually, you need to pick a player, and they do so by grabbing their biggest need and best overall player available.

Chargers get: 2024 first-round pick (No. 11), 2024 first-round pick (No. 23), 2025 first-round pick

Vikings get: 2024 first-round pick (No. 5)

With Justin Herbert at the helm and the team ultimately in cap jail, the Chargers need a reset and are lucky enough to be in a position where a quarterback is available to use as trade bait. The Vikings see three quarterbacks go, and ultimately send picks No. 11, No. 23 and a future first-rounder to ensure no other team grabs their quarterback.

McCarthy is polarizing to many, but there is first-round talent on the tape. I am not as high as others, but the league is higher on him than a lot of us are. So it only makes sense that the Vikings handle their biggest need by moving up to select their next franchise quarterback after Kirk Cousins’ departure to Atlanta.

With Harrison Jr. off the board and the Vikings jumping the Giants to take their quarterback, the Giants are in a position to take their consolation prize in Nabers. The LSU standout receiver would have an argument for being the best at the position in the last few drafts, but Harrison Jr. is borderline generational. Nabers being a consolation prize at pick No. 6 is an amazing grab for the Giants, who have been lacking a true offensive weapon at receiver for some time now.

Another elite, borderline generational talent, Alt is a potential 10-year starter with multiple All-Pros in his future. The Titans have been trying to desperately fix the offense around Will Levis as they try and get a true evaluation on him. With Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins in the building, Alt would make the Titans offense one of the more intriguing ones in the NFL and get them a step towards an elite offensive line.

Falcons get: 2024 first-round pick (No. 15), 2024 third-round pick (No. 82), 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 117) and 2025 second-round pick

Colts get: 2024 first-round pick (No. 8)

The Colts see the best two receivers come off the board and likely could grab their receiver at No. 15. But the Falcons are fielding offers, and the Colts swooped in to get their guy. They have Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. to work with Anthony Richardson, and adding Brock Bowers gives them the next best non-quarterback in the entire class.

Bowers isn’t your traditional tight end mold. He is more in line with Travis Kelce, and the Colts aren’t afraid to be aggressive.

A freak of nature, Murphy makes sense for the Bears as they are looking for interior pass rush and run stopping next to promising second-year player Gervon Dexter Sr. They could have went receiver or tackle here, but after landing Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall, they decided to beef up the defense.

Murphy is the first defensive player off the board, and he should give the Bears a dominant interior defender that was going to get picked in the teens regardless. It may not be an appealing pick, but it makes a lot of sense for the Bears, who mimic the Texans by landing a cornerstone on offense and defense.

Odunze is still on the board, and the Jets are able to add another weapon to their offense under Aaron Rodgers. Although the window is short, they need to start taking a look at building the team for the now and the future, and Odunze is the perfect addition to their roster. He has the ability to be a true X for the offense, allowing the Jets to utilize Garrett Wilson all across the formation. Mike Williams signed in the offseason, but at minimum, Odunze would be an upgrade over Allen Lazard in Year 1.

A wide receiving core of Wilson and Odunze is good for whoever is throwing the ball, and it allows the Jets to compete this year with as many weapons as possible. Brock Bowers would have been a nice fit here, and so would a tackle, but they brought in veterans to mitigate that for a year or two.

The Chargers acquired this pick from trading back from No. 5 to No. 11 with Minnesota. I debated going after an EDGE rusher with uncertainties surrounding Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa for the long term, but the Chargers have a shot at solidifying their bookend tackles for quite some time with Fuaga, who plugs into right tackle Day 1.

They could have used a receiver here with Williams and Allen both on new teams, but they did draft Quentin Johnston last year. They also still have picks to play with later in the round. The value just didn’t make sense to reach here. If the Jets went tackle, then we’re talking Odunze here instead.

Broncos get: 2024 first-round pick (No.20), 2024 second-round pick (No. 51), 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 195)

Steelers get: 2024 first-round pick (No.12), 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 203)

The Denver Broncos need a quarterback, but they don’t need to reach at pick No. 12, especially with very little draft capital as is. They swing a trade to move back into the 20s, as they believe their quarterback will still be available there. The Steelers want to get ahead of all other tackle-needy teams to select another tackle for a second consecutive year and form an elite pairing of young offensive linemen.

The Steelers are looking for their franchise left tackle, and Fashanu is an elite athlete at the position. He needs to add strength, but he could sit behind Dan Moore Jr. for some time while he does. I thought about adding Amarius Mims to pair with his former teammate in Broderick Jones, but the Steelers need a true left tackle.

The Raiders have a good left tackle in Kolton Miller, but they likely need to figure out right tackle and their offensive line, which has struggled mightily through the years, before they can reach on a quarterback here. Thayer Munford can play inside if needed, and Cody Whitehair and Dylan Parham can battle for the starting guard spots with Munford.

Latham gives the Raiders a solid Day 1 starter with upside as they look to modernize their offensive line under coach Antonio Pierce and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Thomas Jr. gets to stay put in Louisiana, and the Saints get a true X receiver to pair with Chris Olave, who will be able to move around the line of scrimmage more. Thomas Jr. is speedy and lengthy and gives Derek Carr another weapon to utilize in that offense.

The Falcons come out looking like bandits after trading back to No. 15 overall with the Colts and still landing the player they would have taken at No. 8 overall. They need pass rush, and they get it here in an offensive-heavy draft, while picking up assets to continue building in the new regime.

Turner has a lot of similarities to Will Anderson, and he could impact their defense Day 1 under Raheem Morris.

Powers-Johnson, who is the best overall interior lineman in the draft, has all the talent in the world to be an All-Pro. His sturdy build, elite speed and strength combo allows the Seahawks to finally protect the interior of the line. Powers-Johnson is versatile enough to play all along the interior of the line, and he will make an impact in any scheme on Day 1.

Seattle gets their guy for a new regime, while also plugging their most glaring hole on offense.

The best corner in the class, in my opinion, lands with a team desperate for a true shutdown player. His raw athleticism and instincts scream lockdown corner at the next level. It’s no slight to the corners Jacksonville currently employs, but adding Mitchell will allow everyone to slide into their natural role and fortify a defense that should be considered a top-five unit in 2024.

With the Bengals in a stalemate with Tee Higgins, they risk hurting his trade value by drafting a receiver here, and frankly, they don’t need to draft his replacement in Round 1. Fautanu allows the Bengals to stash and develop him as Orlando Brown and Trent Brown man down the bookends. Fautanu is the best pass protector outside of Alt and an unreal athlete.

This gives the Bengals a guy they can mold into an interior lineman or keep him at tackle. A luxury pick for sure, but with Joe Burrow as your franchise quarterback, a lot of money and picks need to be spent in order to keep him upright, as he has missed some time in his short career with two separate injuries now.

Latu may be the best pass rusher in the class, but his injury history drops him here. With Aaron Donald on a beach somewhere, and Murphy gone, the Rams add to their pass rush with a versatile rusher in Latu, who won’t have to move too far.

After trading back with Pittsburgh, the Broncos feel more comfortable grabbing Nix here, along with picking up a second-rounder in the process. I don’t love Nix in the first two rounds, but he is a Sean Payton type of quarterback, and the team desperately needs one. He may not be ready, but they are going to throw him into the fire right away.

Likely playing center, Barton is a physically gifted lineman that should be able to start Day 1 for the Dolphins and could play left tackle if needed. It’s rare that a player has the ability to play all five offensive line spots, and at minimum, fills the Dolphins’ biggest offensive need in the interior of the offensive line.

DeJean is the second corner taken, and he fits well with the Eagles defense. He might play a little too aggressive at times, but the Eagles defense fits to his strengths. They need to start adding to their secondary, which is getting up there in age.

After trading out of the top-five, the Chargers complete their trade with the Vikings by selecting the second-best tackle in Fuaga. They also manage to grab an electrifying receiver in Mitchell that gives them some much-needed separation after trading away Keenan Allen.

Trading back worked in their favor, as they added two impact starters on offense and will have some ammo to attack defense in a draft where a lot of defensive players will naturally get pushed back down the board due to the sheer volume of offensive players worthy of a top-50 pick.

Arnold is a very good corner that could complete the Cowboys’ secondary. He possesses all the skills you look for in a boundary corner, but he has the change of direction to be able to play inside, if needed. In a passing league, you can never have enough corner help.

With the Packers finding strides with their young nucleus last year, they need to add a surefire tackle to the mix. Mims has limited tape, but you can’t teach size and athleticism, making him one of the most freakish athletes in the class. Green Bay will be able to stay patient with Mims and eventually kick him to left tackle when he is ready.

Jared Verse is a versatile edge defender, and the Buccaneers need to get younger on the line and find some long-term solutions. Verse makes sense for this team, and they get the best value on the board here at No. 26, as Verse likely could go in the top-15 during normal drafts. He gets pushed down here due to the offensive pool being so deep.

After landing the best non-quarterback in the class at No. 4, the Cardinals use their second first-rounder and attack the secondary with an excellent boundary corner from Clemson. Wiggins can slide into corner next to newly-signed Sean Murphy-Bunting and solidify the secondary that already has Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.

A speedy profile with the ability to help take the top off the defense, Franklin is a perfect fit for the Bills offense. After trading away Stefon Diggs and letting Gabe Davis walk, they added Curtis Samuel to Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid. But they still need a game-breaker. Franklin should come in right away and contribute on this offense with Josh Allen.

A late riser, Kneeland is a power-rusher that is stout against the run. The Lions could use another EDGE to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and Kneeland could do just that, as their skills complement each other. With some good downhill linebackers behind him, he could be a game-wrecker and disruptor.

McKinstry is a solid interior corner who struggles with larger wide receivers, but the Ravens need all the help they can get in an older secondary. McKinstry is a good fit here, and with three corners off the board, the Ravens make sure they land their corner of the future at the backend of the first round. McKinstry is an ultimate competitor and will make Ravens fans very happy with good instincts.

The 49ers could use some offensive line improvements, and Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger. Jordan Morgan is a perfect fit for this offense and could play either inside or at right tackle on Day 1. They can either keep him at right tackle or shift him to the left side when Williams calls is a career.

The Chiefs have some uncertainty at the receiver position. They just added Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Worthy possesses a lot of similar skills, and speed, to former Chiefs No. 1 receiver Tyreek Hill. He sneaks into the end of the round as the Chiefs add to their offensive weaponry and chase a three-peat.

An explosive and potential gamebreaking receiver, Legette has unteachable attributes but a lot of question marks for his route-running ability over the middle. He will need to work on some things, but the South Carolina native will be able to stay close to home after playing there in college as well.

Legette is a perfect compliment to Diontae Johnson, Adam Theilen and Jonathan Mingo for Year 2 quarterback Bryce Young.

An athlete with potential is what the Patriots get here, and they can start to prep their left tackle of the future by sitting him early behind veteran Chuks Okorafor. Amegadjie will need to work on some technique, but that is what draft and develop really is.

Newton is one of the best interior defenders in the entire class, and the Cardinals add a disruptor after adding Marvin Harrison Jr. and Nate Wiggins on Day 1. Newton should help shore up one of Arizona’s biggest weaknesses, and that’s interior pressure and run stopping.

The Commanders need some dynamic players for their new quarterback, and Sanders is an electric tight end that should help challenge defenses in Year 1 for the rookie. Sanders joins Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler and Jahan Dotson in Jayden Daniels’ first-year supporting cast. Not a bad grouping for a rookie.

Wilson is the best off-ball linebacker in the class, and the Chargers will likely look to add to their defense and find a potential game-changing, sideline-to-sideline linebacker here in Round 2, after trading back and getting Justin Herbert Fuaga and Mitchell in Round 1.

The Tennessee Titans seem to be going all-in on determining if Will Levis is their franchise quarterback or not. After adding DeAndre Hopkins last year and Calvin Ridley this year to Treylon Burks in the wide receiver room, the Titans could look to add a weapon that aligns with the current make up of the room. Ridley is a Z/X Hybrid, along with Hopkins and Burks, but McConkey could be the team’s starting slot receiver to keep Hopkins and Ridley fresh in rotation.

Besides the positional need, Hopkins and Ridley aren’t getting any younger, and Burks hasn’t been particularly special. So McConkey is some insurance for Levis’ evaluation season. It also doesn’t hurt to add good players on offense for whoever is throwing the ball after 2024.

The Panthers added a lot to their offensive line this offseason. They also added a high-end No. 2 receiver in Diontae Johnson and just took a potential game-changing receiver at the top of the round in Legette.

Sainristil may become a slot corner exclusively, but he has elite recognition and agility that should make him a nice chess piece for the Panthers defense looking for a new identity. He has game-wrecker all over his tape after transitioning from wide receiver, and he could be a quarterback nightmare early on.

After moving on from both Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders will likely look to reset their position here with the pick they got from the Bears. Chop Robinson has game-wrecking tape on all three downs, but he is more of a tactician than elite athlete. Not that he is bad in any sense, he just doesn’t ooze the type of pop that teams may salivate over. Washington needs a disciplined EDGE rusher, and Robinson will be a three-down player from Day 1.

Nubin is a threat in both run and pass situations but his awareness is where he shines. He won’t wow anyone with game-breaking speed or strength, but he has more than enough to be an impact player from Day 1 for the Packers, who could use some secondary help next to Xavier McKinney.

After the Texans traded for Diggs and hit on Tank Dell, they could look to add yet another pass-catcher to the group. Corley is this year’s Deebo Samuel, and he could make an elite addition to a wide receiver core that should be at the top of the division this year. He will help complete the offense, and the Texans need to continue to add around C.J. Stroud, who had an excellent rookie season and looks like one of the game’s elite quarterbacks in the making.

After trading back and grabbing some extra picks on Day 3 and a 2025 second-rounder, the Falcons landed a premier pass-rusher in Dallas Turner at 15th overall. Now, they could go offense here, but with the capital spent on offense the last few drafts in Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson and the additions of Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore, they look to add a competitive press man corner.

Rakestraw Jr. could build a nice pairing with AJ Terrell. He is not afraid to show his ability to stop the run, which is an important must-have for a Raheem Morris cornerback. If all works out, Rakestraw Jr. and Terrell could make an elite pairing.

Josh Jacobs has left the building, and the Raiders could rely on Alexander Mattison or Zamir White. But they get a chance to add the best running back in the class. The Raiders, like many other teams, don’t pay running backs. With that model, they’ll need to make sure they’re throwing darts every few years to find the next lead back.

Brooks can be that back for the Raiders. They could have went in a number of directions, but this is a move that still makes sense for them.

Guyton is a behemoth of a man, and the Saints need a tackle badly. After passing on one to solidify their receiving room, they look to add a mauler in the run game and someone who has the traits to be a premier tackle for a long time.

After going up and grabbing Brock Bowers, the Colts look to add another big boundary corner with some speed. Tampa is aggressive and plays physical, which should add to the identity of the defense. The Colts could have addressed receiver or linebacker here, but they need some secondary depth. They hope Tampa can eventually become one of their two starters.

The Giants went and added Malik Nabers and used one of their two second-rounders to acquire Brian Burns, but they still have this pick from the Leonard Williams deal. In this slot, the Giants need to add to their interior offensive line, and Frazier can play anywhere along the interior. I project him to be a starting center Day 1. So the Giants get to solidify their interior with one of the best at his position in the class.

A more prototypical edge rusher, Isaac is a nice fit for a Jaguars team looking to find a running mate for Josh Allen. Trayvon Walker had a good second season, but you want more from your first overall pick in 2022.

Isaac, Allen and Walker give the Jaguars a solid core of pass rushers they can keep in rotation to keep opposing quarterbacks up at night.

Pearsall is a good fit for the Bengals, who are likely moving on from Tee Higgins. He complements Ja’Marr Chase better than Higgins does, as Higgins and Chase are both X receivers. Although they’re different in many ways, there is a slight “logjam” and Pearsall could help flip that narrative, especially if the team moves on from Higgins.

Pearsall lives in the inside of the field and could have a very productive season with Joe Burrow at the helm.

The Eagles added Devante Parker, which will not scare any defenses in 2024, but they clearly are looking for an X receiver as depth. The team has options across the board and ultimately is looking to add to their receiver room. Coleman is an excellent jump-ball receiver that could give them a red zone option and take some pressure off of AJ Brown or Devonta Smith at times.

After moving on from Jerry Jeudy and the turmoil with Cortland Sutton possibly not being happy with his contract, the Broncos could look to target a young receiver to pair with their rookie quarterback. Trading back allowed the Broncos to get back into the second round.

Polk is an excellent deep ball and contested catch receiver, which would give Nix a true weapon down the sideline, while Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. could play the Z and slot respectively. Polk is Sutton insurance, but he could work well if they decide to keep him.

The Rams target their Matthew Stafford replacement, and Michael Penix has the best arm in the class in terms of pure talent. Injuries are a major concern for many teams, and he will likely fall out of the top-25. With the way the board fell, teams weren’t getting too desperate to move up or take him earlier.

So the Rams opt to take a chance on the talent of an older prospect with injury concerns. Sitting behind Matthew Stafford for his likely last season or two could align perfectly. Penix would only be 26 years old when he starts, if it’s a two-year wait, which isn’t as concerning as others might feel.

The Eagles add an elite pass protector here who will be an excellent NFL guard. I actually liked Beebe last year for the Eagles, but after opting to return to Kansas State, he put together another nice season showcasing his raw power in the run game and elite pass protection

The Eagles have a good roster, but they need to start taking some shots on the offensive line as age will creep up eventually. Having a good young player is never a bad idea. I think Beebe could be an upgrade along the interior line as opposed to just depth or developmental.

The Browns will look to continue beefing up on the defensive front. Myles Garrett is a force to be reckoned with, and the Browns could opt to add some interior pressure to allow Garrett to dominate one-on-one without having to worry about generating interior pressure.

Fiske is an intriguing prospect that tested well and has elite explosiveness. He is on the smaller side for a true nose tackle, but he fits in well as a defensive tackle for the Browns in 4-3 formations.

The Dolphins need desperate help on the interior after losing Christian Wilkins. Kris Jenkins needs to work on his pass-rushing arsenal, but he could be a solid defensive tackle for a Dolphins team that could really use some stoutness on the interior. Jenkins is a very good run defender that should allow the Dolphins to get into a rhythm on defense again.

The Cowboys need a new workhorse back, and Corum is one of the better backs in this class. With a smaller frame, teams will underestimate his stout lower half and explosiveness as they try and tackle him. He might be smaller, but he has quick feet and good power that will make him a hard back to bring down. He doesn’t strike as a dual-threat running back, and he also needs some polish to his route-running and pass-blocking abilities. Rico Dowdle or Deuce Vaughn could take over on third downs.

With Mike Evans getting up there in age and injury concerns to Chris Godwin, the Buccaneers should start some future planning here in a stout offensive draft. Wilson is a nice blend that could compete Day 1. He has excellent awareness in zone with a good route tree.

The Packers are getting an elite athlete who plays above the rim. He has the awareness and explosiveness to make an impact in the slot, but he also has the long speed to be a very good starting corner. Melton would also join his brother, Bo Melton, who is a Packers receiver. The training camp battles would certainly be fun to watch. Regardless, Max Melton is a perfect fit for the Packers’ secondary.

Braswell has some good pop and speed to his tape, and he would be a fun exclusive pass-rusher for the Texans, who have Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Adding Braswell to the Texans defense gives them another fun athlete to plug into some unique formations. Braswell needs to work on his run defense if he wants to crack the lineup on early downs, as he is a primary pass-rusher at this stage.

The Bills need to find some cornerback depth after letting Tre’Davious White head elsewhere. Lassiter is a fluid mover with great technique. He may not be the fastest player, but he’s not slow by any means

His fit on this team is almost perfect. His willingness to tackle and instincts make him a plus run defender and someone who should see the field on all downs, giving the Bills a true boundary corner they can rely on Week 1 next to Rasul Douglas.

Haynes is my favorite interior lineman in the class. He may not be the best in terms of pure talent, but his versatility and athletic profile make him intriguing. He has a powerful lower half with quick feet to exceed in either zone or power schemes.

The Lions will need another guard after losing Jonah Jackson, and if they wish to make the trenches an identity, they will need to take one here soon.

Walker is an X receiver that bloomed later in his college career. The Ravens lost Odell Beckham Jr. Rashod Bateman is not what he was thought to be, and Zay Flowers cannot do it all by himself. Giving Lamar Jackson a deep threat with size is a must, as the last few receivers have been more jump ball than pure separators.

Flowers was a clear change in vision for the team. With Jackson being run-first, having receivers who can get open in a flash is important due to the quarterback making quick reads. And if it is not there, he’s taking off. More methodical receivers are virtually useless in this offense, and Walker is closer to Flowers than Beckham Jr.

The 49ers’ theme is to rebuild the trenches through the draft. It’s not that they aren’t good, but it’s that there could be some upgrades to make it a little easier on Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey. If the 49ers end up trading Brandon Aiyuk, then there is a conversation for receiver here. However, adding a tackle here after landing Morgan, who could play either tackle or guard, is more about the 49ers adding to their biggest area of need. If Morgan and Suamataia are both tackles, they have a shot at learning from a future Hall of Famer in Trent Williams.

The Chiefs added a receiver with the notion that Rashee Rice may not be fully accounted for after his incident this offseason. If Rice returns with no issues, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Rice, Travis Kelce and Worthy would be a dangerous receiving group. If the Chiefs want to three-peat, they should also consider adding some tackle depth, particularly a developmental tackle project who could turn into an All-Pro one day.

Paul possess great hands and unteachable measurables, but his technique needs a lot of work. He is not overly agile on an island.