By MIKE HERNDON
Another draft, another year with all the attention focused squarely on the quarterbacks.
Perhaps the reason so many teams need them is because so many of them keep getting it wrong.
Take the Bears, who again hold the top pick in the draft thanks to last year’s trade with Carolina. If they draft Caleb Williams as expected, it’ll be the third time in the last eight years they’ve drafted a quarterback in the first round. The first two, Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, didn’t pan out. Williams is touted as more of a sure thing than either, and the Bears certainly hope that holds true.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the next two teams in the draft order also need quarterbacks, and two or three other QB-needy teams will be looking to trade up to get one of the next three quarterbacks projected to go – LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, who has gotten all the buzz in the last month.
I don’t usually try to predict trades, but it’s very likely that we’ll see at least one and Minnesota has the most ammo to make it happen after trading for a second first-round pick. One has to figure that move was made with trading up in mind.
Keep an eye on Washington’s Michael Penix, Jr., as well. Questions about his surgically repaired knees kept him out of much of the first-round discussion, but he showed surprising speed and agility at his pro day, which could tempt a team like Denver or Las Vegas in the middle of Day 1. It’s possible Bo Nix could sneak into the first round as well, particularly if someone trades up into the bottom of the round.
Quarterback isn’t the only position deep in first-round talent, however. Three receivers figure to be off the board in the top 10-12 picks, and we could see double-digit offensive linemen come off the board in Day 1. Defensive line is thinner, and running backs, safeties and linebackers with first-round grades are scarce.
This year’s mock first round:
- Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
I don’t care what color his nails are, Williams is the most talented QB to come in the draft since Trevor Lawrence and is an easy call for a team that hasn’t had a franchise quarterback in years.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Comparing him to Lamar Jackson isn’t fair, but Daniels has the wheels to give Washington a rushing threat they haven’t had at the position since RGIII and should be a nice fit in a Kliff Kingsbury offense.
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
He’s big and athletic with a cannon for an arm. While the Patriots may be tempted to trade out for extra picks and take their chances in the second round, quarterback is the one position you’ve got to get right.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State
While a lot of mocks have Arizona trading out of this pick, passing on a receiver like Harrison would be difficult for a team whose top two WRs are currently Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch.
5. Minnesota Vikings (projected trade with LA Chargers) – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Vikings use their two first-round picks to trade up for their new quarterback while the Chargers add extra picks for their Harbaugh makeover.
6. New York Giants – Malik Nabors, WR, LSU
The Giants need offensive weapons and a great one falls into their laps here in the explosive Nabors.
7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Tennessee rebuild starts up front with the best of a deep draft class of offensive tackles.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
While Odunze will be tempting here, Raheem Morris is a defensive guy and the Falcons can add a key piece to an improving defense.
9. Chicago Bears – Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
While Odunze will be tempting here, the Bears’ 30 sacks were next-to-last in the league last season.
10. New York Jets – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
They just signed Mike Williams to pair with Garrett Wilson, but it’d be difficult to pass on handing Aaron Rodgers another weapon like Odunze.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Wouldn’t it be funny if Odunze fell to the Chargers even after trading down? With him going one pick earlier here, the Chargers solidify an offensive line they plan to lean on under Harbaugh and wait to fill the need at receiver.
12. Denver Broncos – Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington
Denver stands pat and gets its quarterback. Penix answered questions about his health with a strong pro day, which should give teams like Denver less pause in taking a chance on him in Round 1.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Antonio Pierce continues to remake this roster with another smart, tough defender.
14. New Orleans Saints – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Trevor Penning has not been the answer, leaving the Saints still in need of OT help.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
After resigning Michael Pittman, Jr., the Colts give Anthony Richardson another versatile weapon in Bowers, who can do it all.
16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
A team that seems to be in perennial need of OL help get a versatile piece in Fautanu.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Jaguars signed Ronald Darby to pair with Tyson Campbell, but adding the tough, physical Mitchell here would give them flexibility while solidifying the position for the future.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The Bengals need a replacement for Jonah Williams, who signed with Arizona.
19. Los Angeles Rams – Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The Rams lost one of the best defensive linemen of all time when Aaron Donald retired. They start the defensive rebuild by adding the best DT in this year’s draft.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
A lot of mocks have the Steelers taking a tackle, but their biggest need up front the past several years has been at center and they can get the best one in the draft here.
21. Miami Dolphins – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Dolphins signed Shaquille Barrett to replace Andrew Van Ginkel, but both Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips are coming off major injuries. Latu gives them another strong option.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Eagles have locked up Jordan Mailata, but Lane Johnson is entering his 12th season. Mims is short on experience but long on potential and measurables.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Brian Thomas, Jr., WR, LSU
The Chargers should be delighted to find Thomas still on the board here, after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Barton is a college tackle who projects as a center, and Dallas needs a good one after losing Tyler Biadasz in free agency.
25. Green Bay Packers — Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Packers need to replace David Bakhtiari and Guyton has a massive frame and massive potential.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
The Bucs need to revitalize their pass rush after the departure of Shaquille Barrett. They’ve added Randy Gregory, but the 254-pound Robinson brings 4.48 speed off the edge.
27. Arizona Cardinals – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
After adding offensive help with their first first-round pick, the Cardinals turn to defense.
28. Buffalo Bills – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
After shipping off Stefon Diggs to Houston, the Bills need to add weapons for Josh Allen. Worthy is a game-breaker whose 4.21 40 was the fastest in NFL Combine history.
29. Detroit Lions – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
For a team that needs help at both cornerback and safety, finding a talent like DeJean who can play both would be an ideal fit.
30. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Ravens lost Morgan Moses in free agency and can’t keep Ronnie Stanley healthy.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Niners lost Arik Armstead and added Maliek Collins up front. Newton would give them a formidable rotation with Collins and Javon Hargrave.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
After losing L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs add another speedy corner to their secondary.
Categories: NFL
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