Conference Call Mock Draft with Kelley and Lou. We hopped on a call and hashed out what we would do if we were GMs of the 32 teams in the Draft. Lou took the odd numbers and Kelley took the even numbers. The Draft will not end up looking like this (it probably will not look like any Mock Draft), but if we were in charge, this is how it would go.

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

This isn’t shocking to anyone. I type this now with fingers painted and a bonnet in my hair – totally unrelated. Will the Bears finally find the one? 30+ TD passes, 4k+ passing yards, mediocre or better QB? The bar is low for success at the QB position in Chicago, but the ceiling and floor with Williams bodes well for Chicago. 

2. Washington Commanders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Washington has kept their plans at #2 under wraps, with Daniels getting the most buzz. However, I would run to the podium for Drake Maye if it were my choice. Maye has the prototypical size, athleticism, and arm talent of a franchise QB. He is a much better thrower out of structure, has a stronger arm, and takes less sacks than Daniels.

3. New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Jacoby Brissett? C’MON Man. Pats backed themselves into a corner here and need to go QB. A trade back is in play, but not really? I would love to take Marv here, but what value are you getting out of a top end WR with inept QB play. Look up: Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Drake London, etc etc. In just recent memory. 

4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

The Cardinals will certainly listen to offers for this pick (they traded out of pick 3 last year, where Houston took Will Anderson), and should strongly consider it. But they have the most draft capital of any team in the Top 100. At some point, you need to just stay and add a blue chip player. They do that here with the Draft’s top non-QB in Marvin Harrison Jr. 

TRADE: Lou uses his one trade here where the Chargers are trading back to the highest bidder, which happens to be the Minnesota Vikings. Two first round picks and multiple future day 2 selections should do the trick. Chargers gain capital and the Vikings get their shot at a QB. 

5. Minnesota Vikings (via Los Angeles Chargers) – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

I want to go on record in saying that if I am Harbaugh, I’m playing hard ball. Although, if I am Minnesota, is McCarthy the guy? You just gave up 2 seconds and change for the 23rd pick from Houston, then you give up extra capital for JJ. Seems like a steep price, but unfortunately pairing a franchise QB with two young stud WRs along with a promising young coach could pay off in Minnesota. It’s a high risk, but high reward move. 

6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants have been looking for a #1 WR ever since Odell left the Big Apple. Nabers at #6 feels like a value. He would have been neck and neck with Will Anderson for the top non-QB in last year’s class, but this class is so loaded with QBs that he drops to #6 here. Unless they have a chance to get Drake Maye, taking one of the Tier 1 WRs is the best plan for New York in my opinion.

7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Titans finally go and get their franchise OT since Taylor Lewan. One could argue taking a WR here, but to me, OT makes much more sense especially when it’s Joe Alt. A TE in High School, Alt has fantastic feet and at 6’8” 315 lbs there’s not much more you can want in a Tackle prospect. Great pick here for the Titans. 

8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

I strongly considered moving back here, but without a surefire trade partner I took the top EDGE on my board. The Falcons have lacked pass rush for the last decade. It’s time to fix that. Dallas Turner is the exact type of EDGE that new HC Raheem Morris loves. He is an athletic freak off the edge, but also has extensive experience dropping back into coverage at Alabama. Morris has his EDGEs drop more than anyone, so Turner can give him a bit of everything.

9. Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

A dream for Chicago. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze would be the biggest of wins for the Bears coming out of Day 1. In 2022, TE Cole Kmet was the only Bear with more than 40 receptions or 500 yards receiving. If the Bears have the chance to take Odunze at 9 then they could build off of Kmet with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, D’Andre Swift, and potentially Rome Odunze by 2024. That would no shock be an overhaul in just 2 offseasons, and an absolute slew of options for Rookie QB Caleb Williams. This would be a no brainer for the Bears if Odunze is available. 

10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Jets are already all-in at this point. Why not full-send it with a versatile pass catcher that can contribute immediately? Bowers can step in as their secondary receiver behind Garrett Wilson from Day 1. He will be a key part of their immediate window and many years after Rodgers retires.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (via Mock Trade, Minnesota Vikings)  – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

SLAM DUNK! HARD TO THE RIM JIM! There are a lot of good options here for Harbaugh, but Getting a great OL like Fuaga makes too much sense. Primarily a RT, Fuaga would be the perfect compliment to Pro Bowl LT Rashawn Slater. This pick would be the smartest and safest option for the Chargers, but I also think it’d be the best option too. 

12. Denver Broncos – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

I do not have a first round grade on any of the remaining QBs, and Denver has an awful roster top to bottom. So I decided to just give them a great player at a premium position of need in Latu. Latu is the most polished EDGE in this class, and could realistically be a threat for double digit sacks in year 1. 

13. Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Penix, QB, Washington

This is iffy. I struggled with this one immensely. Ask my counterpart, KP, we talked longer about this pick than whether or not I should just let my ex wife get custody of the kids. Though, I don’t really see a good option in the QB room for Vegas. I could see them waiting things out and going DB or OL, I think taking a shot at Penix could make a lot of sense for LV. 

14. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

New Orleans swung and missed on traitsy OT Trevor Penning a few years back, and now Pro Bowl RT Ryan Ramcyzk is dealing with chronic knee injuries. OT feels like by far the biggest need here. Although I believe Amarius Mims has a higher ceiling than Fashanu, Fashanu has a higher floor. While Olu may never have the power or run blocking to become a perennial Pro Bowl OT, he is a good enough pass blocker that he has a floor of being a good starting OT in the NFL in my opinion. And frankly, the Saints cannot afford to whiff on another pick at the position right now. Fashanu can start at LT immediately and has room to grow. 

15. Indianapolis Colts – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

There have been plenty of rumors that the Colts want to move up for another top option for Anthony Richardson, specifically Brock Bowers. Though with no other trades open in this mock, and no top options available, the first DB off the board goes to Indianapolis. Arguably the weakest link for the Colts is DB and a true CB1 makes a whole lot of sense for a team with an aging Kenny Moore as the top DB. 

16. Seattle Seahawks – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The Saints biggest needs are on the Interior Offensive Line, but I have seen reports that Mike Macdonald thinks taking IOL this high is a reach. With how deep the IOL class is Rounds 2-4, I agree with him. Seattle is missing a star pass rusher, and Jared Verse has the potential to give them more juice in that department. Macdonald, who is thankfully done tormenting the AFC North, will find ways to best deploy Verse and get him free shots at the QB.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Tackle and WR are also options in play here, but with Mitchell on the board and CB being a need the fit seems right. Outside of Tyson Campbell there aren’t any other true outside CB options for the Jaguars, and Mitchell is a heck of a good option at 17. In a division with 3 young, opposing QBs and a strong secondary is a smart starting point for Jacksonville.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia 

As I have said before, Mims is my favorite of the Bengals targets that are likely to be available at 18. My OT3 and #10 overall player, Mims has as high of a ceiling as pretty much any non-QB in this class. While he is inexperienced, he is not raw as a pass protector. His movement ability at 6’8”, 340 only comes around once every decade or so. Similar to former UGA teammate Broderick Jones in Pittsburgh last year, he can develop behind fellow giants, Orlando and Trent Brown in the short-term, and potentially win the starting RT spot by the time the playoffs roll around. It’s rare to have an opportunity to grab a player at a premium position with true All-Pro potential outside the Top 15. I’d pull the trigger if he makes it here. 

19. LA Rams – JC Latham, OT, Alabama

There are a lot of holes for this playoff Rams team, but I see OL as the biggest. With both Latham and Fautanu on the board, the team leans more towards the true Tackle prospect in Latham. He could also play guard in the interim and then take over once longstead Rob Havenstein finally decides to hang them up. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington 

Similar to the Bengals, Pittsburgh has spent a large amount of their pre-draft Top 30 visits on OL. They have a spot to fill on the interior and potentially at OT, although Tomlin seems to like Dan Moore Jr. more than most. Fautanu is an ideal fit, as he has the length and athleticism to stick at LT, and the versatility to move inside if needed. There is nothing OL coaches love more than versatility, and Fautanu offers more of it than anyone else in the class. 

21. Miami Dolphins – Johnny Newton, DL, Illinois

HERE’s JOHNNY!!! HAHAHAHA!! Goodbye Wilkins, hello Newton. This move just feels right. The biggest walk of the offseason turns into the biggest addition in the draft. Newton is a great IDL prospect from the land of Patrick Gainer and he’ll make his mark in the trenches just as PG did on those coeds as well. Great pick here, Miami. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean

The Eagles defense was a disaster in the second half of last season, and the secondary was mostly to blame. DeJean has the size and athleticism to play Outside CB, slot, or Safety. If in the right hands, he can be an elite playmaker on the backend of an NFL defense. With Philly’s top CBs both being well over 30 years old, DeJean makes too much sense here. 

23. Los Angeles Chargers ( Minnesota Vikings (via Houston from Cleveland) ) – Kool Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama

Jim Harbaugh loves his motherfuckin ballers y’all. Kool Aid is a baller, he can play outside, slot, and safety. He will be able to do so without having to fully be the guy with existing top end DBs like Asante Samuel Jr and Derwin James. Get a glass and add some ice LA, Kool-Aid is about to burst into your glass and also your hearts. 

TRADE: Kelley used his one trade with Buffalo moving up several spots to get a pass catcher. Similar to their trade up for Dalton Kincaid last year. The Bills give a 3rd round pick to the Cowboys to move up a few spots and get their Diggs replacement.

24. Buffalo Bills – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Not only do the Bills get WR4 in this class, Thomas is a perfect fit with franchise QB Josh Allen. While he is a bit raw technically, Thomas is a big outside WR with elite speed and ball tracking on deep balls. No QB in the NFL could use that skill more than Allen. His size and speed is hard to find at the position, and if he is able to learn some of the nuances of playing WR, he has WR1 potential for an offense.

25. Green Bay Packers – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Fuck the Packers, but solid pick for the cheeseheads. While their secondary depth has been solid over the past few years there hasn’t been a true number two to be opposite of Jaire Alexander in some time. Nate Wiggins will be a great add to the squad, just in time to get #roasted by the Chicago Bears air attack #BEARS. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Barton is the type of uber athletic LT-to-IOL convert that Tampa Bay loves. Most project Barton to settle in at Center, and he can fill the void left by retired Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen. If injuries arise, Barton can play all 5 OL positions in a pinch, and has Pro Bowl upside at any of the interior spots. 

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston) – Byron Murphy, DL, Texas

This would be the absolute steal of the draft. Marv and Murphy? This could be the win of round 1. Rumors have Murphy going in the 8 to 18 range, but in this mock he falls all the way to 27 and it would be quite idiotic for Arizona to PASS THIS UP. Whoops, caps lock was accidentally on there, but for journalistic integrity – we’ll allow it.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon

Dallas is another squad with multiple holes on their OL including Center. They moved back a few spots here with Buffalo to acquire additional draft capital, and still landed their Center of the future in Jackson Powers-Johnson. JPJ is an absolute Ford F-150 of a man, who moves well and is an impenetrable wall in pass protection. He only started one year at Oregon, but is a young, ascending player. Putting him next to future HOFer Zack Martin would make for a nasty interior. 

29. Detroit Lions – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn St 

This would be very, very dangerous for the NFC North. Taking a guy like Chop and allowing him to develop opposite of Aiden Hutchinson under a guy like Dan Campbell – just seems too good. Chop has all the measurables, best combine performance out of all the EDGE guys, and if he were in Hutch’s draft year, might’ve gone top 10. Though, he is a raw talent in that sense, but if he winds up in Detroit this could be a win-win-win for all parties involved. 

30. Baltimore Ravens – Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

After the top tier of OTs are off the board (Alt, Fuaga, Mims, Fashanu, Latham, Fautanu), there is a group of raw, traitsy OTs that could sneak into late Day 1. While many prefer Tyler Guyton as the next off the board, I prefer Suamataia. The 21 year old former 5 star recruit is the younger cousin of Penei Sewell. Like Sewell, Suamataia has good size and length and is a plus athlete. He needs additional development when it comes to footwork in pass protection and hand placement, but his athleticism and power at his age gives him a high ceiling if he ends up with the right organization. Baltimore, who has multiple holes along the OL, can find a long-term answer that has experience playing both RT and LT. 

31. San Francisco 49ers – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

What happens with Brandon Aiyuk? If he stays, I could see Tyler Guyton here. If he goes, AD Mitchell is the BPA, but he likely goes for a higher 1st round pick to get a different WR. This pick rides on that in my opinion. This pick also rides a lot on how the team who’s drafting views Mitchell. It sounds like the talent is there, but the maturity is far from polished. Would going to a strong organization help a young WR get on track? Or does Shanny not have the time or leash to wait for AD to mature? Time will tell. High risk, high reward here for SF – on all accounts. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Most people have one of AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, or Xavier Worthy as their WR5. Anyone that read my Top 5 Positional Rankings article knows that Troy Franklin has been my WR5 throughout the entire process. The 21 year old Franklin has over 2,300 yards and 23 TDs over the last two seasons, and is among the top WRs in this class in pretty much every advanced WR metric (Yards Per Route Run, EPA per route, breakout age, etc.). He has the speed to threaten defenses deep and is able to work from outside and in the slot. The Chiefs love fast WRs, and Franklin can be a quality starter from day 1 for them.

Who Dey. Bear Down. Draft Week. Let’s go.