This NFL Draft will define the next generation of the NFL. Several star quarterbacks are joining the pros and are expected to lead their respective franchises through rebuilds and out of futility. Skill position players with all the talent in the world will provide new weapons for quarterbacks who desperately need them (looking at you, Herbert).

Who will each team select?

1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Let me start off by saying that Chicago owes the Carolina Panthers a sincere debt of gratitude. They should repay Carolina however they can for the trade in last year’s draft. Give them flowers, edible arrangements; hell, throw in the conditional pick they got for Justin Fields for funsies. It gave the Bears a golden opportunity to start anew and get themselves a passing offense that has seemingly never existed in Chicago.

After trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, it all but ensured that the Bears have determined their next signal caller – 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams. He’s been thought of as the first overall pick in this year’s draft for quite some time now, and Chicago has won the sweepstakes. It will be the third time the Bears have selected a QB in the first round in the last 8 drafts, and they’re hoping that the third time’s the charm. He’ll be the signal caller as Chicago leads what could be a legitimately elite passing attack if their offense with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen goes according to plan.

However, he is the only surefire pick in this round. Thanks to the highly expected QB carousel, the rest of the selections are completely up in the air. Here goes nothing.

2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Similar to the Bears, Washington will be selecting their third quarterback in the first round in the last twelve years. Who that quarterback will be, however, remains to be seen. There is the possibility that they could trade down from their number two slot to acquire extra picks and still select a solid franchise QB. But for the sake of not over-complicating things, we’ll project them selecting Daniels, is an elite dual-threat QB and has the accuracy to dish out the ball to Washington’s litany of solid receivers like Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

3. (TRADE ALERT – New England Patriots trade pick 3, 193 to Minnesota Vikings for 8*, 23, 2025 third round pick) – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The most popular selection for the Vikings is for them to trade up to the fifth pick to select Michigan QB JJ McCarthy. As someone who has adopted the Vikings as their NFC team, the idea of Minnesota selling the house for a national title-winning QB, especially when quarterbacks who win titles historically don’t do well in the pros, makes me viscerally angry. The only elite quarterbacks in the NFL to win national titles in college are Joe Burrow and Cam Newton, and those QBs carried their teams on their backs the year they won. This is not the case for McCarthy.

Now why is Minnesota giving up the eighth pick in my mock as opposed to the 11th? NBC’s Mike Florio has suggested that as punishment for the Kirk Cousins tampering scandal, the Falcons and Vikings may swap picks 8 and 11. In such a case, it puts the Vikings in a better position to trade up, and they may not have to give up as much to move into the top 3. This move gives the Vikings a potential franchise QB in Drake Maye, who has the size and measurables to dish out the ball to elite targets like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson.

(Before we move on, don’t let “He’ll have great receivers in Minnesota” be a selling point for whichever QB you’re hyping up. Every QB in this draft will have a great system in Minnesota, my dudes.)

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

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus pick for the most talented non-quarterback in the draft. He is a two time unanimous All-American, the most recent winner of the Fred Biletnikoff Award, and has top 1,200 yards and scored exactly 14 TDs in each of the last two years. He also has impressive genes, as he’s the son of *checks notes* Marvin Harrison, a Hall-of-Famer. Unless Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh decides to leapfrog Arizona and selects a receiver from his previous organization’s most hated rival, Harrison will be Arizona’s choice.

He provides a number one receiving threat for an offense that is ultra thin at receiver after they lost Hollywood Brown to the Chiefs. The move also reunites Harrison with college teammate and 2023 first round selection Paris Johnson Jr.

5. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

In a fire sale, the Los Angeles Chargers traded Keenan Allen to the Bears and released Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler, a pass catching weapon out of the backfield, to free agency. That now makes 2023 first round pick Quentin Johnston, who had a disappointing rookie campaign, as the WR1 in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. If the Chargers’ front office wants to prevent Justin Herbert from throwing haymakers in the GM’s office, they have to select a receiver with their top five pick (wherever in the top five that may be). If Harrison isn’t available, Nabers is a very serviceable close second, and some teams even believe Nabers is the better receiver of the two.

6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Despite all the evidence in the world, Brian Daboll seems confident in his top QB, Daniel Jones. Even with that confidence, the Giants’ receiver corps severely lacks an elite playmaker. If they want to give Daniel Jones a fighting chance at quarterback, they need to surround him with literally anyone. Odunze is a legitimate number one threat that can give Daniel Jones a potential elite player to get his career back on track.

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

The Titans still seem to be okay with Will Levis as their franchise quarterback for the time being. In that case, they need to invest in him. New head coach Brian Callahan has a receiving corps that consists of the handsomely-paid Calvin Ridley (perhaps too handsomely), an aging DeAndre Hopkins, and 2022 first rounder Treylon Burks, who hasn’t lived up to that first round potential thus far. With this crowded corps, Alt would fill a need the Titans have at left tackle, especially since he’s the best lineman in the draft.

8. (After trade with Minnesota Vikings) New England Patriots – JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Jacoby Brissett, the NFL’s ultimate stopgap QB, is the current QB1 in Foxborough. With that, the Patriots are in dire need of a franchise quarterback, and teams like the Broncos and Raiders may be trying to jump up to acquire their franchise players as well. New England reportedly loves McCarthy. While McCarthy isn’t exactly going into an ideal situation quite yet, New England could address their receiver corps with later picks. By selecting McCarthy, they’ll be taking their second swing at a national championship winning QB in the first round in four years.

9. Chicago Bears – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Chicago Bears had the second fewest sacks in the NFL last year with 30. By default, the best and quickest way to fix this problem is by selecting an edge rusher. The Bears also could draft a receiver here, but after the acquisition of Keenan Allen and the selection of Caleb Williams, their passing game seems to be set. Turner fills their second biggest need – pass rushing.

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

The Jets made free agent splashes by signing Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses in free agency, so now they need to address their weapons. All the top quarterback and wide receiver prospects are gone now, which leaves one more generational talent – Brock Bowers.

The top tight end on their depth chart is Tyler Conklin, and they completely missed on CJ Uzomah in free agency two years ago. Selecting Bowers gives Aaron Rodgers his best chance at success in his first full season with the Jets, provided MetLife Stadium’s turf doesn’t cause his Achilles to disintegrate faster than an RFK Jr. presidential run.

11. Atlanta Falcons (after potential penalty for tampering scandal) – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Falcons offense is entering the Kirk Cousins era, and he’s got a litany of weapons around him. Now, the Falcons and defensive-minded head coach Raheem Morris must address their defense after spending most of their offseason addressing the offense. Morris has said he wants to place an emphasis on addressing the pass rush in the upcoming draft, and Latu is one of the more elite pass rushers in the draft.

12. Denver Broncos – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Assuming the Broncos lose out on the JJ McCarthy sweepstakes (is it really a sweepstakes?), Sean Payton has to find another option. Any team with Jarrett Stidham as its QB1 should automatically be demoted to the CFL. To prevent this, the Broncos, who are in a complete rebuild, need a quarterback to guide that rebuild. Bo Nix isn’t exactly the best quarterback in this class, but he’s far from the worst. Denver would be smart to take him as a consolation prize and build around him.

13. Las Vegas Raiders – Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

In an era where teams are reaching entirely too far for franchise quarterbacks, it’s entirely possible that the Raiders use this pick on Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., even with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell on the depth chart. By selecting Fautanu, Penix’s left tackle at Washington, it helps address their dire needs on the offensive line.

It also opens up the possibility of Vegas finding a way to invest in Penix later on in the draft. However, they may not feel the need to reach for a QB after investing in Minshew and seeing occasionally competent production from O’Connell. In this draft, anything is possible, man.

14. New Orleans Saints – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Saints recently received really tough news with their current starting right tackle, Ryan Ramczyk. He’s faced several setbacks with his current knee injury, and there is currently no timetable for his return. New Orleans has no choice but to replace him in the draft, and luckily, this draft is rich in right tackles.

Taliese Fuaga provides the run blocking ability that Ramczyk did during his time in the Big Easy. He’s a potential day one starter that could be a replacement for Ramczyk should his time with the Saints, and potentially even the NFL, come to a close.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Colts spent a lot of their offseason retaining their big name defensive players, but that doesn’t mean there are still things on that side of the ball that need to be addressed. Allowing big plays was an issue, and selecting Mitchell would help address that need. They also have a need at wide receiver, but that need could be addressed on day two, especially in a draft that is heavily rich at that exact position.

16. Seattle Seahawks – Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

While the Seahawks signed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, he is far from a long term answer. JPJ, who played close by at Oregon, is by far the best interior lineman in the draft. He gives Seattle a potential long term answer at the position.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The Jags’ pass defense struggled in 2023, as shown by the absolute clinic that Bengals QB Jake Browning put on during Monday Night Football. In a first round that is full of serviceable starters at cornerback, Arnold is a physically gifted player with a high football IQ.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – JC Latham, OT, Alabama

As a steadfast supporter of Joe Burrow’s kneecaps, I have wanted the Bengals to invest everything they can into their offensive line. Now, there’s also the possibility that the Bengals address their interior defensive line here, and it wouldn’t be a terrible move after the departure of DJ Reader.

Yes, Cincinnati signed Trent Brown. However, he’s on a one year deal, and he’s not a guaranteed home run option at right tackle (he was a healthy scratch in Week 17 last year). The Bengals love giants on the offensive line, and Latham is a huge prospect with two years of starting experience at Alabama. In the event that Trent Brown isn’t in Cincy long term, Latham is a safe insurance policy and a potential long term answer at right tackle.

19. Los Angeles Rams – Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

The last time the Rams used a first round pick was in 2016. No, really. Barack Obama was president, the Rams had yet to play a game in Los Angeles, and Aaron Donald was only halfway through his rookie deal. Now, Aaron Donald has retired, and replacing the Hall of Famer is mandatory.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Steelers have an issue at tackle right now. While Broderick Jones is still a solid option at right tackle, Dan Moore Jr. was not. He was graded as PFF’s worst pass blocking offensive tackle in 2023. With that, the Steelers have to fix that issue, and Fashanu is a potential option who played college in-state. They also could opt for a receiver here, but there are plenty of options in round two.

21. Miami Dolphins – Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

You gotta replace Christian Wilkins, man.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Eagles had major pass defense flaws in 2023. Despite resigning CJ Gardner-Johnson, there are still needs that need to be addressed in the secondary. One way they could do this is by selecting Cooper DeJean, who is the most popular white athlete to be drafted out of Iowa in 2024 that isn’t named Caitlin Clark.

23. New England Patriots (after trade with Minnesota) – Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU

After being among the bottom six teams in the league in sacks in 2023, the Patriots would be wise to take the best player available at an obvious position of need. Verse is an intense pass rusher who would fill this big need in Foxborough.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Graham Barton, OT, Duke

Much to the delight of NFL Twitter, the Dallas Cowboys went into hibernation during free agency. Tyron Smith has departed for the Jets, leaving a massive hole on the left side of the offensive line. Barton, a player whose stock is on the rise, could help fortify the Cowboys’ offensive line and act as a potential day one starter.

25. Green Bay Packers – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Oh yeahhhhhh!

The Packers don’t seem to be incredibly secure with their defensive backs, as Eric Stokes has struggled with injuries. In an increasingly pass-heavy division, you can never have too much help in the secondary. They signed Xavier McKinney from the Giants and retained Keisean Nixon. McKinstry also fits Green Bay’s system, as he has the ideal size (6’1”, 194) of the typical Packers cornerback.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Tristan Wirfs seems to be the only sure thing on the Buccaneers’ offensive line. The three-time Pro Bowler could use some help on the right side of the line to give Baker Mayfield some extra protection as he enters the first year of his three year contract extension. Mims is a massive and physical, albeit unproven, prospect who could end up being the best right tackle in this class if he lives up to his full potential.

27. Arizona Cardinals – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

After trading their first rounder last year to Houston in their efforts to draft edge rusher Will Anderson, Arizona has an extra first round pick. The entire universe assumes that the Cardinals will take either MHJ or Malik Nabers with their fourth overall pick. With this pick, however, Arizona has to address their defense. Edge rusher and cornerback are both areas of need, but for the sake of drafting BPA, Wiggins is the choice here.

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

With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis leaving, Josh Allen badly, badly needs targets. Brian Thomas Jr. is loaded with potential, as he has ideal size, hands, and is a good vertical threat that can maximize Josh Allen’s arm strength. While he’s not yet the most polished route runner, he’s a physical enough receiver that Josh Allen could immediately have a number one to line up across Curtis Samuel.

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

Aidan Hutchinson can’t do all the work, even though he very much can. Hutchinson was by far the Lions’ leader in sacks with 11.5, but nobody else on the Lions had more than five. Robinson is a highly intriguing and physical prospect out of Penn State that is the perfect complement to the 2023 Pro Bowler.

30. Baltimore Ravens – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and the Baltimore Ravens needing a wide receiver in the NFL Draft.

The Ravens are one of the better drafting teams in the NFL, but for some reason they haven’t hit on their picks at receiver. In the last ten years, they’ve selected four receivers in round one (Breshad Perriman, Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers), and that number didn’t even include tight end and 2018 first round pick Hayden Hurst. After the departure of OBJ and question marks regarding Rashod Bateman’s long term potential, the Ravens once again find themselves needing a receiver for Lamar Jackson.

Adonai Mitchell is a great receiver for Lamar Jackson, whose arm is stronger than it’s given credit for. He has good size and speed and is a legitimate downfield threat.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Trent Williams is bound for Canton, but he won’t be around forever. The guaranteed hall-of-famer turns 36 in July, so the 49ers must prepare for the future once Trent Williams moves on. Guyton has the measurables to become a stalwart at the position, but he will need to be on a learning curve. Luckily, he can learn behind one of the greatest offensive tackles of the 21st century.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

The Chiefs had a need at wide receiver before Rashee Rice took up NASCAR on civilian highways. Now, the need is as dire as ever. After leading the NFL in drops in 2023, the Chiefs desperately need pass catchers to make life easier for Patrick Mahomes. Travis Kelce is aging, Rashee Rice may face a lengthy absence, Mecole Hardman is gone, and perhaps worst of all, Kadarius Toney is still on the team.

Ladd McConkey is an agile route runner and technician of the position, and his name sounds like he only drives in the slow lane.