NFL Round One Mock Draft 1.0.
With the NFL regular season-ending fans of teams who didn't make the Playoffs turn their attention to the draft. Many franchises are looking for new quarterbacks, and some want to build around their quarterback.
There isn't a strong debate here of who goes #1 as Caleb Williams at the time of this writing as he officially announced that he is entering the NFL Draft. Does Chicago take Caleb Williams at #1 and move off Justin Fields? Do they trade down with quarterback-needy teams like the Washington Commanders or the New England Patriots?
Let's start my first official mock draft of the year and see who I have your favorite team picking.
Pick 1: Chicago Bears (Via Panthers) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This is a no-brainer. Fields have shown improvement down the stretch but not enough to rationalize not taking Caleb Williams here.
Williams is the best prospect out of college since Andrew Luck. He wows with his arm angles, his poise and leadership on the field, and how he can win from the pocket.
Pick 2: Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Commanders miss out on the hometown kid in Caleb Williams but still land Drake Maye which is nothing to be bummed about.
Maye has led College Football with a big throw rate over the last two seasons. He has everything you want as a franchise quarterback with his prototypical frame, big arm, and ability to read the field.
Pick 3 - New England Patriots - Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Arguably the best prospect in the entire draft with the best wide receiver prospect in years. The question remains, who will throw him the ball? Despite everything, the team is in dire need of players who can make game-changing moves, and Marvin Harrison Jr fits the bill and then some.
Pick 4 - Arizona Cardinals - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Cardinals were unable to secure Marvin Harrison Jr, but they did manage to acquire Malik Nabers. Nabers was the top target of Jayden Daniels in an explosive offense that averaged 43 PPG in the SEC.
Nabers is a skilled route runner, exhibiting precise footwork, and demonstrating an understanding of how to position himself in the open zones, providing the quarterback with a clear passing option.
Pick 5 - LA Chargers - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
When you start watching Olu's film, you will quickly notice his impressive athleticism while playing as a left tackle. He shows great discipline with his hand usage and has the versatility to neutralize both bull and speed rushers. Based on his skills, he is considered to be at the same level as Penei Sewell, who was a highly-regarded prospect out of Oregon.
Pick 6 - New York Giants - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze has the physical attributes of an NFL wide receiver, standing at 6-3 and weighing 201 pounds. He may not be the best at creating space between himself and defenders, but his size allows him to use his body to protect the ball. Although his potential may be limited, he is one of the most consistent wide receivers in this year's draft class.
Pick 7 - Tennessee Titans - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
If Tennessee rolls Will Levis as their starting quarterback in his second year, they will require more playmakers on the field. Brock Bowers is a rare talent in the tight end position. His ability to gain yards after the catch is unparalleled, making him a versatile player who can play in the line, in the slot, or as an outside wide receiver."
Pick 8 - Atlanta Falcons - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
This would be a massive pickup for the Falcons whose quarterback room has played hot potato at starting quarterback juggling Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinceke.
There is a lot to like about Daniels' game as he can extend the play with his legs and make passes anywhere on the field. He has the second-highest ceiling in this draft trailing only Caleb Williams.
Pick 9 - Chicago Bears - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
Pairing Turner with Montez Sweat will take the Bears' defense to a new level. Turner is extremely quick off the edge and can reach the quarterback in no time. Moreover, his athletic ability allows him to be utilized in coverage as well.
Pick 10 - New York Jets - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Jets need to keep Aaron Rodgers clean after his Achilles injury. Alt is a franchise cornerstone left tackle out of Notre Dame. Alt has only allowed 10 quarterback pressures, 3 quarterback hits, and 5 sacks in his three-year tenure as the Fightin' Irish left tackle.
Alt can mirror pass rushers and once he gets his hands on you the rep is over. He also can be used as a pulling lineman in the run game opening lanes in the run game.
Pick 11 - Minnesota Vikings - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Vikings should rebuild their secondary, and Kool-Aid McKinstry would be an excellent player to start with. McKinstry is a technically skilled corner with a talent for finding the ball and consistently being in the right position to make a play.
Pick 12 - Denver Broncos - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Outside of Zach Allen, the Broncos don't have another edge rusher who can consistently get after the quarterback.
Enter Jared Verse. Verse consistently disrupts tackles with his quickness off the edge. When combined with his technique, he becomes a nightmare to defend.
Pick 13 - Las Vegas Raiders - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Terrion Arnold is a rangy and agile athlete who is constantly improving. Even on the rare occasions when he finds himself out of position, he has the physical tools to recover and make plays.
With his background in basketball, he has developed excellent ball skills and can jump high to catch the ball and make a decisive play.
Pick 14 - New Orleans Saints - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
With JC Latham, one can't help but notice his towering 6'6" 305-pound frame. Typically, players with such massive builds lack proper footwork and technique, but this is not the case with Latham. He combines his imposing stature with exceptional footwork and a fierce demeanor in the run game.
Pick 15 - Indianapolis Colts - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Laiatu Latu had an exceptional season, demonstrating his dominance on the field. He completed the season with the fourth-highest number of sacks in college football, with an impressive tally of 13 sacks. In addition, he also had two pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
When paired with Kwity Paye, the Colts now have two skilled edge rushers who can wreak havoc on opposing teams' offenses, pushing tackles into the quarterback's lap.
Pick 16 - Seattle Seahawks - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Seattle Seahawks have parted ways with Pete Carroll and have yet to announce their new head coach. It's safe to assume that they will want to choose their quarterback.
Bo Nix possesses the potential qualities of a potential franchise quarterback, including a strong frame, an impressive arm, and the ability to extend plays with his legs while keeping his eyes downfield.
Pick 17 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Jacksonville Jaguars require a defensive tackle who can truly disrupt the opponent's play, and Newton fits the bill perfectly. Despite his height of 6-2 and weight of 290 pounds, which is not the ideal frame for a defensive tackle, he compensates for it with his excellent technique while rushing the passer and his quickness off the line of scrimmage.
Pick 18 - Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
With Tee Higgins likely to become a free agent, the Bengals need to find another playmaker to line up across from Ja'Marr Chase.
Let's talk about LSU's wide receiver, Brian Thomas Jr. He has a unique skill set that makes him stand out. With his 6-4, 205-pound frame, he excels at catching jump balls and often makes 50-50 balls look more like 70-30 balls. Additionally, he is a great route runner, showing fluidity and the ability to separate from defenders. His impressive speed of 4.4 also allows him to threaten the defense deep.
Pick 19 - LA Rams - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
I noticed exceptional coverage instincts in his film. His reaction to the ball and understanding of route trees is the best among his peers. He has displayed the ability to play both man coverage and zone coverage with ease.
Pick 20 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Chop Robinson is known for his explosive speed off the edge, allowing him to get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye. Pairing him with T.J. Watt and Cameron Hayward will only enhance the already potent Steelers defensive line.
Pick 21 - Miami Dolphins - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean has the versatility to play outside corner, slot, and safety. He is a solid 6-1, 207 and his film showcases his physicality. He excels at tackling, which is becoming increasingly rare for corners.
His coverage ability is impressive, demonstrating smooth footwork, quickness to make plays on the ball, and the capacity to excel in both zone and man coverage.
Pick 22 - Philadelphia Eagles - Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
The Eagles utilize a Nickel defense by replacing a Will Linebacker with a bigger defensive back. Kinchens would be an ideal fit for the Sean Desai defense due to his exceptional skills. Kinchens has a great sense of locating the ball, he can read the quarterback's eyes, understand the placement in zone coverage, and has the quick closing speed to make plays on the ball.
Pick 23 - Houston Texans - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims is an explosive football player, standing at 6-7 and weighing 340 pounds. He is an incredibly explosive athlete, with the ability to move well in open space. Once he gets a grip on his opponent, the play is pretty much over. He has a thorough understanding of how to use leverage in pass protection, and he knows how to position himself effectively against pass rushers.
Pick 24 - Dallas Cowboys - Kalen King, CB, Penn State
The Dallas Cowboys have chosen to draft a new defender from Penn State, Kalen King. Although he may be undersized, King possesses the twitchy athleticism and elite ball skills that NFL teams covet. Many are comparing him to Devon Witherspoon, who has been one of the best rookies this year.
Pick 25 - Green Bay Packers - Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson
Trotter Jr is an exceptional tackler and one of the best at the linebacker position. He can disengage from blocks quickly and has an instinct to find the football. Additionally, he brings versatility to the team by being able to rush the passer from his linebacker position.
Pick 26 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga reminds me a lot of what his hypothetical teammate, Tristan Wirfs, looked like coming out of college. Fuaga is a dominant force in the run game, playing with a mean streak and the awareness of how to set up blocks. He possesses all the intangibles necessary to become a Pro Bowl right tackle.
Pick 27 - Arizona Cardinals - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Lassiter is one of the most skilled zone defenders I have seen in recent times. He possesses a deep understanding of where to position himself in coverage, when to make a move to attack the ball, and how to use his speed and reaction time to match routes effectively.
Pick 28 - Kansas City Chiefs - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
I think it would be great for the Chiefs if Coleman is still available in the draft. With his height of 6-4 and weight of 216 lbs, he has the perfect frame for a wide receiver. He is excellent in one-on-one situations and has a high success rate with 50/50 balls, making them more like 70/30 opportunities. Additionally, Coleman uses his size advantage to create separation from cornerbacks, providing the quarterback with a larger target area.
Pick 29 - Buffalo Bills - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Adonai Mitchell is a talented wide receiver with a height of 6-4 and a weight of 190 lbs. He is known for his exceptional route-running skills. During his college career, he had his most productive season, where he recorded his highest number of receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. This outstanding performance was achieved with the help of his quarterback, Quinn Ewers.
Pick 30 - Detroit Lions - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell is a promising prospect with exceptional potential due to his impressive 6-0, 200 lb frame, and powerful athleticism. He has proven his ability to perform well in both man and zone coverage. Mitchell is skilled at timing his break on the route, and his long arms give him an added advantage.
Pick 31 - San Francisco 49ers - Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is a promising football player who hasn't received much recognition yet. However, many people are likely to take notice of him after watching his tape. He has a great technique of keeping his receiver in front of him and staying low on his hips, which allows him to make explosive plays on the ball. It is rare to find a player with his unique combination of length, speed, and quickness.
Pick 32 - Baltimore Ravens - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
As both of the tackles are getting older, it is necessary to start scouting for new prospects. Kingsley Suamataia is one of the most promising candidates for the position. He possesses all the necessary qualities to become a top-notch tackle. His strength is exceptional, which makes him a powerful force during runs. However, he needs some improvements in his pass-blocking abilities, but all of these are fixable issues.
First Round Recap
Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
New England Patriots - Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Arizona Cardinals - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
LA Chargers - Olumuyima Fashanu, OT, Penn State
New York Giants - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Tennessee Titans - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Atlanta Falcons - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Chicago Bears - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
New York Jets - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Minnesota Vikings - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Denver Broncos - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
LA Raiders - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
New Orleans Saints - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Indianapolis Colts - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Seattle Seahawks - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Jacksonville Jaguars - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
LA Rams - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Pittsburgh Steelers - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Miami Dolphins - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Philadephia Eagles - Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
Houston Texans - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Dallas Cowboys - Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Green Bay Packers - Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Arizona Cardinals - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Kansas City Chiefs - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Buffalo Bills - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Detroit Lions - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
San Francisco 49ers - Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Baltimore Ravens - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
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