Ladies and gentlemen, the NFL Draft season is upon us! While technically still in the NFL season, 30 teams are already looking ahead to the draft as their next major event. In this edition, we’ll take a look at the potential picks for the first few teams.
Last year, the Bears decided to stick with Justin Fields and trade the No. 1 overall pick. However, it’s unlikely they’ll do the same this year. After three seasons, we know who Fields is as a player – someone with great potential but also prone to mistakes. Additionally, Fields is due for a contract extension soon, so drafting a rookie QB would reset their quarterback contract counter and give them a larger championship window. Williams might not be a favorite among fans, but the Bears might fall in love with his raw talent.
The Commanders are in need of a quarterback, and they’ll likely choose between Williams, Maye, and Jayden Daniels. Depending on who goes first overall, they might go with Maye. He has the physical attributes of a franchise quarterback and stands at 6’4″ and weighs 230 pounds.
I predict that North Carolina QB Drake Maye will go second overall. However, the lack of success for North Carolina QBs in the NFL might make Washington hesitate, especially if they believe Daniels can have an immediate impact like Joe Burrow did at LSU.
The first three picks will likely revolve around quarterbacks, with each team choosing the one they prefer. The Patriots, who usually trade down in the draft, might be tempted to trade up this time if they fall in love with one of the QBs. However, it won’t be easy if Washington isn’t willing to move back. The Bears, on the other hand, might consider sliding back to acquire more picks if they like all three quarterbacks.
Jim Harbaugh has firsthand experience facing Marvin Harrison Jr., and he knows the talent the wide receiver possesses. The Bears want to pair Harrison with Justin Herbert to help unlock the young quarterback’s potential. Therefore, I have the Chargers moving up one spot to select Harrison.
The Cardinals find themselves in a favorable position if the three teams ahead of them choose quarterbacks. They can either select the best non-QB in the draft or trade down to acquire more assets. With a defensive-minded head coach like Jonathan Gannon, it’s likely they’ll focus on building their defense.
I project Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner to go fifth overall. While there isn’t a can’t-miss defensive prospect this year, Turner fits the mold of what the Cardinals need on defense – speed off the edge.
The Giants missed out on selecting a wide receiver in the first round last year, but with a top-10 pick this year, they won’t let the opportunity slip away. This draft class is deep in high-level wide receiver talent, so the Giants are in a good position even if the Cardinals and Chargers also choose wide receivers.
The Titans’ decision in free agency will determine their draft strategy. If new head coach Brian Callahan doesn’t acquire playmakers through free agency, he’ll prioritize getting one of the top three wide receivers in the draft. The Jets, meanwhile, will focus on protecting their quarterback, who is coming off an Achilles tear. They’ll likely move up a few spots to secure an offensive lineman.
The Bears have an underrated cornerback in Jaylon Johnson, but the rest of their secondary needs improvement. They have the opportunity to select the top cornerback on their board at ninth overall, and DeJean is a likely choice.
The Falcons find themselves in a tough spot. They’re too far back to get one of the top three quarterbacks, but they still need to find someone to fill the position. They might trade down a couple of spots to acquire more picks and then select their choice from the next crop of QBs. Nix seems to be the best option, although it might be considered a reach.
The Vikings’ decision on Kirk Cousins will heavily influence their draft strategy. Assuming they bring him back, they’ll focus on selecting players who can help them win immediately. Adding an edge rusher like Laiatu Latu would provide the disruption they need on defense.
The Broncos are in a tricky situation. They need a quarterback, but it might be a reach to select one with their current draft position. Their approach in free agency will provide more clarity on their draft plans. The Saints, on the other hand, will only select a quarterback if they truly fall in love with one during the process. Their defense needs improvement, so they’ll likely focus on that side of the ball.
The Raiders will consider selecting Justin Fields if the Bears choose a quarterback with their first pick. This selection would help ease Fields’ transition. The Packers, who had an outstanding offense last season, need to improve their defense to compete with the explosive offenses in their division. Selecting Newton would add strength to their defensive line.
The Buccaneers are committed to Baker Mayfield for the short term, so they’ll focus on improving their offensive line to protect him. The Eagles struggled on defense last season and need more speed off the edge. Verse would be a valuable addition to their pass rush.
The Texans have a solid roster and can go in multiple directions with their pick. Strengthening their offensive line to protect their young star quarterback seems like a wise move. The Cowboys, who need a cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs, will likely target an upgrade in that area.
The Bills have come up just short in recent years, and their offensive line has been a weak point. They need more pass-rushing ability to compete with their opponents. The Lions, who surprised many with their playoff run, have a solid offense but need help in their secondary.
The Ravens, despite selecting wide receivers in the first round last year, still need more help at the position. Adding a big-bodied receiver like Keon Coleman would provide balance to their offense. The Chiefs, who need help on the outside, especially if Travis Kelce retires, would benefit from selecting Worthy.
The Broncos might consider selecting McCarthy as their new starting quarterback, but it would be wise for them to wait and see how free agency plays out. The Cardinals, who had the worst defense in the NFL, need help in all areas. McKinstry is a solid cornerback who excels in both coverage and run defense.
The Bills, who have fallen short in the playoffs, need to improve their pass rush. Trice would provide the much-needed pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Lions, who have a strong offense, need help in their secondary to compete against top receivers in their division.
The Ravens, who still need wide receivers for their star quarterback, will likely select another one in the first round. Coleman, standing at 6’4″, would provide a big target on the outside. The Chiefs, who need help on the outside, would benefit from selecting Worthy.
That concludes the first edition of the mock draft. Stay tuned for updates as the NFL Draft approaches.
