Caleb Williams will virtually definitely be picked No 1. However who will go No 2?
It looks like a lock that will probably be LSU’s Jayden Daniels, thought I wouldn’t put it previous the Commanders to fall in love with Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. Daniels is a cool prospect; he was a starry duel risk at LSU, but it surely’s powerful to see whether or not the most effective components of his sport – his working, his deep ball – will easily transition to the NFL. He doesn’t possess Lamar Jackson-esque breakaway velocity and has a brittle body. As a thrower from the pocket, he has a handy guide a rough supply however struggles to shift to his second and third reads. There may be some RGIII to his sport. Do Washington actually wish to tread that path once more? OC
Congrats to Kliff Kingsbury as a result of the Washington offensive coordinator goes to have a blast with Daniels, who’s coming off a spectacular yr with the Tigers. His explosive playmaking is obvious, however his play within the pocket has vastly improved. This child is simply getting began. MJ
North Carolina’s Drake Maye has extra upside, however Washington, driving 20-plus years of stink, want a quarterback with wins in his arm, now. Daniels is the quick monitor to respectability: a speedy, cellular, artistic power at LSU, he ran for 10 touchdowns final season and threw with lethal accuracy. DL
Drake Maye. The excitement suggests Washington are in love with Jayden Daniels however when head coach Dan Quinn searches his emotions he’ll discover Maye bears placing similarities to his former QB in Atlanta, Matt Ryan. The UNC star has a cannon for an arm (each a blessing and a curse, resulting in accuracy points) and is the unflappable franchise chief the Commanders want. GS
This will probably be a superb draft for …
Groups in search of offensive line assist. The highest cluster of linemen is pretty much as good as in any current yr. At sort out, Joe Alt, Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, Olu Fashanu, JC Latham, Tyler Guyton and Amarius Mims ought to all hear their names referred to as within the first spherical. Graham Barton, Zach Frazier and Jackson Powers-Johnson are inside gamers who might additionally hear their names referred to as on the primary evening. There’s a drop-off after the highest group, although, that means groups will probably be jockeying to leap up the draft board. If there are trades on opening evening, will probably be for the massive fellas. OC
Looks like we are saying this yearly however the extensive receivers on this draft are particular. It begins with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr, an electrical, and extra importantly, full expertise. Add in guys like LSU teammates Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr, to not point out Texas’s Adonai Mitchell and Washington’s Rome Odunze, and we might see as much as eight wideouts within the first spherical. And there’s a lot expertise to be mined in later rounds as nicely. MJ
Groups within the high 10 that don’t want a quarterback, with fine quality offensive linemen and a deep class of extensive receivers broadly accessible. You may usually rely on one high receiver within the High 10, however in 2024 there are three candidates: Harrison, Odunze and Nabers. If the offensive line is your gap, you possibly can pop Joe Alt or JC Latham in and think about it stuffed for a decade. DL
The extensive receiver wave. Earlier than the Los Angeles Rams picked up Puka Nacua with the 177th choose final yr, 19 cross catchers got here off the board, with 4 going within the first spherical. Many had wonderful begins to their careers however Nacua outstripped them and each one since as he unbelievably set 4 rookie data. This yr’s vein of receivers seems simply as wealthy so anticipate GM prospectors to strike early and infrequently. GS
One of the best non-quarterback within the draft is …
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame. The Notre Dame left sort out has every little thing groups covet in a blindside protector: dimension, tenacity, slick ft and a strong base. He can even convey some oomph to the run sport. OC
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame. The person mountain from Notre Dame is a plug-and-play expertise at a premium place. Alt’s dimension – 6ft 9in, 320lbs – is off the charts however so are his explosiveness, flexibility, and soccer IQ. It’s no surprise Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers are smitten. MJ
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU. For those who’re a crew with poor cross safety, like, say, the New York Giants, you want a receiver who can get open as quick as doable. That’s Nabers, whose tremendous energy is the near-instant separation he will get whereas terrorizing groups’ high cornerbacks. Tyreek Hill is the excessive bar comparability. DL
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State. Offensive expertise is the secret this yr, and one participant stands head and shoulders above the remaining. Whoever drafts Harrison goes to be very completely happy certainly. He’s larger, sooner and stronger than his Tremendous Bowl champion father so, if he aligns with a QB close to Peyton Manning’s stage, greatness might comply with. GS
Crew most in want of a superb draft …
It must be the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas did subsequent to nothing in free company, dropping some key difference-makers, and so they have an enormous cash extension on deck for Dak Prescott. Dallas’ 2023 draft class was brutal, ramping up the strain on this yr’s batch of rookies. In the event that they’re to place collectively a deep playoff run, they should discover gamers who could make an influence in yr one, a difficult needle to string. OC
The clock is ticking on the Josh Allen-Sean McDermott period. The Buffalo Payments shipped away Stefon Diggs and several other gamers who had been key members of the secondary. The Payments solely have two picks earlier than the fourth spherical however 10 in whole. They need to nail these high picks and discover some gems within the decrease rounds in the event that they wish to stay a Tremendous Bowl contender. MJ
That’s the New York Giants, who’re nonetheless asking the identical drained outdated query: is Daniel Jones our quarterback? If the reply is sure, they need to exchange their cornerstone playmaker with a star wideout and repair the leaky o-line. If the reply isn’t any, they need to commerce up for Maye or McCarthy. If NY do draft a QB, it’ll be one other lengthy yr. In the event that they don’t, it’s win now with GM and head coach jobs on the road. DL
The Denver Broncos desperately want an excellent draft just like Houston’s transformative haul from 2023. Quarterback is essentially the most urgent concern, even with the addition of Zach Wilson, who hardly crushed it throughout his time with the Jets. Huge names are good although the excessive threat/excessive reward tactic of discovering a expertise like Lamar Jackson (thirty second choose in 2018) later within the draft is healthier. Michael Penix Jr or Bo Nix would be the ticket. GS
Crew almost certainly to commerce up …
The Minnesota Vikings have finished all however foyer President Biden for some authorities intervention to maneuver up and nab a quarterback. Drake Maye performed for brand new Vikings’ quarterbacks coach Josh McCown in highschool and looks like the prospect they most covet. OC
Of the various quarterback-needy groups, the Vikings at No 11 will really feel essentially the most strain to leap as much as the highest 5. Maye is the doubtless goal, however JJ McCarthy, who has a historical past of successful could also be enticing, too. Ready till No 11 is means too dangerous. In the event that they nail this choose, dropping a first-rounder in 2025 received’t harm an excessive amount of. MJ
The Denver Broncos, contemporary off their Russell Wilson debacle, desperately in want of a cap-friendly star quarterback. As a substitute of settling for a Bo Nix sort, why not make a splash, commerce up into the highest 5, and choose the quarterback of their goals. Such a daring transfer might utterly revitalize the franchise, or alternatively, completely crush it, a la Carolina. DL
The New York Giants commerce up for a contemporary take a look at quarterback. The transfer doubtless leaves them with just one day-two choose at 70 however in the event you seize a franchise chief in McCarthy or Maye then the worth is price it. GS
A lower-round gem to look at is …
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan. Sainristil is an undersized slot cornerback. The NFL nonetheless values corners who play totally on the perimeter greater than those that function within the slot, for causes that stay unclear. Increasingly more of the sport’s greatest receivers are shuffling inside. And out of doors quarterback, slot nook is essentially the most demanding place on the sector. Sainristil is a pocket rocket who doesn’t have the prototypical dimension or deep velocity for a nook however who’s a fighter up on the road of scrimmage, a prepared tackler and an elite blitzer. He’s the form of man groups cross over for a prospect at a extra ‘useful’ place … after which shake their heads when he’s making performs within the playoffs. OC.
Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth. You already know what they all the time say, don’t sleep on guys from Monmouth. That’s removed from true however Shirden may very well be a small-school steal on day three. He’s tiny for an NFL working again however is a sneaky, explosive risk. MJ
Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami. Scouts have years of tape on Kinchens, however they wish to imagine a foul day on the mix is what defines him? If today one defensive backfield anchor sinks into the decrease rounds, the crew that grabs him will get pleasure from first-round product on the place. DL
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina. The mock draft mystics have Rattler slithering off the board in spherical three which feels a little bit low contemplating his upside. He showcased his eye-popping vary and lethal accuracy at his professional day whereas launching 65-yard bombs on a dime. Lack of dimension and athleticism is a knock however his arm expertise is comfortably within the high 5 of the draft. GS
The crew who drafted greatest final yr was …
The Texans and Rams crushed final years draft. However for the sake of selection, let’s give some credit score to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. They grabbed receiver Dontayvion Wicks within the fifth-round, pinched receiver Jayden Reed within the second-round and overhauled their tight finish room with the additions of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. In a single draft, they reset their timeline round Jordan Love – and that reset has already began to return good. OC
The Houston Texans is the apparent reply however the Los Angeles Rams 2023 draft was a masterclass contemplating they didn’t have a first-round choose. They struck gold with wideout Nacua within the fifth spherical. Whenever you add in different picks who made an instantaneous influence like guard Steve Avila within the second, inside defender Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Younger, the Rams principally fast-forwarded their rebuilding section. MJ
As ordinary, the Rams didn’t have a primary spherical draft choose in 2023. It mattered not, as a result of LA landed Nacua within the fifth, and all he did was turn out to be an elite receiver whereas setting rookie wideout data. In addition they hit it massive with Avila within the second spherical, Younger within the third and Turner, additionally a third-round choose. The Rams have received seven playoff video games and a Tremendous Bowl since their final first-round choose in 2016 (Jared Goff). So, actually, who wants’ em? DL
The Detroit Lions received a primary playoff sport for over 30 years due to Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs’s contributions to a excessive octane assault whereas Jack Campbell and Brian Department punched up an abject protection. Basic supervisor Brad Holmes completely nailed his first 4 picks final yr. GS
The highest 10 will probably be* …
1) Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2) Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3) New England Patriots, Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
4) Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan (by way of commerce with Arizona)
5) Los Angeles Chargers, Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6) New York Giants, Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
7) Indianapolis Colts, Marvin Harrison JR, WR, Ohio State (by way of commerce with Titans)
8) Atlanta Falcons, Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
9) Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
10) New York Jets, Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia OC
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1) Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2) Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3) New England Patriots, Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
4) Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan (by way of commerce with Arizona)
5) Los Angeles Chargers, Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6) New York Giants, Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
7) Tennessee Titans, Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
8) Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
9) Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
10) New York Jets, Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia MJ
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1) Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2) Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3) New England Patriots, Drake Maye, QB, NC
4) Arizona Cardinals, Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
5) Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan (by way of commerce with Chargers)
6) New York Giants, Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
7) Tennessee Titans, Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
8) Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
9) Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
10) New York Jets, JC Latham, OL, Alabama DL
——
1) Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2) Washington Commanders, Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
3) New England Patriots, JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
4) Arizona Cardinals, Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
5) LA Chargers, Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6) New York Giants, Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
7) Tennessee Titans, Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
8) Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
9) Chicago Bears, Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
10) New York Jets, Rome Odunze, WR, Washington GS
——
* That is what our writers suppose the order will probably be, relatively than what they suppose it ought to be.
