We’re one month away from the NFL draft and boy… has it gotten exciting already. We’ve seen trades of quarterbacks that have made the top 3 selections a little more clear. Not only that, we’ve seen players rise up the draft boards (J.J. McCarthy) and cause potentially more trades.
It’s possible that we continue to see more moves that occur prior to the draft, it’s only going to get more interesting. Anyways, let’s get into the latest NFL mock draft of SidelineCue here…
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, USC, QB
The surest #1 overall pick we’ve had in a while, Caleb Williams will be the Chicago Bears new franchise quarterback. They’ve removed all doubt by trading away Justin Fields (for pennies). They went and got their new franchise quarterback a new receiver (Keenan Allen), new running back (D’Andre Swift), and also a new tight end (Gerald Everett).
Caleb Williams will be put in position to succeed immediately as the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB
There’s been rumors that the Commanders are leaning towards Jayden Daniels as their selection at the #2 pick. Jayden Daniels ability to extend plays with his legs and also showing improvement with his passing, he’s going to bring a lot of excitement to the Commanders the fans desperately need.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, UNC, QB
Just like the Commanders and Bears, the Patriots have also traded away their starting quarterback from the previous year. It’s time for the Patriots to draft the new franchise quarterback they’ve been looking for since Brady, Drake Maye.
Maye has gotten immense potential with his pure arm talent and sneaky athleticism. He’s the intriguing prospect that can bring relevance back to the Patriots franchise.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., OSU, WR
Arguably the best prospect in this year’s draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a special talent. His ability to track the ball down and make catches from an insane radius makes him such an intriguing prospect. He’s got the ability to take a game over and come into the league as one of the best receivers immediately.
He reminds me a combination of A.J. Green and Julio Jones with his ability to make plays with his length and size. Seeing him paired with Kyler Murray will be fun, the Cardinals need to put some weapons around their franchise quarterback and one way doing so would be getting Harrison Jr. added to the arsenal.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, LSU, WR
This is inevitable at this point. The Chargers released Mike Williams and then traded away Keenan Allen for a 4th round pick. The have no receivers on the roster I’d classify as a #1 receiver, so it’s time they get one.
Now add in Malik Nabers, an explosive athlete that can come in and bring some speed to the Chargers receiving core immediately. He’d come in and take over as the #1 weapon for Herbert and finally provide some reliable relief for the quarterback.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, UW, WR
The Giants could go with J.J. McCarthy here or get an actual weapon at the receiver position. They decide to go the latter route here to get whoever their quarterback will be a reliable #1 receiver.
Odunze would be a reliable option immediately for the Giants offense. He’s not going to beat you with a crazy amount of speed, but just elite route-running and hands to make plays from anywhere on the field. need him to line up in the slot? He’s got you. Need him to run a go route on the sideline? He’s also got you.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, Notre Dame, OT
I have loved what the Titans have done this offseason for the most part. It seems like they’re all in on Will Levis so far and what better way to prove it than getting him a new starting left tackle for the next 10-15 years. They’ve already got weapons like Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tony Pollard, and others… now to get their young quarterback some protection.
Joe Alt is a massive being at 6’9 and going to be an instant elite starting tackle for the Titans for a very long time. They could’ve gone a lot of ways, but they get the surest thing that is left in Alt.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Alabama, DE
The Falcons are poised to make a playoff run this year with the acquisition of Kirk Cousins and weapons around him. The offense looks all the way set and it’s time they get some mroe talent on the defensive end. Getting an elite edge rusher to bring pressure on opposing offenses is one way.
Turner is an explosive athlete from the defensive end position with great first-step quickness and burst to blow up plays for offenses. If the Falcons are planning on making a deep run this year, getting to the opposing quarterback is a good way.
9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy II, Texas, DT
With the #1 pick the Bears went and got their anchor on offense, now they get an anchor on the defensive line. They’ve already got some talent on the defensive line with Montez Sweat, but need to get some interior defensive line help, enter in Byron Murphy.
Murphy has gotten an elite combination fo strength and explosiveness that will make him a very dangerous three-tech defensive tackle for years. He’s definitely on the shorter end as a defensive tackle, but we’ve seen these shorter defensive-tackles cause havoc on offenses for years. Aaron Donald was only 6’1, Geno Atkins was 6’1, Byron Murphy is also 6’1 and also the same archetype of a player as of those two. Don’t be surprised if Murphy ends up the best player out of this draft.
10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE
Talent-wise, one of the best players in this year’s draft. The issue is that teams are unwilling to draft a tight end with a top draft pick due to the amount of money you’d be paying for them out of the gate already. Bowers isn’t necessarily the biggest tight end, but just knows how to win routes and get open, somehow… some way.
He’d come in and immediately be another weapon for Aaron Rodgers to throw to other than Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, QB
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, Oregon, QB
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, OT
14. New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu, Washington, OT
15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, CB
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse, FSU, DE
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, C
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois, DT
19. Los Angeles Rams: Olumuyia Fashanu, Penn State, OT
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: JC Latham, Alabama, OT
21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Burton, Duke, OT
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Terrion Arnold, Alabama, CB
23. Minnesota Vikings: Amarius Mims, Georgia, OT
24. Dallas Cowboys: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU, WR
25. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, OT
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, Clemson, CB
27. Arizona Cardinals: Laiatu Latu, UCLA, DE
28. Buffalo Bills: Cooper DeJean, Iowa, CB
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, CB
30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan, Arizona, OT
31. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Frazier, West Virginia, C
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, Texas, WR
