Seen any first-round mock drafts anywhere? We’ll get in on the action, too. Here’s a prediction of what will happen on Thursday night:
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Going out on a limb here, huh? No drama about the No. 1 pick.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
This decision is more about his dual-threat ability and historic 2023 season than the TopGolf trip.
3. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Look for the Vikings to be aggressive trading with New England to land Maye, who gives Kevin O’Connell his quarterback and once played in high school for quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
If the Cardinals stay at this spot, they land the best player in the draft — and a Philadelphia native.
5: New England Patriots: (TRADE) J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
In this scenario, the Patriots traded back to No. 11 with the Vikings and then back up to No. 5 with the Chargers, gaining a net value in trade compensation and still landing their quarterback. You might have heard they had success before with a Michigan quarterback…
6: New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
After missing out on quarterbacks, the Giants take the standout LSU wide receiver one decade after they hit on Odell Beckham Jr.
7: Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The board fell perfectly for the Titans, who anchor their offense line with Alt.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, edge, Alabama
Not a skill-position player! At some point, the Falcons need to boost their pass rush.
9: Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Georgia
As happy as Odunze would be with this outcome, Caleb Williams might be even happier.
10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
There’s a lot of Brock Bowers attention here, but I’m guessing Joe Douglas continues trying to solve the line of scrimmage with a versatile lineman.
11: Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE): J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Jim Harbaugh couldn’t get Latham to come to Michigan, but he now lands the massive lineman who be a fixture at right tackle.
12: Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Yes, this might seem too early. If you have a conviction about a quarterback, it’s never too early. Even if it’s a slight trade back, look for Nix to Denver.
13: Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Six quarterbacks going early in the draft is a good outcome for the Eagles, and the Raiders land the quarterback with the best deep ball in the draft.
14: New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Saints are still reeling from the Trevor Penning pick. They’ll get it right with Fashanu.
15: Indianapolis Colts: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Anthony Richardson gets one of the best tight ends in college football, and Colts fans are reminded of Dallas Clark.
16: Philadelphia Eagles: (TRADE): Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Even with all cornerbacks available, the Eagles trade up for an offensive lineman. Fautanu arrives with high-level athleticism, including the best broad jump among the first-round offensive lineman, and can play multiple spots on the offensive line.
17: Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Could be Mitchell or Terrion Arnold, but Mitchell’s size and speed give him the edge here.
18: Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Don’t be surprised if Murphy is in the mix in the top 10. The Bengals stick here and get the top interior rusher in the draft.
19: Los Angeles Rams: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Sean McVay’s first first-round pick is a wide receiver who can combine with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for one of the best trios in the NFL.
20: Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Steelers are thrilled that Arnold (or Mitchell) fall while Andy Weidl lets the board come to him.
21: Miami Dolphins: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Dolphins land an offensive tackle who has the upside to become the best in a loaded draft class. Mims would be a candidate for the Eagles, too.
22: Seattle Seahawks (TRADE): Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA
The Seahawks trade down with the Eagles and land a pass rusher who, based on talent, would have warranted consideration at No. 16.
23: New England Patriots (TRADE): A.D. Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Patriots’ trade-back/trade-up plan in the top 10 left them with an extra first-round pick, and they use it for much-needed help at wide receiver.
24: Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Cowboys’ quiet offseason is bolstered by help at offensive tackle while Tyler Smith stays at guard.
25: Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
The Packers land an Iowa defender for the second year in a row and they can use him around the secondary.
26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
How often do you find the third edge rusher at No. 26? Verse gives the Bucs more pressure in Todd Bowles’ defense.
27: Arizona Cardinals: Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State
Jonathan Gannon will try to unlock Robinson’s athleticism in a way that helped Haason Reddick have a career year.
28: Buffalo Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Josh Allen, enjoy Xavier Worthy.
29: Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
I considered interior offensive line help here, but McKinstry makes sense here — he will fit what the Lions do on defense and upgrade that unit.
30: Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Ravens always find value, and Wiggins’ combination of height/weight/speed/production/age is too appealing to pass up.
31: San Francisco 49ers: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
The 49ers are always on the market for defensive line help — Newton or Darius Robinson would be strong options here.
32: Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Andy Reid and a BYU offensive lineman is a perfect match.
