The NFL draft is only a few weeks away and teams are already receiving trade calls and strategizing their moves for April 27th. In this mock draft, I will simulate trade calls and predict where teams will select on draft day. My approach combines what I anticipate the team with the pick will do and what I would do in that position. Without further ado, let’s dive into my first-round mock draft.
NFL First-Round Mock Draft 1.0
1: Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams | QB | USC
The Bears have an underrated roster that needs a franchise quarterback that they can build around. Williams is elusive and possesses the big-play ability that we see from guys like Mahomes and Allen.
2: Washinton Commanders – Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU
Jayden Daniels is going to be the second quarterback off the board and as the days go on that only becomes more evident. Daniels and Kingsbury would be a match made in heaven,
Watch: Jayden Daniels Film Study
3: New England Patriots – Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Ohio State
The Patriots can’t find a team they feel comfortable trading back with so they get the best receiver they’ve had since Moss. Harrison took a step back in production in 2023 and was still an elite receiver.
4: Denver Broncos (Via Cardinals) – Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
The Broncos decided to move on from Russell Wilson despite the improvement in play from the year prior. They now grab the quarterback with the most upside and possibly lowest floor in first-round quarterbacks.
5: Minnesota Vikings (Via Chargers) – JJ McCarthy | QB | Michigan
The Chargers take advantage of quarterback-needy teams by letting go of this pick. McCarthy’s draft stock has been on a meteoric rise and there have been rumors about the Vikings trading up for a while now.
6: New York Giants – Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
The Giants have needed a receiver since Odell left them in 2019. What better replacement than another LSU wide receiver product? He can be an immediate game-changer who will give Daniel Jones an elite wide receiver in possibly his final opportunity to be a starter.
7: Tennesee Titans – Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
Levis is the franchise quarterback, but he needs better protection. Alt has been the best tackle in the class for a while now and the new coaching staff in Tennesee is unlikely to go with anyone else.
8: Atlanta Falcons – Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
The Falcons decide to grab someone to pair opposite on the other side of A.J. Terrell and they find that guy in Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell. This draft season has been amazing for Mitchell as he has done nothing but rise.
9: Chicago Bears – Dallas Turner | Edge | Alabama
The Bears are looking to shore up the edge of their defensive line and recently Dallas Turner has started to separate himself from the rest of the edges. Eberflus is likely to look for a player to play opposite Montez Sweat and make an elite edge-rushing duo in the Windy City.
10: New York Jets – Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
The Jets have some holes on offense they need to address Aaron Rodgers’s protection and his offensive weapons. Bowers helps with both of those needs. He is an elite blocker for the tight end position and he is one of the best pass catchers in the entire draft.
11: Los Angeles Chargers (Via Vikings) – Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
The Chargers are thrilled with how this board has fallen for them as they gained some draft capital and still added one of the top receivers. Odunze will fit right into this offense he has the potential to be a number-one receiver for Herbert.
12: Arizona Cardinals (Via Broncos) – Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama
The Cardinals have now missed on the top three receivers but they have so many holes on this roster that the best player available is the best option. Arnold is the only corner in contention with Mitchell for top corner on the board.
13: Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington
Penix Jr. gained some attention after a very solid pro day that had him running a 4.46 forty-yard dash. The Las Vegas Raiders have possibly the worst quarterback room in the NFL and while Penix at 13 might be a reach quarterback is a desperate need.
14: New Orleans Saints – Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State
The Saint’s offense underperformed. This was most in part because of the constant collapse of the offensive line. Fuaga is in a position to start right away and bring versatility to the Saints’ struggling offensive line.
15: Indianapolis Colts – Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
The Colts would be disappointed to miss out on the other two cornerbacks but I wouldn’t say Nate Wiggins is settling. Wiggins is an excellent athlete who has just as much potential as the top corners in this class.
16: Seattle Seahawks – Jared Verse | Edge | Florida State
The Seahawks are in desperate need of help on the edge as they can’t get even a slight bit of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Verse being at 16 is a blessing for Seattle as he might be the best edge in the class.
17: Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | LSU
Calvin Ridley is gone so it’s about time that the Jaguars get Trevor Lawrence more receiving help. Brian Thomas Jr. has been steadily flying under the radar until recently and now teams are seeing his top-end speed and ball skills. He is the most exciting tier-two receiver in the class.
18: Cincinnati Bengals – Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
The Bengal’s offensive line struggles have continued no matter what they do to address it so now they need to get a blue-chip lineman. Fashanu has been falling down draft boards and it’s not genuinely his fault.
19: Los Angeles Rams – Laiatu Latu | Edge | UCLA
The Rams need to address getting pressure on the quarterback if they want to make another Super Bowl run. The Offense has a lot of talent but the defense needs work. Aaron Donald is retired so it’s time to beef up the defensive line with one of the best edge rushers in the entire class.
20: Pittsburgh Steelers – JC Latham | OT | Alabama
The Steelers have traded for Russell Wilson and now it’s time to capitalize and that starts with keeping him healthy and upright. Latham is an incredibly solid 21-year-old offensive tackle. He has had a great draft process and has raised his stock.
21: Miami Dolphins – Byron Murphy | DT | Texas
The Dolphin’s defensive interior was just destroyed this offseason losing Christian Wilkins and they need to address that early on. Byron Murphy is regarded by most to be the top defensive tackle in the class.
22: Philidelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean | CB | Iowa
DeJean has been a faller in this year’s class as he has the potential to be elite but his medicals leave some murky water. The Iowa cornerback could help resurrect an Eagles defensive back room that was horrible last year.
23: Los Angeles Chargers – Troy Fautanu | OT | Washington
The Chargers continue to build on the offensive side of the ball after getting Herbert his WR1 they now get him protection. Fautanu has the potential of being able to play both guard and tackle at a high level.
24: Dallas Cowboys – Jackson Powers-Johnson | IOL | Oregon
The Cowboys don’t have that many holes if we’re being honest but they could use help on the offensive interior, especially center. Another offseason riser he is by far and away the best option to play center in this year’s class.
25: Green Bay Packers – Amarius Mims | OT | Alabama
Mims won’t be an immediate solution at tackle for the Packers but the investment will be worth it with time. Mims is a high-ceiling player who a couple of years from now might be the best tackle in the class but it’ll come with patience.
26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Demeioun (Chop) Robinson | Edge | Penn State
Chop Robinson was once considered to be the best edge rusher in the class getting top-ten hype after last season. He had a setback this season but all the upside he once displayed still exists and Todd Bowls will have fun with his versatility.
27: Arizona Cardinals – Xavier Worthy | WR | Texas
The Cardinals continue to build around Kyler Murray by getting him the best deep threat in the class. Worthy is more than just speed as he possesses the traits to develop into an elite all-around receiver.
28: Buffalo Bills – Adonai Mitchell | WR | Texas
The Stefon Diggs era in Buffalo has come to an end and it’s time to start the search for who will fill that gigantic void. Adonai Mitchell has what it takes to be the next young star receiver in Buffalo as early as year one.
29: Detroit Lions – Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama
McKinstry was another name that started this year off as the best at his position but had an underwhelming season that dropped his stock. McKinstry is still the player everyone thought he was after his breakout season.
30: Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma
The Ravens are desperate to keep Lamar Jackson healthy and after losing Morgan Moses they need help at the tackle spot. Guyton would be great value at this pick and the Ravens would have an immediate solution at tackle.
31: San Francisco 49ers – Jordan Morgan | OT | Arizona
Having a player like Morgan in the same room as Trent Williams would be a game-changer for the 49ers. Morgan looks to be a player who could develop nicely and has the experience to be a quick learner and be an important piece immediately.
32: Kansas City Chiefs – Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
Hollywood Brown is now in Kansas City but the Chiefs can’t risk having a stretch of offense like they did last year. So they continue to give Mahomes more weapons by getting him the Florida State prospect. Coleman could be an elite red-zone target.
Main Photo Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
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