1. Chicago Bears via CAR: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
I’m standing by my take that the Bears should stick with Justin Fields for one more season. Getting him more help will be a tell-tale sign if Fields is their man. I think that maybe the best prospect in this year’s draft is Marvin Harrison Jr. He has sticky hands and runs shifty routes that defensive backs struggle to stop. Get him in the Windy City opposite of D.J. Moore and watch the magic happen.
2. Washington Commanders: USC QB Caleb Williams
Washington sees Chicago pass on Williams, for good reason, and they’re pumped. They’re getting their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, a guy who is a generational talent. Washington has decent weapons with Terry McClaurin, Brian Robinson, Jahan Dotson, and Logan Thomas. Now, they just need a player with poise like Williams.
3. New England Patriots: North Carolina QB Drake Maye
It’s weird to see the Patriots moving on to another QB after two decades of Brady, but Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe aren’t the answer. Maye has mature composure and a big arm that will only make New England’s subpar weapons more efficient.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Washington WR Rome Odunze
I love Rome Odunze. Despite his memorable drop in the National Championship, he was an extremely reliable number one option for Michael Penix Jr. this season. His ability to create space between himself and defensive backs is very impressive and will help to rebuild the broken frame of a depth chart that the Cardinals have.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
I know I said Marvin Harrison Jr. might be the best prospect in the draft, but I lied. It’s Joe Alt. Alt is a stonewall on an island at the tackle position and will be dynamic on the other side of Rashawn Slater. It’s not the most glamorous pick initially for Chargers fans, but they’ll love the fact that Justin Herbert will have ample time in the pocket to get the ball to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
6. New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers
Since losing Odell Beckham in 2019, the Giants have lacked a big play wideout. Jalin Hyatt was a nice addition last year, but Nabers can be their big play pass catcher. In 2023, he caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nabers is remarkably quick when he runs his routes and has proven to be a big play guy breaking games wide open.
7. Tennessee Titans: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
The last time Tennessee drafted a corner in the first round, they took Caleb Farley. In three years, he’s only played in twelve games. They need a reliable corner and DeJean could be their guy. DeJean has been a lockdown corner in the BIG 10 for three straight seasons and will be a game-changer for Tennessee. A bonus is that DeJean is an elite return man.
8. Atlanta Falcons: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
With a new head coach, Atlanta should look to get a new quarterback. Jayden Daniels is a raw talent with a huge arm, he just needs to work on not taking hits as often, because hits in the NFL are a lot harder than they are in college. Besides that, I love the idea of him in an offense with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson.
9. Chicago Bears: UCLA OLB Laiatu Latu
Chicago finished second to last in the team sack category in 2023. Even with the addition of Montez Sweat, they struggled to get after the quarterback. My favorite defensive prospect in the draft is Laiatu Latu due to his bag of pass rushing tricks. With 23.5 sacks over two seasons, he’s a great fit to play alongside Sweat and Billings.
10. New York Jets: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
The key to succeeding in the NFL is protecting your quarterback. The Jets didn’t do that last season. Mekhi Becton allowed 12 sacks and Carter Warren allowed 5 sacks and had a PFF grade of 46.5%. Adding Olu Fashanu, a top five prospect in the draft, will help to solidify at least one side of the Jets offensive line.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Florida State DE Jared Verse
Like their division rival in Chicago, Minnesota didn’t excel when it came to rushing the passer in 2023. Adding 6’4, 260 pound Jared Verse to play with Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, and Marcus Davenport would be a huge addition as Verse utilizes his lengthy arms and powerful punch to defeat pass sets.
12. Denver Broncos: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
By drafting Nate Wiggins at 12, the Denver Broncos could create one of the league’s top young corner duos with Wiggins and Surtain. Wiggins stands at 6’2, which is lengthy for a corner and makes him excel when it comes to playing taller, more agile wideouts. Winning in the AFC West isn’t easy when guys like Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams are running routes. Shutting them down is important and Wiggins and Surtain can do that.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
With the recent release of Jimmy Garoppolo, it feels like a no-brainer for the Raiders to take a quarterback. McCarthy fits their system that loves to run the rock with Jacobs and open up play action, the same way he did at Michigan. With Adams, Mayer, and Meyers as weapons, McCarthy could see early success in black and silver.
14. New Orleans Saints: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
Last season, Andrus Peat struggled for the Saints. He only allowed 2 sacks, but he posted a PFF grade of 60.2%. He’s not a great run blocker, but Taliese Fuaga is. He’s a mauler in the trenches that does a great job squeezing his elbows and assaulting the chest of defensive ends. New Orleans missed when they drafted Trevor Penning, but they won’t miss if they take Taliese Fuaga.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Texas DT Byron Murphy II
In 2023, the Colts allowed the ninth most rushing yards in the NFL. While they have good front seven players like DeForest Buckner and Zaire Franklin, they need a true anchor in the middle. Byron Murphy II is a 6’1, 308 pound agile run stuffer that also excels as a pass rusher. In 2023 for Texas, he totaled 29 tackles and 5 sacks.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Oregon IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
Maybe the biggest riser from the Senior Bowl was Jackson Powers-Johnson. He showed his versatility dominating at both guard positions and at center. Current Seahawks center Evan Brown struggled this season allowing 3 sacks and recording a PFF grade of 55.5%. Jackson Powers-Johnson will be a massive upgrade to matchup with Aaron Donald and Javon Hargrave.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama DE Dallas Turner
Jacksonville was unable to create pressure in 2023 so drafting Dallas Turner, a versatile edge rusher to play opposite of Josh Allen, will be a massive upgrade to their front seven. Turner made 53 tackles, 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles at Alabama in 2023, and he does an awesome job transitioning speed into power with his long arm technique.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Georgia TE Brock Bowers
I wouldn’t be shocked if Bowers goes higher if a team drafts “best available”, but the teams ahead of the Bengals either are set at tight end or have bigger needs. Cincinnati needs a tight end. Bowers can split out wide, play wing, play tight end, and wherever he is, he’s going to be a force. In the run game, Bowers is an elite blocker, but when he’s out running routes, he’s a machine. Putting him with Chase and Higgins with Burrow throwing the ball can create a top five offense in the NFL.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
Maybe the best interior defensive lineman in all of college football last season was Jer’Zhan Newton. Newton is quick, strong, and stout making him the perfect three technique player, or even a 2i. With Aaron Donald getting older, Newton could learn from both him and rookie Kobie Turner who had 9 sacks last season. He’s an awesome fit in the Rams 3-4 system.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
What I love about Kool-Aid McKinstry’s play style is that he’s not afraid to tackle. In the CFB Playoff, he was coming down on Blake Corum to make tackles with no fear. The Steelers are weak at corner and McKinstry’s physical play style is unlike any corner in this draft. In addition, he’s one hell of a punt returner.
21. Miami Dolphins: Alabama OT JC Latham
With Terron Armstead getting older and being injury prone and Austin Jackson having a PFF grade of 68.4%, the Dolphins need to look to acquire a tackle in this year’s draft. The 6’6, 359 pound tackle is very agile for his size and matches up nicely against athletic defensive ends and outside linebackers like Jermaine Johnson and Matt Judon.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Oregon WR Troy Franklin
Seeing that A.J. Brown is unhappy in Philadelphia, the Eagles are going to need another weapon to try and replace him. Troy Franklin has a 6’3 frame that makes him a true deep threat. In 2023 for the Ducks, he caught 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 14 scores. Watching him catch passes from Jalen Hurts will be fun in 2024.
23. Houston Texans via CLE: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
CJ Stroud had an unbelievable rookie season, so adding weapons around him should be Houston’s top priority. Brian Thomas Jr. would be a great second or third fiddle to Tank Dell and Nico Collins due to his size. Dell and Collins are great underneath, but Thomas can stretch the field and make big plays on deep balls.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Penn State OLB Chop Robinson
Dallas was one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL in 2023, but adding more depth with a guy who is as physical as Chop Robinson will send them over the top. Robinson played in limited games in 2023, but still tallied 4 sacks and 15 tackles. A front seven consisting of Chop Robinson, Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Johnathan Hankins will be terrifying for opposing offenses.
25. Green Bay Packers: Minnesota S Tyler Nubin
The best safety in this year’s draft is Tyler Nubin. He can do it all as he made 53 tackles, intercepted 5 passes and broke up 4 more. Green Bay’s secondary is shaky as Jonathan Owens isn’t as efficient as you’d like. Adding Nubin to their defense adds a true weapon that can play high safety, in the box, or in the slot.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: West Virginia IOL Zach Frazier
Drafting Cody Mauch last year didn’t work out. He allowed 7 sacks, committed 5 penalties, and had a PFF grade of 44.7%. The Buccaneers need interior offensive line help. Zach Frazier can play all three interior positions and moves laterally very well. He excels as a run blocker and is efficient as a pass protector.
27. Arizona Cardinals via HOU: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
With elite speed and great ball skills, the Cardinals are getting a gem with Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell picked off 1 pass and broke up 18 passes in 2023 for the Rockets and will make an immediate impact with Arizona. The Cardinals are weak at the corner position and having a player as quick and experienced as Mitchell will make it tough for offenses to throw against them.
28. Buffalo Bills: Washington OT Troy Fautanu
The Bills have two good tackles with Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, but their interior needs work. Troy Fautanu’s size and versatility would make it easy for him to move to guard and replace David Edwards. He’s very strong and moves fluidly, so having him pull in the run game and get into space would be very valuable.
29. Detroit Lions: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
Alabama had the best corner tandem in college last years with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. Arnold made 63 tackles, 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 2023. One of Detroit’s minimal weak spots is at corner, so adding Arnold would be an instant upgrade. He’ll match up nicely vs Justin Jefferson and Christian Watson to give their defense a boost.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Baltimore does have a solid secondary, but adding depth with a lockdown corner like Ennis Rakestraw Jr. won’t hurt. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was vital in Missouri’s success in 2023 as he made it nearly impossible for teams to throw in his direction. His stats don’t jump off the page, but that’s due to him not being thrown at often.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
Trent Williams is one of the best tackles of all time, but opposite of him is Colton McKivitz who struggled this past season. He had a PFF grade of 65.1% and allowed 9 sacks. Amarius Mims, who has awesome size and a lethal punch, would be able to slide into the right tackle position and provide great protection for Brock Purdy in 2024.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Florida State WR Keon Coleman
The rich get richer. Putting more weapons around Patrick Mahomes will only make their offense more frightening to opposing defenses. Keon Coleman stands at 6’4, 215 pounds and caught 11 touchdowns this past season. While Rashee Rice and Justin Watson are good options, they lack size. Coleman will be an awesome addition to their already loaded receiving core.
