As the football world descends on Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft, I wanted to offer up one final projection of how Round 1 will play out.
The only suspense left with this pick is speculating how long it will take for the Bears to turn in the card. This young man has the potential for greatness.
Plenty of noise surrounds what Washington could do with No. 2, but I believe the Commanders stick and pick their guy. A thorough evaluation by new general manager Adam Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn concludes with their selection of the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.
SURPRISE! I was convinced for a while that New England would be the future home of Drake Maye, but now I'm questioning that line of thinking. In this projection, after the Pats entertain a bunch of trade offers, they ultimately choose to "run history back" in a sense, selecting another Michigan man to lead them ... albeit 196 draft slots higher than where they took Tom Brady nearly a quarter-century ago.
Yes, GM Monti Ossenfort is open for business, and this is a key spot for teams seeking a QB. (Vikings? Broncos? Raiders?) But in this scenario, the Cards stand pat. If they do trade this pick, expect another one of the draft's top WRs to still land in Phoenix on Day 1.
Joe Hortiz is another GM who will have his phone close to him at all times and will happily accept calls. Both he and new head coach Jim Harbaugh love their offensive linemen ... but if Arizona trades out of the No. 4 spot, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is still available when the Chargers are on the clock, Harbaugh could pivot toward the Buckeye receiver, not letting his rivalry with Ohio State get in the way of his new NFL ambitions.
Plenty of QB chatter here, and it's understandable. However, if the Giants want to give Daniel Jones the best opportunity to be successful, they have to provide him with playmakers, and Nabers is the kind of explosive asset head coach Brian Daboll likes.
Could GM Ran Carthon be open to moving back? Sure. And while Joe Alt has been mentioned here frequently by me (and many others), Latham is someone whom new OL coach Bill Callahan would eagerly embrace. Callahan could potentially get him ready to play LT, as the veteran coach did with another former Alabama RT, Jedrick Wills, just a few years ago in Cleveland.
Atlanta is eager to compete right now in the NFC South, and edge tops the team's list of needs, so the Falcons take the best all-around pass rusher in this draft.
Head coach Matt Eberflus needs someone to help the sensational Montez Sweat get after the QB for this team on the rise.
A top WR is in play here. The best TE in the draft, Brock Bowers, has also felt like a fit. But Jets GM Joe Douglas must do everything in his power to keep Aaron Rodgers on the field, and he might not want to count strictly on his veteran OT acquisitions (Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses) to get the job done.
The Vikings are armed for the fight (having acquired an additional first-round pick last month) and in position to move up if necessary in order to get their guy. In this mock, they stand pat and still get him.
No, this week's trade for former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson does not take Denver out of the QB market. Sean Payton was never afraid to use future draft capital to secure a player he coveted while head coach in New Orleans. To move up this year, the Broncos will likely have to part with their first-rounder in 2025. ... But what if they don't have to do so?
Another team that has appeared to be heavily interested in moving up to make its QB dreams come true. Here, Las Vegas takes the sixth signal-caller within the first 13 picks. Penix's propensity to throw the ball downfield fits the Raiders' swashbuckling history.
The Saints need a left tackle, and Fashanu is their guy.
The run on QBs pushes a receiver with top-10 talent down to this spot, and the Colts' second-year QB, Anthony Richardson, is thrilled.
The 'Hawks could use some shoring up of their offensive line, and they don't have to go far, tapping this versatile blocker from the University of Washington. Fautanu gets to stay in town and work with his college offensive coordinator and O-line coach.
The board falls perfectly for the Jaguars in this simulation, as they get their pick of the litter at their top position of need.
Another top-10 talent pushed down by QB machinations, but not to fret! Getting to work with Bengals QB Joe Burrow -- who will make immediate and skillful use of Bowers -- softens the blow.
Murphy is not going to be Aaron Donald, but he is awfully talented and will pair well with last year's rookie sensation, Kobie Turner. The Rams also could opt for a different Texas product: WR Xavier Worthy. The fastest player in NFL Scouting Combine history could be a more accomplished Tutu Atwell.
The Steelers continue to upgrade their offensive line, looking to get this inexperienced -- but supremely talented -- youngster ready to play right tackle, spurring a move of last year's top pick, Broderick Jones, to his natural spot on the blind side. Consideration will be given to grabbing a center here, too. (Graham Barton? Jackson Powers-Johnson?)
Agile physically and mentally, Barton moves from college left tackle to NFL center (he did start five games at the pivot early in his Duke days) and anchors Mike McDaniel's lightning-speed offensive attack.
The Toledo product has done nothing but impress throughout the pre-draft process (SEE: his Senior Bowl week lockdown of Power Five receivers, as well as his explosive athletic display at the combine). The Eagles fortify their secondary with this ballhawk.
The small-school standout (Verse spent his first three years of college at Albany) leveled up to Power Five stardom (his past two years at Florida State) through talent, effort and grit. He helps ease the free agency departure of elite edge rusher Danielle Hunter.
Dallas struck gold back in 2013 with the first-round selection of center Travis Frederick. The Cowboys go mining at the position once again, nabbing last season's Rimington Trophy winner (college football's top center). JPJ packs a punch -- and the man can move, as well.
I listed DeJean as a DB, instead of a CB, because of his exceptional versatility. He can run, cover, tackle, catch ... and return punts at an elite level, too. DeJean and All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon would give Green Bay extra special teams.
Tampa banks on the potential and expected elevation of this speedy edge rusher whose numbers should improve in the NFL. I think a center is a possibility here, too.
Rising defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will find plenty of ways to utilize this hard charger. Missouri's combo DE/DT, Darius Robinson, has to be in the discussion here, too. And the cornerback position also merits thought.
This was a position of need before the trade of Stefon Diggs to Houston. QB Josh Allen gets to mentor this intelligent and fast receiver who will draw plenty of attention from other suitors along the way on draft night.
The Lions' culture has been clearly established, and McKinstry fits it very well with his down-in/down-out toughness. After all, the young man went through his pro day -- and performed quite well -- despite knowing he needed foot surgery.
Head coach John Harbaugh has mentioned upgrading the offensive line, and Guyton will help do that. The former tight end has been a right tackle in college, but has the attributes to move to the blind side.
Having gone without a first-round pick in each of the past two drafts, the 49ers can proceed in a variety of directions here. Arizona OT Jordan Morgan has to be in mix, but Rosengarten fits San Francisco's RT profile and gives off the vibes of another former Washington tackle, Kaleb McGary, with his play.
My favorite Longhorn receiver in this draft. Kansas City likely will consider selecting an offensive lineman, especially someone with LT ability. But given the uncertainty of Rashee Rice's situation, the Chiefs grab a playmaker to pair with the ultimate playmaking QB, Patrick Mahomes.
