Pick Is In
Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Jr
It wasn’t until the turn of the century that USC became a powerhouse program of first round talent at the quarterback position. In 1964 the Detroit Lions selected Pat Beathard with the fifth overall pick and the Trojans would not see another first round quarterback drafted out of Southern California until Carson Palmer went No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. Since then, three other quarterbacks have gone in Round 1 of the NFL Draft which includes Matt Leinart (2006), Mark Sanchez (2009), and Sam Darnold (2018). Williams will be the fifth Trojan quarterback drafted in round one since 2003, a remarkable accomplishment.

Pick Is In
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, Sr.
LSU is following in the footsteps of USC by providing elite quarterbacks after 2000. Y.A. Tittle was the first Tigers’ quarterback to be drafted in round one, in fact Tittle was drafted twice both in 1948 and 1951. In 2007, JaMarcus Russell emerged as the second Tigers’ signal caller to go in round one and 13 years later Joe Burrow (2020) would follow. This year the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels will mark the fourth LSU quarterback to go in round one and the third since 2007. Daniels is the dark horse candidate to possibly unseat Williams as the undisputed No.1 pick. Think Randall Cunningham when you watch Daniels in the NFL.

Pick Is In
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina, Soph (RS)
Maybe it’s my personal disbelief that J.J. McCarthy was a late day one prospect a few months ago and now he is considered one slot below the previous chosen three in Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye as the top three quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft. It’s a new era in New England and with a deep quarterback class it’s possible they are the team who drops out of the top five.

Pick Is In
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State, Jr.
Harrison and LSU wideout Malik Nabers will battle for NFL Draft supremacy via the receiver position in 2024. Harrison has been considered the clear-cut favorite but as we begin to embark rapidly into the draft season, Nabers is going to make this a tight race. Both Ohio State and LSU have been extremely diligent in molding this position into elite talent at the next level. The Buckeyes recently have seen the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba go in round one in two of the last three drafts, while the Tigers have given us Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase since 2020. Harrison’s recent refusal to speak to the media at the NFL Combine (a first and hopefully the last by a prospect) in conjunction without working out in Indianapolis or at his Pro Day could jade his value slightly. While his tape leaves little doubt on his immense ability, Nabers’ might be able to fall into the good gracious of a team who values workouts.

Pick Is In
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State, Sr.
It seems like the easiest pick in the entire draft to put receiver Malik Nabers in this slot. The recent deductions at receiver leave a hole in the unit, but this is a deep class at wideout for the Chargers to take talent on day two at the position. Jim Harbaugh takes over after winning the National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines. His program’s rise to power is crystal clear in dominating the interior of both sides of the football and especially on defense. Since 2020, the Wolverines have placed a first-round pick from the interior every year and three straight (2021-23) defensively. Harbaugh turn his attention to the former Seminoles two-time All-American in 2022-23. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa aren’t getting younger, and this pick provides a boost to the defense.

Pick Is In
Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame, Jr.
Daniel Jones is a magnet for punishment but regardless of who played behind the line of scrimmage for the New York Giants last season would have suffered a horrendous fate. Jones went on IR and back-up Tyrod Taylor was hurt prior to giving life to local hero Tommy DeVito. What’s all this babbling about? The Giants attempted 518 passes, the seventh fewest throws by any team in the National Football League. However, despite finishing near the very bottom in passes attempted they were incredibly awful at allowing sacks. The Giants offensive line allowed 85 sacks (2nd most in league history), which is 20 more than the second-place team in the league. Pick any offensive lineman you want but this must be the direction New York goes in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pick Is In
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU, WR
In the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft the Titans drafted Ole Miss receiver A.J. Brown and on the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft they traded Brown to the Eagles and drafted Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. With Derrick Henry set to depart via free agency this upcoming season and the offense grasping with the last years of DeAndre Hopkins greatness the Titans look to replenish what they lost on when they traded Brown to the Eagles on April 28, 2022, in exchange for the No. 18 and No. 101 overall picks in the 2022 draft. The No. 18 pick was used to select Burks. Trying to replenish the greatness of Brown is Tennessee’s hope with the selection of the LSU star. 

Pick Is In
JC Latham, OL, Alabama, Jr.
Alabama provided the NFL Draft four straight years of number picks via the offensive line between 2019-22. Last year in the 2023 NFL Draft the Crimson Tide managed to get one offensive lineman drafted which was Tyler Steen in round three. Since their dominant run that began in 2019 the Crimson Tide have had eight offensive linemen drafted. Latham should be the fifth first round offensive line in the last six years to hear his name called on the opening night of the NFL Draft. The Jets can use this massive sized stud who is 6 ‘6 and roughly 358 pounds. Aaron Rodgers needs to be protected first and foremost he can make the average receiver look great. He can’t when he is under duress on his hiney.

Pick Is In
Romo Odunze, WR, Washington, Sr,
So many rumors swirling around Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams remaining with Raiders. If a trade comes to fruition, it will leave the team eyeing a young talented prospect like Odunze to fill the void. With a massive frame at 6’3 and 212 pounds, Odunze is nearly identical in height and weight. White was 6’3 215 with 32 5/8 arms and 9 1/4 hands. Odunze has 32 1/4 hands and exactly the same hand size (9 1/4) as White. The Bears are doubling down on offensive fire power in round one. The the weapons already in place in Chicago this provides a much-needed upgrade.

Pick Is In
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan, Jr.
New England sacrificed the third overall pick to add depth in their number of draft picks, but know Las Vegas Raiders are eyeing J.J. McCarthy from afar. They modestly eliminate the Raiders chances of leapfrogging them by trading up one spot and securing the Michigan quarterback. The Patriots have now used two first-round picks since 2021 on signal-callers in their efforts to replace the ‘Goat’ in Tom Brady. 

Pick Is In
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama, Jr.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot has been on the job in Atlanta since 2021, picking three times inside the top-ten and all the selections made were on high-end offensive skill positions in tight end Kyle Pitts (2021. fourth overall), receiver Drake London (2022, eighth overall) and running back Bijan Robinson (2023, eighth overall. The Falcons take the first defensive player off the board in Alabama’s Dallas Turner who will aim to give the Crimson Tide back-to-back DROY winners with former teammate Will Anderson winning the award after a stellar rookie year in Houston.

Pick Is In
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon, Sr.
It’s my belief that we’ve entered an era in the National Football League that drafting a quarterback in round one even in failure is worse than not picking one at all. Arizona moved up in 2018 to draft UCLA’s Josh Rosen to only trade him one year later and take Kyler Murray No. 1 overall. A forbidden practice a decade ago. C.J. Stroud changed the entire trajectory of the Texans franchise last season when Houston took him second overall. Nix provides the Broncos a chance to resurrect their franchise and fits the style of offense head coach Sean Payton uses. Denver enters the batter’s box hoping for a home run and if they swing and miss, they can go to bat next year at the same position.

Pick Is In
Quinyon Mitchell, DB, Toledo, Jr.
If this NFL Mock Draft goes anywhere near actuality, then this is the first time since 2019 and defensive back wasn’t drafted inside the top-ten. The position of defensive back is one that can be altered quite significantly during the NFL Combine and we saw that with Mitchell posting a 4.3 forty in Indianapolis. His tape along with workout provide the Raiders the confidence to select the MAC star. Amik Robertson signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency this spring leaving the Raiders which was in need of a player like Mitchell. 

Pick Is In
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State, rJr.
Look above and know the Saints have done their best to acquire top tier talent for the offensive line but it’s not manifested itself in top-tier talent on the field. New Orleans aims to get the offensive line headed in the right direction with the selection of Fashanu.

Pick Is In
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington, Sr.
The rumors of Brandon Aiyuk being traded come to fruition in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s Deja vu when the Eagles traded with Tennessee in 2022. Titans’ receiver A.J. Brown was sent to Philly for the 18th overall pick in order to avoid a massive salary increase. Colts GM Chris Ballard took over in 2017 and in 2019, 2020 and 2022, Indianapolis hasn’t picked in round one. The Colts retained Michael Pittman, then added an amazing addition at wideout to fast track second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson towards success. 

Pick Is In
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia, Jr.
The Dolphins find a trading partner in the Seahawks to seal the deal in acquiring the draft’s top tight end prospect. UCLA’s edge rusher Laiatu Latu is a name I strongly wanted to type out here but just feel the Dolphins are going to remain relative with their offense being elite and Bowers provides another element for head coach Mike McDaniel to implement in his scheme.

Pick Is In
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State, Sr.
The Jaguars will use back-to-back first round picks in 2023-24 to fortify their offensive line. Anton Harrison was last year’s selection and Fuaga will accompany the second-year player to help address a weak area on Jacksonville’s roster.

Pick Is In
Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma, Jr. (RS)
Jonah Williams is now in Arizona after free agency leaving the Bengals to replace him on the right side to go along with veteran Orlando Brown. Trenton Brown was signed to a one-year deal, but it remains a long-term and critical issue the Bengals continue to fortify their offensive line. Joe Burrow is the beloved son of Cincinnati; however, another year of substantial missed time could create a void in the fan base’s loyalty.

Pick Is In
Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State, Jr.
Chop Robinson and Laiatu Latu are the two edge rushers circling around this pick and honestly a little surprised both are available. Robinson is the guy for now and his 4.4 speed will be a welcomed addition as the Rams look to add another pass rusher behind Kobie Turner who played outstanding as a third round rookie last season. The retirement of Aaron Donald will apply a mindset to keep the Rams pass rush vibrant.

Pick Is In
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia, Jr.
The Steelers find themselves in a perfect place to choose between addressing center or right tackle. Broderick Jones, their No. 1 pick from last season played well enough to validate another Bulldog to join Pittsburgh’s offensive line. A massive prospect at 6’8” and 340 pounds, Mims ran a 5.07 forty at the NFL Combine.

Pick Is In
Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson, Jr.
The recent trade of L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans leaves the defending back-to-back champions quest to three-peat under scrutiny if they don’t address the loss of one of the league’s brightest stars in the secondary. The dynamic duo of Sneed and Chiefs other defensive back Trent McDuffie were one of the best parts of watching football last season. Wiggins 4.28 speed will be a building block to becoming McDuffie’s new Sneed in the secondary.

Pick Is In
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon, Jr.
Howie Roseman took over GM duties in 2010 and since then has ascended up the ladder to Executive vice president/general manager. With 12 first round picks since taking over he has selected five defensive players, and all are defensive linemen. Three receivers and offensive linemen are the next most popular group and Carson Wentz makes up the lone quarterback drafted in round one under his reign. The blueprint seems pretty easy to follow which leads me to think the Eagles will look to add Powers-Johnson as legendary Eagles center Jason Kelce enters year one of retirement. Powers-Johnson also has great lower body power which should keep the “Tush Push’ successful.

Pick Is In
Brian Thomas, WR, LSU, Jr.
The kryptonite of Bill Belichick’s magnificent time in New England was his inability to draft receivers in the top rounds. Dating back to 2002 with the selection of Deion Branch is the last time the position was addressed and had substantial results. N’Keal Harry and Aaron Dobson highlight a few of the laundry list of names drafted in the top three rounds that never amounted to anything. With Belichick no longer with the Patriots maybe this will be one wrinkle of success with new head coach Jerod Mayo.

Pick Is In 
Graham Barton, OL, Duke, Sr.
The Cowboys need picks and the Cardinals’ have plenty of draft ammunition. The biggest asset the franchise has remains quarterback Kyler Murray and while it’s a cliche to mention that adding a receiver (Harrison) and offensive linemen (Barton) are key to getting this offense as efficient as possible. Barton has great size to plug in at guard and since he arrived at Duke as a true freshman in 2020, he has continued to grow his game. Feel very comfortable saying he could be one of the steals of the round one going this late.

Pick Is In
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas, Sr.
The Green Bay defense is lousy in stopping opponents rushing attacks and feel Sweat presence along with Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt provide the Packers one hell of a defensive front. With a frame over 6’4 and weighing 366 pounds, he’ll bring an immediate benefit to his teammates.

Pick Is In
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA, Sr.
My personal love for the talent Latu possesses isn’t represented in the mock draft after getting picked near the bottom of round one. The Panthers recognize the Pac-12 DPOY and aim to get an immediate return with the Giants trading edge rusher Brian Burns to New York by moving into the first round late Thursday night to secure the rights to Latu. 

Pick Is In
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona, Sr.
The Cowboys have been quiet this off-season via free agency. It places a heavy emphasis on Dallas to nail draft picks from April 25-27. I could see them dropping down and stockpiling some more picks, if possible, but in this mock draft they remain at 25 and take a plug-and-play prospect in Morgan. The offensive line is aging, and they are fortunate to land such a talent this late.

Pick Is In
Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri, Sr.
Von Miller played 258 snaps for Buffalo last season and appeared in 12 games. I had zero snaps for the Bills and did not suit up once, yet we tied with zero sacks on the 2023 season. Turning 35 before the 2024 NFL Draft begins, Miller’s past can no longer be considered in his present play. Leonard Floyd is another over 30 veteran but is playing some of the best football of his career in Buffalo but the same cannot be added for Miller, whom I adore, but father time has found him. Floyd is signed for 2024 leaving a lot of questions on how Buffalo will sack the quarterback.

Pick Is In
Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama, Jr.
Defensive back was a need for Detroit before the recent legal issues surrounding ex-Lion Cam Sutton to be released. A deep draft really sheds light on how such a talented player could end up being the 29th pick overall.

Pick Is In
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas, Jr.
The Ravens added bruiser Derrick Henry to the running game in free agency and doubled-down in round one of the NFL Draft with Mitchell, who didn’t run as fast as college teammate Xavior Worthy with a 4.21 40-yard dash (Fastest ever at NFL Combine), he did provide a blazing 4.34 at 6’2 and 205 pounds. The Baltimore offense is going to be scary!

Pick Is In
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia, Jr. (RS)
The 49ers grab McConkey before the first round ends. His 4.39 forty at the NFL Combine really boosted his overall value and has placed him in the realm of hearing his name called on day one of the NFL Draft. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan penchant for utilizing his players abilities would add another wrinkle to San Francisco’s already impressive offense.

Pick Is In
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington, Sr.
Seattle brought in ex-Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and have incumbent Geno Smith currently on the roster. It’s hard to expect miracles when the ingredients are mediocre at best. For the last pick in the round one and a need for a young arm, it just makes sense the Seahawks draft an inner state standout.