NFL
By: Greg Rector
It’s time for my Mock Draft 2.0 version. The NFL draft combine and free agency have now happened. In my first Mock Draft 1.0, I had a much different look since the first version was done during the NFL season. In this Mock Draft, I will have trades.
Please remember the age-old definition of a “Mock Draft”. A mock draft can be predictive as is this one or a version of “What I Would Do.” This version is based upon what I am hearing and seeing from the rest of the ‘Mock Draft” world.
So let’s go ahead and see what this version looks like. Remember the NFL Draft takes place from April 25th to the 27th and the Motor City of Detroit, Michigan is the host city. I will also be doing a full seven-round Mock Draft in April before the NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears
It seems a certainty at this point that Caleb Williams the quarterback from USC will be taken by the Bears with the first pick in NFL Draft 2024. However, the rumor mill surrounding Williams goes as far as his wanting to become a Chicago Bear goes that’s not for me to judge.
Washington Commanders
The franchise I despise the most in the NFL (I am a Dallas Cowboys fan after all) must draft a quarterback. Now don’t go all giddy with the newest arm in Washington okay? Here’s the simple reason I say this. Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels neither one is ready to be an NFL starting quarterback. I also feel the same way about Caleb Williams.
With the second selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, I have the Commanders selecting Drake Maye QB from UNC.
Maye is the more prototypical quarterback and he should be better than Jayden Daniels is in his first NFL season. I have no idea who Washington is going to bring in as a veteran QB. Whoever that veteran QB is they need to start and allow Drake Maye time to develop.
New England Patriots
Here is where the 2024 NFL Draft gets started in my opinion. Do the Patriots select Jayden Daniels or do they wait until the second round and select a different QB? Now with a new man in charge of the NFL Draft, I would have almost bet you that under Bill Belichick the Patriots would have traded down. Do the Patriots select Marvin Harrison Jr the standout WR from Ohio State?
I have the New England Patriots selecting from Louisiana State University the Heisman Award-winning QB Jayden Daniels.
This is where the draft gets funky. Sorry Steve Rogers but I don’t see Arizona or any other team drafting ahead of your Minnesota Vikings trading down. So your team is sticking at number 11 and 23.
Arizona Cardinals
With the 4th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, I have the Cardinals selecting Marvin Harrison Jr WR Ohio State. There is just no way I see the Cardinals moving away from giving Kyler Murray a stud WR.
Los Angeles Chargers
Another team on my hit list since I cannot stomach anyone from “That School Up North” and that includes the new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Many folks are placing Joe Alt the LT from Notre Dame here but since the Chargers traded away Keenan Allen and released Mike Williams, I have the Chargers selecting Malik Nabers WR from Louisiana State University.
New York Giants
Here is another team with a huge question mark at quarterback. Daniel Jones hasn’t been the right guy. Do the Giants risk not taking a quarterback in this draft class? Or do they risk waiting on next year’s group of QBs? I believe the Giants select from “That School Up North” also known as The University of Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy.
McCarthy is just 20 years old and he can sit behind Jones. This is the smartest move the Giants can make.
Tennesee Titans
I have the Titans selecting from the University of Notre Dame Joe Alt LT. With the release of Andre Dillard, this selection becomes simple as Alt is the most ready LT in this draft class.
Atlanta Falcons
So the mock draft world has the Falcons selecting Dallas Turner the edge player from the University of Alabama. I am not as high as the scouts are on Turner. If an edge player is taken by Atlanta I would much prefer they select Jared Verse. However, I will go along with what I keep seeing and Dallas Turner will be the next Atlanta Falcons edge star.
Chicago Bears
Since Malik Nabers is off the board I have the Chicago Bears selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, from the University of Washington Rome Odunze. Caleb Williams won’t be able to complain he doesn’t have quality receivers.
New York Jets
Since the Jets have addressed their O-Line in free agency I have the New York Jets selecting TE/WR Brock Bowers from the University of Georgia. Aaron Rogers in his return gets a big-time target.
Minnesota Vikings
Since the top four quarterbacks are off the board and the Vikings have another first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, I have the Vikings selecting Jared Verse Edge player from Florida State University.
Denver Broncos
A team with many question marks especially at QB since they released Russell Wilson. I don’t see the Broncos selecting a QB at this position in the 2024 NFL Draft. There is a corner who has shot up the mock draft listings and I have the Broncos selecting, Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders will select a quarterback and I have them doing so with the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, I have the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Bo Nix from the University of Oregon. He can challenge Aidan O’Connell but despite his age and experience in college football Nix needs time to adjust to playing in a real NFL offense.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have question marks on their offensive line. So I have them selecting from Penn State University Olu Fashanu the LT.
Indianapolis Colts
Since Brock Bowers was already selected I have the Colts taking Terrion Arnold the cornerback from the University of Alabama.
Seattle Seahawks
I believe all those Miami Dolphins fans praying that they get to draft Jackson Powers-Johnson the center from the University of Oregon all get disappointed as the Seahawks select the massive center.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Since the Jaguars were so disappointing to end last season and they lost Calvin Ridley in free agency I have the Jaguars selecting Brain Thomas WR from Louisiana State University.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tackle yet again is the choice for the Bengals since the wide receiver group in this NFL Draft is so deep. In the 2024 NFL Draft, I have the Bengals selecting from Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga. Fuaga is simply a beast and he can play on either side of the O-Line.
Los Angeles Rams
With the retirement of Aaron Donald the defensive tackle position has some great options here for the Rams. I am going to select Byron Murphy the DT from the University of Texas.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have the quarterback position loaded now with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in town. Again with the depth in the receiver class, I am saying “The Men of Steel” select Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington. This was where the Steelers messed up selecting Kenny Pickett in this very spot. This time they select correctly.
Miami Dolphins
With Christian Wilkins leaving in free agency I am selecting with the 21st selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Defensive Tackle from the University of Illinois Jer’Zhan Newton.
Philadelphia Eagles
With the 22nd selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, I am selecting cornerback Cooper Dejean from the University of Iowa.
Minnesota Vikings
Since the Vikings now have their second selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, I have them selecting a QB at this spot. Since Sam Darnold is going to be the starting QB for the Vikings, I am selecting Michael Penix Jr from the University of Washington.
Here is a trade.
Detroit Lions
The Lions trade with the Dallas Cowboys and they give up their third-round draft pick (73) to move ahead of the Green Bay Packers and I have them selecting Laiatu Latu the edge player from UCLA. What a pair of edge rushers the Lions will have when you see him on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson.
Green Bay Packers
It’s okay Jeff Barnes I am selecting a safety in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. I have the Packers selecting Tyler Nubin the outstanding safety from the University of Minnesota.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Since the offense looks pretty decent after free agency I have the Buccaneers selecting from the University of Alabama cornerback Kool Aid McKinstry. You’re welcome, Jeff Barnes.
Another Trade
New England Patriots
I have the Patriots moving back into the first round. They trade their 34th pick and a fourth-round pick (103) This time the Patriots select Adonai Mitchell WR from the University of Texas.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills need another WR since Gabe Davis is gone however they can address this position later on. The Bills need defensive secondary help and with such a deep class of wide receivers, I am selecting TJ Tampa cornerback from Iowa State.
Another Trade
Kansas City Chiefs
I have the Chiefs trading again with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys get the Chiefs fourth-round selection (131) Since the San Francisco 49ers are looking for O-line help the Chiefs jump ahead of the 49ers and select Amarius Mims from the University of Georgia.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are loaded and I have them selecting the man with the fastest 40-yard dash ever at the NFL Draft combine. Xavier Worthy from the University of Texas will provide a true deep threat for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners still get an offensive tackle as they select JC Latham from the University of Alabama. I know many mock drafts have Latham being selected earlier. In this mock draft though the Niners land one of the best prospects. Good players do drop down every NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys
The holes on the roster are massive and that’s especially true after seeing Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadisz both leave. Since the Cowboys have hopes for Asim Richards and Matt Waletzko to play at LT, I am going to select the other position on the offensive line since we are not drafting anyone but the best player available even if it is a position of need. With the 32nd and final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Zach Frazier Center from the Univesity of West Virginia.
So there it is folks. My Mock 2.0 is now finished.
You can find me on X @GregCowboys
