Search the Community

- - - - - WARNING: LONG POST - - - - - Drum roll please!!! As always, in the week after the conference Championship games here comes version 1 of my 2024 Mock Draft. For any new readers I do three mocks every year: Version 1 - a two rounder, no trades, released late January; Version 2 - a one rounder allowing myself trades after free agency; Version 3 - a one rounder, no trades, in the 48 hours before the draft and that is the one I then score myself against for accuracy (the last two years have been pretty good scores). So here we go - version 1.0 - can someone put the Chicago Bears on the clock? - - - Round 1 - - - 1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams – Quarterback, USC The Bears have three options here. They can draft Williams (which is what I’d do), they can trade down and collect picks (which is what they did last year) or they can stand pat and draft a non-Quarterback (which would be crazy). For now I’m going with them trading Justin Fields and starting over at QB. 2. Washington Commanders – Drake Maye – Quarterback, North Carolina At the time of writing the Commanders don’t yet have a coach, but they do have a General Manager – Adam Peters – who came from the 49ers and lived the Trey Lance experience. I don’t expect him to repeat that mistake here and therefore I think his search for a franchise QB will weigh Maye’s ability to transition quickly to an NFL offense higher than the physical potential of Jayden Daniels. 3. New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels – Quarterback, LSU Which leaves Daniels for New England. They just have to find a Quarterback. And while I think of the three teams at the top of this draft the Patriots are the most likely to go the veteran route in 2024, for now I have them in the sweepstakes and I think Jerod Mayo might be more willing than Bill Belichick to go away from the traditional pure pocket passer template in picking Daniels. 4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jnr – Wide Receiver, Ohio State The Cardinals seem to be sticking with Kyler Murray so they need to get him a legit #1 wide receiver again. His most productive spell of NFL football came when he was first paired with DeAndre Hopkins and Harrison is the guy who profiles best to be a true #1 wideout – though I don’t quite buy the “best WR prospect ever” hype. 5. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers – Wide Receiver, LSU The Chargers offensive weaponry has been predicated on size at receiver for as long as I can remember. That was former GM Tom Telesco’s MO. But Mike Williams is a potential cap casualty, Keenan Allen is increasingly old and brittle and Quentin Johnston had an in and out rookie year. They need a speedy separator who can work inside the numbers as well as downfield. Nabers is the perfect fit. 6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze – Wide Receiver, Washington With no standout defensive difference maker at the top of this class the table is set for three Quarterbacks and three receivers to make up the first 6 picks. Welcome to the NFL in 2024. The Giants just have to find a true #1 receiver who can threaten downfield and dominate outside. 7. Tennessee Titans – Ola Fashanu – Offensive Tackle, Penn State When Taylor Lewan departed last February I said the Titans needed to draft a left tackle. Instead they tried to get by with Andre Dillard and drafted Peter Skoronski to play guard. Skoronski did okay for a rookie but Dillard was a disaster. Fashanu or Joe Alt should be the pick and as the Titans pivot towards being a Will Levis team and not a Derrick Henry team I prefer Fashanu as a pass protector. 8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner – EDGE, Alabama Everyone knows Atlanta needs a Quarterback but they have hired a defensive coach in Raheem Morris and in this scenario the first three Quarterbacks are off the board. I suspect that means the veteran Quarterback option rather than a rookie and if they do go that route their other glaring need is pass rusher. 37-year-old Calais Campbell led the team with 6.5 sacks in 2023. 9. Chicago Bears – Joe Alt – Offensive Tackle, Norte Dame The Bears cannot trot Braxton Jones out at left tackle again while also pretending they are trying to win. Their plan to take a college right tackle in Darnell Wright and switch him back to the left side has yet to take shape and he won’t be up to it if it ever does. They need a franchise left tackle. Alt is plug and play for a decade. 10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers – Tight End, Georgia The Jets would be gutted to miss out on the top two tackles at this spot. Offensive line is by far their biggest need. They don’t have much at tight end though either and many would have Bowers ranked among the best available at this spot. 11. Minnesota Vikings – Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama The Vikings have to get better a corner. They drafted Andrew Booth two years ago but he has been constantly hurt and they brought in Byron Murphy as a mid-range free agent but he failed to shore things up. This is a muddled corner class that lacks a true star but McKinstry’s ability in press man projects well into Brian Flores’s defense. 12. Denver Broncos – Laiatu Latu – EDGE, UCLA The Broncos got great value when trading away Bradley Chubb but since then have struggled for a consistent pass rush and have had to resort to frequent blitzing. That has had an impact on their coverage unit whose performance dipped this year. Latu is an explosive, bendy edge rusher who will add some pop to their defensive front. 13. Las Vegas Raiders – Jer’Zhan Newton – Defensive Tackle, Illinois I have no idea what the Raiders’ plan at Quarterback is. Could they take a shot on Penix, McCarthy or Nix here? They definitely could. But they are brutal in the middle of their defensive line. No penetration, no strength at the point of attack in the run game, no nothing. Newton doesn’t have prototypical size but he will be a disruptor at the next level. Immediate upgrade. 14. New Orleans Saints – Jared Verse – EDGE, Florida State Cam Jordan is going to be an interesting Hall of Fame debate when his time comes, he only has six sacks fewer than classmate Von Miller who everyone considers a lock. But 2023 was the year when he finally fell off the cliff. The Saints need to draft his replacement and Verse fits their scheme. 15. Indianapolis Colts – Nate Wiggins – Cornerback, Clemson The Colts are not well stacked in the secondary. JuJu Brents was a second round pick last year and was okay as a rookie but the situation opposite him at the other corner spot is brutal. Nate Wiggins is a perfect scheme fit for the cover 3 style that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley likes to run. 16. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Penix Jnr – Quarterback, Washington Geno Smith has been a serviceable placeholder the past two years but selecting Penix would allow the new regime in Seattle to remould this team around him and he would come into a decent situation on offense with bookend tackles and a couple of decent receivers to begin his career. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Thomas Jnr – Wide Receiver, LSU The Jags need help at a lot of premium positions. Josh Allen is a free agent on the edge, Calvin Ridley is a free agent at receiver, the corner situation opposite Tyson Campbell is a mess and they could stand to upgrade from Cam Robinson at left tackle. But speed on the outside is the priority. Thomas is already getting buzz in the process and all expectations are he will blow up at the combine. 18. Cincinnati Bengals – JC Latham – Offensive Tackle, Alabama Another team with some major needs is the Bengals. They have been turning water into wine at corner the past couple of years but that luck seemed to run out in 2023. Receiver could also be an issue if Higgins and Boyd both walk. However, Jonah Williams was as bad at right tackle as he had been at left and is a free agent anyway, so JC Latham as a plug and play right tackle makes sense. 19. Los Angeles Rams – Cooper DeJean – Cornerback, Iowa I have heard the theory that the Rams can afford to be position agnostic and take the best player on the board. I think they have a need in the secondary and adding talent there must be a priority for a front office not used to having 1st round picks. Some see DeJean as a corner, some a safety, others as a Kyle Hamilton type swiss army knife. I think he’d upgrade the Rams however he is used. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Guyton – Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma The Steelers started last year’s draft by going offensive tackle in round one then corner with the first pick of round two. Yet I feel both positions remain their biggest needs on the roster. Broderick Jones had some bumps at right tackle as a rookie but still outperformed Dan Moore who allowed 55 pressures and 8 sacks from left tackle. You probably want to start Guyton on the right and slide Jones over to the blindside but Guyton has potential to play left tackle down the road. 21. Miami Dolphins – Taliese Fuaga – Offensive Tackle, Oregon State Here comes the offensive line run as a third tackle flies off the board in four picks! Terron Armstead is talking retirement which would leave a gap at left tackle for the Dolphins to plug, but even if he stays around Fuaga could start immediately at guard where Robert Hunt is a pending free agent. 22. Philadelphia Eagles – Terrion Arnold – Cornerback, Alabama If there was a center worthy of this pick that might be the direction I’d go in given Jason Kelce’s retirement - but there isn’t. The Eagles have struggled this year at corner as James Bradberry and Darius Slay began to look their age. Terrion Arnold is my #1 corner and could be the first off the board. I have him 3rd here because of specific scheme fits earlier on but he’d be a steal at this spot. 23. Houston Texans – Byron Murphy II – Defensive Tackle, Texas This pick originally belonged to the Browns but was flipped in the Deshaun Watson trade. The Texans have a promising young roster but they could do with some more pop in the middle of their defensive front. Byron Murphy is undersized but explosive and with him in the middle and Will Anderson on the edge this would be a defensive line to fear. 24. Dallas Cowboys – Troy Franklin – Wide Receiver, Oregon The Cowboys offense is very CeeDee Lamb centric. Brandin Cooks is past his best, Michael Gallup is inconsistent and Jalen Tolbert hasn’t quite broken through despite flashes. They need another legit target outside and Franklin has the vertical speed to open things up and allow for Lamb to work the middle of the field. 25. Green Bay Packers – Troy Fautanu – Guard, Washington One of the Packers’ last 12 first round picks has been spent on offense (Jordan Love). In that time they have picked five first round defensive backs and that is a possibility here with question marks over Jaire Alexander’s future and holes at safety. But I have them leaning offense and upgrading the interior of their offensive line with Fautanu a college tackle who will likely play guard in the NFL. 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Quinyon Mitchell – Cornerback, Toledo Mitchell has been one of the buzziest players in the first month of draft season and a lot of respected analysts see him making his way into round 1. I like this fit. The Buccs have not been afraid to select smaller school guys early in the draft and he plays with the aggressiveness that Todd Bowles loves in his corners. 27. Arizona Cardinals – Chop Robinson – EDGE, Penn State The Cardinals’ sack leader in 2023 was Dennis Gardeck, a former UDFA out of West Virginia State, hardly a household name even in his own household. They have to find a pass rusher. Chop Robinson is raw, and he doesn’t have the sack production numbers in college to be a first round pick. But the ceiling is huge and on a rebuilding team like Arizona they can afford to let him develop. 28. Buffalo Bills – Xavier Legette – Wide Receiver, South Carolina The Bills have to get more dynamic at wide receiver and Legette has some size and could run in the 4.3s at the combine. He is primarily a vertical, outside receiver, but he can catch a short pass and take the ball the distance too as he showed vs Mississippi State. The doubts around him are one season of production and age (he will be 23 by the draft) but the upside is worth the risk. 29. Detroit Lions – Kamari Lassiter – Cornerback, Georgia The Lions have had a great season but they still have an achilles heel at corner. Brian Branch was borderline elite in the slot as a rookie but they need boundary help badly. Lassiter didn’t give up a single touchdown in coverage in 2023, and while he needs to improve his ball skills to make some of those game changing plays he would be an upgrade in Detroit. 30. Baltimore Ravens – Bralen Trice – EDGE, Washington The Ravens have one of the more complete rosters in football. But at outside linebacker both Jadaveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy played on one-year deals. Former first rounder Odafe Oweh has never really cemented his spot and Bralen Trice just feels so Baltimore. Intelligent, high-motor, decent burst and needs to play as an outside rusher in a 3-4, so is a definite scheme fit. 31. Kansas City Chiefs – Adonai Mitchell – Wide Receiver, Texas The Chiefs receivers were among the worst in the NFL in 2023 and despite Rashee Rice having a nice rookie year I expect Kansas City to be aggressive in seeking an upgrade in this draft. Mitchell has the size but lacks the explosion of some of those who have gone ahead of him. But he has excellent hands (1 drop in 2023) and for a team that has suffered with drops that must make him appealing. 32. San Francisco 49ers – Amarius Mims – Offensive Tackle, Georgia The 49ers lost Mike McGlinchey in free agency last year and haven’t quite cracked the right tackle conundrum since. When you add to that the fact that Trent Williams is 36 this summer and could even hang them up if the 9ers win the Superbowl and the need at tackle is acute. Mims is raw, but the potential is there. He would start at right tackle but in the long term could play on the blindside. - - - Round 2 - - - 33. Carolina Panthers – Jordan Morgan – Offensive Tackle, Arizona Two years ago when Icky Ekwonu was coming out I said he is really talented but he is a guard at the NFL level and lacks the footspeed to play on an island at tackle. He gave up eleven sacks this year. Some of that was on Bryce Young holding the ball but a lot was on Ekwonu. Jordan Morgan’s feet are ballerina-esque in comparison. Plug him in at left tackle and move Ekwonu inside to guard. 34. New England Patriots – Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver, Texas Having taken a Quarterback in round one the Patriots should help that guy out with some speed and explosiveness at wide receiver. Their offense has been painfully one paced for years now and while Worthy projects to me as more of a good #2 than a #1 receiver he fits a need here. 35. Arizona Cardinals – Jackson Powers-Johnson – Center, Oregon The Cardinals have so many needs it is tricky to work out where they go next with their third pick in this draft. Corner is probably the most glaring need but the next couple od guys on the board there are not natural scheme fits. Powers-Johnson would be an immediate upgrade to an interior offensive line that really struggled in 2023, whether he starts at center or guard. 36. Washington Commanders – Chris Braswell – EDGE, Alabama The mid-season fire sale of pass rushers in Washington has left them with very little pop on the edge and the top three guys in their rotation by the season’s end are all free agents. They have to address that need. Braswell is more a power rusher than a speed rusher but he would at least solidify a spot. 37. Los Angeles Chargers – T’Vondre Sweat – Defensive Tackle, Texas When I think about Jim Harbaugh teams I think about big, powerful, trench players. Nick Williams and Austin Johnson have underwhelmed in the Chargers’ defensive interior and both are free agents. Sweat is a huge guy with unusual explosion at that size. He’d be a day 1 starter. 38. Tennessee Titans – Ennis Rakestraw – Cornerback, Missouri The Titans haven’t yet confirmed a defensive coordinator which could affect this pick as Rakestraw reminds me of Kaiir Elam – he HAS to play in a man heavy scheme and struggles with zone transitions. But both of Tennessee’s starting corners are free agents and he is one of the best players remaining on the board. 39. New York Giants – JJ McCarthy – Quarterback, Michigan The Giants are tied to Daniel Jones for one more year, and there are a couple of interesting prospects still on the board here in round two. I’m not as high on McCarthy as some but I could imagine him running some of Brian Daboll’s passing concepts at least as well as Daniel Jones and for a lot less money. He gives the franchise a shot to re-set at Quarterback. 40. Washington Commanders – Graham Barton – Guard, Duke We are now hitting the second offensive line run. If, as expected, Ben Johnson is the next coach in DC he needs to start upgrading the offensive line, which was a key building block of his offense in Detroit. Barton is a college tackle who would likely begin at guard in Washington. 41. Green Bay – Kamren Kinchens – Safety, Miami Even if the Packers can resist the temptation to take a defensive back in round one they will definitely select at least one on day two. Both of their starting safeties are free agents and it doesn’t sound like former first rounder Darnell Savage will be brought back. Kinchens reminds me some of Savage and would step straight into that void. 42. Minnesota Vikings – Bo Nix – Quarterback, Oregon Kirk Cousins is a free agent. I think the Vikings will bring him back but I don’t expect a long term commitment. I think Bo Nix needs a situation where he can sit for a year and learn the NFL game before being pressed to start. This pick could work out for all parties. 43. Atlanta Falcons – Ladd McConkey – Wide Receiver, Georgia The Falcons have nothing at all at receiver beyond Drake London and the JAGs they do have are all about to be free agents in any event. McConkey is a guy you can line up outside or in the slot and do a lot of horizontal game with to allow London to focus on threating downfield. 44. Las Vegas Raiders – Kingsley Suamataia – Offensive Tackle, BYU The Raiders are another team that needs to upgrade their offensive line. Their starting right tackle is a free agent and they haven’t had good production from that spot opposite Kolton Miller in any event. Suamataia played left tackle this past year but was more impressive in 2022 on the right side of BYU’s line. 45. New Orleans Saints – Keon Coleman – Wide Receiver, Florida State This is where the fall ends for Coleman as the Saints finally accept that Michael Thomas is never going to be the guy he was before the injuries hit and add the Florida State wideout as the big body compliment to Chris Olave’s game breaking speed. 46. Indianapolis Colts – Jeremiah Trotter – Linebacker, Clemson The Colts cut ties with Darius Leonard halfway through the 2023 season as it was clear he had declined as a player from his all-pro pomp. They could look to replace him by snagging Clemson’s Trotter who has the explosiveness and coverage skill to be a modern three down linebacker. 47. New York Giants – Leonard Taylor III – Defensive Tackle, Miami The Giants need help on both lines, but on the offensive line they need vets to solidify things now having already spent good draft capital. On the defensive side Dexter Lawrence is a stud but needs a running mate inside and Taylor is a big, explosive, penetrator from the 3tech spot. 48. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jonah Elliss – EDGE, Utah As mentioned previously, Josh Allen is a free agent. Most people expect the Jaguars to retain him but even if they do they need more pass rush potential around him. Enter Elliss, with 13 sacks and an impressive pass rush win rate for the Utes in 2023. I think his relative lack of size probably means he has to play as an outside ‘backer in a 3-4 so Jacksonville’s scheme makes sense. 49. Cincinnati Bengals – Devontez Walker – Wide Receiver, North Carolina I do think it is likely that Tee Higgins has played his final snaps for the Bengals and therefore Ja’Marr Chase will need a new running mate. Walker arguably took a step back this year and struggled to separate vs man coverage but as a #2 who excels in contested catch situations he fits here. 50. Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Brooks – Running Back, Texas D’Andre Swift had a 1,000 yard season as Philadelphia’s lead back but is now a free agent and is likely beyond their budget to retain with other needs more pressing. I think Brooks is pretty much a perfect fit for what the Eagles do in the run game and while this might feel early for him I love the fit. 51. Los Angeles Rams – Adisa Isaac – EDGE, Penn State The second Penn State edge rusher comes off the board. Again, I feel like this is possibly a tad early for him based on talent, but he reminds me of raw version of Leonard Floyd who found success in this scheme using his long limbs to create a bull rush in passing situations. 52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Edgerrin Cooper – Linebacker, Texas A&M The Steelers defense goes as their front goes, by and large, but that is at least in part because they are sub-par at linebacker. When I think of great Steeler defenses they had an aggressive downhill player at the second level and Cooper would give them that skillset. 53. Miami Dolphins – Kris Jenkins – Defensive Tackle, Michigan Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Da’Shawn Hand are all impending free agents and even if Wilkins was able to be retained they would need to fortify around him. Jenkins is a versatile player who is big enough to hold up against the run but who offers some interior pass rush potential too. 54. Philadelphia Eagles – Jermaine Burton – Wide Receiver, Alabama Who knows what is going on with AJ Brown? But even if that situation resolves itself the Eagles have a sneaky need at receiver because behind Brown and Devonta Smith the cupboard is pretty much bare. Burton is an effective deep threat but also can be moved around the formation and I expect him to sneak into round 2 as a result. 55. Cleveland Browns – Ja’Lynn Polk – Wide Receiver, Washington The Browns need a reliable compliment to Amari Cooper and with basically no free agent cash to spend at the position they have to look to the draft. Polk had over 1,000 yards in Washington’s run to the National Championship game and is a well-rounded prospect even if he lacks a bit of pop. 56. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Paul – Offensive Tackle, Houston The Cowboys success (at least in the regular season) in recent years has been in no small part down to their offensive line. They have been willing to spend high picks to keep it well stocked and Patrick Paul gives them a potential upgrade at right tackle or an option at left tackle if Tyron Smith retires. 57. Green Bay Packers – TJ Tampa – Cornerback, Iowa State I have already referenced the uncertainty of Jaire Alexander’s future and without him the cupboard starts to look a little bare at corner for Green Bay. TJ Tampa is an excellent fit for zone heavy schemes and that seems to be the direction the Packers’ search for a new coordinator is heading. 58. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyler Nubin – Safety, Minnesota Having gone corner in round one the Buccs go back to the well in the secondary snagging Nubin who many believe is the top pure safety in the class. Both starting safeties (Antonie Winfield and Ryan Neal) are free agents so it is likely Tampa needs a guy who can start right away. 59. Houston Texans – Ja’Tavion Sanders – Tight End, Texas Dalton Schultz had a nice season for the Texans at tight end but he was playing on a one year deal below his true market value. It would likely cost more to keep him and in that situation drafting a young, athletic, tight end with excellent hands to grow with CJ Stroud might be the play. 60. Buffalo Bills – Calen Bullock – Safety, USC The Bills need help on the defensive line and at safety given expiring contracts and age concerns. However, the defensive line run has already taken place in this round leaving better value at safety. Bullock will need to improve his technique as a tackler but he is a bigger safety who can play in the box or be a match up weapon in coverage. 61. Detroit Lions – Brandon Dorlus – Defensive Tackle, Oregon We know that the Lions General Manager Brad Holmes believes in building front to back and Dorlus as an interior rusher who is versatile enough to play a couple of spots in their 5 man front and then play a more conventional 3 tech when they go to a 4 man front makes some sense. 62. Baltimore Ravens – Trey Benson – Running Back, Florida State JK Dobbins career with the Ravens is full of what ifs as the injury bug has bitten him hard. Gus Edwards has been a reliable deputy but he is a free agent. Benson could well run in the high 4.3s and that speed next to Zay Flowers and Lamar Jackson could be a nightmare for defenses. 63. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Newton – Cornerback, TCU The Chiefs are not exactly desperate at corner but at the moment L’Jarius Sneed is scheduled to hit free agency and after proving himself a high level outside corner, rather than just an excellent slot, he is going to get paid. Josh Newton has similar traits to Sneed and Trent McDuffie – inside / outside flexibility and sticky in man coverage. 64. San Francisco 49ers – Christian Haynes – Guard, Connecticut This man was born to play for Kyle Shanahan. The perfect zone blocking guard, athletic, excellent technique, quick feet and high football IQ. He is a small school guy who could really benefit from the exposure of this week’s senior bowl and rise up boards but he is such a perfect fit for the 9ers. Okay TSW.... feel free to flame away!!!

Draft day is here so here is my third and final mock for 2024. This is the one I'll grade myself against. The last couple of years I've done pretty well so pressure's on! I was really tempted to break my golden rule of no trades in version 3.0 but I'm going to stick with it because otherwise you hamstring yourself too much by getting everything jumbled. 1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams – Quarterback, USC No need for analysis here. The Bears traded away Fields, they are going Quarterback and Williams is the best in the class. If he hits his ceiling he can be special. 2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels – Quarterback, LSU I confess this feels a bit like it could be Mac Jones to the 49ers where everyone believed it would happen then when the pick was announced it was Lance. Everything I am reading and hearing suggests this is Daniels. I'm sticking with that. But if Maye's name is read out it wouldn't amaze me. 3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye – Quarterback, North Carolina The consensus took a while to form on what the Patriots would do here but I have always believed they have to stand pat and pick a Quarterback. If Maye went #2 this might be McCarthy, but I think if Maye is there they will select him. 4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison – Wide Receiver, Ohio State I had the Cardinals moving down last time around for the Vikings to come up here and select McCarthy. If one of the presumed top 3 falls maybe Arizona can still be persuaded to move back for a pick bounty, but it feels for now like they will stay in this spot and select a receiver and most believe that will be Harrison. 5. Los Angeles Chargers – JC Latham – Offensive Tackle, Alabama I've been dismissive of the Chargers taking a tackle most of the offseason and I have been particularly dismissive of the idea Latham is top 10 pick material (I don't have a first round grade on him). But in the last 24 hours that seems to be the direction things are going. Possibly after a trade back in reality but they want to plug the Crimson Tide prospect in a right tackle whereas they concluded Alt would need to play on the left. 6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze – Wide Receiver, Washington The Giants moving up for a Quarterback is a possibility but if they can't then it will be a receiver at #6. That could be Nabers or Odunze but I am leaning towards them valuing the Washington product's more traditional #1 receiver style and there are one or two character whispers about Nabers too which might not be the guy to move to New York City. 7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt – Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame I have been pretty vocal on the Titans need at tackle. I thought they should have done more at the spot last offseason. This year is all about evaluating Will Levis for new Head Coach Brian Callahan and that starts with giving him protection. Callahan Snr is coaching the offensive line and will love working with Alt who is a mean, nasty plug and play left tackle. 8. Atlanta Falcons – Malik Nabers – Wide Receiver, LSU Since Terry Fontenot became the Falcons General Manager his first round selections have been Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson. If one of the top three receivers gets here he will have the chance to trade back and collect picks but maybe he just sticks to form and picks the best offensive playmaker on the board. 9. Chicago Bears – Byron Murphy II – Defensive Tackle, Texas The Bears drafted two defensive tackles on day two last year but neither gives them any pocket penetration in the middle of the line. Byron Murphy is definitely in the running to be the first defensive player off the board and would be a big upgrade for the Bears. 10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers – Tight End, Georgia I have had Bowers here in both previous versions and I am sticking with it. But if Odunze slides past the Giants at #6 you better believe the Jets will be making calls. They have been fixed on Odunze and Bowers as offensive weaponry since spending capital on their offensive line in free agency. 11. Minnesota Vikings – JJ McCarthy – Quarterback, Michigan The story on the Vikings is that if one of the consensus top three quarterbacks makes it to #4 they would be willing to go big in a trade up. But if they don't they will try and wait on McCarthy because they are comfortable with at least one of the other options if he doesn't make it to them. In this no trade mock he does make it here and is the pick. 12. Denver Broncos – Dallas Turner – EDGE, Alabama The Broncos are a candidate to move back. They could also stay here and pick a Quarterback. But given that it appears the guy they like and the guy the Raiders at #13 like are not the same guy it gives them more flexibility at this spot. Their pass rush was anemic in 2023 and Turner's physical gifts would give them more pop off the edge. 13. Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Penix – Quarterback, Washington I've held off joining the Penix at #13 bandwagon for most of the offseason but in the last week I have come around to the idea. I have always liked him, he is the best pure pocket passer in this class to me, but I thought age and injuries would push him into day 2. It appears, however, that the Raiders are comfortable with his history and not willing to risk losing him by waiting. 14. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu – Offensive Tackle, Penn State The noises from inside the building sound like the Saints are done with 2022 first round pick Trevor Penning and now we learn that right tackle Ryan Ramczyk’s could miss the season with a degenerative knee condition. The Saints are definitely going tackle. I think it will be Fashanu who would be an immediate starter at left tackle. 15. Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell – Cornerback, Toledo The Colts have a solid roster and have been quiet in free agency. But one obvious hole is at corner where return specialist Dallis Flowers, with five career starts to his name, is top of the depth chart opposite second-year man JuJu Brents. Mitchell is likely to be the first corner off the board tonight. 16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu – Offensive Tackle, Washington A lot of people seem to have pivoted to mocking a corner to the Seahawks with the word on the street being Mike MacDonald is not enamored with Tariq Woolen who struggled in year 2 after a good rookie campaign. I'm sticking with offensive line though and have Fautanu linking up again with his college Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Grubb, now occupies the same position in Seattle. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama I am increasingly confident that corner is the direction the Jags are going in round 1. I think they'd probably like to slide back a few spots before making this selection but they are rumoured to have done a lot of work internally on McKinstry and see him as a scheme and character fit. 18. Cincinnati Bengals – Taliese Fuaga – Offensive Tackle, Oregon State Corner and receiver are possibilities (especially if they were to trade away Tee Higgins) but I still think the achilles heel of this team is their offensive line, especially with an injury prone Quarterback. Mims is a possibility here but Fuaga has met with the team multiple times so he is who I'm going with. 19. Los Angeles Rams – Laiatu Latu – EDGE, UCLA This isn't a pick that I'm mad about because something tells me the Rams would prefer to go offense here. I've seen Xavier Worthy mentioned and he is more their type than someone like a Brian Thomas. But the Rams are rumoured to have done a lot of work on edge guys and Latu falling here feels too good to pass up. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Amarius Mims – Offensive Tackle, Georgia In recent days all the Pittsburgh insiders have been saying this pick is Graham Barton, the versatile offensive lineman out of Duke, who would solidify a troublesome center spot for the Steelers. But the phrase I try to remember is take notice in February, ignore in April. In February I heard that they were in love with Mims. He has the highest ceiling of any tackle in the class. 21. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver, Texas This pick will tell us a lot about who is actually holding the balance of power inside the Dolphins building. If it is still GM Chris Grier this pick will be trenches on either side of the ball. But I suspect it is Mike McDaniel and if he is making this pick then the image of him 'fangirling' around Worthy at the Texas pro day may be instructive. 22. Philadelphia Eagles – Terrion Arnold – Cornerback, Alabama The Eagles corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry both began to look like they were declining last season. The secondary couldn't stop anyone. Arnold's ceiling and physical potential is off the charts and drafting high ceiling guys from the SEC is how Howie Roseman rolls. 23. Minnesota Vikings – Jared Verse – EDGE, Florida State Early in the process Verse falling this far seemed pretty unthinkable but as this offensive line group in particular has continued to rise up boards it has resulted in some good defensive players sliding. Verse isn't a fast, bendy, pass rusher but he is a really well rounded, powerful defensive end with good hands and plenty of motor. 24. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Guyton – Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State Dallas needs to add to its offensive line and, while Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson could both be considerations at center, when they have taken guys in the first round they have tended to go for tackles and then work out later who plays where. Tyler Guyton is the sort of big, physical specimen that they like. 25. Green Bay Packers – Cooper DeJean – Cornerback, Iowa This is possibly the most mocked pick of the entire draft season, and if he lasts this far he just makes too much sense for the Packers to pass up. They only ever draft defense or quarterback in round one and they love taking first round defensive backs. They lost Darnell Savage in free agency and traded away Rasul Douglas mid-season so they have possible holes at corner and safety. 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson – EDGE, Penn State The Buccs lost Shaq Barrett in free agency and they have had some misses with Logan Hall and Joe Tyron-Shoyinka not making much impact to this point in their careers but they did get good production out of third round rookie Yaya Diaby and adding Chop to play opposite him would them some freakish athleticism off the edge. 27. Arizona Cardinals – Graham Barton – Center, Duke The Cardinals have last year's first rounder Paris Johnson and free agency acquisition Jonah Williams penciled in to start at tackle but they still need help inside. Graham Barton is an athletic, versatile lineman who can start at center or guard and get you out of a game at tackle should you require it. 28. Buffalo Bills – Brian Thomas – Wide Receiver, LSU It is possible that if Thomas starts to fall towards them the Bills might move up a few spots in round one for the third year running to snag their future WR1. Their need is pretty acute with the trade of Stefon Diggs and despite concerns about the health of his shoulder Thomas is a legitimate downfield weapon for Josh Allen. 29. Detroit Lions – Jer’Zhan Newton – Defensive Tackle, Illinois I slotted this in to version 2.0 as a bit of a punt knowing that the Lions are usually a team that find a way to extract value from the draft and Newton would be considered among the best players remaining. Since then he had a private workout with the team that I was told "could not have gone any better." I really like this match. 30. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Morgan – Offensive Tackle, Arizona The Ravens lost traded away their right tackle Morgan Moses and lost both starting guards in free agency – Zeitler to the Lions and Simpson to the Jets. I think Morgan starts at tackle but even if that isn't his long term home he could excel at guard. This is another believe what you hear in February player to team match. 31. San Francisco 49ers – Nate Wiggins – Cornerback, Clemson Whereas this is a trusting what I hear in April. In the last week I have heard two different sources connect Wiggins to the 49ers. The story seems to be that he has been high on GM John Lynch's list the entire process, what has changed is he now looks like he may make it to this sort of pick. 32. Kansas City – Kingsley Suamataia – Offensive Tackle, BYU I see this pick as wide receiver or offensive tackle for Kansas City. However, in this scenario where offensive tackles have flown off the board in front of them I wonder if they feel a sense of urgency to do something about the hole they have at left tackle. Third year player Wanya Morris is currently penciled in to start but in four starts in 2023 he relinquished 2 sacks and 24 pressures. That's no bueno. Okay there we are folks, the final mock of 2024 draft season. This is the one I'll score myself on tonight. Here's hoping!

I take a crack at one of these every year. Based on the 2nd wave of FA prior to the draft, Pro Days, any other trades, and I update once more. It's something to do and I watch quite a bit of College football every year. It's fun to project who will land where. Here's my first crack at it: 1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams / QB / USC - This is fairly obvious. The Bears traded Justin Fields and Caleb is all but a forgone conclusion to go #1 at this point. The only thing that could change this pick is if the Bears are scared off by his medicals, which it was said he didn't share with everyone at the Combine for whatever reason. 2. Washington Commanders - Drake Maye / QB / UNC - The reports going around at the Combine were the Commanders favor Maye over Daniels. Maye seems to process info quicker on the field and anticipate throws, where as Daniels relies on his athleticism a bit more and goes after the chunk plays more in earnest. I think he suits what Washington is looking for in a signal caller. 3. New England Patriots - Jayden Daniels / QB / LSU - New regime, the failed Mac Jones experiment is over, and they go with a new signal caller. All of the talk of Brissett starting is just that, talk. They will draft the Heisman Trophy winner from LSU and cut him loose. Watching him play this past year for LSU made me think of a faster, more athletic version of Deshaun Watson when he played at Clemson. 4. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr. / WR / Ohio St. - Arizona takes one, and arguably the best, of the 3 upper echelon WR prospects in this draft. They have a huge hole in their WR corps and this is just the first of what I believe will be a couple of early picks to address that need for Kyler Murray. The group is currently littered with a bunch of JAG's. 5. Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Nabers / WR / LSU - The Chargers cut Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen to the Bears. All that remains for Justin Herbert is Joshua Palmer and last year's 1st Round pick Quentin Johnston. I know they just spent a 1st on Johnson, but I can't see them passing on Nabers or Odunze here. I think Nabers will be the choice here, but it could be either of the two. 6. New York Giants - Rome Odunze / WR / Washington - The Giants OL was bad last year, and this pick very well could end up being Joe Alt, but their WR group is W-E-A-K, weak. They have the speedster in Jalin Hyatt, and a couple of Smurfs, but they need that alpha in the group. That will be Odunze. 7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt / OT / Notre Dame - This couldn't have worked out any better for Tennessee. They went out and got a compliment to D-Hop in Ridley and then the best OT prospect in the draft falls into their laps. He'll be their blindside protector for the next decade. 8. ***TRADE*** Minnesota Vikings (via Atlanta) - JJ McCarthy / QB / Michigan - Minnesota pulls the trigger to get whom they see as their QB of the future. They send the #11 & #23 picks to Atlanta to jump in front of whatever Denver would do with trying to leap frog them. McCarthy has been talked up all throughout this process and apparently the QB needy teams see him as someone who may even jump over Daniels in the draft process. Minnesota gets their guy here. 9. Chicago Bears - Dallas Turner / DE / Alabama - The trade for Keenan Allen opens this avenue up for Chicago with their 2nd top 10 pick. Turner is about as elite of a prospect that you look for at the DE position. He's an explosive athlete, with excellent bend, and he has an extra gear when closing. He also has the frame to add another 10-15lbs without likely losing any athleticism. He'll make a great bookend to Montez Sweat. 10. New York Jets - Brock Bowers / TE / Georgia - With the top 3 WR's off of the board, them having signed Tyron Smith and trading for Morgan Moses, as well as them having signed Mike Williams, I think they use this pick on the best available offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers also loves his TE's. This will be one of the smartest picks Douglas has ever made. It will open up everything for this offense when you have a guy like this attacking the middle of the field. 11. Atlanta Falcons (via Minnesota) - Jared Verse / DE / Florida St. - Atlanta parlays #8 into two 1st Round picks, giving them 3 picks in the first 43, the first of which they use on the 2nd best Edge prospect in the draft. He has excellent athleticism, adequate bend, but his power in bull-rushing is quite impressive for a guy @ 255lbs. Raheem Morris starts building his defense here. 12. Denver Broncos - Laiatu Latu / DE / UCLA - With the top four QB's off of the board, the Broncos choose to get the last of the 1st Round worthy pass rushers (just my opinion), who is also arguably a top 15 prospect. Latu also has good athleticism and bend for an Edge rusher. He's not as powerful as Turner or Verse, but he still has the elite traits you look for in someone chasing after QB's. 13. Las Vegas Raiders - Olumuyiwa Fashanu / OT / Penn St. - The Vegas OL needs work and I don't see them reaching for a QB here after signing Minshew. They have a lot of work to do in general, but this is a quality start. He's a mammoth human being and has elite athleticism for the position. 14. New Orleans Saints - Taliese Fuaga / OT / Oregon St. - I could see the Saints going with Brian Thomas here, but the WR class is so deep I think they grab one of the top OL prospects instead. Fuaga is a RT, but his best position may be as a G in the NFL and that position was a glaring weakness for NO last year. The Saints also let long time OL'man Andrus Peat walk in FA. 15. Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell / CB / Toledo - Mitchell has good film, had some good practices at the Senior Bowl, and capped it off with a fantastic Combine. This guy is a plug-and-play starter who could push for DROY. 16. Seattle Seahawks - Troy Fautanu / OT / Washington - Fautanu doesn't have to move far going from the Huskies to the Seahawks. This is another OT prospect who can be lined up at one of the OT spots or kicked inside to man one of their interior positions. Either way, you have to protect whomever will be taking the snaps or it won't matter who is taking the snaps. Fautanu is a good prospect no matter where they choose to play him. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold / CB / Alabama - Satisfied enough with their group of meh WR's, the Jaguars look to their defense. Arnold isn't the fastest CB, but he understands coverage, makes plays when they are there to be made, and is another in the list of Alabama DB's who will succeed in the NFL. 18. Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Thomas / WR / LSU - This would suck, but it's how the board falls. They likely aren't bringing back Tyler Boyd and Higgins is on the Franchise Tag. This would give them, potentially, another stud WR for 5 years. 19. Los Angeles Rams - Byron Murphy II / DT / Texas - A blind man could peg this selection after Aaron Donald calling it quits. Murphy can play against the run and he can get after the QB. He can play all three downs and will not be a liability no matter the defensive play call. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jackson Powers-Johnson / C / Oregon - Mason Cole struggled at times last year and the Steelers need to find out what they have at QB quickly. Improve the OL and see if Russ or Fields are the answer. JPJ will have Steelers fans thinking of the days when Pouncey was manning the middle of that OL. 21. Miami Dolphins - Graham Barton / OT / Duke - Barton was an OT at Duke, but the talk is he'll play C in the NFL. The Dolphins OL, especially Center, was a massive weak spot last year. The positional flexibility also means that they could use Barton wherever. He will start day 1 on that OL. 22. Philadelphia Eagles - Cooper DeJean / CB / Iowa - DeJean allowed an insane 37.8 passer rating when targeted. The Eagles defense is lacking big time in the Secondary. He could play CB or S in the NFL, but I think the Eagles give him a run at CB first. He's also a gifted return man. He will most certainly make an impact year one. 23. Atlanta Falcons (via Minnesota) - Jer'Zhan Newton / DT / Illinois - The remaking of the defense in Raheem Morris' image continues. They get one of the best DE's with their first 1st Round selection, then one of the best DT's with their second 1st Round selection. Newton will be that penetrating 3-Tech in Morris' defense. 24. Dallas Cowboys - Xavier Worthy / WR / Texas - I think Jerry sees a WR with wheels like this, who also played at Texas, and he just can't help himself. It will also be interesting to see the alignments they use with Lamb, Worthy, and Cooks. In the end, it's another weapon for Dak. 25. Green Bay Packers - Nate Wiggins / CB / Clemson - The Packers Secondary is a glaring weakness. For all of the talk, Alexander also seemed to take a step back last year as well. This more than likely is injury related, but the Packers still need to sure up the rest around him on the back end. Wiggins had an outstanding athletic performance at the Combine and he only allowed a 44.4 passer rating when targeted this year. The only knock is he's thin so don't expect much support from him in the run game. 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kool-Aid McKinstry / CB / Alabama - The Bucs CB's were meh last year. McKinstry has been starting for Nick Saban since he was a Freshman. That says a lot. He's smart and he plays with a swagger to him. He'll fit right in with Winfield on the back end of that defense. 27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston) - Chop Robinson / DE / Penn St. - The Cardinals upgraded their WR room in a big way at #4 and hope to do it to their Edge group here. Robinson, though not really putting up elite production, does have elite athleticism. Some people are comparing him to Micah Parsons. The Cardinals hope it pans out that way. 28. Buffalo Bills - Troy Franklin / WR / Oregon - This isn't necessarily what I would do, but this is what I have a gut feeling the Bills are going to do. We met with pretty much every top name on the WR board at the Combine. I'm sure many of our private workouts will be with WR's. I do think it's telling however that Franklin was the first WR the private workout. I believe it shows they hold him in high regard. He's slender at around 180lbs, but you see the long speed and quickness on the game tape. 29. Detroit Lions - Adonai Mitchell / WR / Texas - The rich in offensive weapons get richer. The Lions don't have too many holes and should be coming off of a SB appearance if not for some questionable calls by Dan Campbell and key drops by Josh Reynolds. Reynolds is now gone and Mitchell will be tabbed as his replacement. Now they'll have two guys who can beat any Secondary down the field, along with the best Slot WR in the game, a great stable of RB's, and a TE coming off of the most productive rookie season at the position. 30. Baltimore Ravens - JC Latham / OT / Alabama - The Ravens traded Morgan Moses back to the Jets. Ronnie Stanley can't seem to stay healthy. The Ravens have always been good at spotting top notch quality OL'men and they hope that prowess continues with this selection here. 31. San Francisco 49ers - Payton Wilson / LB / NC State - Dre Greenlaw tore his achillies in the SB and was operated on, on 2/15/24. Hedging all their bets on him being ready for week 1 and being the same player prior to the injury that quick are a risk this team will not take. Instead they draft the best ILB in this draft who was extremely productive at NC State and then had an excellent showing athletically at the Combine. He and Fred Warner will allow Greenlaw to come along at his own pace and give them some flexibility when contracts eventually come up. 32. Kansas City Chiefs - T'Vondre Sweat / DT / Texas - With the run on WR's, the Chiefs go after the best NT/1-Tech in this draft. Sweat is truly a monster at 6'4-1/2" and weighing in at 366lbs. He's also a bit more nimble than you would expect for a guy his size. Truly one of my favorite players in this draft. Putting him beside Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and Charles Omenihu should almost be criminal. It ill also relagate Derrick Nnadi to the bench as depth, where he belongs. I don't really feel like going into the full list of Bills draft picks just yet. I'll wait until I do the update down the line. Hope you enjoy the read.

My only attempt of the season, grades are preliminary and initial, no deep dive into the class this year, just surface scratching, enjoy!! 2024 NFL Mock Draft V1.0 Round 1 1 – Chicago – Caleb Williams (QB – U.S.C.) – Would be the biggest draft shocker in my lifetime, if it is was anyone else. Grade: Top 5 2 – Washington – Jayden Daniels (QB – L.S.U.) – Top dual threat QB in the draft, elite level production against SEC defenses from the pocket and on the run. 2023-2024 tape is the best in the class. Grade: Top 5 *Trade* New England trades the 3rd pick and a 2025 4th round pick to Minnesota for the 11th, 23rd, and the Vikings 2025 1st pick. New England’s roster on offense is offensive, no QB is developing there for some time. Minnesota is the opposite and gives a young QB a chance to develop and make an impact in the near and distant future. 3 – Minnesota (via. N.E.) – Drake Maye (QB – U.N.C.) – Maye could end up being the best QB in the class, with the most natural tools and traits, he did more with less (supporting cast) this past season of any of the top QB’s in this draft. Grade: Top 10 4 – Arizona – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio St.) – Arizona is going to take calls for the next QB teams want, likely J.J. McCarthy, however… They have 6 picks in the top 90 to rebuild the roster and don’t feel the need to trade down, just stick and pick the best non-QB in the draft at a position of need, #1 WR. Grade: Top 5 *Trade* San Diego trades the 5th pick to Las Vegas for the 13th, 44th, 77th and a 2025 3rd. Las Vegas pays a premium to a division rival to leap frog the Giants, while the Chargers look to keep building their roster. 5 – Las Vegas (via. L.A. Chargers) – J. J. McCarthy (QB – Michigan) – While not being personally sold on McCarthy, many in the league apparently are. McCarthy’s demeanor and skill set seems perfect for the Raiders, who leapfrog the Giants to get there QB of the future making the AFC West even more interesting this off-season. Grade: 2nd/3rd Round 6 – N.Y. Giants – Malik Nabors (WR – L.S.U.) – The Giants smoke screen works with teams believing they are on the J.J. train, they are not and land their #1 WR in the draft. Nabors has the same grade as MHJ on my board and the Giants, give D. Jones one last look before cutting the cord, with a top 5 value at 6. Grade: Top 5 7 – Tennessee – Joe Alt (LT – Notre Dame) – The Titans watch the draft unfold with a smile on their face. Grade: Top 10 8 – Atlanta – Laiatu Latu (OLB/DE/Edge – U.C.L.A.) – Atlanta has not a single defensive player who opposing offenses have to plan for in pass pro. Latu is the best pass rusher in the draft, production, traits, he is him. Medically, I don’t know… In this mock, he is cleared by Atlanta’s doctors and provides an instant impact needed to compete in the K. Cousins 2 year window. Negative medical = D. Turner. Grade: Top 10 (RF – Med*) 9 – Chicago – Rome Odunze – (WR – Washington) – The Bears continue to help future and present Caleb Williams succeed. Grade: Top 10 10 – N.Y. Jets – Olu Fashanu (LT – Penn. St.) – The Jets would love to add a weapon for A-A-Ron in Brock Bowers, however, they can’t go into next season or the future without solidifying edge pass protection. Grade: Top 20 11- New England (via. Minnesota) – Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia) – The Patriots start stacking talent with the BPA. Grade: Top 10 *Trade* Denver trades the 12th pick to Washington for the 40th, 67th, 100th and Washington’s 1st round pick in 2025. Washington looks to upgrade their edge rush while Denver looks to add assets in this draft and the next, while recovering from the Russell Wilson disaster. 12 – Washington (via. Denver) – Dallas Turner (Edge/34OLB – Alabama) Washington is going to have to create pressure from their front 4 in Dan Quinn’s system and Turner has the physical tools and potential to terrorize NFC East QB’s for the next decade. Grade: Top 20 13 – Los Angeles Chargers (via. Las Vegas) – J.C. Latham (RT/T – Alabama) Jim Harbaugh’s master plan is slowly coming to fruition, Latham is a mass of humanity and a physical marvel who should pave the way for the Chargers to lead the league in rushing in the near future. Grade: Top 20 14 – New Orleans – Troy Fautanu (LT/G – Washington) The left side of New Orleans O-line needs an overhaul, Fautanu I believe to be the answer at either LT or LG moving forward. Grade: Top 20 15 – Indianapolis – Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo) My #1 CB in the draft slides right into the Colts lap, and they shall rejoice. Mitchell has the traits, tape and underwear olympic numbers to justify a top 10 selection, a steal at pick 15. Grade: Top 10 16 – Seattle – Micheal Penix Jr. (QB – Washington) Obvious connections to Ben Grubbs aside, the personnel in Seattle’s offense and the offense itself are tailor made for Penix, who won’t have to be QB1 day one, but could if needed. Seattle lets Penix marinate and looks to add their future QB without the risk of losing out on him via a trade back from 16 or a trade up from 81. Grade: 2nd Round (RF – Med*) 17 – Jacksonville – Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama) Competitive and aggressive, with good CoD skills, quick eyes when the ball is in the air and natural fit for the new DC and press scheme they will be employing next season. Grade: 1st Round 18 – Cincinnati – Taliese Fuaga (RT/G – Oregon St.) Continuing to protect Joe Burrow is a must, as Joe goes, so do the Bengal’s, Fuaga may not ever become elite, but is steady as they come and plays with an aggressive demeanor that will fit in well with the Bengals offense. I Grade: 1st Round *Trade* L.A. Rams trade the 19th pick to Buffalo for the 28th, 160th and a 2025 2nd round pick (Buffalo). The Rams are in a weird place of win now mode and needing to rebuild the defensive front four quickly to maximize Stafford’s career window, as they traded away 1st rounders like Mardi Gras beads the last few years. They did win a CHIP… Buffalo looks to add a premier deep threat to stretch the field and really stress defenses down the field, complementing the existing and future roster in the pass game. 19 – Buffalo (via. L.A. Rams) – Brian Thomas (WR – L.S.U.) Thomas is an explosive play waiting to happen at any time, with natural and go-get-it speed, and general athleticism that requires defenses to account for him and the deep half of the field every time Thomas touches the field, utilizing Josh Allen’s arm and the field itself to the fullest. Grade: Top 20 20 – Pittsburgh – Graham Barton (C/G/T – Duke) Barton’s ability to play anywhere on the line and excel in the interior will help the entirety of the Steelers offense, stabilizing the center position for the next decade. Grade: 1st/Top 20 21 – Miami – Jared Verse (43DE/Edge/OLB – F.S.U.) Miami’s pass rush was devastated by injury late last season, injuries that will linger into this season and leave the Miami defense toothless in a conference they hope to compete in. Verse starts and contributes day 1 for the Dolphins. Grade: 1st Round 22 – Philadelphia – Cooper Dejean (S/CB – Iowa) Dejean is a secondary swiss army knife, injecting youth and flexibility into an Eagles secondary that needs it. A top notch athletic profile combined with excellent tape make Cooper a great pick at 22. Grade: Top 20 23 – New England (via. Minnesota) – Tyler Guyton (LT/T – Oklahoma) Connor McDermott is an average back up at best, if he is starting your QB is always going to see ghosts from the blind side, Guyton is a projection, but the athletic traits and natural frame could develop into an elite level pass protector. Grade: 2nd/1st 24 – Dallas – Byron Murphy II (3DT – Texas) Dallas hope’s Mazi Smith turns into the run stuffing NDT he was supposed to be last year, I wouldn’t hold my breath, unfortunately the interior DL is still lacking severely. Murphy gives the group some much needed energy and juice. Grade: 2nd/1st Round 25 – Green Bay – Amarius Mims (RT/G – Georgia) Mims is a swing for the fences type of pick, and the normally risk adverse Packers take a swing. Mims is a Boom or Bust prospect, giving the Packers some positional flexibility with their current personnel. Grade: 2nd Round 26 – Tampa Bay – Xavier Worthy (WR – Texas) Worthy gives Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense a game changing weapon, forcing defenses to pick their poison in coverage. Grade: 2nd Round 27 – Arizona – Adonai Mitchell (WR – Texas) Arizona lands Mitchell to pair opposite MHJ, why another WR in the first you ask? Without looking anyone up, name me an NFL caliber receiver on their current roster? Exactly, boom, now they have two. Grade: 1st Round (RF – -Med) 28 – L.A. Rams (via. Buffalo) – Chop Robinson (Edge – Penn. St.) The Rams have no pass rush in the defensive front now, and look to infuse some explosiveness and juice into their front. Grade: 1st Round 29 – Detroit – Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson) Elite level cover ability, traits, athleticism, he is the package. Can he develop the physicality and consistency at the next level? Grade: 2nd Round 30 – Baltimore – Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama) Baltimore addresses the current and future need at CB with Kool-Aid. Grade: 2nd *Trade* San Francisco trades the 31st and 124th picks to Washington for the 36th and 78th picks. Washington looks to add a blindside protector for Jayden Daniels to grow and flourish with. While San Francisco looks to trade down and move up and add another top 100 pick to the roster. 31 – Washington (via. San Francisco) – Jordan Morgan (LT/T – Arizona) Washington continues to use their draft capital to work around the board and add day 1 starters, Morgan should start right out of the gate and develop into a dependable starter in short order. Grade: 2nd Round 32 – Kansas City – Kingsley Suamataia (LT/T – B.Y.U.) The Chiefs look to Suamataia’s ceiling as a longterm solutions to their hole at LT, it may not be pretty (not that it was with Donovan “tug not a hold” Smith) initially, but Suamataia has the potential to potentially protect Mahommes blind side for the rest of his career. Grade: 2nd/3rd Round Round 2 33 – Carolina – Ladd McConkey (WR – Georgia) Tough call for Carolina here, the pick should be offense, as should the next. Legette, JPJ and several others are in consideration. Having solidified the interior oline in FA, they look to add the explosive route runner, giving Bryce Young a versatile option in the passing game day 1. Grade: 2nd Round 34 – New England – Xavier Legette (WR – S. Carolina) The Patriots future offensively continues to get brighter for whomever is at the helm this season and into future seasons. Legette gives the Patriots an outside threat to complement Bowers on offense. Grade: 2nd Round. 35 – Arizona – Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB – Mizzu) The Cardinals look to add to their secondary at the corner spot, with the fiesty potential day 1 starter. Grade: 2nd Round 36 – San Francisco (via. Washington) – Patrick Paul (LT/T – U. Houston) Paul has the potential to be one of the best left tackles in this class, and a plus starter in time. Grade: 2nd/3rd 37 – L.A. Chargers – Jackson Power-Johnson (C – Oregon) Another piece for the offensive line that is quickly developing the potential to be the best in the league in short order. Grade: 2nd/1st 38 – Tennessee – Darius Robinson (DE/DL – Mizzu) Tennessee takes the versatile front 7 weapon, who can play DE in the 34 defensive front, rush the passer from the inside or outside, even rushing from the nose when needed. Grade: 2nd/1st 39 – Carolina (via. N.Y. Giants) – Zach Frazier (C/G – West Virginia) Austin Corbett maybe the answer in the pivot next season, coming off consecutive MCL and ACL tears in 2023 and 2022 respectively, and with one year left on his contract. Frazier completes the rebuild of the Panthers interior offensive line, giving Bryce Young a pocket to work from for the foreseeable future. Grade: 2nd Round 40 – Denver (via. Washington) – Bo Nix (QB – Oregon) Bo Nix does not go in the 1st round, but lands in the best spot for himself in Denver, who views Nix as a potential QB1, but does not handcuff themselves to him, in taking him in round 2, with more options moving forward than had they stayed and picked at 12. 41 – Green Bay (via. N.Y. Jets) – Edgerrin Cooper (LB – Texas A & M) Cooper gives the Quay Walker a partner at LB capable of wrecking opponents game plans in their new .05 defense. Day one starter, who effects the opposition run game from the light box. Grade: 2nd Round 42 – Houston (via Minnesota) – Jer’Zhan Newton (3DT – Illinois) More fresh, young juice for the defensive line complementing recent investments on the edge, Newton will bring the heat from the interior in a rotational role early in his career with the Texans. A steal at 42. Grade: 2nd/1st 43 – Atlanta – Ricky Pearsall (WR – Florida) Pearsall can play any WR spot a coach would like, and contributes to the Falcons passing game day 1. Grade: 2nd Round 44 – L.A. Chargers (via. Las Vegas) – Malachi Corley (SWR – W. Kentucky) The Chargers continue their 2024 NFL draft theme: “We are going to beat you up, and the beating will continue until you give up.” Corley is capable of more than he showed in college, while extending the hand-off range of Justin Jerbert. Grade: 2nd Round 45 – New Orleans (via. Denver) – Keon Coleman (WR – Florida St.) Coleman’s skill set complements Olave’s in the Saints offense and is a solid value in round 2. Grade: 2nd Round 46 – Indianapolis – Marshawn Kneeland (DE/Edge/OLB – W. Michigan) The Colts need waves of edge rushers moving forward, and Kneeland has the tools to develop into an long term asset for the Colts. Grade: 2nd Round 47 – N.Y. Giants (via. Seattle) – T.J. Tampa (CB – Iowa St.) In adding to the secondary, the Giants land Tampa who’s name and coverage ability will resonate with 70’s Steelers and 2000’s Buc’s fans, and give the Giants a quality #2 corner opposite Deonte Banks. Grade: 2nd Round 48 – Jacksonville – Troy Franklin (WR – Oregon) Jacksonville needs a #1, some would argue an #1 and a #2 WR, Franklin is a good value pick at 48, who should be able to fill the role of #2 now, and potentially #1 down the road. Grade: 2nd Round 49 – Cincinnati – Ja’Lynn Polk (WR – Washington) The Bengal’s start planning for life after Tee Higgins, whether it be this year or next, Polk will be ready. Grade: 2nd Round. 50 – Philadelphia (via. New Orleans) – Christian Hayes (G – U. Conn.) Hayes gives Philly a potential short term, and better long term solution at RG than Tyler Steen, competition and depth at worst. Grade: 2nd Round 51 – Pittsburgh – Roger Rosengarten (RT – Washington St.) Rebuilding the offensive line continues for the Steelers in this mock, with Broderick Jones moving to LT, Rosengarten slides into RT, helping with the two birds one pick ideology. Grade: 2nd/3rd 52 – Los Angeles Rams – Brandon Fiske (DT/3DT – Florida St.) Fiske was one of my favorite prospects after watching several FSU games during the past season, Kevin Williams 2.0. The Rams continue to add to their defensive front with the high motor Fiske. Grade: 2nd Round 53 – Philadelphia – Payton Wilson (LB – N.C. State) Medicals will likely cause Wilson to fall in the draft, his tape, testing numbers and athletic profile are 1st round caliber. Watching Wilson reminds me a lot or watching Brian Urlacher in my early amateur scouting days. Yes, blurry VHS tapes, Pro Football Draft Preview, fun times. Don’t mind me. Grade: 2nd/1st Round (RF – Med) 54 – Cleveland – Junior Colson (LB – Michigan) Cleveland has a solid roster and while DT was in play here, I was really hoping Payton Wilson would fall to this pick. Colson is a solid consolation prize and heck of a football player in his own right, potential year one starter and future mainstay for the Browns roster. Grade: 2nd Round 55 – Miami – Cooper Beebe (G – Kansas State) Miami takes the best available offensive lineman, they need help everywhere on the OL. Injuries and free agency have not been kind to the Fins this past 12 months. Grade: 2nd Round 56 – Dallas – Trey Benson (RB – F.S.U.) Benson gives the Cowboys offense a bell cow back, who is capable on 3rd down with room to grow. Grade: 2nd Round 57 – Tampa Bay – Adisa Isaac (OLB/Edge – Penn St.) Adisa Isaac gives the Bucs D an non-stop motor who maybe relegated to DPR status early in his career. Grade: 3rd Round 58 – Green Bay – Max Melton (CB – Rutgers) Max is one of the more versatile CB’s in the draft and contributes early and often, effective immediately. Grade: 2nd Round 59 – Houston – Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia) Lassiter will not have to start early, but provides depth and future starting potential for the Texans. Grade: 3rd Round 60 – Buffalo – Tyler Nubin (S – Minnesota) “Plays with predatory mentality from split safety and robber alignment.” Reminds me of Jordan Poyer, Nubin does not have the athletic Olympic underwear profile, but the guy competes all the time. Grade: 2nd/3rd Round 61 – Detroit – Jalen McMillan (WR – Washington) McMillan is one of sleepers for the 2024 draft, a naturally talented receiver with more to offer as a pro. Grade: 3rd Round 62 – Baltimore – Mike Sainristil (NCB – Michigan) Sainristil has future all pro written all over him, instincts and IQ are elite. The Ravens… Grade: 2nd Round 63 – San Francisco – Javon Bullard (S – Georgia) Bullard should be able to come in and give the 9ers a new starting SS immediately. Grade: 2nd/3rd 64 – Kansas City – Devontez Walker (WR – U.N.C.) Kansas City continues their off-season offensive assault on the deep half of the field, adding another deep threat to pair with FA Marquise Brown. Walker will help Mahommes stretch the field. Grade: 3rd Round

Okay here is version 2.0, post free agency and with FOUR trades!!! Flame away!! 1. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams – Quarterback, USC It was a tentative pick in version 1.0, but trading away (maybe that should be “giving away”?) Justin Fields to the Steelers has set this in stone. Also, while I do believe the smoke that there are teams who don’t have Caleb Williams as QB1 the Bears are not one of them. He will be the pick. 2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels – Quarterback, LSU Teams have tried sniffing around the number 2 pick looking at trade possibilities and have been firmly knocked back – the Commanders are taking a Quarterback. I had Drake Maye here in version 1.0 but it increasingly feels like the momentum is behind Daniels to Washington. 3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye – Quarterback, North Carolina The trendy move here has been to have the Patriots trading out (normally with the Vikings). But I just don’t understand why they would do that. The Patriots have Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke as the Quarterbacks on the roster. They have to take a Quarterback and I believe they’d prefer Maye to Daniels in any event. 4. TRADE!! Minnesota Vikings – JJ McCarthy – Quarterback, Michigan (Minnesota gets #4 – 1800 value; Arizona gets #11, #23 & #167 – 2034 value) Which means the draft starts here. Let me be clear I think #4 is too early for JJ McCarthy but it is the law of supply and demand. He seems to be the consensus 4th QB off the board and there as many as four teams potentially in the mix so if you don’t come up to take him here one of the others will. I suspect Minnesota are the most desperate and they have those two first rounders to dangle but keep an eye on the Giants as a dark horse for this trade because they have less distance to go to this pick and it would mean Arizona still gets one of the top two receivers at #6. 5. Los Angeles Chargers – Marvin Harrison Jnr, Wide Receiver, Ohio State When Marvin Harrison Snr was an NFL rookie his Quarterback was Jim Harbaugh. In a scenario where the first four guys off the board are Quarterbacks the NFL will go full circle and in Marvin Harrison Jnr’s rookie season in the NFL his Head Coach will be Jim Harbaugh. 6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers – Wide Receiver, LSU The Giants have to add playmakers for their passing game whoever the Quarterback is. They have spent day two picks on Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt the last two years but so far the contributions have been modest. They need a legit #1 threat. Nabers can be used the way Brian Daboll used Stefon Diggs in Buffalo. 7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt – Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame As I said in version 1.0 the Titans tried to get by with Andre Dillard at left tackle in 2023 and it was a predictable car crash. This season is all about evaluating Will Levis for new Head Coach Brian Callahan and that starts with giving him protection. Callahan Snr is coaching the offensive line and will love working with Alt who is a mean, nasty plug and play left tackle. 8. TRADE!! Arizona Cardinals – Rome Odunze – Wide Receiver, Washington (Arizona gets #8 – 1400 value; Atlanta gets #11, #90 & #186 – 1407 value) We saw the Cardinals do this last year, when they traded back from #3 to #12 and then up again from #12 to #6. I think they want to sell #4 but also want to still snag one of the top 3 receivers which means getting ahead of the Bears and Jets. Odunze is an immediate upgrade for them. 9. Chicago Bears – Dallas Turner – EDGE, Alabama The Bears traded for Montez Sweat mid-season and it paid off - his 6 sacks in 9 games led the team. However, the fact that someone who only joined at the trade deadline led the team in sacks is a concern in itself. Turner had 10 sacks for the Crimson Tide last year and adds some juice to that unit. 10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers – Tight End, Georgia I had Bowers here in version 1.0 because the top two tackles were off the board. Since then the Jets have attacked their offensive line in free agency leaving them free to take Bowers here as an offensive match up weapon for Aaron Rodgers. 11. (From Minnesota via ARZ) Atlanta Falcons – Jared Verse – EDGE, Florida State Having addressed Quarterback with Kirk Cousins the Falcons are the favourite to win the NFC South. However, they still have a need for additional pass rusher help. 37-year-old Calais Campbell led the team with 6.5 sacks in 2023, he is a free agent and hasn’t been replaced. 12. Denver Broncos – Bo Nix – Quarterback, Oregon The Broncos are in a horrible spot. They have to get a QB (Jarret Stidham and Ben DiNucci are all that’s on the roster). They don’t have the capital to compete with other teams who might trade up; they don’t have a second rounder and can’t wait and hope to get one in round three and they can’t even trade back to maximise value because the Raiders, another Quarterback needy team, are right behind them at #13. I feel like they have to pick Best Quarterback Available at #12 and the consensus is that will be Bo Nix. 13. Las Vegas Raiders – Terrion Arnold – Cornerback, Alabama The Raiders roster is pretty bad. They could go almost any direction at this spot and there isn’t a single pick here that would surprised me. It could come down to interior defensive line or corner and I think that ultimately their need in the secondary is even greater. 14. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu – Offensive Tackle, Penn State The noises from inside the building sound like the Saints are done with 2022 first round pick Trevor Penning and now we learn that right tackle Ryan Ramczyk’s could miss the season with a degenerative knee condition. Fashanu would be an immediate starter at left tackle. 15. Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell – Cornerback, Toledo The Colts have a solid roster and have been quiet in free agency. But one obvious hole is at corner where return specialist Dallis Flowers, with five career starts to his name, is top of the depth chart opposite second-year man JuJu Brents. Mitchell is trending towards being CB1 and is a great scheme fit. 16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu – Offensive Tackle, Washington I list Fautanu as a tackle but it is likely the Seahwaks would see him at guard where the interior offensive line needs significant work. This is becoming a popular mock choice not least because Fautanu’s college Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Grubb, now occupies the same position in Seattle. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Thomas Jnr – Wide Receiver, LSU The Jags added Devin Duvernay and Gabe Davis to Christian Kirk in their receiver room during free agency, but Calvin Ridley moved on. If Quinyon Mitchell or Arnold were here I might have gone corner but, in their absence, a big, fast, athletic freak of a receiver feels on brand for GM Trent Baalke. 18. Cincinnati Bengals – JC Latham – Offensive Tackle, Alabama Corner and receiver are possibilities (especially if they were to trade away Tee Higgins) but I still think the achilles heel of this team is their offensive line, especially with an injury prone Quarterback. They need a right tackle and they like bigger guys so Lathan fits the bill. 19. TRADE!! Dallas Cowboys – Amarius Mims – Offensive Tackle, Georgia (Dallas gets #19 & #196 – 888 value; Los Angeles gets #24 & #87 – 895 value) If this was a no-trade draft then Amarius Mims to the Steelers at #20 would be as close to a lock as it gets. They appear to have really focussed in on him for some time. However, another team that appear to love his skillset is the Cowboys and they showed when drafting Tyler Smith out of Tulsa two years ago that they are willing to take a risk on raw talent up front. Mims either starts in place of the departed Tyron Smith at left tackle and lets Tyler stay at guard or is an immediate upgrade on the right side. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Taliese Fuaga – Offensive Tackle, Oregon State Pittsburgh drafted Broderick Jones last year and started him at right tackle as a rookie but they have one of the worst starting left tackle in the NFL. The plan is surely to switch Jones to the left in 2024 which would create a hole at right tackle that Fuaga would fill. 21. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver, Texas This is my wildcard. We know Mike McDonald loves speed on offense and while this feels like a luxury pick given their defensive needs and the fact they have Hill and Waddle already, good luck to the defensive coordinator trying to cover all three of them. 22. Philadelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean – Cornerback, Iowa The Eagles secondary is a series of question marks. Veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry struggled in 2023, Kelee Ringo made little impression as a rookie and their safeties were bad. They have brought back CJ Gardner-Johnson from Detroit but DeJean is a versatile playmaker who could become a mainstay on the back end. 23. (From Cleveland via HOU and MIN) Arizona Cardinals – Jackson Powers-Johnson – Center, Oregon The Cardinals would have three firsts in this scenario which might give them the freedom to invest in the center position where they have long since had a hole. Powers-Johnson had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl and vaulted himself right into day 1 contention. 24. (From Dallas) Los Angeles Rams – Byron Murphy II – Defensive Tackle, Texas The Rams didn’t just lose a defensive tackle when Aaron Donald retired, they lost probably the greatest player in franchise history. While it is unfair to ask any rookie to come in and replace that level of impact Murphy is a good penetrative defensive tackle who will replace some of the pass rush juice they have lost. 25. TRADE!! Kansas City Chiefs – Jordan Morgan – Offensive Tackle, Arizona (Kansas City gets #25 – 720 value; Green Bay gets #32 & #95 – 710 value) The Chiefs come up the board, but it is not for a wide receiver. They have tried the vet route to fix the left tackle spot, trading for Orlando Brown and signing a Superbowl winner in Donovan Smith. It might be time to draft a long term answer and Morgan is an out and out left tackle who excels as a pass blocker. He could lock down Mahomes’ blindside for a decade. 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Laiatu Latu – EDGE, UCLA Latu is my #1 edge rusher in the class but the health concerns are likely to push him down the board. I have heard the Packers (who originally have the pick before this one) and the Buccs linked to him frequently so I feel like this is the range he comes off the board. The Buccs lost Shaq Barrett in free agency so have a need. 27. Arizona Cardinals – Chop Robinson – EDGE, Penn State This is a pick I’m leaving unchanged from version 1.0. In a world where the Cardinals have just the two first rounders unlike the three they end up with in this mock it is clear to me that they have to get a wide receiver and a pass rusher. Chop is raw, but his ceiling is high. 28. Buffalo Bills – Adonai Mitchell – Wide Receiver, Texas I can see a scenario where the Bills move from this spot, either up or down. But if they stay here I still think it will be a receiver. Mitchell’s tape is not as impressive as his combine numbers but the physical talent is obviously there. If the consistency in his play can follow he has true WR1 potential. 29. Detroit Lions – Jer’Zhan Newton – Defensive Tackle, Illinois This would be the steal of round one. I have a top 10 grade on Newton but possibly because he didn’t work out at the combine with injury or because he is from unfashionable Illinois he hasn’t had the buzz his talent deserves. The Lions have Alim McNeill and DJ Reader at defensive tackle, but they are both really 1 techs. Here is the interior penetrating 3 tech they require. 30. Baltimore Ravens – Graham Barton – Guard, Duke The Ravens lost both starting guards in free agency – Zeitler to the Lions and Simpson to the Jets. They did draft Andrew Vorhees last year in round seven despite his ACL tear at the combine and he might step into one spot. Barton can arguably play all five spots on the line but would start at guard. 31. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Guyton – Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma I had Mims here in version 1.0 but this time it is Guyton who slides to San Francisco. The 49ers lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency last year and Guyton would presumably start there as a rookie but he might even be a long term in-house replacement for Trent Williams. 32. (From Kansas City) Green Bay Packers – Nate Wiggins – Cornerback, Clemson Green Bay have only spent one of their last thirteen first round picks on offense and that was when they drafted Jordan Love. No team has spent more recent first round capital on defensive backs, with five in the last decade. They have a need there again with the Jaire Alexander situation looking dicey and a hole opposite him.

***UPDATE*** GO TO PAGE 4 FOR FINAL 3.0 VERSION Here is my official version 2.0 on a first round Mock. Not sure I will do a v3.0, this one took me 3 days and a lot of hours of research and calls to some people I know and trust with actual insider insight. I would love to update one before the draft Thursday, but not sure I will have the time to put in between now and then to make a meaningful stab at it. I still want to expand it to a 2 rounder at some point as well and do have a working draft, however, since this one took me 3 days with lots of changes along the way as new info came about, it kept affecting my 2nd round and I didn't want to just throw up a round 2 without properly working through it. So hopefully I can find some time to finish that as I was enjoying round 2 as well. CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO v1.0 NOTE: Trades are color coated. The two teams linked in the trade are marked with *TRADE* in the same color to easily track who that trade played out on both ends of it. Compensation in bold of the same color on the higher pick of the trade. Chicago - Caleb Williams, QB, USC: No brainer here, everything points to this being their guy. Washington - Drake Maye, QB, UNC: I have believed him to be the pick over Jayden Daniels, and I have someone I trust who has insight who tells me that which QB is still unsettled and that there are supporters for both Maye and Daniels and he thinks its going to fall Maye when its all said and done. And as we get closer, the odds for this pick being Jayden are going down while Mayes are going up...just saying. New England - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: In v1.0, I previously had them passing on a QB to take MHJ as I kind of thought their eyes were set on Maye, but now there is buzz and stuff I am hearing that they like both Maye and Daniels, so with that in mind, NE now makes the smarter choice and goes and gets a QB. *TRADE* - Giants (via Arizona): JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan: This is the same trade I made in the TSW mock draft as GM of the Cardinals, moving back to 6 with NY Giants, who know Jones ain't their guy, and that teams at 11, 12, and 13 who are all looking for a QB. So Giants take their shot here and move up to insure one of the other teams doesn't leap frog them at 4 or 5 and gets their guy. Giants have been doing a LOT of homework on the QB's and reports are that they have had great meetings with McCarthy and a great dinner with him at Ruth's Chris and are high on him. Cardinals already armed with 2 first rounders and 3 third rounders don't need a bounty on a move back here, so they opt to take the smaller offer and stay within range to still get one of the big 3 WR's. Comp received: ARI gets 6 & 70 - NYG gets 4 Chargers - Marvin Harrison, Jr: Chargers win the lottery here landing what is seen as the best player in the draft thanks to the Giants move up to McCarthy as they give Herbert an elite talent after losing their top 2 WR's. (Odunze wouldn't surprise me here either). *TRADE* - Cardinals (via Giants): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Previously, I have had Nabers here, but I am hearing more and more that there are teams who have Odunze as the 1st or 2nd WR in this draft. Murray had his best success with a big WR with excellent hands and catch radius in Hopkins, so I am starting to think Odunze could be the pick here. Having lost their top WR's, they still add an elite weapon for Murray while adding some extra draft capital along the way. Cardinals are in a great position to really reset their foundation with the amount of draft ammo they have in the first 4 rounds of this draft. (Would be MHJ if Chargers went Odunze) Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Not a lot to say here, maybe the safest mock pick in the draft outside Caleb...Having the best OT in this draft fall in their lap here is a gift they sprint to the podium to select. Atlanta - Byron Murphy, DL, Texas: Atlanta looks to bolster their DL with the best DT in the draft who is a guy that just moves different than the other DT's in the draft, who can get off the ball and shoot the gaps to wreak havoc. He is as much a force against the run as he is the pass as well and who could become an anchor up front for Atlanta for years to come. One of the edge rushers could be in this spot too such as Turner or Verse. *TRADE* Colts (via Chicago) Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: While I know WR is a popular pick here, but its a bit of a luxury pick based on the needs of the team already having a long term WR1 and Keenan Allen for at least this season. This is a deep WR draft, they can find a guy to play opposite Moore later with the draft pick ammo they just added. There is just more and more buzz I am seeing about Bears maybe looking OL early, especially since Caleb has even been on social media about the importance of OL and having that been an issue for him at USC. And if they are willing to pass on Nabers, they can move back here and still snag a premiere prospect on the OL and add more draft capital given they only have 4 picks. For me, I think to move back and pass on one of the big 3 WRs, there needs to be enough draft compensation to do it, so I am looking at Colts here who are now staring down the barrel of a loaded Houston team in a loaded AFC conference in general. So they make a move here to get an elite weapon to pair with Richardson and Pittman. Comp received: CHI gets 15, 82, 117 - IND gets 9 NY Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: With the Jets spending in FA on the OL (albeit short term help) I think it's a pretty good bet they look to appease Aaron Rodgers and go Bowers here, who is a mismatch nightmare, and maybe the best TE prospect of the past decade. If one of the big 3 WR's land here, then may be that player over Bowers. But I think they will be gone inside the top 10. Although I still wouldn't rule out OL here either as there are some real talented guys they could take to help anchor that line for years, but given they are in a win now mode, I think with the short term OL help addressed some already in free agency, they go ahead and take Bowers. Vikings - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: After not matching what Arizona wanted to move for a QB, Vikings stay true to their board and add what many regard as the top corner in the draft who has been lighting up the offseason. Broncos - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: Originally had Penix here, but after reading more into it, seems there is more Denver interest in Bo and it feels like his accuracy and intelligence will be something Sean Payton will be more intrigued by given his days with Brees where those were 2 of his strong suits. Raiders - Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: This is another change for me, there seems to be a lot of growing buzz about Raiders and Penix. And HC Pierce has been vocal about the need to get a QB in a division with Mahomes and Herbert. There are a lot of injury concerns with Penix though, so while this may feel early, there is also the fact that Vikings pick again at 23 and with Nix gone here, Penix could easily be in play there. And trading back up above 23 would be costly. If they really like Penix as much as being stated, then trading back up in bottom of first or waiting and hoping he falls out of the first would be a huge gamble for the Raiders. I try not to get too caught up in buzz, but I have a hard time believing Raiders feel good about Aidan and Uncle Rico as their 2 QB's this year, so the Penix interest feels plausible. Saints - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn St: With big needs at OT, Saints also have the draft fall well and are able to take the 2nd best OT prospect in the draft. *TRADE* Bears (via Colts) - Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington: As I mentioned in pick 9, there seems to be a growing sentiment the Bears may look to bolster their OL to help their young QB who has already been on social media about the importance of OL. Adding Troy who can come in and push someone like Bates who struggled last year on the inside or compete to start as an upgrade at tackle is exactly the kind of versatility Bears would be thrilled to add. I was tempted to go Jared Verse here as they need help on the DL too, but for the reasons above I came back to Troy. Seattle - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: The draft falls favorably for Seattle here as they really need help all along the DL and are able to scoop maybe the best edger rusher in the draft. If Byron Murphy doesn't go to Atlanta at 8, I could see him going here too. Jaguars - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: My heart wants to write *TRADE* here and input Buffalo Bills name to take Thomas, but I think this may be out of the range Beane will go up to for Thomas where it still likely takes our next years first. But I know its probably going to take a first, so not only do I not want to do it, I don't think Beane will either. So, Jags stay put and address their secondary in a division that is starting to have the makings of a high powered juggernaught and take one of the top corners in the draft. Bengals - JC Latham, OL, Alabama: 3 straight Bama guys come off the board as Bengals have to find a way to keep Burrow on his feet and healthy and signing Trent Brown on a one year deal with his injury history isn't enough to keep them from looking to the future here. Bengals are fortunate this a great OT draft early and land one of the best RT ones here to hopefully be the long term guy opposite Olrando Brown for years to come. LA Rams - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Buzz here is that McVay is gonna go offense in his first ever first round pick, and I get that. And there are some medical concern rumors around Latu as well that put this pick here in doubt. But, they need to bolster their pass rush, especially since they both need help on the edge and they have lost the QB pressure from inside that Donald brought for so many years. Which leads me to Latu here, the hometown star from UCLA staying home in LA. Pittsburgh - Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon: Steelers need a Center and here is their chance to add maybe the best IOL prospect in the draft who can potentially come in and shore up that Center position for years to come. There is some chatter of this being a place Brian Thomas Jr. goes via them picking him or someone like Bills trading up to get him. So won't surprise me to see BTJ go here in some fashion, but I just think JPJ is just a different breed and the kind of player Steelers covet. Miami - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida St: With big needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, they have a lot of options here. Miami did sign like 7 guys on the DL this offseason, but all of them are more suited as role players. So I flipped flopped between Jared and OL help (like Barton, Mims, etc) here several times before settling on Verse, and still tempted to flip again lol as I think this could go either side of the trenches. But I feel the value is higher on OL in round 2 than DL, so I used that as the defacto tie breaker and went ahead with Verse even though I am still torn on this one. *TRADE* Buffalo (via Eagles): Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU: Bills see the chance to lock in and insure they get BTJ moving up to 22 to get him for picks 28, 128, and 2025 3rd rounder. Originally I had Bills trading back from 28, but that was with BTJ off the board in the teens. With him getting into the 20's, Beane felt the value was there to go get a 6'3" guy with 4.3 forty speed to pair with Allen during this next era of his prime and hopefully giving DC's nightmares for years to come. *TRADE* Washington (via Vikings) - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St: Having missed on trying to get McCarthy followed with both Nix and Penix coming off at 12 and 13, the Vikings trade back and add a 3rd rounder (as they have no 2nd or 3rd round picks coming into the draft). Commanders are chomping at the bit to move back up and get one of these OT's, which is why I think if the Bills hold on to 28, Washington is a major potential trade back partner if they haven't moved up already. But, with how this draft played out, this Vikings pick is a great spot for the Commanders to go get a premiere tackle prospect to help protect their new QB, especially with teams looming after this pick that could be looking for OL help as well like the Cowboys up next. Comp received: MIN gets 36 & 67 - WAS gets 23 Dallas - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas: There are some guys here at OL that make a lot of sense for Dallas, but Jones and company are drooling over that 4.2 speed in the dome and decide they can't pass up the opportunity on adding this kind of elite speed to his dome team to play opposite Lamb and makes the move to add some much needed firepower to the offense. Packers - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: With the trade of Douglas to the Bills, GB looks to the draft to find its next CB opposite Jaire and take one of the top corners in the draft in Wiggins. If Wiggins is gone in the real draft here, I can also see some OL help in bound with this pick as well. Tampa - Graham Barton, IOL, Duke: Bucs considered bolstering their pass rush here, but were stoked to find Barton still on the board and decided that his versatility and strength was too good to pass up to bolster that interior OL to help Baker succeed. Arizona - Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois: In my v1.0 Newton was off the board to Miami, but with Verse falling there in this one it allowed Newton to fall here to where I think is a highly likely destination for him. Newton has even been vocal about loving the Cardinals and if he is here I think this will most likely be the pick as AZ looks to bolster a unity very much in need of the help. *TRADE* Eagles (Via Buffalo): Cooper DeJean: After the trade down with the Bills, the Eagles land the man dubbed the "Swiss army knife" and look to bolster a secondary very much in need of the help. Cooper is interesting to me, I can see him going earlier too starting in the mid teens. Detroit - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: Lions could very well take Adonai Mitchell here or even someone on the OL, but with a high powered offense already in stow, I have changed my mind and have them addressing their biggest need and taking the talented corner from Alabama to help bolster their defense. Ravens - Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona: I have moved off WR here for Ravens given the fact they lost 3 OL this offseason and if they want Lamar and Henry to be at their best, they need to bolster this unit and Morgan can potentially play RT or G giving them a versatile player to plug in. 49ers - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: Trent Williams is about to be 36 and their RT was a mixed bag last year, so they look to the future here knowing they need 2 new OT's sooner rather than later and take the mammoth Mims. While someone like Guyton could go here and has maybe a higher floor, the potential of Mims is too good to pass up. Mims is another one of those guys I can see going as earlier as well, just gonna depend on which tackle a team prefers as there are several strong prospects that will be on the board between picks 10 and 32 and at the top of round 2. Chiefs - Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington: A controversial pick I am sure as many think this would be CB, OL, or a different WR. But...I have now had some people I trust tell me several times that Polk is quietly one of the biggest risers in the draft and has end of first, top 10 of 2nd potential to go. One of them told me that both Balt and KC are very high on him. Polk makes so much sense for them both. Chiefs are sick of drops and Polk has some of the best hands, body control, and ball skills in the draft. He also plays physical and go over the middle where they have relied on Kelce for years who is probably in his last season. He is also the best blocking WR in the draft and KC throws the most passes at or behind the LOS in the league and relies a lot on blocking. So while I can see a number of players at CB, OL, and DL here as well along with a different WR too like Mitchell or McConkey, I am gonna go with the Polk as he is also a personal favorite of mine. NOTES: This came about through individually researching each teem, their needs, insight from people I know personally and general chatter, buzz, and rumors online around certain players/teams. And it took me 3 days to get to pick 32 as I was making many amendments along the way as new information was being discovered. One change already that I am eyeing if I do a v3.0 is what to do at 12 and 13. I cover this more in "Surprises" below, but will the Raiders pull the trigger at 13 for Penix is a big question for me and I think it is highly impacted by who ends up trading for McCarthy and maybe even what Denver does at 12. But all the buzz around Penix seems to lie mostly with the Raiders. This is a fun draft to mock. There are a lot of scenarios that can play out at the top which impact how this draft falls. Unlike some drafts where the first 7 to 10 picks were highly predictable. I think it is a safe bet that Washington will be trading back into the first as it's been widely reported they want some OL help for their new QB. And if Bills don't trade up for Thomas, I do think they make a lot of sense as a trade back partner, assuming they haven't already traded up before our pick. Im still torn on passing on OL for Miami at 21 and taking Verse. Fastest offense in the league and can't win a playoff game or their division with a 4 game lead late. Why...because it's too easy to disrupt getting to Tua early and disrupting his early reads. But, like I said on that pick, the OL depth is better in round 2 than DL. Surprises: I think the biggest surprises of the this mock are: 6 QB's going top 13 - This is the one thing that is sticking out to me the most as the questionable. Will both Nix and Penix go back to back 12 and 13? Well, to be honest, I think Penix going 13 may come down to whether or not Denver takes Nix at 12. Vikings are looming in this mock at 23 where they could easily take Penix if they wanted after missing out on moving up for McCarthy as I have them in this mock. So, if that happens, then Bo going 12 puts a lot of pressure on Raiders to take Penix sooner rather than later by trying to trade back up into the first. If Denver passes on a QB at 12, then I am not sure the Raiders feel as much pressure to take Penix at 13. If Vikings end up being the one to trade up for McCarthy then I doubt Nix and Penix go back to back as I think the Raiders would feel more comfortable looking to trade back in towards the end of round 1 for Penix with Vikings out of the way at 23 and Denver reportedly preferring Nix. Thomas makes it out of the 12-18 pick range he is most often believed to go to teams like Den (12), Indy (15), Jags (17), Bengals (18) and he very well could. But, my thinking was I would be surprised to see him go to Denver over other players who should be higher on their boards still there at 12, plus the 2 QB's. Indy very well could take him, although I think if they don't trade up for one of the big 3 WR's there are CB's there they would take before Thomas at 15. Jags signed Davis to go along with Kirk and Zay, so while thats not great, its also not their biggest need where they really need a CB, especially with what Houston is doing. And Bengals must keep Burrow healthy, I have a hard time seeing them not go OL at 18. Steelers passing on Thomas at 20. One, I think Bills could trade here with them and there is some buzz about it too. But they have glaring needs on the OL and there are multiple top prospects likely there at 20 who can bolster that unit, including the 2 best centers for a team who needs a center. Ja'Lynn Polk sneaking in first round. I think most have him as a round 2 guy, but he fits so well the Ravens and Chiefs offense. His combo of size, catch radius and blocking really complement those offenses and both teams I believe are very high on him. So in v1.0 (Ravens) and now 2.0 (Chiefs) I have him sneaking in ahead of some of the other guys like Mitchell and McConkey more often seen as going in the 1st. And like with any mock, take it with a grain of salt as I am sure, like just about all mocks, it will look quite different on draft night anyway lol. But it was a real fun exercise getting in tune with all 32 team needs and the prospects that might fit there. Especially since its changed my view on who I really want to see the Bills go after this draft, including finding a way to get some guys in round 3 via trade back at 28 or trade up from one of our 4ths.

What killed Super XXVIII is after the Nate Odomes interception we couldn't punch in a TD before the end of the first half. I think if we do our spirits are high and if Thurman still fumbles it's not as devastating.

In a cutthroat league where all teams fire even good coaches who don't have immediate winning success, it's truly amazing how a boob like Nate Hackett has failed up and kept high level positions for so many years. He should be studied by science for the hope of future young hacks everywhere in all professions.

Nate Hackett is the one piece of evidence I see that makes me think that the Rooney Rule has a point. There is nepotism in the league. There's no secret. Shedeur Sanders doesn't get this much buzz if his dad isn't a Hall of Famer. There are plenty of coaches for whom it's a family profession, with coaches bringing their kids on. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2022/11/22/nfl-coaches-nepotism-filled-dozens-positions/10702777002/ I don't think it's malicious. I think coaches want to share the love of the game with their kids. Aaron Kromer started with his dad. I am sure that no one in San Fran is going right now "I don't know, I think that being Mike Shanahan's son might have helped Kyle, are we sure he's really got it?" But when coaches staff teams with their kids as coaches, and then they make friends with people their age who have similar life experiences and worldviews and you get coaches where you ask "how the hell are they still in the league?" and it's because they have a connection like this. Hackett is just the most glaring example of someone who has failed upwards to the highest levels

The last corner we had that did that was Nate Clements...been a while

We don't know the details of the medical personnel and trainers who assisted Damar last night. These men and women are highly trained and from the reports they were quick to act. Unlike other medical professionals who deal with these emergencies daily, this had to be traumatic for them being thrust into last night's situation. I also imagine the Bengals Trainers and Medical Staff were involved. I just wanted to acknowledge and thank them in total as I looked up their names on the Bills website. Athletic Trainers: Nate Breske: Head Athletic Trainer Denny Kellington: Assistant Athletic Trainer Joe Micca: Rehabilitation Coordinator - Physical Therapist Tabani Richards: Assistant Athletic Trainer Also, we don't know which team physicians were present for the road game. Medical Staff Dr. Leslie Bisson: Medical Director Dr. Andrew Cappuccino: Team Orthopedist - Spine Dr. Marc Fineberg: Team Orthopedist Dr. Mark Kim: Team Internist Dr. Tom White: Team Internist

More like Nate brews a mean pot of ayahuasca tea. All organic, of course. Nate's primary qualification in getting hired in Denver was "Aaron Rodgers homeboy." Once Rodgers decided to take the bag in GB, the Broncos were hosed.

Nate didn't even call plays in Green Bay. He made the coffee in the offensive meeting rooms real well though. Not sure about that but he did turn down interviews. Certainly with Philly. Not sure he turned down a job offer though. I find that hard to believe.

I would hate that hire as a Panthers fan (all 12 of them). I think he has done some good things and is growing in the job. But it’s one to inherit raw Allen like Daboll did and help him become the player he is. It’s another to inherit this version of Allen. it’s like Nate Hackett. Dude kinda has sucked as an OC everywhere (EJ’s rookie OC (and his first nfl OC job), EJ never had a chance!). But he worked with Rodgers and gets a head coaching job. Who won’t be good in that situation?

wouldn't Nate Hackett be cheaper?

Thats Nate Peterman like impressive.

Election denier alert!! Hahahahahaha Sorry Nate - we have more evidence Covid was an actual coup/assault on the West then we do January 6th was a well planned insurrection Nate's logic here - if you thought vaccines didn't slow the spread in March 2021 then you were a Vaccine Denier.

Joe DiBiase or Nate Geary need to be next. I like them both and will miss Howard a lot.

I have always enjoyed listening to Howard Simon in the mornings. He just seems friendly, which is a lost art that modern DJ's or talk hosts seem to lack. I was thinking about this the other night listening to a local radio station... A really good DJ (or in this case talk host) makes such a difference for the experience of the listener and it's becoming such a lost art in the current age of louder, more shocking, more stupid. Your listeners don't want to feel attacked or put down, nor do they want their blood pressure to double. Some of these young guys are terrible to listen to, and are obviously being taught poorly. Nate Geary is the one (I think) who sometimes does mornings when Jeremy or Howard is out, and oh my god is it terrible... Talks over the other host, never stops for a second, and seems like he's just trying to get as much on tape as possible. It's hard to listen to. It's like he's paid by the word. A good DJ or good talk host is one who feels like listening to a friend, even if you disagree sometimes or get annoyed sometimes, and even if it's not for everyone. You have an audience, and you connect with that audience. I always loved Art Bell's show, for example. It felt like a community, like you were listening to the show with a bunch of other people (which of course you are literally) but it felt like a conversation. Anyone who is really into radio knows what I mean by that. Too many people on the radio today are about rants and monologues and trying to be over the top, which has its place from time to time, but as a default approach is not fun to listen to. Plus your audience is just sitting there, listening to an angry person or hyper person rant and rave. I know that works for some, but even then, it's really very very few who can pull that off AND have it work. You'd think being a DJ is easy: you just play music. But it's what you play, when, in what order, and how you slip stories about the musicians or concerts in between, and maybe a bit of a persona you have that differentiates you from others, but isn't overboard. I think it's the same for sports talk (or any talk). It's way more than just talking about sports on the radio, and it's a lot harder to be good at that many realize. IMO Howard is a true pro.

Sad to see Howard go. You may disagree with the flagship host opinions, but at least Schopp, Bulldog, Jeremy, and Howard all present and sound like pro broadcasters. Sneaky Joe is young, but seems like he takes his craft seriously and is trying to improve. I wish he wasn’t so onboard with the Mike Schopp track of thought, but that’s his mentor. Hopefully he grows his own thing. Nate Geary… OMG. Is there anyone at the station that is offering him critiques? Telling him to pump the breaks? Loud, bombastic, interrupting, inserting himself when room to breathe is needed. I actually frequently agree with his opinions, but the delivery is just soooooo grating. I’m glad I’m not the only one. It needed to be said. Paul is the master of talking while saying nothing. And it seems like he doesn’t have any more access than the average fan, which is less than ideal for a beat reporter.

These are HOFer Bill Polian's picks as Bills GM. Every GM has his share of misses. Note the misses in bold among the 1st 5 picks. Buffalo Bills - 1992 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 1 27 John Fina T Arizona 2 55 James Patton NT Texas 3 83 Keith Goganious LB Penn State 4 111 Frank Kmet -- Purdue 5 139 Matt Darby DB UCLA 6 167 Nate Turner TE Nebraska 7 195 Kurt Schulz DB Eastern Washington 8 223 Leonard Humprhries CB Penn State 9 251 Chris Walsh WR Stanford 10 279 Barry Rose WR Wisconsin - Stevens Point 11 307 Vince Marrow TE Toledo 12 355 Matt Rodgers -- Iowa Buffalo Bills - 1991 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 1 26 Henry Jones DB Illinois 2 54 Phil Hansen DE North Dakota State 3 82 Darryl Wren DB Pittsburg State 5 138 Shawn Wilbourn -- Long Beach State 6 166 Millard Hamilton WR Clark Atlanta 7 194 Amir Rasul -- Florida A&M 8 222 Brad Lamb WR Anderson (IN) 9 249 Mark Maddox LB Northern Michigan 10 277 Tony DeLorenzo -- New Mexico State 11 305 Dean Kirkland -- Washington 12 333 Stephen Clark -- Texas Buffalo Bills - 1990 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 1 16 James Williams DB Fresno State 2 42 Carwell Gardner FB Louisville 3 69 Glenn Parker T Arizona 4 100 Eddie Fuller RB LSU 6 154 John Nies P Arizona 7 166 Brent Griffith G Minnesota-Duluth 7 170 Brent Collins -- Carson-Newman 7 181 Fred DeRiggi NT Syracuse 8 208 Marvcus Patton LB UCLA 9 238 Clarkston Hines -- Duke 10 265 Mike Lodish DT UCLA 11 292 Al Edwards WR Northwestern State - Louisiana Buffalo Bills - 1989 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 3 82 Don Beebe WR Chadron State 4 109 John Kolesar -- Michigan 5 137 Michael Andrews -- Alcorn State 6 164 Sean Doctor -- Marshall 7 173 Brian Jordan DB Richmond 7 193 Chris Hale DB USC 9 249 Pat Rabold -- Wyoming 10 276 Carlo Cheattom -- Auburn 11 305 Richard Harvey LB Tulane 12 332 Derrell Marshall -- USC Brett Young -- Oregon Buffalo Bills - 1988 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 2 40 Thurman Thomas RB Oklahoma State 3 65 Bernard Ford WR Central Florida 5 123 Zeke Gadson -- Pittsburgh 5 135 Kirk Roach -- Western Carolina 6 150 Dan Murray LB East Stroudsburg 7 177 Tim Borcky -- Memphis 7 184 Bo Wright -- Alabama 8 204 John Hagy DB Texas 8 213 Jeff Wright NT Central Missouri State 9 235 Carlton Bailey LB North Carolina 10 262 Martin Mayhew DB Florida State 11 289 Pete Curkendall -- Penn State 12 309 John Driscoll -- New Hampshire 12 316 Tom Erlandson Jr. LB Washington Buffalo Bills - 1987 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 1 8 Shane Conlan LB Penn State 2 29 Nate Odomes DB Wisconsin 2 33 Roland Mitchell DB Texas Tech 3 60 David Brandon LB Memphis 3 78 Jamie Mueller RB Benedictine 4 109 Leon Seals DE Jackson State 7 171 Kerry Porter RB Washington State 8 209 Bruce Mesner NT Maryland 9 227 Keith McKeller TE Jacksonville State 11 283 Howard Ballard T Alabama A&M 12 311 Joe McGrail NT Delaware Buffalo Bills - 1986 Draft Results Round Overall Player Position School 1 16 Ronnie Harmon RB Iowa 1 20 Will Wolford T Vanderbilt 3 77 Leonard Burton C South Carolina 5 111 Carl Byrum RB Mississippi Valley State 7 168 Bob Williams -- Penn State 7 178 Mark Pike DE Georgia Tech 7 180 Butch Rolle TE Michigan State 8 202 Tony Furjanic LB Notre Dame 9 222 Reggie Bynum WR Oregon State 10 251 Guy Teafatiller DT Illinois 11 278 Tony Garbarczyk DE Wake Forest 11 282 Billy Witt DE North Alabama 12 313 Brian McClure QB Bowling Green State 12 331 Derek Christian -- West Virginia

Nate Peterman, a 5th round draft pick, outplayed 1st round Josh Allen in the 2018 preseason.

Nate Peterman all over again.....

Joe D and Nate Geary are brutal. Turn off the radio bad.

I laughed so hard listening to that WGR broadcast that I spit out the beer I was drinking. The caller was totally serious. "Casey Kasem (yep, he confused our 2nd string QB with the disc jockey lol) looked amazing, 16-18 for 190+ yards...We could get a boatload of #1 draft choices for Josh Allen. What do you say?" Nate Geary's reaction was also classic: "I'd say you're crazy"