In this edition of my mocks, we are going to highlight some of the biggest risers of the pre-draft process so far. This is also the first of my mocks in which I will be including trades! With that being said, let’s hop into my post combine mock draft.
1. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The further we get into this process, the more positive I am that Williams will be the first pick in the draft. More and more reports have come out about the Bears looking to trade Justin Fields. With Fields’ time almost surely being up in Chicago, Williams will take over as the franchise QB. With his rare ability to create combined with other-worldly arm talent, I think the Bears will be very happy with this pick.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
After revisiting tape, I do believe Williams is in a tier of his own. However, Maye has done more than enough to be worthy of the number two pick. He excels throwing over the middle of the field, and is more than willing to take a hit while delivering the ball. He’s got some things to clean up, but Washington will be more than happy to pair Maye with their brand new regime.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
I strongly considered a trade down in this spot because of the sheer lack of talent on this roster. However, there is no position more important than QB, and I believe Daniels can be a difference maker. He has a rare combination of speed and field stretching ability, which will be very attractive to a QB needy team. Hopefully the Pats can surround Daniels with enough talent to help him succeed.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio St
So far, no changes since my previous mock. Harrison Jr. is simply too talented at a position of need for the Cardinals to pass on him. His size, athleticism, and polish will make him a future all-pro player in my opinion. Arizona gets a new WR1.
5. Minnesota Vikings (via LAC): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
At number 5, we see the first trade of my post combine mock draft. All signs are starting to point to McCarthy being a high selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a stellar combine performance, I don’t see a world in which he makes it past some of these desperate teams like the Vikings. To me, Minnesota is the perfect landing spot because if Kirk Cousins stays, McCarthy gets to sit and learn for at least a year. If he leaves, McCarthy lands in a spot with good weapons and an offensive-minded HC. I would be very happy with this pick if I was the Vikings.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Rome Odunze lit up the combine even more than expected this past week. Not to mention his already impressive size for the position, Odunze looked quick and explosive in every single test he did. Although the Giants don’t have a clear answer at QB, they undoubtedly need some more weapons for whoever is under center. Odunze will be the true X WR they’ve been missing.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The more I see of Joe Alt, the more I truly believe he could be one of the best tackles in the NFL today. Standing almost 6-foot-9 and weighing over 320 lbs, Alt still moves like a much smaller player. He has no weaknesses in run or pass blocking either. He’ll be a slam dunk pick in the top ten of the draft come April.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Here’s yet another pick that doesn’t change after the combine. Turner put on an absolute show at the combine, testing as one of the best athletes in this year’s edge class. With Raheem Morris being a defensive minded guy, I believe he will prioritize improving the team’s pass rush. He does just that at number nine.
9. Chicago Bears: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Nabers test this past week, which is the sole reason he isn’t in the top five of this post combine mock draft. I still expect him to be a special athlete when it comes to testing at his pro-day, and his production speaks for itself. He fills a big need at WR2 for the Bears and forms a lethal duo with new QB Caleb Williams.
10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn St
For some reason, it seems as if people are starting to get a little lower on Fashanu than they were at the start of the process. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury at the combine, so we didn’t get to see just how athletic he is. Nonetheless, he has put out some very good tape over the past two seasons. The Jets have holes all over their line and fill a big one here with Fashanu.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN): Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
After trading back, the Chargers get who they probably would’ve picked anyways in Brock Bowers. Bowers is a special talent at the TE position. He runs routes like a slot receiver and gains yards after the catch like a running back. LA’s new OC Greg Roman loves his tight ends and Bowers fits the bill.
12. Denver Broncos: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Although I’m a bit lower on Penix than others, I think the Broncos will be too desperate to pass on a QB in this spot. Despite some limitations athletically and medically, Penix can really spin it and has some real field stretching arm strength.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Perhaps no player boosted their stock more than Amarius Mims this past week. He is a true freak of nature and fills a big need at RT for the Raiders.
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, OSU
Fuaga is a dominant run blocker with plenty of pass blocking upside. The Saints have some real o-line issues and Fuaga will absolutely fill one of the tackle spots in New Orleans.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
After another stellar pre-draft performance, Mitchell has solidified himself as my CB1. He’s an incredible athlete with the best ball skills in the class. He fills a big need at outside corner for the Colts.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Without a doubt, Verse is more than talented enough to be long gone by the time Seattle picks. However, new HC Mike Macdonald is a former DC and will have no problem bolstering his squad’s pass rush with Verse.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Despite suffering an injury during his second attempt at the 40 yard dash, Wiggins absolutely flew his first time through. He has good length for the position and forms a great duo with Tyson Campbell.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham is another massive OT prospect that is even more refined than Mims. He doesn’t have as much athletic upside, but he’s very good in all aspects of o-line play and will fill a huge need at RT for the Bengals.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
All things considered, Latu tested very well at the combine in Indianapolis. Pair that with unbelievable production, and the Rams get to keep Latu in town and strengthen their pass rush.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Now that I’ve watched Cooper’s tape, he is my LB1 for this class and will be the first backer off the board in my post combine mock draft. He fills a need for a Steeler team that loves their front seven studs.
21. Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
At this point in the draft, Fautanu is a huge steal. His physical measurements tell me he’s got everything you could ask for in a tackle, but can also kick inside. Miami really needs some trench help and address it at 21.
22. New England Patriots (via PHI): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Thomas Jr. was insane at the combine last week. He became one of the 10 most athletic WRs based on RAS since the stat started being tracked. The Pats jump a bunch of WR needy teams and pair the former Tigers up in New England.
23. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Even though Houston could use some more pass catchers, they also need a real presence at IDL. The former B1G DPOY offers some real pass rushing upside and can consistently stop the run from the inside.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Surprisingly, Dallas is going to let Tyron Smith walk in free agency. As a result, they take Guyton who is yet another athletic freak at OT. He has some growing to do, but the Cowboys have always done a great job of developing OL prospects.
25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Despite not testing due to injury, there are no questions about how athletic DeJean is. The Packers could use him at corner and/or safety which are both areas of need. DeJean gets to stay in the midwest.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Bucs really struggled defending the pass last season, largely due to sub par corner play. Arnold had a breakout season for the Crimson Tide and can step in and play right away in Tampa.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Overall, the Cardinals defense is very poor. Particularly when it comes to the interior of their line. Murphy has a relentless motor and uses his lack of height to get up and under larger players pads. Coach Gannon gets some help on D.
28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Similarly to Thomas JR., Mitchell tested insanely well at almost 6-foot-3. He fills that deep threat role that the Bills will be missing after Gabe Davis leaves in free agency.
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Lion’s DBs got exposed in the second half of the NFC Championship game in January. Thankfully for them, McKinstry, who might be the most polished DB in the class, falls in their laps at 29.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Zay Flowers had a great rookie season, but the Ravens need more. Coleman’s jump ball ability and physicality is the thing Baltimore has been missing the most. He teams up with the 2023 MVP.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
In the event that JPJ falls all the way to 31, the 49ers have to take him. He is as good of a center prospect as you’ll find and fills a need on day one for the Super Bowl runner-ups.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
The hands down best performer from the combine goes with the last pick of the first round. I simply don’t think the Chiefs will be able to resist pursuing a potential Tyreek Hill replacement in Worthy who just broke the 40 yard dash record.
TL//DR: Post Combine Mock Draft
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