John Moran
Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams
With the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears are asked the biggest question of the draft season: will they move on from Justin Fields, their 2021 11th overall selection? Will they trade the pick and, with it, take a haul of picks or players from some hopeful franchise (Commanders, Falcons, etc.)? However, Caleb Williams is seen as a generational prospect, and it seems like he will be the Bears’ pick.
Washington Commanders - QB Drake Maye
The Commanders have a fair few needs, especially on the line and at edge rusher, after they traded away stars Montez Sweat and Chase Young. But most of all, they need a quarterback. Sam Howell was the most sacked QB in the league last year, and his fellow University of North Carolina product Drake Maye is the type of physically gifted prospect that makes a scout’s eyebrows raise. He has a cannon of an arm and the legs to run circles around defense, but he’s not some raw prospect. Maye is actually quite technically sound. Think of a more polished Josh Allen.
New England Patriots - QB Jayden Daniels
This one is tough. Really tough. The Patriots had one of, if not the, most lethargic offenses in the league this past season, and who’s to blame? To be honest, everyone. The receivers were awful, the tight ends were so-so, the line play was terrible, and most glaringly, the quarterback play was consistently the worst in the league. Everything needs to go. But I think the most likely start is with the quarterback. The Patriots start the offensive rebuild with the rushing rocket Jayden Daniels, whose Heisman-winning season came due to a perfect deep ball and an incredible rushing ability.
Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
With the way this draft has shaped up so far, this next pick is a lay-up: Marvin Harrison Jr. He is one of the most technically polished yet most athletic receiver prospects ever—yes, ever. He is well rounded, from his smooth routes to his top-end speed to his hand fighting at the line of scrimmage. And of course, his super power: his unrivaled catch-point ability. Harrison Jr. will be a dream for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray.
Los Angeles Chargers - EDGE Laiatu Latu
The Chargers desperately need some defensive difference makers, and Latu is the guy to bring that. There are some disputes about whether Latu or Jared Verse are the top edge rushers in this draft cycle, but my money is on Latu.
New York Giants - WR Malik Nabers
With the Giants comes the glaring issue at quarterback: is Daniel Jones the guy? Is Tommy Devito going to get trotted out for another season? But the sixth pick isn’t the place to address that problem, not with the tier one QBs already off the board. Here, the Giants take a receiver who will be a game breaker (if the QB gets the ball in his hands). Nabers is the type of guy who could take it to the house on any given reception. Whoever the QB is for New York, Nabers will be a top tier number one receiver for them.
Tennessee Titans - OT Joe Alt
This one’s easy. With a second-year quarterback in Will Levis starting for the Titans, they’ll want to protect him. Taking Notre Dame’s pristine tackle prospect Alt will make this a whole lot easier. Yes, they’ve used a lot of picks on offensive line talent in the last few years, but with this pick, they could have one of the better lines in football.
Atlanta Falcons - WR Rome Odunze
The Falcons want a quarterback, and I expect them to make a big move to get one. They’re going to trade a second round pick in order to get Justin Fields from the Bears, and with this first round pick, they will get him some help. With Odunze as their pick, they will have another potential WR1 lining up with established receiver Drake London and incredibly talented TE Kyle Pitts, as well as Bijan Robinson in the backfield. If a quarterback materializes for the Falcons, they’ll be a scary offense.
Chicago Bears - TE Brock Bowers
With this pick, the Bears have a chance to pull off a 2023 Texans-style draft with two franchise-changing players in one year. Here, the Bears commit highway robbery and take current Georgia tight end Brock Bowers far below where he should be taken. He is the perfect tight end prospect, bringing solid blocking ability as well as incredible skill at receiver. He could play slot or even X receiver, as he did at Georgia as their number one pass catcher. He’ll be a baller for Caleb Williams.
New York Jets - OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
We all saw what happened last season with the Jets: Aaron Rodgers ended his season in the first minute of the first game. This team's primary need is to protect its unfortunately fragile quarterback, and Olu Fashanu was perfect in college. He didn't allow a single sack in 697 total pass-blocking snaps. He would be excellent at tackle for New York.
Minnesota Vikings - DT Byron Murphy II
The Minnesota Vikings defense was solid last year, but it certainly wasn’t perfect, and the lack of a star at defensive tackle was partly to blame. They’re still missing edge rushers, but why not start in the middle of the line with Byron Murphy II? He would flourish in Brian Flores’s blitz-heavy scheme, as he was the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) leader in quarterback pressures recorded.
Denver Broncos - QB Michael Penix Jr.
This is the most outlandish of the picks so far. With the 12th pick, the Broncos take the University of Washington’s star quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. This is a reach of massive proportions, but I think Sean Peyton is crazy enough to do it. It’s clear Peyton wants to be able to do things his way, and a moldable prospect like Penix Jr. might be what he wants.
Las Vegas Raiders - OT JC Latham
Just like the Broncos, the Raiders need a quarterback, but the Las Vegas front office isn’t quite as crazy. Here, they take long-time Alabama standout Latham as a strong addition to the line who could realistically play at tackle or guard. With only three sacks in 970 coverage snaps, he is consistently an excellent lineman.
New Orleans Saints - CB Terrion Arnold
The Saints have a slew of needs, but having a lockdown corner is always a want from teams. While he isn’t my personal CB1, Arnold will be great with the Saints, and this is a pick well used. With five interceptions and no touchdowns allowed this season, his SEC production speaks to his great ability to strap up.
Indianapolis Colts - WR Brian Thomas Jr.
The Colts were a fine offense last year, and with the return of Anthony Richardson at quarterback, they could be great. But with Michael Pittman Jr. as a free agent this season, they might want to build around their second-year QB by taking the 6’4” 205 lb LSU star Brian Thomas Jr. They need an edge rusher, too, but the offense could use a hallmark addition like this.
Seattle Seahawks - EDGE Jared Verse
In 2023, the Seahawks defense was fine. Nothing more, nothing less. The addition of Florida State star Jared Verse could be massive for this in-the-hunt, playoff-fringe team. Verse’s off-the-charts strength would be great.
Jacksonville Jaguars - OT Amarius Mims
Jacksonville has their guy at quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, but they need to build the offense up around him so that he can operate to the best of his ability. Taking athletic freak Amarius Mims at tackle could be a step in the right direction if Jacksonville is able to develop this 6’ 7” beast into a polished player.
Cincinnati Bengals - CB Nate Wiggins
The Clemson Tigers’ star corner Nate Wiggins could make his NFL debut in orange, just as he did in college. Wiggins’ extremely polished, technically perfect style of play would make him a great corner for the Bengals to simply plug into the system and have an instant Year 1 starter. His athletic ability isn’t the highest of the corners in this class, but his IQ and technique make him strong enough to start in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles Rams - EDGE Dallas Turner
Name one player on the Rams' defense besides Aaron Rodgers. Do it. I dare you. The Rams need some big names to come in on this defense, and as we’ve seen this season, the defensive line needs something more than Donald to generate pass-rushing pressure. Alabama’s physical edge rusher Dallas Turner could bring that production. While he lacks polish, he’s a hardworking and talented young player.
Pittsburgh Steelers - IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
Oregon’s big guard Powers-Johnson could provide consistent, long-term starting ability for the poor Steelers line. Guard is historically one of the longest tenured positions in the NFL, so investing in the early rounds on a franchise guard or center (Powers-Johnson could play either) may be worth it in the long term. It’s not an exciting, glittery pick, but it’s choices like this that keep a franchise relevant in the long term.
Miami Dolphins - WR Keon Coleman
This pick feels odd, seeing as the Dolphins already have two excellent receivers, but the way this draft has shaped up, I believe it’s the right pick for Miami. The Fins need more depth at receiver. Waddle and Hill are both top 15 receivers, but who’s the WR3? WR4? They need someone to undergird the headliners on this offense. Coleman isn’t the speedy, agile type of guy Mike McDaniel is in love with, but his insane catch point domination and solid yards after catch (YAC) ability make him an exciting prospect.
Philadelphia Eagles - CB Cooper DeJean
Of all the teams in the National Football League, you could say the Eagles are the most desperate for a secondary. The lack of a solid corner and safety core is a significant part of the Eagles’ crash and burn this season. Iowa star DeJean will bring range and versatility as a secondary player, possibly taking snaps at perimeter cornerback, nickel corner, or even safety.
Houston Texans - OT Taliese Fuaga
Last season, the Texans had the draft of dreams, and this year is their chance to solidify their place as contenders. With Taliese Fuaga, they can give young QB CJ Stroud some protection. Fuaga is one of the most dominant run blockers in this draft class, but his pass protection has been consistently above average as well.
Dallas Cowboys - IOL Troy Fautanu
People won’t like this pick. It’s an abrasive one, for sure, but the Cowboys, at least on paper, don’t have a lot of needs. Their receiver room is strong, their corner room is strong, and their D-line is excellent. All of the positions they need (RB, LB, IOL) are typically considered lower value and, therefore, late round picks. So, they use this pick to get ahead of some of those needs with the pick up of the draft's best guard and tackle in Troy Fautanu.
Green Bay Packers - EDGE Bralen Trice
The Packers took an edge last year in Lukas Van Ness, and he has been a perfectly fine rotational player. With Bralen Tric, the Packers could make this group an exciting blend of established veterans with the young blood in the building sharing the snaps with them. Van Ness and Trice could develop side by side behind the current edge defenders, making the Packers set up nicely for the next few years at the edge.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
The Buccaneers were one of the pleasantly surprising teams of 2023, and with the addition of a top end cornerback talent like Kool-Aid, they could continue their hot streak into next season. McKinstry was one of two star Alabama corners, and he has spent years winning in the SEC. He will be exciting in Tampa.
Arizona Cardinals - OT Jordan Morgan
Quarterback Kyler Murray has proven two things: that he’s a great quarterback when he’s healthy and that he is not healthy very often. Taking tackle Jordan Morgan would be an excellent move for the Cardinals, as they would also be taking Marvin Harrison Jr. earlier in the draft. Getting a franchise receiver and a (possible) franchise tackle in the same draft would be transformative for the offense.
Buffalo Bills - WR Troy Franklin
Stefon Diggs is Buffalo's presumed WR1 guy, although that may be called into question this offseason. However, a known need is that Buffalo doesn’t have a WR2. Gabe Davis has never materialized fully, and neither has Khalil Shakir. Troy Franklin is a tall, athletic receiver prospect who could someday receive WR1 consideration.
Detroit Lions - CB Quinyon Mitchell
Of all the areas on the field, the secondary was the weakest for Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions. Quinyon Mitchell balled out in this year’s Senior Bowl, and it shot him up onto every scout on America’s radar. I saw some draft boards putting him at CB1. I don’t think that’s warranted, but he is extremely talented and absolutely worth a first round pick. Also, I imagine Dan Campbell appreciating the somewhat underdog mentality that a Group of 5 MAC player like Mitchell might bring to the team.
Baltimore Ravens - WR Adonai Mitchell
WRs not named Zay Flowers did not have the most incredible years in Baltimore this past season. Sure, the Ravens have good names at receiver with Rashod Batemen and Odell Beckham Jr., but did they really play all that great? Big body Adonai Mitchell could bring something to the table to really blow up the Ravens’ passing attack. Yes, Baltimore has invested a lot in the offense recently, but this could make them a true number one threat through the air.
San Francisco 49ers - DT Jer’Zhan Newton
This is a steal, and it is exactly what the 49ers need. This pick should either be offensive or defensive line, and even though this draft is deep with offensive tackles, Jer’Zhan is too strong of a prospect to be left on the board here. With this strong defender on the line, the 49ers get a little more menacing.
Kansas City Chiefs - WR Ladd McConkey
Just proposing this pick feels wild. Ladd McConkey? Really? If the film is looked at, though, McConkey had a great season for Georgia. He’s ranked as the 22nd overall prospect by PFF, and while I personally believe he’s lower than that, he definitely is a fringe first rounder, which is impressive considering how strong this draft is with receivers. His light frame is worrying, but he has the speed and agility for him to be a great gadget guy or even starting slot receiver in Andy Reid’s offenses.