It’s March and you know what that means! Mock Draft SZN! The Combine just started and there are already players that are shooting up draft boards with their day one performances. Most of the top picks in the draft seem to be bailing on the combine, so the weekend shouldn’t bring much change to where I already saw the top 10 teams making their selections. Before the draft starts, I see the top team making a big move that ends up affecting 3 picks in the top 10.
1.) Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams, QB/USC
The Bears give up on Justin Fields and trade him to the Atlanta Falcons, solidifying their need for a QB at the top of the draft. Williams steps into that role and is an immediate upgrade. Williams is one season removed from throwing 42 touchdown passes, which is 2 more than Justin Fields has thrown in his three NFL seasons combined. This is a no brainer.
2.) Washington Commanders – Drake Maye, QB/UNC
Sam Howell showed flashes of greatness last season but not enough to save his job headed into 2024. The Commanders are in a full rebuild from ownership down to the roster. Getting their franchise quarterback kickstarts things for new owner Josh Harris. Maye has the size, 6’4” 229lb, and the talent to be a star in the league from day one.
3.) Arizona Cardinals (from NE) – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR/OSU
Arizona moves up one spot to snag the best receiver in the draft. Kyler Murray showed that he is the guy after coming back from injury in 2023, allowing the Cardinals to focus on adding weapons to an offense that is lacking firepower. Harrison should see the lion’s share of targets in this offense and is an easy prediction for OROY.
4.) New England Patriots (from ARI) – Jayden Daniels, QB/LSU
With Bill Belichick gone, the Patriots ditch one more staple of their dynasty run, the statuesque quarterback. Daniels ran away with the Heisman Trophy, pun intended, after posting a ridiculous 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns with 1,134 yards on the ground. A massive improvement over Mac Jones, who is only known to run away from high pressure situations and run home to his momma. It’s a new day in Foxboro.
5.) Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR/LSU
Mike Williams has injury issues and Keenan Allen has a $34 million cap hit in 2024. Both could end up wearing different jerseys this season, leaving first round pick Quentin Johnston as the default WR1. The Chargers won’t want to waste any time with Justin Herbert and address the need by drafting the second-best receiver. Nabers has drawn comparisons to fellow LSU alum Ja’Marr Chase, which would be a massive addition for their Pro Bowl quarterback.
6.) Atlanta Falcons (from NYG) – Rome Odunze, WR/Washington
After acquiring Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, Atlanta locks in on another offensive weapon to add to their young core. Odunze finished the 2023 season with over 1600 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with an appearance in the College Football Playoff Final. Inserting Odunze opposite Drake London with improved quarterback play from Fields should push Atlanta to the top of the NFC South immediately.
7.) Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT/Notre Dame
Tennessee used their first-round pick in 2023 to upgrade their line by selecting Peter Skoronski and they do the same in 2024. Rookie quarterback Will Levis will look to take the next step in his progression and protecting him will be the Titans biggest concern. Tennessee is likely to lose long time All Pro running back Derrick Henry and will rely on Levis to carry the offense. Alt would likely slide in at LT, giving the Titans a balanced, young group up front.
8.) New York Giants (from ATL) – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT/Penn State
Giants give up many sack. Fashanu give up no sack. Caveman logic apply here. All jokes aside, the Giants need to put their $40 million quarterback in a better position in 2024. That position is upright with the ability to throw the ball. Fashanu is outstanding in pass protection and should allow Daniel Jones the time he needs to get rid of the ball. He inevitably won’t but the front office will at least give him the tools he needs to do his job.
9.) Chicago Bears – Dallas Turner, EDGE/Alabama
After giving their offense a boost by drafting their franchise QB with the first pick in the draft, Chicago picks again at 9 and uses that pick to address the biggest issue on the defense. The Bears traded for and extended Montez Sweat to, hopefully, get to the quarterback more. He ended the season with 6.5 sacks in his 8 games with Chicago, which ended as more than 20% of the entire team’s 30 sacks on the season. Adding Turner, a tall and athletic edge, and his 10 sacks during his senior season at Alabama should bolster those numbers. While Turner still has room to grow, his power and length are assets that will translate well in the pro game. He will also be the last top 10 pick from a Nick Saban coached team, which is absolutely wild to say out loud.
10.) New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT/Oregon State
See pick 7 and 8 for why this is the only logical pick here and add in a disabled 40-year-old quarterback to the equation. The Jets had a vintage Jets season in spending the entire offseason molding their team around their rusted old toy, Aaron Rodgers, only to lose him to an Achilles injury before his pregame ayahuasca finished wearing off. Adding a big body on the line is their number one priority and Fuaga is a monster that finishes his blocks strong. The Jets will also need to prioritize resigning LT Mekhi Becton, which will ultimately kick Fuaga inside while he acclimates to the NFL level. His power and blocking inside would also help RB Breece Hall add on to last year’s success, making him a lock as a top 5 fantasy back in 2024.
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