The chaos of free agency has more or less settled down, giving us a much better idea of where football’s 32 rosters stand entering the NFL Draft later this month.
Many teams have different needs than they did during my first mock draft, so some revision is needed.
For this mock draft, I have a mock trade which I typically refrain from. However, it seems inevitable that Minnesota will move up for a quarterback. Between the departure of Kirk Cousins and the Vikings acquiring the 23rd pick from Houston, it’s evident that Minnesota is gearing up to land its signal caller for the next 15 years (at least that’s what Vikings’ fans hope).
I’m intrigued to see where exactly Minnesota leapfrogs in the draft order. The top three teams need a QB, so making a move with any of them seems unlikely. Does Arizona pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. for more draft capital? Does Jim Harbaugh’s rebuild around Justin Herbert start with gaining more assets?
As it stands now, I have the Vikings going with the latter of those two options.
Farbolin Mock Draft 2.0
1.Chicago Bears (from Carolina) – Caleb Williams, QB USC- If it wasn’t obvious already, trading Justin Fields solidified Chicago’s intentions at the QB position. There isn’t anything I can say about Williams that hasn’t been said, he checks every box there is and inherits a roster ready to contend for the postseason.
2.Washington Commanders- Jayden Daniels, QB LSU- While I like Drake Maye slightly more, it feels like Daniels will be the second pick. The Heisman Trophy winner gives Washington a dual-threat presence that not many teams have.
3.New England Patriots- Drake Maye, QB North Carolina- Like the Bears, New England has moved off its 2021 first round quarterback. Maye has the makings of a Pro Bowler; it’s just a matter of the Pats surrounding him with competent support.
4.Arizona Cardinals- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State- Arizona could trade back for more assets like last year. However, the opportunity to get arguably the best player in this class is too good to pass up. MHJ paired with a healthy Kyler Murray will help the Cardinals return to relevance in the NFC.
5.MOCK TRADE- Minnesota Vikings (from LA Chargers) – J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan- I wouldn’t spend a top five pick on McCarthy, but his stock is skyrocketing and the Vikings move up to take him here. While McCarthy has several question marks, he lands in the best possible situation for a QB in this draft.
6.New York Giants- Malik Nabers, WR LSU- With the Chargers trading back, Nabers is available and GM Joe Schoen capitalizes. Nabers gives the G-Men a much needed number one option they haven’t had since fellow LSU product Odell Beckham Jr.
7.Tennessee Titans- Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame- Aside from the first pick, this is the most obvious selection in my mock. Tennessee has improved the line but still has a glaring hole at left tackle. Alt is an excellent run blocker that should protect Will Levis’ blindside for the foreseeable future.
8.Atlanta Falcons- Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama- Terry Fontenot has loaded up on skill players in the first round the past three years, but goes defense for the first time in his tenure. Turner’s upside is a perennial All-Pro and Atlanta’s pass rush has been a weakness for years.
9.Chicago Bears- Jared Verse, DE Florida State- Many have the Bears taking Rome Odunze here, but with the addition of Keenan Allen, wide receiver isn’t a need. Chicago could better use a premier edge rusher to pair alongside Montez Sweat. Verse has been rising in mock drafts and could very well be the first defensive end off the board.
10.New York Jets- Brock Bowers, TE Georgia- New York should address the offensive line with the 10th pick. With that being said, the Jets are all-in on getting the most out of Aaron Rodgers’ twilight, so they get the four-time MVP an immediate difference maker in hopes of ending the longest active playoff drought in football.
11.MOCK TRADE- Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Rome Odunze, WR Washington- I’m not sure what compensation LA will get for the rights to the fifth pick, For the sake of this mock, the Chargers get the 11th and 23rd pick from the Vikings. Keenan Allen was traded and Mike Williams left in free agency, leaving the receiver room in desperate need of help. Fortunately for Justin Herbert, Odunze falls out of the top ten.
12.Denver Broncos- Laiatu Latu- EDGE UCLA- Denver holds off on taking a QB with the four main options long gone. Instead, the Broncos take Latu to fix a pass rush that hasn’t been the same since trading Bradley Chubb in 2022 and Randy Gregory in 2023.
13.Las Vegas Raiders- Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama- New head coach Antonio Pierce builds his defense with arguably the best corner in this class. Arnold had a breakout 2023 season and has the ball skills and physical traits of a premier corner.
14.New Orleans Saints- Olu Fashanu, OT Penn State- 2022 first round pick Trevor Penning hasn’t lived up to expectations and Ryan Ramczyk may not play again due to a knee condition. Fashanu would be a steal at this spot and helps solve NOLA’s tackle concerns.
15.Indianapolis Colts- Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo- Indy taking a corner seems highly likely and Mitchell has made a case as the best in this class. Mitchell has elite speed and ball skills with six interceptions and 27 pass breakups over the last two seasons.
16.Seattle Seahawks- Troy Fautanu, OT Washington- I keep my pick from my initial mock as it makes just as much sense as it did a month ago. Seattle needs help on the interior of its line and Fautanu is expected to move inside at the pro level. It also doesn’t hurt that the Seahawks hired his college offensive coordinator in Ryan Grubb.
17.Jacksonville Jaguars- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama- I thought about giving the Jags a wide receiver here but with how deep this class is, they can wait. Instead Jacksonville takes McKinstry, who had a productive career in the SEC, to improve the secondary.
18.Cincinnati Bengals- Brian Thomas, WR LSU- Even if Tee Higgins returns in 2024, he is likely gone sooner or later. Cincy takes another LSU prospect with Thomas to solidify the “Bayou Bengals” with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. For those asking, yes I’ve filed a trademark for that nickname and haven’t heard back.
19.Los Angeles Rams- Byron Murphy II, DT Texas- Aaron Donald’s retirement leaves a void at defensive tackle for the Rams so they take Murphy here. While replacing Donald is no easy task, drafting Murphy is a good place to start.
20.Pittsburgh Steelers- Graham Barton, OG Duke- Pittsburgh brought in two QBs that like to hold onto the ball for a while. While I like Russell Wilson and Fields, the interior of the line could use some help. Barton is one of the best run blockers in this class and fits what the Steelers want to do offensively.
21.Miami Dolphins- Jer’Zhan Newton, DT Illinois- Christian Wilkins got a bag from the Raiders, so defensive tackle is suddenly an area of concern for Miami. Newton is the best DT on the board and will help bolster the Dolphins’ defensive front.
22.Philadelphia Eagles- Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson- Philly’s secondary was one of the main reasons for its late-season collapse. Wiggins has the physicality to match up with top wide receivers at the next level.
23.MOCK TRADE- Los Angeles Chargers (from Minnesota) – Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon- Corey Linsley is likely retiring this offseason due to a heart issue. The Chargers could double down on wide receiver in the first round, however I have them taking Linsley’s replacement. Powers-Johnson was the anchor for one of the most physical teams in college football.
24.Dallas Cowboys- Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State- Tyron Smith departed for New York, so Dallas takes Fuaga here. The combination of Fuaga and Tyler Smith solidifies the tackle position for the Cowboys long-term.
25.Green Bay Packers- JC Latham, OT Alabama- Green Bay let David Bakhtiari walk after struggles with injury and have minimal experience at tackle. Latham was the best right tackle in the SEC and will help protect Jordan Love.
26.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa- DeJean played safety in college, but will likely move to corner wherever he is drafted. Tampa traded Carlton Davis III to Detroit, so they replace him with DeJean.
27.Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) – Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn State- Arizona finished in the bottom three in sacks in 2023, so another pass rusher wouldn’t hurt. The Cards use Houston’s first round pick to address the defensive end with Robinson.
28.Buffalo Bills- Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas- Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis hit the door, so Buffalo gets a guy who has more than enough experience in big games. Mitchell is a smooth route runner and a quality deep threat for Josh Allen.
29.Detroit Lions-Keon Coleman, WR Florida State- Detroit traded for Carlton Davis III so they no longer take a corner with this pick. Instead, the Lions take Coleman, who is the best after the catch target in this class.
30.Baltimore Ravens- Darius Robinson, EDGE Missouri- Retaining Justin Madubuike was huge, however the Ravens still add to their defensive front. Robinson has experience both inside and on the edge, and keeps the Ravens pass rush among the best.
31.San Francisco 49ers- Amarius Mims, OT Georgia- Outside of Trent WIlliams, the 49ers line is below average so John Lynch doesn’t hesitate to take one at this spot. Mims’ ceiling is through the roof, but falls due to limited reps at Georgia.
32.Kansas City Chiefs- Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma- KC signed Hollywood Brown so receiver isn’t as much of a need at this time. The Chiefs take Guyton, and they can either play him at left tackle or move Jawaan Taylor to Mahomes’ blindside and start Guyton at RT.