Let’s not waste any time here: You’re probably not going to read this part. What we’re going to guess you’re about to do is scroll to your favorite team, see who we picked, skim our reasoning for it and go on about your day.
However, if you actually do decide to read everything we’ve got in this mock draft, we greatly appreciate you! This mock draft was simple: Quentin took the odd picks. Megan took the even picks. We selected players based on what we would do if we were the GM of that team, and we decided to not have any trades. Without further ado, the second annual totally 100% correct NFL mock draft from The Blitz.
- Chicago Bears (from CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
QC: To quote my good friend Red Button from Staples, that was easy. Williams has been the pick for a long time now, and I’d probably let out a Bill Simmons-ian “WHOA” if Chicago picked anyone else. Thanks to the Panthers being enamored with Bryce Young last year, the Bears finally get a potential franchise-changer in Williams, whose do-it-all abilities will be helped by a solid supporting cast in Chicago.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
MD: Washington will have their pick between Daniels and Maye, but I think Daniels makes a little more sense here. He was more consistent last season and provides a threat not only with his arm, but on his feet. This might not be Daniel’s “dream situation”, but if Washington builds around him right, he could help the franchise finally stop being the butt of jokes from NFL fans.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
QC: The opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback doesn’t come around very often, and the Patriots capitalize on that opportunity here. However, I’m a big believer in a team’s support system having a big effect on a young quarterback, which is why I’d worry slightly about New England taking Maye. The Pats feel like a strong candidate to trade down because, quite frankly, their offensive cupboard is alarmingly bare. But Maye is an uplifter, someone you can win because of, and I think Maye can do that in New England, especially with his experience uplifting a porous supporting cast at UNC.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State
MD: This pick has to be a no brainer for the Cardinals. Their current WR room includes Michael Wilson, Zach Pascal and Greg Dortch (I bet you had to look all of them up). Harrison Jr. is being doubted as the best wide receiver prospect in years. His combination of body control, speed, and flexibility make him an immediate threat to NFL defenses. If it is hard to find a problem with his game, you know this is a good prospect.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
QC: Jim Harbaugh’s burning desire for a sturdy offensive line will not blind me, (although I can’t say his feelings are wrong). But the Chargers entering next season with Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston as their top receiving options feels like football malpractice in regards to maximizing Justin Herbert. Nabers is a YAC monster who moves like he’s on one of those people movers at airports. He can also take the top off of a defense, which could be lethal with Herbert’s arm strength.
6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
QC: While the potential of Daniel Jones remaining the Giants starting quarterback for another season may be frustrating for some, the G-Men have been in terrible need of a top receiving option for about half a decade. While Odunze doesn’t have the top-end speed of Nabers, he’s a pigskin magnet, as it felt like every ball Michael Penix Jr. threw within a few miles of Odunze was going to be caught. In the red zone, all throws will (hopefully) lead to Rome. This is a luxury New York hasn’t enjoyed since Odell Beckham Jr.; if they can’t trade up to get the quarterback of their choice, I’m sure they’d be happy with Odunze.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
QC: It’ll be difficult to find a more dire position group situation than Tennessee’s offensive line. Especially after adding elite skill players like Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley in free agency, Will Levis will likely need at least a couple of seconds to get them the ball, and the towering Alt is arguably the best person to ensure that immediately at left tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
MD: The Atlanta offense is ready to go. Behind Kirk Cousins, Bijon Robinson and Drake London, the offensive side of the team is stacked up. The Falcons could really use help on the edge, which is where Turner comes in. Turner has three years of production that show he is effective against both the pass and the rush.
9. Chicago Bears: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
QC: The hit rate of tight ends taken in the first round isn’t very high, but Brock Bowers isn’t a traditional tight end. He can line up all over the field, and he’s more than adept at entering takeover mode (Auburn 2023 is a great example). Along with Keenan Allen and DJ More, Williams now has a formidable group of pass-catchers at his disposal.
10. New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
MD: The Jets two biggest needs are help for Aaron Rodgers on the line and as pass catchers. With Harrison Jr, Nabers, and Odunze off the board, I think the Jets grab help protecting their aging QB. Fuaga combines speed and power and was especially helpful with creating movement for Oregon State’s run game.
11. Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan
QC: It’s very likely that the Vikings trade up for a quarterback, especially considering that a) their other option is rolling into the 2024 season with Sam Darnold (not ideal!), and b) there seems to be a lot of QB-hungry teams in the top-12, especially the two teams behind them. But if McCarthy does fall to 11, I’m sure Minnesota would be elated. McCarthy is very solid, and while he’s not the uplifter that Williams and Maye are, the elite supporting cast on the Vikings offense (Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, two great offensive tackles) could turn McCarthy’s trajectory further upwards.
12. Denver Broncos: Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
MD: Let’s be clear, the Broncos need a better option than Zach Wilson as their quarterback. With a quarterback room of Zach Wilson, Jarret Stidham, and Ben Denucci, the Broncos have a clear need to fill with this draft. While Penix has had injury concerns over his extensive college career, he has the arm strength and accuracy to be a starter in the NFL.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
QC: Screw it, why not make a strength a little stronger? Although the Raiders signed Christian Wilkins in free agency to suit up alongside Maxx Crosby, Murphy has been rumored to be the first defensive player taken, and understandably so. Despite his smaller stature for an interior lineman, Murphy’s impact is like if an actual Texas Longhorn played defensive lineman, which could have him taken even higher than 13.
14. New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Tackle, Penn State
MD: With the wide range of injuries the Saints have dealt with recently on their offensive line, that seems to be the most obvious position to target. Fashanu is a tackle who could start on NFL teams right away. With some help to his technique, he has loads of room to grow in the NFL.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
QC: The Colts could easily be in the market for a pass-catcher, but they also have a need at cornerback opposite of Kenny Moore II. Arnold is arguably the top corner in this class, and his complete arsenal of skills is reminiscent of former Alabama and current Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
MD: What Seattle really needs is some help at safety and linebackers, but with their position in the draft and what the class has to offer, it does not work out great for Seattle. However, it never hurts to bolster the offensive line, and I think the Seahawks take Fautanu, who gets to stay in Seattle. Fautanu won the Morris Trophy last season, which is awarded to the top offensive and defensive lineman in the Pac-12. He has the ability to play tackle or guard.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
QC: For how much the Jaguars have spent in both the draft and free agency over the past few seasons, the roster makeup is surprisingly ok, and not in a good way. The strategy should probably be to take the best player available, which Mitchell is here. He had a monster week at the Senior Bowl shutting down some of the class’s top wideouts, and he can be an instant contributor opposite of Tyson Campbell.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
MD: After another season of injuries to the franchise’s pride and joy, Joe Burrow, it would do no harm to the Bengals beefing up their offensive line. The Bengal’s lost offensive tackle Jonah WIlliams during the offseason, and Latham would bring his giant size, 6’6 and 340 pounds, with his quick feet and smooth blocking. Latham was great in helping with the run game, and with the loss of Joe Mixon, the Bengals running back room will need the help.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Laitu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
QC: With their first top-32 pick since I was in sixth grade, the Rams take a California kid who could help a Rams defensive front that now has an Aaron Donald-sized hole in the middle of it. Latu’s combination of size, technique and tenacity makes him a potential top-15 pick.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
MD: The Steelers made the switch under center, bringing in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields (not sure how much better this really is), and in a draft full of wide receiver prospects, Pittsburg looks to build their pass catching room. Thomas Jr. brings the explosiveness off the snap. He lead the FBS with 17 touchdowns last season.
21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, OG, Duke
QC: Starting guard Robert Hunt signed with the Panthers this past offseason, and the rest of Miami’s guard options are all free agents after this season (Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg, Isaiah Wynn and Lester Cotton). If the Dolphins want to remain as dangerous of an offense as they have been over the past couple of seasons, they’re going to need some help on the offensive line, and Barton can provide immediate help.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson
MD: Philadelphia has had a strong DB room, but they are growing old and dealt with injuries last season. Wiggins would bring experience playing on the outside and in the slot, along with big size. At Clemson last season, he only gave up one touchdown.
23. Minnesota Vikings (from CLE via HOU): Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
QC: As mentioned earlier, there’s a chance that the Vikings trade this pick to move up from 11 earlier in the draft. But in this scenario, after getting their hopeful quarterback of the future at 11, Minnesota lands their hopeful cornerback of the future in DeJean. He’s hyper-athletic, versatile and also offers value as a returner.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
MD: Dallas lost six linemen this offseason. Guess how many they replaced them with? If you guessed zero, congrats, you are correct! Guyton would likely be a prime candidate to start for the Cowboys this season. He can change directions quickly and uses his hands well when blocking. He has many raw abilities the Cowboys staff could coach up.
25. Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
QC: The first full year of the Jordan Love Experience was a rousing success; in order for that success to continue, it’d be optimal if the offensive line in front of him was strong, which it isn’t right now. Guard Jon Runyan Jr., tackle Yosh Nijman, and longtime left tackle David Bakhtiari are all gone, leaving several holes within the unit. This pick might give some people Cole Strange vibes due to the lack of first-round buzz Beebe has, but his technique, tenacity and upbringing in an offensive line factory at K-State make him worthy of a first-round selection.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
MD: Baker Mayfield is back for the Bucs, and he will have Mike Evans to throw to. However, more depth at wide receiver can only help Mayfield and the Bucs offense. Mitchell is an extremely quick receiver who runs well executed routes. He is not afraid to get the ball in the biggest of moments.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU): Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
QC: Arizona’s defense is in a state where they could use an impact player at every position. They signed Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency, but the other side looks ominous with. Luckily for the Cardinals, the cornerback position is one of the deepest in the class, and while Rakestraw might not be thought of as highly as others, I believe he’s worthy of a first round pick. He’s physical, fearless and technically sound, although his injury history (core muscle surgery this past season, torn ACL in 2021) might be questionable to some.
28. Buffalo Bills: Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama
MD: Ideally, one of the wider receivers is still on the board for the Bills to grab to replace the loss of Stefon Diggs. However, that is not the case here, so the Bills go for help on the defensive side. The Bills lost safety Jordan Poyer and corners Dane Jackson and Tre’Davious White. Along with having the best name in the draft, McKinstry is a two year starter that is physical and a great tackler.
29. Detroit Lions: Mike Saintristil, CB, Michigan
QC: The Lions don’t have a ton of pressing needs, although cornerback might be the closest thing to it. Opposite of Carlton Davis is fellow free agent signee Amik Robertson, but that position group could still use a boost. Sainristil is a slot corner who overcomes a smaller frame with intense physicality and excellent anticipation. The former Michigan Wolverine could easily become a fan favorite a-la Aidan Hutchinson.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
MD: If the Ravens took Robinson, he likely would not have to start right away. He could have time to learn behind the Ravens veterans. Robinson’s numbers in college were not crazy impressive, but he has the athletic traits that give him an ability to put everything together.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
QC: A big part of why San Fran fell in last season’s Super Bowl was the right side of their offensive line falling apart. Although Mims is raw (only eight career starts at Georgia), his tantalizing physique is literally hard to miss and could be a big (hehe) help for the Niners.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
MD: Well would you look at that, once again the Chiefs have the last pick of the draft and don’t have a glaring hole they need to fill (though you could make some arguments). The Chiefs brought in Marquis Brown to give Mahomes another threat, but if Worthy is still on the board here, it makes sense to take him. After running the fastest 40 yard dash time in NFL combine history, it is clear Worthy has insane speed. He has the ability to line up from anywhere and if the ball is in his hands, he can gain extra yardage.