It’s that wonderful time of year again, the NFL Combine is taking place in Indianapolis and draft season is officially in full swing. For the fourth year in a row, I get to play GM and fill out a first round mock draft. This is one of my favorite things to do even though I will definitely get the majority of these picks wrong.
As is usually the case, this year’s draft class is headlined by the quarterbacks. The word “generational” gets overused to no end when talking about prospects. With that being said, Caleb Williams can be argued as that caliber of player.
Williams boasts elite arm strength along with incredible pocket awareness. After all, you don’t draw comparisons to Patrick Mahomes without having several elite traits.
There’s no doubt Williams will be the first pick, the question is who will be making that selection? The Bears currently hold the top pick courtesy of the Bryce Young trade a year ago. Their in an interesting spot, Justin Fields has shown flashes but hasn’t shown the consistency to be an unquestioned franchise QB.
I like Fields and think he has franchise potential, however this is too good of an opportunity to pass up if you’re Chicago. Yes, you can trade the top pick for a haul for the second year in a row. However, getting a bonafide franchise signal caller is more valuable than draft capital.
You also have to take the salary cap ramifications into account. If Chicago sticks it out with Fields it will have to pay him fairly soon. Williams is a better quarterback than Fields and will be cheap for five years.
It also makes sense to trade Fields when his value is still somewhat good. The Bears can land a second rounder this year and another day two pick next year if they move Fields before the draft.
It’s an issue that has split the Bears fanbase, nevertheless we will have an answer on the Bears future in the coming weeks.
Farbolin Mock Draft 1.0
1.Chicago Bears(from Carolina)- Caleb Williams, QB USC- I have the Bears moving off of Fields in favor of the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. Williams is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck and will be the best quarterback Chicago has had since Sid Luckman.
2.Washington Commanders- Jayden Daniels, QB LSU- I went back and forth between Daniels and the next pick. Daniels’ elite mobility gave him the edge as he will be able to rely on his mobility as he adjusts to the pro level. The 2023 Heisman winner has adequate arm strength and can make difficult throws on all levels.
3.New England Patriots- Drake Maye, QB North Carolina- It’s a new era in Foxborough and they grab a new leader for the franchise in Maye. Maye reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert with his combination of top level arm strength and an ability to level his throws.
4.Arizona Cardinals- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Ohio State- Harrison is the safest prospect in this class and will give Kyler Murray a much needed WR1 for the next decade. The reigning Biletnikoff winner tracks deep balls as well as any college receiver I have ever seen and that’s just one of the many reasons he’s a lock to go top five.
5.Los Angeles Chargers- Malik Nabers, WR LSU- The Chargers can go several different ways with this pick. However, with the futures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams uncertain, they take Nabers who would be the top guy at his position in most draft classes.
6.New York Giants- Rome Odunze, WR Washington- The G-Men are desperate at the skill positions and Odunze gives them a true number one option. Odunze’s physicality stands out on tape and will be able to consistently win contested catches for a team without strong QB play.
7.Tennessee Titans- Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame- Tennessee’s line was graded the worst in football according to Pro Football Focus, so it takes the best tackle in college football. Alt is an excellent run blocker and has the athleticism needed to fend off edge rushers on Sundays.
8.Atlanta Falcons- Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama- I have Atlanta addressing its quarterback via a trade for Justin Fields. With that taken care of, the Falcons improve their pass rush with Turner who will give the franchise much needed support in pressuring opposing QBs.
9.Chicago Bears- Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA- Chicago would like to get Williams another weapon here, however with the big three off the board the Bears bolster their pass rush. Latu will force defenses to take attention away from Montez Sweat and make for a scary pass rushing duo.
10.New York Jets- Olu Fashanu, OT Penn State- Protecting Aaron Rodgers is paramount for the Jets and Mekhi Becton is set to hit free agency. New York nabs Fashanu who is arguably the best pass blocker in this class.
11.Minnesota Vikings- Jared Verse, EDGE Florida State- I’m honestly not sure if the Vikings will bring back Kirk Cousins so I held off on them taking a quarterback here. Instead, Minnesota ops to go with Verse which gives them an explosive pass rusher with Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport hitting free agency.
12.Denver Broncos- Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington- It’s no secret that Sean Payton and Russell Wilson aren’t exactly best friends. Even if Denver brings back Wilson, it still takes the long term option in Penix. Penix plays similarly to Drew Brees(who had a bit of success under Payton) and I could see Payton hand picking Penix as the next franchise QB.
13.Las Vegas Raiders- Jer’Zhan Newton, DT Illinois- Maxx Crosby is arguably the best defensive end in the NFL, however the Raiders could use more up front to compliment him. Newton is the top interior defensive lineman in this class and Antonio Pierce beefs up his defensive front with this pick.
14.New Orleans Saints- Brock Bowers, TE Georgia- Bowers is arguably the best prospect in this class, however falls to this spot due to positional value. NOLA gets Derek Carr an instant Pro Bowl caliber player in Bowers, who is the most complete college tight end I’ve ever seen.
15.Indianapolis Colts- Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama- Indy looks to improve at corner with Arnold, who has skyrocketed up draft boards in recent weeks. Arnold is skilled in man coverage and has the traits to cover number one receivers at the next level.
16.Seattle Seahawks- Troy Fautanu, OT Washington- Fautanu played tackle at Washington but will likely move inside in the NFL. All three of Seattle’s starting interior lineman are slated for free agency so it takes the local product. It’s also worth noting that the Seahawks hired Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to the same position.
17.Jacksonville Jaguars- Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU- The Jaguars have a solid WR room, however lack a true X-receiver. The Jags may address that before the draft(I’m looking at you Tee Higgins), however I have them taking Thomas here who fills that role.
18.Cincinnati Bengals- JC Latham, OT Alabama- Jonah Williams is a free agent so Cincy replaces him with Latham, who is a proven commodity at right tackle against SEC competition. Latham and Orlando Brown Jr. give Joe Burrow solid protection on the outside.
19.Los Angeles Rams- Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo- No this isn’t a typo, the Rams have a first round pick for the first time since Tony Romo was the Cowboys starting quarterback. With that pick, LA addresses its need at corner in the absence of Jalen Ramsey. Mitchell has the speed and explosiveness to eb a true top corner in the pros.
20.Pittsburgh Steelers- Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson- Pittsburgh got a steal in Joey Porter Jr, in the second round last year. Now the Steelers pair him up with Wiggins who ran a sub-4.3 40 at the combine. Quality corners are a premium in today’s game and Pittsburgh gets two for the foreseeable future.
21.Miami Dolphins- Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Iowa- Like Seattle, all three of Miami’s starting interior lineman are set to hit free agency. The ‘Fins take Powers-Johnson who anchored Oregon’s elite line and has experience at center along with both left and right guard.
22.Philadelphia Eagles- Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa- The Eagles secondary was atrocious in 2023 so they grab DeJean who is a versatile option in the secondary. DeJean also provides good run support and will help a defense that desperately needs it.
23.Houston Texans(from Cleveland)- Byron Murphy II, DT Texas- DeMeco Ryans adds to his defensive front with an in-state prospect. Murphy is skilled at defending the run and can develop into a pass rushing threat along with Will Anderson Jr.
24.Dallas Cowboys- Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State- Tyron Smith isn’t getting any younger and is set to hit free agency. Even if Smith returns, Dallas still needs a right tackle and Fuaga can give them an immediate upgrade at that position.
25.Green Bay Packers- Amarius Mims, OT Georgia- David Bakhtiari has struggled with injuries so Green Bay takes Mims here. Mims has very little experience but has shown dominance when he’s played. Mims fits well in Matt LaFleur’s zone run scheme.
26.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn State- The Bucs drafted Calijah Kancey in the first round last year, but could use another edge rusher. Robinson is an explosive rusher who can also contribute in coverage.
27.Arizona Cardinals(from Houston)- Darius Robinson, EDGE Missouri- Arizona could use an on the ball defensive end and Robinson is here for the taking. Robinson has experience both on the edge and interior and will be an upgrade for the Cardinals defensive front.
28.Buffalo Bills- Keon Coleman, WR Florida State- Gabe Davis is likely gone and Buffalo needs to add reliable weapons outside of Stefon Diggs. Coleman is incredibly dangerous after the catch and will complement Diggs and Khalil Shakir well.
29.Detroit Lions- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama- GM Brad Holmes has taken ‘Bama guys in the last two first rounds and I have him doing so again. The secondary was the one glaring weakness on Detroit’s roster so it addresses it with McKinstry.
30.Baltimore Ravens- Graham Barton, OG Duke- Both of the Ravens’ starting guards are hitting free agency so they make sure to keep Lamar Jackson upright with Barton. Barton played tackle in college but is expected to move inside which works well for Baltimore.
31.San Francisco 49ers- Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma- San Francisco’s offensive line was a weak spot outside of Trent Williams and even he is getting up there in age. John Lynch improves the line with Guyton, who’s athleticism fits well with Kyle Shanahan’s zone run offense.
32.Kansas City Chiefs- Troy Franklin, WR Oregon- KC won another Super Bowl despite the glaring holes in its WR room. The Chiefs look to regain some explosiveness offensively with Franklin who can take the top off of defenses with his speed.