Searching for the right fit
Quarterbacks, wide receivers control top portion of draft
Caleb Williams will visit the Bears next week to meet more coaches, undergo medical testing and get more familiar with his future team.
Williams going to the Bears at No. 1 is easy. Predicting the rest of the first round of the NFL draft is the challenge.
Will the Commanders take Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye at No. 2? How high will J.J. McCarthy go? How many quarterbacks will be selected in the first round?
The questions start at who goes No. 2. Here’s the second edition of the AP’s 2024 mock draft without any trades:
1. Bears: Caleb Williams, QB Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is the consensus No. 1 pick and the Bears finally may have a long-term answer at the most important position.
2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is an ideal fit for new OC Kliff Kingsbury, who had some success with dual-threat QB Kyler Murray in Arizona.
3. Patriots: Drake Maye, QB
New coach Jerod Mayo had high praise for Maye, who will become the second QB the Pats takes in the first round since Tom Brady left.
4. Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, was the best WR on the field last season.
5. Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR
New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh loves offensive lineman but Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone. Justin Herbert needs playmakers.
6. Giants: Rome Odunze, WR Odunze has size, speed and skills to be elite. He had 92 catches, for 1,640 yards, 13 TDs in 2023. The Giants haven’t had a 1,000yard WR since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.
7. Titans: Joe Alt, OT
The 6-9, 321-pound Alt is an athletic, versatile player widely considered the best blocker in a strong draft class. The Titans need to protect Will Levis after allowing an NFL-high 64 sacks last season.
8. Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE After signing QB Kirk Cousins and WR Darnell Mooney in free agency, the Falcons can focus on defense and take the best pass rusher in the draft.
9. Bears: Jared Verse, EDGE
The Bears turn to defense after taking Williams first and get a player who has the skills to be an elite pass rusher.
10. Jets: Brock Bowers, TE
After addressing the offensive line in free agency and adding Williams to team with WR Garrett Wilson, the Jets give Aaron Rodgers another playmaker.
11. Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB Despite playing in a run-heavy offense, McCarthy’s stock has been on the rise after leading Michigan to a national championship. He’s a winner who brings plenty of intangibles along with a strong arm.
12. Broncos: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Mitchell ran a 4.33 second 40-yard dash at the combine and pairing him with Patrick Surtain II would give the Broncos an outstanding tandem.
13. Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB Arnold is an exceptional cover guy tough enough to be an asset against the run and has excellent ball skills.
14. Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT
The massive Fuaga, 6-6, 324, excels in pass protection and is a people-mover as a run blocker.
15. Colts: Byron Murphy, DT
The Colts bolster the interior of their defensive line by plugging the powerful Murphy in the middle.
16. Seahawks: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT The 6-6, 321-pound Fashanu is already an elite pass blocker on the right side. He didn’t allow a sack in college.
17. Jaguars: Brian Thomas, WR Thomas had 1,177 yards receiving on 68 catches and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine.
18. Bengals: Tyler Guyton, OT Guyton a mammoth (6-8, 322) and versatile enough to play either side.
19. Rams: Kris Jenkins, DT
The son of two-time All-Pro nose tackle Kris Jenkins has the ability to wreak havoc in the middle of a defensive line.
20. Steelers: J.C. Latham, OT Latham is an athletic, powerful tackle who says he can play the left side if a team needs him to.
21. Dolphins: Troy Fautanu, OL
A versatile linemen who can play tackle or fill a need at guard for the Dolphins, who lost starter Robert Hunt.
22. Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB DeJean didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage last season and he’s versatile enough to be used in multiple ways.
23. Vikings: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT Newton is a disruptive interior defender who brings a physical presence in the middle of the line along with outstanding ability to get to the quarterback.
24. Cowboys: Amarius Mims, OT
The Cowboys get a combine superstar in Mims, who has outstanding speed for a giant (6-7, 340) of a man.
25. Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB Wiggins has elite speed, he’s versatile and is a playmaker.
26. Bucs: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL Powers-Johnson is the consensus No. 1 center/interior offensive lineman in the draft.
27. Cardinals: Laiatu Latu, EDGE
Latu was the best defensive end in college last season, earning both the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards.
28. Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR
The 6-3 burner ran a 4.34-second 40 at the combine.
29. Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB
Steps in right away to bolster the defense for the NFC runner-up Lions.
30. Ravens: Jordan Morgan, OT Morgan is a versatile lineman who played tackle but can move to guard if needed to do so.
31. 49ers: Graham Barton, OT Barton fits nicely in coach Kyle Shanahan’s run schemes and is a versatile pass protector.
32. Chiefs: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB Fits an immediate need for the two-time defending Super Bowl champs following the trade of L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans.