Top picks to be used on passing attacks

AP’s top six filled with quarterbacks and wide receivers

Caleb Williams will visit the Chicago 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 in the NFL draft is easy. Predicting the rest of the first round on April 25 is the challenge.

Here’s how the top of the draft could go next month, without any trade prognostications:

1. Chicago Caleb Williams, QB, USC. 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. Washington Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is an ideal fit for new offensive co-ordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who had some success with dual threat Kyler Murray in Arizona. Commanders coach Dan Quinn called Daniels a “game-changer,” another indication he’s the pick over Maye.

3. New England Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina. New coach Jerod Mayo had high praise for Maye, who will become the second quarterback New England takes in the first round since Tom Brady left. Mac Jones, the 15th pick in 2021, was traded to Jacksonville. “The exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that,” Mayo said this week. “He has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s ... something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.”

4. Arizona Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State. The son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison was the best wideout on the field last season. But he skipped off-season workouts while LSU’s Malik Nabers has shined, leading to debate that Harrison might slip. His tape is enough.

5. Los Angeles Chargers Malik Nabers, WR, LSU. New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh loves offensive lineman but Justin Herbert needs playmakers. Nabers gives them a physical receiver with elite ball skills and explosive route-running ability. He caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

6. New York Giants Rome Odunze, WR, Washington. Odunze has size, speed and skills to be elite. He had 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdown in 2023. The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.

7. Tennessee Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame. The six-foot-nine, 321pound Alt is an athletic, versatile player widely considered the best blocker in a strong draft class. His father, John Alt, was a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle in Kansas City. The Titans allowed an NFL-high 64 sacks last season.

8. Atlanta Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama. After signing quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Darnell Mooney in free agency, the Falcons can focus on defence and take the best pass rusher in the draft. Turner is an athletic edge rusher with size, speed and burst to get after playmaking quarterbacks.

9. Chicago Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State. The Bears turn to defence after taking Williams first and get a player who has the skills to be an elite pass rusher.

10. New York Jets Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia. After addressing the offensive line in free agency and adding Williams to team with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the Jets give Aaron Rodgers another playmaker by selecting the best tight end in the draft. Bowers has the versatility to line up anywhere and he’s a reliable blocker.