The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Post-combine mock draft: 6 QBs taken in first round
Nate Davis
USA TODAY
INDIANAPOLIS – With the 2024 NFL scouting combine a wrap, April’s draft has come into focus just a bit more. It will further crystallize once free agency plays out and pro days reveal a bit more about the prospects who didn’t fully participate in Indy.
Much will shift in the coming weeks, but a post-combine mock draft is a good time to assess who’s building momentum as the pre-draft evaluation process crosses its most prominent milestone.
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers): QB Caleb Williams, Southern Cal.
He didn’t do much more at the combine than talk to team executives and media members while rooting on his fellow prospects during on-field workouts. Regardless, nothing coming out of the Bears camp to indicate Chicago is sticking with incumbent QB Justin Fields. And given the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner’s arm, vision, ability to make offplatform throws and vast potential, why wouldn’t you take him and reset the position’s contractual clock?
2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU.
Per ESPN, new team owner Josh Harris sat in on interviews with six quarterback prospects, so that tells you something. Daniels, the 2023 Heisman winner, did mention “how cool the whole staff was” during his interview, among the few things he did in Indy. Still, his decision-making (40 TD passes, 4 INTs last season), accuracy, touch, processing speed and eye-popping ability to run (2,019 yards, 22 TDs over past two seasons) make him a truly tantalizing prospect.
3. New England Patriots: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame.
The massive (6-9, 321), unanimous 2023 All-American – and son of legendary Chiefs lineman John Alt – is almost unanimously regarded as the best blocker in this draft. He might not go quite this high, but this is a more projection that the Pats might be a team that trades back rather than take a quarterback given how many holes new director of scouting Eliot Wolf needs to fill – possibly including both tackle spots with Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu apparently headed for free agency.
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State.
He didn’t appear on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night, nor did he address reporters. Doesn’t mean the 2023 Biletnikoff winner and two-time All American with Hall of Fame bloodlines isn’t, arguably, the best player in the draft. Harrison averaged better than 1,200 receiving yards and 14 TDs over the past two seasons and might be the best product issuing from what seems like a Buckeyes receiving assembly line.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Rome Odunze, Washington.
Like the Pats, the Bolts could be a fascinating pivot point in the top five. They’re set at quarterback but still have serious salary cap issues to resolve – which could increase areas of the depth chart new HC Jim Harbaugh’s team will need to address. But if Harbaugh and first-year GM Joe Hortiz go the “best player available” route in this scenario, Odunze would likely be the guy (especially so if either WR Keenan Allen or Mike Williams is cast out).
6. New York Giants: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan.
Yes, despite his relatively low usage in the passing game at Ann Arbor – where he was surrounded by a tremendous supporting cast on both sides of the ball – his stock seems to continue skyrocketing. Why? Demeanor, accuracy, leadership, athleticism, high ceiling, good decision-making. And he’s a winner (27-1 record with the Wolverines).
7. Tennessee Titans: OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State.
No team in the AFC allowed more than their 64 sacks – not the way you want to break in a young quarterback like Will Levis. A right tackle for the Beavers, Fuaga is excellent in pass protection and especially nasty as a run blocker.
8. Atlanta Falcons: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina.
Little doubt they’re making a major move under center, whether it’s trading for Fields, signing a free agent like Kirk Cousins, or drafting someone the caliber of Maye. The ACC Player of the Year in 2022, he’s been loosely compared to Josh Allen and Justin Herbert thanks to a live arm and excellent athleticism. Like Caleb Williams, Maye took a bit of a step back in 2023.
9. Bears: WR Malik Nabers, LSU.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels carries against Mississippi State on Sept. 16 in Starkville, Miss.
Daniels’ primary target the past two seasons in Baton Rouge, Nabers really blossomed during a 2023 All-American campaign when he caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs. He wasn’t seen much at the combine yet would probably be way too intriguing for Chicago to pass up if it meant teaming Nabers with WR DJ Moore and TE Cole Kmet as targets for Williams.
10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia.
QB Aaron Rodgers needs more protection and downfield weapons going into the 2024 season. While offensive tackle could definitely be an option, wouldn’t it make more sense to acquire veteran blockers (Tyron Smith? David Bakhtiari?) to safeguard AR8 and let him break in a young game breaker like Bowers than entrusting his health to inexperienced linemen?
11. Minnesota Vikings: OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama.
Quarterback could well be atop the wish list, especially if Cousins doesn’t resign. Yet the Vikes also face the prospect of losing OLBs Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum, meaning they wouldn’t return a player who had more than three sacks in 2023.
12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon.
Time was, it was unusual to see five or six quarterbacks in Round 1 of a given draft. But time was, it was unusual for a team to trade a boatload of picks for a veteran quarterback, grant him a $240+ million extension, then give up on him two years later. But it seems that’s where Denver currently is, coach Sean Payton hinting at the combine that Russell Wilson could be out the door soon.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas.
They need a lot of help, including – seemingly – behind center. But that might have to wait. New coach (and former NFL linebacker) Antonio Pierce wants a much tougher defense, and a dominant player like Murphy would alleviate focus on DE Maxx Crosby while perhaps helping to unlock disappointing, thus far, 2023 first-rounder Tyree Wilson.
14. New Orleans Saints: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State.
With 2022 first-round LT Trevor Penning quickly trending toward bust territory, might be time to snatch a replacement like the Nittany Lions’ 2023 AllAmerican.
It would certainly be welcome news for QB Derek Carr given the amount of abuse he absorbed during his first year in the Big Easy.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo.
He’s got size (6-0, 195), blazing speed (4.33 40 time) and ball skills, two of his six interceptions over the past two seasons turned into pick-sixes. And Indy could use help at corner, especially if Pro Bowl nickel Kenny Moore II signs elsewhere.
16. Seattle Seahawks: QB Michael Penix, Washington.
Admittedly, this could be a bit rich given his history of knee and shoulder problems. But his past two seasons with the Huskies were sublime (67 TD passes, 19 INTs). The Heisman runner-up to Daniels last season, his performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (430 yards, 2 TDs passing) was an all-timer, the southpaw lasering the ball over the field. His maturity and experiences are also plusses. Seattle recently hired OC Ryan Grubb, who coached Penix in the same role at UW.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT JC Latham, Alabama.
The All-SEC performer, who has experience at guard, could start there before eventually displacing unreliable LT Cam Robinson while forming a longterm bookend with 2023 first-round OT Anton Harrison.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU.
The 6-3, 209-pounder put down a 4.33 40 in the wake of a season when he had 1,177 yards on 68 catches – a quarter of those receptions resulting in TDs. With Tyler Boyd headed for free agency and Tee Higgins on the franchise tag, seems like a good time to find a new Robin for Cincy’s Ja’Marr Chase, a Bayou Bengal himself.
19. Los Angeles Rams: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA.
This will mark their first Round 1 selection since they resumed playing in LA eight years ago. So why not take a local guy, especially one who racked up 35 tackles for loss, 231/2 sacks, five forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in two seasons with the Bruins. Latu was the Pac-12’s defensive player of the year in 2023, when he also earned the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award for being the country’s best collegiate defensive end after posting an FBS-best 1.8 TFLs per game.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama.
Somehow, they had a middle-of-the road pass defense despite the presence of T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith up front. Pittsburgh is not only about to lose depth at corner but could certainly use a younger alternative to veteran Patrick Peterson.
21. Miami Dolphins: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson.
Tall (6-1) and highly explosive (4.28 40 time), he’d nicely backfill the departure of Xavien Howard and could watch veteran Jalen Ramsey handle No. 1 receivers in high-leverage situations early on. 22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri.
Still a lot of roster issues to shake out here. But EVP/GM Howie Roseman knows his defense needs some help and knows starting CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry are north of 30. Rakestraw’s physical style would resonate nicely in Philly.
23. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns): DE Jared Verse, Florida State.
Even if they manage to retain underrated DE Jonathan Greenard, Houston will be lacking depth beyond him and Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. on the edges. Verse had at least nine sacks each of the past three seasons.
24. Dallas Cowboys: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington.
With LT Tyron Smith not expected back, Fautanu and LG Tyler Smith, a first-round choice two years ago with left tackle experience in college, could hold down the left side for years to come regardless of which positions they settle into.
25. Green Bay Packers: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma.
The former tight end would bring high-end potential and flexibility to a line that’s only had Bakhtiari’s services 13 times over the past three seasons.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas.
At 6-2, 205 pounds, he’s not quite as big as Bucs legend Mike Evans, who seems headed for the free-agent door. But Mitchell (4.34 40 time) is a heckuva lot faster.
27. Cardinals (from Texans): DT Johnny Newton, Illinois.
Arizona needs a lot, perhaps nothing quite as much as some defensive beef. The Big Ten’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year is just about made to order.
28. Buffalo Bills: DE Chop Robinson, Penn State.
A capped-out team poised to lose a good chunk of its defense would love a bendy pass rusher with sub-4.5 speed who could supplement DE Greg Rousseau while honing his craft under the tutelage of fading OLB Von Miller.
29. Detroit Lions: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon.
The 2023 Rimington Trophy winner as the country’s best college center, he would be a nifty insurance policy behind battered Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow. Barring that, “JPJ” – who excels as a run and pass blocker – could immediately fill one of the two holes set to open at guard in the NFC North champs’ lineup.
30: Baltimore Ravens: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia.
A right tackle who already knows OC Todd Monken’s playbook. Mims’ 87-inch wingspan and 6-8, 340-pound frame help him block out the sun.
31: San Francisco 49ers: DE Bralen Trice, Washington.
A player who can both generate pressure and set an edge would be a welcome addition to a D-line that needs to replenish its depth, especially with DE Chase Young out of contract.
32: Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas.
Why not give the champs the fastest player in combine history? His 4.21 speed would fill a need for a team set to lose deep threats Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.