Chiefs get Mahomes a major weapon
There is still plenty to sort out in the coming months before the draft will gain any measure of clarity. NFL free agency – along with potential trades – will significantly reshape the outlook for many teams. Before then, the NFL scouting combine — which is just a couple of weeks away— will bring more attention to the pre-draft process.
But with the first-round order fully set, here’s our latest NFL mock draft.
Ryan Poles isn’t tipping his hand, but isn’t that to be expected? Dismissing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and replacing him with Shane Waldron would be an odd forerunner to standing pat with Justin Fields, so it’s hard not to imagine Chicago’s future with the electric Williams. In placing him with a burgeoning supporting cast – which should grow significantly more formidable with a draft class that could be enhanced by a Fields trade – the Bears would be able to get many parts of their rebuild into solid positioning.
2. Washington Commanders – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Don’t go overboard in connecting dots between the hire of Kliff Kingsbury and a potential trade for Caleb Williams, the former pupil of Washington’s new offensive coordinator. Dealing up in the draft still seems like a long shot for an ownership group seemingly inclined to build slowly and carefully, and it makes little sense to construct a coaching staff on such a hypothetical. Maye has more than enough play-making ability and deeppassing prowess to unlock the key facets of Kingsbury’s attack.
3. New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Jerod Mayo has vowed to go his own way as the Patriots’ new coach and not try to be another version of Bill Belichick. An important early differentiator for him might be how he handles the team’s quarterback situation. If he elects to take the Heisman Trophy winner Daniels,
New England would enjoy a far more dynamic threat behind center than Mac Jones while also getting a supremely accurate and fluid passer from the pocket.
No one has more invested in an early run on quarterbacks than Arizona, which would stand to benefit from a pursuit of passers by landing Harrison. A No. 1 receiver in essentially every aspect imaginable, he’s one of this class’ most reliable prospects as well as one of the few seemingly capable of transforming a team. Regardless of what happens between the Cardinals and top target Marquise Brown, an impending free agent, Harrison would be the clear choice here if not already taken.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
How will Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz prioritize remaking the Chargers’ roster in Year 1? If getting the most out of Justin Herbert is one of the foremost goals, then adding an electric element at receiver is a necessity. Consider that box checked with Nabers, who routinely pulls away from defenders both as a deep threat and with the ball in his hands.
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6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Can’t discount a quarterback here, especially if Daniels is still available. Still, Odunze is no mere consolation prize for this offense. The 6-3, 215-pound target projects as the go-to target this offense has long lacked – and someone who can help Big Blue get a better read on Daniel Jones if the team does stick with him as starter for another year.
7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Tennessee is likely in for a bumpy transition as first-year coach Brian Callahan takes over for Mike Vrabel. Taking Alt would be consistent with the slow but steady trajectory Ran Carthon set the franchise on last year as he began the rebuild.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
Raheem Morris worked wonders in developing a Los Angeles Rams pass rush that didn’t look to have any premium players beyond Aaron Donald. If the Falcons secure Turner, they could give their new head coach the dynamic and forceful edge threat that the unit is overdue for.
9. Bears – Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Montez Sweat’s midseason arrival helped lift Chicago’s pass rush, but more juice is needed for a defense that ranked 31st with 30 sacks last season. A supremely polished threat off the edge, Latu likely will be an early contributor to whichever defense he joins.
10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
If the win-now mandate wasn’t already apparent in the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers-centric plans, owner Woody Johnson’s comments at last week’s “NFL Honors” further highlighted the urgency facing Gang Green. The best quick-fix option at this point seems to be Bowers, who can make life far easier for Rodgers and top target Garrett Wilson with his penchant for turning quick hits into big gains.
11. Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
When answering a question last February about Minnesota’s future at quarterback, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the franchise had to contemplate whether there was “a chance to add somebody maybe with different skill sets.” McCarthy would no doubt provide something different than Kirk Cousins does, and pairing Justin Jefferson with an athletic passer capable of whipping throws into tight windows would give the Vikings fascinating long-term upside. But would McCarthy be ready to take the reins as a rookie if Cousins signs elsewhere?
12. Denver Broncos – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Russell Wilson seems likely to be released. Could Garett Bolles follow him out the door? Amid a cap crunch, Denver could save $16 million by parting ways with its fixture at left tackle. The proposition would be even more enticing if the Broncos knew they’d have a promising replacement ready in Fashanu, who has all the physical tools to be an upperechelon pass protector.