- Chicago Bears (from CAR) – CALEB WILLIAMS (QB, USC)
No more speculation with the number 1, Caleb Williams is the reason why Ryan Poles has executed the Bears offseason the way he has. Williams is uber talented and possesses such a unique skill set that it’s hard not to picture him becoming a franchise saver as long as he keeps a level head on his shoulders.
- Washington Commanders – JJ MCCARTHY (QB, MICHIGAN)
Surprise! No one has improved their draft stock more than JJ McCarthy from the moment he declared until now. For those lazy scouts who say McCarthy is overrated and compare him to Zach Wilson, go back and watch the Alabama and Washington games and watch the throws and decisions he makes when the games are tense and on the line.
- TRADE! Las Vegas Raiders (from New England Patriots) – JAYDEN DANIELS (QB, LSU)
As soon as the name McCarthy leaves the Commissioners lips the Raiders will be on the phone to New England to acquire this pick. Daniels is a dynamic gamebreaker who can inject some life into Las Vegas and kick-off a new era of Raider football. Something to keep in mind here: The team that Jayden Daniels played with before LSU? Arizona St….The team that Antonio Pierce coached with before he joined the Raiders? Arizona St.
- Arizona Cardinals – MARVIN HARRISON JR. (WR, OHIO ST)
You can pretty much write this pick in with permanent ink unless the Cards get the THREE 1st round picks they’re asking for. Harrison is the most complete receiver in this draft, and arguably the most complete receiver prospect to enter the NFL since Calvin Johnson.
- TRADE! Minnesota Vikings (from LA Chargers) – DRAKE MAYE (QB, UNC)
After seeing the Raiders move up for their guy, the Vikings make the swap with LA to get theirs. People have been downgrading his skill set after his stats dropped off from 2022, but make no bones about it, Maye is a special talent. I can’t name another rookie that would be entering a better situation than Drake Maye with the Vikings given their stockpile of young weapons, solid offensive line, and a veteran QB on a 1-year contract who he can sit behind for a few games and ease his transition into the NFL.
- New York Giants – ROME ODUNZE (WR, WASHINGTON)
The Giants are rumoured to have done immense study on all of the top Quarterbacks in this draft, but they made their QB bed last season when they gave Daniel Jones that ridiculous contract. That said, getting him a bona fide number one WR would go a long way to make him look better in 2024. And Rome Odunze appears like he would be a better fit than Malik Nabers in the Giants locker room and New York market.
- Tennessee Titans – JOE ALT (OT, NOTRE DAME)
Anyone who watched the Titans matadors, I mean Offensive tackles, perform last year know exactly what Ran Carthon and Co. are doing with this pick. Joe Alt checks all the boxes of positional need: great college pedigree, NFL bloodline and best player available. Home run selection for the new Titans regime.
- TRADE! Buffalo Bills (from Atlanta Falcons) – MALIK NABERS (WR, LSU)
No team has had a worse offseason than the Buffalo Bills, and it culminated with the surprising trade of Stefon Diggs to Houston. Looking to replace the massive numbers that the combo of Diggs/Gabe Davis are capable of, Brandon Beane pulls off a Julio Jones type trade (ironically with Atlanta) to get one of the elite pass catchers of the draft in Malik Nabers. Going from a Heisman winner to a perennial MVP candidate has to excite Mr. Nabers along with the most skeptical of Bills fans.
- TRADE! Indianapolis Colts (from Chicago Bears) – BROCK BOWERS (TE, GEORGIA)
There’s a trend of teams jumping ahead of their peers in the top 10 to get the game breakers they need, and the Colts see the Jets and Chargers licking their chops with the chance to land theirs. When you can combine a player the likes of Brock Bowers with Shane Steichen’s creative play-calling and Anthony Richardson’s massive abilities, Indianapolis can create their own version of an elite HC/QB/TE combo that’s led Kansas City to their current dynasty. Bowers will have a Sam Laporta-like impact in year one and could eventually become the face of the Tight End position all together.
READ: Mock Draft V 1.0
- New York Jets – TROY FAUTANU (OT, WASHINGTON)
The last positive image the Jets had last season was seeing Aaron Rodgers running out of the tunnel on opening night. With a 40 year old QB coming off an Achilles injury, New York has been plugging in veteran Offensive linemen to protect their franchise QB. But bringing in a versatile player like Troy Fautanu will stabilize their interior offensive line this year and eventually their Left Tackle position for the foreseeable future. Fautanu has the best feet out of any lineman in this draft and has become one of my favourite players to watch during the draft process.
- Los Angeles Chargers (traded from Minnesota Vikings) – JC LATHAM (OT, ALABAMA)
Who’s got it better than the Chargers here? In Jim Harbaughs’ first draft with his new organization, they trade down and still managed to nab the player they had at the top of their draft board. This pick couldn’t be more indicative of what the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to morph into as JC Latham is a flat out bully of a Tackle that will turn this offence into a physical group through hell or high water.
- TRADE! Los Angeles Rams (from Denver Broncos) – DALLAS TURNER (DE, ALABAMA)
One LA franchise moves down, so the other must move up to achieve balance…..On a serious note, the Rams lost an irreplaceable piece when Aaron Donald hung up his cleats earlier this offseason, so they will definitely be on the lookout for a new defensive identity. Seeing as how we’ve only seen offensive players go thus far, Les Snead can be Johnny on the spot and put his team in the position to take the best defender available in Dallas Turner. While he can’t replace Mr. Donald, Turner can become the next great pass rushing Defensive End out of Alabama and make it back-to-back DROTY after Will Anderson took home the title in 2023.
- New England Patriots (from Las Vegas Raiders) – ADONAI MITCHELL (WR, TEXAS)
The new Patriots regime declared themselves open for business and secured a hefty assortment of future assets to build with but gave up their ability to take one of the top Quarterbacks in this year’s draft in the process. With a clear plan in mind, look for the Pats to secure one of the biggest risers in the draft in Adonai Mitchell to improve one of the weakest receiving rooms in the NFL and trade back into the 1st Round to take a QB (should one be available).
- New Orleans Saints – OLU FASHANU (OT, PENN ST)
The football gods are shining down on the New Orleans Saints in 2024 as they have one of the top Left Tackles fall in their laps at #14. Olu Fashanu is a fantastic player who is being downgraded because people have had too much time to try and find deficiencies that aren’t there. With Ryan Ramczyk close to an injury-based retirement and Trevor Penning being one of the worst 1st Round picks in recent memory, Fashanu can turn the tide for the Saints line issues and give them Taron Armstead level consistency at this uber important position.
- Chicago Bears (traded from Indianapolis Colts) – COOPER DEJEAN (DB, IOWA)
And now for the hidden gem of the 2024 draft class. Cooper DeJean has been flying under the draft radar because of an injury he suffered near the end of Iowa’s season. But make no mistake, this kid will be an absolute game changing weapon the second he steps onto an NFL field. He can play safety, corner and slot corner at an elite level while also being the best return specialist in the entire draft as well.
- TRADE! Detroit Lions (from Seattle Seahawks) – QUINYON MITCHELL (CB, TOLEDO)
And the crowd goes wild when this announcement is made! The Lions became the darling of the 2023 NFL season and followed up their magical playoff run by making a move into the top half of the draft in front of their home crowd. Aaron Glenns’ defence took a huge step forward last season, and picking someone with Mitchells’ potential gives them the shut down corner they’ve been lacking. Mitchell is one of the hottest names in the draft with his size, athleticism, and ability to get the ball back for his offense.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – TERRION ARNOLD (CB, ALABAMA)
The Jaguars have to be happy here as they can sit back and wait for one of the top corners to fall in their laps at 17. Not only does he slot into a position of need for Jacksonville, but Terrion Arnold was one of Nick Sabans’ favourite players at Alabama and possesses the skills to be a lockdown corner for the team in Duval.
- Cincinnati Bengals – TALIESE FUAGA (OT, OREGON ST)
Cincinnati continues to see their franchise Quarterback ending his season on the IR, and why is that Bengals fans? Because apparently your front office thinks an Offensive unit consists of Joe Burrow, a Running back, Seven Receivers, a Tight End and a Center. Taliese Fuaga is a human mountain who specializes in protecting high profile football players and won’t even need to change his jersey colours to do so in the NFL.
- Denver Broncos (from LA Rams) – MICHAEL PENIX JR (QB, WASHINGTON)
No, not even the vaunted Zach Wilson trade will prevent the Broncos from targeting a Quarterback in their trade down. Sean Payton will absolutely be targeting Michael Penix Jr in this draft and ignore the medical red flags much like he did when the Saints signed Drew Brees in 2006. Penix possesses many of the same valued traits that Brees did under the tutelage of one Coach Payton.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – GRAHAM BARTON (OL, DUKE)
And now for the biggest enigma of this year’s draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers 20th overall pick. Will they trade it for a player? Will they trade up or down? Will they draft a Wide Receiver? Will they draft a Defensive Back? The answer to all of these in this scenario is a resounding NO as the Steeler brass needs to re-tool their Offensive line in the worst way, and a Swiss army knife like Graham Barton is a perfect fit as he can play all five positions and become a fan favourite with his mauling play style.
WATCH: Mock Draft V 2.0
- Miami Dolphins – BYRON MURPHY (DT, TEXAS)
Miami has become the football equivalent of a 100-metre relay team with the immense speed they’ve stockpiled over the last few years. If they really want to compete with the likes of Buffalo and Kansas City they need to add some powerlifters to the mix. And after losing Christian Wilkins to the Raiders they can fill the gap by adding a high octane Defensive tackle like Byron Murphy.
- Philadelphia Eagles – KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY (CB, ALABAMA)
The Eagles desperately needed to revamp their aging defence. Slowly but surely they’ve been doing so over the 2022 and 2023 drafts. Howie Roseman has turned the SEC into a Philadelphia feeder system and 2024 will be no different as Kool-Aid McKinstry strolls into the Linc to form a shutdown duo with former Georgia Bulldog, Kelee Ringo.
- Los Angeles Chargers (traded from MIN via HOU via CLE) –LADD MCCONKEY (WR, GEORGIA)
The trade with Minnesota can really help the LA super Charge(r) their Harbaugh reboot as they’re able to fill two of their biggest needs with these Viking picks. After adding JC Latham at 11 to protect Justin Herbert, the Bolts bring in a prototype YAC pass catcher like McKonkey to pair with the big bodied field stretcher (and bounce back candidate), Quentin Johnston. Don’t be surprised if Roman Wilson is also wearing a Charger jersey after day 2 to complete the new receiver trio in the City of Angels.
- Dallas Cowboys – AMARIUS MIMS (OT, GEORGIA)
Once upon a time in 2011, Dallas took a massive college Right Tackle with limited starts and banked on his potential to become an All-Pro Left Tackle. Well, now that the great Tyron Smith has officially moved on from the Cowboys, Jerry and the gang take a chance on the giant Georgia Right Tackle with the hopes that history can repeat itself in Texas.
25. Green Bay Packers – JARED VERSE (DE, FLORIDA ST)
When the Packers are at their best, they have a deep pool of Defensive linemen to wear down opposing offences. Jared Verse is the definition of a power rusher who brings the hammer every chance he gets to soften up Offensive Lines and make Quarterbacks miserable.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGERRIN COOPER (LB, TEXAS A&M)
This pick is a prime candidate to be moved as teams looking to trade back into the 1st round will be looking at a Bucs team who wants to stockpile draft picks. If they don’t get the package they need, look for Todd Bowles to fall in love with an all-purpose Linebacker like Cooper to replace Devin White and eventually take over the entire defence when Lavonte David decides to walk away.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) – TYLER GUYTON (OT, OKLAHOMA)
Arizona is definitely trending in the right direction after staying put at #4 and taking Marvin Harrison Jr. Now they can look to build up their Offensive line by taking a high upside Right Tackle in Tyler Guyton to pair with last year’s 1st Rounder in Paris Johnson Jr.
28. Atlanta Falcons (traded from Buffalo Bills) – LAIATU LATU (DE, UCLA)
With their trade down with Buffalo the Falcons are sure to procure an absolute haul, so this pick becomes more of a “let’s see who’s falling down the board” target than a high pressure top 10 pick would be. If it weren’t for his medical concerns, Laiatu possesses the ability of a top 5 pick and is an absolute pleasure to watch for those who like pass rushers. Keep in mind that before he transferred to UCLA, Latu was at Washington under former Head Coach, and new Falcons Defensive Coordinator, Jimmy Lake.
29. Seattle Seahawks (traded from Detroit Lions) – JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON (OC, OREGON)
The Seahawks are notorious for trading down on draft day, and after making the hometown crowd happy in their trade with the Lions, they can nab one of the top interior Offensive Linemen in the draft who has regional familiarity in Jackson Powers-Johnson. JPJ embodies all of the characteristics to become the next Kevin Mawae for Seattle.
30. Baltimore Ravens – BRIAN THOMAS JR (WR, LSU)
I really wanted to put Brian Thomas Jr. with a team much earlier in this draft. But after looking at scheme fits and positional needs for the teams ahead of them, Baltimore once again has one of the draft’s top players fall all the way to them at the end of the 1st round. This would be an absolute home run for a Ravens franchise who would pair him with Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews to form a group of weapons that every other team in the NFL would be envious of.
31. San Francisco 49ers – XAVIER WORTHY (WR, TEXAS)
The 49ers/Aiyuk saga continues to be one of the main storylines heading in the draft, and it will most certainly gain more steam the longer this stalemate carries on. Keeping this in mind, can you imagine how much fun Kyle Shanahan would have scheming plays for a Receiver with 4.21 speed?!! Xavier Worthy is more than just a straight ahead speed guy, and would fit in well with the defending NFC Champs as he’s a tough as nails, no drama, big play waiting to happen.
32. TRADE! New England Patriots (from KC Chiefs) – BO NIX (QB, OREGON)
Oh how the times have changed! Not only did the Patriots trade down; Not only did the Patriots take a Wide Receiver with their 1st Round pick; But now the Patriots are trading back UP into the 1st Round?!! The Jarod Mayo regime is officially underway, and trading back into the 1st round to get themselves a well seasoned rookie QB to build around is a super savvy move. What Bo Nix may lack in arm strength, he more than makes up for in experience and poise.
WATCH: 5 Trades to Watch For At The 2024 NFL Draft
Kirkwoods’ All-Sleeper team (prospects outside the top 100)
QB- Joe Milton (Tennessee)
RB- Audric Estime (Notre Dame), Isaac Guerendo (Louisville)
WR- Brendan Rice (USC), Luke McCaffrey (Rice), Cornelius Johnson (Michigan)
TE- Theo Johnson (Penn St)
OT- Blake Fisher (Notre Dame), Christian Jones (Texas)
OG- Isaiah Adams (Illinois), Zak Zinter (Michigan)
OC- Tanner Bortolini (Wisconsin)
DE- Jonah Ellis (Utah), Mohamed Kamara (Colorado St)
DT- Tyler Davis (Clemson)
LB- Jaylan Ford (Texas), Curtis Jacobs (Penn St)
MLB- Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio St), Omar Speights (LSU)
CB- Josh Newton (TCU), Quan’tez Stiggers (Toronto Argos)
S- Tykee Smith (Georgia), Trey Taylor (Air Force)
-Kyle Kirkwood
Photo: Cpl. Alexis Moradian. This file is a work of a United States Marine or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.