Eleven quarterbacks and wide receivers fly off the board in our inaugural Mock Draft Monday of the regular season. The Cardinals tank for Caleb Williams, while Drake Maye heads to Tampa Bay.
Football fans… rejoice! With the college football season in full swing and the NFL wrapping up its first Sunday slate, it is safe to say the dog days of summer are over. Not only is real football back, but so is fantasy football and a personal favorite of mine — NFL mock drafts.
Sure, a mock draft in September is borderline lunacy, as the actual NFL Draft is still many months away. But this early in the process, these exercises are more about introducing the audience to a fresh batch of talent.
Piggybacking off that — no one knows what the draft order will be. It is certainly not set in stone or a foregone conclusion. That being said, without a truly objective way to determine the order, I’ve reverted to flipping the Super Bowl odds upside down and using that as my baseline for the mock draft. (As of Sept. 9).
Long story short: If you don’t like the placement of your team, try not to sweat it. It can and will change quickly. But if you feel inclined to blame anyone — blame the Vegas bookies, not me!
With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s highlight 32 of the best prospects available next spring and attempt to find a realistic fit for each. Our first mock draft of the 2023 football season gets underway now!
Cardinals Say Bye, Bye, Kyler Murray; Hello, Caleb Williams
1. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Cardinals are “all systems go” toward a sweeping rebuild after replacing the front office and coaching staff in Arizona. Trading Kyler Murray will not come easy, but it shouldn’t dissuade the team from taking Caleb Williams. The USC quarterback is a special talent and will give the fan base a new guy to rally around.
The Cardinals Get A Building Block For The Defense, Too
2. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Cardinals could pair Williams with Marvin Harrison Jr., but I suspect Jonathan Gannon wants a blue-chip player for his defense. Jared Verse fits the bill, as the explosive pass rusher is a headache to block off the edge. He would be the top defender in that front seven immediately.
3. Indianapolis Colts – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Speaking of MHJ, the Colts cannot resist the temptation at No. 3 overall in this mock draft. After employing his Hall of Fame father for 13 seasons, Indy gets the same opportunity with the 6-foot-4, 200+ pound wideout who boasts the same flawless route running as his old man.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
In all likelihood, Drake Maye will come off the board at No. 2. But in this mock draft, without predicting trades, he is still available for the Buccaneers at fourth overall. Maye gets lost in the shuffle with Williams dominating headlines, but the UNC signal-caller has the size, arm talent, and running ability to be a franchise cornerstone.
5. Las Vegas Raiders – Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State
The Raiders have holes all over the defense, but a potential franchise centerpiece on the offensive line is too enticing to pass up. Olu Fashanu is only 20 years old, but his size, athletic profile, and improving technique make him an immediate starter anywhere on the offensive line.
6. Washington Commanders – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Insert the Paul Rudd meme here. Who thought J.J. McCarthy would be a top-10 pick entering the year? Certainly not me. But here we are. The Michigan signal-caller has shown a well-rounded game in 2023 as the coaching staff allows him to use elite arm talent to make plays out of structure. McCarthy is a riser and would be a plug-and-play option in D.C.
7. Los Angeles Rams – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Rams defense is not what it once was. Since trading away Jalen Ramsey, the cornerback room is begging for a pillar to build around. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry is that guy. The Crimson Tide defender is as good as it gets in press coverage, and his knack for finding the football is rare.
The Bears Get Two Top-10 Selections Thanks To Savvy Trade Down Last Offseason
8. Chicago Bears – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Bears have built the roster up around Justin Fields but the defense is still lacking difference-makers in the front seven. Chop Robinson, a natural pass rusher from Penn State, could be the piece Matt Eberflus is searching for. Few possess the motor of Robinson; he’s just as fresh in the final minute as the first one.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
With a building block pass rusher already in tow, the Bears can snag arguably the most talented player in the whole class — tight end Brock Bowers. The Georgia standout is a complete tight end, albeit on the lighter side. He has every trait needed to excel on Sundays and would become a go-to target for Justin Fields.
10. New England Patriots – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Patriots are no stranger to tapping into the Alabama pipeline, and they do so again at No. 10 overall in this mock draft. Dallas Turner pairs well with Matthew Judon and can eventually step in as the successor to the veteran. Turner must develop more consistent play strength, but he is a gifted pass rusher from the jump.
11. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
The Titans began overhauling the offensive line this summer, but adding Joe Alt is the jolt the unit so desperately needs. The gargantuan lineman is the next great Notre Dame alum.
12. Atlanta Falcons – Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois
Grady Jarrett isn’t getting any younger, so why not groom a youngster to replace him? Jer’Zahn Newton possesses a similar frame and competitive nature, making this an easy pairing.
13. New York Giants – Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The Giants traded for another Clemson linebacker before the regular season, Isaiah Simmons. Now, at No. 13 in the mock draft, New York brings in Barrett Carter to lead the positional group. Carter is a physical specimen with remarkable instincts. He has All-Pro potential as a linebacker.
14. Denver Broncos – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Broncos could look at quarterback here if Russell Wilson underachieves, but we will roll with more defense in this mock draft. Laiatu Latu is a handful to block in one-on-one situations, and his ability as a run defender is often understated.
The Steelers Dip Into The Penn State Farm System At No. 15 In Our 2024 NFL Mock Draft
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kalen King, CB, Penn State
My favorite player in the 2024 NFL Draft is Kalen King. The Penn State leader is vocal, athletic, and boasts the highest football IQ in the class. The Steelers can pair him with Joey Porter Jr., a fellow Nittany Lion, for the foreseeable future.
16. Green Bay Packers – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Packers do not have a glaring weakness on the roster, so let’s aim for an upside pick for the defense. Green Bay selected Iowa lineman Lukas Van Ness at last year’s draft; this year, they get the defensive back version of him.
Cooper DeJean will post a near-perfect RAS score at the NFL Combine next spring, and his untapped potential makes it a worthwhile bet midway through Day 1. DeJean can line up at boundary cornerback, in the slot, back deep as a safety, or even as a box linebacker.
17. Minnesota Vikings – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Hot take? I think not. Shedeur Sanders always had the talent to be a first-rounder, but he needed more exposure than Jackson State could grant him. At Colorado, Sanders has been on national television each of the first two weeks, flexing exceptional ball placement and arm talent vs. TCU and Nebraska. Kirk Cousins’ time is running low; Sanders is the future.
18. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
DeMeco Ryans needs more bodies upfront, and Miami’s Leonard Taylor is exactly what the doctor ordered. Taylor boasts otherworldly strength and consistently finds his way into the backfield. He would be a welcomed addition to the ascending defense in Houston.
19. New Orleans Saints – Kamren Kinchens, SAF, Miami
Back-to-back Miami players? Yep! Kamren Kinchens is a stud in his own right, profiling best as a ball-hawking safety at the next level. The Saints employ Tyrann Mathieu, but at 33 years old, it is fair to question how much is left in the tank for the Honey Badger.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
I mean, come on. This pairing just makes sense, right? Michael Penix Jr. and his rocket launcher left arm has put the Pac-12 on notice to open the new campaign. The Seahawks gave Geno Smith a lucrative extension, but the front office has outs baked into that deal. If Pete Carroll views Penix as the long-term answer, he will pull the trigger.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars – J.C. Latham, OL, Alabama
The Jaguars are close to being a juggernaut. To ensure Trevor Lawrence transcends to superstardom, Jacksonville must build up a wall on the offensive line. J.C. Latham is a tall, lanky, ball of clay at offensive tackle. With some patience, he could blossom into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
The Bolts Add A Dominant Pass Rusher Midway Through The Mock Draft
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Going back to the Washington Husky pool, the Chargers need more from the defense — plain and simple. Khalil Mack’s age is showing, making him potentially expendable next offseason. LA should consider drafting Bralen Trice as his replacement, as the impressive pass rusher boasts NFL size and an unprecedented array of pass-rushing moves.
23. Miami Dolphins – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Dolphins love athletic offensive linemen, and Graham Barton checks that box with flying colors. The Duke captain can play tackle, guard, and even center if needed, giving head coach Mike McDaniel a valuable chess piece in the trenches.
24. Detroit Lions – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
My WR2 in the 2024 NFL Draft is Rome Odunze. The third Washington Husky to come off the board in this mock draft, Odunze has more star power than any. His body control is top-of-the-line, while his footwork, hands, and ball-tracking downfield make him a headache for any opposing cornerback. The Lions need a complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
25. New York Jets – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Continuing the run on wide receivers is the biggest riser of the year to this point, Florida State’s Keon Coleman. With prototypical size and jaw-dropping athleticism, pairing Coleman with Garrett Wilson would guarantee a smooth transition to whoever suits up behind center after Aaron Rodgers.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Josh Newton, CB, TCU
The Ravens need a cornerback like fish need water. Marlon Humphrey is a baller, but he can only carry so much weight on his own. TCU’s Josh Newton is a late bloomer. He hails from a defense that is more intricate than most college schemes, leading to a smaller learning curve as a rookie in Baltimore.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
You get a wide receiver, you get a wide receiver, everyone gets a wide receiver! CeeDee Lamb has WR1 duties on lock in Dallas, but the Cowboys need another young building block. Malik Nabers has a game-breaking ability with the ball in his hands and would mesh with Lamb like peanut butter meshes with jelly.
Will Kyle Shanahan Finally Get It Right With Quinn Ewers?
28. San Francisco 49ers – Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers is a polarizing figure amongst the NFL Draft community. He entered the college football season as my QB4, and his performance last weekend vs. Alabama only cemented that. However, inconsistency is a glaring red flag in Ewers’ profile, even with his superb arm talent and ball placement.
Enter Kyle Shanahan. Yes, I know. The Niners clearly have an affinity for Brock Purdy. But the former Mr. Irrelevant should not stop the franchise from aiming for some higher upside at quarterback. After all, one could argue that average-at-best QB play has been San Fran’s downfall.
29. Cincinnati Bengals – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Bengals will likely lose Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to free agency next offseason, and although I like Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones, the front office will surely look for a higher-upside option. Emeka Egbuka might be long gone by this point in April, but after a subpar opening to 2023, he is still available in this mock draft.
30. Buffalo Bills – Tyler Nubin, SAF, Minnesota
The Bills are on the brink of becoming Super Bowl champions but just can’t seem to get over the hump. I toyed around with a running back here, but ultimately, Tyler Nubin was too good to ignore. The playmaking safety can line up anywhere in the secondary and force turnovers in Year 1.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Lane Johnson’s hourglass is running out of sand, meaning the Eagles must prioritize finding a replacement for him. General manager Howie Roseman continues to pilfer talent from the Georgia Bulldogs by taking Amarius Mims as the penultimate pick of this mock draft.
Mims is rawer than gas station sushi, but if any team can afford to exhibit patience and bring him along slowly, it is Philadelphia. The rich get richer, a common theme for the Roseman era in the City of Brotherly Love.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Maason Smith, DL, LSU
The Chiefs have dealt with a Chris Jones holdout all offseason, which has followed them into the regular season. Whether Jones returns to KC or not, the team would be wise to invest in a potential replacement. Maason Smith has top-10 traits but hasn’t put any tape on display since 2021. He is still worth tabbing at the end of Round 1, assuming the Chiefs can keep him healthy and productive.
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