New Year Mock Draft: Seven QBs, several shocking trades, and a defensive drought
By Hunter Haas
No. 6: Los Angeles Chargers — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Chargers need help on defense, but the value doesn’t fit here. Instead, L.A. can bring in an explosive playmaker on offense who also excels as a blocker. Tight end Brock Bowers fits the bill.
No. 7: Tennessee Titans — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
If Will Levis wants any chance at success, the Titans must improve the offensive unit around him. Step one? Draft a franchise left tackle, like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, and give Levis a fair shake at earning the quarterback job long-term.
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No. 8: New York Jets — J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
Aaron Rodgers, at the ripe age of 40, will return to the Jets in 2024. To avoid another injury-riddled campaign, New York cannot trot out the same offensive line. J.C. Latham is a plug-and-play right tackle — he will keep Rodgers clean.
No. 9: Atlanta Falcons — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
It’s popular to give the Falcons a quarterback in any mock draft, and while that could happen, the value elsewhere on the board is too much to pass on. Rome Odunze steps in as the WR2 on the roster, showing top-tier body control and competitiveness at the catch point.
Don’t worry, Atlanta fans; there is more in store for this mock draft — stay tuned.
No. 10: Chicago Bears — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Following a nine-player run of only offensive prospects, the drought finally ends. Dallas Turner, an athletic pass rusher from Alabama, is the choice. The Bears can send Turner and Montez Sweat at opposing quarterbacks, forming a dream team off the edge.
No. 11: Las Vegas Raiders — Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton holds the highest defensive grade on NFLMocks’ current Big Board. The Illinois product is a disruptive presence from the interior, regularly terrorizing opposing quarterbacks and shutting down the run game. The Raiders need all of that.
Similar to the Falcons, stick around for a little bit longer Raider Nation. This mock draft isn’t over.