Cam’s 2024 Mock Draft

1 – Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Caleb Williams – QB

There are some years where the first overall pick is shopped around on draft day. Others, there are enough talented prospects where the top (bottom?) team can him and haw ’til the cows come home. This is not one of those years.

There’s not much of a reason to overanalyze how this is the abject conclusion to Chicago’s recent woes. The pick is already in, and it is Caleb Williams. Pocket presence, ideal size, and an eye-test champion, the USC product has a chance to do something special in Chi-town. Hopefully for the Bears’ fans this marks the beginning of the new era for a franchise long residing on old merits.

2 – Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels – QB

It’s silly season and nobody knows a damn thing… is what most folks would say this time of year. Sometimes the K.I.S.S. method reigns supreme, at least for the casual mock-drafters of the world. So, let’s look at the facts:

• Washington needs a QB. Desperately.
• Past Williams, the next tier of talent belongs to Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.
• Where there is smoke there is fire, and the rumor mills online regarding the Commanders and Maye are drowning.
• Daniels has the leg game, football IQ, and years of starting experience that can spark a franchise a la Lamar Jackson.

Is Daniels the next great running QB? If he stays healthy (and that’s a big if) I think there’s a good chance. For a team who needs a shot in the arm, the dual-threat of Daniels is too large to ignore. If Washington can support him (an even larger if), then the maroon and gold (insert inevitable rebrand in a few years) will be set up for success they have sought for many a year now long passed.

3 – New England Patriots: Drake Maye – QB

Despite the de-facto GM Eliot Wolf saying that New England is open to offers at number three, it’s nigh on laughable that the team would do nothing to cast off the still looming shadow of Tom Brady that has continued to darken the clouds over Foxborough for years now. Mac Jones, perhaps, could have been AN answer. Lest we forget though that AN answer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the correct one. Moreover, at long last the Belichick era is over, and nothing starts off a new one for an NFL team more definitively than drafting a blue-chip prospect at QB.

Enter Drake Maye. At 6’4″ 223, Maye has the stature to stand tall in even the most brisk of New England winters. More importantly, his prototypical size allows him to be a strong presence in the pocket, as well as a threat to run and charge in around the goal line. He reminds me a lot of Josh Allen coming out. Big, willing to run, but inconsistent at times. Only a redshirt-Sophomore, Maye is the opposite of Daniels when it comes to number of college games under their belt. He will take his lumps. But, if Mayo & co. are patient with him, their investment is going to pay out dividends to the New England faithful for years to come.

4 – Arizona Cardinals TRADED to Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy – QB

To me, here’s the question to consider when looking at the 4th overall pick: Does Marvin Harrison Jr.’s talent supercede the value of a desperation haul? For a team with as many holes to fill as the Cardinals – the answer is no.

The Cardinals have made it no secret they are looking to trade back. Simply, they aren’t ready to compete this year – or next year for that matter – so it makes sense to take a beat and set themselves up for long-term success. Minnesota on the other hand arguably has enough talent to make a sleeper run.

Regardless of how one may view Sam Darnold, the loss of Kirk Cousins fills a void that demands attention. Who better to replace him than… than a Kirk Cousins comp? While his numbers are muted due to a prominent rushing offense in Michigan, J.J. McCarthy nonetheless showcased enough talent to warrant first round discussion. He’s not the strongest, fastest, or even the most accurate of the class. Yet, none of those are inherently bad traits for him. With time, and say – a top tier weapon like Justin Jefferson – to support him, the Wolverine can develop into, perhaps – you guessed it – the next Kirk Cousins.

5 – Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers – WR

It seems sacrilege to suggest that anyone other than Marvin Harrison Jr. should be the first skill position player off the board. It’s a testament to the talent of Nabers – and Rome Odunze – that they can step to the level of the Ohio St. product. Therefore, when making a pick such as this it has less to do with overall talent and more to do with what the offense is attempting to accomplish overall.

There’s a part of me that wants to see what chaos would be wrought if the Chargers – and their new head coach Jim Harbaugh- trade away Justin Herbert to draft Harbaugh’s own J.J. McCarthy coming out of Michigan. Lest we go into full crazy town there is one thing that Harbaugh is going to take with him back into the NFL – a run first, ground and pound style of play.

Quentin Johnson had a rough go for the Chargers, to be sure. That said, with the departure of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams it falls to Johnson to step up into the proverbial X role on the team. He alone, however, cannot stretch the field enough to keep defenses from stacking the box and clamping down on the run game. Insert Nabers. Coming with prolific the LSU WR pedigree, a ridiculous highlight reel, and the one thing that is going to be the difference maker for the Chargers offense – top end speed – Nabers will keep opponents honest, and be ready to cut loose with a big YAC game any given week. Not just a gimmicky deep threat, Nabers is a legit WR1 who can do it all on every passing level – just what Los Angeles needs.

6 – New York Giants: Marvin Harrison Jr. – WR

Having lost the bidding war to move up and draft Drake Maye, the N.Y. Giants and their fans salvage the night by rushing to the podium to secure their first bona fide superstar at wide receiver since one Odell Beckham Jr. Maybe it hits a little bit sweeter as the bitter taste of Kenny Golladay continues to linger in the meadowlands, but being able to nab Harrison at 6 is still nothing short of a coup.

While not the burner that Nabers is, Harrison makes up for it with route running that easily establishes him as one of the best in the NFL in that field without ever playing a snap. Just as well, his Hall of Fame bloodline is not to be discounted. Having been raised around the NFL his whole life with one of the best to ever do it as his father? Yeah, there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that Harrison ends up a bust because of talent.

Can he do better against press coverage? Sure, but that can and will be taught. The simple fact of the matter is that Harrison was literally bred into greatness. Under the bright New York lights his will shine all the brighter.

7 – Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt – OT

Some will clamor for the Titans to take Odunze, or perhaps trade back. The team looks to find its new identity in the post-Henry era. For now, they sit in a position to be just good enough to not be able to trade up to land one of the top QBs, and also missing out on Nabers and Harrison. So, what is the safest move for a team in this position?

Protect. The. Quarterback.

Will Levis may or may not be the long term answer for Tennessee under center, but with his 2nd round draft capital the Titans should be willing to see what they have. No matter who ends up playing QB for them though someone is going to have to protect the team’s most important asset.

At 6’9″ 321 lbs., Joe Alt is f***ing huge. And, while he can do more to balance his size, he nonetheless showcased his ability to be a bulwark and steamroller alike whilst playing captain for Notre Dame. If he can find a way to lower his center of gravity, the Titans will have found one of their bookends for the next decade.

8 – Atlanta Falcons TRADED to Arizona Cardinals: Rome Odunze – WR

Remember how I said the Cardinals have a lot of holes to fill? Well, wide receiver is one of them. Using a little bit of the capital given by the Vikings for their move up to 4, the Cardinals take the initiative to secure a major part of their offensive future in Rome Odunze.

Nabers has speed. Harrison has route-running. Odunze has possession. Of the three, Odunze possesses the elite skills to win any contested catch that comes his way. With strong hands and a big frame, Odunze may not outrun you (not that he is slow by any means), but he will beat you to the ball 9 times out of ten. In fact, he could do with a little less highlight “Mossing” and more focus on his ability to separate.

For a team that has missed Larry Fitzgerald ever since he rode off into the sunset, in Rome Odunze they find his successor, both in style of play and top-end talent. Kyler has his number 1 receiver, and the puzzle that are the Arizona Cardinals is one piece closer towards completion.

9 – Chicago Bears: JC Latham – OT

The argument can be made that the Bears would do well to move up and grab one of the top flight wideouts to give their new signal caller a Ghidorah of options alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. With those gone, it would also make a good deal of sense to grab a new defensive asset for Eberflus’ pass rush. At this stage, Chicago is in a phenomenal place to have their first pick of all the defensive players. That said, when you invest as heavily as they are about to in Caleb Williams it stands to reason that the protection of such an asset should be priority numero uno for now and into the future.

JC Latham came into college as a guard, and then transitioned over to right tackle for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, the transition from right to left tackle is never a given, but talent can shift as needed. Just as well, the Bears could use him to slot into a guard spot if that’s where they feel the best fit is. The point is: Latham has the talent and skill set to play four out of the five offensive line positions at an elite level. Firm hands, explosive pops, and well-balanced as a pass blocker, Latham is a plug ‘n play talent. His presence will not only do wonders for the Bears’ run game, but ensure that Caleb Williams has a mauler slated to be his enforcer for years to come.

10 – New York Jets: Brock Bowers – TE

The Jets enter the 2024 season with new uniforms and a profound hope that Aaron Rodgers will stay healthy longer than four snaps. Adding Mike Williams was a fun get, but for someone as injury prone as the Clemson product (paired with the notorious Metlife turf) his reliability is anything but guaranteed. No, if the Jets are looking to capitalize on whatever Aaron Rodgers has left in the tank, they will have to find him at least one more weapon. Thankfully for them, Brock Bowers is a hell of a weapon.

It isn’t often that Tight Ends stand with the pedigree to warrant a top ten selection within the draft. In order to break into such an exclusive club players have to exhibit a dominant level of play consistently over their college tenure. In the modern NFL this means that production is king, especially when it comes to the TE spot. Let it be known: Brock Bowers is no stranger to elite production.

Call it his lead in receiving yards for the Georgia Bulldogs offense for 3(!) years. Maybe it’s his unadulterated willpower to break tackles and rack up YAC at a prolific rate. Perhaps it’s his balance, hands, route-running, or any one of his complete package of traits that do the trick. No matter how you slice it the results are cut and dry: Brock Bowers is a beast, and about to become the shiny new F-35 in an armament of Jets.

11 – Minnesota Vikings TRADED to Arizona Cardinals TRADED to Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner – EDGE

Everything comes up Milhouse for the Falcons in this mock. Not only do they pick up an extra first by moving a few spots back, but they also still find themselves with every defensive player still on the board. For a team long separated from imposing pass-rush talent this marks a dream come true.

An argument could be made for Laiatu Latu or Byron Murphy II here, but with a 3-4 scheme it’s Turner who is the best fit. While he’s not as filled out as his predecessor from Alabama – Will Anderson – Turner nonetheless possesses an explosiveness that will have him shooting out like a missile on any given play. Is he a bit raw? Sure. A bet on Turner is a bet on the coaching staff. That said, with the right sculptor Turner has the chance to go from a pristine mound of clay into something to be marveled at. He has all the traits needed to succeed. If he hits, the Dirty Birds have found their next wingman on the defensive side of the ball.

12 – Denver Broncos TRADED to Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell – CB

The Broncos are in a suspect place, and I’m putting that gently. For a franchise that seems to be falling rather than finding a way to mile-high heights, taking the 5th Quarterback in a draft class isn’t exactly a recipe for high-odds success. Looking down the board, they should feel fairly safe in moving down and still target a Bo Nix or Michael Penix type of player.

As talented as they are offensively, the Eagles need to bolster their back end so they don’t have to compete in shootouts as much as they do. By taking the clear number 1 Cornerback in this class in Quinyon Mitchell, Philly brings home a hard-nosed heat seeker with the frame and physicality to go toe to toe with any wideout in the league.

13 – Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga – OT

It’s very possible that the Raiders’ pick here is dependent upon how Denver reacts at pick 12. If they go Bo Nix, I would expect Vegas to run up and nab Michael Penix almost immediately. But, with Nix still on the board, and and not many other teams likely to take a QB until they are up again, I suspect that the Raiders would op to take a blue chip lineman to give Aiden O’Connell a fighting chance as he did flash some potential (unlike the Broncos’ newly acquired Zach Wilson…).

While Right Tackles are usually considered to be better run blockers than stalwarts in pass pro, Taliese Fuaga bucks the trend. His athleticism and handwork are outstanding to pair with fluid hip control and an ability to set his feet and become a brick wall. Assuming that the Raiders are still looking to nab Penix – a left-handed thrower – Fuaga is the perfect match to defend the blind side without giving up his natural position on the right side. Penix might still be there by the Raiders next pick. Fuaga will not. Thus, he goes here.

14 – New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu – OT

The Saints can’t seem to get over their woes on the offensive line. Trevor Penning hasn’t proven himself, Ryan Ramczyk is fighting through knee issues, and Andrus Peat said sayonara in the offseason. New Orleans needs some help protecting Derek Carr. Thankfully for them, Olumuyiwa Fashanu is still on the board. A team captain at Penn State, Fashanu can come in and quickly establish himself as a leader of the pack. By all accounts he’s as coachable and professional as they come. Pair that with prototypical size, strong hands, and a tool box of traits, I’d bet money on Fashanu being the lowest-risk Left Tackle in the class. He’s going to be damn good, plain and simple.

15 – Indianapolis Colts TRADED to San Francisco 49ers: Byron Murphy II – DT

Indy would love to trade up for a top-flight rookie Wide Receiver. Alas, they fall just short as their spot at 15 isn’t sweet enough for the early teams to want to move back so far. Thus, they take the “easy” route in trading for a proven commodity in Brandon Aiyuk. With him coming in to bookend Michael Pittman, Anthony Richardson will come back to another elite weapon to bolster his arsenal.

Meanwhile, the loss of Arik Armstead cannot go ignored in San Francisco. For a team whose identity on defense is to consistently draft top talent to plug and play, Byron Murphy II is the next in an increasingly long list of elite talent to grace the Bay area. At just 6′ 1/2″, Murphy can out leverage pretty much anyone with his “low” center of gravity. And, while he’s not Aaron Donald, Murphy can look to the HoF’s game as an example of how he can utilize his twitchy explosiveness and block-slipping ability to wreak havoc in the backfield.

16 – Seattle Seahawks: Laiatu Latu – EDGE

If not for his neck injury concerns, Laiatu Latu is almost certainly a top-ten pick. His hand usage when chopping blocks and controlling the point of attack is otherworldly. Oh, and his motor is akin to a V8. ….And he’s slippery as hell. All the research I’ve read says the same thing: He’s the most talented rusher in the class. In reviewing him myself… I’m not going to disagree. He may fall, he may be picked earlier than expected, but at 16 he is definitely going to give Seattle a long pause for consideration if he is still on the board and I reckon that they are going to pull the trigger on his potential.

17 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold – CB

As a pure cover Cornerback, Terrion Arnold might be better than Quinyon Mitchell. That said, while Mitchell’s ceiling may be higher, Arnold is no slouch. He plays with the aggression and stickiness needed to stay with anyone on the boundary. Both on the ground and in the air, Arnold attacks the ball without hesitation. For a team who hasn’t had a good CB drafted since Jalen Ramsey, the Jags have an opportunity to right some wrongs by bringing the Alabama product into the fold.

18 – Cincinnati Bengals: Jared Verse – EDGE

For the love of God, would the Bengals finally draft some Offensive Line help for Joe Burrow?

No? They are going to send a message to Trey Hendrickson for requesting a trade? …Ok then.

Pettiness aside, the Bengals could use some additional help along the D-Line. With Verse still on the board, Cinci has a chance to steal one of, if not the best pass rusher in the draft. By leveraging his 6’4″ frame wonderfully, Verse consistently showcases his ability to rip, spin, and bull-rush the best of Offensive Tackles. An alpha dog with the nose for the ball, Verse is seldom denied when left in single coverage. His roots as a Tight End playing for Albany (which is a weird sentence to write) translated into him being a dominant rusher at Florida State, and now, perhaps, the NFL as well.

19 – Los Angeles Rams: Brian Thomas Jr. – WR

The arms race of the NFL has come to show that having 2 high-end Wide Receivers is just not enough anymore. The propagation of “you can never have enough corners” has translated into the very same idea on the other side of the ball. The loss of Cooper Kupp kneecapped L.A. last season. While the emergence of Puka Nacua was literally historic, he can’t carry the load alone. Meanwhile, while Kupp should be healthy coming into 2024, he is also 30 (Wait… Cooper Kupp is THIRTY YEARS OLD?). For a team trying to make perhaps one last run with Matthew Stafford, the Rams need to ensure that their passing options are plentiful.

Brian Thomas Jr. comes into the draft overshadowed by his teammate Malik Nabers, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still worth the first round pedigree. He reminds me of Mike Williams a bit, albeit a tad less filled out. Tall and blazing fast, he routinely has highlights of long touchdowns going over the top downfield. While he needs to work on route-running in intermediate spaces, his speed and ball tracking ability allow him to separate in almost any scenario. For L.A. he will give space for Kupp and Puka to work underneath as he carries the safeties downfield.

20 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton – C

A plug ‘n play Center, Graham Barton enters the NFL with one of the most solid tapes of any Lineman, let alone any prospect, in the entire draft. Tenacious, explosive, accurate. These adjectives and more describe the Duke product. Perhaps most appealing of all though is this one trait: consistency. The Steelers know exactly what they are going to get with Barton, and that is someone who is going to solidify their line and give space for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields to actually step up into the pocket and not worry about having to scramble each and every play.

21 – Miami Dolphins: Jer’zhan “Johnny” Newton – DT

Replacing Christian Wilkins should be a top priority for the fins this draft. One of the best interior disruptors in the draft, Johnny Newton seemingly can’t be stopped on both run and pass downs. While not a mammoth 3-tech, he has the tape that says he can stay on the field as a three-down player. Maybe overwhelming power isn’t his calling card, but his cleverness in using his quickness to slip into the backfield supplements wonderfully. Surely, this trait should be appreciated by a team as speed focused as Miami.

22 – Philadelphia Eagles TRADED to Denver Broncos: Bo Nix – QB

Zach Wilson truthers wail to the sky as Denver manages to still nab Bo Nix following their trade down with the Eagles. I remember watching Nix as a rookie in Auburn. Heralded as one of the next big things, his college career took many a turn before his final, extremely successful season with the Oregon Ducks. 5 years of starting has provided enough tape to watch Nix develop into a prospect with solid traits across the board. Accurate. Strong Arm. Athletic (enough) to scramble. He’s as pro ready as any of the other QBs in the 2024 draft. The rub? Decision-making. Sometimes, Nix still has those moments of “what are you doing?” This – for someone who has played as much as he has – is a problem. All the same, he is talented enough to warrant a first round selection, and under the right tutelage can develop into a franchise player.

23 – Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland through Houston) TRADED to Arizona Cardinals TRADED to Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. – QB

Woe to the Raiders’ faithful who thought that Penix would fall all the way to them in the second round. But why Atlanta? After all, they just signed Kirk Cousins to a deal. My answer here is simple – luxury.

The trade with Arizona that I mocked earlier up has given the Dirty Birds an extra first round pick. And, while there are a number of enticing prospects on the board, Michael Penix stands out among the rest as the last “ready-to-start” Quarterback. Now, Kirk Cousins is 35, and coming off of an Achilles tear is no small thing. With no one waiting in the wings other than *checks notes* Taylor Heinicke, the Falcons decide here to mitigate some risk and potentially prepare for the future by drafting the Washington product.

Is Penix getting Rodgers’ed/Love’d? Yep. Could he be 28+ by the time he finally gets to start? Also yep. The NFL is a business, though, and while Penix finds himself in a good situation to succeed it comes with the unfortunate asterisk that he isn’t actually going to start. It’s a brutal beat but his traits and skill as a pocket passer mirror what Cousins provides for Atlanta, which is just what they will need in case he isn’t quite matching up to what they think they invested in.

24 – Dallas Cowboys: Troy Fautanu – OL

With a number of holes along the O-Line, the Dallas Cowboys need some help. Luckily for them there is a talent still available that has the versatility to play pretty much play anywhere. Enter Troy Fautanu. On tape he showcases his skills as a mauler in the run and a heavyweight boxer in pass pro. Just as well, he tends to get away from himself and either overextend or lead with inconsistent hand placement. Beneficially, these are coachable things. While he is a bit of a project and will likely take his lumps, he nonetheless possesses the talent to be a day 1 starter and develop into a staple along any line.

25 – Green Bay Packers: Tyler Guyton – OT

The Packers have found their guy in Jordan Love. Now, they need their Guyton to protect him.

Oof.

Horrid puns aside, Tyler Guyton is best in pass protection, hands down (or, up in this case). At 6’8″ 322 lbs. he moves effortlessly to meet even the quickest edge rushers at the point of attack. Disciplined hands and solid fundamentals pave the way for him being a swalwart to protect Love’s blind side. While he may never be a road grader due to having such a high center of gravity, that will not be the Packers’ primary concern as they look to protect their franchise guy for the foreseeable future.

26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson – EDGE

Shaq Barrett is gone, and the Bucs need to find a way to fill the void in their pass rush left by his absence. Ultra-explosive and twitchy, Chop Robinson enters the league in the mold of Micah Parsons. Don’t get it twisted – he is NOT Micah Parsons – but Robinson matches in tenacity. He needs to work on his technique and consistency, for a lot of his modest production was due to his sheer athleticism. With time – and good coaching – Demeioun “Pork Chop ‘Chop'” Robinson is a good bet to be one of the figureheads of this draft class when folks look back and reevaluate what they thought they knew about these players.

27 – Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Darius Robinson – DL

The Cardinals have too many holes to fill on their Defensive Line. While Darius Robinson can’t fill all of them, he is a great first step in the attempt to do so. Long, powerful, athletic, and a solid motor to boot. He’s the type of guy you’re going to be frustrated with because of his predictability, but at the same time you can’t deny that he makes an impact while out on the field. Arizona can plug him in anywhere and he is going to be a productive rookie. There is room to grow, but with Robinson it’s more of an exciting thing to watch to see him develop rather than a state of nervousness to guess if he actually is.

28 – Buffalo Bills: Ladd McConkey – WR

This mock has not been kind to Buffalo by traditional standards. Too good to land any of the top WRs, and with the high end defensive talent mostly gone by the end of the first. Facts are facts though: the Bills need help at Wide Reciever.

Ladd McConkey reminds me of a more athletic Hunter Renfrow. Some guys just know how to get open, even if they aren’t the biggest, fastest, or strongest. His route running is some of the best I’ve seen in the class, and he certainly passes the eye test on tape. Focus-loss drops are concerning, as are his injuries, yet when you watch the guy you see someone who is ready made to succeed in nearly any scheme. For a team devoid of a top guy now like the Bills are, he could very well be a solution at the back of the first round.

29 – Detroit Lions: – Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB

First, let’s address the obvious: Kool-Aid’s name is worth the pick in and of itself. Second, let’s also acknowledge that McKinstry is a natural at the Corner position. Confident and aggressive, intelligent and athletic, there’s not much to nitpick when it comes to his game. Yes, he could stand to attack the run with more initiative. Yes, he has better acceleration than flat speed. All the same: the good outweighs the bad to a phenomenal degree. And for the Lions, who are now devoid a Corner due to Cam Sutton’s arrest, my bet is that they’ll be drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid (along with the inevitable sponsorship at Ford Field) come their pick at 29.

30 – Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins – CB

The fastest Corner of the draft, the Baltimore Ravens jump at Nate Wiggins – who has the talent to go much earlier – in order to keep up with the arms race that is the AFC. Long, smooth, and with plentiful awareness, Wiggins stands out as a pure cover-Corner who can bracket even the speediest opposition. At 173 lbs. he is certainly not one for run support, but on the back end there may not be a better player in this draft suited for route tracking and ball-hawking. It’s the type of pick that makes this Browns’ fan of a mocker cringe because it is a damn good one.

31 – San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Morgan – OT

After bolstering their D-Line with Byron Murphy earlier in the first, the 49ers are back on the clock to select someone who will fortify the other side of the ball.

As I read about Jordan Morgan I don’t come across anything that screams “special.” He doesn’t break into the top tackle talent, but he still is worthy of being recognized as a first rounder. It’s strange – there’s this limbo of… being begrudgingly good, that surrounds him. Maybe he’s still coming back around from a torn ACL in 2022, but at 6’5″ 311 lbs. he has the size, athleticism, and agility to be an enticing prospect. On the other side of the coin he has shorter arms, lacks a powerful punch, and doesn’t seem to balance his weight well. Under the right tutelage I think he will be a solid player, but there is work to be done. All in all, his talent and potential should be recognized, and I think the Niners are a good spot for him to find success.

32 – Kansas City Chiefs: Amarius Mims – OT

Conventional wisdom says that the Chiefs should go Wide Receiver here, given the uncertainty with Rashee Rice. However, with such a deep class at the position, Kansas City can afford to wait until the second round and beyond. This is not the case for Offensive Tackle, as 6-8 of them are projected to go in the first round. Just as well, Patrick Mahomes has proven he can make it work with damn near anyone catching the ball, so the priority should be making sure that he can stay upright.

Amarius Mims looks like an NFL tackle, and in his limited college experience has showcased all the tools and traits to succeed at either Tackle spot. He wears each and every 340 of his pounds extremely well on his 6’8″ frame. When he makes a decision he is deliberate and committed, albeit sometimes to a fault. His shortcomings are the type that can be rectified by experience, which might be the best case scenario for any prospect. If he hits, and I think he will, the Chiefs pair Mims with Mahomes for, sigh… their next decade of dominance.

33 – Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette – WR

For the love of God, someone get Bryce Young some help.

34 – New England Patriots: Xavier Worthy – WR

The Pats get Maye a shiny new toy to play with and hope that they can finally turn their luck around when drafting Wide Receivers.

35 – Arizona Cardinals: Troy Franklin – WR

It’s going to take more than one Wide Receiver to solve the Cardinals’ offensive woes.

36 – Washington Commanders: Cooper DeJean – CB

Ultra-competitive Corner who can play anywhere on the ‘Manders’ secondary.

37 – Los Angeles Chargers: Blake Corum – RB

The collective groan of every Chargers fan echoes around the United States as Jim Harbaugh commands that the team reach on his Michigan Running Back.

38 – Tennessee Titans: Austin Booker – Edge

Very low floor, very high ceiling prospect that has the potential to bookend the Tennessee pass rush.

39 – Carolina Panthers (from N.Y. Giants): Ennis Rakestraw Jr. – CB

You can never have enough good corners on a rebuilding team.

40 – Washington Commanders (from Chicago): Blake Fisher – OT

High upside tackle that could develop into someone worth of protecting the franchise’s new Quarterback.

41 – Green Bay Packers (From N.Y. Jets): T’Vondre Sweat – DT

Mammoth player who can help clog the middle in a Green Bay defense in need of an identity.

42 – Houston Texans (from Minnesota): Junior Colson – LB

Your classic Middle Linebacker that can quickly become the captain of the Houston defense and become a staple for years to come.

43 – Atlanta Falcons: Adonai Mitchell – WR

If you are going all in with Kirk Cousins as your QB, then you had best get him all the weapons you can.

44 – Las Vegas Raiders: Jonathan Brooks – RB

The Raiders lick their wounds after missing out on Michael Penix and find a replacement for Josh Jacobs.

45 – New Orleans Saints (from Denver): Cooper Beebe – OG

Thicc guard who can step into the “Saints’ Offensive Line rehabilitation project.”

46 – Indianapolis Colts: DJ James – CB

*Ahem* You can never have enough good corners.

47 – New York Giants (from Seattle): Christian Haynes – OG

The G-Men temper the hype of Marvin Harrison Jr. coming to town by making a not-sexy-but-safe pick to bolster an O-Line in need of a renovation.

48 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Braswell – EDGE

Josh Allen can’t do it himself forever.

49 – Cincinnati Bengals: Kiran Amegadjie – OT

Wait, the Bengals are actually addressing their O-Line issues? I never thought I’d see the day.

50 – Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) TRADED to Denver Broncos: Keon Coleman – WR

The Broncos bring up a receiver to replace Jerry Jeudy and potentially Cortland Sutton.

51 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Malachi Corley – WR

Another replacement, Corley steps in for Diontae Johnson, but brings with him a more assertive edge.

52 – Los Angeles Rams: Jackson Powers-John – C

The Rams have to keep Stafford upright if they are going to make a run at it.

53 – Philadelphia Eagles: Javon Bullard – DB

The Eagles double down on D-backs and continue to round out their secondary.

54 – Cleveland Browns: Ricky Pearsall – WR

Plus-sized slot guy with great hands who the Browns can start building up alongside Cedric Tillman for life post-Amari Cooper.

55 – Miami Dolphins: Roman Wilson – WR

Speed speed speed. The fins add another racecar and a backup plan in case Waddle can’t keep healthy.

56 – Dallas Cowboys: Trey Benson – RB

Someone has to carry the ball in Dallas and I doubt it’ll be Rico Dowdle.

57 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Payton Wilson – LB

The Devin White-sized hole in the Bucs D looms large heading into 2024.

58 – Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin – DB

The Packers add to their secondary with the ball-hawking Nubin.

59 – Houston Texans: Kris Jenkins – DT

The Texans bring in help to keep double-teams off of Will Anderson Jr.

60 – Buffalo Bills: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson – DB

With the loss of Tre’ White and Jordan Poyer the Bills have some work to do in fixing their backfield.

61 – Detroit Lions: Zach Frazier – C

As good as Frank Ragnow is, he can’t seem to stay healthy.

62 – Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Paul – OT

Another steal of a talent for the Ravens who has the potential to sneak into the early second round.

63 – San Francisco 49ers: Ja’Lynn Polk – WR

The Niners find a replacement for Brandon Aiyuk with the well-rounded Polk.

64 – Kansas City Chiefs: Ja’Tavion Sanders – TE

Much to the dismay of Swifties everywhere, the Chiefs begin preparations for life after Travis Kelce while also getting an enticing weapon to develop.