This NFL mock draft is based on what I would do personally if I was the GM for each team drafting. Players are selected based on my own draft board and team needs while also taking into account where the players would realistically go in the actual draft. The players that have their links listed are the ones I’ve watched five-plus games on, while the rest I’ve watched two-three games on.
1. Indianapolis Colts (Trade W/ CHI) – QB Bryce Young
Draft Grade – 78.4
After every QB plan has gone south since Andrew Luck retired, it is time to finally put an end to the poor QB play and take Bryce Young. Young is about as good of a QB prospect as you could realistically expect to see in a draft class. A solid surrounding core is already in place and more weapons can be added in the future. The trade took a 2024 first, a second, and a third rounder to complete. That isn’t much capital when you’re getting a potential superstar at QB.
2. Houston Texans – QB C.J. Stroud
Draft Grade – 75.5
Unfortunately for Houston, winning their last game only hinders the future of this team, as they now miss out on Bryce Young. There should be no conversation about who QB-one is, as the gap is quite large. That doesn’t mean C.J. Stroud can’t become a true franchise QB. He is a pro-ready player with an NFL arm, which is enough to get taken number two overall. Houston is in need of a QB and this opportunity likely won’t happen again anytime soon.
3. Arizona Cardinals – IDL Jalen Carter
Draft Grade – 82.1
While it sucked for Arizona to lose Kyler Murray to an ACL tear, it ultimately got them in a position to take a blue-chip prospect. Jalen Carter is exactly what they need upfront and can be an immediate impact. He’ll help the D-line be tougher and will also bring extra juice as a pass rusher. While Will Anderson Jr. is available, it makes more sense to target EDGE in the early second. Arizona will be depleted upfront after losing J.J. Watt, so this pick is an easy one.
4. Chicago Bears (Trade W/ IND) – EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
Draft Grade – 82.0
It would be more than a success if Chicago traded down and still got Will Anderson Jr. who is easily a blue-chip prospect. Anderson will fill the void of pass rusher Robert Quinn and possibly turn into a much better long-term player. He has Khalil Mack-type of upside and can be used on day one in a similar role to Micah Parsons. Getting a future first, a second and a third will allow this team to get younger depth and really build a strong core of players. Justin, Fields looks like the future and it’s just a matter of getting a better team around him. Overall there isn’t much not to love about this trade-down and selection.
5. Seattle Seahawks – IDL Bryan Bresee
Draft Grade – 79.7
It may seem logical to trade down and build up pick assets, but Bryan Bresee would be a perfect fit for this team. Seattle is clearly lacking talent up front, and this is one of the most talented players in this year’s draft. Even if he isn’t a great day-one-run defender, his value as a pass rusher will be highly valued.
6. Detroit Lions – QB Will Levis
Draft Grade – 75.0
Despite Jared Goff putting up 4,438 pass yards and getting this team to 9 wins, it is time for a new QB. Levis wouldn’t have to start immediately, and this is a great situation to begin your career. Levis, paired with Jameson Williams, would be lethal for defenses across the league. Levis has a piss missile for an arm and has great mechanics for a prospect. Besides him not shining at Kentucky, it is hard not to love Levis.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Tyree Wilson
Draft Grade – 78.3
Unfortunately, QB is no longer high on the board, and the next best position available is EDGE. Tyree Wilson could potentially make for an all-time great duo with Max Crosby. He has size, and explosiveness and showed some nice pass-rush moves. He may not be a full-time starter in year one, but he can be a solid run defender and slowly get better in the pass rush.
8. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Myles Murphey
Draft Grade – 78.2
Myles Murphey is just what Atlanta needs on defense. The EDGEs on this team only combined for 74 pressures on the season, and only 11 were sacks. Getting Myles Murphey wouldn’t only allow for more pressure, but better run defense as well. Murphey is a classic boom-or-bust prospect, but he is more pro-ready than some would think. The Falcons get a great selection here to help sure up the defense.
9. Carolina Panthers – OT Peter Skoronski
Draft Grade – 78.2
This is an easy pick as Skoronski can play on the interior and potentially move to RT in the future. He’s a very talented zone-run blocker which boats well for this inside-zone running system. This is the best offensive lineman, and a solid QB prospect is already on this team basically. Finding other good draft selections is hard unless they can trade up to number one.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Kelee Ringo
Draft Grade – 77.7
This may seem like a reach, but with not many positions of need on the roster, why not get a good third corner? You’d specifically be taking him to play in a slot role on big nickel and dime packages. Then when one of the veteran corners moves on, he can hopefully step into a full-time role. Kelee Ringo has a rare combination of size and speed, giving him an elite upside. He’ll be a very good run defender from day one and is an option to cover TEs. Philadelphia could also use him as a safety in this scheme if he doesn’t work out at the corner.
11. Tennessee Titans – WR Quentin Johnston
Draft Grade – 79.4
This pick is a no-brainer, as Quentin Johnston is just what this offense needs after losing A.J. Brown last off-season. Tennessee only had three receivers finish the season with 100 receiving yards, and their leader, Robert Woods, only had 527 yards. Johnston is that physical type of mold who can block and make plays after the catch. He’d be a perfect fit with the Titans.
12. Houston Texans – EDGE Nolan Smith
Draft Grade – 78.1
With QB taken care of, it’s time to go get a potential number-one EDGE rusher, and Nolan Smith can fit that billing. Despite being undersized, he doesn’t play like it and already has top-end get-off and bend. He’ll need to work on his pass-rush moves but the physical traits are there. Houston gets a very underrated prospect here and one that should be a building piece for the future.
13. New York Jets – OT Parris Johnson
Draft Grade – 77.8
With tons of issues on the O-line for the Jets, it only makes sense to take Parris Johnson, who’s a borderline top-ten value. Johnson will fit this wide-zone running offense to a tee and can potentially be a great pass-blocker. He’s a legit stud so it would foolish not to take him here with the 13th pick.
14. New England Patriots – WR Jordan Addison
Draft Grade – 78.5
After a rough season of offense in New England, they could really use help at receiver. What is there not to love about Jordan Addison besides his size? He wouldn’t exactly be the best scheme fit, but he could still be used in many creative ways. This would likely develop into the best connection Jones has on offense.
15. Green Bay Packers – TE Michael Mayer
Draft Grade – 79.3
Green Bay is just in need of some sort of receiving threat and Michael Mayer happens to be the best one available. Mayer was heavily used at Notre Dame, which can translate to the same usage in the NFL. Whether on not Aaron Rodgers is back, it’s important to bring in another pass catcher. Michael Mayer is one of the safest picks in this draft and would likely be a longtime Packer.
16. Washington Commanders – CB Christian Gonzalez
Draft Grade – 77.9
Washington would be lucky to see Gonzalez here, who has a chance to become a dominant bump-and-run corner. He has both great press-man technique and exceptional zone instincts. In addition, he is very long and has tremendous long speed. He’d fit very well in Washingtons man heavy system. With corner as a major position of need, this is one of the easiest picks to make.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Devon Witherspoon
Draft Grade – 77.8
As of late, Devon Witherspoon has shot up draft boards, and he’d be a perfect fit in this press-heavy defense. He was a late bloomer but clearly showed he knew how to play, and his athletic traits are well above average. He has the ideal frame and was absolutely dominant as a press corner playing for Illinois. While it would be nice to go Tackle, this would help complete this defense.
18. Detroit Lions – CB Cam Smith
Draft Grade – 77.5
Detroit is in need of another good corner, and Cam Smith can be a great long-term option to take. Smith had an elite year in 2021 against SEC competition and did not fair poorly in 2022. He is the ideal athlete at cornerback and will pair nicely with Jeff Okudah.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Broderick Jones
Draft Grade – 76.1
Based on what we all saw from Tampa Bay on offense last year, they could really use an offensive lineman. Broderick Jones can play guard in year one and hopefully move to LT in the future. This is right around the time it’s typically seen to take a project O-lineman. Jones is a really good all-around athlete and is balanced between pass-pro and run-blocking. This would be a really solid pick.
20. Seattle Seahawks – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Draft Grade – 77.0
Jaxon Smith-Njigba would really complete this receiving core in Seattle. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are great perimeter players, but getting a slot could make this core elite. Eventually, when Lockett moves on, he could step outside and be a high-end player.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars – OG O’Cyrus Torrence
Draft Grade – 76.4
Ben Bartch simply isn’t going to cut it at Guard, and watching this team, Pass-pro is the biggest area that needs improvement. O’Cyrcus Torrence is very big but mobile enough to fit in this scheme. He’ll bring immediate impact and has a lot of room to grow. With not many better positions of need here, Torrence gets this selection by a slight hair.
22. New York Giants – QB Anthony Richardson
Draft Grade – 72.9
Anthony Richardson would be impossible to pass up if in the shoes of the Giants. That’s because Brian Daboll clearly had to shield this offense from Daniel Jones’s poor play at QB. Richardson wouldn’t have to start year one, and there’s no better coach to develop him than Brian Daboll. This pick could very well blow up in their faces, but how could you not try this at 22?
23. Baltimore Ravens – HB Bijan Robinson
Draft Grade – 83.6
Baltimore has always been a best-player-available team, and Bijan Robinson is that guy this time. Robinson is a do-it-all back who is a threat out of the backfield. He’s got elite burst, and power and has some of the best balance you’ll ever see out of a prospect. The Ravens don’t exactly need an HB, but you can’t say this wouldn’t be worth it at pick 23.
24. Los Angeles Chargers – B.J. Ojulari
Draft Grade – 76.7
With the uncertainty of Khalil Mack and the injuries to Joey Bosa, it makes sense to go EDGE in the first, as all other positions are good for the most part. B.J. Ojulari is an explosive player who can play a bit of this hybrid linebacker role. Jaxon Smith Njigba would’ve been a good selection, but no other receiver available is good enough to beat out Ojulari.
25. Dallas Cowboys – EDGE Isaiah Foskey
Draft Grade – 76.4
As Demarcus Lawrence is getting up there in age, another EDGE is needed soon, so why not take one now? Isaiah Foskey is a solid EDGE prospect and can be the future number two EDGE. He can be a day-one rotational player and should be able to develop nicely.
26. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Joey Porter
Draft Grade – 76.9
Cornerback is needed for Cincinnati, and Joey Porter is the best one available. Porter will also fit this scheme as he’s a lengthy player with a balanced skillset. Eli Apple simply wasn’t enough, and getting Porter in the building could be huge for this defense.
27. Minnesota Vikings – CB Jaylon Jones
Draft Grade – 75.8
Minnesota struggled severely in coverage in 2022, and Patrick Peterson is reaching his final years. The three starting corners gave up over 1800 yards through the air. This team should go corner, and Jalyon Jones is a great option. He is great in the press but has the zone instincts and IQ to be good in this off-man system.
28. Denver Broncos – EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Draft Grade – 75.7
After trading away Bradley Chubb to prevent paying him, it only makes sense to grab Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who is a great EDGE prospect. He’d particularly excel in this 3-4 system, where he can occasionally drop into coverage. His get-off and bend or top-notch, and he has a nice pass-rush skillset. This would be a great long-term replacement for Chubb.
29. Buffalo Bills – OT Anton Harrison
Draft Grade – 74.4
With the poor performance from Spencer Brown in 2022, it makes sense to get a player who’ll be a safe bet to become a quality starter. Anton Harrison doesn’t have the physical traits you typically desire, but is technically sound in both aspects of the game. Pass-rush pressure was an issue for Buffalo in some games, but this pick should help.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Josh Downs
Draft Grade – 76.4
If Josh Downs is on the board, you must take him, considering all the good EDGEs are gone. Downs is a slot receiver with the vertical ability and good playmaking skills. He’ll fit extremely well in this Andy Reid offense and be a nice extra weapon. Mecole Hardman is on his way out Kadarius Toney only has so much time on his contract.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – LB Trenton Simpson
Draft Grade – 75.6
This is an easy pick to love as Trenton Simpson is exactly the kind of linebacker needed in the Eagle’s defense. This is because he brings pass-rush versatility, and Jonathon Gannon likes to blitz his linebackers. Linebacker is the weakest link now that Ringo is on the team. That makes this one rather obvious.
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