After the endless stream of mock drafts, an event as anticipated as much if not more than the total solar eclipse mercifully arrives at 8 o’clock on Thursday night.
The Giants and Jets will be drafting again in the all-too familiar territory of the top 10. The Jets won’t be drafting a quarterback. The Giants would love to draft one.
Four quarterbacks will go in the first five picks in Mock 4.0. Giants GM Joe Schoen has been running up quite a tab trying to crash the quarterback party.
The late Giants GM George Young might have labeled Round 1 The Dance of the Elephants — nine offensive linemen in the first round, with two trades just for fun:
1. Bears
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
As much as Mahomes Lite might have enjoyed some Top Golf with his hometown team, throwing to D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen sets him up for early success.
2. Commanders
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Magic Johnson invested $240 million to buy into the club’s ownership for some Showtime, and a dual threat-Heisman winner who reminds some of Lamar Jackson and others of Randall Cunningham fits the bill.
3. Patrios
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Bob Kraft finally hangs up on Schoen and grabs his Quarterback of the Future with big upside that can better be realized by redshirting behind Jacoby Brissett and a host of better protectors and playmakers.
4. Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No need for Trader Monti Ossenfort to work his magic with this future Pro Bowl wide receiver and the 27th pick in his back pocket. Think Larry Fitzgerald.
5. Vikings (from Chargers)
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh’s beloved former QB helps him add players in his image and thanks him for allowing him to throw to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson and play for head coach Kevin O’Connell.
6. Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
A No. 1 WR for Daniel Jones who happens to be the most explosive playmaker for Team Mara since Odell Beckham Jr.
7. Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
An elite 6-foot-8 skyscraper alongside LG Peter Skoronski for Will Levis’ blindside.
8. Falcons
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
A disruptive interior force who can upgrade an anemic pass rush and might remind new head coach Raheem Morris of Aaron Donald Lite.
9. Bears
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
A 6-3, 216-pound, elite contested-catch magician for the new franchise quarterback.
10. Jets
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Future Is Now for the regime and Aaron Rodgers won’t say no to a weapon who can have a Sam LaPorta impact as a rookie.
11. Chargers (from Vikings)
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The thought of a 6-6, 342-pound masher to bookend Rashawn Slater must make Harbaugh drool.
12. Eagles (from Broncos)
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Trader Howie Roseman breaks tradition with a first-round corner and ball hawk with 4.33 speed with 30-something James Bradberry and Darius Slay still hanging on.
13. Raiders
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Antonio Pierce fights fire with fire against Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert with a southpaw gunslinger with a golden arm and a medical history.
14. Saints
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Former first-round LT Trevor Penning hasn’t panned out and RT Ryan Ramczyk has a knee issue.
15. Colts
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Best Player Available for GM Chris Ballard is a 6-4, 251-pound athletic freak.
16. Seahawks
Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
The local brawler’s well-documented college reunion with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and O-line coach Scott Huff.
17. Jaguars
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Ronald Darby is a 30-year-old stopgap, and 2024 is Tyson Campbell’s contract year.
18. Bengals
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
A belligerent, versatile enforcer who can replace RT Trent Brown in 2025.
19. Rams
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
A 6-3, 210-pound toy with 4.33 speed to complement Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp for Matthew Stafford.
20. Steelers
Graham Barton, OT, Duke
Mike Tomlin desperately needs an experienced, athletic, 6-5, 313-pound center who can play everywhere for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
21. Dolphins
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
O-line help is needed, but the draft’s most natural pass rusher is more than insurance with Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelen Phillips (Achilles) on the mend.
22. Broncos (from Eagles)
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Sean Payton doesn’t believe it when Zach Wilson tells him he plans on making life hell for any other quarterback in training camp.
23. Chargers (from Vikings)
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
A 6-4, 260-pound power-player to get after Mahomes with Khalil Mack age 33 and Joey Bosa injury-prone.
24. Cowboys
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Jerry Jones is “all-in” on a violent 320-pound replacement for Tyler Biadasz who signs Turd Ferguson for his autograph.
25. Packers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
LT David Bakhtiari is gone, so a 6-7, 340-pound project with upside and a 86 ³/₄-inch wingspan for Jordan Love.
26. Buccaneers
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
An explosive, 6-3, 254-pound pass rusher who helps replace Shaq Barrett.
27. Cardinals
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
A 6-2 corner with 4.28 speed who could be plug-and-play opposite Sean Murphy-Bunting.
28. Bills
Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
Fastest man in draft (4.21 40-yard dash) to help Josh Allen forget Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
29. Lions
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
A fast and violent three-technique who would complement Alim McNeill alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
30. Ravens
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
A 6-7, 328-pounder who can be the Left Tackle of the Future for Lamar Jackson and begin on the interior to help clear a path for Derrick Henry.
31. 49ers
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
A Sabanesque No. 2 CB opposite Charvarius Ward.
32. Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The inevitable Rashee Rice suspension will open up an opportunity for this 6-2, 205-pounder with 4.35 speed and baggage, which has never dissuaded Andy Reid.
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