Mock Draft 2.0
Kade Nix’s 2024 Mock Draft 2.0: JJ McCarthy in Top 15
Published 2/22/2024 at 7:01pm Updated 2/22/2024 at 7:44m
The second edition of my mock drafts, with quite a few picks significantly shaken up. Head over to the Podcast “Kade’s Draft Room” for a deeper analysis of the picks.
NOTES:
As of this writing, the picks 1-32 are all locked in. This mock draft will not include trades. Before these prospects are drafted, they will showcase their abilities on the field at their college football pro days and the NFL combine. All picks are subject to change as prospects rise and fall in draft stock throughout the process.
(via CAR)
Caleb Williams
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Chicago Bears
1
USC | QB
I I still think the Bears stick at one overall and select the most talented passer in the draft. Regardless of whether or not Justin Fields is dealt elsewhere. A Justin Fields draft day trade is not out of the question.
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Washington Commanders
2
Drake Maye
UNC | QB
Again, Maye is still my favorite contender to be the Commanders selection at 2. His combination of arm strength and pocket presence makes him a good selection for Washington.
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New England Patriots
3
Jayden Daniels
LSU | QB
As we talked about before, Jayden Daniels has a different play style than the Patriots are used to, but it may be the needed change of pace in New England. This pick could shake up as the draft process goes along so keep an eye on the Patriots at 3.
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Arizona Cardinals
4
Marvin Harrison Jr.
OHIO ST. | WR
The Cardinals land the best prospect in the entire class. Fittingly, my comparison for Marvin Harrison Jr. was Cardinals legend, Larry Fitzgerald.
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Los Angeles Chargers
5
Joe Alt
NOTRE DAME | OT
The Chargers have a ton of different directions they could head with this pick. They add to a strength, and give a brand new weapon to Herbert and Harbaugh. Another pick I could see would be Brock Bowers, as the Chargers seem to not have any real weaknesses on paper.
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6
LSU | WR
New York Giants
Malik Nabers
We all know how it fared for the Giants the last time they drafted a wide receiver from LSU in the first round. I’m confident that this time the selection will fare just as well. Nabers is one of my favorite prospects in the class and my #2 overall prospect.
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Tennessee Titans
7
JC Latham
ALABAMA | OT
This may be a little too high for Latham but the Titans offensive line made it hard for them to develop any kind of positive offense last year. The first step to giving Will Levis some help. Many teams have Latham as the top guy at the position.
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Atlanta Falcons
8
Dallas Turner
ALABAMA | EDGE
The Falcons have lacked a difference maker on defense and I think Turner solves the problem for Atlanta. Turner adds a level of versatility that the Falcons lack.
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Chicago Bears
9
Rome Odunze
WASHINGTON | WR
If the Bears make this happen, they should undoubtedly win Day 1 of the draft. Pairing Rome up with Caleb Williams is bound to win some games for Chicago next season.
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New York Jets
10
Taliese Fuaga
OREGON ST. | OT
The Jets are desperately trying to avoid the disaster that took place last year. They get Taliese Fuaga to protect Aaron Rodgers as they try to avoid another largely disappointing season. Lots of info links Fuaga to the Jets as of now.
PICK
11
FLORIDA ST. | EDGE
Minnesota Vikings
Jared Verse
Jared Verse may just be the best defensive player in the entire draft. He brings an elite level of athleticism and aggressiveness that will mold well with DC Brian Flores
PICK
Denver Broncos
12
JJ McCarthy
MICHIGAN | QB
I’m skeptical the Broncos pull the trigger on McCarthy here, but if they do, hopefully they can start to build around a franchise-hopeful guy. Another landing spot for McCarthy would be the Falcons at 8 in an ultra aggressive move.
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Las Vegas Raiders
13
Terrion Arnold
ALABAMA | CB
Luckily for Vegas, the best corner in the draft falls right here in your lap. Arnold is a good fit with Las Vegas and should perform well there.
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New Orleans Saints
14
Olu Fashanu
PENN ST. | OT
Fashanu is starting to slip, but I wouldn’t expect him to slide out of the top 15. Fashanu gives the Saints one of the best tackles in the draft to slide in for Trevor Penning, who isn’t quite working out.
PICK
15
TOLEDO | CB
Indianapolis Colts
Quinyon Mitchell
After Toledo’s pro day and the NFL Combine, I don’t think anyone will argue that Mitchell is top 15 pick worthy. He’s gonna fly in the 40 and notch himself as a top 3 corner. The Colts get an absolute playmaker at 15.
PICK
16
TEXAS | DL
Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy II
Byron Murphy may be the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. He’ll add more firepower to the Seahawks defense in hopes to keep up with the high powered offenses in the division.
PICK
Jacksonville Jaguars
17
Nate Wiggins
CLEMSON | CB
Wiggins is going to have a good showing at the Combine and may be selected even earlier than 17. Luckily for the Jaguars, in this scenario they get a balanced playmaker to bolster their secondary.
PICK
Cincinnati Bengals
18
Brock Bowers
GEORGIA | TE
In this mock, no trades are allowed, and that’s why Bowers is available at 18. I imagine a team would trade up within the top 15 to get Bowers. If he did fall to Cincy, the Bengals would have a complete championship caliber team.
PICK
Los Angeles Rams
19
Jackson Powers-J.
OREGON | C
JPJ is one of the best plug and play day 1 type of guys. JPJ will give great support to the Rams rushing attack, and keep Stafford healthy for as long as he has left.
PICK
20
GEORGIA | OT
Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims
With the Steelers recent successes with Georgia draft picks, I doubt they would be hesitant to shop there again. I wouldn’t hate a quarterback selection here either, provided the right one is available.
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Miami Dolphins
21
Troy Fautanu
WASHINGTON | OT
The Dolphins seem like a complete team on paper. Fautanu gives Tua some extra time to be able to get the ball in the hands of his weapons more efficiently.
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22
IOWA | CB
Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean
The Eagles main concern is powering up their secondary. DeJean is a ultra versatile defensive back they can plug in anywhere on the field.
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23
LSU | WR
Houston Texans
Brian Thomas Jr.
I do believe Brian Thomas goes before 23, but in this scenario he falls to Houston. The Texans give Stroud yet another weapon to make their offense that much more powerful. Thomas adds a good size to the WR room and will compliment Tank Dell very nicely.
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Dallas Cowboys
24
Tyler Guyton
OKLAHOMA | OT
The Cowboys need to start preparing for the departure of Tyron Smith. Guyton is a nice compliment to Tyler Smith, and the Cowboys would bolster a nice young duo on the front lines.
PICK
Green Bay Packers
25
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
MISSOURI | CB
The Packers secondary let up far too many yards last year. With a promising offense, Rakestraw adds a nice level of physicality to the defensive side of the ball.
PICK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26
Laiatu Latu
UCLA | EDGE
Without trades, Latu may fall. If this mock included trades, don’t expect him to be available at 26. Nonetheless, Latu has all the skills to be a polished pro, and will slide right into Bowles system.
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27
PENN ST. | EDGE
Arizona Cardinals
Chop Robinson
Robinson is one of my favorite players in the draft and luckily for the Cardinals, they get him at 27 to cap off a successful first day of the draft.
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Buffalo Bills
28
Edgerrin Cooper
TEXAS A&M | LB
While we may expect a playmaker here in the form of a wide receiver, the class is so deep they’ll be able to grab a solid guy with their second round selection. Cooper is the best linebacker in the draft and adds a solid component to a lacking Bills defense.
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29
WVU | C
Detroit Lions
Zach Frazier
Frazier’s wrestling background makes him a good fit for Detroit and Dan Campbell. He’ll be a good fit for the Lions for years to come
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Baltimore Ravens
30
Darius Robinson
MISSOURI | EDGE
Robinson’s great showing at the Senior Bowl propels him into the first round. Right into the hands of a solid Ravens defense that just keeps getting better.
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31
DUKE | OT
San Francisco 49ers
Graham Barton
The 49ers hold one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. Why not take the best tackle available to keep Brock Purdy fresh for as long as they can?
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32
TEXAS | WR
Kansas City Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell gives Mahomes another solid weapon to compliment Rashee Rice as the Chiefs look to three-peat.