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Dan Benton

2024 NFL draft: Caleb Williams slides in surprising Round 1 mock

The official start of free agency is just two days away but with the “legal tampering window” opening in mere hours, it’s about to get hectic across the NFL.

In the coming days and weeks, teams will make significant adjustments to their roster that subsequently impact what they intend to do at the 2024 NFL draft. Teams once thought to be in the market for a specific player or position may pivot based on new signings. As a result, a new wave of mock drafts will arrive.

But before that time, we decided to take one final shot at a pre-free agency mock draft. This time around, we used the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator. All settings were left on default and trades were permitted.

We controlled only the New York Giants and did not attempt to influence the decisions of any other team. AI was permitted to make trades on its own — and it did.

Here are the results of our final Round 1 mock draft ahead of free agency:

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers) – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

The first big surprise of the draft happened immediately. Instead of going with Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears make Drake Maye the No. 1 overall pick.

2. Washington Commanders – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Even with Williams still on the board, the Washington Commanders opt to select the top tight end prospect in the draft — Brock Bowers.

3. New England Patriots – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The brief slide for Williams comes to an end with the New England Patriots, who would be stunned if things played out this way. Jerod Mayo continues the reset with a new QB.

4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Even with some unexpected decisions being made ahead of them, the Arizona Cardinals still end up with Marvin Harrison Jr., which seems to be the most certain lock of the draft.

5. Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Jim Harbaugh adds the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft in the form of a college rival — Joe Alt.

6. New York Giants - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants had no offers to trade at No. 6 overall and end up selecting an eventual Daniel Jones replacement in Jayden Daniels.

7. Tennessee Titans - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans miss out on Joe Alt but shore up their offensive line with Olu Fashanu.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Atlanta Falcons luck out and add a new offensive weapon in Malik Nabers.

9. Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Already with a new franchise quarterback in tow, the Bears add a talented WR1 in Rome Odunze to pair with Maye.

10. New York Jets - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Taliese Fuaga can come in and start on Day 1 for the New York Jets.

11. Minnesota Vikings - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have an abundance of needs, largely on the offensive side of the ball, but add the talented edge rusher, Laiatu Latu, in this mock.

12. Denver Broncos - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the Russell Wilson tenure now at an end, the Denver Broncos start over with J.J. McCarthy.

13. Las Vegas Raiders - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders get to work fixing their O-line with Amarius Mims but they’ll need more.

14. New Orleans Saints - JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

JC Latham adds some versatility for the New Orleans Saints, capable of playing both left and right tackle. They may also consider playing him at guard.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

With arguably the best cornerback in the draft, the Indianapolis Colts hit a home run with Terrion Arnold.

16. Seattle Seahawks - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Jared Verse to the Seattle Seahawks in this spot is one of the most commonly mocked picks.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars are solid along the edge but their defensive interior needs some work. Johnny Newton helps fix that problem.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

This spot may feel a little high for Quinyon Mitchell but the Cincinnati Bengals know they can’t wait until Round 2.

19. Los Angeles Rams - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams need help at linebacker and Dallas Turner helps fill that gap.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t sign any offensive tackles in free agency, Troy Fautanu makes sense here.

21. Miami Dolphins - Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Graham Barton is a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing every position. He’s an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins and would generate more buzz had he not missed time last season.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Cooper DeJean, S, Iowa

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles have met extensively with Cooper DeJean this offseason and end up taking him here.

23. Baltimore Ravens (from Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns) - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Thomas Jr. has been linked to the Baltimore Ravens in many mock drafts. Here, they don’t risk him getting away and trade up.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys land a tough, gritty center in Jackson Powers-Johnson, who can also play other O-line positions and even take some snaps at defensive tackle if need be.

25. Green Bay Packers - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers could go offensive line here but instead opt to select the game-changing Nate Wiggins.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers add production to their edge with Penn State product Chop Robinson.

27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans) - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Byron Murphy II is widely believed to be on the Arizona Cardinals’ radar.

28. Buffalo Bills - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buffalo Bills add another weapon for QB Josh Allen with Xavier Worthy, who ran a blazing 4.21 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

29. Detroit Lions - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions drink the Kool-Aid and take Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 29. Come April, it’s entirely possible they actually trade up for him.

30. San Francisco 49ers (from Baltimore Ravens via Houston Texans) - Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

After a complex web of trades, the San Francisco 49ers end up at No. 30 where they take Tyler Guyton.

31. Houston Texans (from San Francisco 49ers via Baltimore Ravens) - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans add another talented receiver, Keon Coleman, to the arsenal of C.J. Stroud.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Kansas City Chiefs close out Round 1 by addressing a major need at wide receiver with Adonai Mitchell.

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