The Chicago Bears have a good problem.
They have a young quarterback, Justin Fields, who has shown flashes of brilliance in an uneven career. He wrapped up his third season as a pro with a 4-3 record in his final seven games, averaging more than 250 total yards a week thanks to competent passing and an electric run game.
The Bears also have the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which features a pair of electric quarterback prospects jumping into the league after accomplished college careers. Caleb Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Drake Maye threw for nearly 8,000 yards over the last two seasons.
Both could be upgrades over Fields. Either would be cheaper to roster than a player whose salary jumps to $22 million if Chicago picks up his 2025 option. But neither is a sure thing, and the price of a trade down the draft board could encompass all the pieces needed to make Fields a Pro Bowl quarterback and his Bears a playoff team.
So there’s the conundrum. Does Chicago risk its future on Williams’ electric playmaking? Opt for Maye’s steadier play? Keep Fields and auction the pick off for a treasure chest? See if another team will give up premium assets for the opportunity to unlock Fields’ potential?
For our first mock draft of the 2024 offseason, the Bears are keeping the pick. But they may not be drafting who you’d expect.
1
Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Needs: QB, LB, OL, CB
The smoke signals suggest Caleb Williams is the Bears’ guy. That makes sense, since he’s great. But Maye may be an easier fit at the NFL level, a quarterback with prototype size and solid scrambling ability that allows him to take some pages from the Justin Fields playbook while adding several more with his downfield passing.
This pick hinges largely on the kind of pro day that helped make Zach Wilson a top two pick — a rough example perhaps, but the kind of showcase that could sell scouts on Maye’s pure passer ability and Josh Allen bonafides. Instead of wading back into battle with a quarterback who can make special plays but too often goes off schedule, Chicago pivots here for a higher floor quarterback who could be just as vital to a playoff run.
2
Washington Commanders: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Needs: OT, QB, EDGE, CB
Washington starts off the Dan Quinn era with a top quarterback prospect no matter what as long as it keeps the second overall pick — and with a lackluster passer crop waiting in 2025, that’s a no brainer. Williams is one of college football’s most electric playmakers, an alchemist who turns garbage into gold in stretches and finds ways to extend drives with his arm and legs.
The downside to Williams is his eagerness to go off-script like a guest star on Curb Your Enthusiasm. The upside is a truly special player capable of making championship-winning plays and haunting the dreams of NFL defensive coordinators for a decade-plus. Here, he gets a solid core of wideouts to ease his transition to Sundays.
3
New England Patriots: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Needs: QB, WR, OT, TE, CB
Yes, the Patriots need a quarterback. And yes, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is there for the taking. But saddling a rookie quarterback, no matter how accomplished, behind a mess of an offensive line with no real receiving targets is a recipe for disaster. The Carolina Panthers proved this in 2023.
PFF’s @TampaBayTre has the #Patriots taking Notre Dame LT Joe Alt (#76) with the 5th overall pick in his latest mock draft.
Alt is 6-foot-8, 322lbs and has allowed just one sack this season per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/CoXxOuydPi
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) November 6, 2023
Instead, New England locks in its blindside protector for the next decade knowing full well it has the draft assets to either scoop a pretty-good prospect at No. 35 or use that pick and more to trade back into the late first round to find its guy. Bringing any quarterback into this system without a proper supporting cast is a problem; Alt takes care of a premium position and gives the Patriots a shot to draft Michael Penix or Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy later down the line.
4
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, QB
Kyler Murray quietly played like a top-10 quarterback over his final five games of 2023, proving a torn ACL wouldn’t derail his career. However, a weak receiving corps might — especially with Hollywood Brown staring down free agency. He’s likely to re-sign in Arizona, but more reinforcements are needed to bolster an offense that ranked 31st in points scored last fall.
Harrison Jr. is the most polished wideout to enter the draft in more than a decade. He’s a prototypical WR1 prospect, a player with ludicrous body control, elite athleticism and the ability to thoroughly shred cornerbacks regardless of the route called. He could help spark an immediate turnaround for the Cardinals.
5
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Needs: CB, DT, IOL, LB, TE
The Chargers are an estimated $45 million over 2024’s salary cap. That’s going to lead to some tough decisions, including a possible parting of ways with longtime Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen. While Josh Palmer waits in the wings, Mike Williams turns 30 in October and has played only 16 games the last two seasons. 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston had several opportunities to step up in the LA offense and never did.
That makes Nabers, an elite prospect who can be an immediate weapon for Justin Herbert, too tempting to pass up. While Brock Bowers would add badly needed production and athleticism to the tight end rotation, Nabers’ ability to play at X, Z or in the slot makes him the exact kind of chess piece new coach Jim Harbaugh needs to push his offense to the next level.
6
New York Giants: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Needs: QB, WR, OG, CB, LB
Daniel Jones is under contract through 2026, but the Giants can move on from him while absorbing a dead cap hit of just $11 million before the 2025 season. And since that year’s draft is light on quarterback talent, there’s value in swinging for the fences here with the sixth overall pick.
Jones’ presence would allow Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, a proper runway in his transition to the NFL. His dual-threat capabilities mean New York wouldn’t have to throw out the playbook that once made Jones a bonafide playoff winner. Passing up a star wideout here hurts, but with Harrison Jr. and Nabers off the board the LSU star makes a bit more sense.
7
Tennessee Titans: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Needs: WR, CB, S, LB, OT
Will Levis wasn’t great as a rookie, but he deserves an honest shot at the starting job. Dropping him into a lineup with a 32-year-old DeAndre Hopkins and the uneven potential of Chigoziem Okonkwo and Treylon Burks is setting him up for failure.
Odunze can fix that. His ability to adjust to the ball is exactly what Levis needs to not just boost his confidence but add an extra dimension to the Titans’ passing game. The Washington star has a massive catch radius and uses his 6-foot-3 frame to the last inch, blotting out cornerbacks and extending to high-point every ball en route to massive gains.
8
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Needs: EDGE, DT, QB, CB
New head coach Raheem Morris upgrades his defense with the Power 5’s most productive pass rusher. Latu was a monster for the Bruins, tallying 23.5 sacks in 25 games at UCLA. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds he has the size and strength to play up front and the explosiveness to break into backfields as an outside linebacker.
Atlanta badly needs to upgrade its pass rush after a 23.9 percent blitz rate led to just a 23.0 percent pressure rate. Replacing Bud Dupree with Latu would compress pockets without the expense of throwing blitzers into the mix, creating the rising tide Morris needs to succeed in year one. The NFC South remains wide open; Latu is the kind of instant impact player who can push the Falcons to the top of it.
9
Chicago Bears: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Needs: QB, LB, OL, CB
Alabama’s Dallas Turner could be a fit here, but Verse’s added size and strength may give him the edge in the Bears’ established 4-3 front. The former University of Albany star didn’t quite have the star-making 2023 he’d hoped after bypassing last year’s draft, but he proved he can still be a monster when Florida State needed him most. He finished the season with six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in the final two games of the year.
Rather than reach for a wideout — the Bears would likely take Nabers or Odunze if either slipped here — or pair up Cole Kmet with Brock Bowers, Chicago gets to buttress Montez Sweat with another elite pass rushing talent. That’s important; the Bears’ defense ranked third in the NFL in overall efficiency after adding the former Commander.
10
New York Jets: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Needs: OL, QB, WR, S, DT
Fashanu has top-five capabilities, so if he’s available at No. 10 expect no hesitation from the Jets. New York knows firsthand the derailing nature of a leaky offensive line. Aaron Rodgers will turn 41 years old this season and is coming off an Achilles tear, making him less mobile than ever. Getting him back to MVP, or even Pro Bowl form will require a clean pocket.
Matching up with
Olumuyiwa Fashanu looks like a bad time pic.twitter.com/CSjbQrHV09— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 24, 2023
Fashanu can provide that. He’s an elite pass protector who wasn’t credited with a single sack allowed his first two years at Penn State. The Jets have a massive need at left tackle. Adding a 6-foot-6 bulldozer can fill it.
11
Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Needs: QB, EDGE, LB, CB
Brian Flores covered up Minnesota’s defensive deficiencies with a litany of extra pass rushers in 2023; no team blitzed more than the Vikings’ 51.5 percent. Adding Turner would lessen the need to send pressure more than half the time, particularly if free agent Danielle Hunter leaves this spring.
Tip Drill! 👏@ArnoldTerrion
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/2eKmSZy1OS
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 5, 2023
Turner had a low key 2022, then stepped into the void reigning defensive rookie of the year Will Anderson left behind and proved to be a quarterback terrorizing goblin. He had 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss for the Crimson Tide last fall, proving adept as both a pass rusher and, when needed, a tempering presence in pass coverage.
12
Denver Broncos: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Needs: QB, CB, LB, EDGE, S, TE
Denver’s tight ends had 39 total catches in 2023, led by Adam Trautman’s 22 for a meager 204 yards. That means whomever is playing quarterback for the Broncos in 2024 is going to need some help.
Bowers is a vital security blanket who can lift the passing game. He plays like a moose charging down a snowy path, a combination of speed and rage whose freight is secured by a massive frame. His athleticism allows him to work in-line as a blocker or even split wide, allowing Sean Payton to maximize his playbook. Whether it’s Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham or someone else throwing to him, Bowers is going to be a big, open target who keeps the chains moving.
13
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Needs: CB, LB, WR, EDGE, QB
The Raiders do not draft cornerbacks well. Guys like Gareon Conley, Trayveon Mullen and Damon Arnette all failed to live up to their potential with the franchise, leaving a persistent hole in the club’s depth chart.
Mitchell has the upside to change all that as a high-ceiling prospect with an innate feel for the game. His MAC background may give him a lower floor than safer prospects like Terrion Arnold or Kool-Aid McKinstry, but there’s no denying the Toledo star’s production after 37 passes defensed and six interceptions in his last two seasons as a Rocket. Factor in a strong Senior Bowl showing and there may not be a faster-rising prospect in this year’s draft.
14
New Orleans Saints: OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
Needs: OT, IOL, TE, WR, EDGE, LB
Andrus Peat is a free agent and Trevor Penning looks like a bust. The Saints need to reload at left tackle and Latham is a great place to start.
#Alabama RT JC Latham is such a stout pass protector at 360 pounds. Moves effortlessly mirroring pass rushers and once he gets his hands inside and locks out, the rep is over.
Absolutely stonewalled Tennessee’s pass rushing duo 2 weeks ago. Love watching him operate in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/bSLbLB4Nq1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 31, 2023
The Alabama tackle is a leviathan, standing 6-foot-6 and clocking in at 360 pounds. Despite this, he’s got solid footwork and quickness that allows him to mirror and repel edge rushers. He didn’t allow a single sack at Alabama, and while the switch from right to left tackle may be difficult he has all the physical attributes to pull it off with aplomb.
15
Indianapolis Colts: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Needs: CB, OT, EDGE, LB, WR
Indianapolis needs to add high level talent to its secondary, especially with Kenny Moore a pending free agent. JuJu Brents, last year’s second-round pick, was a good start. Arnold would be a logical next step.
Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is such a competitive press-man corner. Always physical at the catch point.
Between his physical tools, technique, and aggressive style, it’s hard to imagine any CB going above him in the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/QYDvFJpDrf
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 8, 2024
Arnold emerged as a star for the Crimson Tide in 2023, intercepting five passes and knocking down 12 more in 14 games. He also showed off a solid ability to shed blocks and slice upfield, notching 6.5 tackles for loss. He’s an efficient and instinctive corner who can thrive in man coverage, giving the Colts a player they can leave on an island while focusing their attention elsewhere.
16
Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Demeioun 'Chop' Robinson, Penn State
Needs: IOL, LB, DT, EDGE
Robinson may not have a fully fleshed out game, but no one in college football got off the line with more explosive aggression than the Penn State star. Now he gets to bring that A+ move to Seattle, where first-year head coach Mike Macdonald inherits a team with a top-10 pressure rate and bottom-three defense.
CHOP 🪓
Chop Robinson sacks his former QB
We sure are glad you made Happy Valley your new home 🦁#WeAre | @chopyoungbull pic.twitter.com/VHtRP8NS3g
— White Out Weekly (@whiteoutweekly) November 12, 2022
Robinson is a chaos engine, a player perpetually in the backfield ruining opposing offensive coordinator’s plans. While he’s still got lots of room to grow — he could really stand to diversify that pass rush arsenal — his raw talent and boundless energy makes him deserving of a spot in the first half of Day 1. Here he gets to join Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu in a fast-twitch quarterback-attacking rotation.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Needs: OT, DT, EDGE, S
Newton’s impact isn’t reflected in counting stats, even though he had 7.5 sacks last season. He’s a rising tide up front who creates opportunities for his teammates to thrive by taking up multiple blockers and damming up running lanes. Look at this year’s Wisconsin game for proof — and how Illinois fell apart after he was ejected in a come-from-ahead loss.
He doesn’t have ideal size, but he’s big and powerful enough to feast up front in the Jaguars’ 3-4 lineup. While offensive line help may be a bigger priority, Newton’s talent could be the logical step forward for a defense flush with young playmakers who haven’t yet gelled into something more than a collection of prospects.
18
Cincinnati Bengals: OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Needs: OT, DL, EDGE, WR, TE
Fuaga blocks with the urgency of an avalanche and the violence of a Tarantino movie. He’s an aggressive monster on the edge who revels in pancakes and cleans out linebackers with relish in the run game. While his arm length may not be perfect, his strength and lateral quickness mean he should be able to stick around at tackle on Sundays.
In a loaded 2024 tackle class, Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State has been a massive riser. Terrific blend of power and athleticism at 6-6, 330. 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/rB8E5Fac46
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 6, 2023
That’s great news for the Bengals, who stand to lose Jonah Williams to free agency this spring. Williams didn’t love the idea of playing right tackle, but that’s where Fuaga has thrived with the Beavers. Now he’d get the chance to keep Joe Burrow upright — and to make life easier for Joe Mixon and Chase Brown in the run game.
19
Los Angeles Rams: S Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Needs: OL, S, EDGE, QB, DT
DeJean played cornerback at Iowa but could settle in either at corner or safety in the pros. That’s good news for the Rams, who could use reinforcements at both positions; Akhello Witherspoon, John Johnson and Jordan Fuller are all pending free agents.
DeJean is a ludicrous athlete who is sticky in coverage and quick to close to the ball. He’s explosive on the field, capable of baiting quarterbacks into bad throws with last-second acceleration. He’s one hell of a special teams ace as well — something useful for a Los Angeles team whose 7.3 yards per punt return were fifth-worst in the NFL.
20
Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Needs: QB, OL, CB, LB
This is too early for an off-ball linebacker and the Steelers seem likely to address their quarterback needs with a veteran addition. That leaves the secondary and offensive line as obvious needs at No. 20, and with middling returns from Dan Moore at left tackle, Mims represents a high-ceiling upgrade.
Georgia OT Amarius Mims in Week 1:
🐶 39 Pass Block Snaps
🐶 Zero Pressures Allowed pic.twitter.com/VxyFRC2UaW— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 5, 2023
The Georgia behemoth doesn’t have a ton of game film, but possesses all the blue chip qualities of a franchise cornerstone. He’s massive (6-foot-7, 340 pounds), has long arms and possesses the speed and quickness to be a force field along the edge. Drafting him would be a statement about Pittsburgh’s internal development and a bet Mike Tomlin would be comfortable making.
21
Miami Dolphins: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Needs: OT, IOL, S, EDGE, CB
All three of Miami’s starting interior offensive linemen are pending free agents. Fortunately, the Dolphins have their pick of 2024’s top centers and guards at No. 21.
— Walter (@Pff_Walter) February 9, 2024
Fautanu gets the call here over fellow Pac-12 standout Jackson Powers-Johnson thanks to his aggression and versatility. The Washington tackle can swing inside and use his violent run blocking to keep Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane thriving. More importantly, he’ll be an added layer of protection for Tua Tagovailoa, creating extra time in the pocket for deep strikes to Tyreek Hill.
22
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Needs: LB, CB, S, WR, EDGE
James Bradberry turns 31 years old in August and saw his passer rating allowed rocket to a career-worst 114.3 last season — more than double his 2022 number (51.6). Darius Slay is 33. Philadelphia badly needs a young, consistent presence to stablilize a collapsing secondary.
McKinstry didn’t live up to his gaudy 2022 numbers, in large part because opponents were smart enough to stop throwing his way. He’s a rock solid defender who is sticky in coverage and equally capable of pressing at the line of scrimmage or erasing pre-snap cushions in zone coverage. General manager Howie Roseman loves players who were blue chip prospects; he gets a big one here.
23
Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): DL Byron Murphy, Texas
Needs: IOL, EDGE, DT, TE, WR
Murphy is a full-stop problem up front; a near-310 pound wrecking ball with the quickness to penetrate gaps and punish anyone who fails to double-team him. He’s aggressive at the point of contact, notching 40 pressures in 13 games as a defensive tackle for the Longhorns in 2023.
#Texas DT Byron Murphy II Thread:
Murphy II is 6'1'', 308lbs and is exactly what every team is looking for in a modern 3 tech. He is a phenomenal athlete who can hold his own VS double teams pic.twitter.com/MVHlZ94Hzb
— Dustin Mosher (@Dustin_Mosher) February 13, 2024
That’s impressive; now think of what he could do with reigning defensive rookie of the year Will Anderson sewing havoc from the edge. Murphy would give Houston a high-upside replacement for Sheldon Rankins with the power to be an Aaron Donald-type disruptor in the middle of the field. Defensive line may not be the Texans’ biggest need, but Murphy’s fit may be too appealing to pass up.
24
Dallas Cowboys: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Needs: OT, C, S, CB, RB
Powers-Johnson has been one of the biggest risers in this year’s pre-draft process after showcasing an ideal strength/balance blend at the Senior Bowl. That leads him to a Day 1 selection, where he’ll get to replace free agent Tyler Biadasz in the middle of the Cowboys’ offensive line.
#Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson
Fun player to study over the past two weeks. Physical! Excellent run blocking center that can also make plays out in space. pic.twitter.com/VrkrRiaoS5
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 30, 2023
While a player like Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton could be play if Tyron Smith doesn’t re-sign, Powers-Johnson’s value may be too much to pass up. Dallas knows the value of taking a premier interior lineman in the first round after getting massive returns from Pro Bowlers Tyler Smith and Zack Martin. The former Duck has the chop to continue that lineage. He’s a meaty, strong-handed pass blocker capable of getting to the second level and smashing open new running lanes.
25
Green Bay Packers: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Needs: OT, OG, S, LB, CB
David Bakhtiari has played in 13 games the last three years, including just one in 2023. Capable swing tackle Yosh Nijman is a free agent. Green Bay, at the very least, needs developmental depth when it comes to blocking along the edges.
Guyton is capable of being much more than that. The 6-foot-7 right tackle didn’t give up a single sack at Oklahoma last season. He’s still a bit inexperienced, but he’s fluid and capable of being an upper echelon starter on Sundays.
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Needs: QB, IOL, OT, S, EDGE
Mike Evans is a free agent, and while it’s difficult to envision him playing anywhere else, he’s also 30 years old. Tampa Bay revived Baker Mayfield’s value as a quarterback, in large part, thanks to a high-level playmaking duo at wide receiver. Thomas’s slide to the back quarter of round one makes him too tempting to pass up.
Thomas is a 6-foot-4 vertical threat who can take over some of the deep routes for which Evans may no longer have the fast twitch speed as he charges into his second decade of NFL football. Or he can sub in for Evans in general should the future Hall of Famer leave this spring. Either way, he’d be a bargain at this point in the draft and make an immediate impact for the NFC South champs.
27
Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, QB
Wiggins’ slide ends here, as a Cardinals team that’s already address its wideout need flips over to the other side of that equation. The Clemson star has all the chops to be 2024’s top cornerback, though concerns about his skinny frame (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) will follow him to Sundays.
Nate Wiggins: 2.8 Passer Rating Allowed this season
Lowest in College Football🔒 pic.twitter.com/slhzrZLPjC
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 18, 2023
That’s fine with Arizona, who gambled and lost on a future Houston Texans first-round pick in last year’s Will Anderson trade and still manage to come away with a top-20 prospect here. Wiggins could be an immediate star among an anonymous cornerback group. He’s a press corner who uses the sideline well to redirect wideouts and force potential deep plays into dead ends.
28
Buffalo Bills: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Needs: WR, CB, S, EDGE
Stefon Diggs gets another high profile running mate at the draft; only this time it’s a proper WR2. Dalton Kincaid’s solid rookie season at tight end showcased his room for growth, but it didn’t take enough pressure off a top-heavy receiving corps that, once again, saw Diggs shut down in a playoff loss.
Coleman is the kind of outside presence who can take the lid off the defense and allow an aging Diggs to thrive in the intermediate range. He’s big, rangy and has the hand strength to catch the ball away from his body and haul it in through contact. He was a highlight machine at Florida State, and even as a rookie will be the kind of presence opposing coordinators can’t hand-wave away.
29
Detroit Lions: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Needs: CB, WR, EDGE, LB
2023’s efforts to rebuild the cornerback room didn’t pan out the way Detroit hoped. Cameron Sutton was stable, but also allowed a 112.3 passer rating in coverage. Emmanuel Moseley’s season ended after two snaps. Jerry Jacobs struggled and stopgap measures like Khalil Dorsey, Will Harris and Kindle Vildor effectively put a giant target on the Lions’ back.
If the #Packers want to play a more assertive style of defense in 2024 with more press-man, Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. certainly fits the bill.
He is a twitched-up athlete with great feet and high football IQ, who is also an aggressive and willing tackler. pic.twitter.com/OzVHY5JYfr
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) February 12, 2024
Rakestraw is here to help. The Mizzou corner has similar size issues as Wiggins thanks to a thin frame, but that didn’t prevent him from being an asset in press coverage. He can jam wideouts and the line and then run in step with them, providing a much needed asset in the Lions’ secondary.
30
Baltimore Ravens: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Needs: IOL, WR, EDGE, DT
Zay Flowers was a rookie revelation, but Rashod Bateman remains inconsistent and Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay are all free agents. There’s room to take a first round wideout for the third time in four years. Mitchell’s blend of size and speed makes this the pick.
At 6-foot-4, he can be a complementary presence alongside the 5-foot-9 Flowers. With 11 touchdowns in 2023 and one for every College Football Playoff game in which he’s played, he’s a red zone threat who can relieve pressure from Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely’s shoulders. Addressing a lack of edge rushers will be important for Baltimore this offseason, but the Ravens get better value here from Mitchell than it would sorting through a “just OK” crop of pass rush prospects at No. 30.
31
San Francisco 49ers: OT Graham Barton, Duke
Needs: OT, IOL, S, CB, EDGE
Dropping a guy named “Barton” into the middle of a championship-caliber 49ers line feels right. Graham isn’t related to two-time All-Pro Harris Barton, but he’s capable of being a similar stalwart for a unit in need of fresh blood.
The Duke offensive tackle is likely to kick inside at the next level, but his ability to handle multiple positions would be a balm for a team that got burned at guard and right tackle last season. San Francisco’s inability to block Chris Jones erased multiple touchdowns in Super Bowl 58. Adding the high-motor, hard-driving Blue Devil would help fix that glaring flaw.
32
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Needs: WR, LB, EDGE, OT, DT
Patrick Mahomes’ 6.5 air yards per throw ranked 30th among 32 qualified starting quarterbacks and was the lowest of his career by a significant margin. There were a handful of factors that led to this, but foremost among them was a lack of reliable downfield receivers. Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce were both solid, but neither was a consistent deep threat, averaging 3.6 and 5.5 yards before catch, respectively, in 2023.
That makes Franklin an easy sell with the final pick of the first round. The Oregon speedster can get downfield in a hurry, utilizing 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed en route to more than 17 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns last fall. He’s got a stronger resume than fellow burner Xavier Legette, which makes him the next link in a chain of wideouts the Chiefs have called upon to replace Tyreek Hill.
