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Jess Root

QB Jayden Daniels falls in new pre-free agency 1st-round mock draft

Free agency will begin Monday with the two days of legal negotiating with impending free agents. That will impact what teams do in the draft.

Before free agency starts, we have a first-round mock draft in which three quarterbacks do not go with the first three picks. The New England Patriots take a receiver, presumably addressing quarterback in free agency or via trade, while Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, projected by some to go as high as second overall, falls in this mock draft.

Check out each pick below.

1. Bears (from Panthers): USC QB Caleb Williams

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams talks with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first half of the game against No. 6 Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

This is a no-brainer at this point. Justin Fields will be traded before this point.

2. Commanders: North Carolina QB Drake Maye

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders need a quarterback and go from one North Carolina guy (Sam Howell) to another (Maye) and OC Kliff Kingsbury gets to work with another rookie.

3. Patriots: Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) pushes off Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Devon Williams (9) as he runs down the field during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium.

This projects the Patriots will already have their quarterback and so, rather than trading out of the pick, they take the best player in the draft in Harrison, to give their new QB a great young talent to throw the ball to.

4. Cardinals: Washington WR Rome Odunze

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Odunze reminds many of Larry Fitzgerald. It would be fitting to have him go to Arizona, where Fitz played his entire career. Odunze’s playmaking down the field and size will be great for QB Kyler Murray.

5. Chargers: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch during the third quarter as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

The Chargers could go with Malike Nabers but instead go with the best tight end in the draft.

6. Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers

Malik Nabers 8 dives for a ball as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.

The Giants could make a play for a quarterback but instead will either continue to roll with Daniel Jones or acquire another one (perhaps Russell Wilson) before the draft.

7. Titans: Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans choose protection for Will Levis. Alt is the best of the group.

8. Falcons: Texas DL Byron Murphy II

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons could go with a quarterback with Jayden Daniels on the board still. But perhaps having gotten one in the offseason, new coach Raheem Morris gets a big body to fill the defensive interior.

9. Bears: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

With a quarterback already selected, they give Williams a young stud who was immovable at the Senior Bowl to protect him.

10. Jets: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell was a stud at the combine and shone at the Senior Bowl. Pair him with Sauce Gardner to make that defense even better? Sure.

11. Vikings: Illinois DL Johnny Newton

Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings get a big guy for the defense with thief first pick in the draft.

12. Broncos: Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos also pass on Daniels so they presumably will have acquired a quarterback already. Instead, they add DeJean to a defensive backfield with Pat Surtain.

13. Raiders: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Would you be surprised to see three cornerbacks drafted before three quarterbacks? I would, but the Raiders add defense here and get a physical corner.

14. Saints: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Daniels’ fall ends and it is a perfect spot. He stays in Louisiana.

15. Colts: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Wiggins blew away the combine with a 4.28-second 40.

16. Seahawks: Washington OT Troy Fautanu

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks have two young tackles in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas but Lucas has dealt with injuries and Fautanu could play inside. He gets to stay in Seattle after playing there collegiately.

17. Jaguars: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The first pass rusher comes off the board at No. 17. With Josh Allen on the franchise tag, adding Turner pairs two studs for a year and potentially allows Allen to leave in a year.

18. Bengals: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

A second straight pass rusher comes off the board. The Bengals will pair Verse with Trey Hendrickson. That defense will be scary.

19. Rams: Penn State OL Olu Fashanu

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) goes up against Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) during the third quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.

The Rams brought back G Kevin Dotson. They add a tackle now.

20. Steelers: Alabama OT JC Latham

Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

The Steelers add protection for whatever quarterback they end up going with.

21. Dolphins: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Powers-Johnson can immediately start at center for the Dolphins.

22. Eagles: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles drafted Nolan Smith last year. They are looking to trade Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick. Plug in Latu.

23. Texans (from Browns) N.C. State LB Payton Wilson

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There is no question Wilson is a great talent and he will be great for DeMeco Ryans in Houston if he stays healthy.

24. Cowboys: Georgia OT Amarius Mims

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Having good tackles is what the Cowboys do. They add a giant one in Mims.

25. Packers: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Giving Jordan Love more weapons? Aaron Rodgers probably can’t believe it.

26. Buccaneers: Duke OL Graham Barton

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Barton projects as an interior lineman so the Bucs add youth inside to protect Baker Mayfield or whoever ends up as their starting quarterback.

27. Cardinals (from Texans): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With D.J. Humphries having torn his ACL, the Cardinals need a tackle. Guyton can slide in at right tackle and Paris Johnson can move over to left tackle.

28. Bills: Oregon WR Troy Franklin

Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin celebrates a touchdown as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

The Bills get a productive, speedy receiver.

29. Lions: Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa

Iowa State football defensive back T. J. Tampa (2) poses for a photograph during the university football media day at Jack Trice Stadium on Friday, Aug 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.

Detroit’s defense gets stronger on the back end.

30. Ravens: LSU WR Brian Thomas

Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and now Thomas? Another MVP season coming for Lamar Jackson?

31. 49ers: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

Texas Longhorns wide receivers Adonai Mitchell (5) and Xavier Worthy (1) celebrate a touchdown by Mitchell during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.

With the future of Brandon Aiyuk uncertain, they add a receiver in the first round.

32. Chiefs: Minnesota S Tyler Nubin

Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Ryan Selig (33) and Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) celebrate a defensive stop during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-30.

The First round ends with the Chiefs adding a safety.

More Cardinals and NFL coverage

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

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