I was able to get some last minute changes done up before tonight. Here's how I expect the night to go. Here's to hoping I am wrong as early as #4 and Marvin Harrison Jr. falls to #6...

1. Chicago Bears- QB Caleb Williams, USC
I don’t get the Mahomes comp for Williams. Josh Allen is what Romo looks like with Pat Mahomes arm (plus Cam Newton size). Caleb Williams doesn't have an arm anywhere near the level of Mahomes or Allen. He has plenty of arm and can make all the throws necessary in the NFL. It’s just not a bomb-it 80 yards deep with ease cannon. He likely tops out at 65-67 yards which is nothing to be disappointed about. Plus, Caleb is a much smoother runner than Patrick is. Talent wise, Williams should be fine going forward.

If he has any issues, it'll be between the ears. I don't care about the outfits or his fingernails or the phone case. Also, I don't care about crying to mom. I do care that it happened on the sideline. That has to happen in the car on the ride home. On the sideline, I need cool and calm. As the QB, I need you to be a steady eddy, no matter what. The highest of highs is a fist pump, the lowest of lows is a quick "damn" then keep 'er movin.

I maintain that if mentally he gets it, he will be Tony Romo. Which, yes, is a complement. Call him a choker all you want. He certainly had no problem beating plenty of teams up over his decade-long career. Dude was just straight trash…

If mentally he doesn't get it, he will be another Manziel. In that, I don't mean a drunk party animal. I simply mean a bust. Sure, there's other bust at QB to compare to, but play wise Romo/Williams/Manziel all have that never say die attitude in "smaller framed" QBs with just good, not great, arms. Why I make the Romo or Manziel comparison.

2. Washington Commanders- QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
I have flirted with NR trading up for Jayden, but if his mom really is a potential red flag that screams Washington. Sure, Dan sold the team. It’s still going to be dysfunctional Washington until the new owner proves otherwise.

Personally, I would let Washington take Jayden, as I wouldn’t take him before the second round. I don't see him as a sure-fire starter in the pros. His inability to drive the ball downfield, rather he throws a rainbow deep ball, absolutely terrifies me if I am a GM. TD’s in college, but in the NFL those are INT’s. Add in his sub 200lb frame and the Pat White concerns are there for me as a runner.

Now the upside is a rookie season RG III type of player. So, you can see why a team would want to draft him this high. You just know that selecting him comes with its risks.

3. New England Patriots- QB Drake Maye, UNC
Personally, I think Drake should go #1 as I think he will turn into the next Matty Stafford, and if given a choice I would want Stafford over Romo. So, give me Drake over Caleb every day, twice on game day. People question his delivery speed because he looked like he was playing at a different speed than the other players in college. He wasn't struggling to keep up with the new game speed of college like the other non-NFL caliber players were. Instead, he was in total control of that field. Calm, cool, and collected but man when he lets that right arm eat, it’s one of them patented laser rocket arms Peyton used to go on about in commercials.

4. Arizona Cardinals- WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
I think MHJ is 1A and Drake Maye is 1B in this class. One is Megatron, the other Matty Stafford. They should be who GMs are drooling over.

I think Arizona will make the right decision and select the future HoF WR. Arizona, as a franchise, usually doesn't tend to buck the trend with high draft selections. I know the regime was just changed over last offseason, but typically when they pick in the top five, they grab the usual suspect. I think that will continue to be the case, especially with another pick in the first round that Monti can wheel and deal with. So, I fully expect MHJ to hear his name called at #4. He will go on to be a star player for the Cardinals while the team doesn’t really build anything else around him a la Larry Fitz. Shame.

5. *Trade* Minnesota Vikings- QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan
I don't see it with JJ. The main reason I don't like McCarthy is ball placement. It's low and behind his guys in college on a far too consistent basis, which this fake-a-scout no likey. Either a lack of arm (which he seems to have zip) or bad field vision (which is even more alarming). Either way, it’s no bueno. Typically, this only gets worse in the pros and stops being bad balls for completions, and instead incompletions in the dirt.

I think that Minnesota is hoping that JJ is QB3 off the board leaving them the chance to select Drake. As is, they need a new signal caller in the worst way, so they jump the Giants to ensure they get next shot at a QB #4, regardless of whether it’s Drake or JJ.

6. New York Giants- WR Malik Nabers, LSU
I feel like the Giants are likely going to end up with Nabers despite wanting Maye or McCarthy, but with Jones on the roster the Giants brass doesn’t feel forced to make it happen at QB. If they can let it ride and one is there, awesome. If 4 QB’s go in the top 5, then they will turn their sights elsewhere.

Malik is the most common prospect to the Giants in mocks, and where this is smoke there is usually fire. So, if the top 5 plays out like expected (4 QB’s and Marvin) I think the Giants will end up selecting the pass catching bayeaux tiger. Nabers is a bigger bodied Will Fuller IV. Line him up in the slot and run it deep. Now he does this one thing exceptionally well, and if Malik gets even with his man send it deep cause he's open. However, his legs better stay healthy because I am not sure he does the other stuff a WR needs to do (route running/blocking in the run game/catching in traffic) well enough to sustain losing a step. I'm not sold he makes it even if he stays healthy. At least it’s not JJ.

7. Tennessee Titans- OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The seventh straight offensive player taken to start the draft. The Titans finally have their heir apparent to Taylor Lewan, and Peter Skoronski will remain at G despite being a first-round selection last year. I have a feeling Joe Alt is going to be closer to a Lewan/Taylor Decker than he will get to being one of the true greats of all time. However, if this happens, Tennessee will turn their card over almost immediately because I firmly believe Joe is who they have atop their draft prospect mountain. When it becomes clear nobody is calling for the trade, they just bring their guy home to Nashville and leave 7 minutes left on the clock.

8. Atlanta Falcons- OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama
This is either going to be a new #1 for Kirk, or the Falcons are going to try and mirror Houston, only they signed their new QB via Free Agency. However, here is the new stud pass rusher to go along with that new passer.

Dallas Turner has rare speed, and I don't mean like compared to the edge players of yesteryear. To quote the infamous inmate Unger from Adam Sandler’s longest yard, "he's so fast he makes fast people look, well, not fast." Why he gets the nod over Verse, who I think has the better all-around game at edge.

9. Chicago Bears- WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Yes, they have DJ, and signed Keenan. However, Keenan is an aging vet, here is a young playmaker that can learn and grow with Caleb in Chicago. Considered the third WR in the top tier (along with Nabers and MHJ) I think that Rome either goes here at #9 or #10 to the Jets. Either way, he will wind up a top ten selection tonight.

10. *Trade* Philadelphia Eagles- CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Typically, when a topflight CB prospect breaks the 4.4 threshold, they go in the top ten. Wiggins ran 4.28, but it feels like Quinyon (4.33) is pulling away from the other guys at corner. Also, he had the better 10-yard split at an absolutely insane 1.51 seconds (compared to Nate’s 1.59). Plus, he did all that at nearly 200lbs, while Wiggins is Emmanuel Forbes light at 173lbs. So, Mitchell gets the nod here over Wiggins.

Howie also is known to go get his guy on Thursday night, and this Thursday is no exception. #22, #53, #171 and 2025 4th round pick for #10 and the rights to come up and get Q. Mitchell to pair with the also big and fast Kelee Ringo in the backend of his defense.

11. *Trade* Las Vegas Raiders- QB Michael Penix Jr, Washington
Lighting can strike the same first round twice as the Bolts trade back yet again. #13, #112 and 2025 4th round pick from Las Vegas for #11 gets the Chargers to take the bait. Now, it might seem like not enough to help a rival out. However, that is negated by the fact that it hurts another rival in the Broncos, so this is truly about the picks. Moving down two spots to net a couple extra fourths is also made a lot easier when you expect QB to go back-to-back, meaning you still get who you wanted at #11 anyway. The risk is that Denver goes a different route than QB, but they really kind of can’t now that Russell is in Pitt. And you know the Raiders are coming up for a QB, so in the spirit of Vegas, the Chargers take a gamble.

AP, TC and company are not about to find out if Sean loves Bo or Micheal more. So, they part ways with a couple day 3 picks to get their guy. Sure, they signed Gardner, but he won't stop them from drafting or trading up to get said QB. He will just make it so whoever it is, doesn’t have to immediately be thrown to the wolves if they’re not ready. If they are, Gardner will also again play the role of clipboard holder for his new team as well.

12. Denver Broncos- QB Bo Nix, Oregon
After the Russell Wilson fiasco, the Broncos can't afford to move up and be wrong, so despite watching 4 QB’s go top 5, they must wait around. Ultimately, I do think Sean Payton prefers Bo over Michael Penix Jr. so being leapfrogged by the Raiders did not cost him anything. Now, if Payton feels like he can win with Nix as his QB in the NFL, I firmly believe he's wrong, but to each their own. They way I see it, Sean just Christian Pondered his career. The trade for Wilson may push this back a round, as Payton won’t feel compelled to take a QB in the first now, but I will stick with Nix at #12.

13. Los Angeles Chargers- TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
I don't personally see it with Brock either. By that I mean he will be good, but I don't see generational like some have claimed. Now, the reports all indicate it's going to be an OT for the Chargers. However, they can target the OT early second, or with a trade back up into the first round if they don't outright get #23 from Minny in the trade back from #5.

As for Bowers, he might be seen as a luxury pick. However, with a young potentially great QB like Justin Herbert, getting him playmakers is never a bad thing. Plus, Brock is a hard worker and coachable, and Jim no doubt loves that. So, to be able to trade back twice and still select the once thought of top 5 pick, the Chargers brass and staff will be ecstatic come Thursday.

14.*Trade* Arizona Cardinals- CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

After not trading with Minnesota, Monti instead shocks the draft world by coming all the up from #27 to #14 to snatch Terrion Arnold away from the Chris Ballard and the Colts. #27, #66, #162, and 2025 first round pick for #14 and 2025 second round pick.

15. Indianapolis Colts- CB/FS Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Charles "White Iverson" Woodson II, I mean Cooper, is a playmaker who realistically should go in the top 10, especially in this class. Honestly, thought about having him be the pick for the Eagles at #14, but Howie opts for the more natural outside corner. With the QB reigning supreme the Colts get the treasure from the DB Cooper heist. Ballard is the best GM in football and continues to show why. He expects DeJean to start at outside corner from day 1, but in the worst-case scenario he is just your teams Harrison Smith. Oh, what a travesty that would be for your roster.

16. SeattleSeahawks- OG/T Troy Fautanu, Washington
Schneider has said that the Seahawks have many issues among the front line of the offense, so I expect them to go offensive line. Now, whether they do that at #16, or in a potential trade back scenario, I am not so sure about. If Buffalo doesn’t find a deal with NO, then I think the next logical place for their trade would be here at #16 (Troy goes #14 instead of #16 in that scenario). If Buffalo does trade with NO, does a team like KC get antsy enough about losing out on getting Mahomes a WR, that Reid and Co. pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal themselves? Wouldn’t shock me. Seattle could get more draft assets and will still likely be able to obtain a solid o-line prospect at the end of round 1 while Andy isn’t afraid to make a deal.

If they can’t find a trade partner, then I think they just take the top o-linemen on their board. So, whoever is linemen #2 on their board is up. Not sure many have Fautanu as that guy (Olu and JC seem to be fighting for OT2), but Seattle always seems to go a little off schedule when they select. It's usually considered a reach. Troy, who is a localish prospect having spent the last 5 years playing for the Huskies (originally from Vegas, so a west of the Mississippi kid through and through). Now, he spent the last two years starting at LT for them, but he does have 1 start, as a redshirt sophomore, at LG. The position the Seahawks are hoping to plug him in at for the departing Damien Lewis, who is now running buddies with Robert Hunt in Carolina. He might also start out at RT with Lucas pushing inside to RG, but I do think that they would like to put Fautanu inside at guard. Preferably LG with new signee Laken switching over to RG, but possibility that Troy starts at RG his rookie season before switching over to LG next year when Tomlinson’s 1 year deal expires.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars- OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
I think that with the Bills trading up for Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars will be all in on upgrading Trevor Lawrence’s protection. If Thomas is available, he will be the selection at #17. As is, in this mock pick #17 comes down to the monster size of Fashanu or the technical prowess of Latham. With Doug Pederson still the HC, I think you lean towards the measurables over the polished guy with the lower ceiling. So, the Jaguars bank on Olu’s upside.

18. Cincinnati Bengals- OT JC Latham, Alabama
If Cincinnati were not owned by the Browns, I might have them trading up with Seattle, to be able to get ahead of the Jaguars to ensure they get Latham. However, the Bengals trading up almost ensures that the apocalypse is coming, so I don’t want to predict that. Now, despite staying put the Bengals get the prospect they want all along. With Jonah Williams now in Arizona a new RT to bookend Orlando Brown Jr. is needed. What better way to replace a departing Bama OT than with an incoming Bama OT?

19. Los Angeles Rams- DE Jared Verse, Florida State
Another defensive player that gets pushed down due to the over drafting of the QB position. Jared should be taken in the top half of the first round on talent alone, if not top ten. However, once QB’s start getting over drafted (only Caleb and Drake belong in the top half of the first round this year) it throws everything out of whack. So, as much as I think the Rams are targeting Byron Murphy at #19 to replace the retiring Aaron Donald, when Verse falls to them they quickly call the audible.

20. *Trade* Buffalo Bills- WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
All the moves made by Brandon Beane and the Bills scream first round wideout to me. However, can't expect anybody to be there if you stick around at #28. So, armed with an extra second next year Beane pulls the trigger. #28, #128, #248 and a 2025 2nd (Theirs, they keep Houston’s pick) to come up to #20.

Not even Josh Allen can overthrow Brian Thomas Jr. despite having one of, if not the, strongest arms in the NFL. 6’4" with Stretch Armstrong arms that can run that fast and jump that high? Just insane. Buffalo and Allen will immediately fall in love with Thomas, and I expect them to produce insane statistics right out of the gate. Teams will now be 2 for 2 in replacing Diggs as WR1.

21. Miami Dolphins- DE/DT Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The reason why the Dolphins go shopping back is revealed. Latu once thought of as a top ten pick during the season, is now being considered a potential second round prospect due to his neck injury in the past. He clearly played at UCLA the past two years, but at one point in time Latu was medically retired from football. This could cause teams to shy away from using their coveted first round selection on him. The Dolphins are one team though said to have extensively met with Latu. So, if they could trade back and still obtain him, it will help alleviate the concerns about taking a player with a neck injury in the first round.

22. New York Jets- OG/T Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Taliese could potentially be the team’s new RG, or RT, but after trading this far down it is likely the Jets are not going to get either Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers, but they can also help their aging vet QB by drafting players that can help keep him upright.

23. Minnesota Vikings- DT Byron Murphy III, Texas
The reason why the Vikings wouldn’t make the deal with Arizona for #11 and #23, is because they are said to really like Murphy a lot, also. A big body with the ability to collapse a pocket from the inside to help take the focus away from the newly acquired Jonathon Bullard wouldn’t be a bad idea. Now, Byron falling out of the top 20 is going to take some draft day luck for the Vikings. Well, Minny is actually going to help play a hand in that. In order for that to happen, first QB’s like JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. all need to get selected in the top half of the draft. Then they need a Draft Day movie style fairytale ending, so that they get the DT they covet falling to them at #23, instead of having to settle of someone like Newton out of Illinois here instead. Especially on top of having to already settle for JJ. I just feel like one of the things has to break Minnesota’s way. Although right now, it is more likely that Maye falls to #4 than Byron falls to #23, so in a week this may end up being a haul of Maye and Newton.

24. Dallas Cowboys-OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Guyton allows the Cowboys to keep Tyler Smith at LG, where Stephen Jones alluded to Smith feeling like a Larry Allen situation all over again. Plus, the Oklahoma Sooner is beyond massive at 6’8" and 322lbs with 34" arms and 10.25" hand size. So, the Cowboys bring the Texas native back home.

25. Green Bay Packers- OT Armarius Mims, Georgia
If Gutekunst wants to continue to be seen in a favorable light in GB, post the Aaron Rodgers trade, then Love can’t suffer a "sophomore" slump. I know that this is year 5 for Jordan, but just his second year as starter. With tape and a full offseason to devise plans, it could very well be this is start to the downward spiral that is Jordan Love’s career. To prevent that, the Packers must make sure that Jordan remains upright. Mims is a massive human being, and Brian loves him some Georgia Bulldogs. This just feels like it’s going to happen to me.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB Nate Wiggins
The DB room in Tampa Bay is starting to resemble a bare cupboard. Once a strength for the team, one key injury and it might just be the worst CB situation in all of football. Dean is still there, but Davis Jr. was traded to Detroit, and right now the corners that are 2-5 on the depth chart should realistically be no higher than the 5th corner on any team’s roster. I fully expect TB to take minimum 2 CB this draft, probably 3. Wiggins sure can run like the dickens. Not quite record breaking like Worthy, but Wiggins broke the 4.3 mark himself, with a 4.28 40-yard dash time. He did so at 173lbs, so I don’t expect it to catapult him up to the top ten.

27. New Orleans Saints- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
The Saints could use help at OT, OG, WR, DE, LB, CB, and S so pick your poison here really. After dropping down this far to gain an extra second rounder in 2024 and 2025, the Saints just grab the BPA. Kool-Aid may need a second surgery on his foot, or at least that has been the common theme with his injury. However, the Saints feel this late in the first round the talent is just too great.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- OG/T/C Graham Barton, Duke
The reports from Tony Pauline are that Barton is the man for Pitt at #20. So, barring a trade back that's what it is going to be in my mock. Not that Tony is the end all, be all to NFL prospects. Just makes a lot of sense, and typically Mr. Pauline isn't spouting his personal opinions, but rather heard something and is sharing that information. So, Pitt stays put and takes the player they expect to come in be the next Maurkice Pouncey at C. Worst case scenario, he’s a plug and play G for your team. Personally, I think he’s an all-pro LG caliber prospect, but I think that Pitt will want him at C. His football IQ alone makes him more valuable at C, but I think he has all the things I want in a LG- big, smart, tough and nasty.

29. Detroit Lions- DE/OLB Chop Robinson, Penn State
The Lions have done a good job in FA of filling holes. I think that this selection will either be another weapon for Goff at WR, or who the team hopes will be Hutchinson’s new bookend mate at edge. Depending on who they have as BPA.

They signed Marcus Davenport to a one year prove it deal after he was a disappointment in NO. However, his signing certainly isn’t going to prevent the team from taking an edge player they like. Even in the first round. Chop, can come in as a rookie and compete with Davenport to be the immediate starter. Should he not win that job early on, he can still see the field in pass rush packages.

30. Baltimore Ravens- OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
The Ravens lost both their starting guards this offseason, and quite frankly can’t feel as confident in Stanley as they were when they signed him to his massive extension. Plus, he’s now 30 so a future at LT needs to start being part of the Ravens plans. Enter Penei Sewell’s cousin, who is not nearly the elite prospect that Sewall was, but Kingsley is another massive dancing bear. He doesn’t have ideal LT size, but he certainly has the athleticism to stick to the outside. Worst case scenario, he’s the team’s new RG in place of the departing Zietler.

31. San Francisco 49ers- DT Jer’Zhane Newton, Illinois
Despite signing two new edge players to replace Young outside, the 49ers haven’t really replaced losing Arik Armstead on the inside. Maliek Collins is depth, let’s be honest. So, I think this comes down to Sweat and Newton. Now, Newton is more like the recently departed Armstead, plus you factor in Sweat’s recent DUI arrest, and I think all signs point to Newton for the 49ers. Now, if some of the linemen fall to bottom of round 1, like Fuaga or Suamataia, then I think the 49ers would take a long hard look at them instead.

32. Kansas City Chiefs- WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
I think the Chiefs would like to move up from #32 to get help for Patrick Mahomes, but teams might be getting sick and tired of helping KC dominate the league. So, they call but nobody picks up. Leaving them stuck at #32 to pick over whoever’s left at WR. Mitchell has size and speed to be elite, and with Mahomes at QB he just might get there.

Not First Round picks:

33. Carolina Panthers- WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
However, in true Panthers form they get the wrong guy. Mitchell should be WR5 taken off the board, but the new owner Tepper demands his new GM take the newly minted combine 40-yard dash record holder. I am not sure that Bryce has the arm necessary to properly utilize Worthy tracks star speed, but that’s not going to stop the Panthers from drafting him anyway.

42. Houston Texans- RB Blake Corum, Michigan
Houston didn’t get Barkley, and lost Singletary to the Giants so help at RB is still needed. At #42 they still get their pick of the litter while getting extra picks from Minny is a pre-draft day trade. Blake isn’t the athletic freak by any means, but he seems to have plenty of athleticism and toughness that he should be a solid pro. Add him to a team like Houston, where he should see plenty of light box’s, thanks to the presence of CJ throwing it all over the place, and watch the magic happen.

54. Cleveland Browns- S Kam Kinchens, Miami
Thanks to Deshaun, Cleveland does not have a first-round pick in 2024. Thanks to Kevin Stefianski, that’s hasn’t mattered. Despite Watson not being worth the price paid, the Browns continue to win.

Here they get a player who tested poorly in Indianapolis, but if you put on the tape, you see a ball hawking FS. 11 interceptions in the past two years for the Hurricanes, his ability to read the opposing QB’s eyes is second to none in this draft class. I am not sure he will make it to #54 despite the slow 40, that’s how good the tape is.