It is time to unveil my third mock draft. There will be one more on tap. For this one, I barreled through three rounds (100 picks). I made trades through the first two rounds. I am picking for every team, considering free agency and short- and long-term needs. This was challenging but fun, and hopefully, it will be a helpful exercise for you at home as I have worked through multiple scenarios over the last few weeks.
1. Chicago, Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2. Washington, Drake Maye, QB, UNC - I know what Schefter said. I also know there's been some pushback on that. If the Commanders let that leak this early, they're fools (which is why I applaud Eliot Wolf for being tight-lipped on the subject) and probably doomed to remain a subpar organization.
3. Las Vegas, Jayden Daniels, LSU - trade 1st (13), 2nd (44), fourth (112), and 2025 1st and 4th rounders to New England
4. Arizona, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
5. Minnesota, JJ McCarthy, Michigan - trade two 1st (11 & 23), a fifth-rounder (157), and 2025 and 2026 3rd-rounders to LA Chargers
6. NY Giants. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington - The Giants have been heavily involved in the QB process. I crafted a trade-up with the Pats at #3, but I don't think NY has enough to give.
7. Tennessee, Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame
8. New England, Malik Nabers, WR, LSU - trade 2024 first-rounder (13) and third-rounder (68) to Atlanta. This decision came down to Nabers, Taliese Fuaga (RT more than LT), and Troy Fautanu (LT who could play anywhere on the line). This is one hell of a debate. Ultimately, Eliot Wolf couldn't pass up an elite, potentially coverage-shifting talent in Nabers. And here's a theory I've run by intelligent people in the league about trading back - don't surrender a top pick and drop so far back that you miss out on elite talent. Hence, the trade back up because at 13, you're missing out on the no-brainers in this draft (and Atlanta is willing because the Falcons can stil get their guy).
9. LA Chargers, Taliese Fuaga, RT, Oregon State - trade a 2024 first (11) and fourth (105) to Chicago.
10. NY Jets, Troy Fautanu, LT, Washington - Wide receiver or offensive lineman. Offensive lineman or wide receiver. Two aging tackles, one in injury-prone Tyron Smith, make Fautanu, who can play any position along the line, the right choice.
11. Jacksonville, Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU - trade first-rounder (17), third-rounder (96) and fourth-rounder (116) to Chicago.
12. LA Rams, Olu Fashanu, T, Penn State - trade first-rounder (19), third-rounder (83) and 7th-rounder (217) to Denver.
13. Atlanta, Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama
14. New Orleans, Amarius Mims, T, Georgia - When I tell you opinions of Mims are all over the joint, I mean ALL OVER. I have a handful of people I trust who think he could fall into the 40s, while others believe he's the best LT prospect of the class. The Saints need a home run. They swing big here.
15. Indianapolis, Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
16. Seattle, Grahan Barton, OL, Duke - Barton has come up often as a smart, safe, plug-and-play pick at guard or center.
17. Chicago, Jared Verse, DE, FSU - Big, edge-setting DE to bookend with Montez Sweat.
18. Cincinnati, J.C. Latham, T, Alabama
19. Denver, Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
20. Pittsburgh, Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa - Not getting nearly the love he should. The dude can ball.
21. LA Chargers, Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia - Trade first-rounder (23) and fifth-rounder (140) to Miami. Bowers is a top-10 talent, but finding a home for him was hard. No longer. The Chargers get Justin Herbert, the best available weapon on the board.
22. Philadelphia, Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
23. Arizona, Byron Murphy, DT, Texas - Trade first-rounder (27) and fourth-rounder (104) to Miami. Murphy should go top 15. Once again, looked for a spot and couldn't find one that made sense or a trade-up that far that made sense. Here, a subtle move from the Cards, who have a boatload of picks.
24. Dallas, Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma - Pats had him in for a 30 visit.
25. Green Bay, Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois - Defense player of the year in the Big 10 isn't getting enough love.
26. Tampa Bay, Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson - For a playoff team, the Bucs sure do have a lot of needs.
27. Miami, Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon - Some teams aren't as high on him as the post-Senior Bowl led us to believe. But the Dolphins have an interior line mess, and Powers-Johnson helps alleviate that.
28. Buffalo, Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas - The Bills needed a WR before they traded Stefon Diggs. Mitchell erases cushions quickly.
29. Detroit, Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State - Put him opposite of Hutch and see what happens.
30. Baltimore, Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri - Physical corner fits Ravens approach.
31. San Francisco, Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
32. Kansas City, Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama - La'Jarius Sneed replacement.
2ND ROUND
33. New England, Michael Penix, QB, Washington - Trade 2024 second-rounder (34) and fourth-rounder (112, acquired in trade with Vegas) to outbid Denver, Tampa, and Dallas (yes, I wrote Dallas). It's a sizeable price, but RKK gets his youngish (24) quarterback. There may be no better pure thrower of the football than Penix (except Caleb). Would I be surprised if he had a good rookie year? Nope. Would I be surprised if he didn't get much better than that? Nope. And therein lies the challenge in the evaluation.
34. Carolina, Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia - As my son would say, he's a bucket. I think that means he gets what you need. I still need to run that through the teenage translator.
35. Arizona, Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
36. Washington, Kingsley Suamataia, T, BYU - Pats had him in for a 30 visit.
37. LA Chargers, Braden Fiske, DT, FSU
38. Cincinnati, Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon - Trade 2nd-rounder (49) and 4th-rounder (97) to Tennessee. Pats brought him in for a 30 visit. Skinny field stretcher.
39. Carolina, Payton Wilson, LB, NC State - If teams are comfortable with his lengthy injury history, this is about the right spot for him.
40. Washington, Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Kentucky - Buy stock.
41. Green Bay, Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota - Safety play was an issue for the Pack last year. Signing Xavier McKinney and then drafting Nubin turns it into a strength.
42. Houston, Christian Haynes, G, UConn
43. Atlanta, TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
44. LA Rams, Bo Nix, QB, Oregon - trade 2nd rounder (52) and third-rounder (99) to New England. Nix had so many open window throws that between that and a low depth of target, I don't really know what his ceiling is. Considering all the time he spent in college, he might already have reached it.
45. New Orleans, Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
46. Indianapolis, Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
47. NY Giants, Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
48. Jacksonville, Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan - Had I not traded back, Sainristil was in contention to be picked at 44.
49. Tennessee, Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan - The Titans need speed at WR, and though I like Kyle Phillips, he hasn't been a consistent answer in the slot.
50. Washington, Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama - trade third-rounders (67 & 100) to Philadelphia. It's not a great year for edge players.
51. Pittsburgh, Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida - He's really good.
52. New England, Patrick Paul, T, Houston - I'm not trying to pick the same player in each of these mocks, but Paul is the best of the developmental prospects. He's started 44 games at left tackle, including the last 39 of his career. That's over 2,000 snaps. He's got ridiculously long arms and the athletic profile you want at tackle. With refinement, Paul's a starter. Could he develop into a really good starter? If he does, that's a friggin' home run pick. If not for Paul here, I would have turned to Michigan LB Junior Colson or Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac.
53. Philadelphia, Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
54. Cleveland, Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
55. Miami, Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State - Young player with oodles of upside.
56. Atlanta, Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky - trade third-rounder (68) and fourth-rounder (109) to Dallas while getting a seventh-rounder (233) in return.
57. Tampa Bay, Adisa Isaac, edge, PSU
58. Green Bay, Andru Phillips, CB. Kentucky
59. Houston, Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas - Nick Caserio will be happy if Worthy and his elite speed fall this far.
60. Buffalo, Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon - The Bills are the masters of drafting the B- or B defensive lineman. Dorlus could be another in that long line.
61. Detroit, Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia - His tape is excellent. His 40 time is not that of a starting CB.
62. Baltimore, Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington - Good player.
63. San Francisco, Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina - Another player with a wide range of outcomes. Just one year of college production, but what a year it was.
64. Kansas City, Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas - Eventually, Travis Kelce will not be the player we know. Sanders might help fill that void.
THIRD ROUND
65. Carolina, Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan - Physical freak but without the consistent production to accompany it.
66. Arizona, Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
67. Philadelphia, Kiran Amegadjie, T, Yale - This guy with OL coach Jeff Stoutland. Bang.
68. Dallas, Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas - First back off the board.
69. LA Chargers, Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama - Burton is a character concern. But if Harbaugh is comfortable with him and can retain his focus, this would be a steal.
70. NY Giants, Cole Bishop, S, Utah
71. Arizona, Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington - Battled injuries this year, but his tape is good.
72. NY Jets, Devontez Walker, WR, UNC - Big body with top-end speed. Inconsistent performer.
73. Detroit, Dominik Puni, G, Kansas
74. Atlanta, Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas - One of the draft's more intriguing pass rush prospects. Still green.
75. Chicago, Brenden Rice, WR, USC
76. Denver, Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina - Likely not the long-term answer, but could push Jarrett Stidham.
77. Las Vegas, Roger Rosengarten, T, Washington - Most think he's a right tackle, but if there's a chance he can play left, he'd be in play for the Patriots.
78. Washington, Blake Fisher, T, Notre Dame
79. Atlanta, DJ James, CB, Auburn
80. Cincinnati, Gabriel Murphy, Edge, UCLA - Consistent pass rusher. Has a twin brother in the draft as well.
81. Seattle, Sedrick Van Pan-Granger, C, Georgia
82. Indianapolis, Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia
83. Denver, Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah
84. Pittsburgh, Tanor Bortolini, C/G, Wisconsin
85. Cleveland, Bralen Trice, DE, Washington
86. Houston, Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson - He's raw, and it's hard to see what he does really well, but he moves well for a man his size (6'4", 295)
87. Dallas, Maason Smith, DT, LSU - He's gotten a lot of love as this process continues. Looked like he was his dominant self late in the season after recovering from ACL surgery.
88. Green Bay, Mason McCormick, IOL, South Dakota St
89. Tampa Bay, Malik Washington, WR, Virginia - So quick.
90. Arizona, Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
91. Green Bay, Blake Corum, RB, Michigan - He has no superpowers and some mileage on him, but Corum runs hard.
92. Tampa Bay, Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
93. Baltimore, Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State - He's my safety #1b with Bishop as 1A.
94. San Francisco, Isaiah Adams, G, Illinois
95. Kansas City, T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas - Very talented but troubled beyond the DUI.
96. Chicago, Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest - A missile.
97. Tennessee, Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
98. Pittsburgh, RB, Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC
99. New England, Jarvis Brownlee, CB, Lousiville - Needs versus value at the bottom of the 3rd round. A couple of talented running backs - Trey Benson and Jaylen Wright - remain on the board, but cornerback remains a sneaky need for the Pats. Brownlee likes to get in WRs faces and play press, although the Cards played a balanced scheme. He's an aggressive tackler and had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, being named the American team's top corner. Could also consider an edge player here, but my favorite 3rd round rusher, Austin Booker, came off the board 25 picks earlier, and I do not see anyone else in this range.
100. Philadelphia, Calen Bullock, S, USC - Can't tackle very well but has excellent range and is still young (he's about to turn 21).