With Super Bowl Sunday come and gone, the next big step forward after free agency is the draft. With what looks to be a loaded class of prospects, we must remember the draft is a gamble, and prospects don’t always pan out the way you think they would; for example, Jamarcus Russel. After being drafted in the first round and signing the highest rookie contract in NFL history his undisciplined actions caused his career to derail. I will create my own mock of the first ten picks, and compare them to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s 1.0 and 2.0 mock drafts. Please note this was made before the NFL Combine was completed so those scores will NOT affect my picks, nor will free agency.
Jeremiah has the Chicago Bears taking quarterback Caleb Williams. I do understand this pick but I think quarterback Jayden Daniels would be a better pick. He fits a lot better than Caleb. His flashy run or pass style is similar to Justin Fields. If he learns to slide and not take hits when running, and focus on accuracy, and arm strength, he would be Chicago’s golden boy.
For Jeremiah’s second overall pick, he chooses Drake Maye. But I believe Sam Howwel could be their quarterback and deserve one more season so I believe they take Marvin Harrsion Jr. to help Sam in his quarterback development. The New England Patriots hold the third overall pick, and Jeremiah has them taking Marvin Harrison Jr. or Jayden Daniels; however, with both of them off the draft board by this point, I believe they take the next-best quarterback, Bo Nix. Bo has a very high ceiling and is amazing with placement and arm strength.
With the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals are predicted to select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers. But with a mediocre quarterback and a lot of free agency talent at Wide receiver and offensive line, they take Caleb Williams and cross him off the draft board.
The Los Angeles Chargers have the fifth overall pick after a five and twelve season. While I think it would be funny to trade Justin Herbert and take JJ McCarthey to reunite him with his college head coach Jim Harbaugh is now the Chargers head coach, Herbert is a good quarterback and with Jeremiah taking offense tackle Joe Alt or wide receiver Rome Odunze I think with the wide receivers, running backs and tight ends he currently has, Joe Alt would be a good pick up for the Charger offensive line.
For the New York Giants Jeremiah believes they may take wide receiver Malik Nabers or Jayden Daniels I do agree with Malik Nabers, They take him and go the veteran route with a quarterback, my pick would be Joe Flacco.
With the Tennessee Titans holding the next pick Daniel predicts offense tackles, Joe Alt, and Olumuyiwa Fashanu. With Joe Alt already taken, I believe Jackson Powers-Johnson out of Oregon is a good pick. He’s fast, agile, and versatile, a perfect lineman.
The Atlanta Falcons have the 8th overall pick and Daniel has quarterback J.J. McCarthy or defensive edge Dallas Turner. But with their massive quarterback struggle, I think they should take Micheal Penix Jr. As an Oregon fan, it is tough to admit it, but he is a good quarterback and would fit right in with the Falcons. With good talent at the receiver position, he can excel at Atlanta with his excellent ball placement and decision-making.
The Bears are the only team with two first-round picks and since they took Jayden Daniels I think they take receiver Rome Odunze to help Jayden Daniels.
My final prediction comes down to the New York Jets. Daniel Jeremiah has them taking offensive tackle Talises Fuaga, I agree with Aaron Rodgers coming back and decent weapons all they need to win is a good offensive line to win it all.
And with that, I have made my first ten draft predictions. The next step is to see if they hold up in April but till then back to offseason free agency.
