With the KCM Sports Podcast now available, I made the decision to release mock draft snippets there instead of having different full draft versions. Having done the NFL Roster Breakdown series throughout the offseason, and the first half of the season, I felt more prepared to match the teams with first round prospects. I did not do any trades in this solo entry into the NFL Mock Draft series. It will be exciting to see how many of these picks end up happening and the surprise trades.

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams – QB (USC)

Needs: QB, WR, Edge

I flipped back and forth on what I think the Bears should do with this pick. Then they traded away QB Justin Fields to the Steelers and that made this pick an easy one to predict. Williams is a better passer and game general than Fields is, and with the pieces that GM Ryan Poles added via free agency and trades, he is getting Williams set up for success immediately. 

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels – QB (LSU) 

Needs: QB, OT, CB

After failed attempts at a traditional style quarterback, the Commanders return to the mobile style quarterback with Daniels. Daniels’ two years at LSU was where he grew the most, throwing 57 touchdowns and ran it 21 times capped off with a Heisman Trophy. He was able to have that kind of production with an amazing cast around him. He will be entering an offense with weapons to help replicate that production.

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye – QB (University of North Carolina)

Needs: QB, OT, WR

Despite the Patriots bringing back QB Jacoby Brissett, the Patriots need a franchise QB. Maye doesn’t need to play immediately as Brissett is a quality bridge quarterback. Maye has tremendous arm strength and enough mobility to create big plays. Maye has a lot of potential but needs time to sharpen his mechanics and how to read a defense. This is the perfect situation for Maye as the Pats lean on Brissett for the 2024 season. 

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: WR, DL, CB

The Cardinals need a playmaker at wideout. Following the trade of WR Rondale Moore, the Cardinals are in desperate need to reload at this position. What better way than to get a generational talent in Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison Jr has an amazing catch radius and speed to blow past any defender. Pairing Harrison Jr with QB Kyler Murray is going to give them a fighting chance in the NFC West. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Rome Odunze – WR (Washington)

Needs: CB, WR, DT

The Chargers lost both veteran receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason. New HC Jim Harbaugh is known for building up his teams from the line outward but you can’t expect QB Justin Herbert to succeed without a stud receiver to catch his passes. That is what the Chargers will be getting with Odunze. Odunze excelled once QB Michael Penix Jr was throwing to him. Penix’s precision passes paired with their amazing timing helped put Odunze on the map. Odunze can find that same rhythm and connection with Herbert and take this offense to a new level. 

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers – WR (LSU)

Needs: QB, WR, G

The Giants find themselves needing to reload their offense with playmakers after RB Saquon Barkley departed in free agency. Nabers can step into this offense and easily work his way into the starting line up opposite of WR Darius Slayton. Nabers has deceiving speed that helps him create space. Just like his fellow LSU alumnus, Nabers has amazing hands and can make the tough catches. 

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt – OL (Notre Dame)

Needs: OT, Edge, S

The Titans reloaded at the key offensive positions through free agency, now it’s time to improve the offensive line. Getting one of the best offensive lineman, in this class,  to block for QB Will Levis’ blindside is going to boost his growth. This will also help new RB Tony Pollard have wider holes to run through. The AFC South has suddenly become very competitive and if the Titans want to have a chance, they need to protect Levis and give him time to deliver the ball to new WR Calvin Ridley. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner – OLB (Alabama)

Needs: Edge, CB, OT

With the offense in a better place thanks to Free Agency, the Falcons decided to focus on improving their defense with adding Turner to the team. New HC Raheem Morris was able to elevate the Rams D in his two years as their DC. Turner entered the draft with a lot of potential and room for growth. If Morris can unlock all that power and ability, Turner can be a player he builds his defense around for years. 

9. Chicago Bears: Olumuyiwa Fashanu – OT (Penn State)

Needs: QB, WR, Edge

The Bears have their new franchise QB in Williams with the first overall pick. The next move is to add Fashanu and have him be the blindside blocker. Placing him next to LG Teven Jenkins and that side of the line is locked down. Fashanu was only able to do the 40 yard dash in the NFL Combine but even in that only performance, his speed was on display. Fashanu has quick feet when staying in front of defenders.

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers – TE (Georgia)

Needs: WR, OT, S

The Jets get the last piece of the puzzle in their mission to makeover the offense. Free agency additions T Tyron Smith and WR Mike Williams are realistically short term solutions to the offense but adding in a major playmaker in Bowers at the TE position will give this offense another dimension. Tight end can easily be viewed as the weakest position for the Jets once they released TE CJ Uzomah after only two years with the team. Opposing DCs will have to account for WR Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, RB Breece Hall AND now Bowers on every single play, good luck. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy – QB (Michigan)

Needs: QB, CB, RB

McCarthy is a proven winner dating back to high school. He finished his career at Michigan throwing for 2,991 yards and 25 total touchdowns en route to an undefeated season and a CFB championship. HC Kevin O’Connell’s offense is the perfect system for McCarthy to maximize his potential. He will also be throwing to the best WR and a top tier TE in Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, that will help set McCarthy up for success immediately.

12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix – QB (Oregon)

Needs: QB, CB, Edge

The Broncos are in a uniquely poor financial situation following the release of QB Russell Wilson. This puts the Broncos in a position to reload their team through the draft. The most important first step is for HC Sean Payton to select a new franchise QB. The Broncos might be reaching for Nix here but they will get a smart and experienced QB that knows how to read both an SEC and PAC-12 defenses. HC Payton’s offense operates to its fullest when the QB can get the ball to the playmakers and not turn it over. That is Nix.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr – QB (Washington)

Needs: QB, T, CB

The Raiders could opt to improve their defensive line with this pick, but HC Antonio Pierce needs a playmaker at the most important position in football. QB Aiden O’Connell was serviceable in his time as the starter but could not put away teams when the game became close. Penix did amazing work when throwing to WR Rome Odunze. Once Penix can get a rhythm with WR Davante Adams, then the Raiders can threaten the Chiefs for top of the AFC West. 

14. New Orleans Saints: Brian Thomas Jr. – WR (LSU)

Needs: OT, OG, WR

With WR Chris Olave stepping up as the top target in New Orleans, he needs a running partner. Bring in Thomas Jr to take more attention away from Olave and the Saints have an amazing 1-2 punch at wideout. Thomas Jr ran the second fastest 40 yard dash at the combine and demonstrated his excellent route running and hands in the drills. He also put on a great performance at his Pro Day cementing him as one of the top pass catchers in this class.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold – CB (Alabama)

Needs: CB, S, Edge

The Colts need an enforcer in the defensive backfield to stay in the hunt in a competitive AFC South. After losing CB Stephon Gilmore at the end of the 2022 season, CB Kenny Moore II stepped up to be the top backfielder. Adding Arnold to play opposite of Moore will give the Colts a dynamic combo at the CB position. Arnold has elite play recognition and is a hard nosed player against ball catchers. 

16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu – OT (Washington)

Needs: G, LB, OT

The Seahawks are entering a new era under HC Mike Macdonald. With the resigning of DT Leonard Williams, the Seahawks opt to improve the offensive line and get a protector for QB Geno Smith. Putting Fautanu next to either T Charles Cross or T George Fant and that’s going to help the run game that became the identity of the Seahawks late in the season. 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Byron Murphy II – DT (Texas) 

Needs: WR, DT, IOL

The Jags signed DE Ark Armstead during free agency. While that does help the pass rush, Armstead needs a partner. Bring in Murphy to take attention in the middle and now the Jags are closer to their 2017 form when they were known as Sacksonville. Murphy had the third fastest 40 yard dash among DTs with the fifth fastest 10 yard split. What that means is that Murphy knows how to get past O lineman. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Chop Robinson – OLB / DE (Penn State)

Needs: DL, OT, WR

On paper, the Bengals have a strong roster. What makes their team even better is adding Chop Robinson to play opposite of OLB Logan Wilson. This will give the Bengals the ability to rush, at the most, four players sprinkled all along the defensive line on each play. Robinson has the speed and explosion to get around tackles and chase down QBs like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Jer’Zhan Newton – DT (Illinois)

Needs: Edge, CB, QB

After the Rams lost DT Aaron Donald to retirement, getting another guy to put pressure on opposing QBs should be the top priority. No one can replace the production Donald produced, only help fill the gap. Newton has the motor to be a major force on the DL. If he is able to continue developing his technique, he can help fill the gap tremendously. Having Newton work alongside LB Byron Young can help cover the loss of Donald’s production.  

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga – OT (Oregon State)

Needs: OT, WR, IOL

The Steelers drastically improved the QB room with the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Next move is to build a wall in front of whichever QB starts. The Steelers got their RT in Broderick Jones in the 2023 draft. Adding Fuaga to the other side is going to help give Wilson time to throw while opening slots for RB Najee Harris to gash defenses with. 

21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson – OL (Oregon)

Needs: IOL, IDL, Edge

The Dolphins fell to the Chiefs due to the inability to protect QB Tua Tagovailoa (and the below freezing temperature). Powers-Johnson began the draft process as an under the radar prospect but blew up during the combine and Oregon’s Pro Day. Oregon was known for running the ball in 2023 and that is in large part to Powers-Johnson. He has the size and speed to get in front of defenders on run plays. His wide base helps keep his weight back to take on pass rushers without falling over. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins – CB (Clemson) 

Needs: CB, LB, S

On paper, the Eagles don’t have a lot of holes on both sides of the ball. With that comfortability, bringing in a smart and quick twitched CB in Wiggins is a luxury. The Eagles were able to bring back SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency and helped fill a hole in the backfield. If they want to return to the Super Bowl, they need another corner to cover the third receiver or TE. Wiggins has the frame and length to be a high quality slot corner. He will also have the luxury to learn behind CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry as they get closer to the end of their careers. 

23. Minnesota Vikings (via Houston Texans): Cooper DeJean – CB (Iowa) 

Needs: QB, CB, RB

The Vikings found their new franchise QB in J.J. McCarthy with their first pick. They decide to spend this pick improving their defensive backfield as their CBs need improvement. The Vikings need all the support they can as they saw the Detroit Lions flip the script and compete in the NFC Championship game. DeJean is raw but he has the tools to be a big contributor on defense with his experience at both SS and CB. He has quick play recognition and a nose for the football to get in the way of pass catchers. 

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton – OT (Oklahoma)

Needs: OT, C, RB

The Cowboys released T Tyron Smith this offseason. This makes the need to blindside protection the top of the list. Guyton can slide into the left tackle spot and be the protector for QB Dak Prescott. The Cowboys also have questions at RB so anyway they can create run lanes for RB Rico Dowdle is preferred. Guyton has a smooth side step to cover the inside gap and the patience to read the defense for any last minute blitz. 

25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims – OT (Georgia) 

Needs: OT, G, CB

The Packers cut T David Bakhtiari this offseason. That shouldn’t affect the production of the offense as he has been injured the last couple seasons. Getting a giant person in Mims to block and cover QB Jordan Love from all defenders will propel Love’s growth to another level. Mims stands a 6’8” 340lbs. He has a massive wingspan that can cover gaps for max protection.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremiah Trotter Jr – LB (Clemson)

Needs: CB, IOL, Edge

When the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2020, they had a lethal inside linebacker team of Lavonte David and Devin White. With Trotter Jr growing up watching his dad play at the highest level (successfully), this makes his football IQ and play recognition the top of the class. He might not have the ideal middle linebacker size, but he makes up for it with his quick diagnosis of a play and the ability to wreck it. 

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): T’Vondre Sweat – DT (Texas)

Needs: WR, DL, CB

The Cardinals spend this pick to improve the pass rush up the middle. Sweat is a tank in the middle as he has a balance of speed and power that helps him blow past offensive lineman. He can diagnose a play quickly and knows how to use his hands to get into the passing lane. Sweat can easily take a spot in the middle and the Cardinals will be able to apply pressure all over the opposing offense. 

28. Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin – WR (Oregon)

Needs: WR, CB, S

The Bills are in need of a playmaker after trading away WR Stefon Diggs. Second year receiver Khalil Shakir showed flashes of being a reliable target for Josh Allen, but he still has a lot to prove. They did sign WR Curtis Samuel but he has only shown the ability of being a top second or third receiver. Franklin exploded onto the scene once QB Bo Nix arrived in Eugene. Once he was able to find a rhythm with Nix, it was pure magic on the field. Once Franklin finds traction with QB Josh Allen, watch out AFC. 

29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB (Alabama)

Needs: CB, G, Edge

The Lions added DE Marcus Davenport to play opposite of rising star DE Aiden Hutchinson. That leaves adding ammunition to the secondary and what better way to build off a strong year for SS Brian Branch than to bring his college teammate to command the other side of CB Carlton Davis III. McKinstry could not participate at the NFL Scouting Combine due to a discovered Jones Fracture in his foot. McKinstry is a gritty player that fights until the whistle is blown. He is a Dan Campbell guy. 

30. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Verse – DE (Florida State)

Needs: WR, CB, OT

The Ravens were able to retain DE Justin Madubuike during Free Agency. What better way to build around him than to add someone to cause havoc on the other side. The Ravens will be ecstatic to get a game wrecker in Verse this late in the draft. Verse has a strong bull rush and has long arms to make the QB uncomfortable. Verse can learn from Madubike and propel his career to the stratosphere. If the Ravens want to take the next step towards a Super Bowl, they need another player to disrupt the opposing offense.

31. San Francisco 49ers: JC Latham – OT (Alabama)

Needs: OT, G, CB

The 49ers had a hard time keeping defenders off QB Brock Purdy in Super Bowl 57. If they want to make another Super Bowl run, they need to improve the protection in front of Purdy and create holes for RB Christian McCaffrey to gash defenses with. Latham is pro ready and can step into the starting line up from day 1. He has a strong base that can stick with defenders during pass rush and knows how to use his speed to get to the second level. Having Latham learn from LT Trent Williams will help give the 49ers a stallworth for years to come. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell – WR (Texas)

Needs: DT, Edge, OT

The Chiefs were encouraged by the progress of WR Rashee Rice in his rookie year. With the addition of WR Marquis Brown, the Chiefs were looking much improved at the wideout position than they did last offseason. With Rice’s off-field issues and potential suspension, the Chiefs reload with the extremely talented Mitchell. Mitchell has the potential to be a top receiver with his route running and catch radius. He also has residency in the endzone as his touchdown count went from three in 2022 to 11 in 2023.