1- Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, Oklahoma
This pick seems like a foregone conclusion. Chicago gets to reset the QB clock and build upon their promising core while Williams makes rookie money for the next four years. Expect Justin Fields to fetch about a late third to early fourth-round pick in a trade.
2- Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Maye would be the No. 1 overall pick in any draft that did not include Caleb Williams. While Williams does his best work outside of the pocket, Maye is the best passer within the structure of the offense that this class has to offer. He will show at the NFL Combine that he can move just as well, and Washington will be on their way to a successful rebuild after this catalyst of a pick.
3- New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
While Mac Jones remains on the Patriots roster, Daniels showed in 2023 at LSU that he is an all-around superior player, both in the pocket and on the run. The quarterback position is the most valuable in sports, and it would be foolish to pass on a potential franchise quarterback, even for a potentially generational wide receiver.
4- Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio St.
Speaking of potentially generational receivers, Harrison is the best prospect at the position since Julio Jones almost a decade and a half ago. While he is not the burner that some other guys down the board are, he is the best route runner in the nation by a wide margin, and his hands are as sure as almost any NFL receiver. As QB Kyler Murray looks to get back to form, Harrison will provide a launching pad for Arizona’s rebuild.
5- Los Angeles Chargers- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert in the worst way. Pairing Alt with Rashawn Slater to bookend the offensive line is an excellent step. Alt has the flexibility to play either tackle or guard position, a vital trait for the hospital wing that is the Chargers offensive line room. Everything went wrong for L.A. in 2023, but they are truly one weapon and some protection away from competing for a playoff spot.
6- New York Giants- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers was part of a truly electric LSU offense in 2023 and projects as an excellent top receiver for any team that doesn’t have Justin Jefferson. As the Giants try to navigate Daniel Jones’ awful contract, they seem to have at least a little bit of faith. Giving Jones a weapon of Nabers’ caliber will give the Giants brass a better idea of Jones’ actual ceiling as a QB.
7- Tennessee Titans- Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn St.
Fashanu would have been the top tackle taken in the 2023 draft but opted to return to school to finish his degree. Fashanu is the top pass-blocker in the draft and has steadily improved as a run-blocker. For a Titans team entering a complete rebuild, offering 2023 second-round pick QB Will Levis an elite blind-side blocker gives new head coach Brian Callahan a chance to evaluate the QB properly.
8- Atlanta Falcons- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
McCarthy was not asked to make more than two to three big plays per game for the national champion Michigan Wolverines throughout his college career, but his traits as a passer remain valuable to NFL teams. He is safe with the ball, goes through his reads quickly and knows the limits of his arm. For the Falcons, a game manager like McCarthy would be a direct upgrade over Desmond Ridder. McCarthy and new head coach Raheem Morris would immediately improve the Atlanta offense by utilizing RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts, two of the best young players at their respective positions.
9- Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze was blessed by one of the best arms in college football in 2023, Michael Penix, Jr., but he made his fair share of plays. A very similar player to Nabers, Odunze is a good route runner, has excellent hands and can get down the field in a hurry. Pairing him with Caleb Williams would be a dream for Chicago, who already has a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver in D.J. Moore.
10- New York Jets: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St.
The Jets’ offense in 2023 was nothing short of horrific. While it did start with the injury to QB Aaron Rodgers, it more or less ended with the injury of OL Alijah Vera-Tucker. Without the star lineman, the entire offensive line crumbled. Fuaga would provide a jump-start to the unit, slotting in on either the left or right side. He is good in both the pass and run game and can provide protection for Rodgers that, if not for the injury, he certainly would not have had last season.
