The Bears are finally able to make it official.  Caleb Williams is the new QB and face of the franchise for the Chicago Bears.

The Commanders take the Heisman-winning QB, Jayden Daniels, with the 2nd pick. As a transfer who entered the season as a projected late-round selection, Daniels' stock rose during the 2023 season similarly to LSU's previous Heisman winner, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

The Patriots moved on from legendary Head Coach, Bill Belichick by hiring Jerod Mayo as its new Head Coach and turning over football personnel decisions to Eliot Wolf.  Wolf's first order of business is finding the quarterback of the future by selecting Drake Maye.  Opinions are all over the board for Maye after regressing in 2023 but it's an arms-race in the AFC and Maye's cannon is likely the best option for New England.

The Cardinals decide to stay and select an elite weapon for Kyler Murray.

*** TRADE with Los Angeles Chargers *** 

The Vikings send picks 11, 23, and their 2025 2nd to move up six spots and grab Kirk Cousin's replacement.  McCarthy is a winner who led Michigan to a 27-1 record as a starter over the last two seasons and impressed teams on and off the field during the lead-up to the draft. 

A lot of chatter saying the Giants might try to trade up for a QB or even stay put and take Penix at six.  I don't buy the Penix-at-six talk and the top 4 QBs are gone so they let the draft come to them.  Malik Nabers is being compared to Ja'Marr Chase and he provides the Giants with a legit number one WR for Daniel Jones or whoever might line up at Quarterback.  

Joe Alt is a top 5 player in this draft so this is a value for the Titans.  They loaded up at WR and CB during free agency, allowing them to fill one of their largest holes at LT.

Latu is the best pure pass rusher in this class, utilizing a variety of moves and elite hand usage.  Latu's former coach at UW is now the Falcons DC and Latu might be a stronger scheme fit. 

I think the Bears can, and probably should, trade back from this spot to acquire more draft capital.  Odunze is the last of the 3 elite WR prospects and pairing him with Caleb for years to come might be too enticing an opportunity to pass.  

It's all-in for Aaron Rodgers and a Super Bowl.  Let us hope their aging offensive tackles can hold up for 17 games.  Bowers has dominated the college scene for 3 years and now gets the chance to shine in New York.

*** TRADE with Minnesota Vikings ***

The Chargers trade back and still get their anchor at RT in Alabama's massive J.C. Latham. 

*** TRADE with Denver Broncos ***

The Eagles make their move up in the 2024 draft and select a 1st round corner for the first time in over 20 years.  They send Denver picks 22, 50 (2nd), and 172 (5th) to move up 10 spots.

The Raiders, not able to move up for Jayden Daniels, stay at 13 and get one of Antonio Pierce's favorite players to fill a need at #1 corner.  It'll be interesting to see if Penix goes in this spot over the higher-caliber players such as Arnold.

The Saints have a massive need at both tackle spots.  Out of the many high-end tackles, Olu Fashanu is one of the few who can play left tackle immediately. 

The Colts miss out on the top corners and pass-catching threats.  I think Xavier Worth or Brian Thomas Jr. are possibilities here too.  Looking at the roster, the Colts could use an upgrade on the right side of their line.  Fuaga could come in and start at RG before moving out to RT if the Colts were to release Braden Smith in 2025 (saving nearly 17M in cap space).

Defense could be the pick here but I think the Seahawks are set at DL but still have questions on their offensive line.  Fautanu can add value at all 5 positions which provides Seattle with time and flexibility to get it sorted and put the best 5 on the field.  

*** TRADE with Jacksonville Jaguars ***

The Bills get aggressive and trade up in front of Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams to acquire a scary downfield threat.  Thomas, a bit of a one-trick pony at LSU, has blazing speed and length that stretches the defense and opens up everything underneath and in the running game.

Buffalo sends picks 28 and 60 (2nd) to Jacksonville for pick 17.

The top offensive tackles are gone, leaving Amarius Mims.  I think Mims could still be the pick but his lack of experience might scare them off at 18.  A penetrating disrupter in the middle of the defense has been lacking the last two seasons in Cincinnati.  Byron Murphy has tape playing 3T and NT at Texas and the Bengals have needs now and in the future at both spots.

The Dallas Turner draft day slide stops at 19 and into the Rams' 3-4 defense.  Turner is a great scheme fit as he can use his length, elite explosion, and agility to rush the passer or drop into coverage if needed.

The Steelers have needs along the offensive line and have not been shy about wanting an interior upgrade.  Barton played LT at Duke but started his career at Center.  

Miami adds a powerful EDGE defender to a defense that has struggled to stay healthy and play with physicality.

*** TRADE with Philadelphia Eagles ***

Sean Payton moves back 10 spots and takes Oregon QB Bo Nix to lead his offense.  The Broncos can use their new picks (50 and 172) to help fill out their roster.

*** TRADE with Minnesota Vikings ***

The Chargers use their other 1st around pick acquired in their trade back to select a WR right?  No.  Harbaugh goes after the versatile playmaker from Iowa in Cooper Dejean. Dejean can be a chess piece on the defense who'll bring Big Ten toughness and energy to LA.

If Mims starts to fall past the Steelers, Dallas may attempt to trade up but in this scenario they stay put and grab the imposing (6'7 340lb) tackle from Georgia. 

The Packers have needs up and down their defense. Safety or linebacker are larger needs and could be options here but current starting CB, Eric Stokes, has not proven he can stay healthy. The value of the CB position and McKinstry's speed and football IQ might be too good to pass up.

Darius Robinson played inside (DT) and outside (EDGE) while at Missouri and while he shined at DE in 2023, he could be used in a variety of creative alignments for Tampa.  

Johnny Newton is another DT whose quickness and relentlessness in getting through gaps causes disruption and chaos for offenses.  His lack of length limits his impact in the run game yet he is one of the draft's best interior pass rushers (13 total sacks in 2022-2023 seasons).

*** TRADE with Buffalo Bills ***

Jacksonville trades back and still fills a need with speed.  Wiggins has 4.28 speed but may slide because of his size. That said, if a team is confident in his abilities and traits, Wiggins is still young (20 yrs old) and likely to fill out his slender build (6'1", 173). 

*** TRADE with Washington Commanders ***

Washington moves back into the 1st round to get their new RT in Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton.  

Washington sends picks, 36 (2nd), 107 (4th), and 2025 5th in exchange for the 29th pick.

*** TRADE with Baltimore Ravens ***

Rumors swirled the Giants might take Penix at 6, but here they trade up into the bottom of the 1st to get their heir apparent.  The team could choose to sit Penix in 2024 behind Daniel Jones or give him the keys now and trade Jones to a team that missed out (Raiders?) on getting their QB in 2024.

Giants send picks 47 (2nd) and 70 (3rd) for the 30th pick.

The 49ers have been in the news leading up to the draft but it involved their disgruntled WR who could be traded during the draft.  If the team can select his replacement, it might open the door to sending him on his way.  Many will see his 4.2 speed and assume there is no substance behind it but Worthy can run the full route tree and is a threat anywhere on the field.

I mocked Suamataia in this slot back in March and I'm flipping back to it after recent chatter about Andy Reid being enamored with his fellow Cougar.  The Chiefs have an opening at left tackle and Suamataia has shot up the draft board into first round consideration. Investing in protection for the face of the franchise (NFL?), is never a bad investment. Suamataia is a young prospect (21) who needs some refinement but has the tools to develop into a solid OT in the NFL.