Steven Cheah's 2024 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

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UConn and Scottie Scheffler both went back-to-back (author's note: I clearly do not know golf) and our attention has shifted to Taylor Swift's new album release on Friday, the NBA play-in round this week/NBA playoffs coming up this weekend and the NFL Draft which is in under two weeks! So here is Mock Draft 4.0:

And for reference here is: 1.0, 2.0, & 3.0

*This Mock Draft has been reviewed and approved by Senior Draft Analyst, Liam Blutman. 

1) Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) - QB Caleb Williams (USC)

Justin Fields is in Pittsburgh and this is all but a done deal at this point. Back in my day, you used to be able to negotiate with the #1 pick before the Draft. In modern day, the Bears will utilize a good portion of the 10 minutes allocated to select USC's Caleb Williams. Williams is an intriguing prospect for sure. He's got the arm strength, the accuracy, the mobility and more to succeed in the NFL. But allow me to ask you this: Didn't we say the same about all these guys before? How many of these #1 pick Quarterbacks turned out to meet or exceed the hype?

Jameis Winston (2015) - shockingly the best QB from that class

Jared Goff (2016) - Guys like Carson Wentz (former MVP favorite before injuries) and Dak Prescott drafted later

Baker Mayfield (2018) - Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson drafted later in the 1st Round

Kyler Murray (2019) - the best QB in that class

Joe Burrow (2020) - He's the best, but Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, and Jalen Hurts all drafted later

Trevor Lawrence (2021) - Likely the best QB in that class, although we haven't seen Kyle Trask in extended regular season action

Bryce Young (2023) - CJ Stroud taken directly after

Bears fans should be excited. This is the first real Patrick Mahomes-type player to be atop almost everyone's Draft board since he became The Guy, but I'm just saying, it's not a lock he's going to be anywhere close to as good as the dude in Kansas City or even the best QB in this Draft.

2) Washington Commanders - QB Jayden Daniels (LSU)

Daniels is now the odds on favorite to be the 2nd overall pick. The one thing that makes me believe the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will be playing football in Landover, Maryland next year is that Dan Quinn was a Defensive Coordinator with the Cowboys last year. Dallas had losses last year to Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and Josh Allen. Mobility, not only to buy time, but to have designed runs with your Quarterback is a Defensive Coordinator's worst nightmare. Daniels gives you that in spades and this time around, DQ is going to give himself a Quarterback with that dimension.

3) New England Patriots - QB J.J. McCarthy (Michigan)

The blurb came out earlier this week that McCarthy was a culture changer at Michigan and didn't want guys there who were more concerned with partying. Winning was always the main things with him and while he wasn't asked to do a ton under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, I believe it. Buccaneers GM Jason Licht once talked about Jameis Winston, his #1 overall pick in 2015, saying that he loved his competitive toughness. The play that sold him on Winston was a block he had running down the sideline to help a teammate pick up extra yards. And while Winston didn't work out in Tampa, that's not the point. The point is that competitive toughness, especially at the Quarterback position matters, and McCarthy has that too. Look at this play he makes for Blake Corum in 2022.

So while all the talk about leadership and his want to win being next level can all be talk, this type of tape backs it up. And I can see the Patriots and their fans talking themselves into a Quarterback from Michigan who is all about the team and winning.

4) *TRADE* Minnesota Vikings (via Arizona Cardinals) - QB Drake Maye (North Carolina)

Minnesota trades the #11 pick, the #23 pick, and 2nd round pick and 4th round picks next year to the Cardinals for the #4 pick

Yes, the Cardinals could use Marvin Harrison Jr., but look how new GM Monti Ossenfort operated last year. He's definitely open to dealing for the right price and the Vikings have the assets to make it happen and Drake Maye is their target. New Vikings QB Coach Josh McCown has a history with Maye dating back to High School when he would give him feedback on his tape. They could now be doing that at the highest level and with Kirk Cousins out the door and with Sam Darnold the only viable QB on the roster and the recent acquisition of the #23 overall pick, the Vikings are loaded up to make a move with the availability at the position for it to make sense.

5) TRADE Tennessee Titans (via LA Chargers) - OT Joe Alt (Notre Dame)

Tennessee trades the #7 pick along with their 4th rounder this year and 3rd rounder next year

The Chargers have a lot of holes but have an All-Pro at Left Tackle in Rashawn Slater. While Alt is most analyst's top Offensive Tackle, the Chargers may see it differently and Alt makes a ton of sense for the Titans who took Pete Skoronski last year, but whose better fit is at Guard. They could then kick Dillon Radunz over to Right Tackle and actually have the semblance of a decent Line. At 6'8" 322 lbs. with good athleticism, Alt represents a safe bet from a school that continually churns out quality Offensive Lineman. 

6) NY Giants - WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State)

Aside from their dream Quarterback falling into their laps here, this is the best case scenario for Big Blue and definitely Big Ev. The Giants desperately need some playmaking around the outside and Harrison is a lot of analysts top player in the Draft. At 6'3" 209 lbs. with a giant catch radius and blazing speed, he'll certainly help bolster a Receiving Corps whose top option is Tight End Darren Waller.

7) TRADE LA Chargers (via Tennessee Titans) - Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State)

The Chargers move down two spots, pick up some assets and still get the guy they have atop their board. Rashawn Slater is a very good Left Tackle, but they need help on the other side and Fuaga is 6'6" 324 lbs. with 33 1/8" inch arms and with Right Tackle experience. He also crushed the Combine running a 5.11 40-yard dash and a 9'1" broad jump.

8) Atlanta Falcons - EDGE Dallas Turner (Alabama)

With Raheem Morris in town they'll need to address the pass rush. He likes to get after the Quarterback and the Falcons didn't have a single player with seven sacks last season. Turner is the top EDGE in the class and gives them a building block on the outside. And after running a 4.47 40-yard dash in Indy.

9) Chicago Bears - OT Olu Fashanu (Penn State)

This is all about Caleb Williams and making him comfortable. Yes, the Bears could use better protection around him. But keep in mind, Justin Fields was also endeared to that locker room. Fashanu is a guy who could not only protect Williams, but vouch for him having played with him in High School. 

10) NY Jets - WR Malik Nabers (LSU)

The Jets have a window of 1-2 years and they are acting as such. They signed LT Tyron Smith to pair with RT Morgan Moses to make a veteran, patchwork Offensive Line and choose to spend their premium pick at Receiver. At 6'0" 199 lbs. running at 4.38 40, Nabers opposite Garrett Wilson with Aaron Rodgers at QB will be must see TV.

11) TRADE Arizona Cardinals (via Minnesota Vikings) - WR Rome Odunze (Washington)

The Cardinals move down seven spots, pick up a ton of future assets, and still get a top Wide Receiver. Monti Ossenfort is crushing the draft again! While Odunze isn't Marvin Harrison Jr., he's not that far off in my opinion. He's got an outstanding size/speed combo and 50/50 balls become 90/10 balls when they're thrown his way.

12) Denver Broncos - TE Brock Bowers (Georgia)

Sean Payton has always loved big slot WRs and big, explosive TEs. Bowers could be both at 6'3" 243 lbs. he's definitely got the size to dominate, but his run after catch is so unique it makes him a viable homerun threat with the ball in his hands.

13) Las Vegas Raiders - CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

Despite playing at Toledo, Mitchell has a real chance to be CB1 in this class. He bested Alabama's Terrion Arnold with a 4.33 second 40-yard dash which just continued to bolster his off-season which included a dominant week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. The Raiders need a lot of help in pass defense so Mitchell fits the bill at #13.

14) New Orleans Saints - OT/OG JC Latham (Alabama)

The Saints need to protect Derek Carr and trotting out Trevor Penning at Left Tackle isn't helping that. At 6'6" 335 lbs. with 35 1/8" inch arms, Latham has the size to play Tackle but can also slide inside to bolster the interior and be a force in the run game.

15) Indianapolis Colts - CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama)

With Stefon Diggs being traded to the Texans and Calvin Ridley now with the Titans, the AFC South teams are in need of better Corner play and Arnold could start right away for the Colts.

16) Seattle Seahawks - EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA)

Latu would be drafted a lot higher if not for medical concerns, though he appeared to get a clean bill of health at the Combine. The Seahawks got a solid year out of Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe has flashed, but you can never have enough pass rushers and one of these guys could kick inside on 3rd downs next to Leonard Williams to form an intimidating NASCAR package.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)

The Jags lost Calvin Ridley to their division rival, Tennessee Titans and Thomas has great size and speed. At 6'3" 209 lbs. he blazed a 4.33 40-yard dash and has the tools to be a #1 Wideout at the next level.

18) Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE Jared Verse (Florida State)

Yes, Trey Hendrickson is elite and Sam Hubbard has done some good things, but the Bengals need more rushers to keep everyone fresh when they're playing the likes of Patrick Mahomes. Verse represents great value at #18 and at 6'4" 254 lbs. running a 4.58 40-yard dash, he's a different type of athlete.

19) LA Rams - DT Byron Murphy II (Texas)

Aaron Donald's retirement was shocking and while they drafted Kobie Turner last year who was excellent, Murphy is also a freakshow of an athlete running a 4.87 40 at just a couple of Big Macs under 300 lbs.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

AD Mitchell has been jumping up draft boards like his 39.5" inch vertical leap. His combine was outstanding blazing a 4.34 second 40-yard dash at 6'2'" 205 lbs. His 11'4" inch broad jump also confirmed his elite explosion. He's a bit raw, but he's a big, fast field-stretcher opposite George Pickens would be something.

21) Miami Dolphins - OT/OG/C Graham Barton (Duke)

The Dolphins never really replaced Mike Pouncey, but Barton offers similar position versatility. He can play Tackle, but is probably better suited inside at Guard or Center. Wherever he lines up, helping keep Tua healthy is the priority.

22) Philadelphia Eagles - EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State)

The Eagles love to invest in D-Line and O-Line early and I have them taking a local guy, Chop Robinson, who while he doesn't have a ton of production as far as sack numbers, is a game wrecker with elite measurables.

23) TRADE Arizona Cardinals (via Minnesota Vikings) - OT Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma)

The Cardinals trade down off of #4 and still address their top two positions of need while picking up future assets. Brilliant. DJ Humphries struggled last year and is no longer with the team. Guyton, who has had a great off-season circuit, could slot in there or at Left Guard to help keep Kyler Murray upright.

24) Dallas Cowboys - OT/OG Troy Fautanu (Washington)

Tyron Smith is gone and while LG Tyler Smith likely shifts over to LT, Fautanu can play either LT or LG. He's a big, mean blocker that certainly fits the Cowboys prototypical graceful mauler.

25) Green Bay Packers - OT Amarius Mims (Georgia)

This is the run on 2nd level Tackles. But it make sense for these teams that all lost their Left Tackles. For the Packers, David Bakhtiari is gone. Mims ran a 5.07 40-yard dash at 6'8" 340 lbs. He's a mammoth protector that can help keep Jordan Love healthy early on. His starting experience 

26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB/S Cooper DeJean (Iowa)

This is such a Bucs pick and I love it. DeJean is a DB with position versatility. He can play Boundary CB, Nickel, or Safety. The Bucs LOVE that. They have tinkered with that with Antoine Winfield Jr., but more recently with Zyon McCollum and spent a 2nd rounder on MJ Stewart a few years ago because they thought he could do it all. The Bucs traded away CB Carlton Davis to Detroit this off-season and a big reason was lack of on-ball production. Cooper DeJean has the nickname, the playmaking machine not only because it rhymes. He has 7 INTs 13 PBUs and 3 TDs over the past two seasons. He'll fit in beautifully in Todd Bowles system.

27) Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans) - DT Johnny Newton (Illinois)

The Cardinals are in the same division as the 49ers and Seahawks. They simply must stop the run to survive and at 6'1.5" 307 lbs., Newton can help clog up those running lanes.

28) Buffalo Bills - WR Keon Coleman (Florida State)

The Bills lost their top two Wide Receivers to the AFC South in Stefon Diggs (Texans) and Gabe Davis (Jaguars). Coleman is a big bodied guy who has a huge catch radius and can get the ball. Not only that, he's explosive after the catch despite his fairly underwhelming 40 time (4.61).

29) Detroit Lions - CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri)

The Lions traded for CB Carlton Davis, but still need more help in the secondary. Rakestraw has good size at 6'0" 188 lbs., but a lack of on-ball production (only 1 collegiate INT) keeps him from going higher.

30) Baltimore Ravens - LB Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M)

The Ravens obviously have Roquan Smith, but lost Patrick Queen in Free Agency to the Steelers of all teams. At 6'2" 230 lbs. running a 4.51 40, they'll look at Cooper as a cost savings option with Pro Bowl upside.

31) San Francisco 49ers - EDGE/DT Darius Robinson (Missouri)

The 49ers lost Arik Armstead to Jacksonville this off-season and Robinson offers similar position versatility. He's a big 4-3 DE at 6'5" 285 lbs. with 34 1/2" inch arms that can kick inside on obvious passing downs. 

32) Kansas City Chiefs - WR Troy Franklin (Oregon)

While the Chiefs have now won two Super Bowls without Tyreek Hill, year two of the post-Tyreek era was much rougher. Franklin is a polarizing player, but at 6'0" 176 lbs. running a 4.41 and with playspeed that's even faster than that, he'd be an awesome weapon for Patrick Mahomes and co.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the final Mock Draft coming soon…