Mock drafts are predictive. My who-they-should-take-mock is not.

It’s the players I would take if I were doing the picking for all the NFL teams. There are no trades in this mock in large part because I would be trading with myself. That’s not fair.

Last year, I had Will Levis going first to Carolina in my who-they-should mock. I got lit up. It’s obvious now C.J. Stroud should have been the pick, but I would still take Levis over Bryce Young and I think their play showed that last year as rookies.

This year, my first pick would be Jayden Daniels over Caleb Williams. Yeah, yeah, Williams is this and that and special and generational and every other superlative. But there are also flaws that stand out to me, one being he holds the ball too long.

Daniels might be slight in build, but he can run, can throw it and he’s the most-improved player I’ve even seen from early in his career to now. I know there are some critics who say he leaves pockets too soon, but that’s the curse of quarterbacks who can move. Lamar Jackson won two MVPs and he had the same flaw early in his career.

So I would take Daniels first and Williams second. I would not take Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy in the top 10 as you will see.

Last year, I had Tank Dell going 32nd in my who-they-should mock to the Chiefs. I got killed for that. Was I right?  This year, I have Oregon receiver Troy Franklin going 28th to the Buffalo Bills. Will you kill more for that? I love the kid.

One more time: This is not a predictive mock. It’s my who-they-should take mock.

Even so, most of you won’t get the message.

For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc.

NFL MOCK DRAFT
Round 1

   From Carolina Panthers
Round 1 – Pick 1

Jayden Daniels QB
LSU • SR • 6’4″ / 210 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PAYDS

3812

RUYDS

1134

INTS

4

TDS

50

Yes, I think he will be the best quarterback in this class. He is the most-improved player I’ve ever seen in the course of five years. That’s impressive. That matters. He will be Lamar Jackson-like.

Round 1 – Pick 2

Caleb Williams QB
USC • JR • 6’1″ / 215 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3633

RUYDS

121

INTS

5

TDS

41

I keep hearing “generational” when it comes to this kid when talking to scouts, but he needs to clean up a lot of stuff for me to make that claim. Having said that, there is a ton to like. He will be a damn good player.

Round 1 – Pick 3

Drake Maye QB
NORTH CAROLINA • SOPH • 6’4″ / 230 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

New England

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3608

RUYDS

449

INTS

9

TDS

33

I prefer Maye over the remaining quarterbacks, even if he has some mechanical flaws that need fixing. The Patriots have to address quarterback, so this would work.

Round 1 – Pick 4

Malik Nabers WR
LSU • JR • 6’0″ / 200 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

89

REYDS

1569

YDS/REC

17.6

TDS

14

I like Nabers more than Marvin Harrison, which is why this is the pick. Nabers has more wiggle in my mind. Both will be great, but my preference is Nabers.

Round 1 – Pick 5

Marvin Harrison Jr. WR
OHIO STATE • JR • 6’4″ / 205 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

67

REYDS

1211

YDS/REC

18.1

TDS

15

I thought about tackle Joe Alt here, but opted to go for a weapon for Justin Herbert. I could see the Chargers trading down to get more picks, but I think they would be wise to add Harrison.

Round 1 – Pick 6

Rome Odunze WR
WASHINGTON • JR • 6’3″ / 215 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

92

REYDS

1640

YDS/REC

17.8

TDS

15

The Giants have to get outside players for their passing game, so it’s Odunze. I think Evan Neal can respond with a better season at right tackle, which is why I pass on taking Joe Alt.

Round 1 – Pick 7

Joe Alt OT
NOTRE DAME • JR • 6’7″ / 322 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

2nd

This is a no-brainer for me. They have to get a left tackle and Alt is the best of the group. He will give Will Levis a nice blind-side protector.

Round 1 – Pick 8

Dallas Turner EDGE
ALABAMA • JR • 6’4″ / 252 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

The Falcons have little when it comes to the pass rush. Turner will be better on the next level than he was in college. He has all the tools, but sometimes needs to play harder.

Round 1 – Pick 9

Chop Robinson EDGE
PENN STATE • JR • 6’3″ / 254 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

After watching more tape on Robinson, I think he could end up being the best pure rusher in this draft. He has that explosive step and bend. He has the best of those traits in this class.

Round 1 – Pick 10

Brock Bowers TE
GEORGIA • JR • 6’4″ / 240 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

56

REYDS

714

YDS/REC

12.8

TDS

7

They could go for an offensive tackle here, but that would defy the all-in thinking this year. So give them the best tight end in the draft class to help the passing game.

   From Houston Texans
Round 1 – Pick 11

Michael Penix Jr. QB
WASHINGTON • SR • 6’3″ / 213 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

5th

PAYDS

4903

RUYDS

8

INTS

11

TDS

39

The Vikings have to take a quarterback, and rather than trading up, they sit here and take Penix. Why Penix over J.J. McCarthy? I think he will be a better player.

Round 1 – Pick 12

J.J. McCarthy QB
MICHIGAN • JR • 6’3″ / 202 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

PAYDS

2991

RUYDS

202

INTS

4

TDS

25

The Broncos would probably love this, but it won’t happen. Even this is a little high for McCarthy in my book. But the Broncos have to get one, so it makes sense.

Round 1 – Pick 13

Quinyon Mitchell CB
TOLEDO • JR • 6’0″ / 196 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

They land the top corner in this class, which certainly would address a major need. They could go for an offensive lineman here, but with Penix off the board I have them passing on quarterback.

Round 1 – Pick 14

Olumuyiwa Fashanu OT
PENN STATE • JR • 6’6″ / 317 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

They have to get a quality left tackle and Fashanu is that guy. He will be a plug-and-play starter. He just needs to play a little tougher.

Round 1 – Pick 15

Jared Verse EDGE
FLORIDA STATE • JR • 6’4″ / 260 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Their pass rush could use some more juice from the outside. When the Colts won a Super Bowl, they had Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. They need a player like Verse to try to get close to that.

Round 1 – Pick 16

Taliese Fuaga OT
OREGON STATE • JR • 6’6″ / 334 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The interior of their offensive line has major questions, but they also have some injury concerns for right tackle Abraham Lucas. Fuaga can play a lot of spots.

Round 1 – Pick 17

Terrion Arnold CB
ALABAMA • SOPH • 6’0″ / 196 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Arnold is a smooth corner who knows how to cover. They have a major need. He didn’t run great, but he plays fast. He would be an immediate starter.

Round 1 – Pick 18

Byron Murphy II DL
TEXAS • JR • 6’1″ / 308 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

D.J. Reader is gone, so Murphy would make sense. He is a penetrating, up-the-field type of player who would improve their inside pass rush.

Round 1 – Pick 19

Laiatu Latu EDGE
UCLA • SR • 6’5″ / 265 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

3rd

They need to get better off the edge, especially with Aaron Donald gone. Taking the hometown player makes sense, provided he passes all the medicals.

Round 1 – Pick 20

Troy Fautanu IOL
WASHINGTON • JR • 6’4″ / 317 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

1st

I think they will consider center here, but they can take a player who can start at right tackle, left tackle or at guard. That matters.

Round 1 – Pick 21

Johnny Newton DL
ILLINOIS • JR • 6’2″ / 295 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

2nd

They lost Christian Wilkins in free agency, so even after signing a few veteran replacements they need a young interior player. Newton could be that guy, but he does have a foot injury he is overcoming.

Round 1 – Pick 22

JC Latham OT
ALABAMA • JR • 6’6″ / 360 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

5th

How much longer does Lane Johnson play at right tackle? Latham could be his replacement, but could play guard for a year as he waits.

   From Houston Texans
Round 1 – Pick 23

Nate Wiggins CB
CLEMSON • JR • 6’2″ / 185 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

3rd

They need to get a quality cover corner on the outside in Brian Flores’ defense. Wiggins is as good as any in this draft in press man, but he has to improve his tackling.

Round 1 – Pick 24

Tyler Guyton OT
OKLAHOMA • JR • 6’7″ / 328 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

36th

POSITION RNK

7th

By taking Guyton, the Cowboys could leave Tyler Smith at left guard, which I think is the right move. Guyton played right tackle in college, but he has the tools to be a left tackle as well.

Round 1 – Pick 25

Graham Barton OT
DUKE • SR • 6’5″ / 314 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

6th

Center Josh Myers in the final year of his deal and they lost right guard Jon Runyan in free agency. You can never have enough versatile offensive linemen.

Round 1 – Pick 26

Brian Thomas Jr. WR
LSU • JR • 6’4″ / 205 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

68

REYDS

1177

YDS/REC

17.3

TDS

17

Mike Evans is back, but he isn’t a kid anymore and Chris Godwin is in the final year of his contract. Getting a big, young receiver would really help in the coming years.

   From Houston Texans
Round 1 – Pick 27

Amarius Mims OT
GEORGIA • JR • 6’7″ / 340 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

They take a right tackle and move Paris Johnson, last year’s top pick, to the left side. They would have bookends for a long time if they made this move.

Round 1 – Pick 28

Troy Franklin WR
OREGON • JR • 6’3″ / 187 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

46th

POSITION RNK

9th

REC

55

REYDS

845

YDS/REC

15.4

TDS

11

There would be other receivers in play here, or even some defensive help, but I think Franklin will be a star. He has big-time speed, which Josh Allen would love.

Round 1 – Pick 29

Jaden Hicks S
WASHINGTON STATE • SOPH • 6’3″ / 212 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

56th

POSITION RNK

3rd

He is an athletic safety who ran a 4.4 at his pro day. He is at his best when near the line, but I think he’s good enough in the deep middle. He’s the best safety in this class.

Round 1 – Pick 30

Cooper DeJean CB
IOWA • JR • 6’1″ / 207 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

4th

He is a versatile player who could play both corner and safety. We know how the Ravens love to move secondary players around. He would work.

Round 1 – Pick 31

Jordan Morgan OT
ARIZONA • SR • 6’5″ / 325 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

41st

POSITION RNK

9th

They need a right tackle and he has that look. They only gave Colton McKivitz, their starter, a one-year extension. Morgan would push him, but also could play guard.

Round 1 – Pick 32

Patrick Paul OT
HOUSTON • JR • 6’7″ / 315 LBS

PROJECTED TEAM

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

85th

POSITION RNK

14th

I love this kid’s game and I think he could step in and push Wanya Morris at left tackle to start as a rookie. They can wait to get a receiver or two in the coming rounds.