Holahan’s NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (with trades)

It’s that time of the year again when NFL fans get riled up over a three-day event that can turn the tide of a franchise, continue a dynasty, or pick a “once in a lifetime” prospect that turns into a bust.

1. Washington Commanders (vis Chicago Bears) - Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California

I’m gonna make a bold move here and say that the trade rumors surrounding quarterback Justin Fields that have grown a lot of steam over the past week will force the Washington Commanders hand and trade for the number one overall pick and take Caleb Williams.

2. Chicago Bears - (via Washington Commanders) - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

With the trade involving Washington, I envision the Bears picking Marvin Harrison Jr., a can’t-miss prospect that could turn the fortunes for the Chicago Bears offense. At this point, the best decision the Chicago Bears could make is to get a target for Justin Fields.

3. New England Patriots - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Drake Maye has the most arm strength out of any quarterback in this draft. If Alex Van Pelt, the new New England Patriots offensive coordinator can mold this kid into an NFL quarterback he could be one of the best in the NFL.

4. New York Jets (via Arizona Cardinals) - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The New York Jets lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers just four snaps into the 2023 season. The Jets will ultimately do their all to make sure that doesn’t happen this season. With that, I see them making a big trade to jump six spots to four and take prospect Joe Alt. Alt and Penn State prospect offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is 1A and 1B in terms of their build, but the slight edge goes to Alt in this case because of the fit that he will have with the Jets in that he has exceptional run-blocking skills and has the frame to become a top-end pass blocker as well.

5. Arizona Cardinals (via Los Angeles Chargers) - Malik Nabers, WR, Louisiana State

Now with the picks that Arizona acquired with the trade with the New York Jets there will be teams scrambling for Nabers here at number five. Arizona has a big need at the wide receiver spot, and Nabers can be that playmaker that the Cardinals need at wide receiver. This trade also makes sense for the Los Angeles Chargers to take the numbers ten and twenty-seven picks from the Arizona Cardinals.

6. New York Giants - Olumuyiwa (Olu) Fashanu, OT, Pennsylvania State

The Giants desperately need help at offensive tackle. I can’t see the Giants keeping 2022 pick offensive tackle Evan Neal this upcoming season, and they will be again hunting for an offensive tackle to protect (most likely) quarterback Daniel Jones for the 2024 season.

7. Minnesota Vikings (via Tennessee Titans) - Jayden Daniels, QB, Louisiana State

Minnesota does not appear set on bringing back quarterback Kirk Cousins. So I think they’ll pivot in the draft and trade up with the Tennessee Titans to take quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels is a great talent at quarterback and with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s experience to coach up quarterbacks, he should be able to do that here with Jayden Daniels. Daniels will pair up well with all-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and one of the best rookies this past year, wide receiver Jordan Addison.

8. Chicago Bears (via Atlanta Falcons) - Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Not a big move again for the Chicago Bears, this time they’ll move one spot up as opposed to one spot back. With new defensive coordinator Eric Washington, they will ultimately look to build on the defensive line. Newton is a little raw and his limited size could have an impact in the NFL, but I think this is a gamble that Chicago will be willing to take, and of course, Newton is a local talent playing college Football in Champagne, Illinois.

9. Las Vegas Raiders (via Atlanta Falcons via Chicago Bears) - CB Cooper Dejean, Iowa

With the Minnesota Vikings jumping in front of the Atlanta Falcons for Jayden Daniels. This most likely will panic first-year general manager Terry Fontenont forcing him to move back because there will be no need to take anyone this high that they will need. So I think the Raiders who run a defensive scheme that fits the play of Cooper Dejean will take him here at number nine.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (via Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets) - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Los Angeles Chargers needed a change from a leadership standpoint, and that’s why they went out and hired Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh brings a hard-nosed offense to the Los Angeles Chargers. New offensive coordinator Greg Roman spent four seasons as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, where they built through the offensive line, as did Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Here with the Chargers, they’ll look to do the same with Taliese Fuaga a big mauler from Oregon State who can protect the right side of the offensive with Rashawn Slater protecting the left.

11. Tennessee Titans (via Minnesota Vikings) - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Don’t look at wide receiver Rome Odunze as a consolation prize for the Tennessee Titans just because Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers went top 5. Odunze is an exceptional playmaker and someone that new head coach Brian Callahan could look to build his offense around and give quarterback Will Levis a young stud to throw too.

12. Denver Broncos - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Unbelievable talent out of this kid. My eyes light up when watching him rush off the edge, and he seems just like the prospect to come in and make a difference for this Denver defense. He’s quick off the ball and should instantly start in Denver. People assume that with quarterback Russell Wilson beginning to look more and more likely, the Broncos will move on and bring in a veteran quarterback in free agency.

13. Indianapolis Colts (via Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders) Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The Atlanta Falcons should continue to drop back as they look for the best value at quarterback, using this tactic they can continue to stack picks. They should find a good suitor here with the Indianapolis Colts, who will be looking for an edge rusher off their line. Defensive end Kwity Paye looks like he could be on the brink of a big season this year, so why not get him someone to pair up on the opposite side? A great opportunity to nab Dallas Turner, a player that can line up as a 4-3 or a 3-4 edge rusher, and he’s quick off the ball and someone that Indianapolis should target to move up and get.

14. New Orleans Saints - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Like the San Francisco 49ers have in their tight end George Kettle, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak should try and build in New Orleans and Brock Bowers fills that spot for New Orleans. No doubt this is one of the best tight-end prospects in the last few years. He fits the Kettle mold standing at 6 foot 4 240 pounds and Kettle is only ten pounds heavier at 250 so it makes sense for the Saints to take Bowers here.

15. Atlanta Falcons (via Indianapolis Colts) - Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington

You have backed up this far and collected so many draft picks at this point you need to make your move, and taking quarterback Michael Pennix Jr. fits this spot for the Atlanta Falcons. Penix has elite arm strength and is accurate, completing 65% of his passes in College, and Atlanta’s offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates will try and improve him into being one if not the best out of this draft class.

16. Seattle Seahawks - Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

Two Washington players going back-to-back, and what better way for the Seahawks to help rebuild their defense than going with a local guy from the University of Washington? He’s raw with talent, and he played well in the College Football Playoff Semifinals against Texas. Head Coach Mike MacDonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde should be very excited if they can nab this kid at number sixteen.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Nate Wiggins has some great ability here to become a shutdown cornerback in the NFL. Ryan Nielsen, the new Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator, likes to run a man-to-man defense that will fit well for Wiggins. Wiggins is a quick corner and I believe will be able to handle the opposing team’s #1 wide receiver. His lone problem will be that he is not the quickest cornerback and will most likely not be able to run with the fastest receiver, however, he does have great recovery speed that will allow him to get back in coverage and make plays.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

This guy is massive coming into the NFL at 6 foot 7 and 340 pounds, we could be looking back on this pick as a massive steal at #18 for the Cincinnati Bengals. So why wasn’t he taken earlier? He had an ankle injury during the season that caused him to miss some time towards the end of the year. However, if he’s ready to go by the NFL combine and can show scouts the type of ability he’ll have after recovering from injury, he may shoot up the draft boards.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (via Los Angeles Rams) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

If the rumors are true, then I’m going to assume the Eagles will trade away edge rusher Hasson Reddick. The Rams are looking for pass-rushing help and who better than to go after the Eagle’s best pass rusher if they're willing to trade him away, why not get better defensively by trading up in the draft? McKinstry is a press corner that will fit Vic Fangio’s play style perfectly. He can either grow behind cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry, or perhaps there will be alternatives to them as well if they select McKinstry at nineteen.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Pittsburgh Steelers just hired Arthur Smith to become their next offensive coordinator. His offense will be centered around the run, and what better way to build upon that than to draft a tackle that will help their offense? JC Latham is a mauler and can help the Steelers in the run game. While he does still have some molding to do, this pick should be the best at the time for the Steelers.

21. Miami Dolphins - Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

Taking a local guy here at number 21 is a good pick for the Miami Dolphins. Kamren Kinchens is a hitter and a very athletic defensive player who can make a difference in a secondary and with new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was on a coaching staff this past season that molded one (Kyle Hamilton) in his second season to a top end safety in the league.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Braswell, EDGE Alabama

So with the Eagles trading away one of their veteran players, they will most likely draft an edge rusher at some point in the draft. Now that the Eagles are in a 3-4 defense, this would make the most sense here for the Eagles at 22. Now, to clear up any confusion, I don’t have the Eagles giving their original pick-up for the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles will hold any leverage over the Rams in this trade for the prize of Hasson Reddick.

23. Houston Texans - Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami

A young defensive lineman would help the Houston Texans on the defensive front. They have built the offense enough, but now it’s time to start focusing more defensively to boost that up for success in 2024.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Graham Barton is a good fit for what this Dallas Cowboys offense needs and with Zack Martin not getting any younger he should have an impact in year two. Everything this guy hits moves. He’s a very powerful interior offensive lineman who should be key to the Cowboy’s run game for years.

25. Green Bay Packers - Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

The Green Bay Packers badly need depth at the offensive line position. They also need to get younger at the offensive tackle position. Jordan Morgan is a raw tackle that will need help adjusting to speed in the NFL at first, but I think once he finds it he will be a solid starter.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

I understand that this selection of Troy Fautanu is the correct pick but the wrong position, and by that, he could be a fit for both an inside offensive lineman and an offensive tackle. That could provide the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a player who has an opportunity to play tackle for them as a backup and a starting guard.

27. Los Angeles Chargers (via Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans) - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

With the number 10 pick the Los Angeles Chargers addressed the offensive line now they will address another issue and that’s their secondary. Terrion Arnold is an aggressive corner and is someone who would benefit from defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense. He can start as a nickel corner and then develop with time into a starter outside.

28. Buffalo Bills - EDGE Laiatu Latu, EDGE, California - Los Angeles

He’s quick off the snap and someone who will fit in Sean McDermott’s defense. With edge rusher Von Miller not getting any younger the Buffalo Bills will need to invest in an edge rusher.

29. Detroit Lions - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

He fits a need for the Detroit Lions at cornerback. He’s aggressive and has the makeup to be a shutdown corner in the league, however I think it will take some time for him to unlock his true potential. I like the potential he shows and should be the opposite starting corner for the Detroit Lions next season.

30. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Louisiana State

So this pick is dependent on whether Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashad Batman will be Baltimore Ravens come the draft. The opportunity is there for them to either be moved or not re-signed. If that’s the case you take Brian Thomas Jr. He fits the Ravens offense and would be a great fit opposite Zay Flowers.

31. San Francisco 49ers - Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas

The San Francisco 49ers’ identity since John Lynch became the general manager has always been defense first. Why not address a part of your defense that’s getting older? Yes, they do have defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave who is also in his first of five of his new contract, but with Armstead being thirty and perhaps his best days are starting to appear behind him Murphy makes sense here at number 31.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

The Kansas City Chiefs somehow won yet another Super Bowl with subpar wide receiver play. If you follow closely with the Kansas City Chiefs you know that they had their struggles at wide receiver, Skyy Moore doesn’t appear he will be panning out and Kadarius Toney’s days may be numbered.

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