Brugler's 2024 Mock

[kccrow]

Here's the 1st Round and KC's picks

1. Chicago Bears (from CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Nothing is official until commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium in Detroit and announces the selection, but Williams will be a Bear in a little more than a week.

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The draft winds will continue to swirl in unpredictable directions up until draft night. Right now, though, the buzz is pointing towards Daniels being the pick at No. 2. Truth is, new Washington general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn aren’t tipping their hands, so everyone is still guessing at this point.

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Listening to trade offers is the responsible move for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf. But it is tough to imagine the Patriots passing on a quarterback here, especially if Maye makes it to No. 3. Owner Robert Kraft is not interested in another offensive season like last year in New England.

4. Minnesota Vikings (from ARI)*: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
(Projected trade: Vikings trade picks Nos. 11 and 23 and a 2025 third-round pick to the Cardinals for No. 4.)

It is no secret that the Vikings are quarterback shopping in the NFL Draft, but how high can they trade up to secure their guy? In this scenario, Minnesota jumps to No. 4 for McCarthy, which would mark the first time in NFL Draft history we see quarterbacks drafted 1-2-3-4 overall.

5. Arizona Cardinals (from LAC)*: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
(Projected trade: Cardinals trade picks Nos. 11 and 35 to the Chargers for No. 5.)

Just like last year, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort works the phones to trade out of the top five … but then jumps right back up to grab an Ohio State stud. In 2023, it was Paris Johnson Jr.; this year it’s Harrison. The smooth maneuvering costs Arizona the No. 35 pick here, but it adds No. 23 and a 2025 third-rounder for essentially moving back one spot.

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
I think the Giants will examine their trade-up options for a quarterback, but in this scenario, they stay put and add the true premier weapon they have been missing. Nabers would have been my No. 1 overall prospect in each of the last two draft classes.

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
For the sake of being different, I could throw another name in here — but why go away from what makes sense? Alt fills a clear hole and (along with 2023 first-round left guard Peter Skoronski) would give the Titans one of the more promising left sides of an offensive line in the league.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
There is a good chance we see something this year that has happened just once (2021) in the Super Bowl era: no defensive players selected in the first seven picks of the draft. If that comes to fruition, the Falcons will have their choice of the top defensive player on their board at No. 8 — and I don’t think many people will be surprised if that is Turner.

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
With only four draft picks this year, general manager Ryan Poles will be enticed by trade-back opportunities here to recoup draft capital. But when the Bears are feeling left out in the second round, they can throw on Odunze highlights and feel just fine about this decision. Adding Keenan Allen was a no-brainer, but he might only be a one-year rental.

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
If you focus only on the “TE” positional designation here, you might not love this pick. But if you pay attention to the dynamic impact Bowers can bring to an offense, this isn’t a hard sell. The Napa, Calif., native is as much a tight end as he is a slot receiver who can also block inline or line up outside. The Jets are in a win-now mindset, and Bowers makes the offense better from day one.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)*: JC Latham, G/T, Alabama
Trading back for an offensive lineman would be an unsurprising move for the Chargers. The bigger mystery might be which offensive lineman they prefer. Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga is a devastating run blocker and Washington’s Troy Fautanu has legitimate position versatility, but I’ll go with Latham, who is arguably the strongest player in the draft and was recruited out of high school not too long ago by Jim Harbaugh.

12. Denver Broncos: Taliese Fuaga, G/T, Oregon State
With Garett Bolles entering the final year of his deal, the Broncos have done plenty of homework on the tackles in this draft class. Fuaga can compete for a spot at guard as a rookie while being the long-term plan at tackle.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Raiders will certainly consider several offensive and defensive linemen at this spot. With two worthy cornerback prospects on the board, though, both Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell will be part of the conversation. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either corner here, but Arnold has the dog mentality that speaks directly to Antonio Pierce.

14. New Orleans Saints: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Considering the Saints’ depth chart and the players expected to be drafted in this range, offensive tackle makes too much sense. And Fashanu might be the best-case scenario for New Orleans.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Colts go with a dynamic pass catcher at 15, especially if Bowers is still available. But Mitchell is an ideal fit, too, considering his tape, on-ball production and traits.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, G/T, Washington
The safe bet might be a trade down by the Seahawks, but it would be tough to move away from Fautanu if he falls here. Though the Huskies’ left tackle can stay on the outside if needed, his skill set could be maximized inside and would give the Seahawks appealing versatility across the offensive line.

17. Buffalo Bills (from JAX)*: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
(Projected trade: Bills trade picks Nos. 28, 133, 144 and a 2025 second-rounder to the Jaguars for No. 17.)

The Bills need their draft picks to remodel the roster with young, low-priced depth, but general manager Brandon Beane is an aggressive drafter and has never shied away from moving up in the first round to get his guy. Thomas is an outstanding size/speed athlete with better route-running skill than given he’s credit for, and he’d give Josh Allen a new WR1 on offense.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
With his explosive twitch and natural leverage, Murphy moves differently than any other defensive tackle in this draft class. He is equally disruptive versus the run and when rushing the passer — something the Bengals are looking to add to the roster.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Since Sean McVay became head coach, the Rams have picked in the top 60 six times — all six have been offensive players. But it feels like that will change this year with the Rams back in the first round and needing so many upgrades on defense, including at edge rusher. Verse brings all-day power and disruption with a motor that doesn’t quit.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, C, Duke
The Steelers have multiple needs on the offensive line, and Barton offers the five-position versatility that would allow Pittsburgh to get its best five on the field. In the long term, he’ll lock down the center position for the Steelers’ offense.

21. Miami Dolphins: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
The Dolphins weren’t scared off by Jaelan Phillips’ injury past, and I don’t think they will shy away from Latu’s either. With Bradley Chubb and Phillips working their way back from injury, Latu and his savvy pass-rush skills can contribute immediately in Miami.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
This would be an ideal landing spot for the inexperienced Mims. After making just eight starts at Georgia, he can earn his graduate degree from “Stoutland University” (under the watchful eye of Eagles O-line coach Jeff Stoutland) before taking over for Lane Johnson as the right tackle of the future. The Athens-to-Philadelphia pipeline remains fruitful.

23. Arizona Cardinals (from MIN)*: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Head coach Jonathan Gannon will be targeting savvy, high-character players in the draft. DeJean — and his versatility in the secondary — fits the bill.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Ideally, the Cowboys would love to keep Tyler Smith at left guard, but it might depend on how this draft plays out. In this scenario, they add the raw but toolsy tackle, who they hope will be the next Tyron Smith.

25. Green Bay Packers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, G/C, Oregon
There are several ways the Packers can attack the offensive line in the draft. One of those is to select Powers-Johnson, who can provide an upgrade at center and allow Green Bay to keep Zach Tom at tackle while moving Josh Myers to guard.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Buccaneers have more questions than established answers on their cornerback depth chart, especially after the Carlton Davis trade. Although his marginal play strength is a red flag, Wiggins is a high-level athlete with cover awareness that will appeal to coach Todd Bowles.

27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU): Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
With Harrison, DeJean and Robinson, this is an All-Big Ten first round for Arizona. Robinson doesn’t have the body of work (15 tackles, four sacks over 10 games in 2023) that teams ideally target this early, but his first-step explosion is different than any other pass rusher in this class.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (from BUF)*: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
In this scenario, the Jaguars are able to move down in the first round and still address the cornerback position with a strong option. McKinstry might not have elite speed, but he’s confident, controlled and smart, which will get him on the field as a rookie.

29. Las Vegas Raiders (from DET)*: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
(Projected trade: Raiders trade picks Nos. 44 and 77 to the Lions for No. 29.)

According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, “the whispers are getting louder” that the Raiders might draft Penix at No. 13. But this scenario feels like the better option, even if it means parting with a pair of Day 2 draft picks. A polarizing player among NFL front offices, Penix is an aggressive downfield passer with the mental toughness that will certainly stand out for Pierce and his staff.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Considered a tackle by some teams and a guard by others, Morgan would provide immediate depth at both spots for the Ravens. He is well schooled as both a run blocker and pass protector and has the athletic balance to match up well against NFL defensive linemen.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Regardless of their perceived top needs, the 49ers are always looking for upgrades on the defensive line. Newton doesn’t have ideal size for what San Francisco wants (similar to how he fits in most schemes), but his disruptive nature and relentless play personality are qualities that help him overcome average measurements.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
This is a fun pairing of player and team. Mitchell is a loose, limber pass catcher and has the ingredients to be the top weapon for an NFL offense.

Kansas City Chiefs
1 (32). Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
2 (64). Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
3 (95). Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
4 (131). Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
5 (159). Brennan Jackson, Edge, Washington State
5 (173). Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
7 (221). Garret Greenfield, OT, South Dakota State

[duncan_idaho]

I don’t love Bucky Irving or Melton picks, but the rest is nice.

Irving is tiny and slow and I think there were better fits than Melton. Lassiter or Fisher or Amegadje.

[RunKC]

I would be really happy with this tbh. Only con is no TE

If Melton is somehow there at 64 you sprint to the podium to take him. Versatile, ball skills, very smart, pro bloodlines (brother is a good pro in GB) and ball production.

I don’t see any way Melton falls that far though

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by Chieftain

That would be indeed a tremendous haul. Fits every single need and great value with each pick.

Except tackle...hoping Morris is the answer is not a plan. Unless a top corner falls into our lap at 32, we need OT and WR in rounds 1 and 2 preferably.

[In58men]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I would be really happy with this tbh. Only con is no TE

If Melton is somehow there at 64 you sprint to the podium to take him. Versatile, ball skills, very smart, pro bloodlines (brother is a good pro in GB) and ball production.

I don’t see any way Melton falls that far though

Keep sleeping on Irv Smith

[Shoes]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

Idk anything about Bucky Irving but that’s a football name. Shoes bitched me out last year for saying Rashee rice was way cooler that A.T. Perry and that I’d take him over at just on name alone so here’s my name shot. Bucky to the chiefs.

Touche.

[ThrobProng]

So in this scenario, KC rolls out Wanya Morris at LT in week one?

[GloucesterChief]

Originally Posted by ThrobProng

So in this scenario, KC rolls out Wanya Morris at LT in week one?

That or the Chiefs already have something set up with Donovan Smith and are just waiting for the draft to end to pull the trigger.

[RedinTexas]

Originally Posted by GloucesterChief

That or the Chiefs already have something set up with Donovan Smith and are just waiting for the draft to end to pull the trigger.

It's always good to keep your options open.

[gordonelloyd]

Originally Posted by In58men

Keep sleeping on Irv Smith

I agree. I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised with Irv Smith. I’m hoping this will be the year. He finally shows his potential, avoids injury, and meets or exceeds what he did at the beginning in Minnesota.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

Idk anything about Bucky Irving but that’s a football name. Shoes bitched me out last year for saying Rashee rice was way cooler that A.T. Perry and that I’d take him over at just on name alone so here’s my name shot. Bucky to the chiefs.

I'm out on Bucky, Jalyx is the move name wise.