MOCK 2.0 WHAT I WOULD DO

Now we're more than halfway through the season. It's time for the WHAT I WOULD DO MOCK 2.0.

We have so much more information now than we did when I did this exercise 6 weeks ago. Teams have faded, exploded, and picks have moved around. Let's give it a go!

1. Chicago Bears (Via Carolina) - QB Caleb Williams, USC

Yes the Bears could trade this, and yes they would get a huge haul but the team needs to get a franchise guy. Williams is showing some warts here and there and may end up actually not rated a 99 by me at the end of the process but regardless, he's an absolutely elite prospect. Whether he's graded 99 or 98 or 97 it doesn't matter. He has Mahomes like traits and that is someone you can build a franchise around.

2. New York Gaints - QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

They need so much help on this team. Their OL is in shambles, despite all the resources they've used to help it. They also spent a gigantic sum by doing the cardinal sin of franchises - paying a mediocre QB top tier money in Daniel Jones - and would have to eat that in this scenario. They should do it though. Maye is a tremendous prospect who has a big time arm, and possesses plus athleticism and playmaking ability. He's a true franchise guy, and the bonus here is he already plays behind a shitty offensive line so he's used to running for his life.

3. New England Patriots - QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan

I have McCarthy as QB3 for me right now. He is a pro style QB with plus athleticism who has all the tools in the world. He isn't asked to throw much at Michigan, but what New England wants to be is a complimentary football team and McCarhty is a perfect complimentary QB. The plus attributes he has though could allow him to be a very good game manager, but one who could also make the big play at any time - a deadly combination. In addition - they had pretty good success with their last franchise QB from Michigan.

4. Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State

He's the best WR since Calvin Johnson, and may be an even better prospect than Megatron. Harrison Jr at times feels like the entire Buckeye offense this year and teams still can't stop him. In a league where it's becoming increasingly evident that WR is by far the second most important position, Harrison Jr is someone who could legitimately go first overall. He's that good. Adding him to a team that in this scenario likely is forced to build around Murray just makes that entire football team instantly better.

5. Tennessee Titans (TRADE!!) - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

• The Titans give up pick 8 and their 3rd round pick in 2024, and 4th in 2025

Tennessee has been just god awful on their OL and despite spending money at LT this offseason with the bizarre overpayment and bad scheme fit in Andre Dillard, and also spending capital before at tackle, they take another swing here. Most people would assume with this trade up they'd go after Fashanu who has a gigantic ceiling but instead they take the exceptionally consistent Alt. He can create movement in the run game and has a 95% success rate as a pass blocker for three consecutive seasons. His tape is boring as hell in that he just almost never loses reps. Tennessee has to improve its OL and while many may question Alt over Fashanu, he's higher on my board and has a better temperament, particularly for this style of offense. 

6. Green Bay Packers - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

The Packers are going to need to completely rebuild this thing and while they have to consider a Love replacement and a WR here Fashanu is a potentially elite prospect. Bahktiari looks like his career is done and they move on with the ultra talented Nittany Lion. Fashanu has All Pro potential at LT and has elite movement skills and an ability to mirror. His technique can use a bit of refinement but every analytical draft guru has charted him with almost zero lost reps. Wait until he gets stronger and more coaching, he may be a superstar. 

7. LA Rams - QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

I think Sanders is going to go back to school to try to be the first overall pick in 2025 but if he doesn't, he'll likely go top 10. He had arguably the worst offensive line in Power 5 football this season and is still completing over 70% of his passes as he shows truly elite accuracy. His arm is solid if not great but he delivers the ball with good anticipation and takes good care of the football. You have to wonder how long it'll take him for his pocket awareness to get cleaned up considering the mess he was playing in front of for the Buffs but his delivery is plus. With this style of offense where he's throwing into windows and into spots, he could be dynamic. I think he could take the next step as a player if he utilized his athleticism a bit more, as right now he's almost entirely a pocket passer but when he does take off he can pick up solid chunks with his legs. He's not close to the runner the top 3 guys are in this class but he has more than he's shown. 

8. Chicago Bears - WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The Bears could go a variety of ways here but my thought is to always get your young franchise player as many high quality players on that side of the ball as possible. Try to give Caleb Williams another big time weapon to pair up with DJ Moore and all of a sudden you have some firepower on that side of the ball. Adding Montez Sweat filled the biggest need on defense. There are a lot of WRs who could challenge for this spot but Odunze to me is the one right now with the highest potential. He can play all 3 WR positions, has plus size, is a fun route runner, and has shown elite production. Plus, he pairs very well with Moore. I love the tradeback here too because they get back some capital they used to trade for Sweat. 

9. Atlanta Falcons - OLB Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Yes this needs to be a QB but right now there is a pretty big line between the top 4 and the rest for analysts. I really like Jayden Daniels and considered him here as I'm MUCH higher on him than everyone else - I think Daniels is closer to pick 3 than to the 5th QB off the board but I could try to trade up for him later if he's still there. In this scenario I add a MUCH NEEDED pass rusher for this defense. Latu is a perfect scheme fit and I think the best PURE rusher in college football. He's strong against the run but he's a guy who forces fumbles, creates pressure, and can dominate an edge. 

10. Washington Commanders, OT Troya Fautanu, Washington

I don't think Fautanu is going to stick at LT in the NFL because he doesn't have great length, and he projects as a superstar guard but for the Commanders just pick the best OL and go from there. The more I watch his tape the more I LOVE Fautanu. He's a physical guy who also happens to be a very imprssive pass protector. He is aggressive but doesn't get out of control and plays with good balance. It's rare you see a lineman play under control but also with a dominant physicality but Fautaunu walks that line perfectly. He may not play LT but at this point Washington just needs better OL. To me it's pretty clear that Howell is a guy to build around, better protection likely means less turnovers and sacks from the young signal caller.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers is the second best non QB in this draft and is arguably the best TE I've ever scouted. Positional value and a weird draft board pushed him to number 11 but he could be a top 5 TE in the NFL immediately. He has elite run after catch ability and is adept at finding holes in zones and understanding defensive leverage. He'll be an immediate chain mover and while he's not an elite blocker, he's strong in this regard and will instantly help this offense. 

12. New York Jets - WR Malik Nabers, LSU

I love this guy. He's got insane speed and shiftiness and can play the slot or out wide. At 6' and 200 pounds he plays bigger than his frame and is a guy who can create instant separation. Garrett Wilson is a certified star, there's no doubt so adding him a running mate will be paramount. Offensive line of course is a concern here as the team is terrible up front, but this draft is pretty deep on the OL and Nabers is someone you can't just find in round 2. 

13. Denver Broncos - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Kool-Aid's stranglehold on the CB1 spot is starting to slip with Cooper DeJean and Nate Wiggins both stating a case for that spot but I'm going to go with the Crimson Tide DB. McKinstry is targeted a ton and while he does give up the occasional catch he's got true CB1 traits. I think his potential to be a CB1 and to play high quality football early in his career is very likely. Adding him to Pat Surtain really improves this defense right off the bat and while the others have enticing traits, McKinstry is still leading the charge for me. 

14. LA Chargers - CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean is someone who can come in and fit just about any scheme which is important because Brandon Staley won't be the coach here in 2024. DeJean is a long physical corner who shows an aptitude for takeways and an ability to play man or zone coverage. His ability to reduce down into the slot and still cover guys easily is pretty rare for a guy at 6'2 and it leads some guys to think maybe he'll play some nickel or even safety type looks in the NFL. Regardless, he's a takeway machine who thrives in any coverage - he's got a chance to be the first corner off the board. 

15. Indianapolis Colts - WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

This could have been a cornerback as well but I went with Coleman beacuase of the uncertainty with the outside receivers here. Alec Pierce has been inconsistent and Michael Pittman is a free agent (although I doubt he goes anywhere). Coleman is a huge X WR at 6'4 and is a constested catch stud. While there are some inconsistencies to his game and he's not someone who uncovers as well as you might want his ability to high point the football gives him a chance to be an elite red zone weapon. He eats up space with his long strides as well so we could see him be not just a third down guy or a redzone guy, but a big play guy as well. That's a pretty enticing combination.

16. Las Vegas Raiders - QB Jayden Daniels, Arizona State

I couldn't wait anymore. Daniels may be thin at 6'4 and 210 pounds and he takes some brutal hits out there, but he's insanely dynamic. He's the best QB runner since Lamar Jackson and he's putting up the numbers to show it. This past weekend he put up 600 total yards including 200 rushing. Through 10 games thsi season he's completing over 71 percent of his throws and has run for 918 yards including 8.1 yards per carry, and that includes sack numbers. He's not just a system guy though, he takes care of the ball with only 7 INT the past two seasons compared to 47 throwing scores. He's improved his whole career and is one of the best scramblers in college football history. I get some of the criticism but he's someone who can put up huge points in the NFL, even with faster guys. His scheme is not NFL heavy in terms of what he'll see and there's going to be a learning curve but only 3 players I've ever watched can run like he can, Michael Vick, Lamar Jackson, and Jayden Daniels. I'm willing to take this chance.

17. Buffalo Bills - OT JC Latham, Alabama

The Bills are one of the weirdest teams ever. They have stats that suggest they should be better but just are so wildly inconsistent. Josh Allen tries to as I like to put it "score 9 point TD's" all the time. It means he tries to do so much all the time and do too much that it costs his team games. If they could simply play better complimentary football it would maybe lessen his burden. To do so, better pass pro and better run game. That all starts up front and JC Latham at RT would be a nice snag. He's a monstrous human at 360 pounds and he absolutely blows guys off the ball - sometimes. He's sloppy with his hands and some of his losses are pretty bad to quick players, but there aren't many guys who can dominate and completely decimate sides of the football like Latham can. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

The lightning quick Newton could be a true difference maker for the Bengals. The Bengals, despite having two very good LBs and a great pair of edge rushers are giving up the 3rd most yards in the NFL, 3rd most rush yards, and 8th most passing yards. BJ Hill has 4 sacks this season playing the 3T spot but he's been below average as a run defender and their nose tackle, DJ Reader is headed to free agency. The team could use a difference making penetrating player on their line. Newton has played all over, from the 0T out to the 7T spot and even at times lining up in a mug spot. While he can't replace Reader as a nose tackle, he could be a combination player who can penetrate as well as find the football and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Right now for PURE tackles for loss (TFL's on run plays) the team has no interior DL with more than 2 this entire season. 

19. Detroit Lions (TRADE WITH NEW ORLEANS) - DE Dallas Turner, Alabama

•     Detroit gives up pick 30, 2024 3rd, 2025 6th

This wasn't a huge give up for Detroit who at first glance may seem like a weird team to give up a bunch of draft capital, but the Lions are really damn good. They could use a corner for sure, but realistically the team likely is going to be playing ahead a lot and while Aiden Hutchinson is an absolute star, the team typically brings the blitz to get pressure. If they were able to sit back in a zone where they feel more comfortable and just rush 4, they could instantly get better DB play. The team will get back from injury CJ Gardner Johnson this offseasona nd Cameron Sutton has been okay. Jerry Jacobs has a passer rating against of just 70.3 so far this season. But where the team can see serious improvement is at pass rusher. Hutchinson has 32 pressures this season and nobody lelse on the team has more than 11. Turner is a monsterous pass rusher who has 20 sacks in his college career and had 60 pressures his freshman and sophomore year combined while picking up a 17.2% pass rush win rate this season (6th highest in the nation)

20. Arizona Cardinals (From Houston) - CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Cardinals struggle in a big way at the cornerback position and Wiggins would provide an instant help. Jonathan Gannon was at his best in Philadelphia with a top duo of corners and this would be someone to take to help start that process. The Cardinals have played exceedingly hard under Gannon but they need more talent - insert Wiggins, a long corner who per NGS has allowed just 52 yards in coverage this entire season.

21. Miami Dolphins (TRADE WITH Minnesota) - OT Talise Fuaga, Oregon State

• Miami gives up 25, and a 2024 3rd and receives at 2024 5th back

I don't think he's going to last this long but in this mock he did so here it is. Miami has to improve its offensive line and it should start at RT which is Tua's blindside. Fuaga is a mauling, dominating RT who absolutely blows people off the football. Miami struggles when Tua has to go to read number two or get off of the first look and that means he'll need to hold the ball longer, that hasn't worked out well this season. 

22. Dallas Cowboys - OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Dallas is one of the most complete teams in the NFL and when Dak is playing well they look like a juggernaut. The easiest way to keep Dak playing well is to keep adding to the OL. They may need more WR help but Gallup and Cooks flash just enough recently to say maybe they'd be okay here. Tyron Smith is done and the team could move Tyler Smith out to LT or keep him there and have Morgan move inside, either way, this is a nice snag. Morgan tore his ACL last season but came back and has looked smooth and powerful. He's a really good player. 

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Bo Nix, Oregon

Kenny Pickett isn't very good. Somehow Mike Tomlin gets his team to win games but it's disgusting how it happens. Pickett misses easy throws, can't get guys involved, and struggles to get to the right checks. Bo Nix does none of those things. Nix has a nice arm, has completed an absurd 75% of his passes combined the past two seasons, takes great care of the football and can pick up first downs with his legs. He also plays point guard and doesn't try to do too much, which is the complimentary football the Steelers need. A new QB and a new OC and the Steelers under arguably the best coach in the NFL could put together 10 more years of elite play.

24. Houston Texans (From Cleveland) - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Houston has been the story of the season in terms of improvement. CJ Stroud is playing at a legimiate MVP level, Will Anderson is a pressure machine, Tank Dell looks like a dangerous weapon and Demeco Ryans has turned this thing around despite a litany of injuries. The Texans have their combination. Now they need to add to it. While a DB is enticing here, getting Stroud yet another weapon should be the choice. Nico Collins, Dell, Schultz (who i assume will re-sign long term) and even Noah Brown are solid but Egbuka's ability to separate would gives this team a different dimension and some easier completions. 

25. Minnesota Vikings - TRADE BACK - DT Leonard Taylor III, Miami

The Vikings are going to re-sign Kirk Cousins, he was playing awesome football for them and after grabbing Risner during the season, the OL looks better. RB needs improvement as does some better secondary play. The team is going to lose Danielle Hunter so they need edge improvement but Taylor is a smart grab here. He's a dynamic penetrator who racks up TFL's. He's a big time pocket pusher as well and would improve that defensive front and give them a different dimension. 

26. Seattle Seahawks - DE Jared Verse, Florida State

Verse is extremely talented but has been inconsistent throughout his performacne this season. I think he's the exact type of player Seattle would like to take a chance on though. They've started to get some better improved play from their DL and they'll get Uchenna Nwosu back next season but someone like Verse who can simply win constantly off the edge in one on one sitautions at times is something Seattle could really use.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars - DL JT Taumaloau, Ohio State

Travon Walker was a dumb pick, I said it then, it looks even worse now. It's not that he can't play at all but he's not an impact player. Taumaloua could give them someone who could rush from the inside or the outside and give that Jags a complimentary piece opposite of Josh Allen.

28. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE WITH SF) QB Michael Penix, Washington

• SF Receives pick 40, round 3 pick, 2025 6

The Falcons couldn't stand pat and do nothing at QB and decided to make a move up. While I don't necessarily love the scheme fit there really isn't another QB in this class worth making a swing for. Penix throws with good quick timing and isn't afraid to get his weapons involved. While the system at Washington will be a big adjustment for him going to the NFL, the Falcons run so much play action that he should get some open throws. Penix takes care of the ball and isn't afraid to push it downfield. He's a big improvement over Heineke and Ridder.

29. Baltimore Ravens - CB Kalen King, Penn State

King hasn't been elite this season for the Nittany Lions but he's got immense potential and has shown flahes of great play in the past. The nice thing about King landing here is that he has a ton of great players around him and won't be asked to do everything himself. The Ravens only real problem on their roster is they give up a bunch of 4th quarter leads which is insane when you look at how they're built. Adding another good corner could stop some of those 3rd down and longs they give up.

30. New Orleans Saints- WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

I think the Saints real issue is they need better coaching on all sides of the football. They are about the most mediocre team in the game despite a pretty damn good roster. I'm not sure what they'd do with Worthy as they have a good 1-2-3 punch at WR right now that fits all the boxes but he's a talented speedy guy who could help them move the ball more if they have the right coaching staff. Trading back and adding two more low cost players was a smart move.

31. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Patrick Paul, Houston

The Chiefs gave up some good OTs and traded them in for some guys who aren't nearly as good. Paul is someone who would fit the scheme very well as he played in one that's fairly similar in Houston. While he's not someone I adore as a player the scheme fit and positional need make a lot of sense. WR makes sense here too but Mahomes can get a lot from a variety of pieces and Rashee Rice is starting to come on. Four good cheap seasons from a LT is pretty damn valuable, even if I'm not Paul's biggest fan and have him valued about 20 spots later.

32. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

The Eagles aren't going to be able to rely on Darius Slay and James Bradbury forever and Howie Roseman is always working on ways to improve this team. Avonte Maddox is injured almost constantly so adding a high quality corner is a savvy move here. Lassiter can do a lot of things schematically and would at worst give the team a high end depth piece but should eventually turn into a good quality starting cornerback in the league with plus upside.