Owen's 2024 -Half- First Round Mock Draft

With the NFL draft on the horizon, there is a lot of intrigue on who will take who when it comes time. With this year's draft shaping up to be one of the best drafts talent-wise in the past couple of years, might we see some shocking picks?

With the first round of the NFL draft kicking off on April 25th, many fans are getting eager to find out who their team will take, and I am one of them. This draft is loaded with talent at every position, with quarterback being the most prominent of them. There are a couple of things I'd like to lay out before getting into the picks.

1. There are many quarterbacks with first round potential, but there are only so many teams who need a starter urgently enough to take one in the first round. Many teams would rather wait until the second to draft the same quarterback rather than use a first round pick on them. In any other class, the quarterbacks projected later are top twenty picks.

2. Too many people judge a player based on off the field aspects rather than their actual play. I have heard too many people judge top prospects such as Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr, and other players based on their looks, social media and other things instead of watching them play.

3. The combine isn't what makes a player, it's what tests them. We've seen countless players have poor combines, yet still be excellent players when they put on the pads. How many reps somebody does or doesn't do on the bench press shouldn't affect how teams or fans look at a player. Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the picks!

1. Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams - QB - USC

Despite the worrying character issues, Williams is a true generational talent with stats to back it up. In his last season at USC, Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and only five interceptions while also running for eleven touchdowns. After having dinner with members of the Chicago Bears organization, paired with them trading Justin Fields, there is no doubt in my mind that Williams will be the first player off the board. Although he didn't attend the combine, Williams looked stellar throwing at his pro day, solidifying himself as the first pick.

COMBINE: Did not participate

2. Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels - QB - LSU

With a new head coach taking over a team that went 3-14 last season, the Commanders delt their former starter Sam Howell to Seattle, implying they'd take a quarterback with the second pick. The Heisman trophy winner is the best pick on the board and would fit great in Kliff Kingsbury's system. Daniels secured the Heisman by throwing for 3,812 yards, an insane 40 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions. Pair that with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns and you've got yourself a future star. Although Daniels is slightly older than the rest of the quarterbacks, he is arguably the most ready for the NFL stage. Commanders fans will be thrilled to get an impressive, do-it-all quarterback at two.

COMBINE: Did not participate

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

Since the Patriots ended the Tom Brady era, the quarterback position has been an issue, with them going through Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham last season alone. With the Patriots going into rebuild mode, firing Bill Belichick and cutting Mac Jones, quarterback seems like the only way to go. Maye is arguably the most athletic quarterback in the draft, showing shades of the Bills' Josh Allen with the height, speed and arm strength. Although Maye didn't play for a powerhouse football school, his stats from last season are insanely impressive. Although his stats were down from the year before, Maye threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. Maye ran it well as well, totaling 449 yards and 9 touchdowns. With Jerod Mayo taking over the coaching, Maye would we an excellent player to build around for the future.

COMBINE: Did not participate

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

People question why he opted out of the combine and his pro day, and yes, the decision is questionable, but Harrison has nothing to show. The Cardinals have a gaping hole at receiver after letting Marquise Brown go in free agency and trading Rondale Moore, and if Kyler Murray is finally going to prove himself as a reliable starter, he needs some weapons at his disposal. Harrison showed flashes of his dad --who was a legendary receiver for the Indianapolis Colts-- while at Ohio State, as last season he racked up 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, which is the second season in a row in which he scored over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. Harrison has everything you want in a receiver, the speed, the height, the routes and the hands, and he would work well along side Kyler Murray next season.

COMBINE: Did not participate

5. Minnesota Vikings *Via Los Angeles Chargers - J.J. McCarthy - QB - Michigan

TRADE:

Chargers acquire: Two 2024 first round picks (#11, #23) and a 2025 third round pick

Vikings acquire: one 2024 first round pick (#5) and a 2026 sixth round pick

A good trade for both teams as the Vikings pick up the fourth quarterback in the first five picks. With the Vikings unwillingly losing Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, they now need to find someone better than Sam Darnold to start if they want any chance at a playoff appearance. McCarthy doesn't have the flashy stats that the other quarterbacks in this draft have, but he has a national championship. McCarthy is the definition of unselfish. While the Wolverines were one of the top rushing teams in the country, McCarthy quietly played excellent football, with him throwing for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions paired with some sneaky athleticism. Although his stats aren't eyepopping, McCarthy can easily develop into a plus starter in the NFL, especially with targets like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson by his side.

COMBINE:

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.23

3 Cone Drill: 6.83

6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers - WR - LSU

Since Odell Beckham Jr, the Giants have drafted countless receivers, hoping one of them could be a great weapon for Daniel Jones. Unfortunately for Giants fans, that player hasn't come yet. Nabers is a true superstar player with endless potential. Although he doesn't have the height that some teams look for in a receiver, he certainly is fast enough to cover for that, as getting separation from corners is one of his biggest strengths. Nabers had an impressive 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, which definitely helped propel his quarterback, Jayden Daniels to his Heisman trophy. With the Giants letting Saquon Barkley go to the division rival Eagles, their offense desperately need some weapons, and Brian Daboll and company would be thrilled with getting an game changer like Nabers at six.

COMBINE: Did not Participate

7. Tennessee Titans - Joe Alt - T - Notre Dame

It may not be a flashy pick, but since Taylor Lewan left his prime, the tackle position has been a struggle to fill. Yes, they do need a receiver, but there are a handful of them in this draft, but only one Joe Alt. Alt is an irresistible prospect, with the strength to bully edges and the speed to get to the next level, while also being six-foot-eight. Alt is a once in a lifetime prospect who should be a top five pick. The Titans would benefit greatly from drafting Alt, as he can elevate the run, and pass game.

COMBINE:

 40 Yard Dash: 5.05

Split: 1.73

Vertical Jump: 28"

Broad Jump: 9'4"

3 Cone Drill: 7.31

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.51

Bench Press: 27

8. Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner - DE - Alabama

Turner being the first defensive player off the board may come as a surprise to some, but if you've watched him play at all, you'd know it isn't. Turner is one of many edge rushers in this draft who had impressive combines, but Turner's stood out due to his incredible athleticism for his size. At Alabama last season, Turner recorded 10 sacks, 28 tackles and 2 forced fumbles, standing out on film for his constant pressure on the quarterback. With Arthur Smith out of Atlanta and Raheem Morris in, it would be right to fill their biggest need with the best defensive player on the board.

 COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.46

Split: 1.54

Vertical Jump: 40.5"

Broad Jump: 10'7"

9. Chicago Bears - Jared Verse - DE - Florida State

After head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears should have a 'one-two punch' at edge rusher alongside Montez Sweat, it makes even more sense for them to take Verse. Verse is big, physical and fast, checking off three things the Bears need at edge rusher. At Florida State last season, Verse recorded 9 sacks, 23 tackles and a forced fumble, which are numbers worthy of a top ten pick. Verse would play a critical role in the Bears future success alongside Montez Sweat.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.58

Split: 1.60

Vertical Jump: 30.5"

Broad Jump: 10'7"

3 Cone Drill: 7.31

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.44

Bench Press: 31

10. New York Jets - Olu Fashanu - T - Penn State

The Jets are letting Mekhi Becton leave in free agency after an unimpressive couple of years. Now, with Aaron Rodgers back for another season, the Jets o-line needs to be as secure as possible for him, and whoever comes in the future. Fashanu is an excellent player with the size to be an elite lineman, but unfortunately, he is slightly underdeveloped in ways that Joe Alt isn't. Fashanu is big and quick, but doesn't have the footwork to contend with faster edges yet. The Jets would be taking a risk by taking Fashanu, but one that will be fun to watch if it goes well. Fashanu is still one of the top players in the class, and would no-doubt contribute to the Jets' offense.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 5.11

Split: 1.77

Vertical Jump: 32"

Broad Jump: 9'5"

11. Los Angeles Chargers *Via Minnesota Vikings - Rome Odunze - WR - Washington

TRADE:

Chargers acquire: Two 2024 first round picks (#11, #23) and a 2025 third round pick

Vikings acquire: one 2024 first round pick (#5) and a 2026 sixth round pick

After down trading with the Vikings and getting another first round pick, the Chargers still fill their number-one priority by grabbing Rome Odunze. Odunze is a lanky receiver with great hands and good speed for a guy who's six-foot-four. At Washington, Odunze racked up 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns on almost a hundred catches alongside projected top pick Michael Penix. The Chargers would be thrilled to get a freak athlete such as Odunze after trading down.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.45

Split: 1.52

Vertical Jump: 39"

Broad Jump: 10'4"

3 Cone Drill: 6.88

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.03

12. Denver Broncos - Laiatu Latu - DE - UCLA

The Broncos have needs at many positions, including quarterback, but there may be opportunities to get a good quarterback in the later rounds. Although his combine numbers weren't crazy, such as Chop Robinsons or Dallas Turners, Latu is a physical, aggressive edge with a lot of talent that other rookie d-lineman don't have. Injuries might be a worry, as a 2020 neck injury forced him out of football for a while. Still, Latu recorded 13 sacks, 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions last season at UCLA. the Broncos will get an NFL ready talent at 12 with potential to be a dominant force for their defense.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.64

Split: 1.62

Vertical Jump: 39"

Broad Jump: 10'4"

13. Las Vegas Raiders - Byron Murphy II - DT - Texas

With this pick, it would mean two consecutive drafts where the Raiders have taken a defensive lineman, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Murphy is the first of two highly touted Texas defensive tackles, and for good reason. Murphy is a big, fast disrupter with crazy high potential, and his combine certainly helped boost his draft stock. My one concern for Murphy is his height, which isn't necessarily a recipe for success or failure in a D-lineman, as seen with Aaron Donald, but six-foot-one isn't necessarily where you want to measure at in today's NFL. Murphy makes up for that in weight, as he still ways 308 pounds despite his height. New head coach Antonio Pierce would start his Raiders' stint nicely by taking Murphy with his very first first-round pick.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.87

Split: 1.69

Vertical Jump: 33"

Broad Jump: 9'3"

Bench Press: 28

14. New Orleans Saints - J.C. Latham - T - Alabama

Most Saints fans probably don't want to take a tackle in the first round, especially with the big moves other teams in their division are making, but the Saints have had constant struggles on the o-line for the past couple years. Latham has more than ideal size to play tackle, with his one area of improvement being quick movements. With that in mind, Latham had an excellent stretch with the Crimson Tide, protecting future high pick Jalen Milroe all season. With Atlanta having drafted Dallas Turner, the Saints will be happy to combat that by taking Latham for the future.

COMBINE: Did not Participate

15. Indianapolis Colts - Cooper DeJean - CB/S - Iowa

All I can say when watching DeJean's tape is "wow", and in any other draft, I'd consider DeJean a top-ten pick. In a DB-stacked draft, DeJean rightfully should be the first one off the board, as everything on his tape shows flashes of an NFL superstar. With physicallity being DeJean's defining trait, corner-needy teams would be nothing but thrilled to grab DeJean this late in the draft, especially with the corner situation in Indiana.

COMBINE: Did not Participate

16. Buffalo Bills *VIA Seattle Seahawks - Xavier Worthy - WR - Texas

TRADE:

Seahawks acquire: One 2024 first round picks (#28), one 2024 second

round pick (#60), one 2025 third round pick

Bills acquire: one 2024 first round pick (#16) and a 2026 fifth round pick

We've seen the players with fast forty times fail in the NFL, but after Worthy ran a 4.21 forty at the combine and the Bills traded Stephon Diggs, it only makes sense to trade up for someone like Worthy. Worthy has excellent hands with absolutely blazing speed, shown by his forty time. If Worthy joined the Bills, it would aid their deep passing game significantly, as the deep passing ability of Josh Allen combined with the speed of Worthy would make for a lethal combo. As for Seattle, the most pressing need is the o-line, which can still be solved at #28, and they gain a second round pick, which they didn't have.

COMBINE:

40 Yard Dash: 4.21

Split: 1.49

Vertical Jump: 41"

Broad Jump: 10'11"

That concludes the half first round mock draft. If you have any opinions, email us at s.w.m.opodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to check out our podcast, The S.W.M.O Podcast on Spotify and Amazon Music, as we will give our takes on the draft after it finishes!