CFB: PRESEASON MOCK DRAFT 2024
With the college football season just around the corner what better time to squeeze in a preseaon ‘way-too-early’ mock draft. So here it is; as always draft order is dictated by Super Bowl odds.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
If the Cardinals can’t get things on track with Kyler Murray then it’s time to start fresh. Williams appears to be the ideal playmaker QB for the modern NFL.
2. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans)
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Back-to-back picks for the Cards and they give Williams the perfect target. Harrison is an elite receiver with NFL lineage.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Bucs haven’t found a solution since Tom Brady departed. Maye should run Williams close for QB1. Big arm and mobile, he would turn the Bucs around.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Fashanu would have been a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft so it’s no surprise that he is top 5 here. Elite size and pass blocking ability are rare at his young age.
5. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Back-to-back tackles go off the board here. Joe Alt is technicaly strong and should show out blocking for Sam Hartman at Notre Dame this year.
6. Los Angeles Rams
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
The Rams defense looks particularly flaky and youthful this year. They would retool with an explosive edge rusher like Verse from Florida State.
7. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
Dallas Turner is very raw at this point. His speed off the edge is clear but he needs refinement, if he finds that this year then top 10 could be a reality.
8. Washington Commanders
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Commanders have plenty of needs and tight end may not be at the top of their list. However, Bowers is a great receiving threat. This is a ‘best player available’ situation.
9. Las Vegas Raiders
Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Smith missed out on last season after suffering an injury in the first game. Fully healthy, he will be difficult to stop as part of an exciting LSU defense.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
McKinstry is big, physical and fast. It’s not perfect yet but Alabama has a good history of producing elite cornerbacks. The signs are he could be CB1 if he carries on his current trajectory.
11. New England Patriots
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Patriots are starting Riley Reiff at right tackle so it’s clear an upgrade is needed. Mims will step up and play tackle at Georgia this year and has the size to be an elite NFL tackle.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kalen King, CB, Penn State
While Joe Haden has enjoyed a renaissance in the twilight of his career, cornerback depth is needed. Kalen King is slightly undersized but super sticky.
13. Chicago Bears
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Wide receiver 2 in this class looks to be an exciting race. I have plumped for Nabers due to his big play ability, he could replace Chase Claypool and pair nicely with DJ Moore.
14. Green Bay Packers
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
There’s plenty of question marks around David Bakhtiari and the Packers will need a left tackle solution. Latham had a slow start in Alabama but is beginning to flash first round ability.
15. New York Giants
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burke hasn’t lived up to his potential yet for the Buckeyes but they have a strong secondary and National Championship hopes. Burke has the tools to be an elite corner.
16. Denver Broncos
Calen Bullock, S, USC
One of my favourite players in this draft class. Bullock is long, fast and physical. He will be a major part of a much needed defensive upturn at USC this year.
17. Minnesota Vikings
James Williams, S, Miami
The safety run is most definitely on. Williams is hard to miss in the ‘Canes backfield at 6’5, 215lbs. He can cover and come downhill which with that frame is no mean feat.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The Seahawks have got better in the secondary with draft picks but how about a long-term replacement for Bobby Wagner. Carter is more versatile than teammate Jeremiah Trotter Jr, and has a chance to go Day 1.
19. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
The Texans have added outside pass rush in Will Anderson but how about some juice on the inside. Jenkins flashed repeatedly during the Wolverines spring game.
20. New Orleans Saints
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The second Ohio State receiver off the board and he finds a home with more former Buckeyes in Michael Thomas and Chris Olave. Egbuka can play as a physical slot and give Derek Carr plenty of options.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Kam Kinchens, S, Miami
Imagine pairing Derwin James with another ballhawking safety. Kam Kinchens snagged 6 interceptions and 4 PBU’s last year, underlining his playmaking abilities.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins progressed nicely last season and by the end of it he looked the real deal. Pairing him with Tyson Campbell would solidify this secondary.
23. Miami Dolphins
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
There remain question marks over the ability of the Dolphins offensive line. It will be vital to protect Tua Tagovailoa going forward and Fautanu has versatility on the outside and interior.
24. Detroit Lions
Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
While the Lions have used first round picks on flashy pieces, Campbell could reinforce his trenches here. Leonard Taylor is scratching the surface of his ability and is the third Miami Hurricance off the board in this mock.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Zak Zinter, iOL, Michigan
The Ravens love to add bulk and value late on Day 1 of drafts. With Kevin Zeitler pencilled in as a starter they could add a younger option in Zinter to assume the role going forward.
26. New York Jets
Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
Trice recorded 45 hurries, including 8 sacks in 2022, that shows his ability to beat offensive tackles. Who knows what Carl Lawson has in the tank but a rotation of Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson and Trice would be nasty.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Time for a home state pick. The Cowboys take Longhorn Xavier Worthy to restock the receivers. The Michael Gallup re-signing hasn’t worked as of yet and Worthy would be a great no.2 to CeeDee Lamb.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The DJ Reader contract is looming on the horizon for the Bengals. They may not wish to pay him into his 30’s. Instead they could add arguably the best DT in this class which is Jer’Zhan Newton.
29. San Francisco 49ers
Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
The 49ers need a long-term running mate for Nick Bosa and Penn State’s Chop Robinson could be the guy. There are big hopes for the Nittany Lions and Robinson will be a major player.
30. Buffalo Bills
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
The loss of Tremaine Edmunds could be big for this Buffalo defense. Matt Milano has been excellent in recent years but adding a dynamic partner in Colson would refresh the group.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
Andrew Mukuba has plenty of things to clean up this year but the 6’0, 185lbs safety has the raw athleticism to impress NFL scouts. Safety is a concern for the Eagles and Mukuba could be in this range if he recaptures his 2021 form.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
The Chiefs need to add young, cheap talent to protect their greatest asset Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Paul has the ingredients to be a prototype left tackle and hopes to display them for the Cougars this year.
Rory-Joe Daniels
CFB Contributor
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