Mock Draft 2024: Shrine Bowl Edition
With both the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl taking place in quick succession, what better way to preview the two then combining them with a Mock Draft! Imagine a world where the first 32 picks in the draft were solely from the pre-draft events.
Next on the block is the Shrine Bowl. Remember, this is just an exercise to look at team needs and preview some of the players who will steal the limelight this week, this is NOT a realistic first round mock. So don’t get mad!
1. Chicago Bears
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Edge, Notre Dame
If we avoid the Bears selecting a QB again, then we are looking for premium positions like edge rusher or offensive tackle. I’ve plumped for Notre Dame edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The Ohio State transfer had a particularly strong showing vs his old school and could develop into a decent NFL prospect.
2. Washington Commanders
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Washington look set to find the new face of their franchise in this draft so let’s stick with a QB. The best one at the Shrine Bowl is Jordan Travis. He won’t play in Frisco but he will get chance to interview with teams. He is undersized but a true playmaker who propelled FSU to the brink of the CFB playoffs.
3. New England Patriots
Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois
The Patriots are in desperate need of a spark on the offensive side of the ball. If they don’t look to get it at QB then wide receiver is their next best bet. Williams operates primarily from the slot and averaged 12.9 yards per reception at Illinois this season. He’s the most exciting receiver of those attending.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
Taylor appeared in many people’s first round mock drafts this offseason and it’s clear why. He has the physical attributes to be a force at defensive tackle but it didn’t translate to production for the ‘Canes. With only 1 sack in 2023, Taylor needs to prove himself this week.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Wallace, CB, Michigan
Josh Wallace formed one of the best cornerback duos in the country with fellow Wolverine Will Johnson. Wallace earned a PFF coverage grade of 84.9 in Michigan’s National Championship winning season and would help re-stock a Chargers’ secondary that has suffered some misses in free agency.
6. New York Giants
Christian Mahogany, iOL, Boston College
The Giants have taken offensive tackles high in recent drafts so rather than shifting one inside they could target the interior spots in early rounds. Christian Mahogany missed the 2022 season with injury and was solid on his return, teams will want to dig into that but he remains one of the top prospects at the position.
7. Tennessee Titans
Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
Walter Rouse transferred from Stanford to Oklahoma to boost his draft stock. The left tackle has the prototypical length that NFL teams look for and he tightened up his performance as a Sooner. He didn’t allow a sack in 2023 and offers mid-round value.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
The Falcons don’t need a physically commanding receiver, they have that in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. So let’s introduce a more diminutive slot receiver like Malik Washington. He had 1,384 receiving yards and nine touchdowns after transferring from Northwestern.
9. Chicago Bears
Trente Jones, OT, Michigan
Ryan Poles made a pretty good job of rebuilding the offensive line in Chicago but they could add more depth or shift the starters around to accommodate a player like Jones. He played right tackle for one of the best lines in the country and has plenty of scope to develop.
10. New York Jets
JT Sanders, TE, Texas
The Jets have a great defense so you can expect them to focus their early picks on the offensive side of the ball and helping out Aaron Rodgers. Texas tight end JT Sanders is arguably the most talented player on display in the Shrine Bowl and likely the second tight end off the board come April.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
There’s still some work to do in the Vikings secondary and a long, rangy corner like Dwight McGlothern could offer a solution. The LSU transfer blossomed at Arkansas and this season was his best. He recorded 3 interceptions and 4 pass breakups, to go with a 91.8 PFF coverage grade.
12. Denver Broncos
Sundiata Anderson, Edge, Grambling State
One of the most important parts of the Shrine Bowl is allowing smaller school prospects to face off against higher profile players. One player looking to impress will be Grambling State’s Sundiata Anderson. The edge rusher has six years of college experience and in that time has contributed 19 sacks.
13.Las Vegas Raiders
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Linebacker value is dropping in the NFL and while Edgerrin Cooper might not be a first round prospect he could be the highest player drafted from this group. He has ideal size at 6’3, 230lbs and is a strong tackler as well as contributing 10 sacks for the Aggies.
14. New Orleans Saints
Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State
Wallace is the lesser heralded offensive tackle from Penn State. Playing across from Olu Fashanu is always going to make you look slightly inferior but he had the best year of his five in State College. There were struggles against tougher opposition like Michigan, so he will need to prove those as an exception.
15. Indianaoplis Colts
Fabien Lovett, DT, Florida State
Florida State’s Fabien Lovett hasn’t reached the potential that his four-star rating suggested but ended up being a solid part of the Seminole’s defensive front rotation. There is a lack of production with only six career sacks so ideally you want to see him generate some pressure in the 1-on-1’s.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Goncalves, OL, Pittsburgh
Seattle has secured two young offensive tackles in recent drafts so they may not be an obvious destination for Pitt’s offensive tackle Matt Goncalves. However, he does have some experience playing guard. His last season was derailed by injury so he will be keen to remind everyone of his talents.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kenny Logan Jr, S, Kansas
Logan could have declared for the draft last year but he was coming off a poor season. He bounced back this year with an 84.0 coverage grade from PFF. He would help bring more energy to the defensive backfield in Jacksonville.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Don’t expect the Bengals to draft a running back in round 1 but also don’t be surprised if they have some interest in Brooks. He is a three-down back who could carry the workload for an NFL side. Injury stopped him being a part in Texas’ playoff appearance but he was a major reason for their early-season success.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
The Rams defense wasn’t elite but it was much better than expected. The team was stacked with inexperienced, younger players on that side of the ball but it was clear the front office had found some gems. The athletic Jacobs would mesh nicely with the more experienced Ernest Jones.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State
Another Seminole gets the nod here in the form of defensive back Jarrian Jones. Joey Porter was an excellent selection for Pittsburgh last year and a player like Jones would be ideal for the slot role. Jones moved inside in 2023 having struggled at outside corner. It was a move that paid off as he snagged three interceptions and showed significant improvement.
21. Miami Dolphins
Karsen Barnhart, OT, Michigan
Terron Armstead is not a long-term solution to the tackle spot in Miami. So, you can expect them to look heavily at offensive line prospects. Barnhart had an up-and-down year in Michigan as he was moved from left tackle to right, and then into the interior. He has good length but it will be interesting to see where his best position ultimately is.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
While the Washington offense got most of the plaudits on their run to the National Championship, their defense also turned in some big plays. Safety Dominique Hampton showed well against Texas and the free safety is an imposing 6’3. He had seven pass breakups in 2023 and has bags of experience being a 6-year player.
23. Houston Texans
Blake Watson, RB, Memphis
After three seasons at Old Dominion, running back Blake Watson made the move to Memphis. He continued to enjoy success as he rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. Devin Singletary has been a good piece for Texans but Watson would add further depth.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Christian Roland-Wallace, CB, USC
Christian Roland-Wallace will be hoping NFL teams don’t ‘scout the helmet’ down in Frisco. The USC defense had another disappointing season that ended in coordinator Alex Grinch losing his job. The corner actually had a solid season, only conceding one touchdown and contributing 8 pass breakups.
25. Green Bay Packers
Frank Gore Jr.
NFL teams love bloodlines. Frank Gore Jr comes into the league with his dad’s career still fresh in the memory. Gore was super productive for Southern Miss, rushing for over 1,000 yards in both of the last two seasons. Can he follow in his father’s footsteps?
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan
Before I go into Cornelius Johnson, he is NOT Mike Evans. However, there is a good chance that the Bucs could be on the lookout for a big-bodied pass catcher. Johnson played second fiddle to Roman Wilson at Michigan this year, but his size makes him an intriguing prospect.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Steele Chambers, LB, Ohio State
Chambers is the kind of guy on defense who will go in the mid-rounds and be a solid contributor for many years. He had 63 tackles for the Buckeyes and also earned a PFF grade of 77.4 in coverage. He has a good chance to boost his draft stock at the Shrine Bowl.
28. Buffalo Bills
Mohamed Kamara, Edge, Colorado State
You can’t beat production and that is one thing that Colorado State’s Mohamed Kamara has going for him. He had 64 pressures including 14 sacks for the Rams. While he played exclusively off the edge in college, his lack of length may mean some teams will be interested in seeing how he fairs as an off-ball linebacker.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Tahj Washington, WR, USC
It was a competitive receiving corps in USC but Tahj Washington managed to make the slot role his own. He is only 175lbs, but the likes of former teammate Jordan Addison are proving that lightweight receivers can thrive at the next level. Kansas City found Rashee Rice but they could do to add more weapons for Mahomes.
30. Detroit Lions
Matt Lee, C, Miami
From one USC player to a former one. Center Matt Lee made the move to Miami in the offseason and continued to show his ability as a pass blocker. His size (295lbs) may make him a center only in the NFL but he would be a solid depth piece for a team from the get go.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Tylan Grable, OT, UCF
Trent Williams won’t go on forever. With that in mind the 49ers will be exploring the offensive tackle market. Grable didn’t allow a sack from the left tackle spot for the Knights last year, however his lack of bulk shows up in the run game, that will need to be an area of focus moving forward.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Trajan Jeffcoat, Edge, Arkansas
The Ravens never miss an opportunity to draft versatile players at already well-stocked positions. Edge rusher Jeffcoat is 6’4 and 281lbs, which would suggest he could operate from the inside as well from defensive end. That shift could make him more of a danger since he only recorded five sacks in Arkansas this season.
Rory-Joe Daniels
CFB Contributor
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