The Magic Ball’s
Mock Draft 2.0
January 11th, 2024, by JAKE
Arizona’s Jordan Morgan; Arizona Athletics
Three quarterbacks in three picks, a run on tackles, and an ample supply of receivers make up the first round of our second mock draft. Loaded with talent at a select few positions, this mock draft is intended to assess what we think the NFL would do, not what we would do ourselves (see our big board for that). With the most abundantly taken position being offensive tackle (making up 7/32 picks), there are some quarterbacks still on the board as round two resumes on day two.
By the Numbers:
Offensive Lineman make up 22% of round one picks.
Atlanta, Tampa, deter from quarterback pick, add depth.
Bowers falls, lands in an optimal place to start career.
1. Chicago Bears; Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears can go one of two ways this April; stick and pick — moving on from Fields — or stick with Fields and trade down for a haul which may include a weapon for the former Buckeye to use. I believe the Bears will move on from Fields and pick “their guy”, as Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus did not draft Fields out of OSU and have shown rather wayward signs of their intent with the quarterback. Also considering he is in the final year of his contract, Chicago may want to avoid dishing out a massive contract to a quarterback they aren’t so sure about.
2. Washington Commanders; Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Washington finds themselves in almost the exact same boat as Chicago, but this outcome is almost certain considering Ron Rivera is out following a 4-13 finish, and the new ownership in place has almost no connection to Sam Howell and will want to restart following a dreadful first season. Adding Maye, a capable athlete with the arm talent and capacity to make almost any throw on the field, may aid them in their rebuilding process.
3. New England Patriots; Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
In a move of utter desperation, the Patriots pull the trigger and reach for the Heisman winning quarterback in order to secure a top three QB in this class. Do I think Daniels is a top three talent? No. Do I believe he will drafted in the top three? Yes. Draft night oftentimes brings out the worst in organizations, and forces their hand on reaching in order to grab their guy and go. Daniels is a play making threat but needs to develop consistency, something New England will have to refine if they wish to build around the high-octane QB.
4. Arizona Cardinals; Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, OSU
Making it adamantly clear that Kyler Murray will be in Arizona come next season, the Cardinals will look to build around the former first overall pick in an attempt to climb back into the playoffs. Drafting a generational-type receiver will help. With Marquise Brown not on contract for the 2024 season, and question marks surrounding Rondale Moore, Arizona lands one of the most surefire receiver picks in recent memory; a solid framed, smooth, silky operator with the ability to snag jump balls and nip balls out of the air.
5. Los Angeles Chargers; Joe Alt, T, ND
Looking at the Chargers depth chart, they need a lot. Receiver, tight end, tackle, and defensive back all came into play in the decision process. Ultimately, I went with Alt, someone who I believe to be one of the most sure handed picks in recent draft history. The towering 6’8 tackle from South Bend is both uber-athletic and technically sound; the most recent Fighting Irish phenom. Alt fixes a hole created by a lack of development on the offensive line, and will pair nicely with Rashawn Slater to protect Justin Herbert.
6. New York Giants; Rome Odunze, WR, WASH
A top six pick is always a blessing, right? Not for New York. Trapped in quarterback purgatory, with the fans, front office, and media all butting heads on what to do with Daniel Jones, the Giants miss out on a top three quarterback and are marooned between reaching for Nix/Penix or building around the ACL-torn Jones. In this scenario, I believe New York sticks with the guy who brought them to the playoffs just one year ago, choosing to build around him by drafting one of the most game-changing receivers in this class. Odunze offers size on the boundary, big play ability down field, and the route running ability to get himself open and help Daniel Jones as a passer.
7. Tennessee Titans; Olu Fashuanu, T, PSU
Tennessee ushers this pick to the podium in under a minute after New York plucks Odunze at six. For what has been one of the worst pass blocking teams in the NFL the past two seasons, Tennessee adds one of the most athletic tackles in recent draft history with Fashuanu. Pairing the Happy Valley product with Peter Skoronksi will create a pretty formidable wall on the left side of the Titans offensive line, protecting quarterback Will Levis.
8. Atlanta Falcons; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
New head coach, new philosophy in Atlanta. Hopefully this coach uses his weapons to a greater extent than Arthur Smith did. Landing just outside Nix/Penix territory, I believe the Falcons are the recipient of Justin Fields in this scenario, pairing the running oriented quarterback with a running oriented offense. Selecting a deep threat who is more than just a deep threat inside the top ten will help bring this Atlanta offense to glory, as Nabers can stretch the field and can be a headache for defenses.
9. Chicago Bears; Jer’Zhan Newton, DI, ILL
Double dipping in the top-ten pick sauce, Chicago opts to beef up their IDL, one of the weak points on what was a surprisingly good defense in 2023. Selecting an undersized, speed rushing defensive tackle will help bring consistency to the run defense and open lanes for the Sanborn-Edmunds duo to accumulate tackles. Newton brings an innate explosiveness to the trenches and has the ability to wreck havoc if left single blocked.
10. New York Jets; Taliese Fuaga, T, OrST
To close out the top ten, the Jets aim to protect the octogenarian Aaron Rodgers with a mauler at left tackle. A genuinely terrifying presence on run plays, Fuaga has bad intentions when he singles out his blocker, and leans on defenders to eliminate them from the play entirely. The freakishly athletic tackle out of Oregon State (not Ohio State) will be able to play either side of the line with relative ease, something Rodgers will need coming off his infamous torn Achilles.
11. Minnesota Vikings; Jared Verse, ED, FSU
In what universe is Dallas Turner not only not the first defensemen off the board, but not even the first edge rusher selected? This one. Minnesota has a nack for taller, bendier, quicker edge rushers than the brute force, downright psychotic play style of Turner. Beefing up the defensive line is essential if you wish to contend in the NFL (Philly, San Fran, Baltimore), and that is exactly what Minnesota will do with this pick… right?
12. Denver Broncos; Dallas Turner, ED, ALA
Speaking of Turner, Denver nabs him at twelve following an eventful off-season which saw them go full “Payton mode”. Pairing a delusional and disreputed head coach with the erratic and high energy play style of Turner can’t possibly go wrong, can it? Turner is a tremendous athlete with the accolades and test numbers to be a top-five pick, but character concerns loom large for a player who reminds me a little too much of Clelin Ferrell.
13. Las Vegas Raiders; Amarius Mims, T, GA
Speaking of Ferrell, the Raiders opt not to go edge and grab Mims at 13. The Bulldog tackle had a pressure rate allowed of under 4% throughout his career, and is sizable enough to be a day one starter for a Raiders team that is desperate for its quarterback of the future. Reaching on Penix — who I think is a Raider more than Nix — would be silly here, especially considering all of his red flags may land him right into your laps in the second round. Give the gunslinger protection before you draft him, and be smart Las Vegas.
14. New Orleans Saints; Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Predicting that the Saints stick with Carr for one more season (probably Dennis Allen’s last), I believe New Orleans will go receiver to take the burden off Olave and give Carr a chance to flourish in an offense with weapons. Tackle is a major possibility with an aging Ramczyk and deteriorating interior, which is why building though free agency is essential with a lack of interior prowess in this class. Getting Coleman would bolster a developing passing attack and give NOLA the best chance at taking the NFC South crown.
15. Indianapolis Colts; Nate Wiggins, CB, CLEM
Wiggins has burrowed his way into my CB1 slot, as I believe his mix of size, speed, flexibility, and fluidity makes him a sure-fire top fifteen pick in this draft. With Kenny Moore II safeguarding the slot, Indy needs a boundary cornerback who can hang with lanky receivers like Nico Collins and Treylon Burks. Wiggins is the best available option at this spot, unless the Colts wanted to trade down and take Quinyon Mitchell down the board.
16. Seattle Seahawks; Laiatu Latu, ED, UCLA
Keeping the Bruin-star on the West Coast is a smart move for a Seattle team who recently parted ways with Pete Carroll. Building a solid defense is the foundation of any team, just ask Seattle. They first built the Legion of Boom then inserted Wilson, something I believe they do again here, pairing Latu with Nwosu and Mafe to create a three headed monster off the edge for the Seahawks.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars; Terrion Arnold, CB, ALA
The other Alabama cornerback ends up sliding a couple picks before McKinstry, as Arnold’s outright tenacity and passion for the game is palpable; something that will make him climb draft boards. The Tide-product has outstanding discipline and a good feel for breaks in routes. A good pairing with Campell on the outside for a team gutted by the passing game when it mattered most.
18. Cincinnati Bengals; Brock Bowers, TE, GA
Finally the falling ends for Bowers, someone who can easily be slated to the Chargers at five or Giants at six. I believe NFL executives have debased the tight end position and its production value, especially after the Kyle Pitts debacle in Atlanta. At 18, however, Cincy gets excellent value for a generational type prospect in Bowers, winner of the last two Mackey Awards. A more complete player than Pitts at the time of their drafts, Bowers offers capable run blocking ability and tremendous athletic ability as a pass catcher.
19. Green Bay Packers; Cooper DeJean, CB, IOWA
Keeping the midwest corner in the area is a Packer-type move, as the aftershocks of Jaire Alexander’s early season absence opened the eye’s of Packer fans everywhere. Rejoice, as DeJean has the ablity to play every position in the secondary; from nickel corner to strong safety.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Chop Robinson, ED, PSU
Tampa is licking their chops — no pun intended — sitting at twenty and stealing one of the more explosive edge rushers in this draft. To say that Robinson is tuned up off the edge is an understatement, as the former Nittany Lion is able to twist and bend at freakishly fast speeds. Tampa needs to fix their pass defense, and that starts with a good pass rush. Robinson offers that and more.
21. Arizona Cardinals; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, ALA
A dilapidated cornerback room decimated by injuries forces the Cardinals’ hand at exploring the DB market. Who’s still sitting here near the end of the first? Well, one of the nation’s premier cornerback options in Kool-Aid (Ga-Quincy) McKinstry. A zone coverage savant, McKinstry brings another level of expertise to an Arizona secondary struggling in recent years.
22. Los Angeles Rams; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, TOLE
A silky smooth, aggressive corner is something needed in LA following the departure of Jalen Ramsey. The Rams have been torched by good passing games all season, and adding a ball-hawking corner like Mitchell will surely help that. Mitchell’s size and speed makes him a pretty appetizing ball of clay for DCs to mold around the NFL.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers; JC Latham, T, ALA
Latham, along with the rest of the Tide offensive line, had a rough Rose Bowl. That will tank his draft stock a bit, as the Alabama tackle factory has been producing flawed products the last couple years (Leatherwood, Williams, etc.). Pittsburgh ends his sliding by solidifying an athletic — and absolutely massive — offensive line to protect whoever they trot out at quarterback in 2024. Going QB is an option.. I guess… but knowing Tomlin, the trenches mean more than a flashy skill position.
24. Miami Dolphins; Troy Fautanu, G, WASH
One of the men with the baddest intentions in all of football lands at Miami’s doorstep at 24. The Husky tackle played with a ferocious motor and fervent passion for the game all the way through their national championship run. A mean demeanor and solid anchor make him an excellent candidate to move inside and play guard for a team struggling to find consistency in the interior. Remember, he naturally is a tackle, so sticking him on the blindside isn’t the worst thing in the world considering Armstead’s injury history.
25. Philadelphia Eagles; Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, CLEM
Desperate for any source of second level help on defense, Roseman jumps the gun and reaches on Trotter at 25. The Eagles have collapsed on defense following the injury to TJ Edwards, asserting his necessity to the Philly front. Picking up a similar player to Edwards will help, as Trotter possesses that “field general” mentality.
26. Kansas City Chiefs; Brian Thomas Jr.; WR, LSU
I went back and forth between Thomas and Franklin (I’m not talking about Founding Fathers) for Kansas City with this pick. I went with Thomas, as I believe KC desires a route runner more than a get the ball and go type guy. While Thomas is still a bit raw after the catch, KC will rely on the former Tiger to be a staple of the league’s worst receiving core.
27. Houston Texans; Jordan Morgan, T, ARI
The alliterated-named Arizona tackle slides into the first round as Houston looks to replace Charlie Heck (?) at right tackle. The naturally right footed Morgan will have to adjust, but I believe the addition of such a prospect will indelibly change this Houston offense for the better, as they look to build around star quarterback CJ Stroud.
28. Detroit Lions; Leonard Taylor III, DI, MIA
One of the few picks to stay the same as December’s mock, Detroit sticks with Taylor out of Miami, beefing up a solid, but not great IDL. The athletic ability of Taylor will be welcomed to a complete roster looking to contend for a title.
29. Buffalo Bills; Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Ignoring receiver here was tough, but ignoring safety after knowing the departures of both Poyer and Hyde are imminent is foolish. Nubin is almost the exact same player as Hyde, and will seamlessly transition Buffalo from one all-pro safety to the next.
30. Dallas Cowboys; Bralen Trice, ED, WASH
Fixing Trice with Parsons would be a devious duo in Dallas, as edge is one of the few positions the Boys could actually upgrade. Trice is a specimen off the edge, offering a vindictive sense of terror to the Dallas front.
31. San Francisco 49ers; Kamari Lassiter, CB, GA
One month later, I still predict San Fran to go corner at the end of the first. Lassiter has proven to me that he is the better player than both Newton and Tampa, leaving me no choice but to select him to continue the Niners’ streak of back end of the first round draft picks.
32. Baltimore Ravens; Troy Franklin, WR, ORE
There are still so many options at receiver; AD Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Tez Walker, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan, and so on. What sets Franklin apart from the rest is his combination of size and speed. Baltimore has their slot threat in Zay Flowers, and their Y-receiver in Bateman. Getting their true number one at the back end of the first will be instrumental to future success for the Ravens.