OutKick NFL Mock Draft 2.0: J.J. McCarthy Jumps To No. 3, Goes To New England
It's NFL Draft season! Last month, I published my first mock draft of the season. Now that free agency is in full swing and the scouting combine is in the rearview mirror, it's a good time to revisit the NFL Draft board. Team needs are more in focus and the players that are rising up the draft boards are also starting to become more clear.
Agree or disagree with our Mock Draft? What do you think or hope your team should or will do in the first round of the NFL Draft? Shoot Dan an email: dan.zaksheske@outkick.com
No need to waste more time, let's dive in…
1. Chicago Bears (acquired from Panthers) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
It's clear the Bears are ready to move on from Justin Fields, even if no other team wants him either. That's not a surprise, by the way. They traded the #1 pick last season, but don't expect that again this year. Williams comes with a lot of red flags and, ultimately, I don't think he'll be the successful franchise quarterback the team envisions.
However, his physical traits and tools are too much to ignore, and the Bears won't. Expect Williams to be the first name called April 25.
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Originally, I had Drake Maye going to the Commanders. But, I think they ultimately land on Daniels. NFL teams are, no doubt, aware that North Carolina quarterbacks typically don't translate to the NFL. Heck, the Commanders already have a former UNC QB on the roster and they're looking to upgrade.
This might seem like rudimentary analysis, but the success of Joe Burrow after his LSU career does help Daniels in the race to be the second pick behind Williams. Plus, teams value the dual-threat quarterback in today's NFL and Daniels offers that tantalizing athletic combination.
In OutKick's Mock Draft 2.0, LSU QB Jayden Daniels goes #2 overall to the Washington Commanders.
(Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
3. New England Patriots – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
There's always one quarterback who shoots up draft boards during the lead-up process to the NFL Draft. This year, that's McCarthy. He put on an incredible display during the scouting combine and suddenly looks like a Top 10 pick. He has experience that the other quarterbacks in this draft don't have, having won a national championship and having played in three college football playoff games.
What better way to replace the former Michigan quarterback who became the greatest player in NFL history, Tom Brady, than with another Michigan quarterback?
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State
Initially, I thought the Cardinals might try to trade down and acquire more capital. But, Harrison looks like the best non-QB prospect on the board and I don't think Arizona can afford to pass on him. I do think head coach Jonathan Gannon really wants to build up his defense – which they did by using most of their free agent money on that side of the ball.
The team has to make Kyler Murray work because of his contract. This is a make-or-break year for the former #1 pick and the team seems committed to giving him a chance to succeed. Harrison should be a playmaker from Day 1.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers didn't make any big splashes in free agency, mostly because they don't have any money. The roster is a mess, with way too much money committed to aging veterans who have lost steps. But, their new offensive coordinator talked about building up their running game. The best way to do that is by bulking up an offensive line that also needs to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
This is a great draft for offensive-line-needy teams, which certainly describes the Chargers. They have an All-Pro left tackle in Rashawn Slater, but that's about it.
6. New York Giants – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
No changes from my first mock draft for the G-Men. They couldn't get a wide receiver in the first round last year thanks to a run on the position leading up to their pick. But, with a Top 10 selection this year, I don't think there's any doubt they want to get a star. This is a deep draft in terms of high-level wide receiver talent, so the Giants are in a good spot even if both Arizona and Los Angeles elect to go this route. In this case, they get Nabers who is a potential superstar.
7. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade with Titans) – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
With Maye sliding outside the Top 5, I cannot see the Vikings passing up an opportunity to go up and grab him. There's just no chance they're comfortable going into this season with Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback. After letting Cousins walk, it makes perfect sense for Minnesota to go get a rookie. Plus, they have to pay Justin Jefferson a TON of money. They can save some cash by taking a QB in the first round this year. This pick almost makes too much sense.
OutKick sees Drake Maye falling a bit in the NFL Draft and the Vikings use the opportunity to replace Kirk Cousins.
(Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and immediately became the favorites in the NFC South, which tells me they are going for it this season. That means they want a player who can step in and contribute immediately. The Falcons roster is actually quite strong and was held back by poor quarterback play and terrible coaching.
They rectified both situations this off-season, and it's time to make their run. They've built a stable of offensive playmakers – Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson – and this draft couldn't be more perfect with the teams ahead of them taking players they don't need. In this case, they get to take the best defensive player on the draft board, and I'll say that's Turner.
9. Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Bears are going to be motivated to make Caleb Williams comfortable and successful right away. The last thing they need is a soft-minded player like Williams to struggle, which could be a death knell to his NFL career before it even gets going. In that vein, expect them to bring in one of these top wide receivers to pair with their new quarterback. Both players – Williams and Odunze – played in the Pac-12, which should help them gain an early comfort level.
10. New York Jets – JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Jets have to protect their 40-year-old quarterback who's coming off of a major injury on the first series of the 2023-24 season. The offensive line was a massive problem for the Jets last year, and they traded for Ravens tackle Morgan Moses to help with that. Still, they need a potential franchise left tackle after likely letting Mekhi Becton walk. Latham fits the bill.
11. Tennessee Titans (mock trade with Vikings) – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Titans signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley, addressing one of their biggest needs on offense. They used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman last year, Peter Skoronski, but they still have a lot of work to do in that area. With Will Levis taking over, they need to protect him. Head coach Brian Callahan, former Bengals offensive coordinator, knows what it's like to see his young quarterback constantly under siege. Spoiler alert: it's not great. I see Tennessee continuing to address their O-line issues by drafting Mims.
12. Denver Broncos – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Denver needs a quarterback, and Sean Payton seems to like McCarthy. But, I don't think they can get him. Then, it comes down to a trade-up battle between the Broncos and the Vikings. In this iteration, I say the Vikings win. I don't think Denver reaches for a player like Bo Nix here and elects to fill one of their many other needs instead.
A player like Bowers helps the team no matter who they end up with at quarterback. After trading Jerry Jeudy, the team needs pass-catchers. Bowers is a matchup nightmare that Payton can use similarly to how he used Jimmy Graham for many years in New Orleans.
In OutKick's Mock Draft 2.0, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton sees Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as a similar player as Jimmy Graham from his time with the New Orleans Saints.
(Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
What's the old joke? Which player ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at the scouting combine because that's who the Raiders are going to draft in the first round? Seriously, though, new head coach Antonio Pierce – a defensive player himself – values a strong defense. The Raiders secondary was terrible last season. Mitchell is arguably the top corner on the board and he did run the second-fastest 40-yard dash of any player at the scouting combine. The perfect Raider.
14. New Orleans Saints – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Saints can't go into next season without addressing their severe offensive line woes. With an aging and immobile quarterback like Derek Carr, the team has to bring in some size and grit up front. They did nothing in free agency to upgrade, so look for them to focus on that in this year's draft. This is a strong offensive line class and Fashanu comes with a ton of upside. He is very polished for a kid who's going to start his first NFL season at just 21 years of age.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Brian Thomas, Jr., WR, LSU
Thomas was one of the biggest winners of this year's NFL Scouting Combine, showing off incredible foot speed and athleticism. The Colts elected to lock down Michael Pittman, but they could use Thomas to help what their offense desperately needs: speed. Thomas has that and he's big, too. He might not make it this far in the NFL Draft, but if he does, the Colts should sprint to the podium to select him.
16. Seattle Seahawks – Kamren Kinchens, DB, Miami
Last year, I was high on Brian Branch. He fell in the NFL Draft because his measureables at the combine didn't "wow" anyone. But, the Detroit Lions got themselves a steal in the second round who immediately helped turn around their defense. The Seahawks desperately need a player like that in their secondary, especially for one of the league's worst defenses last year. Hopefully, teams learn from passing Branch last year and give Kinchens the first-round selection he deserves. He gives me "Brian Branch vibes."
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Stop me if you've heard this before: the Jaguars offensive line struggled last year. They were a big reason why Trevor Lawrence seemingly took a step back last season and Jacksonville can't afford to waste another year. Anton Harrison didn't perform particularly well in his rookie season, which hurt. Cam Robinson hasn't been great as a former second-round pick, either. The team can move on from him, and should, to get a younger, cheaper – and potentially better – option.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Bengals have to protect Joe Burrow, who suffered the second season-ending injury of his young career. They tried to revamp the offensive line through free agency last season, but it didn't work out. This year, they didn't make any splashes in free agency to address the line, so they have to be looking at the NFL Draft to upgrade.
19. Los Angeles Rams – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Rams boasted a Top 10 offense but a Bottom 10 defense, so they should focus on that side of the ball in the first round of the NFL Draft. Their secondary predictably struggled after trading away Jalen Ramsey. Adding one of the top corners on the board in Wiggins helps fill that void.
Clemson CB Nate Wiggins works out during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
(Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
No matter who starts at quarterback for the Steelers – "incumbent" Kenny Pickett or new-signing Russell Wilson – Pittsburgh has to protect him better than they have. Their offensive tackle play was among the worst in the NFL last season. With this being such a deep draft in terms of offensive line talent, the Steelers can afford to wait and not burn capital trying to trade up. Fautanu is great value at #20 overall.
21. Miami Dolphins – Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Miami let Christian Wilkins, the anchor of their defensive line, walk during free agency. They have to think they can replace him in this year's draft to make such a move, and it makes sense that they would target Murphy in this spot. Murphy is a potential game-wrecker in the middle and the Dolphins would be ecstatic to see him fall outside the Top 20 and into their laps.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Eagles showed a lot of holes as they limped to the end of the season with a 1-5 record. Their defense really struggled after losing several free agents following their Super Bowl appearance. They did get Jalen Carter in last year's draft to bulk up the interior of the defensive line, and he played great. But, they need to get more speed off the edge, which is right where Verse fits in.
23. Houston Texans (acquired from Browns) – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Houston made a surprise run to an AFC South title and even won a playoff game with a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach. The Texans traded their own first-round pick last year to draft Will Anderson, but they knew they still had the Browns pick -- the team they beat in the playoffs -- from the Deshaun Watson trade.
The Texans actually boast a pretty solid roster, so there are a number of ways they could go with this pick. They brought in some depth cornerbacks during free agency – Jeff Okudah and Mike Ford – but with Arnold still on the board, the Texans have a chance to build a strong one-two punch in the secondary with him and Derek Stingley.
Alabama CB Terrion Arnold works out during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
(Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
24. Dallas Cowboys – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Dallas' defense struggled in their playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, and they need someone on the opposite side of Micah Parsons to keep offenses from keying in too much on their defensive star. Latu fits the bill as a strong complement to Parsons and is a guy who is ready to help an NFL team right away – exactly what a win-now team like Dallas wants in the first round.
25. Green Bay Packers – Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Packers' offense was outstanding thanks to the emergence of quarterback Jordan Love. But, they still didn't get the best offensive line play. They let left tackle David Bakhtiari walk, leaving a huge hole. Barton played tackle at Duke, but most likely will move inside at the NFL level. That's OK for Green Bay, which has holes all the way through its offensive line.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
The Buccaneers offensive tackles are strong, but their interior offensive line was quite bad last season. Powers-Johnson played all three positions – LG, RG, C – in college and that versatility would be an incredible asset to a team that needs to run the ball effectively and protect Baker Mayfield to have a chance to win the NFC South again.
27. Arizona Cardinals (acquired from Texans) – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
With the second of two first-round picks, I see Jonathan Gannon turning towards a defensive rebuild. Arizona had the worst defense in the NFL, and the Cardinals need help at all three levels. DeJean is a player who could play cornerback or safety in the NFL and when performing a complete rebuild on defense, having versatile players helps a lot. DeJean can move around depending on whether other players emerge.
28. Buffalo Bills – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy lit the scouting combine on fire with his ridiculous record-breaking 40-yard dash time. That definitely helped his draft stock, but there are still so many great wide receivers available. Worthy looks like an excellent replacement for Gabe Davis, who left via free agency. Stefon Diggs is still a star on the outside, but giving him someone with Worthy's speed on the opposite side would free Diggs up even more.
29. Detroit Lions – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Look, I ripped on the Lions for their NFL Draft picks last season. They used three of their first four picks on non-premium positions, but virtually every player they picked had a massive outcome on their NFC Championship Game run. Offensively, there's not a ton the Lions need. Defensively, though, they could use some help in their secondary.
Lucky for them, this is a great draft for teams who need cornerbacks, particularly those picking in the back of the first round. Plus, they get the guy with the best name in the NFL Draft. Win-win.
30. Baltimore Ravens – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Ravens made a splash in free agency, signing running back Derrick Henry. But they lost A LOT of talent on defense. With Lamar Jackson's massive contract kicking in, Baltimore had to let a lot of players go. I expect them to use their first round pick to try and rebuild that defense. Robinson is a great athlete who would slot perfectly at outside linebacker in the Ravens 3-4 defensive scheme, pairing with another former Nittany Lion, Jason Oweh.
In OutKick's Mock Draft 2.0, the Baltimore Ravens select Penn State defender Chop Robinson (#44) in the 2024 NFL Draft.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
31. San Francisco 49ers – Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The reigning NFC champions obviously don't have a ton of holes to fill, but their defense did struggle a bit in the NFC Championship Game against the Lions and in the Super Bowl. The biggest issue is that, despite a ton of talent, the defense sometimes plays too soft up front. Newton would be a perfect pairing to go along with last year's big free agent prize, Javon Hargrave, and go a long way towards returning the 49ers to one of the best defensive lines in the league.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Chiefs won the Super Bowl despite getting little help from their outside receivers. As mentioned several times, this is a deep draft for wide receiver talent. Rashee Rice developed well as the season went along, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to get Patrick Mahomes some additional weapons. Mitchell is a big body who can make contested catches. Who knows how many years Travis Kelce has left, so the Chiefs could use another big-time redone target moving forward.
That's it for the second mock draft of the season, as the NFL Draft is just six weeks away! Check back in a few weeks for updates...
Agree or disagree with our Mock Draft? What do you think or hope your team should or will do in the first round of the NFL Draft? Shoot Dan an email: dan.zaksheske@outkick.com
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