dr morbius
Senior Cook
Here's how I think the first ten picks in April's NFL draft will shake out. I am assuming no trades.
1. Chicago - Caleb Williams. As I've written before, I don't think any other team will be willing to give up what this pick is worth, so I predict the Bears will keep it. And while Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best prospect in 2024, no position has more value than quarterback, and the Bears will want to reset their cap space clock. I love Justin Fields, like many other Bears fans, but I think we're going to have to say goodbye.
2. Washington - Jayden Daniels. The current Commanders QB is Sam Howell, who went to North Carolina just like Drake Maye... and in fact preceded Maye as the Tarheels starter. They're best friends. I don't think drafting Maye, and forcing Howell to watch his best buddy take his job from the bench, is conducive to a harmonious locker room. Jayden Daniels has everything a team could want. Maye has prototype size, but hasn't been tested to the level Daniels saw at LSU. I may be wrong, but I think Washington will like Daniels over Maye.
3. New England - Drake Maye. He doesn't look as good as Williams but a lot of analysts think he's a better prospect than Daniels. He's 6'4" and about 230 lb, and that's important if you're going to be surrounded by offensive and defensive linemen, who tend to be enormous human beings. He has a good arm and makes good decisions. The Patriots have new coaching and this is a perfect time for them to admit they were wrong about Mac Jones.
4. Arizona - Marvin Harrison Jr. His father is in the NFL hall of fame. He's 6'4", 205 lb, runs a 4.3 40, and has 150 catches in 37 games. He's fast and he simply does not drop passes. He's a terrific route runner. His NFL comp is A.J. Green, who's been to the pro bowl 7 times. There's no such thing as a can't miss prospect, but... this guy is a football God. Whichever team takes him will be suddenly two or three wins better, if not more. Arizona still misses Larry Fitzgerald; Marvin Junior will make them forget about Fitzgerald.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt. Joe Alt is arguably a prototype left tackle: 6'8", 322 lb. He has allowed just four sacks in his college career, which spans three seasons. His father, John Alt, played for the Chiefs for a long career. It's a really good year for tackles, and Alt looks like the best. There's a possibility that the Chargers with new coach Jim Harbaugh will take the second best player in the draft, Brock Bowers, but it is very unlikely anyone will draft a tight end so high.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers. In any other year, Nabers would be the consensus #1 receiver in the draft. He's only 6'0", which is a little shorter than one would ultimately prefer, but he's lightning fast and runs good routes. He played in the SEC with Jayden Daniels, which means he has faced the best corners in college football, and caught 189 passes for over 3000 yards. The thing about Nabers is his burst; he goes from standing still to full speed in the blink of an eye. This means he will get separation on a regular basis against most corners. Daniel Jones is about to look a lot better.
7. Tennessee - Olu Fashanu. He is 6'6" and weighs 317 lb, with good speed for a man so large. Paired with Peter Skoronski, who they drafted last year, the Titans will be better able to protect Will Levis and importantly, will be a very good running team once again.
8. Atlanta - Rome Odunze. 188 receptions for 3060 yards in 36 games. 6'3", 215 lb, also 4.3 in the 40 yard dash. If not for Malik Nabers incredible burst, Odunze might rate higher. As the featured receiver in the Huskies wide-open passing attack, he has run every conceivable kind of route. He tends to win contested catches.
9. Chicago - Jared Verse. In 24 games at Florida State, he racked up 18 sacks and a stunning 29.5 tackles for loss. At 6'4", 260 lb, he's a little light for a defensive end, but he's fast and we know how to make food appealing in Chicago.
10. New York Jets - Taliese Fuaga. 6'6", 334 lb. Played for Oregon State and pushed people around for three years. Good quickness; able to adjust to outside pressure or inside. Absolutely necessary for a team with a 40 year old quarterback.
Whew! Now, it's only March 1, so this could change. I certainly hope one of those three receivers drops to the Bears at #9, but right now I don't see it.
1. Chicago - Caleb Williams. As I've written before, I don't think any other team will be willing to give up what this pick is worth, so I predict the Bears will keep it. And while Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best prospect in 2024, no position has more value than quarterback, and the Bears will want to reset their cap space clock. I love Justin Fields, like many other Bears fans, but I think we're going to have to say goodbye.
2. Washington - Jayden Daniels. The current Commanders QB is Sam Howell, who went to North Carolina just like Drake Maye... and in fact preceded Maye as the Tarheels starter. They're best friends. I don't think drafting Maye, and forcing Howell to watch his best buddy take his job from the bench, is conducive to a harmonious locker room. Jayden Daniels has everything a team could want. Maye has prototype size, but hasn't been tested to the level Daniels saw at LSU. I may be wrong, but I think Washington will like Daniels over Maye.
3. New England - Drake Maye. He doesn't look as good as Williams but a lot of analysts think he's a better prospect than Daniels. He's 6'4" and about 230 lb, and that's important if you're going to be surrounded by offensive and defensive linemen, who tend to be enormous human beings. He has a good arm and makes good decisions. The Patriots have new coaching and this is a perfect time for them to admit they were wrong about Mac Jones.
4. Arizona - Marvin Harrison Jr. His father is in the NFL hall of fame. He's 6'4", 205 lb, runs a 4.3 40, and has 150 catches in 37 games. He's fast and he simply does not drop passes. He's a terrific route runner. His NFL comp is A.J. Green, who's been to the pro bowl 7 times. There's no such thing as a can't miss prospect, but... this guy is a football God. Whichever team takes him will be suddenly two or three wins better, if not more. Arizona still misses Larry Fitzgerald; Marvin Junior will make them forget about Fitzgerald.
5. Los Angeles Chargers - Joe Alt. Joe Alt is arguably a prototype left tackle: 6'8", 322 lb. He has allowed just four sacks in his college career, which spans three seasons. His father, John Alt, played for the Chiefs for a long career. It's a really good year for tackles, and Alt looks like the best. There's a possibility that the Chargers with new coach Jim Harbaugh will take the second best player in the draft, Brock Bowers, but it is very unlikely anyone will draft a tight end so high.
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers. In any other year, Nabers would be the consensus #1 receiver in the draft. He's only 6'0", which is a little shorter than one would ultimately prefer, but he's lightning fast and runs good routes. He played in the SEC with Jayden Daniels, which means he has faced the best corners in college football, and caught 189 passes for over 3000 yards. The thing about Nabers is his burst; he goes from standing still to full speed in the blink of an eye. This means he will get separation on a regular basis against most corners. Daniel Jones is about to look a lot better.
7. Tennessee - Olu Fashanu. He is 6'6" and weighs 317 lb, with good speed for a man so large. Paired with Peter Skoronski, who they drafted last year, the Titans will be better able to protect Will Levis and importantly, will be a very good running team once again.
8. Atlanta - Rome Odunze. 188 receptions for 3060 yards in 36 games. 6'3", 215 lb, also 4.3 in the 40 yard dash. If not for Malik Nabers incredible burst, Odunze might rate higher. As the featured receiver in the Huskies wide-open passing attack, he has run every conceivable kind of route. He tends to win contested catches.
9. Chicago - Jared Verse. In 24 games at Florida State, he racked up 18 sacks and a stunning 29.5 tackles for loss. At 6'4", 260 lb, he's a little light for a defensive end, but he's fast and we know how to make food appealing in Chicago.
10. New York Jets - Taliese Fuaga. 6'6", 334 lb. Played for Oregon State and pushed people around for three years. Good quickness; able to adjust to outside pressure or inside. Absolutely necessary for a team with a 40 year old quarterback.
Whew! Now, it's only March 1, so this could change. I certainly hope one of those three receivers drops to the Bears at #9, but right now I don't see it.
