There are some obvious choices in the upcoming draft, but there will also be some different dominoes that need to fall. Plenty of teams need quarterbacks, and there are a ton of quality prospects at the position. Trades should happen pretty rapidly in this first round, and that is exactly what happened in this mock draft.
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Again, no shocker with the top pick in this mock draft. After the Bears traded away Justin Fields to the Steelers, this pick was set in stone. There should be no surprises with this selection. Caleb Williams has all the tools to become a franchise quarterback for Chicago and finally stabilize their franchise into contender status once again.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Drake Maye goes at second overall in this mock draft. Right now, it seems like a toss-up between who will be the selection here. Washington has shown a ton of interest in both Maye and Jayden Daniels. They get a quarterback here who has a high ceiling with tons of tools to work with. He just needs to develop more at the next level to reach new heights.
We have a trade to announce between the Patriots and Vikings!
We got our first trade to announce, and this one is a doozy. We know New England has expressed a ton of interest in the quarterbacks of this class. We also know that they don't seem completely sold on this class just yet. They get a trade offer from the Minnesota Vikings with a great haul of picks. This mock draft starts off hot with an unexpected trade.
3. Minnesota Vikings (via Patriots): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After making a huge trade-up in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Vikings take Jayden Daniels at number three. They lost Kirk Cousins in free agency, and the NFC North is wide open right now behind the Lions. Minnesota needs a quarterback desperately, even though they signed Sam Darnold in free agency. Daniels is an explosive playmaker and someone the Vikings love.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, LSU
Arizona is in a great spot to move down if they find a trade offer that makes sense for them. With their asking price too high, the Cardinals decide to stay with their selection and take Marvin Harrison Jr. He is an explosive receiver who should help Kyler Murray and their offense get back on track. This is a big season for Murray and the Cardinals want to give him every opportunity to show he is still their guy.
We have a trade to announce between the Chargers and Broncos!
Two trades are now in the top five of this first-round mock draft. The Chargers have been open about the possibility of moving back, and that is exactly what happens here. Denver has almost no options for their starting spot at quarterback. They need to add their in the draft. They fall in love with a prospect in this scenario and gamble more draft capital on the position.
5. Denver Broncos (via Chargers): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Sean Payton moved on from Russell Wilson, who ended up with the Steelers after being cut. Denver has limited draft capital this year, but they decided to gamble their future on another quarterback. J.J. McCarthy is a young guy coming out of Michigan with a cannon for an arm. He needs to show that he can be a factor in winning and not someone who needs a strong run game to succeed at the next level.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
With all the top quarterbacks now off the board, New York has to pivot and hope one of the second-tier guys falls to them on day two. They go with Malik Nabers here as they need to surround Daniel Jones with the best options on the field to help him get better. This is a big year for the Giants, but they land Nabers, who should become their best receiver on the roster on day one.
7. Tennessee Titans: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Kind of a shocker here at pick seven with the Titans making Quinyon Mithell the first cornerback taken in the draft. He has been soaring draft boards throughout the pre-draft process, so it's not crazy to imagine him being the first corner taken if a team prefers him. He is the perfect size and athlete who should excel in the NFL.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Receiver could be in play for this pick and the one that Tennessee held a pick prior. Atlanta has added a lot to their offense already, and it's a deep group at receiver in this draft. They decide to add to their defensive side of the ball by adding Dallas Turner here. They could always trade back, but in this mock draft, they stay and select the top edge rusher.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Chicago just got Williams eight picks earlier, but they also hold the ninth overall selection. Another team who will be open for business via trade will be the Bears here. They could use some extra draft capital after round one, but it was too hard to stay away from Rome Odunze. He would be a terrific fit in a loaded Bears receiving core.
10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Offensive tackle makes a lot of sense for the Jets here, but they have options. Aaron Rodgers should be back to normal, but he doesn't have a tight-end option on the team right now. Brock Bowers was considered a top-ten lock a month ago, but that seems to have waned. New York selects him here as he can instantly help a Jets team that is trying their best to be relevant again.
11. New England Patriots (via Vikings): Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Finally, the first offensive tackle comes off the board, and New England would be thrilled with this selection. They were not able to get a quarterback, but they got someone who will protect their future guy. Joe Alt is a great choice at this point for the Patriots in this mock draft. They have some options on the team, so Alt will have to figure out which side he will start on.
12. LA Chargers (via Broncos): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Chargers make a pick after their earlier trade back in this NFL mock draft. They have a top tackle prospect fall to them here and Olu Fashanu is a great selection. He is extremely young coming out of college and has played at an elite level while at Penn State. LA will have to decide on where Fashanu fits on their offensive line, but he is more comfortable at left tackle.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Las Vegas is rumored to be in love with Daniels, but he is long gone by this pick after the Raiders failed to trade up. They go with a nice fallback option here with Terrion Arnold. He is arguably the top cornerback in the draft this year. The Raiders added Christian Wilkins in free agency to help the pass rush, so adding a solid cornerback to their defense only strengthens the group.
14. New Orleans Saints: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
New Orleans could go in a variety of directions with this pick. They decide to stick to the defensive side of the ball and take Jared Verse out of Florida State. He is a quality edge rusher and has set himself in the conversation with being selected over Turner. The Saints get a great defender who should consistently contribute to their efforts.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
We are nearing the halfway point of this first-round mock draft, and another target of the Steelers comes off the board. Brian Thomas Jr. comes off the board as the Colts try and add another weapon on offense for Anthony Richardson to work with. Thomas is somewhat raw, but he is a superb athlete who should be an explosive receiver at the next level.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Unless something unexpected happens on night one, most should imagine that Seattle will target a prospect on the defensive side of the ball. They take Johnny Newton here to plug the middle of the trenches and apply pressure to the quarterback. His name has been flying under the radar during the pre-draft process, but Newton is a monster coming out of Illinois.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Troy Fautanu, OT/OG, Washington
Trevor Lawrence needs to show that he is cemented as the long-term option for Jacksonville. He hasn't been terrible, but he has not shown to be a franchise quarterback yet. The Jaguars decide to go with Troy Fautanu out of Washington with this pick. He can play guard or tackle at the next level. Another option for the Steelers comes off the board here.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The other first-round talent at defensive tackle comes off the board here with the Bengals taking Byron Murphy II. They have a strong starting duo in the trenches right now, but they could use an upgrade. Murphy should be able to provide quality snaps this season with the veteran guys allowing him to come along slowly during his rookie campaign.
19. LA Rams: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Right before the Steelers have a chance to pick him, the Rams scoop up Nate Wiggins. He is a great athlete who played on some bad teams during his time at Clemson. We will have to see how he progresses at the next level, but LA is a great spot for him. He can learn behind some experienced guys, while also playing significant snaps.
We have a trade to announce between the Steelers and Cowboys!
There are still a ton of quality prospects who the Steelers like at this point in the mock draft. They decide to take some trade calls and see what kind of market they might have for pick 20. Dallas calls and offers a pretty lucrative offer to only move back four spots. The Steelers exchange for an earlier sixth-round pick and add another third-round selection to their arsenal.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Steelers): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
After trading up with the Steelers, Dallas selected Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State. He is a terrific value at this pick after slipping in this mock draft. He will be a right tackle at the next level, but the Cowboys need a tackle. They have a hole up front and could use someone to plug and play there. Fuaga is a great value, even after the trade-up with the Steelers.
21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
The Dolphins go with Graham Barton here as he presents options for them on the offensive line. He can play guard or center. He does have experience at tackle, but will likely play inside in the NFL. Barton is another potential option for the Steelers off the board here. Good pick for the Dolphins as they get a top interior offensive lineman in the draft.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Philly is another club that could go in a variety of directions with this pick. They decide to focus on the defensive side of the ball and take Cooper DeJean. They don't have too many holes that need to be filled, but adding DeJean here is quality value. He is a great athlete who can play multiple positions in the secondary. That value is too hard for the Eagles to pass up.
We have a trade to announce between the Patriots and Chiefs!
New England could go with a quality prospect here, but they decide to move back yet again to gain more draft capital. Kansas City feels the need to move up and take a top receiver in the draft after the Rashee Rice incident. That situation is still playing out and the Chiefs can never have too many receivers for Patrick Mahomes and their killer offense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs (via Patriots): Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
With the trade to get to this spot, Kansas City takes Adonai Mitchell knowing the Steelers need a receiver. They like Mitchell a ton with the dynamic speed that he brings to the team. The rich get richer as the defending Super Bowl champions get another weapon. Everyone will only be able to shake their head if this mock draft selection becomes reality.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Cowboys): Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
After gaining an extra third-round selection and a pick swap in the sixth round, the Steelers are finally on the board. They stick to their guns and take their top player on the board. They go with Amarius Mims out of Georgia. He will slide into their right tackle spot and allow Broderick Jones to flip over to the left side. Don't be shocked if Mims gets the Jones treatment from last year.
25. Green Bay Packers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Green Bay needs an offensive tackle, but now with Mims off the board, they deflect to another position of need. They add Kool-Aid McKinstry here, who should help solve their long-term questions at cornerback. Jaire Alexander has been great for the Packers but his name has been in the trade mill for a while. Adding McKinstry would only secure their cornerback spot.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
With Shaw Barrett gone from Tampa Bay, it only makes sense to go with an edge rusher here. Lauatu Latu had a great week at the Senior Bowl and has carried that through the pre-draft process. He has been able to show quality pass-rush skills. The Buccaneers need more of that skill on defense and Todd Bowles will love to have Latu on his defense.
27. Arizona Cardinals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
It was once a given that JC Latham would be an early first-round pick, but his name has dropped during the pre-draft process. He could make sense for the Steelers, but Mims seems to be the better option. Arizona needs another offensive tackle after cutting D.J. Humphries earlier this offseason. It will allow Paris Johnson to slide over to left tackle.
28. Buffalo Bills: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
It makes little sense for the Bills to go anywhere else with this selection. They do have plenty of other needs, but they have to double-dip at receiver to get back into contention. Both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone. Josh Allen needs help and they take a shifty receiver with Ladd McConkey here. He is a tremendous overall player who should become Allen's new favorite target.
29. Detroit Lions: Christian Haynes, OG, Connecticut
Detroit had a tremendous campaign last year, so they are trying to build off of that success. They are built with a tough and physical attitude in that organization. The Lions go with Christian Haynes. He is a guard, and it will allow him to slide into their starting lineup. They might be better off taking a center who can also play guard, but Haynes is a quality player being overlooked heading into the NFL Draft.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Tyler Nubin would be a fantastic player who would fit on any AFC North team. The Ravens have a handful of needs on their roster, but they target their top-rated safety first. The position is thin regarding talent in this draft class. They take Nubin in this mock draft to provide a physical presence in the secondary which can also cause turnovers.
31. San Francisco 49ers: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
We have gotten to another "shocking" selection in this first-round mock draft. The 49ers take T.J. Tampa out of Iowa State. Many have him going on day two of the draft, but with late picks in each round San Francisco might have to reach on some prospects. Tampa has great size for the position and is someone many have forgotten about during the pre-draft process.
32: New England Patriots (via Chiefs): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Concluding the first round of the mock draft with a doozy here as the Patriots make Bo Nix the next quarterback taken off the board. Nix hasn't been terrible during the pre-draft process, but he also hasn't done much to make himself stand out. He will be a reliable starter but will likely end up like former Steelers starter Kenny Pickett. He has a low ceiling and high floor for Nix as a prospect.