It is finally time for the mock drafts to come to a halting conclusion. No need for conjecture as the draft is this week. It should be a fun time as the three-day event recognizes the top prospects being selected in the draft. Things will kick off on Thursday night with the first round, and the Steelers hold the 20th overall selection in that round.
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This will be the first overall pick and people will be begging the Bears just to put in the card as quickly as possible. Caleb Williams has all the tools to become a franchise guy at the NFL level, and Chicago hopes to get things right this time around. They traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, so they better hope that Williams pans out.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The first curveball of the night is the Commanders going with Drake Maye over Jayden Daniels. Many have mocked Daniels to Washington, but after his issues with the Commanders during his pre-draft visit last week, it might not happen. Right now, things seem to be trending towards the Commanders potentially going with Maye instead.
We have our first trade to announce in this NFL Mock Draft
If Maye is the second pick in this draft, then the rumors are swirling that New England could trade back. If that is true, then they should get a haul in return with so many teams having interest in Daniels. Minnesota is the obvious choice here as they have two first-round selections in this draft. They give up two firsts this year, a mid-round pick swap, and a first next year.
3. Minnesota Vikings (via Patriots): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After trading up with a ton of draft capital, the Vikings take their quarterback of the future with Jayden Daniels. He doesn't have to start right away with Sam Darnold on the team, but after this massive move, it would be foolish not to have Daniels start. He is an explosive player, but his thin frame could create some issues at the next level.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No good trade offers come Arizona's way, so they decide to stay at their pick and make a selection. If they stay here, it is most likely going to be Marvin Harrison Jr., and that is exactly what happened in this mock draft. He has it all and has remained the top receiver of this draft class. The Cardinals give Kyler Murray another weapon, who should be an upgrade over Hollywood Brown.
New England moves back up into the top five for an offensive weapon
The Patriots just made a trade two picks ago, but they are not afraid to get aggressive here. It is a new era in New England, and they are not afraid to go outside the box. If they decline to take the top quarterbacks available, then they need to either get Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers at receiver. Give Jacoby Brissett every opportunity to succeed as their bridge quarterback.
5. New England Patriots (via Chargers): Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers ends up being the pick here, and it makes a lot of sense. The Patriots have a ton of receivers on their roster who are capable of starting, but none are top receivers on a good offense. Nabers will be that guy and someone who spells a new age for this once formidable empire. Good draft board maneuvering by the Patriots thus far.
6. New York Giants: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
New York would be thrilled with this outcome. They tried trading up earlier in this mock draft, but they didn't have any luck. They had J.J. McCarthy fall right into their lap. Daniel Jones is still there, but their entire team is desperate to have some sort of success this season. McCarthy is a questionable prospect depending on who you talk to, but you can't deny his ability to win big games.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans will have to figure out their tackle deployment after this pick. Joe Alt is just too good of a prospect to pass up. They could have gone receiver here, but the top two are off the board. Tennessee gets their choice of tackles, and they know building up front is important. They need to allow Will Levis an opportunity to become their franchise guy this year.
Atlanta decides to move down so the Colts can scoop up a top prospect
With another receiver slipping a little in this mock draft, the Colts start calling about potentially moving up. They want to add a top receiver to their team and try to get Anthony Richardson as many weapons as possible. Atlanta could take that receiver, but they get a good trade offer from Indianapolis here. The Colts move up seven spots.
8. Indianapolis Colts (via Falcons): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
After the trade-up, the Colts take Rome Odunze in this mock draft. He is a top receiver and would likely be ranked as the top guy at his position in any other year. He has all the makings of being an elite receiver at the next level. The Steelers would love to add someone like him to their core, but it would cost too much in draft capital to make that a reality.
9. Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Most experts believe that the Bears will try and add a quality defensive player with their second first-round pick. This could be a prime option to trade back, especially with Chicago lacking draft capital. They are too intrigued by adding Dallas Turner to their defense. Both he and Montez Sweat should become one of the better pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
It seems like many folks have forgotten about Olu Fashanu the closer the draft has gotten. He is a top left tackle prospect in this class, who has gotten overshadowed by Alt. The Jets would love to have the option between selecting Alt or Fashanu, but they have their decision made for them in this mock draft. Fashanu will be a great left tackle for New York.
11. LA Chargers (via Patriots): Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
After trading back, the Chargers still get their guy. They take Brock Bowers here and it would be a great fit with their new Head coach, Jim Harbaugh. They need more weapons on offense, especially at receiver. They decide to shelve that need for now and go with the best player available with Bowers here. He should be able to have a successful career as an all-around tight end.
Buffalo gets bold as the Broncos move back without a Quarterback
Hello there! Buffalo makes some noise in the first round of this mock draft. They are desperate for a game-changing receiver after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis earlier this offseason. Their receiver core is tough to look at right now. They need to draft a receiver or two who will be starting caliber for this upcoming season so Josh Allen has a shot to make the playoffs.
12. Buffalo Bills (via Broncos): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Bills moved up and paid a hefty price to go and get Brian Thomas Jr. He is more raw than the top receivers coming out of this class, but he has a high ceiling. The Steelers would love for him to be available at pick 20, but that is unlikely. Buffalo gets a receiver who should become their top target for now and into the distant future.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Las Vegas wants a quarterback, but they failed to trade up. There were more enticing offers from other teams. They go with their fallback option here by taking the top cornerback off the board. They select Terrion Arnold, who is another potential target for the Steelers if he slips. The Raiders get another quality piece on their improving defense.
14. New Orleans Saints: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Another tackle flies off the board here as the Saints need a replacement for Andrus Peat. Troy Fautanu is a great option at this point of the mock draft. He has position flexibility and can either play tackle or guard at the next level. He will get his first crack at tackle before getting relegated to guard. Either way, he is an athletic lineman and another option for the Steelers off the board.
15. Atlanta Falcons (via Colts): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After trading back with the Colts earlier in the night, the Falcons could go in a couple of different directions. After adding Kirk Cousins to their offense in free agency, it would make a ton of sense to go defense here. They go with Jared Verse out of Florida State to upgrade their pass rush. He should become a consistent double-digit sack guy in the NFL.
16. Seattle Seahawks: JC Latham OT/G, Alabama
Seattle has a ton of options at this point in the mock draft. They decide to build up their trenches by adding JC Latham. He should be a tackle at the next level, but he could also slide inside at guard. He will be on the right side and allow the Seahawks to protect Geno Smith better. They have a future concern at quarterback, but that might have to wait a little longer.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
It is hard to imagine Quinyon Mitchell slipping to this pick with how much pre-draft hype he has been getting. This does seem like a reasonable base for him in the first round. He would be a nice value for the Steelers at the 20th overall pick. Instead, Jacksonville scoops him up to upgrade their defense. Mitchell is an ideal cornerback prospect who should have a great NFL career.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Cincinnati has their pick of the defensive tackle prospects coming out of this draft class. Johnny Newton makes sense, but Byron Murhpy II is the top defensive tackle on most boards. Some think he could go higher than this, but the position isn't too deep with talent this year. He should create havoc in the middle for the Bengal's defense.
19. LA Rams: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Only one pick until the Steeler's selection and one of their top prospects on the board falls before them. Nate Wiggins is the pick for the LA Rams. They could use some help on defense, but they decided to go cornerback here. Wiggins is super athletic coming out of Clemson and someone who should match up well against NFL receivers.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Graham Barton, C, Duke
This has become a popular pick for the Steelers in most final mock drafts leading up to the event. It makes a ton of sense as Graham Barton projects as a center at the next level, but he has played tackle and guard during his college career. He fits what the Steelers look for in their prospects, so expect either Barton or Amarius Mims to likely be the selection in round one.
21. Miami Dolphins: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
It was hard for the Steelers to pass on Fuaga, but center is their biggest concern to start the draft. The Dolphins can't believe he is still available and pick him up. He should be a great starter for any team at right tackle for the next ten years or more. He has been incredible in college and should translate his game well into the NFL.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Philadelphia could go in a couple of different directions here, but they go with the top player on their board with Cooper DeJean. It is a shame what happened to DeJean after he suffered a late-season injury at Iowa, which caused his draft stock to drop. If he remained healthy, he would have been a top-15 player in this class.
23. New England Patriots (via Vikings): Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
With their second first-round pick of the night, the Patriots have a major decision to make here. They could go with Michael Penix Jr., but they decide to stick with their draft board. They take Amarius Mims here to replace the departing Trent Brown. He is a raw prospect coming out of college, but he should develop into a top tackle.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
A little run-on offensive tackles here as Dallas picks up Tyler Guyton at pick 24. He is a tough and physical player, who had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He is on the Steeler's radar and has been on many team's pre-draft visits. He will likely get selected in the first round and the Cowboys get good value here for a position of need.
25. Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Every year there is a surprise pick or two in the first round of the draft, especially the later the round gets. Edgerrin Cooper has had a ton of pre-draft interest from the Packers and it would make sense for him to be a reach in the draft. They need an inside linebacker, and he is someone who should develop into a quality player.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Another cornerback comes off the board here as Tampa Bay selects Kool-Aid McKinstry. He is an explosive cornerback who has been a consistent starter throughout his college career at one of the better programs in the nation. He didn't have his best season this past year, but he has done enough to cement himself as a first-round pick.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
The Cardinals took Harrison Jr. earlier in the night, so they will likely try and go defense here. They take Johnny Newton out of Illinois to try and solve their issues on defense. He has been flying under the radar during the pre-draft process for one reason or another. In reality, Newton should be pushing Murphy II for the top defensive tackle spot in the draft.
28. Denver Broncos (via Bills): Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
It all makes sense now as to why the Broncos were willing to trade back so far. After the first round, they lacked draft picks, so trading back with the Bills restores some of that. They missed out on the top quarterbacks of this draft class, but they are still able to get Penix Jr. He will either be another Kenny Pickett type, or someone who becomes the most accurate passer out of this class.
The Patriots trade back into the first round of this mock draft
The Patriots are getting crazy in this mock draft as they trade back into the first round after making two picks earlier in the night. They have an early second-round pick, which would be a prime option for teams in the later portion of the first round to trade back. New England was able to pull off a trade with the Lions in this scenario.
29. New England Patriots (via Lions): Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
After Penix Jr. was taken, new England panics a little here. They didn't have to give up much to move back into the first round, but they take a quarterback here. Bo Nix has been off the radar of most experts, but that fifth-year option from first-round picks played a big part in this. Nix is more comparable to Pickett than Penix Jr., but both had a better college career than Pickett.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
With all the chaos happening just before their pick, many forget to realize what great value this selection is for Baltimore. They have Laiatu Latu fall into their lap and the star pass rusher out of UCLA will bolster their defense. The Ravens have a couple of needs to fill in this draft, but not taking Latu here would be borderline crazy.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
San Francisco is a team that could target someone like Zach Fraizer late in the first round. He could be a Steelers target in round two if they don't go with Barton. The 49ers go with Christian Haynes here as the guard has endured a strong pre-draft process. He will likely only play guard at the next level, so that is a slight to his game. Haynes should be able to push for a starting spot immediately.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
News about Adonai Mitchell has come out about his Diabetes and his lack of coachability. He is an explosive playmaker and someone who should still be a first-round pick. It would be shocking if he slipped as George Pickens did. The Chiefs need a receiver, and Mitchell is a great get here. Another option for the Steelers is off the board to round out this final first-round mock draft.