NFL mock draft 4.0: What Trenton would do edition

Enjoy this mock draft of what I would personally do on draft day. This simulation gives me the opportunity to be less predictive and allows me to plant my flag on certain prospects.

With the Super-Bowl marking the end of the season and the full draft order officially set, we’re now officially looking towards the NFL draft!

In full Mike Mayock fashion, an absolute DREAM of mine would be to get hired as an NFL GM, based off of my past NFL draft analysis.

I mean c’mon, how many of us have made the comment: “If I was the GM..” before? Today I’m putting those skills to the test, as I will make all 32 selections in the first round based off of what I would personally do. This isn’t a predictive mock.

This will allow me to really plant my flag on certain prospects and explain my feelings towards them. Here we go!

1. Bears (Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB

There will be no trades in this mock, so I obviously won’t be showcasing all of my GM skills, but if I’m Chicago I’m drafting Caleb Williams and trading Justin Fields to a team like the the Falcons or Steelers. Caleb Williams is a QB prospect that should be viewed in the same light as Andrew Luck, Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence as no brainer first overall selections, in my opinion. Even if the front office feels similarly on Fields and Williams, this selection would push the QB extension can down the road.

2. Commanders: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR

Harrison Jr is the best non QB in this year’s draft and Sam Howell finished 12th in the league in passing last season. If Caleb Williams is indeed already taken, I feel as if the organization should see how Howell plays with an even better supporting cast around him, rather than taking another QB and starting the development process all over again.

3. Patriots: JJ McCarthy, QB

We’ve seen all we needed to see out of Mac Jones to realize he’s not a Quarterback to lead a team into playoff success. Now, he didn’t have a real fair shake, considering the weapon’s he had at his disposal and the fact that he had Matt Patricia as his OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR at one point and time, but still. Nobody is planting their flag on JJ McCarthy quite yet, but I’ll go ahead and admit that I have him as my QB2. NOBODY is going to help themselves more in the pre draft process, when it comes to his combine testing numbers, pro day throwing session and team meetings. He’s going to run a faster 40 than Jayden Daniels, who’s known as a scrambler, but also has a live arm that he uses to fire off passes at different arm angles. He’s very deadly at extending plays and making timely throws on the move as well. Although Jim Harbaugh kept him on a leash in Michigan’s run heavy offense and I’d like to see him throw with more touch and work towards the sideline more frequently, he’s polished mechanically and is oozing with upside as well.

4. Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR

Arizona seems fully committed to Kyler Murray next season, which is something that I would definitely personally do if I was the GM. However, he’s going to need more weapons around him to ensure his success moving forward. Last year, Tight End Trey McBride led the Cardinals in receiving with just 825 yards, which is just simply unacceptable. I personally don’t think Odunze is that far behind Harrison Jr and that he will develop into a go-to weapon for Murray moving forward.

5. Chargers: Olu Fashanu, OT

With my pick of the litter at offensive tackle, I definitely find that very valuable and understand the importance of protecting Justin Herbert moving forward. Not only that, but Coach Jim Harbaugh definitely wants to set a tone offensively up front and wants to run the ball efficiently. Los Angeles can definitely get better play at Right Tackle, which is where Fashanu steps in. He was my favorite Tackle prospect in last year’s draft class (before returning to Penn State) and is this year as well. He’s an excellent athlete that checks all the boxes when it comes to height, weight, speed and play strength.

6. Giants: Malik Nabers, WR

With how much they’re financially committed to Daniel Jones, they HAVE to surround him with better weapons moving forward. With Darren Waller in town, I couldn’t pull the trigger on Brock Bowers, but I wouldn’t call this selection of Nabers “settling”. Built like modern NFL wideouts with versatility to line up all over the field and beat you after the catch or over the top, I believe Nabers would be a very good addition to this Giants team.

7. Titans: Joe Alt, OT

I feel like the Titans almost HAVE to select an offensive tackle in the draft, and this Alt selection just seems to be one that is going to happen on draft night. You HAVE to protect Will Levis (who showed promise last season) better moving forward to allow him to grow as a QB appropriately. Alt is the most polished offensive tackle in this years draft and offers a great deal more of upside than what many people think, in my opinion.

8. Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE

Although I agree that Atlanta needs to address their QB situation, I believe that with pieces like Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson already in place, signing or trading for an experienced signal caller might be the more beneficial move for their development. Additionally, the Falcons have been in a horrible place in the pass rush department for a while now. In fact, they finished dead last this past season in sacks. Dallas Turner would be the first defensive prospect off the board in this scenario and offers plenty of upside to become a mainstay difference maker for the team for years to come.

9. Bears: Brock Bowers, TE

Although protecting Caleb Williams should be priority number one, there’s no value at Left Tackle this high in the draft, with Fashanu and Alt off the board. Additionally, with the Bears using a 2nd round selection on a Cornerback in last year’s draft, I don’t see the value of going CB here, either. Brock Bowers is the best player available at this point in the draft and gives Caleb Williams another weapon in the offense.

10. Jets: Tyler Guyton, OT

Priority number one in my opinion will be addressing the offensive line to further protect Aaron Rodgers moving forward. Tyler Guyton is a physical specimen from Oklahoma, who I can see NFL teams falling in love with when they get up close and personal with him during the pre draft process.

11. Vikings: Drake Maye, QB

Although I was a huge fan of his coming into the season, I’m not a fan of prospects who takes a dip in completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions in their last year of college ball. However, if I’m Minnesota, I’m drafting a QB, even if they re-sign Kirk Cousins, considering he’s getting up there in age. Drake Maye has a live arm who can push the ball downfield with ease and is also vastly underrated at running the ball and extending plays. He’ll need to speed up his processing and quit holding the ball as long as he did this past season, if he wants to have success at the next level.

12. Broncos: Laitu Latu, EDGE

There’s no QB’s or WR’s worth taking here, considering the top three at each position have already went before pick twelve. However, with Denver swinging and missing on Frank Clark and Randy Gregory this season, it makes sense for them to draft what is the most NFL ready pass rusher in this years draft.

13. Raiders: Jayden Daniels, QB

Although I believe Daniels is the most raw QB prospect in this year’s draft class, he does have the highest ceiling as well. I’m making this selection based on his relationship with head coach, Antonio Pierce and hoping he can get the most out of him.

14. Saints: JC Latham, OL

Considering New Orleans is committed to Derek Carr for the foreseeable future, they must do whatever it takes to ensure his success moving forward. Latham’s athleticism and versatility will allow him to start day one in New Orleans porous offense line, but he has the upside to become their franchise Left Tackle in the future as well.

15. Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB

I understand Mitchell is from Toledo, but I think he’s the best player available at this point the draft and would fill a team need for the Colts. He has all the tools that checks off my check list when it comes to elite cornerback play and his recent performance at the Senior Bowl validates and solidified my opinions on him being my CB1 in this years class. I think he could develop into being a key cog of this defensive unit in the future.

16. Seahawks: Darius Robinson, DL

In my mock draft 3.0, I had Seattle select Byron Murphy out of Texas based off of rumors, but that’s not the player that I personally would select. I believe Robinson is a slightly more versatile and dynamic pass rusher with his ability to rush the passer from all over the defensive line. He started his career as a defensive tackle, before changing his body to become an effective edge rusher.

17. Jaguars: Troy Fatanu, OL

Fatanu started at Left Tackle for the Joe Moore award winning offensive line this past season, but could be an all-pro level guard at the next level, which just so happens to be a big need for the Jaguars. Priority number one for Jacksonville needs to be protecting Trevor Lawrence moving forward.

18. Bengals: Tailese Fuaga, OT

With Cincinnati likely letting Jonah Williams walk this offseason, their primary concern should be protecting Joe Burrow moving forward, and that’s exactly what Fuaga will bring to the table. He’s a mauler that plays with a temperament that reminds me of Ikem Ekwonu when he came into the league.

19. Rams: Cooper DeJean, DB

Similar to Brian Branch in last year’s draft, although things aren’t certain whether or not DeJean will be a Cornerback or a Safety in the next level, one thing is for sure. He is a heck of a football player. With the holes in the Rams secondary, DeJean will fill right in and is the best player available at this point in the draft, in my opinion.

20. Steelers: Terrion Arnold, CB

Pittsburgh needs to pair another Cornerback alongside Joey Porter Jr. this offseason, considering Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace are hitting the open market and getting older. I personally believe Arnold will be drafted higher than his teammate, Kool-Aid McKinstry.

21. Dolphins: Byron Murphy II, DT

With Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis hitting the open market and Miami with little room to work with salary cap wise, it would be.. well wise for the team to address their defensive line early on in the draft. Byron Murphy might be my first ranked pure defensive tackle in this year’s draft, who also possesses pass rush upside. Similar to last year’s first round draft selection of Calijah Kancey, Jer’Zhan Newton is more of a 3-4 defensive end or pass rush specialist at the position. His lack of length also worries me compared to Murphy, so that’s why I have him ranked below him personally.

22. Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB

There’s a positional run in every draft and if it goes the way it does in this mock, corners are going to fly off the board quickly in round one. For Philadelphia, they need added depth in their secondary behind aging players of Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

23. Texans (Browns): Keon Coleman, WR

Inconsistency on the field and questions of how fast he’ll run at the combine has caused his name to slide in mock drafts, but come on. Watch the film. He’s an elite athlete with an excellent ball tracking ability and arguably the best contested catch receiver I have ever seen. He’s also underrated after the catch as well. He has all the tools to develop into a physically dominant WR1 at the next level. Houston in my opinion needs to surround CJ Stroud with more weapons outside of Tank Dell and Nico Collins and I think matched with Strouds deep ball placement, Coleman should thrive early on.

24. Cowboys: Edgerrin Cooper, LB

This selection hits close to home, considering the Cowboys are my favorite team. Dallas needs to get better along the spine of their team, from the trenches of their offensive and defensive line, to revamping their Linebacker core. Cooper is a fluid moving linebacker with ridiculously long arms and offers pass rush upside, along with sideline to sideline coverage ability. A lot of people undervalue the Linebacker position in the draft, but I think a player as talented as Cooper deserves a first round look.

25. Packers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL

Drafting positional needs are great, but at some point you just have to draft the best players available and that’s exactly what Powers-Johnson is. A Safety (Green Bay’s arguably biggest need) isn’t the best value at this point in the draft. Not only is this a best player available selection, but Green Bay’s starting Center Josh Myers is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the team could upgrade at the position. Solidifying the offensive line is the next step in Jordan Love’s evolution into becoming a better Quarterback.

26. Buccaneers: Bralen Trice, EDGE

Although Tampa Bay made the playoffs this past season, they ranked towards the bottom in the league at getting to opposing QB’s. Trice hasn’t been in as many first round mocks as he deserves in my opinion, including my own. He’s a powerful pass rusher with long arms that he uses to disengage from blocks. Although he could be a standup pass rushing linebacker, I think he could be successful in Todd Bowles scheme with his hand in the dirt as well.

27. Cardinals (Texans): Chop Robinson, EDGE

Since we selected our offensive weapon pick four overall, I want to address our defense here with our second first round selection. The draft caters towards intangibles and combine numbers, compared to on field production. Robinson is a twitched up athlete who will probably explode during the draft combine. In fact, I don’t see how he’ll get out of the first round with the testing numbers he should produce.

28. Bills: Xavier Worthy, WR

If I’m Buffalo, I’m addressing the WR position, especially with the rumored departure of Gabe Davis. You HAVE to continue to surround Josh Allen with the appropriate weaponry to have success moving forward. Worthy is a smaller receiver who reminds me of Zay Flowers in stature and versatility. He will run the fastest 40 time at the combine and has proven to have success in the slot and outside of the numbers as well. He’s a crisp and explosive route runner who could have success at the next level if he improves at finding soft spots in zone coverage.

29. Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

Although he’s seemingly gave way to the title as CB1 in this years draft, McKinstry still has the size, length and fluid mobility skills to be a starting corner for the Lions, who needs immediate help at the position. Mckinstry might be the best value at this point in the draft.

30. Ravens: Amarius Mims, OT

Baltimore has needs all along their offensive line. At guard, both of this year’s starters are impending free agents and with the health issues of Ronnie Stanley and inconsistent play from Morgan Moses, Tackle could be addressed as well. Mims doesn’t have as much tape as some other OT’s in this year’s draft due to injury, but he’s arguably the best athlete at the position in the draft and offers an immense upside.

31. 49ers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB

The selection of Rakestraw Jr is simply the best player available type of selection. Additionally, San Francisco could improve at their CB2 position. The 49ers have more pressing needs along their offensive line, but I just don’t see the value being there. In a deep class at the OL positions and the run of Cornerbacks earlier on in the draft, it makes sense to pull the trigger on the instinctive Missouri Tiger.

32. Chiefs: Ladd McConkey, WR

Although McConkey won’t become a dominant WR1 at the next level, the Chiefs don’t need him to be. However, McConkey and his 4.3 wheels is an elite separator at the line of scrimmage who is surprisingly better at winning down field than what many expect. With Travis Kelce getting up there in age, a player like McConkey who can find soft spots in zone coverage and consistently get open will be key for Patrick Mahomes moving forward.