Kade Nix’s Mock Draft 2.0: Bowers to the Bengals? Three QB’s taken Top 3?

Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams: QB, USC

I I still think the Bears stick at one overall and select the most talented passer in the draft. Regardless of whether or not Justin Fields is dealt elsewhere. A Justin Fields draft day trade is not out of the question.

Washington Commanders – Drake Maye: QB, UNC

Again, Maye is still my favorite contender to be the Commanders selection at 2. His combination of arm strength and pocket presence makes him a good selection for Washington.

New England Patriots – Jayden Daniels: QB, LSU

As we talked about before, Jayden Daniels has a different play style than the Patriots are used to, but it may be the needed change of pace in New England. This pick could shake up as the draft process goes along so keep an eye on the Patriots at 3.

Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr: WR, OSU

The Cardinals land the best prospect in the entire class. Fittingly, my comparison for Marvin Harrison Jr. was Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald.

Los Angeles Charger – Joe Alt: OT, ND

The Chargers have a ton of different directions they could head with this pick. They add to a strength, and give a brand new weapon to Herbert and Harbaugh. Another pick I could see would be Brock Bowers, as the Chargers seem to not have any real weaknesses on paper.

New York Giants – Malik Nabers: WR, LSU

We all know how it fared for the Giants the last time they drafted a wide receiver from LSU in the first round. I’m confident that this time the selection will fare just as well. Nabers is one of my favorite prospects in the class and my #2 overall prospect.

Tennessee Titans – JC Latham: OT, ALA

This may be a little too high for Latham but the Titans offensive line made it hard for them to develop any kind of positive offense last year. The first step to giving Will Levis some help. Many teams have Latham as the top guy at the position.

Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner: ED, ALA

The Falcons have lacked a difference maker on defense and I think Turner solves the problem for Atlanta. Turner adds a level of versatility that the Falcons lack.

Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze: WR, UW

If the Bears make this happen, they should undoubtedly win Day 1 of the draft. Pairing Rome up with Caleb Williams is bound to win some games for Chicago next season.

New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga: OT, OR ST

The Jets are desperately trying to avoid the disaster that took place last year. They get Taliese Fuaga to protect Aaron Rodgers as they try to avoid another largely disappointing season. Lots of info links Fuaga to the Jets as of now.

Minnesota Vikings – Jared Verse: ED, FSU

Jared Verse may just be the best defensive player in the entire draft. He brings an elite level of athleticism and aggressiveness that will mold well with DC Brian Flores

Denver Broncos – JJ McCarthy: QB, MICH

I’m skeptical the Broncos pull the trigger on McCarthy here, but if they do, hopefully they can start to build around a franchise-hopeful guy. Another landing spot for McCarthy would be the Falcons at 8 in an ultra aggressive move.

Las Vegas Raiders – Terrion Arnold: CB, ALA

Luckily for Vegas, the best corner in the draft falls right here in your lap. Arnold is a good fit with Las Vegas and should perform well there.

New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu: OT, PSU

Fashanu is starting to slip, but I wouldn’t expect him to slide out of the top 15. Fashanu gives the Saints one of the best tackles in the draft to slide in for Trevor Penning, who isn’t quite working out.

Indianapolis Colts – Quinyon Mitchell: CB, TOL

After Toledo’s pro day and the NFL Combine, I don’t think anyone will argue that Mitchell is top 15 pick worthy. He’s gonna fly in the 40 and notch himself as a top 3 corner. The Colts get an absolute playmaker at 15.

Seattle Seahawks – Byron Murphy II: DL, UT

Byron Murphy may be the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. He’ll add more firepower to the Seahawks defense in hopes to keep up with the high powered offenses in the division.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Nate Wiggins: CB, CLEM

Wiggins is going to have a good showing at the Combine and may be selected even earlier than 17. Luckily for the Jaguars, in this scenario they get a balanced playmaker to bolster their secondary.

Cincinnati Bengals – Brock Bowers: TE, UGA

In this mock, no trades are allowed, and that’s why Bowers is available at 18. I imagine a team would trade up within the top 15 to get Bowers. If he did fall to Cincy, the Bengals would have a complete championship caliber team.

Los Angeles Rams – Jackson Powers-Johnson: C, OREG

JPJ is one of the best plug and play day 1 types of guys. JPJ will give great support to the Rams rushing attack, and keep Stafford healthy for as long as he has left.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Amarius Mims: OT, UGA

With the Steelers recent successes with Georgia draft picks, I doubt they would be hesitant to shop there again. I wouldn’t hate a quarterback selection here either, provided the right one is available.

Miami Dolphins – Troy Fautanu: OT, UW

The Dolphins seem like a complete team on paper. Fautanu gives Tua some extra time to be able to get the ball in the hands of his weapons more efficiently.

Philadelphia Eagles – Cooper DeJean: CB, IOWA

The Eagles main concern is powering up their secondary. DeJean is an ultra versatile defensive back who can plug in anywhere on the field.

Houston Texans – Brian Thomas Jr.: WR, LSU

I do believe Brian Thomas goes before 23, but in this scenario he falls to Houston. The Texans give Stroud yet another weapon to make their offense that much more powerful. Thomas adds a good size to the WR room and will compliment Tank Dell very nicely.

Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Guyton: OT, OU

The Cowboys need to start preparing for the departure of Tyron Smith. Guyton is a nice compliment to Tyler Smith, and the Cowboys would bolster a nice young duo on the front lines.

Green Bay Packers – Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: CB, MIZZ

The Packers secondary let up far too many yards last year. With a promising offense, Rakestraw adds a nice level of physicality to the defensive side of the ball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Laiatu Latu: ED, UCLA

Without trades, Latu may fall. If this mock included trades, don’t expect him to be available at 26. Nonetheless, Latu has all the skills to be a polished pro, and will slide right into Bowles system.

Arizona Cardinals – Chop Robinson: ED, PSU

Robinson is one of my favorite players in the draft and luckily for the Cardinals, they get him at 27 to cap off a successful first day of the draft.

Buffalo Bills – Edgerrin Cooper: LB, TAMU

While we may expect a playmaker here in the form of a wide receiver, the class is so deep they’ll be able to grab a solid guy with their second round selection. Cooper is the best linebacker in the draft and adds a solid component to a lacking Bills defense.

Detroit Lions – Zach Frazier: IOL, WVU

Frazier’s wrestling background makes him a good fit for Detroit and Dan Campbell. He’ll be a good fit for the Lions for years to come.

Baltimore Ravens – Darius Robinson: ED, MIZZ

Robinson’s great showing at the Senior Bowl propels him into the first round. Right into the hands of a solid Ravens defense that just keeps getting better.